"APTCOO" -- well worth every penny donated, trust me!

At the start of season 2010-2011, I asked Kev if he thought we should try and add a little something to the “On The Road” blog by finding a local charity to support. Kev readily agreed and the format of £0.15 per goal was decided – with any goal-less games to count as £0.50 each. APTCOO was decided upon after our friend Rob Hornby had mentioned the great service they provide for children and their carers.

Last season we managed 109 games, with a goal tally of 393 with 9 goal-less games. That would have raised £126.90 based on the above formula.

Season 2010-2011 saw us make the extra effort, and our total of 154 games was, in all honesty, far more than we had planned. There were 662 goals scored and four goal-less games meaning the total should have been £202.60. Not bad at all.

Chris “Tall-Lad” Dent ( can you guess why his nick-name is tall-lad?) gave us the first “other” donation at the Heanor v Graham St Prims game in September 2010, and after I mentioned this in the match blog entry, interest grew. Throughout the season, we were handed contributions by a variety of friends, old and new, fellow hoppers old and new, and a multitude of others.

One special donation needs a mention : the total at the turn of the year was already at £185, then Alan Avery at Unity FP doubled it – just like that! So we entered the new year with a running total of £370.00 !!

After the poor December when we only managed four games due to the very inclement weather, we really went for it, and as mentioned previously ended up going to 154 games in total, notching up 662 goals.  "Other" contributions in the end, totalled £647.40.....

So, with the total at £850.00, I contacted APTCOO to arrange to present them with a cheque. We were invited to their premises on Saturday 21st May, and were given a very warm welcome by Deb Jones and Megan Wheat.

Deb gave us a tour of the facility and we were duly invited to have a go at drumming – not being very musical, I declined, but Mrs. Kev had a right old bash !!

A photographer from the Chad turned up, and organised a group pic – could have done without me in them though .. I’m not the most photogenic person you’ll ever meet!! Having said that, this hasn’t been about me, or Kev, it’s been about APTCOO and the children and parents who really can say that they have  “A Place To Call Our Own” 

Well, that's it then....the season's done -  we never expected to be handing over such a fantastic amount to APTCOO, but the thought that there were so many people prepared to part with their hard-earned for a charity they had probably never heard of, makes you think that the world isn't such a bad place after all....

Will we do this again next season?  I don't think so ....how the hell can we top this?

One more big THANK YOU to those who donated to the charity

On a more selfish note - ontheroad2010-2011 clocked up 100 hits a day throughout most of the season -- thanks for your continuing interest!!!

See you next season -  "ontheroad2011-2012"

Hucknall Rolls Leisure 1-3 Boots Athletic

Tuesday 17th May 2011 -- NSL Senior Cup final

Usually a good turn out for this end of season Cup final - no exception on this occasion with well over 200 present and head-counted!!

This was ostensibly our final game of the season -  may take in the rearranged Notts F.A. Saturday Junior Cup final next Wednesday, but won't be blogging it.

Brian Dennett accompanied us again tonight, but we spent the game in the company of the66pow blogmeister Rob Waite - always a pleasure and always a laugh or two to be had when Rob joins us. Rob is a Hearts / Mansfield Town / Worksop Town fan from the People's Republic of Retfordshire, a small county near Yorkshire.....

The game saw Rolls take on League Champions Boots - Boots actually ground share with Rolls at Watnall Road, so it was landlords v tenants.....

Boots took the lead on 20 minutes after their no. 11 TOMMY KEMP was allowed time to control and turn before firing past Neil Waters in the Rolls’ net.  Athletic doubled their lead a few minutes later, this time PATRICK BAKONE taking advantage of some slack marking, running at Waters and slotting home. H-T 0-2

Rolls pushed hard from the restart in an effort to reduce their arrears. Their pressure paid off 10 minutes into the half when Boots’ no. 7 ( free advertising?!! ) NATHAN HODGES headed into his own net after a frantic scramble in front of goal.

