Rainworth Miners Welfare FC THE WRENS

26th January Result

2010-01-26T22:44:00.004Z

Rainworth go top of the League

Rainworth Miners 2

Dinnington Town 0

Result for 23rd Jan

2010-01-23T18:18:00.005Z

Rainworth Miners Welfare 3

Massiah McDonald Hat Trick

Hall Rd Rangers 0

Bridlington Town Promotion Worries

2010-01-11T18:04:00.004Z

SCARBOROUGH Athletic's NCEL Premier title rivals Bridlington Town may pass up on the chance to make a move into the Unibond League.
Bridlington are currently vying for top spot with leaders Rainworth, but the Queensgate club do hold mixed opinions about making the step up.A total of eight clubs have applied for promotion, with the list being made up of Boro, Brid, Pickering, Rainworth, Liversedge, Long Eaton, Selby and Thackley.Chairman Pete Smurthwaite said: "I have been asked about the clubs plans for the future and can confirm we have applied for promotion to the UniBond League should we be eligible by our final league position."Myself, the management and players and, I would presume, some of the fans have mixed views with regards to promotion and I know not everybody wants it."The biggest problem is the travelling which is highlighted by the fact our nearest derby game would be against Harrogate Railway, 80 miles away, we would not even be in the same league as Goole AFC or Brigg Town."Most people have said how much they have enjoyed the last two seasons back in the Northern Counties East League with the trips to Pickering, Hall Road Rangers, Winterton and Selby and this season's games against Scarborough Athletic."At the end of the day we have to be realistic with the club's aims and ambitions and keep our heads above water financially to prevent the errors of the recent past."

2009-12-30T10:57:00.005Z

Just a bit of fun

2009-12-29T10:14:00.003Z

Taken from the Ncel Fans Forum Link below.
http://2404.proboards.com/index.cgi?

The automobile driving manual says the average driver's reaction time is: .75 seconds....... or 1 car length for every 10 mph...... Test your average reaction time.. Be very careful this can be addicting. Click on the link below and good luck. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep/reaction_version5.swf

Wrens top the table in 2009

2009-12-26T19:08:00.005Z

Shirebrook Town 0

Rainworth Miners 4

RAINWORTH roared back to the top of the Premier Division with a thoroughly professional demolition of neighbours Shirebrook, and recorded their 13th successive league victory in the process.
The result may have been a tonic for absentee Wrens manager Rudy Funk who missed the derby through illness, but it was very hard on the Shirebrook officials and supporters who had done a magnificent job in clearing the pitch so that the game could be played at all.
It was the only one to go ahead in the whole of the NCEL and also in the Mansfield area, and at least those who worked so hard to bring the pitch into such excellent condition were rewarded handsomely by a bumper gate of 265.
But their favourites’ lack lustre performance will surely have had at least some volunteers asking themselves whether their efforts had really been worthwhile.
Rainworth, though, will go into the New Year as league leaders, and it was a poetic twist that at this Christmas season Massiah McDonald should have come up with a man of the match show which included a superbly taken brace of goals before sitting out the final 18 minutes.
Shirebrook were without suspended goalkeeper Mark Frost and also skilful wide man Craig Wilson, who had joined the Reds a few weeks earlier from Rainworth and had been the subject of a gentlemen’s agreement that he should not play against his former club in return for the standard seven days notice being waived.
McDonald showed his early paces with an eye-catching run in only the second minute before laying off to Ian Clarke whose 23-yard shot was narrowly wide.
Chris Rhodes had a good chance to give the Reds an eighth minute lead, scooping over the bar when a free kick was played into the box.
Two minutes later Gareth Davey headed a free kick onto the roof of former Town keeper Mark Hales’ net.
There had been little to choose between the two sides in the first quarter, but it was Rainworth who finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Town defender Glen Holland intercepted Ant Lynam’s through ball but his back pass to keeper Simon Smith was weak, Danny Naylor pounced on it, and squared the ball for Brendan Sweeney to apply the finish.
Three minute later Holland almost made amends with a header just over the bar, but Rainworth were getting on top and doubled their lead in the 36th minute when McDonald surged in from the left and beat Smith with an unstoppable low angled drive from just inside the box.
It should have been 3-0 to the Wrens in the third minute of stoppage time. McDonald picked out James Whitehead with a visionary crossfield pass, and he in turn put Naylor through on goal, only for the Wrens midfielder to slide his finish wide as Smith advanced to cut the angle.
However, four minutes into the restart Rainworth did get their third. Sweeny farmed the ball wide to the left from where Lynam laid off for Matt Baxter to lash home from the edge of the box.
Clarke was again a whisker wide with a trademark 20-yarder from Sweeney’s neat lay-off.
And, although full backs Martin Rowbottom and Gareth Davey were doing well under pressure in an overworked Reds defence, it was only a matter of time before the fourth goal came.
It arrived on the hour mark when Baxter fed McDonald who speared a low drive into the corner of the net.
Thereafter the game went off the boil for a time. With the job more or less done McDonald was withdrawn along with Matt Draper and Lynam.
But Shirebrook’s introduction of Craig Cantrell just after the fourth goal gave them fresh impetus, and they might have pulled up to three goals back in the final eight minutes.
In the 82nd minute Cantrell’s 20-yarder brought the first real save out of Hales, who then parried a strong effort from former Rainworth striker Peter Stubley.
And Cantrell went close again, pouncing on Lee Wilkinson’s headed clearance of a free kick and grazing the top of the bar with another 20-yard pot shot.
But it was all too little too late for the home side who, for most of the match, could not live with another strong Rainworth show, which should put the Wrens in good heart for New Year Saturday’s visit by fellow title contenders Scarborough.

SHIREBROOK: Smith, Rowbottom, Davey, Storer, Holland, Shaw, Rhodes (O’Donnell 78), Adams, Stubley, Johnson, Kistell (Cantrell 60). Sub not used: Bentley.

RAINWORTH: Hales, Whitehead, Baxter, Wilkinson, Charlesworth, Draper (Fearon 64), McDonald (Hollis 72), Naylor, Clarke, Lynam (Topliss 77), Sweeney.

REFEREE: Mark Jones of Mansfield.

ATTENDANCE: 265.

