Monday 1st April - local teams in action

BSP
Mansfield Town 4-0 Gateshead

NPP
Buxton FC 1-0 Matlock Town
Eastwood Town 2-2 Grantham Town
Worksop Town 1-4 Ilkeston FC

NP1S
Carlton Town 0-0 Rainworth MW
Hucknall Town 1-7 Loughborough Dynamo
Mickleover Sports 0-0 Belper Town

MFA
Dunkirk 0-2 Loughborough University

UCL
Shepshed Dynamo 1-0 Quorn

NCELP
Arnold Town 1-1 Thackley
Pickering Town 2-2 Heanor Town

NCEL1
Clipstone Welfare 2-2 Appleby Frodingham
Worsborough Bridge Athletic 2-1 Shirebrook Town

EMCL
Gedling MW 4-3 Radcliffe Olympic
Graham St Prims 2-3 Borrowash Victoria
Greenwood Meadows 3-1 Radford FC
Holwell Sports 0-3 Basford Utd

CMLN
Easington Utd 1-10 (ten) AFC Mansfield
Glapwell 1-0 DFS Welbeck Welfare
Ollerton Town 1-3 Kiveton Park
Thoresby CW 3-4 Bentley Colliery
Westella Hanson 1-0 Harworth CI

CMLS
Belper Utd 3-0 Holbrook St. Michaels
Blidworth Welfare 3-0 Linby CW
Real Utd 4-2 Mickleover Royals
South Normanton Athletic 6-0 Nottingham Utd

NSL SENIOR
Bulwell FC 4-0 F.C. Cavaliers
Clifton FC 1-10 (ten) Magdala Ams
Cotgrave Welfare P-P Awsworth Villa
Keyworth Utd P-P Kimberley MW
Ruddington Village 1-3 Bilborough Town
Selston 1-2 Attenborough
Wollaton 1-2 Burton Joyce

Hucknall Tn AFC 1-3 Pinxton FC

Not seen Pinxton play for a while, but never expected "ontheroad"  friend Jamie Renshaw to greet me with " ayup Malc - I thought you were dead" !!

Still alive and kicking, Jammer!!

Seen Hucknall TAFC on quite a few occasions - they are a young side on the whole, and are struggling at the wrong end of the table whilst their opposition sit proudly at the top of the pile.

Met up with Tony Squires and Brian Franks inside the ground - then Referee Eddie Pidduck the took the time to have a few words before the game kicked off. 

Took a few pics of the players entering the field of play and the handshake before taking my place in the stand opposite the dugouts. It was cold in there, but with Kev AWOL watching We Will Rock You, I was in charge of the camera and didn't want to be facing the bright sunshine. 

GREG MARRIOTT opened Pinxton's account in the 9th minute, calmly side footing home after Wayne  Cooke had picked him out on the penalty spot.   I was joined by Pixton's Richard Riley just after the goal, and it was good to see former Blackwell boss Kieran Edwards - somewhat at a loss to know what to do with his Saturday afternoons since leaving Primrose Hill.

Marriott slots home

Pinxton struggled to open up a stubborn home defence, and we had to wait until the 40th minute for the next goal. It was an error from a defender that undid the previous good work - presenting the ball to MARRIOTT who ran at goal before slotting past James Beddingham, despite the keeper getting a decent hand to the shot. H-T 0-2

The second half was very similar to the first, with the visitors failing time and time again to unduly the AFC back line.  Wayne Cooke headed a right wing cross home on 63, but was quite rightly adjudged to have been in an offside position by Assistant Ref Robin Bourne.  

The home team gave Pinxton a kick in the pants with 10 minutes to play, scoring from the spot after Mr. Pidduck had awarded them a penalty. 

The league leaders restored their two goal lead through DAN STOREY on 89, the sub side-footing home after Martin Bowles' cross-shot had cannoned off the foot of the post and dropped invitingly six yards from goal.  F-T 1-3

The home team had five16 year olds in their ranks at full time - and they coped admirably with the much more experienced Pinxton players. 

