REID;s STUNNER WORTHY OF WINNER

Evo Stick South Division

BASFORD UNITED FC 2 STAMFORD AFC 1

Att: 241

Always enjoyable when I visit Greenwich Avenue and this occasion was no different, as I was meeting my old mate and Director of Stamford AFC Dave Salisbury as it is 8 years since we last met up.

On arrival at the ground, I had a chat with Pete Chappell and was soon joined by Nigel Tasker, as we nattered about football in general. Malc Storer then popped in to quickly hand me a programme that I had asked him to pick up for me some time ago, many thanks Malc, I have chucked the quid in to the charity total

The game kicked off and Basford were straight on the attack and it came as no surprise when LIAM HEARN fired home the first goal of the night after just 12 minutes. Basford pushed forward to try and double their lead and went close several times, but in the 38th minute, they were pegged back on level terms, when Stamford;s captain JON CHALLINOR sweetly struck a low shot from outside the box to make it 1-1.

After a cuppa and half time break, it was Stamford who created a couple of chances of their own and United;s keeper Deeney had to be at his best on the hour when he finger tipped a chance away.

The game then opened up with both sides spurning chances until the 78th minute, when JAMES REID hit a stunning half volley from 30 yards out to give the homesters the three vital points as they now opened up a 13 point gap at the top of the table.

The 3 officials also had a very good match.

RYLANDS PAY THE PENALTY

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

BEESTON RYLANDS 0 ASHLAND ROVERS 2

A change of plan saw me contact Rob Campion to meet up at Beeston Rylands for a ground Id not been before, on arrival, I was greeted by match referee Jevon Swinscoe. After getting the team lineups, it was to the pitch and taking the Rylands team photo.

The game kicked off with both sides cancelling each other out until the 20th minute, when a shot was heading towards te Rylands net, when Lewis Robinson made a superb save, the only problem was, he wasnt the keeper, he was last man, so it gave Jevon no alternative but to produce the red card and a penalty to the visitors. Up stepped LEE TOWNSEND to put Rovers in front.

Ashland went looking for a second goal, whilst 10 man Beeston played on the counter attack and Rich Philpott had to clear off the line on the half hour.

The Second Half saw Beeston press forward but it was difficult with the ten men, the game was put to bed in the 69th minute, when a header hit the Rylands post and fell out to BEN SHERRATT to slot home.

One happy man was Ashland Rovers Keeper Adam Revuelta who made his 100th appearance and kept a clean sheet.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

TOWLES LATE SHOW EARNS THE POINTS

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

WOLLATON FC 3 AWSWORTH VILLA FC 2

Att: 70

With Hazel flying in from her 10 day stay at her brothers in Tenerife during the early hours of the night, it was a matter of if she wanted to drive me to a match or just drop me local, she felt ok and I had chosen to go to Wollaton FC v Awsworth Villa as my first choice, as both sides are in very good form. 

On arrival I was welcomed by all and got a cuppa and was joined by the 3 officials, Declean Brown a official in the League of Ireland, David Coote a football league official and James Robinson who refs in the Northern Counties West League whilst up at uni in Manchester and we were soon joined by League Referees Secretary Darrell Parkes.

Before kick off, all was silent whilst a minutes silence took place for Remembrance Day.

The game kicked off and Awsworth were on the front foot and it only looked a matter of time before they opened the scoring, but like mot games this isnt always the case, as Wollaton began to gain a few chances down the other end and on 14 minutes JAKE FISHER shot across the visiting keeper to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Wollaton had a couple more chances to increase their lead as the visitors pressed forward and on the stroke of half time, Awsworth got a well deserved equaliser through JOHN WHITEHURST whose shot from just outside the area crept in off the post.

The Second Half began and it looked like the goal before half time had awoken the Villa side as they were on the attack for the first 5 minutes of the half, but on 51 minutes, a long ball out of defence saw Wollaton counter attack and Jake Fisher was bought down for a penalty. JAKE FISHER stepped up and put his side back in front.

