Moving in the right direction.
This was a meeting of two sides who last year were playing in the Evo-Stik First Division South, who chose voluntary relegation.
Rainworth once again forced to change the team as both Matt Plant and Luke Weaver were unavailable from Wednesday’s line-up, meaning a debut for new signing Craig Morley.
The match itself didn’t come to life until the 12th minute when a Rainworth through ball found Lewis Bingham but his effort was held on the line by Ryan Ramsden.
In the 18th minute Liam Morris’s set up Ricky Hanson, but he put his effort wide.
For all Rainworth’s possession at times they seemed hell-bent on bringing Brigg Town into the match with moments of slackness.
That was until the 26th minute when the ball found Matt Sykes and his fierce shot was not held by Ramsden and Morris ever the predator hit the rebound home.
A couple of minutes later and it was Sykes whose long range effort just went over the crossbar.
It wasn’t long however before Rainworth increased their lead when a great through ball found Matt Thompson. Bradshaw could only get fingertips to his shot, initially it looked as though he had prevented it going over the line, but Morris pounced to help it in.
The goal was awarded but the referee indicated that Thompson’s shot had already crossed the line.
Connor Smythe was the next Rainworth player to threaten the Brigg goal but his well struck shot on the volley was well held by Ramsden.
Then in the 39th minute Rainworth conceded a penalty when Charles Yates and Jack Andrews collided, there were appeals aplenty but the referee stuck with his original decision.
Yates took the penalty himself and gave Nathan Burrows no chance to give Brigg hope.
In the final minute of the half Brigg almost equalised when a defensive error allowed Charlie King a chance on goal, fortunately it easily cleared the crossbar.
As the whistle went for half time Rainworth must have wondered why they only led by the single goal.
The second half began with Rainworth once again in their opponents half and Ramsden was a relieved keeper when caught off his line, with Morris’s lob just clearing the crossbar.
A minute later Morris set up Sykes and Ramsden saved with his body on the goal line.
Rainworth’s pressure was relentless and it looked only a matter of time before they increased their lead.
It came in the 56th minute when a brilliant ball from Sykes found Morris and he coolly put it into the far corner.
On 65 minutes Rainworth made a double substitution bringing on Jamie Yorke and Liam Theakstone for Bingham and Morris.
Three minutes later a great run and cross from Connor Smythe was fortuitously deflected by swinging leg as Sam Dockwray was waiting to add the final touch.
A rare Brigg attack saw Charlie Hewson’s effort cleared off the line by Smythe and this was quickly followed at the other end as Theakstone’s lob almost brought the fourth Rainworth goal.
Rainworth continued to press and Dockwray’s through ball was gathered by Ramsden a split-second before Theakstone arrived.
The fourth goal came in the 85th minute and it was fitting that Craig Morley was the scorer, on a very impressive debut, heading home Yorke’s cross.
Rainworth made their final substitution bringing on Thomas Pereira for Sykes and shortly afterwards the referee brought the game to an end.
It had been another impressive performance by Rainworth and the only small criticism would be that they should with today’s dominance have scored more goals.
There were a number of candidates for man of the match and in the end it came down to a casting vote.
RAINWORTH: Burrows; Hanson; Smythe; Andrews; Morley; Bowring; Thompson; Dockwray; Morris (Theakstone); Bingham (Yorke); Sykes (Pereira). Sub (not used) J.Weaver.
Referee: Stephen Wade.
Man of the match: Sam Dockwray
Attendance: 102
Assist
Matthew Sykes
Assist
Matthew Sykes
Assist
Jamie York
Star Player
Sam DockwrayKey moments
As it happened
- Brigg Town
- Rainworth Miners Welfare
- 0
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Liam Morris Goal 26:00'
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Matthew Sykes Assist 26:00'
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Matthew Thompson Goal 33:00'
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Liam Morris Goal 56:00'
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Matthew Sykes Assist 56:00'
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Liam Theakstone Sub On 65:00'
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Liam Morris Sub Off 65:00'
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Jamie York Sub On 65:00'
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Lewis Bingham Sub Off 65:00'
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Craig Morley Goal 85:00'
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Jamie York Assist 85:00'
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Thomas Periera Sub On 85:00'
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Matthew Sykes Sub Off 85:00'
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Standings
| # | Team | Pl | Pts |
| 7. | Maltby Main | 41 | 68 |
| 8. | Staveley Miners Welfare | 40 | 66 |
| 9. | Rainworth Miners Welfare | 42 | 63 |
| 10. | Barton Town Old Boys | 42 | 62 |
| 11. | Albion Sports | 42 | 59 |
| 12. | Thackley FC | 42 | 59 |
| 13. | Clipstone FC | 42 | 55 |
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