So how did they do?

Kept the fixtures and results flowing all throughout the season, but how did the "local teams in action" get on?

BSP : 24 teams
Mansfield Town - Champions : promoted to FL2

NPP 22 teams
Eastwood Town -  22nd out of 22 : relegated to NP1S
Ilkeston FC -  12th
Matlock Town -  17th
Worksop Town - 9th

NP1S 22 teams
Belper Town - 3rd ( lost in play offs)
Carlton Town - 12th
Hucknall Town - 22nd : relegated to NCELP
Loughborough Dynamo - 16th
Rainworth MW - 14th

MFA 22 teams
Dunkirk 10th

UCL 21 teams
Shepshed Dynamo - 9th

NCELP 22 teams
Arnold Town - 19th : relegated to EMCL ( financial problems)
Heanor Town - 11th
Long Eaton Utd - 12th
Retford Utd - 4th

NCEL1 22 teams
Clipstone Welfare - 11th
Shirebrook Town - 6th
Teversal - 10th

EMCL 19 teams
Basford Utd - Champions : promoted to NCELP
Borrowash Victoria - 4th
Gedling MW - 13th
Graham St Prims - 8th
Greenwood Meadows - 18th
Radcliffe Olympic - 10th
Radford FC - 19th

CMLN 17 teams
AFC Mansfield - 2nd
Clay Cross Town - 3rd
DFS Welbeck Welfare - 17th
Glapwell FC - 9th
Harworth CI - 5th
Ollerton Town - 6th
Sherwood Colliery - 15th
Thoresby CW - 13th

CMLS 16 teams
Blidworth - 6th
Bilborough Pelican - 5th
Calverton MW - 11th
Clifton AW - 4th
Hucknall Town AFC - 15th
Linby CW - 12th
Newark Town - 7th
Nottingham Utd - 14th
Pinxton - 2nd
Real Utd - 8th
South Normanton Athletic - 9th
Southwell City - 10th
Sutton Town AFC - Champions - promoted to EMCL

NSL
Bulwell FC - Champions - entering CMLS season 2013-14

Kimberley MW "A" 3-4 Santos FC

We haven't caught a Notts Amateur Alliance game before, and it will probably be a while before we take in another one!

Played at the Digby Street home of Kimberley MW, a ground that hasn't really changed too much since we last visited a couple or three years ago. 

The first half was hard work to watch, with both teams failing to play anything resembling the beautiful game - and most passes failing to find a team-mate. Santos took the lead with 1 minute of the first half left when their skipper SCOTT BOULTER hit a tame effort from 22 yards out that struck Danny Carter. The deflection totally wrong-footed Welfare keeper Johnny King and the ball rolled slowly into the net. H-T 0-1

We had a chat to "Mr. Kimberley" Danny Staley during the break - he'd been at the Miners' other home, the Stag Ground since 8:30am and was slightly knackered! Kimberley MW's 1st team will be playing at the former home of Kimberley Town from next season, provided all the improvements are completed by the time the season commences. 

The home team drew level on 47 through ROBBIE TONRA - a simple tap in from close range after the ball was played in from the left. TONRA put Welfare ahead from the spot 20 minutes later, after Rhys Beadman was tripped in the box. 

The scores were level with 70 minutes played, Santos no. 5 JAKE CORKHILL hitting a fierce drive from 25 yards that deflected off Tonra before flying past King.  BEADMAN had a simple tap in the restore Welfare's lead seconds later, but DEAN LONGDON restored parity with the goal of the game on 80, the big no. 10 latching onto a superb ball from midfield before running into the area and firing wide of King.

With four scheduled minutes of the game remaining, Santos won a corner on the right. Carl Wilson fired the ball to the far stick where LONDGON was waiting to rise gracefully and power home a header. The Referee announced that there were to be 7 added minutes - not ideal on such a chilly afternoon. Not ideal for Kimberley's Danny Carter either, as he received a straight red card in the 5th minute of the added time for allegedly swearing at the Referee.  F-T 3-4

Not a bad game on the whole, but what surprised us was that roll-on / roll-off subs are part of the NAA game. I personally don't agree with that concept even at youth level, but in men's football it is slightly ludicrous. Carl Wilson was subbed half way through the second half, but came back on later and actually made the winning goal for Santos. 

