Rainworth Respond to Managers Challenge

Manager Craig Denton asked his team to up their game at Liversedge today, after last week’s narrow loss to Penistone Church left him questioning their commitment.

Craig placed high emphasis on work rate and teamwork, asking them to start right, with a high intensity and a huge willingness to work hard, if they were to overcome a very good and physical Liversedge side that had drawn with Pickering Town and Worksop Town in their last two matches, both away from home.

In response Rainworth gave a performance full of passion and effort, deservedly running out 3-1 winners in a match were both sides created numerous chances.

Liversedge had the first attempt on goal as early as the 3rd minute but Joe Walton’s effort was straight at Ben Townsend.

The battle for midfield supremacy was fierce and ferocious at times with neither side taking a backward step.

Liversedge came close in the 18th minute and Rainworth did well to scramble the ball away under intense pressure.

Rainworth took the lead in the 24th minute when a long ball out of defence was brilliantly brought under control by Kyle Jordan, who beat his man and flicked the ball past the onrushing Sam Dobbs for the opener.

Rainworth were forced to replace Brad Wilson with Brad Jones as he was unable to continue having been injured minutes earlier.

Brandon Kane had an opportunity for Liversedge, but he put his effort well over when well-placed.

There were chances at both ends in quick succession, a brave dive at the feet of Jordan by Dobbs prevented Rainworth increasing their lead, whilst Rainworth somehow managed to get bodies in the way to prevent an equaliser.

Jordan was unlucky again in the 34th minute when his excellent free-kick on the edge of the area beat the despairing dive of Dobbs only for it to come back of the inside of the upright.

Liversedge’s equaliser came in the 39th minute when Walton’s effort went through a crowded penalty area and found the far corner of the goal.

With the final attack of the half Rainworth almost re-took the lead but Liversedge managed to block two efforts on the line and when Max Pemberton hit the rebound goal wards, Dobbs did well to grab it at full-stretch.

Early in the second half, Townsend pulled off a brilliant diving save from Walton as Liversedge came close to taking the lead.

Liversedge once again had to be grateful to Dobbs, when he forced Jordan wide, enabling a defender to clear his goal bound effort round the post for a corner. He went close again in the 60th minute but his effort from Nathan Modest’s cross went over.

Rainworth started to get on top and they took the lead in the 71st minute after Liversedge had cleared the ball off the line from a corner only for Matt Sykes to give Dobbs no chance with the follow up.

Rainworth made their second substitution in the 76th minute when Danny Booth replaced Sykes.

The game was effectively over in the 78th minute when Tomas Poole intercepted a ball just inside the Liversedge half and as he ran towards goal his shot from 35yards gave no chance as it flew into the top corner for Rainworth’s third goal.

On 82 minutes Rainworth made their third and final substitution, Charlie Dawes replacing Modest.

In the dying minutes Rainworth almost increased their lead when Dawes evaded a number of tackles, but his fierce shot was inches wide of the upright with Dobbs well beaten. Dawes went close again seconds before the referee blew for full-time.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Wilson (Jones); Ludlam; Goodwin; Adams; Pemberton; Sykes (Booth); Waddle; Modest (Dawes); Jordan; Poole.

Subs (not used): Nightingale; Bennett.

Ref: Mr. Craig Buxton.

Attendance: 70