End of the Road.

Having enjoyed  Blogging about Rainworth`s first season in the Evo-Stik, I `ve been pondered for some while about taking it into another season. After weighing up the "Pro`s and Cons" I think this could be my last posting on this Blog.

Hope you all enjoyed it!!

For this season I intend to take a more relaxed approach and do a little more Groundhopping, you can follow me @ oneeyeontheball

Match updates on Twitter @  dudseyblog

Thankyou and Regards

Dudsey

The Grapevine

Football, football, football!! Dudsey tries to switch off but I just can`t get it out of my system.

Ilkeston, Hucknall, New Mills, Coalville and Bedworth, Clubs names are ringing in my head, gossip here, gossip there, how can I switch off!!

Sounds like Rainworth have lost Mark Camm and Tommy Hannighan to Belper (Bugger!!) although they`ve lost Alex Barcherini to Alfreton.

Glapwell`s demise has freed up a myriad of quality players. Michael Harcourt and Holmesy have been snapped up by Matlock Town.

Chris Timon`s name has been linked with the Wrens but it`s only Chinese Whispers and Goole have lost "Goal Machine" Gavin Allott to Guiseley so that`s one less to worry about,

Two new grounds to visit next season, New Mills arrive as Vodkat Champions and are surely going to want to make their mark, if Sticky raves about it, it`s got to be worth a visit!

The controversial placement of Ilkeston has caused a stir in certain quarters, but memories of the Ilson lie fondly with Dudsey, with a hungry following it makes for a good day out and will enhance the league for me.

Newcastle Town have lost their Management Team to Stafford Rangers so it will be interesting to see if they are as impressive next season.

Sutton Coldfield are in the process of laying a 3G pitch!!, will this make things tricky for visiting teams?, this will also impact on Romulus`s season and the fact that no FA Cup ties will be played at Coles Lane this will deny the supporters of an home-tie should either team progress in the competition.

Rudy`s got the Scarborough faithful whipped up into a frenzy in the Ncel, although I think if he doesn`t deliver the goods quickly he`ll feel the wrath of the Seadogs. Ant Lynam`s name has been mentioned although not confirmed as yet.

Brett Marshall has took the helm at Retford United and knowing Marsh he`ll soon assembly a competitive squad.(New territory for Malc and Kev no doubt!!)

Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open and if you hear anything drop it my comments box.

The Interlude

Enjoy your Summer!!

Last Orders - Rainworth Mw 1 - 1 Glapwell Fc

Hodsock Priory

It`s Easter Monday, Hodsock Priory is the venue and life gradually starts to emerge from the Courtyard rooms and it`s not a pretty sight, the casualties of Hales` Big Day are starting to surface.

A decadent day of luxury, thirteen hours of Champagne quaffing and lager swilling has reduced the Non-league footballing fraternity to a crowd of bleary-eyed wrecks.

Chaz has decided to skip the gorgeous breakfast in a bid to squeeze in another twenty winks in preparation for today`s game, he`s up and his eyes are like P*** Holes, ("can`t see him kicking owt today").

No clean sheet tonight!!

Dudsey has missed the last two games for Rainworth. We couldn`t make last Tuesday nights trip to see The Wrens lose 3-0 at Coles Lane against Romulus as I was working.

Saturday `s game at Stamford was also a no-no due to last minute arrangements for the wedding, the game finished goal-less so the pain was a kept to a minimum.

Despite wanting to enjoy today`s last game of the season against local neighbours Glapwell the after effects of the previous twenty four hours is now starting to take it`s toll.

Chazs` managed to work a fast one and is on the sub`s bench, Baz Alberry has stepped up to the Mark (excuse the pun) and is between the sticks again. Young Lee Briggs looks to have secured himself a regular shirt and deservedly so.

Having secured Evo-Stik status for next season seems to have taken the shine off the football, sounds a tad selfish but Dudsey loves a nail-biter and with nothing to battle for it seems to have gone a bit stale recently.

Glapwell come with little to prove today as their season has also failed to bear any fruit, Mansfield Towns decision to recall Conor Higginson seems to have upset the balance at Hall Corner and the prospect of a good game today looks a little on the slim side.

