Rainworth Mw 1 - 3 Goole Afc

They came, they Conquered!

Thoughts of tonight`s game being played under a crystal clear sky seemed unthinkable at three o'clock this afternoon, Gale force winds and rain bouncing a foot off the floor.

A bright Moon with a distinct nip in the air and hardly a breath of wind sets the scene for the 'Return of the Vikings' to Kirklington Road.

Three wins on the bounce for Kevin Gee`s 'Resurgent Wrens' has raised expectations in the stands.

Having said that, no one will take for-granted the severe beatings Rainworth have suffered at the hands of Goole in previous encounters, non more-so than Gavin Allotts five goal romp at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds in October 2010.

Given that, it`s another season and both sides have undergone significant changes and it will be interesting to see what tonight has to offer?

Rainworth started off bright enough, Kyle-Gee Pemberton looked "well up for it" as did new signee Niall O’Rafferty with Steve Akers adopting his usual 'Busy Bee' runs in and around the box.

After the first fifteen minutes though the game started to fizzle out, very little in the way of real football, Route One, straight down the middle with both keepers hoofing it to each other, neither side looked to take any advantage of the acres of space created by the lack of width.

Goole`s Vill Powell`s usual threat is paled into insignificance by the manner of play and without being too critical the visitors seem to be spending a fair bit of time on the floor. .

Lee Cooksey did manage to break the tedium as he picked up a loose ball just outside the box and lashed it beyond Aaron Chapman to give the home-side the lead on the half-hour but apart from that and the odd rush at goal by the ever-lively Steve Akers the game was really in need of some direction, tbh Rainworth do look to be missing that extra bit of something without Nathan Adams` presence.

Brian

Half time approaches and it`s good to see ('Evening Post') Brian Dennett back on his feet after a pretty rough time. I`m sure everyone at Carlton Town is glad to see him back to himself.

A quick chat with Rainworth`s reserve Team Managers, Ady Smith and Kev Wilson and it`s back down to business

It`s marvellous what fifteen minutes can do for a game of football, Goole`s manager looks to have reminded his side about the basics and that`s exactly what they produced for him, gone are the first half long ball tactics and at last it`s 'pass and move'.

Goole`s revised tactics look to be creating problems for the home-side, Tommy Hannighan is keeping Powell at bay, and Mark Camm is 'Sweeping for England' in an attempt to thwart the "Invasion by the Vikings" but there`s a lot of pressure being created at the wrong end of the pitch.

Rainworth start to use the flanks, mainly the right one via Ricky Hanson and it`s starting to look a bit better, Ant Lynam once again replaces Cooksey upfront ("I hope this isn`t going to become a habit") and looks to be posing a threat but 'The Vikings' are here to do battle and take up the challenge once again.

Set Pieces!! You either defend against them well or 'Pay the Price' and unfortunately the latter became the undoing of the Wrens. Two corners, two goals; the first for Matt Bloor with about twenty minutes to go then Powell put the second to bed ten minutes later.

The game has really opened up and is finishing off in style for the paltry sixty seven who had braved the elements.

Goole`s evening finishes on a high as Simon Harrison picks the ball up some thirty odd yards out to the right, Joe McCormack could only look on as the ball whistled by him into the top left hand corner taking the net with it as he produces a 'Goals on Sunday' show-piece in the last minute. Three one and it`s "Game, Set and Match"!!.

So it`s back to the 'Drawing board' for Kev and the lads, lessons will have been learned and hopefully used to Rainworth`s advantage in future outings


My Men of the Match - Simon Harrison.for his 'Wonder Goal' and Mark Camm for the grass he covered.


Attendance - 67

Rainworth Mw 1 - 0 Lincoln United

Tuesday Night and Dudsey`s keeping an eye on tonight`s Evo-1 South results via Twitter, looking at what`s coming in Rainworth are really going to need three points against Lincoln United on Saturday to avoid being sucked back into the relegation Vortex.

Market Drayton turned round a one goal deficit at Leek to win 1-2 and Quorn have taken a point at Romulus keeping the pressure well and truly on Kev Gee`s side.

Another snippet to catch my eye is Belper Town welcoming 'Charlie Wier' to the fold, "Brigg didn`t hang on to him for long".

