TIP TOP TOWN IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

Rugby Town made it seven wins on the bounce with a superb victory over high flying Royston – leapfrogging the Hertfordshire side in the process to head the table themselves.

By Jon Venner Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

From left: Fazel Koriya, Steve Palmer, Nic Evangelinos and Alex Gudger swarm goalscorer David Kolodynski in celebration of his 70th-minute winner against Royston

Tuesday evening’s match-up was a re-run of the previously abandoned game from mid-November, and only went ahead after a late inspection confirmed the pitch to be playable, after local temperatures had begun to plummet.

Valley went on to put in a stirring performance amongst the freezing Butlin Road fog, coming from a goal behind to secure a deserved victory thanks to David Kolodynski’s second half strike.

Both teams seemed to struggle with the conditions early in the game, with only a half chance for Rugby’s Steve Palmer – in for the unavailable Richard Blythe – and one for the visitors’ Lewis Endacott worthy of note.

The first main action came on the quarter hour mark when Alex Gudger was bundled over in the box by Sam Spencer, just as he was about to make contact with Craig Kelly’s free-kick.

As he had done at the weekend against Chalfont, Sam Belcher took responsibility for the resulting penalty – but this time his execution was less impressive and Royston keeper Will Norris easily parried his effort.

The rebound fell to Belcher, but he could only head the ball back into Norris’s arms.

Royston upped their game after this let-off, and Ross Collins struck one over the bar from twenty yards, before Ryan Lockett gave his side the advantage – as he had in the original game - this time with a good strike from distance, after he was given too much space by an otherwise vigilant Valley rear guard.

Now it was time for the hosts to hit their stride though, and Kolodynski twice caused mayhem with his pace down the right hand side – smashing a shot off the outside of the upright on the second occasion.

The deserved Rugby equaliser came with just two minutes of the first half remaining, when Fazel Koriya seized upon a loose ball from Kelly’s corner to smash it home from close range.

There was still time ahead of the break for Gudger to hurry Norris into a sharp save to his swerving free-kick, after Nic Evangelinos had been crudely taken out on the apex of the penalty area. Royston started brightly after the restart, and Matt Standen squandered a good chance – with Endacott also firing one straight at Dave Bevan.

However, apart from one more effort from Collins which Bevan pushed away with his legs, it was always Valley that looked the most likely to score a second goal.

A great run by Ellis Myles ended with Kolodynski having his shot blocked on the line, and Gudger headed over – as the vocal home supporters really got behind their men.

Kolodynski’s winner came on 72 minutes when Palmer helped the ball into his path after Norris had flapped at a long free-kick, and the striker applied a clinical finish – prompting somewhat premature (although ultimately accurate) chants from the crowd confirming Valley’s new-found table topping position.

Norris then saved well from Kolodynski, and Koriya should really have wrapped the game up when he lifted the ball wide of the post.

The visitors did push forward in numbers in search of a leveller late on, but they received little change from a resolute Rugby defence.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Myles, Kelly, Rowley, Gudger; Banks, Koriya, Belcher, Palmer; Evangelinos, Kolodynski. Subs not used: Booth, French, Miller, Austin. Booked: Belcher.

Royston line-up: Norris, Parr, Endacott, Bradshaw, De La Salle, Spencer, Edwards, Standen, Lockett, Collins, Robins. Subs: McDevitt, Ingrey, Malins, Howard