A win and a loss for Retford United
AFTER almost two weeks without a game, United played two games in the space of three days, recording a win and a loss.
Firstly, the Badgers travelled to Leek Town on Saturday, looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, and came home with a 2-1 win.
United had to make changes with Matt Fisher suspended and Stuart Ludlam missing through injury, so Adam Oldham came into the side with Ollie Chappell starting in midfield.
The Badgers also had Neil Harvey, in his second spell on loan from Macclesfield Town on the bench.
The game got off to a perfect start when, after only four minutes, Mick Godber was held back in the area, and duly converted the penalty to give United the lead.
Godber was then fouled just outside the area and Chris Bettney took the ensuing free-kick that forced keeper Matt Cooper to scramble at full stretch to save.
There was a shout for a penalty at the opposite end when it looked like Ryan Ford had felled a Leek player, but the referee judged that there was nothing wrong.
Retford kept trying to find the second goal, and Bettney's corner found Ford at the far post, but his shot was over the bar.
Leek then started to get a foothold on the game, with Turner being called into action to tip one effort round the post.
However, the pressure paid off after 27 minutes, when a simple downward header at the far post from Ben Mills brought the equaliser.
The final action of the half came from Paul Grimes as he had a shot from distance, but was disappointed to see the effort drift wide.
A half-time substitution for Retford paid dividends, with Harvey replacing Simpkins, and he almost latched on the end of a pass forward, but Matt Cooper quickly came out to deny him.
It looked like Retford had found their form, and they were unlucky when Adam Oldham's goal-bound header was halted for a free-kick. Harvey then found himself almost on the goal-line but his shot from a tight angle fizzed past the upright.
On the hour mark, Chris Bettney fired a shot at goal, but there was no power and it rolled safely to Cooper.
Then, on 66 minutes, Godber played the ball to Harvey on the edge of the area, he took one touch to control then fired a superb shot past Cooper to give United the lead.
A hard fought win on a difficult pitch, United did well after a slow start to keep Leek at bay and earn another three points, taking them 10 points clear at the top.
AND on Tuesday night, Peter Duffield's men crashed out of the President's Cup at the quarter-final stage, losing 2-1 at Mossley FC.
Badgers fielded an unfamiliar line-up, with Chris Kingston replacing Ross Turner in goal, Paul Grimes moving to left-back, Ryan Ford on the right, and a start for Lee Whittington and Liam Nelthorpe.
With less than 10 minutes played, Chris Bettney had to be replaced by Steve Owens, the former being taken off as a precaution as he pulled up after a mazy run.
The opening goal came minutes before the half hour mark, Danny Dignan making the most when a corner wasn't cleared, stabbing home past Kingston in a crowded box.
The lead was extended in first half stoppage time, Craig Buckley with a low drive from an angle into the bottom corner
On 70 minutes, Mossley substitute Chris Willcock was given a straight red card for a headbutt on Nelthorpe.
Retford's well deserved breakthrough came after 79 minutes through Mick Godber, as he fired home a right-footed shot across the keeper to reduce the arrears, but it wasn't enough and Mossley progressed to the semi-finals.
BADGERS face second placed Belper Town at Cannon Park on Saturday in a match that many are calling the Championship decider.
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Weather for Worksop
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