GOALS: Rainworth—Sweeney 23; McDonald 36, 60; Baxter 49.

CAUTIONS: Rainworth—Charlesworth 45 (foul); Draper 51 (foul).

MEN OF THE MATCH: Shirebrook—Martin Rowbottom; Rainworth—Massiah McDonald

Don't try this at home

2009-12-26T11:46:00.002Z

The Wrens go top of the League

2009-11-24T21:53:00.003Z

Rainworth Miners 5

Brodsworth 0

Todays Result

2009-11-21T19:13:00.002Z

Maltby 1

Rainworth 3

F.A. Vase Report

2009-11-14T21:55:00.004Z

Westfields match report.

Westfields 1
Rainworth Miners Welfare 2

MATCH REPORT - Saturday, November 14, 2009

Westfields 1 - Daryl Addis 65

Rainworth Miners Welfare 2 -Clark 2
Attendance 101

Westfields – Pugh, Harrison, Casey, Mussell, Sparey, Moon, Allam, (Harding 60th), Hibbard, Addis (D), Davis, Addis (J). Subs not used – Hunt, Green, Evans, Andrews.

WESTFIELDS BEATEN IN VASE THRILLER
Westfields were beaten by visiting Rainworth Miners Welfare from Nottinghamshire in a thrilling end-to-end action-packed FA Vase tie at allpay.park on Saturday.
Westfields’ pitch was in top condition following heavy rain on Friday and Saturday morning and the two teams produced a thrilling cup tie which could have gone either way.
Rainworth, currently unbeaten in their last eight North-East Counties league matches, opened at a cracking pace and Jon Pugh produced a terrific save in the opening minute from a Massiah McDonald shot as the visitors broke away.
In their next attack Rainworth missed a great opportunity when Matt Draper headed wide from six yards.
Westfields’ first clear chance came on the half hour when, from a Mark Hibbard free-kick, Mark Davis saw his effort scrambled clear by the Rainworth defence.
Then just before the interval Westfields nearly broke the deadlock when, from a Danny Moon free-kick, Westfields’ striker Mark Davis headed just over the visitors’ bar.
After the break both teams upped the tempo and it was the visitors who broke the deadlock against the run of play when Westfields forced a free-kick but Mark Hibbard’s twenty-five yard free-kick sailed into the hands of Mark Hales in the Rainworth goal and he launched a long clearance deep into the Westfields’ half where Danny Naylor was fouled by Sam Harrison and from the free-kick by McDonald his cross was headed home from six yards by Ian Clarke to put Rainworth ahead in the 50th minute.
Westfields came back immediately and Sam Harrison and Jamie Addis linked up well and Addis broke clear on the right flank and beat two Rainworth defenders to put over a superb cross which saw Mark Davis’s effort hit the post and the ball rebounded to Daryl Addis who fired home from six yards to put Westfields level.
Westfields then enjoyed their best spell and Jamie Addis again got free of his marker but Hales in the Rainworth goal made a fine save to prevent Westfields taking the lead.
Westfields then had another great chance when Hibbard set up Daryl Addis but the striker’s shot on the turn flew inches over the Rainworth bar.
Then in a counter-attack “Man of the Match” Rainworth central midfield man Ian Clarke got on the end of a Westfields’ clearance and drilled in a twenty yard shot which Jon Pugh had appeared to have saved but the ball squirmed under the Westfield’s keeper’s body to cross the line and roll into the net to put Rainworth ahead.
In an end-to-end action-packed game Rainworth were then awarded a penalty when Tom Sparey was “red carded” for an off the ball incident but from the penalty by Ian Clarke, Jon Pugh produced a flying full-length save to keep his side still in the game.
Westfields threw everything at the Rainworth goal but could not force an equaliser, then in the dying minutes Pugh again saved brilliantly when Massiah McDonald was clean through on goal but his drive was saved by the Westfields’ keeper. Westfields would not give in but could just not force extra time with an equaliser.

Mark Hales 150th Game

2009-11-09T17:45:00.004Z

Congratulations to Mark Hales

Goalkeeper Mark Hales makes his 150th competitive appearance (if selected!) for the Wrens in the FA Vase second round tie at Hereford-based Midland Alliance club Westfields in round II on Saturday. Congratulations to 'The Rainworth Massive'

Wrens win at Liversedge

2009-11-07T20:42:00.005Z

Rainworth Miners Welfare 3 (Sweeny,Jemson,Trimmer)

Liversedge 1 (OG)

Gordon Foster, 8 November 2009

RAINWORTH maintained their push for promotion to the UniBond League at Liversedge with their eighth successive league victory in their first Premier Division season.
It was not the Wrens' best first half performance at Clayborn, but they hit back from a goal down to turn round 2-1 ahead.
Brendan Sweeney cancelled out Sedge's opening goal with the equaliser, and then when Cameron Fearon embarked on a surging run into the home penalty area he was unceremoniously brought down. The defender escaped without a card, but Nigel Jemson buried the spot kick to record his first goal for the Wrens.
Jemson had been withdrawn when Rainworth won a late second penalty, so this time youngster Lewis Trimmer took the responsibility and followed suit with a successful conversion for his first Rainworth goal since his arrival in mid-October.
Full Report to follow

Full Time Result

2009-10-31T17:05:00.004Z

Rainworth Miners Welfare 1 (Whitehead)

Shirebrook Town 0

Rainworth Miners Go 10 games undefeated in League

Result from Armthorpe

2009-10-20T21:21:00.004+01:00

Rainworth 3 (Ant Lynam 3 ) Armthorpe 1

Wrens sign Nigel Jemson

2009-10-18T10:47:00.004+01:00

Former Forest star signs for Rainworth Miners Welfare

Born in Hutton Nigel started his career as a trainee at Preston North End. He was soon spotted by Brian Clough and duly signed for Nottingham Forest in 1988. After three successful years at Forest Nigel moved to Sheffield Wednesday for £800,000. He then figured in big money transfers to Notts County, Oxford United and Bury whilst also fitting in loan spells at Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, Grimsby Town, Watford, Coventry City and Rotherham United. In 1999 Nigel moved to Scotland to play for Ayr United before returning south to play for Oxford United again and Shrewsbury Town. Nigel Jemson shot back into the limelight at Gay Meadow when he scored the goals that knocked Everton out of the FA Cup.

