DEJA VU RADFORD

RADFORD 3 BELPER UNITED 1
EMCL @ SELHURST STREET
14 DECEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

GETTING READY AT RADFORD

Moments of deja vu often occur when we least expect them but this one was part set up with a quick return to Selhurst Street following last weeks visit but the theory was enhanced with exactly the same score line as 7 days ago.  It was Radford who would comfortably gain a consecutive victory with a result that could have been much more convincing with the woodwork intervening on four occasions to deny them.
Once again its Saturday and roll out the weather forecast heavy rain in the proceeding two days had once again enhanced 3g search but with Radford normally draining well there was the option of a re visit and having thoroughly enjoyed last weeks attendance off we set on the X1 again this time straight into Nottingham.
Thankfully it would not be a long visit to the city centre as the melee of Christmas tug of war had begun in commercialisation land and the NET Tram was soon whisking me away from the Lace market to Hyson Green.  So what had changed in a week, well the Nottingham East constituency had elected the youngest MP in the country Nadia Whittome representing the Labour Party with a majority of over 17,000 in Thursday's general election.  Selhurst Street was still in situ but today was devoid of John on turnstile who was under the weather but as per normal at the club a warm greeting was offered by many which makes it the pleasure that it is to visit.

HERE WE GO AS REFEREE ROB PEALING LEADS THE TEAMS OUT

Last weeks ground pictures hopefully illuminate the place so if you need to have a general look around it may be worth popping back a couple of blogs, a brief return blog this time out then.
Straight to the action and Belper nearly caught The Pheasants out in the opening minutes when Curtis Williamson sent the ball goal bound it was home captain Simon Hore who cleared the ball of the line.  Radford had out on an impressive first half showing and when Ryan Smith struck the post the resultant corner saw him out his header against the bar on 39 minutes.  With five minutes to half time the home side took the lead when Will Daly supplied the corner Joe Nice finished and that's how we went in.

RADFORD GO CLOSE AS THE CITY WATCHES ON

Radford doubled the lead two minutes after the break when Smith admittedly unmarked rose like a salmon to meet a Robbie Manners cross off the left and his header soon nestled in the Belper net.  Radford failed to clear their lines on 52 minutes and a smart side footed finished from Ryan Baker got the visitors back in the game.  However just five minutes later Radford responded in the correct fashion by restoring the two goal lead when Smith got his second driving home.  The woodwork would save Belper twice more Connor Moore struck a superb 25 yard effort that hit the bar and then then post intervened just short of eighty minutes.   By the time the final whistle blew we in the same situation as last week a dark cold night in Radford with a 3-1 win for The Pheasants and the X1 was calling and once again within fifty minutes base was arrived at after a very enjoyable afternoon with Radford Fc.