Rainworth 0 Belper 2

Rainworth went down to 10 men after just 12 minutes when Kennedy was dismissed for a foul on Morris in the penalty area.
Rainworth were solid at the rear until the 90th minute when Froggatt went on a run into the area with the weary defenders chasing him, taking the ball past McCormack from just outside the 6 yard box.
Rainworth did create chances but lacked the cutting edge up front, with only 5 goals for us in the league matches telling it’s own story.

Rainworth started well when Mitchell played a quick free kick on the right to Bacon whose shot from outside the area went just over the bar. Belper’s Froggatt shot over the bar from outside the area and on 10 minutes Morris brought a good save from McCormack with his shot from just outside the 6-yard box.
On 12 minutes a long ball through to Morris saw Kennedy bring him down from behind and left the referee no choice but to dismiss him.
Froggatt took the penalty shot high which McCormack saved, unfortunately the linesman deemed the keeper to be off his line and Froggatt got a second chance which he made no mistake with.
On 18 Cann made a good run down the left crossed the ball into the ten-yard box where Mitchell just failed to make contact.
On 20 minutes Rainworth had a let off when Froggatt hit the post from close range and the rebound was taken into the side net.

The pace of the game slowed down then probably due to the heat. In the 30th minute Cann fell awkwardly and had to be substituted.
Bacon made a good run down the centre but his long-range shot was way of the target. The next action saw Bacon pick up the ball from a throw in and his half volley was just over the bar.
On 40 a free kick on the half way line fell to Mitchell on the run in the area. His volley beat the keeper but went just over the bar.

In the second half Belper opened well with McCormack saving well from Froggatt with 2 shots in the opening 5 minutes. Simpson won a free kick at the corner flag, which was cleared at the back post. Ellis broke down the right for Belper and crossed to the back post which Froggatt headed wide.
Rainworth’s Clarke then picked out Cooksey in the area whose shot went over the bar.
On 65 McCormack was in action again when Belper worked the ball into the area and Ellis shot from close range was saved.
As the game went into the 70th minute the extra man and the heat was taking it’s toll on Rainworth and Belper were taking full advantage.
On 75 Clarke’s shot from the edge of the area saw Richmond stretching only to see the ball go just wide of the post.

Rainworth still in the match pushed forward trying to get that elusive goal. Some good defending from Briggs foiled Belper, always dangerous on the break.
Rainworth having used all it’s subs went down to 9 men in the 88th minute when Simpson left the field with recurring hamstring problems.
Froggatt then made the game safe after weaving into the area from the left, riding a couple of tackles and stabbing the ball home from the edge of the 6 yard box.

Rainworth Team: J McCormack, C Fearon, L Briggs, S Kennedy, C Timmons, T Hanigan (Captain), L Cooksey, I Clarke, C Mitchell, S Cann, D Bacon, D Simpson, R Hanson, R Paling, J Carter, K Gee-Pemberton.

Man of the Match: Lee Briggs

Belper Team: A Richmond, A Pride, D White, S Warne, R Adams, A O’Hare, S Ellis, C Morrison (Captain), J Froggatt (2 Goals), L Morris, A Rushbury, B Spargo, O Graham, D Magee, L Chambers, T Turner.

Man of the Match: Jon Froggatt

Referee: Ian Smedley Attendance: 165