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Thursday 31 August 2017

Saturday 2nd September - local teams in action

F.A. CUP 1ST ROUND QUALIFYING
AFC Mansfield 4-0 Dunkirk FC
Buxton FC 3-2 Frickley Athletic
Halesowen Town 0-3 Basford Utd
Haughmond FC 3-2 Matlock Town
Loughborough Dynamo 1-3 Stourbridge FC
Mickleover Sports 2-1 Hinckley AFC
Shepshed Dynamo 6-1 Leek Town

NL NORTH
Nuneaton Town 2-2 Alfreton Town

NP DIV 1 SOUTH
Belper Town 0-3 Stocksbridge PS
Carlton Town 2-1 Bedworth Utd

MFL PREMIER
AFC Wulfrunians 2-1 Heanor Town
Long Eaton Utd 2-2 Worcester City
Lye Town 1-0 Loughborough University
South Normanton Ath 2-1 Shawbury Utd

MFL DIV
Ilkeston Town 2-0 Bolehall Swifts

NCEL PREMIER
Clipstone FC 0-5 Worksop Town
Harrogare Railway Ath 4-1 Rainworth MW
Staveley MW 1-3 Hemsworth MW

NCEL DIV 1
East Yorkshire Carnegie 4-0 Retford Utd
Ollerton Town 1-1 F.C. Bolsover

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 3-2 Teversal FC
Arnold Town 3-1 Ashby Ivanhoe
Birstall Utd 8-1 Radcliffe Olympic
Blaby & Whetstone Ath 2-1 Borrowash Victoria
Clifton AW 0-0 Radford FC
Graham St Prims 1-1 Stapenhill FC
Kimberley MW 3-1 Gedling MW
Selston FC 2-0 Holwell Sports

CMFL NORTH
Clay Cross Town 5-1 Welbeck Lions
Dinnington Town 2-3 Harworth Colliery
Lincoln Moorlands Railway 4-1 Collingham FC
Newark Town 2-4 Brodsworth Welfare
Retford FC 5-5 Askern FC

CMFL SOUTH
Eastwood CFC 0-2 Sherwood Colliery
Holbrook St. Michaels 6-1 Teversal Reserves
Linby CW 0-0 Hilton Harriers
Mickleover RBL 3-1 Blidworth Welfare
Swanwick PR 1-1 Keyworth Utd

NSL PREMIER
Awsworth Villa 0-1 Kimberley MW AFC
Basford Utd CFC 1-2 Southwell City
Bilborough Town 1-1 Underwood Villa
Bingham Town 6-2 AFC Dunkirk
Calverton MW 1-2 Newark Flowserve
Cotgrave FC 4-0 Attenborough FC
F.C. Cavaliers 4-3 Sandiacre Town
Magdala Amateurs 1-3 Gedling Southbank
Ruddington Village 1-6 Wollaton FC

Bilborough Town 6-0 Ruddington Village

Date: 30th August 2017 k.o. 8:00pm
Admission: £2.00
Referee: Lewis Quayle
Assistants: Phil Wrightham, Mike Evans

Stock image
This game was played at the Harvey Hadden Sports Village on Wigman Road – and although the facilities for football in this £16M development are at best a bit basic, I quite like visiting this venue. The kick off time was 8:00pm due to some athletic people on the track, running around and around and around and around………………….

Stock image
Never going to be a big crowd for this NSL Premier game, but there were 20-30 in attendance. I was with Pete Chappell, Wayne and Luke Morrison, Barry McKeag and Edddie Pidduck for the majority of the game, and had a chance to catch up with Tom Beard who was “observing” match Referee Lewis Quayle. 


Bilborough began the game on the front foot and were ahead with just three minutes played. The Ruddington keeper did well to block a goal-bound effort, then did well to block again as the ball ran loose – unfortunately for him though, Bilborough did get the ball over the line at the third attempt, LIAM STEWART on hand to stab home from close range. 

The remainder of the second half was a bit of a non-event, but could have been so much more productive for the home team if their players had known at least the basics of the offside rule. Time and time again they fell foul of the Assistant Ref’s flag – and on most occasions the Assistant got it right. No abuse to the officials from the players though – seems the “sin-bin” idea in operation in the NSL keeps a zip on the players mouths – and long may it continue. Hopefully the F.A. will continue it's introduction with step 6 next season and step 5 the season after, etc.etc.. H-T 1-0.

Eleven minutes into the second period, Bilborough added to their solitary first half strike, RICKY LAW stabbing home from 12 yards after he was picked out in front of goal. Law had been guilty of a couple of glaring misses in the first half, and although he now had his name on the score-sheet, he was also guilty of missing several golden chances as the second half progressed. 

RYAN CLEMENTS added the home teams third on the hour mark after a training ground corner routine paid handsome dividends. Instead of the ball being lumped into the packed 6 yard box as is the norm, this corner was fired out to the edge of the D where Clemence, already running in, met it with a fierce drive that flew through the crowded area before nestling in the back of the net, Terrific goal that was well appreciated by most of those in attendance! 

LIAM TAYLOR came on as a sub at half time, and netted the Town fourth when he was played in over the top and has the simple task of rolling the ball home. With 8 to play, a traditional corner also paid dividends – the ball was hit into the box and the unmarked MATT HAYES rose like a salmon to power a header past the visiting custodian. 

TAYLOR added his second and Town’s sixth on 86, giving the score a more realistic look. I’m sure Ruddington will agree that they were outplayed by the home team, but in reality, Town had so much possession and squandered so many chances that the score could easily have been in double figures. F-T 6-0.  Another £1.80 added to the THINK CHLDREN charity pot!

Sunday 27 August 2017

Chris Dent

 RIP Chris Dent

Chris's funeral will be at Bramcote Crematorium on Friday 8th September at 12:30pm. All are welcome….

APTCOO (Chris started the charity donation bandwagon rolling!)
Chris “Tall-Lad” Dent gave us the first “other” donation at the Heanor v Graham St Prims game in September 2010, and after I mentioned this in the match blog entry, interest grew and throughout the season we were subsequently handed contributions by a variety of friends, old and new, fellow hoppers old and new, and a multitude of others.  From the blog entry: The last time we visited the Town Ground we christened a friend from our Eastwood Town days as " the tall-lad" - and he was present at this game as well. He surprised both Kev and myself by donating to the APTCOO charity -- what a fantastic gesture and if you look at the picture below, you will see " the tall lad" -- can you guess which one he is???? 


MAGGIE’S May 2015 – we went to hand over the cheque……
Maggie's is place to drop in when lives are affected by cancer - and it was so poignant meeting Sharon Dent there today of all days. Sharon and hubby Chris have both donated generously to the maggie's fund, and such an irony that they find themselves in need of the support that is on hand at the centre. Heanor Town fan Chris is a real gentle giant (I dubbed him the "Tall-Lad" a few seasons ago).

