A youthful Rugby team registered a second cup success within a few days thanks to another highly spirited and commendable performance.
With no permanent manager in place, Valley were under the charge of youth team coach Dan Gibson fielded four youth team players in a side that featured eight players who live in Rugby.
Valley's young side came out on top of what turned out to be a seven goal thriller at the Marston's Stadium.
The visitors looked to have the game in the bag within the hour mark, after they stormed to a 4-1 lead - with the strike pairing of Callum Powell and David Kolodynski causing all kind of problems for the home side.
However two late Belper strikes set up a nervy finish to the game, but Town deservedly held on to secure a place in the First Round of the Doodson sponsored competition.
With keeper Niall Cooper unavailable, there was another chance between the sticks for Ashley Bodycote, and the sixteen year old youth team prospect was in great form on a number of occasions - including one terrific point blank stop and another occasion when he turned a goal bound effort onto the post.
With another youth teamer Charlie Whiteside making a first start after his substitute appearance at Ilkeston at the weekend, Rugby took the lead on 32 minutes when Kolodynski tapped home from close range after Rob Parker had opened up the hosts' defence with a incisive pass to release Powell - who in-turn set-up his partner.
Belper were level within minutes though, when Rob Stevenson pounced to head home after a goalmouth scramble.
Valley were quickly back in front, after some great individual play by Powell saw him sidestep a couple of defenders before a confident finish past Danny Haystead.
Two more Rugby goals within fifteen minutes of the restart appeared to have sealed the game, with a smart finish by Powell after a third youth teamer Harry Holloway had played him in, before Powell turned provider again for Kolodynski to also grab his brace.
The home side rallied with Stevenson smashing home from the edge of the area on 82 minutes, and then Bodycote was again given no chance by a Jonathan Williams' curler in stoppage time.
However the late comeback was to no avail, as Valley again coped with some late pressure to claim the victory.
Valley
Line-up: Bodycote; Mullarkey, Kelly, Rowley, Ryan (Holloway); Parker, Whiteside (Tellyn), Glasscoe, Towers; Kolodynski, Powell. Subs not used: None. Booked: None.
Belper line-up: Haystead, Purcicoe, Cooksey, Watt, Matthews, Towey, Wilson, Williams, Garnett, Stevenson, Fairclough. Subs: Marshall, Johnson, Wedderburn, Vickers, Taylor. |