When Ollerton Town's Fast Frame Sports Ground went dark in the 27th minute of their game against Retford on Wednesday evening, those in attendance had little confidence that they would see the full game out. This a fixture which was abandoned back in 2019 for the very same reason and all the signs seemed to suggest that this game was going the same way.

Thankfully for Ollerton, who led 1-0 at the time, their generator recovered and there was light once again, allowing them to score four more goals to secure a comprehensive victory against their local rivals, making it back-to-back wins in the space of five days and 10 goals scored in their previous two league outings.

After eight league games without a win before Saturday, successive triumphs will do Steve Bodle's men a world of good and they head into Saturday's derby against Clipstone in a confident mood.

The first sight of goal went the way of Retford in the 7th minute when Gaz Davies was picked out inside the area before sending a timid shot straight at Levi Owen, returning to the Ollerton goal after a six game suspension.

Ollerton responded and spurned a golden opportunity to go ahead. Jacques Etia picked up a loose ball and drove at the Retford defence, working his way to the edge of the six yard box before sending a shot just wide of the far post.

Thankfully, with his side enjoying the better of proceedings, Etia got his goal in the 14th minute to put Ollerton ahead. Ollie Grady rose well to flick a ball on to Luke Francis on the edge of the area. He instinctively caressed it into space behind the Retford back line with Etia using his pace to beat Jon Kennedy to the ball and finish well for two goals in two games.

Only moments later, Ollerton hit the bar as they looked to take control of the game. Jake Squires' throw found the head of Francis and his powerful effort beat Kennedy but bounced away off the woodwork.

The Town were well on top and Kennedy was forced into action to deny a low shot from Francis before tipping Sam Geeves' corner away from under his own bar.

Then, with Ollerton waiting to take a free kick, the lights went out. With the players back in the changing rooms, and spectators huddled round awaiting news, the generator was allowed to cool down before the Ollerton committee crossed their fingers and tried to get it going once again. The sight of the floodlights turning back on was a very welcome one, with the 118 in attendance returning to pitch side hoping to see the game they had turned up to watch.

Incredibly, within seconds of the game restarting, Ollerton doubled their lead. Grady finally took his free kick and floated the ball into the box, where former Ollerton player Davies was on hand to thump a header into the back of his own net.

That put Bodle's charges in control and six minutes later, they got their third to leave Retford with a mountain to climb. Geeves' corner found George Slack at the back post and after his initial effort was saved on the line, he reacted quickest to jab home the rebound.

With such a commanding lead at half time, Ollerton's prayers that their generator held out would have been even more intense at the interval but with light still shining on NG22, the game restarted and The Town kept up their dominance.

In the 48th minute, Grady's ball across the area found Geeves in space at the back post and he took a touch before seeing a shot blocked by a recovering defender.

Five minutes later, Etia worked his way towards the byline and pulled the ball back for his strike partner, Francis. On the back of two goals on Saturday, Ollerton's recent signing jabbed a shot at goal which had Kennedy stranded but struck the post, Ollerton finding the woodwork for a second time.

Another Ollerton goal seemed inevitable and it arrived in style in the 56th minute. Grady was fouled 30 yards from goal and Lewis Murr stepped up to whip the ball over the wall and into the bottom corner, past the dive of Kennedy, to make it 4-0.

With the game seemingly wrapped up, Ollerton shuffled their pack and the returning Gav King was brought on in place of Etia, King still needing just one goal to bring up a century for the club.

Retford needed a miracle to get anything from the contest and Matty Parkin tried his luck from distance but it went well wide of the target.

Ollerton still looked the most likely and Grady's superb long ball got Francis away down the right but his shot across goal went just wide of the target.

George Slack is enjoying a prolific season, proving himself to be somewhat of a goal scoring centre back, but I doubt he's scored many better than the goal which made it 5-0 and secured his brace. Squires' ball into the area was met by a Retford head, but it only went as far as Slack just inside the area and he took once touch with his left foot, to keep the bouncing ball in the air, before using his weaker left foot once again to hit a stunning dipping volley which flew past Kennedy and into the roof of the net.

Retford's heads were beginning to go and they were temporarily reduced to ten, a defender being sent to the sin bin for his language towards the assistant referee.

In the mean time, Ollerton were pushing for sixth and Francis' overhead kick from just outside the six yard box landed on the roof of the net.

With the three points wrapped up, attention then turned to if King could get his long-awaited 100th goal. He had a chance to in the 82nd minute, when Geeves picked him out with a cross from the right, but he just couldn't get the meaningful contact required.

Two minutes later, it almost arrived in stunning style as Ollerton hit the woodwork for a third time. After creating space for himself 25 yards out, King struck a wonderful bending shot which had Kennedy beaten but unfortunately for Ollerton's top 'scorer, it cannoned off the face of the bar.

Murr could have got his second of the game when Francis played it towards him at the back post, but the onrushing wing back failed to direct his shot towards goal.

Retford then had their first meaningful chance in about 80 minutes as Adam Scott sent a long-distance free kick towards goal, forcing Owen to scamper across to claim the ball.

That was the last real opportunity in the game with Ollerton enjoying not only a clinical attacking display, but also a solid defensive performance a combination which, if repeated, should stand them in good stead going into the final few games of the season.

Photos by Ruby McPhee