We did meet up with Chris again on many more occasions at the Town Ground, and at other venues, but we were aware that his visits to games were becoming less and less frequent. A few days ago we were informed that his condition was terminal. Chris sadly lost his battle with cancer and passed away on 24th August, aged just 54. 

Rest in peace my friend – gone far too soon.

There is a memorial site set up for Chris where you can light a candle and leave a donation to his favourite charities, Macmillan Cancer support and Parkinson’s UK.  Click here to be redirected to 

Midweek - local teams in action w/c 28th August

Monday 28th August

NL NORTH
Alfreton Town 4-0 Curzon Ashton

NP PREMIER
Coalville Town 2-0 Mickleover Sports
Matlock Town 2-3 Grantham Town

NP DIV 1 SOUTH
Basford Utd 1-0 Loughborough Dynamo
Gresley FC 1-2 Belper Town
Lincoln Utd 1-1 Carlton Town

MFL PREMIER
Boldmere St. Michaels 2-5 Shepshed Dynamo
Long Eaton Utd 1-2 Heanor Town
Loughborough University 0-1 Coventry Sphinx
South Normanton Athletic 1-0 Rugby Town

MFL DIV 1
Ilkeston Town 3-0 Coventry Avis

EMCL
Borrowash Victoria 1-1 Graham St Prims
Dunkirk FC 1-1 Clifton AW
Radcliffe Olympic 0-1 West Bridgford
Teversal FC 4-0 Selston FC

CMFL NORTH
Lincoln Moorlands Railway 2-3 Harworth Colliery

CMFL SOUTH
Holbrook St. Michaels 2-4 South Normanton FC
Mickleover RBL P-P Matlock Town Res


Tuesday 29th August

NCEL PREMIER
AFC Mansfield 5-0 Penistone Church
Pontefract Colliery 5-1 Worksop Town

NCEL DIV 1
Knaresborough Town 2-1 Shirebrook Town

EMCL
Gedling MW 5-2 Arnold Town
Radford FC 1-1 Kimberley MW

NSL PREMIER
Awsworth Villa 5-3 Attenborough FC
Calverton MW 1-3 AFC Dunkirk
Magdala Amateurs 3-1 F.C. Cavaliers
Newark Flowserve 4-2 Bingham Town
Southwell City 0-0 Cotgrave FC
Wollaton FC 3-4 Sandiacre Town 

Wednesday 30th August

CMFL NORTH
Dronfield Town Res 1-3 Newark Town

NSL PREMIER
Bilborough Town 6-0 Ruddington Village
Kimberley MW AFC 2-4 Underwood Villa


Friday 1st September

EMCL
West Bridgford 0-5 Holbrook Sports

CMFL SOUTH
Pinxton FC 2-2 South Normanton FC

Thursday 24 August 2017

South Normanton Ath 1-4 Shepshed Dynamo

Wednesday 23rd August 2017

Venue: Lees Lane, South Normanton, Derbys

Admission: £6:00/£4:00

Attendance: 75

Teams
Shiners - Mansfield, O'Brien, Mitchell. Jellyman, Kirk, Ofushine, McEvoy, Tyson, Hemagou, Newton, Sylla. Subs: Crosby, Strzyzweski, Kellogg, Jaiyeolla, Fell

Dynamo - Hinds, Hill, Richards, Pheasant, Betts, Harris, Whymark, Hurst, Troke, Reeve, Read. Subs: McLean, Laywood, Brennan, Hohn, Bastock

Referee: Tom Wainman
Assistants: Kev Wright, Dave Patrick


Not seen Dynamo for quite a while, and it has to be said they looked very well organised right from the off. Luke Richards had the games first goal attempt in the 3rd minute, but his shot flew just wide of the home goal.  However the visitors did go ahead sixty seconds later when Karl Whymark fired a 20 yard free-kick into the back of the net. Charlie Mansfield did get a hand to the ball, but was unable to keep it out. 


Soon after the restart Kenny McEvoy fired a shot wide of the Dynamo goal, and on 16 the home team should have been level, but a far post header crashed off the post with the goal gaping! With eight minutes of the first half remaining, Dynamo went further ahead, Alex Troke on hand in front of goal to prod home Michael Reeve's cross cum shot. H-T 0-2


Two minutes into the second period the visitors added their third when a Jake Betts corner from the left somehow found it's way into the net through a crowd of players. The Shepshed fourth came from a classic counter-attacking move. As the Shiners pressed, Denham Hinds did well to block Kevin Hemagou's shot, but as the ball was cleared upfield, Reeve ran on to it and drilled it past Mansfield. Talk about a sucker punch! 

To their credit, the home team never gave up and alnost clawed one back on 84 but Lee Fell's shot was saved by Hinds. The Shiners did have the last word though when Luke Crosby's shot was followed in by Fell in added time.  F-T 1-4

The scoreline makes this look like it was an easy win for Dynamo, but in fact the home team had more attempts on target, and with a little more luck and a less capable keeper, they may have salvaged something from the game. 


Saturday 26th August - local teams in action

NL NORTH
Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 Alfreton Town

NP PREMIER
Buxton FC 2-1 Halesowen Town
Mickleover Sports 1-2 Nantwich Town
Warrington Town 2-0 Matlock Town

NP DIV 1 SOUTH
Belper Town 1-1 Lincoln Utd
Carlton Town 3-1 Romulus FC
Chasetown FC 4-0 Gresley FC
Corby Town 1-4 Basford Utd
Loughborough Dynamo 0-3 Leek Town

MFL PREMIER
Long Eaton Utd 1-4 Lye Town
Shepshed Dynamo 2-3 Heanor Town
Sporting Khalsa 2-2 South Normanton Athletic
Worcester City 2-1 Loughborough University

MFL DIV 1
Lichfield City 2-2 Ilkeston Town

NCEL PREMIER
AFC Mansfield 2-0 Handsworth Parramore
Clipstone FC 2-4 Pickering Town
Rainworth MW 0-5 Pontefract Colliery
Staveley MW 3-1 Garforth Town
Worksop Town 0-2 Albion Sports

NCEL DIV 1
F.C. Bolsover 5-0 Swallownest FC
Retford Utd 0-3 Campion FC
Rossington Main 4-0 Ollerton Town
Yorkshire Amateurs 5-1 Shirebrook Town

EMCL
Arnold Town 2-0 Radford FC
Ashby Ivanhoe 1-4 Borrowash Victoria
Barrow Town 1-1 Teversal FC
Belper Utd 2-0 Radcliffe Olympic
Birstall Utd 2-3 West Bridgford
Clifton AW 4-3 Holbrook Sports
Graham St Prims 0-2 Aylestone Park
Kimberley MW 2-1 Dunkirk FC
Stapenhill FC 1-5 Gedling MW

