DREW Kear scored a sublime solo goal to ensure Rugby Town maintained their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 win against Bugbrooke St Michaels.
Kear, making his first competitive start for the club, struck just before half time as the wing-back picked the ball up close to the halfway line before driving forwards and beating a couple of defenders before finishing low into the corner.
And Kear made another key contribution to Rugby’s second as he made an incisive run before picking out Justin Marsden who in turn found top scorer Ryan Seal who slotted a first time effort into the net.
The result means Rugby sit second in the United Counties League Premier Division South table, behind leaders March Town United on goal difference.
Valley started well and almost took the lead after just six minutes when Caine Elliott slammed an effort against the crossbar before Dan Summerfield’s follow-up was ruled out for offside.
Edwin Ahenkorah and David Kolodynski were both denied by Bugbrooke goalkeeper Luke Reeve who brilliantly tipped the latter’s effort onto the crossbar.
And the breakthrough finally came when Kear’s mazy run ended with a well-taken goal in first half injury time.
Rugby picked up where they left off after the break as Elliott curled an effort into the arms of the keeper whilst Reeve was quick off his line to beat Kolodynski to a short back pass.
The visitors best chance fell to Will Jones when he fired over after Kear was caught in possession close to his own penalty area.
However, Kear made amends soon after when he found Marsden who duly set up Seal who produced a composed finish into the corner to make sure of the points.
Bugbrooke created one final chance as substitute Munashe Tichawona struck the post after Kieran Spencer helped an effort wide moments earlier.
Rugby are next in action away at Studley in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on Saturday, August 20 with kick-off at 3pm at The Beehive.
