Cannon Park, home of Retford United based in Nottinghamshire and play their trade in the Central Midlands League at Step 7. Nicknamed the “Badgers” as they play in Black and White. It’s been a turbulent time for this club, not so long ago this club was languishing in Step 3 of the non-league pyramid but after successive relegations, the club finds itself in Step 7… But for how long?
It’s been a long time!! Today is the first day since January 2020 that I see Mansfield Town in live action!!! And the first time since October I watch a game with the Super Stag!!! Off to Retford we go and were joined by Tom and Lewis for tonight!!!
Arrival at the ground just before the 6pm opening time and the queue is big… We have all missed the Stags!!! £3 to get into this one! Take it! A great time to catch up with the lads who I have missed during these unprecedented times! It’s great to get a glimpse of the team and manager for the first time in months, some new players to keep tabs on too!
Kick Off! Great to see Max and Emma of Emma’s Ground Guide here tonight! Groundhoppers Assemble… Only 5 checked in on Futbology… Maybe not… 4 minutes have passed and Mansfield have an early corner, Retford clear and break, the ball is played through to Liam Frost who gets to the edge of the box and shoots… OH! He’s put it wide! A big chance to give the underdogs a shock lead here!
Mansfield expectedly are in control of this game and looks only a matter of time before they score. 11 minutes on the clock and they come down the right wing with Oli Hawkins, he crosses low in towards Danny Johnson… He misjudges it and it rolls away for Retford to clear. 18 minutes gone and Mansfield come forward, the ball is played to Oli Hawkins, 25 yards out and he turns and shoots… OOOOHHHHHH! Right in the top corner!! What a strike!! 0-1!!
23 minutes now and Mansfield have a corner, in it comes, Retford clear but only as far as Stephen Quinn, he controls in the box and he goes for goal… Deflected… And in!!! 0-2!! Mansfield smelling blood here at the thought of more goals in this game! 29th minute and Mansfield come forward from midfield, Stephen McLaughlin drives forward to the box, he plays it through to Danny Johnson who’s in… And finishes!!! It’s 3 for Mansfield!!
31 minutes on the clock and Mansfield have a corner, in it comes, all the way to the back post to Danny Johnson, good control… But the shot is just wide. 40 minutes gone now and Retford win a free kick 25 yards out, can they get an unlikely goal here? Brandon Kane steps up… HE’S GOT IT!!! He goes the other side of the wall and finds the bottom corner and it’s 1-3!! Mansfield continuing to dominate but would remain 3-1 up at half time.
Second half, Mansfield continuing to be the better team here. 53 minutes on the watch, Mansfield come forward, Tyrese Sinclair drives forward and plays in Danny Johnson… He scores again!!! It’s 1-4!
63rd minute and a rare opportunity for Retford? They come down the right and it’s crossed in low towards BENNETT!! It’s just wide… So close! 64 minutes and Mansfield come forward again, they work it through the Retford defence to Jimmy Knowles and he’s through on goal… He scores!! Keeper gets a hand to it but it’s too hot to handle and it’s 5 for Mansfield now!
69th minute and the ball is played to Tyrese Sinclair 35 yards out, why not Tyrese? OHHHH! Tipped onto the bar! What a goal that would have been!! 71 minutes now and here comes Jimmy Knowles on the left wing for Mansfield, he crosses low towards CAINE!! Good save by the keeper but Caine is there for the rebound… He finishes! Unlucky for the Retford keeper but Mansfield are 6-1 up now!
76 minutes and Retford lose the ball outside their own penalty box, Jimmy Knowles gets it and he’s brought down… Penalty! Definite in my eyes! Tyrese Sinclair steps up… And scores! Keeper guesses right but it’s too good and it’s 1-7! 79th minute and here come Mansfield again, they come down the right wing and pass across the box, it comes to Tyrese Sinclair again!! It’s 8!!! Great finish first time and are we going to see double figures here?
85 minutes on the clock and it’s Mansfield yet again, a through ball is played to Jimmy Knowles.. He’s got the ball stuck under his feet, can he finish? Keeper saves! 1 minute later and Jimmy Knowles gets the ball in the box on the left, can he score this time? He shoots at a tight angle… And hits the far post!! Close!
88 minutes and Mansfield come forward down the right, it’s played across to Tyrese Sinclair, he backheels across the box to Jimmy Knowles… Keeper saves but it falls to CAINE!! He heads home!! 1-9!!! Will Mansfield get double figures…? No!! The Referee blows for full time soon after…
FT: Retford United 1-9 Mansfield Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – A lot of Mansfield fans in tonight but no singing tonight sadly, but you could definitely tell there was a crowd there.
- The Ground: 9/10 – It’s a beautiful ground!! Not just for the level it’s at currently, a great stand and with plenty of character! Definitely fit for Step 4 where they previously were.
- Expense: 10/10 – £3 to see 10 goals is a winner!!
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – Great to see the Super Stag, Max & Emma, Tom and Lewis tonight! The game didn’t have a lot of drama sadly as it was men against boys but it was a good day out nonetheless.
29/40
Thanks for your post on Retford FC. I was there that night but unfortunately on car park duties along with a few others. Then a bit of stewarding. So I missed most of the match, but at least I helped others enjoy the evening.
I did however enjoy your match report very much. Thank you.
Thank you very much!
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