A historic afternoon. A rollercoaster of emotion. And finally, the moment everyone connected with Retford United has been dreaming of… promotion to Step 5 secured in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.

With the automatic spot taken by fierce rivals Retford FC, the Badgers once again had to take the long route. A third consecutive playoff campaign stood between them and their goal. After dispatching Staveley Miners Welfare in the semi-final, one final hurdle remained, Coalville Town.

Cannon Park was the stage. Over 1,000 packed into the ground under glorious sunshine, with a travelling Coalville support that deserved huge credit, bringing noise and energy reminiscent of the biggest non-league days gone by like Halifax Town and FC United of Manchester

There was just one change from the semi-final, with Oli Wilson coming into the starting XI. On the bench, a huge boost. The return of top scorer Lewis Chambers, alongside Kolodynski, Orange and Devereux. Firepower ready when it mattered most.

From the first whistle, it was exactly what you would expect from a final. Frantic, intense, and fiercely contested. Both sides went toe-to-toe, neither willing to give an inch. Josh Egginton came closest early on, heading wide from a Ben Ashall corner, before Harvey Woodward was called into action moments later at the other end.

It was finely balanced throughout the first half, both sides probing without finding a breakthrough. Then came the moment. Ross Duggan picked out Oli Wilson with a perfectly weighted ball. Wilson drove at his man, created just enough space at a tight angle, and somehow squeezed the ball through the keeper’s legs and into the net. Cannon Park erupted. A huge goal at a huge time.

The Badgers went into the break 1-0 up, but everyone knew this game was far from done. The second half carried the same intensity, but it was Retford who struck again. This time Wilson turned provider, heading across goal for Duggan, who reacted quickest to poke home and double the lead. 2-0. The dream was within touching distance.

Chambers entered the fray to a roaring reception, but within minutes, the game turned on its head. Coalville pulled one back. Then, almost immediately, they struck again! A stunning effort from the edge of the box to level it at 2-2. In the blink of an eye, everything had changed. Momentum swung violently towards the visitors, and suddenly the Badgers were hanging on.

Woodward produced big saves. The defence stood firm. And somehow, the game dragged itself into extra time. Fatigue began to creep in, but Retford started the brighter, with Carty and Buckthorp both going close. A huge shout for a foul on Lumley on the edge of the box was waved away, adding to the tension.

Then, in the 106th minute, heartbreak. Coalville completed the turnaround to make it 3-2. From cruising, to chasing. It felt like the dream was slipping away. But this team doesn’t fold. Step forward Lewis Chambers. With everything on the line, Chambers spun his defender and fired low into the corner. Time seemed to pause… then the net rippled. Cannon Park exploded. 3-3. Pure chaos. Pure belief.

This sent the game to penalties. Josh Devereux stepped up very confidently for the first of the shootout, and dispatched it perfectly. The Coalville captain stepped up first for them and it was a poor penalty that was saved easily by Harvey Woodward! Kolodynski converted the second for the Badgers so cooly, really piling on the pressure on the Ravens. Coalville did score their second making it 2-1. Callum Orange with a very confident finish to make it 3-1.

With Coalville’s third penalty, Woodward made a spectacular save to deny a penalty low in the bottom right corner. WHAT A SAVE. All the Badgers had to do was score one more. The perfect man for the job strolled from the halfway line to the spot. Lewis Chambers sent the keeper the wrong way and had won it for the Badgers!

Promotion. Pandemonium. The Badgers faithful flooded the pitch as the players celebrated a monumental achievement. From heartbreak in previous years to glory at last, We had done it.

A 3-3 classic. A 4-1 penalty triumph. And a place in Step 5 secured.

The chants of “We’re going up, say we’re going up” rang around the ground and the Badgers celebrated long into the night.

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