Rainworth Miners Welfare boss Rudy Funk could not hide the broad smile under his trademark moustache on Saturday.

He had just watched new boy Ant Lynam destroy visitors Tadcaster Albion with a nap hand of goals on his home debut.

"When someone goes out and scores five goals for you in one match you can see the quality he brings to the side, and you can see why we were so delighted to bring him to Rainworth", said Funk.

"He didn't just score fluke goals, they were all very clever goals, and he has added a new dimension to our side.

"We did say that we needed someone to come in and provide the extra goal or two, and he is the man.

"But at the same time you have to consider our other forwards, Phil Bignall, Julian McDonald and Malcolm Brown and give them credit.

"Even when they played together without Ant they looked a handful for anyone, and Lynam has just provided us with one more option - but what an option!"

Last season Lynam finished as leading scorer in the whole of the Northern Counties East League while helping Dinnington Town to promotion from Division One.

And although his arrival at Rainworth came with little more than two months of the season remaining, the hope is that he will just provide that extra spark to fire the Wrens into the Premier Division too.

The manager added: "Our overall performance against Tadcaster was very satisfying because we have played football in the right areas, we've defended when we've had to defend, and the 7-2 scoreline underlines how well we have been doing lately.

"Four goals at Brighouse and then seven at home is a pleasing return, but there are still one or two little things which we have to get right in the longer term."

Rainworth were slow to get going against Tadcaster, but even in the early stages Funk insisted that there were no 'After the Lord Mayor's Show' thoughts following the excellent performance at Brighouse.

"We have some great players who have a professional approach to the job in hand, and I had no doubts about a good performance against Tadcaster, because with the depth of the squad we have all the players in the team are looking over their shoulders, knowing the quality of those who are just itching to take their shirts off them.

"Whoever plays wants to do well, not only for themselves but for the team, and that was exactly how it was against Tadcaster."

Something of the shine was taken off the result by a nasty injury to James Whitehead, who sustained what is thought to be knee ligament damage while looking to pick up the pieces after the Tadcaster keeper had parried a shot from Julian McDonald.

Whitehead was due to see a specialist today and the hope is that the injury may not be as severe as it first appeared.

Nevertheless Rainworth face going into a heavy March programme of two matches per week throughout the month without him.

"Jamie has been absolutely outstanding for us this season," said the manager. "Week in, week out, he has shown what this club is all about whether playing or in training, and I have the utmost respect for the lad.

"I hope his injury is not too bad, but if it is he will certainly be missed. He's a good, honest player who brings so much to the side."

The first of those March games is tomorrow at Emley who are also pushing for the second promotion spot behind champions elect Scarborough.

"This is a massive game for us, and probably now the most important of all our remaining fixtures," said Funk.

"Hopefully we can regroup, shake off one or two knocks, and field a very strong side for this massive game.

"Whatever the outcome we know that the lads will give everything they have to give, and we hope we can come away with the three points."

Rainworth follow up the Emley visit with a trip to bottom club Glasshoughton on Saturday, and they return to the same locality next Tuesday when they go to Pontefract for the Wilkinson Sword Trophy semi-final.