BOVEY BAG THE POINTS

SWPL

East Division

ALPHINGTON 0 BOVEY TRACEY 4

First day of our annual holiday sees us stay in Exeter for a couple of days and after ringing Phil Hiscox arranged to meet him at this match. I emailed the kind home secretary Alan the day before.

On arrival the car park was quite full as there was a quite a healthy crowd turn out for the match.

Alphington kicked off and looked the brighter of the two sides, going close a couple of times, but Bovey began to get in to the game and went in to a deserved lead after 27 minutes, when RYAN BATLEY beat the home keeper at his near post with a low drive.

The Second Half belonged to the visitors as they were camped in the homesters half for the majority of it and they took control after just 48 minutes, when CALLUM LEACH doubled their lead.

On 56 minutes, a long range effort by CALLUM LIVINGSTONE looked like it was going wide and crept in to the corner of the net to make it 3-0 and this looked like a long evening for the home club.

On 88 minutes, a long shot smashed the underside of the Alphington bar and GAVIN COLLINS was forst to follow up and put the rebound in to a empty net to make it 4-0

Both clubs very friendly and I enjoyed my visit and stayed for a couple of pints in the nice clubhouse after the match

SECOND HALF FIGHTBACK SEES SHARE OF POINTS

Notts Senior League 

Division Two

WELBECK LIONS RESERVES 3 NEWARK FLOWSERVE RESERVES 3

I needed a local game as I travel to Devon at 2am for a couple of night before going on to Cornwall for our annual family holiday, so this match fitted the bill with both sides laying second and third in the league table.

The game began at a frantic pace with Lee Clarke the referee playing the advantage and keeping the game flowing but the home side seemed a bit unnerved by this and seemed to want to argue to begin with and Flowserve took advantage of this after 29 minutes when JOE HURST took advantage and put the visitors in front. After 33 minutes, a Newark Flowserve free kick by CHRIS SELF from 20 odd yards found the top corner of the net to double their lead.

On 39 minutes, JOE HURST found himself at the back post to slide the ball home to make it 3-0 to Flowserve..Flowserve then had a couple to add to their tally but didnt capitalize on them.

The Half Time talk must have been good for the Lions as straight away they pressed forward and in the 47th minute JAKE LEIVERS reduced the arrears and within a minute the homesters had a penalty taken and converted by ARRON DARCH.

After 54 minutes, Welbeck were back on level terms when a looping header by veteran JORDAN JOHNSON found the back of the net. The game was then wide open with both sides missing chances to get the vital winner, a fair result in the end and you can see why these two teams are at the top end of the table

Photos of the match can be seen on this LINK

MEIKLE HEADS BASFORD TO THE TOP

Evostick South Division

BASFORD UNITED 1 LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO 0

Att; 196

Bank Holiday Monday and nowhere to go and nothing on the tele as usual, so headed to Greenwich Avenue and to Basford United FC who before the game were top of the table.

Arrived and had a pint in the clubhouse and a quick chat at pitchside to old friend and Basford;s striker Kieran Wells.

Saw a few hoppers around the ground before the game kicked off in beautiful sunshine, a few things have been happening at Basford over the summer months with new press offices being built and a new ground outside that is floodlit.

The game kicked off at a lively pace with Basford on the attack and after 10 minutes, a corner found the head of DEON MEIKLE who found the net.

Loughborough then pushed forward whilst Basford looked forward on the counter but found Taylor in the visiting net in fine form.

Just before half time, Dynamo must have thought they were on level terms when a superb double block by home keeper kept his sides lead in tact.

The Second Half both sides seem to cancel each other out with chances few and far between but Wells had a superb effort which smashed against the crossbar.

Loughborough pressed forward in the last five minutes of the game, but when you are at the top, you sometimes have to dig in deep and just grind results out.

I would like to thank Keiran Wells who kindly pledged some time ago that he would make a donation to the Charity Blog and today after the match kept his promise with a £10 donation which took the total to over £1000, club chairman Chris Munroe then also kindly donated £10 which now takes the running total to a amazing £1,013.00 for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE at City Hospital Nottingham.

Photos of the match can be seen on this LINK

JAYS LAST DITCH SHOT GRABS THE POINTS

Notts Senior League

Division Two

KIRTON BRICKWORKS RESERVES 3 GEDLING SOUTHBANK RESERVES 2

A change of plan and needing to stay close to home saw me not go out to Burton Joyce v Barrowby, a game that ended up 10-0 to the hosts,but with 2 new sides to the NSL, I went out to Walesby Sports Ground, the home of ex club Sandhurst FC to watch Kirton Brickworks Reserves and Gedling Southbank Reserves. A lot of people wont watch reserve teams, but this doesnt bother me and like this match I saw a very good game.

