Retford United v Clipstone match report

Toolstation Northern Counties East – Premier Division
Saturday 8 October 2016
At Cannon Park, Retford
Retford United (0) 1
Wyld 82
Clipstone (0) 1
Nodder 69

Report by Jim McIntosh (@Realalerunner)
Clipstone shared the points at Retford in this North Nottinghamshire derby as midfielder Josh Nodder scored for the fourth consecutive game.

Whilst the Cobras made numerous chances, particularly in the first half, they also had ‘keeper Jamie Bailey (pictured) to thank for some vital saves including a superb tip over from a point blank header late in the game.

The visitors started the game brightly and Nodder, wearing the captain’s armband as regular skipper Richard Patterson began a three match suspension, fired a free kick straight at the ‘keeper in the first minute after a foul on Ellis Wall.

Nodder was again in the action when he was fouled soon after and the resulting free kick found Martin Brissett at the far post. The striker headed the ball back towards Brandon Cardwell whose own header forced a good one-handed save from Adam Balante in the Retford goal.

Jamie Bailey was then forced into action at the other end when he produced a good reaction save to deny Retford’s Sam Dear.

A long through ball then allowed George Milner to run into the space behind the Retford back four but he hesitated as he saw Balante come off his line. However the ball was only cleared as far as Brissett who move the ball quickly onto Nodder, but the latter was unable to find the target with his shot.

The Cobras had another chance on 28 minutes when another long ball put Milner clear. The forward should have shot himself but instead chose to try and play the ball square and the chance went begging.

On the stroke of half time Nodder took advantage of defenders backing off and moved forward 15 yards as the space opened up in front of him. His powerful shot beat Balante but crashed back off the post.
Half time 0-0

The visitors started the second half poorly which allowed Retford to get a foothold in the game.
Some static defending after 56 minutes presented a chance to Dear on the far post but fortunately his shot lacked both power and direction.

Retford had another chance a few minutes later when full back Luke Booker shot from a tight angle and Bailey had to be alert to push the ball over the bar.

On 65 minutes there was another chance for Milner and whilst he had an option of running in to test Balante he again hesitated and allowed a defender to get across and clear.

Milner and Wall were then replaced by Ryan Smyth and Nathan Forbes in a double substitution for the Cobras on 66 minutes and they then took the lead three minutes later. Brissett did well down the right and whilst his cross was intercepted by a defender on the corner of the box, Nodder quickly won back possession, moved into a more central position and placed his shot wide of Balante’s despairing dive. 0-1

The Cobras then had a number of chances to grab a second and secure the points but they lacked a cutting edge. Brissett again did well five minutes after the goal and after it looked like he had been hauled down in the box, he picked himself up but was unable to play the ball to a team mate. Substitute Nathan Forbes then went on a lung busting run and won a corner that was only cleared as far as him but his resulting shot was wide of the target.

Clipstone were made to pay after 82 minutes when a cross from the right found Retford captain Ben Wyld who steered his header past Jamie Bailey. 1-1

Both sides then looked to seal all three points and Bailey produced a brilliant save to tip over a header from Daniel Murray that seemed to have ‘goal’ written all over it.

At the other end Cobras’ man of the match Josh Nodder had a final chance in the 90th minute when, after being set up by Brissett and having beaten two defenders, his goal-bound shot was pushed wide of the post by Balante.
In the end a draw was probably the right result as the Cobras lacked a ruthless streak in front of goal.

Full Time 1-1

Clipstone man of the match : Josh Nodder
Clipstone move up one place to 8th place in the league with 20 points from 13 games.
The Cobras’ next game is at home to promotion hopefuls Handsworth Parramore on Saturday15 October, 3pm.