We all stand together: FEISTY AFFAIR

SELSTON 1 RADFORD 2

UCL DIVISION 1 AT THE PARISH

20 APRIL 2024 --- 3PM

SELSTON V RADFORD

[A selection of pictures continues at the end of the report].

Radford got the better of ten men Selston in this all Notts encounter to take the three points away from The Parish although with results going their way the home side have now secured their status at UCL League One for another season.

It was a feisty affair with the afternoon producing three red cards and numerous physical challenges that made this game an intriguing watch.

With the wet stuff gradually relenting during the week Selston were able to stage a festival of football today headlined by this UCL fixture and to slightly misquote Brucie 'you're both my favourites'. Its always a great visit to Radford FC a good old community club based in the city hemmed in by houses and businesses and Selston in its sleepy parish area always a pleasure to visit a well run club who offer a friendly welcome and under the guidance of manager Craig Weston a team that give good value.

The much lauded taxi service has had a bit of a downer in the last month and once again today were forty minutes late meaning an arrival fifteen minutes before kick off, not a disaster to most people but for my delicate diet it denied me a savoury visit to the large Coop here. So although the rain had gone it was a stressful start but knowing that the team sheets would be available from Adam slightly eased the normal run around at some clubs.

FOLA FAGBEMI ENJOYS HIS OPENING GOAL FOR RADFORD

There was a large following from Radford and an equally youthful section from Selston taking up residency in the two stands split by the dug outs.

A Saturday game on grass here's unique and off we go.

The game started off at a tetchy old pace with Selston always working hard and making it difficult for the opposition to get any consistency going it made this Nottinghamshire encounter a game you didn't want to take your eyes off. Radford were trying to move it around but they had to compete too as the home side chased them down.

Selston had gone closest after two minutes when Martin Bassey struck the post but just after the quarter of an hour mark Radford would take the lead. A smart cross off the right from Cashmere Rowe was headed in by the unmarked Fola Fagbemi from close range a simple but neat little goal.

A hotly disputed offside which seemed to bemuse many resulted in home manager Weston cautioned by referee Stott as he warmed up his card arm.

The game hit a controversy moment but looking at the level of complaint from the Selston player it probably wasn't. Awaiting a Selston throw in the referee stopped the restart with Radford keeper and defender joined on the goal line by home captain Ben Moore, the latter was pulled aside by referee Stott. The man in charge spoke to his assistant who by all accounts had seen nothing but the referee strode back and flashed the red at the Selston leader. It later transpired it was for an alleged stamp.

Half time brought little in the way of any questioning of the decision and it looked as though the only person to spot the transgression was referee Stott.

Half time and the sun was out no rain threatening is there anywhere better than on a football terrace in these conditions?

RED FOR BEN MOORE

The second half saw Selston start on the front foot and amazingly the ten men equalised within four minutes again from a cross off the right the ball fell through to the back post were Declan Whitton forced the ball home.

Josh Smith would then force Raddy keeper Oluyinka Adebowale into a save before Radford took the lead again Favour Osaghae crossed off the left and the towering Joe McLaughlin headed into the floor and over the keeper and for Selston agonisingly into the top corner of the net when it looked like the bounce was taking it over the bar.

The game settled into a pattern of box to box play with little in front of goal until the ninetieth minute when Selston went so close to equalising. A powerful run down the inside right from Jacob Barrass saw him aware of the despairing challenge coming in from Craig Meakin and he got his shot in quickly it flew across Adebowale and unbelievably clipped the cross bar and flew to safety much to the relief of Raford.

The final whistle signalled some 'coming togethers' which after one was sorted another broke out with what mainly looked like players and officials trying to stop anybody getting too involved. But at the end of the close encounters Grant Tobin and Kuwsi Ofushine had been shown red cards for Radford who had been left with a disappointed feel to what had been a hard fought victory for the Nottingham side.

SELSTON MANAGER CRAIG WESTON HEADS TO THE CHANGING ROOMS AT HALF TIME

A great watch that kept you alert to all possibilities for the whole ninety minutes and beyond, great to catch up with Selston again and Radford and although not at their place it was great to see them on the road with a very healthy following in attendance.

Return trip went a lot smoother and apart from the missed Coop visit the game more than made up for it.

Typically as the weather dries out the season is coming to life in the games I have seen over the last few weeks.

1-1 AS SELSTON EQUALISE

This weeks nice weather has brought a large amount of pictures that I couldn't not use them and so hopefully you will continue on without any waffle and take a look at them below.