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