All About the Charity Blog

Over the seasons Aroundthegrounds has raised £1000's for different charities, this season 2018-19 is no different as we raised for FORGET-ME-NOT, a small self funding charity that supports people with dementia and their partners/carers. Each goal I see scored we will donated 25p, I know a lot of people and clubs like to donate, doesnt matter how small, it is always very gratefully received, your name or club will go on to the donators list.

Thursday 30 August 2018

BEESTON SECOND HALF DISPLAY TAKES THE POINTS

Nottinghamshire Senior League
Division One
NETHERFIELD ALBION FC 0 BEESTON FC 4
Att: 5
Played on outside pitch @ Calverton MW
Must thank Rob Hillard for a lift to the match, with the impression that the game was to be played at Roko off Wilford Lane, it was found that Roko had double booked their pitches within hours of kick off, so all credit the home die who rang round and got a positive response from Calverton MW to make sure the game went ahead.

With both line ups got, a couple of folks began to arrive, as they were their to see another 6.30pm kick off in the AFC Top Valley v Nottingham Community match, but the 3rd pitch that match was supposed to go ahead on, was hit by vandels the night before, so switched to the main pitch with a 7.30pm kick off, so myself, Jim Bethell and his dad, Roger Rann and another gent watched the Netherfield Albion v Beeston game.

The game kicked off and the first half belonged to Albion who pushed forward and the Beeston keeper was called in to action a couple of times, but on 28 minutes, the ball was played in to the home sides area and the visitors took the lead when ROLAND TOMLINSON back heeled the ball through and in to the net.

Netherfield pressed forward and a couple of chances went begging.

The Second Half saw Beeston take control and on 55 minutes, a free kick was floated in from the left wing and BRIGHT AGANA headed home. A minute later, it should have been 3-0 when Agana missed a sitter from onside the 6 yard box in front of a open net.

Netherfield again forward again and had a one on one chance to reduce the arrears, but Burke in the Beeston net was equal and kept the ball out. With Netherfield pushing forward, this left gaps and Beeston ran in to them and on 80 minutes, their sub TOM O REGAN unleashed a 25 yard shot to make it 3-0 to the Orangemen.

Just as time was running down at the end of the game, TOM O REGAN made it 4-0 with a breakaway solo goal.

Must add that I felt that referee Thomas Bulse had a superb match and was well respected by both clubs.

I would like to thank the following people, Rob Hillard for the lift, Arnold Legend Roger Rann who holds the goalscoring record of all time for the Midland League who kindly donated £10 and to Jim Bethell and his dad who also kindly donated £10 to the Charity Blog where the running total now stands at a amazing £904.50p for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with Dementia.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK


Wednesday 29 August 2018

TAYLOR;S BRACE LIFTS CAVS TO THIRD

Nottinghamshire Senior League
Premier Division
GEDLING SOUTHBANK FC 0 FC CAVALIERS 3
Before kick off, a presentation was made to Gedling Southbank FC for most sporting club in Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division for last season, I must thank local mega hopper Malc Storer for kindly taking some photos.

Having got the line ups early and the presentation out the way, I stood at the side of the pitch with Malc and was joined by Wayne Morrison and his son.

The game kicked off and it was quite clear that Southbank were going to have a lot of defending to do on the evening, as the Visitors piled forward creating chance after chance, the only goal of the half coming after 8 minutes, when LIAM TAYLOR rifled home a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The Second Half continued to be played in the home half of the pitch and after 49 minutes, the home keeper adjudged to have dropped the ball and LIAM TAYLOR was there to tap the ball home, the goal stood despite calls from the Southbank players who either seemed the keeper had been fouled or the ball had gone out of play, Im not too sure.

After 65 minutes, Cavs put the result out of sight, when AKO ABDULLAH secured the points.

In the clubhouse after the match, I must thank Karl White of FC Cavaliers who kindly donated £10 to the Charity Blog and also Gedling Southbank Player Paul Gothard who kindly donated £5 to this seasons charity which is FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with Dementia and their partners and carers, where the Running Total is standing at a whopping £883.50p

Sunday 26 August 2018

AFC HAVE TOO MUCH FOR ELSTON

Nottinghamshire Senior League 
Division Two
AFC CLIFTON 4 ELSTON UNITED FC 0

AFC was informed on Friday that their usual ground at Charnwood would not be available, so it was a search for them to find a new ground for this match to go ahead, all credit to them, as they found Rushcliffe School and though I have been to watch football many times in the past, this being the first on the grass pitch.