CMFL NORTH
Harworth Colliery 2-0 Appleby Frodingham
Retford FC 7-0 Newark Town
Welbeck Lions 2-4 Tideswell Utd

CMFL SOUTH
Aslockton & Orston 2-2 Mickleover RBL
Blidworth Welfare 4-0 Holbrook St. Michaels
Hilton Harriers 0-3 Pinxton FC
Hucknall Town 6-0 Matlock Town Res
Sherwood Colliery 5-1 AFC Kilburn
South Normanton FC 1-4 Linby CW

NSL PREMIER
AFC Dunkirk 1-4 Wollaton FC
Awsworth Villa 2-0 Bingham Town
Basford Utd CFC 4-1 Magdala Amateurs
Bilborough Town 2-1 Calverton MW
Gedling SB 1-5 Cotgrave FC
F.C. Cavaliers 3-0 Kimberley MW AFC
Newark Flowserve 8-0 Attenborough FC
Sandiacre Town 4-1 Ruddington Village
Underwood Villa 0-5 Southwell City

Wednesday 23 August 2017

Notts C 0-2 Bradford City + Teversal 3-1 Birstall Utd

Tuesday 22nd August.

Afternoon – a visit to Highfields on University Boulevard to see a Notts County Xl entertain a Bradford City Xl. This game was not advertised on either of the clubs websites and I have to thank good friend Nigel Prost for the heads up….

Mind you, he did tell me it was a 2:00pm ko and when I arrived at 1:47pm I was informed by Assistant Ref Peter Craggs that they had been playing two minutes – at least I assume that was what the two fingers signified! Apparently the teams had both agreed to kick off 15 minutes early without informing me! 


I initially parked in the Hockey Centre, which is adjacent to the Highfields playing fields. Previously this hasn’t been an issue, as the gates in the railings are usually unlocked – not on this occasion though! I watched the first half like a “chad” peering over a wall, before relocating 100 yards up the road to watch the second half up close and personal.


Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith, Steve Chettle and Magpies’ Chairman Alan Hardy were all present for this friendly game against League One Bradford City. The teams were mostly fringe players apparently, but I was told that quite a few on both sides had played for their respective first teams.

The visitors took the lead in the 38th minute – a cross from the right to the far corner of the penalty area was hammered towards the far post. From my viewpoint it looked as if it was going to fly just past the outside of the post. Notts defender Haydn Hollis must have thought it was going in though but as he stretched to clear the ball, could only manage to divert it over the line. H-T 0-1




Bradford went further ahead 10 minutes into the second half, their no. 10 latching onto a through ball, and racing into the area before slotting past the Pies keeper. The home team never gave up though, and played some very good football without really looking able to penetrate a well drilled City defence. F-T 0-2



Evening - me and Kev were at Teversal FC for an EMCL game that saw the home team welcome Birstall United. Before kick off they had played two and won two. We’d not previously seen Birstall in action so were unsure what to expect.  We spent the game in the company of Richard Lane, the previously mentioned Peter Craggs, Maurice and Paul McFarland. 


Straight from the off the visitors were on the front foot, pressing forward at every opportunity. Teversal seemed a little surprised by this and were almost behind inside the first 5 minutes when a neat corner routine almost caught them out. Instead of flighting the ball into the 6 yard box as per most corners, this time the ball was hit low and hard to the near post where it was met by a diving header. Only quick thinking by home keeper Warren Squires saved the day – the youngster just managing to stretch out a leg and hack the ball off the line. 



The visitors’ early pressure paid off in the 6th minute though - Dan Jelly received the ball on the edge of the box was given plenty of space and time to pick his spot and roll it past Squires. 

Teversal soon recovered from the early goal and began to ask questions of the Birstall defence and with 15 minutes played the scores were level.  Danny Fletcher had the relatively simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net after Elliott Shilliam had misjudged the bounce and mistimed his jump to collect a ball lofted into the area – and could only watch in horror as it fell straight to the grateful feet of the home teams no. 9. Shilliam made some amends three minutes later, saving a well struck James McCamm free-kick. 

Both teams looked very good on the ball, and the game was fairly even as we entered the last five minutes of the first half. Most of Birstall’s attacks had stemmed from the ball being played long, and it was a case of the biter being bit on 40, when Teversal hit a the ball over the top and James McCann reacted quickly to latch onto it before lobbing it over the advancing keeper. 
H-T 2-1

Home skipper Khyle Sargent saw his shot well parried by Shilliam just after the retart, but his team did go further ahead a few seconds later. Evergreen Dave Cockerill blasted the ball goalwards from the corner of the box, and although Shilliam did well to push the fierce drive away, Fletcher was on hand to fire home the loose ball. 

Birtsall tried their best to get back into the game, but the home defence was resilient and soaked up any pressure comfortably enough. Teversal’s margin of victory could have been greater if not for some superb keeping from Shilliam. Although he was arguably responsible for two of the Teversal goals, he did manage to pull off a two or three cracking saves late on in the game that kept his teams losing margin to just two goals. F-T 3-1

Sunday 20 August 2017

Local teams in action - week commencing 21st Aug

Tuesday 22nd August

F.A. CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY
Belper Town 1-4 Lincoln Utd

NP PREMIER
Buxton FC 0-2 Shaw Lane FC
Mickleover Sports 0-2 Stafford Rangers
Sutton Colfield Town 3-3 Matlock Town

NCEL PREMIER
AFC Mansfield 3-0 Parkgate FC
Bridlington Town 1-2 Rainworth MW
Handsworth Paramore 2-1 Worksop Town

NCEL DIV 1
Retford Utd 0-5 AFC Emley

MFL PREMIER
Heanor Town 3-2 Rugby Town
Long Eaton Utd 2-2 Loughborough University

MFL DIV 1
Stafford Town 2-1 Ilkeston Town

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 1-1 Selston FC
Dunkirk FC 3-2 Arnold Town
Holbrook Sports 0-1 Kimberley MW
Radford FC (ten) 10-0 Radcliffe Olympic
Teversal FC 3-1 Birstall Utd

CMFL SOUTH
Matlock Town Res 1-4 Eastwood CFC

NSL PREMIER
Cotgrave FC 1-0 Bingham Town
Magdala Amateurs 2-6 Bilborough Town
Ruddington Village 2-5 Attenborough FC
Southwell City 3-4 Newark Flowserve
Underwood Villa 1-2 Sandiacre Town


Wednesday 23rd August

MFL PREMIER
South Normanton Ath 1-4 Shepshed Dynamo

NCEL PREMIER
Maltby Main 4-1 Clipstone FC
Penistone Church 3-4 Staveley MW

NCEL DIV 1
Campion FC 4-1 Ollerton Town
F.C. Bolsover 2-0 Winterton Rangers

CMFL NORTH
Collingham FC (eighteen) 18-0 Renishaw Rangers

NSL PREMIER
Wollaton FC 3-0 Kimberley MW AFC


Thursday 24th August

CMFL NORTH
Staveley MW Res 7-0 Welbeck Lions

Saturday 19 August 2017

Stags U18, Eastwood CFC and Linby CW

Saturday’s football action began at the Kirklington Road home of Rainworth MW, where Mansfield Town U18 were hosting Notts County U18 in a Youth Alliance League fixture. Watched the first half in the company of Arnold Town’s legendary photographer, Mick Gretton, and the second half with Heanor Town’s video guru Luke Thorpe and CML pressman Tony Squires.



