Kimberley MW 2-1 Radford FC (Friendly)

Radford got off to a cracking start when they took the lead after 3 minutes. From their third corner they took the lead when the ball ended up in the net after hitting the shoulder of a striker. Radford were looking good in the early stages and were playing some neat football. The Radford left back was guilty of a missed opportunity on 15 minutes. The ball was crossed in from the right wing over the defence, but instead of shooting he cut inside onto his right foot and his shot was blocked.

The Radford defence, had been playing well until 35 minutes into the game, they tried to play offside but a Kimberley striker timed his run perfectly, ran on and chipped the keeper from just inside the area.  A number of substitutions had been made after 30 minutes by Radford to try out new players but they were now looking disjointed. A Welfare free kick wide on the left went over the heads of all the players near the penalty spot and found the right winger near the far post, who headed narrowly wide of the upright.

Radford found a great attacking outlet on the left wing where their new French trialist was wreaking havoc. He was making several rampaging runs and in one beginning from the halfway line he beat four players before a rocket of a shot flew over the bar. Minutes later ‘Frenchie,’ sent over a perfect cross that found a striker but the Kimberley keeper saved the goal bound effort. As the game entered its final stages Kimberley were getting greater possession and this paid off when a forward raced through a static Radford defence to give the home side a 2-1 victory.

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Radford FC 3-2 Blidworth Welfare (Friendly)

This was Radfords first pre-season friendly, the opposition were Blidworth Welfare FC and the game was played at Trent Vale Road, former home of GPT Plessey. Radford recently had the shock of having both the first and reserve team defecting with their managers to other clubs. Twenty players turned up for the pheasants and they all got a game. With Iain McCullach away Alf Staley took charge.

Radford in their Claret strip started the brighter and were in control for much of the first half hour. Richard Dean and Conor Naylor were influential in midfield while Tobias Richardson was commanding at centre half. Five minutes into the game Radford had their first opportunity to score when a Richard Dean free kick struck the Blidworth crossbar. Two minutes later Radford took the lead, after a corner was cleared to the edge of the area Roberto Labbate floated the ball over a stranded keeper to put the Pheasants one up.

It wasn't until the 22nd minute that Blidworth had their first effort on goal. Josh Brentnall went on a weaving run along the Radford penalty area before blasting the ball over. Five minutes later Blidworth found the equaliser after some poor defending allowed a striker to score from close range. Radford substituted several players on the 30 minute mark which led to greater possession for the Blidworth side. A mix up in the Radford defence led to a free shot on goal from close range which surprisingly flew wide of the upright. Danny Pownall came on for Radford and immediately created problems for the Blidworth defence. It was a Pownall run and cross that led to Ben Holmes nipping in to flick the ball home from inside the box to give Radford a 2-1 lead.

As the game reached the hour mark Blidworth pulled it back to 2-2. A long clearance upfield found the strong centre forward who beat off the challenges of two defenders before beating the Radford keeper. Ten minutes from time Radford regained the lead. After Kyle Crofts had played Pownall in down the left wing Pownall put over a low cross into the box for Nathanial Daly to tap home. Blidworth came close to finding an equaliser near full time when a forward raced through the defence unchallenged only to see his shot go wide. Full Time result,  Radford FC 3-2 Blidworth Welfare.

        

Blidworth Welfare 2-2 Kimberley Town (CML South)

Blidworth Welfare Football Club was formed in 1926 under the title of Folk House Old Boys Football Club.

They changed their name to Blidworth Welfare in 1982 and for season 1982/1983 they became founders of the newly formed Northern Counties East League. They joined Division One South of this league when it was reorganised for the 1984/1985 season, and twelve months later when there was further reorganisation they became founder members of the new Division Three.

In season 1986/1987 they left to join the Central Midlands League and started life in the Premier Division, eventually winning promotion to the Supreme Division in 1990. They were promoted back to the Northern Counties East League for season 1994/1995 and competed in Division One but were relegated back to the Central Midlands League Supreme Division after finishing bottom of Division One at the end of season 1997/1998.

Former Southwell City and Kirkby Town Manager Brett Marshall was appointed First Team Manager for season 2010-2011. The season was a great success with Marshall leading the first team into runners up spot. This season after Marshall’s departure to Retford United the club had to work hard to rebuild from scratch bringing in a whole new squad.

The game was moved to Kimberley Town's ground due to damage caused to the changing rooms at the Blidworth Welfare ground.  A short bus trip on the Rainbow 1 took me to the Stag Inn, kimberley, close to the ground. Scott Ward the Blidworth Treasurer was on the gate and nearby were a pack of friendly groundhoppers. I positioned myself behind the goal at the changing room end of the ground. Blidworth had won the toss and were attacking in this direction.

The Blidworth team were wearing their Red & Black half shirts and their first chance came on five minutes when a shot flashed across the face of the goal. On ten minutes the Blidworth right back beat the offside, but he hit a weak shot into the Kimberley keepers arms. The Blidworth keeper didn't touch the ball in the first half hour as the game was played entirely in the Kimberley half. Blidworth eventually took the lead when Liam Pride thundered a header past the helpless keeper.

