RUGBY Town look to build on their 3-0 victory over Oadby Town with a visit to Cogenhoe United this weekend, as Carl Adams and his side look to build momentum to make ground on leaders Daventry Town.
The 2-0 Boxing Day defeat to their local rivals for promotion proved a hammer blow to Valley’s hopes, who trail Daventry by nine points albeit with a game in hand – with the added pressure of only one promotion spot being up for contention.
A recent show of indiscipline within the club will no doubt add further to manager Adams’ headache, first seeing Dominic Perkins becoming the fifth player to see red for Rugby so far this campaign, before being sent to the stands himself at the culmination of the Daventry loss – which could earn a touchline ban following a dissent charge for his actions.
Adams will also be without Danico Johnson for the Cogenhoe game after picking up five yellow cards and therefore a game suspension, whilst Liam Francis serves his final game of his three-match suspension following his red card against Wellingborough before Christmas.
Last weekend’s win against Oadby demonstrated some concerns in performance despite the convincing scoreline, with Town placed in the unusual situation of facing an outfield goalkeeper for an hour of the game following injury to Oadby stopper Chay Carter, but never looking likely to take full advantage of the visitor’s woes.
Fazel Koriya’s close-range tap-in on 56 minutes got Rugby going, before Charlie Evans fired home from Johnson’s free-kick delivery and Perkins found the net directly from a 20-yard dead ball on the edge of the penalty area.
Saturday’s trip to Northamptonshire will prove no easy ride for Rugby, with the hosts going into this fixture eight games unbeaten and propping up the league table in sixth place, notably dispatching Northampton ON Chenecks 6-1 on Boxing Day.
A win at the weekend will cut the gap to table toppers Daventry to six points, as they face no league action this weekend.
A club coach to Cogenhoe is scheduled to leave outside Rugby school at 12 mid-day, and from Butlin Road at 12:30pm, with travelling fans advised to contact Tony Mann on 07970 691366 for more information.
