RUGBY Town want to keep building the momentum towards the start of the league season after easing to a third win from four friendlies so far.
Carl Adams’ men were 4-1 victors in Tuesday night’s trip to Racing Club Warwick and will look to build positively towards their United Counties League Premier Division South opener on August 3 against Lutterworth Town.
On Saturday, Valley entertain Bedworth United at Butlin Road and then tackle visitors FC Stratford on Tuesday.
Adams was still without a number of players against Warwick, including James Hancocks, Lee Thomas and Kurtis Revan and included new midfielders Barry Fitzharris and Max Johnson as well as trialist Jordan Hayward.
Hayward was energetic down the Valley left in the opening period and his cross just after the half hour mark fell to David Kolodynski who controlled and finished low into the net from six yards.
More good work by Hayward led to a second moments later, with Max Johnson collecting his overhit cross and providing a delicate lob to the far post for Danico Johnson to nod home.
Dylan Parker capitalised on some hesitancy in the Warwick defence from keeper Ben Newey’s long kick to run through on goal and finish smartly for a third on 58 minutes.
Though the Racers pulled a goal back, Rugby added a fourth when substitute Stefan Blake converted at the second attempt from Danico Johnson’s pull-back after a precise through ball by Josh Thomas.
Last Saturday, Rugby went down to a 3-1 defeat to Southern Premier Central side Stourbridge at Butlin Road
The Glassboys opened the scoring with a horrendous own goal on 18 minutes, a Liam Francis back-pass from 30 yards bobbling over the foot of keeper Newey, and two second-half goals from Miracle Okafor settled matters.
Valley got their reward four minutes from time. Justin Marsden broke through the centre of the pitch before laying the ball to Hayward who found the far corner.
Meanwhile, Rugby have been handed home advantage against Boldmere St Michaels in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup, which will be played on Saturday 7th August 7.
The Mikes play in the MFL Premier Division, and if Valley win that tie they will face further opposition from that pool in the subsequent preliminary round with a potential trip to either Racing Club Warwick or Stone Old Alleynians two weeks later.
Rugby travel to Coventry Copsewood in the opening round of the FA Vase on Saturday September 11, with a home fixture against AFC Wulfrunians for the winners in the next stage of the competition.
Town’s youth team have skipped the preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup, and will instead make their bow in the first qualifying round when they travel to either Rushall or Lye.
