For once, Town were able to name nine of the players who had featured in the previous match, and which showed a great deal of spirit in what was probably the best performance seen this season.
Newark had the first chance, Dom Swingler’s first time shot going wide after a long ball from midfield, but Retford applied the bulk of the early pressure, only for Town to take an 11th minute lead. Michael Minty played the ball in from the left, Andy Palmer laying it off to Sam Wilford who hammered a perfectly placed 30 yarder past Housley in the Retford goal. The visitors had the ball in the net a couple of minutes later but a linesman’s flag intervened. Middleton then lofted a shot wide, but the scores were level on 19 minutes, when a needlessly conceded free kick was curled against the bar by Davies, Tomlinson using his considerable presence to shepherd the ball over the line. As Newark retaliated, Wilford again went close from distance before Joe Brumpton’s cross struck the face of the bar, Minty’s follow up header just clearing the woodwork. Town suffered a blow as Cody Donnelly had to limp off, Vlad Dadu taking his position in defence. Danny Purves put in a well-timed saving tackle to rob Tong in the act of shooting, before the home side shocked Retford with two goals in the space of three minutes. Joe Brumpton was responsible for both, the first a simple tap-in following good work by Dom Swingler, followed by a quality solo effort as he cut in past two challenges wide on the right before advancing into the area and firing past Housley, sending Town in two goals to the good at the break.
The last thing the Blues needed was to concede an early goal at the start of the second half, but that’s exactly what they did, Tomlinson bulldozing his way into the Town area, Sam Russell only able to parry his shot to Tong who was left with an easy finish. FP McGregor was the second Blues player to retire injured, Ian Maplethorpe replacing him at the back. Retford drew level on 62minutes, Tomlinson launching a powerful volley from 25 yards which had too much behind it for Russell to keep it out. The striker was then lucky to remain on the pitch after a two-footed challenge on Russell, which was only deemed worthy of a yellow card. Sub Tyler Martin came within inches of putting Swingler away, Annable providing a timely interception, but with ten minutes remaining Retford delivered the killer blow, Chapman sending in a well-flighted free kick which was headed home by Annable. A distinctly disappointing refereeing performance, which somehow resulted in five cautions for Town and just one for the visitors was crowned by the last minute dismissal of Joe Parker which came more from frustration than malice as Newark reached the half way point in their league season with no reward for a solid display.