Admission - season ticket

Programme £1

Head count 47 

Saturday 30th March - local teams in action

BSP
Tamworth 0-1 Mansfield Town

NPP
AFC Fylde 3-0 Matlock Town
Ilkeston FC 3-1 Blyth Spartans
North Ferriby Utd 6-1 Eastwood Town

NP1S
Belper Town 1-0 Sutton Coldfield Town
Kidsgrove Athletic 1-2 Carlton Town
Loughborough Dynamo 0-3 Leek Town
Rainworth MW 1-2 Sheffield FC
Romulus 7-2 Hucknall Town

MFA
Heath Hayes P-P Dunkirk FC

UCL
Spalding Utd 3-0 Shepshed Dynamo

NCELP
Arnold Town 2-1 Lincoln MR
Heanor Town P-P Long Eaton Utd
Retford Utd 3-1 Matlby Main

NCEL1
Dinnington Town P-P Shirebrok Town

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 2-3 Graham St Prims
Basford Utd 2-0 St. Andrews
Borrowash Victoria 1-3 Thurnby Nirvana
Gedling MW P-P Bardon Hill
Greenwood Meadows 1-0 Aylestone Park
Ibstock Utd P-P Radford
Radcliffe Olympic 0-5 Holwell Sports

CML CUP
Belper Utd P-P Sutton T AFC

CMLN
AFC Mansfield 9-0 Clay Cross Town
Dronfield Town 5-2 Glapwell FC
Easington Utd 8-2 DFS Welbeck Welfare
Harworth CI 2-2 Ollerton Town
Sherwood Colliery 2-5 Yorkshire Main
Thoresby CW 3-2 Brodsworth Welfare

CMLS
Clifton AW 5-0 Blidworth Welfare
Hucknall T AFC 1-3 Pinxton FC
Mickleover Royals P-P Holbrook St. Michaels
Nottingham Utd 3-3 Bilborough Pelican

NSL SENIOR DIV
Burton Joyce 0-5 Bilborough Town
Clifton FC P-P Ruddington Village
Cotgrave Welfare 0-8 Bulwell FC
Hucknall RL P-P Magdala Ams
Keyworth Utd 1-3 Attenborough
Kimberley MW 4-1 F.C. Cavaliers
Selston FC P-P Sandhurst FC
Wollaton FC 4-5 Awsworth Villa

Saturday 23rd March - local teams in action?

A bit of a snowy weekend forecast -  but hey ho, here we go!!!

BSP
Mansfield Town v Macclesfield Town

NPP
Chorley v Eastwood Town
Frickley Athletic v Worksop Town
Ilkeston FC v Marine
Kendall Town v Matlock Town

NP1S
Halesowen Town v Carlton Town
Leek Town v Belper Town
Rainworth MW v Coalville Town
Stamford AFC v Loughborough Dynamo
Sutton Coldfield Town v Hucknall Town

MFA
Dunkirk FC v Coventry Sphinx

NCELP
Lincoln MR v Retford Utd
Long Eaton Utd v Nostell MW
Staveley MW v Arnold Town
Worksop Parramore v Heanor Town

NCEL1
Albion Sports v Teversal
Clipstone Welfare v Rossington Main
Shirebrook Town v Appleby Frodingham

EMCL
Aylestone Park v Gedling MW
Basford Utd v Lutterworth Athletic
Borrowash Victoria v Anstey Nomads
Greenwood Meadows v Graham St Prims
Radcliffe Olympic v Blaby & Whetstone Athletic

CML Cup
Belper Utd v Sutton Town AFC

CMLN
Bentley Colliery v DFS Welbeck Welfare
Glapwell v AFC Mansfield
Ollerton Town v Dronfield Town
Thoresby CW v Clay Cross Town
Westella Hanson v Sherwood Colliery

CMLS
Bilborough Pelican v Calverton MW
Blidworth Welfare v Pinxton FC
Holbrook St. Michaels v Newark Town
Nottingham Utd v Clifton AW
Real Utd v Hucknall Town AFC
Southwell City v Linby CW

NSL CUP
Bulwell v Kimberley MW ( at Hucknall Rolls 2:30 ko)

NSL SENIOR
Awsworth Villa v Selston
Bolborough Town v Attenborough
Burton Joyce v Ruddington Village
Clifton Fc v F.C. Cavaliers
Wollaton v Sandhurst

Hucknall Tn 2-4 Market Drayton Tn

Lucky, lucky, lucky! Market Drayton Town - you lucky sods!

Attendance  34 !

