Saturday 1st September - local teams in action

More F.A. action this week  - Vase time !!

F.A. VASE 1st Qualifying Round
Arnold Town 5-3 Thurnby Nirvana
Bardon Hill Sports 1-2 Dunkirk
Glapwell FC 0-1 Radford FC
Long Eaton United 3-0 Lincoln Moorlands Railway
Pinxton FC 4-3 Ollerton Town
Teversal FC 4-2 Radcliffe Olympic

BSP
Mansfield Town 3-1 Woking

NPP
Chorley 1-0 Ilkeston FC
Eastwood Town 2-5 Kendal Town
Stafford Rangers 1-0 Matlock Town
Worksop Town 2-1 Stocksbridge PS

NP1S
Carlton Town 1-2 Halesowen Town
Coalville Town 3-0 Rainworth MW
Hucknall Town 1-2 Northwich Victoria
Market Drayton Town 3-2 Belper Town
Sutton Coldfield Town 2-1 Loughborough Dynamo

UCL
Shepshed Dynamo 4-0 Blackstones

NCELP
Retford United 0-2 Bridlington Town

NCEL1
Askern Villa 3-1 Shirebrook Town
Pontefract Colliery 2-1 Clipstone Welfare

EMCL
Aylestone Park 1-3 Basford United
Borrowash Victoria 2-2 Gedling MW
Graham St Prims 1-2 Ellistown
Greenwood Meadows 4-1 Lutterworth Athletic

CML North
Clay Cross Town 7-0 Thoresby CW
Dronfield Town 6-1 Sherwood Colliery
Harworth CI 1-1 Easington United
Kiveton Park (ten)10-0 DFS Welbeck Welfare
Phoenix Sports & Social 0-9 AFC Mansfield

CML South
Blackwell MW 1-12 (twelve) Bilborough Pelican
Clifton AW 2-1 Hucknall Town AFC
Holbrook St Michaels 0-2 Calverton MW
Linby CW 1-1 Belper United
Newark Town 3-0 South Normanton Athletic
Real United P-P Mickleover Sports ( vandalism / health and safety)
Southwell City 2-0 Blidworth Welfare
Sutton Town AFC 6-2 Nottingham United

NSL Senior
Bilborough Town 1-1 Wollaton
Bulwell 2-1 Keyworth United
Kimberley MW 2-1 Ruddington Village
Sandhurst 0-6 Burton Joyce
Selston 5-3 Awsworth Villa

Rainworth MW 4-1 Hucknall Town

EVO-STIK Div 1 South - Monday 27th August 2012 : kick off 3:00pm

Had a feeling Town were going to get beaten today -  and on arriving at the ground, looking at the team sheet and comparing the Rainworth line-up with the Yellows' starting eleven, that feeling didn't go away.

Kev Gee has put together a very good squad at Kirklington Road, and with Ian Holmes have secured the services of a top, top striker. Jared Holmes, Kieran Walker, Callum Lloyd and Danny Bacon have all worn the yellow of Hucknall, but in Blair Anderson the Wrens have a real gem. On loan from Alfreton - we first came across Blair when he was playing in the Unity U19's side a couple of years ago, and scoring for fun - the young man looked destined to do well even then. Blair was at times unplayable and was instrumental in setting up a couple of the Wrens goals.  

The warning signs were there for Hucknall with just three minutes on the clock, when Ian Holmes was given space to run into and shot just past the outside of the post. Karl Slack then fired over for Town two minutes later, after he was found by Ben Good.

Jamie Brown looked dangerous for Town early doors, swinging in a couple of crosses and forcing keeper Joe McCormack into action on occasion. 

I've seen many, many managers at most levels of the game, but in Gee, Rainworth have to have one of the angriest and loudest I have ever come across. Mind you, Hucknall's Graham Walker was almost as bad at times ... maybe they were seeing who can shout the loudest!! Who won? Gee - hands down....

