PEARSON;s BRACE CONTINUES AFC;S UNBEATEN RUN

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

AFC TOP VALLEY 3 STAPLEFORD TOWN RESERVES 0

On the morning of this game, it was second versus third, so a tight encounter was expected. After heavy overnight rain, the far pitch at Calverton MW FC was in excellent condition. On arrival, I was greeted by Calverton Secretary Jo Swinscoe who made me a cuppa and I was soon joined by Stapleford Manager Sefton and their club secretary Jason Cockerham, who kindly bought me my raffle prize that I had won from their club raffle last weekend. I was then greeted by AFC;s Secretary Alec who is always friendly and welcoming.

With meeting the match referee Tris Churcher and the team line ups in, it was up to the pitchside and photos taken of Top Valley;s new tracksuits and shirts in their team photos.

The match kicked off and was very even with possibly the visitors in the first 15 minutes on top, with them winning that second ball, but not really pressing goalbound with it. Top Valley began to grow in confidence as their fast forward line sprang the offside trap a couple of times and the visiting keeper was struggling with a injury.

On 31 minutes, a ball sent home forward KANE PEARSON through on goal, to which he side stepped the keeper and slotted the ball past the visiting defender on the line to put his AFC side in to the lead.

On 38 minutes, it could and should have been 2-0 to the homesters, but a superb double save by Gomes in the visitors net kept them out.

The Second Half and Top Valley came out pressing forward and on 50 minutes, a free kick from the right hand side was pushed by Gomes on to the crossbar and KANE PEARSON was first to react to tap the ball home.

On 54 minutes, Ben Cummings broke down the left hand side and beat his defender before shooting, his shot hit the inside of the post and landed at the feet of JACOB GUNN who fired home to make it 3-0.

Stapleford didnt give up but found the home defence in fine form and the home side today deserved their victory and extended their unbeaten record in league matches to seven games.

Must add I felt that referee Tris Churcher had a superb match.

With 25p per goal making 75p today going to the blogs charity FORGET ME NOT, it now takes the running total to £1,126, 95p

100 Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

NSL REFEREES TRAINING WORKSOP

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League Referees Evening

held at Nottingham Forest FC Academy

On Thursday 20th December 2018, a very special evening took place, as Notts Senior League Referees were invited to Nottingham Forest FC;s Academy for a training evening for the first ever time and well organised by League Referees Secerary Darrell Parkes, Notts FA and Nottingham Forest FC.

The evening consisted of several activities including Warm Up exercises, Multi Stage Bleep tests and Fitness advise, the officials were split up in to 3 groups and this included some players from Ravenshead FC who attended.

All enjoyed the evening and officials also donated towards Prostate Cancer and also this Blogs Charity FORGET ME NOT and a HUGE kind donation of £51.70p was presented, taking the Blogs charitys running total up to a staggering £1,126.20p

To read more about the blogs charity please click HERE

QUICK FIRE DOUBLE SEES POINTS HEAD TO NEWARK

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

ROBIN HOOD COLTS FC 0 NEWARK FLOWSERVES RESERVES 2

Att: 19

Robin Hood Colts are a new club in to the Nottinghamshire Senior League and play just off Sixth Avenue on the famous village of Edwinstowe in the heart of Sherwood Forest and just down the road from the world famous Robin Hood's Major Oak tree. Ive not been to this ground since Thoresby CW folded some years ago and having to stay very local, this fixture caught my eye with both teams playing very well of late.

The forecast was for snow, but on arrival it was very cold with the temperature in the car showing at minus 1, the pitch looked perfect for football and after my cuppa and a chat with referee Gareth Tye, it was to pitchside under the stand, which I was grateful for as the freezing rain began to lash down.

A minutes silence took place for a young player who sadly lost his life on a pitch playing football during the week.

The game kicked off and both sides matched each other with very few chances but the Colts possibly just shading the possession in the first thirty minutes, but Flowserve began to raise their game and quite quickly had the ball cleared off the line twice.

In the 40th minute, the deadlock was broken, when a shot from the right hand side of the box was turned in by the Division top marksman LEIGHTON NICHOLSON on 40 minutes to give the Orangemen from Newark the lead.

As we were heading towards half time, a break this time down the left hand side saw TYLER MARTIN chip the home keeper who got his fingers to the ball, but to no avail as the ball dropped behind him in to the net to double Flowserve;s lead.