But for some terrific goalkeeping heroics and some solid last ditch blocks by the visitors' defence, Hucknall could have had 10 - but silly mistakes at the back once again cost the Yellows the game. From 1-0 up at half time to 1-3 down after 62 minutes takes some doing, and the killer third was just a complete comedy. No matter how you dress it up, that was schoolboy defending at it's worst.

 

Hucknall were the dominant  force in the first period, but found keeper Dan Weston in superb form. The keeper kept out half a dozen good efforts before his goal was finally breached on 25, WARREN HATFIELD's  20 yarder looping over his head before nestling in the back of the net.

A second goal to underline the home teams dominance never came though, more defensive blocks and first class saves from Weston keeping the score to one-nil at the break. 

10 minutes into the second half and Drayton were back on level terms - MARTIN DAVIES given acres of room in the box - and the skipper took full advantage, turning and firing past Michael Yates. This was the start of 7 minutes of madness as far as defending goes. Within two minutes the defence failed to clear their 6 yard box giving striker NEVILLE THOMPSON a simple prod home from close range.  

Then the defensive madness culminated with a JOE STORER own goal - the defender was too close to Yates when he passed the ball back and the keeper performed the classic air-shot leaving the ball to roll into the unguarded net. Just about sums up the season.....

DANNY O'DONNELL pulled one back for the Yellows after 70 minutes had been played, his shot finally beating Weston after the keeper had pulled off two more great saves in the build up. 

I don't know why Hucknall decided to change to a 3-4-3 formation soon after. I suppose it was thought that adding another striker might secure a point - but who plays that formation nowadays? 4-3-3 yes, but 3-4-3? Anyway, it left the three defenders totally exposed and gave Drayton carte blanche to run at them. 

When a shot came in from the right on 84, Yates did well to palm the effort away, but the lack of defenders allowed ANDY COOKE to run in totally unmarked at the far stick - the sub simply nodded home one of the easiest goals he'll ever score. 

Weston had the final word - his superlative display capped off with a true "worldy" at the death - diving at the far post to keep out O'Donnell's effort. F-T 2-4

Not much passing football played at Watnall Road, but a stirring game that, unlike most games seen there this season, absolutely flew by. Overall though, the lucky team won, the unlucky team lost - that's how it goes when your struggling. 

Admission : season ticket

Programme : £1.50

Attendance : 34 

Team sheet : thanks to Tony Knowles

Midweek - local teams in action

Tuesday 19th March

BSP
Wrexham P-P Mansfield Town

NPP
Eastwood Town 0-1 Frickley Athletic

NP1S
Hucknall Town 2-4 Market Drayton Town

DOODSON CUP 1/4 final
Matlock Town 3-1 Farsley FC

DERBYS F.A. Senior Cup 1/2 final
Ilkeston FC 2-0 Alfreton Town

LEICS F.A. Senior Cup 1/2 final
Shepshed Dynamo 1-2 Loughborough Dynamo

NOTTS F.A. Senior Cup 1/4 final
Bulwell FC 1-2 Carlton Town ( at Basford Utd)

MFA
Dunkirk 2-1 Rocester

NCEL CUP Rd3
Long Eaton Utd P-P Scarborough Athletic

NCEL1
Clipstone Welfare 2-4 Selby Town

EMCL
Radford FC 1-0 Borrowash Victoria

CMLN
Glapwell P-P Yorkshire Main

CMLS
Bilborough Pelican P-P Blackwell MW

Wednesday 20th March

EMCL Cup 1/2 final
Bardon Hill 1-5 Basford Utd

EMCL
Holbrook Sports 2-1 Graham St Prims

NCEL1
Shirebrook Town  P-P Pontefract Colliery

CML Floodlit Cup 1/2 final
Newark Town 1-0 Real Utd

Empire Hucknall 4-1 Eastwood & Kimberley

Sunday 17th March 2013 - Notts Sunday League : ko 10:29am

Pitch 1 Titchfield Park

On pitch 2, Premier Travel were defeated 4-1 by a very skillful Wolds AFC - enjoyed watching Aaron Large at work again - not seen him play since he left Hucknall Town.

Started off as a quite pleasant morning, but half way through the first period it began to rain, and rain, and rain....so pleased I had my brolly in the car!

Good friend Tony Squires helps out with Eastwood & Kimberley - he didn't have a brolly and at the end of the game looked like a drowned rat...

