Rainworth MWFC End FA Cup Jinx

Rainworth last won an FA Cup match on the 25th August 2012 when they won 2v1 away at Sleaford Town. Today they beat Dunkirk FC by the same score at the Tomlin Personnel Stadium.

The Jinx however didn’t look like ending when Dunkirk dominated the opening 20 minutes and went in front from the penalty spot.

However, Rainworth MWFC came back into the game, equalised in the first half before taking the lead in the 67th minute.

Dunkirk did get the ball into the net twice in the final minutes, only for the referee to disallow both for foul play and Rainworth were dismayed when a blatant push in the six-yard box went unpunished.

At the final whistle the players and home fans celebrated, it was uncertain however if in part that was because Rainworth had managed to keep eleven men on the pitch for the first time this season.

In the opening minute Dunkirk reminded Rainworth that they were now the senior club when George Harrison’s effort went just over the crossbar. A minute later and the same player put his effort wide.

Harrison continued to be a thorn in the Rainworth defence’s side when he again went close to opening the scoring.

Rainworth joined in by testing their own keeper when Connor Wright’s headed back-pass was acrobatically gathered by Warren Squires. A minute later he made an incredible save from point-blank range, but the player had been ruled offside anyway.

Dunkirk took the lead in the 15th minute when an over-exuberant challenge by Kieran Barnes was deemed a penalty and Harrison gave Squires no chance from the spot. A minute later Harrison almost doubled his and Dunkirk’s score when his fiercly hit effort flew inches past the upright.

At this point Rainworth began to come into the game and Blessing Adeleye’s effort in the 23rd minute was only inches wide. Whilst at the other only another unorthodox save by Squires from Adam Burton prevented a Dunkirk score.

Rainworth eventually found the equaliser when Roberto Labbate’s cross was laid into Liam Jepson’s path on the edge of the box and he gave Alex Smith in the Dunkirk goal no-chance.

It was Burton again in the 31st minute when his towering header from a corner was inches over and minutes later Wright did well to deal with another dangerous Dunkirk cross.

Dunkirk had Lewis Wilcox to thank for preventing Ashley Jones converting Jack Weatherer’s cross at the expense of a corner.

Rainworth almost took the lead just before half-time when Adam Jackson’s cross was inches wide of the post from yet another Weatherer cross.

Dunkirk had bossed the opening twenty minutes but Rainworth had come back into the game with the result still in doubt as the first-half ended.
In the 50th minute Rainworth had the referee to thank as Dunkirk effort went over the line, but he disallowed it for a push.

On 60 minutes Rainworth were forced to substitute Wright, who only passed a fitness test prior to the start and bring on Mason Smith.

In the 64th minute Weatherer was inches from converting Jones’s well flighted corner. Three minutes later and Adeleye took on and beat a couple of defenders and as the keeper Smith advanced he slotted it into the corner as Rainworth took the lead.

Rainworth should probably have increased their lead in the 71st minute when Luke Walker set up Jepson, but he blazed his effort well over. Shortly afterwards a blatant push in the penalty area went unpunished as Rainworth appealed for the penalty.

Dunkirk continued to press, and Squires did well to tip the ball over as the ball took a wicked bounce, a minute later they had the ball in the net, but it was once again disallowed this time for handball.

As Rainworth ran down the clock they made their final substitutions bringing on Tom Gledhill for Jepson and Tom Sharpe for Walker.

Dunkirk threw everything at Rainworth in the final minutes but Rainworth resisted and at the final whistle they were the ones going through to the next round.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Squires; R. Labbate; Barnes; Webster; Wright (Smith); Jackson; Jones;’ Weatherall; Adeleye; Walker (Sharpe); Jepson (Gledhill).
Subs (not used): Gaughan; Robinson; Jenkinson.

Referee: Mr Jack Mason

Attendance: 78

Man of match: Adam Jackson