Bottesford Town 1-0 Radford fa cup 6th Aug

Radford showed plenty of endeavour but little in quality at Bottesford Town. The home side had the first chance to open the scoring in the early minutes when a striker broke free but shot wide. 
This was followed by two Radford corners which came to nought. Bottesford were awarded a free kick wide of the area but nobody got a touch to a ball played across the Radford box. On fifteen minutes Radfords Kenny Reeves raced through but the keeper easily saved his shot.

Joe Hegerty sent over a testing cross but Carey Knights shot was hit high over the bar on the half hour. Jahred Russell was working hard upfront for Radford getting in some important challengers but Bottesfords Pemberton was running the game from midfield. Radford were having the better of the chances in the first half and on 45 minutes from a long kick out from the keeper Knight laid the ball off for Meakin who saw his shot go wide of the goal.

The second half began with Bottesford on the front foot and Radford keeper Luke Edge did well to keep out a shot straight from the restart. On fifty minutes Radford conceded when Edge failed to hold on to a cross, Miles failed to clear and Pemberton prodded the ball home for the home side. Bottesford continued to take the game to Radford creating several goal scoring chances. Changes were made to the Radford side and Ola Ajewole was looking good on the left wing. In the final minutes of the game Radford appeals for a penalty were turned down on two occasions when Jahred Russell was brought down. A cross from Ajewole beat the Bottesford defence and keeper and rebounded out from an upright. It wasn't to be Radfords day as the whistle sounded for full time.

Magdala Amateurs 0-4 Radford (friendly)

Radford started off brightly and kept the Magdala defence busy for the whole of the first half. Simon Hore was causing problems in the air when he came up for corners and free kicks. The home keeper tipped over a Hore header on ten minutes. Not long afterwards Joe Heggarty cut inside a defender and bent a shot around the keeper only to see the ball hit a post and rebound to safety. Phil Hinton was next to see a header saved by the keeper.

Radford finally took the lead on the half hour when James Lawrence-Forbes ran through the defence and slotted the ball past the keeper. Two minutes later the keeper failed to hold on to a Joe Meakin shot and Phil Hinton nipped in to tap in from close range. Connor Carter and Phil Granville were working hard upfront but found the keeper making some excellent saves.

The second half began as the first had ended with Radford in total control. Joe Meakin had a free kick tipped over and a low drive from Joe Heggarty was saved in the early stages. Several substitutions were made by Radford. Marvellous Entiriwaa was lively on the left wing and Ibrahim Karim was working hard in the centre of midfield. Jahred Russell scored Radfords third goal on 55 minutes with a side footed finish from the edge of the area. Russell finished off a well worked move to chip the ball over the keeper to make it 4-0 to Radford. A superb Phil Hinton drive that just cleared the crossbar was the best effort by Radford in the final minutes of the game.

Radford FC 3-1 Basford Utd X1

it was all Radford in the early stages with the Basford keeper forced to make some important saves.
Jahred Russell was looking good in centre midfield and he had a low drive go close on ten minutes. Simon Hore had a header that rebounded to safety off the crossbar on 15 minutes and Five minutes later Kenny Reeves opened the scoring for Radford when he recieved a throwing before beating his marker and then rounding the keeper to slot the ball home.

Radford increased their lead on 27 minutes when a long range shot from new boy Lawrence-Forbes took a slight deflection before looping over the stranded Basford keeper. Basford came more into the game as the game closed in on half time but Callum Dunning was never threatened in the Radford goal. Changes were made to both sides in the second half and Basford pulled a goal back straight after the restart. A good move ended with Diaz curling the ball over Dunning from just outside the area. Dunning made a couple of other good saves before Radford once again gained greater possession. Radfords good work going forward paid off on 75 minutes when Carey Knight turned and shot in one movement to make the final score 3-1 in Radfords favour.

Belper Utd RES 2-7 Radford RES

Belper United reserves v Radford reserves 2-7
cmL Reserve Division 
Alton Manor

Admission free

Basic ground but pitch in good condition. CML vice Chairman served half time refreshments to the Radford committee. Told us they had an apology from the FA for sending conformation email informing them their first team were promoted to step 6 when infact Hucknall Town could still end in a higher league position.

