Rainworth Miners Welfare are through to the third round of the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup after a thrilling 6-4 win over Bilborough Town at Harvey Hadden Stadium last night.

The ten goal thriller kicked into life after just four minutes when Rainworth took the lead through Aidy Harris and within 60 seconds it was 2-0 when Callum Lytham outpaced the Bilborough defence to double the away sides advantage.

Bilborough pulled one back almost immediately after when Dearden capitalised on some poor defending and with just seven minutes gone the signs for more to come were apparent in an astonishing evening when defences went out of the window.

After just ten minutes it was 3-1 when Kieran Coupe’s free kick was headed in by Harris for his second goal of the night before Brad Cox headed another Coupe delivery home on 19 to make it 4-1 to the Wrens.

Harris should have had his hat-trick when Steve Radzynski’s drive was parried on to the crossbar but he headed the rebound back to the grateful arms of the goalkeeper. Moments later it was Bilborough’s turn to ripple the net as a brilliant free kick by Cessey reduced arrears to two on 35 and although Coupe tried to replicate that goal with his own version inches over the two sides went in at the break relieved and exhausted at just 4-2.

At the break Rainworth brought on Toon for Herbert but any strategy to sure things up went out of the window after just 51 minutes when they conceded a penalty which Cessey converted to bring the game back to just one goal difference.

A nervy period for Rainworth was eased however on 67 minutes when Darby got the fifth and on 78 Lewis Weaver came on for Harris and immediately found the net to all but put the tie beyond doubt.

There was time for one more goal as Bilborough pulled one back with two minutes remaining as Cessey completed his hat-trick – a team with an average age of 20 sometimes naïve in defence but with a never say die attitude that bodes well for the future.

For Rainworth, relieved that they are through to the next round they can now put their feet up and relax this weekend before facing Kimberley Miners Welfare on the 30^th November.

In other action in the Notts Senior Cup last night Eastwood Community beat Sherwood Colliery after extra time at Debdale Lane. The home side took the lead with Carter Widdowson’s terrific free kick on 22 minutes before talented striker Paddy Webb equalised on the half hour latching on to a Tom Marshall flick to finish on goal.

In a game that seen 16 year old Wade Hines came in for his debut becoming Eastwood’s youngest ever player a tight affair went in to extra time and on the 95^th minute a penalty was given after Paddy Webb was brought down before picking himself up and smashing home the winner from the spot. There was time for a late red card for Kieran Knight but the away side saw the game through thanks to some stern defending and a man of the match performance from Danny Hayes.

*Main image @maxbartonn Rainworth players leave the Harvey Hadden pitch exhausted after their win.