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.

DECLAN WHITTON TAKES THE PLAUDITS

JOE MCLAUGHIN TAKES HIS CONGRATULATIONS WITH THE WINNING GOAL

A BANDAGED GRANT TOBIN LOOKS TO QUIETEN THE HOME SUPPORT

AFTER THE FINAL WHISTLE GREETINGS

TURNER TWINS DERBY

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 2 SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 2

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

16 APRIL 2024 --- 7.45PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC TWIN BROTHERLY LOVE MARK AND DAVE TURNER

Luke Crosby hit a wonder goal in the third minute of stoppage time to level the scores and subsequently put a major dent in the title hopes of South Normanton Athletic who until this point still had the aspirations for top spot in their own hands.

Just occasionally games that receive a big billing actually produce the goods and this was one of those fixtures that warmed all on a chilly evening in Nottinghamshire.

JOSH SCULLY SET PIECES WOULD PROVE VITAL

The initial highlight of this fixture in the 23/24 season calendar was the pitting of wits of the two managers twin brothers Mark Turner of Mansfield Hosiery Mills and Dave of South Normanton Athletic.  But as the season has stuttered its way through rain interruption after rain interruption the visitors had found themselves with a collection of games to play to catch up on current leaders Pinxton but if they could win all of their remaining fixtures the result would be a guaranteed title.  With that in mind never mind the connections between the players on show this all added up to a must see game.

PRE MATCH WARM UP FOR ATHLETICS CHARLIE CLAYTON

More or less straight into the action then with no Coop or chippy visit with arrival just short of an hour before kick off to secure some photos in the light before match shots become impossible.  As ever a nice greeting from all at The Fieldings who were also welcoming a hopper from Selby for his first visit.

There was a good collection of the glitterati of the local non league scene and it was good to catch up with many of them.

Are you ready for some match action?  Hold onto your hats here goes. 

MILLS FRONT MAN MATT FOWLER

South Normanton started off in one of the strongest opening I have seen from them this season although they were looking to put behind them the 2-2 draw at Derby Singh Brothers on Saturday.  To that end Mills keeper Ryan Barson was alert to push over a free kick before Josh Parfitt placed a ball around the keeper but also inches wide of the post.

Mills were holding it together but were having to work as hard as and were limited to a George Simpson effort who having worked himself into a good position saw his shot blocked out by a visitors defender.  

As the game approached the half hour mark a sign of what was to come when Crosby latched onto a ball to crash an edge of the box effort off Charlie Clayton's crossbar.

MARK TURNER SEEKS MORE ENERGY

Just as it looked like half time would be reached with the scores level up stepped the silky delivery of Josh Scully with an in swinging corner that found Ryan Hadley rise salmon like to power home a header past defender and keeper on the line to break the deadlock, 37 minutes.  A wonderful goal that Mills had been aware of with the set piece delivery but it didn't stop them from going in behind at the break. 

SOUTH NOMRMANTON MANAGEMENT DAVE TURNER, KEV RENSHAW, LEE FLETCHER

Team talks completed and we were soon underway again and within four minutes Athletic doubled their advantage and again it was a set piece that undid the home defence.  Needless to say Scully on the free kick on the left delivered a sweet ball to the edge of the box Hadley, again, rose and headed down for the stretching Parfitt who diverted the ball past Barson.  At this stage there was a chance of me thinking it was now game over but once again how football can prove you wrong.

PAUL HUTCHINSON ON THE HUNT TO SEE IF HE CAN POSSIBLY CARRY ANYTHING ELSE

The visitors were looking to turn the screw now and with Ty Macaskill a constant danger they had to be on their guard to not lose any chance of a recovery in the remaining minutes.  Indeed Reece Shaw went close cutting inside and fired just over as the visitors confidence looked sky high.

Mills were now trying frantically to get a foothold back in the game and there were some edgy challenges going in a foul on the edge of the home box saw Tom Torrington become the second Mills player cautioned alongside Luke Smithson but more importantly that man Scully would be on duty again.  As is expected when the South Normanton number 9 steps up its normally good and this time his strike was well pushed over by Barson to keep the comeback achievable for Mansfield.

MILLS MANAGEMENT TEAM MARK TURNER AND PAUL HUTCHINSON

Mills captain Tom Suter who once again put in a man of the match performance at the back overstretched on the half way line and he saw yellow as the dug out hugging Athletic crowd were baying for a red card.

Mills were still under threat but their defensive resolve was still strong and it took three defenders to block out a patient Parfitt who with the ball at his feet was hunting down a shooting chance, but the men in blue were not allowing it and gradually worked the ball away to safety, 62 minutes.  

REFEREE GARY SLATER LEADS OUT THE TEAMS

Slowly but surely Mills got themselves back into the game and on 68 minutes they were most definitely back in contention when The Shiners failed to clear close in and Suter forced the ball over the line and this was now game on.  You could see the confidence it gave the home side and the doubts started to show in the Normanton side who had hung onto a lead against Arnold the last time I had seen them and then on Saturday succumbed to a 2-2 against Derby Singh Brothers.

LUKE CROSBY SOON TO PLAY A DECISIVE PART IN THIS GAME

With ten minutes to go and during a substitution there was a coming together around the dug out area with supporters gathered by it.  Referere Gary Slater calmly dealt with the incident but it took over five minutes to reduce the tension.

With four minutes remaining Clayton denied Mills an equaliser but he couldn't do the same in the third minute of stoppage time.  A half way line free kick was launched forward by Torrington and with the ball taken down on the right edge of the box it was fed across to Crosby who with his back to goal turned and made space before unleashing a superb 20 yard shot that flew into the Normanton goal to remarkably level the scores.

