Thursday 29th September 2011
by TERRY DAMMS
Staveley MWFC were held to a 1-1 draw but the score line does not reflect the true story of a game that was played for 77-minutes in a 10 versus 11 form after Staveley MWFC had captain Tom Jones harshly sent off after 13 minutes.
That decision, amongst others, ruined the 90-minutes although the poor performances of certain parties should not detract away from the huge effort put in by the Staveley players where on balance of the remaining 80% of the game Staveley looked surprisingly the more likely to take the 3-points.
The early pace was all Staveley's with the first free kick awarded after 90 seconds some 35 yards from goal. Joe Thornton, swinging the ball in found Chris Coy, who headed back across goal and gave Gavin Smith, from 6-yards out, the first good chance of the game.
Retford's main threat all afternoon was the long throw in from centre back Corey Nightingale and on 6 minutes, the first of many long throws into the Staveley penalty area brought the first sign of danger from the visitors.
Chris Coy tested Jason Fisher in the Retford goal but the keeper did well to get low down to his left.
There then came a decision that changed the whole game.
Chris Fawcus lost the ball 70 yards from goal and enabled Retford to counter. A ball down the middle for Steve Owens to run onto saw Tom Jones come across the striker some 35-yards from goal. It was a foul but the ball was knocked diagonally away from goal and was not a goal scoring opportunity but, a red card was shown by the referee who was some 40-yards away from play itself. That decision was extremely harsh and raised an array of criticism from the home fans.
Down to 10 men, Staveley's winger Joe Thornton was sacrificed for Michael Staley as Staveley adopted a 4-4-1 formation but throughout the remaining 77 minutes, Retford stood rigidly with a back 4 against the Staveley lone striker and showed little enthusiasm to gamble and make their numerical advantage pay dividends.
On 18 minutes, Martin Foster beat the full back and crossed into the box but the ball was knocked out to the edge of the area where Luke Fletcher teed himself up for a shot on goal, only to be impeded by Carl Haslam but again, referee Archie Rowbottom did not adhere himself to the home fans, waving play on and allowing Retford to break.
On 20-minutes Carl Haslam was also harshly cautioned by the referee for a nothing challenge, again, raising criticism this time from the visiting supporters and bench.
Another bizarre decision on 30 minutes when Luke Fletcher was bundled over, giving Retford a chance to break, but Staveley's rearranged back four looked comfortable.
On 35-minutes, Jordan Eagers found himself in space but his shot was saved by Jason Fisher.
Despite their disadvantage Staveley were creating the more open chances with Retford relying on dead balls and throw ins and the 45 minutes came to a close.
Staveley opened up brightly and a Ryan Damms volley from 25-yards was well saved by Jason Fisher again.
A couple of early corners for Staveley who tried to take them short came to nothing and a needless free kick given away by Staveley brought another dead ball for Retford.
Chris Coy was causing the Retford right back all sorts of problems, going inside and then a burst of pace down the outside, this looked a likely outlet for Staveley.
On 52 minutes a slick move between Martin Foster and Andrew Fox, with the midfielder backheeling a timely pass into Ryan Damms, saw Damms' effort go narrowly wide.
Staveley continued to assert the pressure and, when Jordan Eagers found space, he put in a superb cross that eluded the advancing Chris Coy.
Applying the pressure down the left Chris Fawcus put in a far post cross and Jordan Eagers challenged but it was headed partially clear, Martin Foster gathering the ball, went outside and laid the ball back to Jordan Eagers who, with one touch with his right, brought it back to his left and buried the ball into the rigging with a superb left foot strike to give Staveley a well deserved lead.
Jordan Eagers (left) about to strike with his left foot to give Staveley a 1-0 lead
However, the Staveley lead lasted a whole 3 minutes.
Retford pressure down the Staveley right brought a series of throw ins that Retford were using to edge nearer toward the Staveley penalty area. Martin Foster, trying to get a deflected thrown in put the ball out for a thrown in - in line with the 18-yard area on 62 minutes.
With Michael Staley and Gavin Smith defending, Barry Payne got in between them on the end of another long throw in to bring Retford level 1-1 against the run of play.
Staveley were rueing their inability to hold onto the 1-0 lead that may have brought Retford more out of their shells but, on the contrary, it seemed that Retford were content to hold onto a point against Staveley's 10-men.
The game continued with Staveley still looking the more dangerous in open play but Retford were looking dangerous from set pieces and Staveley had to concentrate.
The game had become a pattern and there was little for Ian Deakin to do in the Staveley net. Jason Fisher looked the busier of the keepers as the game ended with a point a piece for the teams.
It says something about the game when the 10-man team for 77-minutes were disappointed not to have taken the 3-points.
Hard work, tenacity and sweat and toil for the Staveley lads who should be highly delighted by their efforts.
As for Retford is was hard to fathom why they did not go for the kill instead seeming to be very happy to take a point away from the league leaders.
Next week it is the glamour of the FA Cup and the visit of Hyde FC who for the 11th game in their league campaign dropped their first points drawing 2-2 at Eastwood Town FC.
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