NOTTS DERBY GOES TO RADFORD

GEDLING MWFC 2 RADFORD 3
EAST MIDLANDS COUNTIES LEAGUE @ PLAINS RD
21 OCTOBER 2017 --- 3PM

GAME CHANGING MOMENT AS GEDLING ARE REDUCED TO TEN MEN

Sometimes an opening paragraph cannot sum up a game well but here goes in simple terms Radford won this derby by 3 goals to 2, but Gedling very nearly came back from 2 down to secure something from this card fest.  In blustery conditions this game was constantly on the boil and Derbyshire referee Scott Spering kept the heat on producing 9 yellows alongside 2 dismissals and a penalty.
With the usual watch on the weather storm Brian was happening with the poorest condition to the west the blog headed east, just, to Gedling MW in the Nottingham suburbs of Mapperley.  There are always a handful of local grounds that seem to constantly appear on a list of  'I really must visit this ground' and todays hosts were one of them.  Having received some good reports from the Burnley fan, Dave, the many route options were planned and in the end it was a short journey to Alfreton with a connection for the all stopping service to Nottingham.

MORE RESEARCH

A day ticket on Nottingham City Transport saw me depart Upper Parliament St to arrive in Mapperley appropriately right outside Plains Fish Bar which today I opted to sit inside with a severe danger of flying chips outside with a takeaway.

ITS ALL VERY SMART AT PLAINS RD HOME OF GELDING MW FC

Upon re-emergence from the chip premises there was a little time to meander along the wide variety of shops sat adjacent to the busy 4 carriageway way Woodborough Rd.  A short walk away and Gedling MWFC was easy to spot snuggled along side a social club, fitness club and too the rear a cricket ground and all weather pitch made this an active site for sport.  Today though the football ground would take precedence having arrived early there was time to catch up with the referee and his assistants alongside obtaining the teams time came to pop back to the entrance to pay the £5 admission plus purchase of a neat little programme.

ITS ALL BLUE AND TIDY

Ground wise the first thing that springs to mind her is 'smart' its all well appointed and nicely thought out with the ground fully encased in blue kick boards its fully concreted paved all the way around with very neat and tidy netting behind both goals.  The stands are all low in height but well maintained the road side has a well kept area behind it but viewing offers a superb elevated position, behind both goals its uncovered but the opposite side to our entrance offers a similar low roofed stand with one row of seats elevated on a wooden casement once again offering a good view of proceedings.  This side also houses the dug outs and entrance to the snack bar, toilets and social room space where the changing rooms are housed.  The snack bar is a pleasant affair with a variety of refreshments available plus some excellent signs including a photocopy of Lionel Ritchie's famous hit 'Is it tea your looking for'?  In the hospitality area the corridors have some excellent articles displayed of former club Gedling Collieries FA Amateur Cup game with Bishop Auckland in 56/57 when 10,000 people packed in the ground and the game was played on a snow frosted pitch that today would have brought streaks of health and safety rules to the fore today.

THE REFEREE MAKES AN EARLY CALL WITH RADFORD IN DESPAIR

Gedling's recent league status as seen them in the Notts Alliance, Central Midlands and now the East Midlands Counties from its inception in 2009.  Its history is clearly associated with the colliery but sadly this was too close in 1991 and although formerly sat a small goal kick away it is now of course a country park.

NICK HAWKINS CHECKS A DECISION WITH THE REF

So an impressive set up one that was backed up with not only smartness but a nice selection of litter bins, you just new this was a nice place when the toilet hand wash was honey and mandarin!
With Radford making the short hop over from the north west side of the city and Gedling sitting nicely in the top half of the table I wasn't sure what challenge Radford would offer but this was derby and even though the wind was strong you could but hope for an exciting encounter.

SIMON HORE GIVES RADFORD THE LEAD FROM THE SPOT

The opening 25 minutes featured referee Spering setting a marker with cautions after 8, 15 and 22 minutes for Kenny Reeves and Kevin Spriggs for Radford and Jack Jepson for the home side.  On 25 minutes it was time for Mr Spering to award the visitors a just penalty when Ryan Perkins had his legs taken from under him, Simon Hore converting from the spot.  There was time for a caution for Joe Meakin for Gedling on 34 minutes and with the referee maybe needing a bit of assistance it was good to see Nick Hawkins, on loan from Long Eaton, being able to offer it!  It has to be said overall he had a superb game for the visitors and played a significant part in their victory today.  Gedling made it 2-0 on 39 minutes when a floated free kick off the left was met by a sweet volley at the back post by Reeves.

TIME TO CATCH UP ON THE LATEST SCORES

So a heated half was bubbling up and with the Radford bench excitable who knows what Gedling could produce in the form of a comeback with the wind at their backs in the second half.
The game changing moment came on 47 minutes and it was a massive call for the referee Jepson was on the attack on the left side of the penalty box he turned his defender and as the player was rolled he went to ground.  The referee spotted simulation and without to much thought produced a second yellow and the ultimate red card, moments later Gedling's joint manager Chris Marks was dismissed from the bench for his comments.  The game seemed to enter a quiet stage as Gedling tried to re organise with a man down but it was to be Radford who went 3 up on 64 minutes with Stephen Brett turning the ball into his own goal under pressure from Reeves.

RYAN PLUMMER PULLS ONE BACK FOR THE HOME SIDE

Game over?  Well no there was time for a potential comeback and of course some more cards.  The first goal back saw Ryan Plummer, son of ex Forest and Chesterfield player Calvin, guide in a corner of the right after 77 minutes.  The cards continued with Jay knight cautioned on 80 minutes by this time one player was heard to shout 'ref don't know how you sleep at night'!  With Gedling looking to push home the consolation goal into something more sturdy there was still time for referee Spering to pop out to Clintons for a few more cards Jimmy Spiers and Carl Westcarr in the same incident and then Stephen Brett moments later who almost appeared to thank the referee for not leaving him out of his greeting card list.

AND THE FINAL CARD OF THE DAY GOES TOO.........GEDLINGS STEPHEN BRETT

As the game entered the first minute of stoppage time Westcarr got a second for Gedling and could they do it with a further nine minutes added on and a finish at 5pm the chance was there but Radford held strong for an encouraging Nottingham derby victory.
This was a highly interesting affair with the referee adding to the fun of the fair which as a neutral you often see differently to a dedicated fan something which today I was able to observe rather than be sat in the camp of one side or the other and feel the frustrations. 
It took too long to visit Gedling but if the games are all like this there really is no reason in waiting so long to re visit a fully enjoyable trip which culminated with a missed connection on the return via Derby saw a final base arrival at 8pm.