It was a huge disappointment after an excellent display against AFC Mansfield last Saturday in the FA Cup.

It would be easy to say that Rainworth’s bare-bones squad couldn’t cope with two games in three days, but Clipstone had the same problem also having played last Saturday.

In truth they were outfought, outmuscled by a Clipstone side that wanted it more on the day and to add to their disappointment, Clipstone scored all the four goals as well.

Both sides started the game tentatively and the ball spent long periods in the air. The first probe of note from either side came when Julian Topliss’s cross was gathered at the second attempt by Warren Squires.

Clipstone continued to have the lion’s share of the play and Topliss went close when his shot just inside the area was inches over.

Rainworth were thankful for Adam Jackson in the 31st minute when he cleared a dangerous cross and seconds later repeated the action at the expense of a corner. Then in the 34th minute in a rare Rainworth attack they took the lead when Luke Walker broke down the right. His well hit cross to Kyle was intercepted by the outstretched foot of Adon Spencer who inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net for the opener.

The game was very physical and in the 38th minute it flared up, resulting in the referee calling both captains together to diffuse the situation. Minutes later Rainworth were grateful when Tim Gregory stood on the ball when well placed.

In the final minute of added time, just when it appeared Rainworth would go into half-time with a one-goal lead Clipstone equalised. It what is fast becoming the story of Rainworth’s season so far saw them needlessly gift the ball in a dangerous area of the field and Dean Rick

capitalised, his powerful shot brushing Squires’ fingertips and into the net. There was just time for the restart as the referee blew for full-time.
Rainworth’s woes deepened during half-time when their only fit centre-back Adam Jackson was unable to continue, and he was substituted by Alfie Gaughan.

Straight from the kick-off Rainworth broke into the penalty area and they appealed for a penalty when Walker appeared to be pushed, but the referee played on.

There were chances for both sides as Topliss hit his effort over and then at the other end Jack Weatherer headed straight into Dale Sheppard’s arms.

Rainworth made their second substitution in the 53rd minute bringing on Blessing Adeleye for Lee.

The game once again flared up when Weatherer and Tim Gregory both went down injured in a tackle, and the referee showed a couple of yellows and he probably could have doubled that amount.

Weatherer had to be helped off the field and from the resultant free-kick with Rainworth down to ten men Charlie Taylor beat Squires to the ball for Clipstone’s second.

Rainworth went straight down the other end and Sheppard did well to gather Jepson’s dangerous cross and at the other end Squires did extremely well to tip over Rick’s fierce effort.

Rainworth were forced into their final substitution as Weatherer had failed to recover with Liam Osborne replacing him.

Rainworth continued to huff and puff but they were unable to convert an excellent opportunity as Clipstone manged to clear at the expense of a corner.

The game was over as a contest in the 82nd minute when Squires did well to parry Rick’s fierce shot, but he could nothing to prevent Topliss’s follow-up for Clipstone’s third.

On the stroke of full-time Osborne had an excellent opportunity to pull a goal back but his shot was too near Sheppard who managed to parry it at the expense of a corner. Shortly afterwards the referee blew for full-time.

Rainworth MWFC: Squires; R. Labbate; Sockett; Foster; Barnes; Jackson; (Gaughan); Wedderburn; Weatherer (Osborne); Walker; Lee (Adeleye); Jepson.
Subs (not used): Sharpe; Egner

Referee: Mr Robert Pealing

Attendance: 155

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