With Rolls pressing hard, and Boots looking a little ragged and losing some discipline, the spectre of extra time loomed large again – and after what happened at Clipstone last week we were not counting any chickens as we headed for the exit.

KEV WALKER eased our squeeky bums by lobbing Waters in the 91st minute to secure the victory, and see Boots complete a league and cup double. F-T 1-3

Admission £3 inc programme

Attendance – well over 200

Bulwell Town 1-3 Bentley Colliery

Saturday 14th May 2011 - CML Premier Division

Second part of our double-header saw us at Bestwood Miners Welfare Gound again to see Bulwell Town take on League runners up Bentley Colliery.  We were at Bulwell's previous game when they beat Welbeck Welfare 6-0, but Bentley are a different proposition entirely!

We had to wait 29 minutes for the first goal, a penalty converted by centre-half MATTY BROWN.



Right on half-time, Bentley's no. 9 MARK RICHARDSON cut in from the left and curled a beauty past Bulwell keeper Alex Smith.  The ball ended up in the far corner of the goal and there was absolutely nothing the keeper could do to save. H-T 0-2

The visitors went further ahead on 57 - LEE TILLEY cutting the ball home with the outside of his foot after keeper Smith had blocked his initial effort.   Bulwell's ELLIOT CHRISTIE headed home Jamie Coup's overhead kick on 69, but the goal was to prove only a consolation as the game fizzled to a close. F-T 1-3

Bentley received their runners-up mementos after the game, presented to them by League Chairman Frank Harwood.. the video is a bit shaky, but Kev had had a hard day doing it himself !!!!

Admission £2

Programme £1

H/C 22

One more game to go ...the NSL final on Tuesday - then we are off to APTCOO on Saturday to present a cheque to the value of £850.00 !!!!!   More on this later....

Basford United 3-1 Wollaton

Saturday 14th May 2011 -- Notts Senior League Senior Division

This was Basford's final NSL game, they applied to join, and have been accepted into the Central Midlands Football League for next season.  Wollaton just needed a point to secure second place behind champions Booots Athletic, while United had to win to grab the runner-up spot.

Basford's General Manager Chris Monroe's pre-game preperation didn't seem to be too ideal,he spent the final few minutes before the kick off marking out the pitch!

Accompanied by Mr. Dennett for this game, company for me as Kev was busy doing it himself!!!!!  A bitterly cold wind blew across the Greenwich Avenue pitch, making the afternoon less than comfortable. 

The home team took the lead on 15 - their no. 7 flicked the ball past a defender and raced into the area before crossing to the far post where CONNOR CARTER was on hand to slot home.  After 38 minutes, the Basford keeper did well to keep out a fierce drive from Wollaton no.10 Austin Wallace. H-T 1-0

On 54, a neat ball by Zeke Jenkins found Carter who in turn found Craig McCaffrey - but the no. 11's effort crashed off the foot of the post.   DAMIEN RENNICKS fired home from the spot midway through the second half, then CRAIG McCAFFREY did find the net - arriving first at the near post on 79 to flick home. AUSTIN WALLACE grabbed a late consolation for Wollaton on 82, hitting a 20 yard shot the flew through a crowd of players and past the unsighted keeper.  F-T 3-1

Basford end their final season in the NSL as runners-up.

No admission or programme - h/c 30

Saturday 14th May 2011 - games

CML Supreme
Kinsley Boys 0-1 Kirkby Town
Sheff Parramore 2-1 Bilworth Welfare (12:45pm)

CML Premier
Bulwell Town 1-3 Bentley Colliery (5:30pm)

NSL Senior
Basford United 3-1 Wolllaton (1:00pm)
Bulwell 1-3 Clifton ( at Green Lane ko 1:00pm)
Gedling SB 3-1 Kimberley MW ( at Digby Street ko 1:00pm)
Keyworth United 1-1 Boots Athletic (1:00pm)

Blogger acting a little strange...

Blogger have been apologising left,right and centre after an "upgrade" screwed up over 13 million blogs!  Posts went missing, links were corrupted and data lost... I am pleased to say that all seems back to normal now!!

