Cup Holders Too Strong

A depleted Rainworth MWFC squad found the Notts Senior Cup Holders, Carlton Town, too strong on a night when the conditions made football a lottery at times.

The 2-0 scoreline reflected the difference in status as the Evo-Stik Division One South team punished the NCEL team for two lapses of concentration.

Rainworth had their moments, striking the woodwork twice but on the night, they could have no complaints about the final scoreline.

Carlton Town tested Ben Townsend as early as the 2nd minute and he did well to block William Mellors-Blair’s goal-bound effort. That proved to be in vain as two minutes later they failed to close-down Danny Elliot and paid the penalty as his strike found the back of the net.

Rainworth began to settle and took advantage of the elements when in the 20th minute Matt Sykes effort was blocked.

Rainworth almost equalised in the 28th minute when Jack Steggles did well to tip Charlie Dawes in swinging corner over and from the follow up corner Jack Waddle’s header grazed the crossbar.

It was Dawes again in the 34th minute but having done well to create the opportunity his shot lacked power and was easily gathered by the keeper.

Rainworth continued to probe and were unlucky not to have equalised in the 43rd minute when debutant Kyle Jordan’s effort beat Steggles only to rebound off the inside of the post to safety.

As the half-time whistle sounded Rainworth knew they would have an uphill struggle to claw back the 1-0 deficit against a very strong wind in the second-half.

Rainworth started the second half on the front foot and in the opening minutes Dawes goal-bound shot was deflected for a corner.

However, on 55 minutes Rainworth allowed a cross to go by three defenders and Aaron Hooton put the ball over the line for Carlton’s second.

Rainworth made their only substitution of the match in the 64th minute bringing on Nathan Modest for James Knowles.

At this point the weather took a turn for the worse making Rainworth’s task even harder in conditions unsuitable for any meaningful football.

At the final whistle Carlton had been good value for their 2-0 victory, their higher league status showing through on the night.

RAINWORTH WMFC: Townsend; Bennett; N. Smith; Knowles (Modest); Wilson; Pemberton; Dawes; Waddle; Sykes; Jordan; Goodwin.

Sub (not used); Francis

Referee: Mr Ed Cook.

Attendance: 63