Wollaton began playing some of the best football in the game at this stage and Doherty in the Villa net had to be at his best to keep his side in the game. Just after the hour, Wollaton were caught on the counter atack and Awsworth must have thought they had equalised when a shot was cleared off the home teams line, but on 69 minutes the scores were level when JOHN WHITEHURST scored his and his clubs second of the match to make it 2-2.

Both sides stepped up their games in search of a winner and Awsworth were very close on 78 minutes, when a shot found the Wollaton keeper in midair at full stretcher to claw the ball away when goalbound.

On 81 minutes, Wollaton finally sealed the points through LIAM TOWLE whose shot took a deflection and cruelly dipped over the Awsworth keepers head and nestled in to the net.

A superb match played in the right spirit and all 3 match officials were excellent.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

THE BULLS PROGRESS TO QUARTERS

Notts FA Minor Cup

Second Round

AFC BULL FARM 4 KEYWORTH UNITED DEVELOPEMENT 1

AFC Bull Farm of the Midlands Amateur Alliance League progress to the last eight of the Notts FA Minor Cup after a 4-1 victory over Nottinghamshire Senior League opposition Keyworth United Developement.

With Hazel away in Tenerife visiting her brother, me and Shawn looked for somewhere easy to get to by public transport, but in the week I spotted this Cup tie which was being played just over the road from where I live. I was also involved for a while when Bull Farm were a sunday outfit.

The game began at a even rate with both sides pushing forward and both looking likely to score at some stage, but after 21 minutes, it was the Bulls who took the lead through ASH SIDDELL who broke down the right side and shot home from a angle.

On 26 minutes, Keyworth gave a free kick away just outside the area, where a quick one two took place and veteran SIMON JOHNSON placed home at the near post to double their lead.

The Greens of Keyworth werent going to fold and were straight back in the tie when after 27 minutes ZACH SLADE unleashed a 30 yard shot to reduce the arrears.

The fightback was short lived as Keyworth were caught out on the counter attack and ASH SIDDELL fired home his second and his sides goal of the match.

The Second Half saw a few tackles going astray by both sides and a half of wayward efforts, with both keepers only being tested on a couple of occasions, but on 62 minutes, SIMON JOHNSON put the tie out of sight when he completed his brace to send his side through to the Quarter Finals.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

ALL LEVEL AT THE BRICKWORKS

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Divisiion One

KIRTON BRICKWORKS FC 1 RAVENSHEAD FC 1

Att 14

Now back on my feet after not being too well and with Hazel still not 100%, it was a matter of finding a match somewhere very local and after looking at several fixtures, I thought Id not been to Station Road this season nor had I seen Ravenshead either, so this match fitted the bill.

Before the match, match referee Gareth Tye kindly agreed to sponsor 50p  for every goal scored in the match. The game began in a rapid style in a very windy conditions, with both teams having chances. Ravenshead had to alter their formation after a player was helped off the pitch after just 20 minutes.

The visitors had the first real big chance of the game, when their forward headed wide when in the six yard box with the goal in front of him. Kirton then pressed forward and the visiting keeper was forced in to a number of very saves.

The Second Half began and in Kirtons first move on 46 minutes, they broke down the left side and the ball was stroked home by JAMIE BIRCH at the far post to give his side the lead.

This seemed to spur Kirton forward and could have had a second goal but it wasnt to come. After 65 minutes, Ravenshead gained a corner on the right hand side that was swung in and found the head of DAN PHILLIPS who found the back of the net.

Both sides pressed for the winner, with both sides coming close, but to no avail, in a game where the draw was the correct result.

