New Years Day - local teams in action

BSP
Alfreton Town 0-3 Mansfield Town
NPP
Grantham Town 4-0 Eastwood Town
Ilkeston FC 2-1 Worksop Town
Matlock Town 1-1 Buxton FC

NPS
Belper Town 2-0 Mickleover Sports
Loughborough Dynamo (thirteen) 13-0 Hucknall Town
Rainworth MW 2-0 Carlton Town

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Thank you for your continued support !!!

Eastwood Tn 0-5 North Ferriby Utd

With games being called off on a very regular basis, it was a question of where will there be a game, and where has the better shelter from the elements!  Thought about Calverton v Blidworth, but not much cover there and no hard standing to speak of.

Kev was watching the Florists, so I almost didn't bother at all, but  pleased I made the effort - it was good to be back at Coro Park. I caught up with some old friends, and even though the game was another defeat for the home team, the scoreline flatters Ferriby a little.

The Badgers played some good stuff, but got caught out time and again with breakaway attacks. These breakaways proved to be very expensive, as the home defence seemed incapable of reorganising quickly enough after losing their shape while on the offensive.

Arrived at Coro Park hoping that the game was still on, but the pitch although heavy, looked perfectly playable. Greeted by John Farmer, former CML committee member and true Gentleman. 

Met up with Scott Annable inside the ground. Scott is a dedicated Stags and Eastwood fan - he was at this game as the Stags game v Grimsby had been called off. 

Didn't recognise many of the Badgers, but having a team sheet, kindly provided by Mr. Farmer,  helped no end. This was a top v bottom clash, and when the full time whistle had blown, those places hadn't changed.

North Ferriby had ex-Stag Ryan Williams on the left, with ex-Nailer Anthony Wilson leading their line.  Top striker Gary Bradshaw was on the bench - always rated Bradshaw, a player that really knows where the back of the net is!!!

Grantham management team Gary Sucharewycz, Ali Asher and Ian Robinson stopped for a quick chat, as did top sports physiotherapist Fred Kirk.

Nice to catch up with Paul and Maurice MacFarland, and spent the second half in the company of Eastwood Town / Derby County fan Mark Storer.

Ferriby's first dangerous attack came after only 6 minutes, and saw Ryan Kendall's shot force a fingertip save from home keeper Richard Stainsby. Four minutes later though, Stainsby was picking the ball out of the back of his net. Wilson raced into the box and took time to pick out RYAN WILLIAMS eight yards from goal, and the diminutive winger composed himself well before blasting the ball home. 

CHRIS BOLDER doubled Ferriby's lead on 18 when his fierce, low drive flew past Stainsby. The keeper did get a touch to the ball, but it was struck so well that he really had no chance of keeping it out of the net. 

Liam King had a shot saved by Stainsby seconds later, and the keeper had to be alert to keep out Bolder's header on 40.  H-T 0-2

Gregg Simmons almost halved the home teams deficit on the hour mark, firing just wide after Lavell White had picked him out in the box. 

Eastwood were by now showing more attacking prowess, but when Chris Shaw's ball was intercepted on 63, it was played to RYAN KENDALL, and the no.10 ran into the box and side-stepped Stainsby before slotting calmly home. 

In the 82nd minute, Bradshaw collected a ball in from the right and played it wide left to RYAN WILLIAMS who fired across Stainsby to make it four. 

Another breakaway in added time saw KENDALL add to Ferriby's total - a neat shot fired across Stainsby from the left hand corner of the penalty area.  F-T 0-5

Great to see so many "old" friends again, and even though the game wasn't a classic, it made a refreshing change from what we have been subjected to at Watnall Road recently!

Admission £9

Programme - courtesy Samantha Demetriou

Attendance 131

Referee Geoff Law handled proceedings very well,  just a couple of bookings. Has to be said though that both teams gave Geoff a relatively easy game, and despite the attrocious conditions, were a credit to the league.

Saturday 29th -- not many left!!!

NPP
Eastwood Tn 0-5 North Ferriby Utd
Worksop Tn 6-1 Matlock Tn

NP1S
Brigg Tn 3-2 Rainworth MW

NCEL1
Athersley Rec 1-2 Shirebrook Tn

CMLN
AFC Mansfield 9-0 DFS Welbeck Welfare

CMLS
Calverton MW 4-3 Blidworth Welfare
Real Utd 4-1 Nottm Utd

NSL
Sandhurst 7-2 Clifton FC

Saturday 29th December - local teams in action

With yet more heavy rain to come according to BBC Nottm weather, I assume a lot of games will be off....

BSP
Mansfield Town P-P Grimsby Town

NPP
Eastwood Town v North Ferriby Utd
FC Utd Manchester P-P Ilkeston FC
Worksop Town v Matlock Town

NP1S
Brigg Town v Rainworth MW
Carlton Town P-P Kings Lynn Town
Hucknall Town P-P Lincoln Utd 
Leek Town P-P Belper Town
Stamford P-P Loughborough Dynamo

UCL
Shepshed Dynamo P-P Deeping Rangers 

MFA
Dunkirk P-P Causeway Utd

NCELP
Brighouse Town P-P Heanor Town
Retford Utd P-P Nostell MW

NCEL1
Athersley Rec v Shirebrook Town
Teversal P-P Worsbrough Bridge Athletic 

EMCL
Basford Utd P-P Anstey Nomads
Graham St Prims P-P Aylestone Park
Greenwood Meadows P-P Borrowash Victoria
Radford v Lutterworth Athletic
Thurnby Nirvana P-P Gedling MW

CMLN
AFC Mansfield v DFS Welbeck Welfare (at the Clod)
Dronfield Town P-P Clay Cross Town 
Harworth CI P-P Brodsworth Welfare

CMLS
Bilborough Pelican P-P Clifton AW
Calverton MW v Blidworth Welfare
Real Utd v Nottm Utd (2pm)

NSL SENIOR DIVISION
Awsworth Villa P-P Bilborough Town
Burton Joyce P-P Ruddington Village
Cotgrave Welfare P-P Wollaton
Hucknall RL P-P Magdala Ams
Keyworth Utd P-P Bulwell FC
Kimberley MW P-P F.C. Cavaliers
Sandhurst v Clifton FC 
Selston P-P Attenborough

Hucknall Tn 1-8 Rainworth MW

Late Christmas present for Rainworth!!  As soon as we arrived at the ground and heard how the teams were going to line up, "cricket score" popped into my head.