The Second Half saw The Colts press forward in search of getting back in to the game with a goal, but this was made harder when Wigglesworth in the 56th minute was dismissed for a second cautionable offence.

Flowserve played the remained of the match on the break, whilst Colts pressed but in the end to no avail. The result lifts Flowserve in to 4th in the table with games in hand on those above them.

I felt referee Gareth Tye had a good match in difficult conditions.

I would also like to thank Robin Hood Colts FC for their kind donation of £10 to the Blogs Charity FORGET ME NOT which is a small charity that supports people with Dementia and their partners/carers. The running total now stands at £1074.50p.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

CAPTAIN MUSK;S WINNER ON RETURN

Notts Senior League

Division One

BRIDGFORD UNITED FC 1 AFC BRIDGFORD 2

Looked at this match some time ago, as Bridgford United FC have moved around this season trying find a home venue, but now they hope they have now settled down at Highfields, just off University Boulevard, Nottingham. 

A new block houses the changing rooms and to the side of the pitch is a cricket pavillion, to where I went on to the top floor to take a couple of photos of both sides warming up.

I was chatting to AFC;s Secretary Rob and United;s Chairman Ash and soon joined by Neil Laughlin from Belper, who I last saw whilst we were all on our hols down in Cornwall at Helston AFC on Good Friday morning in the pouring rain..Well Neil didnt bring any better weather, as it was raining yet again, but the pitch looked good for this local derby.

The game kicked off and it was AFC who pushed forward for the first few chances, whilst United settled in to the game. The sun at this stage was very bright, so I walked over to the far side of the roped off pitch.

On 14 minutes, AFC;s corner kick broke down and a ball to the edge of the area, saw a long pass to KYLE PEMBLETON who beat his defender and slot the ball past the outcoming keeper to give his side the lead.

The lead didnt last long, as AFC pushed forward and a long free kick beat the offside trap and SAM GASKIN skipped the last defender before placing the ball in to the net for the equaliser.

The Second Half saw United have to re shuffle their side as their keeper had to be replaced due to injury and a outfield player went inbetween the sticks, with a sub coming on infield.

United pressed forward but AFC defended well, with getting players on the line 3 times to keep their goal line in tact. United in Second place in the table pushed and changed tactics with subs being made, whilst AFC soaked up the pressure and on 70 minutes, their captain JAMES MUSK who returned for this match after missing for the past six weeks, turned up at the far post to slide home the winner.

Both sides felt that the young Referee JACK LAYZELL had a very good game, to which I agree.

I must thank both sides for their kind donations, AFC donated £10 and United £3 towards the Charity Blog, which is for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with dementia and their carers. With all money in, the running total now stands at a amazing £1,064.00

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE REFEREE FITNESS WORKSHOP

The NSL have kindly been offered the training facilities and staff of Nottingham Forest Academy to conduct some fitness training and conditioning to which you are all invited. Can you please confirm attendance with your name via text to 07794036388, as numbers are limited and we may also provide food and refreshments.

Nott's TV will also hopefully be covering this event.

This is the FIRST time anything like this has been done and we the NSL are extremely grateful to Nottingham Forest Football club and its staff for this unique opportunity.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE REFEREE FITNESS WORKSHOP

THURSDAY 20TH DECEMBER

	Group 1	Group 2	Group 3
1900	W/Up Practical	HI Exercise / Plyo Workshop	Speed / Aerobic Training Workshop
1930	Bleep Test	W/up Practical	HI Exercise / Plyo Workshop
2000	Speed / Aerobic Training Workshop	Bleep Test	W/Up Practical
2030	HI Exercise / Plyo Workshop	Speed / Aerobic Training Workshop	Bleep Test

Warm up practical (Dome): This will cover a wide-ranging warm up suitable for matchdays but also will act as a precursor for the bleep test.

The Bleep Test (Dome): The multi-stage fitness test to be completed all fit participants

Training Workshop (Analysis Room): This will cover how to use the score from there fitness to help create individualised aerobic workout and speed/agility sessions.

HI Exercise and Plyometric Workshop (Gym): This will cover High Intensity and plyometric exercises that can be used to supplement there training.  

