Arnold Town 0-2 Parkgate

Saturday 29th January 2011 -- NCEL Premier Division

With our scheduled game falling foul of the freeze, our second choice game likewise and games being called off left, right and centre, I decided to play it safe and go to where I knew the game was definitely on. Kev wasn't too sure about going to Eagle Valley again, but as it happened the game was a fairly open affair and another £20 was handed over in donations for APTCOO.

Thanks go to John Ramshaw who is an avid reader of "On The Road" and big thanks also to Rob & Caroline Whitehead, along with Son, James and Grand-daughter, Ellie Mae. We were in their company for a while and as usual we consider this to be time well spent.

Come on Tony!

Shake

The home team are struggling to get a full squad together, naming only three subs for this game. Parkgate are flying high in second spot - but had to be content to grind out a result against the Eagles, who played well enough but failed to take advantage of the chances they created.

The first quarter of an hour saw the home team apply a considerable amount of pressure to the Parkgate back line, and were unlucky when, after a series of corners, Hannity was on hand to clear after Jenkinson had failed to collect.

Hannity ready on the post

Parkgate gradually took control of the game, and right back Dan Cardwell was raiding well. He has a terrific long-throw - and it was from one of these that the visitors took the lead on 41, skipper WILLIAM SENIOR leaping to head over Walker in the Arnold goal. The keeper made a despairing effort to get the ball, but it was right in the top corner and in reality Walker had no chance.



 In-coming!!

Cardwell ( no. 2) launches a throw into the box.... Arnold had a great opportunity to level in the 44th minute when Tony Law was tripped in the area. The striker took the spot kick and probably wished he'd have given the responsibility to someone else as he struck the ball some 10 yards over the bar. H-T 0-1



The ball is between Law (no.9) and Hannity (no.11) - you can imagine it's trajectory from this image!!

 
 Jenkinson collects well from Francis' free-kick. 

Didn't take any notes in the second half - it was several degrees too cold to get the notepad out of the pocket! As it turned out, Parkgate doubled their lead on 57 - Ashley Worsfold's shot deflecting into the air to KEIR HANNITY who headed the loose ball into the net. A lucky goal, but that's how it goes when you are struggling. Arnold had a few chances late in the game, but again poor finishing meant that they ended up on the wrong end of a 0-2 scoreline.

Admission £5

Programme £1.20

Attendance 110

Saturday 29th January - games

BSP Mansfield Town 2-3 Wrexham FC BSN Corby Town 1-6 Eastwood Town ( Knox hat-trick 80,82,90) NPP Hucknall Town P-P Whitby Town NP1S Belper Town 0-1 Kidsgrove Athletic Glapwell P-P Barwell Rainworth MW P-P Brigg Town Stamford P-P Carlton Town NCELP Arnold Town 0-2 Parkgate Tadcaster Albion P-P Long Eaton United NCEL1 Glasshoughton W P-P Shirebrook Town Teversal P-P Pontefract Colls MFA Heath Hayes P-P Dunkirk EMCL Borrowash Victoria 1-1 St. Andrews Gedling MW P-P Heanor Town Graham St Prims 1-2 Blackwell MW Greenwood Meadows P-P Bardon Hill Thurnby Nirvana 3-0 Gedling Town CMLS Blidworth W P-P Dronfield Town Calverton MW P-P Westella & Willerby Church Warsop S & SC P-P Nettleham Clipstone W P-P Harworth CI Kinsley Boys P-P Kirkby Town Newark Town 1-2 Parkhouse Ollerton Town 2-5 Pinxton Southwell City 1-2Sheffield Parramore Sutton Town AFC P-P Kimberley Town CMLP Nottingham United 3-0 AFC Hucknall NSL Awsworth Villa P-P Gedling Southbank Bilborough Pelican 1-1 Boots Athletic Bulwell 3-1 Keyworth United F C Cavaliers 4-2 Clifton FC Hucknall Rolls Leisure P-P Kimberley MW Linby CW 3-0 Basford United

Heanor Town 8-1 Holwell Sports

Wednesday 26th January 2011 - EMCL


 

Never expected this scoreline - and after Holwell scored first, I suspect they didn't expect it either! Must admit, we are chuffed to bits to have chosen this game .. it was an almost perfect Heanor performance, we were in good company, the Charity netted a few bob, and we met a lovely groundhopping couple from Leicestershire who had nothing but praise for the "On The Road" blog. I'm taking this opportunity to say thank you very much - we will visit Loughborough Dynamo some time in the future, if only to meet up with you again! Spent most of the match in the company of Tony Squires along with Heanor full back James Whiteheads' parents, Rob and Caroline.

The donation from Tony and another chunk of cash from Kev and yours truly, takes the APTCOO total to over £440. I reckon the revised target of £500 may have to be revised again!!

Heanor striker Dan Williams netted five times - I can't remember the last time we saw a player score five....if ever!

Right from the kick off Heanor looked like they were hungry for the win that would consolidate top spot - and only good keeping from Richard Craggs kept out Lee Askham and Dan Williams. A series of corners followed, culminating with a poor effort from Williams that flew high, wide and not very handsome. Askham fired wide in the 11th minute, but on 20 and totally against the run of play, Holwell took the lead. GRAHAM KEAST took full advantage of a few yards of space he was given on the edge of the box, firing left footed past Heanor keeper Mark Frost.

