Radcliffe clinched the Central Midlands Football League Supreme Division title thanks to a 44th minute Craig Anderson penalty.
Craig Anderson sends Jason Johnson the wrong way from the spot
Sorry about the picture quality - we had just moved from that end of the pitch to get a coffee, and I took this from about 100 yards away. With my camera it was asking a bit much to hope for a clear picture from that range!!
A game that would see Radcliffe crowned champions if they won - but if Forest Town won, the title would not be decided until next weekend.
A game that would see Radcliffe crowned champions if they won - but if Forest Town won, the title would not be decided until next weekend.
Kev has been doing the majority of the driving recently, but this was a great opportunity to try out my "new" second-hand car. Entertainment provided via the DAB radio station "Planet Rock" -- now that the local league footie has finished, what a nice change to hear a bit of Rush and Cinderella instead of Colin Bloody Slater!
Not been to Wharfe Lane before, so out came the Garmin. Our friendly Evening Post correspondent Brian Dennett had pre-warned us to park in the British Legion car-park - so we took his advice and at leaving time we were glad we did -- getting out of Wharfe Lane must have been a nightmare patience buster -- there were 290 present, and it seemed like everyone had a car!!!
Walked from the Legion to the ground - and what a setting greeted us. Very picturesque. Trees all around - a grassy bank ( named "cheapskate hill" for apparent reasons ) and horses grazing in pastures....and with the church in the background -- it's all so very "England".......Nice it may be, but we were pleased it wasn't raining - no cover, no hard standing and no seats...
A very well observed minutes silence was held before the game - in memory of Clipstone's Mr. Rick Morris who passed away last weekend.
Both teams began with the usual early sparring - after 25 minutes or so this left us reflecting on the lack of serious attemps on goal ..... then the game really took off. Radcliffe put together the games first decent attack, but Danny Tighe was on hand to block the eventual shot. Soon after an Aaron Korol free-kick was well met by AlexHaughton, but the Radcliffe striker was stretching and could only manage to deflect the ball over the bar. The same player the forced a great save from Forest Town keeper Jason Johnson with a well placed header.
Tighe fired a free-kick at goal on 34 that brought out a terrific diving save from James Mountain - the Radcliffe stopper diving to his right to palm away.
Forest Town provided the next chance as well - a break down the right by Craig Jackson - his ball into the box well met by James McCann but his drive was acrobatically kept out by Mountain.
As the ball went back into the Forest Town area, Referee Mr. Booker penalised Lee Bowler for holding onto Carl Westcarr - and Olympic skipper CRAIG ANDERSON stepped up and calmly slotted home, sending Johnson the wrong way. H-T 1-0
Local favourite Nick Kennerdale poses for the camera!!
We had changed ends with 10 minutes of the 1st half remaining, hoping to be at the head of the half-time beverage queue. Kev, bless him, volunteered to get the drinks and emerged some 15 minutes later, prompting the old " ya bin ta Brazil for me coffee then" from yours truly.... if looks could kill!!!! As it was the coffee and tea were well worth wating for - my coffee was strong and hot and although served in a syrofoam cup, it was a big 'un and was great value at £0.50 .....8/10 for the coffee and same from Kev for the tea.
Now -- you would think that the 2nd half would be a passionate, blood tingling affair bearing in mind the importance of the result of this game, but it wasn't. Forest Town tried hard to break down the resolute Olympic defence, but Wayne Halcro and James Spence were determined that they kept a clean sheet.
I took no notes at all during the second half - there were plenty of "scribes" present, and more than a few snappers -- some of the cameras on show gave me a bit of a complex!!! How much do those things cost? Lenses about 2 foot long - blimey I felt like hiding my little Fuji. I'm sure a full match report will be on the clubs' respective websites soon.
And this was not the biggest
Full time - the air ringing with ",Campiones, Campiones" we headed down the road to the car and got straight out onto the main drag. With Deep Purple giving it large with "Woman From Tokyo" and "Pictures Of Home" we entered the A52 - then no hassle, apart from one silly woman not knowing which lane she wanted at the bottom of the A611 bypass - home by 5:20pm ....
Images from the game
Admission £3
Attendance -- someone mentioned 290
Programme -- £1
Tea/coffee £0.50 - excellent
Tuesday - Blidworth v Ollerton Town
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