Rainworth MW 2-2 Market Drayton Tn

It was good of the Evo-Stik North to put a on a full midweeek programme - all the other local leagues had very little on offer. Even so, our choices were limited due to work commitments - which left us only the Rainworth v Market Drayton fixture available. 

Turned out to be a decent enough game, but it was a bitterly cold night, but with November just around the corner I suppose we should now be expecting runny noses and frozen digits....

Only one point separated the teams before kick off, and only one separated them after the final whistle, although it was two set pieces that eventually handed their visitors a share of the spoils. 

The Wrens play a 4-3-3 system with Karl Slack, Blair Anderson and Ian Holmes at the sharp end, and for the first quarter of an hour they had the better of the chances. The opening goal in the 19th minute for Rainworth though didn't involve the front three, Drayton's left back RYAN CONNOR sending a near perfect looping header into the top corner with keeper Andy Price stranded. H-T 1-0

With two minutes of the second half played, Rainworth doubled their lead - Anderson received the ball in the corner of the box and picked out Slack in front of goal. The no. 9 miskicked but luckily the ball flew to IAN HOLMES who prodded home.

Rainworth seemed to think that was game over, and stopped playing, allowing the travellers to pick up their game and strive to get something out of the game.  They got their reward in the 52nd minute.

Whether Joey McCormack was impeded when MATT JOHNSON fired in a 30 yard free-kick or not, I'm not sure, but the ball by-passed everyone in the packed area and ended up in the back of the net. 

Fired up by the goal, Market Drayton went full tilt for the equaliser, and when Rhys Sweatnam hit a free-kick from the half way line low and hard into the area on 67, the home defence forgot to do what they are paid to do. MARTYN DAVIES was allowed far too much space in the box and the Town skipper connected sweetly under no pressure, sending the ball flying past McCormack. 

Chances were few and far between after that, and it was something of a relief when Referee Mr. Smith blew after two minutes of stoppage time had been played. F-T 2-2

Read a more detailed report from Rainworth website

Admission £7

Programme £1 ( excellent value - inc team sheet)

Attendance 58 ( that is poor for this level - are the Rainworth public staying away for some reason?)

Kirkby Town 8-1 Top Valley FC

Sunday 29th October 2012 -- Notts Sunday League Senior Division One - ko 10:30am

My son has just moved to Kirkby, so I thought it would be a good idea to introduce him to his new local team. Kirkby have had a great start to the season, but they do appear to be playing a couple of steps lower than they should be.  Click here to go to the Notts Sunday League website.

Fredkirkbytown was in attendance, as was Bury fan Paul. Scott Ward joined us after the break and when Dave Voller was subbed half way through the second half, he came and sat with us for the rest of the game.

The Watson brothers, Kieren, Nathan and Kristian are a formidable force and with Kyle Ludlow and Voller also amongst their ranks, they should win this division hands down.

It was KRIS WATSON who opened the scoring in just the third minute, tapping home at the near post. He added the home team's second on 9, sliding in at the far post to convert a ball in from the left.  KIEREN WATSON was played in by Kris seconds later, and rounded the Top Valley keeper before slotting home from an acute angle.

It was 4-0 on the half hour, a defender chesting home a left wing cross.  Shock horror followed though - Kikby conceded their first league goal of the season in the 34th minute when Gary Armstrong failed to clear giving AARON EVANS the chance to slot the ball under the body of keeper Steve Boot. H-T 4-1

NATHAN WATSON fired home from 15 yards five minutes into the second half, and five minutes later, KIEREN WATSON rounded the keeper to slot home the sixth.  ADAM MARSHALL blasted the ball into the top corner seconds later to make it seven.

KRIS WATSON was gifted his hat-trick goal on 70, when the keeper raced out to hack the ball away and missed it completely with Watson on hand to stroke the ball into the empty net.  F-T 8-1

Pleasant way to spend a couple of hours, and I think I'll be visiting the Summit Centre again in the near future.

H/C 23

Hucknall Tn AFC v Linby CW

Because I’m not feeling 100% at the moment, it’s difficult to motivate myself to travel more than a couple of miles.  We were due to be at Long Eaton v Heanor which finished 3-2 to the away team -  we ended up at Watnall Road to see if Hucknall Town AFC could gain bragging rights by beating local rivals Linby CW.

The Yellows were so close to claiming their first win of the season, and were only denied all three points in the 3^rd minute of second half added time.

A bitterly cold Watnall Road – with the wind gusting from the Salterford Road end it was difficult to find shelter, so watering eyes and snotty nose were the order of the day!!!

Town’s Assistant Manager Paul Stevenson was in goal last time we saw them play – this time he was lining after one of the officials failed to turn up. Good job well done, Stevo – talk about versatile! 

