Below-par Valley drop vital points - The Rugby Observer

Below-par Valley drop vital points

Rugby Editorial 13th Dec, 2018   0

RUGBY Town finally surrendered their perfect home league record last weekend when they dropped two points in the 1-1 draw against Deeping Rangers.

The draw ended a sequence of seven straight wins for Valley in the United Counties Premier.

With league leaders Daventry Town grinding out yet another single-goal margin success at Harborough, the gap between the two sides has now been extended to 12 points.

Town visit 15th-placed Newport Pagnell in their first return fixture of the campaign on Saturday, while Daventry host another bottom half side Wellingborough Town.




Rugby are then due at Wellingborough the following weekend when Daventry have another home fixture against struggling Kirby Muxloe.

Valley and their high-flying neighbours then meet at Butlin Road on Boxing Day for what could prove to be a season-defining game for Carl Adams’ men.


Adams agreed his side deserved little from last Saturday’s encounter, although they did put in a more improved second half performance after a generally lacklustre opening period.

Town have now drawn two and lost two of their 15 league fixtures played, with Daventry drawing two and losing one of their 18 outings.

The point taken home from Butlin Road by a more-than-useful looking Deeping outfit kept them in fourth in the table, while Holbeach kept up their recent fine form with a 7-0 thrashing of the division’s current whipping boys Wellingborough Whitworth to maintain third place.

Saturday’s hosts Pagnell were engaged in FA Vase duty at the weekend, duly qualifying for the fourth round of the competition with a 2-0 win at Hullbridge Sports of the Essex Senior League.

Rugby met the Swans for the first time in the two clubs’ history back at the start of October, when Town eased to a 4-0 victory courtesy of goals from Romario Martin, Lewis Rankin, Danico Johnson and Charlie Evans.

Johnson was back on the scoreline again against Deeping when he gave the hosts a 47th minute lead with his 20th of the season in all competitions.

However, Valley just could not hold on when Rangers struck with just two minutes remaining.

Rankin started the weekend game on the bench after picking up an ankle injury but, having played the last few minutes of the draw, it is hoped he will be fully fit again for the trip to Buckinghamshire.

Player/assistant-manager Justin Marsden was also named as a substitute for the first time for a number of weeks following his muscular injury, but full-back Trey Brathwaite was unavailable and may be again this Saturday.

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Rugby Observer.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.