Jogabola v Radcliffe Town reserves

2pm  5 December 2020

Lancashire Amateur League, Division Two
Jogabola 2 Radcliffe Town reserves 2 (att 26)

After a month-long lockdown it was good to be able to watch football again, even if a combination of tier three restrictions and bad weather made finding games to watch a bit of a challenge.

Games on grass were unreliable, and landlords had decreed that at least some 3G options were behind closed doors. Fortunately Jogabola responded positively when I checked, via Twitter, if spectators were allowed at Little Lever Sports Centre.

Jogabola's origins are unusual, probably unique, having begun as a futsal club. It's senior side, playing outdoor 11-a-side, is new this season, and was placed in the third tier of the Lancashire Amateur League. Joga bola is Portuguese for 'play ball', and Jogabola FC concentrates on youth, as well as small-sided, football.

The four-week layoff, which prevented clubs training as well as playing, meant both sides were understandably rusty early in the game. The home side's forwards certainly looked out of practice, they had numerous first half efforts on goal that went high or wide.

At the other end Radcliffe made the most of their slim pickings. A penalty put them ahead, and a second, on the break, followed before half time.

Jogabola were the better side though, and drew level in a second half that grew increasingly bad-tempered. The hosts lost a player to a late red card, which set up an exciting final few minutes as Radcliffe sought a winner, but it ended all square.

Jogabola play on a 3G pitch in the Little Lever area of Bolton. It's a typical set up, with a floodlit pitch surrounded by a high fence. There's a area for spectators on one side.