10 GOAL RUN OUT FOR CLUBS

Pre Season Friendly

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FC 6 NOTTINGHAM CITY FC 4

When I saw this friendly had been arranged, it caught my eye, as it pitched up ex NSL Club Nottinghamshire FC against NSL Newcomers Nottingham City FC at Grassington Road. It was good to see a few old faces from the Nottinghamshire camp, but nice to meet the new faces of Nottingham City.

The game kicked off and City looked in control as two goals in the ninth and tenth minute saw them sprint in to a two goal lead. The homesters looked shell shocked. On 27 minutes, City were delighted as they looked to have the game out of sight at 3-0, but funny things happen in football as we all know.

On the half hour, the referee blew and the players began to come to pitchside, so I asked him how many minutes he was playing and he replied "four thirty minutes" so me and fellow hopper Rob Campion thought we would settle in for the afternoon.

It was then I discovered that Nottingham City had no goalkeeper and the management team were asking for anyone to go in goal for the second thirty minutes.

On 35 minutes, Nottinghamshire pulled a goal back and then had a couple more chances that came off the woodwork, but it was City that was playing good flowing football, but on the stroke of the 60th minute, Nottinghamshire got the boost they needed when reducing the arrears and this seemed to spur them on.

The Nottinghamshire Manager during the short break then came over to the City management and asked if they would play a straight 45 minutes rather than another 30 minutes, just to confuse everyone, to which everyone agreed.

Nottinghamshire were soon on level terms after 64 minutes and added another two goals in the 70th and 74th minutes to advance in to a 5-3 lead.

Nottingham City werent done as they pressed forward and in the 88th minute, it became 5-4 to the home side, but with the clock ticking down and City on the attack in search of a equaliser, gaps appeared at the back for Nottinghamshire to make it 6-4 in the 103rd minute.

Regardless of the score, this was a very good friendly with both sides playing some good football but also making mistakes, which I suppose added interest to the game, but most of all it gave both teams time on the pitch for their players match fitness.

Photos from the Match can be seen on this LINK

NEW ILKESTON TOWN FC BEGIN WITH FRIENDY WIN

Pre Season Friendly

UNDERWOOD VILLA FC 0 ILKESTON TOWN FC 4

Admission Free

Att: 226

On arrival at Bracken Park, the home of Underwood Villa FC, the sight of the pitch looked in superb condition and the club groundsman must be very pleased with his hard work.

Ilkeston has had its fair share of problems with its club over the years under different names and being let down by several people who sometimes enter football for the wrong reasons or it just goes pear shaped and you just feel for the supporters and lovers of our non league game.

Ilkeston has re-erected itself as Ilkeston Town FC and have gathered some players together in a short space of time to begin their life in the Midland Football League, Underwood Villa FC who ply their trade in the Notts Senior League offered to host a match to become in history their first ever opponents under the new club name.

Steve Chettle has come in as manager along with Ian Deakin and they have bought together quite a squad with experiance and youth, though no teamsheet was available, some may have played tonight as trialists.

The game began and both sides were quite well evenly matched for the first 15 minutes or so, but then the accurate passing became quite noticable by the visitors and after 20 minutes they took a deserved lead.

On 38 minutes, they thought they had doubled the score, when a cross from the right was met by the strikers head and as the Ilko boys celebrated, the linesman held his flag high for offside.

At Half Time, I met Lynda and bought my book "25 years of the New Manor ground" by Club Supporter Chair Duncan Payne, which I will enjoy reading whilst on holiday in Cornwall on some sunny beach in September.

As I re-enter towards the pitch for the Second Half after just 23 seconds a cut in from the right wing and shot saw Town make it 2-0.

Underwood to their credit tried to push forward and bought a couple of saves from the visiting keeper but the away side looked in control of the game and kept pressing forward so it came as no surprise when 52 minutes, a Ilkeston striker headed home third third of the evening.

On 81 minutes, the pace of the game began to slow down but Town kept pressing forward and after the home keeper had been called in to a couple of excellent blocks and save, he was finally beaten as the visitors made it 4-0.

A superb run out for both teams and credit to them, as I didnt hear any swearing or a bad tackle throughout the match.

After the match in the clubhouse, Kevin Guise who was the referee in the Second Half said that the game had improved when he began referee from the first half Referee Craig Langton and kindly donated £5 to the Charity Blog which is for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE which is based at Nottingham City Hospital, where the running total for this blog now stands at a amazing £921.50p

The photos from tonights match can be seen on this LINK

CHARITY BLOG CHEQUE PRESENTATION 2016-2017

As many of you will know for a number of years now, I have been running the Around The Grounds Non League Football Blog in aid of different charities and during the 2016-17 it was no different, with us putting 25p in a pot for every goal we saw throughout the season and having been to 74 matches it amassed to seeing 380 goals. With kind donations from people and clubs and also my wife Hazel and Shawn doing the raffles, it boosted the final total up to a amazing £728.00, which we presented to the 10th Mansfield Scout Group on Saturday 22nd July 2017.

