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Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 00:00
Retford Town 4 (AET)
EXTRA time was needed for Town to overcome South Elmsall and progress into the quarter final of the League Cup.
A somewhat under-strength Town should have made the perfect start with Russell ending a good run down with a perfect cross, but the opportunity was lost.
On 10 minutes, Law put Russell through but his shot flew across the face of the goal as Town put on the early pressure.
Russell and Law fed in Kirkwood whose powerful effort was just over the crossbar.
Gray was next to go close, connecting well but with his head from a corner kick.
The Reds should have been ahead but on 23 minutes the home side showed their intent, forcing Valente into an excellent save.
Kirkwood spotted the keeper well off his line and hit a long, high effort that almost found the target.
Law then had a fierce shot that the keeper could not hold and House, following up, drove the ball just wide.
Retford were made to pay for their inability to put the ball in the net when the home side scored after 37 minutes from a breakaway, with the ball going in off the post.
The half finished with Gray again heading just over and another Russell effort going across the face of the goal.
Town came out determined to put things right and again started to dominate proceedings.
A Gallagher free kick hit the wall and fell to House, who shot wide , and another Gallagher run almost produced the equaliser as Town got closer and put the pressure on.
A cross from Smith found Law, who was having a fine match up front, but the keeper saved.
With 65 minutes gone the Reds got what they deserved when a Valente kick was seized on by Law who played it back to Kirkwood to hammer home an unstoppable 25-yard strike for 1-1.
With 10 minutes left Retford deservedly took the lead and again Valente's long kick was taken by Russell who flicked the ball on to Law who made no mistake to make it 2-1.
The tie looked won but the linesman gave a free kick against Valente, and a low free kick found its way past the wall and goalkeeper into the bottom corner for a shock last-gasp equaliser.
In the first period of extra time Handley came on for the injured Gallagher as Retford had to raise their game yet again.
They did just that with an excellent goal from Russell, who took Gray's perfectly chested down corner from Law in his stride to volley home the third.
This seemed to tip one of the home side over the edge who struck Kirkwood with a late tackle which saw Town's young midfielder laid low for a number of minutes for treatment as the offender received a deserved red card.
In the second period Woodward found Law and the in form striker, despite initially falling, got up, went on and calmly struck home a decisive fourth goal.
A good show from Town despite having to come back from a goal down at half-time.
Good individual performances from the Reds with Gray and Law outstanding, but Vine Inn MoM was awarded to a black and blue Anton Kirkwood who had been superb in midfield.
Town face South Kirkby Colliery in the quarter finals.
Retford get back to the league on Saturday at Tiln when Maltby are the visitors for a 2pm kick off.
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