Unity FP 3-3 Worksop Town U19

Monday 28th February 2011 - North Mids U19 League Division 2



Had to go to see Unity play their final home league game of the season, but after the relative strolls witnessed in previous games, this was a bit of a surprise. Unity failed to play anything like they are able - and Worksop took full advantage, taking the game to their hosts and totally outplaying them in the first half. Town went in front on 40 when their no. 7 COHN SANDERSON was left unmarked on the far post after Unity skipper Mario Lopez had failed to deal with a simple clearance. H-T 0-1

The home team were level just 4 minutes into the second half, a fumble by keeper Alex Gray saw the ball run loose to ELLIOT ATKIN who fired home from close range. Worksop's no. 10 ADAM BROWNE fired the visitors back in front on 68, placing the ball wide of a despairing dive from home keeper James Elliot after a shot had crashed off the post.

The Tigers' no. 11 OWEN CLARK increased their lead in the 66th minute, firing a shot from the corner of the box that flew in off the post. This seemed to galvanise Unity, and they were allowed back into the game when Gray allowed a tame shot from CONOR CROFT to trickle through his legs. ATKIN levelled the scores on 82, but by this time the hard working Tigers had almost run out of steam, and only a last ditch goal line clearance made sure they left Hollinwood Lane with a share of the spoils. F-T 3-3

Great game again from the North Midlands U19 league ..a bit feisty at times, but on the whole a fine game and thoroughly enjoyable.

Admission £2 ( inc programme)

H/C around 40

Blidworth Welfare 1-2 Parkhouse

Saturday 26th February 2011 -- CML Supreme Division



After spending another Saturday morning checking to see what games will still be on after the recent downpours, it seems our game at Blidworth was never in doubt, although the pitch was very heavy and extremely muddy in places.

 

Muddy hell!!! We arrived at the Welfare Ground ten minutes before kick off time and there were only another half a dozen or so other people in attendance. This "swelled" to 40 as the game kicked off, but strangely for us, we hardly knew anyone!


Shake

High flying Welfare started slowly and were made to pay for slack defending early doors. A clearance from Parkhouse keeper Jason Gough somehow made it's way into the area where DANNY GEE found time and space to control and steer the ball between Blidworth keeper Paul Stanhope and his near post.

 
Danny Gee slots home for Parkhouse

After going behind, Blidworth had most of the play, but failed to take advantage after winning countless corners and free-kicks. Most of their set-piece plays though failed to beat the first man, and Parkhouse defended with more comfort that they probably could have hoped for. H-T 0-1

Took up a position on the grass slope for the second half in an attempt to get out of the biting wind - even though the sun was at times blindingly bright, the temperature was decidedly on the chilly side!

The home team were on terms with just 90 seconds of the second half played, DEAN RICK firing home left footed from the edge of the box after running fully 30 yards and evading two or three challenges.

 

Rick fires home the equaliser

On 66, Parkhouse had a great chance to retake the lead, hitting first the post, then the bar before the ball was hacked off the line. The Blidworth defenders failed to complete the clearance though, and allowed the ball to be played back into the six-yard box where DAVE CHAMBERS was on hand to nod home.

 

Chambers nods home the winner for Parkgate

Blidworth by now had completely lost their shape and although Carl Haslam tried to inject some venom into the home attack, compared to the Blidworth we have seen on many occasions this season, this was in reality a tame submission to a well organised Parkhouse team. The visitors had the ball in the net again on 80, but Gee was adjudged to have been offside when he knelt to head home a cross from the left. F-T 1-2

Offside, Ref!!

Arguably the worst performance we have seen from the Welfare this season, and a golden chance to close the gap on Pinxton and Parramore - Pinxton's game was called off and Parramore could only manage a draw with Dronfield.

Admission £3

Programme £1

H/C 40

Hoping to see Unity's final home game of the season on Monday - they take on the only team to have bested them this season in Worksop Town ....should be a cracker!

Saturday 26th February - games

F.A. Trophy 1/4 Final Chasetown P-P Mansfield Town BSN Gloucester City 1-3 Eastwood Town NP League Cup 1/4 Final Bradford PA P-P Hucknall Town NP1S Barwell P-P Belper Town Carlton Town P-P Sutton Coldfield Town Rainworth MW 0-1 Kidsgrove Athletic Romulus P-P Glapwell MFA Dunkirk 0-2 Stratford Town NCELP Brighouse 0-1 Long Eaton United Farsley AFC 8-0 Arnold Town NCEL1 Worsborough Bridge P-P Teversal EMCL Anstey Nomads P-P Gedling MW Bardon Hill P-P Heanor Town Borrowash Victoria P-P Greenwood Meadows Holwell Sports P-P Gedling Town Radcliffe Olympic P-P Blackwell MW Radford FC 2-2 Ellistown St. Andrews P-P Graham St Prims CMLS Blidworth W 1-2 Parkhouse Clipstone W 3-1 Calverton MW Harworth CI 4-0 Kimberley Town Kinsley Boys 5-2 Church Warspop S & SC Kirkby Town 1-0 Southwell City Nettleham P-P Sutton Town AFC Newark Town 1-0 Ollerton Town Pinxton P-P Westella & Willerby Sheffield Parramore 2-2 Dronfield Town CMLP Bulwell Town P-P Bentley Colliery Hutton Cranswick United P-P AFC Hucknall Nottingham United 3-3 Easington United Welbeck Welfare 2-2 Thorne Colliery NSL Senior Division Attenborough 3-0 Cotgrave W Awsworth Villa P-P FC Cavalier Basford United 3-2 Hucknall Rolls Leisure Boots Athletic P-P Wollaton Forest Town 0-4 Linby CW Gedling SB P-P Notts Police Keyworth United P-P Bulwell Kimberley MW 1-2 Clifton