Admission  -free

No progamme 

Attendance : difficult to tell, but no more than 25 at any one time.

Referee - no details known, but he wasn't the best. Club linesmen ignored, long lectures - a few bad decisions .... must do better!!

One more game to go - Bulwell FC v Keyworth United on Tuesday at Eagle Valley. I'll bet you it's cold there - it always is!!!!!

Linby CW 2-5 Sutton Town AFC

Tuesday 14th My 2013 - CML South Division - kick-off 7:46pm

A "CAR PARK FULL" sign greeted me as I pulled up to the Church Lane ground at 6:10pm - a large crowd was expected according to Linby tweets - and with the car park not especially huge, this was no surprise. Parked a few yards down the road and walked to the ground with Chris Berezai who had parked just a few yards in front of me. Light rain accompanied us, and with little cover at pitch-side, umbrellas were the order of the day.

What was somewhat surprising was that their were no programmes left - surprising that with a large crowd expected only 40 copies were printed.

Kev couldn't make the 6:30pm kick off, so I spent the first half in the company of Sam Hodkin and Rob Waite - until that is that Mr "the66pow" decided to go and take some pictures from around the ground. The pics are most welcome Mr. Waite.

Left to right - Sam Hodkin, yours truly, Michael Banister,  Craig Mitchell

Definite brolly time!!

For the second half I was with Linby defender Michael Banister's dad Dave and Mr. Blidworth Welfare Scott Ward.

Mr. Langton leading out the teams

Sutton were hoping that a three point haul would take them one step closer to the CMLS title. Needing 7 points from their remaining four games, victory was not imperative, but after just 5 minutes they powered ahead, GARY ATKINS sending a delightful lob over Linby keeper Scott Miles. 

Linby fought back and had efforts that struck both posts before Sutton increased their lead on 33. JAMES WHITEHEAD, running through the midfield, controlled the ball well before sending a powerful volley past Miles and into the roof of the net. 

In the 43rd minute, Andy White won a free-kick some 22 yards from goal - Aaron Ryan adjudged  to have fouled the big striker.  Aaron had a chip at Referee Craig Langton and was shown a yellow. He then allegedly called Mr. Langton a c*** and earned a straight red.  NATHAN HOLDSWORTH fired the free-kick low and hard into the back of the Linby net despite Miles getting a hand to the ball.  H-T 0-3

The rain was pouring down by now, and shelter was sought under the eaves of the clubhouse - when is this weather going to improve? 

Linby midfielder ASHLEY WINFIELD hit a stunning 30+ yard piledriver past Sutton keeper Gav Saxby on 53, and Linby, although down to 10 men were looking the better team.  Unfortunately they were undone again on 63 when WHITEHEAD prodded home after Miles had saved the initial shot. 

WHITEHEAD completed an unlikely treble in the 77th minute, slotting home at the far stick. James used to score quite regularly when he played for Eastwood a few years ago - but I can't remember him scoring twice in a game, never mind three times! 

Linby had the last word as far as the scoring goes, BAZ PAYNE tapping in from close range, although the ball hit both posts before crossing the line. F-T 2-5

Admission - complimentary ( thanks Ade!) 

Attendance - rough count 100

Referee Craig Langton.  I'll mark Craig down for not saying hello - apart from that he was his usual competent self....the booking of Linby's Mike Banister was a tad harsh - it was the whole of the Linby back line offering the ironic cheers after a decision went their way - Banno singled out probably as he was the most vocal !!

Calverton MW 0-4 Belper Utd

Not a lot of games to choose from, but we wanted to stay relatively close to home so we could get back in time for the F.A. Cup Final kick off.

What are you doing?

Kick off!

The weather was a bit changeable to say the least! Sunshine and showers, but it was the chill in the breeze that made the afternoon rather uncomfortable - I hate the English summer !!!! 

We have seen Belper Utd a few times this season and know what a decent footballing side they are - but Calverton more than matched them for the first 30 minutes. Then unfortunately, Calverton's right back was dismissed for blocking a certain goal with his hands. Skipper KYLE WADSWORTH put the penalty to Mike Randall's left to give the Derbyshire outfit the lead. 

SHAUN SMITH doubled the visitors lead within 4 minutes of the restart, a superb solo run down the right culminating with the striker firing the ball across Randall and into the far corner. H-T 0-1

Calverton so close!