Rainworth were more or less at full strength, with a front pairing enough to frighten most defences, never mind the makeshift Town one!! That they only scored 7 between them was due in part to some good defensive blocks, but also to some very acrobatic saves from Town's debutant keeper, Alex Malong.

No pics from this game - the light was crap, and it rained throughout the 90 minutes, so the camera stayed in Kev's pocket. 

Rainworth's media man Gordon Foster thought mine and Kev's presence might bring the Wrens some bad luck, but his fears were eased when IAN HOLMES was played in on goal in the second minute, and made no mistake slotting past Malong from the corner of the box. 

Five minutes later, Malong fumbled the ball in the six-yard box, and CONOR HIGGINSON snapped up the chance, hammering home the loose ball. On 12, Malong tipped over a Higginson effort, then had to stretch to keep out a stinger from Jared Holmes.

IAN HOLMES was gifted the ball in the 31st minute, and went one-on-one with Malong before placing the  the ball wide of the keeper. The Yellows were given a goal with 6 minutes of the half remaining when Ashley Kitchen's backward header looped over Ali Barcherini after the keeper lost his footing. H-T 1-3

Higgingson received the ball straight from the restart, and flew through the Hucknall midfield before being blocked unfairly on the edge of the box. Ryan Goward's free-kick was hit ferociously towards the top corner, but Malong produced yet another cracking save to deny the Wrens' winger.  

IAN HOLMES completed his hat-trick on 55, curling a sweet 20+ yarder into the top corner from the corner of the box. Malong could do nothing but watch the ball sail past him into the net.

Malong was at fault for the Wrens' fifth goal though, his fumble allowing RYAN GOWARD to pounce on the loose ball and gleefully fire home. HIGGINSON grabbed his second in the 64th minute, running directly at goal before unleashing a terrific drive that gave the keeper no chance. 

Ten minutes later, IAN HOLMES added his fourth of the afternoon, Danny Bacon picking him out at the far post. HIGGINSON completed his personal triple with three minutes left to play, sliding the ball home from close range after Malong had blocked the initial effort. F-T 1-8

Referee Nigel Murphy had a quiet game - but went about his business with no fuss and took the awful conditions into consideration when a couple of tackles went flying in. His assistants Craig Langton and Paul Dixon also had a quiet time of it - not much for them do to really. Strange to see them taking "right backs" though. Once or twice players looked to the "left back" where Assistants are usually positioned, only to find no-one there!!

Admission : season ticket

Attendance : 139

Miserable afternoon with miserable weather - not looking forward to Saturday afternoon when Hucknall entertain in form Lincoln United !!

Boxing Day - fixtures/results

Boxing Day fixtures featuring teams local to the area.....can't see many going ahead, but we live in hope!!

BSP
Mansfield Town 1-2 Alfreton Town

NPP
Eastwood Town 1-4 Ilkeston FC
Rushall Olympic 0-4 Matlock Town
Worksop Town 3-2 Grantham Town

NP1S
Carlton Town 1-1 Lincoln United
Coalville Town 0-0 Loughborough Dynamo
Hucknall Town 1-8 Rainworth MW
Sheffield FC 1-5 Belper Town

UCL
Quorn P-P Shepshed Dynamo

MFA
Loughborough Uni P-P Dunkirk FC

NCELP
Arnold Town P-P Long Eaton United
Retford United P-P Worksop Parramore
Staveley MW P-P Heanor Town

NCEL1
Clipstone Welfare 2-1 Louth Town
Teversal 2-2 Shirebrook Town
EMCL
Basford Utd 3-3 Graham St Prims
Borrowash Victoria P-P Barrow Town

CMLN
Sherwood Colliery P-P Glapwell
Thoresby CW P-P Yorkshire Main
CMLS
Blackwell MW P-P South Normanton Athletic
Linby CW 0-0 Hucknall Town AFC
Pinxton FC 3-1 Sutton Town AFC

Saturday 22nd December - local teams in action

or not!!!!!!!

The recent rain could well see a lot of the weekends programme lost,,,,,

BSP
Hyde Utd P-P Mansfield Town

NPP
Ilkeston FC P-P Nantwich Town
Matlock Town P-P FC United
Witton Albion P-P Worksop Town

NP1S
Belper Town P-P Market Drayton Town
Halesowen Town P-P Carlton Town
Northwich Victoria P-P Hucknall Town
Rainworth MW P-P Coalville Town

UCL
Spalding United P-P Shepshed Dynamo

MFA
Dunkirk P-P Highgate Utd

NCELP
Heanor Town P-P Brighouse Town
Long Eaton Utd P-P Arnold Town
Nostell MW P-P Retford Utd

NCEL1
Appleby Frodingham P-P Clipstone Welfare
Shirebrook Town P-P Athersley Rec
Yorkshire Ams P-P Teversal

EMCL
Bardon Hill P-P Graham St Prims
Ellistown P-P Gedling MW
Holbrook Sports P-P Radcliffe Olympic
Ibstock Utd P-P Basford Utd
Lutterworth Athletic P-P Borrowash Victoria
Radford FC P-P Blaby & Whetstone Athletic

CMLN
AFC Mansfield P-P Yorkshire Main
Brodsworth Welfare P-P Thoresby CW
DFS Welbeck Welfare P-P Westella Hanson
Easington Utd P-P Harworth CI
Glapwell FC P-PDronfield Town
Kiveton Park P-P Clay Cross Town 
Ollerton Town P-P Sherwood Colliery

