Friday 31 December 2010

New Year fixtures

Nothing below step 4 on New Years Day

BSP
Grimsby FC 2-7 Mansfield Town

BSN
Alfreton Town 2-2 Eastwood Town

NPP
Stocksbridge Park Steels 1-0 Hucknall Town

NP1S
Belper Town 2-3 Sheffield FC
Rainworth MW 2-2 Carlton Town
Spalding United 0-2 Glapwell

Monday 3rd January

BSP
Mansfield Town 0-1 Altrincham

BSN
Eastwood Town 2-2 Boston United

NPP
Hucknall Town A-A Buxton FC

NP1S
Carlton Town 0-3 Belper Town
Glapwell FC 3-0 Kidsgrove Athletic
Newcastle Town 4-1 Rainworth MW

NCEL1 Teversal 1-1 Shirebrook Town (1pm)

EMCL
Balckwell MW 1-7 Holbrook Sports
Gedling MW 4-0 Radford FC
Graham St Prims 0-3 Radcliffe Olympic
Heanor Town 2-2 Borrowash Victoria

MFA
Dunkirk 6-2 Friar Lane & Epworth

CMLS
Blidworth Welfare 5-2 Southwell City
Calverton MW 0-3 Nettleham
Clipstone Welfare P-P Church Warsop S & SC
Kinsley Boys P-P Pinxton FC
Newark Town 3-0 Kirkby Town
Ollerton Town P-P Kimberley Town
Sutton Town AFC 0-2 Harworth CI

CMLP
Nottingham United 8-0 Welbeck Welfare
Thoresby CW 2-2 Bulwell Town
Whatton United 1-4 South Normanton Athletic

Thursday 30 December 2010

Radford FC 0-3 Gedling MW

Thursday 30th December 2010 -- EMCL



Before I begin to write about the game, I have to say thank you very much to Radford Assistant Manager Paul Rawden for his donation to APTCOO. Thank you very much to Tony Hay of Gedling MW for his donation to APTCOO. Thank you very much to bloggist supremo "Sticky Palms" Nick Palmer for his donation to APTCOO. Total donations to the charity from our football friends now total over £85.00. I have to add that none of this was expected, and none was asked for -- geniune donations from genuine, caring people. At the end of the season, it is hoped that I can persuade APTCOO to place the list of contributors on their website - fingers crossed.



This was our first ever visit to Selhurst Street, and thanks go to Radford Secretary Simon Matters for inviting us, and for reserving us a space in the car-park right next to the turnstile. The strange thing was that as we pulled up, a very nice gentleman moved the cones allowing Kev to park, but as we had never been to Radford previously, how did he know who we were?

Neil Laughlin and Steve Reading were ensconced in the bar, and had been since 6:30pm apparently!! Mike Hay kindly let me have the teams, and after a few minutes of trying to decipher my scribble, I think this is how the teams lined up:-
Radford: Lycett, Reedman (c), Bonnick, Andrews, Abbis, Guerbaouy, Campbell, Hogg, Attenborough, Gordon, Caulton. Subs : Gray, Catwell, Millar, Wolley, Drake.
Welfare: Cherry, Corrigan, Smith, Hayes, Nightingale (c), Hall, Roberts, Payne, Cox, Brown, Ibrahim. Subs: Greenhalgh, Frost, Westwood, Winfield, Walker (k).


Paul Rawden (centre)


Shake!

Radford were looking to avoid a 10th straight league defeat, and almost took the lead in the very first minute when Luke Attenborough raced through on goal, only to see his charge halted by Welfare keeper Ross Cherry.

At the other end, Barry Paine saw his 5th minute header well saved by Darren Lycett, and as the ball was played up field, Daniel Hogg won a corner for the home team. Welfare skipper Corey Nightingale headed clear from the set-piece.

The visitors took the lead on 18 when DANNY ROBERTS met a cross from the right with a well placed header that Lycett could only wave bye-bye to as it went past him and into the corner of the net.