DANNY RILEY added the United third after 65 minutes play, a simple tap in from close range after the ball was played into the 6 yard box from the right.

Mike Randall dives well to keep out a Belper shot

With the rain starting again, and injury time being played, we were just heading out of the ground to get back to the car when MATT PHILLIPS rifled in Belper's fourth.  

We were warned to get the car out of the car park across the road from the Welfare before 5pm as the gates were to be locked. Apparently the car park is now the property of Taylor Wilson, or whoever is building new homes nearby. Be careful the next time you visit Calverton!! F-T 0-4

Admission £3

Programme £1

Attendance 13½ 

Referee'd by James Shipley - very good performance. Actually the three officials all had good games. James had no option other than to send off the Calvo full back - you could see he didn't want to, but rules is rules, as they say.

Saturday 11th May - local teams still in action!

CMLN
AFC Mansfield 5-0 Ollerton Town
DFS Welbeck Welfare 2-9 Westella Hanson
Glapwell 8-0 Yorkshire Main

CMLS
Calverton MW 0-4 Belper Utd
Real Utd 2-0 Hucknall Town AFC

NSL SENIOR DIVISION
Bilborough Town 2-4 Bulwell FC
Burton Joyce 2-4 Attenborough FC
Keyworth Utd 0-3 Kimberley MW

Green Dragon 2-6 T8's FC

Thursday 9th May - Notts Sunday League Premier Premier Division

Venue : Titchfield Park, Hucknall. kick off 6:33pm

This is how the table looked before kick off :-

			W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	T8's FC	16	12	2	2	46	19	27	38
2	Nuthall	18	11	4	3	60	25	35	37
3	Gedling Inn	16	10	3	3	54	26	28	33
4	Trentside	17	6	5	6	41	43	-2	23
5	Plough Barflys	18	6	5	7	31	48	-17	23
6	Clumber	18	6	3	9	39	55	-16	21
7	Trowsers	17	5	3	9	31	36	-5	18
8	Carlton Top Spot	18	5	3	10	31	44	-13	18
9	Old Colonial	18	5	1	12	33	52	-19	16
10	Green Dragon	16	4	3	9	31	49	-18	15

This is after the final whistle :-

			W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	T8's FC	17	13	2	2	52	21	31	41
2	Nuthall	18	11	4	3	60	25	35	37
3	Gedling Inn	16	10	3	3	54	26	28	33
4	Trentside	17	6	5	6	41	43	-2	23
5	Plough Barflys	18	6	5	7	31	48	-17	23
6	Clumber	18	6	3	9	39	55	-16	21
7	Trowsers	17	5	3	9	31	36	-5	18
8	Carlton Top Spot	18	5	3	10	31	44	-13	18
9	Old Colonial	18	5	1	12	33	52	-19	16
10	Green Dragon	17	4	3	10	33	55	-22	15

The weather looked a bit iffy as I made my way to pitch side - and it got gradually worse as the evening progressed   Nice to get a few pics of the splendid rainbows though......

T8's were missing striker Andy Start and midfield general Matt Peberday, but began the game brightly and were ahead in just the 6th minute when Damien Mann found CHAY BETTERIDGE who calmly slotted home.  Mann was the creator again on 16, firing in a fierce drive that the Dragon keeper failed to hold on to - JACK ALLEN had the simple task of tapping the loose ball into the net from close range. 

Dragon didn't let their heads drop though and were arguably the better team as the game went on. They pulled a goal back after 37 minutes, their no. 8 latching onto a ball in from the right and placing it wide of T8's keeper Northmore.  H-T 1-2 

The weather by now had deteriorated somewhat - the players only took a five minute break before resuming play, probably wanting to get this game over and get out of the rain as soon as they possibly could!! 

Mann was having a great game, and his ball in from the right set up BETTERIDGE for the away teams third goal in the 61st minute. The stand-in striker had a lot of luck after his effort deflected off the keeper but he wasn't too bothered as he watched the ball roll into the empty net. 

BETTERIDGE completed his personal treble 5 minutes later, rifling the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards after the home defence failed to clear.  

DANIAL GAMBLE hit the goal of the game on 77. After collecting the ball on the right side of the box, he fairly lashed the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards - the Dragon keeper never moved, but you just don't save those kind of hits, you just wave them bye-bye as the fly past you!!

