Students Win Most Pleasing Yet For Grant

Rugby Town boss Grant Joshua said his side's hard-fought win over Loughborough Students was his most pleasing yet.

Tuesday night's 1-0 victory over the Scholars made it three straight wins and three consecutive clean sheets.

Joshua said: "It’s maybe my most pleasing win as manager for a few reasons really. Our out-of-possession work proved what I already knew – we’re a very fit side, and we had to be, because ours is a big pitch and they have patterns and rotations that are tough to live with if you’re not physically up to it.

"Although Loughborough had most of the of the ball, we had all of the chances. We showed our counter-attacking qualities and should have been more clinical – that’s the message to my forward players. Kill teams off when the opportunities present themselves.

"Still, I was really pleased with how we got into those areas. We looked a side who could do both on Tuesday night.”

Joshua was full of praise for both his players and the visitors after a tense encounter that showcased Valley's growing resilience and fitness: "Loughborough had most of the ball last night, but we had all of the chances in the game," he said. "Can I just say how much I applaud how Loughborough play – that won’t be much consolation to Jamie [Clapham] and his lads, but I think they’ll have a successful season.

"Everybody says, ‘put it on them, they’re only kids and they won't handle it’ but it couldn’t be further from the truth and I knew that.

"Any team that goes to Lichfield, Long Eaton, Corby and Anstey and gets positive results are a proper side. They can mix it and they can play – very good side and good luck to them."

Joshua reserved praise for goalscorer Rivel Mardenborough, whose first-half strike sealed the points: "Special mention for Riv – he gives us so much up there. He’s battered centre-backs without reward recently, but last night he showed his all-round game.

"He makes bad balls into good ones, he’s a nuisance, strong, quick, powerful – and his goal is something I see from him in training every single week. Really pleased for him, he’s top."

The Valley boss was also delighted with another clean sheet – the third in succession – and the collective defensive effort that achieved it: "That’s not just Marcus [Bald] and the boys at the back," he said. "It’s a collective. My first defenders have been Rivel [Mardenborough], Harrison [Nee] and Cairo [Taylor] recently, so I’m delighted for all of them to achieve that as a team."

Rugby now have a short break before returning to action in a November that includes Long Eaton United, Bourne Town and a Birmingham Senior Cup tie against Coventry City.

Joshua added: “The support was fantastic again last night. The noise and atmosphere in the ground was brilliant, and our numbers are gradually growing, which I understand will happen when the team wins football matches.

"Get behind the boys at every opportunity – they need it."