Shawn(13) has been a member of the Scout Group now for two years and though he has difficulty with his Autism, the group has always made him welcome and part of it, with him gaining some badges and going on a couple of trips and a couple of overnight camps.

As many people are aware, with groups like this, as time goes by, equipment needs replacing and this costs money, so the group wanted to use the money for new equipment for the children to be able to use in the inner town base.

Steve Cree(Scout Chair) stated " We'd like to go on record to thank the Hornby family for this kind donation which will be used towards new vital equipment in which we are in dire need of. A few years ago, the group members was very low on children attending and we were on the verge of closing down, but a uptrend of young people and new volunteers came forward and we now have a thriving group in membership, but of course more children does amount to more money we have to raise to cover costs etc."

Ellen Reid replied " I would like to also thank the Hornbys for their support along with all parents. We are still looking for children to attend our scout group at St Augustines Church on Thursday evenings from 5pm. We are looking for any businesses that could be of help with any kind of sponsorship as the group is in need of its own minibus. All support would be greatly appreicated.

Photos from the presentation can be seen on this LINK

LIONS ROAR TO VICTORY

Pre Season Friendly

WELBECK LIONS RES 4 MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS RES 3

Needed to stay very local after presenting the Blogs Charity Cheque for last season to the 10th Mansfield Scout Group for £728, so with Kirton Brickworks match being called off, due to their opponents not being able to raise a side, I thought I would visit Welbeck Lions Reserves who have entered in to the Notts Senior League Division Two, whilst todays visitors last season were Ashfields FC but have now merged with Mansfield Hosiery Mills to become their reserves.

The game kicked off in a lively tempo with both sides having decent efforts to open the scoring and we had to wait till the 27th minute, when the Lions took the lead, which they held until half time.

The Millers came out with more fight in the Second Half and got a equaliser on 55 minutes, but two minutes later, Welbeck were back in front. Two more goals in the 66th and 67th minute opened up a 4-1 lead for the home side, but then Hosiery Mills staged a comeback, firstly on 70 minutes, then a superb shot from 35 yards out to reduce the arrears.

In the final minutes, the Lions young keeper pulled off two very good saves to earn his side the victory in a excellent game of football.

With the 7 goals scored it takes the Blogs Charity total for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE at Nottingham City Hosiptal to £890.50p

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

EDWARDS DOUBLE CONQUERS FLOWSERVE

Pre Season Friendly

BLIDWORTH WELFARE 3 NEWARK FLOWSERVE 1

Admission £1

2 Sausage Rolls & Bovril £2

Att: 22

(Photo taken by David Hurstfield)

Wasnt really planning a evening out, but around 6pm, I had a text from Darren Wragg who asked if I was going to Blidworth, he kindly picked me up at around 7.20pm and we arrived the Welfare Ground with about 10 minutes before kick off.

Had a chat with Scott Ward and Chris Wain and a hopper who has moved in to the Mansfield area up near the tea bar which is situated overlooking the pitch.

The game kicked off and it was quite even, though Flowserve were having the better of the chances and infact on 24 minutes they had a shot hit the underside of the bar and the follow up was headed home, but to no avail as the Assistant Referee had his flag raised.

On the half hour, Blidworth took the lead when the opponents failed to clear the ball from their area and TONY EDWARDS struck home from around the penalty spot area.

At Half Time, I strolled down to pitchside and had a chat with local legends Malc Storer and Kev Goodman before joining Flowserve;s Secretary Zoe, plus David Hurstfield and Mr Rhodes.

We certainly didnt have to wait very long for Welfare to double their lead, as around 48 seconds in to the second half, TONY EDWARDS cross shot deceived everyone and nestled in to the corner of the net.

Flowserve made a few subs but didnt look like getting back in to the game and on 60 minutes, things went worse when the goal of the game was scored by AARON PRIDE who lofted his shot over the keepers head to make it 3-0 to the homesters.

In the 69th minute, the team from Newark got on the scoresheet, when a JACK KETTRING;s corner swept in to the net.

On 85 minutes, Flowserve thought they were back n the game to set up a exciting finish but again a goal for them was disallowed for offside.

A very good match which was a good run out for both sides.

ALBION WIN AT BURTON

Pre Season Friendly

BURTON JOYCE FC 1 NETHERFIELD ALBION FC 3

Having only found out about this friendly on Friday evening, I decided that the Poplars Sports Ground was where I was heading. Burton Joyce folded around two seasons ago, shortly after the Groundhop, but now new people have re erected the name of the club and they have entered the Notts Senior League Division Two, in this match they hosted Division One club and close rivals Netherfield Albion.