Radford took an early lead through Martin Doyle but Belper soon equalised with a Ben Litchfield goal. Lewis Russell chipped the keeper to put Radford ahead but again Belper equalised, this time from Tom Curtis.

It was all Radford in the second half with Russell scoring again, further goals from Ross Wilson 2, Joe Evans and top scorer Macauley Barber clinched an easy win for the visitors. 

Holbrook RES 2-3 Radford RES 07.05.16

Close shave but Barber to the rescue

The Radford committee had a few pints in the Dead Poets public house in the village but we found out once inside the ground there are no toilets. On finding out there were toilets in the social club across the car park, we did what the locals do and did our business behind the main stand. The club have been told to install toilets if their first team are to remain in the EMCL.

Radford got off to a great start when Centre back Joe Evans scored on ten minutes. Almost immediately Holbrooks Adam Lillie had a chance of an equaliser but he hit his shot wide with just the keeper to beat. Radford were 2-0 up on 18 minutes when Tony Wilson beat his marker wide right and beat the keeper with a low drive. Kyle Pemberton should have scored for Radford before half time but his shot hit the upright before going out for a goal kick.

Shortly after the restart Kyle Pemberton sent over a pinpoint cross into the box for the unmarked Russell, but his header went wide of the goal. Kyle Pemberton again was presented with an opportunity to increase the Radford lead but again failed to score. Radford were to rue their misses when a penalty was awarded against them. Jamie Shelton stepped up and made no mistake with the spot kick.

Minutes later it was all square as Sam Collins scored from close range, Radfords earlier control of the game had now totally disappeared. Radford continued to miss good opportunities to add to their score, substitute Martin Doyle only had to lob the ball over the keeper but he struck the ball too hard and the ball landed behind the goal. With just 2 minutes remaining Macauley Barber curled in a delightful free kick to win the game for Radford.

Beeston Town v MIS United

Notts Sunday Intermediate Cup Final
Beeston Town v MIS United (2-2 aet) Beeston win via penalties
Played at Radford FC 7:30
Admission £3 inc excellent programme

Beeston Town had a good league season finishing runners up to Attenborough Cavaliers in the Long Eaton Sunday league. But MIS (Man In Space) from Eastwood had finished bottom of the Notts Sunday League first division with only Two wins all season. There was nothing between the sides in the first period as they went in 0-0. Ten minutes into the second half a cross was flicked on to the far post for a MIS striker to put his side ahead. The Notts FA officials were just putting the MIS green ribbons on the cup in the last couple of minutes when Beeston equalised from a low drive into the corner of the net.

Both sides scored in extra time to bring the game to a penalty decider. Beeston scored with their first but MIS missed. Both sides converted their second penalties and Beeston their third but MIS missed theirs. When Beeston hit the back of the net with their fourth it was game over with the Red ribbons of Beeston on the cup.

CML League Cup Final 2016-2017

Venue - Impact arena Alfreton Town FC

Blidworth welfare 1 Hucknall Rolls Leisure 2

My first visit to the Alfreton Town ground and was pleasantly impressed. Met with friendly staff who welcomed me as a guest of the league. Blidworth were by far the better side in the first half  but they only had a tenth minute Harris goal to show for their domination at the break. It was a different game in the second half as 'Rolls' came out fighting. 'Rolls' sub Harry Allen should have been Red carded for a stupid challenge on the Blidworth keeper. A few minutes later Allen curled in a beauty of a shot to equalise.

Some of the challenges were getting a bit tasty and on 80 minutes Blidworth player Keenan Leeds was sent off for a head butt in front of the referee. Hucknall Rolls increased the pressure in an attempt to find a winner before the game went into extra time. With Two minutes remaining Rolls found the winning goal when Matthews raced through the Blidworth defence to shoot past the keeper. It was announced after the game that Hucknall Rolls Leisure FC would fold at the end of the season due to their landlords wanting the club to pay a large sum of money to use the facilities at the complex.

