TOWN manager Carl Adams has labelled the next month of fixtures a “defining” one for his side’s promotion chances from the United Counties League Premier Division.
Rugby sit second in the table after their 4-0 thrashing of Desborough Town last weekend, when Danico Johnson, Jamal Clarke, Dylan Parker and Lee Thomas netted to help register an emphatic win at Waterworks Field.
And while a number of promotion rivals, including leaders Shepshed Dynamo, have games in hand on his side, Adams is not one to play down the impressive nature in which Rugby have dragged themselves back into the promotion race following a slow start.
“It’s been a good time for us recently, but we’ve got a huge month ahead of us and the next couple of games in particular could be season-defining affairs.” he said.
None more so than Saturday’s (3pm) meeting with sixth-placed Deeping Rangers at Butlin Road, which precedes another home game against third-placed Quorn the following weekend.
“We’ve worked hard to pull ourselves back up into the pack,” Adams added.
“And whilst there is a misleading element to the table because some sides have games in hand, we are certainly in the mix again for a top-two finish.
“We know we can’t afford to drop too many more points from now on, but it’s been a very pleasing month or so and we are scoring plenty of goals and keeping lots of clean sheets too – which hopefully bodes well for the rest of the campaign.”
In last weekend’s defeat of Desborough, Valley’s unbeaten run stretched to four games following a straightforward encounter which was always in the visitors’ favour.
Johnson required just 18 minutes to make his mark when tapping home from Parker’s centre towards the back post.
While the lead was not extended until six minutes after the break, there appeared little threat of a comeback from the hosts, who could merely watch Adams’ troops lay siege to their goal.
Clarke gave Town breathing space when nudging the ball over the line after Liam Francis had headed the ball into his path from a Ryan Seal set piece, while Parker made it three shortly after with a left-footed shot that arrowed into the corner.
Another simple finish gave Valley a fourth of the afternoon, this time provided by Thomas from Parker’s second assist of the game in the 66th minute.
This weekend, Rugby are hopeful of Kurtis Revan’s return, though Keenah Rosser is set to miss out.
