Badgers hold leaders Beverley to take a point

RETFORD FC were made to work hard for their win over Athersley Recreation.

On 19 minutes Nathan Perks sent his shot across Levi Owen and into the top corner to open the scoring for Athersley.

Three minutes after the break Matt Parkin let fly a superb effort from outside the box with the keeper beaten at full stretch to give Retford a foothold.

The goal lifted the side, Zach Casburn having a shot blocked, but the euphoria didn’t last long when a

RETFORD United followed up their 2-0 midweek win at Worsborough Bridge with a 2-2 draw with leaders Beverley Town.

On Saturday the Badgers started strongly, keeping possession, moving the ball well and playing at pace. This quickly paid off when Jake Champion slotted home in the fifth minute.

Beverley looked shocked by their poor start and by Retford’s dominance, but they hung on, challenge by Liam Bennett left an Athersley player on the floor,.

Bennett protested his innocence saying he had won the ball, but was red-carded, leaving Retford to play out the remaining 35 minutes with 10 men.

The Choughs kept up the pressure which paid off on 60 minutes when great work by Casburn on the right kept the ball in on the byline to slot to Ainsley Finney, who laid off for Parkin to fire through a crowded box for his second of the afternoon and put Retford in front.

Retford had further opportunities to increase their lead but to no avail.

However, they did well to run the playing the long ball forward to create chances which finally worked for them in the 28th minute when they broke to score the equaliser.

In the 44th minute Max Dungworth took on three defenders to set up Max Pemberton to head home for the Badgers.

The second half was a demonstration of the best standards of football at this level by both teams. game down and fully deserved the celebrations at the final whistle.

Boss Chris Woodhead said: “I’m delighted for the lads, coming back from behind to win with 10 men. They all fought for each other and got the three points they deserved.

“The first half performance simply wasn’t good enough and I told the lads that at half-time. We switched the formation round for the second half and it paid dividends as we could get more bodies forward and push Athersley back.”

Retford have their final home game of the season on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Horbury Town to the SL2 Rail Stadium.

The Badgers continued to have the edge, but against the run of play Beverley equalised again in the 56th minute.

With just three points from three games needed to secure a play-off place, the Badgers’ promotion hopes remain alive.

On Saturday they welcome second in the league Shirebrook Town to Cannon Park for another tough home clash.