Elston United are in their first season in the Nottinghamshire Senior League and are still settling in having lost their first three match of the campaign.

AFC went in to the game winning their first three matches but form sometimes counts for nothing, but this wasnt the case, as from kick off they ploughed forward and after just 11 minutes, they were in front when RYAN PEARSON cut in from the right hand side and unleashed his shot in to the net from a angle.

Elston werent here to make up the numbers and pressed forward and were nearly level on two occasions when on the first, the forwards lob was cleared off the goal line, then within 2 minutes Commander in the Clifton net pulled off a stunning save.

The Clifton side on 27 minutes doubled their lead, when CONNOR BOULTON fired in a 30 yard free kick to make it 2-0. With United playing n the counter attack, it left gaps at the back and on 39 minutes, a ball from the left wing found the head of ALEX RICHARDS who made it 3-0.

During the break, I joined Herbie and Sue and the rest of the spectators in time for the Second Half. Elston played a lot better in the half, whilst Clifton were wasteful with their chances and on another day could have scored a few more goals, but they did score in the 90th minute, when RYAN WATKINSON scrambled home his sides fourth of the afternoon.

Must mention the Referee George Dibbs who I felt had a very good match

Id like to thank the Elston United Secretary for bring some pork pies for Shawn, as he works in Melton Mowbray, also a BIG thankyou to Trevor Kerry who kindly donated to the blogs charity FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with dementia and their partners and carers..With the goals scored as well, it takes the running total up to a amazing £867.75p

After the match, last seasons Division Two player of the year award was presented to Ryan Pearson.

To see photos from the match, please click this LINK

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE FIXTURES

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE FIXTURES

Each week I will be putting the weeks fixtures of the Nottinghamshire Senior League on the Charity Blog

TUESDAY 28th AUGUST

PREMIER DIVISION
Cotgrave v Bingham Town
Gedling Southbank v FC Cavaliers
Southwell City v Keyworth United
Wollaton v Stapleford Town

DIVISION ONE
Ravenshead v Southwell City Reserves

WEDNESDAY 29th AUGUST

DIVISION ONE
Netherfield Albion v Beeston
Wollaton Reserves v Radford Reserves

DIVISION TWO
AFC Clifton v Sneinton Town
AFC Top Valley v Nottingham Community
Clifton All Whites Development v Keyworth United Development
Cotgrave Reserves v Bingham Town Reserves
Gedling Southbank v Stapleford Town Reserves
Magdala Amateurs Reserves v Ruddington Village Reserves
Ravenshead Reserves v Robin Hood Colts

FRIDAY 31st AUGUST

PREMIER DIVISION
Calverton Miners Welfare v Bilborough Town
Eastwood Community Reserves v Cotgrave
Gedling Southbank v Keyworth United



Thursday 23 August 2018

NEARY FIRES HOME THE POINTS

Nottinghamshire Senior League
Division One
NETHERFIELD ALBION FC 1 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE FC 2
A big thankyou to Rob Hillard who gave me a lift to this match and also to Scott Thorpe and Netherfield Albion FC for the kind donation of £20 towards the charity blog which is for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with Dementia.

The game kicked off with Netherfield using the wings and Village pressing on the counter attack, but the Albion defence holding firm, not many chances in the First Half though a long shot from the visitors struck the bar.

The Second Half saw the visitors sprung out quickly and from the cross on the right hand side, DANNY HOLLAS met it first with his head to put them in to the lead after 48 minutes. Albion nearly fought straight back but Leader on his debut kept the ball out to preserve his sides advantage.

After 56 minutes, Albion were level, when a long floated free kick from the halfway line scrambled to KRIS SEYMOUR who fired home.

Both sides then went for the win and both had chances, but on 67 minutes, DAN NEARY unleashed a 35 yard shot that stuck the back of the net and gave the Village the three points.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

The running total for the Charity Blog now stands at a whooping £865.25p

Tuesday 21 August 2018

BUDGIES EDGE FIGHTBACK

Nottinghamshire Senior League
Premier Division
CALVERTON MINERS WELFARE FC 1 MAGDALA AMATEURS FC 2
Admission £2
Programme £1
Att: 34
Tom Beard was down to be referee for this game but pulled up on his warm up, so Matt Picker stood in and Tom did the line. With the lines ups got early, Tony Mullen kindly donated £20 to the Charity  Blog from himself and Calverton MW FC, so a big thankyou as always to Tony and his club.

