RUGBY TOWN: Harborough next visitors to second-placed Town

Manager Carl Adams very pleased with his side's recent form
Rugby Town manager Carl Adams watching his side beat Shepshed Dynamo at the weekend   Picture by Martin PulleyRugby Town manager Carl Adams watching his side beat Shepshed Dynamo at the weekend   Picture by Martin Pulley
Rugby Town manager Carl Adams watching his side beat Shepshed Dynamo at the weekend Picture by Martin Pulley

Rugby Town are up into second place in the incredibly tight United Counties League Premier table following their gritty 1-0 victory against fellow contenders Shepshed on Saturday.

Just three points separate the top six in the division - now headed by Loughborough University - after the weekend and midweek fixtures, with the race for potentially two promotion places set to go to the wire this season.

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Trips to Shepshed have not been particularly fruitful for Valley over the years, and James Hancocks' second half goal gave them their first league win there in ten attempts over 35 years.

The defeat was only Dynamo's second of the league campaign, and whilst they are still much fancied to secure the title due to their four games in-hand, their form of late has dipped from their stunning start and they have won only three times in their last eleven games in all competitions.

On the other hand, Rugby have won nine out of the last eleven, but Town boss Carl Adams knows that it is going to be a tense final few months ahead.

He said: "I was really proud of the lads at the weekend. We knew it was going to be a tough ask to get anything from the game, but we showed real character out there in difficult conditions and I think we fully deserved the win.

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"I'm really pleased with the form we have been showing of late, and apart from the second half of the Quorn game recently, I think we've been looking really strong.

"It is all to play for now and we've given ourselves a real chance, but we know there will be lots of twists and turns over the coming weeks too"

With Loughborough and other top six incumbents Holbeach and Deeping all engaged in cup action this weekend, a Valley victory over near neighbours Harborough at Butlin Road this Saturday should see them top the table - if only until the next set of midweek fixtures.

Town will be looking to complete the double over their visitors on Saturday, following their 3-1 success in the reverse fixture back in November when Jazz Luckie, Ryan Seal and Charlie Evans were on-target.

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Evans missed his second game running at Shepshed, with Adams unsure how long the versatile performer's ankle injury will rule him out.

He continued: "We're not sure when Charlie will be able to return at the moment, but we have Omar Recci back with us again which is a bonus and the rest of the squad is fit and raring to go again."

Following the visit of Harborough, Town then finish February with four consecutive away matches at Wellingborough (on the 15th), Rothwell (18th), Oadby (22nd) and Peterborough (29th), before finally returning home against Boston on March 7th.

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