RUGBY TOWN: Play-offs now a possibility

Scorer David Kolodynski, Kevin Thornton and Rob Parker smile for the camera after the second goal Pictures by Martin Pulley

Rugby Town are back in the top half of the Evostik NPL South Division table once more, after their recent fine run of form continued with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Belper last weekend.

With just sixteen games remaining of their inaugural campaign in the league, it is now conceivable that a push for the play-offs can be launched – something which seemed a distinct impossibility a few months back.

The Belper success left Valley just three points adrift of Dave Stringer’s Chasetown – who currently occupy the final place in that play-off zone, although Rugby’s credentials will be severely tested this weekend when they make the trip to Coalville – who are currently second in the table.

Manager Dale Belford demands more from his side at Belper

The Ravens’ 3-1 win at Chasetown closed the gap on division leaders Stafford to fourteen points, but the Leicestershire club do have three games in hand over them.

The Coalville match-up is the first of ten games that Rugby will face against other current top half teams in their sixteen match run in, but if they can replicate the points return they have enjoyed from the previous sixteen – which saw them lose just three times, they will surely be in the mix come the end of April.

Valley’s fate may heavily depend on whether the club’s all-time senior goalscorer David Kolodynski can maintain his recent prolific form, which has seen him find the net nine times in the last seven (unbeaten) outings – including a brace last Saturday at Belper.

Kolodynski had started his third spell at the club in an unusually barren manner, but the recent quantity and quality of his finishing has seen him take his total in all competitions for Town to 172.

Following on from the game at Coalville, Town return to Butlin Road next Saturday when they play host to struggling Carlton, before two more away fixtures at Gresley and Kidsgrove respectively.

# For the second month running, Rugby have won the NPL South Division Fair Play Award for January. Valley incurred just one booking in their four matches over the month, and they also scored highly in the other behavioural criteria set by the league. They will receive their award ahead of the Carlton game.

# The coach to Coalville will leave the clubhouse at 12 mid-day. For latest information on this, contact Tony Mann on 07970 691366.