Radford were forced into a change soon after with Marlon Catwell replacing Campbell - a rash challenge leaving the youngster lying in a heap on the deck, ensuring he took no further part in proceedings. Gedling replaced a clearly struggling Cox with Greenhalgh - a more than able substitute as it transpired!

The home team continued to take the game to Welfare, but most attacks seemed to falter 20 yards from goal. They didn't lack ideas, but there was no way past the visitors back line. H-T 0-1

Nick Palmer came and had a word at half-time while Kev was getting the drinks in. Nick is the master of the blog - an inspiration to us all in "blog-world"!! His Groundhopper blog is always a good read...

We relocated to behind the Radford goal for the start of the second half, and were rewarded with two goals! Most unusual for us -- we would normally be the wrong end, trying hard to decide who had scored from over 100 yards away!

As it was, Gedling forced a corner from the restart, and when Luke Smith fied the ball in, it flew straight across the face of the goal, missing everyone - but unfortunately for Radford they had left BEN GREENHALGH on his own at the far stick, and the striker had an easy prod home.

 
Greenhalgh sets himself up to side-foot home

So, Radford two-nil down, but with plenty of time to try and salvage something from the game - until they were undone by a piece of magic from Liam Corrigan on the hour mark. The defender received the ball inside his own half and ran at the Radford back line. And then ran, and ran - then as he was bearing down on goal, he unselfishly stroked a superb pass to BEN GREENHALGH who opened his body before curling a beauty left footed past Lycett into the far corner. What a goal - well worth the admission fee!!

Lycett made a cracking finger tip save from Payne on 66, but both Referee and Assistant missed the touch and awarded a goal-kick. No recognition for the save, but I am sure most keepers would settle for the goal-kick any time!

In the 75th minute, Greenhalgh fluffed a great chance to complete his personal triple, but fired wide - unfortunate for the striker as he was carried from the field soon after. Welfare had played all their subs, so finished the game with only 9 outfield players. Even so, Cherry was not unduly troubled by the Radford attack, and the Plains Road outfit went home with all three points. F-T 0-3

The pitch was heavy, but it played really well, and hardly cut up at all. The return fixture is scheduled for Monday, but is in some doubt as the Plains Road pitch is still frozen underneath the surface.

Admission £4 
Programme £1.20 -- very good read
Attendance 88
MOM Danny Roberts
Tea £0.50 proper mug - coffee £0.60 proper mug - both went down a treat
Saturday - Rainworth MW v Carlton Town, weather permitting!

A game of three halves?

According to Kev it was!! Thursday 30th December 2010

Station Hotel v Hucknall Tn U18's
(Notts Sunday League Premier 2 v Notts Youth League U18 Div 2)

Hucknall Tn U18's v Hucknall Town Res
(Notts Youth League U18 Div 2 v Notts Senior League Div 2)

Hucknall Tn Res v Station Hotel
(Notts Senior League Div 2 v Notts Sunday League Premier 2)

Three x 45 minutes - ensuring the teams all got 90 minutes. Well that almost worked, anyway! The condition of the pitch was so bad that the third segment was trunkated to just 25 minutes...

Muddy ell!!

The first portion of our afternoon's entertainment had already kicked off when we arrived at Watnall Road at 12.20pm, and the U18's were 1-0 up. Station levelled before going behind again to a cracking looping header, then netted just before the break to make it 2-2.

The second helping was fairly even, the NSL team winning 2-1. Goals on 20 and 38 for the Ressies with the U18's replying from the spot just before the end.

The third game was nothing more than a training excercise, a penalty and an own goal deciding it in Station's favour. For this final "game" there were no linesmen, the NSL team had only 10 players, and the Ref had gone home!! The sub ref called a halt after only 25 minutes, thank God. Just me and Daft Lad had stayed to the end, and that was only because we were giving Hucknall's Glenn Garfield a lift home!

