Oktoberfest Ends with a Clean Sheet

An unbeaten October, four wins and a draw ended with Rainworth’s first ‘clean sheet’ of the season in a 2-0 win against Thackley today.

It had been far from easy against a resolute Thackley side who must have wondered how a dominant first-half display had ended with them trailing to a goal completely against the run of play.

In Rainworth’s defence, Thackley had taken advantage of the blustery conditions, something Rainworth also did in a dominant second-half display. The difference was that Rainworth had managed to finish two of their opportunities, whilst Thackley didn’t.

As early as the 3rd minute Rainworth’s goal came under threat when they lost a defensive header putting Joseph Hughes through on goal, luckily for the home side the attempted lob was just over as Ben Townsend bore down on him.

In a rare excursion into the Thackley half Rainworth almost opened their account when from a corner Joshua Ross’s glancing header was just wide of the upright.

Thackley continued to dominate and in the 1th minute Aodhan Brownlee’s cross landed on top of the net with Townsend scrambling.

For all Thackley’s dominanc, in the half, they were to rue their inability to convert any of their chances into goals and in the 38th minute, against the run of play, Rainworth made them pay. Jack Waddle’s through ball found Luke Walker and when the ball was crossed into the area a calamity of errors allowed it to reach Nathan Modest. His effort took a slight deflection and despite a valiant attempt to clear it, the ball crossed the line for the opener.

On 44 minutes Julius Omosebi’s cross begged for a connection, but fortunately for Rainworth none was forthcoming. Shortly afterwards the half-time whistle went and a disconsolate Thackley team wandered off wondering how they trailed 1-0.

If the first-half had belonged to Thackley, the second was nearly all Rainworth as they now had the elements at their back.

Jack Waddle’s corner in the 46th minute was met by Ross Goodwin’s head for their second and less than a minute later they should have increased that lead to three. Modest won the foot race and as Luke Wilson advanced he placed the ball past him only to see it hit the inside of the upright and rebound to safety.

Rainworth had another terrific opportunity to increase their lead in the 55th minute, but despite five or six attempts, in the six-yard box, to put the ball over the line the move was ended by the assistant’s flag for offside.

Rainworth brought on Alex Nightingale for Brad Wilson who was carrying an injury from a tackle in the first-half.

The pressure was constant on the Thackley goal and Modest was inches from connecting with Walker’s excellent cross.

Minutes later Nightingale’s effort from outside of the area was just over, quickly followed by Walker’s header which was inches wide from a Liam Royles’s corner.

On 77 minutes Walker, who had suffered a knock minutes earlier, was substituted with Tomas Poole and in the 88th minute Jordan Claxton replaced Royles.

The final attempt of the match fell to Nightingale, but the keeper made an excellent full-length save.

Although not at their best, Rainworth could take some positives out of the match. They had kept a ‘clean-sheet’ for the first time this season. It was also testament to the depth of their squad, with two key players being unavailable for today’s game and a further one only fit enough for a substitutes role on the bench today.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Ludlam; Booth; Ross; Wilson (Nightingale); Royles (Claxton); Waddle; Modest; Walker (Poole); Goodwin.
Sub (not used Jack Bennet.

Referee: Mr Andrew Dallison.

Attendance: 67