Relieved Rainworth banish dreadful run of form at last

Relieved Rainworth Miners Welfare finally banished their dreadful run of results with a 4-0 victory at Harrogate Railway Athletic that gave rise to hopes of a revival in fortunes.
Matt Sykes, who scored two of Rainworth's goals in the 4-0 win.Matt Sykes, who scored two of Rainworth's goals in the 4-0 win.
Matt Sykes, who scored two of Rainworth's goals in the 4-0 win.

After no wins in 14 matches in the Premier Division of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League, two goals apiece from Matt Sykes and Matt Harris hammered Harrogate, who sit just above them in the table. And considering late withdrawals left the Rainworth squad threadbare and a heavy Station View pitch was far from sure to suit their passing style, it was a tremendous display that belied their bottom-five status.

They poured on the pressure from the start and after early chances for Sykes, the opening goal arrived in the 13th minute when the same player powered at the Harrogate defence and although his first shot was blocked, his second found the net.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

More chances came and went, with Phil Buxton squandering the best with a miskick that looped into the grateful ‘keeper’s arms, but such was Rainworth’s superiority that the only worry at the break was whether they would rue not putting the contest out of sight.

Those fears grew when two efforts early in the second half, one from Sykes at the near-post and one from Buxton, were both cleared off the line, but were finally eased in the 55th minute when the elusive second goal came. Declan Brewin found Harris, who cooly rounded goalie Leon Wrigglesworth to slot home.

Harrogate’s plight got even worse four minutes later when Buxton was brought down from behind by Sam Denton for a penalty that Sykes gave Wrigglesworth no chance with. And from then on, Rainworth, inspired by man-of-the-match Jack Weatherall, coasted home, continuing to stretch the home defence. Harris netted the fourth goal in the 81st minute with a fine header from a corner by Sykes, who closed the game by flashing shots inches wide and inches too high.