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