Saturday 5 September 2009

Greenwood Meadows 0-1 Radcliffe Olympic

Saturday 5th September 2009 - East Midlands Counties League

A result that's a bit harsh from Greenwood point of view, but the goal was a stunner - scored by Westleigh Burke in the 53rd minute.



Wes Burke


A few years ago , me and Kev used to go and watch the Eastwood U19 Academy team on a regular basis. We come across players who were in the Badgers' Academy set up every now and again. Few though have had more impact on a game than Radcliffe's Wes Burke. He strolled around the midfield like he owned it and his set-pieces usually caused problems to the Greenwood defenders. The last time I saw Wes he was playing for Caribbean Cavaliers (I think)...

It was Burke who almost opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, firing a 40 yard free-kick at goal, forcing home keeper Carl Najuk to tip the ball over the bar.

On 20, a fine move by Radcliffe ended with Ben Richardson having his shot saved by Najuk. A couple of minutes later, the visiting right back Ashley Miles crossed into the box, but Phil Massingham's overhead kick was collected comfortably by Najuk.

It wasn't all Radcliffe though, and when home striker Jourdan Blair combined well with Zeke Jenkins, the left back raced at goal, beat three defenders and fired a shot against the foot of the post. Although the ball rolled across the goal-line, no-one was on hand to tap home. Blair was played in through the middle on 24, but Olympic keeper James Mountain smothered the no. 10's shot. As Mountain launched the ball upfield, Westcarr controlled well and laid the ball to Massingham who saw his shot tipped over by Najuk. Dave Hawkes got his head to the corner, but Najuk gathered safely. H-T 0-0

Massingham had a great chance just three minutes into the second half. He connected well with Burke's free-kick but could only steer his header over the bar.

Massingham goes close with a header


Westcarr then failed to connect with an Andy Davies cross from the left as Radcliffe applied pressure to a tiring home defence. The pressure paid off in the 53rd minute. Ben Richardson ran into the box and was given time by Jenkins to stop and pick out WES BURKE on the edge of the box. The midfielder hit the ball first time, and it went sailing into the top left hand corner with Najuk grabbing at thin air....

The game then entered into a very scrappy, caution riddled period - I lost count of the yellows, but there must have been 7 or 8 during the game. Not too many nasty challenges - but Referee Mr. Clarke was a bit keen and picked up on things that would usually only merit a quiet word.

Radcliffe were happy to defend for the final period of the game, but in reality Meadows offered very little threat in front of goal. The home team did have a great opportunity to level on 70. Craig Meakin rifled in a shot that Mountain could only palm away. The loose ball fell to Blair who hit it sweetly, only to see it crash off the underside of the bar and away to safety. F-T 0-1

Not a bad game, but not a classic either. Greenwood and Radcliffe sit in the top two places in the league, although Racliffe have played one game more. ..

Admission £4


Attendance 35


MOM - Greenwood Meadows - Zeke Jenkins


MOM - Radcliffe Olympic - Wes Burke


It was strange to see the car-park full to over-flowing with only 35 present - but there were a lot of caravans and motor homes in there as well(?). We were first out, and were home in time to see the England game


Tuesday - Blidworth W v Harworth CI


Pictures from the game

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