Never A Bottom of the Table Clash

Harrowby looked anything but a team flirting with relegation and the young ‘new look’ Rainworth team were full of adventure and promise. It was Rainworth who led 2-0 at half time but this was pulled back by Harrowby with two goals from Elliot King, the second a contentious penalty.

It was Harrowby who created the first chance, but they failed to capitalise, and the danger was cleared. Rainworth almost took the lead in the 6th minute when Nathan Benger laid the ball into the path of debutant Max Cook and his curling effort went inches past the far upright, with Phil McGann beaten.

The game ebbed and flowed and Lord Marfo was guilty of snatching at his opportunity when well-placed and it ballooned over. Rainworth almost capitalised from Benger’s searching cross but McGann gathered Rio Allan’s effort at the second attempt.

A great run by Allan in the 34th minute was thwarted when McGann pushed it round the post at the expense of a corner. From the relevant corner George Scott put his header wide of the target.

An excellent move by Rainworth opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Liam Arnold’s header found Cook and his cross was hit home by Allan.

The second came four minutes later when excellent play by Callum Brooks saw his cross headed home by Arnold. The final minutes of the half saw the breakneck pace continue without either side troubling the keepers as the half ended with Rainworth leading 2-0.

Rainworth almost added a third as the second half started but as the ball went dangerously close to the Harrowby goal, no one was able to get the finishing touch and it was cleared.

Harrowby’s Elliot King was a constant threat and Jack Cratchley did well to stop his goal-bound effort. A minute later Rainworth had a piece of good fortune when Lewis Marsh blocked his own players goal-bound shot.

Rainworth brought on Jude Thompson for the injured James Culf and a minute later Benger’s fierce drive was inches over. At the other end Thompson did well to block King’s header at the expense of a corner.

Five minutes later the referee allowed Harrowby to take a quick free kick and only Thompson’s quick thinking which allowed him to clear the shot off the line prevented a goal. Rainworth had an opportunity to score minutes later but George Simpson snatched at Brook’s excellent set-up, and it went wide.

Harrowby pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute when Jon Smith’s cross found King unmarked at the far post and he made no mistake. Rainworth made their second substitution bringing on Alex Hardman for Simpson.

Rainworth continued to threaten, and Allan’s cross was just too high for Thomas Harvey at the far post with the goal at his mercy. Two minutes later and Benger’s flick header was inches over with McGann beaten. Rainworth made their third substitution bringing on Niall Slack for Allan.
In the 80th minute an innocuous tackle resulted in both sides appealing to the referee and to the Rainworth players amazement he pointed to the penalty spot. King stepped up and gave Cratchley no chance for the equaliser. A few minutes later Harry Olivant’s cross only needed a touch, but luckily for Rainworth no one was able too.

In added time Rainworth almost snatched it when firstly Slack’s effort was gathered by McGann. Then when McGann fumbled the ball, it ricocheted around in the six-yard box, but unbelievingly numerous Rainworth attempts were unable to force the ball over the line.
At the final whistle both sides could take a lot of credit from a game that was entertaining and never dull. Both sets of fans could put up an argument that their team deserved to win on the day.

Rainworth can take a lot of plusses from the match as the ‘new era’ begins in earnest, with a young side that will only get better as they ‘gel’ together.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Cratchley; Culf (Thompson); Cook; Harvey; Grierson; Scott; Simpson (Hardman); Arnold; Benger; Allan (Slack); Brooks.
Subs (not used): Kelly; Nettleship.