Rainworth were under no illusions that last night’s Quarter Final would be extremely difficult against a team who play in the Premier Division. Although they battled hard to only trail 1-0 at half time. Class told however and by the final whistle Eastwood had added four more.
Five top class finishes, three from free kicks, just outside the area by five different players highlighted the gulf in class between the teams.
Rainworth were the first to probe when in the 7th minute Essa Shah’s through ball to Callum Brooks was intercepted by Sam Wilson. Three minutes later Wilson emphasised his ‘goalkeeping sweeper’ prowess when he once again reached the ball as Brooks bore down once more.
An error in defence saw James Leverton forced to exit his area, but he was adjudged to have fouled the onrushing forward before clearing the ball. There seemed no danger from the resultant free kick with the wall well placed and over 30 yards from goal. However, Aaron O’Conner produced a top-class free kick, casually placing the ball like a surgeon into the top corner giving Leverton no chance.
Rainworth had a half chance in the 24th minute when Craig Marples effort on the turn was blocked. A minute later and Leverton did well to block a goal bound effort with his legs to prevent Eastwood doubling the lead. There were no more chances as Eastwood went in at half time leading by the solitary goal.
Any chance Rainworth may have had of getting back into the tie evaporated in the 47th minute when they committed yet another foul on the edge of their area. Up stepped Ben Gowing who produced yet another precision finish to double Eastwood’s lead.
Rainworth made their first substitution in the 57th minute replacing Ryan Faulconbridge with Joshua Beer. Two minutes later and Eastwood extended their lead when after the initial effort was blocked the rebound was smashed into the top corner by Kyle Tomlin.
Rainworth made two quick substitutions, Ethan Wilkinson replacing James Culf and Henry Curry replacing Craig Marples. Eastwood continued to dominate and went close on a number of occasions.
Rainworth made their final change of the night bringing on Luke Warnes for Shah. The 84th minute saw Rainworth once more guilty of committing a foul on the edge of their area. This time Jack Messon stepped and emulated the previous two free kick scorers, with yet another excellent effort that once again found the top corner.
The final goal of the night came in the last minute of normal time when Terry Atem was on the end of an excellent Eastwood move. There was still time in added time for Leverton to pull off to excellent saves to keep the score down to five. At the final whistle Rainworth had to accept on the night they had been beaten by a far superior side.
For Rainworth the journey becomes vital as they search for the points needed to get out of the relegation battle starting at home to Holwell Sports on Saturday.
RAINWORTH: Leverton; Faulconbridge (Beer); Harley-Simpson; Culf (Wilkinson); Fletcher; Brown; Gee; Nettleship; Marples (Curry); Shah (Warnes); Brooks.

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