Badgers batter Rangers at Cannon Park

RETFORD United made it two wins on the bounce with a 4-0 victory over Hall Road Rangers at Cannon Park in the NCEL Premier on Saturday.

Badgers boss Richard Sennett gave a debut to new signing, former Doncaster Rovers Academy captain Brett Lucas in place of the ill Rob Sanderson.

The visitors provided the early pressure, a corner only a few minutes into the game was dealt with well by the United defence, then another chance for Hall Road went begging as a shot from Owen Mountain fell wide.

Retford soon had their foot on the gas, Kyle Hadley playing the ball in for the run of Scott Bibby but it rolled into the arms of the keeper.

Graeme Severn took a quick throw in for Bobby Johnson who did well to control and pass out to Bibby whose shot was deflected for a corner kick to the home side.

The ball sent in by Adam Scott found the head of Andy Walkden but the chance came to nothing as the ball rolled out of play.

Retford took the lead on 16 minutes, a good run by Hadley ended in a cross for Bibby to rise and knock the ball on target, and despite the initial shot being blocked, the ball came off the keeper, hit Bibby and went into the back of the net.

Severn did well against Paul Wilson as the Hall Road captain made strides into the Retford box, Severn keeping his composure to come away with the ball.

Adam Scott’s effort had the keeper beaten but was only taken from the target by a defender who was forced to knock out for yet another United corner, this time cleared as far as Hadley whose effort from outside the box was over.

The lead was extened on 49 minutes, Scott skipping through the defence with a fine run into the box before a neat finish to beat the keeper.

From then on, Retford were firmly in control, Hadley and Scott both doing well out on the wings.

The hosts scored a third on 77 minutes, Scott the provider getting into the box before whipping in a low cross that was knocked on by Johnson, leaving O’Neill a great chance to squeeze the ball past the keeper from close range for his first of the season.

The game was over as a contest, and was made worse for Hall Road in the 84th minute, when a rash challenge by Phil Winn on Severn earned the Hall Road defender a straight red card and early shower.

The match was completed by a goal from Johnson, a fans favourite after promotion from the Under 19 side, meeting a cross from Hadley to score the fourth of the afternoon.

United are on their travels on Saturday as they face Thackley in the league (3pm).

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