Gedling Town 5-2 Radford FC

Wednesday 24th November 2010 -- EMCL Missed our scheduled Tuesday night game, but hastily fitted in this EMCL league game. Gedling have gone through much upheaval recently, and the new Chairman's programme notes just about say it all...(click to enlarge)


 

Tonight the Ferrymen entertain struggling Radford FC. Gedling think they have had it bad! Radford have lost their last nine games on the spin, and have only won 7 of their last 90-odd games! It's credit to the club that they have kept going, and long may they do so.

Had a chat to Radford Secretary Simon Matters just after the game had kicked off -- he kindly donated a fiver to the APTCOO fund - but on condition we visited Selhurst Street sometime in the near future. So, we have opted for December 11th v Bardon Hill - save us a car-park space Simon! We have been meaning to visit Radford for ages, but Simon's donation gives us that added incentive.

We have been to Gedling Town on many, many occasions, and duly made our way up the dirt track to the turnstile - only this was locked and we were instructed to go to another entrance just off the car-park. There were signs pointing to that entrance, but I only noticed than on the way back! And that was after I had attempted a shortcut to the car-park and ended up having a right good old fight with a bramble hedge!! It trapped my hat, grabbed my scarf and scratched legs and hands!! Ouch!!

Paid the £3 to get in and bought a programme that was simply an outer cover with a folded A4 sheet inserted ...poor value for £1, but understandable when the club is in a state of flux.......

The game was not a classic by any means, but it was the visitors who had the better early chances, forcing
the Gedling keeper into action on a couple of occasions in the first 15 minute. Radford actually took the lead on 22, when their no.7 was played in at the edge of the box and slammed the ball home.

Gedling were level on the half-hour mark - former Mansfield Town youth player CALLUM LLOYD firing across Radford keepr Darren Lycett from 18 yards. H-T 1-1

Had a wander around the ground during the break - it was a bit strange because there was no-one else to be seen, other than a couple of subs having a kickabout on the pitch. The tea bar must have had a few customers, but because of previous unsavoury cuppas, we didn't bother.

Gedling's NATHAN SCOTT was gifted a goal on 70 when the visiting no. 6 nodded the ball straight to his feet in the area. The home striker gleefully smashed the ball past Lycett from 15 yards. The home team were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute - a needless trip giving the Referee no option other than to award the spot-kick. Lycett saved the initial effort then recovered quickly to save again as the ball ran loose to a Gedling player. The keeper couldn't do anything with the third shot though, NATHAN SCOTT rifling the ball home through a ruck of players, much to the dismay of Radford bosses Garmston and Rawden who couldn't quite believe that their defence had failed to react and clear the danger.

With two minutes to play, GARETH ELLIS was given time and space to hit an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net to increase the home teams lead, but from the restart the Radford no. 10 received the ball 18 yards from goal and calmly stroked it past the home keeper. Two minutes into stoppage time, AARON LARGE netted again for Gedling as the Radford defence went to sleep. F-T 5-2

As I said earlier, this was not a classic, and both teams need to improve dramatically - the drop form the EMCL to the CMFL can prove to be expensive with the extra travelling involved. Going from Nottingham to Leics and Derbys in the EMCL is not too bad, but travelling to places like Hull, and visits to South Yorkshire can be a severe drain on club finances.

Admission £3

Programme £1 ( the Chairman's notes had to be the only reason you would pay for this production)

Attendance 25

Supposed to be at Calverton U19 v Unity next, but depends on how cold it gets. Failing that, Pinxton v Westella on Saturday.....