UNITED CLINCH THREE POINTS

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

BRIDGFORD UNITED FC 3 GEDLING SOUTHBANK RESERVES 0

A couple of reasons I chose this match was that Nottingamshire Senior League newcomers Bridfgord United are flying high in 2nd position in Division and I hadnt seen them, plus the fact that sadly Greenwood Meadows ground that they play on has been sold to a rugby club and after Bridgford United;s next home match on Thursday or Friday evening, football wont exist at the venue no more. Bridgford have the intentions of moving down to the second pitch at Roko on Wilford Lane that has been under construction for some time now and seems not far off completion.

After getting the team line ups and a chat with both sets of players, some of the AFC Charity Wollaton team arrived to watch the match. Again for the second week, Ibi was assessing the referee.

The game kicked off and the visitors more than matched their high-flying opponents and the home keeper was called in to early action to push a long range shot round the post. Bridgford began to get more in to the game, but were lacking that final touch to score the opening goal.

Eventually, United did get the breakthrough, when a ball played up the left wing saw JARROD WESTCARR cut in and tuck the ball past the outcoming visiting keeper(see main photo above) on 35 minutes.

This gave the homesters alot more confidence as they pressed, but all credit to the visitors, they defended well esp Duffy in the centre, but they could do nothing about Bridgford,s second goal, when a ball played in from the right saw SHELDON TUTIT sweep the ball home to make it 2-0 after 44 minutes.

The Second Half kicked off after Hazel had done the half time teas on a bitterly cold afternoon and I actually missed a little bit of the game, poss a few minutes. Bridgford were mainly on the attack and should well have added a few more goals to their tally but a mixture of brave defending and good goalkeeping kept them at bay until the 75th minute, when a cross from the left saw the flying header of NATHAN FRANCIS to head home to make it 3-0.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

RANGERS HEAD TO THE SEMIS

Nottinghamshire FA Junior Cup

Quarter Final

AFC TOP VALLEY 0 WOODTHORPE PARK RANGERS 10

This match was my plan A, as a new ground to visit, to be Nottinghamshire Senior League Rep at the Quarter Final tie and to have a look and meet AFC Top Valley, with the heavy rain we have had over the past few days I wasnt sure if the game would be on, but Secretary Alec got back in touch with me to confirm it was whist I was weighing up other options for the day.

On arrival, I was greeted by Alec and the Woodthorpe PR squad and the young referee and he told me he was being assessed by old friend Ibrahm Arsali. At pitchside was joined by Jim Bethell and his friend.

The game kicked off and Rangers pushed forward and after just 3 minutes they won a free kick some 25 yards out, Bailey stepped up and hit it on target, the keeper pushed it out and ADAM FORRY was first to react and knock the ball home. After 5 minutes, MARKELL BAILEY was upended in the box and Rangers were awarded a penalty to which Bailey duly struck home to increased the lead to 2-0.

AFC Top Valley then cut out a couple of chances and had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside, but in my opinion and being in line with play felt it was a good goal, they then had one chance cleared off the line. After 15 minutes, MARKELL BAILEY made it 3-0 to the visitors with a deflected shot. 

Woodthorpe then stepped up their game and on 25 minutes, MARKELL BAILEY completed his hat trick with a tap in at the far post. On 37 minutes, it became 5-0 as MARKELL BAILEY scored directly from a corner.

During the half time break, I joined Victory FC manager and their secretary for a natter and the game kicked off and I turned round as the ball hit the back of the net with a long ranged shot by ADAM FORRY to make it 6-0 and it looked like game over to be fair.

Woodthorpe continued to press forward and on 56 minutes, ANTHONY BIRKS deflected shot found the corner of the net and then on the hour, ADAM FORRY completed his hat trick to make it 8-0 to the Nottinghamshire Senior League club.

68 minutes and ADAM FORRY scored his fourth of the match and Woodthorpes 9th, as sadly Valley heads now began to drop. In the 76th minute, a few handbags were let loose on the far side of the pitch, to which the referee produced Anthony Birks his second yellow card of the afternoon.