BURTON LEAPFROG THE RAVENS

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

BURTON JOYCE FC 2 RAVENSHEAD FC 1

Att: 13

Burton Joyce went in to this match sitting in 4th place, one position behind their visitors Ravenshead, but with games in hand on the top two in the table. As Shawn wanted to put up the christmas tree, I was offered a lift by Ravenshead manager Ross Hardwick. On arrival I spotted a new pitch to the right side of the ground as you walk in, it was fully roped off and had two dugouts in the far side, this is the new home for Burton Joyce.

The game kicked off and it was the Greens that was forcing the early pace and after just 5 minutes, a long distance shot struck the crossbar and dropped at the feet of Nathan Francis who tucked the ball in to the net, but the referee Jason Hayes spotted the assistant referees flag raised.

As the half went on, The Ravens came more in to the match and could well have taken the lead themselves, but right on the stroke of half time, the homesters hit the crosbar for a second time but no one was following the ball up to plant home.

The Second Half kicked off and again it was very even between these two teams playing some good football, but it was the Greens who took the lead after 69 minutes, when NATHAN FRANCIS fired home a penalty to score in his 7th successive match.

Ravenshead pushed forward but this left gaps at the back and with the clock ticking down on 78 minutes they made a double substitution, Burton Joyce made a quick throw in and the ball was crossed from the left hand side for JAKE GLOVER to volley home on the far post.

The Ravens pushed everyone forward and after 84 minutes gained a corner on the right hand side which PERRIS THOMAS swung in and eluded everyone which planted itself in to the back of the net.

The final six minutes saw the action flow from end to end and the Ravens keeper had to made a point blank save, from the resulting break, the visitors gained a free kick to the right hand side of the area, Thomas took a low free kick that the home keeper pushed out just over the head of a oncoming attacker.

A very good match played by two very good teams, I felt the referee had a decent match. After the game Ravenshead;s FC kindly donated £3 to the Charity Blog for Forget me Not, a small charity that supports people with dementia

53 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

BEESTON SNATCH WINNER IN SEVEN GOAL THRILLER

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS FC 3 BEESTON FC 4

Att: 35

Programme £1

Another night at the Fieldings, the home of Mansfield Hosiery Mills saw a few hoppers come from near and far to witness a topsy turvey match that swung both ways and the result was in doubt up to the final whistle.

Before the match, I had a cuppa and was joined by Stockport Len and another northern based hopper and some of the locals including Darren Clay. In the First half of the match, I stood with Richard Lane and it was really good to see him, Malc Storer, The man named Onion Bag and Jim Bethell and his dad.

Beeston thought they had scored after 10 minutes, when a shot from the left hand side hit the back of the net, but the referee disallowed the goal after a chat with the official on the far side. The Millers came forward and really should have taken the lead on 25 minutes, when a one on one saw the attacker hit the post from a close range. It was then Beeston on the attack and a long ranged effort smacked the crossbar before being cleared. It was then after 41 minutes that the visitors did take the lead, when a lovely one touch piece of football saw BRIGHT AGANA slide the ball past Gilbourne in the Millers net.

The Second Half saw The Millers playing down the famous slope and pushing forward and they got their reward of getting back on equal terms on 55 minutes, when a free kick from the right hand side was floated in to the penalty area where TYLER BARKSBY scooped low to head home.

The turnabout was on as after 58 minutes, The Millers were in front when TYLER BARKSBY sprinted through and beat the advancing keeper to tuck under him to make it 2-1. Beeston then came back in to the game and after 69 minutes, it was their turn to equalise when ADAM KEMP hooked home from the edge of the penalty area.

From the kick off, The Millers went straight on to the attack and gained a corner kick on the right hand side, from that resulting corner TYLER BARKSBY completed his hat trick when heading home at the near post.

Beeston were far from out of the game and pressed forward again and on 78 minutes, ADAM KEMP rifled home through a crowded penalty area to make it 3-3.

With 7 minutes to go, the referee sent Aaron Foster of The Millers to the Sin Bin. Beeston now with a player advantage pressed forward and in the final seconds of the match, a shot ended at the feet of visiting sub HENRY SAINSBURY who tucked home the winner. At the full time whistle, Aaron Foster was then shown a straight red card.

A real shame that there had to be a loser in this match as it was a great advert for the NSL. I felt all 3 officials had a good match.

I must thank Richard Lane for his kind £5 donation towards the Charity Blog which is for Forget Me Not, a small charity that supports people with dementia and their families/partners/carers. Mansfield Hosiery Mills FC and their under 16;s team are also supporting the Charity Blog with £1 for each goal they score this season.

