Clipstone 2-2 Retford (Northern Counties East League Division One) 18.09.21
In the first meeting between Clipstone, and Nottinghamshire-based outfit, Retford FC, at the weekend, it was to be honours even in a game which saw both sides lead, before a last-minute equaliser earned a share of the spoils.
Falling behind after just ten minutes, it would be the hosts that would take an early lead, Will Heather with the opening goal of the game, however, after a sustained period of dominance from the visitors, the score was turned on its head.
Heather would be seen to finish off a great move that also involved Dec Sorrell and Jack Warwick, before being put through on goal and slotting the ball past Jon Kennedy in the visiting goal.
Either side of that half hour mark, Chris Woodhead’s Choughs would register twice, thus taking an interval, 2-1 lead.
Following on from a number of chances, including one from Leon Loftus which rattled the crossbar, Luke Abdy would find the net on 27 minutes to bring the visitors level and, minutes later, on 31, they’d find themselves ahead as Shaun Mundy scored a quick-fire, decisive, second goal.
Abdy’s equaliser would see him first to a low cross, ahead of the hosts’ defence, and notched ball past home ‘keeper, Charlie Bryan, whilst the second also came from close-range, Alex Wonham’s effort rolling across the box only for Mundy to beat Bryan to the ball, and slot home.
A less exciting, second period, looked more likely it was going to yield no further goals, although there were several efforts being put about, including a late effort from the Choughs’ Liam Bennett, who would see his headed effort sail over the bar.
Jack Lowe would be fouled on the edge of the box, one which would see Kennedy parry the incoming effort from Jordan Wells only for Dec Whitton to react quickest to the loose ball and stab home the equaliser.
It would after the equaliser that the Choughs’ Bennett would head over, a goal then, for the visitors, would have, in effect, have killed the game off, instead, both sides would earn a share of the spoils.
Afterwards, Choughs boss Chris Woodhead said of the game: “Last minute equaliser for Clipstone today, 2-2 was probably a fair result.
“We are not firing at the moment. Slow start again and had to come back from 1-0 down.
“The lads will keep working hard I know that and they will get through this period and push on.
“Thanks to the travelling support again from Retford we appreciate it.”
Elsewhere, Retford Development claimed an impressive, 5-1 win, when home to Newark Town Development in the Central Midlands League, Adam Scott registering a four-goal haul; Retford’s first team host Teversal in the NCEL Division One on Tuesday (21 September), whilst the development side travel to Cromford & Wirksworth Town, in the CMFL President’s Cup, on Friday (24 September) night, both scheduled for a 19:45 kick-off.
Clipstone: Bryan, Blackbourn, Wells, Mullins, L Warwick (Pickering 54), Whitton, Wright, Heather, J Warwick, Massey, Sorrell (Lowe 54).
Retford: Kennedy, Loftus, Goddard, L White, Bennett, Abdy, Walters, Mundy, Wonham, Casburn, Johnson. Subs: G White, Edwards, Lockwood, Dembele.
Venue: Lido Ground (85)
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @Retford_FC Luke Abdy celebrates scoring an equaliser for Retford.