There`s a crowd of 135 and a few old faces are present including Ant Lynam, he`s took a knock to his ankle and hasn`t travelled with Sheffield Fc, taking the opportunity to come and visit his old friends and is enjoying a warm welcome from the players and supporters alike.

Rainworth kick-off and seem to be full of beans and within seconds of the start could have been infront, Danny Naylor makes a dash towards James Lindley`s goal only just pulling the ball wide.

Naylor - No 7, So close

Lee Cooksey is enjoying his new found role since the departure of Stef Frost and is looking lively but it`s Matt Baxter who once again finds the net again in the eleventh minute, Chris Hewitt found space in the area and selflessly tee`d it up for Matt to blast beyond Lindley.

The visitors are slowly starting to gain momentum and despite pushing hard Alberry is more than holding his own in goal, Glapwell`s hopes of the goalscoring partnership of Holmes and Brown turning on the magic are dealt a disappointing blow as Brown is forced retire after taking a bad knock to his back.

Alberry, wise head and good hands

Brown`s replacement Adam Kimberley looked to square the game immediately linking up well with Micheal Harcourt. Baxter takes an ambitious long range shot which Lindley calmly collected and despatched straight back into the Rainworth area.

Harcourt is waiting to pounce catching Hannighan and Alberry off-guard he headed over the pair of them only to see it rebound off the cross-bar yet he was given enough space to make it count with his second attempt. 1-1 after half an hour.

Glapwell press the Rainworth defence

After the equaliser the game lost some of it`s sparkle and remained all square, a few more half chances by Glapwell were dealt with by some very capable defending by Lee Briggs once again. Half-time 1-1.

Dudsey and Mrs H can`t be bothered to make the walk to the Tea-hut for a drink (Bloody Champagne)!!

The second half nearly got off to a nightmare start as Alberry managed to fluff a clearance landing it straight to the feet of Holmes who has bagged 32 this season, usually he`d punish you severely for such a gift but uncharacteristically he forces it wide.

Glappy`s goal-machine Holmes piles on the pressure

Chris Hewitt is featuring more in the second half and is making good of any play available to him although the visitors are enjoying a lot of possession.

Glapwell should be troubling the Rainworth defence even more but the back four are keeping a tight line and catching the visitors off-side far too often, much to the frustration of their manager John Gaunt who is doing is nut on the bye-line.

Baz, taking it all in his stride

Gaunt goes for a change and introduces youngster Evan Garnett, what a talented little player this lad is, instantly he is involved in almost all of Glappy`s chances and if not for some resolute defending by Carolan and Briggs the lad would be in with a shout of pinching a winner.

Briggs keeps the back door closed for The Wrens

Matt Baxter produced the only real chance for Rainworth in the latter stages of the second half after a good link-up with Cooksey but it was scooped wide on this occasion.

Glapwell were once again denied in the dying minutes as Garnett broke free and looked to be in with a real chance only to be denied by a fine stop by Alberry. 

Garnett centre, awaits his chance. 

Full time 1-1, and on the day the right result for me, some good defending by the lads contained Glapwell`s advances in the second half to share the points.

So that`s it, the end of Rainworth`s first season at Step 4, a season dogged by injury in the early stages, then the shock resignation of Rudy made for yet another uncertain spell.

Despite this once several key players had returned from the treatment table and some quality signings were introduced things started to take a turn for the better.

Congratulations to Billy and Lee for keeping the ship afloat after Rudy`s departure and to all the lads for digging in deep when it looked as though the odds were stacked against them. Lets hope we can build on this for next season and enjoy another season in this great league. Well done chaps!!

Teams

The Wrens - Alberry, Paling, Carolan, Briggs, Hannigan, Camm, Naylor, Baxter, Cooksey, Hewitt (Wright 73), Gee-Pemberton. Subs not used: Topliss, Charlesworth, Drake.

Glapwell: Lindley, Walker (Commons 86), Magee, Varley, Kennedy, Timons, Telling, O’Hare (Garnett 63), Holmes, Brown (Kimberley 18), Harcourt. Subs not used: Shelley, Richmond

.

Congratulations to Barwell Fc, by far the best team in the league.

