NSL Div 1: Calverton Miners Welfare v Radcliffe Olympic - 08/01/22

Nottinghamshire Senior League – Division 1
The Recreation Ground, Wharf lane – 8/1/2022

Calverton M.W. 0 Radcliffe Olympic 7

Radcliffe travelled to Calverton Miners Welfare for their first fixture of the New Year. With their hosts languishing at the bottom of the table without a win, Radcliffe were looking to keep up their strong start to the season. After an overnight and morning of nonstop rain, the pitch was far better than anticipated as the conditions brightened up just before kick off.

Radcliffe started well, putting Calverton under pressure with Ben Castell being denied by the woodwork early on and many chances going to waste. However, a good move involving Andy McLean and Castell led to the ball reaching James Chiu who showed great composure to lift the ball over the keeper’s right into the corner to put Radcliffe in the lead after 7 minutes.

Calverton were unable to find any space in behind a well organised defence with James Portwood and Gary Watson at the heart of it along with a dominant display from Castell and Nick Levack in the middle of the park. Miki Moussa was getting forward from left back supporting Will Harvey in attack where the ball was eventually played in from Castell for Harvey to take it through for a one on one which he slotted through the keeper’s legs to double Radcliffe’s lead on the 15 minutes.

Moments later Kyle Waddell went close as he hit the bar and another great chance came when McLean whipped in a cross that Chiu jumped too early for, to send his header narrowly over the bar. Radcliffe increased their lead on 27 minutes when Levack’s corner found Moussa on the edge of the area whose disguised pass back to Levack gave him an angle to float the ball in the danger area where Castell showed great determination to ensure that the ball crossed the line to make it 3-0.

Just before half-time Harvey, who was giving his marker a torrid time with his pace, went close again when a nicely weighted pass from Castell was received with an excellent touch to take him one on one with the keeper, however this time he rushed his shot to slice it wide.

Half time: Calverton M.W. 0 Radcliffe Olympic 3

Radcliffe started the second half brightly and looked likely to increase their lead with chances from set pieces narrowly missing the target until Mclean whipped a corner in from the left hand side which was met by Gary Watson. His guided the ball downwards fell for Waddell who calmly placed the ball into the net to make it 4-0 Radcliffe.

Radcliffe then introduced their subs into the game, giving everyone enough minutes to shake off the rust from the Xmas break. Christian Montezola came on for Chiu which enabled Radcliffe to go 4-4-2 and Kieran Humphreys came on for Nick Levack after another tidy display. Moments later Ed Smyth, returning from injury replaced Will Harvey in a straight swap on the wing.

Radcliffe were in complete control apart an attempted lob of Harvey Woodward in the Radcliffe goal who comfortably dealt with it, but apart from that he wasn’t tested throughout the half. Credit to Calverton who kept battling and didn’t give up.

Following the changes, Radcliffe increased their control in the game as the opposition looked to tire. Woodward’s long kick was met by Waddell who flicked it on to Montezola who did well to out muscle the defender and put himself through for a one on one before showing great composure to dummy his shot then take it round the Calverton keeper to make the score 5-0. On 79 minutes Moussa put in a pinpoint cross for Waddell to pounce on to make it 6. With confidence now draining, Calverton conceded possession immediately from kick off and Montezola pounced on the mistake to go through again one on one, the keeper made a good save however the rebound fell to Montezola who put it away with his left foot to make it 7-0. Calverton had a couple of chances to grab one back and Radcliffe had a few more opportunities to extend their lead but there were to be no more goals.

Full Time Calverton M.W. 0 Radcliffe Olympic 7

Radcliffe Olympic: Harvey Woodward, Matt Blaze, Mikki Moussa, Gary Watson, James Portwood, Nick Levack, James Chiu, Ben Castell, Kyle Waddell, Will Harvey, Andy McClean.

Subs: Kieran Humphreys, Christian Montezola, Ed Smyth.

Referee: Adrian Ford

Radcliffe travel to meet Radford Reserves away this Saturday (15th Jan) K.O.2.00pm.