Leaders made to work hard

Rainworth's improvement continues without any points

Cleethorpes Town visited Rainworth MWFC in the FA Cup on the opening day of the season, winning 3-1 and for the most part dominated the game, one in which Rainworth goalkeeper Ben Townsend was shown a red card for retaliation.

Tonight Cleethorpes once again dominated but only for the first 35 minutes and it was Townsend’s efforts in particular that kept the scoreline down to 2-0 during that period.

Rainworth fought their way back into the game, pulled a goal back and were the width of the crossbar from equalising, but when you’re down at the bottom the breaks always seem against you.

Almost from the kick-off Cleethorpes nearly took the lead but for a double save by Townsend and two minutes later it was Townsend again this time tipping Marc Cooper’s header over the bar.

It was all Cleethorpes and Rainworth were relieved when Cooper’s 7th minute effort was blocked.

Rainworth did manage to get a shot on the Cleethorpes goal in the 9th minute but Matt Thompson’s effort was straight at Liam Higton.

It seemed only a matter of time before Cleethorpes would score as in quick succession Matt Kingston put his effort over the bar as did Brody Robertson.

However it was Rainworth who created the next chance when a fine interchange between Aaron Moxam, Liam Morris and Matt Sykes saw Sykes’s effort go just over.

They went close again in the 18th minute when Moxam turned a defender but his effort went just past the far post.

Cleethorpes weren’t to be denied and in the 19th minute Townsend blocked Robertson’s shot but Luke Mascall followed- up to put the rebound in for the opener.

Cleethorpes continued to have the chances with Kieran Wressell heading over from a free-kick and Jon Oglesby just failed to get something on a cross.

The second goal when it came had a similarity to the first with Townsend this time blocking Cooper’s effort and when the ball rebounded out to the edge of the area it was Mascall again who hit an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

Rainworth were now coming into the game and on 32 minutes Declan Brewin’s effort went close.

On 39 minutes Rainworth were forced into a substitution with Morris unable to continue Brad Holmes came on and within a minute Rainworth had pulled one back. Higton was unable to hold Syke’s well hit free-kick and Moxam was on hand to put the ball into the net.
They went close again but Moxam’s effort was just over and in the final minute of the half Townsend did well to force Oglesby wide when well placed.

In a half were Cleethorpes had set off like a whirlwind, Rainworth had come back into it in the final quarter.

The second half was more Rainworth and in the 48th minute they should have done better when Moxam pulled the ball back into Thompson’s path but he put it wide when well placed.

They were unlucky not to equalise in the 59th minute when Sykes played a short corner to Brewin his cross was headed against the crossbar by Moxam with Higton well beaten.

Cleethorpes still pushed forward and on 76 minutes Townsend did well to block Caine Winfarrah’s goal bound shot.

Rainworth made a second substitution on 79 minutes when Matt Plant came on for Steve Wankiewicz.

In the final minutes Rainworth went close on a couple of occasions when Brewin’s well struck effort was blocked by Higton and Moxam’s chip was just over.

At the final whistle Rainworth had once again done well without the reward of any points.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Stevens; Claridge; Buxton; Wankiewicz (Plant); Ludlam; Brewin; Thompson; Moxam; Morris (Holmes); Sykes. Subs (not used): Clarke; Hutchinson; Widdowson.

Referee: Mr James Oldham.

Man of the match: Ben Townsend.

Attendance: 105.