Saturday 14 May 2016

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. 



Sunday 8 May 2016

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.





Wednesday 4 May 2016

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.



Sunday 1 May 2016

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.