Must Do Better!!

No Easter cheer today.

On a day when a positive result was required in their home fixture against Carlton Town, Rainworth had to be thankful for a crossbar, their defence and their opponent’s inability to finish.

Rainworth failed to turn up in a local derby that was much more important than local bragging rights, their future at Evo-Stik level was on the line.

Players from both sides took knocks early on and needed attention, but none were serious.

Carlton were the first to threaten when in the 14th minute Felix Hogg hit his effort well over the bar.

In the 16th minute Aaron Hooton’s shot was headed over by Dean Freeman and from the resulting corner Alex Troke should probably have done better.

As Carlton began to dominate, Rainworth’s Grant Ryan headed goal wards and his effort was played back to him he drove it well over.
The 29th minute almost saw Carlton take the lead as Troke’s free-kick was headed onto the cross bar by Hooton and cleared.

A rare passage of Rainworth pressure came to nothing and their inability to produce a telling final ball was proving costly.

On the other hand Carlton were looking the most likely to score as they exploited Rainworth’s lethargy.

Troke saw his long range effort gathered by David Reay and Martin Ball went close as his header flies over.

That was the last piece of action in a half best forgotten, with Carlton having the better of the play.

In the 55th minute Gino Kelleher gave Rainworth a glimmer of hope his first effort was well wide but a minute later only a full length save by Curtis McDonald at the expense of a corner prevented a goal.

Rainworth brought on Glodi Bange for Ryan.

However it was Carlton who threatened as firstly Hooton shot well wide when well-placed and then Danny Fletcher was thwarted by Reay’s outstretched leg.

The 78th minute saw Chris Betteny replaced by Danny Williams.

The goal threats however still came from Carlton as Hooton’s goal-bound effort was headed over by Dan White.

The final minutes saw Ball’s free-kick headed over by Hooton and Troke hit his free-kick well over.

At the final whistle it was Rainworth who were the more relieved to gain a point from a match they rarely threatened in.

If Rainworth are to have any chance of retaining their Evo-Stik status there must be a great improvement on today’s performance. A week on Saturday they entertain Kidsgrove Athletic in what could be the decider on who stays in the Evo-Stik and on this performance the odds must favour Kidsgrove.

RAINWORTH: Reay; Hannigan; Hodgett-Young; Freeman; White; Bettney (Williams); Osborne; Kelleher; Mansaram; Graham; Ryan (Bange). Subs (not used): I.Robinson; Pereira.

Referee: Mr. S. Richardson.

Man of the match: Dan White