A Game not to be missed

2009-10-13T16:40:00.005+01:00

Saturday 17th Oct 2009

Ncel Premier League

FT Result

Rainworth Miners Welfare 3

Bridlington Town 1

Wrens survive second half onslaught

2009-10-12T21:43:00.014+01:00

Gordon Foster, 10 October 2009
Photos by Derek Bentley

Thackley 2 Rainworth 3

RAINWORTH came away from Dennyfield with three points after surviving a second-half onslaught by hosts Thackley.

The Wrens turned round 3-1 to the good at the end of an error-ridden first half, and held out after the break until the home side notched a second consolation goal in stoppage time.
Manager Rudy Funk’s selection options were restricted by a heavy injury list, but he did include new signing, ex-Notts County midfielder Willis Francis from Hucknall Town on the bench.
Thackley were in the middle of a rebuild after losing their manager and several players to Staveley, and apparently recruiting from new manager Dave Morgan’s former club, North West Counties outfit Silsden.
Rainworth made the better start and it needed an excellent challenge by home defender Matt Morgan to prevent Cameron Fearon from giving the Wrens a fifth minute advantage.
Jermain Hollis was too high from 18 yards, and when Massiah McDonald managed to stay upright after an attempted trip, his vicious drive from the right took a deflection behind off Morgan.
Within seconds Rainworth grabbed a 12th-minute lead, following the ensuing corner. Matt Baxter’s header hit the underside of the bar and bounced down, and although there was a scramble to clear the ball the linesman ruled that it had crossed the line.
There was barely time to draw breath before the home side were level, when Ross Daly beat Mark Hales in a race for the ball and had the easy task of finishing into an empty net.
It6 could have been even worse for the Wrens in the 15th minute when Luke Hudson exposed the gap in defence to go one on one with Hales, who was reliefved to see the shot come back off the inside of the post.
Rainworth dusted themselves down and Baxter flashed a 30-yard free kick narrowly wide the, when McDonald was forced wide, his pull back was clawed away one handed by home keeper Ben Higginson.
But Rainworth then stunned the home fans with two goals in as many minutes. First Baxter’s astute through ball fed McDonald who beat the offside to draw Higginson and slide the ball past him and into the corner.
Then when Higginson could only parry Brendan Sweeney’s strong centre downwards Cameron Fearon was on hand to put away the loose ball.
There was controversy in the 28th minute when referee Jason Tyas booked Jermain Hollis for diving under a challenge. Hollis needed treatement, resumed with his leg bandaged, and shortly afterwards had to be withdrawn in favour of Julian Topliss.
And Topliss had a fair chance to make it 4-1 in the 39th minute from Danny Naylor’s through ball, but Higginson saved well at his feet.
Thackley pressed strongly early in the second half and asked some stern questions of the Wrens defence, but Barry Alberry was commanding at the heart, and for all their pressure the hosts struggled to find a way through.
Even when they did, Hales was determined to atone for his one first half error.
Francis was introduced for the limping Fearon just after the hour, and four minute later Hales clawed Sean Clifford’s header off the line one-handed.
Hales was beaten in the 70th minute by Morgan’s 30-yard rising drive from the left but was saved by his crossbar.
And he then had to dive to his left to keep out a goalbound shot from substitute Nicky Matthews, before holding Stuart White’s free kick from the right, made all the more difficult by two awkward deflections in quick succession.
The home side were scenting that they could still save the game, yet Rainworth could have put it out of Thackley’s reach in the 84th minute when Topliss made good ground down the right, only to pull his cross behind the unmarked Baxter who would have had a glorious chance given a better cross.
Hales saved very well again to deny Daly who twisted and turned inside the area to create half a yard of space, but a minute into stoppage time Thackley gained some reward for their second half efforts when a corner from the right was not dealt with and Hudson bundled the ball in from close range—albeit too little too late for the home side.

THACKLEY: Higginson, White, Morgan, Maltby, Firth, Airey, Walters, Daly, Hudson, Clifford (Matthews 67), Hogg (King 78). Sub not used: Mathers.

RAINWORTH: Hales, Fearon (Francis 61), Wright, Whitehead, Alberry, Wilkinson, Baxter, Naylor, McDonald, Hollis (Topliss 35), Sweeney. Sub not used: Bainbridge.

REFEREE: Jason Tyas of Holmfirth.

ATTENDANCE: 76.

GOALS: Thackley—Daly 13; Hudson 90+1. Rainworth—Baxter 12; McDonald 20; Fearon 22.

Thackley—Hudson 65 (foul on Wilkinson). Rainworth—Hollis 28 (alleged simulation).

WRENS MAN OF THE MATCH: Barry Alberry.

The Wrens win away at Thackley

2009-10-10T17:28:00.003+01:00

Thackley 2

Rainworth Miners Welfare 3

Match report to follow as soon as I get it.

2009-10-05T16:13:00.001+01:00

Charity match raises over £4,000

On Sunday a Rainworth XI came from 3-0 down at half time to draw 3-3 with a Church Warsop MW XI in a charity match for the Tony Nattriss Memorial Trophy.
Prior to his tragic recent death in a road accident, Tony – brother of former Rainworth player Glen - had received treatment in Nottingham City Hospital renal unit, and the match was arranged in his memory to raise funds for the unit.
A bumper crowd of 305 turned up to Kirklington Road to watch the match, in which both sides included a number of guest players.
Glen played 45 minutes for each side, and ironically finished up on the wrong side of a 3-0 scoreline in each half!
Some £600 was taken on the gate, and while the final figure is not yet known, it is understood that raffles and other events in the Miners’ Welfare Club after the match boosted the total amount raised for the unit to over £4,000.
Members of Tony’s family have expressed their thanks to both clubs for a wonderful event.

