VALLEY MARCH ON AT NORTHWOOD

Rugby Town continued their impressive form with a comfortable win at Chestnut Avenue - claiming their first ever victory over Northwood in five attempts as well as recording a second away clean sheet on the trot.

By Craig Webb Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Midfielder Sam Youngs enjoyed a more advanced role and his 80th-minute strike effectively sealed Rugby's first ever win at Northwood

With striker Seb-Lake Gaskin nursing a foot injury, boss Dave Stringer recalled the available-again Richard Blythe to the starting midfield – with Sam Youngs operating in a more advanced role.

Despite a pitch not looking its greatest, Valley started the better with Fazel Koriya showing his intent with a bamboozling run into the penalty area only to see his pass to David Kolodynski smothered by home keeper James Reading.

This was followed by Ellis Myles shooting wide from a free-kick, with Kolodynski going closest to breaking the deadlock when he smashed a great opportunity against the crossbar – when he only had Reading to beat.

Northwood were dealt a blow in the 22nd minute when their tall striker and main threat Oliver Hawkins had to be taken off due to injury.

Town took the lead not long after when Lewis McBride threaded a delightful ball through to Kolodynski - who beat the offside trap to slide the ball across to Koriya to sweep home.

Rugby continued to dominate for the remainder of the half, and the home side did not have a shot on-target until the 45th minute when Lee Grant’s free-kick was saved by Dave Bevan.

The second period was no different with Town searching for the second goal which would effectively kill the game off.

Alex Gudger and Kolodynski both went close - with the former hitting the bar with a header.

Kolodynski also struck the woodwork twice within a minute, before that crucial second arrived in the 80th minute courtesy of Youngs - who found himself in acres of space from a great pass from Koriya before applying a clinical finish to register his eighth of the campaign so far.

The closest Northwood got a late consolation saw Bevan comfortably save Craig White’s shot from eighteen yards in the 90th minute.

Valley then added a third in injury time when Myles unleashed a cracking shot from 25 yards out which smashed into the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Austin, Myles, Rowley, Gudger; Koriya, McBride, Belcher, Youngs (Evangelinos), Blythe; Kolodynski. Subs not used: Lake-Gaskin, Booth, Maisri, Palmer. Booked: None.

Northwood: Reading, Salih, Grant, Hewitt, Yorke, Nicholas, Federico, Burgess, Wilkinson, Hawkins, White.