Late Rainworth Surge Takes All the Points

Rainworth visited local rivals Staveley Miners Welfare on the back of a big defeat at home to Bottesford Town in the FA Cup.

Last season Staveley inflicted a 3-0 defeat at Kirklington Road in the FA Cup and so Rainworth knew the task wouldn’t be easy. They were however buoyed by the return of Liam Morris and new signing Matthew Sykes, from Shirebrook FC and also included 17 year old Frazor Hampson in goal.

It was Staveley who had the first chance when in the opening minute Ellis Wall’s free kick was run on to by Adam Wisdom, but he was unable to control it as it ran out of play.

Rainworth then almost took the lead in the 4th minute when a neat passing move between Lewis Bingham and Jamie Theakstone but Chris Butt was just able to block Theakstone’s effort.

Rainworth immediately regained possession and this time Theakstone set up Bingham whose shot just flew wide with the keeper beaten.

A minute later and Theakstone headed on to the roof of the net as Rainworth dominated the early exchanges.

It was Bingham again in the 7th minute as his shot was deflected for a corner.

Staveley’s first foray into the Rainworth penalty area almost brought a goal but the effort was blocked for a corner.

The game continued to ebb and flow and ex Wren Jamie York’s cross was met by Steve Carty’s head, but it just cleared the crossbar.

In the 20th minute Rainworth had to replace Lewis Chambers with Luke Proctor as he failed to run off the knock on his ankle sustained earlier.

Staveley were getting more into the game and in the 23rd minute Levi Walker’s toe-poke hit the side netting.

Minutes later slack passing by Rainworth gifted Jamie Brown a chance but it ended with a corner.

In the 27th minute Staveley’s Adam Scott was through on goal but Hampson made a superb block to defuse the situation.

Rainworth came back and Theakstone’s header beats the keeper but clips the crossbar and onto the top of the net.

The final action of the half sees Wall’s effort just clear the bar.

The second half starts much as the first ended with both sides creating chances without troubling either keeper.

Rainworth came close in the 55th minute when Sam Dockwray found Sykes who beat his man but puts his shot into the side netting.

In the 58th minute it was Rainworth’s Gareth Campion but his shot was blocked for a corner.

Not to be outdone Staveley’s Adam Wisdom had his effort on goal blocked for a corner.

The 64th minute saw Rainworth make a double substitution as Liam Morris and Thomas Pereira replaced Liam Theakstone and Jack Andrews.

It was Staveley however who pushed forward as Mohammed Tijani’s effort was deflected for a corner.

Rainworth came back as Bingham set up Proctor but his effort was always going over.

In the 80th minute Rainworth had the ball in the net as Campion’s header was blocked on the line and from the ensuing melee the ball was forced over the line. The referee however disallowed it for a foul on the keeper.

It was now all Rainworth as they pushed for a goal and in the 85th minute Proctor found Bingham but his acrobatic kick was easily saved by Butt.

The breakthrough however came ibn the 86th minute as Ricky Hanson burst into the penalty are only to be brought down by Jordan Hardman and the referee had not hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Up stepped debutant Sykes who dispatched his penalty with aplomb sending Butt the wrong way as it nestled in the corner.

Two minutes later and the game was all over as Sykes puts through Morris and although Butt parried his first effort he made no mistake with the second.

As the whistle went for full time it was Rainworth who were pushing for the third.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Hampson; hanson; Williams; Andrews (Pereira); Plant; Campion; Chambers (Proctor); Dockwray; Theakstone (Morris); Bingham; Sykes. Subs (not used): Harris; Widdowson.

Referee: Nicholas Hopton

Man of the Match: Matt Plant

Attendance: 144