VALLEY
END YEAR IN MID-TABLE DRAW
Rugby
Town ended the year with a valuable draw against
fellow mid-table side Barton Rovers at Sharpenhoe
Road on New Year's Eve.
By
Craig Webb
Photo:
Martin Pulley |
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Rugby
forward Seb Hamilton
tries to get to grips with the difficult
conditions at Sharpenhoe Road against
Barton. |
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Swirling
wind and a difficult pitch made for testing conditions
as Valley saw Seb Lake-Gaskin's first half strike
levelled up by the hosts in the second half in
an evenly-contested match.
A
thunderous last gasp shot from Lake-Gaskin which
hit the bar nearly won it for Town with the very
last kick of the game, but they had to be content
with a point which on balance of play was a fair
return.
After
the heavy defeat at local rivals Bedworth on Boxing
Day, manager Dave Stringer welcomed the return
of captain Nik Preston after suspension, and Robbie
Banks returned to the starting line up after injury.
On
a sticky pitch and with blustery conditions, Rugby
started the game well and created the first opportunity
of the game after just nine minutes, though Seb
Hamilton should have been on target from Tyrone
Fagan's accurate pass.
Central
defender Ed Booth poked the ball wide from ten
yards from Luke Leahy's cross after sixteen minutes.
Despite
this encouraging start by Rugby, neither side
were threatening the goalkeepers in the early
exchanges.
The
first save of the game did not come until ten
minutes to half time when the impressive looking
Ricky Case forced a good save from Pete Smith
from close range.
Rugby
got the break-through though in the 40th minute.
Good build up play from Rugby, Fagan delivered
a super cross for Lake-Gaskin who managed to get
in front of the defender to score from six yards
out.
With
the half coming towards the end, both Leahy and
Booth had chances to increase the lead.
The
home side certainly came out for the second half
playing the better football, passing the ball
well and they equalised in the 62nd minute through
striker Russell Bull.
Rugby
couldn't clear the ball out of the danger area
and with Leahy taking an extra touch in his own
area, Bull seized on the chance and buried his
effort past Smith.
Despite
the home side being back in the game, Rugby could
not find any way to break down Barton and likewise
the hosts could not create any more chances.
The
game though nearly ended on a cracking note for
Town when Lake-Gaskin hit the bar which was the
last kick of the game.
A
brilliant volley which had Richard Wilmot beaten
in the Barton goal, but the woodwork had the last
laugh.
Valley Line-up: Smith; Moran,
Reid, Preston, Booth; Banks, Leahy, Allen (Gundelach);
Hamilton (Wesley), Lake-Gaskin; Fagan (Keen).
Subs not used: Steane, Williams.
Booked: Allen, Lake-Gaskin.
Barton
Rovers:
Wilmot, Vaughan, Wilson, Hull, Andrews, McDevitt,
Case, Knight, Bull, Dance, Eadie.
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