Back to football with a trip to see the Retford derby. Parking was easy in the nearby school’s car park, close to the ground and a short walk in the rain with a cool temperature of 10 degrees.
I bought a ticket for this showdown when both still had a chance of winning the United Counties League Division One. By the time I entered the ground, the title had been won by Clay Cross and Retford FC, and Retford United already knew that they were in the playoffs.
I had been notified that I should enter by a specified turnstile that turned out to be a gate where two officials sat in the back of a car sheltering under the tailgate.
This club have done wonders in their ten years in existence and have just announced that they have purchased their ground and adjoining land. There is also a brand new fan area in one corner of the ground since I was last there. The ground works were underway on my visit on Boxing Day in 2023, and now a Scandi styled wood clad, club house, food kiosk, and toilet block stand there.
These facilities add to the two tiered covered standing down one side, open standing on the other with the same behind one goal with a small covered area. Behind the other end is the fan area, a low seated area, and some tiered open seating behind the goal. This seating looks like it was originally some temporary structure behind a green at a golf tournament. With the heavy rain, it was not a popular place. The pitch was of grass, a good covering except for muddy patches in the goal mouths. It was mainly flat but a bit undulating.
Retford FC 2 Retford United 0
Monday 21st April 2025, kick off 15.00 pm. United Counties League Division One. 2nd v 3rd.
The Rail Stadium, Backworth Road, Retford, Notts, DN22 7PN. The Choughs v The Badgers
Retford; All navy blue with white flashes on the shoulders and down the sides of the shirts, goal keeper in all yellow kit with a green tinge with some patterning on the front.
Retford United; All red strip with some white striping at the bottom of the shirt, goal keeper in all yellow.
Both teams were tentative with their start, with Retford using the right side of the pitch to attack the away teams goal.
With only 9 minutes gone, a high ball to the United goal area was weakly headed out and Ainsley Finney, playing his 50th game for the club, controlled the ball and drilled it into the net to the right of the goalkeeper. Retford United came into the game more and pressed for an equaliser but didn’t create any clear chances. The game lacked the intensity I have seen at two previous meetings of these two teams. Retford just about deserved to go in at the interval in front at half time.
We were entertained at half time as the two fans ultras, (Average age looked like 12) faced off in one corner of the ground. The home fans eventually prevailed after they outflanked their opponents by joining the banter from their position behind the other goal. The united fans retreated to behind the other goal and a parent rescued their flag which was about to be taken as a spoil of war. As the Retford United fans passed us a lady shouted I’ll see you in school tomorrow.
This half, it was only 8 minutes into the re-start that Retford made it two, when two missed tackles in mid field enabled the ball to be passed to Jacob Priestnall who drew the keeper, moved to the right and slipped it back from the angle to score.
The continuous rain meant that the lights were needed as the gloom that had come over United became worse. Retford had two more glorious chances when a ball was headed down but unbelievably bounced over the cross bar and, with the keeper beaten the shot across the goal, went wide.
The away team did look better in the last 20 minutes after multiple substitutions, but their under par performance had been jumped on by the home team who were worthy winners.
Both teams now face play-off games that if they win it would mean they will meet again at The Rail in a winner takes all encounter to decide promotion. That could be a tasty match, but I already have plans and a ticket for another game. The good crowd of 1009 will be surpassed if that comes about, and a full house may beckon.
No Chips, so a meat pie and peas was eagerly consumed that was hot and tasty. It was eaten in the new club house, out of the rain, that will certainly be an asset to the club as they progress.
N.B. I have not included any club histories as I have done that on previous blogs.
payonthegate 