The game kicked off and I was joined by Basford United goalkeeper Saul Deeney and Calverton were first to the ball and looked the mostly to score in the early stages and on 13 minutes, they were awarded a penalty to which BARRY PAYNE duly fired home Calverton;s first league goal of the season. The half went from end to end but not really many chances being created until the 42nd minute, when THOMAS WESTERMAN fired from the edge of a crowded area to find the bottom corner of the net, but he couldnt celebrate, as he was down injured for about 3 minutes, though he did manage to come out for the second half of the game.

The Second Half saw the Magdala Budgies push forward a lot more and on 56 minutes, TOM HAW completed the turn around to put his side in front.

Both sides then had chances, but Calverton;s task was made harder on 66 minutes when they saw Lewis Wheelhouse dismissed. Magdala thought they had won a penalty but from where I was stood, it looked like the player had lost control of the ball before hitting the ground.

In the final minute, Calverton must have thought they were level, when the visiting keeper had to be on his guard to keep out the final threat.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

With the kind donations and goals scored this evening, the running total for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with dementia and their families and carers stands at a whopping £844.50p

Sunday 19 August 2018

OLYMPIC FIGHT BACK

Nottinghamshire Senior League
Premier Division
BILBOROUGH TOWN FC 2 RADCLIFFE OLYMPIC FC 3
Att: 37
After the major disappointment of a late postponed match, we headed to Harvey Hadden Stadium, the home of Bilborough Town who were hosting league newcomers Radcliffe Olympic. Both sides had failed to gain any points in their matches so far this early in the season and with Town short staffed due to Steve;s dad not being too well, Hazel agreed to jump in and run the refreshments room. We all wish Mr Lee a speedy recovery.

The game kicked off and the Gypsies looked the stronger going forward, whilst Olympic played on the break but didnt find that final ball. After 14 minutes, Town were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area, the kick came in on target and Guyatt palmed the ball away in to the path of ASH DIXON who fired home.

Radcliffe pressed forward but this left gaps at the back and a long ball nearly caught them out when Dixon was through one on one with Guyatt, but this time, Guyatt just beat him to the ball. Bilborough you sensed needed that second goal and should have had it after 38 minutes, when Ricky Law;s placed penalty struck the post and came out.

Never a good time to concede a goal, but that was what Town did in the final minute of the first half, when a cross from the right wing  found IDRIS KABONGO who volleyed home from close distance.

The Second Half kicked off and it was Olympic;s turn to go on the attack and a near miss stopped them taking the lead, but on 57 minutes, Town retook the lead when sub LUKE ALLWOOD pounced and forced the ball home. At this stage, it looked like it was to be Bilborough;s day as they had a few more chances to extend their lead, but Olympic didnt let their heads drop and pushed forward and got a well deserved equaliser on 69 minutes through their sub JAKE TOWERS.

The game then from end to end and you knew that the next goal would possibly win the match and that it did as in the 78th minute, a long range shot by RHONDRI MEADS hit the back of the Bilborough net.

Bilborough pressed forward and on 84 minutes, they thought they had a equaliser, when Allwood clashed with Guyatt and the goal was ruled out, Allwood must have said something and was sin bined for the rest of the match.

A very good match in which both sides deserved something out of it

Must thank both Referee Gavin Rice and Radcliffe Olympic;s goalkeeper for the kind donations to the Charity Blog which this season is for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with Dementia and their partners/families and carers, with the goals scored as well, this takes the running total to a amazing £823.75p.

The photos from this match can be found on this LINK

Saturday 18 August 2018

MACCAS BRACE SEALS THE POINTS FOR THE RAVENS

Nottinghamshire Senior League
Division One
BRIDGFORD UNITED FC 2 RAVENSHEAD FC 3
@ Calverton MW FC
Att: 90 approx

Teamsheets were in very early so nice t get them out the way and just on kick off Herbie and Sue arrived and kindly bought me a cuppa, other locals folks were in attendance including Roberto, Malc Stoer and Kev Goodman, Tony Squires and Mansfield Hosiery Mills Manager Dom Witton and his lovely wife Ruby and some of the Woodthorpe Park Rangers gang including PJ.

