More Frustrating than Brexit

The only thing certain about Rainworth MWFC’s performances at present is that they will be inconsistent, frustrating and lacking direction.

Rainworth had the better of the early exchanges and went close in the 6th minute when Kurtis Bamford’s free-kick was headed wide by Josh Radford. A minute later and Graham Street Prims were presented with an opportunity to open the scoring when Ben Copestake was adjudged to have brought down the Graham Street Prims player in the box, despite being pushed off balance seconds earlier. Fortunately for Rainworth MWFC Josh Hollis made an excellent diving save to deny Michael Fitzhugh from the penalty spot.

The game was end-to-end, and Radford was denied by Oliver Cammidge in the 14th minute, but minutes later Fitzhugh made up for his earlier penalty miss by giving Hollis no chance from the edge of the area. Bamford then had his free-kick saved at the near post by Cammidge as Rainworth pushed for the equaliser.

Graham Street Prims second came in the 22nd minute when Hollis tipped the initial effort onto the crossbar, but Stephen Byrne was the first to re-act and had the easiest task of heading into the unguarded net. Rainworth went close minutes later when Callum Pursglove’s goal-bound effort was pushed away by Cammidge and cleared.

Rainworth continued to be their own worst enemy with ‘kamikaze’ defending and Matt Harris almost embarrassed them in the 41st minute but his shot just drifted by the far post. The final minutes of the first-half provided chances at both ends. Bamford weaved his way into the penalty area but Radford’s effort from the cross was gathered at the second attempt by Cammidge. Rainworth created an opportunity down the left flank but Joe Toon’s cross was put wide by Radford.

The final action of the half saw Harris beat players in the area but with Hollis to beat hit his effort well over. In what had been a disjointed Rainworth half they trailed 2-0.

Early in the second half Rainworth brought on Josh Asuman for the injured Radford and minutes later they squandered an excellent opportunity when Pursglove’s effort lacked power and was easily saved by Cammidge. Rainworth continued to threaten but their excellent build-up play lacked a finish.

It wasn’t all Rainworth and another defensive lapse saw Hollis make an excellent save from Brad Scard. Seconds later and Ed Heginbotham’s poor pass was intercepted by George Lynam but with only Hollis to beat he put his effort well over. The Graham Street pressure continued and Scard’s effort bounced off Hollis’s chest and out for a corner.

Rainworth made their final substitutions bring on Ethan Wiesztort and Brad Holmes for Bamford and Davidson. The changes almost brought the desired result when Pursglove’s cross found Wiesztort at the far post, but his effort lacked direction.

Prims had a lucky escape in the 78th minute when Asuman’s effort struck Ryan Searle and deflected off the upright for a corner. Rainworth continued to press but Asuman’s effort to turn Aidy Harris’s into the net was adjudged offside.

The match ended in controversy when in the final minute Hollis rushed out of his area to clear from the advancing forward, the ball took a wicked bounce and struck Hollis in the chest before hitting his arm. The referee took the view that it was deliberate hand-ball and showed him the red card. The decision looked extremely harsh as it was ball not arm but the official was unsympathetic meaning that Joe Toon had to go in goal.

The sending-off had no affect on the game and Rainworth had themselves to blame for a defeat that still leaves them with an outside chance of relegation.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Hollis; Copestake; Toon; Davidson (Holmes); Taylor; Heginbotham; Bamford (Wiesztort); Morgan; Radford (Asuman); Harris; Pursglove.
Subs (not used): Henry; Hardwick.

Referee: Mr Phil Roberts

Attendance: 40