Misses cost Badgers the points

Badgers, without the services of Liam Wilkin and Richard Medcalf, went down 1-0 in the NCEL Premier Division clash.

Reece Thompson and Jack Cross formed the strike partnership, and the former found the net in the second minute but was flagged offside.

Thompson had another chance to put United in front, this time his effort was cleared off the line by Callum White, and although the clearance appeared to strike the hand of a defender, the calls went unheard by the referee.

Retford were dominating the first half and Cross then had a shot blocked as he found space in the six yard box.

Thackley mounted an attack through Luke Richardson with Danny Smith having to head behind for a corner kick.

Cross had yet another opportunity for Retford, his chip over the keeper was inches wide of the upright, then Andy Walkden found Graeme Severn whose effort was cleared by Matt Hall.

The pressure continued, Johnson seeing the ball hooked off the line from a corner, Muirhead firing the follow up wide and Thompson again found space, his shot hitting the thigh of Damien Hopkins for another United corner.

It was frustrating for the hardy souls who had made the trip out on a cold evening, and even a shot from Cooper that was saved by the keeper wasn’t enough to warm the atmosphere up.

Richardson had a rare forward run for Thackley, his cross going over but it was the home side that should have been in front, another chance missed, Johnson’s free kick curled round the wall to be tipped round the post by the Keeper who had to drop low to his left.

The second half started where the first had left off with Thompson doing well to skip the challenge as he made his way into the box, his shot had the keeper well beaten, but was a fraction away from the target, he then had another chance shortly after, this time the keeper was down to charge down his effort.

Thackley then started to pick up the pace, a free kick from a good central position was curled in by Matt Morgan with Barford dropping to watch the ball fizz past his right hand post.

Retford huffed and puffed but couldnt find the killer instinct that had served them well early in the season.

Thackley’s appeal for a penalty for a foul on Hall was waved away, then a shot into the box was well saved by Barford.

The pressure continued from the visitors, the post was struck after a good shot was hit in from the left by Hall, and they eventually found the breakthrough on 76 minutes when a cross into the box was turned into his own net by Craig Fisher.

With the equaliser now needed, Retford were quick on the break as Thompson again made strides into the box with Lee Holmes just wide from close range.

The final 10 minutes eventually wound down and Thackley returned home with the three points, leaving Retford now three games without a win in the league.

Next up is the home game against Maltby Main on Saturday, before a trip to AFC Emley next Tuesday for the League Cup round two match.