RUGBY Town manager Carl Adams believes the wheels will eventually fall off for United Counties League Premier Division leaders Shepshed Dynamo.
Valley currently trail the Leicestershire side, who have a 100% record from their 11 games played so far and have conceded just once, by 15 points – a gap they were unable to close after their weekend fixture against Desborough Town was postponed.
Adams praised Dynamo for their feat, but tips his side to make up some ground by the start of 2020.
“You have to take your hats off to Shepshed, and I would assume they possibly have the best record in the country at the moment,” he said.
“The interesting thing will be how they respond to a defeat.
“They do face a few tough games over the coming month, and it is our job to keep picking up the three points.
“Hopefully we will be somewhere within touching distance come the turn of the year.”
Town suffered further disappointment on Tuesday night, following a 2-0 defeat at home to Leicester Nirvana in the Kitmanuk Knockout League Cup.
Shaquille Master’s quick-fire second-half brace sent the visitors through to the quarter finals of the competition at the expense of Rugby, who were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal.
Coming into the team were James Hancocks, who returns for a second loan spell from Stratford Town, Lee Thomas and Fazel Koriya, with the latter setting up Ryan Seal to blast his shot wildly over from a promising position in the early stages.
Dylan Parker was unable to beat Nirvana keeper Michael Antkowiak in a one-on-one after being sent wide of goal, while Seal again blazed over after the ball fell into his path from Charlie Evans’ blocked shot.
Hancocks volleyed wide with a later effort, before Liam Francis remarkably nodded a corner from Seal over the bar just before half time.
Rugby’s inept finishing continued after the break when Koriya somehow found the back of the stand instead of the net, after Evans had picked out the defender from the left flank.
Masters punished the hosts soon after with a free kick that deceived Matt Hill, two minutes before a low shot was fizzed into the net to double the lead.
While a chance was presented to Evans to halve the deficit late on, he was unable to get the better of Antkowiak as Valley’s elimination was confirmed.
Next up for Adams’ men is a trip to fellow step nine side Newark Flowserve in the second round of the FA Vase on Saturday (3pm), a fixture which could earn the club £900 in prize money with a win.