The Running Total stands at present on a whopping £1,046.50p

COLTS HEAD TO QUARTERS

Notts FA Saturday Senior Trophy

Third Round

TRENT VINEYARD FC 1 ROBIN HOOD COLTS FC 6

The beauty of the Notts FA Cup Competitions is that I can go to grounds that Ive never visited before and when the third round draw was made, this tie caught my eye as a new venue. Jay from Robin Hood kindly offered to give me a lift to and from the ground from Mansfield, so I would like to thank him.

On arrival, I noticed there was 2 pitches and on the far pitch was to be played another tie in the competition where Wollaton III were hosting Sherwood Colliery Reserves. The players were soon changed and on the pitch for the match Id come to watch.

From the kick off, The Colts missed a early chance through Pearson and Vineyard matched their opponents in a evenly contested start to the tie, but the visitors were beginning to press more forward and more chances were coming.

Watching part of the other tie was Wollaton FC chairman Bill Fishwick and club Committee man Steve Smith who came over for a chat before heading to their First Team match at Radcliffe Olympic FC, Bill kindly donated £2 to the Blogs Charity, so a big thankyou to Bill for his support.

On 26 minutes, the deadlock was broken, when a cross from the left side was net by the head of DANIEL TYSON who put the Colts in front. Vineyard pushed forward but this left gaps at the back and on 35 minutes, the Colts doubled their lead when a bit of a strange goal occurred when a long ball was floated in from the right hand side, it took a odd bounce in front of the home keeper and sprung up, GEORGE CAMPS then leaped up and the ball landed over the keeper in to the net.  I was now watching the match with Leicester based groundhopper Gordon Grimes who had seen my tweet on twitter on the morning of the game.

As the game was heading to half time, a cross came from the right hand side and DANIEL TYSON slid the ball home to make it 3-0.

During the half time break, Gordon kindly donated £5 to the Blogs charity, which I must thank him for.

The Second Half kicked off and The Colts were straight on to the attack and on 46 minutes, GEORGE CAMPS was bought down just inside the penalty area and he dusted himself down before planting home to make it 4-0.

At this stage, there was danger of how many would it be, but to the Beeston clubs credit, they kept on battling and pressed forward forward creating several chances and after 52 minutes LUKE COLLEN slid in on the back post to reduce the arrears.

Vineyard pressed again and Wigglesworth in the Colts goal made a outstanding save to keep it at 4-1, but as gaps appeared the visitors began to exploit them and in the 65th minute of the game, they were awarded their second penalty of the game, to which GEORGE CAMPS chipped the keeper to complete his hat trick.

With the home sides hearts broken and a few heads down, Colts were moving the ball and attacking constantly and it came as no surprise on 69 minutes, when NICK WESTERMAN cut in from the left wing and curled his shot into the top corner of the net to make it 6-1.

A few comments about the game, I felt young Referee Grace Lowe had a superb match, the game was played by both clubs in the correct manner and both were a credit to their leagues.

With the donations given to the Charity Blog today and the goals scored this takes the running total to £1,039.75p for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with dementia and their carers and partners.

91 Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

JOACHIM PUNISHES THE BUDGIES

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

ASLOCKTON & ORSTON FC 1 MAGDALA AMATEURS FC 0

Att: 14

Not been to Spa Lane, the home of Aslockton & Orston FC for a couple of years now, infact last time I went, the new clubhouse and changing rooms were just a shell and halfway through being built.

Before the match, there was a minutes silence for Terry Annable, the former Secretary of the Notts FA who sadly passed away earlier in the week. 

I had many dealings with Terry in the early 1990's walking up that steep hill of Claredon Street in the centre of Nottingham, he was strict but very fair person with a lot of knowledge that he passed down to a lot of people and was very well respected.

The game kicked off and the visitors seemed to have the upper hand pushing forward and cutting out a very good chance in the 5th minute, when a ball from the left wing flashed across the 6 year box but the sliding in attacker just couldnt connect.

In the 17th minute, from a corner from the right hand side, a header aiming towards the top corner of the net was headed off the line to keep the home side on level terms. On 27 minutes, The Locks had to thank their keeper for a quick double save.

In injury time of the first half, Magdala;s corner broke down and a long clearance to the halfway line was met by ex Leicester City and Aston Villa striker JULIAN JOACHIM who ran forward with the ball and stuck home from 30 yards out to give his side the lead.