Good luck for next season in the Evo Premier League.

Also good luck to Brigg, Rushall , Newcastle and Grantham in the Play-offs.

Thankyou to all Clubs we`ve visited and friends old and new who we`ve shared some healthy banter with, have a great summer. 

Regards  Dudsey.

Spalding United 0 - 3 Rainworth Mw

Another cracker of a Saturday morning!!

Dudsey`s sat on the steps of the conservatory taking in the morning sunshine wondering how today will pan out.

Today`s fixture list is a treble, The Young Rangers are at home to Newark.

All starts off well as The Rangers take an early lead only to throw it away in the second half losing 1-2.

Next it`s onto "The Sir Halley Stewart Field", the venue for today's game against Spalding United followed by Man U v City c/o Sky Plus.

Mrs H is waiting for me to pick her up and we head for the A1 at ten past one, bags of time to get to Spalding. We`re sailing as we pass Newark heading towards Grantham then a sea of brake lights appear on the horizon, No,No,No,No,No!!

What a furkin nightmare!!

Whichever way you look it`s Jamtastic, after twenty minutes of inching forward two yards at a time I`m slipping into fed-up mode and the passenger seat has gone a little quiet.

Dudsey cracks open a bag of Chocolate Eclairs, slips Alicia Keys on the Cd and we`re back in business (works every time)!!

After a fifty minute pit-stop were off again and the clock strikes three as we reach Bourne, we are well and truly shafted, Nice road though the A151.


Twenty past three as we pull into the car park opposite the ground, Dudsey`s relief is short lived as the only pay and display terminal is out of order.

Sod it!!, forty five quid or not it`s footie time, thankfully the Chap on the turnstile assures us it will be fine, (not literally I hope)!!

Gladly the admission fee is gratefully reduced and brings a smile to Mrs H`s face as he informs us The Wrens are already two goals to the good.

Chris Hewitt put Rainworth in front in the third minute and Matt Baxter had bagged another just as we were entering the ground.

The ground is a fair set-up, the pitch is very green although it sounds a little hard. A Gazebo covering a couple of picnic benches provides a nice area to enjoy a snack from the good choice of food on offer, (they knock out a quality Burger).

Support seems to be thin on the ground which is understandable given the fact that the club is drifting into the UCL for next season. Tbh I hope the supporters return to the club given the nice feel about the place.

Unfortunately Danny Simpson and Ian Clarke had both been withdrawn with suspected hamstring injuries being replaced by Cameron Fearon and Kyle Gee-Pemberton.

We joined the game to see Craig Charlesworth (Chaz) gift the ball to Corey Corrithers who managed to just whistle it over the bar and go close minutes later but allowing Hales enough time to collect the ball from his feet.

Chaz (No 4) comes under pressure.

Spalding are looking a bit dysfunctional in defence, skipper Gary Pawson who played a significant part at Kirklington Road picked up a serious knee injury (tendons) some weeks ago and his presence looks to be sorely missed in defence. (Let`s hope he makes a full recovery and is able to slip his boots on next season).

One last chance of the half see`s Jammal Shahin screech one wide from just outside the area . Despite being in the lead the Wrens are looking jaded, heads are down and the overall body language is not right for a team 0-2 up at half-time.

Heads up Chaps!!

Despite an outdoor pep-talk at half-time Rainworth are slow to get going in the second half and "The Tulips" are by far the better team in the opening spell.

Shahin is the orchestrator of all Spalding's creative work and looked as though any chance of a goal was going to be down to his ability to skip amongst the defence.

Shahin keeps Tommy Hannighan busy.

True to recent form Rainworth manage to turn play on it`s head and take a three goal lead as Kyle Gee-Pemberton worked hard down the left hand side and managed to scoop the ball back to Matty Baxter who rattled it home for his second goal of the day.

Matty enjoys his second goal.

Despite Rainworth sneaking a cheeky goal Spalding are still able to make a game of it, Shahin once again weaved his way into the eighteen yard box and rattled a decent shot at Hales which was met by an equally good save.

The Tulips still pressed on into the final stages of the game, unfortunately Alistair Holding was to take what looked a bad knock to the knee which brought his afternoon to a halt being replaced by Jake Outram.

