Colley winner sees Goole breeze past Rainworth MW

Rainworth went to Goole knowing it would not be easy, having been well beaten by them earlier in the season.

Having won the toss, Rainworth played with a strong wind at their back, but it was Goole had the first chance of the match when William Johnson-Cole’s shot was headed by David Taylor straight into James Martin’s arms.

Although Rainworth had a half chance shortly afterwards, Goole took the lead in the 11th minute when, from a free kick, Colley headed it on and Ryan Williams forced it over the line.

Up to this point Goole were mastering the blustery conditions better and they were good value for their lead.

Rainworth, however, came back into the game and in the 19th minute Callum Lloyd’s cross was met by Ashley Longstaff’s head and, although a Goole defender partially blocked the shot, he couldn’t prevent it going over the line.

With the wind now a definite advantage, Rainworth continued to play the match in their opponents’ half, and they almost capitalised when Sam Purcicoe’s cross was pushed out for a corner. The relief was only short-lived when, from the corner, Kieran Walker headed the ball home.

The last chance of the half fell to Goole when Ashley Jackson’s 30 yard free kick into a strong wind was gratefully pushed round the post by Martin.

The second half would be a test of Rainworth’s defensive qualities as the wind strengthened and the slender one-goal lead never looked comfortable. After just two minutes Scott Rickards was shown a yellow card for his crude challenge as Goole started to turn the screw.

The equaliser came in the 52nd minute when Martin did well to palm out a goal-bound cross and, whilst the initial follow-up was kicked off the line, Derry Robson made it third time lucky as the ball crossed the line.

Once again Rainworth pushed forward and, after a good build-up, Rickards shot flashed just wide.

They came even closer in the 69th minute when Purcicoe found Jamie Clarke, who managed to knock the ball past the keeper, but it lacked pace and it was cleared at the expense of a corner.

Goole should have scored in the 73rd minute when, with Johnson-Cole through on goal, Martin rushed out to make an excellent smother save. Rainworth immediately threatened their opponents’ goal, but Mark Dudley’s cross was hit wide by Longstaff.

Goole were having the bulk of the play and from a corner Colley headed wide. The threat wasn’t cleared and in the 82nd minute, from yet another corner, Colley this time powered his header into the top corner.

The final minutes of the half saw Rainworth go all out for the equaliser and Longstaff almost obliged but his goal-bound shot was tipped round the post for a corner.

The final chance of the game fell to Rickards, but his shot was well over and Goole survived.

In truth, Goole deserved their win as they mastered the elements much better than Rainworth and, but for an excellent performance by Martin, the margin of defeat could have been greater.

RAINWORTH MW: Martin; Varley; Dudley; Magee; Walker; Saunders; Purcicoe; Lloyd; Longstaff; Clarke; Rickards. Subs not used: Hawkins; Gregory; Rogers; Cullingworth.

REFEREE: Mr M. Dwyer

WRENS MAN OF THE MATCH: Kieran Walker.