Year ends on a high for Badgers

Saturday’s clash was an open affair, with chances for both sides.

Retford started brightly, a move built up on the right made progress for Richard Medcalf but he couldn’t keep the ball in play.

Jake Stannard, moved from defence to attack for this match, made an early contribution with his flick on for Reece Thompson but again before the cross could be made, the ball was just out of play.

Bobby Johnson lost the ball to set Craig Hogg on a run at goal, the prolific striker’s shot cleared.

Bridlington started to come into the game, Joel Sutton should have done better with his effort that ballooned over the bar and another shot from Sutton was tipped away by Jody Barford for a corner, Chris Jenkinson hitting over.

The opening goal came for Bridlington in the 10th minute, Hogg firing a shot into the top corner.

Hogg couldn’t believe his luck when he was given a free header, but was off target as the United defence failed to clear.

Thompson robbed the ball from Wayne Aziz who was caught dithering on the ball, his run forward led him into the box where he was bundled over with nothing given.

But on 32 minutes, Retford were deservedly level with a goal from Richard Medcalf, squeezing in a shot from the tightest of angles.

The second half saw more Retford possession, Thompson offside with an early run, and a succession of corners won, but none could penetrate the Bridlington defence.

Medcalf skipped through into the box, his ball across for Thompson was smothered on the line by Philip Dobson with the United striker unable to get the ball from under the keeper.

Sutton almost found the breakthrough for the home side with a shot that was inches wide of the upright, but Retford were back on the attack with a great run by Thompson for Stannard who rattled the post with his effort.

Medcalf made way for Gav Cooper on 66 minutes and Cooper was straight into the action, doing well to hold off the defence to earn a corner, the ball played into the box and the keeper rose but flapped at the ball giving Walkden a chance to get the ball back into the box, the defence hooking clear.

Two more decisions had Richard Sennett animated, the first a shove in the box on Thompson went unseen and the second a handball in the box from a corner was also waved away.

Johnson had a free-kick inches over the bar, but in the 78th minute, a run into the box by Cooper was halted as he was tripped - this time a penalty was given - and Johnson stepped up and with a blur of his new luminous green boot, slotted the ball home from the spot.

The final stages were all Retford, Thompson doing well to get into the box but couldn’t squeeze the ball past the keeper, but Bridlington almost had the final say as a late effort by James Bennett was only a fraction wide of the far post with Sutton almost making contact, but Retford had done enough to take the points and end 2013 on a high.

United are next in action on Saturday at home to struggling Glasshoughton Welfare followed by another home game next Tuesday as Lincoln Moorlands come to town.