Charlie`s been joined at Christchurch Meadow by fellow ex Sheffield team mate Ashley Longstaff, ("a good return as he bagged one in Belper`s 0-3 win at Goole tonight").

0 - 0 at Ashby Avenue on the 24th of September leaves something of a 'Blank Canvas' for today, on the day Dudsey was very impressed with Lincoln`s Kallum Smith yet Rainworth were still without any producing strikers at that time so you`d like to think they would be in with a shout.

Fleming receives his Award

Since then Lincoln`s Terry Fleming has been awarded the Evo-Stik 1 South "Manager of the month"so it looks as though both teams have enjoyed a recent turn of fortune and will be looking to maintain it.

Unfortunately Joe McCormack suffered double fractures to his fingers at Brigg on Saturday so it`s real surprise to see him in the side today.

Hales has been drafted in and is on the bench just in case Joe has any difficulties this afternoon. Lee Cooksey makes the starting eleven in place of Ant Lynam who is also lying-in-wait.

It`s anything but a perfect day today, cold with very blustery wind so a show-piece encounter looks very unlikely and upon the start it looks like the weather has dampened the players spirits, other than two early chances from Nathan Adams and one for Jack McGovern the first half-hour is dross, it`s a very poor show and there`s a very strange atmosphere about the place, it`s almost 'Tumbleweed' stuff.

A Windy, scrappy and scruffy start.

Just as it`s looking like the first half is going to be a blank sheet Rainworth won back-to-back corners,  the first was dealt with by the reliable ex-Mansfield Town player Stuart Reddington.

The second one proved to be the break 'TheWrens' had been looking for, Ricky Hanson`s corner fell spot on for Skipper Steve Kennedy to nod over the line, 1-0 with five minutes of the first half to go.

Lincoln seemed unfazed by the goal, if anything it injected a bit of life into the closing spell of the first-half, Scott Coupland and the ever-lively Kallum Smith are sprung into action and the game seems to be gaining some desperately needed momentum but the whistle gets in the way and brings proceedings to a halt.

Coupland has a last minute push

One nil up with the wind behind their backs, you`d be expecting it to be a 'Breeze' for the home-side, "but it`s football and you can`t bet on a script in this game", and in the main the second half followed the pattern of the opening of the first, the first quarter of an hour was D-U-L-L.

Lynam replaces Cooksey just after the hour and nearly managed to change the pattern of the game with one of his signature 'low rocket' free-kicks which whistles to the left of Phil McGann`s goal.

From here on Nathan Adams stumbles upon a good spell and makes several charges down the left hand-side but struggles to replicate his recent solo goals and the game-play starts to swing in the other direction.

Rainworth look to capitalise on the lead

Jack McGovern`s free-kick nearly squared the game as McCormack seemed to have mis-judged the swirling wind and has to back-peddle to prevent the ball from dipping under the cross-bar.

Lincoln are looking for a point and player-manager Fleming is so anxious to salvage something from game he decides to take to the pitch, his presence and direction gets the visitors pumped up, Rainworth are backing off and inviting the visitors to press-on. 

About as high as the game got today!!

Tom Garrick must have had to look twice to see how on earth his header managed to go wide, thankfully it did and 'The Wrens' managed to 'Hold the Fort' and grab another three points.

So it`s three out of three for Rainworth, a less than convincing performance but 'Mother Nature' was always going to spoil the show today but some times you have to dig-in and 'Win Ugly' and it stills pays the same dividend, three points!!

No significant candidates for Man of the Match today. ("Where`s Mr Clarke when you need him"!!)

Attendance - 96

Brigg Town 0 - 4 Rainworth Mw

Yep it`s here again... can`t think of a better way to spend your Birthday than watching a game of Footie on a nice sunny November afternoon. "So why are we stuck on the A1 in a two mile tail-back watching the minutes tick away...!!

The only positive of arriving twenty minutes late is not being charged to get in...

I ask the Gateman if there`s any score? "We`re two goals down mate" he replies disappointedly, "Cheers Pal, you`ve made me feel loads better".......

'The Hawthorns' is one of those grounds Dudsey never tires of visiting, the stand is very well appointed, close to the touch-line and slightly elevated; making for an excellent vantage point without any obstructions.

