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