Main course will be served later...Radford v Gedling MW at Selhurst Street ko 7:45pm

Wednesday 29 December 2010

FOOTBALL! It's back!! AFC Hucknall 4-2 Harworth CI

Wednesday 29th December 2010 -- Central Midlands League Challenge Cup R1

After a bleak few weeks, we were finally able to get "on the road" again - well only just on the road, because Hucknall's Watnall Road ground is barely a five minute drive from home!!! Had a really good evening in some cracking company - although after 45 minutes a blank scoreline left us hoping the teams would give us a better second half, especially after paying £4 to get in. They did! 6 goals, a bit of handbags and a missed penalty... marvellous!

The teams observed a minutes silence prior to kick off in memeory of Mr. Tom Brogan who passed away on Christmas eve. Tom was secretary at Harworth for over 30 years.

We met up with facebook friend and fellow hopper Chris Bedford - then Rob Hornby appeared ghostly out of the mist and introduced us to a couple from Germany. Serious hopping is that!!

Spent the first half standing next to the dugouts, in the company of Steve Reading and Neil Laughlin. Neil kindly donated cash to the APTCOO fund - much appreciated ....

Not a very eventful first period - we had a bit of a wander at the break moving to stand behind the Watnall Road goal - and wouldn't you know it the second half was only 8 minutes old and AFC were 3-0 up and all the goals in the Salterford Road end - the end opposite to where we were situated!!

MAX WRIGHT was the first to net on 49, prodding home from close range. JAKE FISHER was allowed space on the far post to slot home 2 minutes later, then WRIGHT was also allowed room at the far post to stab home his second on 53.

Harworth pulled one back in the 64th minute, their no. 12 rifling a shot at goal that AFC keeper Hadlee Dunn could only parry into the roof of the net. AFC added their fourth after 80, FISHER appearing to beat the Harworth back line twice before smashing the ball across the visiting keeper.

Very pleasant evening - warm, damp and a bit misty - it was just good to get a game in. Only our third game this month!! Thanks for the company, Steve, Neil, Chris, Rob et al......a most enjoyable night!

It was 4-2 soon after, the Harworth no.10 on hand to nod home from 6 yards. They had a chance to make the last few minutes a bit nervous for AFC, when referee Harry Hawkins awarded them a penalty after Wayne Duik pulled down a Harworth player in the box. 'Keeper Dunn saved the spot kick with his legs, and just seconds later Mr. Hawkins blew for full time. F-T 4-2

This result could see AFC getting team of the month award -- they beat Supreme Division leaders Pinxton a couple of weeks ago and this was another Supreme division scalp - any other team better that in December???

Admission £4
H/C 35
Programme £1

More football before the month end -- Hucknall Town Ressies are playing Thursday dinner and Radford take on Gedling MW in the evening.

Sunday 26 December 2010

End of December fixtures

Monday 27th BSN Eastwod Town P-P Alfreton Town NPP Hucknall Town P-P Worksop Town NP1S Glapwell P-P Rainworth MW Leek Town P-P Belper Town NCELP Lincoln Moorlands P-P Arnold Town NCEL1 Teversal P-P Shirebrook Town ( ko 1pm) EMCL Borrowash Vics P-P Heanor Town Holbrook Sports P-P Blackwell MW Tuesday 28th CML Supreme Clipstone W P-P Newark Town Ollerton Town P-P Church Warsop S & SC Pinxton P-P Sutton Town AFC Wednesday 29th CML Cup AFC Hucknall v Harworth CI Thursday 30th EMCL Radford v Gedling MW CML Supreme Kimberley Town P-P Kirkby Town

Result - but not on the pitch!!

Back in November, we asked for people to visit the Nat West Community funding website and place a vote for the charity APTCOO.
£5000 had been allocated to three local charities, with the highest vote earner receiving £3000.00. It has just been announced that APTCOO received the most votes and are set to receive £3000.00 from the fund. The Natwest site has all the details Type in postcode NG18 5NF and choose the Sutton & Kirkby branch to check out the results. Thanks to everyone who voted for APTCOO - marvellous result!

