The hardy spectators who braved the elements at Southfields Recreation Ground on Saturday, 3rd September, were treated to an eleven goal thriller against Roman Glass St George, in the Western League First Division.

Despite the appalling conditions, Radstock were determined to play their trademark passing game, taking the lead in the fifth minute through James Rustell, whose spectacular bicycle kick connected perfectly with a Luke Ingram cross that evaded the Roman Glass defence.

Two minutes later, Rustell scored his second, following a quick clearance from a Roman Glass corner and excellent work by Radstock front man, Simon Millard, who beat the defence and crossed to the unmarked Rustell.

Roman Glass showed great character to fight back from 2–0 down, pulling a goal back through Lewis Wentland on fourteen minutes when it was Radstock’s turn to get caught napping at the back. At 2–1, the game was back on, and Radstock reacted well, pressing hard to restore their two-goal advantage. Their efforts were quickly rewarded in the 21st minute, when Jack Whitcombe was brought down by Roman Glass goalkeeper, Phil Mills. Roman Glass were furious at the decision, but

despite Mills’ brave dive, there was little doubt he had brought the Radstock player down. The penalty was calmly despatched by Tom Pawley, 3–1 to Radstock with 21

minutes on the clock.

Matters went from bad to worse for the visitors when Josh Whitcombe combined with his brother, Jack, whose cross was swept into the visitors’ net by the imperious Simon Millard on 27 minutes.

Roman Glass were gifted a lifeline just before the interval when Rahib Reham was brought down in the Radstock box and Jason Burty converted from the penalty spot. At 4–2 down, Roman Glass were still in the match, not least because they would have the advantage of the gusting wind in the second half. Radstock started the

second half as they had started the first, and with less than two minutes on the clock, a Millard corner found Jake Wyatt, unmarked, scoring the Miners’ fifth goal with a perfectly executed header. The match effectively finished as a contest when Radstock scored their sixth in the 56th minute when Josh Witcombe converted another corner with a header at the far post.

Roman Glass managed a headed goal of their own, just after the hour, with Andrew Hamilton-Dunn making the most of a defence change at the heart of the Radstock

defence, but it proved too little, too late.

With the result no longer in doubt, only one piece of business remained to be completed to round off Radstock’s perfect day. James Rustell, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, had been sat on two goals since the seventh minute. Radstock were awarded their second penalty of the match in the 84th minute, following a Roman Glass handball. Initially, it looked like Simon Millard would take the spot kick, but Radstock’s Man of the Match gave the birthday boy the chance to secure his hat-trick from the penalty spot, which Rustell duly did with a

nonchalant effort low in the bottom right hand corner. Radstock had time for one more goal, second half substitute, Rico Sobers, sweeping in at the far post from yet another Millard cross.

The driving rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Miners’ faithful as they saw their team run out the winners by 8–3. Next up for Radstock was a trip to Cheddar on Tuesday, 6th September, followed by a return to Southfields on Saturday, when the Miners entertain Torpoint Athletic in the FA Vase. Radstock Town’s Under-18s entertain Brislington in the FA Youth Cup at 7.45 p.m. on Thursday, 8th September.

Ian Nockolds