Linby’s first chance fell to Matt Murphy on 6, but the centre-forward headed just over. Matt Peberday volleyed into keeper James Beddinngham’s arms after he was picked out in front of goal by Damian Mann with 20 played, but with the half entering stoppage time, and totally against the run of play, the hosts went ahead through ADAM MORAN.   Strange to see a linesman jump up and down when a goal has been scored, but it was a great moment!! H-T 1-0

The second half was not too inspiring, although it did liven up after half an hour or so had been played. 

Murphy should have levelled the scores on 77 after neat approach play from Peberday and Barry Paine presented him with an opportunity 8 yards from goal, but Beddingham was again on hand to block the strikers effort.

Kamar Davis was unlucky not to have increased Hucknall’s lead seconds later – his effort from wide right crashed off the far stick before being hacked to safety by the Linby defence.

Davis had a great chance to secure the points on 90, but he could only head wide from 6 yards after he was left totally unmarked in front of goal. 

Mann then blazed the ball over the goal, over the fence and almost into Salterford Road after Peberday had set him up in front of goal.

With the Referee indicating 5 minutes of stoppage time, and with Linby powering forward at will as the home team ran out of steam, MATT PEBERDAY broke the home teams hearts in the third of the added minutes when he flicked home David Marlow’s pinpoint right wing cross. 

Linby’s Ashley Winfield received a second yellow right on the final whistle – his first in the first half was for chipping away at the Ref, and the second was for something he said that the Ref didn’t take too kindly to. Maybe the ban and fine will help Ashley to remember to keep schtum in future. F-T 1-1

Admission : season ticket

Programme / prize draw £1

Attendance H/C 47 

Saturday 27th October - local teams in action

F.A. Trophy -- 2nd Qualifying round
Belper Town 0-2 Cammell Laird
Halesowen Town 0-1 Worksop Town
Matlock Town 0-0 Leek Town
Romulus 1-0 Hucknall Town
Whitby Town 4-2 Ilkeston FC

NPP
Ashton Utd 6-0 Eastwood Town

NP1S
Carlton Town 0-1 Mickleover Sports
Loughborough Dynamo 0-2 Sutton Coldfield Town
Rainworth MW 3-2 Newcastle Town

UCL
Shepshed Dynamo 2-2 Holbeach Utd

MFA
Dunkirk 1-1 Boldmere St. Michaels

NCELP
Lincoln Moorlands Railway 2-1 Arnold Town
Long Eaton Utd 2-3 Heanor Town
Maltby Main 0-2 Retford Utd

NCEL1
Pontefract Colliery 2-1 Teversal
Selby Town 1-1 Clipston Welfare
Shirebrook Town 2-1 Dinnington Town

EMCL
Bardon Hill 3-1 Gedling MW
Basford Utd 4-2 Greenwood Meadows
Borrowash Victoria 2-0 Holbrook Sports
Graham St. Prims 3-1 Holwell Sports
Radcliffe Olympic 3-2 St. Andrews
Radford 0-1 Anstey Nomads

CMLN
Clay Cross Town 4-1 Thorne Colliery
DFC Welbeck Welfare 0-3 Dronfield Town
Easington Utd 1-0 Thoresby CW
Glapwell P-P Yorkshire Main
Ollerton Town 2-1 Phoenix Sports
Sherwood Colliery 1-2 Harworth CI

CMLS
Bilborough Pelican 3-7 South Normanton Athletic
Blackwell MW 1-6 Calverton MW
Hucknall Town AFC 1-1 Linby CW
Mickleover Royals 2-2 Southwell City
Nottingham Utd 0-6 Belper Utd
Pinxton FC (ten) 10-1 Holbrook St. Michaels
Real Utd 1-0 Blidworth Welfare
Sutton Town AFC 4-2 Newark Town

NSL SENIOR
Bilborough Town 2-1 Keyworth Utd

NSL Senior Cup
Attenborough 8-0 Burton Joyce
Cotgrave Welfare 7-2 Gedling SB
F.C. Cavaliers 2-5 Bulwell
Hucknall RL 3-4 Sandhurst
Kimberley MW 2-1 Clifton
Magdala Ams 5-1 Kirton Brickworks
Nottinghamshire 1-3 Wollaton
Selston 6-3 Awsworth Villa

Hucknall Town 2-3 Sutton Coldfield Town

Tuesday 23rd October 2012 - Evo-Stik North Div 1 South

Hucknall hit rock bottom 

Went to Watnall Road to see if the Yellows could bounce back after Saturday's drubbing, but defensive frailties and goal keeping errors saw the home team go down to a very average Sutton team. Compounding the defeat was the fact that Lincoln Utd beat Coalville (!) 2-1, a result that saw them leapfrog over Hucknall, who now rest uneasily at the foot of the table.

Damp and murky conditions, but with Kev back after his short break and with Danny Staley and Mike Banister keeping us company, the evening passed pleasantly enough. 

Alex Ford grabbed both Hucknall's goals, his second seeing the home team actually take the lead. Sutton's LUKE CHAPMAN had put them ahead on 18, capitalising on poor defensive play.  FORD levelled in the 31st minute when he hit a sweet side-food shot into the inside side-netting. H-T 1-1

FORD was on target again 6 minutes into the second half, crashing a fierce drive past keeper Lee Evans from the corner of the box. 

