Deja Vu

Déjà vu, from the French, literally "already seen", best sums up Rainworth’s final game of the season a 2-1 home defeat to Hemsworth MW.

A changed squad, players unavailable because of work commitments and injury, a good start followed by poor defending and the thought at the final whistle ‘what might have been’.

In truth that had been the theme of Rainworth’s season and one of the main reasons they had been involved in a tense relegation battle during the final weeks.

The match itself lacked the tension of the previous weeks and Rainworth started on the front foot as both sides battled for early dominance.

In the 6th minute Rainworth almost opened the scoring when Matt Sykes cross was met by the head of James Munson, but it lacked the power to beat Luke Danville.

A couple of minutes later they went even closer when Hemsworth were indebted to Danville’s toe as he just won the race to the ball, as Declan Brewin chased a through ball.

It wasn’t all Rainworth and Ben Townsend did well to turn Bill Law’s effort around the post in the 9th minute.

The game then had a period when both sides produced the occasional flowing move, but neither could threaten their opponents goal.

That changed in the 18th minute when Brewin found Matt Harris in the area but his effort went inches the wrong side of the upright with Danville a mere spectator.

Four minutes later they took the lead when Ross Goodwin received the ball in the area and he gave Danville no chance, hitting the ball into the roof of the net.

That lead should probably have been doubled a couple of minutes later when Tomas Poole left defenders in his wake and found Brewin in the area. Brewin’s effort seemed goal bound as it beat Danville but it was cleared off the line.

At the other end Rainworth were grateful for a bobble when Nick Guest’s effort was gathered by Townsend. A minute later they showed off their defensive frailties, allowing a ball to bounce and Bill Law hooked the ball over the line, despite Jordan Claxton’s effort to clear.

Rainworth should have been behind four minutes later when Law mishit his shot with the goal at his mercy.

The final minutes of the half saw Rainworth regain some dominance and Danville did well to save from Poole and Brewin at full stretch.

The second half saw Rainworth threatening their opponents goal but Goodwin’s air-shot from close range denied them the opportunity.
Rainworth brought on Ryan Booker for the injured Matt Harris.

On the hour mark Rainworth’s inability to defend corners reared its head as an unmarked Guest flicked the ball into the net.

The same player was unlucky a few minutes later when he was inches away from getting his second goal of the game.
On 71 minutes Rainworth brought on Lewis Parkin for James Munson.

Rainworth pushed for the equaliser and Brewin’s effort was gathered at the second attempt by Danville.

They came close to achieving their aim when in the 84th minute Poole’s long-range effort was inches wide of the far post.

This seemed to sting Hemsworth into life as Ashley Smith and Joe Webster forced Townsend into two excellent saves.

The final effort of the match saw Poole’s free-kick saved by Danville as the referee blew for full-time.

It signalled the end of a season to forget for Rainworth MWFC.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Herbert; Claxton; Goodwin; Adlington; Ludlam; Brewin; Poole; Munson (Parkin); Harris (Booker); Sykes. Subs (not used): Griffin; Watts.
Referee: Ed Cook.
Attendance: 75