CMLS
Blidworth Welfare P-P Southwell City
Calverton MW P-P Belper Utd
Clifton AW P-P Holbrook St. Michaels
Linby CW P-P Newark Town
Mickleover Royals P-P Sutton Tn AFC
Pinxton FC P-P Nottm Utd
Real Utd P-P Blackwell MW
South Normanton Athletic P-P Bilborough Pelican

NSL SENIOR DIV
Awsworth Villa P-P Selston FC
Bulwell FC P-P Clifton FC
Burton Joyce P-P Magdala Ams
Cotgrave Welfare P-P Bilborough Town
Keyworth Utd P-P Kimberley MW
Ruddington Village P-P Hucknall RL
Sandhurst v Attenborough
Wollaton P-P F.C.Cavaliers

Greenwood Meadows 4-1 Gedling MW

Tuesday 18th December 2012 - EMCL

After watching Gedling on Saturday, I thought about giving this a miss, but Kev changed my mind - so off to Lenton Lane we went. Uneventful journey, but when we arrived at the ground we were surprised to see the car park was fairly well occupied.

Kev prompted me to park in the middle of the car park, right near the gate so we would have a clear exit route.  As it happens we were first out at 9:41pm and back home in mucky Huckna' for 10:00pm.

Met our Gedling MW friends just inside the gate - great to see Marc Williams again. Welfare could do with the big lads presence on the pitch, they have really struggled lately.

Tony Squires and Lee Spurr were our company for the night - Referee Rob Townsend came to have a word, as did Gedling sub keeper Rhys Watkinson.

Greenwood manager Nev Silcock is a good friend of old - it's always interesting to see Nev in action. He has new help at Lenton Lane in Jevon Swinscoe, a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic young man who will be around the non-league scene for many, many years to come.

No programme or team sheet unfortunately, but hey ho - not the end of the world is it?

Journeyman Chris Freestone started up top for Welfare, but it was in defence they failed again - finding themselves a goal down after just 35 seconds!

From the kick-off the ball was played down the Meadows left - when the ball was played into the box, NATHAN ROBINSON was waiting unmarked and had the simple task of nodding past Lance Walker in the Welfare net.

ANTHONY GREGORY doubled the home teams advantage on 11, making a superb solo run into the box before firing into the far corner. Last time I saw Gregory he was playing centre-half for Basford United!!

Craig Meakin pinged in a wonderful cross from the right in the 20th minute, picking out KIERAN WHALIN who made no mistake from close range.

3-0 was a little harsh - Gedling had hit the post twice and former Blidworth keeper Michael Yates had pulled of two top class saves to keep the visitors out.

Welfare did pull one back on 36 - a superb 18 yard volley from TOM WATSON after the home defence had failed to fully clear their lines.  H-T 3-1

The game was a bit less frantic in the second half, but Gedling showed a little more spirit than they had on Saturday, and were a lot tighter at the back. Freestone saw his well placed curling free-kick tipped over by the agile Yates on the hour mark, but Gedling conceded a fourth on 80 - WHALIN again on the mark after he escaped his marker and ran into the box before slotting past Walker. 

Referee Simon Swain had a good game, but had no option but to remove Gedling boss Andy Muldoon from the dugout after his constant tirades and stream of "industrial" language. Muldoon had been warned previously by the Assistant referee, but seemed to take no heed - and after one outburst against an offside decision, he gave Mr. Swain little option but to ask him to leave the technical area. F-T 4-1

Admission £5
Programme  -- we did ask!
Attendance -- 46  - a very good gate for Greenwood, especially for a midweek game! 

Gedling MW 0-3 St. Andrews

After our planned game was called off, we had several options open to us - but the one we chose was to prove to be a poor game between two very ordinary teams. Apologies to our friends at Plains Road, but even they would struggle to find any positives from this game. 

Welfare were 10th in the EMCL with 21 points from 16 games prior to kick off, whilst St.Andrews were 15th on 16 points from their 17 played. 

St. Andrews looked to be a very young team and as the game progressed, their youthful legs coped much better with the sticky pitch and in the end were comfortable, well deserved winners.

The Miners' Ben Middleton had the games first chance in the fourth minute after he was gifted the ball by visiting keeper Lewis Marlow. The no. 9 appeared to have a rush of blood and instead of simply placing the ball into the far corner he hammered it high, wide and not very handsome. 

The Saints had a decent chance on 9, but Lance Walker was able to keep out Brady Hickey at the far post.

James Price had a 22 yard effort well saved by Marlow after 22 minutes had been played, then 8 minutes later the winger also saw the keeper dive well to save his 25 yard free-kick.

St. Andrews took the lead on 37 after Pele Willams fired the ball across the goal from the left picking out the excellent Eliot Coring. The no. 7 fired the ball back to the far post and BRADY HICKEY was on hand to slide the ball past Walker.

90 seconds later, Coring fired in a superb cross from the right that centre-forward RICHARD SAUNDERS met with a powerful header that flew past Walker to double the travellers advantage. H-T 0-2

The second half was, if anything, worse than the first, and with the temperature dropping very rapidly, the gloves went on and the notepad stayed firmly in the pocket. 

When a strong challenge on Chris Muldoon saw the full back dispossessed on 78, some Welfare players stopped and appealed for the foul, but there was no reaction from Referee Duncan Robertson. The Saints players played on and when the ball was fired in at the near post, substitute SAM HOLLIS deftly flicked the ball past Walker to secure the points for the away team. F-T 0-3

I suppose we could have chosen a better game to go to, but 20-20 hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it!!  Supposed to be at Greenwood Meadows v Gedling MW on Tuesday.  We’ll see!!!

