Saturday 27th November - write off!!

After a few nights of severe frost, then several inches of snowfall on Friday night, most clubs were left with no option other than to call their games off.

Nottingham United v South Normanton Athletic is the exeption as they play on an the all weather pitch at Gresham Pavillion. Decided not to go to this although the reverse fixture in September was 9-3 to Normo!

Not going out gives me a chance to review the season stats so far :-

APTCOO - we were hoping to raise £120.00 for this Mansfield based charity, by donating £0.15 each for every goal we chalk up on our travels. That would mean we need 400 goals over the whole season. So far the total is 315 goals and we have only had one goal-less game (£95.50) -- with 6 months of the season still to go £200.00 should be achievable! It has to be said as well, that a lot of people have donated a fiver here, and a few quid there (£55.25) - and at the end of November, the grand total is £150.75 !! Well done and thanks to everyone who has contributed. Football Stats - (don't look if you hate stats)

Games been to : 67 (last season at this time, we had been to 51)

Goals : 315 (last seasons total goals at the end of May was 398)! Average : 4.701

Home goal average : 2.22

Away goal average :2.15

Scoreless games : 1

Highest aggregate : 12 ( South Normanton Ath 9-3 Nottm Utd -- Carlton Res 11-1 Teversal Res ) Grounds visited : 27 Most visited :

Blidworth Welfare x 9 Arnold Tn x 5 Heanor Tn x 5 Kimberley x 5 Sutton T AFC x 5

Saturday 27th Nov 2010 - non-league games

BSP Wrexham v Mansfield Town GAME ON BSN Workington Town P-P Eastwood Town NPP Hucknall Town P-P Burscough NP1S Belper Town P-P Newcastle Town Glapwell P-P Leek Town Rainworth MW P-P Grantham Town Romulus P-P Carlton Town NCELP Brighouse P-P Long Eaton United Tadcaster Albion P-P Arnold Town NCEL1 Shirebrook Town P-P Staveley MW Teversal P-P Barton Town Old Boys EMCL Anstey Nomads v Greenwood Meadows Blackwell MW P-P Ellistown Borrowash Vics P-P Radford Gedling MW P-P Gresley FC Gedling Town P-P Graham Street Prims Holbrook Sports P-P Radcliffe Olympic St. Andrews P-P Heanor Town CMLS Clipstone W P-P Kinsley Boys Kimberley Town P-P Blidworth W Kirkby Town P-P Southwell City Newark Town P-P Calverton MW Pinxton P-P Westella & Willerby Sutton Town AFC P-P Church Warsop S & SC CMLP FC05 Bilsthorpe P-P AFC Hucknall Nottingham United v South Normanton Athletic ON MFA Malvern Town P-P Dunkirk

Calverton U19's 1-4 Unity Football Project

Thursday 25th November 2010 - North Midlands U19's League Division 2

Desire, commitment, discipline, effort, attitude - add to this talent by the shovel full and you have the Unity Football Project. Unity began life in 2005 in an effort to help control gang violence, territorial rivalry and reduce youth offending, and this current crop of players are a credit not only to themselves, but also the league, their management team and their followers.

Fellow bloggist Rob Waite had praised Unity and said I had to go and have a look sometime. With Kev absent without leave, I nearly didn't bother. Really pleased I did - not only because of the 5 goals (more charity dosh), but because the quality of play at this level rarely fails to please.

Quick word about Calverton because they looked good as well, and they played their part in this game, but in the end the Unity quality told and 4-1 was probably just about right on the balance of play. Not only was I impressed with the Unity team, their coach, Alan Avery, was a treat to listen to. Encouraging, reminding, coaxing and also having a laugh when needed - what a breath of fresh air after some of the antics we see week in, week out at senior level.

Alan came over for a chat before the second half began - he is really enthusiastic about this project and after I complimented his team on their play, he intimated that they hadn't performed anywhere near as well as they can! Looks like another Unity game needs pencilling in !!

I know none of the players from either of the teams, so can't write a match report as such. I can report that Calverton took the lead after just 28 seconds - a ball into the box catching a Unity central defender facing his own goal - as he tried to intercept he suceeded only in hitting it past his own keeper. Unity applied immediate pressure and had one effort cleared off the line and saw a shot crash off the bar.

Unity regained parity in the 5th minute, a great individual run and dribble by their no.10 BLAIR ANDERSON , culminating with a low drive that flew across the Calverton keeper before nestling in the back of the net. More pressure saw the visitors take the lead in the 17th minute - this time a corner flicked on at the near post, leaving CONOR CROFT a simple tap in from close range. H-T 1-2

Went to the car at half-time to get warm - it was a cold night, with a biting breeze that opened up the nasal sluices a treat! I have recently become the owner of a BlackBerry phone - and I managed to post the half-time score on facebook - me and technology -- best mates!!

