Rainworth MWFC have gone to the Dogs!

The Rainworth squad had arranged a trip to Nottingham Greyhound Stadium for their annual player’s night out and for most of the first half at Kirklington Road today it appeared they had forgotten they had a prior fixture against Retford United.

Their Jekyll and Hyde season continued with a lethargic first half performance which saw them trailing 1-0 at the break.

There was an improvement in the second half and they soon led, but Retford were awarded a dubious equaliser and a share of the points.

Rainworth started the game on the front foot and in the 3rd minute almost took the lead when Liam Morris’s cross just eluded the outstretch foot of Liam Theakstone with the goal beckoning.

That however was to be the sum total of the first 20 minutes of a game where neither side threatened either goal.

In the 24th minute Ricky Hanson’s goal bound effort was blocked and at the other end Adam Carter’s shot was easily gathered by Ben Townsend.

Rainworth were forced into a substitution in the 30th minute when Theakstone, who had earlier been kicked on his Achilles was unable to continue and was replaced by Jamie York.

An out of sorts Rainworth were delivered a wake-up call in the 38th minute Jordon Good’s Crossfield ball found Christian Savage and his well struck shot beat Townsend for the opener.

Rainworth now showed more urgency and Declan Brewin’s powerful long range effort unfortunately was straight at Jamie Davies.
In the final minute of the half, Jordan Edridge’s cross was headed over by Hanson.

Whatever was said in the Rainworth dressing room at half time worked for in the opening minute of the second half they were level as Morris’s shot on the turn found the corner of the net for the equaliser.

It got even better on 50 minutes when an excellent ball from Hanson found York ghosting in at the far post to put Rainworth into the lead.

It was now Rainworth who were in the ascendency and they were unlucky when Morris directed Matt Sykes’s cross just wide of the post.

Then in the 74th minute a moment of controversy from a Retford corner when Townsend appeared to be pushed, as the ball found Savage who headed it into the net for the equaliser. Townsend’s protests were met with a yellow card and the goal was allowed to stand.

Rainworth now picked up the pace and only a fingertip save from Edridge prevented Rainworth retaking the lead.

Retford were indebted to Davies in the 87th minute when he manged to get the merest of fingertips to the ball as Morris was about to put the ball in the net. The ball fell to York and his fiercly hit shot was somehow blocked on the line much to Rainworth’s frustration.

Straight from the clearance Brad Johnson broke and Townsend couldn’t hold his fierce drive but luckily Hanson was on hand to clear it off the line.

Rainworth still pressed and Hanson’s cross was headed straight into Davies arms.

The last act of the half saw Davies once again pull off an incredible save to keep out Edridge’s free-kick that seemed destined for the top corner.

At the final whistle Rainworth were left to rue their poor start to the game in which Davies in the Retford goal played a major part in keeping them to only two goals.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Wilson (Andrews); Sykes; Hanson; Cheeseman; Plant; Brewin (Nelthorpe); J.Edridge; Morris; Clarke; Theakstone (York). Sub (not used): C.Widdowson.

Referee: Chris Hunter

Man of the match: Matt Sykes

Attendance 70