HIGH FIVE AS RADFORD GO TOP WITH KIMBERLEY MW WIN

RADFORD 5 V KIMBERLEY MW 0
EAST MIDLANDS COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE @ SELHURST ST
28 MARCH 2016 --- 3PM

RADFORD ON THE ATTACK AT SELHURST ST

Free scoring Radford hit their neighbours Kimberley MW for 5 in a game that saw them climb to the top of The East Midlands Counties Football League assisted by a double from striker Joe Hegarty.  The visitors fielded a young and skilful side who in the first half looked to play the ball on the floor but the second half saw the game run away from them and had the home side not missed some glaring chances they would have been on the end of a larger defeat.

THE ICONIC LIGHTS AT RADFORD FC

This bank holiday arrived with the usual inclement weather only a little more harsh in its actions with storm Katie hitting the south the midlands suffered the torrential rain part through the early morning which resulted in many games being called off.  Plans were afoot on Monday morning to check twitter feeds and train cancellation and to be honest I fancied a local trip to avoid any problems.  Once again some clubs social media feeds were terrible with no indication of inspections etc until the last minute when for the hopping fraternity it is too late.  Thankfully Radford were on the end of the telephone this morning and I received an assurance with the weather improving that following a little goalmouth work it would be all go at Selhurst St at 3 o clock.

LOOKING BACK TOWARDS THE MAIN TURNSTILE

So for the second game running it was the chance to come out of my EMCFL slumber with a visit to Radford, this following Saturdays visit to the east of the city for Radcliffe Olympics game.
Bank Holiday Mondays bring there own challenge with a Sunday service on offer on the buses and following a change in Alfreton it was all aboard a Rainbow 1 which arrived on the edge of Radford departing on the edge of Bobbers Mill Rd.  A short walk through the tight back streets and alleyways brought the blog to the rear of the ground by the huge Clock public house crossing over the road and down another alleyway with the ground on our left hand side we were soon having a pre match chat with Secretary John.  It was nice to catch up with him about all things local non league and the fortunes of Radford and always great, as I have said before, to receive a nice friendly greeting, cheers John.

OFFICIALS AND SUPPORTERS SEATED STAND

With over an hour and a half to kick off a quick look around Hyson Green the base of The Pheasants and an area that is just over a mile from the centre of Nottingham and ably served by the Nottingham Express Transit tram.  The area as a tight inner city feel to it with the ground surrounded by housing and close to its community base inside the ground the pitch is also close to the paying spectator creating that close to the action feel.
Arriving back to the ground, which is surrounded by blue spiked fencing to keep the arena secure, it was time to pay John and obtain the programme which is a steady little effort.  John did mention that after one game when he had sold just 3 copies its hard work and I know at times editors must wonder why but at least Radford produced one and its a steady effort which serves all purposes.  The pitch was looking excellent and John tells me that there aren't many games off and could be to do with the old terraced houses that stood on the site previously having cellars which are now under the pitch I guess aiding drainage.  The teams were gained from Alan the match day secretary who very kindly advised a few minutes later of a late change, once again thanks for this information much appreciated.

So to the ground we come in behind the goal with a walk to the left of the two entry turnstile block hard standing with to the rear off cuts of a former plastic pitch covering the ground all the way around the exterior.  Walking up the touch line and straddling the half way line a nice sized covered terracing, behind the far goal is uncovered and moving around to the opposite side two dug outs sit either side of the half way line and then a small covered terraced stand.  Moving towards the corner flag there is a collection of port a cabins for a club shop, former snack bar and store area.  Behind the goals where we entered the ground we now come to a seated stand on wooden staging before we pass the players tunnelled entrance and then finally just short of the turnstile the club house.  This facility is a nice snug offering with a snack bar/hatch also offering hot drinks.  The ground as some attractive old style floodlights and poles and gantries that are very reminiscent of old colliery/railway support structures.

RADFORD MATCH SECRETARY ALAN READ OUT THE TEAMS AND
REFEREE KEITH SMITH LEADS OUT THE TEAMS

I enjoyed the early impression so much I allowed myself two laps of the ground which although looking well lived in was an arena that had the feel of a proper non league football ground providing proper football entertainment.  No purpose built out of town ground here this is a football club in its community trying desperately hard to attract local people along to come and support their team, a team who are currently doing very well indeed.

With sharp and lengthy showers threatening during the game it was a case of dashing in and out of the ample cover provided at Selhurst St.  The game started off at a pace with Radford taking the lead as early as the second minute when Jahred Russell turned the ball in from close range.  This all followed a positive start in which Hegarty just failed to connect in the opening seconds to a cross for the home side.

CASEY KNIGHT [7] GETS HIS SHOT AWAY

It was 2-0 on 19 minutes when Casey Knight drove a ball goal bound from 10 yards that took and unfortunate deflection off of visiting defender Chris Sankey.

AND ITS GONE IN THANKS TO A UNFORTUNATE DEFLECTION

Just shy of the half hour mark Hegarty got the first of his double when he smashed a shot past Dan Turner and into the roof of the Kimberley net.
The first half may have been a little harsh on the visitors who were trying to play football on the floor and their young side clearly had talent non more so than the impressive number 7 Scott Bailey who continued throughout the match to impress switching from both wings and both feet, a name to look out for.

KIMBERLEY MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT BAILEY [RIGHT]

Half time was Bovril time on this Spring afternoon as it lashed it down outside the old problem began I fancied a Bovril but could I drink it without burning the roof off my mouth!

There were missed chances for Radford in the opening 20 minutes with some good build up missing the vital finishes that would have increased the home sides lead.  Before Radford did increase their lead John King went on another mazy run and set up Jaylee Hodgson who fired over from close range.

MATCH ACTION WITH A VIEW OF THE CLOSENESS OF THE HOUSES TO THE GROUND

With ten minutes remaining Hegarty got his second firing home after Kimberley failed to clear their lines and then in the third minute of stoppage time when Hodgson turned provider for Campbell to slot home at the back post to make it 5-0.
A comfortable victory which sent Radford top of the EMCFL table in a three way race for the title with St Andrews and South Normanton Athletic, its tight and looks to be an enthralling finish to this league.

RADFORDS JOHN KING  ON THE ATTACK

The return journey I had planned was a reverse of the inbound one but I decided I could not miss a chance to catch the tram from within 100 yards of the ground and within 5 minutes of the ground I was on my was back to Nottingham city centre.  A quick change onto the Red Arrow to Derby resulted in a half an hour wait for The Comet for a return to base at around 7pm.
A fairly local blog which final allowed me to cover this new ground and one that I fully enjoyed and recommend if you have not visited before Radford are a football club right in the centre of its community with a cracking little ground too.

NET TRAM ARRIVE AND DEPART IN STYLE AT RADFORD FC