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Radford end unbeaten run for Yellows

Radford end unbeaten run for Yellows

Paul Burley26 Sep 2021 - 09:18
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Radford 3-1 Hucknall Town

Hucknall Town’s eight game unbeaten league run came to an end following a disappointing 3-1 away defeat to Radford.

The Yellows were left with a bit of a mountain to climb at the Oakfield Arena after the home side netted three unanswered goals in the opening 45 minutes.

After the break, Andy Graves’ side responded well and pulled one back through Jordan Phillips, but they were unable to salvage any points from the match in the end.

Both teams began the match in a positive manner as they each sought for the opening goal. In just the second minute, Hucknall goalkeeper Keaton Sharpe was forced to make a smart save when Jevin Seaton powered a shot towards goal.

Shortly afterwards, the Yellows started to cause Pheasants stopper Oluyinka Abebowale some problems. Craig Westcarr stung the home keeper’s gloves with an effort from outside the box in the 14th minute, before Jamie Crawford’s shot was deflected narrowly wide of the post by Grant Ryan just moments later.

Midway through the half, Radford were awarded a penalty when Giro Kelleher went down in the Hucknall box under the challenge of Aaron Short, with Joe Meakin slotting home from 12 yards to put the hosts ahead.

Three minutes later, the Pheasants doubled their advantage when striker Ryan Smith guided the ball beyond Sharpe with his head. Tricky attacker Seaton then added a third for Radford shortly before half-time, with his floated cross sneaking into the net via Sharpe’s right-hand post.

Hucknall showed plenty of fight after the interval as they attempted to pull themselves back into the contest. Phillips’ fifth goal of the season arrived shortly after the hour mark; Joe Ashurst’s free-kick from deep was nodded across goal by Ryan, and the centre-back was well placed to stab the ball into the net.

As the second period progressed, the Yellows created a number of opportunities to reduce the deficit, with Westcarr and substitute Joe Butler going close, but Abebowale held firm in the Radford goal. Hucknall keeper Sharpe also made a couple of excellent saves at the other end in the latter stages to ensure that the Pheasants could not regain their three-goal lead.

Town will look to bounce back from this defeat on Wednesday evening when they welcome Dunkirk to Watnall Road.

Hucknall: Sharpe; Maxwell, Phillips, Short (c), Brown; Hubbard, Banister (Butler 51’); Crawford (Kinnerley 64’), Westcarr (Francis 77’), Ashurst; Ryan

By George Wilson

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