Ollerton Edged Out by Rainworth In Pre-Season Test

Two goals in the first half by Thomas Pereira and Sam Dockwray sentenced Ollerton to a second defeat in pre-season so far. The North East Counties Premier Division side were always going to be a stern test for Dave Winter's Ollerton side and though they suffered defeat, the two-league gap between Rainworth and Ollerton wasn't clear on the balance of play.

Ollerton's Lewis Bingham had the first chance of the game, cutting inside from the left wing and firing a shot straight at Rainworth's 'keeper, Jamie Davies.
It was Rainworth however who opened the scoring. Thomas Pereira found himself free on the right, just outside the area and his low shot struck the inside of the post and ricocheted up into the back of the net, beating Simon Smith in the Ollerton goal.
Rainworth grabbed their second only a few minutes later. Rainworth worked the ball well to the edge of the area but Sam Dockwray was perhaps given too much time on the ball, which allowed him to stroke the ball past Smith and into the bottom corner.
As had happened against Shirebrook in their first pre-season friendly, Ollerton found themselves 2-0 down to two goals in quick succession. However, as also happened in that game, the Town soon began to grow more and more into the game.
Lewis Bingham was proving to be a big threat for Ollerton. He latched onto a Paul Burgess long ball but failed to divert the ball past Davies before heading over when found at the far post by a Chris Hewitt cross.
Ollerton had the ball in the back of the net thanks to a deft lob by Jamie Charlton however it was ruled out for offside and then moments later, former Ollerton midfielder Ben Bowring tapped home for Rainworth but he too saw his goal chalked off for offside.
Before the half was out, Bingham was once again causing Rainworth trouble. He beat Davies to a back pass and though he rounded the 'keeper, he was too far wide and could only shoot into the side netting.

The second half failed to produce any goals and both sides made several changes to their line ups to give the players much-needed playing time.
Ollerton had the better chances of the half and with a bit more luck, would have pulled back at least one goal. Kyle Clarkson came inches away from doing just that early in the half, firing just over the bar after a sweetly hit volley.
Sam Bailey, like Clarkson, was brought on in the second half by Ollerton and he too came agonisingly close to scoring, striking the bar with a powerful shot.
The home side kept pressing for a way back into the game but just couldn't find a way through. Paul Burgess saw his shot cleared off the line after poking towards goal following a corner routine.
The last noteworthy chance for Ollerton came through Clarkson after his side were awarded a freekick on the edge of the area, unfortunately he fired wide which meant Rainworth clung on to their 2-0 lead to take the win.

The game provided another good test for Ollerton and also gave them another chance to give player's game time and help get their new look used to playing together. Ollerton next face Pinxton on Tuesday night and up against a fellow Central Midlands league side, the game will provide a clearer picture of just Ollerton are shaping up ahead of the start of the new season.