A team-sheet is pinned to the cabin, gone are the names that destroyed `The Wrens` in the 6 -2 FA Cup mauling, Paul Grimes is producing the goods at Grantham, Danny Buttle has gone to Barton Town Old Boys and Bruno Holden has only just left to join 'Tommy Brookbanks' at Stamford.

One name Dudsey is surprised to see within 'The Zebra`s ranks is ex-Sheffield Fc player Charlie Weir, a decent acquisition by anybody`s standards.

Rainworth`s new Hero Nathan Adams has bagged one and a mix up between the keeper and the last defender has resulted in an own goal for 'The Wrens' second.

Playing in Dudsey`s favourite Red and White kit the visitors are in the ascendancy, Adams and Steve Akers are once again looking very lively but tbh the home-side look a shadow of their former selves, Weir stands out 'Head and Shoulders' above his team-mates in the first half.

"Bloody Rubbish"

There`s half a dozen entertaining 'Statler & Waldorf' type characters just sat to the right of us, old footballers who have 'been there and done it all' many moons ago, they`re far from impressed with their 'Beloved Briggs' offering today and they have it all sussed....

"It`s worst performance I`ve seen in fifteen seasons" one moans then minutes later another one pipes up, "The Manager`s bloody rubbish, these buggers (Rainworth) have only scored nine goals this season". The banter these old soldiers belt out is priceless, "Is this really my fate"...!!

Back on the field it looks as though 'The Wrens' are in little or no danger, "My! how things have changed over the last two outings," the final third of the pitch which was an anomaly is now full of activity, Lynam and the new lads are picking their positions out at will.

Brigg look for an opening.

Wondering if we were going to miss out on any more goal action was soon to be allayed, Adams picks up another scrappy Brigg ball and cue`s up Akers who is running in from the right and it`s three in the dying minutes of the first half, "Bloody Hell, we`re bottom of the table material" echo`s out from the 'Likely Lads', so it`s 0-3 going into the interval.

Brigg make two changes for the second half, Steve Cannon and Liam Smith are on to try to liven things up for the home side, with great effect in the main. A much more even contest is witnessed in the second half, Brigg are now playing with some purpose, Smith is creating some width and Charlie Weir is getting some decent service at last, Rainworth are having to absorb some real pressure.

Time to defend for The Wrens

Joe McCormack is now heavily involved in the game and takes a bad knock to his left hand and although he carries on he`s avoiding the use of it. Really a case of bad timing, Brigg`s chances are becoming evermore frequent but despite the injury Joe`s heroics are quickly winning even the 'Old Boy`s over.

Rainworth are keen to stem the tide and Lynam is replaced by Lee Cooksey and Ben Spargo replaces Akers upfront and both start posing a threat to 'The Zebra`s.

Adams makes another burst into the box and is up-ended, no shouts are required as Ref, Steve Wade points to the spot. Spargo steps up and blasts the ball beyond Woodhead, and at four nil it`s all over with.

Spargo buries the Spot-Kick

Full credit to the home-side for battling to the end but Rainworth`s turn of fortune seems to be more than a flash in the pan, for the second game in succession they finally seem to have turned a corner and are eventually heading in the right direction.

Whatever Kevin Gee has brought to Rainworth it certainly looks to be working, fluent football with an incisive edge to it and hopefully there will be more at home on Saturday.

My Men of the Match - Simply for his second-half heroics Joe McCormack and Charlie Wier for Brigg.

Attendance - 85

Admission - Freebie!!

Rainworth Mw 2 - 1 Leek Town

Forget Wembley.. If it`s entertainment you were after Kirklington Road was the place to be..!!

Leek Town, unbeaten on the road this season are definitely the 'Bookies' favourites by a 'Country Mile' so it`s a case of  "Nip over 'The Peaks' grab our three points and back to bed lads"...Erm, wait a minute!!.

Once again Rainworth proved to be the Staffordshire outfit`s 'Nemesis' as they did last season.

Dudsey`s maintained all along that the lack of a pacey striker and a stroke from 'Lady Luck' was all that was holding 'The Wrens' back and on this occasion both elements came together to provide a very satisfactory (if not a little nail-biting) result.

Followers will know no-one appreciates a pacey little striker more than me, a Massiah McDonald, Steve Woolley or Paul Grimes type of player, one who get`s you on the edge of your seat and at last I think Rainworth have found their`s in the form of Nathan Adam`s, the ex Lincoln City youngsters pace and enthusiasm for the game is a "breath of fresh air" for the 'Rainworth faithful'.

