Newark Town Res 1-1 Radford Res (L Cup) 2-3 pens

With the first team game being called off at Ibstock I went to see the reserves play at Devon Park, in the second round of the Central Midland League Reserves League Cup. The pitch was in good condition considering all the snow we have had recently. It was an evenly contested encounter throughout the Two hours of play. Radford had a chance to open the scoring on 23 minutes when a ball was crossed to the Newark far post but Michael Allen could not reach the ball. On the half hour full back Macauley Barber came close to scoring but the the keeper finger tipped his shot to safety. A minute later Marcus Hayes had a firmly hit 25 yard drive saved by the keeper.

Matt Wheat came on for Richard Johnson at the start of the second half and immediately linked up well with Marcus Hayes to create several attacking moves. Ten minutes into the second half Radford took the lead through a superb angled drive from Richard Derby. The lead wasn't to last long though as Newark found an equaliser a minute later when Ben Hawker was played through to slide the ball past Martins Apenitis. The game ebbed and flowed to the end of 90 minutes and through extra-time. After Newark had missed 3 of their 5 penalties and Radford 2 of their 4 Radfords Matt Wheat converted his spot kick to put Radford Reserves into the third round and an away fixture at Rainworth Reserves.



Holwell Sports 3-0 Radford (EMCL)

RADFORD BATTLE BUT DROP TO BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE

Radford faced a confident Holwell outfit who are unbeaten in 2013. Manager Alf Stacey stressed the importance of not conceding early and to keep it tight. Radford took the game to the home side and were playing well for most of the first half. Radfords Dom Leivers set Bernado Alves free on the left wing and the striker put over a fine cross for Adam Mahl who laid the ball off to Stuart Marshall but the Holwell keeper saved his goalbound effort. The home side came forward on twelve minutes and a cross to the far post found a striker who headed just over. The game ebbed and flowed with Radford giving as good as they got against their higher placed rivals.

Radford were unlucky to go a goal down midway into the first half. Holwells centre half Kieron Foster put his side 1-0 up on 22 minutes. He got on the end of a corner in the six yard box, and at the same time he charged into the Radford keeper forcing the ball into the net. It was an obvious free kick to Radford but everyone was surprised when the referee allowed the goal to stand. Radford fought back well and worried the home keeper with two long range efforts that went wide of the goal. But Two minutes before halftime Radford conceded a second goal and again it came from a header by Foster, this time at the far post.

The home side dominated the second half but due to some stout defending and excellent goalkeeping from Ryan Swift Radford were coping well. Jahred Russell and Ryan Dawkins saw shots from outside the area go wide. On 80 minutes Holwell sub Ben Smedley shot over from close range, but as 90 minutes approached an attempted clearance from a Radford defender was collected by Ryan Swift. Amazingly the referee awarded a freekick for a passback. The freekick was awarded 12 yards from the Radford goal. The kick was taken by Jay Kirkby, it took a deflection off a defender in the Radford wall before landing in the back of the Radford net.