Magdala came out fired up for the Second Half and it looked only a matter of time before they would be on level terms as they pressed forward, but the home defence stood tall, also from each corner, the Locks keeper leaped up and caught every cross.

Aslockton came more in to the game looking for the second goal to give them that cushion, but didnt really trouble the visiting Budgies keeper too much and whilst Magdala threw everyone forward for the final ten minutes, the homesters took the points.

121 Photos can be seen on this LINK

GOOD NEWS AT HICKINGS LANE

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

STAPLEFORD TOWN FC 1 SOUTHWELL CITY FC 1

Att: 64

Stapleford Town FC played their first Notts Senior League Premier Division match at Hickins Lane of the season due to no other matches being played at Basford United FC due to their involvement in the FA Trophy, this bought good news to the club before kick off as the League's groundgrader arrived to check out the facilities of this advancing new club that has only been in existance at senior level football for just over a year. Their opponents Southwell City FC have alot of history behind them having been formed in 1893.

I have only ever seen one match at this ground and that was last season and played on the front pitch, so on arrival was delighted to find out that this match was being played on the back pitch, which will be set up for their new home, for this match it was roped off but they are looking at railing all round and getting respect barriers.

As the players were bought on to the pitch by the three officials through the respect flags, they were taken to the halfway line, where one of the Stapleford Town;s sponsors had donated a metal soldier, so the respect handshake took place around it before the minutes silence and both sides then joined in a photo with the banner "Stapleford Remembers".

The visitors went in to the match six points clear of the home side but Stapleford Town have three games in hand, so this was a clear six pointer match that at the end of the season could well decide where the championship title would be heading, though titles arent won in November.

The game began at a good pace, with Southwell carving out the early chances and on 23 minutes took the lead through a JONATHAN NUSSEY penalty. The lead only lasted for 4 minutes, as the Town pressed forward and was awarded a penalty of their own, which ADAM HASSALL duly dispatched to level up the scores.

At half  time I headed to the busy tea bar which was manned by the wife Hazel who was doing a sterling job.

The Second Half, it was Stapleford who made the most chances, but could not find away past the in-form Ryan Fletcher in the visitors net who was equal to everything thrown at him.

A very good game played by two very good teams and the three officials were very good as well.

You may recall at the start of the season, Stapleford Town FC were due to host Attenborough FC and they produced their first ever programme, the proceeds they kindly donated to my charity Blog for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with Dementia and their families and carers to the sum of £46, this has now been added to the running total and its takes the blog to over a thousand pounds, the running total now stands at a amazing £1.010.75p. 

From programme sales at this match, all money was going to the local British Legion and £48 was taken, the Nottinghamshire Senior League have made it up to £100 for such a good cause.

Photos from this match can be seen on this LINK

MILLERS EXTEND UNBEATEN RUN

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 2 BASFORD UNITED COMMUNITY 0

Mansfield Hosiery Mills FC did their first ever programme for a league match and with a print of 50, I had pre orders of 21 sold, on arrival I was greeted by 3 hoppers who had travelled to the match from the Wakefield area and the match officials.

A minutes silence was taken in the pouring rain as I stood behind the goal in the stand with Malc Storer and Kev Goodman and was soon joined by Teveral FC's Kev Newton and his family.

The game kicked off in difficult weather conditions and both teams were equal to each other with very few chances being made in the First Half.

The Second Half began with Mansfield Hosiery Mills on the front foot and after 50 minutes, a screwed shot by Aspinall that was heading just wide was turned in by KIAN BREWIN to open the scoring.

The Millers pressed forward and the Community keeper was forced in to action a few times in a better footballing second period, as the game was closing out a poor clearence out of the Basford defence landed at the feet of CRAIG NEWTON who on the edge of the box struck his shot that hit the inside of the post before crossing the line to double his teams advantage in the 90th minute. Mansfield, Hosiery Mills now go to 5 matches unbeaten.

I felt all 3 officials had a very good match.

Would just like to add that Mansfield Hosiery Mills are donating £1 per goal they score this season towards the Charity Blog which is for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with dementia and their carers and partners. Also The Millers Under 16's team are also sponsoring the Charity Blog as well this season. So a BIG thank you to them

FRANCIS MAKES REDS PAY THE PENALTY

Nottinghamshire County Saturday Senior Trophy

Round Two

BLIDWORTH WELFARE RED FC 2 BURTON JOYCE FC 3

I chose this Cup tie as it was close to home and with it being a ground Id never been to before, it appealed to me. On arrival I was greeted by the Reds Sec/Manager John and made very welcome.