MATT FOWLER MOVES FORWARD

We were to see eleven minutes of stoppage time and either side could have still secured a victory once again home keeper Barson who had a superb game with some great saves and safe handling was there to palm away off the head of Sam Allcock.

But the moment of saving South Normanton from drawing a points blank in this game came in the 99th minute when keeper Clayton managed to pull off a low full length save as Mills so nearly won it at the end.

On the final whistle of referee Slater Mills were elated and the Athletic players looked shattered and with a few dropping to the floor they knew the importance of this result to their season, there is though still a way to go and there yet may be more twists and turns.

JOSH PARFITT TO SECURE THE SOUTH NORMANTON SECOND GOAL

The draw was probably a fair result it allowed twin brotherly love to remain intact but ultimately the game for the Dave variety and South Normanton it was the dropping of two points that will hurt as they now have to rely on Pinxton failing to gain maximum points.  But with Derby Singh Brothers the Wharf Lane sides hosts on Saturday who knows and whisper it quietly Mansfield Hosiery Mills the visitors next week Dave may not be too unhappy to see his brother win this one. 

Mills have games in hand to finish in a top half of the table position and the aim for the Mark variety is not to see his team drift away from this big match performance in achieving that aim.

Performance wise South Normanton looked good for large parts of this game with Ty Macaskill a constant threat added to this the presence of Hadley and undoubtedly the skill of Scully they performed well as a unit but tonight came up against a side who fought hard to match them and in the closing stages probably looked the most likely to get over the line.  The home sides defence held strong with Suter, as previously mentioned, oustanding, Torrington is a revelation since moving to the back, keeper Barson had a great night and up front Matt Fowler and Crosby complement one another to create a threat to any defence.

BROTHERLY ACTION IN THE DUG OUTS

Wow probably the match I have enjoyed the most this season with thanks to both sets of players for providing a game of full commitment and some superb goals and with the South Normanton home game against Mills scheduled for 9 May can you afford not to be there?

LUKE GREAVES PREPARES TO CROSS

SPRING DERBY

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY 2 KIMBERLEY MW 0

UCL PREMIER NORTH AT CORONATION PARK

13 APRIL 2024 --- 3PM

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY V KIMBERLEY MW SPRING DERBY

The A610 derby was a strange affair producing a 2-0 victory for Eastwood against their neighbours Kimberley MW but it was a game that although in the second half had the 'end of season' feel about it yet produced enough chances for three or four games.  So much so that Kimberley missed enough to have led at half time and in the end probably have won a collection of matches.

LYNDON JOYCE CLOSELY MARKED

Arrival was on time and a usual pre match Coop visit allowed for the provision collection because you see it was Saturday again and with a threat of some rain it meant a fourth trip to Eastwood in two weeks and I'm starting to get a feel for the place, don't tell anyone.

This derby encounter had seen the Red Badgers out of the play offs by a few weeks and Kimberley safe for another season at step five so with little to play for except local bragging rights.

As ever I was grateful to referee David Kennedy for the team line up and we were ready to go. 

TERRY ATEM GETS THE CONGRATULATIONS

Eastwood looked lively and indeed were two goals to the good within 27 minutes the first on fourteen minutes when Terry Atem whipped in a sharp cross that Josh Timpson deflected into his own goal trying to clear at the near post.  The Eastwood frontman could readily claim the second after Aaron O'Connor saw his edge of the box shot blocked away to Atem who cut inside and curled a lovely shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner of the visitors goal.  This seemed to wake up Kimberley who had a collection of chances in a ten minute spell that could easily have seen them at least level.

But seven minutes before half time Eastwood thought they had a third when the ball fell to the back post and Alex Troke converted with confidence.  There were then it seemed from nowhere shouts of handball in the build up and referee Kennedy consulted with his assistant Brett Hovey who had not flagged in the move and the decision was taken by the man in the middle to chalk off the goal.

ONLY ONE I CAPTURE OF COURSE  IS THE DISALLOWED ALEX TROKE GOAL

We arrived at half time with Eastwood looking the sharper and two goals to the good and with the chances missed by the visitors you got that feeling it was not to be their day something that would be further supported in the second forty five minutes.

ASSISTANT REFEREE HOVEY AND REFEREE KENNEDY RULE OUT GOAL NUMBER THREE

Just five minutes into the second half Kimberley were awarded a free kick twenty yards out and Tom Eccleshall stepped up and hit a beauty that was just not low enough as it came crashing back off the bar before in the follow up move the visitors hit the bar again with another effort.  At this stage you know its definitely not going to be your afternoon.

AARON O'CONNOR TAKES ON THE DEFENCE

The game appeared to disappear into a slumber now although it was Kimberley pushing for the goal the best chance fell five minutes from time to O'Connor who saw his diving header saved by Thomas Smith in the Kimberley goal.

On the final whistle Eastwood had the upper hand result wise on their neighbours as they closed their home 23/24 season but strangely Kimberley would have been disappointed with the result, it though came down to finishing and the threat of Terry Atem.

JACK MESSOM STOPS ON HIS FEET

There was time for a brief  'afters' from the aforementioned shop and a thanks to Eastwood Com Fc and their ground for providing a nice selection of games over the last few weeks of weather interrupted fixtures.

After the game Graham Furnell the Kimberley MW manager announced he was to stand down.  A big blow for the The Stag ground side where he has overseen their superb success of recent seasons, big shoes to fill.

EASTWOOD JOINT MANAGER DARYLL THOMAS

Usual cheeky taxi return saw arrival back at base within thirty minutes of pick up and an enjoyable afternoon at the footy was once again completed.

EASTWOOD NUMBER ONE SAM WILSON