KANE MATTHEWS fired home a low free-kick past Northmore on 83 to reduce the Dragon deficit, but the four goal cushion was restored just three minutes later when Gamble picked out JACK ALLEN in front of goal and the no. 10 made no mistake in tapping the ball home. The heavens well and truly opened as Referee Pat O'Dowd blew the final whistle.  F-T 2-6 

Over 50 brave souls turned out to watch Hucknall's no.1 Sunday team - and although cold and wet, they all stayed right to the end - until the downpour finally made everyone scamper for their cars! 

                                                       Looked sunny, but blimey it was cold!!

Basford Utd 2-0 Graham St Prims

Venue : Borrowash Victoria

Massive car-park - and it needed to be! Great turn out for the EMCL Cup final.  Basford had already claimed the league title and completed the league and cup double with a less than convincing 2-0 victory over the Prims.

A very bobbly pitch made it difficult for the teams to play any decent football, and it took a while for the teams to come to terms with the surface.

Basford went in front on 21 - Wayne Jones had a  fierce drive blocked and when Martin Carruthers collected the loose ball he appeared to have chipped it into the keepers arms. Fortunately for United, the ball was fumbled and THEO SMITH was on hand at the far post to nod home. 

Basford doubled their advantage on 41 after great wing play down the left from Aidan Brady saw him turn and play he ball across the goal to where MARTIN CARRUTHERS was on hand to slide home. H-T 2-0

Prims gave it a real go in the second half, but didn't quite have enough to breach the tough United defence. F-T 2-0

Highlight of the night was catching up with a couple who are amongst the nicest people we have ever met. Take a bow Barry and Judith Wilkins - what a smashing couple!. We don't see them too often, not often enough in fact, but hopefully next season we will actually get to take in one or two Loughborough Dynamo games and accept the hospitality promised!!

Admission £5

Programme £1 ( decent quality - and nice to see a full colour one for a change)

Attendance TBC

Referee Mr. Abbas Khan - not seen this Referee before - he did ok, apart from the two cautions  issued - the Prims no.2 saw yellow after he mistimed a tackle - but there was absolutely no malice. The other was a hand ball by Basford left back Richard Harrison - he did try to chest the ball but it hit the top of his arm instead - other than that, Mr. Khan had a decent game. 

Awsworth Villa 1-0 Kimberley MW

Monday 6th May 2013 - NSL Senior Division. Kick off 2:28pm.

Played at the very picturesque Shilo Recreation Ground, Attewell Road, Awsworth.

                      

Shake!

The games only goal came in the 74th minute, DANNY TOWLE steering home a cross in from the left. No report, just a few pics.....there was not a lot to write about, but enjoyed my afternoon in the sunshine. Quite a few folks watching - my head count was 65 - not bad for this level......

Towle gets in a first half header

Kimberley keeper saves well

Danny Towle. Scorer of the games only goal.

AFC Mansfield 0-1 Clifton All Whites

The annual CMFL "showpiece final" played at the North Street home of Alfreton Town. Unfortunately, unless you are a fan of the long ball game, this left a lot to be desired.

Hoof, hoof and more hoof - with both teams culpable, made even more apparent to me as I took in the first half on my own and was able to study the play without any distractions.

AFC have already secured the CMFL Floodlit Cup and the Notts F.A. Saturday Intermediate Cup, so were going for a treble - Clifton lost last season's final 5-2 to Dronfield Town, the team currently keeping AFC off top spot in the CML North Division.

The Impact Arena in all its splendour

Shake!

Joe Meehan was playing right-back for AFC and mistimed a tackle on 21 that gave Referee Tim Walker little option other than to show a yellow card. Instead of hiding for a while to try and calm his nerves, five  minutes later Meeham made a scything challenge on Will Heath that once again gave Mr. Walker no option other than to show a second yellow followed by a red. Ricky Chambers moved to right back, while Joe Naylor slotted into the midfield, leaving Dean Rick up top on his own. The sending off made little difference to the game - with both teams seemingly content to launch the ball from the back, by-passing their respective midfields time and time again. H-T 0-0

Went to sit with Rob Waite for the second period - always good for a laugh or two and a most welcome distraction from what was happening, or rather not happening, on the pitch! Clifton were awarded a penalty mid way through the half, but a stunning save by Bulls keeper Dale Sheppard kept the scores level, much to the chagrin of Rob Gill. The penalty was struck well enough, but Sheppard stretched our a hand and palmed the drive over the bar. 