The first half saw both teams playing neat and tidy football, with the Magpies going in at the break a goal to the good thanks to well placed Kion Etete header from an Alex Howes cross. H-T 0-1

The Stags fought back well in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts on 67 when Lewis Gibbons rammed the ball home from close range after the ‘Pies failed to clear their 6 yard box. Six minutes later the home team were ahead for the first time in the game – this time a corner met with a Gibbons header at the near post. That ended the scoring, but some of the football on show was superb – both teams playing their part in keeping the 80+ crowd entertained right until the final whistle. F-T 2-1

Home for a spot of lunch, then back on the road to Coronation Park, the home of Eastwood CFC. The eagerly awaited local derby took a while to get going, but not long for it to end!

Teams:
Eastwood: Walker, Conn, Short, James, Brooks, Hayes, Smith R, Charles, Betteridge, Smith J, Large. Subs : Webb, Mitchell R.

Hucknall: Beddingham, Maxwell, Pitt, Leak, Henry, Phillips, Crawford, Banister, Smith S, Danso, Ashurst. Subs : Nelson, Hubbard, Pedro.

Referee: Mr. Duncan Robertson

Assistants : Mr. Andy Harland, Mr. Richard Trinder

Admission: £4.00 / £2.00

Eastwood / Hucknall games are usually quite tasty, but for the first half hour, even though the teams played well enough, there was hardly any threat that the teams were going to add a lot to the Think Children charity pot. Danso had a decent chance early doors, but mis-controlled in front of goal allowing Walker time to collect the loose ball. On 13, Ashurst had a free-kick punched away by Walker, then seconds later, Smith played the ball across the goal to Danso, but his shot flew hopelessly wide. 

With 22 played, Large saw Beddingham off his line and tried an audacious shot from the half-way line. Luckily for the visitors’ keeper, the ball flew just over his crossbar. That was that, really. Assistant Referee Mr. Harland had to retire with an injury, and although he was quickly replaced with a substitute, because the replacement was from the Hucknall camp, Eastwood objected and with no-one deemed suitable to take over the line, the Referee duly abandoned the game. 

As most teams we watch are fairly local to our home base, it was a simple drive from Eastwood to Church Lane, Linby, to see the second half of their CML game with Keyworth Utd. On arrival we discovered that Jake Batty had given the home team a half-time lead, and as the second period progressed, Linby looked solid in defence, mopping up anything that Keyworth threw at them with some ease. 


Linby doubled their lead on 62 when Will Horton stabbed home at the far post after a ball from the left into the six yard box wasn’t dealt with by the visitors’ defence. Keyworth’s number 6 was given a straight red on 69 after appearing to strike Horton as the players tangled in front of the Linby goal. F-T 2-0

As far as charity cash goes, the Stags game saw us add £0.90 to the fund, and then we decided to treat the Eastwood game as a 0-0, adding a further £1.00 to the pot. The Linby game we counted both goals adding a further £0.60. With Ash Ward’s kind donation, we are now approaching the £150 mark and have yet to see off August! Loving it!!

Kimberley MW AFC 1-3 Calverton MW

Friday 18th August 2017 k.o. 7:30

NSL Premier Division

Teams:
Kimberley: Buxton, Newbold, Holmes, Tyrrell, Shepherd, Bailey, Papworth, Mee, Clowes, Hassall, Betteridge.

Calverton: Osbourne, Hodson, Davis, Whitehead, Wheelhouse, Earps, Humphries, Buckle, Bennett, Scrivener.


Referee: Mr. Chris Hunter
Assistant: Mr. Phil Towers
Assistant: Ms Phoebe Cross
Admission: £2.00 (donated to Think Children - thank you)
H/C 60


Friday night football at the Stag saw Calverton MW take on their hosts in a Notts Senior League Premier Division fixture. Both teams are new to the top division, having been promoted from Division One at the end of last season. We had no idea of the standard we should expect, but this turned out to be a very good game with both teams showing plenty of skill and endeavour throughout the ninety minutes. In the end Calverton proved to be a little too good for the home team, even when they were reduced to ten men midway through the second period.

Watched the game in the company of Kev, Pete Chappell, Tony Squires and EFL match official Dave Plowright, and all seemed suitably impressed with the game overall. We had to wait until the 13th minute to see the games first real chance, Jamie Humphries crashing a 25 yard effort off the Kimberley crossbar with Lewis Buxton well beaten. 

With 35 played, Sam Buckle had a powerful header well saved by Buxton as Calverton began to pose a serious threat to the home defence. The visitors’ pressure paid off in the 38th minute. When Buckle’s ball in from the right sailed across the goal, and with all the defenders appearing to leave it for each other, it fell kindly to the feet of RYAN EASOM who made no mistake firing home at the far post. 

We had a couple of chances as the half drew to a close, firstly Hassall hammered a shot at goal the Osbourne did well to parry and clear, then at the other end Calverton should have doubled their lead but somehow Humphries contrived to head over the bar from just a few feet out.
H-T 0-1


Buckle made a mazy run through the Kimberley backline early in the second period, but after doing all the hard work could only fire tamely wide of the post. It mattered not though as they were handed their second goal on a plate when Buxton gifted the ball to DANE BENNETT seconds later. The striker struggled to control under pressure, but remained calm enough under pressure and fired home to put his team two goal clear. On 64, Buckle saw a straight red after he lunged with a straight leg, studs showing at a Kimberley defender. 

Ian Shepherd headed just wide from a well placed free-kick in the 71st minute as the home team strived to get something from the game against the 10 men. As Kimberley pressed, they left space at the back, and when an attack broke down with 10 to play, the ball was fired down the right and crossed into the box, where sub TOBY KING was on hand to fire the ball across the goal and in at the far post. 

