The spoils were shared at Cannon Park on Saturday as Retford United and Retford FC played out another 2-2 draw in the Retford Derby. In a game that followed a remarkably similar scoreline to the meeting at Cannon Park back in April, the Badgers twice took the lead before being pegged back by the Choughs, with Bernard Nsiah scoring twice for the visitors.
The game began at a quick tempo, with both sides enjoying good spells in possession and showing plenty of quality on the ball. Mistakes were at a premium during the opening stages as the two newly promoted sides produced a very good level of football.
The first opening arrived after 12 minutes. Lewis Chambers used his pace and strength brilliantly down the left to get the better of the full-back before delivering towards Oliver Wilson, who was waiting around the penalty spot. Visiting goalkeeper Fielding read the danger well and came out to claim. Ten minutes later, the Badgers went even closer. Ben Ashall picked out Carlton Carty with a superb ball over the top, sending the forward through one-on-one with Fielding. Carty looked to finish the move, but the FC goalkeeper produced a good save to keep the scores level.
The visitors responded almost immediately at the other end. Harvey Woodward was forced to palm an effort back into the danger area, but Matt Tootle reacted superbly to clear before FC could convert the rebound. The first real flashpoint of the derby arrived shortly afterwards when visiting captain Bennett caught Alans Voskresenskis with a late challenge. The referee was quick to reach for his pocket, making Bennett the first player into the book.
With 38 minutes played, the breakthrough finally arrived and it was the Badgers who deservedly struck first. Oliver Wilson did brilliantly to hold off the centre-half and create space for the advancing Matt Tootle. The defender took full advantage, producing a brilliant outside-of-the-boot finish that curled into the bottom-left corner. A hugely satisfying goal, made even better by the first appearance of the Slug celebration this season.
United had enjoyed the better opportunities during the opening 45 minutes and Tootle’s strike ensured they went into the break with a deserved 1-0 advantage. Unfortunately, that lead did not survive long after the restart.
Just over two minutes into the second half, Retford FC won a corner and new signing Bernard Nsiah managed to get the decisive touch, turning the ball into the net to make it 1-1. The Badgers responded well to the setback and quickly looked to regain control of proceedings.
Ten minutes later, United were back in front. Wilson burst through the middle and fired towards goal. His effort squeezed underneath Fielding and took an unusual deflection off the goalkeeper, initially appearing as though it might stay out before eventually rolling across the line.
The Badgers had restored their advantage at 2-1, but from that point the momentum began to swing towards the visitors. FC started to enjoy more possession and pushed United deeper, with Woodward called upon several times. The Badgers goalkeeper rose to the occasion, producing a string of excellent saves to preserve the lead. Eventually, however, the Choughs found a way through.
Another corner caused problems inside the United area and once again it was Nsiah who got the decisive touch, scoring his second of the afternoon to level the contest at 2-2. Having led twice, there was understandable frustration for the Badgers, but neither side could find the decisive fifth goal during the closing stages.
For the second Retford Derby in succession at Cannon Park, the scoreboard read 2-2 at full-time. On balance, it was probably a fair result. United had been the stronger side during the opening half and created the better opportunities, while FC enjoyed more of the ball and applied considerable pressure after the interval. Both teams will undoubtedly feel they could have taken all three points, but the bragging rights will have to wait for another day.
After producing a number of crucial stops during the second half, Harvey Woodward was named Man of the Match. The Badgers were originally due to travel to Barton Town on Tuesday, but that fixture has been postponed because of Barton’s FA Cup replay. Saturday’s County Cup fixture has also been cancelled following Newark and Sherwood United’s withdrawal from the competition. That means United’s next outing will now be at Cannon Park on Saturday 12th September, when Barton Town are the visitors.
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