Holding`s day comes to an end!!

Two more decent attempts from the home-side bring the afternoon to a close as Mitch Eustace and Josh Nodder put Hales to the test without troubling him too much.

Hales keeps it clean.

So an eventful afternoon see`s The Wrens take all three points despite this the overall atmosphere seemed like a nothing to play for game.

Full credit to Spalding`s lads for making a go of it despite certain UCL League football next season, a nice club with a good attitude to how they play their football and good luck to them next season.

Men of the Match - Baxter and Shahin

Attendance - 60

Teams

Spalding

Cook, Ingram, Kennedy, Warner, Baker, Chappell (Eustace 86), Corrithers (Hayes 90+4), Thompson, Holding (Outram 82), Shahin, Nodder.

The Wrens

Hales, Baxter, Briggs, Charlesworth, Hannigan, Camm, Wright, Clarke (Fearon 15), Cooksey, Simpson (Gee-Pemberton 15), Hewitt (Wilkinson 87).

Rainworth Mw 0 - 1 Goole Afc

"The Vikings are Coming"  Words that used to instill fear into many a mere Mortal!!

Never mind the mortals!!  Saturday the 16th of October 2010 still makes Dudsey`s legs tremble.

Gavin Allott single handedly plucked and stuffed  "The Wrens", leaving everyone from Rainworth wondering what had hit them and the trip back down the M18 seem like the "Pan-American Highway".

On a brighter note for me was the warm reception the Blog received from the supporters and forum goers from the VPG . So a big Thankyou to all who took an interest.

Goole were sitting second in the league on the day of "The Gavin Allott Show", since then Harrogate Railway have head-hunted a few players, the impact seems to have brought Goole`s play-off campaign to a grinding halt seeing "The Vikings" lose their last seven games and currently they occupy eleventh spot in the league.

What an absolute belter of a day for taking in a game of footie!!  It`s a family day out today and Kirklington Road looks a picture, basking in the twenties without a cloud in the sky.

There`s a few changes in the Wrens line up today. Skipper Hales is enjoying his Stag golfing weekend at "The Celtic Manor", filling in for him is Brad Mimms (son of Bobby). Cameron Fearon returns after a long injury, Mark Camm takes the arm-band and Ryan Carolan takes to the bench.

 "The Vikings" take the start

Dudsey see`s today as a toe-test to see how far Rainworth have come since the away tie, and to be honest I think we`ve come a long way.

The game turns out to be "a game of two halves", two halves where I`m left thinking how on Earth have we not put this game to bed, simple is the answer!! The Wrens have failed miserably in the finishing department.

On the other foot the saying " A good striker can get you a result out of nothing" applied in full today, once again Mr Allott was to take the plaudits but on this occasion against the run of play.

 The Wrens battle it out from the off

Rainworth started the half in control taking early chances, Simon Harrison seemed totally unconcerned by the amount of space Chris Hewitt had on the left wing, and it was looking that it was only a matter of time till "Chewie" would get his break.

Allott and Powell looked obscure in their lack of opportunities, mainly due to another excellent performance by young Lee Briggs who is having another stormer at left-back.

 Young Briggsy (No3) sizzling in the sun.

The home-side continued to hold the reigns but still couldn`t find the net, Danny Naylor and Hewitt were opening the avenues but it`s just not happening for the front pairing of Simpson and Francis.

Goole`s No 6, ex-pro James Dudgeon is huffing and puffing like a cart-horse and is struggling to keep up with the pace but The Vikings skipper Luke Jeffs is keeping the back four honest.

Jeffs, eye on the ball and true to the armband

By now Dudsey`s thinking that today could be our first goal-less match since last September given the fact that a goal for Rainworth is not going to happen and Goole just aren`t creating any real openings.

The half continues to simmer in the midfield and fizzles out in the final third, so the teams go into the break all square.

A midfield muddle!!

The second half starts as the first finished and without a change of some form this is looking evermore like a blanker. Goole make the first move and player-manager Karl Rose takes to the field replacing Josh Cruise who failed to recover from a knock.