FA Vase First Round

2009-10-03T17:08:00.009+01:00

Whitehead stoops to conquer
Gordon Foster, 4 October
Photos by Derek Bentley

Rainworth Miners Welfare 2

Deeping Rangers 1

RAINWORTH defender James Whitehead vindicated manager Rudy Funk’s decision to switch him up front when he came up with an 81st-minute winner against United Counties side Deeping Rangers, to send the Wrens into the next round of the Vase.
But the match, between the two fifth-placed clubs of their respective step five leagues could not provide the five-star entertainment that had been on view in Welfare’s 2-1 victory over Selby Town last Tuesday.
Both sides found it hard to come to terms with the swirling wind, which played a part when Mitchell Griffith’s 37th-minute equaliser for Rangers cancelled out Ant Lynam’s opening strike 10 minutes earlier.
And after an uninspiring second half the tie looked to be heading for extra time and a possible Tuesday replay until Whitehead’s headed winner—especially with both home strikers withdrawn.
The Wrens manager explained: “Sometimes you have to use your initiative and make these decisions. Ant Lynam was struggling with his back and Julian Topliss wasn’t quite on his game today, so both front lads were lacking what they had on Tuesday night when they were superb.
“So we made the changes and gave our skipper Lee Wilkinson a few minutes of action after his injury, and it worked for us.
“We made hard work of the win. You could see how Deeping approached the game with one man up top, and they made life difficult for us in the middle of the park.
“They held their line well defensively so well done to them for their organisation—they had clearly done their homework, which is good to see at our level.”
Funk made just one change to the starting line-up from Tuesday, re-instating Matt Draper into defence following his injury. But the injury was aggravated late in the first half leading to his withdrawal.
For Rainworth, Brendan Sweeney put in another classy performance which was head and shoulders above anything else on the park on the day, and he almost set up an eighth minute lead for the Wrens with some fine work on the right. However, the incoming Danny Naylor could not quite connect at the far post.
And in the 15th minute Cameron Fearon did not gain enough height almost under the bar to meet Simon Wright’s corner.
Rainworth looked the more dominant side at this stage, and Rangers keeper Lee Jordan did well to deny Sweeney after Matt Baxter had broken the offside on the left and switched the ball infield.
Sweeney then won the ball on the right and blazed a path between Ben Porter and Dan Hussey to set up Lynam whose low 12-yarder was again well saved.
Jordan also got a strong hand to the ball when Lynam cut in from the left to shoot at goal in the 27th minute, but this time it wasn’t quite strong enough and the keeper could not keep it out.
It was a deserved lead at this stage, but it lasted only 10 minutes. Then Porter tried his luck with a long range shot on the swirling wind, which made it hard for Mark Hales to hold. The keeper could only parry the ball downwards, and Mitchell Griffiths—probably Deeping’s best player on the day—was on hand to put away the rebound.
Four minutes before the break Draper pulled up and had to be replaced by Ian Streather, but either side could have taken the lead before half time.
First Topliss fed the ball down the right to Lynam who cut in. Jordan parried the initial shot and the striker could only put his follow-up behind off the outside of the near post.
At the other end Fearon came up with a well timed challenge, doing just enough to force Dan Jacobs to finish wide from Griffiths’ astute low cross.
The third quarter of the match was notable only for its inaction, with nothing at all of note until the 66th minute when Luke Kennedy’s 20-yard pot shot was too high.
That, though, signalled a step up in pace, and more excellent work by Sweeney won a corner from which substitute Jermain Hollis’ shot took a deflection off John Paul Duncliffe, wrong-footing his keeper who did well to twist and fall on the ball as it arrowed towards the net.
Deeping broke quickly from that, and Hales came off the better in a one-on-one with Jacobs who had made ground down the flank and run in.
James Dean’s diving header from a Deeping corner took enough of a deflection to go for another flag kick, and Porter lifted a 20-yard free kick too high as for a time the visitors looked rather the more likely to snatch a winner.
Rainworth introduced Wilkinson in the 78th minute, pushing Whitehead forward to partner Hollis up front, and it paid dividends three minutes later.
Sweeney, who minutes earlier had seen a venomous 20-yarder brilliantly turned over the bar, launched the move with a visionary ball to Wright on the left, and Whitehead met the cross with a stooping header to settle the tie.
Rainworth might have added to their lead, Hollis firing an angled drive from the left of the box just past the far post, and Danny Naylor profiting from a rebound off referee James Thornhill in the area in stoppage time but seeing Porter clear his effort off the line.

RAINWORTH: Hales, Fearon, Wright, Whitehead, Albery, Draper (Streather 41), Baxter, Naylor, Topliss (Wilkinson 78), Lynam (Hollis 54), Sweeney. Subs not used: Charlesworth, Smith.

DEEPING: Jordan, Duncliffe, Porter, Griffiths, Holyoak, Hussey (Stevens 83), Kennedy, Dean, Paul, Musgrove, Jacobs. Subs not used: Goode, Cornell.

REFEREE: James Thornhill of Ilkeston.
ATTENDANCE: 118.

GOALS: Rainworth—Lynam 27; Whitehead 81. Deeping—Griffiths 37.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Brendan Sweeney.

