Phoenix Park, home of Dinnington Town based in South Yorkshire and play their trade in the Central Midlands Premier Division North. Nicknamed “Deano” or “Dinno” for short.
It’s a very unusual Christmas Eve for me this year… But certainly not in a bad way! When the football is on, IT’S ON!!! A bucket list moment for me: ‘Watch a game on Christmas Eve!’ CHECK! It’s a Central Midlands tie between Dinnington and Retford United. Retford United clear at the top but Dinnington are in third place and unbeaten since the end of October. Banana skin for Retford?
It’s also my fourth visit to this ground but this time will certainly be interesting as the club now have a 3G pitch and the stands that were there have now gone but there are murmurs that the club will be putting stands in at some point but I’m certainly intrigued to see how different the ground will look this time.
So with that said it’s a short drive through Warsop, past Worksop and into Dinnington with about 10 minutes until kick off and the car park is full… A quick look for some street parking… There we are! How do we get into the ground…? Through Dinnington library now. £3.50 to get in here! Merry Christmas! I’ve just missed kick off…
Kick Off! It’s a very tight game so far with both teams showing grit early on. A lot of hoppers here today! Martin, Vinny, Turnip, Jon, Mitchell, Paul and the gnome of course!
20 minutes in and Retford have a free kick on the left wing, in it comes… Keeper fumbles… And it’s turned in by Max Pemberton! The Referee has given a free kick to Dinnington for a foul on the keeper in there. No goal!
3 minutes later and Dinnington play forward now, it’s played to Brandon Whitfield and he goes for goal from 35 yards… Just wide! What a goal that nearly was! “Come on Deano!” A bit of noise from the Dinnington fans here!!
27th minute and Retford come forward now, it’s crossed in from the left, it falls for Sam Kelly who hooks it towards goal… OFF THE BAR and it’s loose…… It comes for Mark West running in to strike… Side netting! Big chance for Retford there!
32 minutes now and Dinnington play it forward, it comes for Aaron Moxam in the box on the left, he plays it across and the shot comes in… Save! Dinnington get it back and it’s played to Chris Lewis and he goes for goal from 25 yards out… Saved again! Keeper tips it wide for a corner, in comes the corner… Retford clear.
40 minutes gone and Retford play down the left, it’s crossed in, it comes for Jon Froggatt at the back post… He’s scored!! The keeper can’t keep it out and Retford lead here on Christmas Eve!! 0-1!
We’re into added time in the first half now and Retford have the ball on the right, it’s played into the box, the Referee… Has pointed to the spot! Penalty! Mark West was hacked down as the ball was played in, you can’t do that in the box! Mark West will step up for Retford… AND HE’LL SCORE!! Retford double their lead here! 0-2!
That is the last action of the half with the score at 2-0 to Retford… Uh oh! The Referee has called over Dinnington’s manager who has already been booked… He’s off! It’s a second yellow for him… The Grinch is here!
Second half, 52 minutes on the clock and Dinnington come forward, it’s played to Brad Sedgwick on the edge of the box, he takes a touch and shoots on the turn… OH! HAVE THAT!! Right into the top corner!! What a finish that is!! Dinnington are back in this! 1-2!
65th minute and Dinnington have a throw in in their own half, it’s played back to the keeper who lumps it forward… It’s straight off Sam Kelly and he tries to head that… The keeper recovers and tips it clear… Relief for the Dinnington keeper there!
2 minutes later and Retford have a corner, in it comes… Keeper catches… But no it needs to be retaken… Retford asked for a substitution. Retford corner comes in again… Straight into the keeper’s grasp again and they break forward, they get it out right and it’s crossed in, Brandon Whitfield is FREE… OH NO! He’s headed over… What a chance that was to get Dinnington level! They won’t get a better chance than that!
78th minute and Retford’s Brandon Kane has the ball in midfield and he drives forward, he gets into the box, he’s going all the way… He’s shot just wide! So close!
82 minutes now and Retford come forward, it’s a through ball to Mark West in the box and he’s in… MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO RETFORD!!! Mark West finds the net and that should be the 3 points for Retford once again!!! 1-3!
A bit of noise now from the Retford fans! The game fizzles out and Dinnington have no answer… Full time here and it is a Happy Christmas to Retford! A huge roar from Ryan Hindley as he walks off the pitch to the Retford fans! I know it’s only Christmas but Step 6 football really does feel just around the corner once again for RETFORD UNITED!!
FT: Dinnington Town 1-3 Retford United
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – Very good from both sets of fans here today! The Dinnington fans were in good spirits throughout!
- The Ground: 2/10 – Unfortunately this is a ground that has lost it’s character… It is at this moment in time just a 3G cage but I’m sure it will look better with the new stands put in place.
- Expense: 10/10 – £3.50!!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – Great to see everyone here today! A good battle of a game here as well!
24/40
To see my previous visit click here