NSL Div 1: Gedling Southbank v Radcliffe Olympic - 12/12/20

Nottinghamshire Senior League – Division 1
The Eagle Valley Ground, Arnold – 12/12/2020

Hunter double secures Radcliffe win

Gedling Southbank 1 Radcliffe Olympic 2

Radcliffe travelled to Eagle Valley, the ground used by Gedling Southbank for their latest encounter. After losing their first three matches the hosts have climbed rapidly up the table having won five and drawn the other game since. Radcliffe have also shown improved form and were hoping to extend their five match unbeaten run. In a close fought match,

Radcliffe emerged as 2-1 winners; despite going a goal down in the first half, two well taken goals by Ethan Hunter after the break saw them to victory.

Radcliffe made one change to their previous starting line up with Sam Klyman replacing the injured Ben Norris. With the current severe restrictions on changing rooms and showers both sides had to resort to changing on the edge of the pitch both before and after the match.

After an indifferent start in which neither side created any clear cut chances, Gedling opened the scoring after 16 minutes when some hesitant Radcliffe defending allowed Ciaurro through on goal to slide the ball past keeper Harvey Woodward. Gedling were picking up most of the second ball and finding their men with passes, whereas Radcliffe were looking disjointed, not finding any cohesion. Woodward had to be at his best as he pulled out a string of outstanding saves to keep Radcliffe in the game. He went full stretch to turn a fierce effort by Ciaurro past the post before a series of further saves from Mason Coy

Tyler Evans came on to replace the injured Jack Cairns as Radcliffe regrouped in an attempt to turn the tide. The only notable Radcliffe attempts on goal were when Matt Gamble cut inside to fire straight at the keeper and Hunter lifting the ball over from close range following a good move down the right.

Half Time: Gedling Southbank 1 Radcliffe Olympic 0

A mix up in the Gedling area almost gifted Radcliffe a goal, but with Hunter about to pull the trigger, he was foiled by a desperate last ditch tackle. Hunter began to cause the home defence problems with his pace as he beat his marker down the right before his shot struck the post. At the other end Gedling continued to try to extend their lead, only to be denied by some excellent defending as Evans and Kieran Humphreys cleared off the line.

Radcliffe were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes as a Gedling player appeared to handle the ball inside the area, but the referee controversially reversed his decision after consulting with the Gedling linesman. Radcliffe levelled the scores on 68 minutes when Hunter received the ball inside the box, he side stepped two defenders to make room for himself before superbly curling the ball into the top corner. Gamble’s free kick was met by Levack’s header at the far post which was scrambled away for a corner. Levack was replaced by Rhys Trussler who took up a position on the wing allowing Gamble to play in the middle.

Trussler immediately began to cause the home defence problems with his pace against a tiring defence. As Gedling pushed forward they were hit on the counter as Joe Hegarty’s pass found Trussler who sprinted past two defenders, his fierce drive could only be parried by the Tom Watts, the home keeper allowing Hunter to somehow squeeze the ball home from the narrowest of angles on 72 minutes.

Gedling threw everything forward looking for an equaliser, but Radcliffe marshalled by Wes Spencer at the back and Woodward coolly dealing with a series of dangerous crosses remained resolute to hold out for the win.

Full Time: Gedling Southbank 1 Radcliffe Olympic 2

Radcliffe recorded back to back wins for the first time this season, extending their unbeaten run to six matches. After a poor first half they showed their character to turn it round after the break to earn all three points.

Next Saturday they face Kirton Brickworks at home with a 3.00 kick off.

Radcliffe Olympic: Harvey Woodward, Liam Norris, Kieran Humphreys, Jack Cairns, Wes Spencer, Nick Levack, Andrew Mclean, Joe Hegarty, Ethan Hunter, Sam Klyman, Matt Gamble.

Subs: Miki Moussa, Tyler Evans, Harry Keenan, Rhys Trussler.

Gedling Southbank: Watts, R Coy, Peters, Hogg, Wetton, Grey, Jeffries, Millward, Cox, Ciaurro, M Coy.

Subs: Fox-Smith, Clarson, Morris.

Referee: Godwin Kingsley