Rainworth Miners Welfare Weekly Update

WRENS SQUAD SHAPES UP

AFTER three pre-season friendlies against opposition from lower divisions, Rainworth MW boss Kevin Gee says his squad is shaping up well.
But he recognises that there are areas which still need to be beefed up between now and the start of the Evo-Stik NPL Division One South season.
The Wrens’ emphasis now turns to testing themselves against clubs from higher divisions, starting with a home game against Boston United on Saturday.
So far Rainworth have won 5-0 at Clay Cross Town, lost 2-1 at home to new club AFC Mansfield and, on Tuesday, beat NCEL early title favourites Scarborough Athletic 1-0.
That most recent game marked the return of former manager Rudy Funk for the first time since he left the club two years ago after guiding them from Central Midlands to Evo-Stik League football, but it was not to be a triumphant return for the ex-boss who saw his side go down to a single fourth minute goal by young debutant Blair Anderson, who was pulled in from Conference neighbours Alfreton Town.
Gee said: “We let ourselves down a little against AFC Mansfield but had a good chat afterwards to examine why that was. Against Scarborough we adopted a 4-4-2 shape for the first half, kept our shape well, worked hard and passed the ball around, kept a clean sheet, and Blair scored a great goal, so I was quite pleased.
“Scarborough were undoubtedly the better side in the second half as we asked a full 90 minutes out more of our side for the first time, but we defended well and Ali Barcherini made a couple of outstanding saves when he needed to.
“We had a few absentees, resting one or two players who had picked up knocks on Saturday, but we showed that we have strength in depth despite it being a small squad.
“We are starting to develop as a group and are beginning to find the right balance between being competitive and being entertaining.
“I have a good relationship with several higher clubs, and sometimes it is better for a player like Blair to come out to a club like ours and get some minutes under his belt rather than not getting a game at his parent club.
“It’s the same with young defender Adam Burton, who has a lot of potential but may not figure for Ilkeston. He showed promise for us last season, and coming back for the first time he looked as if he has never been away.”
With the attention now switching to higher opposition, Gee is looking to be able to field something like his starting line-up for 18th August, while still seeking to strengthen where it is needed.

EARLY BIRD TICKET DEADLINE EXTENDED

Rainworth have extended the deadline for the purchase of ‘early bird’ season tickets by six days to this Saturday, 21st July, to allow one last chance for those who have not yet bought one to benefit from the discounts on offer.
There has been a good take-up of ‘early bird’ tickets at £75 and £50, but from Sunday onwards the normal season ticket price of £100 and £60 will apply, although U16s can acquire their ticket at any time for just £10.
Season tickets represent a huge saving on pay at the gate prices over a season, but the ‘early bird’ offer allows the chance to save even more.