The hardy few spectators who braved the elements at
Southfields Recreation Ground on Saturday, September 3rd, were
treated to an eleven goal thriller against Roman Glass St George, in the
Western League First Division.
Saturday, was Non League Day, an opportunity for supporters
of professional teams to visit grass roots teams and with Welton Rovers and Paulton
Rovers playing away, Radstock hopes of a bumper crowd were hampered by
torrential rain and strong gusting winds.
Despite the appalling conditions Radstock were determined to
play their trademark passing game, taking the lead in the fifth minute through
Jack 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 two
nil down, pulling a goal back through Lewis Wentland on 14 minutes when it was Radstock’s
turn to get caught napping at the back. At two one 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, three one 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. Radstock could have
had a fifth on the half hour when Millard created a golden opportunity for Rustell
to score his hat trick, only for the Radstock player to put the ball over the
bar from only a couple of yards out.
Roman Glass were gifted a life line just before the interval
when Rahib Reham was brought down in the Radstock box and Jason Burty converted
from the penalty spot. The first 45 minutes had produced six goals, a rarity at
any level of the game. At four two 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’d 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 of Radstock’s perfect day. Jack 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 winner by 8 goals to three. Next up for
Radstock is a trip to Cheddar on Tuesday 6th, 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 7:45pm on Thursday, September 8th.
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