With the rain came a bitingly cold wind that didn't ease up - the 30-40 people who lined the the pitch-sides soon disappeared to the tea rooms......

The pitches were very heavy before kick off, but even with the added rain the game never looked in doubt. 

Hucknall Town AFC assistant boss Paul Stevenson took the middle after Neil Allsop cried off - and "Stevo" did a very commendable job. His versatility never fails to amaze - I've seen him in roles such as assistant manager, tea boy, ball boy, linesman and he has even played in goal for AFC!!

Empire took the lead on 20, ROB DENLEY latching onto a neat throughball before slotting calmly past George Denton in the E&K goal.  

LUKE THOMPSON added the home teams second shortly after, hammering the ball across the goal and into the far corner giving Denton no chance. H-T 2-0

The second half saw E&K battling hard to claw their way back into the game, but on 77, Ant Watkinson and Denton both left a cross/shot from the Empire no. 6 "Bully" and to everyone's amazement the ball nestled in at  the far stick. 

The visitors were gifted a goal two minutes later when Empire defender Ben Wilson passed the ball across his own goal to SIMON ORME, giving the E&K no. 9 a completely empty net in which to roll the ball. 

With two minutes to play, JAMES ANDERSON ran in at goal and fired low and hard past Denton to seal the victory for the home team.  F-T 4-1

Eastwood and Kimberley's take on the game can be found by clicking here

Saturday 16th March - local teams in action

Didn't take in a game - felt a bit rough. Saves me doing a match report......

NPP
Blyth Spartans 3-2 Ilkeston FC
Matlock Town 0-0 Whitby Town
Stafford Rangers 2-0 Eastwood Town
Worksop Town 4-1 FC Utd Manchester

NP1S
Belper Town 3-1 Loughborough Dynamo
Carlton Town P-P Sutton Coldfield Town
Hucknall Town P-P Market Drayton Town
Kidsgrove Athletic 3-0 Rainworth MW

MFA
Highgate Utd P-P Dunkirk

UCL
Irchester Utd P-P Shepshed Dynamo

NCELP
Arnold Town P-P Armthorpe Welfare
Glasshoughton Welfare 2-1 Long Eaton Utd
Heanor Town P-P Liversedge
Retford Utd 2-0 Staveley MW

NCEL1
Clipstone Welfare P-P Albion Sports
Teversal P-P Bottesford Town
Worsborough Bridge Athletic P-P Shirebrook Town

EMCL
Bardon Hill P-P Radford FC
Barrow Town P-P Basford Utd
Blaby & Whetstone Athletic P-P Borrowash Victoria
Graham St Prims P-P Aylestone Park
Greenwood Meadows P-P Radcliffe Olympic
St. Andrews P-P Gedling MW

CML CUP
Belper Utd P-P Sutton Town AFC

CMLN
AFC Mansfield 2-0 Thorne Colliery
Brodsworth Welfare 3-1 Ollerton Town
Clay Cross Town P-P Yorkshire Main
DFS Welbeck Welfare 0-10 Kiveton Park
Thoresby CW 0-6 Glapwell

CMLS
Blidworth Welfare P-P Real Utd
Calverton MW 3-0 Holbrook St. Michaels
Clifton AW 4-0 Blackwell MW
Pinxton 2-0 Mickleover Royals
Southwell City P-P Hucknall Town AFC

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

Midweek games - local teams in action

With the temperatures way out of my comfort zone, I think I may be watching Barca on Tuesday and Arsenal on Wednesday.

Tuesday 12th March

BSP
Mansfield Town 2-0 Grimsby Town

Doodson Cup
Eastwood Town 0-5 North Ferriby Utd

NP1S
Belper Town 1-1 Gresley FC
Brigg Town 1-1 Loughborough Dynamo
Lincoln Utd 3-1 Rainworth MW
Sheffield FC P-P Carlton Town
Stamford AFC P-P Hucknall Town

NCEL CUP 3
Long Eaton Utd P-P Scarborough Athletic

NCELP
Arnold Town P-P Bridlington Town

NCEL1
Selby Town 2-0 Shirebrook Town
Worsborough Bridge Athletic P-P Clipstone Welfare

EMCL
Basford Utd P-P Borrowash Victoria
Gedling MW P-PAnstey Nomads
Graham St Prims 1-0 Holbrook Sports

CML Floodlit Cup North
Westella Hanson P-P AFC Mansfield

Wednesday 13th March

MFA

Tipton Town 2-0 Dunkirk

CMLS
Blidworth Welfare P-P Clifton AW
Sutton Town AFC 1-5 South Normanton Athletic

NSL SENIOR DIVISION
Attenbrough 0-2 Hucknall RL ( at Hucknall Rolls 7:30 ko)

Friday 15th March

BSP

Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Mansfield Town ( live on Premier Sports channel)

Hucknall Tn AFC 0-1 Calverton MW

Well, that would have been a good game to miss.....the first half was bearable, but the second period was awful. As bad as we've seen this season without a doubt. 