The best goal of the game came on 82. A stunning 30+ yard free-kick fired with cruise missile accuracy into the top corner by ADAM HASSALL. What a strike, but too little, too late for Kimberley as they failed to breach the stubborn Calverton defence again. F-T 1-3

A quick mention for the match officials : Chris Hunter was not overly fussy and controlled the game very well. Phil Towers was spot on with the Buckle incident and young Phoebe Cross was proof that whether male or female, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

Thursday 17 August 2017

Saturday 19th August 2017 - local teams in action

EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE
Mansfield Town U18 2-1 Notts County U18  k.o. 11:00am at Rainworth MW
Boston Town 3-2 Carlton Town
Bottesford Town 4-1 Clipstone FC
Kirby Muxloe 0-2 Dunkirk FC
Lincoln Utd 0-0 Belper Town
Oadby Town 1-3 Loughborough Dynamo
Shepshed Dynamo 3-0 Kimberley MW
Staveley MW 0-1 Basford Utd

Alfreton Town 0-1 Southport FC

NP PREMIER
Lancaster City 1-1 Mickleover Sports
Matlock Town 1-0 Altrincham FC
Stafford Rangers 1-4 Buxton FC

NCEL PREMIER
Maltby Main 2-3 Rainworth MW
Worksop Town 3-2 Athersley Recreation

NCEL DIV 1
East Yorkshire Carnegie 3-2 F.C. Bolsover
Ollerton Town 3-0 Brigg Town
Retford Utd 0-0 Worsborough Bridge Athletic
Shirebrook Town 2-0 Glasshoughton Welfare

MFL PREMIER
South Normanton Athletic 0-1 Heanor Town

MFL DIV 1
Ilkeston Town 2-0 Coventry Copsewood

EMCL
Borrowash Victoria 3-0 Gedling MW
Holwell Sports 3-1 Graham St Prims
Radcliffe Olympic 0-7 Clifton AW
Radford FC 1-1 Stapenhill FC

CML NORTH
Clay Cross Town 5-3 Retford FC
Newark Town 0-2 Askern FC
Welbeck Lions 0-5 Collingham FC

CML SOUTH
Eastwood CFC 0-A-0 Hucknall Town (abandoned after 35 mins, match official injury)
Hilton Harriers 3-2 South Normanton FC
Linby CW 2-0 Keyworth Utd
Mickleover RBL 1-1 Sherwood Colliery
Swanwick PR 3-1 Blidworth Welfare

NSL PREMIER
Basford Utd CFC 3-3 Awsworth Villa
Bilborough Town 2-1 AFC Dunkirk
Bingham Town 3-2 Wollaton FC
F.C. Cavaliers 6-1 Attenborough FC
Gedling SB 1-6 Underwood Villa
Newark Flowserve A-A Magdala Amateurs (player injury)
Southwell City 4-1 Sandiacre Town

Bilborough Town 0-3 F.C. Cavaliers

First visit of the season the Harvey Hadden Sports Village, home of Bilborough Town FC. Town were hosting F.C. Cavaliers in a Notts Senior League Premier division game and I’m sure the result was not quite what Manager Steve Lee envisaged prior to kick off! 

Maurice and Paul MacFarland were already inside the stadium when I arrived – they were supposed to be going to Staveley, but opted for a game a tad closer to their Long Eaton base. 



Cavs' kit is a dark green shirt and black shorts. The trouble is that the shirts have black numbers, and my eyesight isn’t the best, so it was a bit of a struggle to make them out.



Town had the first real effort on goal in the third minute, but Nichloson’s shot was well held by the Cav’s keeper. With the teams more or less cancelling each other out in the middle of the park, we had to wait until the 34th minute for the opening goal. A ball in from a corner wasn’t dealt with by the home defence, and when it fell to the feet of David Kolapo a couple of yards from goal, he gleefully hammered it home to give his team the lead.


Four minutes later, a visiting player was tripped in the box, giving Ref Alex Smith little choice other than to award a penalty that Zibusiso Sipanda despatched with some ease. Cavs were unlucky not to go in a the break three up when their no. 2 shirt crashed a free-kick off the bar with Ivanov waving the ball bye-bye!! H-T 0-2

The home team began the second period on the front foot, and if not for a slight deflection by a Cavs defender, Rick Law’s shot from the edge of the box would no doubt have nestled in the back of the net. Cavs reacted well, and when Kolapo went on a mazy run, shrugging of two meaty challenges, it looked like he might take the ball all the way. Instead he chose to shoot from just inside the box and mis-hit the ball sending it rolling slowly out for a goal-kick. 

Jake Kane had Town’s next attempt, but could only watch in anguish as his header crashed off the Cavs’ bar. Liam Taylor’s volley on 55 flew just over the bar as the home team tried to claw their way back into the game. 

As it happened, the home team went further behind on 71 when a terrific ball from midfield picked out Blessing Adeleye who controlled well before stepping past Ivanov and slotting into the empty net. 

Law’s free-kick was met well by Lyam Webster on 83, but his shot was collected comfortably by the visiting custodian. Law had one final effort for town on 88, but again the keeper was alert and did well to palm the strikers header over the bar. F-T 0-3 (charity £0.90)

First NSL game of the season, and I was waiting in anticipation to see the sin-bin in action. This ten minute removal from the game is utilised by the Ref for dissent. Even when Town had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside by Assistant Mick Leslie, the players simply asked for an explanation, rather than go off on one at the official. I know this was my first sin-bin game, but if the threat of a ten minute “rest” results in less abuse of match officials, I’m all for it!

Wednesday 16 August 2017

Gedling MW 2-0 Clifton AW

Tuesday 15th August k.o. 7:50pm

East Midlands Counties League

Attendance: 91

Admission : £5.00 / £2.50

The Gedling MW website carries Mark Williams' full match report. It was great to see the big man again - been a while! It's always a pleasure to go to Plains Road - the welcome is always very warm and very genuine. 

Spent the everning in the company of Richard "the Wanderer" Lane -  thank you for the donation, Richard, I can assure you that every penny will be passed on to the Think Children charity - not just 3% as per the other charity we were discussing! Charity total is now over the £130.00 mark and the season isn't yet in full swing!



The game itself was action packed - both teams playing some cracking football. Clifton were arguably the better team first half, Gedling much stronger in the second. A goal in each half settled the result in the home team's favour - but All Whites keeper Alex Smith will know he had a poor game by his standards, and I'm sure will be cursing himself for his part in both goals. The first - he allowed Ryan Plummer's shot to creep between him and his near post, and the second - he palmed Alex Clarson's corner into his own net. Two cautions in the first half and seven in the second saw Gedling win 5-4 on yellow cards as well taking the three points at the final whistle. 
H-T 1-0 F-T 2-0

Footnote: although highly hilarious to us spectators at the time, I'm sure Mr. MgGill didn't think it was all that funny when the ball smashed into his face with about 10 minutes played. The blow knocked the official onto his backside, but to his credit, and after a few groggy, wobbly steps he was able to carry on.


