Patched-Up Wrens Battle Hard

The ravages of the season had taken their toll and the already lengthy injury list just got longer after Easter Monday’s fixture meaning a bare 13 were available. This figure included players who in a different scenario would have been rested.

Harrowby hadn’t conceded in their last three matches whilst scoring fourteen goals, including a 4-0 victory against League Champions Aylestone Park. The 2-0 defeat on the day was testimony to the spirit within the squad, with a goal conceded just on half time and a controversial one in the 75th minute.

Harrowby had the first effort on goal but Luke Chadwick easily gathered Luke Peberdy’s header in the 8th minute. Rainworth’s response saw George Scott’s cross was a fraction behind Nathan Benger whose attempted header lacked direction.

John Mustapha’s 13th minute curler just went over, whilst Scott had his effort blocked by Mathias Amponsem. Minutes later and Josh Nettleship’s cross was just too high, and it went out for a goal kick.

An excellent Rainworth passing interchange between Ben Rossiter, Harley Butcher-Simpson and Benger almost produced a chance, but Harvey Thomas had it taken off his toe. A minute later and Max Cook’s free kick was tipped round the upright by Philip McGann.

Brooklyn Bullock’s 29th minute cross was headed goal wards by Scott but McGann gathered it on the goal line.

Rainworth had a lucky escape in the 34th minute when Elliot King found himself through on goal but his mis-hit should was gratefully clutched by Chadwick.

In the final minutes of the half there were chances at both ends McGann did well to push out Benger’s effort on the turn after some excellent Rainworth build-up play.

The opening goal came on the stroke of half time when Jack Gurney’s through ball found King and this time he gave Chadwick no chance.
Rainworth brought on Callum Fletcher for Bullock at the start of the second half.

Allcock did well to block Harry Olivant’s dangerous cross at the expense of a corner. Rainworth still searched for the equaliser and Butcher-Simpson combined with Fletcher, but the latter’s effort was saved by McGann.

Thomas’s header from Cook’s corner was always rising and it was always going over.

Rainworth thought they had equalised in the 67th minute when Cook’s fierce drive look destined for the top corner but McGann somehow managed to tip it over.

Harrowby’s second goal was contentious when Allcock appeared to be fouled from behind. The referee however ignored the prostrate Allcock and allowed play to continue and when Brima Daramy broke he beat the advancing Chadwick, placing his effort in the bottom corner. Allcock received lengthy treatment after the incident and when he got to his feet he remonstrated with the referee who immediately sent him to the sin bin.

Rainworth’s ten men to their credit battled through that period without further concession, and minutes later the referee blew for full time.

RAINWORTH MWFC: Chadwick; Onwubiko; Cook; Allcock; Thomas; Nettleship; Rossiter; Scott; Benger; Bullock (Fletcher); Butcher-Simpson.
Sub (not used): Magee