Blidworth Reds dont actually play in Blidworth, but on the outskirts of Sutton In Ashfield on Unwin Road. The team had been set up as a kids team and all been friends as they grew up and didnt wish to be split up when they became adults, so moved away from Blidworth to set up their own Saturday adult side and ply their trade in the newly formed Midlands & Notts Alliance League.

With teamsheets written down it was to pitchside and a minutes silence of respect to those who sadly lost their lives last weekend at Leicester City FC.

The match kicked off and it was the visitors Burton Joyce who looked the stronger going forward and the club from the Nottinghamshire Senior League looked like they had opened the scoring in the first couple of minutes, but the referee called play back for a offside decision.

The Greens kept pressing forward and on 15 minutes, a trip just inside the area saw them gain a penalty decision, to which DEAN GENT duly dispatched to open up the scoring. After 19 minutes, Burton Joyce opened up a two goal advantage, when DEAN GENT beat the offside trap and rounded the home keeper to slot home.

The Reds then sprang in to action and began to play some good football and on 24 minutes reduced the arrears when a mistake at the heart of the defence and the visiting keeper let in RHYS EDMONDS to capitalise on.

The Reds confidence grew and in the 31st minute, they were on level terms when a corner from the left hand side, was partly cleared to the edge of the penalty area, where MICHAEL BIGGS placed a low shot in to the corner of the net.

Just before half time, Reds had a blow, when their keeper was struggling and went down to the ground, it looked as if he would make the half time whistle, but after treatment, he went down again and had to be replaced, with the homesters having to change their formation.

The Second Half was end to end in a blood and guts Cup Tie, with both teams going close, but as they say, every game has a turning point and this came in 57th minute, when Blidworth were awarded a penalty, the Reds player hit it sweetly towards the corner of the net, but Blyth in the Joyce net was equal to it and pushed it away. This proved to be critical as the visitors were ahead within 3 minutes, when NATHAN FRANCIS cut in from the left wing and drew the keeper before slotting it past him.

The Reds pushed everyone forward and in the final 3 minutes had 4 corners to which all 11 players were in the visiting penalty area but in the end the Greens defence stood tall and took a narrow win to face United Grays FC at home in Round Three of the competition.

Must add that both clubs represented their Leagues well and are a credit to themselves.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

COMMUNITY COUPE DOWN THE SAINTS

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League 

Premier Division

SANDIACRE TOWN 0 EASTWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMENT 2

Not having been to Sandiacre Town for a long time and not having seen League newcomers Eastwood Community Developement, this match fitted the bill for me. A few things have altered down at St Giles Park, as you walk in there are new home changing rooms and as you walk in to the clubhouse, to the left is a hatch to the teabar.

The game kicked off and you could see that this match was going to be a battle in freezing conditions, with very few chances being made, but a good defensive display by both teams. After 35 minutes though, it was the Badgers who took the lead when a long through ball from midfield set KALLUM O DOWD through and he slotted the ball past the outcoming home keeper.

Just before half time, Town thought they were back on level terms but the Assistant Referees flagged had been raised for offside.

The half time coffee was really welcomed as my hands were frozen and out for the Second Half came the teams and so did my son Shawn donning a new Sandiacre sweatshirt and a couple of other goodies that Emma from Sandiacre Town had kindly kitted him out with.

The Second Half kicked off and the homesters were kicking towards the church stand end and had the visiting keeper pulled off two fine saves to keep his sides narrow margin lead. Again the game flowed end to end until the 86th minute, when the visitors got a free kick on the right hand side of their own half, the ball was swept to the left wing and THOMAS COUPE caught it on the volley from 40 yards that dipped over the home keepers head to send the points back to Eastwood.

Scott Anderson and his two assistants all had good games and let the game flow as much as they could.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

ROVERS SURVIVE SECOND HALF FIGHT BACK

East Lincs Football Combination League

Division Two

SUTTON ROVERS FC 7 NORTH COTES FC 5

Att: 26 headcount

With spending a weekend away in Ingoldmells, I was going to pop in to Skegness to watch Susie Stars FC but the fixture wasnt on Full Time on the morning, so a quick phone call to Rob the secretary of Sutton Rovers FC to confirm the match was on.

