Second placed Radford had to defeat leaders Pinxton to snatch the league title. As the table below shows, before kick off, all Pinxton had to do was secure a point, and they looked odds on to do at least that when they took the lead in the 63rd minute..........
We decided to visit Selhurst Steet, at Radford Secretary Danny Staley's invitation, and despite his offer of a prime parking spot outside the ground, we opted to travel by tram! Hucknall to Radford every 10 minutes with a journey time of 16 minutes. Not one for public transport, but thought this would be a good opportunity to see if we could use the tram network successfully... no problem!
The first half was fairly uneventful, both teams showing why they are at the Divison's summit, but the game only really kicked off in earnest after Pinxton netted in the 63rd minute - a classic breakaway goal that came after a Radford attack was repelled and the ball belted out of defence. It may have been a long clearance, but it picked out the visiting no. 10, JOSH BURROWS, who raced from the halfway line and fired past the Radford keeper.
Alamo/kitchen sink time -- Radford stormed forward in an effort to try and salvage their season, but the Pinxton keeper and defender mopped up all the home team could throw at them - until the 81st minute that is, when a corner from the left was fumbled by the keeper and somehow ended up in the back of the net. The goal was credited to RYAN DEABILL, but if he got a touch it was a faint one.
90 seconds later the visiting defence was breached again - this time they failed to clear as the ball was played into the area, and when it eventually fell to SAM McELROY, he made no mistake, lashing home from 12 yards.
Alamo/kitchen sink time again - this time at the other end as Pinxton went in search of the one goal that would still see them Champions. Despite their best efforts, Radford defended solidly and managed to see out the remaining minutes of the game, including 4 that Ref Liam Jones tagged on to the end. F-T 2-1
Pinxton were so close, but in the end it was perhaps fitting that the only team that managed to defeat them in the league were crowned Champions.
Admission £2 inc programme
Tram £3.20
Attendance - well over 50.
