Late show for Retford Town
RETFORD United stayed five points clear at the top of the league, after a win over Rushall Olympic at Cannon Park on Saturday – but they left it very late.
Badgers gave a debut to new striker Ashley Longstaff, signed from Ossett Town, and a start for goalkeeper Chris Kingston, replacing the ill Ross Turner.
Suspensions played their part in the manager's selection, with Ryan Ford, Matt Fisher and Stuart Ludlam all having to watch from the sidelines.
The Badgers won an early corner, Paul Grimes rose to try and head the ball, but Tony Breeden was up to save from Grimes' head.
A free-kick taken by Peter Duffield found the head of Ben Chambers, but Breeden was on hand to make another save.
United were lucky to survive a penalty appeal after Chambers slid in to disposess Marshall. The Rushall fans behind the goal appealed for a spot-kick, but the referee said no.
United's best chance of the half fell to Chris Bettney who shot from the edge of the box. With Breeden beaten, his effort crashed against the foot of the post.
The second half started with another Retford effort that struck off the crossbar.
Bettney's run led to a cross for Grimes, and Lee Barrow got a touch that smashed against his own bar and out.
Rushall then started to exert some pressure on their hosts and, with Marshall controlling the ball on the turn, he hit the bar with his shot.
The pressure paid off after 68 minutes when Carl Palmer curled his shot into Kingston's bottom left hand corner to give the visitors the lead.
With a little over 10 minutes remaining, Longstaff was replaced by Lee Whittington and it was only a few minutes later that the Badgers equalised through Grimes.
The ball was played across field to Duffield, he let the ball through to Chambers who made a run through the middle.
He laid the ball off to Bettney who ran to the byline and his low cross was met by Grimes to stab home past Breeden.
United were getting stronger as the game wore on and took control,.
Grimes' corner found Chambers who saw his header cleared off the line, only for the referee to stop play after spotting a push in the box.
The final few minutes saw Mick Godber return from injury as a substitute.
The crucial goal came deep into stoppage time.
A ball played forward saw Chappell knock the ball to Breeden, who fumbled.
This allowed Chappell to slot home amid scenes of delight from all four sides of the ground.
The three points keep United five points clear of Stocksbridge Park Steels.
The Badgers face another tough away trip against Loughborough Dynamo on Saturday, before hosting Stamford FC at Cannon Park the following Tuesday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Worksop
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