Before the match I got a cuppa from the clubhouse whilst chatting to Mr and Mrs Timmins, who;s young lad played for the Brickies and also had a chat with Daz Milne, who has a view to sign for the homesters. With the team lines, it was to pitchside, but before then, Southbank wanted their team photo taken.

The game kicked off with Kirton kicking down the slope and looked the better of the two sides and after 13 minutes, a cross from the left found the head of SCOTT RICKETTS who not only gave them the lead, but it was also the 100th goal Ive seen this season.

More efforts came in from the home side, whilst the visitors were finding their feet and as the half progressed, the visitors became more dangerous and it looked like Kirton needed to add to their tally, but they didnt put their chances away and like in most games, it came back to bite them right on the stroke of half time, when ROSS PRITCHARD scored with a header to even things up.

The Second Half kicked off and Gedling were more fired up but couldnt find the net, whilst Kirton played on the counter attack, but after 66 minutes, a corner from the right hand side found its way to the back post, where ex Stevenage Borough legend NICK EDGAR smashed the ball home to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. This looked like game over for the home side, but football is a funny game, as after 78 minutes, things got worse for them as they were reduced to 10 men when Kirton;s centre half Regan Bartholomew was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. 

On 80 minutes, a through ball saw Kirton on their way to equalise but the away club linesman had his flag raised and the referee pulled play back for offside, a few players did question this decision, but the next attack saw the visiting defence standing still and the flag went up again, but the referee waved play on this time and CODEY DOWNING took his chance well to make it 2-2.

This seemed to gee the Brickies up and they pushed forward but it looked like they would have to settle for a draw, which I feel would have left both sides happy with a point, but then a breakdown in the Southbank midfield, saw Kirton veteran JAY FULLER race clear and shoot across the keeper in to the corner of the net for the winner.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

4 MINUTE SPELL WINS THE M1 DERBY

Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

UNDERWOOD VILLA FC 1 SANDIACRE TOWN FC 2

Two goals by Sandiacre Town in mid Second Half period won this M1 Derby match for them. I saw this match some weeks ago and was going to attend, but it was vital I did as in Sandiacre;s opening match, their captain broke his leg and this Saturday they are holding a raffle to support him, so me and Hazel clustered up some raffle prizes, as well as Shawn giving u[ his box of Maltesers for the cause.

With car at the garage till 5pm, friend Daz Wragg gave us all the lift to pick up the car and we were soon on the road, or thouht so, when we got to M1 junction 29 it was closed, so we had to do a countryside detour to arrive at the ground at 6.25pm.

I went to see ref Barry Goodley who is now 70 and still runs better than some of the younger refs I see on the scene, but he has said he wont be reffering much long as he goes back out to visit family in Australia soon.

Me and Albert Greaves had a cuppa before going out to pitchside and joining local hopper Peter Chappell and Mr Ashland Rovers John Dawn.

The match kicked off at a steady pace and both sides having good chances but you had the feeling no one was going to score in the First Half and we was correct.

The Second Half we didnt have to wait long at all, as Underwood took the lead after 48 minutes, when JAKE HACKETT hit the target. Villa could have gone two up but for a fine save by the visiting keeper, that turned out to be the turning point of the game, as on 58 minutes, CHARLIE GOODWIN fired home the equalizer. Within 4 minutes Blaise DURUAKU took control of the ball and placed it pasted the home keeper to secure the points for the team from two junctions down the M1

NSL HISTORY TO BE MADE

PRECISION NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE 

On Friday 8th September 2017, history in the Precision Nottinghamshire Senior Football League will be made, when for the first time ever in the League, the game between Keyworth United Reserves and Stapleford Town FC will be run by three lady officials.

Honor Cantrell will be in charge as referee in this Division One fixture whilst her Assistant Referees will be Leanne Woodhead and Phoebe Cross.

The game will kick off at 7.30pm at Keyworth United Reserves ground, off Platt Lane, Keyworth.

CAVS FAR TOO STRONG FOR ATTENBOROUGH

Notts Senior League

Premier Division

FC CAVALIERS 6 ATTENBOROUGH FC 1

With Hazel being away up in Preston this weekend, it was a matter of planning where I could get to by bus and I spotted this fixture some time back and it fit the bill, as the bus from Mansfield stops smack opposite the Forest Recreation Ground.

In the Car Park before the game, I met two clubs from NSL who were meeting up with players, Nottingham City who were on their way to play Magdala Amateurs Reserves and Bridgford United who were training as they hadnt a match.

