What a difference four days make!

Rainworth had struggled last Saturday to put a sustained period of passing or pressure together.

Tonight they were unrecognisable and while still nowhere near the manager’s demanding level, they at times produced the brand of football that delighted the fans last season.

They scored seven and with a little more composure it should have been more in a game they always looked like winning.

As early as the 3rd minute Phil Buxton’s excellent through ball almost found Aaron Moxam with the Bottesford defence at full stretch.

There was nothing between the sides in the opening exchanges as both sides tested their opponent’s defences.

It was Rainworth again in the 9th minute when Julian Topliss’s excellent cross was cleared by Terry Barwick as Jordan Claxton bore down on goal.

Bottesford almost took the lead in the 17th minute when Ben Townsend saved well from Reece Newell at the expense of a corner.

From the corner Bottesford hit the post but an incredible block by Joe Cheeseman prevented a goal from the follow-up.

It was end to end and when Moxam found Owen Heather only a great block by Martin Pembleton prevented his goal-bound shot.

Minutes later Buxton’s through ball almost found Moxam but Jack Beedle just managed to clear the danger.

In the next attack a great through ball from Tomas Poole beats the offside trap and Heather rounds the keeper for the opener.

Moxam is the next to threaten the Bottesford goal but having easily beaten the defender his effort flew just over the cross-bar.

Rainworth were thankful when a clearance struck one of their own defenders and fell into the path of Danny Boulton, but his shot on the run was well wide.

Another break by Rainworth saw Topliss’s shot half blocked by Beedle but Moxam was on hand to follow-up for the second.

Elliot Broughton’s mazy run deserved better but he hit the effort wide of the upright.

On 32 minutes Carter Widdowson’s excellent ball found Moxam but he struck his effort straight at the Beedle.

Bottesford wouldn’t be denied and having gone close with efforts from Boulton and Martin Pembleton, it was Pembleton’s free-kick that brought them back into the game.

The celebrations were short lived as in Rainworth’s next attack in the 40th minute another excellent through ball found Moxam and he made no mistake, restoring the two goal cushion.

With the final attack of the half Rainworth almost increased their lead as Moxam found Topliss but his effort struck the post.

The second half started with Boulton putting his effort well wide when well placed.

Rainworth were soon on the score-sheet again when a fine interchange between Moxam and Sykes in the 50th minute and Moxam completed his hat-trick with an absolute cracker.

Moxam almost got a fourth a minute later when Beedle did well to take it off his toes.

Rainworth brought on Nathan Clarke for Buxton in the 53rd minute.

Bottesford were still pushing hard to get back in the game but Boulton’s effort was just past the upright.

Rainworth struck again in the 62nd minute when Claxton’s header found Topliss and Beedle did well to save at the expense of a corner. From the short corner Moxam found Poole who hit a fierce drive into the bottom corner.

A minute later and they had got their sixth as Poole hits an excellent through ball to Moxam who scored his fourth goal of the match.

Bottesford still wouldn’t lie down and when Boulton turned in the area a combination of Townsend and his defender’s managed to block it.

Rainworth brought on Nick Langford for Moxam in the 68th minute.

In the 73rd minute Martin Pembleton put his effort over and Rainworth made their final substitution bringing on Declan Brewin for Claxton.

Rainworth were still not finished and after a good passing move Heather’s shot flew wide.

Bottesford had a slice of luck when Louis Grant received the ball in what appeared to be an offside position, but Townsend made the save look easy.

Rainworth got their seventh goal in the 84th minute when desperate defending managed to block their first two efforts on goal before Langford put it over the goal-line.

Bottesford continued to attack and Boulton’s effort was deflected for a corner.

Rainworth once again produced another excellent passage of play but Brewin bearing down on goal he tried to pull it back when he probably should have shot and the chance was gone.

The final goal of the game went to Bottesford when yet another clinical free-kick from Martin Pemberton hit the back of the net.

Rainworth deserved their victory in a game in which Bottesford played their part, ten goals and numerous near misses had kept the fans entertained for the full 90 minutes.

As for the enigma that is Rainworth after two wins their passing on Saturday was abysmal and they lost, tonight they have shown a side of their game I’m sure the fans will hope to see for the remainder of the season.

Rainworth MWFC: Townsend; Widdowson; Sykes; Buxton (Clarke); Ludlam; Cheeseman; Heather; Poole; Moxam (Langford); Topliss; Claxton (Brewin).

Referee: Mr Martin Chester.

Man of the match: Aaron Moxam.

Attendance: 64