The lead lasted all of five minutes though, and again it was a goal that Damian Clarke has to be disappointed at conceding, KRISTIAN RAMSEY-DICKSON lifting the ball over the home keeper. RAMSEY DICKSON added the Royals' third on 65, flicking the ball around Clarke who should have done better. F-T 2-3

Brett Marshall is in the midst of an injury crisis at the moment, and could only name two subs after Jamie Brown was injured in the warm-up.

Yellow: Clarke - Paling, Austin, Green, Nightingale, McAnulty, Baugh, Carty, Ford, Garnett, Payne. Subs Rennalls, Hayes

Admission : season ticket

Attendance 87

Empire Hucknall 2-6 Nottm Breakdown

Sunday 21st October 2012 - Notts Sunday Senior Div 2 - kick off 10:31am

Empire were top of the table before kick off - but you wouldn't have thought it with their abject perfomance on a very foggy, soggy Titchfield Park.

The Empire had already beaten Nottm Breadown Ltd 5-1 away, so should have been plain sailing, but the visitors looked sharp and took the game to their hosts right from the off.

A penalty in the 4th minute gave the visitors the lead, and they were 2-0 up on 11.  Empire missed a penalty on 20 that would have put them back in the game, but 5 minutes later a long range effort gave Stewart York in the Empire goal no chance. In the 28th minute, the no.9 shirt for Breakdown turned a defender inside out twice before slotting home his teams fourth.  The Empire struck back right on the half-time whistle when their no. 11 curled a beauty past the visiting keeper from 25 yards out. H-T 1-4

Empire scored again in the 73rd minute giving thoughts of a Germany/Sweden type fightback. They almost added a third seconds later - but the fightback was killed dead when Breakdown hit two long range efforts past York in the 85th and 90th minutes. F-T 2-6

Very pleasant morning made even better when my son Chris and grand-daughter Summer joined me pitchside!!! Not sure if Chris was too impressed with the standard of football on offer though!  I thought it was ok - certainly not the worst game I've seen this season!

The Empire game was played on pitch #1 - on pitch #2, Premier Travel hammered County NALGO 6-1 in  Notts Sunday League Premier 2 . A good return on goals seen!!!

Hucknall Tn 1-9 Coalville Tn

Saturday 20th October 2012 - Evo-Stik North Div 1 South : ko 3:02pm

Oh dear.

Attendance 166 - the only plus!! A lot from Leicestershire though!

Danny Davison opened the scoring on 6, tapping in after great wing play by Lewis Dodd

Davison nodded home the second in the 11th minute.

Cameron Powell tried his luck from range seconds later, and Hucknall keeper Damian Clarke will be disappointed with his effort to stop the shot.

Jerome Murdock added the fourth on 32

A Cameron Stuart free-kick from the right sailed into the 6 yard box, and into the back of the net just before the break

H-T 0-5

Davison completed his personal triple on 56, taking the ball round Clarke before slotting home from an acute angle.

Callum Woodward broke away in the 64th minute and cheekily lobbed Clarke to make it 0-7

Ant Carney hit home through a crowd of players on 65.

Sam Cardine headed home at the far post seconds later.

Alex Ford beat Coalville keeper Sean Bowles to the ball to grab a 70th minute "consolation" goal for the Yellows. Some consolation !!!


Report from the excellent pen of Julian Toop

F-T 1-9

Table topping Coalville are a very talented team, and very well organised. Their top scorer was missing apparently!!!  They had far too much for the home team who now sit second bottom.  On Tuesday, Hucknall are at home again, this time Sutton Coldfield are the visitors.  Sutton will arrive at Watnall Road on the back of  a great win at Sheffield FC.  

Saturday 20th October - local teams in action

F.A. Cup 4th QR
AFC Fylde 1-1 Ilkeston Tn
Workington Tn 1-2 Mansfield Tn

NPP
Eastwood T 1-5 Nantwich Tn
Stocksbridge PS 2-3 Matlock Tn
Worksop Tn 3-0 Kendal

NP1S
Chasetown 1-1 Belper Tn
Halesowen Tn 1-3 Rainworth MW
Hucknall Tn 1-9 Coalville Tn
Kidsgrove Athletic 3-2 Loughborough Dynamo
Romulus 0-2 Carlton Tn

MFA
Ellesmere Rangers 0-1 Dunkirk

UCL
St. Ives Tn 2-0 Shepshed Dynamo

NCELP
Arnold Tn 3-6 Staveley MW
Heanor Tn 0-2 Worksop Parramore
Nostell MW 2-3 Long Eaton Utd
Retford Tn 1-1 Lincoln Moorlands Railway

NCEL1
Appleby Frodingham 0-2 Shirebrook Tn
Clipstone Welfare 0-1 Pontefract Colliery
Teversal 2-2 Albion Sports