When play re started, Rangers had their second penalty of the match, up stepped Markell Bailey to see his effort bounce off the post and cleared away. MARKELL BAILEY did wrap up proceedings in the 85th minute to complete a professional performance for his club and send them through to the Semi Finals.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

SHIREBROOK WIN FRIENDLY OF THE TOWNS

Mid Season Friendly

SHIREBROOK TOWN RESERVES 2 BILBOROUGH TOWN 1

Att: 38

Just after Christmas I had a message from the Shirebrook Town Reserves Manager Gary Bryant to ask if any Nottinghamshire Senior League club would be prepared to play a mid season friendly, as they are in a Derbyshire County Cup Quarter Final and having not played due to poor weather for 3 weeks needed a run out. Bilborough Town are at present fielding around 8 players who are around the 16 year old age group and rebuilding their side, so more games are making them gel together.

The game kicked off and I stood in the stands with AFC Mansfield Chairman Andy Saunders, as Bilborough came out forcing the first few attacks and after 10 minutes took the lead when a Shirebrook defender took a awkward fall and LIAM TAYLOR fired home. There was concerned as the young defender was laid on the ground and stretcher came on to the pitch, but after the match it was found that the lad had possibly turned his ankle and hopefully nothing too serious.

The home side then began to push forward and on 32 minutes a high swirling corner in the wet and windy weather curled in to the net from JOSH BRENTNALL. Just before half time, Bilborough had a corner that was floated in to the far post, the ball was cleared up to the half way line and BEN CHARLESWORTH beat the visiting defence and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper.

During half time, both sides made several subs and Shirebrook pushed forward and could well have scored a few more if not for Chris Bennett who was in fine form for the visitors.

Overall a very good run out for both young sides who both played some good attractive football on the night.

AWAYDAY WIN FOR THE MAGDALA

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

GEDLING SOUTHBANK 2 MAGDALA AMATEURS 4

Programme: Very Good

Well with the poor weather between Christmas and New Year it looked a matter of what was left on, I had 2 games that I had pinpointed, the first was postponed at 9.30am and it was a matter of ringing round to check that this game, my plan B was on, to which I got conformation.

On arrival was greeted by both teams and the referee Mick Leslie and soon joined by local hopper Michael who reads my blog.

I noticed over on a pitch Id not seen a match on before, a game taking place, to which I discovered Gedling Southbank Reserves were hosting AFC Clifton, so I strolled over just before half time of that match and saw AFC Clifton take a 4-2 lead, a game that resulted 5-4 to the visitors.

Headed down to the main game ready for kick off and a minutes silence took place for local police officer and referee David Fields who sadly lost his life whilst on duty and also for a young lad aged 6 years old who plays at Newark Flowserve FC named Daniel Harris.

The game kicked off and both sides were quite even but 14 minutes, the home side were awarded a penalty for a push in the back, up stepped BEN SOAR who placed the ball to the keepers right hand side of the net to give Southbank the lead.

Southbank had chances to extend their lead, but quite a few of their shots were high over the bar and then they were dealt a cruel blow when their formation had to change due to their young centre forward having to be replaced after pulling up injured.

Magdala(the Budgies) began to come more in to the game creating chances themselves and they deserved to draw level on 41 minutes, when a free kick floated in from the right hand side was met by the head of their captain NEIL MORGAN.

At half time, there was another forced sub due to injury, Matt Picker the senior Assistant referee who was returning after being out the game for a matter of 5 weeks had re-tore his muscle and on hand was Chris Sheavills to take over.

The Second Half saw Magdala step up the pace and made it count on 55 minutes when taking the lead through STEVE AHEARN.

Gedling fought back and on 65 minutes, their captain scored the goal of the game when hitting the back of the net from a 30 yard shot.

Magdala though soon re-stored their lead when on 68 minutes, CHRIS HAYES dribbled round the defence before firing home, but the home keeper then went down with a elbow injury but continued to play on. From the next attack the home keeper pulled off a very good punch save, but went down holding his shoulder again. He continued to soldier on to the end of the match to his credit, but in the 80th minute, he couldnt do anything about GARETH BENTLEY;s angled shot to leave the Amateurs with a 4-2 victory.

