The prospect of challenging a top Premier Division side in the Les Phillips Cup with their new-look side was one that the Radstock management team of Lloyd Edgell and Shane Smith always saw as a mouthwatering one. But with the added bonus of receiving the League Manager of the Month Award for October prior to the game, they must have felt that the omens were on their side – and so it turned out to be!
In contrast, the afternoon couldn't have gotten off to a worse start for the visitors, as when they arrived at the ground, they realised that they had left all their kit back in Devon! This resulted in them being forced to borrow one of Radstock's old away strips for the afternoon.
The enforced kit change didn't affect the way the
visitors started the game though and some neat interplay between the very lively midfield trio of Havlin, Head and Booth, combined with some well-practised running off the ball from Laight and Hammon, saw the home side's attacking options restricted to counter-attacks. But the
togetherness that is now such a strong part of Radstock's game saw off the danger and as the half progressed, their confidence grew and with it, their ability to cause problems to the Buckland defence.
On the half-hour, Gregory evaded two tackles, before seeing his effort go past the post, which was followed by both Harvey and Hardiman having efforts blocked by the hard-working visiting defenders. The 'miners' did take the lead though ten minutes before the break, courtesy of a first goal of the season for Player/Manager, Lloyd Edgell. The visiting defence left him unmarked following a free kick and he coolly lifted the ball over the despairing leap of keeper, Buckler, to put the ball in the top of the net.
The second half was very much like the first in many ways, with the visitors pushing more men forward in search of an equaliser. The Radstock defence and midfield held their shape and denied the visiting attack a clear chance on goal. Even when they did get an opportunity, they found the home keeper, Ash Maw, in fine form.
The home side made the game safe eight minutes from time, following some excellent work from Dan Carter, who picked the ball up in the
middle of the park and then found Sam Gregory with his pass, who in turn took the ball wide before beating his man and firing a fierce cross into the box that found Mike Hardiman. His perfectly-timed run from midfield left him in the perfect position to score with the visiting defence left flat-footed.
Another good day for the 'miners' on their road to
recovery and with this new-found belief, who knows where that road might lead?