Defeat Wasn’t an Option

When Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the classic Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, he must have had Rainworth MWFC in mind.

In the past few weeks they have more ups and downs than a rollercoaster, the only constant being their league performances against teams in the top six, Selston apart. Today at home against fifth placed Radford FC the odds were stacked against them, down to the bare bones due to unavailability and injury. On the day they battled to in the end a deserved 3-2 victory in conditions that tested both sides.

Rainworth kicked off with the strong swirling wind at their backs and they had the first attempt on goal in the 6th minute, but Liam Jepson’s effort from the edge of the area was well over. The strength of the wind was evident when a minute later Joe Toon’s overlapping run saw his cross blown into the side-netting.

The game ambled along for the next twenty minutes until Jepson provided a cross that just needed a touch, unfortunately for Rainworth it was a Radford foot that got it, and it went out for a corner. A minute later and Rainworth were inches from opening the scoring, but Kurtis Bamford’s effort beat Jack Nason, but rebounded off the crossbar.

Rainworth continued to push for the goal their play deserved by when Nason fumbled, Ethan Wiesztort’s goal-bound effort was blocked and Nason redeemed himself when he turned Bamford’s follow-up around the upright at full-stretch. The keeper was on hand minutes later once again when tipping a goal-bound shot around the post, this time it was Ed Heginbotham’s.

Radford at last threatened and Josh Hollis did well to block jack Smith’s effort and Eugene Francis’s follow-up was inches over. Just when it looked Radford had weathered the storm Bamford opened the scoring in the 41st minute, his free-kick beating Nason’s despairing dive.
Shortly afterwards the whistle went for half-time and Rainworth leading 1-0, although they may have felt that it wasn’t enough with the elements in their favour.

The second-half started with Radford using the strong wind to camp in the Rainworth half. Jack Smith’s effort took a deflection and Jack Havron’s header from the subsequent corner went just over. Minutes later and Hollis was forced to make a full-length save to tip Wes Spencer’s, wind assisted free-kick around the post. Five minutes later he wasn’t so fortunate when he appeared to dive over Jack Smith’s free-kick for the equaliser.

There seemed little chance for Rainworth as the elements continued to be against them but two minutes, they went in front again as Nason could only palm a cross and Toon’s overhead kick found the roof of the net. Rainworth made their first substitution, bringing on fresh legs as Callum Pursglove replaced Jepson.

Rainworth though they had doubled their lead minutes later when Bamford found Wiesztort whose shot beat the advancing Nason only for it to be ruled offside. Rainworth weren’t so lucky when Spencer’s driven free-kick was bundled over the line by Joel Bayliss, from what looked suspiciously offside.

Rainworth made their second substitution bringing on Tevahn Tyrell for Max Curzon, but it was Radford who almost took the lead. As Jack Smith chased a ball into the area he collided with Toon and the referee had no hesitancy to award a penalty. Hollis however made an outstanding diving save to prevent Simon Hore’s penalty being converted.

Rainworth continued to defy the elements as they pushed for a winner and when Toon’s cross found Tyrell his effort was blocked, and Brad Holme’s was somehow deflected for a corner. They weren’t to be denied and in the final minute of normal time after excellent build-up play Bamford’s cross was turned in by Holmes.

As Radford threw everything at Rainworth they somehow held out to record an excellent victory against one of the leagues top sides in very testing conditions.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Hollis; Henry; Toon; Hardwick; Heginbotham; Davidson; Wiesztort; Holmes; Curzon (Tyrell); Bamford; Jepson (Pursglove).
Subs (not used): Rodda; Taylor.

Referee: Mr William Booth

Attendance: 82