There can be no excuses, for what was arguably their worst performance of the season against a Stapleford Town side that belied their league status. It could have been worse because with better finishing the score-line could well have been in double figures.

Stapleford didn’t need any help but Rainworth still tried to gift them a goal as early as the 4th minute, but luckily Junior Rodrigue put his effort well-wide. They weren’t so lucky in the 14th minute when this time the same player was allowed acres of space in the area and he gave James Gamble no chance for the opening goal.

The Stapleford pressure was intense and three minutes later Josh Watts flashed his effort inches over of the crossbar. They eventually got their second aided and abetted by Rainworth’s Kieran Barnes whose miskicked clearance sailed into the roof of the net.

Rainworth couldn’t handle Watts and his long-range effort flashed inches past the upright from distance and only a point-blank save by Gamble, minutes later, prevented him increasing the lead.

Gamble saved well from William Heath at the expense of a corner as the referee blew for half-time, a half in which Rainworth were lucky only to be trailing by two goals.

Rainworth were forced to replace Barnes with Tom Sharpe at the beginning of the second-half because of a serious head injury.

In the opening minutes of the second-half Watts had Gamble scrambling as his effort goes just the wrong side of the post. Whilst at the other end a rare Rainworth attack saw Blessing Adeleye’s effort also go just past the post.

Any thoughts of a Rainworth revival ended in the 54th minute when Rodrigue scored his second and Stapleford’s third. Five minutes later and it was four as Adam Hassall’s exquisite lob gave Gamble no chance.

The fifth goal belied belief when Gamble dived over Heath’s innocuous cross and it ended in the bottom corner.

Watts continued to pepper the Rainworth goal but without success. The sixth came courtesy of the Assistant Referee who flagged that Michael Robb’s scrambled effort had crossed the line.

In the final minutes Rainworth at last tested the Stapleford goal with Antonio Wedderburn’s effort well saved by Rikki Turner and then Luke Walker’s effort goes just over.

At the final whistle Stapleford had been full value for their victory, whilst the Rainworth team must be wondering how many will be considered by new manager Lewis Saxby for Saturdays crucial bottom of the table clash with West Bridgford.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Gamble; Rogers; Sockett; Denyer; Barnes (Sharpe); Hutchinson; Wedderburn; Robinson; Adeleye; Walker; Jepson.
Sub (not used); Davidson

Referee: Fanran Meng

Attendance: 49

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