RUGBY FALL TO SINGLE GOAL

Rugby Town fell to another defeat at the hands of local rivals Daventry, despite an improved performance from the previous game.

By Craig Webb Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Valley striker Luek Keen tries to get a strike away in the second half but the Daventry defence stood firm.

On a bitterly cold evening at Communications Park, the only goal of the game came after the home side stepped up the pressure in the second half after an even first period.

Manager Dave Stringer made three changes from the Ashford match with Andy Gundelach, Seb Hamilton and Tyrone Fagan all starting with no Seb Lake-Gaskin and Ben Steane and Harry Harris dropping to the bench.

Daventry had the first shot on target within the first few minutes when John Powis forced Pete Smith into a good save, and he was in action again when he smothered former Town player Calum Burgess cross.

Rugby found chances very hard to create although Michael Williams tried his luck from distance but did not trouble Joe Mellings in the home goal.

Rugby's best move of the half came when striker Seb Hamilton made a good run down the wing and crossed for Luke Keen who saw his header saved.

Daventry nearly broke the deadlock just before half time when Scott Hendrie dribbled his way through the midfield untackled by Rugby and he unleashed a shot which hit the post.

The hosts seemed to come out in the second half with a bit more energy about them and it showed when Mark Bellingham put them ahead on 55 minutes.

He received a good ball from Powis, and evaded the Rugby defence to drill his shot past Smith.

The goal gave Daventry vastly more confidence and Craig Milligan had a decent shot saved.

Town, despite having more possession midway through the half, could not get through a stubborn Daventry defence although captain Nik Preston saw his header flash wide of the post.

The away fans behind the goal thought Rugby deserved a penalty late on when Luke Keen appeared to have had his shirt pulled in the area, but the referee gave a freekick to Daventry much to the frustration of the Rugby management.

Despite the late flurry from Rugby, Daventry held on to get the local bragging rights on this occasion.

Valley line-up: Smith; Williams, Leahy, Preston, Moran; Gundelach, Banks (Steane), James, Keen, Hamilton (Austin); Fagan. Sub not used: Da Costa, Harris, Wilson. Booked: Hamilton, Fagan.

Daventry Town: Mellings, Burgess, Milligan, Hicks, Edwards, Parkinson, O’Grady, Powis, Bellingham, Hendrie, Hoban.