Rainworth took the lead in the 40th minute - Anderson went flying down the left wing and was allowed to cross to the far side of the goal where EWAN CLARKE was waiting to volley sweetly home. The cross shouldn't have been allowed to happen, and Rob Paling maybe should have done more, but take nothing away from the finish - it was superb! H-T 1-0

Ewan Clarke hits the Wrens' first

The Wrens doubled their lead through RYAN GOWARD with 9 minutes of the second half played, the former Mansfield Town player hitting the ball low and slow from 25 yards through a crowd of players after two initial shots at goal had been cleared.

BEN GOOD reduced the Town arrears three minutes later, crashing a shot past McCormack from the corner of the box.  Now, with the wind at their backs, the visitors should have gone on to get something out of this game, but there was little or no creativity from the midfield - Slack and Good needed some ammo - but both Topliss and Brown were unable to supply.  Brown had a very good first half, but faded into invisibility in the second. Topliss never got going at all. What Brett Marshall will do next to try to get the season up and running is anyone's guess.  

In the 77th minute, IAN HOLMES was played in from the back, and despite being chased down by Danny Hayes, the striker fired coolly past Fisher.

Ian Holmes gets the third

Five minutes later it was game over, after CLARKE was picked out with a superb ball from Jared Holmes - the no. 8 hitting the ball across Fisher and into the far corner of the net.  F-T 4-1

Clarke (hidden) grabs the fourth

Well done, Rainworth - well worth the three points on the day.  Hucknall have one or two or three or four problem areas - both me and Kev can see them - it's to be hoped Brett can. Early in the season it may be, but three wins out of the next four games look possible ( Northwich and Romulus at home - Lincoln Utd and Brigg away), and that should help calm a few nerves....

Admission £7

Programme and team sheet £1

Attendance 135

Monday 27th August – local teams in action

BSP

Grimsby Town 4-1 Mansfield Town

NPP

Grantham Town 3-0 Worksop Town

Ilkeston FC 2-1 Eastwood Town

Matlock Town 0-3 Rushall Olympic

NP1S

Belper Town 2-2 Sheffield FC

Lincoln United 2-4 Carlton Town

Rainworth MW 4-1 Hucknall Town

MFA

Dunkirk 6-1 Heather St. Johns

NCELP

Arnold Town 1-2 Tadcaster Albion

Hall Road Rangers 4-3 Long Eaton United

Retford United 3-1 Winterton Rangers

NCEL1

Hemsworth MW 4-2 Shirebrook Town

Teversal 4-1 Clipstone Welfare

EMCL

Basford United 4-0 Holbrook Sports

Borrowash Vics 3-0 Graham St Prims

Radcliffe Olympic 2-3 Gedling MW

Radford FC 2-0 Greenwood Meadows

CML North

AFC Mansfield 2-0 Thoresby CW

Brodsworth Welfare 0-0 Glapwell

Harworth CI 1-0 Thorne Colliery

Sherwood Colliery 8-0 DFS Welbeck Welfare

CML South

Belper United 1-3 Pinxton FC

Calverton MW 1-1 Southwell City

Clifton AW 1-0 Bilborough Pelican

Holbrook St Michael 4-0 Blidworth Welfare

Hucknall Town AFC 1-3 Newark Town

Nottingham United 1-0 South Normanton Athletic

Sutton Town AFC 3-0 Blackwell MW

Calverton MW 1-1 Linby CW

CML South -- Saturday 25th August 2012 - kick off 3:00pm

After watching the Calverton / Real United game on Wednesday, I mentioned to Kev that we ought to give Hollinwood Lane a wide berth for a while - but time constraints left us with a restricted choice - and having seen Linby play some good stuff against Blidworth, and then beating Mickleover Sports, we opted for another trip to sunny Calverton.

Well, it was sunny when we arrived there - very pleasant. Then after half an hour the clouds rolled in, along with booming thunder claps!! Lightning is slightly scary when you're stood standing next to a floodlight pylon - so we headed for the one covered area just as the heavens opened.....and did it rain, oh, yes....buckets of the stuff. Continued to rain until the end of the game - and we left the ground in bright sunshine -- cracking double rainbow though!!!!

We had our friendly stalker with us again today - Nigel Prost seems to be present at every game we cover.....

