Rainworth Fluffed their Lines!

Cinderella never got to the ball!!

After two wins on the road, today’s home game against Worksop Town was always going to be a stiff test and in truth on the day Rainworth were never in a position to influence the final outcome.

As early as the 3rd minute their defence was caught flat and Kyle Jordan ran through, and when you are one of the league’s top scorers you don’t miss opportunities like that.

For Rainworth it was yet another goal conceded in the opening minutes of a match and against a side like Worksop that was to prove terminal.

In the 11th minute Jordan almost caught them out again but Nathan Burrows managed to get his hand to the shot and as it bounced towards the goal, Connor Smythe was on hand to clear it at the expense of a corner.

A minute later saw Liam Morris hit the back of the net after a good Rainworth passage of play, unfortunately it was ruled out for offside.
Once again Jordan threatened and Rainworth were grateful for Craig Morley’s deflection for a corner.

It took until the 25th minute for Rainworth to produce anything of note, the offside goal excepted, when a great run by Lewis Bingham found Liam Theakstone and his cut back was inches away from Morris.

Rainworth fell for the sucker punch on 27 minutes when a rehearsed free-kick saw the ball fall at the feet of Jordan and he applied the finishing touch.

Worksop were continuing to dictate and only a fine interception by Smythe prevented the possibility of them adding to their score.

Rainworth continued to have the rare attack and in the 34th minute Matt Thompson’s effort was blocked for a corner.

The final minute of the half saw Steven Woolley’s free kick beat the wall but go the wrong side of the Rainworth upright.

Deep into stoppage time Rainworth had an opportunity but Bingham’s lob was well over as the whistle went for half time.

Worksop fully deserved their two goal lead and looked well on course for victory.

Worksop started the second half just as they had the first and Thomas Elliott’s mazy run and pass found Jordan, but Burrows made a fine save.
The rest bite was short lived and after another fine Worksop move Jordan completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute.

Rainworth had an opportunity from their 53rd minute corner but Matt Plant’s effort flew over the crossbar.

Rainworth made a double substitution bringing on Jamie Yorke and Lewis Chambers for Sam Dockwray and Bingham.

Still Worksop pressed for a fourth as Andrew Ofosu’s run and pass found Woolley but his goal bound shot was blocked by Burrows outstretched leg.

Chambers went close when his effort went wide of the upright but in truth Rainworth were living off scraps.

They almost went further behind when Ofosu left the Rainworth defence for dead but Burrows was out quickly to block and clear the danger.

The first real test for Jon Kennedy in the Worksop goal came in the 76th minute when Liam Theakstone’s fiercely hit free-kick was well saved on the line.

The 81st minute saw Rainworth almost get on the scoresheet when Morris was brought down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot and was about to book the offender. That was until he was made aware of his assistant’s flag for offside and the penalty became a Worksop free-kick.

On 84 minutes it was Ofosu again as he made space for a shot, but was equal to it.

A minute later Smythe was unlucky to see his gaol bound screamer blocked at the expense of a corner.

In the 90th minute Rainworth made their final substitution bringing on Jack Andrews for Morley.

With the game well into injury time Smythe made a great run down the left he cut into the penalty area and his cross found Morris who needs no second invitation to score.

Shortly after that the referee blew for full-time with Worksop worthy winners 3-1.

Rainworth can take heart from the game, Worksop are the finished article and the best side we have played so far this season, but there are signs Rainworth may reach that level in the coming seasons. Their success however will depend on eliminating the sloppy defending that more often than not gifts side’s early goals.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Burrows; Hanson; Smythe; Dockwray (Yorke); Plant; Morley (Andrews); Theakstone; Thompson; Morris; Bingham (Chambers); Sykes. Subs (not used); Pereira; Bowring.

Referee: Abbas Khan.

Man of the match: Burrows.

Attendance: 273