Friday 17 December 2010

Saturday 18th December - non-league games

NONE SURVIVE THE FREEZE F.A. Vase Dunkirk P-P Ashington BSN AFC Telford P-P Eastwood Town NPP Ossett Town P-P Hucknall Town NP1S Belper Town P-P Sutton Coldfield Town Lincoln United P-P Carlton Town Market Drayton Town P-P Glapwell Rainworth MW P-P Loughborough Dynamo NCELP Arnold Town P-P Hallam Long Eaton United P-P Pickering Town NCEL1 Bottesford Town P-P Teversal Louth Town P-P Shirebrook Town Derbys Senior Cup Gamesley P-P Borrowash Victoria EMCL Anstey Nomads P-P Radford FC Bardon Hill P-P Radcliffe Olympic Blackwell MW P-P Gresley FC Gedling MW P-P Holbrook Sports Gedling Town P-P Hinckley FC Graham St Prims P-P Heanor Town Greenwood Meadows P-P Holwell Sports CML Challenge Cup Bulwell Town P-P Nettleham Welbeck W P-P Ollerton Town Westella & Willerby P-P Nottingham United CMLS Blidworth W P-P Sutton Town AFC Calverton MW P-P Kirkby Town Dronfield Town P-P Clipstone W Newark Town P-P Harworth CI Pinxton FC P-P Kimberley Town Southwell City P-P Kinsley Boys CMLP AFC Hucknall P-P Bentley Colliery Phoenix P-P South Normanton Athletic NSL Senior Division Awsworth Villa P-P Basford United Bilborough Pelican P-P Notts Police Boots Athletic P-P Forest Town Bulwell P-P Clifton FC Cotgrave W P-P Kimberley MW FC Cavaliers P-P Wollaton

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Blidworth Welfare 3-2 Thoresby Colliery

Wednesday 15th December 2010 - CMFL Cup 1st round replay.

 

Second game in two days - and it has to be said a heck of a lot better game than the last one! High flying CML Supreme Division Blidworth put out a strong team against their Premier Division opponents - although the Edwinstowe outfit battled right until the final whistle in an effort to at least take the tie into extra time.

Not many people bothered with this game, despite the recent lack of fixtures, but those who did make the effort were rewarded with a decent game.

Thoresby went ahead against the run of play in the 20th minute, ROSS THORNDYKE powering home a near post header from a corner. The lead lasted barely five minutes though - STEVE CARTY providing a cracking finish from 15 yards after latching on to Tom Mallinson's superb through ball. Welfare took the lead on 34 when Carty played the ball across the goal from the left and found SIMON ELLISON who was on hand to tap home from a couple of yards out. The Newark connection was at this point really getting to "Wanderer" Richard Lane because Mallinson, Carty and Ellison were all once Newark players!!

The Blidworth third goal was a joy to behold! Ricky Chambers ball out of defence found CARL HASLAM who raced into the box, showed two defenders one way before slotting the ball home the other... marvellous goal from the enigmatic winger. H-T 3-1

The second half saw Malinson and Haslam subbed, and this seemed to give the visitors heart, and they pressed forward trying to get back into the game. When Lee Bowler tripped a Thoresby player in the box on 63, Referee Mr. Abbott had no option other than to award a penalty and JAMES SCOTHERN made no mistake from the spot.
Thoresby battled hard to try and level the scores, but the home team held on and progress into the next round. F.T 3-2

Admission £3
H/C 35
Programme £1

Back to Blidworth on Saturday - league match v Sutton Town AFC ( weather permitting)

Tuesday 14 December 2010

Pinxton 0-1 AFC Hucknall

14th December 2010 -- CML Floodlit cup

At last! December has been a blank so far with all our planned games falling foul of the weather. Hoped for a better game as we got back "On The Road", but this was a dreary affair with little or no football on show from either team.

Pinxton are currently top of the CML Supreme Division, but looked less than convincing against their CML Premier Division opponents.

The only goal of the game came in the 50th minute when Pinxton's defence allowed JAKE FISHER to prod over the line from just a few feet out. The ball should have been cleared, but the striker took full advantage and his strike sends the Hucknall team into the next round and a tasty tie with Blidworth Welfare.

