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