The Alamo Revisited.

At tonight’s re-enactment of the famous Siege of the Alamo at Kirklington Road, Northwich Victoria took the role of the Mexican Army and Rainworth the Texans; however William Travis, James Bowie and Davey Crockett weren’t present.

For the first ten minutes of the match Rainworth’s passing game; gave the fans hope of an upset against a team on the fringes of the play-offs. As early as the 5th minute Jared Holmes mazy run and shot was well saved by Steve Dickinson in the Northwich goal. Then in the 6th minute Ricky Hanson’s corner was headed over by Ashley Kitchen. For the remainder of the half Northwich controlled the game and only a combination of good defending and luck prevented the visitors from scoring.

In the 12th minute an inch perfect through ball to Josh Amis was only thwarted by a quick intervention from Mark Camm. The game was predominately now being played in the Rainworth half and Ashley Kitchen came to the rescue when in the 24th minute he blocked a goal bound header. The 36th minute saw Amis hit his shot wide when it seemed easier to score; however he was spared his blushes by an offside flag. As the half-time whistle sounded it was Northwich who looked like the only side who would score tonight.

Rainworth replaced Kieran Watson with Kieran Walker at the start of the second half and in the 49th minute Hanson’s cross was just reached by the keeper before Kieran Wells. Still Northwich pushed forward and in the 51st minute an Amiss flick on was just put past the post by Alex Taylor. Rainworth took the opportunity to substitute Wells and replaced him with Adam Somes.The 71st minute saw a goal bound Amiss header tipped over by Neil West. Rainworth were getting pushed further and further back as Northwich looked to take the lead. In the 73rd minute Jack Duggan thought he had scored; only to see West save brilliantly at the expense of a corner. From the corner West made an even better double save to keep the scores level.

Northwich did get the ball into the net in the 75th only for it to be disallowed for offside and the substitute Scott Harries shot just wide of the post. The game was now all about survival for Rainworth and in the 86th minute Harries’s shot was well saved by West. Then Rainworth nearly snatched it at the death when Walker’s long throw was flicked on by Somes and hit just over by Callum Lloyd. That was to be the end of the siege as the referee blew for full time with the score 0-0.

Northwich’s display was as good as any team that has visited Kirklington Road this season, a good passing side with no apparent weaknesses. As for Rainworth they battled all night and although they had limited chances; they did have their moments. As I said previously no Travis,Bowie or Crockett but West and the entire Rainworth team gave a very passable impression and deserved their good fortune on the night. Unbeaten in three, Rainworth entertain yet another top team when on Saturday second place Coalville are the visitors.

RAINWORTH; West; Hanson; Goward; Camm; Kitchen; Claxton; Lloyd; Bacon; Wells (Somes 56); J. Holmes; Watson (Walker 45) Sub (not used); Shaw.

Northwich; Dickinson; Middleton (McEvatt 81); Leadbetter; Duggan; Mercer; Summerskill; Kilford (Harries 63); Taylor; Amiss; Wisdom; Clarke. Subs (not used) Brown; Mooney.

Referee; Luke Watson (Barnsley)

Man-of-match: Neil West