Calverton MW 4-1 Kimberley MW

Tuesday 22nd February 2011 -- CML Supreme Division



Back to Hollinwood Lane again - this game was definitely on - according to the League mitto website anyway.

The pitch looked ok after the battering it took on Saturday - and even though it cut up a little, it was perfectly playable. This game was between the League's bottom two teams, but it turned out to be very entertaining, and most enjoyable.

Kimberley are still without a win this season, but the took the lead on 13 when their no. 6 ( name not known, sorry) latched onto a free-kick into the box and fired the ball across Calverton keeper Mike Randall and into the back of the net.

The lead lasted barely three minutes though - a Jamie Humphries free-kick into the area was headed at goal, and although the Kimberley keeper did well to block, the loose ball fell straight to JAMES RANDALL who had the simple task of tapping home.

The home team pressed well and went ahead in the 37th minute, a cracking 35 yard right foot pile driver from left-back RHYS DAVIES that simply flew into the net with the visiting keeper grasping at thin air. What a strike! Mind you it was almost surpassed after 41 minutes by the Welfare centre-half who tried his luck from 45 yards and was unlucky to see the effort crash of the crossbar! H-T 2-1

The second half was a little less entertaining than the first, and the only notes I took were ref the two further Calverton goals. Halfway through the second half Harry Simpson crossed into the box and found JAMIE HUMPHRIES who somehow guided the ball home despite scuffing his shot. With three minutes to go, Referee Gary Smith played a cracking advantage allowing the ball to be played to HARRY SIMPSON who delicately lifted the ball over the keeper into the top corner. F-T 4-1

Another decent performance from the young Calverton team - but Kimberley again struggled to find any form and look destined for the wooden spoon this season.

Admission £3

Programme £1

H/C 35

Midweek fixtures/results

Tuesday 22nd February 2011 BSN Stafford Rangers P-P Eastwood Town NPP Hucknall Town 2-2 Chasetown NP1S Belper Town 1-2 Rushall Olympic Rainworth MW 2-0 Spalding United Sheffield FC 1-3 Glapwell MFA Heath Hayes 2-4 Dunkirk NCELP Arnold Town P-P Scarborough Athletic EMCL Greenwood Meadows 0-2 Gedling MW CML Supreme Calverton MW 4-1 Kimberley Town Ollerton Town 0-2 Blidworth W Wednesday 23rd February 2011 NP1S Market Drayton Town 0-2 Carlton Town EMCL Borrowash Victoria P-P Holbrook Sports Heanor Town P-P Barrow Town NSL Senior Division Hucknall Rolls Leisure P-P Kimberley MW

Calverton MW 1-3 Parkhouse

Saturday 19th February 2011 -- CML Supreme Division

After spending all morning scanning league websites, club websites and various forums to see what would survive the overnight downpour, we ended up with a shortlist of 4 games .....

Calverton MW v Parkhouse

Belper Town v Rainworth MW

Linby CW v Bulwell

Sutton Town AFC v Newark Town

Didn't have enough time to get to Belper, and the Linby game didn't look too attractive, leaving us with either Sutton or Calvo. Opted for Calvo knowing this was definately on, thanks to Rob Hornby and facebook! As it happened, the Sutton game was called off after their visitors Newark had already arrived.

The rain had all but stopped by the time we arrived at Hollinwood Lane, and judging by the number of cars it looked like a few had decided on the Calverton option. Mind you, there was a kid's disco in the Welfare, so that would inflate the number of cars - and eminating from this disco was a bass thump, thump, thump that went on all throughout the match and was enough to drive you crackers!

Rob Hornby was present and ask me to mention that he has so far sold 110 tickets for the CML BONANZA scheduled for 25th and 26th March.

Shake !

The first chance of the game fell to the Parkhouse no. 10 in the 16th minute, but he stabbed the ball wide after finding room at the near post. The next Parkhouse attack saw their 3 jacket crash a 25 yard effort against the foot of the post. Calverton's no. 5 did well to clear off the line on 18 - the ball sliced off his boot and slammed against the underside of the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

The visitors opened the scoring after 22 minutes - a Calverton effort had been blocked by the Parkhouse keeper, and when the ball was cleared upfield, their no. 10 DAVE CHAMBERS collected well and steadied himself before firing past Mike Randall in the Calverton net. The keeper did get a hand to the shot, but it was not enough to deflect it from it's path into the back of the net.