All 4 Officials had a good game and I would like to thank Gedling Southbank Manager Andy Clerke for kindly donating £5 to the Charity Blog in aid of Maggies Cancer Care Centre, based at Nottingham City Hospital to which the running total now stands at a amazing £1,235.50p

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

BARNES BRACE MAKES FLOWSERVES CHRISTMAS

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

UNDERWOOD VILLA RESERVES 3 NEWARK FLOWSERVE RESERVES 4

Its not very often I will get round to watching two reserve teams playing each other, but when I do, they usually are good matches and this one was up there as being very good and entertaining. Two teams that wanted to play open football on a heavy soft pitch.

The game kicked off with Flowserve towards the top end of the table, whilst their host were towards the bottom, so a away win on the cards perhaps. The First half Flowserve had the possesion whilst Villa created the better of the chances and went in to the break helding a 2-1 lead, as after 22 minutes ALEX MANN scooped the ball over the visiting keeper to make it 1-0 to the Villa, but the side from Newark fought back on 31 minutes when HARRY MILLS equalized. Just before the half time break SAM TAYLOR restored the hosts lead.

In to the Second Half and Villa were forced to make a sub, as a couple of their players were struggling with injuries and Flowserve stepped up the pace, In the 56th minute, a cross shot from CALLUM BARNES found the corner of the net to level up the scores yet again.

This seemed to spur Flowserve forward and on 68 minutes, CHRIS SELF fired his side in front, from the kick off, play broke down and struck the referee and dropped for CALLUM BARNES to fire home a fourth for the visitors.

There was still life in the match and after 78 minutes, a free kick was awarded to Underwood, to which visiting defender Rici O Connell was cautioned, from thee resulting free kick that was floated in to the penalty area, O Connell bought down a home attacker and was shown his second yellow card and Villa awarded a penalty to which SAM TAYLOR placed home to set up a grandstand finish.

The final 12 minutes was end to end but no more goals were added to the tally and so Flowserve returned back to Newark with the points in a entetaining match.

Must mention referee Steve Bingham who had a great game and tried to allow advantages to be played when he could and spoke to players with respect.

The photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

ROVERS WIN AGAIN

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

ASHLAND ROVERS 3 SOUTHWELL CITY RESERVES 2

A funny sort of day, as my plan was to head to Attenborough but with t being called off due to a frozen pitch, it was a matter of ringing round and I got a definate yes its on from Ashland Rovers Secretary John Dawn, so that made up my mind where I was going, though Im there again on the 30th when they host Stapleford Town.

I saw this fixture last season and it was a close fought affair with Rovers winning 2-1, so I expected the same again today, though I have seen Ashland four times this season and they have won all 4, whilst over 3 seasons, I have seen Southwell 4 times and they have lost 3, so maybe a good luck charm for Ashland but not so for Southwell.

Before the game, the referee Craig Fisk asked for a little bit just outside one of the areas to be folked and there would be no problem, John  Dawn duly did this and kick off was soon on its way.

Both sides like to attack and chances were of plenty and after 14 minutes, it was the visitors who took the lead, when ROB BROWN struck home from just inside the area.

Thee scores were soon level as four minutes later, KURTIS DUDLEY hit a volley from 30 yards out leaving the visiting keeper with no chance of keeping it out.

Southwell then had the better of the chances in the First Half but they all went begging and if gone in they could well have been three goals clear.

The Second Half though belonged to Rovers, straight away on the front foot and on 49 minutes, LEE TOWNSEND hit possibly the goal of the game to put his side in to a 2-1 lead.

Southwell tried to push forward, but Ashland played on the counter attack mainly with Bircumshaw holding the ball up front and begining the attacks, so it came as no surprise on 57 minutes, whe n DANIEL BIRCUMSHAW turned his defender and smashed Rovers in to a two goal cushion.

Southwell pushed forward and the Rovers defence stood tight, whilst they had chances of their own at the other end.

In the 89th minute, City did reduce the arrears when TOM TYLER broke down the left wing and cut in and beat the Rovers keeper at his near post.

