Another Frustrating Afternoon

Rainworth started the game on the front foot, but their inability to score in a period of domination came back to haunt them.

In the last two matches Rainworth have created enough chances to win both, but the ability to put the ball in their opponent’s goal seems to have deserted them.

In the opening seconds of the game Tomas Poole created space but his shot lacked pace and was gratefully gathered by Jake Lofthouse.

Five minutes later and Julian Lawrence’s effort at the near post is blocked and loops into Lofthouse’s arms.

On thirteen minutes Rainworth went close again as Max Pemberton’s long throw is flicked on by Lawrence and Danny Booth’s strike hits his own player on the goal line.

Two minutes later Poole had the ball in the net only to be denied by the assistant’s flag for offside.

Both sides were creating chances but neither could produce a decisive finish.

Jack Waddle’s cross in the 35th minute look destined to be put in by Poole, only for him to go down in the area under the challenge, the referee waved the penalty appeals away.

Football can be a cruel game and in the 39th minute Rainworth failed to pick up their men from a throw-in and when the cross found Stephen Smith he side-footed home for the opener.

In the final minutes of the half another Rainworth defensive error almost gifted Danny Facey, Albion’s second only for Ben Townsend to make an excellent save.

At the half-time whistle Rainworth went in trailing by the only goal of the half, in which they had the lion’s share of the play, but their failure to convert any of their numerous chances had proved costly.

The second-half saw Rainworth once again on the front foot but Niall Smith’s cross was headed wide by Poole.

Albion had an excellent chance in the 52nd minute to increase their lead but the two unmarked players at the far post were unable to capitalise.

Rainworth once again had the ball in the Albion net but Booth’s effort was as the one previously disallowed for offside.

Albion were coming more and more into the game as Rainworth pushed for the equaliser. They nearly increased the lead in the 62nd minute when Lamin Jannah’s mazy run was thwarted by an excellent save by Townsend.

The pressure was building and it took a last-ditch Waddle tackle to defuse Facey’s driving run on goal.

Albion scored their second on 65 minutes when yet another piece of weak defending allowed Alex Cusak through on goal and although Townsed blocked his initial effort he made no mistake for the follow-up.

Rainworth made a double substitution replacing Brad Wilson and Smith with Liam Royles and Jordan Claxton.

Rainworth at this stage were still in the game and Modest’s dangerous cross was put cleared at the expense of a corner.

That changed in the 72nd minute when a flare up saw Julian Lawrence throw a water bottle at the Albion bench leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a red card.

Rainworth made a spirited effort to get back into the game but Modest failed to direct his bicycle-kick and minutes later had to be substituted by James Munson as he collided with Lofthouse when through on goal.

The substitution almost had the desired effect when Pemberton’s head on was headed by Munson and only a finger-tip save by Lofthouse onto the crossbar prevented a goal.

In the final minute Albion broke and Josh Barden’s effort beat Townsend and nestled in the far corner.

At the final whistle Rainworth could have no complaints and must take a hard look at their goals to chances ratio an area that has to be improved before they have any chance of winning.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Townsend; Ludlam; N.Smith (Claxton); Wilson (Royles); Ross; Pemberton; Booth; Waddle; Modest (Munson); Lawrence; Poole.

Subs (not used); Barnes; Bennett.

Referee: Mr Daniel Jarvis

Attendance 45