Would lowly Radford be able to complete an unlikely league double over top of the table Heanor? That was the question posed as we made our way to the Town Ground once again. Apparently in the previous encounter right at the start of the season, Radford had three shots and scored three times, securing them a 3-2 victory.
Heanor had new signing Carl Slater on the bench - a quality player with bags of experience - should be interesting to see Slat and Kieran DeBrouwer playing alongside each other. The midfield places will need to be earned - Slater, DeBrouwer, Ryan Cancellara, Gary Webster, Rockie White and Lee Stevenson all fighting for the three places!
Adam Kay's return to the club has meant Brett Peel had to settle for a place on the bench with Slater - but again, pressure for places can only help the Lions as they look to strengthen their squad in an attempt keep top spot, and help avoid a repeat of last season's disappointing end of season meltdown.
Radford's players were mostly unknown to both me and Kev, but we did know keeper Jack Harvey and right back Rob Labbatte from their time spent with AFC Hucknall. Manager Paul Rawdon told us that he is still trying to mould his Radford team together, and since returning to the club earlier in the season, has built an almost totally new squad.
The previously mentioned shock looked on the cards after half an hour when Radford no. 8 JOHN ANDREWS fired past Heanor keeper Mark Frost, after he was given time and space in front of goal. Prior to this though, the home team were denied a stonewall penalty after Harvey clattered into Nathan Benger - Referee Chris Hunter waved away the protests, but even though I try to be "the Referee's friend" as often as I can, this was a poor decision and one that was compounded by his Assistant who apparently also saw nothing amiss.
Webster had looked dangerous raiding down the right, but his final ball into the area let him down time after time. Benger showed him how to do it on 35, his cross finding STEF FROST on the 6 yard line, and the striker made no mistake volleying home to level the scores.
The Lions took the lead in the 39th minute, ADAM KAY heading Jason Foster's left side corner powerfully home at the far post. H-T 2-1
Stood behind the goal with good friends Chris and Steve for the first half, but decided to head to the dugout stand for the second period, in the hope that if Heanor were to net any further goals, I wouldn't have to ask around to find out who scored. My eyes really struggle to see 100 yards down the pitch! As it happens, the third Heanor goal after 66 minutes had me guessing for a while - a fierce drive in from the right from (I think) Gary Webster, appeared to go straight into the net, but left JAKE VERNON celebrating with both hands in the air. As the ball flew goalwards, he had glanced the ball home with his head apparently......
With 10 to go, the ball was played out of defence, and with Vernon beating the offside trap he raced at goal. Harvey advanced to the edge of his area to try and halt the strikers run, but Vernon slid the ball to NATHAN BENGER who made hard work of controlling the pass, but eventually netted his 20th league goal of the season. F-T 4-1
Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 98
We've seen some poor games recently, and although this was certainly no classic, we left the Town Ground at least feeling we had had our fiver's worth!!