The game kicked off and on a bumpy pitch the ball was bouncing all over the place, but a nice move down the right hand side after 7 minutes saw man of the match Martin McDonagh cross the ball in to the path of BRENT HORTON to coolly slot past the home keeper to give the Ravens the lead.

United pressed forward but it looked more likely that the visitors were going to extend their lead, to which they did in the 35th minute, when MARTIN MCDONAGH pounced and stuck home.

Bridgford came out for the Second Half with more pace and more effort as they ploughed forward and got back in to the game when JARROD WESTCARR fired home after 52 minutes. United pushed forward and a long range shot bounced back off the crossbar and it be honest it looked like they were going all out to level up the scores, but in the 66th minute, a error in the United defence, let in MARTIN MCDONAGH who strolled through and placed the ball under the outcoming keeper to make it 3-1.

United were far from finished and on 70 minutes, a cross from the right found LIAM HONEYMAN who swept the ball home.

On 75 minutes, they thought they were level, when a shot from the left edge of the box, seemed goalbound and the visiting keeper pushed it out, after the match everyone said it went in, but Referee Phil Towers looked over for a indication from the club official and didnt get any, so no goal was given.

In the 78th minute, I saw my first sin bin of the season, when the Raven;s Brent Horton showed dissent and was sent for the 10 minute penalty. On 88 minutes, he returned back on to the pitch and nearly put the score out of sight when he was denied another goal, again everyone says the ball crossed the line, but from where I was it was too far for me to see.

A good game of football and the referee Phil Towers had a good game in my opinion. After the match in the bar, Ravenshead FC players had a whipround for the charity blog for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with Dementia and raised £11, so a BIG thankyou to all the lads. With goals scored it takes the running total to a massive £814.00

Sunday 12 August 2018

VILLAGE IN SMASH & GRAB WIN

Nottinghamshire Senior League
Division One
BESTWOOD MINERS WELFARE 1 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE 3
att: 21

Its been a long time since I been to the Park Road Ground in Bestwood Village, where NSL newcomers Bestwood Miners Welfare FC are based, so a visit was made, some changes have happened since my last visit all those years ago, with a massive kitchen area being added. On arrival I was met by club Secretary Mary Duffy and Managers wife Elaine who kindly made me a cuppa. Team Manager Jim bought me the teamsheet over followed by the Ruddingtons.

The game kicked off and I stood in the first half in the gantry stand that overlooks the pitch, what a great view from up there. Bestwood were on the attack and could well have taken a early lead after just 4 minutes, when a goalbound shot was saved by the Ruddington captain, to which the match official gave him a yellow card. The resulting penalty by Duanne Haywood was hit form but high, so the chance went begging. 

Ruddington played on the counter attack and created a couple of chances themselves, but the home defence stood equal to them. As the half progressed, Bestwood missed chance after chance and found the visiting keeper in fine form, but after 37 minutes, they were to celebrate a goal, when a low free kick from 30 yards out by STEFAN DALMEDO nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

Just on half time, it was the home keeper who was called in to action with a double reflex save to keep hi side in front for the half time break.

The Second Half began and the visitors were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 48th minute, to which FRAZER CANNON-BROWNLIE  stepped up and blasted it home to make it 1-1.

This spurred Bestwood to press forward and again shots went inches wide and Powell in the visitors net was stopping everything thrown at him, it was one of those afternoon where you just knew what was to come and it did after  67 minutes, when Village's JAMES HOWARD stuck his side in front. Again the home side threw men forward whilst the visitors played on the counter and chances galore by both sides went astray, but Ruddington sealed the points in 76th minute when JAMIE NEEP cross shot found the net to make it 3-1.

A very entertaining match to start the NSL season off with and with the 4 goals scored, it now takes the running total for the Charity Blog to £801.75p for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with Dementia and their partners and carers.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK



Saturday 11 August 2018

COMMUNITY TAKE HOME THE POINTS

Nottinghamshre Seenior League
Division One
RADFORD RESERVES 2 BASFORD UNITED COMMUNITY 5
Admission £3
Att: 54 headcount
The Nottinghamshire Senior League kicked off on Friday 10th August with several matches across the County, I chose to get Hazel to drop me off in Hucknall to catch the tram, which drops about 100 yards from Radford FC;s ground. Welcomed by the home committee and the teamsheets were soon in.