Admission £4

Programme £1

Free team sheet

Attendance 65

Saturday 15th December - local teams in action

F.A. Trophy 2nd Round
Matlock Town 1-2 Luton Town

F.A. Vase 3rd Round
Sutton Town AFC 1-5 Spalding Utd

NPP
AFC Fylde 2-3 Ilkeston Fc
Eastwood Town 1-2 Marine
Worksop Town 5-1 Ashton Utd

NP1S
Carlton Town 1-2 Loughborough Dynamo
Coalville Town P-P Belper Town
Hucknall Town P-P Newcastle Town
Sutton Coldfield Town 5-1 Rainworth MW

MFA
Bridgnorth Town 2-1 Dunkirk

NCELP
Arnold Town P-P Worksop Parramore
Retford Utd 3-1 Long Eaton Utd
Winterton Rangers 1-6 Heanor Town

NCEL1
Clipstone Welfare 3-1 Worsborough Bridge Ath
Shirebrook Town 5-0 Askern Villa
Teversal 1-1 Hallam

EMCL
Blaby & Whetstone Ath 0-1 Basford Utd
Borrowash Victoria 5-0 Radford FC
Gedling MW 0-3 St. Andrews
Graham St Prims P-P Aylestone Park
Greenwood Meadows 1-0 Thurnby Nirvana
Lutterworth Ath 0-1 Radcliffe Olympic

CMLN
AFC Mansfield 1-5 Dronfield Town
Clay Cross Town P-P Ollerton Town
Harworth CI 4-0 DFS Welbeck Welfare
Sherwood Colliery 4-5 Kiveton Park
Thorne Colliery P-P Glapwell FC

CMLS
Blackwell MW P-P Belper Utd
Blidworth Welfare P-P Pinxton FC
Holbrook St. Michaels 1-0 Hucknall Town AFC
Linby CW 3-1 Southwell City
Newark Town 0-2 Clifton AW
Nottingham Utd P-P  Bilborough Pelican
South Normanton Ath P-P Real Utd

NSL Senior Division
Attenborough P-P Magdala Ams
Bulwell FC 3-0 Ruddington Village
Burton Joyce P-P Hucknall RL
Clifton FC 2-0 Sandhurst
Cotgrave Welfare P-P Awsworth Villa
F.C. Cavaliers P-P Blborough Town
Keyworth Utd 2-6 Wolloaton
Selston 2-6 Kimberley MW

Hucknall Town - the forgotten man?

Thursday 13th December 2012

Spent a pleasant hour in the company of "on the road" friend Steve Peat, the Hucknall Town General Manager. No reason in particular, just wanted to offer a kind word and a listening ear!

Steve seems to be the forgotten man at Watnall Road - the only survivor of the Derek Blow "revolution", after Derek followed Brett Marshall and Graham Walker out of the door. With the current goings on at the club, the Town fans need to be reassured that the big man is doing his damnedest to keep the wheels from coming completely off the wagon! 

Steve isn't a trumpet blowing, self important type of bloke, just a man in a difficult position trying to do his job he is there to do.  Self-confessed Stags fans, we were both chuffed at the Mansfield/Lincoln result, but he mentioned that he would now have to put his planned call to Paul Cox on hold, until "Coxy comes down off cloud nine"!  

At the moment Steve appears to be wearing several hats -- not just the GM, but CEO, Treasurer, press officer, programme editor and unless he can persuade Tony Knowles to retract his resignation, looks like being Secretary as well! 

We sat in Steve's office at the club, and during our informal chat, it came over strongly that Steve will fight tooth and nail to keep the club alive.  With only a handful of players definitely confirmed they are staying, he hopes that a players meeting called by Truscott for Thursday night will reveal the extent of the others commitment - or lack thereof.  Relegation is not far from Steve's thoughts, but is sure that if the worst does come to the worst, the sojourn in the NCELP will not be a long one!  

Steve said it was great news that Jody Cauldwell has returned as a coaching advisor, but to end his sleepless nights, an injection of cash would be most welcome. Trouble is, who wants to take the risk in today's economic climate?

As it is, the club will keep going, but the "amateur" status tag from last season may need to be revived. I've been a resident of Hucknall for all of my 59 years, and to my shame, I am not a dyed in the wool Yellows supporter. At the fans' pre-season forum, I did admit I was only an occasional visitor to Watnall Road, but opted to buy a season ticket with the thought that the new regime had enough about them to give both me and Kev value for money - and entertainment "Marshall" style. 

Even though that didn't work out as we would have hoped, we have no plans to stay away from Watnall Road. There are three home games coming up and although none of the opponents will bring massive support - every pound through the turnstiles will be most welcome!!

Newcastle Town 15th December

Rainworth MW 26th December

Lincoln United 29th December

So the Blow /Marshall revolution has ended and the Blow/Sucharewyzc combination is in the history books. Hopefully the Truscott/Paling pairing can go in the records has having saved the club - although history will need to remember the forgotten man who will have been behind the scenes doing his utmost to ensure the future of the club. Hucknall Town's suffering fans have to be among the most patient in the non-league game. The club has good level of real hard core supporters - and even though things appear dark at the moment, they need to be reassured that Steve will be working flat out to not let the club die without one hell of a fight. 

Next game - weather permitting -- HUCKNALL TOWN v NEWCASTLE TOWN on Saturday 15th December : kick off 3pm. Your support would be most welcome!!!!

Heanor Town 3-5 Bridlington Town

We missed Bridlington's previous visit to the Town Ground when they ran out 0-7 winners, so this seemed like it might be a great chance to see in form Heanor gain revenge, and in doing so knock the League leaders down a peg or two. It was not to be, alas!!!

The pitch looked in really good nick despite the recent inclement weather, but the surface didn't help the players during their pre-match kick in!  They managed to clobber one old bloke good and proper, then seemed to pick the poor sod out again, only missing him by a few feet on more than one occasion!!

The game began in bright sunshine, but even though it was a chilly afternoon the players gave us a great action packed game. Unfortunately it was a little too cold to take many notes, so it may be best to go to the clubs respective websites for a fuller report.

The game was barely three minutes old when Brid took the lead, NATHAN COOK nipping into to poke the ball through Damien Clark's legs after the keeper had failed to hold onto Tom Fleming's weak ball into the 6 yard box.

It was 0-2 just six minutes later when Nico Degirolamo gifted the ball to the visiting 10, who rounded Clark before picking out JOSH GREENING for a simple slide home.