Mattersey 4-3 Rainworth Rangers

Tuesday 10th May 2011 – Notts F.A. Minor Cup final - played at Clipstone Welfare FC

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Mattersey play in Gainsborough & District League Div 1, while opponents Rangers ply their trade in the MAA. These Leagues are both relatively unknown to me, so no idea what to expect.  Turned out to be a decent enough game, with a twist at the end of 90 minutes, as well as a contender for goal of the season!

Rangers went ahead in the 5th minute thanks to their no. 10, but Mattersey drew level through their no. 10 seven minutes later. H-T 1-1

Mattersey’s no. 9 scored from a cross on 69 after being left alone in front of goal, then on 85 we thought it was all over when Mattersey were awarded a penalty that the 9 jacket duly converted. As we all gathered by the exit to make a quick getaway, the Rangers no. 25 slammed home from the edge of the box – timed this at 90 + 5 minutes, although only 4 had been signalled by the 4th official. 60 seconds later there was a collective groan from Mr. Waite, Mr. Cook, Mr. Dennett and yours truly when the Rangers' no. 15 rifled home to level the scores. F-T 3-3

Penalties weren’t needed though on this occasion, as the Mattersey no. 16 STEVIE OWENS grabbed a superb winner in the 103rd minute. Right on the edge of the box, the sub held off challenges from three Rangers defenders, turned and unleashed a curling effort that flew into the top corner. What a strike … seen a lot of goals this season, but that will take some beating, made even more sweet as it turned out to be the winner. F-T 4-3

Admission £2 inc programme

H/C depends on when you counted really – 60 – 80 best estimate..

Bulwell Town 6-0 Welbeck Welfare

Monday 9th May 2011 – CML Premier Division

Our first visit to the Bestwood Miners Welfare ground – adequate is probably the best word to describe it.

Basement club Welbeck could only muster 10 players, and one of them had both legs was strapped up! Bulwell had the bare 11 as both teams struggle to complete the 2010-2011 season.

Serial hopper Aggedor was present along with Mr. Mac and Brian “he gets everywhere” Dennett. Brian did purchase the half-time drinks though, but the lady behind the counter hadn’t seen a white fiver before …and I’m sure Britannia actually blinked when Brian opened his wallet !! 

Welbeck did well to hold out until 8 minutes before the break, with keeper Tom Chambers making  a few good saves.  The keeper could do nothing about the 25 yarder that no.6 DAVE SIMPSON fired past him to open the scoring.  60 seconds later the lead was doubled, and a cracking goal it was too. Left back Justin Edwards Clarke pinged a ball 50 yards diagonally across the pitch that found JAMES DUFFY, and as Chambers rushed out to try and block any shot, the no.7 calmly hoisted the ball over him into the net. The third came on 44, the Bulwell no. 10, LLWELLYN NOLAN scoring at the far post after a mad scramble H-T 3-0

Bulwell added their fourth on 48, Edwards Clarke crossed from the left and although the 10 shirt headed well, his effort hit the bar and bounced straight onto his strike partners head and into the net - ASHLEY SOUTHALL on the scoresheet, but he knew very little about it!

Welbeck went close with a free-kick, but in they had hardly anything to offer as an attacking force.

We had to wait until the 87^th minute for the next goal, Duffy’s corner headed powerfully home by the LENFORD JENKINS.  Five became six on 90, when no. 8 shirt, YOANDRY DEPASS ran into the box and rounded Chambers before slotting home. F-T 6-0

Admission £2

Programme £1

H/C 25

Tuesday -- off to Clippo for the Notts F.A. Saturday Minor Cup final 

Yorkshire Main 2-2 Kirkby Town

Sunday 8th May 2011 -- CML Cup final

“Wheelchair” Trev Williams was in the car park when I arrived at North Street, and once inside the ground, met up with Rob Waite, Adam Barlow and Mick Cook. Richard “Wanderer” Lane was selling programmes, Hazel Hornby raffle tickets while Brian Dennett strutted his stuff in his Sunday best…

Mr. Waite bought his Sunday lunch – looked great – but the small (!) portion didn’t last very long!!!!!!!!