Rose`s presence finally brought the visitors to life and they continued to gain momentum, Rainworth`s defence who had kept Mimms` involvement to a minimum up to this point finally left him exposed and upon the call the youngster pulled off a terrific save from Bjorn Taylor.

Like Father like Son, Mimms dons the gloves!!

Despite a quality save minutes earlier another moment of exposure left the young keeper with no chance as Vill Powell tee`d-up Allott with a well presented ball which the tall figure duly excepted and clinically slammed into the far corner. 0-1 after 75mins.

The goal seemed to spring Rainworth back into action, Captain Camm along with Fearon, Wright and Naylor looked as though they were eventually going to break down the Vikings defence and saw more of the ball, Walkers goal was coming under increasing pressure, perhaps a deserved point was up for grabs, but it`s just eluding the lads.

Close but no Cigar!!

Rainworth continue to push on, Wright forces one wide left followed by another from Nick Langford but Lady Luck is not with us today and despite a valiant effort it`s a league double for Goole. FT 0 -1.

A glorious afternoon out and although the result has gone against Rainworth it`s satisfying to see the Gulf between the seasoned Evo 1 South teams and the Newbies has been lessened as the season`s progressed

At least the Kids are excited by it all today!!

Mrs H has been asked to present the Bubbly but beats a hasty retreat as Billy and Wilko spell out today`s mistakes to the lads!!

Men of the Match - Rainworth, Lee Briggs and Luke Jeffs for Goole.

Attendance - 81

Teams

The Wrens: Mimms, Fearon, Briggs, Charlesworth, Hannigan, Camm, Gee-Pemberton (Wright ht), Naylor, Simpson, Francis (Clarke 68), Hewitt (Langford 84). Subs not used: Carolan, Baxter.

The Vikings: Walker, Ludlam, Harrison (Robson 65), Jeffs, Cruise (Rose 56), Dudgeon, Wilkinson, Bloor, Powell, Allott, Taylor (Wainman 82). Subs not used: Gill, Bagaley.

Grantham Town 1 - 3 Rainworth Mw

Sodding Hell !! Will the weather forecasters ever get it right, all week they`ve been promising Dudsey a decent day so what`s that beating down outside.

It`s still a double header despite the rain, first up is "The Young Rangers" vs Welbeck Welfare Fc U15s. One apiece is how it finished and the right result for me.

South Kesteven Sports Stadium is the destination for Dudsey`s away-day.

Locally known as The Meres, this is the home of Grantham Town Fc and definitely one of the best away venues to get to, we dropped on the A1 at Elkesley then it`s straight down to the ground, the weather has picked up a treat, so I `ll eat my words on that one.

Upon arrival at the ground you can`t fail to be impressed, the car park is immaculate, overlooked by a beautiful cantilever stand which accommodates the "Strikers Bar" clubhouse and changing rooms.

Mrs H is on one, it`s eight quid each at the turnstile and it`s her pay, she`s not a "Happy Bunny" at all.

"Proud Sponsors" and every reason to be, even though I`m not a lover of pitches set within a running track this place is spotless and the playing surface is as level as a billiard table, but (and there`s always a but) the ground sounds very hard and dry.

I`m probably going to drop this one in as my second favourite away ground as the food available at the tea-bar is well below the standard on offer at Belper.

"The Meres Main Stand", impressive by anyone`s standards.

Dudsey and Mrs H decide to walk round to the far stand for the start in a bid to get close to the action away from the obstruction of the "Bus Shelter" style dugouts. Unfortunately it`s quite gusty on the far side and it looks like the wind might have a part to play in today`s fixture.

I hope that`s not the fourth official with the hat on!!

The teams emerge from the centre of the stand, Dudsey`s managed to skank a team-sheet off Les Lee, Rainworth`s line-up is still affected by a recent speight of injuries, Ryan Carolan and Cameron Fearon are still unavailable so Lee Briggs gets his full debut from the reserves and gets a special mention for a creditable performance today.

Stef Frost has been snapped up by Boston United so the return of Danny Simpson to the squad is a bonus.

Saunders misses an opening chance

The "Gingerbreads" got the first sniff at goal in another scrappy affair, Ben Saunders should have buried a sitting chance crossed in by Sam Purcicoe, but out of nowhere the Wrens managed to grasp the opener as Kyle Gee-Pemberton made good of Lee Cooksey`s cross, volleying it past Rob Murray. 0-1 on six mins.