On arrival there is a small car park and the ground contains a lovely clubhouse which I entered and had a quick pint whilst Hazel and Shawn headed in to the local town to go round the shops.

The game kicked off and the visitors pressed forward and on 4 minutes the home keeper fumbled the ball and the Cotes NUMBER 9 swept the ball past him. Straight from the kick off, the Rovers NUMBER 11 cut inside from the right wing and his shot nestled in the bottom corner of the net to bring the scores level.

Sutton stepped up their game and the visiting keeper was called in to action a couple of times, but on 21 minutes, it was North Cotes that took the lead, when a pass out from the home keeper was intercepted by the visiting NUMBER 9 to lash home. Again from kick off, Rovers pressed forward and gained a corner on the left hand side, from the resulting corner the home NUMBER 8 headed it home.

Sutton then continued to press forward and went in to the lead for the first time in the match on the half hour mark, when a long ball down the left hand side found NUMBER 6 who draw the outcoming keeper to place the ball past him. On 32 minutes, it was 4-2 when NUMBER 10 tapped in from close distance.

North Cotes had a couple of chances to reduce the arrears, but on 39 minutes, a cross from the right wing found out the head of the home NUMBER 2 to extend his teams lead. North Cotes now needed that half time whistle to come but Rovers with their tails up added a sixth goal before the break when a long free kick rolled along the goal line for NUMBER 6 to tap in.

After my half time cuppa, it was back outside and on 55 minutes, it became 7-2 when the home NUMBER 6 completed his hat trick. In the 59th minutes, North Cotes began a fight back, when they were awarded a penalty to which the NUMBER 9 duly completed his hat trick.

Just after the hour and Cotes reduced the arrears even more when a cross from the right hand side found out the NUMBER 9 who scored his fourth of the match.

On 73 minutes, North Cotes scored again when NUMBER 3 slipped the ball under the keeper to make it 7-5 to Rovers. Cotes kept battling but they couldnt score again.

A very good match and must say the referee did very well letting play flow

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

CITY ON TOP FORM

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

ATTENBOROUGH FC 0 SOUTHWELL CITY FC 8

It turned out to be a good day for table toppers Southwell City as their closest rivals in the table, Cotgrave FC, FC Cavaliers and Awsworth Villa all dropped points. Southwell City were ruthless here at the Strand Ground, the home of Attenborough FC.

The game kicked off and it was the Minstermen in front after just 75 seconds, when a swirling cross in the blustery wind spin, EWAN HILL scopped and the ball seemed in the air for ages before hitting the poor home keepers head and landing in the net.

After 4 minutes, it became 2-0 to the visitors, when a shot for the right side of the penalty area hot the back of the net through OLIVER CLARKE. There was no stop pushing forward as Law went close with several chances and after 12 minutes, the game could well have been right out of sight for Attenborough and maybe they could have said they were lucky only to be 2-0 down rather than possibly 5-0 down.

Attenborough tried to press but the final ball to their forwards just wasnt getting through with stubborn defending by the visitors. It was only a matter of more goals as the home keeper was pulling off several fine saves and it became 3-0 on 35 minutes, when a ball came in from the right wing, the first effort was volleyed off the line, but only to OLIVER CLARKE who hooked home from around the penalty spot.

On 38 minutes, CALUM LAW finally got his name on the scoresheet after robbing the defender of the ball and slotting home to make it 4-0.

A quick half time cuppa and back out in to the warm strong blowing cross wind, but again it was the Ministermen soon back in to their stride and on 54 minutes when CALUM LAW placed the ball past the oncoming keeper after a lovely through ball that split the home defence.

Attenborough then had their best spell in the game for 15 minutes, but their efforts were long range shots, whilst the City defence stood tight. On 70 minutes,  EWAN HILL made it 6-0 with a long range shot and in the 77th minute, EWAN HILL headed home his hat trick.

The final action of the day saw young City sub GEORGE CAUDWELL win the ball in the air and advance towards goal and keep a level head when slotting the ball in to the bottom corner of the net.