Must say and I heard comments after the match, that Referee CRAIG FISK was one of the best that they had seen this season and he did have a very good match

I must thank John Dawn and Ashland Rovers FC for the kind £20 donation towards this Blogs Charity which is MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE based at Nottingham City Hospital, where the running total now stands at a stunning £1,227.25p

The photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

RANGERS BACK ON TOP

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

WOODTHORPE PARK RANGERS 10 NOTTINGHAM CITY FC 1

With having to stay local to Mansfield, I opted for the outside pitches of Eagle Valley to see Woodthorpe Park Rangers play against Nottingham City. Going in to the match the hosts were a point behind league toppers Bridgford United with two games in hand.

Nottingham City have been going through a bad patch at present and very nearly folded some weeks ago, but to their credit have been turning out every match, but needed to sign a emergency keeper for this game, as last week they lost a keeper with a broken hand.

Woodthorpe were on the pitch and raring to go, whilst City at kick off time didnt have enough players on the pitch and asked for a 5 minute delay to proceedings, when they did kick off,, they were under constant pressure as they only had 10 players on the pitch, so it came as no surprise when JAMAL MAZLAM opened the scoring.  City then got eleven players on to the pitch and had a couple of bursts forward and with better finishing could well have been on level terms.

After 17 minutes, Rangers top striker MARKELL BAILEY scored his first of the afternoon to open up a two goal lead when firing in to the near post. The game went through a bit of a scrappy stage with both teams having a few chances, but on 39 minutes, Rangers were awarded a free kick just outside of the area, to which MARKELL BAILEY floated in to the top corner of the net to make it 3-0. Just on half time, the visiting goalkeeper went down and didnt re-appear for the second half, so a outfield player had to take the reins.

After 47 minutes Rangers stretched their advantage when DARREN OLDHAM made it 4-0, Nottingham City didnt give up and scored the goal the game, when GLODI BANDE smashed a superb 35 yard shot in to the corner of the net.

On 66 minutes, MARKELL BAILEY converted his hat trick by firing home a penalty, then City nearly scored their second of the game, when from kick off a lob from the half way line caught the home keeper off his line and it bounced it front of him before scrapping the crossbar and going over.

After 77 minutes, Rangers scored twice in a minute, when DANIEL WALKER headed home at the back post and straight from kick off DARREN OLDHAM floated a lovely chip in to the far corner of the net to make it 7-1.

On 80 minutes, DARREN OLDHAM completed his hat trick, with five minutes later, CONNOR SCOTT PARKIN getting on the scoresheet, before the last kick of the game belonged to man of the match MARKELL BAILEY who made it 10-1.

I would like to thank to the following for the kind donations to the Charitys Blog, which is for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE, Herbie and Sue for £10, PJ Harte for £10 on behalf of Woodthorpe Park Rangers FC and to Jim Bethall for £5, with the 11 goals scored, it nows takes the running total to a amazing £1,206.00

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

ELIZABETHIANS PUT ON SECOND HALF SHOW

Nottinghamshire FA Minor Cup

Quarter Final

OLD ELIZABETHIANS 8 GEDLING SOUTHBANK RESERVES 3

When the quarter final draw was made, I was looking for 2 things, a ground Id not visited before and a Notts Senior League Club to be away and this ticked both boxes. Having been up to Queen Elizabth school many times as Shawn has recently spent 2 years there before we won our case to send him to a school for children with special needs, Id never seen a football match there, its also possibly the second closest ground to my home.

On arrival, I was greeted by a few of the OE players, who I know through my time when I used to manage Bull Farm Social Club;s sunday team some years ago, I was then met by Southbanks player/Secretary Craig Killelay who gave me both sides line up;s and kindly donated £20 towards the Blog;s Charity which is MAGGIES Cancer Care Centre based at Nottingham;s City Hospital, so a massive thankyou to Craig and the Southbank lads.

The game kicked off and the home side were soon on the attack and from their first corner of the game floated in from the right hand side, up rose ANDREW BOULTON to head home after just 6 minutes. Both sides seemed to test each other out but not many chances were being created, until the 38th minute, when GEORGE RUDD hit 20 yard low shot that equalled things up.