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 0-3 Borrowash Victoria
Gedling MW 2-2 Aylestone Park
Holbrook Sports 3-1 Greenwood Meadows
Lutterworth Utd 3-1 Basford Utd
Radcliffe Olympic 2-3 Graham St. Prims
Radford 3-1 Ibstock Utd

CMLN
AFC Mansfield 4-0 Easington Utd
Harworth CI 2-1 Glapwell
Thoresby CW 0-4 Kiveton Park
Westella Hansen 5-0 DFC Welbeck Welfare
Yorkshire Main 1-3 Clay Cross Tn

CMLS
Belper Utd 5-1 Real Utd
Blidworth Welfare 0-1 Holbrook St. Michaels
Calverton MW 1-1 Sutton Tn AFC
Clifton AW 0-1 Pinxton
Linby CW 6-2 Blackwell MW
Newark Tn 6-0 Bilborough Pelican
South Normanton Athletic 3-0 Hucknall Tn AFC
Southwell City 3-1 Nottingham Utd

NSL SENIOR
Attenborough 3-3 Burton Joyce
Bilborough Tn 2-3 Selston
Bulwell 5-2 Awsworth Villa
Clifton 3-2 Hucknall RL
F.C. Cavaliers 0-0 Kimberely MW
Keyworth Utd 1-2 Ruddington Village
Sandhurst 1-1 Magdala Ams
Wollaton 0-2 Cotgrave Welfare

Carlton Town 1-0 Hucknall Town

Wednesday 17th October 2012 -  Evo-Stik North Divison One South

Carlton won this close game with 6 minutes to play.  JOE NAYLOR tried his luck from the edge of the box and the ball flew through a crowded box taking a wicked deflection before ending up in the back of the net.

Hucknall lost their top scorer Alex Ford through injury early in the game, and influential midfield player Arron Large took a knock late on.  It is to be hoped these two players are available for Saturday's visit to Watnall Road of league leaders Coalville.

Admission £8 !

Programme - no thank you

Attendance 138

Notts County Ladies 7-0 Appleby Frod Ladies

Sunday 14th October 2012 - Church Lane, Linby : kick off 2.05pm

Received a text from Rob Waite, inviting me to spend my Sunday afternoon at Church Lane, Linby, to watch  Notts County Ladies take on Appleby Frodingham Ladies.

Normally I wouldn't have bothered, but if Rob, Adam Barlow and Mick Cooke can make the effort to travel  from Retford, it would have been impolite not to take up the invitation - after all the ground is a simple 5 minute drive for me.

The game was an East Midlands Womens Regional Football League Division 1 North fixture.  

Not too sure what to expect, so I went with an open mind.  Conclusion after 90 minutes? The game wasn't  very good - Notts were the obviously better team, as the score suggests, but Appleby were poor and I don't think I'll be bothering again.

County's no. 9 scored four - their no.5, no. 7 and no. 10 hit the others.  If I can be bothered I'll grab the scorers names from the Notts website, or the Full-Time league site.

One point worth a mention :  the Referee. Obviously did his best, but he wasn't in the best of condition, and you have to wonder what level they have to be at this sort of level.

He actually called the teams together after the 20 minute half time break (?), and gave them a lecture! Apparently it was to do with over aggressive shouting of names!  Blimey - he must have had a headache or something..... Most surprising thing was the coaches never questioned what the man was doing.  Players are usually encouraged to shout and shout loud - a quiet team is never a good thing.  F-T 7-0

the66pow report - if only I cared as much !!!

Attendance 19

Gedling MW 1-1 Thurnby Nirvana

Saturday 13th October 2012 - EMCL : ko 3:01pm

One of those days where I didn't fancy travelling too far - and we usually enjoy a visit to Plains Road, so opted for this EMCL game. Not the best choice of game I've ever made, but hey ho, it gets you out of the house!!!

Always get a great welcome from the committee, and we usually get a half decent game of football as well - not on this occasion it wasn't!

Thurnby had played 8 league games prior to kick off, winning four and losing four. Gedling had won five of their 10 played - so both teams with a 50% win rate - had to be a draw didn't it?

Joel Potter was tripped in the box on 28 and Referee Mr. Oldham pointed immediately to the spot. Bit of a nothing challenge really, but enough to convince the Mr. Oldham.  ASHLEY DAY stepped up and planted the ball in dead centre of  the goal as keeper Lance Walker dived to his right!! H-T 0-1

Welfare were level on 50 after a badly miscued shot from Chris Hall ended up a the feet of ASHLEY WHITT, who smashed the ball home from 8 yards. 

Thurnby were dominant throughout the game, and the second half saw them create half a dozen decent chances that were either well blocked or poorly missed. It's easy after any draw to say the result was just about right - but that phrase does not apply to this game. Thurnby should have won by three or four goals -  and Gedling wouldn't have had any complaints.

Apologies for the poor write up - it was a poor game and there was not really a lot to report. F-T 1-1

Admission £4

Programme £1 ( will not win any awards this season!)

