A statement of intent from The Choughs as they responded to their first defeat of the season against Collingham a fortnight ago with a resounding victory at 5th place A.F.C Bentley. The lack of a game last week having given Retford time to regroup and they took full advantage of extra time on the training pitch to demolish their hosts and return from The Avenue with their first ever maximum points haul.

Chris Woodhead’s men never looked back after a dream start which saw an unchanged side from the defeat against Collingham, with eleven men hungry to put right the wrongs of two weeks ago.

Adam Scott opened the scoring capitalising on a stray ball from the home defence which sat up perfectly for him to side foot past Brookes inside of two minutes. Things got better just 5 minutes later as Graeme Severn rose highest to head home Jack Johnson’s corner and double the visitors’ advantage before ten minutes had elapsed. Had the linesman not given the goal Bentley would surely have been reduced to ten men as a Bentley defender was cautioned for handling the ball in an attempt to keep it out.

Bentley briefly threatened a response as Retford were slow to clear their lines and a dangerous ball across the area saw Matty Hughes unable to convert from close range. This chance was against the run of play and Retford quickly re-established their authority, winning another corner which saw Will Tomlinson get ahead of his marker and the keeper to direct Johnson’s set piece into the home goal.

By the half hour mark The Choughs were out of sight with Gaz Davies taking advantage of a poorly cleared left wing centre from Johnson. Davies picking his spot and placing the ball beyond the keeper into the bottom corner.

Scott, Johnson, Davies, Woodhead and Tomlinson all had further chances to extend the visitors’ lead before the break but Bentley managed to stem the flow in a half dominated by a rampant Retford.

Half Time – A.F.C. Bentley 0-4 Retford F.C.

The second half saw a mini response from the home side as Retford allowed some early pressure having returned from the dressing rooms. However, despite some hard work and determination to at least salvage some pride from the game Bentley couldn’t find any way through a resolute Retford rear guard.

Shay Evans-Booth on a sub for the injured Will Tomlinson then tested Brookes with a low effort. Shortly afterwards the same player couldn’t keep his header down after Severn turned Johnson’s corner goalwards and Adam Scott showed fleet of foot in the home penalty area before dragging his shot wide of the far upright.

However, just after the hour Retford made it five with Evans-Booth diving to head in a lovely clipped free kick from Scott which also signed his first ever senior goal. Five minutes later he would follow this up with his second. Martin Woodhead winning the ball from a Bentley defender and after drawing the remaining centre half towards him slotted the ball through for Evans-Booth who remained onside to roll the ball under the keeper.

Michael Attard did salvage some pride for the hosts two minutes later, arriving at the back post to turn a cross into the roof of the net, much to the annoyance of Choughs custodian Jon Kennedy.

Evans-Booth had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down before stinging the palms of Brookes in search of a hat-trick, before another U21s player Nath Reah almost netted his first senior goal, turning Woodhead’s corner just over the bar.

All in all, a resounding victory for the Choughs who took full advantage of leaders Clay Cross slipping up on Friday night at Staveley to move 7 points behind the Millers with three games in hand. Retford moving back ahead of cross-town rivals United as well. Woodhead will be more than happy with a good performance which he will look for his side to build on when they entertain Thorne Colliery at the Rail on Saturday 26th January.

Full Time – A.F.C. Bentley 1-6 Retford F.C.

A.F.C. Bentley – James Brookes, Courtney Peynado, Owen Hall, Josh Bowkett, Theo Mowatt, Callum Taylor, Jack Varley (c), Taron Stokoe, Michael Attard, Josh Street, Matty Hughes.
Subs – Zack King, James Mitchell, Bart Grzyma, Andrew Fairclough, Tony Sykes.

Retford F.C. – Jon Kennedy (c), Paul Middleton, Jason Swannack, Graeme Severn, Oli Bilham, Haydn Goddard, Adam Scott (Robbie Collingburn, 66), Martin Woodhead, Gaz Davies (Nath Reah, 61), Jack Johnson, Will Tomlinson (Shay Evans-Booth, 49).
Unused subs – Dec Heath, Toby Rutherford

Goals – Adam Scott (Retford F.C.), 2 mins
Graeme Severn (Retford F.C.), 7 mins
Will Tomlinson (Retford F.C.), 15 mins
Gaz Davies (Retford F.C.), 29 mins
Shay Evans Booth (Retford F.C.), 63 & 68 mins
Michael Attard (A.F.C. Bentley), 70 mins