SPRING SUNSHINE STALEMATE

Rugby Town were held to a successive goal-less draw, after a dour and forgettable stalemate at play-off rivals Beaconsfield SYCOB with both sides finishing the game with 10 men.

By Craig Webb Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Rugby Town defender Ed Booth clears a Beaconsfield attack as both sides failed to open up either defence

The sendings off of Valley's Seb Hamilton and Beaconsfield's Yiadom Yeboah midway through the first half was the only real talking point in a particularly drab affair.

With Tyrone Fagan still suspended and Luke Keen injured, Seb Lake-Gaskin returned to the starting line up, however manager Dave Stringer largely kept with the side that drew with Northwood last week.

On a warm and sunny afternoon, the game was played on a rock hard pitch which did not help either team and both goalkeepers did not have to make a serious save all game.

Beaconsfield’s keeper Michael Power-Simpson, smothered the ball from Richard Blythe's cross into the penalty area, the only effort before the major talking point of the game in the 25th minute.

Striker Seb Hamilton fouled Yiadom Yeboah just inside the Valley half, however the hosts' captain did not like the tackle and appeared to slap Hamilton. The Rugby man retaliated by raising his hand and struck Yeboah leaving the referee with no choice but to send both men off.

With no recognised striker on the bench, Lake-Gaskin was the only man up front, and Rugby struggled to penetrate the home defence.

Defender Craig Milligan saw his effort fly overhead, and Charlie Mpi saw his shot go wide for the home side just before half time.

Unfortunately the second period was not much an improvement with no efforts on goal for the entire half.

Rugby had most of the possession but could not find the quality to engineer a goal scoring opportunity.

Blythe saw his shot blocked after good work after Gary Moran teed up a fine ball for Richie Allen to cross into the danger area.

With the referee making some dubious decisions, the game just drifted to a drab conclusion.

With just six games remaining, Town have now slipped to eigth in the table, with the play off hopes starting to fade with just two points from twelve.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Moran, Milligan, Miller, Booth; Williams (Palmer), Leahy, Blythe, Allen (Steane); Hamilton, Lake-Gaskin. Subs not used: Preston, Austin, Gourlay. Booked: Lake-Gaskin. Sent Off: Hamilton.

Beaconsfield: Power-Simpson, Upward, Carby, Grayley, Yeboah, Manuella, Scaley, Page, Barney, Barnard, Mpi.