2009-09-27T09:43:00.007+01:00

Scenes of disgrace by Bedworth fans mar cup exit

FA Cup qualifying round II

Bedworth Unted 2 Rainworth MW 1

Report by Gordon Foster

DISGRACEFUL scenes marred Rainworth's disappointing exit from the FA Cup at Bedworth United on Saturday, both on the pitch and among the crowd behind the dugout.
With 15 minutes to go and the Wrens trailing 2-1 their physio Dave Nicholls was blatantly kicked and floored by a member of the Bedworth dugout as he tried to return the ball into play quickly. The incident sparked a riot both on the pitch and among a band of drink-fuelled Greenbacks so-called supporters gathered behind the dugouts and in front of the clubhouse door, who drenched the members of the Rainworth bench with quantities of beer.
It took the shine off an absorbing match which Rainworth should have had in the bag by half time, had they taken a few of their chances.
The Wrens had taken a deserved lead through Julian Topliss in the 38th minute, but the game turned on two Bedworth goals, one in stoppage time at the end of the first period and one in the opening moments of the second.
Rainworth made several changes from the side which drew 3-3 with Hallam on Tuesday. Jermain Hollis dropped back from his striker role to slot in at right wing back, while Simon Wright returned to the left back berth in place of Nathan Hollingworth.
After sustaining an injury against Hallam on Tuesday, Ant Lynam was passed fit to play up front where he was partnered by Julian Topliss, but Cameron Fearon, who also sustained an injury on Tuesday, slotted onto the bench.
There were starts also for James Whitehead in defence and Brendan Sweeney in midfield.
Bedworth included former Hinckley United midfielder Sam Shilton, son of former Nottingham Forest and England keeper Peter.
Home keeper Andy Kemp just won a race for possession with Lynam on the edge of the area in the third minute as Rainworth made the brighter start, while Craig Charlesworth dispossessed Ashley Robinson in the Wrens’ box as the home side threatened for the first time.
Jason Moore’s downward header dropped wide from Gary Moran’s cross, but Rainworth were quickly back in the ascendancy.
And when Lynam was fouled some 20 yards out Kemp brilliantly tipped Ian Clarke’s goalbound free kick around his post, Gilbert Cummins heading the corner away.
Kemp did enough to force Topliss wide as Rainworth continued to dominate, and Lynam’s 30-yard free kick skimmed just the wrong side of the post.
Twice Topliss broke into the area from the left, but on both occasions his final touch let him down when a goal looked porbable.
Bedworth hit back, and Charlesworth and Whitehead both conceded corners as Matty Blair ran dangerously into the area from the right.
Lynam should have done better inthe 34th minute after beating the offside, but needed too long on the ball and was effectively closed down by Cummins.
But the Wrens gained the lead they deserved in the 38th minute. Matty Lee was booked for hands on the right touchline, and the free kick led to a scramble in the box with several attempts blocked before Topliss finally put it away.
As the first half entered overtime Lynam blazed a path between two defenders only to fire straight at Kemp, but it was Bedworth who equalised when Shilton was allowed space to cross from the left and Robinson rose highest to head home.

Barry Alberry replaced Charlesworth for the second half, which was only 50 seconds hold when Rainworth were stunned by a fluke goal. Hales appeared to have Jason Moore's shot well covered but it struckthe unlucky Matt Draper and flew into the net out of the reach of the wrong-footed keeper.
The shellshocked visitors struggled to recover from the setback and Robinson had the ball in the net again in the 49th minute. Mercifully the relieved Wrens were reprieved by an offside flag.
Bedworth, who had been under the cosh for so much of the first half, looked a rejuvenated outfit, and Draper charged down another Moore effort then Whitehead did well to challenge in the area as Moore threatened again.
As Rainworth began to look for a way back the always lively Hollis made a fine run down the right, but crossed to Lynam whose effort was blocked.
However, Hales had to be at his best to tip over a wicked 35-yard free kick from Shilton, and then smothered the ball as the home side appealed for a penalty after two plyers had gone down in the area under challenges.
Kemp needed lengthy treatment of over three minutes after twisting his ankle, but opted to try to play on although clearly struggling.
But it all turned nasty shortly afterwards when Rainworth physio Dave Nicholls was kicked on the shin by a Bedworth player as he tried to get the ball back into play quckly. It sparked dreadful scenes including alcohol thrown by the home fans at the Rainworth bench occupants from behind the dugout.
Play was delayed for around five minutes, and the guilty fans sent behind the goal—they should have been ejected from the ground—and Kemp made way for goalkeeping coach Paul Shepherd before play resumed.
The incident took the shine off the game, but Rainworth still had two chances to force a replay in seven minutes of stoppage time, Danny Naylor and Alberry both finishing off target, but there had been much more time lost through the second half and the official undoubtedly ended the match at least three minutes too early.

BEDWORTH: Kemp (Shepherd 83), Moran, Lee, Connelly, Cummins, Allen, Koriya, Blair, Robinson, Moore (Beard 61), Shilton (Kabongo 90+3). Subs not used: Brown, Edmond, Petty, Lenton.

RAINWORTH: Hales, Hollis, Wright, Whitehead (Fearon 90+7), Charlesworth (Alberry ht), Draper, Baxter, Clarke, Topliss, Lynam, Sweeney (Naylor 58). Subs not used: Jones, Hollingworth, Wilkinson.

REFEREE: Robert Lovegrove MBE of Redditch.

ATTENDANCE: 210.

GOALS: Bedworth - Robinson 45+1; Moore 46. Rainworth - Topliss 38.

CAUTIONS: Bedworth - Lee 38 (hands); Koriya 90+5 (failure to retreat at free kick). Rainworth - Alberry 49 (foul on Robinson).

WRENS MAN OF THE MATCH: Jermain Hollis.

Wrens bow out of President's Cup

2009-09-16T19:56:00.003+01:00

News

Gordon Foster, 16 September 2009

Rainworth 1 Arnold Town 2

MUCH changed Rainworth’s President’s Cup campaign ended at the first hurdle with a home defeat by local rivals Arnold on Tuesday night, but the Wrens must still be wondering how they lost after having the better of large parts of the derby.
Ian Clarke’s 29th minute goal, his first for the club, looked to have given the Wrens an interval advantage, but Max Pembleton struck a fine equaliser as the half entered stoppage time.
Although Rainworth generally had the better of the second half, they could not turn their advantage into goals.
Arnold, who included ex-Forest star Nigel Jemson and former Middlesbrough forward Chris Freestone up front, always threatened on the counter-attack, to the extent that keeper and acting skipper Mark Hales had to do enough to earn the reporter’s man of the match nomination.
But Hales was beaten five minutes from time when livewire Carl Spencer slotted the winner to send the Eagles soaring into round two.
Ian Streather, Luke Thomas, Nathan Hollingworth and Brendan Sweeney all made their first starts of the season for Rainworth as manager Rudy Funk, away watching the FA Cup replay between Bedworth and Causeway United, rang the changes.
Massiah McDonald posed an early threat when he found away around the back of the Arnold defence on the right, forcing Craig Evans to turn the ensuing low centre for a corner.
When Arnold responded the Wrens defence struggled to clear Spencer’s cross, but Freestone miscued his shot straight at Hales.
Ant Lynam twice went close for the Wrens, first steering Sweeney’s through ball beyond the far post, and then rattling the bar from the busy Danny Naylor’s excellent centre.
And Naylor sent a half-volley onto a dropping ball skidding narrowly wide from 20 yards in the 19th minute.
However, 10 minutes later Rainworth drew first blood. Hollingworth’s initial effort was only half cleared to Clarke who rammed the ball home with a first time low drive from outside the area.
Naylor showed his paces again in the 32ns minute with a surge along the right, but his cross-shot flashed beyond the far post.
Rainworth threatened again in the 40th minute. Sweeney dispossessed former Wren Lee Soar and fed McDonald, whose powerful shot keeper Lee Broster parrid behind for a corner, from which Thomas unluckily headed against the bar.
Instead it was the Eagles who were on target as the half went into overtime, the home defence caught static as Pembleton was allowed time and space to fire into the top corner from 20 yards.
Arnold made a double substitution for the second half, while Rainworth sent on Matt Draper for the injured Clarke.
Hales was in early action blocking well from Nick Hall following an interchange with Freestone.
But Rainworth were soon pushing forward again, and Lynam twice went close after good work, first by McDonald and then Hollingworth.
Hales did well to save at Jemson’s feet as the veteran striker looked to profit from Liam Southern’s driven centre. And when Arnold broke again the keeper denied Freestone with another fine stop.
For Rainworth, McDonald and Jermain Hollis combined well along the right, and Eagles substitute Mark Brewster was injured in clearing the danger.
Again Arnold hit on the counter-attack, and again Hales saved well to deny Freestone..
And the keeper then managed to stick out a leg to spare Draper the embarrassment of scoring an own goal as he sought to deny Freestone a shot.
But Arnold struck the winner five minutes from time when Hall threaded a pass through for Spencer to give the heroic Hales no chance with a drive into the bottom corner.
Rainworth pushed forward all the more in a bid to take the tie into extra time, and almost succeeded in the 90th minute, when Julian Topliss, on for McDonald, stormed in from the right and fed a great low cross to Lynam, who looked to have found the equaliser, only for Lee Broster to copy his opposite number and make a superb blocking save.
And even with the benefit of four added minutes that was the last time that Rainworth really threatened to save the game.

