Sometimes Its Not Your Day

There was nothing between the sides in the first half and the 0-0 half-time score line reflected it. The game turned in West Bridgford’s favour in the 54th minute when they were awarded a penalty. There could be no denying the referees decision for handball, however, unless there has been a change in the offside laws that the assistant knows that we don’t, a yard in front of the last defender is offside.

Twenty minutes later Callum Fletcher thought he’d equalised when his shot on the turn beat the despairing dive of Howes only to see it come back off the upright. As the game progressed Rainworth started to chase the game and in the final five minutes conceded two further goals.
The first chance of the game fell to West Bridgford and Niall Edge did well to prevent Ryan Smith’s effort crossing the line. Two minutes later and Callum Fletcher’s goal bound effort was blocked by Kodi Woolley after excellent build up play by Callum Brooks and Harley Butcher-Simpson. Three minutes later Fletcher’s effort from outside the area was straight at Ryan Howes.

West Bridgford’s Callum Wolloch should have done better when his effort went into orbit when well placed. A minute later and a quick Rainworth counterattack saw Fletcher’s cut back to Brooks just inside the area intercepted.

Edge who had an excellent game in goal for Rainworth did well to deny Smith. Rainworth went close but Fletcher’s follow-up on the goalkeeper from Nathan Benger’s flick was deemed a foul. Rainworth continued to cause problems in the West Bridgford penalty area, and
In the 27th minute Ryan Herbert was unlucky to see his fierce goal bound drive blocked for a corner.

Rainworth continued to press and when Brooks found Butcher-Simpson, and Howes did well to palm it out. A minute later and Howes somehow managed to tip his effort around the post for a corner.

West Bridgford finished the half strongly and only a great save by Edge denied Smith and when Woolley was allowed to run on goal, he did exceptionally well to not only stop but gather his effort. The final play of a goalless first half saw Brook’s shot cum cross flash across the face of Howes goal.

Rainworth had the first effort of the second half but Benger pulled his effort wide from Brooks excellent through ball.

The game changed in the 54th minute when a ball found Smith in an offside position, the assistant didn’t flag and play continued and when the shot hit Liam Arnold’s arm. The referee deemed he had moved his arm into its path and awarded the penalty which Harvey Grice despatched into the bottom corner.

A minute later Butcher-Simpson’s mazy run almost brought an equaliser, but his effort was blocked. Rainworth made their first change bringing on Josh Nettleship for Herbert.

In the 75th minute Rainworth thought they’d equalised, but Fletcher’s shot on the turn came back of the upright with Howes well beaten. Rainworth immediately made their second substitution bringing on Kieran Blanksby for Fletcher. A minute later Nettleship forced Howes into a full stretch save, the keeper somehow tipping it around the upright.

West Bridgford started to capitalise on some loose Rainworth play, and it came as no surprise when they extended their lead at the expense of a Rainworth misplaced pass. The recipient was Smith who gratefully accepted the gift giving Edge no chance with the finish.

In the final minute Edge pulled off an excellent block to deny a third, unfortunately for him, as the ball passed the onrushing Reuben Gaude, his incredible bicycle kick found the back of the net.

At the final whistle Rainworth were left to lick their wounds and realise they must quickly learn from today’s mistakes. The 3-0 score line may have been a flattering for the visitors, but Rainworth were the main contributors to their own downfall.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Edge; Berry; Thomas; Arnold; Birchall; Johnson; Herbert (Nettleship); Brooks; Fletcher (Blanksby); Benger; Butcher-Simpson.
Subs 9not used): Warnes; Wilkinson; Faulconbridge.