My first scribble was not until the 22nd minute, when Damian Mann brought out a fine diving save out of the Calverton keeper.  Mann was on target again 5 minutes later, but once again the winger's shot was well saved. H-T 0-0

After 61 minutes, Kev decided to do his " I'll bring a goal by putting the camera away" trick - and lo and behold a Mann corner from the left was headed powerfully home by MARTIN BURKE.

Linby looked to defend the lead, and allowed the home team to come on to them. When Matt Peberday was given a straight red on 75, it seemed only a matter of time before Calverton would score - and although Jonathan Dakers forced a save from the home keeper with a well struck 20 yard free-kick, the Linby defence was breached with five to play.

Some neat play down the left, a ball into the near post and a flick past the Linby keeper, gave the home team  a share of the points - and they were value for their point. Much better performance by Calverton than the one on Wednesday, but Linby can play better than this. F-T 1-1

Admission £3
Programme £1
Head count 51

Saturday 25th August - local teams in action

F.A. Cup time again!!!  Good luck to all the local teams....

F.A. Cup Preliminary Round
Blaby & Whetstone 2-1 Heanor Town
Carlton Town 3-2 Oadby Town
Holbrook Sports 1-6 Belper United
Hucknall Town 0-1 Retford United
Loughborough Dynamo 5-3 Glossop North End
Quorn 2-1 Dunkirk
Sleaford 1-2 Rainworth MW
Stamford 1-0 Borrowash Vics

BSP
Mansfield Town 1-0 Hyde United

NPP
Eastwood Town 0-5 Ashton United
FCUM 4-0 Matlock Town
Nantwich Town 1-0 Ilkeston FC
Worksop Town 1-1 Witton albion

UCL
Deeping Rangers 1-2 Shepshed Dynamo

NCELP
Long Eaton United 2-0 Scarborough Athletic
Parkgate 3-2 Arnold Town

NCEL1
Knaresborough Town P-P Teversal
Rossington Main 1-4 Clipstone Welfare
Shirebrook Town 4-2 Selby Town

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 2-4 Basford United
Barrow Town 2-1 Radcliffe Olympic
Gedling MW 1-1 Holwell Sports
Ibstock United 3-3 Greenwood Meadows
Lutterworth Athletic 1-2 Radford FC

CML North
DFS Welbeck Welfare P-P Brodsworth Welfare
Dronfield Town 5-4 AFC Mansfield
Glapwell 3-0 Bentley Colliery
Kiveton Park 5-1 Sherwood Colliery
Thorne Colliery 3-7 Thoresby CW
Westella Hanson 3-1 Clay Cross Town
Yorkshire Main 2-3 Harworth CI

CML South
Calverton MW 1-1 Linby CW
Pinxton A-A Clifton AW ( abandoned at half-time - waterlogged pitch 2-0)
Real United 2-3 Belper Town
South Normanton Athletic P-P Bilborough Pelican
Sutton Town AFC 3-0 Hucknall Town AFC

NSL Senior
Awsworth Villa 4-5 Clifton FC
Bilborough Town 2-2 F.C. Cavaliers
Bulwell 8-0 Kimberley MW
Burton Joyce 6-2 Wollaton
Magdala Ams 4-0 Hucknall Rolls Leisure
Ruddington Villa 4-0 Cotgrave Welfare
Sandhurst 0-8 Keyworth United

Calverton MW 0-2 Real United

CML South Division - Wednesday 22nd August 2012 -- kick off 7:47pm

Met up with Real United's Jevon Swinscoe before the game - gave us some information about some of the Real players... and was on hand during the game to provide the goal-scorers names - thank you Jevon!

Now you might think Calverton v Real United wouldn't be a classic - and you would be 100% correct! This was not a good game, by any stretch of the imagination, but we were joined for the duration by "Wanderer" Richard Lane, who helped pass the time away.  Cracking company - always a pleasure to talk to - and anecdotes? Among the best...

Calverton played in their usual red and black, while Real sported a very snazzy all grey kit - sponsored by The Colonial - no? Me neither......