Unity increased their lead on 58, substitute no.16 TYRONE ( last name not known) sliding in to beat the home keeper to the ball. They saved the best till last though. With four minutes to play, the ball was played to CONOR CROFT on the edge of the box - he took aim and rifled the ball right into the top corner .... a cracking goal to end proceedings. F-T 1-4

Special mention for Referee Scott Mason. Another of the young crop of officials that abound at the moment. Scott had a very good game - as did his Assistants. It has to be said though that their jobs were made easy thanks to the attitude and discipline showed by both teams - even on a difficult, slippy, skating rink of a pitch.

Thanks to Marc Williams of Gedling MW for the goalscorer info - via Unity striker Elliot Atkin

Admission £2

Programme £1

H/C 30

Pinxton v Westella on Saturday, weather permitting.....

Gedling Town 5-2 Radford FC

Wednesday 24th November 2010 -- EMCL Missed our scheduled Tuesday night game, but hastily fitted in this EMCL league game. Gedling have gone through much upheaval recently, and the new Chairman's programme notes just about say it all...(click to enlarge)


 

Tonight the Ferrymen entertain struggling Radford FC. Gedling think they have had it bad! Radford have lost their last nine games on the spin, and have only won 7 of their last 90-odd games! It's credit to the club that they have kept going, and long may they do so.

Had a chat to Radford Secretary Simon Matters just after the game had kicked off -- he kindly donated a fiver to the APTCOO fund - but on condition we visited Selhurst Street sometime in the near future. So, we have opted for December 11th v Bardon Hill - save us a car-park space Simon! We have been meaning to visit Radford for ages, but Simon's donation gives us that added incentive.

We have been to Gedling Town on many, many occasions, and duly made our way up the dirt track to the turnstile - only this was locked and we were instructed to go to another entrance just off the car-park. There were signs pointing to that entrance, but I only noticed than on the way back! And that was after I had attempted a shortcut to the car-park and ended up having a right good old fight with a bramble hedge!! It trapped my hat, grabbed my scarf and scratched legs and hands!! Ouch!!

Paid the £3 to get in and bought a programme that was simply an outer cover with a folded A4 sheet inserted ...poor value for £1, but understandable when the club is in a state of flux.......

The game was not a classic by any means, but it was the visitors who had the better early chances, forcing
the Gedling keeper into action on a couple of occasions in the first 15 minute. Radford actually took the lead on 22, when their no.7 was played in at the edge of the box and slammed the ball home.

Gedling were level on the half-hour mark - former Mansfield Town youth player CALLUM LLOYD firing across Radford keepr Darren Lycett from 18 yards. H-T 1-1

Had a wander around the ground during the break - it was a bit strange because there was no-one else to be seen, other than a couple of subs having a kickabout on the pitch. The tea bar must have had a few customers, but because of previous unsavoury cuppas, we didn't bother.

Gedling's NATHAN SCOTT was gifted a goal on 70 when the visiting no. 6 nodded the ball straight to his feet in the area. The home striker gleefully smashed the ball past Lycett from 15 yards. The home team were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute - a needless trip giving the Referee no option other than to award the spot-kick. Lycett saved the initial effort then recovered quickly to save again as the ball ran loose to a Gedling player. The keeper couldn't do anything with the third shot though, NATHAN SCOTT rifling the ball home through a ruck of players, much to the dismay of Radford bosses Garmston and Rawden who couldn't quite believe that their defence had failed to react and clear the danger.

With two minutes to play, GARETH ELLIS was given time and space to hit an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net to increase the home teams lead, but from the restart the Radford no. 10 received the ball 18 yards from goal and calmly stroked it past the home keeper. Two minutes into stoppage time, AARON LARGE netted again for Gedling as the Radford defence went to sleep. F-T 5-2

As I said earlier, this was not a classic, and both teams need to improve dramatically - the drop form the EMCL to the CMFL can prove to be expensive with the extra travelling involved. Going from Nottingham to Leics and Derbys in the EMCL is not too bad, but travelling to places like Hull, and visits to South Yorkshire can be a severe drain on club finances.

Admission £3

Programme £1 ( the Chairman's notes had to be the only reason you would pay for this production)

Attendance 25

Supposed to be at Calverton U19 v Unity next, but depends on how cold it gets. Failing that, Pinxton v Westella on Saturday.....

Green Dragon 2-2 T8's

Sunday 21st November 2010 -- Notts Sunday League Premier One.

Hucknall derby - just a quick walk (again) to the local park and we were quite chuffed that we decided to take in this match, as the teams put on a very creditable game of Sunday League football. T8's are currently top of the Premier One division and suffered their only defeat of the season last time out at Carlton Top Spot. Dragon started the season well enough, but struggle to put out a settled team week in, week out, hence their mid table berth.

