VALLEY DISAPPOINT IN GAME OF TWO HALVES

10-man Rugby Town fell to a second successive defeat for the first time this season in disappointing fashion at Uxbridge.

By Craig Webb Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Valley striker Seb Hamilton was on target with a crisp 23rd-minute volley with his fourth goal of the season but the game turned after the break.

Despite taking a first half lead in which Rugby looked comfortable, the home side took control in the second period and were helped significantly after defender Dominic Reece was sent off for the second time this season, despite this being his first game back after suspension.

With midfielder Lee Miveld returning to Coalville Town after failing to settle at Rugby, Richard Wesley returned after his absence against St Neots, with visitors hoping for a good result after an 11 day break.

Rugby made the brighter start to the game with Wesley seeing his shot blocked after good play initially from Luke Keen and then a neat knockdown from Tyrone Fagan.

Then after twenty minutes, captain Nik Preston had a decent chance to score when, from Wesley's corner, he leapt highest to head the ball high over the bar.

Town were clearly the better team and Seb Hamilton hit a fantastic shot forcing a save from the busy Liam Stone in the home goal. So, it was no surprise that Town took the lead after 23 minutes.

Following the resulting corner, a ball from Preston was crossed into the penalty area, Uxbridge could not clear and the ball fell kindly to Hamilton who hit a sweet strike from 18 yards to leave Stone stranded.

Town restricted Uxbridge to few clear cut chances with both Stuart Farrell and Dave Thomas testing Connor, but Rugby were clearly on top going into the second period.

The second half started very strongly for Uxbridge, with Danny Julienne hitting a shot wide, and Farrell saw his effort hit the post and the upright to somehow stay out of the goal, then Michael Murray hit the bar but was found offside.

Town seem to have weathered the early storm when Preston headed down from a Keen pass but couldn’t direct his header.

In the 65th minute, Rugby’s task of keeping their lead was made much harder when Reece got sent off.

He was initially booked for a tackle, then must have said something to the referee, as he produced another yellow card, then a red one.

With only 10 men, and Uxbridge looking much better than in the first half, it was no surprise that they equalized with 15 minutes left.

Murray who had looked dangerous all half hit a freekick which eluded everybody including Louis Connor to see his shot hit the centre of the net.

The home side were now sensing victory and the got the winning goal with nine minutes left.

Julienne managed to get the ball from Wesley on the edge of the area, turned sweetly to unleash a cracking shot past Connor.

Certainly a game of two halves, and with Town now having slipped to 8th in the table, will be hoping their fortunes will turnaround soon.

Valley Line-up: Connor; Moran, Reece, Preston, Gourlay; Hamilton (Gundelach), Wesley, Banks, Steane; Keen (Cayless), Fagan. Subs not used: Wilson, Khan, Isherwood. Booked: Steane, Reece. Sent Off: Reece.

Uxbridge: Stone, Brown, Thomas, Fitzgerald, Bentley, Carter, Julienne, Lawrence, Murray, Farrell, Warsame.