Great to see Matt McKenzie still playing  - he was wearing the number 5 shirt for United....still looks a beast!!! His team took the lead in the 11th minute - a neat ball into the box from the left was well controlled by MARCUS BUCK who set himself well before firing the ball across keeper James Wright and into the Welfare net. H-T 0-1

McKenzie leaps to clear

The visitors doubled their advantage on 63 - the home defence allowing United's no. 16 time to cross from inside the area, the ball picking out JUSTIN PINNOCK who had a simple tap in from close range.  End of report really - Referee Craig Langton must have had easier games to officiate, but not too many, I'll wager. F-T 0-2

Very short blog entry, but not a lot else happened. There is one thing that I can remember : the United number 9 missed a sitter that he will be reminded about over and over - it was that bad a miss. The perfect ball across the goal to the far stick - straight forward simple, easy, dip your bread, open goal, can't miss header --- that he ballsed-up big style.  He was subbed immediately after!

Attendance H/C 36 

Admission £3

Programme £1

Raffle  - £1 each. Another game where we come away without the raffle numbers being announced.  Did we win? No - apparently someone in the bar won......

Hucknall Town 1-3 Kings Lynn Town

NP1S - Tuesday 21st August - kick off 7:47pm

The new era for Hucknall began at Newcastle Town on Saturday, where Brett's team earned a creditable draw, by all accounts.  The first home fixture against Kings Lynn was always going to be a toughie, and so it proved - although it was three defensive errors that eventually cost the Yellows dear. 

Expected a few more to be at Watnall Road for this game - the official attendance was 190, with a decent following from Norfolk. One heck of a trek for a midweek game.....

Disappointed with the programme as well - I know it's not the easiest, most well paid job at any club, but for £2 this was poor by any standards. At least we managed to grab a team sheet from club Secretary Tony Knowles.

Issue 2?

Russell Dunkley had the first proper chance of the game in the 8th minute, but his header flew over the bar. Warren Hartfield then fouled Ross Watson to set up a free-kick on the edge of the box. Jamie Thurlbourne ran up and smashed the ball way wide of Fisher's goal.

Hucknall were playing well enough against a team that have to be among the favourites to climb out of the division - and it was the home team who opened the scoring on 18.Leggitt found Carty down the left and he in turn played in Brown. The no. 11 passed the ball onto KARL SLACK who never looked like missing when he went in one on one with Lynn keeper Alex Street. 

Kev's sequence shots:

Slack had another chance in the 22nd minute, but fired just wide.  The game looked there for the taking as Hucknall had morof the possession and played some neat football. There for the taking - until 7 minutes of defensive suicide handed the advantage back to Lynn. 

A corner from the left sailed into the area was cleared from in front of goal, but STEVE SPRIGGS was waiting on the far stick to ram home the loose ball, despite Hucknall having two defenders covering the post.

Spriggs was beginning to show just what a quality player he is, and James Leggitt was struggling to cope with the tricky winger. Mind you, a little defensive help from Jamie Brown might have helped the left back - but this part of the game seems to be sadly missing from Brown. Good player, but needs to work much harder if he is to remain in the team.  

Leggitt was again culpable for the Lynn second goal on 40, allowing a cross that was headed at goal and superbly saved by Fisher. RUSSELL DUNKLEY was first to the loose ball though, and had the simple task of firing into the empty net.

Right on half time, Spriggs ran at Leggitt again, and as he carried the ball into the area, Leggitt fouled him - penalty - no hesitation from Referee Chris Ward. SPRIGGS hammered the spot kick home to give the visitors a hardly deserved two goal lead at the break. H-T 1-3

The second half was goal-less, but it belonged to the home team who, despite being two goals down, outplayed their opposition for the most part, and created ample chances. They were up against a very good keeper in Street, and when the visitors back line was penetrated, the big man was always on hand.  

I took no notes in the second half, deciding to watch rather than scribble and tweet - and one or two things became obvious as the half progressed : Rob Austin is a cracking, solid centre-half and if Brett Marshall teams him together with Corey Nightingale they should be quite a pairing. The Hucknall midfield is still finding it's feet. I can't see Carty, Hatfield, Brown and Wilby setting this division alight - all good players, but apart from Hatfield, lacking experience at this level. Slack and new signing Ben Good looked a good pairing up top - little and large - always a good combination. 