Attendance 82 

Saturday 13th October - local teams in action

F.A. Vase and Derbys F.A. Senior Cup this weekend....

F.A. VASE (1st Round Proper)
Dunkirk 1-2 Boston Town
Graham St. Prims 2-3 Holbrook Sports
Greenwood Meadows 3-3 Borrowash Victoria
Heather St John 0-1 Long Eaton Utd
Kirby Muxloe 1-4 Basford Utd
Shepshed Dynamo 2-0 Blidworth Welfare
Shirebrook Town 1-1 Heanor Town
Spalding Utd 2-1 Retford Utd
Sutton Town AFC 3-1 Sleaford Town

DERBYS F.A. Senior Cup (Round 1)
Glapwell 5-1 Blackwell MW
Mickleover Royals 5-2 Dronfield Town
Pinxton (eleven) 11-0 Holbrook St. Michaels
South Normanton Ath 1-4 Whaley Bridge Ath
Stapenhill 0-3 Clay Cross Town

BSP
Mansfield Town 1-0 Forest Green Rovers

NPP
Ilkeston FC 1-0 Stocksbridge PS
Marine 2-3 Worksop Town
Matlock Town 0-1 Eastwood Town

NP1S
Belper Town 1-1 Carlton Town
Market Drayton Town 4-1 Loughborough Dynamo
Northwich Victoria 2-0 Rainworth MW
Sheffield FC 3-3 Hucknall Town

NCELP
Tadcaster Albion 4-1 Arnold Town

NCEL1
Worsborough Bridge 3-2 Teversal

EMCL
Gedling MW 1-1 Thurnby Nirvana
Radcliffe Olympic 3-1 Anstey Nomads

CMLN
Ollerton Town 2-1 Bentley Colliery
Thoresby CW 1-2 Harworth CI
Thorne Colliery 4-1 DFS Welbeck Welfare

CMLS
Bilborough Pelican 3-2 Linby CW
Clifton AW 2-3 Newark Town
Hucknall Town AFC 0-3 Nottingham Utd
Southwell City 1-3 Real Utd

NSL SENIOR
Attenborough 3-2 Cotgrave Welfare
Bilborough Town 2-4 Awsworth Villa
F.C. Cavaliers 2-2 Clifton FC
Hucknall RL 1-2 Bulwell Fc
Keyworth Utd 1-1 Burton Joyce
Ruddington Village 4-1 Kimberley MW
Sandhurst 3-3 Wollaton
Selston 2-0 Magdala Ams

Blidworth Welfare 1-4 Calverton MW

....or tales of the fat bloke who's been about a bit!!

No match report as such - the company was much to good for me to ignore them and take copious amounts of notes.

DAN HOUGH scored on 12 for Calverton, then four minutes later JACK COULTON scored from the spot to double the visitors lead. H-T 0-2

Calverton's number 9 added a third on 54, smashing the ball home from a tight angle. Blidworth 8 jacket scored from the spot on 80, but three minutes later the Calverton 3 goal lead was restored by sub no. 14. F-T 1-4


Admission £3
Programme £1
Attendance 59 ( H/C )

Great to be in the company of  Richard Lane, Steve Reading, Rob Hornby, Kieran Wells, Rob Townsend and Brian Dennett. It was Richard who related the "fat bloke who's been about a bit" story. He recalled one programme from 1991, I think.

Derby Rolls Royce had received no team info from their opponents, so had filled in the spaces with superb witticisms.  No. 1  "man in  a green shirt", No. 2, "fat bloke who's been about a bit", No. 3 "tall lad with an ear ring" and so on.   Hopefully I can get Richard to scan the programme page and email it to be for inclusion in a future blog entry.

Hucknall Town 2-2 Stamford AFC

Scorers:

Town : Garnett (24), Large (34) 

Stamford : Brooks (41), Hamilton (42).

After Saturday's terrific game at Watnall Road, the visit of high-flying Stamford was one not to miss - even if it was only to gauge how far the team has progressed from the early troubled days at the beginning of the season and how they would fayre against one of the division's top teams. Chasetown were good, Stamford were better and if they had been a little more clinical in front of goal, they would probably have taken all three points back to Lincolnshire. 

Mind you, the Daniels were more or less gifted the two goals that they scored - but no point dwelling on that. The Hucknall Town team is coming together nicely now - another couple of additions and Brett will have a team that will more than hold it's own in the league.

The only changes from Saturdays starting eleven - Jason Fisher was back in goal, and Rob Austin replaced James Leggitt at left back. Not being unkind to Jason who we like to think of as a friend, but he looked very nervous throughout the 90 minutes, and will have to step up his game a little if he intends keeping his place between the sticks. 

Stamford attacked with pace and skill straight from minute one, and Louis Hamilton down the right was lightning quick - not quite as quick as his namesake, but he was rapid! Hucknall soon steadied the ship and began fighting back. Their first real chance came in the 12th minute.

Jack Green played the ball out right to Evan Garnett and the tricky winger crossed into the box to Alex Ford, but the striker shot just wide under pressure.

