CARL Adams’ Rugby Town attempt to make it four league wins in succession this weekend when hosting Northampton ON Chenecks on Saturday (3pm).
Valley were 3-1 winners at Harborough Town last weekend thanks to Jazz Luckie, Charlie Evans and Ryan Seal goals – a result which lifted them into sixth in the United Counties League Premier Division.
The Butlin Road manager was able to pick a near full-strength team in Leicestershire, albeit seeing full back Keenah Rosser head off following a first half injury, and is pleased to have the entirety of his squad at his disposal once again.
“It will be good to at least have the option of picking the same 11 this weekend,” Adams said.
“Far too often this season we have had to chop and change things due to a combination of injuries, illnesses and unavailabilities.”
Despite taking all three points, Town required two late goals to see off their opponents at Bowden Park.
An eighth-minute strike from Luckie, who met Seal’s rising cross at the near post, gave the visitors the dream start, with further chances falling for both sides in an open first half.
Matt Hill was on hand twice to keep out Harborough’s Aaron Preston, while Evans wasted an opportunity from Loyiso Recci’s through pass.
The missed chances proved crucial as Barnes Gladman levelled the score on the stroke of half-time, although Rugby resumed their dominance of the game in the second half.
But, as had been the case in the first half, the quality of finishing, not the number of chances created, hindered Adams’ side.
That was evidenced most by a spot-kick from Luckie saved by Harborough keeper Glen Giles on the hour mark, followed by efforts from Josh Walsh, Cain Thomas, Evans and Parker that came to no avail.
Valley finally had the goal their play had merited with six minutes to play, when Evans fired home from Seal’s pass, before the latter sealed the points with a penalty in stoppage time following a foul on substitute Richard Marsden.
The win was a crucial one, given runaway leaders Shepshed Dynamo’s perfect start continued with a 12th win in as many games.
This weekend’s opponents Northampton currently sit 14th and the sides previously met for the first time last season at Butlin Road, where Valley romped to a 4-0 win, although ON Chenecks exacted revenge with a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture.
