VALLEY were denied the maximum return by ten man Tividale after the NPL South Division’s basement boys put in a spirited performance to come from behind to earn a draw 1-1 at Butlin Road last Saturday, reports Jon Venner.
The hosts had appeared to be cruising to victory when the visitors’ Lewis Wright was dismissed in the 37th minute with Rugby already a goal to the good thanks to another stunning finish by David Kolodynski.
However Tividale struck within a minute of the restart to stun Dale Belford’s men and despite a late barrage they could not find a way past a resolute back-line and a particularly inspired keeper in Tom Turner.
Rugby’s starting line-up showed just one change from their last outing a fortnight previously, with Kevin Thornton in for Jake Healy, and there was a place on the bench for the first time for recent signing Andre Johnson.
Valley started well with Callum Powell just denied by Wright and Kolodynski’s volley on the turn was saved well by Turner, although Tividale had had the first chance of the game when Chris Sterling flicked the ball into the arms of Sam Andrew.
Thornton then created himself a golden opportunity after skipping nonchalantly past a number of challenges before shanking the ball way off target.
The deserved opener came on 24 minutes when Thornton’s free-kick into the box was headed back across it by Steve Towers and finished off by a Kolodynski bicycle kick to give the striker his 20th goal of the season.
Turner kept out another close range Kolodynski effort shortly after and Rob Parker struck the post, before Wright was shown the red card for a foul on Powell.
The away side responded well to the blow of the sending off though, and Andrew was soon rushing from his line to prevent Deasan Martin from having a chance, with Chris Rabone also going close for Dale ahead of the break.
Town were caught cold immediately after the teams returned though, when Mark Danks fired a low shot past Andrew from the edge of the area, and it took until around the hour mark for Rugby to properly get back in their stride again.
Their revival coincided with the introduction of Johnson from the bench, and the dual-registered Corby man had at least half dozen decent chances to grab what ultimately proved to an elusive winner.
First he blasted wide from a tight angle, before soon having a low strike parried away by Turner.
Turner turned another Johnson effort over the bar, ahead of the pick of his opportunities when he headed Kolodynski’s assist wide from a good position.
Rugby could not find a way past Turner, although another Johnson attempt to Sam Warburton’s cross did almost sneak through the keeper’s hands.
Chris Tullin also headed one wide and Kolodynski lifted the ball the wrong side of the post, with Johnson again denied by a decent stop by Turner, before Johnson found the side netting.
