Retford United 1-2 Retford (United Counties League Division One) 26.12.24
A crowd of more than a thousand saw Retford turn blue, at Cannon Park, this past Boxing Day, as Chris Woodhead’s Chough’s edged the hosts, Ryan Hindley’s Badgers, courtesy of a winner, on the hour, from Ainsley Finney.
It was a victory that not only gave Retford the town bragging rights, but also, for now at least, sent the top of the Untied Counties Division One table, by a point, from Clay Cross Town, who play at home in their first game of the New Year.
Both ‘keepers, Jonathan Hedge and Jon Kennedy, were seeing plenty of action in the opening quarter of the game, but it would be the former who was beaten first, the visitors taking the lead after just ten minutes of a pulsating, end-to-end, festive derby match.
Formerly of Maltby Main and Worksop Town, it was attacking midfielder, Aaron Sennett-Nielson, who drew first blood, rattling in the opener off of Hedge’s upright; it was a goal that kept the Choughs in-front until the second period, despite efforts from the hosts.
Thomas Poole and Alex Troke both had efforts for the Badgers late in the first half, but the visiting captain, and experienced shot-stopper, Kennedy, was on-hand to keep the hosts at bay, although it was different matter just before the hour mark.
A far cry from last seasons’ derby successes, and with plenty of changes in both squads this season, it’s perhaps little wonder this was a much a tighter affair, and Brandon Kane would pop up to snatch an equaliser in the 59th minute, smashing the ball past Kennedy and into the visiting goal.
It was parity that was very short-lived however as the Choughs pretty much went straight back up the other end, and Ainsley Finney, once of Maltby Main and Newark & Sherwood United, notched what would prove the winner on the hour.
The final twenty minutes of the clash could have seen the Choughs out of sight, but for Hedge’s woodwork, twice it having been struck, whilst Kieran Knight, on for Jake Champion with a little over twenty to go, had the opportunity to equalise late on, however, his effort was saved well by Kennedy in the visiting goal – one of several stops made, from a flurry of corners, in those closing stages.
A 2-1 win for Woodhead’s Choughs certainly sets them up nicely going into the New Year, and stretches their winning streak to seven matches, their next match, the visit of now second place Clay Cross Town (who’ve two games in hand) to the Rail, on Saturday 4 January.
For Hindley’s Badgers, defeat brought a halt to their seven-match unbeaten run, in what was the first of four, local derbies for them, and they’ll travel to Stapleford Town in their first game of the New Year, before a trip to Newark & Sherwood United, in the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup.
The gap, it’s but two points separating the top five in the division – Retford (47), Clay Cross Twon (46), Clipstone (46), Retford United (45), Gedling Miners Welfare (45), whilst Staveley Miners Welfare, in seventh, could still have a huge say in proceedings sitting eleven points outside the play-offs, with a handful of games in hand.
Retford United: Jonathan Hedge, Igor Mlynarski, Charlie Dawes, Sam Finlaw, Adam Yates, Max Pemberton, Jake Champion (Kieran Knight, 71), Brandon Kane, Ross Goodwin (Liam Owen, 76), Alex Troke, Thomas Poole
Retford: Jon Kennedy, Liam Marsden, Max Dungworth, Richard Patterson, Nico Degirolamo (Steven Wankiewicz, 46), Liam Bennett, Aaron Sennett-Nielson, Sam Tingle, Ainsely Finney, Scott Boden, Iren Wilson (Jack Johnson, 90).
Venue: Cannon Park (1,004).
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @Retford_FC Boxing day action between Retford United and Retford FC.