Back at the pub after the match, true to his word, match referee Gareth Tye kindly donated £1 and then  Kirton player Wes O Rourke kindly donated £2 towards the Blogs charity of Maggies Cancer Care Centre based at Nottingham City Hospital..May I thank both Gareth and Wes.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

BIRC's BRACE BREAKS MILLERS HEARTS

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS FC 1 ASHLAND ROVERS FC 2

Att: 46

Wit having been ill and on bedrest for nearly two weeks, it was a pleasure to get out to some footie and went just up the road for this Derby game.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills began on the front foot and from a corner on the left, LUKE GREAVES headed them in to a early lead after just 4 minutes. I was then joined by AFC Mansfield;s Chairman Andy Saunders for most of the match.

Ashland were playing on the break, with the Millers trying to add to their tally but to no avail. On 41 minutes, a long ball by the visitors out of the defence saw DANIEL BIRCUMSHAW 30 yards out on the wing, cut in and the home keeper came dashing out wiith 2 defenders behind him for the visiting attacker to slot home from the edge of the area on 41 minutes.

The Second Half was the visitors go straight in to attack and in their first attack of the half after 46 minutes, saw them turn the game around and score through DANIEL BIRCUMSHAW for them to take the lead.

The Millers pressed forward and the visiting keeper had to be in fine form, preserving their advantage on several efforts and also the Mansfield side not being able to find the target as the ball was cleared off the ball several times.

After 86 minutes, a player from each side was shown straight red, after a tackle from a Ashland player was deemed to be wreckless, whilst the Millers player jumped up and squared up to his opponant.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills must be wondering how they didnt get a point out of the game, but sometimes sides have to scrape wins and get the luck which Ashland did in this game to claim the three points.

A good performance by the referee Phil Towers and his 2 assistants

COMMUNITY BOUNCE BACK FROM SLOW START

Notts Amateur Alliance League

Premier Division

NOTTINGHAM COMMUNITY FC 8 ARNOLD SAINTS FC 1

A few weeks ago I was going to head today for a double up of fixtures at Greenwood Meadows FC and what attracted me to the venue was that Nottingham Community FC were to be doing a programme for their 2.30pm kick off and with NSL fixture Bridgford United kicking off at noon, but how things pan out, Bridgford Uniteds fixture was altered, so I still opted to go and watch Nottingham Community FC v Arnold Saints FC.

A grand welcome by club chairman Naeem Rashid but he had left he programmes at home, but he has promised to post them to me so I can get them out to the people who have ordered one.

The game kicked off and it was the Saints who had the first bunch of chances in a very tight opening period, where the game was being played at a rapid pace.

After just 10 minutes, Arnold Saints who play their home matches at Calverton MW, broke away and were left in a 2 against 1 situation where the ball was squared across for LEWIS to fire them in front. The Saints then went looking to extend their lead but found the home keeper in good form, as the Community side seemed to be stuck in midfield, but all that was to change in a mad frantic 9 minute spell in a amazing turn around of events for the homesters.

After 18 minutes, a long ball was played down the middle and seemed to catch the Saints defence who were playing quite high on the back foot and this left YANNICK JULLITI clear through for him to chip the ball over the outcoming keeper to bring the scores level. There was no time to celebrate as straight from the kick off, Arnold Saints lost the ball in midfield, where the ball was played to the Community right winger whose ball was pinch perfect for MATTHEW GRANT  to just tap his side in to a 2-1 lead.

On 21 minutes, YANNICK JULLITI  joined in on the act by adding his name to the scoresheet, when knockiing home from close range and in the 24th minute, DJOUK AKPESSI;s weak shot slid under the visiting keeper to make it 4-1.  On 27 minutes, the home side gained a corner from the left side which found the head of DJOUK AKPESSI to take Community in to a 5-1 lead.

The Second Half began and Saints began to play some good football and had a couple of decent close chances, but Community looked dangerous every time they ventured forward and on 51 minutes a short back pass by a Saint defender saw SCOTT whip in and make it 6-1.

By now a few of the Saints heads were down but they were still trying to press forward, but this left their defence open and on 63 minutes YANNICK JULLITI ran through and completed his hat trick.