Heanor kept attacking despite the early setbacks, and their pressure paid off when NATHAN BENGER was allowed room to fire a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the box. Keeper Mark Wilberforce made a despairing effort to reach the ball, but the shot was so well placed he had little chance of getting anywhere near to it.

On 37, the home team pulled level, IAN CLARKE firing home through a ruck of players after superb wing play down the left by Gary Webster. H-T 2-2

Bridlington had a chance to retake the lead within seconds of the restart Clark again failing to control, but fortunately for the keeper, the travellers striker failed to capitalise.  Clark was beaten again though on 51, a CARL STEWART low drive from distance beating the keeper's full length dive.

Bridlington were awarded a penalty for a trip in the 58th minute, and although Clark managed to keep out the original spot-kick, the ball ran loose to NATHAN COOK who gleefully rammed it home.

The final Bridlington brought applause from both sets of supporters - it was a superb solo effort! JOSH GREENING collected the ball and raced down the left flank before cutting in, seeing off all challenges and dinking the ball past Clark. Well worth the entrance money!!!!

Heanor had the last word in stoppage time though, GARY WEBSTER allowed space to run in from the right and hammer a bullet shot past Wilberforce. F-T 3-5

Some of the Heanor fans were having a pop at Referee Andy Newbold, but to be fair the official had a decent game and both me and Kev failed to understand what the bitching was all about.

Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 116

Saturday 8th December - local teams in action

F.A. VASE 3rd Round
AFC Wulfrunians 2-3 Borrowash Victoria
Rocester 2-1 Long Eaton Utd
Sutton Tn AFC P-P Spalding Utd

Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup
Awsworth Villa 3-0 Southwell City Res
Clifton 0-2 AFC Bridgford

BSP
Mansfield Tn 4-1 Ebbsfleet

NPP
Ilkeston 1-0 Chorley
Kendal Tn P-P Eastwood Tn
Matlock Tn 2-3 Stafford Rangers
Stocksbridge PS 1-2 Worksop Tn

NP1S
Belper Tn 1-1 Brigg Tn
Gresley FC 0-2 Carlton Tn
Kings Lynn Tn 2-4 Hucknall Tn
Loughborough Dynamo 4-1 Sheffield FC
Rainworth MW 4-2 Mickleover Sports

UCL
Holbeach Utd 3-1 Shepshed Dynamo

MFA
Dunkirk 2-1 Continental Star

NCELP
Heanor Tn 3-5 Bridlington Tn
Staveley MW 2-2 Retford Utd

NCEL1
Hallam P-P Clipstone Welfare
Shirebrook Tn 3-2 Cleethorpes Tn
Yorkshire Ams P-P Teversal

EMCL
Basford Utd 3-0 Holwell Sports
Graham St Prims P-P Gedling MW
Greenwood Meadows P-P Aylestone Park
Ibstock Utd P-P Radford FC
Radcliffe Olympic P-P Blaby & Whetstone (pitch unfit)

CMLN
Clay Cross Tn 5-0 Westella Hanson
DFS Welbeck Welfare 2-6 Yorkshire Main
Glapwell 2-2 Harworth CI
Kiveton Park P-P Thoresby CW
Ollerton Tn 0-2 AFC Mansfield

CMLS
Bilborough Pelican 4-1 Southwell City
Clifton AW 2-6 Belper Utd
Linby CW 2-3 Holbrook St. Michaels
Mickleover Royals 1-2 South Normanton Athletic
Newark Tn 0-2 Real Utd
Nottingham Utd 0-3 Hucknall Tn AFC

CML Cup
Blidworth Welfare 0-2 Calverton MW
Pinxton 8-1 Blackwell MW

NSL Senior Division
Burton Joyce 3-0 Keyworth Utd
F.C. Cavaliers 2-4 Sandhurst
Hucknall RL 3-1 Bilborough Tn
Magdala Ams 0-0 Cotgrave Welfare
Ruddington Village P-P Attenborough
Selston P-P Bulwell FC
Wollaton 1-1 Kimberley MW

Basford Utd U19 2-1 Parkgate U19

Subtitled "piss myself laughing at Rob Waite's acrobatics" !!!

Arrived at the Greenwich Avenue ground and on entering noticed how slippery the hard standing was - the afternoon rain rapidly freezing and giving me some thought about whether the game would survive the 90 minutes.

Turned out that although the hard standing was proving a bit difficult to walk on, the pitch was perfectly playable. I asked a lino at half-time how the pitch was holding up and he said it was just fine. Although it got progressively colder as the evening went on, I found it hard to believe that when I arrived home (4 miles away)  it was raining and 4 degrees!

Met Rob "the66pow" Waite inside the ground and spent the whole game in the company of the big man.  Can you believe that this was the daft buggers 98th game so far this season? Talk about a football lover......

See Rob's take on the events on his superb "the66pow" blog by clicking here.

Mind you, the man from Retford showed after the game what a superb athlete he is, despite have a "glandular" problem.  As we exited the ground at full time, there was little or no light to guide the way to the car park and (quick chuckle to myself!!) Rob tripped over the coconut doormats outside the changing rooms!  With camera in one hand and phone in the other it was like poetry in motion as his graceful form maintained superb balance and then, ballerina like, pirouetted away as if nothing had happened!!  Thing is - if Rob's trip hadn't have highlighted the fact the mats were there, I'd have found them and would have been arse over tit - no problem ! Sat in my car with tears streaming  - not laughed so much for ages!!!!!!!!!!!

Basford's home form is second to none, having won all their previos 4 league games, but Parkgate proved a sterner test than some of the teams who have visited Greenwich Avenue. Indeed, wasn't until the 29th minute that they managed to breach a very stubborn and well organised Parkgate defence, DAN JACKSON flicking home first time as the ball was played in from the left. Great strike from the no. 11 who was under severe pressure from his marker. 90 seconds later, the visitors almost levelled, but the post intervened and keeper Josh Downie's goal remained intact. The frame of the goal was rattled on numerous occasions throughout the half, both sides unlucky not to add to the score sheet. H-T 1-0

Basford went further ahead on 52 when JACK HODSON rose salmon like at the far post to head home a left wing corner.