This is the CML flagship final – but this game was a bit dull for the most part. Livened up a bit in the 40th minute when Chris Hanson decided he didn’t like the challenge of Kirkby’s Kieren Watson and gave the striker a smacking! Straight red for the Main no. 3. H-T 0-0

Main went ahead on 48 after Referee Sean Richardson decided that Tom Holmes’s challenge on Adam Watson was illegal and punishable by the award of a penalty. A bit of a strange decision as the full back clearly won the ball cleanly and fairly.  CURTIS WALKER didn’t care – he stepped up and blasted the ball past Louis Sprigg to give Main the lead.

SAM HOLMES restored parity on 66, curling a beauty past Ward from 25 yards. Kirkby failed to take advantage of their extra man for the remainder of the half, and we were into the dreaded extra-time…F-T 1-1

KIERAN WATSON put Kirby in front in the 100th minute – he was allowed to run at goal with no-one picking him up, and the striker made no mistake sliding the ball home.

The equalising goal on 113 was a stunner from the prolific ADAM WATSON. Ricky Starbuck tried to carry the ball out of defence, but Watson robbed him and raced to the near post before hitting a vicious strike past Sprigg. Great goal, but poor defending from Kirkby.

Main had another player dismissed with 4 minutes of extra-time to be played – think it was no. 4 John Tunney, but he’d taken his shirt off before he left the pitch, so can’t be sure. Main held on and we entered the lottery of penalties.

Kirkby missed their first three kicks, while Main missed two with only Adam Watson netting. A poor shoot-out ended with MARK COOPER scoring Main’s 6th after Kyle Ludlow had put his effort out of the ground.

So Yorkshire Main win 3-2 on pens…and complete a hat-trick of cup successes after their Floodlit cup triumph over Southwell City and their 9-0 demolition of Edlington Town in the Doncaster Cup.

Admission £4


Programme £1


Attendance ?

Hasland Devonshire 1-2 White Swan Bolsover

Sunday 8th May 2011 -- Derbys F.A. Sunday Senior Cup final.

Played at the Lees Lane home of South Normanton Athletic.

Invited to attend this game by White Swan skipper Ben Newman.  Ben had recently contributed the the APTCOO fund, and this visit was a sort of thank you to him.  Had a half-hour in Jamie Renshaw's company as well, another APTCOO contributor.

A few of the White Swan team were in action on for Pinxton on Saturday - James Senior and Liam Collins,  along with Ben and Matin Newman.  Ant Lynam started up top for Hasland - and with Asa Ingall, Lee Clay and Dale Crowder also in their line up, it was easy to see why they were strong favourites to win this encounter. 

With Kev feeling a bit off, I was on my own again, but with fellow hoppers Chris and John as company,  I wasn't exactly "Billy - No-mates" on this occasion.

The game was far from a classic, but Hasland were creating the better chances early on, so when Swan went ahead on 12 it was totally against the run of play. Senior tried a shot from an acute angle running in from the left, and although the effort was missing the goal by a fair distance, STEVE JOHNSON was alert enough in the 6 yard box to prod past Jason Gough in the Hasland goal.

The lead lasted only 3 minutes though - and you had to feel for Swan keeper Sam Ward who did well to block a shot fired in from the left - but DANNY KIRKLAND was quickest to react in the 6 yard area and swept home at the far stick.

Hasland pressed hard, but a combination of good defending and last ditch clearances by the Swan, kept things level. The scores stayed level until the 43^rd minute when NEIL ASHLEY ran in from the left and unleashed a 25 yard screamer that was past Gough before he could react.  H-T 1-2

The second half was played more or less in White Swan's half, and Ward had to be alert on several occasions as the Hasland front line pressed for the equaliser. It never came though, and White Swan duly collected the Sunday Senior cup ..... F-T 1-2

Admission £2 inc programme
H/C 100 +