After just 22 seconds, Dragon no. 11 Kane Matthews saw his 20 yarder hit the bar, but T8's recovered well and took over control of the game. ANDY START put the "visitors" ahead on 12, a neat acrobatic volley at the near post from a ball in from the right. "Visitors" is a bit of a strange term to use when referring to T8's, who actually play their home games on the adjoining pitch!

Start missed a sitter just seconds after he had scored, firing well over from just a couple of yards out. T8's went further ahead on 43 when HARRY ALLEN headed home at the near post from a well rehearsed long throw routine. Referee Malc Cassidy added a few of minutes of stoppage time, and it was in the second minute of this added time that Dragon pulled one back, their no. 2 shirt ASHLEY EVANS hitting a neat curler past the T8's keeper from 15 yards. H-T 1-2

Entertainment at the break was provided by Kev and his dog, Whiskey. The huge pooch chases after a ball like a cheetah chasing an antelope,,,, really funny until he decided to wipe his mouth on my jeans - the dog I mean, not Kev!!

Dragon looked the more likely to score as the second half progressed, but it took them until the 79th minute to level, KANE MATTHEWS stabbing home from close range after the T8's defence failed to clear from a free-kick fired into the box. With the temperature dropping and the chill breeze biting, we were hoping Mr. Cassidy would not add too much stoppage time to this half - thankfully only 2 minutes were added and we left thinking that the draw was a fair result. F-T 2-2

Heanor Town 9-0 Anstey Nomads

Saturday 20th November 2010 -- EMCL

Back at the Town Ground again. We're not too worried about re-visits to grounds - if a team is playing well, then why not go to watch them? We arrived slightly early, but that ensured we had a good parking space just down the road from the ground.

Heanor moved to second place in the league table after this result, and although mid-table Nomads put up a half decent fight of it for the first 20 minutes, as soon as Heanor scored quite a bit of that fight disappeared.

Heanor joint boss Glenn Kirkwood had a few words with us prior to the kick-off - apparently he reads this blog and follows "ontheroad" on twitter. As soon as I get the hang of my new Blackberry phone, I hope to be able to update twitter while at games - but that is for the future....

 

Here we go!!

   

 

Heanor management team : Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood

Nomads boss Andy Miller

Lions' keeper Mark Frost had promised a fiver to the APTCOO charity recently, and before the game kicked off, he duly delivered. It has to be said that both Kev and myself are amazed at the way the charity fund has grown over the few short month's since it was first proposed. We have known "Frosty" for a couple of years now and not only is he a great keeper, he is a real gentleman. His fiver along with the nine goals scored, saw the APTCOO fund go to over £140 !!

Anstey started the game really well, and easily snuffed out any early Heanor forays forward. Mind you, the Nomads defenders are huge - but when Heanor eventually worked out that keeping the ball on the ground was the better option than pumping high balls into the box, the game changed dramatically. Heanor can consider themselves lucky not to concede in the 8th minute when a terrific ball in from the right was met by the head of Wesley York - unfortunately the effort flew wide of the post with Frost looking on...

 

York - so close!!

It took until the 21st minute for Heanor to breach the Anstey defence, the the home team grabbed three in a sparkling five minute spell. The first came from some neat play that saw the ball played to the feet of debutant ROB GILL. The well travelled striker gathered well before sending a fine curling drive past Stefan Joyce in the Nomads' net. The second goal was scored by NATHAN BENGER. The former Matlock Town man dispossessed an Anstey defender, raced at goal and gave Joyce no chance with the finish. The third goal had eveyone applauding - it really was special.

LEE ASKHAM won the ball on the half-way line and ran straight through the visitors defence before depositing the ball into the back of the net. A real wonder goal from the talented winger.

It should have been 4 on 39, but Gill uncharacteristically prodded wide after Ryan Cancellara had played him in on goal. Anstey had a great chance to reduce the arrears three minutes before the break, but unmarked striker Darren Taylor fired well over when York's cross from the left picked him out. H-T 3-0

 

Gill slots home the first

Benger the second



Askham the third

Rob Gill shaking hands with his best mate!!

The second half was only two minutes old when Gill hit a hammer of a shot that cannoned of the angle of bar and post. Four minute later the Lions went further ahead - a clearance by Frost headed on by Gill to NATHAN BENGER who hit a real bullet of a shot past Joyce from 22 yards. The shot was hit so hard that keeper Joyce never moved a muscle as the ball flew past him. ROB GILL made it five on 63, chipping the keeper from 15 yards, then it was six when BENGER was tripped in the box three minutes later, the hitman despatching the spot kick to complete his hat-trick.

