RAINWORTH MW will go into Saturday’s home Evo-Stik League Division One South encounter with Sheffield looking to end a run of three straight defeats.
Having made a winning start at Loughborough to their maiden season at the higher level, the Wrens lost at home to a very good Newcastle Town side, then crashed out of the FA Cup 6-2 at Brigg Town and lost their Bank Holiday Monday local derby at Carlton Town 2-1.
But in both of the last two matches they have gone down after leading until just before half time when they conceded an equaliser, and then fell away in the second half.
Manager Rudy Funk was furious after the defeat at Brigg, which saw his side ship half a dozen goals for the first time since he took over in the summer of 2005, describing the result as ‘tragic rather than embarrassing’.
And he refused to blame an already heavy injury list for the magnitude of that defeat, although his five named outfield substitutes that day would all have expected to start the game under normal circumstances, but none were fit, then further injuries meant three of them had to be used anyway.
The continuing problems meant some players who were less than fit had to start against Carlton, and others were used out of position in a match which Rainworth could well have done without as they strive to get a few players up to full fitness again.
Speaking after the Carlton match, Funk said: “A lot of our players are going to have to grow up very quickly. After the game we discussed where we had gone wrong, and everyone is ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and put that bit more effort in, because they are starting to realise just how tough this league is.
“We pushed one or two players up after they had gone in front and we bombed them for the final 15 minutes or so, and one of their officials admitted afterwards that he didn’t know how they had survived But we couldn’t find the way through.
“We knew when we came up from the NCEL that this season would be hard, but I still believe we will shock a few sides although at present it’s still a steep learning curve for us.”
Looking forward to the Sheffield game, Funk set no store by the fact that Chris Dolby’s side have not made the best of starts to their season either.
He added: “You only have to look at their track record – they are an established club in this league, they have always had a decent side, and they reached the Play-offs last season. So it will not be easy for us, but hopefully we can get one or two players back in, give them a decent game and put some points on the board.”
Rainworth are also in Evo-Stik League action on Tuesday evening when they visit Quorn.

Re-arranged fixture

Rainworth’s early exit from the FA Cup left them with a blank date on Saturday week, so the away fixture against Leek Town, originally scheduled for Tuesday, 19th October, has been brought forward to that date.

Reserves

It has been a mixed week for Rainworth Reserves, who lost 3-2 at home to Belper Town Reserves last Saturday, their first defeat of the season.
But on Tuesday night they beat Graham Street Prims Reserves at home 2-1 and went to the top of the Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Reserve Supreme Division as a result.