Grant Joshua's first game in charge of Rugby Town ended with a positive pre-season win at Stratford Town.
Goals from midfielders Callum Griffin and Olly West overturned Ryan Hayes' opener for the higher league hosts as both sides made a host of half time changes.
It was a first chance for Valley fans to see the new-look squad in action as Joshua put 18 players through their paces at the Southern League Premier Central side.
The starting XI featured only Josh Thomas and Harrison Nee from last season's squad with Liam Francis and Caine Elliott playing in the second half team.
Rugby were without defender Ethan Hanson and Ryan Sahota due to holidays and Curvin Sanderson-Ellis, Harry Cunningham, Paul Ibhadon and Adam Hanson due to injury.
Bleu McNeil made a goal-line clearance from Jamie Molyneux while Nee narrowly missed the target with a header from Cairo Taylor's deep cross.
Stratford striker Cyrus Bruce crashed an effort off the bar before he was heavily involved in the opening goal when he was released through one-on-one after a defensive mix-up but despite Valley goalkeeper Ben Newey making a good stop the ball came back to Ryan Hayes who made no mistake to find the net from the follow-up.
Taylor cut inside to force a fine reaction save by Stratford keeper Jake Weaver while Newey had to sharp to keep out Molyneux's snapshot.
Rugby's equaliser was a rapid counter-attack as Dilano Reid released Taylor clean through down the right hand channel and he in turn squared the ball for Callum Griffin to confidently stroke the ball home first time from 12 yards.
Griffin was the provider for what proved to be the winner when his inswinging corner was headed in at close quarters by West.
Sam Tye almost extended the lead but saw his effort blocked while goalkeeper Marcus Bald made a brilliant reaction stop to keep out Leo Brown's header for Stratford.
Valley
Line-up First Half: Ben Newey; Jack Bostock, Bleu McNeil, Josh Thomas, Harry Lake; Olly West, Callum Griffin, Sam Ellis; Harrison Nee, Cairo Taylor, Dilano Reid.
Valley
Line-up Second Half: Marcus Bald; Nathan Kabeya, Bleu McNeil, Josh Thomas, Liam Francis; Olly West, Callum Griffin, Caine Elliott, Sam Tye; Rivel Mardenborough, Joe Palmer.
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