NSL Div 1: Gedling Southbank v Radcliffe Olympic - 23/10/21

Nottinghamshire Senior League – Division 1
Eagle Valley – 23/10/2021

Gedling Southbank 1 Radcliffe Olympic 1

Radcliffe travelled Eagle Valley, the home of Arnold Town to face Gedling Southbank, with Olympic looking to extend their one hundred percent winning record.

Radcliffe started the game slowly due to a fast pace set by the home side. The game was end to end with both teams turning over the ball frequently and threatening with good attacks on goal. Bassey Okon had the ball in the net on 5 minutes only for it to be ruled offside. Radcliffe won a series of corners, whipped in by Matt Gamble and Miki Moussa, but no one was able to connect with the dangerously delivered kicks. The speed of Ed Smyth down the left was causing the Gedling problems. Following one run, his cross found Andy Mclean who drove narrowly wide.
The Radcliffe centre back pairing of Matt Blaze and Gary Watson fought hard to keep Radcliffe in the game before Gedling took the lead on 20 minutes. Former Radcliffe player Jack Millward made a bursting run into the box to reach a through ball before the advancing Richard Stainsby, the Radcliffe keeper, to steer it into the net.

Half Time: Gedling Southbank 1 Radcliffe Olympic 0

The second half started with Radcliffe taking greater control of the game. The penetrating runs down the left wing from Ed Smyth continued to be a constant threat as the Radcliffe midfield looked to use the ball in behind to capitalise his threat on the home defence. The sustained Radcliffe pressure led to Gedling conceding a corner ten minutes into the half. Matt Gamble taking the flag kick spotted a late run from deep to the edge of the box from Nick Levack, who slotted the ball through a crowded area into the bottom corner to bring Radcliffe level.

As the game progressed, both teams pushed forward to find a winner with the game becoming more and more frenetic. Both teams created several good chances in the last twenty minutes of the game but failed to find the net. The introductions of Ben Norris and Will Rainford gave Radcliffe fresh legs in the midfield as they strived to take the upper hand. Smyth outpaced the home defence to reach the ball before the keeper, only to be denied by a last ditch clearance. Smyth then crossed for substitute Ethan Hunter to head narrowly over the bar.

With fifteen minutes to go a smart move down the left from Gedling resulted in a dangerous cross to the back post where Millward volleyed for an almost certain goal only for Stainsby to save with an outstretched left foot. On the 77 minutes Radcliffe were reduced to ten men after an off the ball incident between Okon and a Gedling defender. Radcliffe defended well to see out the game and take a valuable away point against a strong Gedling side.

Full Time: Gedling Southbank 1 Radcliffe Olympic 1

Despite dropping their first points of the season, Radcliffe probably put in their best performance considering the opposition. Even when going down to 10 men, they continued to create chances and were more than a match for their opponents. Although their winning run has come to an end, they still remain unbeaten and retain their position at the top of the table. This Saturday (30th October) they are at home to West Bridgford AFC. K.O.3.00.

Radcliffe Olympic: Richard Stainsby, Liam Norris, Matt Gamble, Gary Watson, Matt Blaze, Ben Castell, Nick Levack, Miki Moussa, Okon Bassey, Andy McLean, Ed Smyth.

Subs: Kieran Humphreys, Will Rainford, Ben Norris, Ethan Hunter.

Referee: Lee Harrison