Rainworth Mw 0 - 2 Belper Town

October 1st 2011.... Dudsey and Mrs H are travelling down the A617 towards Rainworth, the Air-Con is on and the thermometer reads 29 degrees, "this is wrong" but we`re not complaining.

Hales has received the call and is making his debut for Scarborough Athletic (Ed Eley`s sick) "hopefully wafted by a gentle sea-breeze". Unable to make the trip as "The Young Rangers" game doesn`t kick off till mid-day, we decide to take in Rainworth`s home-tie against Belper.

Ironically this will be the third time we`ve watched this fixture in 2011 and Belper are on as many Managers, their latest Innkeeper comes in the form of Pete Duffield, someone who Gordon Foster holds in high regard.

Looking at today`s team-sheet he`s "Ringing in the Changes", only six of today`s squad featured in the away tie at Christchurch Meadow back in August whilst "The Nailers" were under Tommy Taylor`s tenure.

Rainworth`s squad is back to full strength but once again I have to question the starting line-up!! (I won`t go into detail for the fear of becoming boring).

Tbh, I thought there could be a chance for Rainworth today given last weeks improved performance at Lincoln plus the fact Duffield`s newly formed squad would need a few games to gel.

Morris fails to convert from close range

The game gets off to a good start, despite the temperature both sides look committed to the cause, Rainworth have a quick stab at goal from Lee Cooksey. Belper are next to push on, a quick break catches the home-side off guard and Lee Morris has a golden opportunity to take the lead but he fails to capitalise.

Belper do get the break they are seeking, Morris breaks again and is halted in his tracks by Steve Kennedy`s tackle, being the last man Ref Ian Smedley ("he had a bit of a mare today") had no option but to produce a straight red despite there not being anything cynical about the challenge.

John Froggatt steps up to take the kick and McCormack gets it right making a perfect block, Scratch that!!, the linesman is waving his flag and indicates the Rainworth keeper was off his line, the kick is re-taken and Frogba converts.

Joe McCormack stops Froggatt`s first attempt

So The Wrens find themselves a man light on a blisteringly hot day with seventy five minutes left to play, not the stuff dreams are made of but if anyone were to walk into the ground at this point they probably wouldn't `t have noticed the one man deficit.

No one can dispute the inefficiencies Rainworth display in-front of goal but the defence for me is as good as any in the league, a special mention has to go to young Lee Briggs again, he stood out head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch, not to diss the others, Fearon, Timons and Hannigan also worked their socks off. 

Rainworth still make chances despite the disadvantage.

Surely Belper will capitalise given the conditions and one man advantage, not in the first half! Froggatt and Morris are being suppressed by some solid defending. Aaron Pride looks to be Belper`s most influential player going forward and ex Sheffield Fc defender Dan White is saving Duffield`s blushes as he works tirelessly to prevent Rainworth`s advances.

Half time can`t come quick enough for all involved as the thermometer hits 30 degrees,   0-1 at the break. The attendance is announced as 165 today, not surprising really as Belper have more men in shirts and ties than MI5. "Big plans I think"!!

Lee Cooksey has come up with an alternative plan for the second half.

Dudsey thinks the second half might be a bridge too far for ten men, and although the result might indicate I was right, the performance put on in the second half showed real determination by the home side.

Belper were pegged back in their own half during the opening spell until inevitable substitutions had to be made, Ben Spargo looked very lively as" The Nailers" looked to replace tired legs, Rainworth followed suit with a series of changes to freshen things up.

Rainworth still managed to test Andy Richmond`s mettle

Someone`s Tweeting for Belper in the ground, "Still 1-0 here, cant` believe it`s not 3 or 4" Dudsey scans the ground but can`t see anyone wearing a pair of golden tinted glasses, "some folks bias kills me"!!

Legs are getting very tired and the feeling a slip up could take the game either way proved right, Tommy Hannigan who had put in a stellar shift makes a uncharacteristic error which allows Froggatt to take possession just outside the area, without ado he skirts into the box and plants it into McCormack`s net. 0-2 with only a minute to go, so harsh on the lads after a very gritty performance.

Froggatt and Hannigan enjoyed a good tussle.

With a second goal Belper are home and dry and Rainworth take another defeat, a penalty and a last minute defending error was all that separated the sides today. Belper for me should have walked this given the conditions and a man advantage, or are Rainworth despite a goal drought a better side than some people are giving them credit for. "Time will tell".......!!

Dudsey`s always rated John Froggatt`s worth at Belper due to his seniority and experience but a few disappointing little incidents have left me a little disillusioned today, on a couple of occasions he feigned injury and dropped to the floor as if he`d been shot, totally unnecessary for me as it`s obviously rubbing off on the likes of Morris as well.


My Men of the Match - Rainworth; Lee Briggs and Ian Clarke.  Belper; Dan White and Aaron Pride.