Sat with league Registrar Rob Hornby for the majority of the game - but had a chance to grab 10 minutes with new Shirebrook boss Rudy Funk at half-time. Alway very interesting talking to Rudy - and it is a shame that after over 5 years of hard work at Rainworth, their parting of the ways seems to have been less than joyful. Just me reading between the lines - I have no axe to grind with Rainworth.

Met up with new AFC matchday secretary Danny Staley - Hucknall Town were well represented with Chairman Dave Gamble, Secretary Tony Knowles and 1st team manager Tommy Brookbanks all in attendance. Also grabbed a word with new Sutton Town AFC boss Daz Bailey.....he is really looking forward to the challenge of getting the Snipes back on track and away from the lowly league position the club finds itself in at the moment.

Admission £2
Attendance H/C 40
Weds - Blidworth v Thoresby Colliery

Monday 13 December 2010

Tuesday night football !!

Tuesday results F.A. Trophy 1st Round Replay Eastwood Town P-P Rushden & Diamonds Worksop Town 0-5 Mansfield Town NP1S Rainworth MW 1-2 Grantham Town Romulus P-P Carlton Town NCEL1 Teversal P-P Hemsworth MW Derbys F.A. Senior Cup Buxton 3-0 Long Eaton United Matlock Town 1-2 Glapwell CML Floodlit Cup South Pinxton 0-1 AFC Hucknall CML Supreme Calverton MW 2-3 Clipston W

Friday 10 December 2010

Any games left? No!!!!

Glapwell P-P Shepshed Rainworth MW P-P Spalding Utd Teversal P-P Brodsworth W South Normanton Ath P-P Thorne Colliery 3pm Basford Utd P-P Hucknall Rolls 2pm Boots Athletic P-P Keyworth Utd 2pm Kimberley MW P-P Forest Town 2pm Saw this on the Boots Athletic website.... "I was disappointed to hear today's games were called off and couldn't help but pine for the good old days when men were men and the sheep got nervous. In any cold snap, such as the one we are now experiencing, the local magistrate, who doubled as referee for all home games in his parish, would prepare for a game on snow by soaking the match ball overnight in the blood of a local virgin so it could be seen clearly in the snow. I suppose a modern day equivalent would be a girl who hadn't been spit-roasted yet. "The Team managers would trawl the local orphanages collecting up the waifs and strays. They would all be promised a shiny new half-penny for clearing the lines using their bare hands but,as this was before the time of Esther Rantzen and childline, they were usually only allowed to dip their hands into the coal brazier afterward instead. "Both sides would gather in the village hall where, they would be given for their pre-match warm-up which invariably consisted of a pint of mulled ale and ten Woodbines. Games were played for seven hours each way by which time the nail-in studs were driven deep into the soles of your feet, but our love of the game was such that you didn't complain, you kept a stiff upper lip and toiled on manfully. "Half-time consisted of a pint of warmed bull's blood, a handful of roast chestnuts off the brazier and a rousing sing-song. Then it was back into action with sleeves rolled up and socks round the ankles. There were no such things as fouls, if you had your leg broken, you were expected to firmly shake the hand of your opponent and then, after a pat on the back from the skipper, resume play in a committed and tigerish manner. At full time we were led by the skipper, usually named either Chalky, Nobby or Ginge, down to the pond on the village green where, after he had broken the ice, we would clean the blood and snot of our bodies. Then it was off to the local tavern where we were plied with fine local ales and pigs trotters, before heading off to the pit for a seventeen hour shift." Payney
Aah,, the good old days......

