A new face and a number of the squad returning coincided with a performance full of determination and passion for the full ninety minutes. Last week it took Rainworth less than a minute to take the lead before eventually capitulating, this week it took six minutes but although they conceded they battled to the end for a well-deserved point.

Newark had the first effort on goal, but debutant Harry Wakefield’s effort was well wide of the far upright. Three minutes later a defensive pass was intercepted by Callum Brooks who quickly found Tommy Bedford whose effort beat the despairing dive of Theoron Avery-Brown.
Two minutes later and Rainworth were almost caught out when a dangerous cross was headed over by Ryan Smith. The game was end-to-end and when Brooks broke clear Avery-Brown did well to tip his goal bound over the crossbar. From the resultant corner debutant Evan Fortune-West’s effort was blocked for yet another corner.

The game continued at a mad cap pace and James Leverton did well to gather an effort at the near post. However, in the 18th minute he could do nothing when a quick turn by Wakefield found him half a yard and his fierce drive from a tight angle found the bottom corner.
In past games this had usually signalled a Rainworth capitulation and whilst the pressure continued to build from Newark there was a determination throughout the team that today wasn’t going to be one of those days. Alex Hales goal bound header was blocked by Mason Gee at the expense of a corner. From the resultant corner Leverton did well to tip Lucas Cotterill’s effort over the crossbar.

A minute later Newark’s Jamie Lloyd made an excellent clearance as Brooks ran onto Bedford’s astute cross. Leverton continued to impress when he did well to gather Wakefield’s free kick on the edge of the area. Four minutes later and Hales had the ball in the net but he was well offside.

Wakefield continued to cause the Rainworth defence problems and he went close in the 32nd minute but he pulled his effort the wrong side of the upright. Two minutes later and Rainworth should probably have retaken the lead when Gee intercepted just outside the area. However, he agonisingly put his effort inches the wrong side of the upright with Avery-Brown beaten.

Newark then went close when Coterill’s effort clipped the top of the crossbar and then shortly afterwards his effort was straight at the keeper. Rainworth continued to pose a threat at the other end and when Bedford set up Fortune-West his curling effort was just too near Avery-Brown. The pattern continued until the half time whistle with both sides locked at 1-1.

The first effort of note in the second half saw Rainworth break and Brooks pulled his cross into the path of Fortune-West, who missed it and Bedford’s follow-up flew over the crossbar. Minutes later and this time it was Fortune-West’s cross that was crossed invitingly, and Bedford was inches away from converting.

Rainworth made their first substitution bring on Mason Wilson-Rhiney for Connor Dimaio and a couple of minutes later they brought on Reece O’Donnell for Gee. Shortly afterwards Oliver Brown did well to deny Sam Wright at the expense of a corner. Unfortunately for Brown he had to be replaced by Ryan Faulconbridge as he was unable to continue.

Rainworth still posed a threat and when Fortune -West set up Bedford in the 72nd minute, Avery-Brown did well to block his goal bound effort. The game continued at a pace but both defences held out and at the end Rainworth got the point which was the least their performance deserved.

Survival is in Rainworth’s hands and they know that they need performances like today’s to have any chance.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Leverton; Thomas; Brown (Faulconbridge); Fletcher; Arnold; Dimaio (Wilson-Rhiney); Gee (O’Donnell); Nettleship; Bedford; Fortune-West; Brooks.
Subs (not used); Wilkinson; McKernan.

Rainworth MWFC

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Attendance

Competition

League position

Team Sponsors

Login