Sunday 13 August 2017

Local teams in action week commencing 14th August

Monday 14th August

NP PREMIER
Shaw Lane 1-2 Mickleover Sports

NP DIV 1 SOUTH
Basford Utd 3-1 Stocksbridge Park Steels

MFL PREMIER
Coleshill Town 2-0 South Normanton Athletic


Tuesday 15th August


F.A. CUP REPLAY
Radford FC 2-2 Boston Town (aet) Boston win 3-4 on penaties

NL NORTH
Alfreton Town 1-0 North Ferriby Utd

NP PREMIER
Matlock Town 3-2 Hednesford Town
Witton Albion 1-0 Buxton FC

NP DIV 1 SOUTH
Leek Town 0-0 Belper Town
Sheffield FC 2-2 Loughborough Dynamo
Stamford FC 1-0 Carlton Town

MFL PREMIER
Heanor Town 4-1 Rocester FC
Loughborough University 2-7 Coventry Utd
Rugby Town 1-1 Long Eaton Utd

NCEL PREMIER
Clipstone FC 1-5 Liversedge FC
Rainworth MW 3-2 Bottesford Town
Thackley FC 0-0 AFC Mansfield

NCEL DIV 1
Rossington Main A-A Shirebrook Town (44 mins - player injury)
Selby Town 3-2 Retford Utd

EMCL
Arnold Town 3-1 Graham St Prims
Birstall Utd 4-0 Selston FC
Dunkirk FC 4-1 West Bridgford
Gedling MW 2-0 Clifton AW
Teversal FC 3-0 Blaby & Whetstone Athletic

NSL PREMIER
Awsworth Villa 0-5 Sandiacre Town
Calverton MW 1-2 Southwell City
Magdala Ams 2-2 Ruddington Village


Wednesday 16th August

MFL PREMIER
Coventry Sphinx 0-1 Shepshed Dynamo

NCEL PREMIER
Staveley MW 2-1 Harrogate Railway Athletic
Worksop Town 3-2 Bridlington Town

NCEL DIV 1
F.C. Bolsover 3-1 Armthorpe Welfare
Ollerton Town 2-1 Worsborough Bridge Athletic

EMCL
Holbrook Sports 6-0 Radcliffe Olympic

NSL PREMIER
AFC Dunkirk 3-3 Cotgrave FC
Bilborough Town 0-3 F.C. Cavaliers


Friday 18th August

EMCL
West Bridgford 0-4 Belper Utd

NSL PREMIER
Cotgrave FC 4-1 Ruddington Village
Kimberley MW AFC 1-3 Calverton MW

Saturday 12 August 2017

Hucknall Town 8-1 AFC Kilburn

Saturday’s feature game was Hucknall Town hosting AFC Kilburn, but as an appetiser to this game, it was a quick trip into Sticky Palms’ neck of the woods to watch Keyworth Utd take on Hilton Harriers on Friday night. 

Keyworth’s ground is very basic, but does the job. We were getting slightly worried when the rain started at half-time as there is no cover for spectators. The rain amounted to very little though and did nothing to spoil what turned out, in the end, to be a very good game. Even though the first half was goal-less, the home keeper made a couple of cracking saves to keep his team in the game. He could do nothing about Hilton’s first goal on 51 though. Chris Smith received the ball just outside the Keyworth area and hit a terrific drive that flew arrow straight into the top corner. Two minutes later the away team doubled their lead, this time Ben Sandeman shook off a couple of tackles before making his way into the penalty area and stroking the ball home. 

All over? Not a bit of it. Keyworth reduced their deficit with 10 to play, Rob Gill nodding home a cross from the right at the far post. From where I was standing (directly in line!) the player who crossed the ball looked to be offside when he raced down the line to collect the pass from midfield, but the Hilton players didn’t appeal, and the linesman was a little behind play so the goal stood and the fightback was on! 

With 3 minutes of added time already played, a Hilton defender made what looked a perfectly good tackle some 22 yards from goal, and looked on amazed, as did I, that the referee had awarded a free-kick for a foul. The player remonstrated, quite rightly, and was, quite rightly, booked. From my viewpoint, some 20 yards away, the ball looked to have been won cleanly and fairly, and to see a player punished for doing his job gets up my nose a little. We all know referee’s are easy targets to shoot at, and I rarely criticise officials, but on this occasion, I have to say the wrong call was made (in my opinion) by Mr. Hales. The punishment was added to big time when James Price stepped up and curled the set piece into the bottom corner! Goal timed at 90 + 5 minutes! F-T 2-2  Charity £1.20p

                                                   

Hucknall Town v AFC Kilburn Saturday 12th August 

Admission : £4;00 / £3.00
Programme £2.00 

Hucknall Town welcomed CMFL South new boys to Watnall Road on a very, pleasant Saturday afternoon. It was not to remain pleasant for the visitors though, although they can go away from the ground with the knowledge that they had scored the best goal of the game! Pleased, if not somewhat surprised to see our friend Robin Bourne had the middle for this game. Usually Mr. Bourne would run a line, but on this occasion he was the man in charge, and handled the game in his usual calm and competant way.


With just three minutes played, Town were ahead. Joe Atkinson played a neat ball wide left for Joe Ashurst to run onto. The pacy winger collected the ball, ran into the box and coolly slotted it across the keeper into the far corner. 

Hucknall were almost two up after 14 minutes, but after Dave Leek had flicked the ball on, Matt Brian’s header from close range crashed off the top of the bar. The home teams lead was doubled three minutes later though, this time an Ashurst corner headed powerfully home by Kajally Danso. Seconds later Danso added his second, connecting with the loose ball after Shaun Smith had been challenged in the box. Danso actually mis-kicked the ball into the ground, and was as amazed as everyone in the crowd when it looped over the stranded AFC keeper before nestling in the back of the net. 

Town had to replace Ashurst and Atkinson with barely 25 minutes played, then lost Matt Brian who was injured diving at the near post to head home from a corner with 33 minutes gone. Jamie Crawford rounded off the first half for Town with their fifth, this time firing past the keeper after he was picked out with a neat ball from midfield. H-T 5-0

With Brian injured and options limited, Andy Graves made the decision to put James Beddingham in goal for the second half, releasing Mike Randall to play in the right-back position, a position he is quite happy at in Sunday football apparently. 

