The Badgers are back on the road this weekend for the final league game of the season before the play-offs, as they travel to St Giles Park to take on Sandiacre Town.
With second place already secured, there is no pressure on the league table for Retford United, but there is still plenty to play for. The Badgers will be looking to keep their superb form and momentum rolling heading into the play-offs, with confidence high after an outstanding run since mid-February. United have been unbeaten since 14th February and, perhaps even more impressively, have conceded just four goals in that time. It is the kind of form that every side wants to take into the business end of the season.
Hosts Sandiacre Town go into the final day sitting 11th in the table, also with little left to play for in terms of league position. Even so, it has been a strong season for the Saxons and a clear improvement on last year’s 17th-place finish. Under Jamie Williamson, Sandiacre made real progress and picked up some impressive results along the way. Williamson has recently moved on, returning to playing after securing a move to Matlock Town, but he certainly played a memorable part in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
That meeting at Cannon Park back in August saw the Badgers deliver their biggest win of the campaign in a remarkable 9-2 victory. Williamson was sent off early on in that contest, and United took full advantage in ruthless fashion. Lewis Chambers helped himself to four goals, Brandon Kane grabbed two, Charlie Fox also netted twice, and Matt Tootle added one in a dominant Badgers display.
Sandiacre’s overall record this season stands at 16 wins, 8 draws and 17 defeats, with a goal difference of -2, showing just how competitive they have been across the campaign. Their main danger man has been Jack Vipond, who has scored 15 goals this season and will be one United will want to keep quiet. Recent form has been a little mixed for the Saxons, and they come into this one off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Stapleford Town on Saturday.
Elsewhere, there is still plenty to be decided in the play-off picture. Coalville Town and Stapleford Town are already confirmed as semi-final opponents. But for the Badgers, the exact opponent will only be confirmed after Saturday’s final round of fixtures. FCV Grace Dieu, South Normanton Athletic and Staveley Miners Welfare are all still battling to claim the final play off spot, so there will be plenty of eyes on results elsewhere as well as at St Giles Park.
While neither side has anything major resting on this particular result, it still promises to be an entertaining afternoon. For the Badgers, it is all about keeping standards high, maintaining rhythm, and heading into the play-offs in the strongest possible shape.
We hope to see plenty of Badgers supporters at St Giles Park for this final league game of the season. Your backing throughout the campaign has been phenomenal, and the squad will need that same support again as attention turns towards the play-offs. Reaching 100 points has already been a fantastic achievement, but now the focus is on finishing the job and securing promotion.
Up the Badgers!
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