ANOTHER
LATE SHOW ONLY SAVES POINT
Substitute
Tyrone Fagan's 89th minute header rescued a point
for Rugby Town away to strugglers Fleet Town.
By
Craig Webb
Town
on an encouraging run going into the game went
behind midway through the second half, but fought
back well to force an equaliser on a sloping pitch.
Manager
Dave Stringer, bought another new face into the
side, Craig Reid making his debut at left back
after recently signing from Loughborough Dynamo,
with Gary Moran still not quite fit, on the substitutes
bench.
Despite
the newly promoted Fleet struggling in the bottom
three, this was not a easy game for Rugby.
The
first shot on target in the game didn't come until
the 25th minute when home striker Luke King shot
straight into the hands of Pete Smith from 20
yards out.
In
a half of very few opportunities Rugby had an
appeal for a penalty after Luke Keen was allegedly
bundled over in the penalty area, but referee
Peter Lavelle waved played on.
Just
two minutes later, Rugby did get the ball in the
net when centre back Ed Booth rose highest from
a Luke Leahy free kick, to head the ball past
Pryce, but the referee disallowed the goal after
saying the Booth had impeded the keeper.
The
Rugby fans and even the home keeper himself afterwards
said otherwise.
The
hosts came out firing on all cylinders in the
second half, looking the much sharper and with
more intent going forwards.
Both
Craig Davis and Gareth Byres having decent efforts
on goal, but Smith thwarting them on each occasion.
Town
were dealt a blow midway through the half when
Fleet went ahead through Scott Hunter.
A
decent passing move in the middle of park, the
ball found its way into the danger area, and Hunter
unmarked from close range rifled his shot past
Smith.
After
the goal, boss Stringer, brought on Tyrone Fagan
and Seb Hamilton, for more punch up front and
Rugby looked more threatening going forward.
Hamilton
saw his powerful shot go over the bar, and Fagan
had a tame shot, after an initial good play.
With
the clock ticking down towards injury time, Rugby
again for the third match running scored a late
goal.
Hamilton
collected what seemed to be a dead ball by the
bye line, managed to pass to Reid under pressure
who floated over a accurate cross to Fagan in
the area, and produced a bullet header into the
top corner past a stranded Pryce.
Despite
dropping two points, this was a decent point on
an unfamiliar pitch, and bodes well for the Christmas
period.
Valley
line-up: Smith; Williams, Reid, Preston,
Booth; Allen, Miller (Fagan), Leahy; Wesley (Hamilton),
Lake-Gaskin; Keen. Sub not used:
Wilson, Moran. Booked: Preston,
Leahy.
Fleet
Town: Pryce, Rousell, Bowles, Byres,
Scott, Rumbold, Pilgrim, Davis, Hunter, Taylor,
King.
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