Nottinghamshire Senior League – NSL Senior Cup – 1st Round
AC United 4 Radcliffe Olympic 1
The Forest Sports Zone, Forest Fields, Nottingham – Saturday 21st September 2024

Radcliffe travelled to Forest Field to face division One opponents AC United on a 4G pitch in the first round of the NSL Senior Cup. Radcliffe made changes to their line up which included three players making their first appearance for the club included in the squad.

Radcliffe made the best possible start, catching their opponent’s cold as they scored within 30 seconds of the kick off. Liam Norris played the ball over the top for Josh Mullis to run onto before producing an excellent finish as he lobbed it over the keeper from a tight angle. Sadly that was as good as it got for Radcliffe as a well drilled United team dominated possession before they eventually equalised after Norris was adjudged to have pulled back his man in the box allowing AC United to level from the spot.

Up until half time Radcliffe rarely threatened in their opponents final third and were thankful for some wasteful AC United finishing, striking the woodwork twice along with some last ditch Radcliffe defending and excellent goalkeeping. Debutant keeper Anthony Drury was frequently exposed sweeping a number of times in and around the edge of the box. He also pulled a number of solid saves as AC continued to create chances. Unfortunately, the Radcliffe play was littered with poor passes as they struggled to keep any possession.

Half Time: AC United 1 Radcliffe Olympic 1

The second half resumed with a more determined show along with further good defending and excellent goal keeping from Radcliffe; this was matched by a strong AC United team who took the lead for the first time in the game when they got down the wing and put the ball into the area for an unmarked player to score. Whilst the goal was originally flagged offside, after consulting the linesman, the goal was allowed to stand. United increased their lead following a corner when an unmarked player headed home.

Radcliffe made substitutions and began to create chances with James Keen finding the net only for it to be disallowed for offside. In the final minutes United made it four when they got past the Radcliffe defence for a one on one with the Radcliffe keeper finishing the game 4-1 to AC United.

Overall, Radcliffe could have no complaints, as a well drilled AC United were the better side on the day. Now that they are out of the cup they will need to put in improved performances in the league in their quest to climb from the lower reaches of the table.

Full Time: AC United 4 Radcliffe Olympic 1

Radcliffe Olympic: Anthony Drury, Liam Norris, Kieran Humphries, Matt Snelgrove, Jamie Gilbertson, Josh Andrews, Matt Gamble, Josh Mulliss, Dan Barton, James Keen, Dan Lord.

Subs: Jackson Machin, Dom Price, Jacob Williams, Chris Dawn, Mat Lowe.

Referee: Darren Reynolds.

Radcliffe face FC Sez away this Saturday (28th Sept) K.O. 3.00 at the Gresham Sports Park, West Bridgford, NG2 7YF.

Radcliffe Olympic FC

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