Retford made an early exit from the League Cup at the hands of Harrogate Railway Athletic on Tuesday evening with Chris Woodhead making six changes to the side that beat Dronfield at the weekend. In a game that Retford dominated, Alex Wonham should have opened his account for the club but was thwarted by the woodwork in the first half. There were some good chances for the visitors but frustratingly they couldn’t make any count and Matt Robinson was frustrated as his effort towards goal was just wide. The only goal of the game came against the run of play when Ryan Barker fired Harrogate into the lead on 62 minutes, slotting the ball into the bottom corner past Jamie Housley.
Retford continued to push, another effort for Wonham saw his effort just wide then some acrobatics from the Harrogate keeper somehow kept out Wonham at point blank range.
The game ended with a red card for Kieran Greenway in stoppage time after a scuffle between the two sets of players as tempers flared but it was too late for Retford to find a way back and their league cup journey ends at the first stage.
After the game, Chris Woodhead said “I’m disappointed tonight for the lads, we had chance after chance and we controlled the game for large parts but it just wasn’t our night in front of goal but the lads gave it their all and didn’t deserve to lose that game.”
“However that’s football and we have to accept the result and move onto the match at home to Worsbrough Bridge on Saturday.”
He continued, “What a turnout from Retford supporters this evening, thank you to all who made the long trip to Harrogate.”