Town lose on penalaties in the Abacus Lighting Floodlit Cup

After 90 minutes of exhilarating football Town departed the Abacus Lighting Floodlit Cup after the tie was settled from the penalty spot following an outstanding display by the Retford keeper.

The match got off to an explosive start with the Blues being awarded a penalty after 53 seconds which Lewis Chambers coolly dispatched. Retford almost levelled a couple of minutes later, Casburn poking the ball wide from close range before Chambers saw a shot come back from the foot of a post. As play swung from end to end Retford drew level on 13 minutes in fortunate circumstances, Lewis King slicing a clearance into his own net. Ben Castell headed another goalbound shot off his own line, but Retford were in front with a quarter of an hour on the clock, Kane taking Craig Rhodes by surprise with a crisply struck shot from 25 yards. The high tempo of the game continued and Newark brought the scores level in the 23rd minute, George Asplin showing a turn of pace down the left before delivering the perfect low cross for Kieran Job to hit home. Shortly afterwards Retford had the ball in the net, but the referee had spotted a push in the build-up. A second penalty for Town put them back in front after 35 minutes after Asplin was brought down, Chambers again doing the necessary from the spot. The lead again was short-lived as three minutes later Casburn applied the finishing touch in a crowded penalty area. Rhodes pulled off a fine save as Kane unleashed another shot from long range before an incident packed half came to an end.

In comparison the second period was less frenetic. Craig Bridge threatened in the early stages, his shot well held by Conway. North then put pressure on Casburn as he broke clear, the shot clearing the bar and stand. Retford had another goal disallowed midway through the half, this time for offside, before the Blues stepped up the tempo, Asplin seeing his well struck shot well held by the keeper then seeing another effort hacked off the line by Brooks. Conway in the home goal then pulled off a series of outstanding late saves from accurate free kicks from Asplin and Bridge, saving the best for an 89th minute deflection, again from Bridge. The final action saw Rhodes make a timely interception to thwart Varley as he looked certain to settle the match.

The tie then went straight to penalties. Rhodes saved Retford’s first effort, Carty, North, Bridge and Chambers keeping Town’s noses in front until the last of the scheduled kick’s when Conway saved from Asplin. As sudden death kicked in Castell kept Town level but Tyler Martin saw his shot saved to give Retford the narrowest of victories.