On the whole, a disappointing result, but a decent performance -- and you have to think that the Yellows will not meet this sort of quality team every game. What happened in the last 7 minutes of the first half is avoidable, and I'm sure that Brett will  be working on that with his coaching staff before the cup game against  Retford on Saturday. F-T 1-3

Admission : season ticket

Attendance 190

Programme - yes, there was one - at £2 it was not the best. No mention of our sponsoring Brett.....

Tuesday 21st August - local teams in action

NPP
Eastwood Tn 0-2 Hednesford Tn
Rushall Olympic 2-1 Ilkeston FC

NP1S
Brigg Tn 2-2 Belper Tn
Hucknall Tn 1-3 Kings Lynn Tn
Mickleover Sports 1-0 Rainworth MW

MFA
Coleshill Tn 2-3 Dunkirk

NCELP
Heanor Tn 1-2 Winterton Rangers
Long Eaton Utd 0-1 Retford Utd
Worksop Parramore 5-4 Arnold Tn

EMCL
Graham St Prims 2-1 Radford FC
Greenwood Meadows 1-2 Barrow Tn

CML North
DFS Welbeck Welfare 2-9 Clay Cross Tn
Glapwell 6-3 Kiveton Park
Harworth CI 5-2 Sherwood Colliery
Ollerton Tn A-A AFC Mansfield

CML South
Clifton AW 5-0 Blackwell MW
Nottingham Utd 4-0 Blidworth Welfare
Pinxton 2-1 Hucknall Tn AFC
South Normanton Ath 4-5 Mickleover Royals

Bulwell FC 6-3 Bilborough Town

NSL Senior Divison - Monday 20th August kick off 7:04pm.

With Kev away for couple of days, I thought this would be a simple no pics, no notes game.  Not to be! 9 goals, a splendid boxing match on the half hour, and three sendings off.  Not to mention the myriad insect bites....the little bleeders!

Unusually for an NSL game, there was a matchday programme. Quite a good one as well. The £1 was well worth it for the "In Off the post" gags...

Bulwell lined up with most of last season's double winning team: Wheat, Murdock, Walker, Knight, Soar, Keetley, Vapond, Niblett, Jeffries, Litchfield, King. Bilborough were mainly unknown - they were given promotion last season after the NSL couldn't fill their Senior Divison through usual channels. I have to thank Danny Staley for most of the Bulwell names - I know some people think I'm memory man, but not always, eh?

  

ALLAN JEFFRIES was on hand to nod home at the near post, just 90 seconds into the game.  Keeper Alex Smith had no chance. Hopper friend Deadly Derek turned up seconds later - he was expecting a 7:30pm ko, because some magazine had advertised it as such.  He only missed the first goal though.

SCOTT LITCHFIELD grabbed the home teams second on 12, hammering past Smith after Referee Phil Towers played a cracking advantage.  Bilborough no. 10, CRAIG McMORRAN, was played through into space in the 22nd minute, and he had no problem one-on-one with Bulwell keeper James Wheat.

Then things took an ugly turn. A needless kick out by Town skipper Daniel Lewis, enraged the entire Bulwell side, and Jeffries in particular who raced in and cracked Lewis on the chin. A 22-man brawl ensued - more punches were thrown and more angry words exchanged, before Mr. Towers calmed things down and had a chat to his assistants.  Ended with both Jeffries and Lewis being shown red for their part in the melee, but Bulwell's Jay Knight was also dismissed -  have to admit, I missed his offence. So much for the "handshake" pre-kick off!!

Back to the football some 7-8 minutes later, and while Bulwell were trying to reorganise,  RYAN McKEAG flicked the ball across Wheat into the far corner of the net to bring the scores level.  H-T 2-2

A bit of handbags at half time as the dismissed players met up outside the changing rooms, but by this time I was having a serious fight of my own -- a real nasty bite on the arm, and some serious head itching --- although Derek was in no discomfort at all... not one of the little sods bothered him!!!!

Bulwell were back in front through JOSH NIBLETT with just two minutes of the second half played, the midfielder beating Smith to the ball and sending it creeping into the far corner of the net.  Niblett was then fouled as he played LITCHFIELD in on 49, but the Ref played another great advantage and the no. 10 calmly netted his second of the game.