A stunning effort from DEAN LONGDON brought the home team level on 38. Spotting the keeper was off his line, he fired the ball at goal from over 25 yards and it looped high over the keeper before nestling in the back of the net. H-T 1-1

 

1st half action

The pitch was energy sapping, and it showed in the second half as both teams struggle to string play any football - but the home defence were kept busy by Parkhouse, holding out until the 87th minute when a cross from the right deflected off a defenders head straight onto the head of the DAVE CHAMBERS who gratefully nodded home from close range.

In stoppage time, Calverton defender Matthew Sharpe lost his composure in his penalty area, and lashed out with his boot at a Parkhouse striker. No arguement - a straight red card, a penalty that 6ft 12" no.5 CHRIS SHARMAN rammed home. F-T 1-3


 

 Calverton keeper Mike Randall

 

Close!!!

Admission £3

Programme £1

H/C Varied between 70 - 80 (people kept appearing / disappearing all afternoon).

Saturday 19th February - games

BSP 
Barrow 2-2 Mansfield Town 

BSN 
Eastwood Town P-P Hyde United 

NPP 
Ossett Town P-P Hucknall Town 

NP1S 
Belper Town 2-2 Rainworth MW 
Glapwell P-P Stamford 
Newcastle Town 2-1 Carlton Town 

MFA 
Coalville Town 4-4 Dunkirk 

NCELP Thackley P-P Arnold Town 

NCEL1 
Staveley MW P-P Teversal 
Worsborough Bridge P-P Shirebrook Town 

EMCL 
Anstey Nomads P-P Borrowash Victoria 
Ellistown P-P Heanor Town 
Gedling Town P-P Graham St Prims 
Greenwood Meadows P-P Ibstock United 
Gresley FC P-P Gedling MW 
Hinckley FC P-P Radford FC 
Holwell Sports P-P Radcliffe Olympic 
Thurnby Nirvana P-P Blackwell MW 

CMLS 
Calverton MW 1-3 Parkhouse 
Church Warsop S & SC P-P Kirkby Town 
Dronfield Town P-P Harworth CI 
Kimberley Town P-P Clipstone Welfare 
Nettleham 1-4 Blidworth Welfare 
Ollerton Town P-P Sheffield Parramore 
Southwell City P-P Pinxton 
Sutton Town AFC P-P Newark Town 

CMLP 
AFC Hucknall P-P Welbeck Welfare 
Phoenix P-P Bulwell Town 
South Normanton Athletic P-P Yorkshire Main 

NSL Senior Division
Attenborough P-P Hucknall Rolls Leisure 
Basford United P-P Clifton 
Bilborough Pelican P-P Wollaton 
Boots Athletic P-P Keyworth United 
Cotgrave Welfare P-P FC Cavaliers 
Forest Town P-P Notts Police 
Kimberley MW P-P Gedling Southbank 
Linby CW 2-1 Bulwell

Kirkby Town 1-2 Arnold Town

Thursday 17th February 2011 -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup R3

NCEL Premier outfit Arnold Town eased past CMLS side Kirkby Town to take their place in the the quarter finals of the Notts F.A. Senior Cup -- Carlton Town away is the Eagles' reward.

Played at Forest Town FC - this was originally supposed to be a Saturday game, but it was postponed and as Kirkby don't yet have floodlights, they had to find a location suitable.

Kev was missing - Mrs. Kev had an appointment with top Nottingham physio Fred Kirk. I have to admit to not taking many notes - the evenings entertainment off the field was provided by Wing Commander (Rob Waite), the West Street Sith (Adam Barlow) and their buddy Mick Cook. Also, saying hello were Brian "Evening Post" Dennett, Referee Peter Craggs, Fred Nelson (fredkirkbytown), Richard "Wanderer" Lane (not seen Richard for a while), Derek, Mr. Mac, Rob Hornby, Wheelchair Trev, and Kirkby Chairman Andy Cruddace. Andy is the latest in our long line of donators to the APTCOO fund - thank you very much, Andy......

Kirkby : Sprigg, Holmes T, Starbuck, Holmes S, Ludlow, Bunce, Watson C, Carter, Watson K, Watson N, Russo. Subs Bishop, Whittingham, Jackson

Arnold : Walker, Burton, Smithson, Holmes R, Hore, Meakin, Spencer, Buxton, Law, Carruthers, Smith M. Subs Smith A, Kierney, Gordon

The goals all came in the first half, the first on 16 was a real belter from Kirkby's SAM HOLMES - he connected superbly just outside the box, and the ball was in the back of the net before Walker could react. Arnold levelled four minutes later - MARK SMITH's left wing corner evading everyone, including Sprigg in the Kirkby goal, before entering the net. The Eagles were now flying (oops!) and on 37, veteran Mark Carruthers found space down the right and picked out an unmarked TONY LAW just inside the box - the striker took his time before picking his spot and firing past Sprigg. H-T 1-2

Not a lot happened in the second half, and by this time it was getting decidedly chilly - and the spectre of extra-time still hovered while it remained 1-2.....

