Tuesday 1 February 2005 - Butlin Road - kick off 7.45pm Southern League Premier Division

After playing a defensive 4-5-1 formation at King’s Lynn, Gary Owers reverted to the 3-4-1-2 line-up that had worked so well against Cirencester Town the previous Tuesday. This meant Owers, Ben Cleverley and Darren Hawkins all dropped to the bench to be replaced by Russell Milton, Luke Corbett and Steve Jones. The latter was a surprise inclusion after his toe injury turned out not to be broken as initially suspected. Once again Alex Sykes played in the hole behind John Williams and Corbett but, unlike the Cirencester win, was largely a peripheral figure and as a result City created few chances throughout the match. It was the home side that started off brightly as lively striker Marsden beat Paul Evans to a long ball forward in the first minute. He got a shot on target but Jones had got back and cleared the effort off the line. Six minutes later Marsden again caused the City defence problems and Evans was forced into pushing his low shot away for a corner. Having withstood this early flurry City began to impose themselves on the game through the hard working running of Williams and Bobby Ford’s class in midfield. Williams produced City’s first effort on goal, a glancing header from Sykes’ corner that keeper Payne kept out well, before Ford created a clear opening for Corbett after 24 minutes. His perfect through ball sent the on-loan striker bearing down on goal but Payne stood up well to parry his shot. City were now enjoying a sustained spell of pressure and within moments the next chance fell to Sykes after Williams’ persistence won possession down the left flank. He squared the ball to Sykes but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Pitham. On 36 minutes City came within inches of going ahead. Milton charged down an attempted clearance by Dutton and the rebound gave Corbett a great chance. His shot with the outside of his right foot beat Payne only to fly narrowly wide of the post. Having rode their luck to still be on level terms Rugby should have scored a minute after this when Melvin just failed to turn Marsden’s cross past Evans.

After such a lively first half the second period failed to live up to it although it was the Warwickshire side that did hold the slightly greater threat. Evans was forced into another stop from Dutton’s long range effort and then Hall headed over from Marsden’s centre. Around the hour mark City had a lucky escape although it was all down to their own doing. Evans came racing from goal to clear a long ball forward only to succeed in heading it up into the air. He choose to chase the loose ball and after a challenge with Marsden it broke away to Dutton. He tried to fire it toward the unguarded goal only for the walkabout keeper to block this effort and he could finally regain his position between the posts. After this brief moment of excitement the game began to drift toward its conclusion with neither side looking liable to grab a winning goal. Jones did test Payne with a header from Sykes’ corner with 14 minutes left and Hawkins replaced Corbett in an effort to liven up City’s attacking efforts. A stoppage time shot from Sykes that flew high over United’s goal was a fitting end to proceedings, leaving both sides to reflect on a largely forgettable night.