Rainworth MW v Gedling Town

Rainworth's new facilities

Gedling skipper James Whitehead

Kick off time

Saturday 27th October 2007 NCEL Division One

The one we were waitng for so impatiently turned out to be a bit of a damp squib, with both teams failing to master the blustery conditions and both teams playing well below par.

Rainworth were without regular keeper Mark Hales and star right winger Craig Wilson, while Gedling were missing left back Sam Saunders -- midfield dynamo Damien McGee slotting into his role. Regular starters Lee Soar and Ben Cobley had to settle for bench places after both missed last Saturday's demolition of Hall Road Rangers.

This was poor by these teams standards -- we have seen both teams quite regularly and know they can play better .... Gedling went ahead after 28 minutes, a speculative 35 yard volley from Brendan Sweeney bouncing on the 6 yard line, completely deceiving Dave McCarthy in the Rainworth goal, before flying into the top corner of the goal.

That was it really for the first half - except to say that it was a bit chilly !!!!! The real highlight of the half was having a chat to the Gedling physio -- she is lovely and would be quite welcome to treat my bad back ANYTIME! H-T 0-1

More of the same in the second half, although the home team looked a little more "up for it". Their considerable efforts were rewarded 7 minutes from the end, a corner from the right headed powerfully home by Barry Albury - why he was left unmarked at the far post only the Gedling players know...no doubt Jimmy and Lee will have a word or two to say.......

F-T 1-1

Although the crowd was sparce, we bumped into old friend ex-Eastwood Town Manager Bryan Chambers and his side-kicks Jack Fell and Dave Nicholls .. as well as Hucknall Town players Gary Sucharewycz and Ben Saunders.

Tuesday sees us enter into the world of the professional game -- we are off to see Nottingham Florists take on Oldham in a rearranged League 1 match. Not my cup of tea really -- it just happens that there is no local non-league football to go to and I have access to our company's season tickets -- trust me, I would never, ever pay to go to see the Florists....