Resurgence still A Long Way Away

After a couple of improved performances, Rainworth reverted to their old self, losing 3-1 at home to Eastwood Community.

Very few performances reached the level required and failure to deal with corners resulted in all three goals.

Rainworth were soon on the defensive and fell behind in the 3rd minute when Rory Smith rose above everyone to head home a corner via the underside of the crossbar. Five minutes later and Joe Butler’s effort was just over as Eastwood dominated.

It could have been even worse when Harry Allen broke clear, but he inexplicably over-ran the ball and Warren Squires easily gathered.

Rainworth’s first attack of note came when, Liam Jepson, easily their best player, had his effort blocked after some good build-up. Whilst at the other end Patrick Webb’s shot from distance was easily saved by Squires.

Jepson continued to be a threat and he when he drove into the area on 20 minutes it was his finishing that let him down.

Rainworth continued to live on scraps as Eastwood’s long-range effort by Webb went well over. They did have a late surge and when Jepson’s initial cross was blocked his follow-up flew across the goalmouth but no Rainworth player was able to get a touch. On the stroke of half-time Jepson’s curling effort went just past the far upright.

Rainworth made their first substitution at half-time bringing on Tom Sharpe for Kieran Barnes. Seconds later and Eastwood almost doubled their lead when Danny Hayes’s header was inches over.

An equaliser was squandered by Rainworth in the 48th minute when Jepson’s excellent cross was firstly mis-hit by Sharpe and then it was over-run by Blessing Adeleye. At the other end they had Connor Wright to thank for his timely intervention at the expense of a corner. From the resultant corner Allen’s header was just over.

Rainworth were forced into a second substitution bringing on Joe Sockett for the injured Jacob Lowe, and in the 55th minute they went close when Jepson’s long-range effort flashed just past the right upright and shortly afterwards another of his efforts flashed across the goal-line.

Just when it appeared that Rainworth might force an equaliser they conceded a second, once again from a corner-kick. Allen outjumped the defence and powered his header over the line for Eastwood’s second. Three minutes later it was three when confusion in the area from, yet another corner saw Anton Foster mis-kick his attempted clearance into his own goal.

Rainworth continued to push forward and in the 71st minute Jack Hutchinson’s free-kick lacked power and it was easily gathered by Jack Walker.

In the 75th minute Eastwood almost got their fourth, but Kaylum Mitchell’s effort just cleared the crossbar. Two minutes later and Rainworth had pulled one back and it came as no surprise that Jepson was the scorer. Hutchinson’s inch perfect pass found him on the edge of the area and after he beat the first defender he hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Anton Foster had a couple of chances late on, but neither were on target and then in the final minute Rainworth must have wondered how they didn’t score. Walker pushed the goal-bound effort on to the crossbar and Adeleye’s follow-up hit a defender on the line and went clear.

RAINWORTH: Squires; Barnes (Sharpe); Lowe (Sockett); Webster; Wright; Jackson; Hutchinson; Foster; Adeleye; Walker; Jepson.
Subs (not used): Wesley; Denyer

Referee: Mr Liam Vayro

Man of the match: Liam Jepson

Attendance: 109