Hard and Fast ABC boxer Jack Radford set the tone for Barnsley FC's victory over Chelsea, by lifting a national title at Stamford Bridge – the home of the Reds' cup victims, the night before the match at Oakwell.

Radford flew the Barnsley flag with distinction to win the Clubs for Young People National title – beating the previously undefeated Scott Gunther from Wales on points over four rounds in the 91 kilo plus super heavyweight division. Radcliffe was the better boxer from the start and romped to a 10-1 points success, although the score does not reflect how close the bout was with both boxers landing big blows in a cracking contest.

On the same evening, in Leeds, Nicky Guy boxed in his first bout for Hard and Fast against D Sobolewski and came out on top of a good, old fashioned toe-to-toe encounter. Guy produced a good performance to stop his opponent in the second round. Connor Nixon saw his dream of landing the National Golden Gloves Championship ended in controversial circumstances. The Wombwell and Dearne ABC boxer was disqualified for leaning on his opponent and the bout was awarded to L Patel after Nixon's third warning. It was a cruel shame too as Nixon was by far the better boxer on the night. He was 3-0 up after the first round but received his first warning for leaning on. He extended his lead to 6-2 in the second round but received his second warning. With just 20 seconds to go in the final round, Nixon was way in front and on course to lift the title but his third warning saw the bout stopped.

There was an argument for pulling from Patel, but despite the decision, coach Eric Walker says they have to accept the outcome. He said: "I will not criticise the referee, he is an England official and a fair judge. “It is just a shame that he lost because Connor was too sharp for his opponent. He was the better boxer and it is a real shame he got disqualified."