Market Rasen U12s topple league leaders in final game

Market Rasen Under 12s ended the season in the best possible fashion as they entertained and beat top of the league Nettleham at Rase Park.

On paper this looked a tough match, but Rasen dominated the first 10 minutes with some great passing, movement and desire to win back possession. But Nettleham took the lead when a breakaway left the striker one-on-one with the keeper to finish into the bottom left corner.

Rasen would not give up and pressed for the equaliser, but chances from Henry James and Josh Trushell were just wide of the mark.

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The home side began the second half strongly and again dominated the play, creating further chances to level. James was through on goal, but blasted his well-struck shot over the bar.

Midway through the half, man-of-the-match Obie Casson found himself in space on the wing and took the ball deep into Nettleham’s half.

His cross found James who controlled the ball well and slotted it past the approaching keeper and into the net.

Buoyed by the goal, Rasen pressured their stunned opponents, and with seven minutes left a great one-two between Alex Aistrop and Christopher Allen saw Aistrop put a cross behind Nettleham’s defence for Josh Trushell to place the ball into the corner of the net.

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Nettleham pressured for an equaliser and won two free-kicks deep in Rasen’s half which had Rasen supporters’ hearts in their mouths.

A great goal-line clearance from Aistrop and brave goalkeeping from keeper Philip Rands-Bett denied them, but the best chance arrived in the final minute when Rands-Bett superbly plucked a shot which had been heading for the top corner of his goal.

The final whistle blew to seal a brilliant 2-1 win.