Rugby’s steady improvement continued in a thoroughly enjoyable game at a very cold Victoria Pleasure Ground after they beat Goole 4-3 in the Northern Premier League Division 1 South.
Despite the home side being down to nine men Rugby held on for three most valuable points to ease further away from the relegation zone.
Rugby had the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty in the third after goalkeeper Thomas Beaurepaire clearly brought down David Kolodynski in the box, and Kevin Thornton duly dispatched his spot kick in the bottom corner.
However, Goole equalised in the 17th minute when an accurate pass from James Kay found Nick Guest in space and with Dillon rushing out of his area, he coolly slotted past the young Irish debutant.
The frantic pace of the game continued just a couple of minutes later when Rugby were awarded a second penalty, this time Jake Healy being felled in the area by Goole captain Sam Colbear. Thornton again did the damage going the same way as the first to beat Beaurepaire.
Town were now starting to boss the game, with Kolodynski having a shot saved by the keeper on 25 minutes and Healy shooting over from Rob Parker’s neat lay off.
This thrilling game got another twist in the 44th minute when keeper Beaurepaire was sent off for appearing to strike the back of Mason Rowley’s neck after a effort on goal.
To add insult, Rugby increased their lead when Healy found the net from close range in the 4th minute of injury time.Defender Derry Robson initially blocked Kolodynski’s shot but the rebound fell kindly to Healy.
The second half started where the first half ended with a quick goal, this time the home side reducing the arrears to 3-2.
Again Nick Guest found himself on the end of a decent ball which he found in space to score past Dillon.
Substitute Marinio Peixoto restored Rugby’s two-goal advantage with a cracking goal just a couple of minutes after coming on. Neat play from Callum Powell and Kolodynski found Thornton whose intricate pass found the striker who scored from 20 yards out.
Goole though were not giving up and after Robson blazed a shot over the bar, Christopher Jackson scored their third, when Guest this time had an assist sliding ball neatly to Jackson to calmly score and give Rugby players and fans alike the jitters for the remaining 20 minutes.
However their fears subsided a little when Alex Varley was sent off for Goole for a second bookable offence. After this, Rugby had many chances to finally kill off the game with Kolodynski having a couple of decent efforts, but Rugby held on to make the long journey back a happy one.