Crawford added Town’s sixth four minutes after the restart, beating the AFC keeper to the ball and firing just inside the post. Three minutes later Smith added the seventh when he beat a defender to the ball and slotted calmly home. Smith headed over on 66 when it looked easier to score, but the front man did head the next cross at goal and Adam Nelson’s slight touch took the ball out of the keeper’s reach. Nelson was then guilty of a couple of glaring misses in front of goal, and as the game reached added time, Kilburn’s Craig Bagshaw found space some 25 yards from goal and hit a screamer into the top corner that gave Beddingham no chance. What a strike that was – out of the nine goals scored, definitely the best! F-T 8-1

Charity £2.70p

Friday 11 August 2017

Sunday 6th - Thursday 10th August - a few paragraphs

A few words on visits to games this week, beginning with a trip to Calverton MW to see Arnold Town Ladies take on AFC Doncaster Ladies, and ending with a PSF at Digby Street. 

Sunday 6th August k.o. 2:00pm


As usual with PSF, without a team sheet it’s difficult to know who’s who on the pitch. The game itself was quite competitive in the very, very long grass on one of the outside pitches at Calverton, and Doncaster ended the first half a goal to the good thanks to a 40th minute strike. I spent the second half of the game in the company of Arnold Town 1st team boss Chris Galley, and we saw a complete turn around in the final 15 minutes, with the Eagles ladies bagging three without reply. F-T 3-1


Monday was a rest day – nothing local available so had some telly time. 


Tuesday 8th August k.o 2:00pm


A bit sticky at Rainworth!
I was at the Kirklington Road home of Rainworth MW, to catch an EYL Youth Alliance league fixture between old rivals Mansfield Town and Chesterfield FC. A Keaton Ward penalty on 28 gave the Stags the lead – the spot kick awarded for a Conor Fowler handball in the area. Fowler made amends on 67, slotting home from the spot after the ref had spotted a trip in front of goal. F-T 1-1

Wednesday 9th August

Game 1) Academy game k.o. 12 noon at Basford Utd
I have no idea of the line-ups, but opponents Derby County Academy won this encounter very comfortably. Leading by a 19th minute goal at the break, the Rams’ youngsters added a further five in the second period, the goals timed at 47, 57, 63, 67 and 69 minutes. F-T 0-6

Game 2) Academy game k.o 2:00pm at Basford Utd.
With Martin Carruthers and Craig Armstrong in charge, it was hoped that this game against Long Eaton Utd Academy would have produced a better result than the first game. As it transpired, the score was different, but the margin of defeat the same. The first half was fairly even, ending with the visitors 3-5 to the good. That was about as good as it got for the home team as the Blues scored on a regular basis throughout the second half, with just a solitary reply from Basford. F-T 4-10

Game 3) Pinxton FC v Teversal Res k.o. 7:45pm
Pinxton: Kieren Tonge, Adam Bishop, Danny Evans, Joe Riley, Kurtis Chadburn, Ryan Booker, Jay Cooper, Liam Green, Peter Stubley, Kieren Debrouwer, Nathan Benger. Subs: Josh Ingram, Ryan Seale, Cameron Short, James Barry, Kieran James.

Teversal Res: Corey Bulheller, Craig Newton, Blake Vincent, Philip Griffith, Regan Cooper, Gareth Pope, James Summer, Mark Parkes, Josh Radford, Danny Fletcher, Lewis Brown. Subs: Brett Newby, George Simpson, Macauley Short, Simba Ganyiwa, Brett Dodsworth.


Kieren Debrouwer opened the scoring on 18, his perfectly placed free-kick from 22 yards curling into the top corner, giving the Tevvie keeper no chance. Danny Evans added a second for the home team on 23, firing home from the spot after the referee had adjudged that Stubley had been tripped in front of goal – a rather dubious decision as there appeared to be little contact when the striker was challenged. 

Danny Fletcher reduced the visitors’ arrears on 35, firing home comfortably from the spot after the referee spotted yet another infringement. Stubley was impeded in the box again with 5 minutes of the half remaining and another spot kick given. On this occasion, Evans was unsuccessful as keeper Bulheller dived to his right to make a great save. H-T 2-1

Debouwer repeated his free-kick goal on 54, to give the home team a bigger margin of safety, then “Keano” completed his personal treble after he was played in one-on-one with Bulheller and rounded him with ease before slotting home. Teversal to their credit, never gave up and they were rewarded for their efforts midway through the half when Regan Cooper’s long range strike flew past Kieren Tonge to make it 4-2. Jay Cooper rounded off the scoring on 82, his clever run into the box met with a perfect pass, leaving Cooper the simple task of rounding the keeper before tapping the ball over the line. F-T 5-2

Thursday 10th August k.o. 6:50pm
Kimberley MW U18’s entertained Notts Sunday League outfit Nuthall FC at the Welfare’s Digby Street ground. Nuthall should have gone ahead from the spot in the third minute, but the ball was hit against the post. They were ahead on 19 though, a headed OG as the Welfare youngsters went to try and clear a corner fired in at the near post. Nuthall added a second on 32, then a third with three minutes of the half remaining. H-T 0-3


Two minutes after the restart, old stager Nicky Kennerdale headed home the visitors’ fourth. There were further strikes on 61, 72, 75 to make it 7-0. Kimberley did score from the spot with five to play, but Nuthall had the final word, netting once again on the 90 minute mark. F-T 1-8

Not a bad few days for THINK CHILDREN -- a total of 42 goals = £12.60 donated!

Thursday 10 August 2017

Saturday 12th August - local teams in action

NL NORTH 
Darlington 1883 4-1 Alfreton Town

NP PREMIER
Buxton FC 1-2 Lancaster City
Mickleover Sports 1-1 Witton Albion

NP DIV 1 SOUTH
Belper Town 0-1 Basford Utd
Carlton Town 2-0 Sheffield FC
Loughborough Dynamo 3-2 Bedworth Utd

MFL PREMIER 
Coleshill Town 3-0 Loughborough University
Long Eaton Utd 1-2 Stourport Swifts
Westfields FC 6-1 South Normanton Athletic
Worcester City 3-0 Heanor Town

MFL DIV 1
Ilkeston Town 0-2 Heath Hayes

NCEL PREMIER 
AFC Mansfield 2-1 Bottesford Town
Garforth Town 4-0 Clipstone FC
Rainworth MW 1-1 Liversedge FC
Staveley MW 3-3 Albion Sports
Worksop Town 1-0 Maltby Main

NCEL DIV 1
Eccleshill Utd 1-4 Shirebrook Town
F.C. Bolsover 0-1 Campion FC
Retford Utd 1-0 Grimsby Borough
Winteron Rangers 2-3 Ollerton Town