Benger's penalty makes it 6-0

DAN WILLIAMS scored on 74 after coming off the bench to replace Benger, then WILLIAMS added another after Gill unselfishly picked him out 12 yards from goal. It was fitting that GILL claimed his personal treble in the 88th minute - the big man's first game for his new team was a man of the match performance - looks to be a great signing for the Lions. F-T 9-0

Admission £5
Attendance 109
MOM - Rob Gill

Saturday 20th November - non-league games

BSP Mansfield Town 3-2 Hayes & Yeading F.A. Trophy Eastwod Town 2-0 Cambridge City Notts F.A. Senior Cup Blidworth W 2-1 Clipstone W Calverton MW 2-4 Ollerton Town Kimberley MW 0-3 Boots Athletic Wollaton 4-3 Hucknall Rolls Leisure NPP Hucknall Town 0-3 Marine NP1S Barwell 1-0 Glapwell Brigg Town 1-1 Rainworth MW Carlton Town 3-1 Stamford Kidsgrove Athletic 4-2 Belper Town NCELP Arnold Town 2-2 Winterton Rangers Liversedge 0-1 Long Eaton United NCEL1 Handsworth 2-1 Shirebrook Town Teversal 1-1 Worsborough Bridge EMCL Bardon Hill 4-2 Blackwell MW Ellistown 1-0 Gedling Town Gedling MW 7-1 St. Andrews Gresley FC 4-0 Borrowash Victoria Heanor Town 9-0 Anstey Nomads Hinckley FC 4-3 Greenwood Meadows Ibstock United 1-0 Graham St Prims Radcliffe Olympic 2-1 Thurnby Nirvana Radford FC 1-2 Holwell Sports CML Cup Dronfield Town 5-0 Southwell City Hutton Cranswick 3-6 Kirkby Town Westella & Willerby p-p Nottingham United CML Supreme Division Church Warsop S & SC 2-3 Newark Town Sheffield Parramore 4-1 Kimberley Town Sutton Town AFC 1-3 Pinxton FC CML Premier Division Bulwell Town 2-2 Easington United South Normanton Athletic 8-2 AFC Hucknall

Tales of Omar and the tyre.......................

Wednesday 17th November -- Blidworth Welfare 5-0 Nottingham United. CML Floodlit Cup South R2.

As we were walking from the car-park to the ground, we bumped into Richard "Wanderer" Lane, then we encountered Steve "the Bank Manager" Reading. Always a pleasure to be in Richard and Steve's company, especially when the game isn't too sparkling. Steve handed me a tenner -- a gift from our friend Steve Davies. I got him a couple of programmes earlier in the season and asked me to put the change into the APTCOO charity fund. Well, Steve: thank you very much - I am adding the whole tenner to the APTCOO fund.....

Richard recounted his woes as his beloved Newark were beaten at FC Brimington on Saturday and at Arnold on Tuesday. Steve is a real serial hopper. He and Neil Laughlin, AKA Bob L Hatt, were supposed to head off to Westella and Willerby on Tuesday, but ended up watching a team called Three Bridges in Crawley, Sussex!

On the way to Crawley they watched in amazement as a car wheel rolled at some speed down the road they were travelling on, and then they passed a car with only three wheels driven by a little old lady.......! Makes you wonder how a wheel can come off..... not just the tyre, the whole wheel! It also transpired that Steve had been to watch tonight's visitors Nottingham United on Saturday - and found a new hero in their 5ft 5" keeper Omar Murtaza.

The Man City fan praised the diminutive keeper all through the game......mentioning that he actually went up for a corner on Saturday towards the end of the game - United were 1-0 down to Phoenix. Needless to say there was not a height problem for the Phoenix defence and Omar Murtaza did not feature in the goals scored column!

Rob Hornby was present with a representative of League sponsors Abacus Lighting - Blidworth had picked up the team of the month award. He was hoping Kev would have his camera, but it does not go with us midweek.....

The game itself was nothing to write home about. Welfare may have won 5-0, but they struggled to put three passes together all through the game. They went in at the break two-nil up. SIMON ELLISON ran the ball over the line on 6, after Jonny Upson had crossed from the right. ELLISON then added his second after a defensive gaffe gifted the ball to Mark Ellison who had the simple task of rolling the ball to his brother who couldn't miss from 4 yards. H-T 2-0

Steve had been on JONNY UPSON's case all night, but had to dish out some praise when the youngster rifled home from 15 yards on 63 after great approach play by Tom Mallinson. Substitute KIERON WELLS added the Welfare fourth after 83 minutes, smashing the ball past Murtaza from the corner of the box.


SIMON ELLISON completed his hat-trick right on full time. Steve's hero Murtaza decided he was a full back and went racing out of his area to clear the ball. Unfortunately he missed the tackle and the ball was crossed into he area where Ellison was on hand to bundle home. F-T 5-0

Referee Mr. Peter Craggs had a good game - we hardly never noticed him!! (Some sort of back-handed compliment, I think!!!). We have seen Peter run the line a few times, but I can't recall seeing him take a middle before. Handled the game well and showed no nerves despite being watched by quite a few of his peers..........

Admission £3

H/C 30

Great night out despite the atrocious weather and poor football.