Went up to pitchside and there was already a game in progress between Sneiton Pythians and Wollaton & Bramcote, where the Pythians comfortably won 5-2 much to the delight of their main man Ben Rosser.

I was then invited in by Karl White of Cavs as they now have use of the refreshments room, so had a nice cuppa, before getting the team line ups and a chat with people from both clubs.

The game kicked off and Cavs were first in to their stride passing the ball to feet, whilst Attenborough were struggling with the swirling wind.

After 18 minutes, a free kick was awarded just outside the penalty area, to which AKO ABDULLAH placed home to give the Greens the lead.

Attenborough werent going to let their heads drop and pressed forward and the Cavs keeper pushed a low shot out of play, from the resulting corner that broke down and went back to the middle of the pitch, a through ball found LIAM SLATER who fired home to make it 1-1.

A couple of head injurys stopped play for trainers to come on to the pitch giving a delay in play at both times., but this didnt affect Cavs and a cross from the right wing saw MUSTAPHA JOHN slide the ball home from close distance on 26 minutes.

Both teams then began to cancel each other out, with both keepers being called in to action and the wind began to drop, though clouds were beginning to appear above us.

On 44 minutes, Cav took a two goal advantage, when the referee gave a free kick but consulted his Assistant to check if it was inside the area or not. From a similar distance from the opening goal of the game, AKO ABDULLAH again placed his ball in to the net, though the visiting keeper did get a hand to it.

The Attenborough manager wasnt happy and was upset about the amount of added time, but I felt the referee was correct as their had been stoppages for injuries in the half and in added time to upset him more, he saw his side go 4-1 down when BLESSING ADELEYE got the last touch to the ball to steer it home.

It was a quiet start to the Second Half but Attenborough begin to knock the ball about well, but couldnt find the final ball through to their front men, a couple of players began to limp and subs were made.

On the hour, Mathias Amponsem was shown a red card, after a foul, which he then kicked out at the Attenborough attacker, Im sure if the referee saw the visiting man also kick out as well or he would have seen red.

Cav;s captain "Eggy" shouted instructions to his team that they were not going to be silly, they were 4-1 up and they were going to a 4 4 1 formation. With Attenborough having used all three subs, a couple of their younger players had tired legs and mistakes were being made, to which Cavs capitalized, as after 74 minutes, DAVID KOLAPO tapped home their fifth.

Cavs were now playing with a spring in their step, whilst the visitors looked as if their heads had dropped and the visiting manager in the pouring rain was trying his best to shout instructions to gee them up, but it came to no avail as with 3 minutes from time MUSTAPHA JOHN completed the scoreline of 6-1.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

EARLY CHANCES COST SNEINTON

Notts Senior League

Division Two

MAGDALA AMATEURS RESERVES 4 SNEINTON TOWN 2

Well I went to the Roko to see two new teams in the Notts Senior League, Hazel dropped me off at Hucknall Tram Station and I caught the first tram to Davids Lane before switching to the Wilford Lane Tram and walking the 5 minutes to the Roko.

Teams were got quickly and soon the players were on the pitch and it was the visitors who were very quick in to their stride forcing the home keeper Glen Guyatt in to a string of early saves, but it came as no surprise when Sneinton took the lead after just 7 minutes when their captain NATH DAVID slotted the ball home. It then looked like a matter of how many the Town would score, but Guyatt was equal to everything thrown at him. 

After 17 minutes, the Amateurs were back on level terms when on their first attack LIAM McELHONE made it 1-1.

More drama was to follow in the 19th minute, when away winger Dean McLean was adjudged to be tripped and a penalty was given, up stepped Darren Payne and placed his shot on to the post before it bouncing clear. They say games have changing points and this was one in this match.

On the half hour, a through ball caught the visitors napping, and rebound saw a defender stick out his leg giving keeper Abell no chance to give the homesters a 2-1 lead. This gave the Budgies a lift in confidence and after 33 minutes found themselves 3-1 in front after DAN NEARY curled the ball home.

Magdala  now were playing their best football of the game and after a attack down the left wing, the ball was played to ELLIOTT WILSON who fired home from some 25 yards.

The First Half was a matter of if you dont put your chances away, it can come back to bite you and that is exactly what had happened.

The Second Half saw the visitors just piled on attack as the home side defended with 9 players behind the ball and held their line very well, but after 66 minutes a well worked goal by DIEGO ZIDER reduced the arrears. Sneinton pressed and huffed and puffed and on another day may well have scored a lot more goals but tonight was going to be the Budgies night.