Julian Topliss saw his 23rd minute drive deflected for a corner, and Jamie Brown's kick eventually fell to EVAN GARNETT who absolutely lashed the ball into the top corner. The ball was hit from 15 yards out, but Matt Finlay never saw it until it had bulged the net. Wonderful hit, very skillful player.

10 minutes later the lead was doubled by AARON LARGE, nodding home after the keeper had kept out his first effort. Lee McAnulty had won the ball in midfield and sent it forward to Large who went in one-on-one with Finlay. The keeper was unlucky when his parry went up in the air straight to Large, who had the simple task of heading the ball over the line.

Two-nil up and in charge - and with half-time four minutes away, it looked good for the Yellows. Until - DANNY BROOKS was given too much space 25 yards from goal and hit an arrow straight shot into the bottom corner.  The effort was so well placed that Fisher didn't even move as the ball entered the net. Not a lot he could do, but he must have felt let down by his midfield and defence who failed to close the Daniels' no. 6 down.

Seconds later it was all square, and I'm afraid Fisher has to shoulder some of the blame for the equaliser after failing to hold onto a drive, giving LOUIS HAMILTON a simple tap in.  Again, you could point at the Town defenders for not reacting quickly enough after the ball was spilled, but the initial shot ought to have been held. H-T 2-2

The second half was a pulsating, thoroughly enjoyable romp - chances at both ends and plenty of skill on show from both sets of players. So good was the game that I forgot to take notes!

We spent the half in the company of Brian Franks - and he was full of praise for both teams. Stamford arguably had the better of the chances in the second period, but some poor finishing ensured the game ended 2-2.

Stamford will be happy that they have kept their unbeaten away record in tact, while Hucknall have to be so pleased at the progress made in the last couple of weeks or so. The addition of Jack Green and Evan Garnett, plus the outstanding Lee McAnulty have added a touch of class that wasn't previously always present.

Admission : season ticket
Programme £2
Attendance : 105 

Basford Utd U19 8-0 Maltby Main U19

Can't resist my Monday night fix now -- especially when you don't know exactly what is to be expected from the game. This was a League Cup tie, but looking at the league table, this game should have been a home banker. I'd been told that Maltby were struggling, having only scored two goals in four league losses while conceding 17, but at this age group anything can happen. Sadly for the visitors, the game went to form with the home team scoring four in each half without reply.

Basford were in the lead after just 90 seconds had been played - KYLE KEETLEY picked up a pass from the midfield before running into the box and slotting past the Maltby keeper.

On 10, right back Charlie Cotterill tried his luck from 20+ yards and although the keeper parried the drive on the line, the ball popped out of his hands straight to the feet of JACK HODSON, who gleefully prodded home from all of 2ft....

JACK SMITH hit the home teams third in the 35th minute, a speculative 30yard lob/shot that looped over the keeper before nestling in the back of the net.

Maltby couldn't offer much in the way of attacking football, but I was informed by one of their players' parents that the team are mostly 16 year old, while Basford's lads are more or less all in their final year at U19 level, so were fitter, stronger and were had more experience under their belts. It was four nil with two minutes of the half remaining, HODSON heading in from a corner. H-T 4-0

Referee Craig Langton had had a fairly quiet, uneventful half and left the field with a smile on his face - that wasn't to last!!!!!!

DAN JACKSON netted the next goal for Basford in the 48th minute, slotting through the keepers legs after he found himself one-on-one inside the box. JACKSON scored again on 55, showing terrific close ball control in the area before rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into the net.

LUKE WELLS added the seventh after 64 minutes, nodding home from close range. Seven minutes later the peaceful, friendly game turned a bit nasty and it all began with a disputed penalty award.  Neat ball play on the goal line by Valentino Chibbaro was too much for a defender who blatantly clipped the subs heels. Mr. Langton's assistant appeared to flag for a goal-kick, but it appears the foul was made before the ball went out.

The Maltby players and management weren't able to accept the decision, despite being seven down at the time. Their no. 3 was cautioned for his protests, and even after WELLS had successfully dispatched the spot-kick the protests went on, and on and on!

One of Maltby's management team was dismissed after he went apoplectic, ranting on about this and that -  in the end Referee Langton obviously lost patience with the man.  A few mistimed, reckless challenges followed as the players seemed to forget about the beautiful game and became more intent on injuring each other. The Maltby no. 3 made one too many rash challenges with just 5 minutes to play, and gave the Ref little option but to show a second yellow.

After the game had ended, the Officials left the field looking slightly shell-shocked at what had happened in the final 20 minutes. Mr. Langton is a vastly experienced Referee, but when he walked past me going to the changing rooms, he looked stunned and said " wow, I never expected that!"  After such a quiet first half, it was a bit of a surprise, but as I said earlier in the piece, you never really know what to expect at this level !!  F-T 8-0

Admission £2 with programme
Attendance - H/C 26

Hucknall Tn 3-2 Chasetown

Saturday 6th October 2012 - Evo-Stik North Div 1 South : ko 3:00pm

As we walked into the Watnall Road ground we were welcomed by Town General Manager Steve Peat, who told us that Yellows' keeper Jason Fisher hadn't turned up, and defender Rob Austin was to take his place between the sticks.

