Saturday 29th July 2023 | Austin Ainsworth
Wakefield AFC started a new Northern Counties East League Division One campaign away to
newly-promoted Retford United, who won last season’s Central Midlands League North at a canter.
Wakefield, having achieved their own promotion to the NCEL the season before last, went in to this
first game with their sights firmly set on automatic promotion as league champions, having missed
out in the play-offs last year at their first attempt.
Several new signings and a move to Belle Vue Stadium in the heart of Wakefield have done
nothing to dent the optimism surrounding the West Yorkshire club, but they were served a harsh
dose of reality in Nottinghamshire by a Retford United side who displayed their credentials at this
level, belying their newly-promoted status.
Wakefield manager Gabe Mozzini had some tough decisions to make on his first line-up with
regard to the existing squad’s achievements last year, the promise of the incoming players and the
relevant successes of the entire squad during a positive pre-season. Henry Kendrick was a familiar
face between the sticks behind a new-look back four, which included Brad Swain making a
welcome return from injury and Jack Durkin at centre-back who looks certain to be a regular starter
this year. The big decision in defence was the absence of Cory Woodward, who has featured in
every game of the last two seasons and started all but one of those; he had to make do with a spot
on the bench in place of new-signing Nathan Hawkhead. Debuts were also given to Callum
Charlton on the left of a 4-3-3 and Ashley Flynn – prolific, record goalscorer at this level – down the
middle.
The latter nearly gave himself, and his team, a dream start after just three minutes when he
latched on to a perfectly weighted pass from playmaker Jaydan Sandhu just on the left edge of the
penalty area. His first touch set him perfectly before he drilled a shot millimetres wide of the far
post with the outside of his boot. For a striker who lives at the top of the goalscoring charts – once
hitting 74 in a single season – the half-chance would have probably found the net 99 times out of
100 for the predatory Flynn.
It wasn’t to be on a day where nothing much went right for a frustrated Wakefield. Retford chose
the right moments to implement a ferocious press on Wakefield’s attempts to play out from the
back, but matched that by setting up their six defensive players in a low block to nullify Wakefield
when they did move in to the final third.
Retford’s compact, aggressive approach also provided them much opportunity to counter, and they
did so on several occasions, Kendrick making a good save just moments after Flynn’s early
chance. The home side then opened the scoring midway through the half when Wakey left-back
Jack McGahan could only direct a stretching header back towards the centre of the pitch.
Wakefield then failed to clear after initially winning the ball back, before Retford’s James Eyles
pounced on the ball and saw his curling shot take a fortunate deflection just inside of the far post.
Wakefield were saved by the woodwork on two occasions in the ensuing 10 minutes, before they
themselves were then unfortunate not to equalise just before half-time. The away side’s best
moments in the half had come when captain Danny Youel – top assist-maker last year – released
Mason Rubie down the right with a series of pin-point long passes. He did so twice in the closing
moments of the half; the first seeing Rubie square the ball for Flynn to see his goal-bound, first-
time shot blocked by the last man, and then when Rubie himself beat his man down the right and
whizzed a shot across goal which bounced back off the inside of the far post.
Those chances would have given Wakefield confidence that there was a route back in to the game,
but that route was blocked just moments in to the second half when the home side doubled their
advantage. Retford had worked the ball to the left of the penalty area when their player weaved out
and then in to create the space for an in-swinging cross to the back post. Wakefield should have
been comfortable, having had time to set their defensive positions, but were caught sleeping as
Eyles ghosted in, unmarked at the back post to volley home his second goal of the game.
The introduction of Woodward in defence and, later, Jock Curran at the base of midfield appeared
to help Wakefield, who saw more and more of the ball in threatening areas as they appeared able
to hold a higher line without fear of the ball over the top that had plagued them in the first half.
Flynn, and Billy Mole behind him – both too isolated in the first half – benefitted as Wakefield’s
intricate possession play moved closer to them.
Clear-cut chances remained at a premium but there were moments, not least when a decent cross
from Youel seemed destined to be nodded home by Flynn, only for what appeared an outstretched
hand from the defender to block the ball. Wakefield’s protestations were waved away by the
referee as they continued to press for a goal to set-up a tense finale for Retford.
Youel had a good shot well-saved by the Retford ‘keeper in the 73rd minute before Flynn, and
probably everyone else present at Cannon Park, thought he would add to his impressive NCEL
tally when he turned to latch on to an exquisite through ball from Youel just on the edge of the
penalty area. Flynn, having lost his marker, chose to shoot first time but dragged his shot just wide
of the far post.
An increasingly gung-ho approach from Wakefield left them exposed to the counter-attack in the
dying moments. That transpired when a simple clearance forward started a foot-chase between
Woodward and the Retford winger down the right. Woodward stumbled under pressure from the
attacker, injuring his knee in the process, as the attacker then had all the time in the world to
square the ball for Retford substitute Igor Mylnarski on the penalty spot, who guided the ball past
Kendrick with a well-taken finish.
Retford were deserving of the win, if not the scoreline, on a day in which their robust, organised
and clinical approach left Wakefield with questions they were unable to answer. Even in defeat,
there were some positive signs of what is to come for Wakefield this season once fitness and
chemistry between new team-mates is achieved; the intricate, possession based football, the
ability and vision of players such as Youel in creating chances and the presence of Flynn who will
occupy the spaces where those chances can be converted.
Wakefield will be thankful of an immediate return to action, as they look to put things right against
Staveley Miners Welfare in midweek at home for Belle Vue’s introduction to NCEL football; kick-off
is at 19:45PM on Tuesday 1st August 2023.
Match Stats
Half Time: 1-0
Full Time: 3-0
Possession:
Retford United 30% – 70% Wakefield AFC
Attendance: 275
Wakefield AFC Starting XI:
Henry Kendrick – Bradley Swain, Jack Durkin, Nathan Hawkhead, Jack McGahan – Mason Rubie, Danny
Youel (C), Jaydan Sandhu, Callum Charlton – Billy Mole – Ashley Flynn
Wakefield AFC Subs Used:
46m, Aaron Pilkington for Bradley Swain
46m, Kieran Ceesay for Jack McGahan
56m, Cory Woodward for Nathan Hawkhead
71m, Jock Curran for Jaydan Sandhu
Goals:
24m, James Eyles
47m, James Eyles
90m, Igor Mylnarski
Attempts:
Wakefield AFC
First Half
Shots on Target: 1
Shots off Target: 5
Second Half
Shots on Target: 1
Shot off Target: 3
Retford United
First Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 4
Second Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 1