TABLE-TOPPING CLASH ENDS ALL SQUARE AS WINNING STREAK ENDS

Rugby Town and league leaders Godalming Town played out an entertaining draw at Wey Court as Valley's winning streak was finally halted.

By CRAIG WEBB Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Sam Belcher fired Rugby into a 19th-minute lead against the league leaders with his fourth goal of the season

After an excellent first half performance in which midfielder Sam Belcher had put Valley ahead inside 20 minutes, Rugby were extremely disappointed to go into the break behind to two late headed goals in the first half.

Valley continued to play well and got themselves a good point when Alex Gudger headed home from a corner with both sides having chances to steal the points in the final 15 minutes.

The result marks the first time Rugby have dropped points since a defeat to Burnham on 3rd November although it extends the unbeaten run to 10 games.

Valley boss Dave Stringer made a single change to his line-up with Sam Youngs replacing Richard Blythe in midfield.

The home side made the brightest start and could have gone ahead in the first minute when Darren Wheeler hit a ferocious free-kick only to see his shot go wide, then Town keeper Dave Bevan saved well from defender Ryan Lake.

As well as long efforts they were also an aerial threat with Wheeler jumping highest in the area, but his thumping effort being turned away by Bevan.

Rugby's first effort came after ten minutes when Sam Youngs turned well in the centre of defence and unleashed an effort which was just wide of the post.

Rugby took the lead after Sam Belcher scored with a precise shot which scorched past home keeper Jake Somerville. Both Youngs and Seb Lake -Gaskin combined well to set up Belcher who produced a nice birthday present for himself.

The first half continued with Rugby playing the decent flowing football which has impressed so much in recent weeks and this produced some decent efforts on goal by David Kolodynski and Youngs with Fazel Koriya having a shot cleared off the line.

So it was disappointing when Godalming equalised on 37 minutes through Johnnie Dyer.

His low header from a Warren Harris cross saw him evade Alex Gudger to nod home.

And in the third minute of injury time at the end of the half, Rugby fell behind when amidst a scramble in the area Jamie McClurg saw his effort go over the line when both Gudger and Bevan couldn't keep it out.

The second half, this Rugby came out the better with Ellis Myles see his scorching effort go over the top of the bar, a Kolodynski effort blocked, and Youngs running out of pitch after rounding the keeper.

The hosts almost extended their lead when Dyer had capitalised on Belcher's hesitancy 20 yards from goal before taking the ball around Bevan only to screw his unbalanced effort wide of the empty net.

Godalming at this point were just passing the ball around with no real penetration of the defence and Rugby got back in the game midway through the half when the impressive Gudger rose highest to get the ball to plant his header beyond Somerville and an oncoming defender.

After this the home side rarely threatened Rugby and Town could have won it late on with Kolodynski having a good shot go agonisingly wide.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Myles, Kelly, Rowley, Gudger; Banks (Palmer), Koriya, Belcher, Youngs; Lake-Gaskin (McBride), Kolodynski. Subs not used: Miller, Booth, French. Booked: Myles, Banks.

Godalming: Somerville, Broome, Lake, Hollis, Foulser, Edwards, Dyer, McClurg, S Harris, Wheeler, W Harris.