Retford 2-2 Selby Town (Northern Counties East League Division One) 03.01.22
Chris Woodhead’s Choughs began the New Year with a hard-earned point following a battling draw after Selby Town visited The Rail for the respective sides’ first outing of 2022.
Trailing at the interval, leading with a little under ten minutes remaining, Retford were made to settle for a point after the visitors snatched an equaliser as the game ticked into the final five minutes.
A crowd of over two hundred packed into The Rail for the years’ opener and they witnessed a good start from both sides, Liam Flanaghan for the visitors, and Alex Wonham the hosts, getting amongst the thick of the early, goalmouth action.
The visitors though would take the most of the early running’s, edging themselves in front with Harry Clapham, and Flanaghan, finding opportunities, whilst the Choughs, in particular Liam White, would test Jody Barford in the visitors goal.
Prior to the opener, both sides would have chances, Daniel Davidson for Selby, and Jack Johnson for Retford, Flanaghan and Clapham combining for the breakthrough shy of the half hour mark.
Flanaghan would deliver a cross in which Clapham would meet, and head home past Kennedy to afford the visitors what would prove an interval lead, the duo having a number of chances to extend the lead as the half wore on.
Barford would keep Selby’s lead intact as half-time approached, pulling off a point-blank save from Joe Edwards who had the goal at his mercy, the visiting ‘keeper using his body to repel the first chance, then smothering any chance of a follow-up.
The hosts would be seen to up the tempo after the break, a couple of substitutions in quick succession no doubt helping the cause, the first of which certainly did.
Replacing Liam White just before the hour mark with Zach Casburn, the latter would repay the manager within ten minutes of coming on, he latching onto a cross and heading home the equaliser; not long after and The Choughs were in front.
This time Liam Bennett would be on the receiving end of a headed goal, the third of the game, to give the hosts the lead, and what they hoped would be three points in the bag; the visitors however were having none of that and quickly got themselves back on level terms.
With around five minutes left on the clock Selby substitute, Luke Balderson, who had replaced Calum Ward with an hour of the game gone, fired home a low drive, from distance, past Kennedy, thus earning a share of the spoils.
Afterwards, Retford boss, Chris Woodhead, said of the game, and the attendance, that: “I thought we were good today at times.
“We definitely had chances in the second half to win the game but it wasn’t to be. It was disappointing that Selby levelled so late, but it’s another point on the board.
“Also, there is nothing better than a very good attendance at the Rail and I hope those in the 227 that turned up enjoyed the game.”
There’s a couple of tough tests upcoming for Woodhead’s Choughs as their next two matches will see Retford face the top two sides in the division on successive Saturday’s. First up they host second-placed North Ferriby United on 8 January, then the following weekend, on 15 January, they welcome the current leaders, Hallam, to The Rail.
Retford: Jon Kennedy, Liam Larcombe-Loftus, Haydn Goddard, Liam Bennett, Matthew Parkin, Joe Edwards, George White (Adam Scott 68), Jack Johnson, Liam White (Zach Casburn 57), Alex Wonham, Jack Walters.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @RetfordSnapper action from the Rail as Retford settle for a draw.