The match kicked off at a frantic end to end pace with both keepers being called in to action early on in the game, as I spoke to some of the lads from Ravenshead FC on a spying mission. On 19 minutes, Basford;s JAMIE MARKS broke forward and fired his side in to the lead.  Radford pressed back and after a couple of close chances on 26 minutes they were level after a corner from the left hand side was scrambled home by LEWIS RUSSELL. As half time approached, the  home keeper Jack Nason pulled out a top notch save to keep things even as they went in to the break.

After the cuppa tea break, it was it was out for the Second Half and the Community team upped their game and stuck quickly as after 47 minutes retook the lead through man of the match DOMONIC BAKER and a quick fire goals through KAMAUI WILSON and JOSH NWOKORO on 51 and 53 minutes put the visitors in to a commanding 4-1 lead.

At this stage I had joined the Bridgford United gang who had come down to watch for the Second Half and Radford pushed forward but the Community defence were equal to their attackers and held firm, but in the 79th minute, KAMAUI WILSON scored his second and Basford;s fifth goal of the game.

Radford didnt stop battling and kept coming forward and on 88 minutes, the ball came in from the right side and TIYUMTABA HARRUNG came in at the back post to plant the ball home to make it 5-2.

Must also mention all 3 officials who had a superb game

After the match in the bar, Paul Smith of Ravenshead FC kindly donated £4 to the Blogs Charity, which is for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with dementia and their partners and carers and with the £1.75 raised from the goals scored, take the running total to £800.75p

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

Sunday 5 August 2018

SOUTHWELL DOUBLE PRE SEASON WINS OVER DESFORD

Pre Season Friendlies
SOUTHWELL CITY FC 5 DESFORD FC 1
Kick off 3pm
SOUTHWELL CITY RESERVES 3 DESFORD DEVELOPMENT 1
Kick off 1pm
Both matches played at Brinkley Recreation Ground
After seeing that this was a double pre season friendly, it appealed to me as I like Southwell City as a club that always does things the right way and Desford FC from the Leicestershire Senior League, I have met some years ago in a pre season tournement at the now defunct Kimberley Town FC. Hazel had agreed to run the refreshments room for supporters etc.

The First match was between Southwell City Reserves and Desford's Developement side. The game kicked off and it was very equal with the play going from end to end, but not too many on goal chances so not a lot for either keeper to save, but after 31 minutes, City took the lead when ADAM ALLSOPP headed home.

The Second Half began and Southwell picked up their game and after only 48 minutes, a free kick was awarded just to the left of the penalty area to which was whipped in for RORY BROWN to head home to double their advantage.

Desford pushed forward and this left gaps at the back and LEE WILKINSON made it 3-0 on 54 minutes, all credit to the lads from Leicestershire, as they had their best spell in the game and on 70 minutes were awarded a penalty to which the City keeper saved, but within 3 minutes, the Desford NUMBER FOUR struck a low shot to make it 3-1. A very good game and run out for both sides in very hot conditions and credit must go to the referee for common sense of having a drinks break after 25 minutes in each half.

Photos from this match can be seen on this LINK

After a quick cuppa, it was the turn on the First teams on show and it was City who attacked from the start, with Nussey and Law going close and infact hitting the crossbar, but after 17 minutes on the counter attack, the visiting NUMBER SEVEN put Desford in to the lead. Within 3 minutes, a cross from the left wing found CALUM LAW who headed his side level. On 27 minutes, it was that man again CALUM LAW who curled a 35 yard free kick over the Desford wall in to the top corner of the net to make it 2-1. On 31 minutes it was becoming the CALUM LAW show when he completed his hat trick after a pin point cross from the left wing. The Second Half was fairly even with both sides creating chances, but on 70 minutes CALUM LAW scored his and his sides 4th goal of the afternoon. On 76 minutes came the end of the scoring when JON NUSSEY broke away and lobbed the outcoming keeper to make it 5-1.

I would like thank the following for the kind donations to the Charity Blog that is for FORGET ME NOT in total of £14.00 plus £2.50 for the goals seen at the 2 games, which takes the running total to a amazing £795.00..many thanks to Southwell City FC, Desford FC and Carl McCourt.

Photos from this match can be seen on this LINK

Please Note: Stapleford Town FC are producing their FIRST EVER programme for their match v Attenborough FC on Saturday 18th August, I am taking pre orders and if you would like to one posting out they are £1 plus SAE, please email me on robhregnsl@hotmail.com