RADFORD MOVE INTO TOP HALF OF TABLE WITH WIN

RADFORD 3 HOLBROOK SPORTS 0
EMCL @ SELHURST ST
10 FEBRUARY 2018 --- 3PM

SELHURST ST RADFORD FC

An entertaining and competitive game saw Radford secure the three points with an impressive performance that placed the Nottingham based club in the top half of The EMCL against a Holbrook side who were performing under their new manager Marko Markelic for the first time.
Rain, rain, rain blah, blah, blah...............

ON CALL ARENA WITH NEW CLUBHOUSE EXTENSION TO THE LEFT

The above again affected the weekend with a mass of games lost to the continuing wet stuff so once again it was a search for likely candidates who survive and having seen The Pheasants were at home and it was about a year since the last visit who could resist?  The journey was probably one of the quietest on the usual services many deterred from travelling due to the continuing heavy drizzle I would guess.  First point of call the excellent Bobbers Mill big 'M's but was the day going to be a let down the ice cream machine was broken and so it was a blast back to the past with a apple pie for 'afters', I've never seen anybody eat these in Macs for ages.
By the time of departure the rain was very fine and light and we made The On Call Arena just after 2pm the first noticeable change is the new extension to the club house facility and you could now find a seat either in the main section or to the side around the pool table.  Nothing much else has changed over the last few years so I wont re visit the ground description except to say this is how all grounds should be right in the centre of their community surrounded by them and hopefully a big part of them too.

1-0 FREE KICK IN OFF THE POST

Many grounds have a 'feel' about them and of course the blog has its favourites but Radford is one of those and it feels like your popping back to see a friend who has a great big comfy chair to sit in and you love it.

GOOD HONEST FOOTY

Long serving clubman John Holt had taken our admission and programme money and it was good as ever to catch up with him on a few footy issues and thanks for your prompt response to my 'is it on' enquiry early in the morning, as the time to kick off approached a few more people arrived from late postponements but sadly by kick off we only had 45 in the ground, come on Nottingham get along and support this club you will enjoy some good honest footy in an authentic setting.
With both clubs in a mid table position they could hopefully relax and enjoy the game although Holbrook players under their new manager would be looking to impress Radford knew that a home win would push them into the top half.  The pitch looked fine that was until the pre-match warm ups churned it up a little but still very playable and some good old 70's muddy football could be enjoyed, too many games are called off too easily today.

HOLBROOK FANCY A HALF TIME CHAT WITH THE OFFICIALS

The opening exchanges were of an entertaining nature with possession wise Holbrook enjoying the upper hand but as Radford forced their way into the game this became a cracking game too witness.  Both sides were struggling to find the target and just as it looked like a goal less game at the break Radford were awarded a hotly disputed free kick with a minute to go.  Just to the right hand side and a few yards out of the box it was Conor Moore who stepped up and directed his free kick into the back of the Holbrook goal, with the aid of the right hand upright.

2-0

The start of the second half very quickly produced the second goal of the game which came to Radford and visibly settled them down to enjoy proceedings Moore saw his close range shot pushed away by Sam Gilbert in the visitors goal before following up Kenny Reeves struck the bar and finally Ryan Smith forced the ball over the line.
Holbrook were now having to chase the game for any sign of a come back and when the livewire Ravarne Jackson was upended in the box all hope was over for the visitors as Simon Hore confidently fired home the spot kick.

SIMON HORE MAKES IT 3-0 FROM THE SPOT

A victory that Radford deserved but credit must go to both sides for putting on a superb game of football in some difficult conditions and if Holbrook had put away some of their early chances it could have been different of course.  But it was the Nottingham side who took their opportunities and claimed the three points.

RAVARNE JACKSON [LEFT] IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY

Return journey arrived late of course in the rush hour city traffic but thankfully the connection was made and we arrived back at base just after 7pm.  Note to self get along to Radford more often.