A last minute decision found me in Eastern Nottingham in the Radford district to see a United Counties Division One game between Radford and Barrow Town
Google maps led me down a cul de sac to announce I had arrived. I could see the lights but no entrance to the ground only three rough sleepers preparing for their night. After driving completely around the ground which is hidden behind shops and houses I abandoned the car and decided to find it on foot. Eventually I could see a small entrance and turnstile that opened up to the pitch.
Radford F.C. weren’t formed until 1964 as Manlove and Allotts. F.C. as a Sunday team, but when the company went to Scotland in 1970 they changed their name to Radford Olympic F.C. They changed to playing on Saturdays in the late 1970’s along with finding their current ground. The name Radford F.C. was adopted in 1984 then competing in the Central Midlands League. A step up to the East Midlands Counties League in 2009 has been followed in 2021 by being moved to their current league due to the F.A. re organisation. They have made great strides in developing the stadium with a club house at the entrance, a covered seating area at one end of the pitch, a tea bar and two covered standing areas on one side. Some high netting is required to try to stop the many balls that go out of the ground during a match. The playing surface is relatively flat but the grass is wearing badly in some areas I’m sure due to the poor weather conditions of the last year.
Barrow Town F C are based in Barrow upon Soar a small town south east of Loughborough in Liecestershire. There has been a team playing there since the 19th century when they played under the name of Barrow Rising Stars based in a local pub. They competed in local leagues and morphed into The Old boys and eventually Barrow Town around 1969 when they also moved to their Riverside ground.
Their next move was to become founder members of the East Midlands Counties League in 2008 and when that league was disbanded in the non-league re organisation of 2021 they were placed in the United Counties League Division 1.
Radford F.C. 0 Barrow Town F.C. 1
Tuesday 31st January 2023. 19.45. pm kick off.
United Counties League Division One
Oakfield Arena, Speldhurst Street, Radford, Nottingham.
Radford, claret shirts and light blue shorts: Barrow, yellow shirts and blue shorts.
6th v 18th. The Pheasants v The Riversiders
Radford started the game by being quicker and mobile in defense which enabled them to push forward at any opportunity. They missed their best chance of the first half when the away keeper parried out a free kick that had been swung in from the right and the attacking number 15 missed a great heading chance. Barrow stayed very strong to see out the half.
Radford resumed their stronger activity level but with 6 minutes gone into the second half Barrow’s number eight headed on the ball for Tom Mangan to loop head it over the stranded goalkeeper to take the lead.
The home side thought they had drawn level with 18 minutes gone but the goal was ruled offside. Two large shouts for handball in the penalty area were turned down to the groans of the fans.
The crowd of 60 became more and more vocal towards Barrow’s time wasting and their frustration at not being able to break down their dogged defence.
Barrow saw out the onslaught and went away with a hard earned 3 points.
An enjoyable game that I felt all the players left a lot of sweat and endeavour out on the pitch.
The chips were hot, all sizes, with some black bits on the top. They were squidgy in the middle and had a greasy taste as I ate more which also had a burnt fat after taste. Such a disappointment after those at Bradford on Saturday, score 56.
Payonthegate 