Tuesday 12th August 2008

Rainworth MW v Scarborough Athletic -- NCEL Division 1

Our first league game of the season saw us visit one of our favourite venues - Kirklington Road in Rainworth.

A few new faces have been introduced by Rudy Funk this term, including Lee Soar (Gedling Town), James Whitehead, Alan Jeffries and Phil Massingham ( Shepshed Dynamo) and Will Heath (ex-Gedling Town).

Making his Rainworth debut was centre-back Craig Charlesworth, new signing from Shirebrook.

£4 entry, £1 programme plus a team sheet from old friend Gordon Foster, also known on many forums as "rainworthgord".. and an added bonus, Kev's son Dale bought the Lucozade and Mars Bars...

The game was not anything special, but if Referee Mr. Smith had taken a stronger stance early doors, then some of the latent anger between the teams may have been avoided and football may have had a chance. I know anger is a strong word to use when talking about footballers, especially ones who have to get up the next morning injury free to go to work, but there were some really serious moments on the pitch, and one or two off it as well!! Even the cultured Will Heath resorted to spoiling tactics, and as the game progressed it seemed as if neither team would be able to survive to the end with 11 men apiece.

Never mind - there were, apparently, 215 people in attendance - I imagine a good 150 from Boro... shame to come all that way on a cold, damp Tuesday and lose 1-0........

After being by far the better of the two teams on display, Scarborough had one lapse of concentration in the 88th minute, failing to clear from a rare Rainworth corner, allowing Danny Naylor to slot home.

Wrens keeper Mark Hales made one terrific save early in the second half, tipping a fierce close range drive over the bar ...but in the cold light of day, the table reads : Rainworth PLAYED 2 : WON 2 : POINTS 6.

Saturday Kev's off to the Coast so I'll be "billy no mates" again.....Sutton v Southwell is the game of choice, but with Eastwood Town kicking off their season against Leigh Genesis, I may opt for that game instead.