VALLEY BACK ON LEAGUE TRACK

Rugby Town had a successful return to league action for more than a month with a hard-fought win at Beaconsfield SYCOB.

By Craig Webb Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Returning striker David Kolodynski played a part in Valley's first goal in his first game for the club since 2010

The bright autumnal afternoon also saw the return of striker David Kolodynski after making his last appearance for the club at the end of the 2009/10 season.

The forward is much needed after the retirement of Seb Hamilton.

With the home side play-off finalists last season, Rugby thought they would face a decent side, but despite the narrow scoreline, were never in any real danger of losing the game.

Manager Dave Stringer made just two changes after the FA Trophy defeat to Stafford with Richard Blythe and Kolodynski in for Ross Miller and Richie Allen in the starting XI.

Rugby started the game well with Blythe hitting a tame shot after a decent knockdown from Kolodynski via Craig Kelly’s cross.

Just a few minutes later, Robbie Banks sent a teasing cross into the penalty area, however no one got on the end of it and the ball was out of danger.

Rugby continued to press and Seb Lake-Gaskin saw his 25-yard effort go agonisingly wide.

Town deserved to go into the lead in the 24th minute.

Lake-Gaskin fed Kolodynski whose shot was blocked well by home keeper Jonathan Nydell, but the rebound fell to Banks who made no mistake slotting the ball into the net.

Town continued to dominate and the home side were lucky to go into the break only 1-0 down.

Valley carried on where they left in the second half with Blythe having a shot which should have been more accurate but they doubled their lead on 56 minutes when Koriya turned inside his defender to unleash a powerful shot which left Nydell stranded.

Midway through the half Beaconsfield got a goal back with Dwane Lee reducing the arrears when his initial shot hit the post but he pounced first on the rebound to slide the ball past Dave Bevan.

Unfortunately the game turned a little more with 20 minutes to go when Koriya had a slight hamstring strain and had to be substituted after he was causing Beaconsfield all sorts of problems with his pace.

With this the home side had more possession and were threatening to get an equaliser but Rugby’s defence held firm to record an important victory.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Myles, Kelly, Gudger, Booth; Banks, Koriya (Austin), Palmer, Blythe (Youngs); Lake-Gaskin, Kolodynski (Fagan). Subs not used: Allen, Miller. Booked: None.