Kimberley had one attack in the first half and it was their ginger haired forward who had a shot that flew over the crossbar from twenty yards out. It was 2-0 to Blidworth just before half time when a Kimberley defender was adjudged to have handled in his area. Joseph Meehan duly blasted the spot kick into the net although Driver the Kimberley keeper got both hands to the ball.

Kimberley were awarded a penalty for handball themselves early in the second half, but it was hit straight at the keeper and saved. Although Blidworth were still creating many chances they were not being finished. They almost came unstuck when the Kimberley substitute Shaki Minors hit a low shot that hit the foot of the post. Moments later Blidworth were on the attack and the move ended with a shot hitting the crossbar and going out for a goalkick.

Midway into the second half Kimberley surprised Blidworth with a move which saw Shaki Minors cross for a team mate to score. The goal dented Blidworth's pride and they came forward with more purpose but again Kimberley hit them on the break. The ball was played into the Blidworth area and from twelve yards out they equalised. Despite being on the end of what seemed endless Blidworth attacks the battling Kimberley team held on for only their seventh point of the season.

Underwood Villa 0-1 Southwell St Mary's (NSL Div1)

Underwood Villa Football Club was officially formed around 1948. In the 1980's to 2002 they were called Bracken FC. The new millennium has signalled a period of sustainable success for Villa - both on and off the pitch. Between 2004 - 2007, Villa faired well at the top end of the Midland Amateur Alliance, most notably winning the MAA Senior Cup in 2006.

After finishing fifth in the MAA Premier Division, the Villa senior team decided to join the NSL for the 2007/08 campaign. Having become an F.A. Charter Standard club due to its dedication to developing local youth football they were also rewarded for their endeavours in developing local youth talent in the area, being named both Notts & East Midlands Development Charter Standard Club Of The Year for 2006.

From Nottingham Victoria the Rainbow One to Alfreton will drop you off at Beech Road, Underwood. Continue in the direction the bus goes for fifty yards and cross over and go to the end of Sandhill Road. Cross over Mansfield Road and the ground is at the corner of Felly Mill Road.

Southwell St Mary's needed at least a point from the final game of the season to get promotion to the Senior Division for next season.The home side looked comfortable on the ball and were on top for the first twenty minutes. After a series of free kicks and corners Underwood couldn't find the back of the net. The longer the game went on the more the visitors controlled possession.

The Underwood left back went on a run along the wing, played a one two with a collegue and his shot was saved by the Southwell keeper low down near his post. Brown in midfield for the visitors was setting up some good moves for his team and Southwells Danny Garrett tried a cheeky chip over the keeper but his effort went inches over the crossbar. Just before half-time Underwood's Sam Tring had a shot that hit the Southwell post before being cleared upfield.

It was nearly all Southwell in the second half with Underwood seldom bothering the visitors keeper. The home keeper tipped over a close range header and Brown had a shot that hit the bar and then another effort hit the post as Underwood's goal was under seige. Josh Christian scored midway into the half for Southwell but It was a surprise that they didn't add to the goal, but it was enough to earn them promotion to the top Division.

Graham Street Prims 1-2 Radford (EMCL)

Graham Street Prims FC were formed in 1904 but were disbanded at the outbreak of WW1. Many years past before the Church side were reformed in 1953. Their finest years came when they won 15 trophies between 1971-1981. The club was disbanded again in 1991 but reformed once more in 1995. In 2008 the club joined the newly formed East Midlands Counties League where they currently compete.

The Rainbow 4 or Indigo bus to Derby from Friar Lane, Nottingham stop at Borrowash Road. Spondon. Take the first turning right on Borrowash Road at the Asterdale and immediately on the left is the ground.

Admission £5, £2 OAP/Child, programme £1

Good little refreshment hut, Pie & Peas £1.50, Sausage Roll 50p, Tea/Coffee 60p

The ground itself is bleak, surrounded by a 2 metre high wooden fence. Currently hard standing on three sides but by next season four. Four Floodlights, one each corner and a small seated stand positioned close to the entrance near the corner flag!

The home side were wearing red and were quickly on the attack. Louis Mundin blasted over from twelve yards after being set up by Tom Cooper-Richards. Radfords first attack of any note resulted in the ball being crossed in from the right for Harry Allen to direct a header into the GSP net. On 25 minutes Allen out muscled his marker and sent in a cross come shot that flew marginaly wide of the goal. Radford went two goals up on the half hour when a poor GSP goalkick landed at the feet of Danny Powell and he raced forward and a low shot from outside the area beat Nathan Tomex. Just before half time the home side pulled a goal back when a free kick into the area was flicked past Radfords keeper Jake Want. HT 1-2

Graham Street Prims came out in determined fashion in the blustery conditions and completely bossed the second half. Tom Cooper-Richards was a thorn in Radfords side as he ran the defence ragged. A good chance came his way after the ball was crossed in from the right by Jim Slack but his shot rebounded to safety after hitting the post. Radford were riding their luck as free kicks, corners and chances came and went for the home side with none being converted. Radford held on for their first away victory in this their last game of the season. FT 1-2