Venue - M.J. Robinson Structures Arena, Lees Lane, South Normanton
Competition: East Midlands Counties League
Scorers:-
Shiners: Anthony Fay (2), Shane Newton 18,42)
Radford: Matt Hopewell (82)
Referee: David Webb
Line-ups: courtesy Steve Harris ( Shiners' Secretary)
I hadn't planned on taking in this game, but I'm enjoying the season so far, and want to get as many cash goals in the bank as possible before I lose my appetite!! So up the M1 to - on my own as Kev was treating Mrs. Daftlad to a meal out.
The car park at the Lees Lane ground is quite large, but there were no spaces available when I arrived - the draw of midweek football eh? Ended up parked on the street behind Paul McFarland - and then spent the entire game in his company. Great to see good friend Brian Dennett again - and great to see the old bugger looking so well!
Walked up to the ground with Referee Craig Langton - Craig was in charge of the Hucknall/Clifton game on Tuesday night that saw the Yellows secure the points late on in stoppage time. He said how well Hucknall had played and how they had kept going right until the final whistle - any away win at Clifton is a rarity, so well done Town!
The Shiners had beaten Anstey Nomads 5-2 in the season opener on Saturday, and were well on their way to another three points with just a minute or so on the clock.
Radford keeper Rory Blyth went to clear out the Shiners' first real attack, but managed only to kick the ball to the feet of ANTHONY FAY, who calmly fired it past the stranded keeper from the corner of the box.
SHANE NEWTON added the home teams second on 18. After he was released down the right the no. 9 raced into the box and sweetly chipped the ball over Blyth into the net.
The Shiners went further ahead with three minutes of the half remaining. A stunning pass from Ryan Granger picked out Ant Fay on the right, and the wide man played the ball straight across the goal to where NEWTON was on hand to tap home from close range. H-T 3-0.
For whatever reason, the home team were much less effective after the interval - whether they thought they'd done enough, or the first half effort had taken it's toll, I don't know. What I do know is that Radford defended much better, and actually grabbed the only goal of the half. With 10 to play, MATT HOPWELL sent a hopeful ball in from the left, and was as amazed as we were when it flew over the grasping hands of Steve Smith in the Shiners' goal before nestling in the back of the net.
Graham O'Reilly missed a couple of sitters as the half dragged on, one header from close range that I think will go down as one of the misses of the season. Still, a larger margin of victory would have flattered the homesters, they really did seem to forget how to play football in the second half. F-T 3-1
Admission: £4.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 91
MOM: Shane Newton
Charity: £3.00
