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!!