With only one league victory so far this season, the last thing Town Boss Brett Marshall needed was his keeper going AWOL. To be fair, the home defence was solid in front of Austin and the stand-in had a great game!

Ben Good has returned to Spalding, but Alex Ford looks a decent enough replacement - and the addition of Lee McAnulty and Aaron Large to the midfield has given the Yellows a heart that wasn't previously there. 

Hucknall had the games first decent chance in just the second minute, but Julian Topliss just failed to connect with Evan Garnett's cross into the far post. Topliss then had a shot blocked three minutes later.

Gary Hay was allowed time to run at the home defence after 10 minutes had been played, but fortunately for Hucknall, the centre-forwards effort flew way wide.

Jamie Brown had a shot well saved by Lee Evans in the visitors goal on 18, but Evans had no chance with the Hucknall opening goal in the 34th minute. A long throw from Rob Paling was nodded on by McAnulty and found ALEX FORD unmarked in front of goal. The striker had the simple task of heading past the keeper from close range. H-T 1-0

The home team had a couple of corners early in the second half, but the Scholars made a couple of changes, and soon began to take the game to their hosts.  On 64 Austin made a terrific diving save to keep out Mark Branch's free-kick, awarded after McAnulty had been penalised for a foul. 

It was "Macca" who had the games next chance seconds later, firing just wide from long range. The home team doubled their lead in the 67th minute through JULIAN TOPLISS. Austin's long clearance was collected by Ford who hit a slide rule pass to his strike partner and the no. 10 calmly ran on and slotted past Evans.

Celebrations were cut short though as Chasetown pulled a goal back a minute later - TYRONE CLARKE-O'CONNOR heading home from in front of goal as the Hucknall defence failed to stop a cross from the left  going into the box. 

James Leggitt made a great block to keep out a drive on 75, then when Austin made his first error, Corey Nightingale was on hand to hack the loose ball off the line. With 5 minutes to play, ALEX FORD headed home again, a cross from the right from Paling picking out the big man at the near post.  

Within two minutes, Chasetown were back in it - GARY HAY tapping home after Austin failed to hold on to a fierce shot.

So, three minutes left and finger nails down to the hurty bits - and then Brian Reece announces that there would be an added three! In the fourth of those three added minutes, Chasetown forced a corner and the ball was steered at goal -Austin was smartly down to block the chance and as the ball went safe, Referee Akil Howson finally put an end to the torment and Town had their first home league win of the season. F-T 3-2

Admission : season ticket

Attendance 147 ( a lot of travelling support though, with plenty of flags! )

Saturday 6th October - local teams in action

F.A Cup and Notts F.A. Cup action this weekend

F.A. Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
Carlton Tn 1-3 Bradford PA
Ilkeston FC 4-2 Gresley FC

Notts F.A. Senior Cup 1st Round
Attenborough 3-1 Thoresby CW
Bilborough Pelican 3-2 F.C. Cavalier
Blidworth Welfare 2-2 Ollerton Tn (Blid win 4-3 on pens)
Bulwell FC 1-0 Basford Utd
Hucknall RL 1-0 Kimberley MW
Keyworth Utd 2-0 Magdala Ams
Linby CW 6-3 Radford FC
Ruddington Village 0-2 Clipstone Welfare
Selston 0-4 Sutton Tn AFC
Wollaton 0-7 Calverton MW

Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup 1st Round
Sherwood Colliery 2-3 Awsworth Villa
West Bridgford 2-0 Hucknall Tn AFC

BSP
Cambridge Utd 4-1 Mansfield Tn

NPP
Eastwood Tn 0-1 Chorley
Nantwich 0-5 Worksop Tn
North Ferriby Utd 2-1 Matlock Tn

NP1S
Hucknall Tn 3-2 Chasetown
Loughborough Dynamo 0-0 Belper Tn
Rainworth MW 3-1 Kidsgrove Athletic

MFA
Dunkirk 1-2 Westfields

NCELP
Glasshoughton Welfare 2-2 Arnold Tn
Heanor Tn 0-1 Barton Tn OB
Long Eaton Utd 2-0 Worksop Parramore
Retford Utd 3-2 Armthorpe Welfare

NCEL1
Hallam 2-2 Shirebrook Tn
Teversal 0-1 Athersley Rec

EMCL
Barrow Tn 3-0 Gedling MW
Ellistown 1-1 Graham St Prims
Ibstock Utd 2-8 Borrowash Victoria
Radcliffe Olympic 4-2 Lutterworth Athletic
Thurnby Nirvana 4-1 Greenwood Meadows

CMLN
AFC Mansfield 1-0 Glapwell
Phoenix Sports 3-0 Harworth CI

CMLS
Clifton AW 4-0 Real Utd
Newark Tn (thirteen) 13-0 Blackwell MWFC
Nottingham Utd 2-2 Holbrook St. Michaels

NSL Senior
Burton Joyce 6-2 Cotgrave Welfare

Heanor Town 3-2 Maltby Main

Wednesday 3rd October 2012 - NCEL Premier Division : ko 7:46pm

We arrived at the Town Ground just as the teams were being announced, meaning I didn't get chance to jot them down.  To be honest, I wasn't too bothered - just fancied a no pressure game with no notes and no twitter.

