On Saturday the Badgers faced mid-table Collingham, but for Retford they wasn’t looked at as a mid-table team. United have struggled for years to get all three points in this game, Collingham was officially Retford’s bogey team, with Retford not getting a win in the last 5 years, home or away. The Badgers hoped to change this and extend their winning streak to 8 in a row.
Over 120 people turned up to Cannon Park on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon to watch he Badgers take on Collingham. The Pitch had suffered heavily due to a lot of rain in the days running up to the weekend, but it was passed as playable. With the in-form Mark West out ill for the game, Conway and Casburn started up top. And with Lawrence unavailable Dawson returned to the starting eleven. Retford started well with the first attack of the game producing the opening goal. Walters now at right-back darted down the wing, played it to Daughtrey who then angled it back for Conway to place it into the goal. Retford continued to put on the pressure with Dawson putting in some very dangerous crosses and Igor running at the defence, both from the left hand side.
Collingham finally got in to the game after the first twenty minutes and caused Retford some trouble with their counters beating the Badgers high line. Collingham won a corner on the 24th minute and they used it well. It was a good cross, but Crosby managed to get a hand to it and palmed it away. But before Retford could clear, Collingham’s Alex Oliver was there to put it past Crosby and into the back of the net. The visitors didn’t stop there they continued to create chances before the half adjourned. The Retford defence and midfield worked extremely hard to keep it level.
Retford needed to up a gear in the second, but Collingham came out stronger side and had more desire to score and they nearly did on the 47th minute when their striker broke through the middle of the Badgers defence and manged to get a good shot off, Crosby manged to tip it over the bar. Liam made two substitutions, bringing on Gashi and Smith and taking off Mlynarski and Dawson. Then minutes later bringing on Kane for Nix. The two substitutes Gashi and Kane linked up straight away with Gashi laying off Kane who shot first time, the ball flew over the bar. Despite missing this chance the momentum of the game had changed in Retford’s favour.
Minutes later Casburn put Retford ahead after the keeper couldn’t keep a hold of his first shot making the second attempt a simple pass into the goal. Retford looked to increase their lead even further with most of the forward players having big chances, but it was Danny Abdulla who got Retford’s third in the 82nd minute after a very well taken solo goal. Danny found himself on the edge of the box with 3 defenders around him, he got into the box with a bit of skill which made the three defenders think he was going to go the other way. He shot and the keeper made a very good save pushing the ball up into the air. Danny waited for it to come down and he nodded it into the net with great composure. This piece of play and Danny’s great work in midfield throughout the game had earned him Man of the Match. The Badgers were now on an 8 game winning streak and hope to increase it even further when they face AFC Bentley on Wednesday at Cannon Park.
Half time draw winning number was 266 and Full time draw winning number was 32, Both were claimed, thanks for your great support over the last few weeks, Up The Badgers!