The Lions were only behind for 3 minutes though, mainly due to some terrier like battling in the midfield by right back Lee Stevenson. Only playing due to injury to regular right back James Whitehead, Stevenson won the ball and laid it out to Williams on the right. He fired the ball across the goal to where strike partner NATHAN BENGER was waiting to accept the simplest of tap-ins.

Heanor were relentless in their pursuit of the lead, but they had to wait until 2 minutes before the break before netting again. Stevenson found Benger who slotted across the goal to give DAN WILLIAMS a close range tap in. Just before the half-time whistle, Heanor added to their tally when a Phil Austin corner from the right was headed powerfully home by WILLIAMS. H-T 3-1

WILLIAMS should have had his 3rd on 47, but dragged his shot wide. The striker didn't have to wait too long though before completing his personal treble, a deflected effort from 18 yards completely wrong footing Craggs.

ASHLEY GRAYSON nodded home the 5th on 68, after Phil Austin's superb cross from the left picked him out at the far post.. Grayson had been out of the Lions team due to a long-term injury, and judging by the welcome he received when he went on to replace Benger, he is a real crowd favourite.

On 74, WILLIAMS grabbed his 4th of the game, firing home from 25 yards after being given acres of room to set his sights. The keeper could probably have done better, but the shot was placed well enough and he didn't get much help from his defence. Sub TOM NORRIS was the next name on the score sheet, finishing well at the far post. WILLIAMS rounded off a superb Heanor display with seconds to play - adding the finishing touch to a neat passing move. F-T 8-1

Smiles all the way home - both of us agreeing that the home team's performance was one of the best we have seen this season - anywhere......

Special mention for mifdfield duo Jimmy Gee-Pemberton and Ryan Cancellara. They went quietly about their business, but controlled everything - a very impressive, undemonstrative pairing.

Admission £5

Attendance 79

Next -- ..............................

Arnold Town U19 1-1 Sheffield Club

Monday 24th January 2011 -- North Mids U19 League Division 1

Pinxton FC A-A Nettleham FC

Saturday 22nd January 2011 -- CML Supreme Division

Pinxton FC (click to enlarge, double click to supersize!)

A cracking game that was sadly ended early due to an injury to Pinxton keeper Joey McCormack. I am sure that Kev will join me in wishing the young man a speedy recovery.

 Shake

 

 Match officials

 

Kick off

Leaders Pinxton entertained 6th bottom Nettleham in which, on paper at least, should have been a "gimme". Unfortunately for Pinxton, Nettleham had other ideas and took the game to their host right from the off. The Lincs outfit took the lead in the 6th minute, when left back BUCKLEY fired in a corner from the right that eluded both keeper McCormack and James Senior at the far post.

 

Goal from the corner kick

They should have doubled the lead on 12, but McCormack did well to block from Lee Beesley after the striker had been picked out and Liam Collins had failed to stop the shot.


 
No.9 Lee Beesley foiled



Beesley (no.9) nods home, but this effort was ruled out - there was an offence somewhere....

Pinxton had a great shout for a penalty soon after, the ball clearly striking a defenders arm - however, Referee Mr. Thomas Hawkins and his Assistant both missed the offence and waved play on.


 
Penalty ref ! Not given....

The home team pulled level on 15 after Nettleham veteran keeper Daniels charged out of goal, but missed his kick when put under pressure by Wayne Cooke. The loose ball ran to JAY COOPER who calmly slotted into the empty net from the corner of the box. Just before the break, Nettleham re-took the lead after a great pass from Beesley found SZENDREY and the no. 11 controlled well before firing the ball across McCormack and into the back of the net. H-T 1-2

Spent most of the half in the company of Blidworth's Brett Marshall and Dave Bramwell. Their game at Kirkby had been called off due to the pitch being frozen - they were informed of this while they were in the changing rooms getting ready for the game!

The league leaders were on level terms within just 2 minutes of the restart - JAMIE RENSHAW doing really well to slide in and prod home from 6 yards after the ball had been played into his path. Or - if you want Jamie's version - a 30 yard screamer into the top corner! They were in front five minutes later after Arron Brady went for an overhead kick on 51, but was fouled in the act, according to Mr. Hawkins. I think most people in attendance were slightly amazed at this decision, but FRASER THOMAS didn't care as he smashed the ball past 43 year old Daniels.

Nettleham were not too put off by this latest decision by Mr. Hawkins, and kept pressing the home defence. They were rewarded on 72 when BOWDEN netted from close range after a mix up in the Pinxton defence.

Then came the incident that ultimately saw the game abandoned. McCormack jumped to collect a ball in from the left and appeared to have fumbled the ball allowing LEE BEESLEY a simple tap in. It transpired though, that the keeper had fallen badly on his ankle as he landed, the injury causing him to release the ball.

