Market Rasen net late winner in thriller, despite red card drama
Market Rasen Town put last week’s disappointing performance behind them with a hard-fought 4-3 victory in a game full of goals, drama and late controversy at Wyberton Reserves on Saturday.
Despite a late red card for Liam Korynickyj with the game poised at 3-3, Lucas Sparrow popped up with a late winner and delighted manager Ian Williams said: “There were a lot of positives out there today.
“We played with great energy and desire and good quality at times. We were dangerous every time we went forward, unfortunately so were Wyberton, and we needed to keep our wits about us at the back and quickly shore things up.”
With Ben Hearn returning to central midfield, Jack Robinson moved back to left-back and Kyle Norris made a welcome return with Charlie Scales on the bench.
Wyberton came into the game with two wins from their opening four matches and proved difficult opponents on their own patch.
After an even opening, the hosts took the lead on 20 minutes when a long ball caught the Rasen defence out, allowing their striker to calmly slot past Alex Aistrop.
Rasen responded strongly, with the midfield trio of Sparrow, Archie Parry and Ben Hearn beginning to gain control.
On the half-hour mark, Parry broke into the left-hand channel before finding Korynickyj just inside the penalty area and he made no mistake, smashing the ball home to level the scores.
Rasen made the perfect start to the second half.
Almost straight from kick-off, centre-half Harvey Baxter found Finn Drakes, who showed great pace to outstrip his marker to calmly finish.
Then came a moment of real quality from Theo Williams.
Chasing what looked like a lost cause on the left, he kept the ball alive, cut inside and fired across the keeper into the far corner to make it 3-1.
Williams was forced off shortly afterwards with an ankle injury, with Charlie Scales coming on and immediately making an impact.
After receiving the ball from the excellent Archie Parry, Scales fired from the edge of the box, only to see his effort come back off the post.
Baxter also went close, seeing a rare venture forward end with his effort also striking the upright.
Wyberton refused to give up and pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining when another long ball caught the Rasen defence out, allowing their striker to prod the ball past the advancing Aistrop.
The Rasen keeper then produced an excellent save, tipping a fierce long-range effort over the bar.
With 10 minutes remaining, Wyberton found the equaliser.
A break down their right was followed by a deep cross to the far post, where the arriving winger fired home from close range.
Rasen continued to push for the winner, with Tom Carter unlucky to see his effort narrowly miss the far post after a powerful run from midfield.
Then came the drama. A coming together between Liam Korynickyj and his marker resulted in Korynickyj receiving a straight red card, leaving Rasen with 10 men for the closing stages.
But rather than fold, the decision seemed to galvanise Rasen.
With just minutes remaining, midfield maestro Sparrow found space on the left side of the Wyberton penalty area.
Cutting onto his right foot, Sparrow fired into the keeper’s near corner to send the Rasen players and travelling supporters into celebrations.
It wasn’t Rasen’s best performance, but it was a real workmanlike display, with every player contributing to another valuable three points on the road.
Next up at Rase Park are Nettleham Reserves on Saturday (3pm).