Kirkby played their part in a fairly even game, but step 4 to step 7 is a big gulf and unfortunately for Kirkby, on this occasion, just too big. F-T 1-2


Admission £3

Programme - sold out

Attendance 70

Quarter finals

Carlton Tn v Arnold Tn 28th Feb -- I hope this date is wrong - Unity play Worksop on the 28th Feb...

Hucknall Tn v Greenwood Meadows 1st March

Gedling MW v Eastwood Tn 8th March

Dunkirk v Wollaton 22nd March

Heanor Tn v Gedling Tn POSTPONED

Part of me is pleased this game is off..... it means I can go to do my weekly shop at Tesco, watch the Arsenal v Barca game ...and then take in the Kirkby / Arnold game on Thursday...

Pinxton 5-1 Kimberley Town

Tuesday 15th February 2011 -- CML Supreme Division

Not too sure this game was going to go ahead, but having heard nothing negative, we made the short trip up the M1 to the Welfare Ground at Pinxton. Kev poxed a parking space again -- right in front of the Welfare, nipping in smartly as a car pulled out!

Drizzling as we arrived with 10 to go before kick off, but rain was driving across the pitch as the players lined up for the traditional handshakes. The pitch wasn't in too bad nick, and Referee Harry Hawkins seemed quite happy for the game to be played. Walked into the stand to get out of the rain, and were met by serial hopper Steve "Retired Bank Manager" Reading and the CML's Rob Hornby. Always a pleasure to be in this pair's company, and Steve's ready wit along with Rob's informative chat helped make the evening very pleasant, considering the standard of football on show due to the conditions.....

We have seen both Pinxton and Kimberley several times this season, and knew roughly what to expect, but sometimes top v bottom matches don't live up to their expectations and to be quite blunt, this was a dire game. Credit to both teams though - the weather was awful, it was cold and I for one was quite happy to be in the stand under cover while they were out there in their shorts and soaking wet football shirts...!! Pinxton took the lead through JAMES SENIOR on 11, the midfielder driving home from 18+ yards.

ARRON BRADY made it two in the 18th minute, strolling through the Kimberley defence before stabbing home. BRADY netted again after 36 minutes, this time pouncing to prod home after the Kimberley keeper fumbled the initial shot. It was that man BRADY again who added the fourth and completed his personal triple right on half time, stooping low to nod home a left wing cross from all of two yards. H-T 4-0

Kimberley's no. 9 netted on 55, much to Pinxton keeper Dave McCarthy's chagrin, curling an effort home from the corner of the box. The game was becoming more difficult for the players as the pitch became saturated and began cutting up badly, but JAY COOPER still found pace enough to turn and fire past the Kimberley keeper with 10 minutes to play.

Admission £2

H/C 45

Hopefully at Heanor v Gedling on Weds, but I have my doubts that the Town Ground will be fit enough for the game to be played....

Gedling MW 3-1 Blackwell MW

Saturday 12th February 2011 - EMCL

Back to Plains Road to see if the "jinx" had really and truly been laid to rest - we had failed to see Gedling MW secure a win until recently, and for the first 45 minutes we though the unthinkable could happen as bottom club Blackwell more than matched high-flying Miners.

Had a look at the new ground development - a new car park is planned at the back of the Welfare, and after our recent struggles with parking this will be a God-send. Plans are also in hand for a new stand on the opposite side of the ground as the club keeps up it's preparations, should elevation to a higher league rear it's head.

Midfield maestro Barry Paine was missing from the Gedling line-up, but the club welcomed back former keeper Lance Walker for a one-off appearance, this due to regular keeper Ross Cherry's illness.

Lance Walker - guest appearance!

A well observe minutes silence was held before the kick off in memory of Greenwood Meadows' matchday Secretary Mr. Colin Woodward who sadly passed away on Thursday.


Shake


Both teams respect the memory of Mr. Woodward

The first half was a bit of a turgid affair, with the better chance falling to the away team. After an 11th minute Gedling corner was cleared, the ball was carried the full length of the pitch by Oliver Shelton - but his shot just cleared Walkers far stick. The visitors had another chance to go ahead on 21 when a super ball in from the right fizzed across the goal to the far post where Ricki Saxby just failed to connect. Blackwell's centre-half David Leak looked to have scored after 25 - his header though found only the side-netting. H-T 0-0

Saxby -- almost!!

Leak - almost!

Smashing cup of coffee at the break - large styrofoam cup and very welcome on yet another very cold day.