St Andrews 2-1 Radford

Radford hung on bravely with ten men but two minutes into time added on a defensive blunder gave St Andrews victory.

Radford started off well and were in command for the first twenty minutes. Kenny Reeves had a deflected shot go wide of the goal before scoring with a tap in  after good work by Joe Heggerty. Radford were winning many aerial challenges but it all turned pear shape when Phil Granville was shown a red card on 40 minutes after he made a challenge leaving a St Andrews player clutching his head. Several free kicks were awarded to the home side and from one of these Dan Henfrey headed in the equaliser for St Andrews just before half time.

At the start of the second half Dunning pulled off a brilliant one handed save to deny Shay Brennan. St Andrews missed a hatful of chances and the Radford defence were performing heroics. Radford created a breakaway chance but the ball fell to Carey Knight who hit the ball wide of the goal with his wrong foot. The game was looking like it would end in a draw but 2 minutes into time added on Dunning was caught in possession and the ball bundled into the net by Shay Brennan.

Gedling MW 1-2 Radford

The Radford keeper made an horrendous mistake on 14 minutes when he misjudged the bounce of the ball allowing Dalton Stephens the opportunity to put the ball into an empty net for the home side. After this calamity Radfords Joe Meakin had a volley that was directed straight at the keeper. Phil Hinton came close with a Radford effort on 28 minutes when Joe Heggerty crossed into the area. Radford found an equaliser when Phil Granville crossed for Hinton to tap in from close range on 37 minutes. Just before half time Phil Granville had a shot that rebounded off the crossbar after good work from Carey Knight.

Straight from the restart Radford went on the attack when Joe Meakin sent in a pinpoint cross for Granville whose flick-on was turned round the post by the keeper. A minute later Meakin saw a shot from outside of the area go a foot over the crossbar, Radford took the lead on 62 minutes through John King. Phil Granville played a delightful ball through the Gedling defence allowing King to run on and round the keeper before slotting the ball into an empty net. King again came close to adding to the score when he twisted and turned in the area before seeing his shot go just wide of the Gedling goal. Radford came close to adding to the score when Meakin had another effort just cleared the bar from a shot from just outside the area and Knight blasted over from close range after Jaylee Hodgson had set him up.

  

Anstey Nomads 1-0 Radford

Anstey Nomads 1-0 Radford
EMCL

Radford were a poor shadow of the side that took them to the top of the league on Bank Holiday Monday. Anstey were looking the team most likely to open the scoring. In a game of few chances Anstey did infact take the lead after Radford keeper 'El Loco', Stainsby was caught in possession. Simon Hore came close to equalising on 30 minutes when a low drive went wide of the post then on 40 minutes the same player had a goal bound header tipped over the bar to safety. Stainsby Pulled off a superb save to deny Joe Hartopp.

Radford had the better of possession but few efforts on goal in the second half. John King hit a fine shot that hit the stantion of the goal five minutes into the second half before being cleared. It looked like Radford had found an equaliser midway into the half but a good goal was wrongly ruled out for offside after Joe Hegarty had crossed into the box. 

Greenwood 2-5 Radford

It was a scrappy game on a bumpy pitch but Radford took the lead on 9 minutes from a low drive from the edge of the area by John King. Greenwood took advantage of the dual signing system as they used several Unity players in their side. Connor Scott ran clear with the goal at his mercy only for the ref to pull him back awarding a free kick for a foul on him moments earlier. On 25 minutes Phil Hinton was at the far post to tap the ball in for Radfords second goal. Three minutes from half time Dwayne Brown was played through and the Greenwood striker ran on to score.

Nine minutes into the second half the ref adjudged there to be a foul on Carey Knight in the Greenwood area. Up stepped John King who made no mistake from the spot. King got his hat trick on 74 minutes when he turned and shot in one movement eight yards out from the Greenwood goal. It was 5-1 to Radford when Fraser Campbell was played through to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. With a minute remaining Dwayne Brown played a one two and the Greenwood man got his second goal of the game.