After dropping Shawn off at 10am, the wife drove me to Hucknall, where I got the tram in to Nottingham and then the bus to Burton Joyce before the walk along the lane to the ground. Thee first person I met was a chap who was deaf and I asked him who he played for and he replied Nottingham Deaf and they were playing Burton Joyce at 1pm, which confused me at first, then his mate arrived with a cricket bat, then I realised that he was on about cricket!

The pavillion was soon open and I popped in there and soon both sides arrived and the hello;s were said.

I strolled up to pitchside and referee Derek Spray arrived and we had a chat and found he only lives up the road from me and he offer me a lift home, so a big thankyou to Derek.

The game kicked off and Netherfield were first out the blocks and could well have been a goal to the good after just 20 seconds but the striker fired over the bar from close range. Netherfield seemed to be in control of the midfield whilst Burton Joyce held a strong back line. After 15 minutes, Burton Joyce began to come more in to the game as they found their feet and tested the Albion keeper a couple of times.

After 40 minutes, a Albion attacker was bought down inside the area and Mr Spray quite rightly pointed to the spot, to which Albion converted to take the lead.

The Second Half, Burton Joyce came out and pressed forward but this left gaps at the back and in the 53rd minute, a low rifled shot from a Netherfield attacker found the corner of the net to double their lead to 2-0.

On the hour, a Netherfield corner from the left side was met by a attacker who headed them in to a 3-0 lead. At this stage, I was wondering how many, but to Burton Joyce;s credit, their heads didnt go down and they carried on playing football and after 71 minutes, they clawed a goal back when a delightful chip beat the outcoming keeper.

A very good entertaining match which was played in the right spirit and a good performance as well by the referee.

With the 4 goals scored, it now takes the Charity Blogs running total to a amazing £887.75p for Maggies Cancer Care Centre at Nottingham City Hospital.

The photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

WATSONS BRACE ENOUGH FOR TOWN

Pre Season Friendly

SHIREBROOK TOWN 2 SELSTON FC 1

Att 71

Played at Shirebrook Academy

A fast paced entertaining game played by good sides who wanted to play football on this 3g pitch witnessed in front of a crowd of 71.

Shirebrook began the brightest and carved out the early chances, whilst Selston began to get back in to the game. Just before half time, KEIRAN WATSON broke the deadlock when he fired Town in to the lead.

Seslton came out the blocks in the Second Half and looked threatening and they got their deserved equaliser on 80 minutes, when a Sean Gregory corner found the head of ELLIOTT KING.

Within a few minutes, Shirebrook broke and a long ranged shot bounced off the Selston crossbar and KEIRAN WATSON was first to react and smashed in his second goal and the winner of the game.

Good performances from the three officials

Must thank Neil Woolley for the lift to and from the match.

GEDLING BOROUGH COMMUNITY TROPHY 2017

Gedling Borough Community Trophy 2017

Played on top pitch at Calverton MW FC

About a month ago, I was asked if I would like to attend the First Ever Gedling Borough Community Trophy that as to be held at Calverton Miners Welfare FC, a pre season round robin event of three local Gedling Borough based clubs that included Calverton MW FC, Gedlng Southbank FC and Woodthorpe Park Rangers FC.

All three clubs had good seasons last year and have all moved up, as Calverton MW and Gedling Southbank had been promoted to the Premier Division and Woodthorpe Park Rangers stepping up to Division of the Notts Senior League.

The tournement was that each team played each other in 2 thirty minute halves and then the two teams with the most points, faced each other in the grand final.

Before the competition began, there was a minutes silence in respect of the little boy Bradley Lowery who has touched so many peoples hearts who lost his fight against cancer aged just 6 years old on Friday.

The First match saw Calverton MW kick off against Woodthorpe Park Rangers, a fast paced game in blazing sunshine, that resulted in a 4-1 victory to the Rangers.

A ten minute break gave me time to pop down to the clubhouse to grab a pint and something to eat, before getting back to pitchside to see a exciting 1-1 draw between Calverton M/W and Gedling Southbank. 

The third match pitched Woodthorpe Park Rangers against Gedling Southbank and to be fair Southbank led for most of the game and looked the better side at times, until a late equaliser went in, this meant both sides were to play each other in the Final.

With the heat and over three hours of football already been played, the two teams decided that the Final be 20 minutes each way and if a draw, then those dreaded pens!

Team photos were taken and all that out the way and the Final commenced and it was Rangers who speeded up their game and were straight out the blocks and were soon cruising at 2-0 to the good. Southbank seemed to be tiring but still kept going and though pulled a goal back, it was Woodthorpes day as they ran out 4-1 winners and became the first holders of the Gedling Borough Community Trophy.