Due to me not feeling brilliant and Kev's family visiting, we had to stay local - but blimey, staying in might have been a better option.

With Hucknall third bottom and Calverton fifth bottom of the table, we knew roughly what to expect, so maybe I'm being over critical. 

The pitch looked ok to start with, but it soon cut up badly and each goalmouth was a real mudbath.  Having said that, four games on the same pitch in seven days isn't going to help a great deal.

Calverton were gifted the games only goal in the 10th minute when a home defender presented the ball to the feet of Luke Attenborough - the striker picked out JACK CAULTON some 12 yards from goal, and the no. 11 calmly stroked the ball past home keeper James Beddingham. 

Town's job became more difficult on 27 after Craig Cox was dismissed.  Jordan Whitehead made a high challenge on Cox, which was spotted by Referee James Killen and the free kick duly awarded. Cox though then stupidly threw mud in the face of Whitehead giving the Ref no option other than to send the player off.  You can see from Kev's picture what Mr. Killen was thinking....

Hucknall almost drew level on 34, despite being a man down. Joe Lomax turned well in the box before hitting a curler that looked a goal all the way, until Welfare stopper Mike Randall intervened. The action caught on camera by Mr. Goodman. Superb diving save by the keeper. H-T 0-1

Not a lot of action in the second half, although I ought to mention that Hucknall did well to keep the score at one-nil, and gave Randall a few scary moments from corners on the odd occasion they mounted an attack. 

Beddingham made one excellent save at his near post to keep out a ferocious drive by Caulton on 82, but it should have been so much easier for the visitors - it seemed as if they just didn't know how to play against 10 men. F-T 0-1

Special mention for the officials.  Referee James Killen looks a decent prospect and was spot on with most of his decision making. His Assistants, Mr. Burrows and Mr. Dolbear were also spot on - three youngsters with bright futures.

Admission: season ticket

Programme : £1

H/C 20 

Saturday 9th March - local teams in action

BSP
Mansfield Town 4-1 Stockport County

NPP
AFC Fylde 5-1 Eastwood Town
Hednesford Town 2-2 Matlock Town
Whitby Town P-P Ilkeston FC
Witton Albion 4-3 Worksop Town

NP1S
Belper Town 4-0 Stamford AFC
Chasetown 3-0 Rainworth MW
Gresley FC 5-2 Hucknall Town
Leek Town 2-1 Carlton Town
Loughborough Dynamo 2-0 Romulus

MFA
Dunkirk 1-2 Bridgnorth Town

UCL
Shepshed Dynamo 2-3 Deeping Rangers

NCELP
Armthorpe Welfare 3-2 Retford Utd
Arnold Town 3-2 Glasshoughton Welfare
Barton Town OB P-P Heanor Town
Worksop Parramore 4-3 Long Eaton Utd

NCEL1
Athersley Rec 2-1 Teversal
Bottesford Town P-P Clipstone Welfare
Shirebrook Town 1-0 Hallam

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 2-2 Greenwood Meadows
Borrowash Victoria 1-0 Bardon Hill
Holwell Sports 3-2 Graham St Prims
Ibstock Utd 3-2 Gedling MW
Radcliffe Olympic 0-1 Basford Utd
Radford FC 2-8 Ellistown

CMLN
Bentley Colliery 0-6 AFC Mansfield
DFS Welbeck Welfare P-P Westella Hanson
Glapwell FC P-P Dronfield Town
Harworth CI P-P Brodsworth Welfare
Kiveton Park 4-7 Clay Cross Town
Ollerton Town 3-0 Sherwood Colliery
Thoresby CW 1-0 Easington Utd

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

NSL SENIOR DIVISION
Attenborough FC 1-3 F.C. Cavaliers
Bulwell FC 3-1 Sandhurst FC
Burton Joyce 2-0 Hucknall RL
Keyworth Utd 0-4 Cotgrave Welfare
Ruddington Village 1-6 Magdala Ams
Selston FC 3-3 Clifton FC
Wollaton 3-4 Bilborough Town

Linby CW 1-3 Clifton AW

A dark, damp and misty evening at Watnall Road - the players had to contend with a very a sticky pitch as well, but Clifton played the conditions better and eased into the Senior Cup semi-finals at the expense of their hosts.

