Radford Res 3-1 Heanor Town Res CML Res Supreme

 A good overall team performance paid its dividends with a 3-1 victory. Radford were playing some good possession football in the early stages but it wasn't until the 13th minute when Radford had the first shot on goal. Matt Wheat fed Adam Pemberton but his weak effort was easily saved by the keeper. Radfords Sherif Babatunde was giving Heanor's left back problems with his pace and after Mark Thomas set him free on the wing, one of his crosses found Matt Wheat just outside the Heanor area but his shot flew miles over. In the 18th minute Radford came close to opening the scoring when a long ball found Samir Boulghassoul but the keeper did well to save his goalbound effort.

Heanor had their first strike on goal on 25 minutes. Andreas Kokkinov went on a mazy run across the Radford 18 yard box before laying the ball off for Josh Henrys to force the keeper into a great save. Three minutes later Heanor's Jack Smith was denied by another great save when the ball was heading for the corner of the goal. Soon Radford were on the attack through Sherif Babatunde. The left winger did the hard work by beating two defenders in the area, but there wasn't much power in his shot and the keeper saved. A couple of minutes later Radford took the lead when Babatunde crossed for Adam Pemberton to sweep the ball in from 12 yards out.

Radford started the second half on the attack and after forcing a series of corners Richard Johnson was on hand to get Radfords second goal when he bundled the ball in from close range. Five minutes later it was 3-0, Michael Coyle headed in from a Matt Wheat free kick. It looked as if Radford were sure to add to the three already scored on the hour when Samir Boulghassoul was sent through on goal, but he shot wide. Heanor came forward on 68 minutes and the referee awarded the visitors a penalty for handball. Luke Duerden took the spotkick and blasted it into the centre of the goal as the keeper dived to his right.

Although Heanor were pressing for a short period, Radford held firm and Carl Shepherd & Michael Coyle in particular were impressive. Dominic Leivers and Richard Johnson were working hard in midfield and Ryan Silverton was looking good when he came on as a substitute. As full time approached Radford had a golden opportunity to score a fourth goal. A ball over the top found Babatunde he crossed low into the area and Jubril Yusuf  blasted over from close range.

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Radford 3-6 Bardon Hill EMCL

A Red card to Bernado Alves for Foul & Abusive Language on 28 minutes made it difficult for Radford against a mediocre Bardon Hill side. Radford started off well and took a 15th minute lead through Antoine Combes. The midfielder collected the ball just inside the Bardon Hill area, wrong footed his marker and a weak effort took a deflection before trickling into the corner of the net.

Radford's Joe Hopper intercepted a poor back-pass but his shot from a difficult angle flew across the face of the goal before going out for a goalkick. The visitors should have been awarded a penalty on twenty minutes after Ryan Collis was brought down, but the referee surprisingly waived play on. Joe Hopper made a good run through midfield and a shot from 20 yards hit the top of the crossbar and went out for a goalkick.

On 28 minutes Bardon Hill were level and Radford were down to ten men. A ball over the top of the Radford defence found Liam Hebberd and the striker ran on to beat Tom Burleigh in the home goal. Before the game could be re-started the referee had shown Bernado Alves a red card for presumably foul & abusive language. It wasn't long before Bardon Hill took the lead when Ryan Collis fed a finely timed through ball for Sam Saunt to collect and shoot past Tom Burleigh. Shortlty after Radford's Stuart Marshall did well when he ran back to clear off the line, after the keeper was rounded and a shot was heading for the Radford net.

As half time approached the ten men of Radford had a good period of possession resulting in a Stuart McCulloch goal. Jarrod Russell cut in from the left wing, beat a couple of players and played the ball to McCulloch on the edge of the visitors area and a powerful shot flew past the stranded keeper. Unfortunately for Radford they couldn't hang on until half-time. A low cross was sent in along the Radford box and three defenders failed to clear and Danny Blythe scored from close range.

A minute into the second half and Radford were caught cold when Jimmy Brooks put Bardon Hill 4-2 up. Sam Saunt got his second of the game ten minutes later and on 63 minutes Ryan Collis got the visitors sixth. All three Radford substitutes came on and Sheriff Babatunde combined with Timi Oluwsanmi to set up Gareth Ellis to score on 68 minutes. Radford created a few good chances in the final twenty minutes but couldnt add to the 3 goals and the game ended in a disapointing 3-6 defeat.