Must add that both sides respected the Referee Gregg Stuart who had a excellent game.

With the Six goals scored, it now takes the Charity Blog running total to £976.00p to MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE based at Nottingham City Hospital, anyone that would like to make a donation, please see me at any of the games that I attend.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

DEVELOPEMENT EDGE VICTORY OVER UNDER 21's

Precision Notts Senior League

Division Two

SOUTHWELL CITY DEVELOPEMENT 2 KEYWORTH UNITED U21'S 1

Yes the football season is back and for my first game of the season to cover, I headed out to Brinkley, which is out in the sticks towards Southwell Racecourse on Fiskerton Road. The ground has a large car park and houses a new building block that contains the changing rooms and also large refreshments room.

Just before kick off, I got both team line ups and had a chat with young referee Matthew Hill and then local hopper from Leicester Rob Campion arrived. After a quick cuppa, it was off to the outside and a bit of a stroll to pitchside and then on the pitch to take both sides photos.

The game kicked off and both sides was spraying the ball about, with Keyworth having the possession but the home side looking more dangerous in front of goal.

The Developement side must have thought they had scored after 24 minutes, when a triple clearence off the line kept the game goal less, from that let off, Keywort broke and had their first chance smothered by the home keeper.

On 27 minutes, a 30 yard shot bounced off the Keyworth bar to the dismay of everyone in the ground, so when Southwell took the lead after 33 minutes through a low shot from MORGAN SHEVLIN found the bottom corner of the net.

Keyworth pushed forward but Southwell;s workrate stepped up and the visiting keeper was called in to action just before half time.

The Second Half began at a much slower pace, but a lot of passes were being completed and it was the homesters who was having much more of the ball, but not many chances for both sides to be fair.

The game livened up after 77 minutes, when Developement sub JACK WALKER doubled his sides lead and looked to have secured the points, but Keyworth were not going to lay down and from the kick off, played a ball out to the left for JACK SANDERS to fire home from a acute angle to make it 2-1.

Both sides then had further chances but non e were added to the score total.

Must say I was very impressed the way young Matthew Hill controlled the game.

With the Three Goals scored at the match, this now takes the Charity Blogs running total for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE @ Nottingham City Hospital to a amazing £974.50p

To see the photos from the match, please click this LINK

DEFENSIVE MISTAKES COSTLY FOR ATHLETIC

Saturday 5th August

Pre Season Friendly

KIRKBY ATHLETIC FC 2 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FC 4

My second game of the day saw the wife drive me about a mile from Sutton Lawns to Ashfield School to watch Kirkby Athletic who was set up around three years ago and like Nottinghamshire FC play in the Midlands Amateur Alliance League. During the morning, founder/player manager and main tweeter man Jake Cantrill had told me where the ground was and gave me the details of the game, which was a 2pm kick off. Kirkby Athletic's home is at Newstead, but due to cricket they cant use the pitch until the cricketers season is over, but a visit is on the cards from me later in the season.

The game kicked off and it couldnt have got off to a worse start for the Athletic, as a poor back pass to the keeper was short and the Nottinghamshire attacker was first to the ball to poke the ball home after just 14 seconds.

Kirkby then pushed forward and came close a few times but was caught out by a long ball out of the Nottinghamshire defence and the number 9 shot home from a tight angle to double their lead after just 8 minutes. 

This spurred the visitors on as they played down the slope and after 23 minutes, the number 9 had doubled his tally and put his side 3-0 up.

Nottinghamshire then looked more likely to score a few more before half time, but good defending and blocking prevented this.

In the 36th minute, the referee reduced Nottinghamshire FC down to 10 men, after a bad tackle left a home player on the floor, so he produced a yellow card, but then the player decided to call him a few choice names and was dismissed for foul and abusive language, much to the dislike of the Nottinghamshire FC folk, but why should the official have to put up with this.

The Second Half kicked off and almost straight from the kick off, Kirkbys number 10 found the corner of the net with his shot to make it 3-1. On 57 minutes, it became 3-2 when the number 7 hit a curling shot that was deflected from 20 yards, so it was game on and Kirkby;s confidence looked high.

A couple of good saves and a couple of close misses kept Nottinghamshire in front, but the visitors number 9, their dangerman was on a hat trick to which he completed in the 87th minute to give his side a 4-2 win.

