LATE DOUBLE STRIKE SEALS VALLEY COMEBACK

Melvin Gourlay's stoppage time effort sealed a superb late comeback for Rugby Town at Leighton Town to make it two wins out of two.

By RUGBYTOWNFC.COM Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Captain Niki Preston celebrates with defensive partner Melvin Gourlay after his last gasp winner grabbed the points at Leighton.

Two goals in the last eight minutes of play gave Rugby a second win of the opening week of the new season, as they came from behind to defeat Leighton.

The home side had taken a deserved first half lead ahead of an excellent Valley fightback in the second, but the visitors still had to wait until just four minutes of normal time remained for an equaliser – with Melvin Gourlay’s game clincher then coming four minutes into added-on time.

Dave Stringer named an unchanged starting line-up for the match, and Rugby did hold their own for the opening five minutes or so.

However Leighton took the lead on thirteen minutes when Grant Fryer’s half volley hit the bottom corner of the net after good work on the left by Jack Copson.

The hosts bossed the game for the ensuing twenty minutes or so, with Louis Connor pulling off an outstanding point blank save from James Hatch after Dominic Reece had been caught out.

Connor was again in good form when he thwarted Ben Gallant’s unchallenged run through the middle of a particularly bobbly pitch with his legs.

Valley began to reassert themselves again in the closing minutes of the opening period though, with Nik Preston’s header just lacking the required power and Richard Wesley’s ball across the face of the Leighton goal falling frustratingly out of the reach of his colleagues.

The second half had a much different dynamic to it though. The visitors were full of renewed energy and a nervy looking Leighton side all too often resorted to long ball clearances up the pitch, failing to trouble the now solid looking Rugby back-line.

Within just two minutes of the restart, first Seb Hamilton tested Joe Cox in the Leighton goal and then his strike partner Tyrone Fagan dragged one wide from eighteen yards, as Valley started the half looking like they meant business.

Ben Steane went close with one of many free-kicks awarded to his side as the pressure built, and Steane also played in a nice ball for Hamilton to draw another save by Cox from his curling right footer.

From another set-piece, JJ Cole fired into the defensive wall – with Reece blazing the rebound just over the bar.

Town finally made the breakthrough on 84 minutes after a long ball from Preston caused panic in the Leighton penalty box.

Hamilton’s aerial threat caused Ross to fumble, and after Steane’s initial attempt to bring down the ball had been unsuccessful, Wesley smashed home a volley into the roof of the net.

The goal sparked Leighton into life though, and they began to threaten Valley once more.

With the game already into stoppage time, Rugby’s penalty saving hero from the weekend Louis Connor pulled off another top drawer save to deny a bullet shot from Hatch, and then as the ball went back to the other end of the pitch, Valley snatched victory at the death when Hamilton flicked on Reece’s long throw to allow Gourlay to bundle home from close range.

Jubilant scenes followed both on and off the pitch, and the final whistle was not far behind them – maintaining Rugby’s perfect start to the campaign.

Valley Line-up: Connor; Moran, Reece, Preston, Gourlay; Steane, Wesley, Gundelach (Haycock), Steane, Cole; Fagan, Hamilton. Sub not used: Da Costa, Smith, Wilson, Khan. Booked: Hamilton.