Radford 1-1 Gedling MW EMCL

Bad luck hit Radford as the team warmed up before the game when Ebrahim Mirmohamodi & Adam Mahl both had to drop out of the side due to injuries.The reserves didn't have a game and Carl Shephard & Vincent Papon who both had come to watch the first team were drafted into the starting lineup.

Gedling started off on the attack and Tom Watson missed a golden opportunity on five minutes as he shot over the bar from close range. Radford were having some joy from the long ball where Bernado Alves was a threat. The visitors were creating many chances and should have been at least three goals up by half time but a combination of poor finishing and bad luck meant the sides went in at 0-0 at half time.

Radford were much improved in the second half but it was Gedling who again were creating the better chances. As the game entered its final stages it took an own goal from Carl Shephard to give Gedling MW a deserved lead. But almost immediately Radford went on the attack and scored through a Jarrod Russell effort to give the Radford team something for their hard work. FT 1-1

Barrow Town 4-1 Radford EMCL

Radford, in all sky blue strip, showed up well in the early stages of the game and there wasn't much between the sides. The first chance in the game fell to Barrow when a defender was caught in possession and a shot was fired wide of the goal on ten minutes. Barrow should have definately took the lead on 23 minutes. A poor corner was crossed to the far edge of the penalty area, the ball was fired back into the six yard box to an unmarked Calum Ross whose shot flew high over the goal. Four minutes later Radford came close to taking the lead when Ebrahim Mirmohammodi vollied a foot over from 25 yards out. After saving a long range shot from Barrow's Cam Gray the Radford keeper threw the ball out to left back Kyle Crofts. He raced up the wing and played a good ball to Gareth Ellis. Ellis beat his marker and crossed into the Barrow area where Richard Derby smashed the ball home from close range.

Barrow came back at Radford and after a series of corners a cross hit the top of the crossbar before going out for a goalkick.On 36 minutes Barrow were awarded a penalty when a forward was brought down in the area. Up stepped captain Craig Noble who hit it dead centre as the keeper dived to his right. It wasn't long before Barrow took the lead and it was again Noble who scored. A ball over the top of the Radford defence saw Noble run on and beat the keeper with a low shot at his near post.

Five minutes into the second half and Barrow were awarded a free-kick 12 yards from the Radford goal after the keeper had picked up a back pass. Luckily for Radford the kick was blasted at the wall and cleared to safety. Barrow were getting more possession in the second half but good play along the left wing involving Crofts and Ellis nearly led to Derby scoring for Radford. Barrow stretched their lead in the 70th minute when Karl Whymark chipped the ball over Martin Apenitis from 16 yards out. It was all over as a contest in the 80th minute when Cameron Gray made it 4-1. The ball was played back to him from the bye-line and he swept the ball home from 8 yards. FT 4-1

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Radford 3-1 Ibstock United EMCL

It was down as a six pointer between two of the bottom three sides in the East Midlands Counties League. Radford had lost seven players from the first team squad in the last few weeks and were down to the bare bones and Ibstock were bottom without a league win all season. The visitors started brightly as Radfords new look defence were caught on the hop twice in the first five minutes. Radford  were lucky when poor finishing let down Ibstock. It then became a scrappy game being played out in midfield. But Radford began a period of presssure on the half hour and Richard Derby set up Matt Eastwood just outside the Ibstock 18 yard area but a low drive went a foot wide of an upright.

Eastwood was foiled a minute later when the Ibstock keeper pulled off an excellent close range save and from the resulting corner Eastwood shot wide of the goal. Adam Mahl came close to scoring for Radford on 35 minutes when he was on the end of a Jarred Russell corner. Against the run of play Ibstock took the lead. Ibstock attacked wide on the left, the ball was crossed into the Radford area and a shot was fired towards goal which was saved by Martins Apenitis, the ball rebounded out to Jamie Chamberlain who made no mistake from 12 yards out.