In the pub after the match, Jake Cantrill kindly donated £25 from Kirkby Athletic FC for the Charity Blogs Charity, which Im very thankful for, which is for Maggies Cancer Centre, based at Nottingham City Hospital, with the 6 goals scored this now brings the running total to a amazing £973.75p

The Photos from this match can be seen on this LINK

ASHA STORM TO FRIENDLY WIN

Saturday 5th August

Pre Season Friendly

ASHA FC 4 UNITED WORKSOP FC 1

The first part of the day took me to Sutton Lawns in Sutton in Ashfield, for a 12pm kick off on a 3g pitch, where Asha FC  faced United Worksop who both ply their trades in the Midland Amateur Alliance League.

Asha FC were formed 2 seasons ago, when the chairman set them up and they were looking for a name, they use the name of his nursing homes business, whilst United Worksop FC are a club that was set up for polish players who live in and around the Worksop area.

The game kicked off and for the first 10 minutes, things were quite even, but then a step up in pace in the 12 minute, saw the home winger cross from the right wing for JOSH SHARPE to tap home to give the homesters a 1-0 lead.

The game flowed from end to end at a quick pace and both goalkeepers were bought in to action. A break in the 37 minute by the visitors saw them force a corner on the left and from the resulting corner, ALEX header found the net for the equaliser.

The sides werent on level terms for long, as within sixty seconds, Asha had retaken the lead through a curling shot by CURTIS CLEGG. This seemed to lift Asha;s confidence and they began to be first to each ball and also the second ball and their pace lifted, so it came as no surprise when after 40 minutes RYAN CHITTENDEN put them 3-1 up.

A lot of subs were being made and the game began to stop and start along with the pace, but good football by both sides were still being played. The team from Worksop possibly had their best spell of the game and came close with a few chances to reducing the arrears but that second goal just did come.

After 58 minutes, a corner from the left was met by the head of RYAN CHITTENDEN to make it 4-1.

A good run out for both teams and with 5 goals scored another £1.25 was added to the charity blog for Maggies Cancer Centre, which took the running total to £948.50p

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

Pre Season Friendlies 2017

PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES 2017

Please check before leaving out too any of the friendlies, as they do tend to alter.

Tuesday 8th August
Cosby United v Burbage OB
Gresley v Barwell
Sherwood Colliery v Mansfield Town
Shepshed Amateurs v CK Dons

PENALTY SHOOT OUT DRAW

Pre Season Friendly

Thursday 3rd August

WELBECK LIONS RESERVES 2 FC POLONIA 2

A pre season friendly that caught my eye some weeks ago and not too far from home, FC Polonia are a side made up of Polish players and play on one of the outside pitches at Arnold Town;s Eagle Valley.

The game begin at a fast pace and it was Polonia who seemed to be a step quicker in getting the ball first and for the second balls, so after just 12 minutes, it came as no surprise when their forward lifted the ball over the head of the advancing home keeper to put them in to a 1-0 lead.

The Second Half was a different tale, with the Lions forcing them selves forward from the start and after 51 minutes drew level from a penalty.  Welbeck then began to play some good football and looked the more likely to go on and score another and thus the case with another penalty kick in the 68th minute.

This seemed to awaken Polonia, as 2 minutes, later they were then awarded a penalty, to which their forward smashed in to the net to make it 2-2.

Chances were then created by both sides who were in search of a winner, but a draw on reflection of play was possibly the right outcome.

MEN v BOYS AT THE FIELDINGS

Pre Season Friendly

Wednesday 2nd August

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 0 GEDLING SOUTHBANK 9

Admission Free

Att: 52

My first visit to The Fieldings, the home of Mansfield Hosiery Mills and no way did I expect a result like this. Mansfield Hosiery Mills have lost a lot of players since a quite successful last season and are rebuilding, but this match they were quite simply outclassed by a superior strong Gedling Southbank side.

Before the match kicked off, I made my way to the stand behind the near goal and was soon joined by local hopper and Charity Raiser Malc Storer, who told me abit more about his and his mate Kev;s charity they are to support through their blog this season, it is a cause called "Think Children" and I made a doantion to set them on their way. Malcs Blog you can read on this LINK

The goals like the weather soon began to rain/reign with JAMES NEEDHAM helping himself to a nap hand five, with other goals coming from other Southbank players to which Mr Storer will supply me with no doubt as he scribbled them down at the end of the match.

To be fair, the scoreline could have been a lot more, as James Needham missed a couple of chances and the home number 2 defender cleared the ball off the line on 3 different occasions, plus the home keeper made some very good blocks and saves. To The Mllers credit they tried play to the final whistle.

After about 80 minutes, the Mansfield Hosiery Mills left back Connor Bower took a arkward tumble and was in a lot of pain, it was announced on twitter that sadly he has broken his collarbone, so a speedy recovery to him.