Tuesday 21st March 2017
Arnold Town 2-2 Radford FC
Competition: East Midlands counties League
Venue: Eagle Valley, Oxton Road, Nottingham
Admission: £5.00 / £3.00 concession
Attendance : 73
Referee: Mr. Darren Tingle
Line-ups:
Arnold Town: Declan Howard, Michael Pearson, Luke Smith (
c), Ryan Charles, James Price, Adam Murphy, Jack Millward, Barry Payne, Jack
Allen, Chris Richards, Kaylum Mitchell. Subs: Alex Clarson, Joe Butler, Andreas
Fatta, Mason Coy.
Radford: Joe Searson-Smithard, Ashley Miles, Matt Hopewell,
Simon Hore, Jean-Ruben Desrosiers, Phil Hinton, Reece Fyfe, Joe Meakin, Ady
Hawes, Errol Campbell, Tamar Clayton-Naute. Subs: Scott Eddyshaw, Myles Scott,
Joe Evans, Matt Hendy, Tom Black.
There was, apparently, little doubt that this game was to go
ahead – and the pitch was a cracker for this time of the season – can’t say the
same about the Eagle Valley car-park though. Although the recent heavy rainfall has filled in the numerous pot-holes, making them easy to spot, the walk to and from the ground the ensures that the
morning following sees the car mats having to be scrubbed, the hall carpet
shampooed, and shoes given a good scraping. The car-park, for those who haven’t
had the pleasure, is a mess when wet – and the damn mud sticks to everything…
Arnold are losing the services of manager David Marlow at
the end of the season, applications for his replacement are currently being
accepted – contact the club via email at arnoldtownfc@hotmail.co.uk
(closing date 2nd April).
As usual, it was bitterly cold at Eagle Valley, with a wind
that cut right through you….and then it rained – oh, how it rained. Full credit
to the players and officials – this was not a pleasant valley Tuesday…..
Radford had the games first chance in just the fourth minute
when Reece “Rico” Fyfe picked out Phil Hinton who saw his 20 yard effort fumbled by
Declan Howard, but the Arnold keeper just managed to grab the loose ball as it
rolled towards the goal.
Arnold had a Luke Smith corner hacked away at the far post
with eight played, but their best chance early doors fell to Jack Allen. James
Price hammered a free-kick into the Radford wall, and although it fell kindly
to Allen, his shot flew wide of the upright.
The striker was to make amends some sixty seconds later
though when his volley on the turn, from just inside the box, flew past Radford
keeper Joe Searson-Smithard. Great hit
– I really hope the video camera operator captured it!
Radford were level on 18, Joe Meakin’s corner from the left
reaching the far stick, where Errol Campbell was on hand to force it home
despite the close attention of the Arnold defenders.
Allen tried his luck again on 24, but his shot on this
occasion was well gathered by Searson-Smithard. Radford went close two minutes
later after Tamar Clayton-Naute rolled the ball into Campbell’s path - but
Howard was alert and made a decent block.
Kaylum Mitchell hit a superb drive on the half hour, but
Searson-Smithard made a terrific save, tipping the ball over for a corner. The
next Arnold attack saw Mitchell played in by Millward, but this time the final
shot didn’t trouble the Radford keeper, who watched calmly as it flew over his
bar.
With four minutes of the half remaining, Allen fired a
fierce drive across the goal , but it crashed against the inside of the post
before rolling agonisingly across the line before being cleared to safety.
Arnold’s Adam Murphy was cautioned on 44 after a rash
challenge in midfield. From the resultant free-kick Ady Hawes was played in on
goal and made no mistake from just inside the box, giving Radford the advantage
at the break. H-T 1-2
The visitors came out for the second period on the front
foot, and Arnold had Howard to thank again when he punched away a well placed
Meakin corner. The first Arnold attack of the half came in the 50th minute
and saw them draw level. Another terrific ball from midfield maestro Millward
to pick out Mitchell, and this time the no. 11 made no mistake, running at the
goal and firing across Searson-Smithard into the far corner. Great pass, great
goal!
Conditions were now foul, the wind and driving rain making
life difficult on and off the pitch. Anyone who knows Eagle Valley knows it is
usually cold there – I’ve even been in May and it’s been a bit chilly – but the
damp and the cold together made this a really uncomfortable night.
Image courtesy Mick Gretton
Radford had a series of
corners as the hour mark approached, and Ruben Desrosiers should have headed
them in front from one of Meakin’s set pieces, but failed to connect with the
goal gaping. On 70, Fyfe saw his drive
fly into the side-netting after Howard had parried a Clayton-Naute shot
straight to his feet. Clayton-Naute
tried his luck from distance with 10 to play, but fired wide. It was all
Radford now and from Meakin’s free kick, Fyfe again saw his shot well saved by
Howard.
Myles Scott saw an
effort deflected over the bar as Radford strove for the winner, and Fyfe again
saw his effort blocked from the resultant corner. In added time Meakin himself
was unlucky when Howard saved his drive. After three minutes of added time, Mr.
Tingle called an end to proceedings – a great game of football, despite the
weather. F-T 2-2
I very seldom criticise
the match officials, but I think Mr. Tingle will be a bit disappointed at one
or two of his decisions in this game, a couple he actually acknowledged. I
won’t go into details, I’m sure Darren will be beating himself up anyway…