Gedling were quick out of the traps at the start of the second period, and Matt Peberday made a great solo run which ended with a shot that forced a diving save from Blackwell keeper Adam Jabronksi. It was MATT PEBERDAY who opened the scoring on 51, latching onto a Jamie Brown cross from the left, and finishing at the second time of asking after Jabronski had blocked the initial shot.

JAMIE BROWN doubled the home team's advantage 10 minutes later, firing home from 12 yards after being given too much time and space in the area. Blackwell continued to play some good football and scored the best goal of the game on 74 - RICKI SAXBY firing across Walker from an acute angle.

Great finish from Ricki Saxby

With just a couple of minutes to play, Gedling made the points safe. Another run into the box by the tireless Peberday, who drove the ball across the goal to where SHAUN CLARKE was waiting to prod gleefully home. F-T 3-1

Admission £4

Programme £1

Attendance 86

Next week - Tuesday were head up the M1 to see Pinxton entertain Kimberley Town, and on Wednesday we are back at the Town Ground to see Heanor Town take on Geling Town.

Chad’s charity looks to the future - Chad Charity - Mansfield and Ashfield Chad

Good news for APTCOO Chad’s charity looks to the future - Chad Charity - Mansfield and Ashfield Chad

Saturday 12th February - games

BSP Mansfield Town 3-3 Newport County ( 7:15pm) BSN Blyth Spartans 0-0 Eastwood Town NPP Chasetown 1-0 Hucknall Town NP1S Barwell 3-0 Rainworth MW Lincoln United 1-2 Belper Town Loughbrough Dynamo 1-4 Glapwell Sheffield FC 1-1 Carlton Town NCELP Arnold Town P-P Selby Long Eaton United 0-2 Thackley NCEL1 Eccleshill United 1-2 Shirebrook Town Yorkshire Amateurs 3-1 Teversal MFA Dunkirk 3-0 Kirby Muxloe EMCL Bardon Hill 2-2 Greenwood Meadows Borrowash Victoria 0-0 Gresley FC Ellistown 1-3 Radcliffe Olympic Gedling MW 3-1 Blackwell MW Gedling Town 1-1 Anstey Nomads Graham St Prims 2-5 Holwell Sports Heanor Town 2-0 Thurnby Nirvana St. Andrews 1-1 Radford FC CMLS Blidworth Welfare 7-1 Sutton Town AFC Dronfield Town 2-4 Southwell City Harworth CI 0-3 Westella & Willerby Kimberley Town 0-2 Ollerton Town Kirkby Town 2-2 Pinxton Newark Town 4-0 Clipstone W Parkhouse 2-3 Church Warsop S & SC Sheffield Parramore 2-0 Calverton MW CMLP Kiveton Park 7-2 Bulwell Town Phoenix 0-3 AFC Hucknall South Normanton Athletic 6-0 Hutton Cranswick United (2pm ko) Welbeck Welfare 1-0 Nottingham United NSL Senior Division Bilborough Pelican 3-1 Basford United Bulwell 3-3 Boots Athletic Cotgrave W 3-0 Notts Police FC Cavaliers 2-3 Attenborough Forest Town 0-3 Keyworth United Gedling Southbank 3-2 Linby CW Hucknall Rolls Leisure 3-3 Clifton Wollaton 1-1 Awsworth Villa

Carlton Town 4-5 Hucknall Town

Wednesday 9th February 2011 - Evo-Stik League Cup R4

Greeted inside the ground by a very nice couple we first met at the Heanor Town v Holwell Sports game. Judith and Barry Wilkins are avid "On The Road" blog readers and at Heanor came over to say hi. The game finished 8-1 to Heanor. Carlton v Hucknall finished 4-5, and they were at Brigg at the weekend to see their beloved Loughborough Dynamos win 7-1.. Anyone wanting to see goals should try to find out where this delightful couple are scheduled to be in the future and tag along!! On a more serious note, Barry and Judith made a marvelous donation to the APTCCO fund, and took the "other" donations to £400.00! Thanks from me and Kev from the bottom of our hearts......

 


So, Carlton Town old boys v Carlton Town – strange to see Tommy Brookbanks in the away dugout.....Carlton was, until recently, his home for many years. Former Carlton players in the Hucknall squad :- Whalin, Smith, Gent, Whitman, Ball, Brindley and Chaplin. This was a ding-dong game that kept us in dread of the spectre of extra-time right until the final whistle.

MASSIAH McDONALD opened the scoring on 25, heading home a Neil Grayson cross from close range. Hucknall replied 8 minutes later when TJ Nightingale threaded a superb ball through to MARTIN BALL who took his time before calmly slotting past West in the Carlton goal. They then took the lead just before the break, BALL heading powerfully home from a right wing corner. H-T 1-2


NEIL GRAYSON levelled the scores with just 27 seconds of the restart, diving at the far post to head home a Gardner cross. Carlton regained the lead after 55 minutes when Hawkridge tried his luck from 25 yards. Whalin found the effort too hot to handle, spilling it straight at the feet of GRAYSON who took great delight in stabbing home from close range. On 58 it was all square again, this time a right wing cross headed home by TRIS WHITMAN at the far post.

