Stalemate at Kirklington Road

The three matches in the NCEL Premier Division this evening produced 23 goals. However, those at the match between Rainworth MWFC and Bridlington Town AFC, witnessed a goal-less draw.

There had been posts and crossbars hit, last ditch tackles and goal-line clearances but sadly no goals, in a match were the respective defences had restricted the scoring opportunities.

Rainworth came close in the opening minutes when Tomas Poole’s corner saw Ross Goodwin’s effort graze the crossbar with Jody Barford beaten.

At the other end Rainworth saw Richard Adam’s block, on Jake Day’s effort, concede a corner instead of the goal.

Minutes later and Day blocked Andy Francis’s attempted clearance, but he put his effort on goal well wide.

Rainworth continued to probe and in the 22nd minute Barford did well to gather Poole’s effort at full-stretch.

They went even closer on 32 minutes when Charlie Dawes cut into the area, his shot beat the despairing dive of Barford but rebounded off the post. Kyle Jordan was the quickest to react, but his goal-bound effort was kicked off the line.

In the final attack of the first half Rainworth oncs again struck the post when Poole’s cross was driven goal wards by Nathan Modest.

It was Bridlington who started the second half on the front foot and Francis did well to push Chris Adam’s effort around the post for a corner.

On 53 minutes Bridlington’s Andy Norfolk’s speculative long-range effort was well wide.

Rainworth brought on Matt Sykes for the injured Poole and on 62 minutes replaced Modest with Luke Walker.

Francis was fortunate in the 73rd minute when Day’s effort almost crept under him, but he was able to regather before it crossed the line.

Rainworth came close in the 76th minute when Goodwin set up Walker, but Barford made an excellent save. They made their final substitution in the 86th minute bringing on Brad Jones for the injured Brad Wilson.

A minute later and Francis did well to push Day’s shot onto the post and out for a corner.

Deep into injury Rainworth were indebted to Jones as he headed Day’s goal bound effort off the line and shortly afterwards the referee blew for full-time.

It had been a game were both sides had periods of ascendency, but the respective defences for the most part held the upper hand.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Francis; Wilson (Jones); Ludlam; Goodwin; Adams; Wankiewicz; Dawes; Pemberton; Modest (Walker); Jordan; Poole (Sykes).
Subs (not used): Knowles; Bennett.

Referee: Mr Ian Jackson

Attendance: 45