One of those Saturday mornings that sees you sitting at the PC waiting to see which games will survive after all the pitch inspections had been carried out.
Our Game was due to have been Pinxton v Blidworth, but with Kev on family duties, I needed something slightly closer to home. I know it's only a 25 minute journey to Wharf Road, but on a cold Saturday such as this, travelling too far is always a risk. Fellow blogger Uwdi Krugg always seems to be unlucky with cancellations - click here to read about his latest wasted day.
Anyway, it gave me a chance to look at United's new floodlights - this game was officially AFC Hucknall's home game, but was switched to Greenwich Avenue at the 11th hour.
I wondered if anybody else knew about the switch - when I arrived at the ground at 2:50pm, I was the only spectator there! Talk about Billy No-mates!!!!!
Took a few pics of the new lights and the newly erected covered area, and a couple of images of the teams shaking hands pre-kick off.
I wasn't on my own for long - I had the pleasure of the company of Nottm United Manager Andy Cruddace, Radford FC Secretary Danny Staley and Rainworth MW press officer Gordon Foster.
Danny went at the break, but I spent all the game with Gordon - I could listen to him talk about his life as a football journalist all day.
The game began in bright sunshine, although it was a little on the chilly side.
Basford have recruited a few well known names from the local non-league scene - Cashell Walters, Richard Hodgman and Carl Westcarr to name but three. The first 20 minutes were fairly even, but then two great pieces of skill gave United a 2-0 lead.
DARREN GARMSTON had blazed over the bar seconds earlier, but the next attack saw him run in from the left and curl a beauty past Hadlee Dunn in the AFC goal. Some strike, but it was put into the shade 60 seconds later. The ball was crossed into the box from the right, and TIAN WALTON met it with a spectacular overhead volley that had every one of the 33 spectators applauding and smiling!
It should have been 3-0 at half-time - a blatant if not too hard push in the area was punished with the award of a penalty by Referee Mr. Barker. Westcarr stepped up and struck the ball well enough, but it was at just the height that keepers love, and Dunn made a fine save to deny the Basford striker. H-T 0-2
Hadlee Dunn keeps out Westcarr's spot kick
Unusually for me, I decided to try a hot beverage during the break. Coffee was just £0.60 and although it came in a Styrofoam cup, it was as big as a bucket! Heanor Town take note....thimbles are not good value for money!!!!!
The second half was played under the new lights, and they seem to be very high quality. Not too much to report on the pitch though - the ground was getting very firm as the temperature plummeted. Hucknall reduced their arrears on 57, their no. 8 SAM SIMS firing past Basford keeper Adam Fretwell from 20 yards.
United took only seconds though to restore the two goal cushion, a terrific cross in from the left met with a superb header from COURTNEY HASTINGS some 10 yards from goal. I was determined not to take any more notes as it got colder and colder, so note pad away, gloves on ,daft hat on, scarf tightened - and wait for Mr. Barker to blow the final whistle. F-T 1-3
Attendance £3
H/C - at kick off 33, but this was up and down throughout the game....
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 Shake!! |
