Radford 2-3 Radcliffe Olympic (EMCL)

Radford brought several new players into the club over the last few weeks and after the win at St Andrews the club were hoping for a good result against Radcliffe Olympic. Things were not to go Radfords way early in the game when an attempted headed clearance by Matt Baker flew past keeper Ryan Swift to give the visitors a first minute lead. Radcliffe put the Radford defence under pressure in the first fifteen minutes, but the home side then began to get it together and play some decent football. Radfords Louis Ratcliffe was played through by Ben Wallace but a defender came in with  last ditch tackle to save the visitors. Radcliffe came forward through Eddie Price who put over a pin point cross for Jack Smith to head inches wide from twelve yards out. The sides went in at 1-1 at halftime when Radford got a deserved equaliser on 42 minutes. The ball was cleared from close to the visitors goal and landed at Antoine Combes feet and a low stinging shot beat the keeper from just outside the area.

An evenly contested game continued into the second half but as the match progressed Radford became the more dominant side. Radford took the lead on 72 minutes when Ben Wallace played Louis Ratcliffe through and the striker beat the diving keeper with a low drive from just outside the area. The confidence was showing in the Radford play and Ben Wallace was looking particulary impressive. In the 89th minute Radcliffe got a free kick midway into the Radford half, the ball was played into the Radford area where Ryan Smith scored after the goalkeeper had fumbled the ball. This was a sickener for Radford, but worse was to come in the second minute of time added on. Radcliffe got a winning goal when the ball was deflected off Matt Baker for his second OG of the game.