The Second Half was a different kettle of fish, as OE went straight on to the attack towards the school end and after a series of corners, a carbon copy of their first goal took place on 52 minutes, when this time the corner was floated in from the left wing and ANDREW BOULTON put his side back in front.

On 59 minutes, it began to be the Sean Goodwin show, as the winger cut in and fired a shot that sprung out for ASTON MARSH to sweep home to make it 3-1. On 62 minutes, Goodwin then drew the visiting keeper before passing across for JONO ROWBOTHAM to strike home. 65 minutes and it was 5-1 when Goodwin;s cross was turned past his own keeper by Southbank man Andy Steele.

Southbank kept their heads up at this stage and pushed forward and made it 5-2 when ADAM THOMAS shot went in off the post on 72 minutes, this seemed to give the visitors a bit of confidence as they pushed players forward and on 78 minutes, BEN CRAWFORD headed home from a free kick.

This though did leave gaps at the back of the Southbank defence and on 83 minutes, CARL GOULD showed his experiance when he danced through the midfield and the defence and round the Southbank keeper to score the goal of the game to make it 6-3.

Now the Southbank heads had gone down and OE exploited the gaps and on 87 minutes, a long cross ball from midfield was midjudged by the visiting keeper, for ASTON MARSH to tap in. In the final minute, RAVI KAICUT scored close home to make it 8-3.

Must mention the referee who I felt had a very good match

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

DRAMATIC FINISH AT AFC CLIFTON

Nottinghamshire Senior league

Division  Two

AFC CLIFTON 2 SNEINTON TOWN FC 2

A good match ended in high drama, as the visitors had thought they had fought back from being 2-0 down to win 3-2 wit the last kick of the game, to their horror to see the goal disallowed.

The game began at a frantic pace with both sides playing good football on the counter attacks, but as the game wore in, it was Clifton who began to take the upper hand in chances and after 14 minutes, a corner from the left hand side was met by the head of RUSS STAPLETON to give them the lead. Clifton pushed forward and looked the more likely to score again and they did so in the 28th minute, when a free kick was floated and MORGAN BELL volleyed a looping shot to make it 2-0.

Half time came and the visitors made changes with a sub and also their formation and almost straight away it nearly paid off, when the subs first touch stuck the post. Sneinton didnt have to wait long though to get back in the game when DWAIN MILLER hit the net from the keepers near post after 49 minutes.

Sneinton looked a different side in the second half and pushed and pushed for a equaliser, but it didnt look to be their day, but then in the 87th minute, up popped DWAIN MILLER to fire home his second of the game.

A draw now looked on the cards as the game entered late injury time, when one last attack, saw a Sneinton attacker cut in from the by line, beat his defender and place the ball across the bx for Dwain Miller to strike home to the delight of his fellow players, the majority of the Clifton players had returned to their own half, but a couple of them approached the match referee and pointed over to their club assistant with the flag. A discussion took place and the referee blew for full time, for a second, people on the side lines seemed confused at what was being given, then the visiting players ran over the referee to voice their concerns, it was at this stage, I realized that the referee had disallowed the goal.

After things had calmed down, I spoke with the referee who I thought had a superb game overall and he took me on to the pitch to explain his decision, whether I felt or the players felt it was right or wrong, we dont have refs with headsets and people in the stands with sky sports scenes in front of them and the refs decision is the final one.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

AC WOLLATON v NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE CHARITY MATCH

CHARITY MATCH

Organised by Roberto & Nottinghamshire Senior League

To be played at Ron Steel Sports Ground, the home of Dunkirk FC on Wednesday 29th November 2017 with a 7.45pm kick off.

Admission will be by donation.

AC Wollaton take on the might off one of the leading lights in terms of the ONLY STEP SEVEN Football League in Nottinghamshire, in the Nottinghamshire Senior League.

Players and Representatives from clubs such as Wollaton FC, Awsworth Villa FC, Dunkirk AFC, Bilborough Town FC, Magdala Amateurs FC, Newark Flowserve FC and Basford United Community FC to name a few, will come together to form the squad.

The real winners of the night will be the Child Cancer Patients