Wrens find an Oasis in extended lay-off

RAINWORTH MW are hoping against hope that their Evo-Stik NPL Division One South match at Coalville Town will get the go-ahead and allow them to taste some competitive action after their three-week lay-off.

While all but one match in the division was cancelled last weekend and no midweek games have beaten the weather, Rainworth were also without a league fixture the previous week too, and have not contested league points since their 1-1 draw at Shepshed on 21st January.

Weather permitting, Rainworth make their first ever visit to the Owen Street arena tomorrow and will be hoping to avoid conceding a league double to the Ravens, who won 2-0 at Kirklington Road in October in what was the previous management’s penultimate game in charge.

Coalville have enjoyed a respectable debut season in Northern Premier League football following their promotion as champions of the Midland Alliance during the summer, but the Wrens are eager to put some points on the board themselves as they bid to preserve the gap between themselves and the bottom two.

However, Rainworth have not been idle during their enforced lay-off and, as well as taking part in friendlies against Mansfield Reserves and Matlock Town before the worst of the weather hit, they have been taking advantage of the new backing they have received from Mansfield fitness club Oasis, who have gone out of their way to help Kevin Gee’s side.

Said Gee: “I cannot praise them highly enough. The assistance of manager Suzanne and personal trainer Gaz has been invaluable in enabling the players to maintain their fitness levels ready for when they are able to actually play a match again, whether or not that is this weekend, and its a great relationship to have.”

Meanwhile revised dates have been fixed for the four matches that the Wrens have had postponed so far – and it means that, again weather permitting, they will be in action for the next three Tuesdays.

This Tuesday, 14th March, they will try again to play their Notts Senior Cup third round tie at Basford United after the match was snowed off on Tuesday of this week.

The following Tuesday, following a Saturday home game against Romulus, they will be at home again to promotion chasing Grantham Town, and then after a Saturday trip to Loughborough they will try on Tuesday 28th to play the relegation battle at home to Quorn which was postponed last weekend.

The other outstanding game, at Newcastle Town, has been set for Tuesday, 27th March.

Additionally, the visit to Ilkeston, originally scheduled for 17th March, has now been brought forward by one week to 10th