Arnold Town U19 1-1 Staveley MW U19

Monday 15th November 2010 - North Mids U19 League.

The game that saw Kev re-introduced to the U19 game. We used to go and watch the Eastwood Town Under 19s regularly a few years back, and always enjoyed seeing the young Badgers playing good, honest football. I have seen a couple of Arnold Town U19 games this season and was pleased that, after singing the praises of the young Eagles, they and their opponents produced a game of quality, with two superb goals to boot..........

Much too cold to take notes, but Arnold took the lead in the 4th minute, a cracking 18 yard drive from DALE RIPPEY beating the Staveley keeper for pace. CALLUM NIX levelled on 40 when he received the ball 25 yards from goal, beat a couple of defenders and hit a curling shot into the top corner that gave the Arnold stopper no chance. H-T 1-1

Rippey was tripped early in the second half, and Referee Andy Bills had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick. Blotted his copy book really by not issuing a red card for the trip - a clear goalscoring opportunity appeared to have been denied, but the offender was not even spoken to by Mr. Bills.

Rippey took the kick but the visiting keeper went the right way and was able to palm the ball away to safety. The game was played at some pace, and all the participants deserve credit - great game and the goals alone were well worth the £2 entrance fee. F-T 1-1

Three more U19 games lined up before Christmas ...!!

Admission £2 with programme

H/C 30+

Wednesday - Blidworth W v Nottingham United

CMFL Football Bonanza 2011

As well as the actual Bonanza details, there is now a CMFL Bonanza booking form available to download from BOXNET

Premier Travel 2-1 Hucknall Chequers

Went out with the intention of watching Plough Barflys take on Calverton Cherry Tree at Hucknall Town, but that wasn't on, so diverted to Titchfield Park to see what was on there.

Well observed minute silence

Premier Travel and Hucknall Chequers play in the fifth tier of the Notts Sunday League (Senior Two), and the various shapes and size of players on show made us think this was going to be a poor game. It was! The victory however, took Premier to the top of the table, although they left it until the 90th minute to secure the points.



Big lad.........



 ......but he can jump ok!!

Thier no.10 put Premier one-nil up on 27 and that's how it stayed until 62 when the Chequers 7 jacket prodded home. Chequers looked the more likely to win as the game dragged on, but as we were pottering back towards the car, Premier were awarded a free kick some 22 yards from goal.

Kev whipped out his camera saying "I'll just get a pic of the winning goal" and would you credit it, the Premier no. 5 shirt curled a beauty into the top corner to steal the three points and Kev got the pic! F-T 2-1

The ball sails over the Chequers keeper to make it 2-1 Premier

Park pitch - no charge

Kev's son Dale donated again, taking the APTCOO fund to over the £120 mark. That was our expected total for the whole season, but we still have the better part of 6 months of the season still to go! Revised target is now £200........

Attendance - maybe a dozen along with several dogs.

CMFL Football Bonanza 2011

Details of this seasons Central Midlands League Football Bonanza are now available as a download from BOXNET

There will be a coach on the Saturday, running from Doncaster to all the grounds at a cost of £15 per person. This will be on a first come, first served basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Sutton Town AFC 1-4 Kirkby Town

Saturday 13th November 2010 -- CML Supreme Division We were persuaded by "Fredkirkbytown" to visit the Fieldings for this game - and it turned out to be a half decent game spent in the company of Fred and Rob Hornby. The afternoon started off in nice bright sunshine, but as soon as the yellow globe sank below the treeline,
boy did it drop cold.....


 Rob Hornby and yours truly


Shake!

 
Well observed minutes silence



Sutton keeper Brad Mimms in early action

Sutton are still rebuilding after recent upheavals at the club, and it showed as Kirkby took full advantage - the home team struggling to cope with their near neighbours' attacking play. Kirkby did create a little panic early on, having a shot blocked on the line, but when NAT WATSON spotted Mimms off his line in the 10th minute, the midfielder fired the ball from fully 45 yards over the keeper, who could only watch as it sailed over his head and into the net.

Nat Watson turns away after netting from 45 yards!

The only surprise was that it took until the 37th minute for Kirkby to increase their lead, NAT WATSON again on the scoresheet. This time a magnificent mazy run that began some 40 yards from goal, and after turning two defenders inside out, he took his time before firing past Mimms from just inside the box. H-T 0-2

Ten minutes into the second half, Sutton no. 10, Ruthven forced a fingertip save out of Kirkby keeper Louis Sprigg, but as the ball was cleared, it was played into the Kirkby box where Mimms missed his clearance leaving KYLE LUDLOW an open goal into which he stroked the ball.

Nat Watson had a hand in the fourth goal on the hour mark - his superb ball from the midfield found brother Kieren who hit a great drive that Mimms did well to block. Unfortunately for the keeper, the loose ball fell straight to KYLE LUDLOW who hammered it straight past him and into the back of the net.

