Central Midlands League (North)
at the Rail Ground, Babworth Road, Retford
Retford FC (0) 0
Harworth Colliery (1) 2
Jack Conley 40
Shaun Mundy 49
Admission £3. Programme £1.50. Attendance 139
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| Retford (all navy) v Harworth Colliery (orange/black) Mascots: Ordsall Rangers (also orange/black) |
Third placed Retford FC hosted CMFL North league leaders Harworth Colliery in this afternoon's North Notts 'Bassetlaw' derby game.
The positive vibes that emanate from both of these clubs at this present time are clear to see and personally I think it is great to see two local teams making such great strides, both on and off the field of play... and to hear of their even more ambitious plans for the not too distant future.
Retford got the game underway and perhaps it was understandable that the majority of the first half was a very tight affair, with neither side taking any risks or leaving even the slightest of chinks in their defensive armour to exploit.
Jordan Hardman put a right wing cross in behind the home side's back line, but Jon Kennedy was off his line quickly to get there ahead of the prolific Colliery striker Lee Holmes.
While at the other end, Steve Wibberley had the presence of mind to spot the off the ball run of Luke Tong and smothered the ball at his feet as the Retford striker was about to pounce.
It was always going to take either a slip up in defence or a flash of inspiration to break the deadlock between these two sides and in the event it was the latter when, five minutes before the break, Josh Davis found Jack Conley on the edge of the host's area and he directed a well placed looping header over the back peddling Kennedy that dropped inches below the crossbar and bounced into the back of the net. It was a clever and instinctive finish by the Harworth number eleven, who thought he'd doubled the visitors lead moments later but was adjudged to have strayed offside, while Davis went close on the stroke of half time when he hooked a free kick from twenty yards out just over.
HT: Retford 0 v Harworth Colliery 1
Shaun Mundy only had to apply the finishing touch to a great sideways pass across the Retford area from Conley, after the former Maltby Main player had broken quickly through the left channel just four minutes after the restart and he duly obliged, drilling a right footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net, much to the delight of the large contingent of Harworth fans who had made the short journey south..
Holmes went close to connecting with another right wing delivery from Hardman, while Tong continued to chip away at the visitors defence, but he was thwarted by Johnno Bownes when he looked like making a breakthrough.
Lee Edmondson, whose link up play with the visitors attack from his holding midfield role, had played a pivotal part in this afternoon's win, clattered into Olllie Bilham and with the referee waving 'play on', he nudged the ball forward into the path of Holmes, but the Retford defence had moved out as one and caught him offside.
Edmondson made himself an opportunity that would've put the game beyond the hosts reach, when he made a surging run from left to right, across the edge of the area, but launched his shot over the bar and towards the bowling green.
Retford battled well and weren't ever overrun by the 'champions elect' at any point, but they will no doubt have been disappointed with certain aspects of their play today, especially against their (friendly) local rivals. But there can be no disputing the fact, that although much of the game was a rare old midfield slog, Harworth were the better side, with slightly more to spare in their tank and there can be no disputing the fact that they deserved this win, which saw them move seven points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand over second placed Appleby Frodingham.
This afternoon's result saw Retford slip to fifth place (though they've played less games than three of the sides above them), with Tideswell United moving up to third and AFC Bentley sneaking into fourth.
Retford visit Tideswell in two weeks time (and so do I), after hosting Staveley Reserves next weekend, while Harworth are at home to Brodsworth next Saturday and away against Renishaw Rangers (who play at Kiveton Park) the week after.
FT: Retford 0 v Harworth Colliery 2
It was good to catch up with so many familiar faces this afternoon and really nice to have finally met up with Nottinghamshire ground hopping legend that is Nick 'Sticky Palms' Palmer, who was at the game with the CMFL press guy Tony Squires. It seemed odd that our paths have never crossed previously, given that we have circumnavigated the same terrain for many years and have so many mutual friends and acquaintances.
Charmed to meet you goodly sir... it was a real pleasure.
Retford FC
Harworth Colliery
Thanks to Paul Latham & Kev Swannack
for providing me with the team details