In the 84th minute, CONOR SCOTT smashed home from close range to give a final score of 8-1, shortly before the final whistle, things went worse for Saints when one of their players was sent to the sin bin for the reminder of the match.

Brian Kilburn had a very good match in the middle

Before leaving to come home,  Nottingam Community FC Club Chairman Naeem Rashid kindly donated £10 to the Charity Blog which is in aid of MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE based at Nottingham City Hospital, the running total is now up to a amazing £1,143.00

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

CLASSIC CUP TIE

Notts FA Junior Cup

First Round

WOODTHORPE PARK RANGERS 3 BURTON JOYCE 2 aet

2-2 after 90 mins

Att: 29

For Non League Football Day, I made my choice to go to two new Notts Senior League teams who Id only seen in pre season in the Notts FA Junior Cup. Woodthorpe Park Rangers play on pitch 5 of Eagle Valley, a pitch Id not seen a match played on before and have started their league campaign well, winning their first eight matches, Burton Joyce have also had some very good results, but when both sides met in the league recently, Woodthorpe won 6-3 and so went in to this tie as favourites.

The game began and it was Burton on the front foot forcing the home keeper to deal with a high cross after only 15 seconds, the game then had a few chances for both sides but became more of a entertaining midfield battle. Both sides being very well matched against each other and you could see why both sides are doing very well.

After 30  minutes, the deadlock was broken, when a cross was met by CONNOR PARKIN who headed in to the far corner of the net. Woodthorpe pressed forward for a second, whilst Burton Joyce broke on the counter attack and were nearly level when the home keeper was forced to make a save in mid air and push the ball over the bar.

On 43 minutes, the scores were level when Burton Joyce were awarded a penalty after a home defender had handled the ball, up stepped CHARLIE FRASER who stroked the ball low in to the net.

The Second Half was very even with both teams playing good football and after 61 minutes, Burton Joyce was awarded a second penalty when a defender pushed a attacker in the back, up stepped CHARLIE FRASER and placed the ball past the home keeper to give his side the lead.

Woodthorpe pressed forward whilst the rain hammered down and chances were still going begging. After 81 minutes, Rangers were back on level terms, when a corner from the right found the head of DANNY WALKER.

So in to extra time the game went, last season I attended 13 Cup matches and 11 went to extra time, this was my 2nd Cup game this season and now both had gone to extra time.

Both sides were struggling now with cramp after the 90 minutes had been played at a frantic pace, so the extra time period the pace slowed down. After 93 minutes, a handball in the Burton Box and MARKELL BAILEY hit home the 3rd penalty of the game. In the 111th minute, Markell had the chance to put th game safe awarded another penalty, but his effort crashed against the crossbar.

A game where their deserved to be no losers and both sides can come out of the game with a lot of respect, but it is Woodthorpe Park Rangers who go forward to play away at Ravenshead FC in Round Two.

Before the match, Woodthorpe Chairman/Manager PJ kindly donated £20 and then after in the pub 2 Gedling Southbank players  Oggy & Spiz donated £5 between them, so I would like to thank all of them, it now takes the massive total for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE based at Nottingham City Hospital to £1,130.75p

Photos from the game can be seen on this LINK

MELLORS HEADS ROVERS TO THE POINTS

Notts Senior League

Division One

STAPLEFORD TOWN 2 ASHLAND ROVERS 3

A visit to Hickling Lane has been on the cards for a while now, as last time I visited this venue was around 1989. On arrival I was greeted by the home committee and made very welcome, then told that the pitch normally used hadnt been cut by the local council due to the rain and they were using a different pitch that I must admit looked very good,, with Respect banners and dug outs at side of the pitch and also the pitch was fully roped. After a couple of cuppas and the team line ups got, it was out to start taking the photos.