Murray`s goal comes under pressure.

Grantham were enjoying a good spell of possession but despite this failed to make any significant impression upon the Rainworth back four once again bolstered by the ever capable figure of Tommy Hannighan.

Murray`s awareness managed to foil a double attempt by Danwell Francis, the home side look to be having a little of the luck that usually comes Rainworth`s way as Saunders failed to convert again as Lee Potts tee`s one up for him

Grantham keep the visitors defence busy.

The half remained a scrappy affair but Rainworth`s early lead was about take a tumble as a crowded box obstructed any chance of Hales making a decent clearance as Alistair Ashers' cross fell to Matt Millns` who bungled the ball over the line in the last minute of the first half. 1-1 at the break.

Strangely Rainworth decide to take the break at the dugout, apparently the changing rooms are unbearably hot and with the temperature in the late teens the lads decide to take in a little fresh air.

Alfresco at half-time for the Wrens

Dudsey gives in to the Missus` plea to take in the second half from the main-stand and upon arrival at the top tier I must concede this was the place to be, the view is magnificent. Mrs H takes a seat mid-way down the stand whilst I remain standing on the top row, there`s a healthy home crowd and they all seem to know their Onion`s when it comes to footie.

Although the second half took some time to gain any momentum the Gingerbreads were trying to push for a much needed three points in a bid to keep their chance of making the play-offs but it`s falling flat in the final third.

It`s a messy second half for Grantham.

The frustration is echoing in the main-stand as the home supporters are becoming more and more frustrated by the inability of their team who fail to take advantage of any chances they create.

One break looked to have the Wrens in danger only to see Chris Hewitt save the blushes as he clears from the goal-line denying the advancing Rhys Lewis.

"Chewie" saves Rainworth`s Bacon.

Mark Camm and Lee Cooksey paired up well and provided a good run through Grantham`s mid-field seeing the ball threaded by Camm to the feet of Francis who managed to push the ball beyond Murray just on the hour mark.

Gee-Pemberton and Wright congratulate Francis

A trio of substitutions come on just after the goal, two for the home-side and one for Rainworth, Max Wright is replaced by Danny Simpson whilst usual play-makers Purcicoe and Carchedi are exchanged for Matt Glass and Rob Norris.

Grantham are still full of determination but in the process are leaving themselves a little too exposed at the back, Glass and Norris are urging players on and look to grab an equaliser, giving Francis and Simpson the opportunity to break freely.

Francis just fails to connect

Persistence eventually paid off for the Wrens, a last gasp clearance by Tommy Hannighan to deny Norris left the way for another break for Camm who looked for Hewitt and instead of giving up on what looked to be a goal kick the pacy little winger managed to scoop the ball from the by-line and the advancing Murray who had left his goal well and truly empty enabling Francis to take his second of the day with the simplest of tap-ins to the vacant Grantham goal.

You don`t get many chances like that!! 1-3 and game over.

The disgruntled Grantham faithful have seen enough and start to make their way out of the stand and contemplate another season in the Evo-Stik 1 South.

It`s amazing how you`re luck changes when the pressure is off. Watching Grantham today was just like watching Rainworth two months ago, not particularly doing anything wrong but things just not falling right for them.

Lee Briggs, top effort!!

All in all a very satisfying day out, a scrappy game but three points all the same, Tommy Hannighan was once again outstanding and easily the Man of the Match.

A big pat on the back for young Lee Briggs (right), thrown in at the deep end and came out smiling.

Attendance - 176

Teams

The Gingerbreads: Murray, Purcicoe (Norris 64), Potts, Asher, Millns (Glarvey 82), Watt, Lewis, S. Saunders, McGhee, B. Saunders, Carchedi (Glass 64). Subs not used: Dyson, Beardsley.

The Wrens: Hales, Paling, Briggs, Charlesworth, Hannigan, Camm, Wright (Simpson 67), Cooksey, Gee-Pemberton, Francis (Langford 90+2), Hewitt (Topliss 79). Sub not used: Wilkinson.