Radford 1-1 Ashby Ivanhoe

Ashby's number 8 Rowell needed treatment to a head wound sustained in the early minutes of the game but was allowed to continue after lengthy treatment. Kenny Reeves had the first chance to open the scoring on 9 minutes but a poor attempt at chipping the Ashby keeper landed in the keepers hands. The visitors were beginning to get the better of possession and were awarded several free kicks around the Radford area which were all cleared to safety. Radford broke free through Kenny Reeves but his run was halted in the area when he was brought down for a penalty. Jahred Russell took the spot kick which was saved by Chris Hodge and Joe Meakins rebound was blocked for a corner. Ashby were awarded their tenth corner of the first half in time added on, only to see Callum Dunning pull of a superb save from Sam Johnsons bullet header.

Radford started the second half on the front foot and one minute in Hesham Ramadan had a header tipped over the bar for a corner. Simon Hore had a header fly just over the bar from the resulting corner. Five minutes later Radford worked another corner and this time Joe Meakin picked out Simon Hore who powered home a header to put Radford 1-0 up on 51 minutes. Minutes later Radford came close to adding to the score when a free kick was flicked on by Hore for Reeves but the keeper saved the strikers effort. Connor Scott came on for Russell and immediately caused problems for the big Ashby centre backs. It was Radford who were now having the better of possession and John King sent over a cross into the area which Scott nearly made contact with. With time running out Ashby were awarded a couple of corners and from the second of these they found a late equaliser. After being partially cleared the ball was played towards the Radford goal and from a goalmouth scramble Danny Quinn prodded the ball into the net.

Radford v Clipstone 1-2 Notts Senior Cup Semi Final

Radford came close but ultimately lost by a single goal to NCEL Premier division side Clipstone FC. Radford started off well with John King causing problems for the visitors along the right wing. King set up phil Hinton who saw his effort go just wide of the goal. At the other end Radford keeper Stainsby pulled off an important one handed save to keep the scores level.

On 29 minutes it was Clipstone who took the lead when prolific goalscorer Nicky Walker finished a well worked move. Five minutes later Radfords Dave Udoh flicked home an equaliser from a John King cross. Clipstone came back at Radford and it was Walker again who was on the spot to give Clipstone an half time lead.

Jahred Russell came on for Dave Udoh at the start of the second half for Radford. The home side went in search of an equaliser and John King raced across the length of the 18 yard area before unleashing a low drive that was just wide of the Clipstone goal. The game was becoming increasingly disjointed and developed into a midfield scrap.

The Clipstone keeper did well to block a John King shot on 75 minutes and Radford were thwarted by some resolute defending as the game was edging towards 90 minutes. With two minutes remaining Radfords Joe Meakin shot from just outside the area but saw the ball hit the post and rebound to safety. Full time Radford 1 Clipstone 2.

Graham Street Prims 1-4 Radford

Radford were caught out in the first minute when a long throw-in found James Rushby who flicked the ball past the Radford keeper. Five minutes later Radford keeper Stainsby was left one on one and managed to save when it was odds on Prims would score a second. But that was the last of the threats to Radfords goal in the first half as the Radford took control of the game. Radford launched wave after wave of attacks but found Prims keeper Josh O'Brien in top form. It looked as if it wasn't to be Radfords day as he made great saves from Kenny Reeves and Jahred Russell. A penalty was awarded to Radford after Reeves was brought down just before half-time. Russell took the spot kick but hit the ball straight down the middle, O'Brien saved, Russell hit the rebound but O'Brien saved again. The ball fell to Reeves but O'Brien made another brilliant reaction save to keep Prims 1-0 up at half time.

The second half began as the first half ended with Radford on the attack. O'Brien saved a Meakin free kick. But on 55 minutes a Radford corner was flicked on to the far post where John King was on hand to tap the ball in to put the visitors level. Radford were all over Prims and added a second goal a minute later when King scored from close range when he was on the end of a Carey Knight cross. The home side made several substitutions but could not stop Radfords endless attacks on the home goal. Ruben Desrosiers was unmarked as he headed home a Radford corner on 78 minutes and Sam Fearon had a header saved by the keeper on 80 minutes. Radford made it 1-4 with five minutes remaining when Ash Miles sent over a perfect cross for Jahred Russell to head home at the far post.