The game kicked off and it was Town who attacked in the opening minutes, but after only 6 minutes, Rovers main man and striker went down and had to be replaced due to a groin problem. Ashland re shuffled and still looked well balanced.

After 20 minutes, the visitors took the lead when a cross found out ALEX ENGLAND who placed the ball home. This seemed to awaken the homesters who went on the attack but couldnt beat a stubborn defence but a poor clearance found MARK MIDDLETON some 30 yards out, who drilled in a low shot that found the corner of the net to even the game up at 1-1.

Stapleford then seemed to have their tails up and pushed forward and had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be found to be disallowed as the ball seemed to go out of play, the next attack, saw them make the breakthrough when the ball was played across from the left wing for BEN SMEDLEY to take the loose ball past the keeper and place his side in to the lead.

In the Second Half, I strolled over to the far side of the pitch and joined local hopping brothers Michael and Andy Hartsthorne. Ashland seemed to step up their game, but both sides were knocking the ball around well, but on the hour, Rovers were awarded a free kick some 35 yards out on the left hand side, which was whipped in and ADAM MELLORS was first to respond when heading home the equaliser.

On  66 minutes, Rovers found themselves down to 10 men whilst Tom Ellis was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes after showing dissent, this didnt seem to affect his side as they pushed forward and on 71 minutes, a free kick this time from the right hand side saw ADAM MELLORS rise for the ball to hit the back of his head and ended up in the net.

Staoleford at this stage pressed everyone forward to try and get back in to the game, whilst Ashland played on the break but no more goals were to be seen and Mellors double saw them return to Kirkby In Ashfield with the points.

On the Full Time whistle, Michael Hartsthorne kindly donated 50p per goal seen at the match from him and his brother so a £2.50 donation was kindly made. After the match, another donation this from Stapleford Town FC of £20.00 was kindly donated , so with all donations in for the Charity blog for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE based at Nottingham City Hospital, it takes the running total to a amazing £1.104.50p

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

FRIDAY NIGHT FEAST FOR THE COMMUNITY

Notts Senior League

Premier Division

CALVERTON MW 1 BASFORD UNITED COMMUNITY 4

Admission £2 inc Programme

Att: 50

Not often I get out to a local Friday evening match, but Calverton not too far away, Hazel said she would drop me off and fetch me after the game.

On arrival, I got a cuppa and ordered my Sausage Cob from Jo Swinscoe who was on kitchen duty and strolled over to the changing rooms to get the evenings line ups from the teams

Tony Mullen a true footballing gent kindly donated £10 towards the Blogs Charity for MAGGIES Cancer Care Centre based at Nottingham City Hospital.

I met up with Malc Storer and the referees family and then good friend Daz Wragg who kindly gave me a lift home, we were joined by Weymouth based Hopper and Notts County fan James Spring and also a hopper who had come from Hertfordshire.

The game kicked off at a even pace, with not many chances being created if honest as it seemed a midfield battle, butt on 29 minutes, the Community side broke and at the back left hand post EZRA KILUNGANO slot the ball home to give the visitors a lead.

Calverton pressed forward but found Brown in the opposition net to be standing tall, but on the stroke of half time, Basford broke clear and this time ANTHONY BEDWARD double their advantage.

After a half time cuppa and a chat with Tracie Witton, Mr Brown and Mr Cameron(not the ex pm), Basford took control of the game when after 47 minutes, JOE HARRISON made it 3-0.

Calvertons heads werent to go down and they kept trying to push forward and got their reward in the 55th minute when MATTHEW NEWTON steered the ball under Brown;s body. Could this be game on?

On the hour, Brown made a good save and from playing from the back, a cross from the right saw ANTHONY GRAHAM smash the Community;s fourth goal home to make it 4-1 after 62 minutes.

The game was then slowed in pace but still both sides had their chances to add to their tallys but it wasnt to be,

On the way home, I got a private message from Tony Mullen to say that I had won the football card, so will collect next time I see the club.