Walker Brace Edges It

A Luke Walker brace sealed all three points for Rainworth against high-flying Hemsworth MW today.

Last week it was heartbreak when Worksop equalised in the final minute, today the determination was there for all to see as they held off a late onslaught from Hemsworth.

It was Rainworth who had the first attempt on goal, in the second minute, but Max Pemberton’s effort on the volley was well over.

A minute later Hemsworth showed their intensions when an excellent passing move saw Nash Connolly’s shot across the goal flash by the far upright with Ben Townsend beaten.

In the 14th minute Matt Sykes, who returned to Rainworth this week, ran from the half-way line, but his shot from distance was wide of the target.

Hemsworth’s quick passing game saw them having the better of the exchanges, but both sides final ball didn’t match their build-up play.

On 22 minutes Bill Law’s deft pass set up Nathan Perks, but Townsend could palm it out for a corner.

Minutes later a neat interchange between Law and Bradley Dockerty ended with a poor piece of control allowing Townsend to gather the ball.

Rainworth started to get into the game and on 30 minutes Joshua Ross’s free-kick struck the wall and was cleared. Four minutes later Tomas Poole had the ball in the net from Nathan Modest’s through ball but he was given off-side.

It was Poole again on 37 minutes when his mazy run left defenders in his wake and Danny Rusling was happy to palm his fierce shot out for a corner.

In the final minutes of the half the ball rebounded into Law’s path but he blazed his effort well over.

The goal less half-time score reflected both sides inability to create any clear-cut chances in a closely fought game.

Hemsworth started the second half on the front-foot, but it was Rainworth’s counter-attack in the 48th minute that almost caught them out, when Jordan Claxton and Poole set up Niall Smith but his cross cum shot lacked any takers.

The game was starting to stretch and at this stage was end-to-end.

On 60 minutes a great cross from Poole saw Modest just unable to get enough of a touch to trouble Rusling and it was cleared.

An excellent move down the left three minutes later saw Claxton and Smith combine and when the cross came into the area Sykes met it on the angle but it flashed inches wide of the upright with Rusling a mere spectator.

In the 67th minute Rainworth made a double substitution bringing on Liam Royles and Luke Walker for Claxton and Modest.

Rainworth caught Hemsworth out in the 75th minute when an excellent through ball had Rusling racing out of his area as Walker bore down. Rusling got there first but his clearance appeared to strike Walker’s hand and rebound back past Rusling giving Walker the simplest of tasks of putting it into the empty net. Despite Hemsworth’s protests the referee awarded the goal.

Two minutes later only an excellent save by Rusling prevented Walker scoring his second as the Hemsworth defence struggled to cope with his pace.

Rusling had no chance in the 81st minute when Rob Ludlam’s through ball found Walker and he coolly placed it past the keeper for the second.

Rainworth made their final substitution in the 83rd minute bringing on Kieran Barnes for Jack Waddle.

Hemsworth came back into the game when in the 85th minute when Dokerty brought the ball under control and glided past the defender his fierce cross was put into the goal by Connolly.

This signalled a Hemsworth onslaught and Rainworth were grateful to Pemberton’s goal-line clearance in the 87th minute.

Rainworth however held their nerve and saw out the final minutes of the half, having learnt from last week’s heartbreak.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Ludlam; Claxton (Royles); Wilson; Ross; Pemberton; N. Smith; Waddle (Barnes); Modest (Walker); Poole; Sykes.

Subs (not used): Munson; Bennett

Referee: Samuel Kane.

Attendance: 71