Hucknall made it 3-4 on 69, ROB GILL lashing home across West after he was given too much time on the corner of the box. WHITMAN added the away team’s fifth just 60 seconds later after being played in superbly by Gill. The diminutive winger never had to break stride, running onto the pass and hammering the ball past West. It was squeaky bum time after 76 minutes when CURTIS SHAW converted a penalty for the home team that sent us perilously near to the dreaded extra-time.

Good defending, goal-line clearances and last ditch challenges by the visitors’ back-line ensured the game ended during regulation time. F-T 4-5

Admission £7
Attendance 103
Saturday – off to plains road again to see Gedling MW entertain Blackwell MW.

Unity F.P 4-0 Retford United U19

Monday 7th February 2011 -- North Midlands U19 League Division 2

Batman, Robin and the Joker together again - back at Calverton again - Rob Waite and Mick Cook present again.....also had the pleasure of Keith Parnill's company for some of the game. Brian "Joker" Dennett had yet to view the delights of Unity football, and he had to wait a while to sample the usual Unity flowing game, as for the first few minutes Retford took the game to the league leaders.

However, the home team soon settled into their rhythm, and after 12 minutes they went ahead. Conor Croft showed some neat footwork near the the goal-line and drew a free-kick. The midfielder fired the kick into the 6 yard box where BLAIR ANDERSON was waiting to leap and head powerfully home.

Right back TOBY KING was next to score on 25, his 35 yard ball into the box flying over keeper Jack Smith's head before nestling in the back of the net. 2 minutes later they added to their tally. REECE JEFFRIES raced with the ball into the box, fended off a challenge and fired past Smith. JEFFRIES scored his second on 33, this time hammering the ball left-footed past Smith from 18 yards. H-T 4-0

I was invited into the Unity changing room by Manager Alan Avery at half-time - ostensibly to see the lads reactions to their first half performance, but also to add my own comments - and a bit nerve racking it was too. It's been quite a time since I was in football management, and I've not addressed a team for a long, long time! The main point was that even at 4-0 up, the team had only played to 60% of their abilities. The lads were asked to up that percentage, but Retford had other ideas, coming out with a bit more fire in their bellies, and causing a few problems at the beginning of the second half for the home defence.

The visitors almost pulled a goal back on 63 when Theo Ganderson forced a fine save from James Elliot in the Unity goal. The loose ball was fired back at goal but was hacked off the line. From that moment on, Unity defended well enough to ensure they would keep a clean sheet, although Retford never gave up and kept Unity's Richard Dean and Mario Lopez busy right until the final whistle. F-T 4-0

Thanks to both teams for an entertaining 90 minutes of football - and thanks to Alan Avery for the inside look......

Kev MOM Unity centre-half Mario Lopez

Kev MOM Retford centre-half Joe Palmer

Alan Avery gave his MOM to midfield supremo Liam Dirs. Admission £2 ( inc programme)

H/C 30

Just one more home game for Unity - versus Worksop Town - date not yet set....we'll be there!

Wednesday - Carlton Tn v Hucknall Tn

Heanor Town 2-1 Radcliffe Olympic

Saturday 5th February 2011 -- EMCL

After all the rain in this area overnight, it was with some trepidation that I opened the local non-league websites. I was expecting there to be games off left, right and centre. Not a bit of it. Only a handful of games were called off, and despite the Town Ground pitch being a bit damp, our game was given the go ahead.

Teams: Heanor - Mark Frost, Lee Stevenson, Phil Austin, Ryan Cancellara, Brett Peel, Adam Kay, Gary Webster, Jimmy Gee-Pemberton, Nathan Benger, Dan Williams, Lee Askham.

Radcliffe - James Mountain, Ashley Miles, Stephan Dalmedo, Wes Spencer, Jamie Spence, Grant Walton, Ben Richardson, Craig Anderson, Josh Royce, Carl Westcarr, Aaron Korol.

Damp-ish at the Town Ground!!



Shake!

 
 Well observed minutes silence

Stood in the stand at the pitch side as the game kicked off, but the rain was driving into that stand and after 20 minutes we relocated to the stand behind the goal. Good move as it happened - giving Kev a close shot as he recorded the Heanor winning goal .....

The first half was fairly even, with both sides struggling with the awful conditions and the rain-soaked pitch. My coat was wet, my programme was wet and so was the notebook, so no copious notes on this occasion.

The home team had a great chance to take the lead from the spot on 33. Lee Askham made a terrific, mazy run down the left and when he cut into the box he was tripped - Referee Mr. David Henfrey having no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Unfortunately Nathan Benger's shot from the spot was a bit tame, and gave Radcliffe keeper James Mountain the chance to dive to his left and save.

