Plenty of Positives Despite Vase Exit!

Ollerton Town's Wembley dream is over for another year as they were knocked out in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Vase after a 3-2 loss to Retford United on Saturday.
Both sides came into the game on the back of similar form. Ollerton remain without a point as they adapt to life in the Northern Counties East League whilst Retford, who ply their trade a division higher than The Town, were pointless until last week's shock victory against Worksop Town.
The game was a close affair with Ollerton taking the lead before Retford struck to make it 2-1 at the break. Ollerton equalised just after half time but a third Retford goal proved to be decisive despite Ollerton being the better of the two sides during the second period.
It was the home side who also started the game the brighter. Lewis Bingham broke free down the right and his lob had Valente beaten but it frustratingly struck the bar and bounced to safety. Mark Carter then had a great opportunity for Ollerton but he could only send Brandon Shaw's cross just wide of the upright.
It was no surprise when Ollerton opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour. Josh Bowkett got his fifth of the season when his first time shot from the edge of the area found the bottom corner.
Retford however struck back and went ahead from two freekicks. The first was sent in deep to the far post before finding the back of the net off a shoulder of Brett Lucas. Ten minutes later and from close range, Kyle Wesley turned in a freekick taken from an identical position, beating Joe Hankey in the Ollerton goal.
Just before the break, Ollerton nearly equalised. Bowkett got the ball just inside the area and his shot across goal went inches wide of the target.
It took until a minute into the second half before Ollerton finally levelled. A Tom Cooke cross was flicked on by Josh Dodd and Mark Carter was on hand at the far post to strike an effort into the corner for his first Ollerton goal.
With what was Retford’s best chance of the second half, they scored what proved to be the winner. Charlie Sykes pounced on a loose ball before running through and slotting past Hankey.
Ollerton started to build some strong pressure on the Retford goal with the visitors already running the clock down with around twenty minutes to go. Sam Stretton fired over from the edge of the box, Tom Cooke saw a well struck shot acrobatically tipped over the bar before Lewis Bingham saw an outstretched volley go wide of the goal.
With fifteen minutes to go, Ollerton had another great chance. Mark Carter found some space in the area but from twelve yards out, his shot lacked the power needed to test Valente.
As the clock ran down, it seemed to be a case of what would happen first, Ollerton scoring or the referee blowing for full time.
A cross to the far post found Lewis Bingham and his pass across the face of goal was waiting to be tapped home, but no Ollerton player got near to it.
Then came the best chances of the half. A ball over the top found substitute Chris Hewitt free, and his header had the beating of Valente who was caught in no man’s land, but the ball landed agonisingly wide of the target.
With the final attack of the game, Ollerton and Hewitt broke free again but the Ollerton front man appeared to be caught in two minds whether to shoot or pass and a Retford defender got back to save them.
So it is Retford who progress into the next round to take on Oakham United but Ollerton will feel their performance deserved something from the game and they will look to take the positives into the league, starting with Brigg Town away on Wednesday.