Retford 0-1 North Ferriby
North Ferriby are up to sixth place in the Northern Counties East League Division One after continuing their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win at Retford. A Tom Corner, his first of the season, goal late in the second half was the difference between the two sides in the end.
The Villagers dominated possession from the start with Josh Dennett, who impressed in midweek, almost opening the scoring after just three minutes but he blazed his shot wide at the far post. This set the tone as Matt Plummer and Danny East also had half chances but neither could convert with the Villagers having a good shout for a penalty on 29 minutes when Louis Kirk was manhandled in the box but the referee disagreed.
The action kicked up a notch in first-half stoppage time with both sides having shots saved. Josh Dennett’s effort from the right-hand side was easily dealt with by Jon Kennedy in the Retford goal. The hosts then won a free kick on the stroke of halftime and after having very little to do Jordan Douglas was on hand to save the shot from Haydn Goddard.
The early second half was just a minute old when Retford’s Alex Wonham was released on the right and he fired a cross through the corridor of uncertainty were any touch would have resulted in the opening goal. Luckily for Ferriby, the ball flashed across Douglas’ goal and away to safety.
Despite that early scare Ferriby soon got their foot back on the ball and continued to dominate possession with Kirk having a growing influence on the game and he saw a shot go just wide on the hour mark. The play was switched from right to left before some great passing leading to Jamie Forrester who found Tom Corner 12 yards out whose shot made it 1-0.
Ferriby now needed to try and kill the game off and in the 75th minute they had another big penalty shout turned down. This time Levi Tarbotton appeared to be dragged down while trying to get on the end of a cross from the left but despite huge appeals, the referee was unmoved.
That could have been significant as three minutes later Retford had a great chance to equalise. A corner from the right was headed upwards and as Jordan Douglas went to catch it he fumbled and that resulted in a huge goalmouth scramble before Retford eventually fired wide. A let-off for the Villagers.
Ferriby remained composed despite that scare and controlled the final ten minutes with ease as substitute Jason Mycoe saw a shot parried before Tom Corner flashed a shot wide. East saw another shot saved in the final seconds of stoppage time but the final whistle signalled a deserved win for Ferriby in tough conditions.
Manager Chris Bolder was pleased to get the win but knows there are still areas his side need to work on when he said: “The aim of the game is to get three points and that was it job done today.
“We were disappointed with elements of our play, again I thought our build-up play was brilliant we just lacked a little bit of excitement in the final third and made some poor choices. But, we got some crosses in again and attacked the ball a little bit better today which we were looking to do. When we get our overloads out wide we just need our intensity to make something happen in the final third.”
Looking forward to Tuesday night and the visit of Harrogate Railway Bolder added: ” We take on Harrogate Railway on Tuesday but they are all tough games as they proved in beating high flyers Selby Town on Saturday. This goes to prove there are no easy games.
“We picked up a couple of knocks and minor strains but the good thing is we will have both Emo (Danny Emerton) and Tillo (Niall Tilsley) back for Tuesday after suspension. It was also great to see Jason Mycoe get some minutes today as he is such a calm head and intelligent player and when we can use him he is going to be an invaluable part of our squad.”
Retford: Jon Kennedy, Leon Loftus, Haydn Goddard, Graeme Severn (Adam Scott), Liam White, Joe Edwards, Shaun Mundy, Jack Walters (Charlie Williams), Alex Wonham, Will Tomlinson (Yaya Dembele), Jack Johnson.
Subs not used: Jamie Housley, Will Hunter
North Ferriby: Jordan Douglas, Josh Dennett, Ben Leyland, Levi Tarbotton, Matty Plummer, Joel Shortland, Tom Corner, Louis Kirk, Jamie Forrester (Jason Mycoe), Danny East, Danny Buttle (Harvey Carew).
Subs not used: Lewis Exall, Rinalds Jurkstis
Goal: Tom Corner (65)
Referee: Aaron Hallam
Attendance: 135
