Sunday 30th January 2011 - at Oaklands Sports GroundLincs Intermediate League Premier Division
Retford United (3) 3 (Reece Thompson 2, Jaymie Woods)
Lincoln United (0) 1 (Tom Booth)
Reece Thompson was the stand out player for the home side and managed to score a first half brace for the Badgers in spite of Lincoln's Alex Tittcomb marshalling his back line well and looking head and shoulders more accomplished than any other player in either defence today.
Reece had a good game for the RUFC U19's against Worksop Town last week too at Cannon Park and provided a moment of comedy excellence in that game, when he had 'treated' the Tigers experienced manager Kelvin Stannington to a stream of verbal abuse about him looking like a German porn star (and various other things I couldn't possibly repeat on a family football blog). Despite his blushes (he probably thought he'd been recognised) Keiron Stalingrad took the put down very well.
After half time Lincoln looked much livelier than they had during the first 45 minutes and might have yet salvaged a point from this game if the home side's goalkeeper Ryan Elkington hadn't been in such good form.Shortly before the away side had grabbed their only goal, Ryan had stopped a powerful shot from close range with his face ... I'm damn sure he didn't mean to.
Initially it looked as if he was out cold, but he got up and played on and still pulled off a string of good saves.
Earlier in the season, Pete Stafford had been carrying a bit of a knock when he was still with Worksop Town Under 19s, he's with Retford now ... and it was good to see he is back to his best and looking so keen, sharp and fit again.
A lot of the Lincoln United team used to play for the now sadly demised Ordsall Rangers, so possibly the visiting side had just as many players from Retford in their side as the home team did, which gave the game that little bit of edge.
A feisty game at times with a few full blooded challenges going in from both teams, but well controlled in a sensible 'let the game flow' manner by the referee Mr Brown.
Retford United might be struggling in the Evo-Stik League, but at the grass roots level of Under 19's and intermediate players they've got a whole load of good prospects coming through.Kev Swannack's younger charges were playing on the adjacent pitch at the same time as this game and look a well organised operation too.
If the situation at Cannon Park is getting local football fans down, then the Oaklands Sports Ground is the place to be for a pick you up on Sundays. The other Retford United Under 18's team were scheduled to play here later today, but their game against Ordsall Rangers was scratched when the opposition folded.
Footnote:
In the Lincs Intermediate North Division, Scotter United beat their 'big time' neighbours 3-1 today, a result that will have some of my football community friends smiling from ear to ear in the White Swan tonight :-)