With the game entering it's death throes, and the watching 200 or so expecting another 30 minutes, Dean Rick kicked the ball out of the ground in a fit of temper. Having already been booked, Mr. Walker showed a second yellow, then a red, reducing the Bulls to nine men. 

Clifton took full advantage and poured forward in numbers. With one minute of added time played, the ball was played into the AFC area and CONNOR HARDY controlled, turned and hit a terrific shot through the arms of Sheppard, sending the rowdy Clifton following into raptures! With 6 minutes of stoppage time played, Mr. Walker finally drew proceedings to a close. F-T 0-1

Admission £3

Programme £1

Attendance 200 +

Referee Tim Walker had a decent game, but was a little quick to blow on occasion - could do with taking an extra second to see if the advantage rule could be applied. Handled the games flash-points well though, and the red cards were both merited. 

Clipstone Welfare 0-1 Rossington Main

Whose idea was it to go to the Lido? He's a daft sod whoever it was! To be fair, we were guests of Welfare Chairman, our good friend Brett Marshall - and it has to be said that we were quite pleased we didn't have to pay to watch this end of season offering. 

Yes, the home team had nothing to play for, unless you count a position in the squad next season! Boss Lee Tryner has a difficult job ahead of him - especially if the future plans regarding the sponsorship and development of the Lido are to mean anything.  You can have the best facilities in the world, but if the team isn't up to standard then it's effort wasted. 

           

The playing surface at Clipstone is superb - Rob Spiggs has done a great job. Clipstone must be hoping that they will have a team worthy of the surface by the 10th August when the new season starts!

Quick chat with Brett prior to kick-off and we got to talking about the Nottinghamshire non-league season 2012-2013 in general. Both me and Kev are of the opinion that it's been a poor one on the whole ( Basford Utd and AFC Mansfield the exceptions) - Brett summed it up in four words - "it's on its arse!" Succinct and to the point!

Clipstone never got in the game at all in the first period, whilst Rossington had a lot of possession, but looked like they needed a goal 50 yards wide and 20 yards high. Their aim was a little wayward to say the least!  Seemed as though they were ever going to trouble Welfare keeper Jamie Davies despite having 80% of the play.  

Four attempts were so wide, I was thinking about getting my boots out of retirement - surely I couldn't do any worse! Clipstone had one wayward effort that flew wide of Jordan Wildey, and a shot from Dom Jones that flew high over the bar.

The first shot on target came from Main's Nathan Frazer on 40 minutes, but Davies was well placed to catch the effort.  The keeper could do nothing about the goal that followed five minutes later though - a superb solo run from full-back DANNY TAYLOR that saw him evade several challenges before drilling the ball home. H-T 0-1

We nipped over to the cricket ground to catch a few overs of Clipstone v Farnsfield and found that more entertaining that the footie! Nice ground, but the cars look like they parked a bit too close to the boundary though, especially with this lad at the crease. 

Six - cleared the ropes by 10 yards!

Panoramic view of the cricket ground

I only made two notes in my pad during the second half - one was on 48 when Rob Paling hit Welfare's first effort on target. It was a fairly tame effort that Wildey collected with ease.  Wildey again had to be alert 5 minutes later when Paling fired in the home teams second on target effort of the game - actually forcing the keeper to dive to his left to palm away. Other than that - camera stayed pocketed as did the notepad. 

Had a final chat with Brett before we departed - and he made a point of telling us that he has nothing to do with selecting the team - his main concern is in selecting the right wallpaper when any decorating needs doing! We said we'd keep in touch during the closed season - may take in the pre-season friendly v Retford Utd, you never know.

"Nottinghamshire football is on it's arse!!"

Seems like we've met before!!

Admission: - thanks Mr. C !

Programme £1.50 : thanks Kev

Attendance : 55

Referee: Mr. Steve Holroyd - quiet game, but there were no malicious challenges and no complaining - I think the players just wanted to get this game out of the way and enjoy the closed season. Nice to see another female assistant in Gemma Gale. Very good flags ( not a euphemism) and got most of her decisions correct.