A little bit of Home Brewin leads to Morris dancing at Kirklington Road

The home fans had begun to wonder which Rainworth would turn up for games at Kirklington Road, especially after the mid-week capitulation to Albion Sports in the League Cup by five goals to nil.

The side showed one change from the one that ended Maltby Main’s nine match unbeaten league run, away the previous Saturday, with the injured Matt Thompson being replaced by Declan Brewin.

Against a Barton Town Old Boys side that were ninth in the league you probably had more chance of predicting the Grand National winner than seeing a home win.

Rainworth started on the front foot and were unlucky not to take the lead as early as the 2nd minute when Liam Theakstone’s long range effort clipped the upright with Rob Zand well beaten.

They didn’t have to wait long however to take the lead when in the 5th minute Ben Townsend’s kick upfield found Declan Brewin, he outran the Barton defence and Zand was unable to hold his powerful shot, allowing Liam Morris to ghost in and score.

Rainworth almost doubled their lead when Matt Sykes’s penetrating run wasn’t matched with the final ball and the danger was easily cleared.

Barton almost gained parity in the 22nd minute when the Rainworth defence got themselves in a tangle and they had Matt Plant to thank for clearing at the expense of a corner.

The game was beginning to swing in Barton’s favour and efforts by Gareth Owen and Henry Gill in quick succession emphasised how precarious a one goal lead can be, without actually bringing about an equaliser.

Against the run of play in the 37th minute Brewin once more outpaced the Barton defence and his pin-point cross was hit home by Morris.

The half time whistle sounded with Rainworth leading 2-0 courtesy of a much improved performance.

The second half saw both sides trying to wrest control without either succeeding.

Rainworth wasted a couple of good chances to add to their lead, but neither Jordan Edridge nor Brewin managed to get full contact with their head with the goal beckoning.

The game changed on 56 minutes when Brewin once again broke on goal, this time he was pulled back by Gordon Cook and after consulting with his assistant the referee showed him a red card, deeming him to be the last man.

Rainworth started to dominate and when Brewin put Bradley Wilson through his cross was just too strong for the predatory Morris. The rest bite was only temporary and in the 6oth minute Wilson set up Brewin for the third.

A minute later and it was four as Brewin mesmorised the Barton defence to set up Morris for his hat-trick.

It was all Rainworth now and Theakstone was unlucky when his shot went just the wrong side of the post with Zand well beaten. Another excellent move saw Liam Nelthorpe find Morris, whose cushioned volley was just intercepted before Brewin could make it five.

Rainworth brought on Jack Barnett for Nelthorpe, Nathan Clarke for Brewin and Jamie York for Morris for the final minutes.

The fifth goal came in the 83rd minute when it seemed the Barton goal was living a charmed life as numerous efforts were blocked, it however fell to the feet of Sykes who hit it into the roof of the net.

A sixth seemed inevitable but both York’s and Ricky Hanson’s goal bound efforts were blocked.

In the last minute Barton did threaten as Danny Norton’s effort flashed the wrong side of the post with Townsend beaten.

On the final whistle it had been a well-deserved victory, helped in part by the dismissal and it left the fans wondering which Rainworth team will turn up on Tuesday night for the return fixture at Barton.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Hanson; Wilson; Nelthorpe (Barnett); Cheeseman; Plant; Brewin (Clarke); J. Edridge; Morris (York); Sykes.

Referee: Matthew Law

Man of the match: Declan Brewin

Attendance: 55