FORGETTABLE

RETFORD United crashed out of the League Cup on Tuesday, away at Thackley – the side that beat them in November.

Retford were without the cup-tied Carl Haslam, had other layers unavailable and to make matters worse didn’t arrive until shortly before kick-off due to traffic.

The home side were sharper early on, taking only three minutes to find the net as Dempsey Smith’s effort beat Jason Fisher.

Retford were caught again after 11 minutes as a neat back heel by Brice Tiani was crossed into the box for Mike Garrod to fire on target and put Thackley into a two-goal lead.

Worse was to come four minutes later when the lead was extended further, United being pegged back and conceding a corner that fell to Nicky Matthews who found the net with a long range effort.

Retford started to come into the game, Steve Carty tried to play Adam Scott through, but the flag was raised for offside, then a corner ball in for Retford was cleared into the path of Rob Austin but he could only hit his effort over the bar.

There was some hope on 26 minutes when Scott made a good run past the keeper who had come to the edge of his box to slot the ball home and give United something to play for.

An attempt to find Scott moments later could have put a different spin on the game, but the pass forward was hit too hard and the keeper collected.

Scott’s thunderous effort crashed against a defender after a cross into the box was punched clear as Mellon pressured the keeper.

Despite a better end to the half than the start, Dave Issott flashing his shot inches wide of the post, United were punished for a fourth time on 43 minutes.

A cross was not held by Fisher and Matthews scored his second of the night from the rebound and put the game beyond the reach of the visitors.

The second half saw little for Retford to cheer, Adam Scott’s effort from the edge of the box almost had Matt Convey beaten, but the keeper stretched to save as the ball looped over him.

Thackley regained control, Smith given plenty of time to choose his spot somehow put the ball wide.

The game was over on 70 minutes, Liam Moore, who had only been on the field for two minutes, made a run into the box to slide the ball past Fisher for Thackley’s fifth and final goal to take them through to the next round of the competition.

Manager Brett Marshall was not happy, branding the display as embarrassing as he had seen his side suffer their heaviest defeat of the season.

It was a night to forget, but it’s back to league action on Saturday as United host Long Eaton United at Cannon Park in the league.

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