Shirebrook Town Secures Late Equalizer Against Radford

Shirebrook Town salvaged a draw against Radford in a gripping match on October 21, 2023, thanks to a late equalizer from Lewis Deavin. The game, held at Radford’s home ground, saw an intense battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

The match kicked off with Shirebrook making an energetic start. Early opportunities arose as Harvey Limb came close to scoring. However, it was Radford who broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. A corner taken by Blair Anderson found Harrison Mellors, who headed the ball into the net, giving Radford a 1-0 lead with their first significant attack of the game.

Shirebrook responded positively to going behind. Kian Tansley nearly leveled the score with a free kick, while Brandon Clarke and Trent Jules both had attempts thwarted. As the first half progressed, Shirebrook had their best chance when Ricky Geeson struck a free kick that rattled the crossbar, but the score remained 1-0 in favor of Radford at halftime.

The second half saw Radford initially dominating the play. Shirebrook’s stand-in goalkeeper, Reilly Farrell, was kept busy as he made crucial saves against shots from Fola Iagbemi and Blair Anderson. Despite Radford’s pressure, Shirebrook managed to withstand the early onslaught and began to find their rhythm, creating several chances through Tansley, Limb, Lewis Deavin, and Ross Henshaw.

Just when it seemed like Shirebrook might leave empty-handed, they found the equalizer in the 85th minute. Tansley set up Deavin, who calmly tapped the ball in at the far post, igniting celebrations among the Shirebrook supporters.

As the match approached injury time, Shirebrook thought they had turned the game around completely when Henshaw’s effort found the back of the net, only for the referee to rule it offside, leaving the fans in suspense. Moments later, Radford nearly snatched a victory, but Farrell made a remarkable save from a shot by Louie Dunwell.

Ultimately, both teams settled for a point after an exhilarating match that showcased the resilience of Shirebrook Town and the competitive spirit of Radford. The draw keeps Shirebrook in contention as they look ahead to their next fixtures in the league.