NIL ALL FOR BOXING DAY
Rainworth miners Welfare visited Stoke Lane on boxing day but alas it was Santa’s jingle bells that rang the loudest and not that of Millers goals.
A cold and blustery afternoon awaited both sides and it was Rainworth who had the first and probably the best chance of the game on 2 minutes. Nathan Adams created space down the right hand side drawing Millers keeper Danny Marshall, he crossed the ball for the better placed Ant Lynam who only had to slot the ball home but managed to bother the sewage works with his glaring miss.
Carlton had their first clear cut chance on 5 minutes when full debutant Sammy Macvicar tried a cheeky side footed flick from an Adam Kimberly cross, Alessandro Barcherini in the Rainworth goal was well beaten but the effort went just wide.
9 minutes later ex Miller Barcherini held on well to a strong header from Carlton skipper Ashley Kitchin, another worthy note for the afternoon was the return of Kitchins Simon Le Bone homage hairdo which gave the home supporters some cheer during the cold afternoon.
Kimberly once again turned provider on 15 minutes this time for Ian Brown but as with earlier efforts the Rainworth keeper was up to the job and this was all too easy to see when on 20 minutes he made a fingertip full length save from skipper Kitchin when It looked to be a certain opening goal for the home side.
Ashley Kitchin can count himself unlucky not to have scored following his trade mark shot which for all the world looked home and dry but the Millers faithful hadn’t counted on the head of Ricky Hanson deflecting the ball safe for the visitors.
Throughout the game challenges rained in from both sides and this was all too prevalent on 35 minutes when Lee Cooksey brought down Ash Grayson on the edge of the box but the resulting free kick was cleared to Alistair Asher but his effort went begging.
The second half took some getting going in the late December chill and it was Carlton playing against the wind that had the first chance from a Ryan Goward cross and it was Rubbens Wiggins- Thomas who was very unlucky not to give the Millers the lead.
Rob Gill had a header well saved by the visiting keeper on 65 minutes when jumped highest to get a head on a Macvicar cross.
With 7 minutes to go Wiggins- Thomas scored for Carlton getting on the end of a ball threaded through by Rob Gill, The assistant ref gave the chance offside which kept the game at 0-0.
With the game finishing 0-0 I have no doubt the Rainworth will be happy with that result but the Millers not so, the wind was strong and hard to play with or against and that made the game hard for both sides.
2011 ends with the Millers still unbeaten since October 31st with the first game of the New Year at Lincoln United I am sure the Millers will be up for adding some more points to our current tally.
I very merry Christmas and a Happy New year one and all and we look forward to seeing you in 2012.
TAYLOR GIVES McJANET PEARLS OF WISDOM
SEE MORE OF THE THE GRAHAM TAYLOR PICTURES ON THE IMAGE SECTION.
GOOLE AFC 2 CARLTON TOWN FC 2