Turned out to be a pleasant evening in the company of Chris "Tall Lad" Dent and Trev Bailey, the owner of Kirkby based Bailey's Coaches. Been stuffed a couple of times recently has Mr. Bailey - one or two local fooball clubs failing to honour debts apparently.

As I mentioned no notes taken, other than those I scribbled down when a goal went in. 

The first half an hour saw Heanor cruise into a 3-0 lead courtesy of two NATHAN BENGER headers, and a 22 yarder from STEF FROST.

The first Benger goal came with just nine minutes played -  a right wing cross met by a delicate header from the no. 9 that entered the net off the far post.  Not a lot the keeper could do about it, but I think he will be a little disappointed with Heanor's 23rd minute second goal, after he and one of his defenders comically left the ball to each other allowing Stef Frost a shot at goal from 22 yards. The shot was arrow straight and never looked like deviating from it's path into goal.

On the half hour mark, a Jason Foster corner from the right flew across the goal to the far stick where Benger stooped low to nod the ball just inside the post. Three-nil and cruising - but slack defending allowed Maltby back into the game on 34, ROB BRANAGAN given space and time to run across the Heanor goal before slotting home. H-T 3-1

Maltby kept up the pressure on the Heanor goal as the second half progressed - the home team had completely lost their shape and had to fight hard to keep out the visitors. One effort from the Maltby no. 15 from 10 yards out not only cleared the bar, but flew way over the stand into the road ! 

Heanor held out until the 90th minute when a free-kick in from the left was headed powerfully home by centre-half Matt Plant. A few tense added minutes followed, but the home team held on for a victory that their first half performance probably merited.  

F-T 3-2

Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 95

Basford Utd U19 4-2 Harworth CI U19

North Mids U19 League Div 1 - Monday 1st October 2012 :  ko 7:48pm

Monday night U19 football looks like being a regular feature of my season, but Kev isn't too fussed about it so off to Greenwich Avenue on me jack-jones again!  Blogger supremo and good friend Rob Waite had intimated he may be at this game, but little did I know he was going to be part of the Harworth management team!  

Illness had left Harworth short handed, and Rob will always offer a helping hand despite often upsetting Julie,  his good lady wife!!!! Rob had hand-written a team sheet for me as well - always makes the evening better when the players' names are known, Thanks Rob....

Only 29 in attendance - come on Basford public, you are missing a treat. This was a really good game contested between two really good teams. 

Harworth took an early lead when MITCHELL LAX headed powerfully home from an Enzo Guarini right wing corner. Good header, but the marking wasn't the best. RHYS PLACKETT brought the scores level on 13, hammering a bullet shot across Harworth keeper Tom Hogg from the corner of the box. 

Dan Jackson made a tremendous solo run in the 22nd minute, and finished the run with a fierce drive that Hogg did well to push away from goal.  Four minutes later the home team took the lead, KYLE KEETLEY hammering home from a difficult angle after he was picked out superbly by Jack Smith. 

Plackett almost increased the home teams lead on 42, his cross-shot looping over Hogg, but thankfully for the keeper the effort crashed off the bar, and the rebound cleared.  F-T 2-1

Hogg gifted Basford their third goal on 54, allowing a tame KEETLEY far post header to roll out of his grasp and trickle over the line.  

The visitors were back in the game on the hour mark, a 22 yard LAX free-kick met by a cracking diving header by Connor Naylor - great goal by the sweeper celebrating his 18th birthday - unfortunately Naylor is Basford's sweeper!!!!! Classic own goal, but the free-kick was on target anyway, so Lax gets the credit. 

So back to 3-2 and the fightback on? It was until three minutes later, when Matt Smith was dismissed for a studs up challenge on a Basford player. Straight red, and Smith agreed with the decision, but said, when I had a chat to him, he was only going for the ball. It was just a case of bad technique rather than bad intention, I think. 

Hogg handed Basford their fourth goal in very embarrassing fashion.  The keeper had a straight forward kick to clear his line, but somehow missed the ball completely, giving predator DAN JACKSON the simple task of rolling the ball home.  F-T 4-2

Not the keepers best night, but these things happen, and the young man has to take his mistakes on board, and learn from them - as does Matt Smith.  The Under 19 league is a great platform for players making the transaction from youth football into the mens game - and hopefully errors that players make at this level stick in their memory - lessons learned, hopefully never to be repeated. 

Admission £2 inc programme

H/C 29