RADFORD WIN NOTTS DERBY

RADFORD 3 TEVERSAL 1
EMCL @ SELHURST ST
7 DECEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

RADFORD FC CITY CENTRE FOOTBALL

Radford secured three points against fellow Nottinghamshire side Teversal leading 2-1 at half time Liam Smallwood with The Pheasants third midway through the second half facilitating the win in an entertaining and occasionally feisty affair.
A return to an old favourite is always anticipated and Radford is just that, with travels often undertaken on a Saturday there is often less chance to revisit the clubs and grounds that you enjoy.  But at Selhurst Street there is a small band of officials and helpers who make this club unique with its hemmed in ground tightly surrounded by its cosmopolitan community and there is always a comfortable feel about visiting Radford Fc with today being no different.  The need to describe a ground covered on quite a few occasions today will be left to a few pictures included and with the club developing a new covered terrace, The Leading Labels Family Stand, there is a constant effort to improve evidence to this the reasonably recently extended clubhouse. The only disappointment for the club is the lack of spectator numbers from the local and wider Nottingham community for this hidden gem. 
Travel would be undertaken directly from base on the brand new Stagecoach X1 service which would arrive fifteen minutes late at base but drop me at Bobbers Mill big 'M's just fifty minutes later after a trip through Alfreton, South Normanton Outlet and two junctions of the M1 a quite remarkable effort with thankfully no motorway problems.

MAIN STAND AND THE BUSINESS END AT SELHURST STREET

Walking through the multi-cultural community and approaching the ground by a variety of pathways between the houses, jittys for us northerners, would see an arrival by The Clock public house and over the road the ground is accessible by another walkway that leads out onto Radford Road and the hustle and bustle of shopping local and at the big Asda all intersected by the Nottingham Tram rumbling past at regular intervals.

THE CITY SIDE

A brief look around with some time built in saw ground entrance just after 2pm and as ever a warm welcome from John Holt who was, as is the norm, operating the turnstile.  With time for a catch up on Radford and football in general the new stand was pointed out to me so it was time to do the obligatory circuit.  Some grounds have lovely back drops and are built miles out of town in former farmers fields but here at Radford the backdrop is how a football ground should be right in the centre of its community a small style version of the old Baseball Ground with the back of the flats above the Radford Road shops overlooking the only bit of green space, other than Forest Fields, for a few miles.

THE NEW STAND NEAREST TO THE CAMERA

Radford had started the season strongly but were in a bit of a slump and for Teversal its not been a great start but like so many clubs there have been few fixtures for them to test that against with the recent downpours.  Indeed this fixture was postponed a few weeks ago one hour before the kick off and so a quick re arrangement would see both sides looking to kick start their season.
Kick start it did with three goals inside the first quarter of an hour Radford were two up within seven minutes Smallwood headed in a left wing corner at the near post after just three on the clock and then Will Daly hit a 20 yard free kick to double the lead.

RADFORD TAKE THE LEAD LIAM SMALLWOOD SECOND MAROON SHIRT IN FROM THE LEFT

Teversal could have been shell shocked by this and gone down to a heavy defeat bit they recovered well and pulled a goal back on fifteen minutes when a floated free kick was missed by the
Radford keeper the ball came back off the woodwork and Josh Radford scored against his namesake club.  The momentum was with Teversal now and just before half time Joshua Barker struck the bar with an effort that would have provided a deserved equaliser.

RADFORD KEEPER WARREN SQUIRES OVERSTRETCHES

The second half provided some feisty moments as referee Fanran Mang was tested to the full with quite a bit of dissent and at times you were hoping for it too ease up for his observed performance.
In the action Errol Campebell broke through for the home side rounded the keeper but then couldn't find the finish past the defender on the line to extend their lead.  But that comfort zone did come when Smallwood got his second and Radford's third when Teversal keeper Rio Alberry misjudged a cross and the Radford player was there to convert.  In the final couple of minutes Alberry pulled off a superb full length save to deny a long range Daly effort but the three points were in Radford's grasp moments later from a very enjoyable game and visit to Radford.

MR CAMPBELL AND MR MENG HAVE A CHAT

The pre Christmas attendance was 44 with a paying gate of around half of this hopefully any visitors planning on a trip will pop along soon and the locals may also take up a good afternoons entertainment for a fiver at a superb little club that is well worth your support.

IT USED TO BE PICTURES OF FISH AND CHIPS NOW ITS ATMOSPHERIC FLOODLIGHTS

Return was with the X1 and a busy departure saw the service slightly late but an efficient fifty minutes later a drop off at base had been achieved and a new route into Nottingham will hopefully allow for further re-visits soon.