Retford Town 4-3 Railway Inn

A bare Retford Town team came out victors in Saturday's league clash with Railway Inn FC.

With 3 players dropping out hours before kick off, Manager Adam Thomas made his first start of the season in blustery conditions at Oaklands.

Kicking with the favourable wind, Railway Inn started brightly whilst Town found their feet, but failed to capitalise on a few early chances after some fine passing play.

The away team took the lead mid-way through the first half, with Town hitting on the break almost immediately through forward Dan Law.

Manager Thomas found himself on the wrong side of a 50-50 challenge and came off injured clutching his foot, leaving Town to re-organise quickly knowing now they had to play the remaining 60 minutes with 10 men.

Or so they thought...

Assistant Manager 51 year old David Manning borrowed some boots and donned the number 6 shirt to take Thomas' place on the right wing making this his first competitive outfield fixture since 2001.

The scores were level come half time, with the home team hoping to kick-on in the second half aided by the strong wind. However, Town again were sloppy at the restart conceding two goals in the following five minutes.

Skipper Metcalfe, and the centre-half partnership of Ryan and Tomlinson rallied the troops, and a re-energised Town were back in the game, with Dan Law breaking through twice from long goal-kicks to complete his hat-trick.

With the scores tied at 3-3, both teams were pressing, but the disciplined back line of Town, combined with Railway's inability to stay on-side meant that Town always looked the most likely to score.

Score they did, and under the most unusual circumstances.

After Railway Inn's goalkeeper failed to clear his lines after coming to collect the ball 25 yards out, David Manning struck from 45 yards into an open goal to put Town 4-3 ahead and secure their second home win this season.

Town lie 5th in the table, and 5 points from the top of the table after 6 games.