Parkgate showed some serious Yorkshire steel though, refusing to let their heads drop and taking the fight well and truly to their hosts. The pressure paid dividends with 10 minutes to play, GEORGE MORLEY heading home from 10 yards after Downie had failed to clear when the ball was fired into the area.

This fired Parkgate up even more, and they were almost on terms with 5 to play. Downie again failed to collect and allowed the ball to run loose in the box. The keeper recovered well to dive at the ball as it was hacked at by several Parkgate players and Downie was let fully off the hook after Referee Bill Bingham adjudged that he was fouled whilst trying to retrieve the loose ball.

Have to say that Downie had looked impressive throughout, and his two small errors were more than offset by a number of class saves that kept Basford in the game.
F-T 2-1

Admission £2 inc programme
Attendance 31 

Teversal 1-1 Cleethorpes Town

Saturday 1st December 2012 - NCEL Division One :  ko 3:01pm

Not been to Teversal for a while, but with the home team doing ok in the division and having heard and read some good things about Cleethorpes Town, we made the short journey to Carnarvon Street in the hope of catching some decent football.

We weren't disappointed either - Cleethorpes began the game on fire, and took the game to their hosts right from the off - and could have been ahead after just 15 seconds in Clee's no.10 Ricky Belding's shot had have been a little more accurate. 

I had been advised to keep an eye on Towns Jack Richardson, but it was Jack Debnam that caught the eye. The lad is only about five foot nothing, but he was all over the shop and won most of the headers he competed for. 

Despite their early dominance, Cleethorpes went behind on 16 to a goal that they should have prevented.  It came from a corner from the left and the visiting defenders all watched rooted to the spot as the ball found KRIS WITCOMBE at the far stick, and the Tevie skipper made no mistake from close range. Kev captured the goal in a sequence of shots:

1-0 Teversal

The goal was totally against the run of play, but after watching Hucknall Town regularly this season, we know only too well what can happen if you fail to clear your line. 

The Owls didn't let the goal phase them overmuch, and were soon back on terms. A corner from the left  headed into the net by JACK DEBNAM - the smallest player on the pitch allowed space at the near post to steer the header home. Again, Kev caught the goal in a sequence of pics :

1-1

Didn't take any notes at all in the second half - not because the game wasn't note-worthy - it was so bloody cold that I couldn't bring myself to take my hands out of my pocket. Got to give Kev credit - his fingers were blue from holding the camera in the first half. No surprise the camera also stayed away in the second period!!

The game finished 1-1 and as we headed home, we were both full of praise for both teams. A draw was a fair result and Teversal more than held their own against a team currently lying third in the table.

Admission £4

Programme £1 ( usual excellent production)

Attendance 46

Saturday 1st December - local teams in action

F.A. Cup 2nd Round
Lincoln City 3-3 Mansfield Town

NPP
Eastwood Town 2-2 Stafford Rangers
Marine 1-1 Ilkeston FC
Whitby Town 1-0 Matlock Town

NP1S
Belper Town 4-1 Halesowen Town
Loughborough Dynamo 0-0 Rainworth MW
Market Drayton Town 2-4 Hucknall Town
Sutton Coldfield Town 1-0 Carlton Town

UCL
Huntingdon Town 4-5 Shepshed Dynamo

MFA
Coventry Sphinx 0-2 Dunkirk

NCELP
Arnold Town 3-0 Barton Town OB
Retford Utd 1-3 Liversedge
Tadcaster Albion 0-2 Heanor Town
Winterton Rangers 3-1 Long Eaton Utd

NCEL1
Clipstone Welfare 3-2 Yorkshire Ams
Grimsby Borough 0-4 Shirebrook Town
Teversal 1-1 Cleethorpes Town


EMCL
Basford Utd 2-1 Radcliffe Olympic
Borrowash Victoria 1-0 Greenwood Meadows
Graham St. Prims 1-7 Barrow Town
Radford FC 3-6 Bardon Hill

CML North
Glapwell 1-2 Clay Cross Town
Kiveton Park 1-2 Harworth CI
Sherwood Colliery 2-0 Brodsworth Welfare
Thoresby CW 2-5 Phoenix Sports

CML South
Belper Utd P-P Southwell City
Blackwell MW 2-2 Nottingham Utd
Calverton MW 0-5 South Normanton Athletic
Clifton AW P-P Linby CW
Mickleover Royals P-P Pinxton
Newark Town 5-0 Blidworth Welfare
Real Utd P-P Bilborough Pelican
Sutton Town AFC 5-0 Holbrook St. Michaels

Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup
Awsworth Villa P-P Southwell City Res
Burton Joyce 4-2 Woodborough Utd
Clifton P-P AFC Bridgford
Old Elizabethans 3-4 AFC Mansfield

NSL Senior Division
Attenborough P-P F.C. Cavaliers
Cotgrave Welfare P-P Keyworth Utd
Kimberley MW P-P Bulwell FC
Sandhurst 1-3 Hucknall RL
Selston 3-2 Ruddington Village
Wollaton 2-2 Magdala Ams

Hucknall Tn 0-4 Brigg Town

Tuesday 27th November 2012 - Doodson Sport Cup : ko 7:46pm

Huge thanks go to HTFC General Manager Steve Peat for the team sheet, and for giving us guest status - and before anyone criticises, we very rarely accept "freebies". On this occasion we were pleased to accept the big mans offer to be his guests for the evening.

I took a couple of pics with my phone, but they turned out crap again. I'll use one just to illustrate the Brigg kit. On the team sheet it was given as all green - turned out to be a very pastel shade!!!

Brigg were purported to have brought a squad of fringe players, but if they were they were still far too good for the Yellows. Danny Hayes returned for this game, but he is now registered with Arnold Town so we probably won't see him in a yellow shirt again. Rob Austin getting the armband was a pleasant surprise - but Austin has been playing well so it was well deserved.

