No End in Sight

Rainworth continue to search for that elusive second win, today at Belper United that never looked probable, after yet another poor display.

No blame could be directed at debutant goalkeeper James Gamble who gave a solid display in a team lacking confidence and direction.

Belper United started the match on the front foot and as early as the 8th minute Timothy Adcock’s effort from the edge of the area failed to trouble Gamble. The keeper made an excellent save a few minutes later from James Rushby, at the expense of a corner.

Gamble continued his impressive display when he made an excellent save from Ben Gowing as the Belper pressure mounted. However, from the resultant corner Rainworth’s Achilese heel raised its ugly head once more as Adam Dring made them pay, when in truth the ball should have been cleared.

It wasn’t until the 32nd minute that Rainworth had their first effort on goal when Luke Walker’s effort was straight at Mark Rathbone. A couple of minutes later and the same player was unlucky to see hi effort deflect into the keeper’s arms.

In the final five minutes of the first-half Rainworth threatened an equaliser when firstly Liam Jepson’s effort was blocked, and Jack Hutchinson’s follow-up was straight at the keeper.

The keeper sent the ball straight upfield to Sam Vickers, who looked suspiciously offside, after glancing at the assistant referee he continued his run and placed his effort past Gamble for the second. The referee immediately consulted the assistant, but after a discussion allowed the goal.

That was the last play of note and Belper United went into the break leading by two goals.

Rainworth came out for the second-half in a more positive mood and Roberto Labbate’s effort from distance went just over, and a minute later Jepson’s snap shot was well wide.

In the 55th minute Rainworth made their first substation bringing on Shomari Doyle for Jordan Denyer.

Belper almost scored a third from another corner in the 62nd minute but Tom Sharpe did well to clear it off the line. The rest bite was short-lived as Vickers catches the defence square and his cross is deflected into the net by Adam Jackson.

Rainworth made their second substitution bring on Connor Wright for Jake Batty.

An excellent move in the 73rd minute saw Jepson outpace the Belper defence and his cross was driven in by Jackson, to reduce the deficit to two.

Gamble made his only error in the 74th minute when he failed to gather Gowing’s effort, but he redeemed himself when he dived at James Rushby’s feet to deny him a scoring opportunity. He could do nothing a minute later when Vickers was allowed to run across the area and his effort went in off the upright.

Both sides went close in the final minutes, but it was Belper United who deservedly won 4-1 in a match Rainworth failed once again to get anything from.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Gamble; R. Labbate; Sockett; Denyer (Doyle); Webster; Jackson; Sharpe; Batty (Wright); Walker; Hutchinson; Jepson.

Referee: Paul Buck

Attendance: 49