RAINWORTH: Hales, Hollis, Hollingworth, Streather, Thomas, Alberry, I. Clarke (Draper ht), Naylor, McDonald (Topliss 77), Lynam, Sweeney. Sub not used: Middleton.

ARNOLD: Broster, Thornton, Evans (Brewster ht, Carruthers 76), Hall, Soar (O’Grady ht), M. Clarke, Spencer, Pembleton, Freestone, Jemson, Southern.

REFEREE: Glyn Kissane of Shirebrook.

ATTENDANCE: 83.

WRENS MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Hales.

FA Cup second qualifying round draw

2009-09-14T21:14:00.002+01:00

Rainworth Miners Welfare's next opponents are
Bedworth United (Southern League Midland Division) or Causeway United (Midland Alliance) away. That replay is Tuesday night 15th at Bedworth, and the second qualifying round tie is Saturday 26th September

Wrens fly NCEL FA Cup flag alone

2009-09-14T21:08:00.001+01:00

News
Wrens fly NCEL FA Cup flag alone

FA Cup qualifying round I

Rainworth MW 2 Holbrook MW 1

Report by Les Lee

RAINWORTH will fly the Northern Counties East League flag alone in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday week, after a hard fought victory over East Midlands Counties visitors Holbrook at Kirklington Road on a day when every other remaining NCEL club lost.
The Brookies looked likely to earn a replay after Karl Dehmid had cancelled out Jermain Hollis’ 43rd-minute opener for the Wrens nine minutes into the restart.
But Matt Draper popped up with the winner 15 minutes from time and Rainworth never again looked like losing the lead.
Rainworth’s first attack in the third minute saw Ant Lynam’s low shot go just the wrong side of the post with keeper Damien Clarke beaten.
Lynam was in action again in the eighth minute, receiving from Julian Topliss, but this time he lifted his shot over the bar.
Two minutes later Lynam won and took a free kick outside the area. The shot was blocked and fell to Topliss who was founed on the edge of the box. Lynam’s free kick was again blocked but fell to Hollis, whose cross Topliss headed over the bar.
Holbrook, backed by large and noisy travelling support, threatened for the first time in the 16th minute when they won a corner which flew across the face of goal and out for a goal kick.
Former Wren Marcus Thorpe then won a free kick at the end of a strong run down the left, but Rob Harrison’s hard, low, direct shot was cleared, as was the ensuing free kick following a foul on Dehmid.
This time the clearance was played out to Topliss down the left, and his crossfield pass picked out Hollis who pulled the ball back to Simon Wright, who blazed his shot too high.
Clarke denied Lynam’s crisp half-volley on the turn, but the deadlock was finally broken two minutes before half time. Lynam carried the ball to the by-line, beat his marker, and crossed hard and low for Hollis to score from the six yard line.
Holbrook responded in the remaining couple of minutes but David Moon’s cross-shot beat the far post.
The visitors began the second half well, and seven minutes into the half Dehmid had their first real chance, forcing Mark Hales into a diving save.
But two minutes later the Brookies striker got the better of Hales. Picking up the ball from a throw in he created an opening for himself and drilled it into the bottom corner.
Spurred on by the equaliser and their vocal following, Holbrook raised their game, and the Wrens struggled to clear a couple of corners in quick succession, then Tom Kellogg headed Moon’s cross over the bar.
Lynam made way for Massiah McDonald in the 68th minute, and Rainworth began to re-assert themselves.
Matt Baxter headed Wright’s cross over the bar and then when he fed McDonald the keeper did well to save.
But in the 75th minute Harrison fouled McDonald on the left, Hollis struck the free kick to the far post, and Draper was on hand to head home – only to be booked for removing his shirt in celebration.
Draper had another back post header, this time from a corner, but this time Clarke saved, and then McDonald’s run and cross found no-one available to apply the finish.
The visitors had a chance to earn a replay seven minutes from time with a direct free kick from 16 yards, but Hales saved comfortably to see the Wrens into the next round.
James Whitehead, in for injured skipper Lee Wilkinson, never put a foot wrong for Rainworth and was named man of the match.

RAINWORTH: Hales, Fearon, Wright, J. Whitehead, Charlesworth, Draper, Hollis, Naylor, Topliss, Lynam (McDonald 68), Baxter. Subs not used: Jones, Thomas, Hollingworth, Bainbridge, Cooper.

HOLBROOK: Clarke, G. Whitehead (De’Ath 36), Thorpe, Kellogg, Rowlston, Harrison, Hind (Finlay 78), Campbell, Dehmid, Lillie, Moon. Subs not used: Hallsworth, Dawson, Bayliss, Mather, Christie.