Sutton almost clawed one back on 65, when tall striker Wyatt's fierce drive crashed off the bar with Sprigg grasping at thin air. The home team did manage to score in the 79th minute, no.17 HOLLAND finding room in the area after the defence failed to clear. F-T 1-4

Overall, a good performance by Kirkby, but the opposition was not the Sutton Town AFC we have come to know over the past 3-4 years or so. It's hard to pick out a positive from this game for the Snipes, but Manager Jason Kabia will have to do something soon, Sutton are dangerously near the foot of the table.

Admission £3

Programme £1

Attendance -- "fredcount" 64

Monday - Arnold U19 v Staveley U19

A chance to vote for APTCOO to receive funds

Please Vote for APTCOO "NatWest Bank have selected APTCOO to receive a share of £5000 through their Community Fund initiative.We need you to vote for us in order to get the highest share of the money".

All you need to do is go to the NATWEST page http://www.natwest.com/communityfund

Enter postcode NG18 5NF

Choose Sutton & Kirkby ( Portland Square) from the dropdown list of branches.

Vote APTCOO

Fill in your name and email address.

Took me a minute to do this ....please vote APTCOO !

Saturday 13th November - non-league games

BSP Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Mansfield Town BSN Nuneaton Town 2-1 Eastwood Town F.A. Vase 2nd Round Proper Causeway Utd 2-0 Gedling Town Forest Town 0-4 Tadcaster Albion Gresley FC 2-0 Heanor Town NPP Hucknall Town 4-3 Kendal Town NP1S Belper Town 5-0 Spalding United Glapwell 4-1 Lincoln Utd Goole AFC 3-6 Carlton Town Rainworth MW 3-5 Romulus NCELP Hallam FC 0-2 Long Eaton Utd Maltby Main 3-2 Arnold Town NCEL1 Teversal 2-3 Handsworth EMCL Blackwell MW 0-5 Barrow Town Borrowash Victoria 2-0 Gedling MW Graham St. Prims 0-0 Greenwood Meadows Hinckley FC 1-3 Radcliffe Olympic Ibstock Utd 0-5 Radford FC CML Cup Rd1 Clipstone W 4-3 Whatton Utd FC Brimington 3-0 Newark Town Pinxton 8-0 Church Warsop S & SC Welbeck Welfare p-p Ollerton Town CMLS Blidworth W 3-0 Westella & Willerby Kimberley Town 1-7 Kinsley Boys Southwell City 0-3 Calverton MW Sutton Town AFC 1-4 Kirkby Town CMLP Bulwell Town p-p Thorne Colliery Kiveton Park 3-4 AFC Hucknall Nottingham United 0-1 Phoenix

Heanor Town 4-3 Radford FC

Wednesday 10th November 2010 -- EMCL

Late change of game - we were supposed to be at the Carlton v Leek Town game, but when Kev and Heanor keeper Mark Frost had both offered £5 apiece should Frosty keep his 4th consecutive clean sheet, we just had to be there! Good friends Phil Mumby, Chris and Carol Daglish were also present - although I haven't known this trio for long, they are great company and always seem to make both me and the Daft Lad smile a lot! Also, their donations to our Charity are always welcome -- another £5 from Phil and £3 from Carol....no pressure on them at all to donate -- words fail me sometimes!!

Name check time: apart from the "South Normanton Three", we were greeted in the ground by "Tall-Lad" Chris - then we met up with Danny Staley, Simon Matters, Mr. Mac, Tony Squires and, always a pleasure - Rob and Caroline Whitehead.

Football: the reason for this gathering was not just social, there was a game of football to be played. High flying Town had lost just two of their previous 13 starts so far this season, while Radford had only won two of their 10 prior outings. So, should be a fairly one-way affair? Don't you believe it, the visitors were every bit as good as their hosts on the night, but the football Gods can sometimes be a cruel bunch!

The game was fairly quiet for the first quarter of an hour or so, then Town's Gary Webster made a forceful run down the right before crossing into the box to where NATHAN BENGER was waiting at the far post to fire past Radford keeper Darren Lycett.

A rash challenge by Martin Smith soon after, deprived Heanor of their play-maker Ashley Grayson and earned the centre-back a caution. Grayson had to be physically carried from the pitch as no-one could locate a stretcher!


The Heanor faithful were crying for SMITH to be dismissed, but the big defender added insult to injury (!) in the 21st minute as he managed to prod the ball past Frost from close range to level the scores. So no clean sheet fiver for the charity, but now we had a real game on our hands.


