VALLEY CLOCK UP FOUR LEAGUE WINS IN A ROW

Rugby claimed their fifth successive victory to really cement their play off credentials, after disposing of mid-table Burnham with consummate ease at Butlin Road.

By Craig Webb Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Rugby's players celebrate Michael Williams' second half goal in front of the Valley faithful at the Allotment End.

Buoyed up after the midweek cup win over Daventry, victory was vital to keep up the pressure in the race for the play offs.

Manager Dave Stringer made just two changes, with Richie Allen and Tyrone Fagan returning to the starting line up in place of Ben Steane and new signing Steve Palmer.

Rugby made the best possible start when they took the lead after just two minutes.

A long punt up the pitch from keeper David Bevan, found Tyrone Fagan and his deft little touch, came off a Burnham defender, found his striker partner Seb Hamilton for him to score his ten goal of the season.

Despite the cracking start to the match, the visitors woke up and Lewis Driver saw his seventh minute effort hit the side netting after going past Ed Booth and Gary Moran.

Rugby’s lead lasted just over twelve minutes when Burnham equalised through Harry Pritchard.

A super floating cross from Kieron Knight on the left found Pritchard in space to slot the ball past Bevan.

However, within five minutes, Town again took the lead, when Richard Blythe scored his first goal for the club.

A free kick expertly taken by young Luke Leahy, found the midfielder whose header was downwards but in the scramble he poked home from two yards out.

To cap a brilliant first half hour for the home side, Rugby increased their lead on 27 minutes, when Allen managed to free himself from the attention of a Burnham defender, and his precise pass found Robbie Banks just glided the ball past a stranded Andy Bayliss.

Burnham offered very little in reply for the remainder of the half with only Toby Ayala having an effort go way wide.

Rugby despite being two goals to the good, were not letting up in their dominant play and it was no surprise when went 4-1 up on 64 minutes through sheer persistence and determination from Michael Williams.

A good ball from Moran found Williams just inside the Burnham half, and his run took him past four players and despite the best efforts of the defenders, Williams just kept running and managed somehow to poke the ball home from three yards and trickle over the line.

Town were in complete control of the match, with Burnham producing nothing to trouble either Bevan or the solid defence.

The referee blew the whistle for full time to the delight of the home fans who are starting to think that promotion is a possibility after an undefeated January.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Moran, Leahy, Preston, Booth; Banks, Williams, Blythe (Gundelach), Allen; Hamilton, Fagan (Keen). Subs not used: Austin, Steane, Palmer. Booked: Preston.

Burnham: Bayliss, Smith, Gray, T Willment, Bird, D Willment, Togwell, Ayala, Driver, Knight, Pritchard.