Old acquaintances were renewed as Brett Marshall took his
Staveley Miners Welfare side to face his old club Retford United with whom he
won the NCEPL title, but he was somewhat hampered with his team selection as
the old non-league availability curse struck…
Courtney Hastings and Fabian Smith who probably would’ve
been in the starting line-up had to be placed on the bench as work commitments
meant that they would not arrive at Cannon Park in time for kick off and also
unavailable we’re Jamie Brown, Ellis Wall through suspension and Ryan Watters
through injury, who did still travel to support his team mates.
In the reshuffle Mohammed Tijani started up top, Captain
Matt Varley moved into a solid looking midfield alongside Ross Goodwin and
Steve Carty and underlining the clubs philosophy of nurturing home grown
players Joe Bayne from the under 21 squad made his debut on the left wing.
This wasn’t a game for the purists but Staveley started
well enough Mohammed Tijani and Joe Bayne combined well on two occasions inside
the first five minutes to setup shooting opportunities which unfortunately were
snuffed out at the opportune moment. Then another Retford returnee, Adam Scott,
was afforded the time and space to turn, run at the defence and get in a shot across
goal which just crept wide.
Retford showed no signs of the struggles that they faced
last season which were rumoured to have even put their future as a club in
jeopardy and had a very good chance to take the lead after ten minutes when the
ball was worked out to their left and an inch perfect cross just begging to be
nodded in by Adam Askwith was volleyed instead from no more than 2 yards out
but was clawed away by Jason Fisher in goal for Staveley, from just inside the
far post and out before being recycled to the edge of the area where a long
range shot went over the bar. Moment later a similar shot from Adam Askwith was
charged down by Matt Varley and Alex Pugh who both put their bodies on the line
for the Staveley cause.
Adam Scott who seemed the most likely to create something
sent Joe Bayne down the left with a reverse pass down the line under pressure
from a defence determined to stop their former player more than any of the
others, Bayne who had started brightly in his first game at this level had
every right to expect someone to be on the end of his perfect cross into the
box which was cleared back out to Adam Scott who was fouled just as he had
danced his way past the fullback and was about to send in another cross,
however the ensuing freekick came to nothing.
The energetic Mohammed Tijani chased down a Retford pass
across their back four and forced a throwin which eventually worked its way to
Kyle Clarke, who worked space for a cross to the far post which was just
narrowly too high for an unmarked Steve Carty, just before two excellent
Retford chances…
Firstly a right wing cross was headed over by Mark West,
then Brad Kell beat James Leggit and cut inside to unleash a low drive across
Jason Fishers goal which Adam Askwith, sliding in at the far post just narrowly
failed to get on the end of.
Then as the half was about to end Adam Scott took matters
into his own hands and again was afforded room to turn and from 40 yards out
ran towards goal, side stepped left back Adam Carter, strode into the box and let
fly with an unstoppable drive past Rick Watson in goal for Retford and put
Staveley into a 0-1 lead.
Adam Scott scores (photo by Jon Knight)
Moments before the half time whistle blew a bounce from a
long clearance deceived the Retford defence and Mohammed Tijani nipped in
before the ball ran through to the onrushing ‘keeper Watson who in making an
attempt to clear the ball clipped Tijani outside the box and a freekick was
given. Watson was spared a red card because there were covering defenders and
in moving slightly away from goal it was
by no means certain that Tijani’s next touch would’ve put Staveley 0-2 up but
you’ve “seen them given” before and no doubt will again. Adams Scotts resultant freekick which then hit
the wall signalled the end of the half with Staveley fortunate to be a goal to
the good.
HT: Retford united 0-1 Staveley Miners Welfare
The second half began early for Retford as five minutes
before it began they came out for a warm up which would pay dividends as but
for one or two Staveley half chances they completely dominated it and would
eventually take all three points.
Before then though on 51 minutes Mohammed Tijani and
Steve Carty pressed and forced a hurried clearance which Matt Varley knocked
out wide to Joe Bayne, he cut inside his full back and from inside the box
fired a shot which Rick Watson palmed wide for a corner, which Adam Scott
almost scored directly from. Watson misjudged the flight of the ball but was
relieved to see it cleared off the line.
Joe Bayne nearly scored from just past the halfway line
when Rick Watsons clearance from the right back position, fell at his feet
Watson was able to scamper back in time to collect though.
That was about as good as it got for Staveley though as
incessant pressure from the badgers got its reward when a shot from Mark Stuart
rebounded of a Staveley defender back into his path and he arrowed his second
shot into the goal. 1-1.
Brad Kerr scored Retfords winner five minutes later when
he headed in a cross at the far post from two yards out. 2-1.
Substitute Courtney Hastings almost rescued a point with
a thunderous volley which was saved for a corner from which Alex Pugh fired
wide but unfortunately it wasn’t to be…
Retford United 2-1 Staveley Miners Welfare
Attendance:137
SMWFC Line up:1.Jason Fisher.2.Kye Clarke.3.James
Leggett.4.Steve Carty.5.Alex Pugh.7.Adam Scott.8.Matt Varley.9.Mohammed Tijani.(12.Courtney
Hastings).10.Ross Goodwin.11.Joe Bayne. (15.Fabian Smith)
Not Used.14 Jamie York. 16.Jordan Hardman. GK.Chris Butt.
