Benger's Finishing School Pedigree Shines Through - By Max Barton

Opening goal scorer Nathan Benger was the star of the show as the debutant picked up a goal and an assist. Rainworth manager Lewis Saxby described his performance, "He made a massive difference today, he was able to change the way we played and allowed us to push forward and score those goals.”

Straight away from the kick-off the game took on a fast tempo and an end to end tone. With both sides having plenty of the ball it was the away side that crafted the more chances in front of goal. In the 8th minute it was Rainworth that came close to taking an early lead. Kieran Coupes corner was flicked on at the near post by Chris Timmons which found Nathan Benger in the box. However, Benger’s subsequent header was cleared off the line by Ingles defender Adam Bowley to deny the Wrens.

The next player to come close for Rainworth was defender Conor Wright in the 20th minute. The young centre back picked the ball up in defence and drove upfield. Having gone past multiple Ingles players, Marc Schulz was there to tackle Wright on the edge of the box before he could get a shot off. Ten minutes later Schulz would demonstrate his attacking qualities. The dominant Ingles number four was able to break through the midfield to find Mitch Woodbine who sent an early shot from the edge of the box fizzing narrowly over the crossbar.

The second half resumed as the first had ended, with Rainworth on the front foot and in search of an opening goal. Just seven minutes into the second half midfielder Joe Naylor came close to finding that opener. A long goalward freekick by Conor Wright was headed down by Nathan Benger allowing Naylor to latch onto the loose ball. Naylor was unfortunate to see his on-the-turn shot fly just wide of the near post.
After a handful of chances, Rainworth finally found the opener in the 66th minute. A pinpoint cross by Joe Naylor found Nathan Benger in front of goal. The debutant striker directed a composed header past a helpless Shay Abel in the Ingles goal.

Four minutes later the assist maker Joe Naylor came frustratingly close to finding the back of the net himself. A well flighted corner taken by Kieran Coupe found Naylor in the box, however the Wrens man could only send his header agonisingly onto the crossbar.

In the 90th minute Rainworth found their second goal to secure the victory. It was instant impact from substitute Charlie Hardwick who scored straight after coming off the bench. A clever through ball by Benger found Hardwick who finished his chance coolly by sending the ball to the keepers right.

With less than a minute remaining the Wrens should have found a third goal. Lewis Weaver had been played in one on one but couldn't convert as Shay Abel came off his line well to make the save.

Next up for Rainworth they face an away trip to Shirebrook in the East Midlands Counties League. Next in the league for Ingles it is a trip to high flying Gedling Miners Welfare at Plains Road.

Ingles: Abel, A Bowley, Jarvis, Schulz, Boulter, Tuck, Woodbine, Hardy, Fowkes, Daley, Pell.
Subs: Etherington, Brooks, Lee, Bryans.

Rainworth MW: Hollis, Coupe, Toon, Herbert, Timmons, Wright, Brewin, Cornell, Benger, Naylor, Weaver
Subs: Sennett, Hardwick, Darby, Edwards, Smith.