Josh Royce failed to connect after 39, with the goal gaping, then seconds later he was alone in the box again, but could only direct his header over the bar. H-T 0-0


 

Royce just fails to connect


 
Royce heads over


Drowned rat !! Mark Frost looks like he needs a half-time cuppa!

Radcliffe went in front with 20 minutes of the second half played - CARL WESTCARR prodding home from close range after the ball ran loose in front of the Heanor goal.

Heanor battled well to try and get back in the game, but it was the introduction of subs Ashley Grayson and Graham Wells that eventually swung this game in their favour.

On 77, Grayson fired the ball in from the right, and NATHAN BENGER rose like a salmon to head over Mountain to restore parity. The winner came in the 83rd minute - a cross from the right appeared to be over-hit, but Wells nodded it back into the danger area where DAN WILLIAMS turned his marker before ramming the ball into the roof of the net.

 
Williams slams home the winner

At the final whistle you had to feel for the Radcliffe players - they had given their all, but in vain. Centre-back Jamie Spence had a belter of a game, marred only by his failure in preventing the Heanor winning goal. F-T 2-1

Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 86
Tea/coffee - small styrofoam cup, but only £1.10 for both.
Hopefully off to see Unity again on Monday - depends on how the Calverton pitch coped with the rain - their first team went down 0-3 to Kirkby.

There ya go!

£500.10 !!! Thanks to Mr. Iain Taylor of Deanstore Ltd in Forest Town - his donation takes the APTCOO charity total over the £500.00 mark. Again, I will say a big thank you to all who have donated - this is way beyond what we had hoped for at the start of the season. footnote : our original target was 400 goals = £120.00 -- we are three goals short of that target - no pressure on Heanor town or Radcliffe Olympic!!

Saturday 5th February - games

F.A. Trophy R3 Mansfield Town 1-1 Alfreton Town BSN Eastwood Town 3-1 Vauxhall Motors NPP Hucknall Town 1-2 FC United Of Manchester NP1S Carlton Town 4-2 Barwell Glapwell P-P Sutton Coldfield Town Rainworth MW 2-3 Lincoln United Shepshed Dynamo 1-0 Belper Town NCELP Hall Road Rangers 3-2 Arnold Town Long Eaton United 2-2 Lincoln Moorlands Railway NCEL1 Rossington Main 5-2 Teversal Shirebrook Town 2-1 Askern Villa MFA Oadby Town 1-4 Dunkirk EMCL Barrow Town 0-0 Graham St Prims Blackwell MW 2-3 Gedling Town Greenwood Meadows 2-2 Holbrook Sports Heanor Town 2-1 Radcliffe Olympic Hinckley FC 1-0 Gedling MW Radford 0-1 Borrowash Victoria CML Cup Bulwell Town 0-3 Dronfield Town Calverton MW 0-3 Kirkby Town Kinsley Boys P-P Blidworth W Westella & Willerby 2-0 Ollerton Town CML Supreme Division Church Warsop S&SC 0-4 Sheffield Parramore Harworth CI 1-2 Pinxton Southwell City 6-1 Kimberley Town CML Premier Kiveton Park 3-4 South Normanton Athletic NSL Senior Div Awsworth Villa 4-2 Linby Colliery Welfare Bilborough Pelican 4-3 Nottinghamshire Police Boots Athletic 6-1 Forest Town Bulwell 4-4 Gedling Southbank Cotgrave Welfare 2-1 Keyworth United FC Cavaliers 4-1 Hucknall Rolls Leisure Kimberley Miners Welfare 2-1 Basford United Wollaton 0-4 Clifton

Calverton U19's 4-1 Harworth CI U19

Thursday 3rd February 2011 -- North Mids U19 League Divison 2

Batman was accompanied to this match by the Joker -- Robin is a bit under the weather at the moment so decided to stay behind in the bat-cave.....

Spent the whole game in the company of the creator of the Batman/Robin/Joker nicknames, fellow blogger, Rob Waite. Also spent the game with another blogger of note, Adam Barlow, author of the excellent "Mind Of An Imp" and Mick Cook, a seasoned Mansfield Town fan. All three made contributions to the APTCOO charity - taking the "other" donations total to £376.80 !!!

No match report as such, but Harworth didn't deserve to be on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline - they played well enough, but Calverton took full advantage of a couple of naive defensive errors in the first half, and although Harworth pulled one back, slack marking lead to the third for Calvo, and the fourth was a great header from a right-side corner.

The home no 9 netted the first on 20, racing through one-on-one with Harworth keeper Zack Lever and slotting home well. The same player added the seond after 35, again beating Levers after running in one-on-one. James Middlebrook netted for Harworth on 39, tapping home at the far post. H-T 2-1

The next goal came after 73 minutes of play - the Calvo no. 10 was left unmarked in front of goal and had the simple task of volleying home from close range. A corner on 89 from the right was headed home by the home no.5 - a great leap from the centre-half giving Levers no chance. F-T 4-1

Great company again - Brian did his usual "corporate hospitality" grab at half-time, and then spent most of the second half chatting up a young lady CML assistant referee.....must have thought it was his birthday or something!!!

