This FA Cup tie at Christchurch was a game of particular significance to Belper management duo Peter Duffield and Mick Godber who had considerable success whilst at Cannon Park just a few seasons ago.

Duffield was at the helm when his Retford side pipped the Nailers on goals scored to secure promotion to the Premier Division, whilst Belper lost out to Stocksbridge Park Steels in the play off final that season.

Dan White was also in the Badgers’ ranks in that period and ran out as part of an unchanged Belper line up, while there were returns to the squad for both Sam Duncum and Jamie Jackson who have had spells out with injury and illness respectively.

Retford arrived at Christchurch Meadow currently leading the pack at the top of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division after winning four of their five games so far this season.

Chris Jones hit a powerful shot from 35 yards that whistled over the cross bar inside the first 2 minutes and the tie had begun at a high tempo straight from the kick off.

Graeme Severn’s sweetly struck shot from a cross from the right was cleared off the line by Dan White in the 13th minute as Retford broke forward, then Chris Adam failed to connect with a Shaun Tuton cross 3 minutes later as the Nailers responded.

The game descended into a scrappy period in which neither side could string more than three passes together and when Liam Wilkin skied a shooting chance on 35 minutes it only emphasised the lack of quality in the game.

Jon Froggatt’s glancing header wasn’t too far away from the far post after Lee Thompson provided the cross from the left, and Chris Jones floated a cross straight at Jody Barford as the half drew to its close.

The Nailers looked more purposeful at the start of the second period and Chris Adam’s cross in the 50th minute caused problems for the Badgers’ defence and moments later Jon Froggatt flicked the ball into the net after Colin Marrison nodded the ball down, but Froggatt was flagged off side.

However Belper pressure told in the 52nd minute when the ball broke for Glyn Cotton on the edge of the penalty area and he steered the ball hard and low just inside the post.

Belper gave themselves breathing space 4 minutes later when Chris Adam scored a great individual effort by taking the ball forward and striking a curling shot around the ‘keeper from virtually the same spot as Glyn Cotton had done minutes earlier.

The Nailers strengthened their grip on the tie 2 minutes later when Chris Adam nodded in his second goal of the afternoon from close range after Jon Froggatt had headed a cross back into the six yard area.

Jon Froggatt added to the Nailers’ goal total in the 68th minute after Glyn Cotton ran across the edge of the penalty area to strike a goal bound effort that Jody Barford managed to parry, however Froggatt was on hand to nod the ball beyond the ‘keeper and into the goal.

Gavin Cooper hit a well struck volley just over the cross bar for the visitors in the 78th minute and this was a rare effort on goal for the visitors who now looked a beaten side.

Jamie Jackson should have used the ball better after getting the better of Jake Stannard in the 80th minute but curled a wayward effort around the post when Jon Froggatt was better placed to score.

Jon Froggatt put the icing on the cake with a 5th goal on the stroke of full time when the Nailers stretched Retford once again, and Jamie Jackson put Froggatt in the clear and he completed the scoring by putting the ball past Jody Barford with typical clinical efficiency.

The Nailers now look forward to an exciting First Qualifying Round tie against Ilkeston Town at the New Manor Ground in a fortnight’s time.

Belper Town: Low, Jones, Thompson, Cotton (Rowley 81), Adams, White, Marrison, Warne, Froggatt, Tuton (Duncum 77), Adam (Jackson 77). Unused subs: Ward, Roulston, Ratcliffe.

Retford United: Barford, Stannard, Severn, Walkden, Sanderson (O’Neill 61), Smith, Fisher, Cooper (Aspinall 79), Wilkin (Bibby 65), Holmes, Johnson. Unused subs: Owens, Tunnard)

Referee: Thomas Bramhall (Killamarsh)

Att: 218