Radcliffes’s captain Wes Spencer had the first attempt on goal in the sixth minute and two minutes later Ryan Smith shaved the bar with a close range header from a Nathan Hodges cross. Gedling responded with a Gareth Ellis shot almost bursting the side netting and home debutant Junior Harding firing over from 18 yards. The first of a number of strange decisions from Referee Craig Cox came after a quarter of an hour when Kieran Wells was booked for an alleged handball as he closed keeper James Jackson down as he fumbled the ball. Half time photographic evidence showed that the Miners striker neither handled the ball or unfairly challenged the keeper. Further first half bookings from Mr Cox followed for Danny Pass and Marc Williams in a game that could hardly have been described as over competitive.

In an end to end contest Eddy West tested Rhys Watkinson from 22 yards with a fierce effort which the keeper held smartly and Wells set off on a strong run into the area but his cross shot was cleared and Smith again went close on 31. The opening goal arrived two minutes later. A game of head tennis in midfield was uncontested by Gedling’s middle pair and Smith was left to run on and fire home from 20 yards for the lead. Joel Wilson and Wells were providing the best moments for Gedling as they surged forward for the equaliser but the Olympic back line stood firm. Just before the break Wilson again went close and the home side had a goal disallowed for offside.

The second half was barely two minutes old when once again the midfield went missing and Josh Royce was allowed to power forward and double his teams lead with a fine left foot shot. It was back to the walls stuff as the home defence tried to damp the forward play of the Smith brothers and Royce. In the 57th minute the Miners pulled one back. Williams fed Ellis down the right who cut into the area onto his left and fired into a crowded box. Wells failed to make any initial contact but the fall fell to Wilson who swivelled and fired home. Second half substitute Rhys Jeffery was causing problems with his direct style of left wing play and, with tails up now with a sniff of more to come, Gedling powered forward and Wells hit the bar with a fine header. At the other end Adam Waddley rattled the home crossbar. Jeffery was proving a handful for the visitors with no-one able to take advantage with a finishing touch. After another failed attempt in the 82 minute and yet another offside as Jeffery advanced too far, the Yellow and Blues defender Williams was shown a straight red for remarks made to the Assistant Referee. No surprise given the recent well publicised FA directive regarding respect.

As hard as Gedling tried, the Radcliffe defence held out but they were again grateful to custodian Jackson who kept out another Wells header with a fantastic tip over. Watkinson also had to be alert to keep out Michael Gartlans effort with his legs.

Olympic held out for their first victory which left the Miners seeking the first success of their campaign

REFEREE ~ Mr C.Cox
ATTENDANCE ~ 67

Gedlings MoM ~ Joel Wilson

Gedling MW ~ Watkinson, Williams, Capewell, Labbate (C) Hines, Harding, Ellis, Pass (Boulton 65), Woodward (Wilson 25) Armstrong (Jeffery 45) Wells.
Subs not used: Cairns, Hall.

Radcliffe Olympic ~ Jackson, Gamble, Waddley, West, Robinson (Gartlan 54) Bowles, Spencer (C) Royce, Jack Smith, Ryan Smith, Hodges
Subs not used ~ Adams, Baker, Bell, Hegarty.

Yellow Cards: Wells (Handball 15) Pass (Foul 18) Williams (Foul 40)
Bowles (Foul 59) Labbate (Foul 87)
Red Card: Williams (Foul and abusive language 82)