Gedling Miners Welfare 1-1 Rainworth Miners Welfare (East Midlands Counties League) 07.12.19
Rainworth MW earned a hard-fought point away to fourth placed Gedling MW as they continued their unbeaten run. Blessing Adeleyes 43rd minute strike was not enough as Gedling found an equaliser through Josh Thornton in the second half to make it 1-1.
It was a game of missed chances for both sides as Gedling managed to cling on for a point. The draw now means Gedling fall five points behind league leaders Eastwood Community.
In the 43rd minute, Rainworth took the lead through striker Blessing Adeleye. It was a fast-direct attack by Rainworth as a long ball flicked on by Cal Lytham played Adeleye through one on one. The strikers first effort was weak and clumsily saved by Gedling keeper Keaton Sharpe. Fortunately, the mishandling by Sharpe allowed Adeleye to turn into an empty goal from close range to take the lead for his side.
The second half didn’t start well for the hosts as top scorer Courtney Hastings was forced off through injury. A coming together with Rainworth goalkeeper Josh Hollis meant Hastings landed awkwardly on his ankle.
Despite losing their 22-goal striker, Gedling found an equaliser in the 64th minute through Josh Thornton. A delivery from a freekick found Curtis Millward at the far post who headed back across the face of goal to find Thornton. The Gedling number eight made no mistake as he netted first time at the far post to level the scores.
Rainworth reacted well after the restart and dominated the latter stages of the game. In the 86th minute Dec Brewin saw his first-time volley fly narrowly over the crossbar. In the third minute of stoppage time Brewin was in again. The Rainworth forward skilfully went past two defenders before sending his close range shot over the crossbar.
ainworth manager Lewis Saxby couldn’t believe his player didn’t score, saying: “I would’ve put my house on Dec scoring that at the end.”
The result meant Rainworth are now unbeaten in six games, however Saxby wanted to see more from his side. Saxby criticised his sides scoring ability: “Our issue is that we aren’t scoring goals. That game wasn’t even close today, if we had taken our chances it would’ve been four or five.” Saxby was pleased to see his side cause problems for a top team like Gedling: “We’ve now seen that there isn’t a great deal between us and those top sides. The difference is that they’ve got someone who’s can put the ball in the back of the net.”
In the next round of fixtures, Gedling MW travel to Heanor. The second versus fourth tie is sure to be a crucial one in both sides’ seasons. Gedling will be desperate to return to winning ways however they are likely to be without top scorer Courtney Hastings through injury. Next up for Rainworth MW, they face Clifton All Whites at home on Saturday. Clifton have already beaten Rainworth this season 2-1 back in August. Saxby fears it may be a tricky one for the wrens, saying: “The top sides don’t worry me, it’s the lower sides that really worry about.”
Elsewhere in the East Midlands Counties League Eastwood Community opened the gap at the top of the table to three points but not without a scare after a 3-2 win over Belper United. Eastwood were 2-0 down until Patrick Webb pulled one back on 75 and Ben Gowling equalised on 88 before a Carl Westcarr stoppage time winner stole the points for the home side who took advantage of Hucknall being held at Clifton 3-3.
Heanor Town are now second after beating Kimberley MW 4-0 at the Stag Ground whilst going strong still Radford in seventh beat Teversal 3-1 in an all Notts affair.
Sherwood Colliery, currently sixth were held at Barrow Town 2-2 whilst West Bridgford beat Shirebrook 2-0 to move to eighth. Finally Clipstone drew at Graham Street Prims 1-1.
Gedling Miners Welfare: Sharpe, Brown, Thurgood, McCaughey, Gent, Harrison, Palmer, Thornton, Hastings, Hogg, Millward. Subs: Newton, Spiers, Meakin, Mushambi, Smith.
Rainworth Miners Welfare: Hollis, Doyle, Toon, Herbert, Timmons, Wright, Lytham, Cox, Adeleye, Harris, Weaver. Subs: Coupe, Brewin, Drake, Cornell, Darby.
Venue: Plains Road (87)
*Article provided by Max Barton (Rainworth Miners Welfare Correspondent).
*Main image @maxbartonn Gedling in action verses Rainworth at Plains Road.
