NSL Div 1: Radcliffe Olympic v Pythian - 20/04/22

Nottinghamshire Senior League – Division 1
The Recreation Ground, Radcliffe on Trent– Wednesday 20/04/2022

Radcliffe Olympic 7 - Pythian 0

Radcliffe hosted Pythian at the Recreation Ground, a team whom they had beaten 7-1 in the corresponding away fixture earlier in the season, looking to keep the pressure on for the title chase.

Radcliffe started the game well offering plenty of threat out wide with Joe Hegarty linking well with Ed Smyth in the early stages. Radcliffe had a few openings to try and take the lead but Pythian were organised and defended well for the first 10 minutes. Bassey Okon was leading the line for Radcliffe and had his hands full against a powerful centre half, despite this he scored to give Radcliffe on 12 minutes following good build up play between Nick Levack and Hegarty.

With the game relatively open, Pythian kept trying to play from the back to build their attacks, however this looked to be their downfall as a few errors managed to let in the Radcliffe attack to counter and go close with chances. Smyth was looking a constant threat down the Radcliffe left and clearly had the beating of his man, with his pace and composure on the ball creating good chances for Radcliffe. Smyth was rewarded as he increased the lead on 24 minutes when Levack found him just outside the box, with still plenty to do he managed to take the ball diagonally past the Pythian right back then slot the ball into the far corner giving the keeper no chance to save. Radcliffe now looked in control and Ben Castell was starting to find his feet in the middle with some beautiful directed long balls for Andy McLean to chase down. Moments later Radcliffe were awarded a penalty after a soft challenge on Okon, but Castell’s strike from the spot was saved by the keeper, however it wasn’t long until Radcliffe opened up a 3 goal lead when Mclean accelerated down the wing and his cross was met by Smyth for a simple tap in.

Radcliffe had plenty more chances to increase the lead with Jake Morris getting forward into good areas, playing good balls to the feet of Okon and Hegarty. Levack picked the ball up deep on the 37th minute and played in Hegarty who found Castell to thread it through to Okon who had a great chance with a one on one but the keeper managed to block his strike. Pythian also had a couple of good chances when a set piece delivery was met at the far post, then there was good build up play through the middle allowing their striker to run through but was thwarted by Matt Blaze who managed to get his body in the way to block.

Half Time: Radcliffe 3 Pythian 0

The second half started with Radcliffe trying to look after the ball more with the 10-15 yard passes being played. This lead to a chance when Smyth burst down the wing, beat his man before his cross was met by a Pythian defender who nearly put it in his own net. Radcliffe kept the pressure on and looked more dominant on the ball as the half progressed. On the 52nd minute Smyth whipped on a low cross and plated it up for Hegarty who smashed the ball past the keeper to make it 4-0.

Radcliffe made a double change immediately with Hegarty and Levack being replaced by Kieran Humphreys and Matt Gamble in midfield, allowing Castell to push forward into a more advanced role. Humphreys went close with a clean strike from 25 yards out, however it was blocked and deflected for a corner. The resultant corner was delivered by Gamble and connection was nearly made at the back post with Gary Watson just grazing the ball with his head. Radcliffe looked comfortable at the back with Liam Norris and Watson putting in some solid challenges and keeping Radcliffe in the front foot.

On the 66 minutes Castell collected the ball and fed McLean out wide, he played it inside to Humphreys who found Smyth whose cross was defended, but the ball fell to Okon who smashed it past the keeper for his second goal of the day. On 72 minutes Jake Morris was replaced by Miki Moussa who slotted into his favoured right wing position. Minutes later a partially cleared Radcliffe corner fell to Smyth who completed a deserved hat trick when he sent his rocket of a shot from 27 yards crashing against the underside of the bar before entering the net to make it.6-0.

Moments later Radcliffe was awarded another penalty; this time Okon stepped up, also looking for a hat trick, however his strike was saved and the rebound almost reached Moussa but Okon also went for the same ball but failed to connect cleanly allowing the grounded keeper to gather. More pressure from Radcliffe as Moussa was getting the better of his marker out wide but the final ball just let him down to prevent another opportunity. On 81 minutes Gamble received the ball from Castell and beat 3 men from an advanced position at left back and found himself through on goal, his strike to the keeper’s left hand side was too powerful and increased Radcliffe’s lead to 7-0 to complete the scoring. Full credit to Pythian who battled on to the end in a match played in good spirits between both sides.

Full Time: Radcliffe 7 Pythian 0

Radcliffe Olympic: Harvey Woodward, Liam Norris, Jake Morris, Gary Watson, Matt Blaze, Nick Levack, Andy Mclean, Joe Hegarty, Bassey Okon, Ben Castell, Ed Smyth.

Subs: Kieran Humphreys, Matt Gamble, Miki Moussa, James Portwood.

Radcliffe retain their second place in the table, six points behind West Bridgford with three games in hand. Radcliffe now face three consecutive away matches starting with a clash against Ruddington at Elms parks at an earlier 2pm kick off tomorrow 23rd April.