RAINWORTH MW 2-0 EASTWOOD CFC

Rainworth MW……..2 (Ingram 41’, Bamford 88’)
Eastwood CFC……...0

The Tomlin Personnel Stadium is no easy place to go to especially on a wet and windy midweek evening and so it proved.

Both teams went into the game in fine form both with an unbeaten run of 4 league games. Jack Andrews started his first league game since March and Callum McGarry replaced Joe Harrison who was joined on the bench by David Leak.

Rich (Smudge) Smith, the former Selston Manager, set out his team to frustrate the renowned free-flowing Eastwood attack and it worked from the off. Defenders Chad Wooton and Ryan Herbert thwarting any Eastwood forward momentum and the Hempshall brothers bossed the midfield to such an extent that the Red Badgers front three were living on scraps.

Sam Moore tested 'keeper Warren Squires early doors and at the other end Mark Rathbone saved a goal bound shot from Owen Clarke bravely with his legs. Both teams slowly grew into the game, Andrews saw a header sail harmlessly over the bar and Jermaine Hollis tried his luck from distance. When the Eastwood forwards made infrequent inroads into the home box they were stopped by some uncompromising tackling from Herbert and friends, although Squires had to make a wonder save after 27.

The Wrens went ahead in the 41st minute. A deft ball through the midfield from Kane Hempshall found Ryan Ingram in a 1 on 1 with Rathbone and the nippy forward slid the ball under the 'keeper for 1-0.

A change apiece for both sides at the star of the second half. David Leak replaced Ross Parker and Julian Topley replaced the injured Craig Mitchell for Rainworth. Both keepers saw early action with Rathbone saving well from Ingram's free kick and Squires just tipped over a fierce free kick from Callum McGarry. Still the home side frustrated Eastwood time and again with Herbert and Kyle Hempshall providing steel and determination to stop Eastwood at all costs.

Joe Harrison was introduced just before the hour to add some spark to the midfield and the away teams play got marginally better but the dogged play from the homesters was proving a frustrating night for Eastwood. Squires was again pressed into action from a Harrison free kick, but the Wrens defence was proving a formidable barrier with a "thou shall not pass" mentality. Eastwood's attacks were few and far between. When they did get close enough they were snuffed out by Squires and his no nonsense back line. Try as they could the Eastwood attack could not get past a stubborn rear guard. Knight, Curtis and Moore tried, as they always do, but nothing seemed to go or fall for the attacking trio all evening. A workmanlike display by the home side saw to that and more.

With a couple of minutes to play the game was sealed and the three points stayed up in NG21. Sub Topley pushed on down the right and fed fellow Sub Kurtis Bamford who raced into the area and beat Rathbone low and hard.

A bitter pill to swallow for the visitors but they were never good enough on the night to break down a resolute Rainworth side. The Wrens, arguably, are one of the better teams I've seen all season, and the win was thoroughly deserved. A harsh lesson for the Red Badgers who now need to regroup and collect their thoughts before a big home game this weekend (24th) against the early pace setters Ollerton Town.

No post-match interviews were conducted due to technical issues

ATTENDANCE ~ 152
REFEREE ~ Daniel Cobbett
ASSISTANTS ~ Nick Lees and Mick Newton

RAINWORTH MW ~ Warren Squires, Ryan Herbert (C) Kyle Hempshall, Elliot Jones, Kyle Hempshall,
Isaac Fisher (Kurtis Bamford 62’) Joe Naylor, Ryan Ingram, Owen Clarke (Khyle Sargent 86’)
Craig Mitchell (Julian Topliss 45’)
SUBS NOT USED ~ Kieran Coupe and Luke Weaver.
CAUTIONS ~ Ingram (59’)

EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo, Jack Andrews, Ross Parker, (David Leak 45’) Callum McGarry, Jermain Hollis, Blair Anderson (Joe Harrison 56’) Jared Holmes (C) Kieran Knight, Gareth Curtis (Lavell White 77’) Sam Moore,
CAUTIONS ~ Holmes (38’ foul) Boafo (49’ foul)
SUBS NOT USED ~ Jermaine Palmer.