Useful Run Out at Redditch

Rugby Town put in another encouraging display at Southern League Premier Central side Redditch United on the astroturf pitch at the Valley Stadium.

Rugby lost out to the odd goal in the game, scored in the second half by ex-Valley striker Luke Keen, but overall new manager Carl Adams will have been satisfied with his side's display.

Adams named a similar starting line-up to the win over Sutton Coldfield on Saturday but with Harry Holloway and trialist Stefan Blake coming into the midfield with player/assistant Justin Marsden dropping to the bench and Lewis Rankin unavailable.

There was a first appearance of pre-season for new goalkeeper Matt Hill who came off the bench to appear in the second half.

Richard Bunting, Simeon Tulloch, Aiden Print and Charlie Faulkner were all unavailable.

The first half was a very even affair with both sides coming close to breaking the deadlock with half chances as Holloway saw his curled effort from the edge of the area tipped over the visitors after a good move.

The second half opened up as the customary pre-season substitutions came and Rugby should have led when Luke Edwards headed a good chance straight at the keeper from Loyiso Recci's excellent cross.

Substitute Sam Lockley dragged a shot wide after Redditch struck the post with a free-kick before wing-back Keenah Rosser contrived to not score from close range after an excellent move before substitute debutant Charlie Evans hit the bar with the follow-up.

Redditch missed a one-on-one chance after breaking clean through before they got the only goal with Keen pouncing on Marsden's mistake next to the penalty area to powerfully strike home.

Lockley had another chance to score late on as he beat the defender to a long ball but he curled his shot wide with the goalkeeper stranded.

Valley Starting XI: Dan Flack; Loyiso Recci, Luke Edwards, Dominic Perkins; Keenah Rosser, Lee Thomas, Richard Blythe, Stefan Blake, Harry Holloway; Danico Johnson, Jamal Adams.