Ryan Hindley’s Retford United were the only beneficiaries of the lottery of the play-offs this season across Nottinghamshire, winning their United Counties League Division One final on penalties.

With Sherwood Colliery and Stapleford Town losing out last weekend, and both Carlton Town and Basford United slipping up in midweek, all in their respective semi-finals, and Newark Town coming up short in their final, the Badgers were the last ones standing on Saturday evening.

A six-goal thriller with visiting Coalville Town was witnessed by a crowd of over a thousand at Cannon Park, they witnessing the hosts taking a two-goal lead, netting either side of the interval, before being pegged back to 2-2, falling behind in extra-time before taking the game to, and winning on, penalties.

The contest looked like it was going to go in goalless at half-time, before a ball over the top from Ross Duggan found Oliver Wilson, and he put his shot between the visiting keepers’ legs on a tight angle.

Less than ten minutes after the restart and the Badgers doubled their lead, in a role-reversal of the opener as Wilson headed on for Duggan to fire home, and put Hndley’s side two goals to the good.

Coalville quickly got themselves back into the tie when Ryan Green reduced the deficit minutes after going two behind, then Ryan Sahota added a second a minute later, and, with no side able to add to the goal tally, it was to extra-time they went.

The visitors took the lead for the first time when Corey Alcock netted two minutes into the second period of the additional thirty, before Lewis Chambers, who else, grabbed his forty-something goal of a very productive season, in the closing minutes.

And so, to penalties, Harvey Woodward saved Coalville’s first spot-kick, and they missed their third, as the Badger went on to win 4-1 on penalties (following a 3-3 draw), and with it, promotion, following successful scores from Josh Devereux, David Kolodynski, Callum orange, and Lewis Chambers.

Newark, in the UCL Premier North final, having beat Sherwood in the semi-final the previous weekend, fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Grantham Town, both goals arriving early in the second half via Cameron Johnson and Nathan Stanfield.

Several Notts clubs were in action in the Central Midlands Alliance, SJR Worksop winning the first of two clashes with Teversal, doing so 3-0 away in the Premier North, goals coming from Cameron Baines, Luke Tong, and Aaron Redfern.

Meanwhile in the Premier South, Selston (are champions) following a 2-0 win at Holbrook St Michaels, goals also coming in the second half, from Jordan Black and Joshua Smith; other results saw Linby Colliery Welfare lose 1-0 at Bakewell Town and Blidworth Welfare drop a 2-

0 loss at Cromford & Wirksworth in the South, and RHP Sports lost 5-3 at home to Rossington Main Reserves in the North.

As for the Nottinghamshire Senior League, champions Cotgrave were held to a 3-3 draw at home to runners-up Awsworth Villa, whilst Bingham Town finished third and closed their season with a 4-1 home win over Wollaton.

Other results saw Southwell City Reserves hit hosts Ruddington Village for eight without reply, whilst Keyworth United and Woodthorpe Park Rangers both won 2-1, at Dunkirk and home to Aslockton & Orston respectively.

Collingham meanwhile won the Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy in midweek, registering a 1-0 win against Selston, Harrison Gomm with the only goal early in the first half.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @RetfordUnited celebrations as Retford United are promoted.