REFEREE: Martin Parker of Wakefield.

ATTENDANCE: 151.

GOALS: Rainworth – Hollis 43; Draper 75. Holbrook – Dehmid 54.

WRENS MAN OF THE MATCH: James Whitehead.

Fixtures

2009-09-12T19:13:00.002+01:00

Tuesday Night Home to Arnold Town 7-45 ko Presidents Cup

Saturday 19th September Home to Radcliffe Olympic FA Vase ko 3pm

F.A. Cup 1st Qualifying Round

2009-09-12T19:04:00.006+01:00

Saturday 12-9-2009
Rainworth MinersWelfare 2
Hollis. Draper.

Holbrook Miners Welfare 1
De'ath.

Reserves drop first points

2009-09-12T12:42:00.001+01:00

Reserves drop first points in 1-1 draw

Russell Lovett, 12 September 2009

Strong side draw with local rivals Shirebrook.
This was a very scrappy game that produced little incident, and although on the day Rainworth were marginally the better overall a draw was a fair result.
Mark Cooper pulled off a great save in the first half to keep the two sides level at half time.
Apart from that, all the notable action was in the second half, with Nathan Lovett hitting the bar before Brendan Sweeney marked his return from injury by sweeping home from a corner, shortly before being replaced by Christian Zepp.
Rainworth had strong penalty claims turned down before James Whiteheaad preserved the lead with a goal line clearance.
The visitors appeared to be cruising to a routine victory until keeper Mark Cooper’s hesitation led to a late equaliser.
Sam Goodson again had a good game, acting as captain in the absence of central defenders Danny Wright and the suspended Luke Thomas.

RAINWORTH:
Cooper, Drake, Briggs, Bainbrdige, Whitehead, Houldsworth, Sweeney, Goodson, J. Lovett, D. Seagrave, N. Lovett. Subs: G. Seagrave, Murray, Zepp

Wrens hit five and go fifth

2009-09-12T12:31:00.003+01:00

News

Rainworth 5 Parkgate 1
by Les Lee

RAINWORTH made it two wins in four days last Tuesday to go fifth in the Premier Division—their highest ever placing in the National Leagues System.
They did it in style and their five goals against visitors Parkgate could well have been more, before the Steelmen scored a late consolation.
Ant Lynam had the first effort on goal in the eighth minute when he ran across the penalty area, creating space for a shot which went just wide.
Parkgate threatened for the first time in the 14th minute with a break along the right which ended with Davis shooting over the bar.
Rainworth replied immediately when Simon Wright played in Lynam whose angled shot went just past the far post.
Shortly afterwards Danny Naylor’s long range effort caught the Parkgate keeper off his line, but the ball passed over the bar.
Matt Baxter smashed the ball against the bar on 23 minutes, but five minutes later Rainworth opened the scoring. Massiah McDonald’s pass found Lynam, who made no mistake with his shot from inside the area.
Parkgate had a corner cleared off the Rainworth line by Baxter on 35 minutes, and Mark Hales punched the follow-up flag kick clear.
Baxter was in action at the other end three minutes before the break with a shot which just cleared the bar.
But Rainworth were gifted a second goal just before the interval. Cameron Fearon made a strong run down the right and his cross to the near post saw the unlucky James Mitchell slice the ball into his own net.
Five minutes into the restart Fearon was again on target, this time unaided, when he was on hand on the six yard line to supply the finish to a corner.
Parkgate were still trying to get something out of the game, and went close when Hales turned Hamstead’s shot from the edge of the area around the post.
The resulting corner was cleared and played out to Lynam who progressed into the area where he was tackled. Strong penalty appeals brought only a corner which was cleared as far as Barry Alberry who shot just wide of the post.
McDonald broke clear in the 63rd minute with a trademark turn of pace but his angled finish from inside the box only hit the side netting.
Two minutes later the youngster went even closer with an effort that hit the foot of the post.
The Parkgate keeper did well to make a sound blocking save in a one on one with Lynam, and although he was at fault with a fumble from the resulting corner, Alberry could only blaze the loose ball over the bar.
Parkgate did have the ball in the Rainworth net in the 71st minute but the offside flag was up, and four minutes later Rainworth made it 4-0 with Fearon’s second, a header into the net from substitute Julain Topliss’ corner.
Baxter completed Rainworth’s nap hand 10 minutes from time with a fine strike from just inside the area following a run and cross down the right.
Still the visitors did not surrender, and Mark Caine was thwarted by Hales after breaking clear.
But the Steelmen’s striker had better luck second time around on 85 minutes when he again broke clear to secure a consolation goal for the visitors.

A blog from a ground hopper on his visit to Rainworth

2009-09-07T08:45:00.004+01:00

Rainworth Miners Welfare 3-1 Heather St Johns

http://razorferret.blogspot.com/

Red hot action from the preliminary round of the FA cup Between NECL Rainworth MW and midland combination Heather st johns.We had seen Rainworth stuff the Pheasants of Radford in the round before and to be honest hardly broke sweat.With the opponents playing in a league below them, the odds were in Favour of the Rudy Funk express making the 1st qualifying round.Rainworth look to have good set up from the top down.The programme is one of the best you will find at this level(And even above) you get a free teamsheet so you know who's on the pitch.The stadium is kept clean,there is plenty of covering and seating.The tea room is nice and serves well priced beer and the club shop sells a nice range of goods at reasonable prices.Rainworth are lead by local football legend Rudy Funk.It makes a nice change to see a manager who not only looks the part,always wearing a suit and tie and looking smart but doesn't spend all game having a go at the match officials and other managers. The most wound up he got all day was with his own full back.The game certainly needs more Rudy Funks.The Wrens took the lead in the first minute and then continued to dominate the game for the next twenty minutes and it looked as as if they would run away with the opponents.Heather st johns slowly started to get back into the match and got an equaliser when a ball was lumped into the box,Rainworths keeper made a mess of it leaving a tap in for Heather to make it 1-1. That was as good as it got for the Midlands league side as the Wrens made it 2-1 shortly after.The second half wasn't as eventful as the first. Heather huffed and puffed but Mr Funks side were defensively at there best and added a third to all but kill the game. Heather were reduced to ten men late in the second half and the wrens could have added a couple more goals had it not been for a combination of good goalkeeping and bad/greedy finishing. So Rudy Funks boys march on to the first preliminary round of the cup. I enjoyed my first trip to Rainworth.You will be hard pushed to find a club better run and welcoming at this level. Display in the club house referring to Rainworths finist hour, the 1982 FA vase defeat at Wembley. Admission £4Programme £1 (with free teamsheet) very good effort 8/10Badges £3.50 Clubhouse 6/10Food sausage roll-£1 4/10 because they had to heat it up in the microwave(they never taste right then. Beer was £1.50 per can and Tea 60p.Ground 7/10 whoever makes Rainworth miners welfare signs must be a very rich man as there are at least 7 of them around the ground.WAG factor 4/10

