RUGBY CONVERT THRILLER INTO 3 POINTS

RUGBY TOWN 3 V UXBRIDGE 2
10 JAN 2015---3PM---EVOSTIK SOUTHERN CENTRAL DIVISION 1

Rugby Town and Uxbridge put on a five goal thriller with the home side claiming all three points just before five o clock on this new visit for the blog to Butlin Rd.
Following the strong winds of the last few days the blog took the unusual move of journeying south via Leicester and Nuneaton to arrive at Rugby just before one o clock with the hope of avoiding the high winds.
Upon arrival at Rugby a call to the big M restaurant beckoned and like last week at Widnes I have now found another station that is about 25 minutes away from its town!  At the end of the hike[!] the mentioned eatery had a queue nearly out of the door and the opt out button was selected.

Approaching Rugby Town FC

On arrival at the ground the first impression is of a modern and professional set up with a club that constantly renews and improves their ground as and when they can.  The welcome here from entrance gate, turnstile, goalden goal and supporters was fantastic very warm and all were proud to talk about their club, really note worthy once again a credit to the non league ethos.
The impressive VS Bar was clean and tidy with a large selection of lofty TV screens to watch the live Sky game with a bit of liquid refreshment.

The impressive VS Bar

Following the obligatory circuit of the ground for some photographs the snack bar was to be sampled and it is a clean affair with an unbelievable selection of sauces readily available for squirting on your purchase.  Having opted for the chip cob I have to say this was probably the only let down of the day little small with Warburtons burger buns, though this is not a criticism of the staff who were charming and helpful.

The old stand

The ground is modern in build with little left of the original ground the small old stand which is well presented within the new build, a large deep stand gives a commanding view to the left of the currently in use turnstiles above this to the top corner is the snack bar and function room/bar.  The top goal, allotment end, is a deep modern terracing which offers another commanding view.  The side opposite the main stand is the old stand with small covered areas to either side, this old stand houses the PA system which is well manned although for clarity sakes you have to be stood in the correct areas of the ground to be able to hear announcements.  Thanks to a conversation with one of Rugby's fans I learned of the allotment end and as we come around to behind the bottom side goal with its smaller covered standing area I was to learn that this is called the Graveyard end so giving its occupiers the title of 'the graveyard enders'!

The graveyard end

The game well it was certainly a new ground and the first time I had seen Uxbridge and after Richard Gregory scored a superb 25 yard free kick after 7 minutes the visitors missed a good three chances to level and the inevitable happened Rugby went two up with a superb low strike.  Uxbridge gave themselves a chance by pulling a goal back just before half time. 

2-0 Rugby Town, Sam Youngs strike

Rugby had scored two lovely goals and the third was probably the pick of the bunch a sweeping move ended when Justin Marsden curled in a low shot from the edge of the box.  Back came Uxbridge again with just under half an hour to go Kevin Warner fired home at the back stick and converted his chance something that if Uxbridge had done in the first half could have seen the three points go back down south.  Overall though this was an outstanding game with Rugby playing some lovely football in their well manicured playing surface.

The allotment end

On departure it was nice to receive best wishes from a lot of the people we encountered during the afternoon and off we went via the quick route to the station for a warming walk on what had now become a chilly evening.
I know I always, well nearly always, come away with a comment of friendly club well Rugby Town absolutely fits this slot welcoming and friendly was part of their day for any visitors.  Well done came across as a lovely club if you have not visited Butlin Road get it on your list to take a game in here you wont be disappointed.
And finally the departure from Rugby station revealed this gem, below, the signal gantry from the Grand Central Railway viaduct in the 1890's.  I reckon you may need to stop your engine just to double check your signal here!

Grand Central Railway Viaduct, Rugby.