Saturday 8 December 2012

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.

Click on photo for larger view












Saturday 1 December 2012

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.