Thanks again to Rob, Andy and Mick for their donations - and thanks for the smashing company.

Admission £2

Programme £1

H/C 40

Notts Senior Cup 1/4 final draw

From Notts FA website Hucknall Town v Greenwood Meadows Dunkirk FC v Wollaton FC Gedling MW v Eastwood Town Carlton Town v Kirkby Town / Arnold Town All scheduled to be played on 28th February 7:45 kick off

Blidworth W 1-2 Hucknall Town

Wednesday 2nd February - Notts F.A. Senior Cup Round 3

CML Supreme v Evo-Stik Premier - should have been an away banker on paper, but the Evo-Stik outfit were made to work hard for their victory by Welfare. In truth the visitors were never really troubled in the second half and it was only a case of when rather than if they were going to seal the win.

Blidworth more than matched their illustrious visitors in the first half, and were a goal to the good at the break after Town defender JOE PHEASANT steered Carl Haslam's shot across goal into his own net.

Blidworth's attempts to physically put Hucknall off their game failed in the second half, and keeper Ross Whalin had little or nothing to do as the visitors' class gradually shone through. They were level on 71 thanks to an own goal by LEE BOWLER. The defender was under immense pressure from Rob Gill and headed home at the near post. CALLUM LLOYD was on hand a few minutes later to put Hucknall ahead, finishing well after the ball was played into the area from the right. F-T 1-2

This was another great social occasion for us at the Welfare ground - Heanor keeper Mark Frost spent the first half an hour with us, then we spent the second half in the company of Neil Laughlin and Steve Reading. Kev kept in touch with the Joker at the Southwell v Carlton game, it finished 4-1 to Carlton.

Teams through to the last 8 so far:

Eastwood Town (step 2)

Hucknall Town ( step 3)

Carlton Town (step 4),

Dunkirk ( step 5)

Gedling MW ( step 6)

Greenwood Meadows ( step 6)

and non-pyramid Wollaton.

The tie between Kirkby Town (step 7) v Arnold Town (step 5) has yet to be played.

Admission £3

Programme £1

H/C 100 ?

Kev was talked into buying 50/50 tickets, but no-one announced who had won - prompting Kev to pledge that he will never buy another raffle ticket again -- ever!

Gedling MW 2-2 Rainworth MW (2-4 on penalties)

Tuesday 1st February 2011 -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup Round 3



 Great entertainment at Plains Road. It's a shame either team had to lose - EMCL Gedling giving their Evo-Stik Div 1 South opponents a good run for their money. Not sure if this result will stand -- Rainworth's Tommy Hannigan had already played in the Senior Cup for Arnold against Newark (report from Arnold's website) ........oh dear!

STEPHEN COX gave the home team an 8th minute lead with a well placed shot from the edge of the box. It stayed at 1-0 right until the 84th minutewhen Rainworth sub CHRIS HEWITT was allowed to run in from the left and fire home across Cherry. The keeper did get a hand to the effort, but couldn't divert it - so into extra time we went.

-T AET 2-2

BARRY PAINE put Gedling back in front half way through the first period of extra-time - sliding the ball home at the far post, but the visitors were level within 60 seconds of the start of the second period. Mark Camm made a terrific run down the right wing before crossing into the 6 yard box where CRAIG MITCHELL was on hand to head powerfully home. F

So penalties it was - Michell skied his kick, but so did Payne. Then Westwood smashed his off the post to hand the advantage to Rainworth. Jepson dispatched his kick to give the tie to the Wrens, but as I mentioned earlier, I doubt the result will stand. I am not 100% up on the competition rules, but in most cups you're only allowed to appear for one team in any season - it seems that Tom Hannigan had played for Arnold v Newark in the last round, so was ineligible for this game. Over to you, Notts F.A. Competition rule 4 c.

Admission £4

Programme £1
Attendance 81

Other results: Ollerton 1-1 Greenwood Meadows AET. Meadows won on penaties 4-5 Retford Utd 0-4 Eastwood Town

Monday night game postponed

We were scheduled to be at Unity's game against Worksop Town, but just as we were getting in the car, top blogger Rob Waite called to tell me the game was off, due to the pitch being frozen. No too bad for me and Kev, but Brian Dennett had just arrived from Underwood - in his efforts to save fuel, he was to travel with us to Calverton. Oh dear.

You have to feel for the youngsters from Worksop, and all the mums, dads and officials that had made the trip. Quite a hike on a Monday night for nowt!

Mr. Waite went home and published this on his excellent the 66pow blog..... The Dynamic Duo !! Duo yes, dynamic - I don't think so!

Me and Mr. Dennett made ourselves comfy round at Kev's, and we had a nice hour or so ripping each other to bits! Must admit, Brian seems to have taken a shine to Mrs. Kev - they get on really well.

So, no Monday night football, but Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday look promising...