Christmas Cards Change Game

Until the second yellow card for 55th minute of the match Rainworth more than matched 4th placed Harrowby. When you’re bottom of the league, ‘Lady Luck’ deserts you and Harrowby converted two rebounds to take all three points.

On a day when a swirling wind and a very uneven surface made it difficult for both sides. Rainworth produced a performance that belied their lowly league position and Harrowby even with numerical advantage needed two rebounds to capitalise.

The opening ten minutes saw Rainworth struggle to come to terms with the conditions and Harrowby pushed hard to capitalise. In truth they never looked like adding the finishing touch and Rainworth started to create problems.

Callum Fletcher’s effort in the 14th minute from outside the area however lacked direction. Harry Allcock came closest for Harrowby when his 17th minute effort on the turn was always rising. Two minutes later and Callum Brooks broke the defensive lines, but his cross went behind Fletcher and Jake Frestle was able to gather.

The game was now fast and furious with chances at both ends, Allcock’s effort was blocked at the expense of a corner and Allcock’ effort from Brook’s free kick flew just wide, when well placed. Rainworth continued to press, and Brooks cross skewed off Kamau Baloyi’s head when in front of goal.

Rainworth continued to create chances and Fletcher’s header from Matt Goodwin’s cross flew inches wide. Harrowby did create a chance late in the half but Jack Arbon’s effort struck the side netting, but James Leverton had it covered.

In the opening exchanges of the second half Allcock’s cross cum shot flew across the Rainworth six-yard area. It was Rainworth who should have taken the lead in the 52nd minute when Brooks was through on goal, but he inexplicably lifted the ball over the advancing Frestle and the upright.

The game changed in the 55th minute when they were reduced to ten men as a result of Allcock’s second yellow card.

Harrowby, Allcock in particular began to take advantage but his free kick was easily gathered by Leverton and his effort from the edge of the area cleared the perimeter fence.

The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Allcock’s goal bound effort was blocked by Balayi, the rebound fell kindly for him and he took advantage drilling the ball past Leverton.

Rainworth still pushed forward and Brooks almost capitalised on a Harrowby defensive error, but Frestle’s outstretched arm manage to recover the ball as it went towards goal.

Rainworth made their first substitution in the 76th minute replacing Goodwin with Harry Evison. Oliver Brown came to Rainworth’s rescue in the 85th minute when he blocked Taylor Gray’s effort on the line.

Harrowby’s good fortune resulted in their second goal in the 85th minute when Allcock’s free kick rebounded off the crossbar straight into the path of Brad Gothard who duly headed home.

There was still chance for a Rainworth goal, but Fletcher’s goal bound effort was blocked at the expense of a corner. At the final whistle Rainworth were left to wonder what the final outcome would have been if they had not been reduced to ten men.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Leverton: Goodwin (Evison); Brown; McKernan; Arnold; Allcock; Nettleship; Balayi; Gee; Fletcher; Brooks.
Sub (not used): Faulconbridge