There was not much action in the first twenty minutes of the second half until an hopeful pump upfield into the Ibstock area saw a mix-up between the keeper and a defender, Matt Eastwood took advantage to win the ball and equalise for Radford. Five minutes later Adam Mahl rose highest for a corner but saw his goalbound header tipped over the bar by the Ibstock keeper. Radford took the lead in the 75th minute when a good move involving Michael Allen & Richard Derby allowed Stuart Marshall time to run on to a through ball and beat the keeper from 15 yards. Radford nearly increased their lead in the 81st minute after Eastwood had rounded the keeper only to see his shot go wide. Martins Apenitis pulled off a great reaction save to deny Ibstock an equaliser, and when the ball was played upfield Michael Allen supplied Richard Derby with a pinpoint pass, the striker collected the ball and made no mistake from 15 yards to clinch victory for Radford  and a valuable three points.

Thoresby CW 1-2 Harworth CI CML North

Thoresby Colliery Welfare Football Club were formed in 1930, initially playing on a farmers field in Edwinstowe. The 1950’s saw success at minor level, capturing the Nottinghamshire Junior Cup, despite being drawn away from home in every round. Major success at a senior level did not arrive until the late 1970's in the form of the Notts Alliance Senior League Cup. In the 1980/81 season Welfare became the nearly men, finishing runners up in the Notts Alliance Senior League by a single point, and losing the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Final to Rainworth by a solitary penalty. Following relegation from the Notts Alliance Senior Division, and a general downturn in the Club's fortunes, the Club's management committee decided that it was time for the club to try and move forward with a move onto the football ladder into the Central Midlands Football League, where they remain to this day.

I got the Sherwood Arrow bus from Nottingham Victoria, a day ticket is £5.50. I got off at Edwinstowe Fire Station and walked back 100 yards and turned right into Fourth Avenue. Walking along Fourth Avenue to the very end will bring you to the ground. Thoresby had a very good side last season and were the visitors at Dronfield when I saw the best game of last season. But at the start of this season the Manager and his assistant left, many players have departed and they no longer have a reserve side.

I stood with The Chairman of the Central Midlands League for most of the first half. He was cheering on his Son who was playing for Harworth CI. The visitors, wearing Orange, had the best possible start when they took the lead in the first minute. The ball was played to the edge of the Thoresby 18 yard box and Tom Pick was allowed space to turn and shoot in one movement and sweep the ball past the Thoresby keeper. Thoresby came close to being two goals down when a poor back pass was intercepted by Paul Burns but his chip over the keeper went wide of the goal. Harworth were grateful for their keeper when he made two crucial saves on 18 and 22 minutes. On 36 minutes Thoresbys keeper saved at the feet of a striker when it looked odds on he was bound to score. Harworth were marginally the better side and went 2-0 up just before halftime when Gareth Sides headed home from a corner.

Thoresby rallied for the second half and came back at Harworth playing some good passing football. Josh Bretnall Thoresbys centre forward was making some good runs but his timing was slightly off, being caught offside on several occasions. Both keepers were busy early in the half. Harworths keeper was forced to the edge of his area to block a shot in the 55th minute but a minute later Thoresby pulled a goal back. The ball was flighted into the Harworth area, the keeper and a defender both shouted for the ball but the ball fell to Thoresbys Josh Bretnall who made no mistake from 15 yards. Thoresby were now creating the better chances, Bretnall played in the substitute giving him a great opportunity but the ball was blasted wide of the goal. Although dominating the game for the final period Thoresby couldnt add to their goal and Harworth took all three points.

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Linby CW 6-3 Radford Notts Senior Cup 1st Rnd

Radford have been playing rubbish recently and a penalty awarded in the first minute for an ankle tap got them off to a bad start. Matt Murphy stepped up and blasted the ball past Martins Apenitis in the Radford goal. Linby attacked at will making light work of Radfords non existant midfield and it was no surprise the home side added to their first goal ten minutes later when Matt Murphy ran on to a ball flicked over the Radford defence and smacked the ball past the keeper. Kyle McDermott looked marginaly offside as he raced free along Radfords right wing cut inside and stroked the ball past Apenitis to give Linby a three goal advantage on fifteen minutes. McDermott made it 4-0 on 18 minutes when he headed a cross onto the crossbar before reacting quickest to head the ball into the Radford net from six yards out. Radford had to wait until 27 minutes before they had their first attempt at goal, a one-two between Lusamba and Allen led to a Lusamba shot from 18 yards out going a foot wide of the goal.

