Keeper blow for Market Rasen but they dig deep for win at Sleaford
Market Rasen Town returned to action after a weekend without a fixture and produced a determined, hard-working performance to claim all three points with a 4-2 win at Sleaford Town Development on Saturday.
That moved them back into second place in Lincolnshire League Division One.
With seven players unavailable through injury, suspension or other commitments, and faced with a difficult playing surface and a strong wind, this had all the ingredients of a potential banana skin for Rasen’s promotion push.
However, Rasen rose to the challenge in impressive fashion.
Goalscorer Finlay Drakes said: “It was a really good win on a difficult pitch. Everyone played their part and the wind made it difficult.
“It was important for us to win all the second balls, which we did all game. I’m sure it wasn’t the best game to watch, but an important three points.”
Harvey Baxter opened the scoring after 10 minutes, powering home a pinpoint Jack Robinson free-kick delivery with a fine header.
Drakes doubled the advantage 10 minutes later with a superb free-kick from around 35 yards, curling the ball into the top-right corner in spectacular fashion!
The game was briefly halted following a collision involving Rasen goalkeeper Alex Aistrop, who unfortunately had to leave the field with a suspected concussion. Jack Robinson took over in goal, with new signing Louis Jones entering the action to fill the midfield vacancy.
Rasen responded positively and continued to press, with Charlie Scales delivering a dangerous cross from the right for Theo Williams to head against the crossbar before reacting quickest to nod home the rebound for Rasen’s third.
Playing into the strong wind after the break, Rasen knew the home side would come back at them. Sleaford reduced the deficit from the penalty spot, but Rasen remained organised, battled hard and dealt impressively with the pressure.
Tom Carter, enjoying his new role in midfield, drove into the Sleaford penalty area and was brought down to win a penalty of his own. Unfortunately, Theo Williams saw his spot-kick saved by the goalkeeper.
Williams wasn’t to be denied for long, though. A powerful run down the left by Finlay Drakes produced another excellent delivery, and Williams rose to head home from close range for his second of the afternoon and Rasen’s fourth.
Sleaford added a late consolation after an unfortunate deflection looped over stand-in goalkeeper Robinson, but it was too little, too late as Rasen saw out the game.
Rasen are without a fixture again this coming Saturday.