Retford United 1
Nantwich Town 2
League (NPL Division 1 South)

Match Report

UniBond League First Division South

Saturday 6th October.2007
Retford United 1 v NANTWICH TOWN 2
Mick Godber.75 Danny Griggs.16. Andy Bott.27.

NANTWICH TOWN: Rob Hackney. Andy Taylor. Paul Taylor.Paul Donnelly.Ryan Dicker (Smith 35). Phil Parkinson© Ashley Carter. Glyn Blackhurst (Beasley 82). Andy Kinsey. Andy Bott (Suhaj 83). Danny Griggs. Substitutes: Pavol Suhaj. Richard Smith. Adam Beasley.

Changes were introduced to the line up that narrowly exited the FA Cup through a replay in midweek. Danny Griggs and Andy Bott returned as starters whilst there were no places for Nick Linford or Gyorgy Kiss.

Retford were first to attack,winning a right sided corner as early as the first minute. ‘The Dabbers’ followed by attacking from deep on the right, allowing Danny Griggs to proceed to the bye line before he cut the ball in to the near post with a shot that narrowly edged out for a goal kick.

During a 7th minute Retford free kick Andy Kinsey was on hand to head clear Hindley’s 22 yard testing ball whilst a minute later, Hindley conceded a corner from an Ashley Carter centre.With the game approaching the first quarter hour ‘The Dabbers’ gradually pushed play from the halfway line toward the Retford 18 yard area before winning a series of free kicks.

It was from one of those free kicks that Nantwich deservedly took a 7th minute lead. Danny Griggs was fouled halfway inside the Retford half before teeing up the 22 yard dead ball kick . Griggs awareness caught Retford cold. With referee Darren England clearly satisfied with the defensive wall, he signaled the free kick to be taken whilst Retford ‘keeper Kingston was still demonstrating unhappiness with his own players. Griggs superbly struck kick sailed past the left hand edge of the unsettled wall before dipping under Kingston into the back of the net.

Nantwich kept the pedal to the floor and, could have gone further ahead in the 22nd minute through a series of strikes from Carter,Kinsey, Blackhurst and Griggs but,on each occasion, the shots deflected off a series of defenders allowing previously unbeaten at home Retford to breath again. Griggs was again prominent in a 25th minute move by the confident ‘Dabbers’after the pace of the winger again took him to the bye line before his cut back was taken by Kingston at the foot of the left hand post.

‘The Dabbers’ deservedly went further ahead in the 27th minute through Andy Bott. Not for the first time in the half, the visitors pushed Retford back toward the edge of their 18 yard area. After Griggs was fouled yet again, the diminutive winger rose to his feet to take the dead ball kick before spotting a gap to the right of the home defence and finished with a neat ball into the path of the unmarked Bott whose glancing header from 15 yards swept past the diving Kingston into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Just after the half hour Retford threatened with a strike from midfielder Fisher inside the box that evaded the Nantwich defence before hitting the side netting. Right back Andy Taylor then performed well to block former Lincoln City striker Mick Godber’s firm effort from 12 yards whilst play was then held up for a period due to a head injury to ‘Dabbers’ central defender Ryan Dicker. The shaky looking Dicker was eventually assisted from the pitch to be replaced by Richard Smith.

With the half moving toward normal time play regularly switched ends before four minutes of added time were signaled. However,it was Nantwich who finished the stronger and, looked the most likely to score again.

On resumption Nantwich looked to continue where they left off but, the home side gradually became very direct and at times Nantwich were left chasing back toward their own eighteen yard area. Despite their persistent attacks, Retford were continually thwarted by a resolute Nantwich defence before they pulled a 75th minute goal back through Godber. With play concentrated close to the right hand corner flag a cross was whipped in across the six yard line before Godber touched home at the far post.

Retford pressure continued, mainly through hopeful balls pumped into the box, whilst the clearly tiring ‘Dabbers’made token efforts to break into the opposition area and clinch a further goal. Bott and Blackhurst made way for Suhaj and Beasley in the latter stages,Rob Hackney risked everything when he momentarily left his area to make a clearance, whilst a late close range strike by Suhaj from a Griggs free kick was deflected away from the target by an anxious defender.

After the match, Nantwich head coach Steve Davis said: “Few sides in this division will come here and return home with maximum points.We were quality in the first half and with the chances created, could have gone in at half time four up. Retford are a difficult side to play against, lot’s of energy, pace, and quite direct, and somewhat physical at times. However, our shape, quality on the ball, and determination gave us the edge, and in consideration Retford were unbeaten at home before Saturday, plus having won eight out of their nine league games, this result is a significant one, and may well raise a few eyebrows”.

Nantwich skipper Phil Parkinson was equally full of praise for his fellow players and said: “ The first half belonged to us and we were unfortunate not to have scored further. By their reactions Retford were surprised how effective we were on the ball. We felt they probably hadn’t experienced a side in this division before today who can get the ball down and play through a passing game. But,without making any excuses, we weren’t as effective in the second half simply because all the lads were feeling the physical effects of playing the last three games against higher opposition which has taken a lot out of everyone of us. However,determination won the day, and I think we deserve credit for a quality first half, accompanied by a second half battling performance”.

The victory over leaders Retford United moves Nantwich from 10th to 6th in the UniBond League First Division South ahead of this weekends 6 pointer at The Weaver Stadium where Colwyn Bay,one place,and one point below in 7th,are the visitors.

Match report written by Phil Johnson