Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
Kirklington Road, Rainworth
Saturday, 26th October 2013, 3.00pm
Miners Dig Deep For Victory
It's difficult to sum up a game like this. Gresley made several decent chances to have won this game comfortably but just scored two goals whereas their hosts only had three chances and scored three.
Despite a double from Jordan Nadat some poor defending allowed the hard working Rainworth to level twice and then grab all three points as Gresley snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Gresley manager gave new signing Jack Langston his debut in midfield replacing Sam Grice and Marc Goodfellow came in on the wing to replace Paolo Piliero.
It all started so well for Gresley with Nadat finishing coolly from Kieran O'Connell's pass. It could have been better minutes later when a good move down the left ended with James Cullingworth almost putting the ball into his own net but his embarrassment was spared as the ball flew the past the far post.
Rainworth levelled as Gresley poorly defended a corner by Scott Rickards and when the ball flew into the air Grant Ryan beat the advancing Ross Etheridge's punch to the ball and headed into the net.
Gresley had another golden chance to regain the lead almost immediately. O'Connell raced onto a through ball and looked certain to score but he dwelt too long giving the keeper James Martin time to force him wide and the chance was gone.
Nadat went close to adding to his tally but his shot, from, Marc Goodfellow's corner, was deflected over the bar.
The visitors were being caught out quite regularly as the home side utilised the stiff wind in thelr favour play long ball after long ball hoping their forwards could latch on to one of them.
Gresley with the wind at their backs for the second half started brightly and were soon back in front. Rob Spencer made a run down the right but his low shot went towards the keeper but instead of collecting the ball a defender took the ball almost out of his hands and played it back out to Spencer who this time put his cross into the box where Nadat was on hand to loop the ball into the net.
Goodfellow then had a shot deflected wide and O'Connell looked to have grabbed a goal except for a good save down to his left by Martin to push the ball away.
Rainworth equalised as once more some poor defending allowed Cullingworth to pick out Jordan Ball and he made no mistake side footing the ball into the net. The hosts should have taken the lead moments later when more slack defending saw a shot from the left flash just past the far post.
The game ended with just two minutes remaining when Rainworth scored with only their third attempt on target when Cullingworth's cross was drilled into the far bottom corner by Ryan.
Although Gresley managed to score two goals they amounted to nothing as a poor defensive display allowed the opposition to score three. Fortunately, the teams around them at the bottom of the league all lost but they've got to start winning games like this if they don't want to spend the rest of the season looking over their shoulders and hoping other teams do them a favour.
Manager's View
"We gave three points away today. I don't know how we lost the game today. We've come away and scored two goals, had the lead twice and chucked the game away. Some poor, poor play by us giving the ball away and some bad decision making has cost us the game today.
"The difference between last Monday and today's game is that we created enough chances to have won the game and we should have taken those chances. There were many players who had chances but we've not put them away and we've got punished for some poor defending.
"I thought Jack Langston had a very good debut. John Guy did well today and Jordan Nadat got two goals which was nice to see. We've stuck by him and he's got a pair of goals today and he needs to push on know.
"It was so frustrating because all Rainworth did was put long ball in and crowd the area. They are very physical and at times in the first half some of their throw-ins were like wrestling rather than football! I thought the officials could have clamped down on it a bit quicker because the longer the game went on Rainworth got away with it more and more.
"I've just said to the lads that today's defeat has put a lot more pressure on them for Tuesday. We came here today looking for three points and I think we showed that in our play but it was just poor defending that cost us. We've conceded three again! We are too inconsistent, we need to be more consistent and we've got to keep going. It's no use moaning about it. The players have got to pull their socks up which I think they are doing and working hard but we are not putting our chances away. It would take all the pressure off the back four if we did that.
"Richard Butler has just said the game should have been finished at half time but we hadn't and we got punished for it. It's no use moaning about it. It's up to me and my staff to sort it out and get the players going for Monday's game.
"I don't think there will be many changes for Tuesday. I think we've done alright today it's just been our lapses in decision making by giving the ball away in poor areas.
"Steve Titterton was missing today. He's been in talks with Stapenhill all this last week and he was offered the job as manager. He didn't make his decision until today. He went to have a look at Stapenhill play at Greenwood Meadows and he's now decided to take the job so there will be a few changes on my staff. Richard Butler will now become my assistant and Wayne Thornhill will remain as first team coach.
"I'd like to thank Steve for everything he's done for the club because he has been a good right hand man to both me and Gary Norton and I wish him all the best at his new club."
