Late red card controversy proves costly for Rainworth

Until then it had been a game of the highest quality. So it was unfortunate that the refereeing decision in the final minute, which saw Sam Purcicoe red-carded and Newcastle netting the subsequent free kick, ended up being the topic of discussion and not the quality of football.

The game between two of the form teams in the division promised much and it certainly didn’t disappoint, with both sides producing performances that auger well for the future.

Newcastle came to Kirklington Road boasting a victory against Leek Town, a feat only achieved by two other teams in the league, one being Rainworth.

Newcastle were the first to threaten when in the fifth minute Jordan Cole’s shot was well saved by James Martin.

It didn’t take Rainworth long to reciprocate when Jack Hawkins hit his shot wide when well placed. The game was evenly poised in a game where both sides attempted to play good football but neither side could produce the killer ball.

Rainworth had opportunities, but in the 16th minute Mark Dudley’s shot was wide and James Cullingworth’s cross was tipped over by Dave Parton at the expense of a corner.

Newcastle countered when, after a good move, Tim Saunders’ shot just cleared the crossbar.

The 27th minute almost saw Rainworth open the scoring as, from a Newcastle mistake, their attempts to score were thwarted as the ball was scrambled clear.

This was quickly followed by an Ashley Longstaff shot that was easily saved, and he also had the ball in the net on 31 minutes but it was disallowed for offside.

The game ebbed and flowed and both sides had chances, but neither could take advantage, as both struggled for ascendency.

Newcastle almost opened their account in the 34th minute when Saunders’ fierce shot was brilliantly parried by Martin, who was able to gather the ball before anyone could capitalise.

Rainworth suffered a body blow in the 41st minute when leading scorer Longstaff pulled up injured and was replaced by Liam Theakstone.

The game was moving into the final minute of the half when Newcastle broke and Jordan Cole found Luke Askey, his well-struck shot finding the bottom corner of the net to give them a 1-0 half-time lead.

Newcastle had the better of the early first half exchanges and they looked to have increased their lead as James Askey’s fierce drive was turned into the net by Cole. The celebrations were short-lived as the goal was disallowed for offside.

The next chance fell to Saunders from Luke Askey’s pass, but the shot went wide.

Rainworth finally got the equaliser their play merited, when from a Scott Rickards corner, Leon Ashman could only help the ball over the line as he desperately tried to prevent it crossing.

A period of Rainworth dominance followed when in the 72nd minute, from a Rickards free kick, Cullingworth’s header was well saved.

In the 76th minute Rainworth should have scored when Matthew Bowles put Theakstone through, but his shot went the wrong side of the post.

Newcastle continued to threaten and a fine run and shot by Saunders went just over the bar.

The 80th minute produced yet another talking point when Varley’s header was cleared as it appeared to cross the line, the referee waved play on and how Rainworth must have wished that goalline technology was available.

Newcastle still had attacking intent and in the 81st minute Saunders broke away but his shot was wide of the target.

They came even closer in the 90th minute when Cole’s shot was brilliantly saved by Martin.

Just as it looked like the game would end in stalemate, Saunders broke away and he was caught by Purcicoe, who appeared to win the race for the ball.

The referee, however, saw differently and awarded a free kick while Purcicoe was shown a red card.

The decision was greeted with disbelief from some quarters and jubilation from others.

The subsequent free kick was then brilliantly struck by Saunders to give Newcastle the lead.

Shortly afterwards the whistle went for full time and many home fans headed home feeling cheated at the end of what had been an absolute cracker of a game that had done the Evo-Stik League proud.

RAINWORTH: Martin; Purcicoe; Dudley; Lloyd; Walker; Varley; Cullingworth; Magee; Longstaff (Theakstone 41); Rickards; Hawkins (Bowles 78). Subs not used: Green; Rogers; Saunders.

REFEREE: Chris Akers.

WRENS’ MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Hawkins.