Football:
Skipper strikes to secure all three points

Rugby Town 3 Marlow 2

Southern League Division One Central

TOWN skipper Alex Gudger’s late strike finally settled a five goal thriller after the visitors had twice got themselves back on level terms at Butlin Road on Saturday.

Valley started well and were soon on the front foot with Seb Lake-Gaskin missing an early chance.

However, Josh O’Grady did open the scoring in the 13th minute after a neat team passing move in which Ellis Myles, Lewis McBride and Justin Marsden linked well to create the opportunity.

Keeper Simon Grant then did well to keep out McBride’s low shot before the visitors struck against the run of play when Simeon Howell applied a good finish to Carl Davies’ through ball.

A Jahson Downes shot was blocked as Marlow continued to look dangerous on the break, with Mason Rowley’s header at the other end again testing Grant.

O’Grady’s successful follow-up to McBride’s parried shot was chalked off for offside, although Town were soon back ahead again after Lake-Gaskin got in behind his man to pull the ball back for Marsden to roll home from close range.

Rugby started the second half slowly but the introduction of David Kolodynski sparked them into life again and the substitute was soon in the action setting up a great chance for O’Grady but the midfielder blazed wildly over.

McBride struck the crossbar and Lake-Gaskin also fired one off-target, before Rugby failed to clear their lines and Howell grabbed his second equaliser of the game with a drilled half-volley with just ten minutes remaining.

Valley showed their spirit though, pushing forward in search of a winner and they got their reward when Gudger was on-hand to force the ball home after O’Grady’s free-kick had cannoned back of the woodwork.

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