Cobras Find Sting On Boxing Day - Clipstone vs. Rainworth Miners Welfare

The hills surrounding The Worksop Van Hire Stadium

I was back up north for Christmas again this year and just like last year, the wet weather led to a frantic search for a game at a new ground to go to. We had originally chosen Glasshoughton but the horrific weather in that part of the country meant this game was called off early in the morning. I heard on Twitter that the game between Clipstone and Rainworth Miners Welfare was going ahead and so we headed off to Nottinghamshire. If we'd based our choice solely on the two teams league position then this game would have been high on our list. Rainworth were in fourth place with Clipstone sitting in seventh with a game in hand and having only conceded twenty five goals all season. The reverse fixture back in early September resulted in a 3-1 victory for Clipstone.   

Kick off at The WVH Stadium

Clipstone get into a couple of good crossing positions early on but they fail to find the vital final touch on either occasion. There is an extremely strong wind blowing and the wind catches a Rainworth corner which the Clipstone keeper does well to punch away. There is then a moment in the game which involves fantastic play from both sides. A ball in to the area is expertly controlled by the Clipstone forward and his shot on the turn produces a fantastic close range save from the Rainworth keeper. He is however powerless to prevent the opening goal. Clipstone break forward and the forward is all alone when he receives the ball in the area and he wrong foots the goalie to make it one nil. It is almost two nil shortly afterwards when the Rainworth keeper makes another vital save when the forward is played in. Rainworth come close to equalising when the winger gets past the full back and the close range header is some how blocked on the line. Clipstone have a great chance just before half time but the shot is blocked and as this attack breaks down, Rainworth break down the other end and it takes a brilliant last ditch tackle to stop the forward getting his shot in.    

The Clipstone goalie deals with another wind assisted corner

Rainworth have a bit of luck at the start of the second period when the defender is some how able to knee the ball over his own bar following a corner. Another corner almost brings about the second goal when a wind assisted corner hits the back post. They do get the third goal from the penalty spot after the forward is tripped in the box. Rainworth try to get back into the game and the Clipstone keeper needs two attempts to save a hard shot from the edge of the area. The Rainworth left back then goes on a marauding run but his shot goes harmlessly over the bar. It is however Clipstone who get the third goal to seal the points. As a Rainworth attack breaks down, Clipstone break out and the ball eventually gets to the right winger at the back post who lashes the ball home. In the closing stages, Clipstone have further chances to extend the lead but it finishes three nil. 

Clipstone defend a Rainworth ball into the area

As it was Boxing Day we had to drive to Clipstone but there is a bus route which runs from Mansfield to the ground and as Clipstone is just outside of Mansfield the bus journey isn't a long one. To get to Mansfield from London you have to get a train to Nottingham from St Pancras and change there for a train to Mansfield. The journey takes around two and half hours. We didn't get a chance to check out any pubs before the game but cans of larger were available from the clubhouse. Colour team sheets are given out for free if you purchase a programme which I thought was a great touch.

Side on view of the covered accommodation