Ben Newman was ready to take McCormack's place in goal, but no-one seemed to want to take responsibility for moving the stricken player, who was sitting on the cold ground in the goalmouth. After a 30-odd minute wait for an ambulance to turn up, Mr. Hawkins decided that the game would be abandoned. Sad end to a great game - Nettleham were well worth the win, but now the outcome of the game rests with the CML committee. If the game has to be replayed, I hope we can get to it!

Strange to see the ambulance struggling to get up the Pinxton slope - well, it struggled until several people (including Kev) gave it a shove!

Admission £2

H/C 35

Next up -- Under 19's at Arnold on 24th ...

Saturday 22nd January - local teams in action

BSP Mansfield Town 1-0 Histon BSN Eastwood Town P-P Droylsden NPP FC United of Manchester 4-1 Hucknall Town NP1S Carlton Town 4-5 Goole AFC Lincoln United 3-2 Glapwell Romulus P-P Rainworth MW Spalding United 0-1 Belper Town NCELP Long Eaton United 2-2 Winterton Rangers Scarborough Athletic 1-0 Arnold Town NCEL1 Grimsby Borough 1-2 Shirebrook Town Louth Town 1-0 Teversal EMCL Anstey Nomads P-P Graham St Prims Barrow Town P-P Gedling MW Gedling Town 4-2 Ibstock United Hinckley FC P-P Borrowash Victoria Holwell Sports P-P Blackwell MW Radford FC 0-3 Heanor Town St. Andrews 1-1 Greenwood Meadows Thurnby Nirvana 2-2 Radcliffe Olympic MFA Dunkirk 1-0 Coleshill Town CMLS Dronfield Town 4-0 Sutton Town AFC Harworth CI 0-1 Newark Town Kimberley Town 2-2 Southwell City Kinsley Boys 4-1 Calverton MW Kirkby Town P-P Blidworth Welfare Pinxton A-A Nettleham Sheffield Parramore 6-1 Church Warsop C & SC Westella & Willerby 3-2 Clipstone Welfare CMLP Bulwell Town 3-1 AFC Hucknall FC 05 Bilsthorpe 0-6 South Normanton Athletic Nottingham United 0-8 Bentley Colliery NSL Senior Division Attenborough P-P Kimberley MW Bilborough Pelican 5-3 Linby CW Notts Police 0-3 Clifton FC

Carlton Town 2-2 Grantham Town

Wednesday 19th January 2011 -- Evo-Stik League Division 1 South

 

 This was our fifth game in five days, and that isn't going to happen again in a hurry. Not only is it a bit draining on the finances, another marathon like this may well end Kev's marriage!!


Anyway, first mention to the car-park steward at Stoke Lane - when we arrived there was not a lot of room to park, but the steward allowed us to park just outside the entrance and allayed any fears of us being blocked in. If only all the high-vis men were as decent as this one!! Grabbed a team-sheet from Mr. Dennett - over the past few seasons Brian has become a real friend of "On The Road" and it's always a pleasure to be in the man's company. Brian is also the latest to donate to the APTCOO charity fund - much appreciated buddy!


Carlton had Deon Meikle on debut - the former Eastwood Town man had signed for the Millers from Worksop after the Hucknall game on Tuesday. He was to have a decent game in midfield, but unfortunately he didn't quite last the 90 minutes - not through fatigue - two yellow cards followed by a red ended his involvement in the game in the 83rd minute.

Carlton were without regulars Joe Naylor, Ashley Kitchen, and Nick Hall, then lost Josh Thornton just before half-time through injury. The game was a bit dull early doors, and the first real chance came on 20 - keeper Neil West fluffed his kick and presented Carchedi with an open goal - the diminutive winger struck the ball well enough at goal, but it crashed off the post saving the keepers blushes.

Grantham looked to have opened the scoring after 33, but Referee Mr. Carratt ruled that West had been fouled, much to the dismay of the Grantham fans that were standing right behind the goal. The home team took the lead with one minute of the half left, and it has to be said totally against the run of play.

Journeyman striker NEIL GRAYSON had showed very little during the half, but his sublime dink over Murray into the top corner from 18 yards was a real masterpiece. H-T 1-0

Grantham were level on the hour mark after Ben Saunders' speculative cross/shot from the right wing dropped over the head of Millers' keeper Neil West. Surprised everyone, none more than Saunders!

The game was by this time becoming a bit of a physical affair, with one or two rash challenges going in. Bonnick and Meikle were both shown yellow by Mr. Carratt as Carlton tried to regain a foothold in the game. On 79, Alistair Asher missed his kick as the ball was played out of the Carlton defence, allowing Bonnick a clear run at goal. The striker could have tried his luck, but saw that TERRY HAWKRIDGE was in a far better position and when the winger received the ball he stayed calm and slammed it past keeper Murray.

The home team were only ahead for two minutes - GIO CARCHEDI lashing home from the edge of the box after good approach play by Grantham. Then Meikle received his second yellow, leaving his colleagues to battle out the remaining time a man down. Credit the home team though - battle they did and managed to hang on for a point. F-T 2-2

Grantham were arguably the better team on the night, but full marks to under-strength Carlton for a gutsy performance.

Admission £7

Attendance 124

A rest now until Saturday - then we're off to Pinxton