Iain McCulloch let rip with some choice words for Radford at halftime and Radfords early second half pressure paid off when Matt Ball headed past his own keeper to pull a goal back for Radford. Radfords joy was short lived when Arron Ryan put Linby 5-1 up on 65 minutes. Radford came back at Linby and were awarded a penalty two minutes later. Jarrod Russell took the kick only for the keeper to save with his legs, the ball rebounded out to a Radford forward but before he could shoot he was brought down and another penalty was awarded. This time Michael Allen took the spot kick and once again the keeper saved with his legs but this time the ball rebounded back to Allen and he smashed the ball past the keeper to make it 5-2.

Radford were on fire and Stuart Marshall scored Radfords third on 61 minutes. Although Radford had plenty of chances they couldn't add to their score and to add insult to injury Matt Murphy scored a sixth for Linby and claimed his hatrick in the final minute.

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Thurnby Nirvana 3-0 Radford EMCL

Radford have played Thurnby Nirvana twice in five days and on both occasions they were outplayed for large periods of the games. Nice ground at Thurnby and good hospitality for their visitors. £4 to get in but the programme was a poor effort.

In the first minute Thurnby's Will Gonga had an eighteen yard effort fly just over the crossbar and three minutes later Radford's Beardsley set up Jordan Alls but his shot was saved at the near post. On seven minutes Radford thought they had took the lead, A Beardsley free kick found Jarrod Russell free at the far post and he volleyed home from six yards out but the linesman had his flag up for offside. On 18 minutes Thurnby's Smyles had a chip from inside the area beat the Radford keeper and go narrowly over the bar. Radford came back at Thurnby and a Krasniqi shot from 25 yards fizzed over the Thurnby bar.

Thurnby took control of the game in the second half and five minutes in Adam Mahl saved Radford wth a last ditch tackle as a striker was about to score. Martins Apenitis in the Radford goal made two great reaction saves on 54 minutes but a minute later Louis Neckles gave Thurnby the breakthrough after good work from Reece Morris had set him up. It was 2-0 in the 63rd minute when Phabian Smyles recieved a flick-on in the area and cooly finished. Two substitutions for Radford made little difference to the constant Thurnby pressure and ten minutes from time it was 3-0 when Matt Melbourne finished off a move created on the right wing.

Radford 0-2 Long Eaton Utd (FA Vase)

It was a thoroughly entertaining game on Saturday and despite the gap in leagues it was an even contest. Radford in Sky Blue shirts were the first side to have a shot on goal when Bernado Alves jinked and weaved and sent in a shot from 18 yards, but there was no power in his effort and the keeper saved easily. Martins Apenitis in the Radford goal did well when he finger tipped the ball out for a corner when a dangerous free kick was heading for goal. Minutes later Apenitis pulled off a great save after Matt Savage had been put through. When a Radford corner had been cleared Richard Dean sent in a rasping drive that hit the Long Eaton crossbar before going out for a goalkick.

Matt Savage broke the deadlock on 33 minutes for Long Eaton, the ball was played wide to the left winger Danny Gordon and he sent over a superb low cross into the box and Savage finished from close range. Radford fought back and a Adam Mahl header was just wide of an upright. A Kevin Lusamba cross found Michael Allen free in the visitors box but his header was saved by Scott Miles.The game continued at a fast pace in the second half and after a period of Radford pressure Long Eaton broke forward and nearly got a second goal but a shot from 20 yards hit the Radford post. The visitors went close to scoring on 72 minutes when Savage was on the end of a cross but he shot well over from close range. Good work between Radford strikers Alves and Derby led to Richard Derby running free into the Long Eaton area but the striker put in a weak shot that was easily saved.

Eight minutes from full time Long Eaton went 2-0 up after a free kick was floated over and Shaun Rickford raced in to score from close range. Radford fought to pull a goal back in the remaining minutes but it was not to be and Long Eaton United progress into the First Round proper of the FA Vase.

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