The Zebras took just 6 minutes to crack open the leaky Hucknall defence - RYAN PACZKOWSKI was allowed room some 22 yards from goal and hit a fierce left foot drive through a ruck of players, the ball flying under the dive of keeper James Martin.

This was a poor game played in miserable conditions, and for Hucknall the misery worsened on 21 when SCOTT HELLEWELL rose to head home a fine left wing cross.  Four minutes later, the visitors had their third from a direct free-kick. This is something we are becoming used to at Watnall Road, but when LIAM DAVIS struck the ball from 30+ yards it looked in all the way - and despite the despairing dive of Martin, the keeper really had little chance of stopping the effort flying into the top corner, so precise was the placement. 

Hucknall's best effort of the half came on the half-hour mark - Warren Hatfield's delightful dink over a couple of defenders picked out Alex Ford, and although the striker connected well, Brigg keeper Miles Jenty blocked with his legs and the loose ball was cleared to safety.

The fourth Brigg goal on the brink of half-time should have been prevented, but when Davis crossed from the right, PAUL PRESTON was allowed to fire home from 6 yards after the Yellows defence once again failed to clear the ball in.  H-T 0-4

Spent the second half of the game behind the Watnall Road goal in the company of physiotherapist Fred Kirk - although we maybe trying and seek out a psychotherapist if the Yellows season continues on this downward spiral.  Hucknall almost got on the scoresheet towards the end of the game, but Ford's ball into the area for Hatfield was intercepted by Martyn Gee - looked like being a cracking O.G, but  Hucknall's luck is really out and the ball crashed onto the post and flew safe. F-T 0-4

Attendance 36

Attendance at Matlock v Mansfield was 758. Total attendances for the 11 Doodson cup games was 719, averaging just over 65 per game.  Time the league killed this competition forever, I reckon.  I asked Fred and Kev who were the current holders - their shrugs told me they didn't know, and neither did I ! At least Hucknall can concentrate on league survival now without any distractions - apart from the Senior Cup of course!

Hucknall Town 1-3 Gresley FC

Saturday 24th November 2012 - Evo-Stik League Div One South - ko: 3:04pm

Hucknall welcomed Gresley FC to Watnall Road on a cold and very damp afternoon. The visitors lie 4th in the table and on paper at least, should have buried bottom club Town with ease.

Gresley played a neat 4-3-3 formation, with Jordan Nadat, Phil Massingham and Rob Spencer the spearhead, while Hucknall lined up 4-4-2 with Alex Ford and Julian Topliss up top.

Ford and Lee McAnulty picked up injuries during the game – a worry for boss Gary Sucharewycz who could only select four subs fro this game, himself included.

Gresley had an early scare when keeper George Woodward slipped as he went to clear, but his defenders were quick to the ball and any danger was immediately snuffed out.

Nadat was unlucky on 3 when his shot was palmed onto the post by James Martin. The no. 9 was having a bad time with the Ref’s assistant – and in all fairness his complaints were on the most part, justified.  All three officials had off days, but in the end they can be said to have got the crucial decisions correct.

Close !!!

Matt Glass headed just wide from a James Leggitt cross in the 5th minute as the home team took the game to their high-flying visitors.

Nadat had a chance to put Gresley ahead after 11 minutes after he was superbly played in by Massingham – unfortunately for Nadat, Martin was quick off his line and managed to block the strikers effort.

A moment of madness on 19 by Woodward saw Hucknall awarded a penalty. The keeper’s rash challenge giving the Referee no option other than to give the spot-kick, that JULIAN TOPLISS fired home giving Woodward no chance.

The lead lasted a mere 5 minutes though, and it was former Gresley defender Matt Millns who appeared to give away a free-kick on the edge of the box that JAMES JEPSON fired arrow straight into the top corner – superb strike from the former Yellow. H-T 1-1

Mat Millns in action

Hucknall had the first real chance of the second half – with just 3 minutes played Matt Glass was played through on Woodward, but the winger’s shot was tame and the keeper collected the ball comfortably enough.

JORDAN NADAT made no mistake for Gresley seconds later, hammering home through a crowd of players after the home defence failed to clear their box.

Topliss went close on 52 for the home team, but Woodward made a cracking save, deflecting the ball across the goal and out for a corner.

Gresley should have gone further ahead on 56, but Spencer fired well over the bar form 4 yards after his first shot was blocked. Massingham had two one-on-one chances on 66 and 68, but fluffed them both, and was withdrawn shortly afterwards.

The visitors wrapped up the points with 10 minutes left, MARC GOODFELLOW blasting the ball past Martin, after the sub had seen his first effort blocked.  F-T 1-3

Admission : season ticket

Attendance : 166

A vastly improved performance from Town, and although the gap at the foot of the table is now 8 points, the signs were there that the Yellows can close that gap and survive the dreaded drop into the Counties.

Saturday 24th November - local teams in action

F.A. TROPHY 1st Round

Mansfield Town 1-1 Matlock Town
Worksop Town 0-1 Kings Lynn Town

NPP
Ilkeston FC 3-1 Whitby Town
Witton Albion 3-0 Eastwood Town

NP1S
Carlton Town 3-2 Leek Town
Hucknall Town 1-3 Gresley FC
Rainworth MW 0-2 Chasetown
Romulus 2-4 Loughborough Dynamo
Stamford FC 4-1 Belper Town

MFA
Stratford Town 2-2 Dunkirk

UCL
Shepshed Dynamo 4-0 AFC Kempston Rovers

NCELP
Barton Town OB P-P Retford Utd
Heanor Town 3-2 Parkgate
Long Eaton Utd 1-1 Bridlington Town
Scarborough Athletic 3-1 Arnold Town

