That dream lasted nine minutes and by the end of the first half they trailed by the odd goal in three. A moment of bad luck and another of lax defending and the final score of 4-2 meant another match without a point.

Rainworth couldn’t have asked for a better start with an excellent build up Tom Berry’s pass found Callum Brooks and when his lob over the advancing Warren Squires found the back of the net with under a minute gone there was cause for optimism.

With only four minutes gone Rainworth almost doubled their lead when Sam Allcock set up Mason Wilson-Rhiney. However, this time an excellent diving save by Squires prevented the score.

Dunkirk gave Rainworth a timely reminder that they were on an eight-match unbeaten run when James Leverton did well to save Jack Thatcher’s effort and Jack Warner's long range attempt was always rising.

The rest bite was short lived as Jack Harrison’s effort came back off the upright and George Harrison reacted the quickest making no mistake for the equaliser.

Brooks looked to threaten in the 25th minute but after beating three defenders his mishit shot failed to hit the target and the chance was lost. A minute later and the injured Wilson-Rhiney was replaced by Callum Fletcher.

An excellent through ball by Matthew Hauge was met by Thatcher and his dinked lob beat Leverton for Dunkirk’s second. The game was now end-to-end, and Rainworth had an excellent opportunity to bring the scores level, but Liam Arnold put Brook’s excellent cross wide of the far upright with Squires beaten.

Both sides spurned chances to add to their scores, Allcock’s pass to Bedford was too strong and Squires gathered. Whilst at the other end Thatcher put his effort wide when well placed.

After such a good start to the half Rainworth trailed 2-1 at half time to a Dunkirk side who showed just why they are one of the favourites for the play-offs.

The explosive nature of the first half continued at the beginning of the second half when in the 51st minute Brooks set up Allcock, but his effort went just past the far upright.

A minute later and Leverton was forced into an excellent full-length diving save from Dylan Fitzpatrick. Rainworth went straight up the other end and an excellent ball by Fletcher found Tommy Bedford but Squires blocked his effort.

Rainworth were the masters of their own downfall for Dunkirk’s third goal. It came from a Rainworth free kick; Mason Gee’s ball was headed goal wards by Liam Arnold, but it was straight into the hands of Squires. A quick counter attack by Dunkirk saw George Harrison’s cross find Jack Harrison whose effort was cleared by Berry. Unfortunately for Rainworth it struck Leverton and fell into Thatcher’s path and he made no mistake. They say when you are down lady luck deserts you and that was one of those occasions.

Rainworth made a second substitution bringing on Tom Rose for Allcock. Shortly afterwards Rainworth were thankful to Arnold who kicked George Harrisons effort off the line. Four minutes later the Rainworth defence failed to cut out an innocuous cross and George Harrison gratefully accepted the gift for Dunkirk’s fourth.

Rainworth made three substitutions bringing on Ryan Faulconbridge, Kamau Balayi and James Taylor for Josh Nettleship, Gee and Berry.

Rainworth were unlucky in the 87th minute when Squires clearance found Rose and his effort from long range hit the upright with the goal unattended.

Rainworth left it until the final minute to pull one back when after an excellent run by Brooks his through ball found Bedford, he gave Squires no chance as he advanced.

On this performance the juries out, Rainworth created chances and at times threatened but all too often just when it looked they were getting back into the game they gifted their opponents. Next Wednesdays match away at Selston is a must win game and even though it's Valentines Day, there can be no gifts given!!.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Leverton; Berry (Faulconbridge); Brown; McKernan; Arnold; Wilson-Rhiney (Fletcher); Allcock (Rose); Nettleship (Taylor); Bedford; Gee (Balayi); Brooks.

Rainworth MWFC

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