Bilborough were back in it in the 54th minute, a back pass failed to reach Wheat allowing the visiting no.9 shirt, JAY RICHARDS, to stop the ball and then sit the keeper on his backside before tapping home.

LITCHFIELD completed his hat-trick on the hour, a cracking shot from the corner of the box that Smith never saw until it was past him.  Seconds later, KING ran with the ball from the half way line, and managed to fire home, despite being tripped as he shot. F-T 6-3

Admission - by programme £1

H/C -- I counted 58 at kick off, but there were far more as the game progressed...

Basford United 8-0 Ibstock United

EMCL - Saturday 18th August 2012 -- kick off 3:01pm

There were plenty of decent looking games to go to, but after seeing quite a lot of Basford last season in the CMFL, and watching a few pre-season games, we just had to be at Greenwich Avenue for the first home game of their EMCL campaign.

Not a bad choice, as it happens! And it gave us chance to catch up with our assistant referee friend Nikki Hammond. What a nice, pleasant young lady.

There have been a lot of improvements to the venue, and the pitch was a picture. Striped and marked to perfection, cut like a bowling green, and the new goal nets the finishing touch.

We saw Ibstock at Gedling on Tuesday and they conceded five -  the let five in during the first 30 minutes in this game!

Teams:

Basford : McDonald, Dyce, Kemp, Holt, Pheasant, Francis, Smith, Garmston, Hooton, Westcarr C, Brady.

Ibstock : Exton, Lovett, Brown, Harrington, Rowell T, Adams, Tarry, Dunlop, Rowell P, Cresswell, Price.

Basford looked sharp from the get-go, and had their first chance in just the third minute when Theo Smith fed Aaron Hooton, whose clever back heel was well collected by Dan Exton in the Ibstock goal.

We didn't have to wait too long for the first goal though - on 13, Tommy Kemp's great through ball picked out CARL WESTCARR, and the striker calmly side-stepped Exton before sliding home.

Westcarr slides home 1-0

6 minutes later, Westcarr was found by Hooton in the box, but although Exton did well to parry his effort, HOOTON had continued his run and was on hand to tap in the loose ball. 

HOOTON was on the mark again on 22, volleying home from 18 yards after he pounced on an Aiden Brady cross. With 28 played, HOOTON completed his hat-trick - tapping in at the far stick after Westcarr's run had caused mayhem in the Ibstock area.  11 minute hat-trick - not bad!!!

Hooton volley 3-0

Hooton at the far post 4-0

On the half-hour mark, JOE PHEASANT powered home a Kemp right wing corner to make it 5-0, then in the 38th minute, another Kemp corner was headed home by HOOTON, the striker rising salmon-like to beat Exton to the ball. H-T 6-0

Pheasant header 5-0

Hooton header 6-0

Basford gaffer Daz Saunders took off Martin Holt at the break, replacing him with Craig Armstrong, and changing the successful 4-4-2 to 3-5-2. The game went a bit flat as Basford tried to adjust to the new formation, although Smith had a great shout for a penalty within seconds of the restart - Referee Aidan Murphy must have felt a bit sorry for Ibstock - it was as clear a penalty as you will see.

Ibstock acually found more space to play in, as Basford seemed to have called it a day - and we had to wait until the 75th minute for the next Basford goal - but it was well worth waiting for. MARTIN CARRUTHERS had replaced Hooton earlier in the half, and when he raced in from the left wing there seemed little danger - until he kept going, and going, before firing past Exton. Superb solo effort, Gandi. CARRUTHERS ended the goal feast 6 minutes later, beating Exton in a race to the ball and prodding home.

F-T 8-0

Carruthers makes it 8-0

Great all round performance from Basford, who after 3 games in the EMCL remain unbeaten. Mind you, Ibstock were poor, and their record of 3 played, 3 lost, 16 conceded and only 2 scored doesn't bode well for the Leicestershire outfit for the rest of the season. Click here for the EMCL table.

Admission £4
Programme £1
Attendance 51