Thursday 9 December 2010

Saturday 11th December - non-league games

Although a thaw is forecast, I foresee a lot of games being called off - I imagine most pitches are still under a blanket of snow and may not be clear of the damn stuff in time for Saturday's games.
Our scheduled game is at Selhurst Street to see if Radford can end their losing streak against high-flying Bardon Hill. This looks highly unlikely as Bardon are currently lying in 4th spot in the EMCL table having won 10 and drawn 2 of their 17 league games played, while Radford have won only 2 of their 14 league starts, and have failed to take a single point from the last 9 games. Still, as someone once said " it's a funny old game" - you never know..........
F.A. Trophy 1st Round
Rushden & Diamonds 1-1 Eastwood Town
Worksop Town P-P Mansfield Town
F.A. Vase 3rd Round
Dunkirk P-P Ashington
NPP
North Ferriby United P-P Hucknall Town
NP1S
Belper Town P-P Grantham Town
Glapwell P-P Shepshed
Rainworth MW P-P Spalding Town
Rushall Olympic 2-1 Carlton Town
NCELP
Hallam P-P Arnold Town
Pickering Town P-P Long Eaton United
NCEL1
Teversal P-P Brodsworth W
EMCL
Anstey Nomads P-P Graham St Prims
Barrow Town A-A Greenwood Meadows ( Barrow's Ash Bignall suffered a broken leg on 50)
Blackwell MW P-P Ibstock United
Ellistown P-P Gedling MW
Heanor Town P-P Gedling Town
Radford P-P Bardon Hill
Derbyshire Senior Cup 3rd Round
Gamesley P-P Borrowash Victoria 1:30pm
CML Supreme Division
Blidworth W P-P Nettleham
Clipstone W P-P Westella & Willerby
Harworth CI P-P Calverton MW
Kimberley Town P-P Church Warsop S & SC
Kirkby Town P-P Pinxton
Newark Town P-P Southwell City
Ollerton Town P-P Kinsley Boys
Parkhouse P-P Dronfield Town
Sutton Town AFC P-P Sheffield Parramore
CML Premier Division
Bulwell Town P-P AFC Hucknall
South Normanton Athletic P-P Thorne Colliery
NSL Senior Division
Basford United P-P Hucknall Rolls Leisure
Bilborough Pelican P-P FC Cavaliers
Boots Athletic P-P Keyworth United
Cotgrave W P-P Notts Police
Kimberley MW P-P Forest Town
Wollaton P-P Clifton FC

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Any hope this weekend?

I wonder if there will be any games played this coming weekend? Still freezing in Hucknall at the moment, but the forecast, according to Sally Pepper on BBC East Midlands today is "getting less cold"! --- how ambiguous can you get!! Just seen the draw for the Notts Senior Cup ... some good ties. Blidworth must be very happy - Hucknall at home - terrific game in prospect at the Welfare Ground. Week Commencing 31-1-2011 Southwell City vs Carlton Town Dunkirk vs Boots Athletic Retford United vs Eastwood Town Wollaton vs Forest Town Gedling Miners Welfare vs Rainworth Miners Welfare Blidworth Welfare vs Hucknall Town Kirkby Town vs Arnold Town Ollerton Town vs Gedling Town or Radcliffe Olympic/Greenwood Meadows

Wednesday 1 December 2010

Nothing to write about....

Sorry that this blog is not being updated as regularly as it should be .....there is no "On The Road" football to report on, just "On The Road" misery....
Why, oh why does this flippin country come to a grinding halt when we get snow. OK - I realise that the amount of snow just recently has been unusual, but all the roads are truly knackered -- and is there a gritter to be seen? Also, over 350 schools in Nottinghamshire are closed - they never closed them when I was at school. Even in the winter of '63 when it was so cold the bloody sea froze, we had to go to school.....and let me tell you, that was a very, very cold winter.
So, no non-league football because there is snow on the pitches. We used to clear the lines and play with an orange ball when I were a lad... have we all gone soft? Snoods, gloves, ladies tights -- whatever next, players running around wrapped in duvets? I have just been bought some long johns by my travelling buddy Kev, but now his wife wants me to model them for her! Believe me Sue - me in them long johns is not a pretty sight..you know the old saying about "looking like a bag of shit tied in the middle"? That's me!!!! A body that's only suitable for radio!!! So -- we wait for the thaw.....and hope that we are soon back " On The Road" and our visits around the local grounds can resume. Last year we lost almost three weeks after Christmas, here's hoping that doesn't happen again.