Must say I felt that all 3 match officials had a very good game with Shaun Garner in the middle and his two assistants Andy Chislet-McDonald and young Lewis Gilman on the lines.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

SWIFTS CONTINUE 100% RECORD

East Lincs Football Combination League

Division Two

CHAPEL SWIFTS FC 5 SUSIE STARS FC 1

On holiday in Ingoldmells, I checked out the East Lincs Combination Full Time website for a local match and came across a interesting game to be played at Skegness Grammar School between two sides with 100% records, so something had to give in this game..On arrival I found out it was a local derby so bragging rights were also at stake.

Chapel Swifts FC have moved to play their home fixtures on a grass pitch at Skegness Grammar School, whilst their visitors play on the 4g pitch outside out the newly built Skegness Town ground.

The game kicked off and was end to end and they always say that games have turning points and there was one in the first couple of minutes when a home defender bought down a Stars forward, but all to no avail as the referee waved play on to the amazement of most folks watching the game.

In the 8th minute, on Swifts first attack, a corner came in from the right hand side and bullet header by DANNY ASTON found the corner of the net(see photo above.)

Stars pressed hard and had a couple of efforts that went wide, whilst the homesters were playing fast on the break, so it looked like goals were going to be scored. After 32 minutes, the scorers were level when a long range free kick was blocked but bounce to the back post where KIERAN RAYNER tapped in to the empty net.

This seemed to fire Chapel in to action as they pressed forward and ASHLEY REDGUARD punished the visitors who had switched off for a few seconds with a fine finish.

The Second Half kicked off and the visitors ideas must have been to score the next goal, but the Swifts had different ideas when after just 37 seconds in to the half, CALUM BARLOW drew the outcoming visiting keeper and slotting past him. Within 2 minutes, it became 4-1, when the same player smashed the ball home from just outside the area.

Stars then began to fight back with a lot of possession, but they found the home defence on fine form and most efforts they had were dealt with.

In the final minute, Swifts wrapped up the scoring for the day when JORDAN BLOODWORTH fired home from the edge of the area.

Must thank a Chapel Swifts FC player for kindly donating £2 to the Charity Blog, which with the goals scored today takes the running to £957.00 for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with dementia and their carers/partners.

Photos from todays match can be seen on this LINK

HAYWOOD SLAMS MINERS INTO NEXT ROUND

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Senior League Cup

First Round

BESTWOOD MINERS WELFARE FC 7 ATTENBOROUGH FC 0

I went to this match as I had a feeling there maybe a Cup shock could take place as midtable Division One Bestwood MW hosted Senior Division strugglers Attenborough FC.

Before kick off it was nice to greet Andy Dakin from Northwich and Tim from Stourbridge.

For the first twenty minutes, the game was equal and no  one would have complained if they had fallen a goal behind as both sides had decent chances, but after 25 minutes, the visitors failed cleared their penalty area and DUANE HAYWOOD turned and shot his side in front.

With rain hammering down as half time approached, a welcome cuppa at the break was what I needed, so I strolled over to the tea bar with Ex Unity & Real United Secretary Ritchie Hopkins.

The Second Half , the Welfare came out and pushed forward, a shot came in, to which the visiting keeper parried out to DUANE HAYWOOD who headed home to give his side a two goal advantage.

Attenborough tried to push forward, but the Welfare;s defence stood tall and kept the chances down to long range efforts. On the hour, it was 3-0 when a free kick by NDREQIM KRASHQI on the left hand wing dipped over the visiting keeper and in to the net.

Attenborough still tried to push forward but tired legs were showing and Bestwood seemed to have found a another level in fitness as they pressed with the visiting keeper making several very good saves, but he couldnt deny DUANE HAYWOOD in the 74th minute from completing his hat trick to make it 4-0.

The visitors heads went down and ex secretary Terry Allen asked if the 90 minutes were up, just then in the 76th minute, it was worse for Attenborough when STEFAN DALMEDO stepped in to the penalty area and placed his shot home.

After 82 minutes, Bestwood was awarded a penalty and up stepped James Duffy but the visiting keeper made a superb save to keep it out, but a minute later and all credit to Duffy, he didnt let his head go down and contined with his game with a superb little ball through for  DUANE HAYWOOD to make it 6-0.

As we headed towards the final minute of the game, a cross came in from the left wing and miners sub WAYNE EVANS connected with a overhead kick to make it 7-0.

I must mention the hard work put in to JIM DUFFY for getting the pitch in superb condition for this game to take place, a real credit to him and his club.

Photos from this match can be seen on this LINK