Our last Massiah!!

The first half is opened to a brisk pace, James McCarthy is tearing around like a 'Blue Arsed Fly' and looking to thread the ball through to Matthew Haddrell but once again Tommy Hannighan has been deployed to keep the main threat at bay. Haddrell is a 'Big Lad' but he`s got the touch and will take some containing.

Danny Bacon and Nathan are really starting to gel of recent and with the added bonus of Ian Clarke back in the side the forwards are enjoying some fluent link play, tbh with twenty five minutes gone it`s still anybody`s game, really good end to end stuff.

Just as the half hour approaches Adams is off, picking up the ball just outside the box and it`s beyond Danny Roberts reach, cheered on by a rapturous home-crowd and it`s 1-0 to the home-side.

Not all the entertainment is on the pitch though, Ian Clarke`s Mum and Dad are one of the best comedy duo`s since Compo and Nora Batty, they vocally express their thoughts and keep everyone well amused for the duration of the game. Mrs H is in stitches at their constant jibes but in all fairness they know the game inside-out.

Ex-Imp, Adams

Still on the high of his first goal Adams catches Ashley Wooliscroft dawdling on the ball,  he dispossesses him and runs out wide left, beating Roberts again from a near on impossible angle, 2-0, "the place is buzzing". 

Let`s not get too excited though, McCarthy and Matt Hadrell haven`t traveled this far to go home with empty pockets and continue to press until the half-time whistle blows.

Time for a Cuppa, Sky Sports is on in the tea-hut and Fabio is also enjoying an half-time lead (albeit via an own goal). Sheffield Fc are also 2-0 up at home to Kidsgrove and Staveley have taken the lead at Scarborough. Back out to see if the lads can capitalize on their first half advantage.....

Five minutes in and the whole half-time team-talk goes up in smoke....!!  Ian Clarke is involved in a tackle with Leek`s Christian Millar and tbh although I didn`t have a clear enough view to see what had gone off, the sight of Millar going down 'Drogba Style' (like he`d been hit by an 'Elephant Gun', clutching his face) certainly made the Ref`s mind up for him.

"If Clarkey raised an hand then he has to go but why decent players have to replicate the antics of the overpaid Premiership Mercenaries beats me". "Mr and Mrs Clarke are less than chuffed and decide to rack it up a notch from this point".

Plan B it is then.... Lynam off, Cooksey on and 'Shut up Shop', try to maintain possession and hit them on the break whenever possible. Although that`s the pattern of the half, the corner tally for Leek is relentless and sure enough Glyn Mellor manages to raise above the crowd and nod it beyond McCormack`s line,"2-1 with quarter of an hour left and my feet are twitching". 

Adams and Steve Akers try to break whenever possible but there`s too much work to do at the back, Edwards and McCarthy are battling for at least a point but despite an all out onslaught `The Wrens` hang on to a vital three points.

Make no qualms about it Leek Town are a decent side ladened with talent, James McCarthy, Matthew Hadrell and Oliver Edwards all know which way to kick a ball but on the night a solid first half then a case of "Defending like B**tards" earned Rainworth a long awaited victory.

It`s a shame Clarkey got his marching orders as it would have been nice to see what else Rainworth had in the locker, but no doubt they`ll happily take what they got.

Men of the Match - Rainworth, Nathan Adams and James McCarthy for Leek.

(Closely followed by Mr & Mrs Clarke).

Attendance - 81

Rainworth Mw 1 - 4 Ilkeston Fc

The Signs where there

A very spirited second half performance against Loughborough Dynamo a week last Tuesday night seemed to be "too little too late" for the management duo of Billy Millar and Lee Wilkinson.

After discussions with the Chairman the only solution to Rainworth`s downward spiral seemed to be a fresh approach and tbh although the faith hadn`t been totally lost by the supporters the statistics were pointing towards this eventuality.


First of all it`s only right that we welcome Kevin Gee to the club and wish him well and every success in his new appointment and a big thanks to Billy Millar and coach Darren Kelk who have now left the club, it`s a shame things didn`t work out for them in the Evo-Stik.

