FIRST LEAGUE STALEMATE OF THE SEASON FOR TOWN

Rugby Town were held to their first goalless draw of the season by play-off rivals Northwood at Butlin Road as Valley were again guilty of missing key chances.

By Jon Venner Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Striker Seb Hamilton flicks the ball on during the first half at Butlin Road against play-off rivals Northwood

The hosts dominated for large periods of the game – especially in the second half, but lacked the cutting edge to secure the victory.

Striker Luke Keen replaced the suspended Tyrone Fagan in the only change to the starting line-up from the previous game against St Neots, although there was also a return to the bench for Melvin Gourlay after a two month injury absence.

Early chances for Town saw Luke Leahy lob wide of the target from distance and Richie Allen blaze the ball over the bar from a good position on the edge of the box.

Their best opportunities of the first half all fell to Seb Hamilton, but the centre-forward’s finishing let him down each time – putting one into the side netting, volleying another well-over the target and a third effort was blocked by the feet of Woods’s keeper Mitch Swain.

Visiting skipper Lee Grant lifted his shot over the bar in a rare attacking highlight at the other end ahead of the interval.

Seb Lake-Gaskin replaced Keen for the restart, and the substitute was soon in the game, releasing Michael Williams down the right.

However Williams opted to pass rather than shoot, and the Northwood defence subsequently cleared the danger.

Another Hamilton strike was saved low down by Swain, before probably the best chance of the game fell to Richard Blythe, when the midfielder sent his volley from close range wide of the post after a strong run and powerful pull-back by Hamilton.

Ross Miller and Lake-Gaskin sent further efforts the wrong side of the upright, before Town were given a late scare, when Woods’ substitute Romaine Walker beat three defenders on the left hand side of the penalty area, before directing his cross just behind his supporting team-mates.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Moran, Milligan, Miller, Booth; Williams, Leahy, Blythe, Allen; Keen (Lake-Gaskin), Hamilton. Subs not used: Preston, Wilson, Palmer, Steane. Booked: Williams.