NCEL Midweek Review
20th April, 2007
Retford United completed what they hope will be the first part of their double aspirations as they picked up the Presidents Cup.
Leading 4-1 after the first leg, the Badgers went to Selby Town on Thursday night as firm favourites.
And, despite a 2-1 defeat with a brace from Adam Russell for the Robins and a late strike from Mick Godber for Retford, they held on to lift the trophy 5-3 on aggregate.
Forty-eight hours later, their bid for the second and more coveted prize, the Premier Division title, took a slight knock as the leaders were beaten 1-0 at Glapwell.
The Hall Corner side kept their slim hopes of promotion alive thanks to an Ian Brown goal two minutes from time that moves them into fifth.
Fourth-placed Carlton Town, meanwhile, failed to fully close the gap with Garforth Town, who are in third, with a 2-2 home draw against Sutton Town.
If they miss out on promotion, they will look back at the last ten minutes of this game as they were leading 2-0 going into the final stages, courtesy of goals from Dean Gent and Darryl Thomas.
But, James Dooley struck twice to make it four goals in the last two matches for him and claim a point for the away side who stay eighth.
Long Eaton United moved up into tenth with a 3-1 win at Liversedge, Mark Strzyzewski with the opener and then two for Matthew McCaul, one of which was a penalty, whilst Ryan Buckley struck for the hosts.
And, Mickleover Sports came from behind to beat visitors Thackley, 3-2, with goals from Gavin Wilson and Channon North turning the game around in the last thirteen minutes.
Meanwhile, in the only Division One game, Worsbrough Bridge moved up into sixth with a 2-0 win at Staveley Miners Welfare as Glenn Walton and Peter Hirst found the net.
In knockout action, Garforth Town booked their place in the NCEL League Cup Final as a second-half Ian Twitchen brace claimed a 2-0 victory over visitors Winterton Rangers.
They now face Mickleover Sports at Sheffield?s Coach & Horses Ground on Saturday the 5th of May in the season finale.
There was misery, meanwhile, for two of our sides in County Cup Semi-Final action.
Gedling Town were thumped 6-0 at Eastwood Town in the Notts Senior Cup whilst there was heartbreak in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup as Parkgate were beaten 4-3 in extra-time by Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Caine Cheetham, Kyle Nix and Ryan Johnson got the goals for the Division One champions as they acquitted themselves well against UniBond opposition.