Full credit to Kevin for asking Wilko to stay on as his assistant, not only has Lee got a wealth of knowledge about the squad but he has been a great servant to the club over the years, 'Club Captain' and one of the best sweepers I`ve seen in my long stint as a supporter, rightly so he opted to remain involved with the club he has called home for many seasons.

So Kev picks up the reigns and theoretically his first game is a mammoth task, 'League Leaders' v 'Bottom of the Pile'...!

Formed from the demise of 'Ilkeston Town' in 2010, the newly named club are off to a flyer and it looks as though their occupancy in the Evo1 South is no long term residence, major investors are back on board with some good solid sponsors and with manager Kevin Wilson and coach Darren Caskey secured on a long term basis it looks as though 'The Ilson' mean serious business once again.

Ilkeston has a rich footballing past and anyone interested in local footballing history should take a peek at Ilkeston`s history website, it lists all previous players and more impressively the quality of manager the club has attracted over the years which shows the level of commitment and ambition the club has been so lucky to enjoy in the past.

With the promise of a bumper crowd due to Mansfield Town not being in action today Dudsey and Mrs H set out a little low on expectancy yet hopeful of a good afternoon out, "but you never know with football".....!!

We arrive with only a couple of minutes to spare to kick-off, "the place is buzzing", a really good crowd has descended on Kirklington Road and what a great atmosphere, admittedly most of them are from down the A610 but it sure makes for a good day out, they`re 'Beered Up' and here to enjoy themselves and all in very good spirit.

The 'Media Circus' had already made Gary Ricketts well known to all in the Mansfield area and an unusually excessive police presence was in attendance but within ten minutes of the start the thirty six year old powerhouse was being hallowed for what he does best, "own the pitch", you simply have to see this man play to appreciate his worth to Ilkeston.

Ilkeston press on.

Danny Bacon looks better every time he turns out but for me Nathan Adams` very industrious performance for me took Rainworth`s plaudit given the fact he is very new addition to the squad.. Ricky Hanson had another solid game despite unfortunately getting Ilkeston`s game underway as the ball is deflected off the back of his head and into his own goal 0-1 after twenty five minutes.

Despite twenty teams separating these two today no-one supporting Ilkeston in the stand is dismissing the valiant display 'The Wrens' are putting on. Bacon and Adams are supplying the home supporters with some inner belief and another fine pass tee`s up a teasing ball to Ant Lynam who just fails to connect with it.

Ricketts and Thomas` advances are troublesome to say the least, 'The Big Man`s' presence in the box is nearing total dominance although Tommy Hannighan is pulling out all the stops to try and keep him at bay.

A neat cross from James Cullingworth finds Ricketts in enough space to unleash a pile-driving header beyond Joe McCormack and it`s 0-2.

Rainworth plugged away at it but the sheer strength and presence of 'Ilson`s front two was too much, Ricketts pushes a neat pass to the feet of Thomas who failed at his first attempt but made no mistake as 'afters' where offered. 0-3 within the dying seconds of the first half and it`s curtains for 'The Wren`s.

Mind your head Pal..!! It`s two for 'Ilson'

The second half gave Dudsey and Mrs H the chance to take a stroll round the ground to catch up with a few friends, the most noticeable event of a predictable second half was the withdrawal of Ricketts, 'The Gladiator' was given a well deserved ovation on his departure.

Rainworth managed a consolation goal via a Mark Camm header in the last ten minutes, although there was a hint of off-side (two yards worth), "it proper worries me when linesmen fail to this degree".

Thomas had already missed one sitter minutes earlier but made amends with five minutes left as he smoothed out the 'Icing on the cake'.

You`d be forgiven for thinking that the scoreline indicated a one-way traffic affair and despite the eventual result Rainworth gave a good account of themselves, playing with a confidence that has been amiss in previous outings but they were simply outgunned today by a team who converts chances with great aplomb.

One distinct difference separated the teams this afternoon.....Gary Ricketts!, this 'Wily Old Fox' has more in his locker than Evo-Stik 1 status; strength, presence, awareness and good old 'Gamecraft'.  Not to take anything away from Daryll Thomas` two goals but the man in the No9 shirt is the one who definitely makes 'The Ilson' tick and the fans love him...

Probably a case of bad timing for Kev Gee`s appointment but hopefully Tuesday night`s upcoming game against Leek Town will give the lads a chance to shine, "one thing for sure, they won`t have 'Mr Ricketts".


Attendance - 353