Heanor went back in front some 60 seconds from the restart. Benger's superb ball found RYAN CANCELLARA on the edge of the box and he smashed the ball past Lycett before the big keeper could react. On 34, the scores were level thanks to a well taken penalty from STANNARD, and then 3 minutes later and much to the home fans dismay, the visitors took the lead after the usually reliable Frost failed to hold onto a tame shot, leaving LEVENE a simple close-range tap in. H-T 2-3

Kev volunteered to get the beverages at half-time, small styrofoam cup, but very welcome apparently - I didn't bother, it was too cold to take my hands out of my pockets!

The second half was fairly even, with Radford easily able to cope with each Heanor attempt to press forward. As the game entered the final quarter of an hour, and with the Radford legs looking a little tired, the home support was getting restless and the home team were desperately looking to avoid being on the wrong end of a shock defeat.

Step forwad sub LEE ASKHAM - he collected the ball from Phil Austin before weaving his way into the area and firing a great shot past Lycett. Huge sighs of relief from the home faithful, and hope renewed that the Lions could still grab all three points.

Heanor's DAN WILLIAMS would have to admit to himself that he'd had a poor game, but the striker was "Jonny-on-the-spot" on 87, finding room inside the area and rifling home after Frost's huge clearance had been played in to him by Askham. The cheers from the Heanor fans were as enthusiastic as you would expect, but the celebrations on the pitch went to an extra level!

All the Heanor players piled on top of Williams and the result was an injury that saw him having to be replaced! Talk about "the agony and the ecstasy" - Dan experienced both in a few short seconds!! I suspect that the Town management team will be having a quiet word, and I think the players may think twice in future before celebrating a goal in this fashion.......F-T 4-3

The scoreline suggests that this was a close game, and it was. You have to feel for everyone involved with Radford Football Club - they must be absolutely gutted to come away from the Town Ground with nothing - but if they can show the same spirit as they showed in this game over the rest of the season, I can't see any reason why they shouldn't pick up enough points to ensure they keep their EMCL status.

Admission £5

Programme - sold out

Attendance 81 - although I counted more than 100 without trying too hard...

Tea £0.50 and very nice apparently

Saturday - Sutton T AFC v Kirkby, but it depends what games survive the monsoons!!

Calverton MW 0-1 Blidworth Welfare

Tuesday 9th November 2010 -- CML Supreme Division

By no means a classic, but the weather played a hand in that...cold, wet and windy - the pitch was in good nick though despite the recent downpours. Calverton next to bottom of the table, Blidworth lying fourth - should have been a breeze, but Calverton more than matched their high flying opponents in most departments.

We have seen Blidworth on several occasions this season, but their line-up looked a little odd with several players seemingly playing out of position and not looking too comfortable with their new roles.

One goal settled the game, and it came on 24 after STEVE CARTY powered in from the left and cut across the edge of the area before firing a low, hard right foot drive past Michael Randall in the Calvo goal. Mark Ellison should have doubled the visitors lead on 40, but he could only manage to fire wide at the far post after being picked out by a superb Dave Bramwell cross. F-T 0-1

Admission £3
Programme £1
H/C 50 ( plenty of Referees inlcuded again)

Tuesday 9th November -- weather permitting!!

Some of these are going to be off..... probably most! BSP Kettering Town 0-2 Mansfield Town BSN Eastwood Town p-p Gainsborough Trinity NPP Retford United p-p Hucknall Town NP1S Grantham Town 0-0 Glapwell Rainworth MW 0-2 Market Drayton Town NCEL1 Teversal 2-4 Bottesford Town EMCL Radcliffe Olympic 4-0 Bardon Hill CMLS Calverton MW 0-1 Blidworth W Clipstone W p-p Harworth CI Newark Town p-p Pinxton Ollerton Town p-p Southwell City

Dunkirk 2-1 Willenhall Town

Saturday 6th November 2010 -- Midland Football Alliance

First chance to see Dunkirk since they opted for the Midland Alliance after securing the EMCL title last season. Heard good things about the Dunkirk season thus far, so after deciding to miss out on the Matlock/Hucknall game, we set off for the Ron Steel Sports ground. Arrived early, but this gave Kev the chance to find a decent parking place. Mind you, if he'd have parked where the car-park bloke told him, we would have been well blocked in. Once again Stig Goodman, please take a bow!

Kev took the handshake pics from the scaffolding stand behind the goal, then we had a wander to the other end of the ground, thinking that as Dunkirk were kicking that way, that should be where the action was.......well they did win a fair few corners, and Paulo Piliero did force Willenhall keeper Liam Flynn into a great diving save on the half-hour, but that was about as good as it got. H-T 0-0

Shake

Liam Flynn tips the ball away

Willenhall almost took the lead on 53 when a huge clearance from Flynn caused problems for Dunkirk left-back Ross McGaughey and keeper Matthew Malik. Their misunderstanding left an empty goal for Mitchell Fellows to fire into, but the Town no. 10 could only find the outside of the side-netting.

The deadlock was finally broken after 62 minutes when a superb through ball from right back Phil Hopkinson was latched onto by JARROD WESTCARR, and the striker slipped his marker before delighfully flicking the ball past Flynn with the outside of his foot.