NCEL1
Cleethorpes Town 4-2 Clipstone Welfare
Shirebrook Town 2-2 Teversal FC

EMCL
Aylestone Park 3-0 Radford FC
Bardon Hill P-P Borrowash Victoria
Barrow Town 3-3 Greenwood Meadows
Gedling MW 4-4 Lutterworth Athletic
Holbrook Sports P-P Graham St Prims
Radcliffe Olympic P-P Holwell Sports
Thunby Nirvana P-P Basford Utd

CMLN
Bentley Colliery P-P Harworth CI 2pm
Brodsworth Welfare 5-0 Yorkshire Main
Clay Cross Town 7-1 Phoenix Sports 2pm
DFS Welbeck Welfare 0-4 Sherwood Colliery 2pm
Dronfield Town 3-0 Thoresby CW 2pm
Easington Utd 1-1 Glapwell 2pm
Kiveton Park 0-8 AFC Mansfield 2pm
Westella Hanson 2-0 Ollerton Town

CMLS
Blackwell MW P-P Mickleover Royals
Blidworth Welfare P-P Clifton AW
Linby CW 4-2 South Normanton Athletic
Pinxton FC 3-1 Belper United
Southwell City 2-4 Holbrook St. Michaels

NSL Senior Cup
Attenborough P-P Wollaton
Beeston AFC P-P FC05
Bilborough Town 0-3 Keyworth Utd
Cotgrave Welfare 2-6 Magdala Ams
Kimberley MW P-P West Bridgford
Selston P-P Sandhurst
Underwood Villa P-P Bulwell FC

NSL SENIOR 
Awsworth Villa P-P Burton Joyce
F.C. Cavaliers 3-4 Hucknall RL

Green Dragon 2-3 Nuthall

Sunday 18th November 2012 - Notts F.A. Sunday Senior Trophy - ko 10:32am

For my latest Sunday football fix, I was joined by Sam Hodkin. Although he arrived 10 minutes into the game, this was not entirely his fault - the fixture was originally advertised as an 11am kick off.

This game was between two Notts Sunday League Premier Premier teams - they met in the league last week and the game ended as a 3-3 draw.  Nuthall are top of the division at the moment and have a smattering of well known non-league players in their ranks, Jimmy Spiers, Zeke Jenkins, Jake Want and Tyrone Burton to name just a few.

Added a few random images - just to illustrate how good Titchfield Park looks on a bright sunny day!!!

I originally had Kirkby v Birchover scheduled in, but when I was informed that level 3 referee Hristo Karaivanov was in the middle, I took the chance to catch up with our good friend.

Nuthall looked dangerous early doors, but were caught out in the 5th minute when MATTHEW LUCAS got to the ball before keeper Jake Want and flicked a neat header into the back of the net.

Lucas should have double the Dragon lead on 19, but he miskicked when left unmarked in front of goal. Costly miss, because just four minutes later the visitors drew level. A ball across the area picked out JIMMY SPIERS - and his fierce drive deflected into the goal by a defender. H-T 1-1

Had a chat to Hristo during the break, complimenting him on his handling of the game - although to be fair the players were on their best behavior, and this does make officiating so much easier.

Nuthall were ahead with 90 seconds of the second half played, JASON RUSSELL with all the time in the world to convert at the far post after his presence was totally ignored by the home defence.

Two minutes later Spiers fired over from six yards, but Nuthall did add their third on the hour mark, CONOR NAYLOR seeing his shot deflected in the net by the Dragon no. 4 shirt.

KANE MATTHEWS fired home at the far post for the home team on 67, but that was the final goal of the game and Nuthall progress into the semi-finals of the competition. F-T 2-3

H/C maximum 10 brave souls - a bright sunny morning, but it remained chilly throughout the game.

Hucknall Town 0-5 Kidsgrove Athletic

Saturday 17th November 2012 - Evo-Stik Northern League Div 1 South  ko 3:01pm

Hucknall are rebuilding after the departure of Brett Marshall, but new boss Gary Sucharewycz is finding it tough - and the rebuilding must continue if the Yellows are to survive relegation this season.

Playing 3-5-2 for the first half didn't work, but resorting to 4-4-2 after the break also didn't work.  The home team were a goal down after just 1 minute 50 seconds - DANNY SKELTON was given too much time and room 25 yards from goal and the Kidsgrove number 8 took full advantage, hitting a screamer past keeper James Martin, who had no chance.

On 17, Hucknall conceded a free-kick on the edge of their box and almost paid dearly when Andy Kinsey's effort rattle the angle of post and bar.

10 minutes later Liam Shotton headed home John Johnston cross at the far post, but luckily for the home team, the linesman's flag was already raised for the offside.

Another free-kick was needlessly given away on the edge of the box seconds later, this time KINSEY made no mistake, curling the ball into the top corner with Martin grasping at thin air.

Things could have been even worse for Hucknall on 36 - they had Martin to thank for a "worldy" that kept out Johnston's near post shot. H-T 0-2

Hucknall changed their formation at the break, and it looked for a while as if they were going to be able to give Kiddy a game -  if Julian Topliss's 47th minute curling shot had have gone under the bar instead of just over it, we may have had a game on our hands. 

Alas, it was not to be - LIAM SHOTTON opened his body and fired across Martin in the 53rd minute to kill any chance of a home revival,  and 60 seconds later KINSEY ran past Rob Paling and stroked the ball delicately past Martin. 

The visitors added their fifth on the hour mark, PAUL TAYLOR taking his time (and he had plenty) before sending the ball curling past Martin. Kidsgrove made personnel changes and took their foot off the gas as the game petered out - Hucknall had little or nothing to offer, even when the opposition had changed down to second gear. F-T 0-5

Hucknall are now 5 points adrift at the foot of the table - Sucharewycz and Robinson have a lot of work to do if the Yellows are to survive the drop into the Counties....

League table click here

Plus point :  keeper James Martin looks a real signing and couldn't be faulted for any of the goals - you have to hope that this heavy defeat won't affect the 20 year-old too much. 

Negative point : seeing club Secretary and friend Tony Knowles so upset at how his beloved club is struggling.  

Admission : season ticket
Attendance : 120