2009-09-07T00:24:00.004+01:00

Click on the link for video high lights from the F.A Cup against Heather St John.Please note this is not the finished item as it is just a test page. We are checking the time of the first goal as it could be the fastest goal in the F.A. Cup so far we think it was scored after 28 seconds but we need to verify this with Amberley as they have the complete video.

http://amberleyvideoproductions.co.uk/RAINWORTHMWFC.html

2009-09-06T21:16:00.019+01:00

Some of the action from Hall Road Rangers Game. Many thanks to Nathan Moore for the photo's Click on the photo's for larger image

2009-09-06T12:20:00.002+01:00

Action from previous Rainworth v Scarboro games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_ATxvqvCeA&feature=related

2009-09-06T12:19:00.002+01:00

Action from previous Rainworth v Scarboro games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLdmW13PsuE&feature=related

2009-09-06T12:16:00.002+01:00

Action from previous Rainworth v Scarboro games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6GW8siz1Xw

2009-09-06T10:43:00.003+01:00

Ant Lynam in action scoring his 3rd goal

News
Lynam back with a hat-trick

Gordon Foster, 5 September 2009 16:23

Rainworth 3 Hall Road Rangers 1

Hotshot Ant Lynam returned from holiday to fire a hat-trick and provide Raiinworth with their second league win of the campaign against a useful and busy Hall Road side at Kirklington Road on Saturday.
But the Wrens had to play the last half hour with 10 men after Massiah McDonald was sent off for a violent retaliation to a foul by Rangers’ Adam Walker.
Rainworth could hardly have made a better start, going ahead after just 42 seconds. Lynam picked the ball up on the right, rounded Dave Gilbey as he ran into the area, and fired low into the far corner.
But Rangers could have been level in the third minute. Paul Palmer laid the ball to James McGarry who rounded Barry Alberry ont he left. Mark Hales parried the cross shot and Matt Draper completed the clearance.
Rangers forced two corners in quick succession but Rainworth broke from the second through Massiah McDonald who fed Danny Naylor forward. However, keeper Paul Fraser was down well to claim Naylor’s angled shot from the right.
The Wrens were making the running at this point and when McDonald missed Lynam’s pull back from the by-line the ball fell to Jermain Hollis whose effort was quickly charged down by Danny Blount, Lynam hitting the follow-up wide.
But Lynam got a controvfersial second in the 17th minute. Cameron Fearon won the ballon half way and launched Lynam on a run. The striker looked clearly offside but was allowed to run on and score.
Rangers responded and Barry Alberry did well to thwart Palmer when the Rangers sdtriker was released by Anthony Bowsley’s ball over the top.
Rangers began to exert a spell of pressure but the home defence was well on top of the job, and Rainworth still looked dangerous on the break. Lynam again profited when the flag stayed down as he looke offside, but this time his finish was wide.
And Lynam was denied his hat-trick in the 38th minute with a shot from the right which beat the keeper and hit the inside of the post but bounced out.
McDonald should have made it 3-0 in stoppage time when he ran into the box but miskicked his finish under pressure from Gilbey.
Rangers were quickly out of the traps for the second half and Hales had to punch the ball off the head of Phil Jackman.
But it was Rainworth who struck again inside the third minute of the restart, Lynam completing his hat-trick with a well-timed run in from the right.
Hales brought off a super save two minutes later to deny Jackman’s header, but when Rainworth broke away from the corner Lynam was again unlucky to see his volley from the left beat Fraser but come back off the bar. Then, moments later, the striker rolled a low effort from the right just beyond the far post.
Ian Clarke went close from all of 30 yards in the 58th minute, but the game hit a flashpoint on the hour. McDonald reacted angrily to a foul by Walker on the left touchline, sparking a melee in which Gibson was seen to throw a punch at McDonald. The Rainworth man was sent off, but Gibson escaped with a yellow.
Sensing a way back against 10 men, Rangers poured increasingly forward, but the introduction of Julian Topliss meant that the Wrens still stretched their visitors onthe counter-attack.
Fraser saved with his legs to deny Lynam in another one-on-one after the striker showed the Rangers defence yet another clean pair of heels, but the visitors deservedly got one back in the 72nd minute, substitute Matty Friend finding the net with a great 20-yard volley which gave Hales no chance.
The goal set up a grandstand finish, with chances at both ends. Topliss elected to try to set up Lynam after a spirited run when he could well have applied the finish himself, but miscued his final ball, then fine work in the centre circle from Lynam enabled Naylor to graze the outside of the post.
Rangers increased the pressure in the closing minutes but left themselves exposed and Fraser had to dive to keep out another effort from Topliss.
At the other end Hales pushed Paul Palmer’s free kick around a post, and Friend headed Palmer’s accurate centre over the bar as Rainworth held on for three precious points.

RAINWORTH: Hales, Fearon, Wright, Wilkinson (Jones 63), Alberry, Draper, Clarke, Naylor, Hollis (Topliss 67), Lynam, McDonald. Sub not used: Charlesworth.

HALL ROAD: Fraser, Ingram, Gilbey (Friend 69), Gibson, Blount, Bowsley, Walker, Thacker, Palmer, McGarry, Jackman. Subs not used: Lindley, Nielson.

REFEREE: Paul Thompson of Chesterfield.

ATTENDANCE: 76

GOALS: Rainworth—Lynam 1, 17, 48. Hall Road—Bowsley 72.

SENT OFF: Rainworth—McDonald 60 (violent conduct).

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ant Lynam.