MALVERN Radar, for a number of seasonal reasons, only had 11 to choose from last Sunday but they were involved in an entertaining game against visitors Blackpole at Victoria Park.

MALVERN RADAR 1, BLACKPOLE 1

The visitors started well and the reshuffled home team were certainly on the back foot doing a lot of stout defending as Blackpole pushed the ball around with great confidence.

A great deal of their efforts were foiled on the edge of the Radar area by some fierce tackling from Darren Loader, Nick Ball and the industrious Gary Burston.

Blackpole, led by the experienced Dave Green, kept pushing forward and when Dean Barmby found space in the box, Nick Ball's challenge was adjudged to be unfair and Mark King crashed in the resultant penalty.

Radar had a couple of chances at the other end when Gary Harman sped forward, played a nice one two but his shot flew over the bar. Then Nial Henderson was foiled by a great challenge from Scott Clifford on the edge of the six yard box.

With the pitch getting heavier and heavier down the middle it was certainly hard going in the second half but both teams were playing some decent football.

Radar had a good chance to equalize when Nial Henderson fooled two defenders but instead of squaring the ball to the unmarked Steve Harness he tried a shot from a narrow angle which failed to trouble keeper Andy Cornes.

The keeper was then involved in the next piece of action which led to Radar's equalizer. Clive Churchill's well struck corner proved too hot for Cornes who dropped the ball and lost his bearings, an almighty scramble took place involving mud, water, boots and bodies which resulted with the ball somehow crossing the line.

Henderson claimed the final touch although no one seemed too sure how the ball found the net.

Both teams had half chances in the final minutes, firstly Steve Harness latched on to stand-in centre forward Russ Brewer's pass and showing some nimble footwork, he shimmied round the last defender and let fly from 18 yards only to see his effort whistle just wide.

In the closing stages Blackpole's King had a chance to win the game only to be foiled by the conditions and a smart parry by Chris Ball, Phil Birch was on hand to clear the danger.

Radar are now without a fixture until January 5 as this week's opponents Birdport, have dropped out of the league.

RADAR are holding their annual Boxing Night disco at the RSRE Club starting at 8pm. Tickets from the usual sources.