End of 12-match winning run for leaders Clay Cross

The 12-match winning run of leaders Clay Cross Town was brought to an end by their closest rivals for the title, Retford.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Nov 2018, 14:34 BST

Updated 26th Nov 2018, 15:40 BST

Clay Crosss Joel Holland tests the Retford defence.

Clay Cross had surged 12 points clear at the top of the Central Midlands League’s North Division. But they went down 5-3 at home to unbeaten Retford, who also have two matches in hand.

The Millers effectively threw the game away in the opening five minutes when the visitors stormed into a two-goal advantage, courtesy of Adam Scott and Will Tomlinson.

Woken from their slumber, Clay Cross pushed forward and pressure resulted in a 25th minute penalty. However, Jordan Hendley’s kick ricocheted off the post, and it became clear it wasn’t to be their day. Gareth Davies added to the Millers’ misery on 50 minutes and when Haydn Goddard made it 4-0, all hopes of a revival faded.

Clay Cross did pull two back, through Ryan Ordidge and Josh Parfitt, but Retford and Davies added another before an added-time consolation, from the spot, by Josh Scully.