Twenty one players featured with the only constant being ‘keeper Ross Durrant who made his first appearance for the club after moving to the Raygar Stadium from neighbours Ilkeston Town.

Rainworth, who are celebrating their centenary this year are members of the United Counties League Division One and for the first half at least, gave the Nailers plenty to think about.

The Wrens’ keeper proved to be the hosts talisman after making a number of important saves that stopped Belper from running away with the game, but he was unable to prevent the Nailers’ opening goal on 29 minutes when one of his own players put the ball in the net after trying to clear the ball off the line.
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In a addition to Durrant the first half line up included defenders Ben Middleton and Ben Algar, and midfielder Gary Tempest. The hosts’ best opportunities came from lapses in midfield but they couldn’t make the most of them and failed to bring a save out of Durrant.

Meanwhile Belper slowly got into the stride and produced some impressive passing movements that frequently put the Wrens’ defenders under pressure. Kyle Dixon snatched a late first half goal to put the Nailers in command at the break.

The Nailers fielded a completely different outfield team after the break in which potential new signings Harry Middleton defender (and brother of Ben), Joe Stacey, midfielder/striker Ben Morris, Janni Lipka, and Jack Gibson.

After a brief flurry early on in the second half from the Wrens, Belper played some excellent stuff with the hosts custodian frustrating the Nailers on a number of occasions. ]However Jack Gibson's easy tap in on 59 minutes signalled the end of Rainworth’s challenge. Harry Middleton rounded off matters on 85th minutes with a free kick that fizzed into the net from 20 yards distant.

In addition to the players involved in this game, Luke Mangham and Ben Rhodes are yet to come in so competition for places will be fierce indeed.

Team (First Half) Durrant, Woodcock, Algar, Wilson, South, Middleton B, Tempest, Wright, Peterson, Litchfield, Dixon.

Team (Second Half). Durrant, Middleton H, Stacey, Robson, Bertram, Jordan, Morris, Lipka, Gibson, Curtis, Brown.

Referee: Scot Mason

Att: 114