VALLEY
WIN UGLY AT CHERTSEY
Rugby
Town made it three league wins on the trot to
keep their play off bid very much alive with a
narrow win at a gusty Alwyns Lane against Chertsey
Town.
By
Craig Webb
Manager Dave Stringer gave a debut to new goalkeeper,
Irishman David Bevan, due to an injury to regular
stopper Pete Smith.
Despite
only returning last week, Mel Gourlay was out
injured due to a broken arm sustained in the win
against Leighton.
There
were places on the bench for two other new players,
Richard Blythe and Steve Palmer.
Town
had the first real chance after ten minutes when
Luke Leahy's corner found Robbie Banks, but his
shot was easily saved by Jamie Norris.
The
home side first shot of the match did not come
until 20 minutes in when forward Rob Carr shot
went straight to Bevan.
Rugby
took the lead just after the half hour when Andy
Gundelach scored his second goal of the season.
Striker
Seb hamilton played a neat pass into the path
of the midfielder, who found space on the edge
of area, unleashed his shot which flew past Norris
into the far corner.
Just
a few minutes later, Town nearly made it two,
when Ed Booth saw his floating header drift wide
from Richie Allen's free kick.
Rugby
clearly finished the half on top with Hamilton
going on a mazy run past defenders only to see
his effort saved by Norris, and home player Steve
Brown on the line to prevent Nik Preston's shot
going over the line.
In
the second half, Rugby did enough to nullify any
threat that Chertsey had, with the home side limited
to speculative shots while Town despite having
the more possession failed to really test Norris.
Towards
the end of the game, with the pitch cutting up
ever more, Chertsey sub Matt Powell breezed past
Leahy towards goal but his effort was blocked
by Preston.
With
this win, Rugby are now only one point of the
play off positions, despite being in ninth place.
Valley Line-up: Bevan; Moran,
Leahy, Preston, Booth; Banks, Gundelach (Williams),
Allen; Keen (Blythe), Hamilton (Steane); Fagan.
Subs not used: Austin, Palmer.
Booked: Fagan, Booth.
Chertsey:
Norris, Brown, Witham, Blount, McGarry,
Johnston, Williams, Brunt, Pomroy, Merriman, Carr.
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