The visitors, Retford, got off to a good start when Gareth Davies managed to get onto a cross from Retford left-back ‘Harry Goddard. Davies flicked the ball back goal-wards with his head, beating the helpless Dylan Parkin in the Parkgate net.

The Steelmen nearly managed to pull one back instantly, when a Simon Harrison corner fell in a perfect area but Retford defender, Graeme Severn cleared well; preventing any touch goal-bounds.

The game continued to swing from end-to-end, with both sets of strikers having chances but the visitors number 10, Josh Street, chased down a ‘flick-on’ before rounding Parkin and passing the ball into the open Parkgate net to put his side two-up.

Captain, Simon Harrison, created himself two great chances from nothing, when his first effect was blocked by a sliding defender, before he could only drag his second shot a yard wide of the post.

Gareth Davies got his second of the game when Retford broke once again, Adam Scott hitting the post, before Davies reacted the quickest, firing back towards goal and into the far bottom corner to give Retford a 0-3 half time lead.

HALF-TIME | Parkgate 0-3 Retford FC

The second half was a much more conservative affair as Retford seemed happy to sit on their three goal lead and the host not really offering much, in the way of being able to break them down.

The visitors goalkeeper, Jon Kennedy, saved well from Jon Fusco, before it was ‘pin-ball’ in the penalty area. Eventually Lewis Whitaker’s wayward effort deflected in off The Chough’s Will Tomlinson and into the net to pull a goal back.

However, they held firm for the final 20 minutes of the game and travelled home with a well-earned three points.

FULL-TIME | Parkgate 1-3 Retford FC

Parkgate: Parkin, Yates, L.Whitaker, Crookes, Ward, J.Davies (Hemmingway, 46’), E.Simpson (Khalifa, 67’), Harrison(c), Holden, Fusco, Bagley (Rippon, 34’).

Unused subs: Morris, Williams.

Photo courtesy of Retford Football Club.