EMCL 
Arnold Town 0-2 Holbrook Sports
Ashby Ivanhoe 5-1 Holwell Sports
Barrow Town 1-3 Selston FC
Belper Utd 0-2 Birstall Utd
Blaby & Whetstone Ath 3-2 Anstey Nomads
Clifton AW 2-4 West Bridgford
Gedling MW 3-5 Aylestone Park
Graham St Prims 2-1 Teversal FC
Kimberley MW 5-0 Radcliffe Olympic
Radford FC 3-6 Borrowash Victoria
Stapenhill FC 2-4 Dunkirk FC

CMFL NORTH
Askern FC 1-2 Collingham FC
Harworth Colliery 9-1 Renishaw Rangers
Retford FC 3-0 Tideswell Utd
Welbeck Lions 1-2 Dinnington Town

CMFL SOUTH
Blidworth Welfare 2-4 Pinxton FC
Eastwood CFC 8-1 South Normanton FC
Hucknall Town 8-1 AFC Kilburn
Sherwood Colliery 2-0 Holbrook St. Michaels
Teversal Res 0-3 Linby CW

NSL PREMIER
Awsworth Villa 4-4 Wollaton FC
Basford Utd CFC 1-3 Newark Flowserve
Bilborough Town 0-1 Kimberley MW AFC
Bingham Town 3-2 Attenborough FC
Calverton MW 2-2 Magdala Amateurs
Dunkirk AFC 6-4 Southwell City
F.C. Cavaliers 1-3 Ruddington Village
Sandiacre Town A-A Gedling SB
Underwood Villa 2-4 Cotgrave FC

Sunday 6 August 2017

Local teams in action - week commencing 7th August

Tuesday 8th August

F.A. CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY
Radford FC P-P Boston Town

NL NORTH
Boston Utd 3-1 Alfreton Town

NCEL PREMIER DIV
Barton Town P-P AFC Mansfield
Clipstone FC 2-7 Hemsworth MW
Pontefract Colliery 3-1 Staveley MW

NCEL DIV 1
Shirebrook Town 2-0 Hallam FC

EMCL
Arnold Town P-P West Bridgford
Ashby Ivanhoe A-A Kimberley MW (floodlight failure)
Aylestone Park P-P Dunkirk FC
Birstall Utd P-P Clifton AW

CML SOUTH
Matlock Town Res P-P Eastwood CFC

EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE
Mansfield Town U18 1-1 Chesterfield U18 k.o. 12 noon @ Rainworth MW

PSF
Sherwood Colliery P-P Mansfield Town XI


Wednesday 9th August

F.A. CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY
Quorn AFC 3-0 Retford Utd

NCEL PREMIER DIV
Penistone Church 6-2 Rainworth MW

NCEL DIV 1
F.C. Bolsover 2-2 Rossington Main

EMCL
Radcliffe Olympic 0-5 Stapenhill FC

CML SOUTH
Pinxton FC 5-2 Teversal Res


Friday 11th August

CML SOUTH
*Keyworth Utd v Hilton Harriers

Linby CW 0-2 Blidworth Welfare

After watching Heanor Town exit the F.A. Cup at the Extra Preliminary Round stage on Friday – the solitary goal from Aylestone Park’s Ryan Foster enough to send the Lions to defeat, it was back to the day to day stuff on Saturday with a visit to the Church Lane home of Linby Colliery Welfare. 

Linby had lost it’s manager and a few players to visitors Blidworth during the break, and it just so happened that their first CML game of the season was against team containing a few familiar faces.

Teams: 
Linby – Bowdler, Moon, Poyser, Spray, White ( c), Batty, Cobb, Atkins, Darlow, Lindo, Pilmore. Subs – Richardson, Hall, Brough, Bellfield, Butler.

Blidworth – Ball, Brentnall, Vickers, Drake, Taylor, Jenkinson, Harris, Pride, Edwards, Dawson, Weaver. Subs- Hardie, Clarke, Day, Scothern, Hadfield.


The game was played in bright sunshine for the most part – there was a brief downpour midway through the first half but nothing to worry about if you had a brolly – there is not too much in the way of cover at Church Lane.

A series of corners were conceded by the home team early doors, and from one of the set-pieces Jon Jenkinson headed powerfully goalwards, but saw his effort cannon off the bar before being cleared to safety. Another Blidworth corner on 14 lead to the opening goal. Linby’s defence must have thought they had done their job after the ball was hacked out of the penalty area – unfortunately for the home team it fell to the feet of Josh Brentnall who sent a shot flying through a ruck of players and wheeled away in delight as the ball bulged the back of the net. 

Great header - pic courtesy Blidworth Welfare
On the half hour came the games first “incident”. Blidworth conceded a free kick on the edge of their box, and whilst the players were waiting for Tre Lindo’s set piece, they decided to have a bit of push and shove “handbags” – the end result was a booking for Linby skipper Sean White and Blidworth midfielder Jonno Drake. After all the fuss had died down, Lindo’s kick came to nothing. 

White had to be treated for an injury on 36, and as soon as the game restarted we had the second “incident” of the game. After being the subject of a rash challenge, Blidworth captain Ady Harris apparently stamped on the offender, a stamp that was seen by Referee Mr. McGill. He was was right on the spot and had no alternative other than to produce a straight red for Harris. 

The word “REF!!” was being shouted every few seconds now, by the players and both dugouts – and this gets really old after the first few dozen times and I reckon that it can sometimes get to a referee. The man in the middle seems to always be in the wrong, and although under severe pressure throughout the ninety minutes, Mr. McGill had a decent enough game – although my friends at Blidworth didn’t agree with my opinion!

Drake saw his free-kick on 40 well saved by Bowdler, then Lewis Weaver’s run into the box just before the break deserved better – his shot was kept out by Bowdler and when the loose ball fell to Edwards, he fired it over the bar. H-T 0-1


The games next “incident” occurred two minutes into the second period. Me and Kev were positioned perfectly to see Mark Poyser palm the ball away from Brentnall in front of goal. Mr. McGill took no notice of the Blidworth appeals and waved play on. This was not a case of the ref “missed one” - he was in no position the see the offence – Brentnall was in his line of sight and without the gift of x-ray eyes, he couldn’t possibly have seen the handball. Blidworth boss Lewis Saxby must have said something untoward to the Referee, as he was asked to leave the dugout shortly after.

Pic courtesy Blidworth Welfare
Seconds later it was all academic as Blidworth went further ahead, that man Brentnall again on target – this time a 25 yard screamer that left the Linby keeper grasping for air as it flew past him and into the back of the net. What a strike! 

Linby seemed to get more into the game after going two down, and were foiled on 75 when a Gary Atkins header was brilliantly saved by Michael Ball in the Blidworth goal. With the game deep into added time, Lindo tried his luck from the edge of the box, but again a terrific diving save from Ball ensured the visitors left Church Lane with a clean sheet to go along with all three points. F-T 0-2