CUP COMEBACK SEALS FIRST WIN IN NINE

Second half goals from Robbie Banks and Tyrone Fagan finally ended Rugby Town's eight game run without a victory in the opening round of the Southern League cup competition in front of a paltry official crowd of just 35 at Byfield Road on Tuesday evening.

By Jon Venner Tweet

A late illness for keeper Louis Connor saw a competitive debut for Pete Smith between the sticks and with Melvin Gourlay also missing through injury, a second player – Michael Williams - made his first start for the club at right-back – meaning Gary Moran shifting across to the centre of the defence.

The first half of the game was generally a tight and uneventful affair, although the home side did take the lead with their only chance of it on 21 minutes when Alfie Taylor ran on to a flick from Woodford keeper Matt Finlay's long punt upfield, before unleashing a low finish across Smith and into the back of the net.

The closest the Valley came to scoring in the opening period came when Luke Keen broke down the left hand side and then sent a ball into box which a Woodford defender somehow managed to divert onto the base of his own post with a stooping header.

Fortunately Rugby were a much more creative and energetic proposition for the second half, and were unlucky not to score more than the two that they ultimately did.

Their first chance came when Fagan’s low cross to the far post only just evaded the oncoming Keen and Richard Wesley.

The pressure continued and Fagan drilled shot was cleared off the line, after Ben Steane had done well to pick him out from the right

Keen then missed the first of two real sitters when the unmarked striker spooned the ball over from eight yards after Wesley and Andy Gundelach had combined to create the opening.

The deserved equaliser eventually came just before the hour mark when the night’s stand-out player Banks finished off a fine run out wide by cutting in and delivering a rasping shot from twenty yards past Finlay.

Banks was also instrumental in Town's winner on 75 minutes when he broke quickly before releasing Keen who then rolled the ball across the face of the goal to give Fagan a simple tap in.

There was still time for one more easy chance for Valley when Fagan repaid the favour by playing in his strike partner in a similar position, but somehow Keen managed to totally mistime his effort and shoot straight at Finlay instead - with the goal gaping in front of him.

The hosts rarely troubled Rugby for most of the second half, with the visitors limiting them to a handful of wayward shots from distance.

Late on Woodford's best opportunity of forcing extra time did come though, when Chris Jackson lifted one onto the roof of the net.

Valley Line-up: Smith; Williams, Leahy, Preston, Moran; Steane, Wesley (Harris), Gundelach, Banks; Keen, Fagan. Sub not used: Wilson. Booked: Steane, Fagan.