{"id":9339,"date":"2021-04-23T08:28:08","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T08:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nottinghamsport.com\/?p=9339"},"modified":"2021-04-23T08:33:32","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T08:33:32","slug":"retford-ready-for-chairmans-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nottinghamsport.com\/index.php\/2021\/04\/23\/retford-ready-for-chairmans-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Retford Ready For Chairman’s Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Retford manger Liam Kay is prepared for the Chairman\u2019s Cup challenge ahead.<\/p>\n

Like everyone else, Liam Kay, and his Retford United charges are preparing for their return to competitive action on Saturday, taking their place in the Central Midlands League Chairman\u2019s Cup competition.<\/p>\n

Over the past few seasons, Retford have been among the front-runners in the Central Midlands League, but, like others, have seen the tastes of glory, progression, and the bounty that comes with it, hampered by the ongoing, global pandemic.<\/p>\n

Now though, with an ever-brightening chink of light emerging from what has been a long, dark, and sometimes harrowing, tunnel, the North Notts club are preparing for challenges that lie ahead, challenges in Newark Town, and Dinnington Town, in a shortened, cup competition.<\/p>\n

The Badgers, they begin their Chairman\u2019s Cup home time at Cannon Park, against Newark, with manager, Liam Kay, knowing that: \u201cboth clubs are ready to go this weekend, and we\u2019re really glad to be back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had some friendlies, and a number of training sessions now, since we were allowed to return, and that\u2019s been really nice to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lads are certainly well up for it, and raring to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Retford, as well at Newark and Dinnington, the suspension of league activity, for a second season, could not have arrived at a worse time, all three clubs noticeably firing on all cylinders and with promotion very much in mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe (Retford) were on a bit of a roll so it would have been interesting to see what would have happened If we had carried on the season,\u201d added Liam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pleased that the lads are showing enthusiasm, and desire, to carry on with the cup though.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been frustrating really as we probably could have finished the league season if we\u2019d carried on an played say, Saturday\/Wednesday\/Saturday\/Wednesday, as we, here, wanted to carry it on, and would have been there, or thereabouts, come the seasons end.\u201d<\/p>\n

In playing a handful of friendlies in preparation, one of which was against higher opposition in Brighouse Town, Liam also spoke of, perhaps, double intentions.<\/p>\n

Granted The Badgers lost that match, but their manager saw enough in his charges that night to fuel his belief in what he has at his disposal, whilst also providing hope for a bright future, and progression back up the footballing pyramid.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrighouse was, expectedly, tough, but it was also a nice test for the lads,\u201d admits Liam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to see, quickly, how the lads were looking coming back after so long off, and we also want to be able to get back up the pyramid, to the Northern Counties, or Northern Premier League.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst though, in the Chairman\u2019s Cup, we\u2019ve been drawn into a tough group as Newark are a really good side and played them a few times since I took over, and it\u2019s always a really good test.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe big games are what we are in this for, and it was great to beat them earlier this season (2-1 at home, in early November, Adam Doughtrey and Mark West netting) as they\u2019d not lost for over a season.\u201d<\/p>\n

In finishing last season with a 15-match unbeaten run (11 wins, 4 draws), The Badgers began this with six wins from seven outings, placing them joint top with Clay Cross Town (they\u2019d racked up a mammoth goal difference of +27 thanks to victories including 9-1, 7-0, 5-0, 5-0).<\/p>\n

\u201cOther than the blip, against Dinnington, It\u2019s been going quite well this season,\u201d continued Liam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are a tight-knit, deep-bonding, bunch, which is what I wanted; a team that gives their all, for the club, as there\u2019s a really good following here, and that needs to be rewarded, by the lads, on the football pitch, going out and performing, week in, week out.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd myself, personally, I really enjoy it when I\u2019m stood chatting away with the older generation of fans, about the olden days here, when the club were playing at a higher level (Liam\u2019s father played for the old, Retford Town).\u201d<\/p>\n

Grouped with Newark Town, and Dinnington Town, in the Chairman\u2019s Cup Group B, and playing home and away, The Badgers have the following fixtures lined up \u2013<\/p>\n