A much needed win for The Choughs who put a ten game winless run behind them to secure three very welcome points at The Rail on Saturday afternoon. The revolving door to Tom Armstrong’s treatment room is finally starting to swing firmly shut. With just Liam Bennett now missing from the squad, Retford had a welcome array of players to choose from and the pressure on the senior squads is finally starting to ease.

Interestingly, Chris Woodhead decided to leave out the club’s two all time leading scorers Will Tomlinson and Adam Scott. Josh Street starting through the middle with Martin Woodhead and Shay Evans-Booth either side of him.

It worked a treat for the hosts who put in a workmanlike performance which ultimately garnered the reward that they richly deserved.

The visitors created the most clean cut early chances with Richie Williams firing a low shot that Kennedy saved to his left and Swal captain Ollie Grady then fired over the bar.

Retford though took their first real chance of the game when Haydn Goddard did brilliantly to beat full back Mitch Kent and fashion a cross which Shay Evans-Booth rose to head home at the back post.

Retford were in excellent form at the back and Middleton and Goddard worked doggedly to support the brilliant centre half pairing of Burgin and Severn. The Choughs keeping their recently free scoring opponents to minimal chances and going in with the lead at half time.

The second half was a masterclass from new signing Jack Varley who dominated the midfield and caused Swal endless problems as he drove forward at every opportunity.

The home side went further ahead with Evans-Booth converting a penalty after a foul on Street in the box and Retford then had something really tangible to hold on to.

Swallownest tried valiantly to find a way back into the game but Retford stood firm, from their impressive back line to their hard working front three. When Swallwonest midfielder Jay Evison was dismissed for a horrible challenge on Jack Johnson sixteen minutes from time, it looked like the writing was on the wall. The ref still had time to even up the numbers though as he sent Martin Woodhead to the sin bin two minutes later.

Woodhead returned for the final five minutes, helping his team mates to maximum points and hopefully a momentum shifting victory which can be carried into Friday night’s North Notts derby at Ollerton Town.

Retford F.C.: Jon Kennedy, Paul Middleton, Haydn Goddard, Graeme Severn, Tom Burgin, Jack Varley, Martin Woodhead, Tom Gilmore, Shay Evans-Booth, Josh Street, Jack Johnson.

Unused Subs: Adam Scott, Luke Tong, Will Tomlinson, Olly Presley, Matt Robinson

Swallownest F.C.: Joel Statham, Mitchell Kent, Jake Squires (Adam Daughtrey, 67), Thomas Cropper (Daniel Barnsley, 56), Joshua Statham, Alfie Smith, Jay Evison, Oliver Grady, Nathan Morritt, Alex Nightingale, Richie Williams (Josef Turner, 78)

Unused Subs: James Dawes, Charlie Myers