Retford United 4 v Ollerton Town 3 - NCEL Div 1

Saturday 16th September 2017
Toolstation NCEL Division 1
at Cannon Park
Retford United (3) 4
Nathan Joynes 28 pen
Lee Betts 44
Gragjan Klimczak 45, 51

Ollerton Town (1) 3

Sean Dickinson 2

Ben Bowring 59

Gavin King 86

Admission £5. Programme £2. Attendance 128
FLICKR photo gallery from today's game: HERE

The Badgers, managed by their chairman acting out the role of caretaker manager, came roaring out of the traps and had the visitors on the back foot from the word go.
A shell shocked Ollerton side were forced into conceding a corner inside the opening minute... and when Zac Khalfia's right wing delivery was only half cleared as Liam Bennett, only the agility and speed of mind of Alex Smith in the 'Town' goal, stopped Retford from getting off to a roaring start in this local derby clash.

But the home side's 'dominance' only lasted another forty seconds or so, because when Smith's long kick up the field found it's way through to Shaun Dickinson, he netted from close range to put Dave Winter's side in front.
United brushed themselves down but Sam West blocked another cross from Khalifa.
Khalifa was catching the eye, across the entire width of the Ollerton area and he went very close to levelling things up, after Nathan Joynes had laid Lee Betts free kick off sideways to him, but put his shot wide.

The home side were level after twenty eight minutes, when Sam West blocked a forward knock with his arm and (unintentionally) conceded a penalty, that Joynes dispatched past Smith, after West had been booked for the offence, before reading the referee the riot act.
Sam West shooting from the lip at match officials... who would ever have thought it!?
Well, me for one!
But without his 'competitive edge' 'Westy' would  probably loose a lot of the stuff that he does most effectively from his game, so keep on snapping at those heels and growling at anyone that gets in your way pal!
But having got back on level terms, the roof seemed to fall in for the Badgers, when Joynes limped out of the game and Scott Wesley was dismissed for getting involved after Terry Annable had gone in (overly) physically on the Retford U19 striker Liam White.

Making light of their numerical disadvantage, United kept trying to get forward. The 'ever ready' Khalifa won the ball forty five yards from the Ollerton goal and rolled it forward to White, who controlled the ball and turned in one movement, but found himself heavily outnumbered.
Lewis Bingham was terrorising the home side on the left hand side of the 'Town' attack.
But despite the fact that the visitors were growing in stature, the Badgers floored them with a double blow combination, scoring twice in the last minute of the first half, with Khalifa setting up both strikes.
Betts collected the Retford number eight's well weighted pass over the visitors defence and spanked the ball past Smith via the right hand post and Gragjan Klimczak added a third for his side in stoppage time after you know who had picked him out with a sublime angled pass.
HT: Badgers 3 v Town 1

The second half was only six minutes old when Klimczak struck again, with a shot from twelve yards out, that bounced in front of Smith and found itself in the back of the net via the upright.

Compost Corner broke into a raucous chorus celebrating Klimczak's goal scoring prowess, well sort of: "Adam Lee, Adam Lee, we can't pronounce your name yet so we'll still sing Adam Lee!"

Ben Bowring got a goal back on the hour, when he diverted Ash Shannon's left wing cross just inside the post off of his chest.

Khalifa released White deep inside Ollerton territory, who lofted a return pass to set up a great opportunity but Smith saved.

RUFC Baby Squad.

Francis was flying at the hosts defence now as a few onlookers suffered a sever bout of 'squeaky bum time" and predicted a 4-4 draw, while ex Badgers player Shannon showed where his loyalties still really are, by shooting so wide from ten yards out, he almost conceded a throw in.

Gamble made a brave stop at Mark Carter's feet as the Notts non league legend put in a late cameo appearance.

Gavin King set up a grandstand finish, when he stroked Brandon Shaw's left wing cross past Gamble from eight yards.

But the young Badgers keeper made two vital interjections inside the closing stages, saving from Carter again and clutching a dipping cross from Francis and claiming the ball well. while Shannon probably won't have to buy a pint in East Retford town centre tonight, after he spooned yet another decent chance into the distance with the goal at his mercy.

Ash Shannon is a decent lad, so I won't dwell on the massive role that he played in United's victory this afternoon... he'll already be acutely aware of what happened.

Ollerton looked the business in spells, especially when Francis was attacking in full flight,but at other times they must've really frustrated the life out of their nice manager Mr Winter and those who had travelled 11 miles up t'road to support their team.

FT: Retford United 4 v Ollerton Town 3