The games were all reffed by Ian Hardwick and Dave Swinscoe and they both did a grand job. The organisers Calverton;s Tony Mullen, Gedling's Andy Clerke and Woodthorpe's PJ must be very pleased with the way the event went and I know they would like this to be a annual event and to possibility include other clubs from the Gedling Borough area.

Photos from the days event can be seen on this LINK

MINERS WORKOUT FOR BROOK

Pre Season Friendly

SHIREBROOK TOWN 0 STAVELEY MINERS WELFARE 2

Played at Kirton Brickworks FC

Att: 84

This pre season game was origionally going to be played at Shirebrook Academy, but for some reason was moved to Kirton Brickworks FC, with NCEL clubs Shirebrook Town who play in Division One,, whilst Staveley MW ply their trade in the top division.

Shirebrook are process of setting up a new clubshop,, selling mugs, pens and programmes plus other goodies, so make sure it is on your hit list during the coming season, whilst Staveley already have a clubshop, so it was a ideal opportunity to drop each club a couple of boxes of programmes down to them.

The game kicked off at very fast pace with both sides wanting to attack, but first blood went to Staveley when a through ball found ASH RAWSON who chipped Gaz Saxby as he came out to narrow the angle and the ball nestled in to the corner of the net.

Shirebrook immediately pressed forward but the final touches were missing from a club that had just appointed new management and possibly some players who had never played together before the match.

This left gaps at the back and a passback from a Shirebrook defender saw a poor clearence by the keeper and KURTIS MORLEY punished his mistake to double the lead.

At half time, as with most pre season matches, lots of changes to both line ups were made and a fair even half was witnessed, with the Staveley keeper making a outstanding one handed save from a 40 yard shot, whilst the young Shirebrook keeper made a double block and a double save to keep the scores down.

Caught up with quite a lot of old friends at the match and must thank Brett Marshall for a lift home after the game.

SPEEDY COVENTRIANS

Pre Season Friendly

BEESTON RYLANDS 0 COVENTRIANS 4

A couple of weeks ago, one of the clubs put out a request on twitter for a pre season match on 1st July, so I retweeted and this match was set up. The side from Coventry traveled a hour from the West Midlands and are newcomers to the Midland Combination, whilst Beeston Rylands are new to the Notts Senior League.

The game kicked off and early exchanges saw Rylands on the attack but unable to force the visiting keeper in to action, as the final ball was missing. Coventrians who play their home matches within a stone throw away from the Ricoh Stadium began to find their footing and the strikers were very pacy. After 30 minutes, Coventrians took the lead when a shot was rifled in from the edge of the penalty area. On 39 minutes, just as I was stood with the Coventrians Secretary, her son rifled in a shot from the right wing to double the lead.

The Second Half saw quite a few subs made and Beeston never really got in to their rhythm, giving the opponents a lot space and time on the ball and gaps were appearing, the home keeper was called in to action a few times and the away team who have been training with a Wasp;s Ruby coach, their extra fitness was beginning to tell. On 86 minutes, the number 7 made it 3-0 and in the final minute, Coventrians wrapped up a good performance by making it 4.

Always difficult to tell on friendlies but I feel the Coventry based side will do well in the Midland Combination League. The club do badges and also both clubs do have twitter sites which are kept right up to date, which is always pleasing to see.

First time Ive seen Michael Evans ref and thought he had a decent game.

Photos from this match can bee seen on this LINK

PRE SEASON BATTLE

Pre Season Friendly

WOLLATON RESERVES 1 AFC KILBURN 0

Found out about this fixture on Thursday evening as I was attending Chilwell Olympica for the 3pm kick off when I discovered this was 1pm, so a double header was right up my street, so Hazel dropped me off from Mansfield at Hucknall Tram Station and a hours journey took me to Beeston where I had a breakfast before the kind bus driver put me off at the wrong stop, so a good 20 plus minute walk to the venue.

Both sides were eager to play and the first 15 minutes, the game was even, but then Kilburn started to take the upper hand and could well have been 3 or 4 goals to the good, but if you dont take your chances, it sometimes comes back to bite you.

Kilburn have just bought in the management of Quorn FC and a few of their players, so it was a stern test for the lads from Wollo, but the number 5 at the back was excellent covering every blade of grass in his half.

Lots of subs were made at half time and it was noticeable that Kilburn had a younger side on the pitch and this enabled Wollaton to step up their game and attack, so it came as no surprise after 70 minutes, when a header beat the keeper to give Wollaton the lead.

A good entertaining game and I should think both sides will have good seasons on this showing.

The photos taken at this match can be seen on this LINK