A Frustratrating Day

Rainworth victories have been in short supply this season, but despite their second half dominance at Arnold they almost let this one slip-away.

The 1-0 victory didn’t have the euphoria it should have had, in part due to the goal-scoring chances squandered, in a match where they had to wait until the 79th minute for their only goal. Despite having second half dominance Arnold almost took the lead in the 71st minute with Rainworth’s crossbar coming to their rescue.

Arnold had the advantage of a strong wind at their backs, but it was Callum Pursglove who had the first opportunity in the 6th minute, only to see his curling effort held up in the wind and easily gathered by the home keeper.

The wind was causing both sides problems, and neither were able to find any rythmn in the match, with opportunities on goal limited to half-chances. Kurtis Bamford’s snap-shot from distance lacked direction and was wide of the target. Whilst Arnold’s free-kick was caught by the wind and flew by the far post with keeper Jamie Davies untroubled.

In the 24th minute Rainworth had to replace their injured influential captain Aiden Harris with Liam Jepson.

Ethan Wiesztort’s lob appeared goal bound having beaten the keeper, only for the wind to divert it the wrong side of the upright for a goal-kick. In a half where Arnold had the advantage of the elements, Rainworth were producing a solid defensive performance epitomised by Charlie Hardwick’s defensive header at the near post.

The half ended with the keeper holding Bamford’s free-kick on the goal line and shortly afterwards the referee blew for half-time.
Rainworth were soon on the front foot as they used the elements to their advantage at the start of the second-half. Bamford’s inswinging corner was cleared off the line at the expense of a corner as the pressure built on the Arnold goal.

How Rainworth failed to score in a five-minute period shortly afterwards beggared belief with Bamford heavily involved. He set-up Jepson twice and Pursglove but their efforts were all hit directly at the keeper with the goal beckoning. He then rounded the keeper but his shot from a tight angle found the side netting.

Rainworth made a second substitution bringing on Cameron Davidson for Luke Morgan, but rather than continuing their dominance they started to misplace passes, putting themselves under pressure. It was in this period that Arnold almost took the lead when the centre-forwards effort beat Davies only for the crossbar to come to the rescue and it went out for a goal-kick.

Rainworth regained their composure and in the 77th minute Bamford’s 40-yard effort left the keeper stranded as it went inches the wrong side of the upright. Two minutes later and Rainworth deservedly took the lead as Bamford’s through ball found Wiesztort and he coolly slotted the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner.

The final eleven minutes saw Rainworth pound the Arnold goal without success as Joe Toon and Jepson went close. The mayhem continued and Arnold somehow survived a plethora of shots with the final effort from Davidson going well over.

The final attempt of the game fell to Rainworth when Jepson’s cross forced Wiesztort wide and he set up Bamford, but it was straight at the keeper.

The game highlighted Rainworth’s lack of a lethal marksman, something that must be addressed in the close-season.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Davies; Doyle; Toon; Hardwick; Wright; Radford; Wiesztort; Morgan (Davidson); Harris (Jepson); Bamford; Pursglove.
Subs (not used): Rodda; Henry; Heginbotham.

Referee: Mr Paul Buck.

Attendance: 69