An Horrendous Half-Hour

Rainworth MWFC visited Bridlington Town with a much-depleted side, hoping to acquire points against the odds in their relegation battle.

For an hour, they battled against third placed Bridlington, sharing two goals in a game that in truth never reached anything but mediocracy.

However, on the hour mark Bridlington scored a second and Rainworth capitulated assisting for the most part in a further four as Bridlington finished worthy 6-1 victors.

The game started with both sides struggling to gain any dominance, but it was Bridlington who looked the more likely to score.

In the 11th minute Andy Norfolk wasted a good opportunity when through on goal, over running the ball which went out for a goal kick.
A minute later and Norfolk set up Brett Agnew, but he placed his effort wide with the goal beckoning.

On 19 minutes, they took the lead when Rainworth failed to react to a short corner and an unmarked Chris Jenkinson had the easiest of tasks, scoring at the near post.

Rainworth had a rare opportunity in the 22nd minute when Matt Harris delayed his shot and it was cleared.

They needn’t have worried for a minute later they were level when a complete mix-up between James Hitchcock and a defender gifted the equaliser, allowing Matt Sykes to run past both and put it into an empty net.

The remainder of the half saw a fine Rainworth rear-guard effort, reduce Bridlington to a limited number of opportunities with Norfolk providing the biggest threat.

On the half-time whistle, Bridlington who had been the more dominant of the sides, had 45 minutes to break down a stubborn Rainworth defence.

It was Rainworth who showed more attacking intent in the opening minutes of the second half with Ryan Herbert and Sykes threatening the Bridlington goal in quick succession.

That was as close as Rainworth came and when a passage of poor defending allowed the ball to find its way back to Norfolk, when it should have been cleared, ended with his pass to Agnew finding the back of the net.

Two minutes later Rainworth allowed an innocuous ball to find Norfolk one-on-one with Townsend and he made no mistake for the third.
Rainworth brought on Nick Langford for James Munson, but it was Bridlington who added to their score when Jenkinson was left unmarked and his header crossed the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar.

Rainworth did threaten in the 73rd minute but Harris’s effort just cleared the crossbar.

On 78 minutes Rainworth brought on Lewis Parkin for William Peat, but it was Bridlington who continued to add to their score with more than a little help from Rainworth. There seemed little danger when the back pass was played back to Townsend, that was until he slipped and it left Jake Day with the simplest of tasks in scoring the fifth.

Two minutes later Rainworth stood in admiration at Norfolk’s acrobatic bicycle kick, giving him the freedom of the area as he added Bridlington’s sixth.

Rainworth somehow managed to prevent Bridlington adding to their six goals, more by luck than good defending as the referee brought the match and Rainworth’s torment to an end.

Next Saturday Rainworth visit Barton Town OB and there must be no repeat of today’s final 30-minute display, if they are to have any change of avoiding relegation.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Peat (Parkin); Claxton; Booker; Griffin; Ludlam; Herbert; Adlington; Munson (Langford); Harris; Sykes. Sub (not used); Watts

Referee: Mr. Peter Walker

Attendance: 141