Sat Feb 3 2024 · Division One
Gedling and Radford have had some serious battles in recent years and it was the same this year as the sides played out a 3-3 draw at Plains Road in November and both sides heading into this fixture were looking to climb closer to the play-offs.
The game started like a typical derby with both sides just finding each other out but Gedling started to find their feet and on 7 minutes they created their first chance as Felix Hogg played a superb ball to Muta Eisa in the box but Eisa dragged his effort wide of the post from 16 yards out.
Eisa was proving to be a problem for the hosts defence who were aimlessly kicking the ball up or out of play much to the amusement of some Gedling fans. The game went into a period of nothing until the 36th minute, Kieran Harrison drove towards the edge of the box before he was bundled over. Harrison then fired the free kick in which was pinballing in the Radford penalty area before it fell to Josh Lawe who’s effort was well blocked and the hosts eventually cleared.
Radford’s best chance of the half came in the second minute of stoppage time when a corner was spilt by Josh Mitchell and it fell to Jevin Seaton but his effort was brilliantly blocked by Solomon Godwin and the sides went into the break level.
It was Radford who started the second half better and on 56 minutes they should have taken the lead after a corner fell to Fola Fagbemi but he bicycle kicked it over from 6 yards out.
Once again it was a similar story to the first half with neither keeper being tested until the 76th minute, a deep corner from the hosts looked to be looping over Mitchell but he used his height to tip the ball away from danger and to keep his clean sheet intact.
On 85 minutes it was Gedling who broke the deadlock after a cross fell to captain Josh Thornton who hit a right footed volley from 16 yards which found the bottom left corner which sparked huge celebrations from the Gedling following and to give the Miners a 1-0 lead.
However they survived a massive scare in stoppage time as Seaton put the ball in the net but luckily for Gedling he was deemed to be offside which saw Seaton booked for his angry reaction towards the linesman. But Gedling held on for a huge 3 points and their first clean sheet since October 7 in what was a superb defensive display from all involved.
Gedling MOM: Felix Hogg