MITCHELL FELLOWS levelled the score just 12 minutes later, finding space in the box before hitting a terrific shot across Malik and into the back of the net.

We relocated behind the Willenhall goal as the full time whistle drew near - from this position we had instant access to the gate into the car-park - and as it transpired, a real close up view of the Dunkirk winning goal! After a great dribble into the box by Westcarr created mayhem, a shot cannoned off the angle of bar and post. When it came down, PAOLO PILIERO was on hand to dive in among the flying boots and bundle the ball home. F-T 2-1

There was a bit of "afters" when the final whistle blew, but we were well on our way to the car by then and were first out of the car-park ......

 

Channon Grant and match winner Paulo Piliero

 

Jarrod Westcarr (centre)

Admission £5

Programme £1 very good publication for the money

Attendance - we reckoned about 50 ( confirmed as 57)

Raffle - again another club who fail to announce the winning ticket number! Little wonder we don't buy many........

Tuesday - TBC

Saturday 6th November - non league games

F.A. Cup 1st Round Proper Mansfield Town 0-1 Torquay United Swindon Supermarine 2-1 Eastwood Town NPP Matlock Town 1-2 Hucknall Town NP1S Belper Town 4-1 Romulus Loughborough Dynamo 1-4 Carlton Town Quorn 2-3 Glapwell Shepshed Dynamo 3-1 Rainworth MW NCELP Arnold Town 1-2 Bridlington Town Selby Town 4-2 Long Eaton United NCEL1 Pontefract Colliery 3-3 Shirebrook Town Teversal 3-1 Askern Villa EMCL Bardon Hill 1-1 Graham St Prims Borrowash Victoria 0-0 Holwell Sports Gedling Town 1-0 Barrow Town Greenwood Meadows 4-2 St. Andrews Heanor Town 7-0 Blackwell MW Radcliffe Olympic 6-1 Anstey Nomads Radford 1-5 Holbrook Sports Thurnby Nirvana 1-1 Gedling MW MFA Dunkirk 2-1 Willenhall Town CML Cup Calverton MW P-P Moorland Railway South Normanton Athletic 2-4 Sutton Tn AFC Thoresby CW 2-2 Blidworth Welfare CML Supreme Dronfield Town 6-2 Ollerton Town Kirkby Town 2-3 Clipstone Welfare Newark Town 2-0 Nettleham Southwell City 2-1 Parkhouse Westella & Willerby 1-2 Pinxton CML Premier AFC Hucknall 0-4 Yorkshire Main

Gedling MW 0-2 Greenwood Meadows

Tuesday 2nd November 2010 -- EMCL

Oh dear! The "On The Road" Gedling MW jinx strikes again! Seldom do we go to Plains Road and see Welfare win, but we thought we had a good chance of ending the jinx - after all only Heanor had got the better of them so far this season. Greenwood have had a poor start to the season, but they seem to be turning it around now, this victory means they have now won five of their last six games.

Driving rain and a sharp wind meant this was neve going to be a classic, but it wasn't half bad - credit must go to the players of both teams for their endeavours.......

Greenwood played with the wind in the first half, and with Welfare keeper Ross Cherry struggling to clear the half way line with his clearances, the visitors took early control and Craig Meakin was unlucky to see his powerful drive from 18 yards smack the bar in just the 3rd minute.

Greenwood deservedly went ahead in the 10th minute - a ball cleared out of the box fell kindly to left-back ASHLEY HARRISON who hit a rocket from 22 yards that was past Cherry before the stopper could react. The ball was struck so hard that it bust the net! H-T 0-1

Went into the clubhouse at half-time and was invited for a complimentary cuppa - we are always treated superbly when we visit Plains Road. Thanks to everyone at Gedling MW for looking after us - jinx or not........

The second half should have seen Gedling in non-stop attack mode, but it seemed that they were quite content to keep playing with just Ben Greenhalgh up top on his own, and this didn't work at all. The striker was kept quiet throughout the game by our man of the match Romaine Graham - the big lanky no. 5, along with Leighton Pollard and Liam Hutchinson were immense at the back for Meadows.

Welfare's skipper Cory Nightingale did have a 40 yarder well saved by Scott Miles, but CRAIG MEAKIN put the icing on the cake for Greenwood when he scored a breakaway goal on 89 - the left winger keeping his cool before slotting past Cherry. F-T 0-2

Not many notes taken, hence the short report. A quick mention for Referee Mr. C. Hunter - another of the young breed of officials - he handled this match very well and didn't get much wrong.

Admission £4

Programme £1 - not the usual excellent publication, but adequate

Attendance 65

Hospitality - 1st class

Company - excellent

MOM - Romaine Graham

On the whole a good night out, despite the dreadful conditions.

Thursday - Clippo U19 v Ollerton U19