Expected a big turn out for this game, but I suppose the weather and TV footie kept some people away - counted a good 70+  in attendance though, so not too bad overall.

Clifton had Alex Haughton, Rob Gill and Levi Ramsey up top, and even when Gill retired early doors through injury, the Clifton strikers were far too good for the rather shaky Linby defence.

The visitors went ahead in the 14th minute. The referee awarded them a dubious free-kick on the corner of the box and when the ball was played into the area, a mis-hit shot from LEVI RAMSEY somehow found it's way past Linby keeper Scott Miles to nestle in the back of the net. 

Linby were level on 24, though again there was some controversy surrounding the goal.  When Linby skipper Matt Peberday ran at goal with a defender, the Clifton player bundled the ball into his own net with his arm. We thought the goal was going to be given, but the linesman on the far side flagged for the penalty, which was duly awarded and duly converted by MATT MURPHY.

Clifton were back in front on 36 after a poor defensive header gifted the ball to ALEX HAUGHTON who turned well for a big lad and fired past a static Miles. H-T 1-2

Linby did show a bit more get up and go early in the second period, but the game was effectively over after 70 minutes when CRAIG ANDERSON scored the third for the All Whites. Miles did well to block the midfield general's first effort, but Anderson kept his head and rolled home the rebound from an acute angle. F-T 1-3

Clifton join Sutton Town AFC and Rainworth MW in the draw for the semis. Bulwell and Carlton will fight it out for the other semi-final place on Tuesday 19th March at Greenwich Avenue. 

Admission £3

Programme include in admission price

H/C 79

Hucknall Town 1-6 Leek Town

Well - at least we bothered to turn out on a foggy, chill evening - us and 50 others....

It was easy parking at Watnall Road for this game - we had the entire car park to the side of the ground to ourselves!  When we exited the ground at full time, there were two more vehicles there - but it was a little strange to say the least.

Had some great banter throughout the game with Brett "the hit-man" Marshall and Brian Dennett - although Brian disappeared halfway through the second period.

Hucknall welcomed back Rob Paling, but Joe Storer was missing - his centre-back berth taken by Ryan Cheetham.  Hucknall did outscore their visitors on the team sheet - Leek could only name 4 subs - the Yellows had the full compliment!

Like I said, it was a bit misty, but the game never looked in any doubt. Our Referee friend Rob Townsend was due to take the middle, but had to cry off due to illness. His replacement was Andrew Park - the youngster had a very good game although the players were, on the most part, very well behaved. 

Hucknall were bright from the kick off, but all was soon back to normal and they went a goal down after just 5 minutes when DAN SHELLEY curled a beauty past Michael Yates from the left corner of the box.  

The home team were ripped apart time and time again by a very good Leek outfit - the only surprise was that it took until the 28th minute for them to score again.  TIM GRICE was left unmarked 12 yards from goal and hammered the ball past Yates, who could do nothing to stop the shot.

GRICE was left unmarked in front of goal on 34 and when the ball came in from the left he had the simple task of tapping home to further increase the visitors lead. H-T 0-3

MITCH SLAWSON reduced the home teams arrears in the 49th minute, cutting inside his marker before curling a fine shot in the far corner.  The Yellows have scored three goals this year now.... I'm not telling you how many they have conceded!!!!

Leek gradually shook off their half-time malaise and restored their three goal lead on 65, PETER WRIGHT hitting a superb 20+ yard shot from the right side of the box that left Yates clutching at thin air.

It got better for the travellers three minutes later, right back MICHAEL THOMAS scoring his first ever goal for Leek - a cool finish at the far post from a really tight angle.

Shelley picked out WRIGHT again with two minutes to play, and the unmarked striker gleefully tapped in from a few feet out to complete the rout. F-T 1-6

The scoreline reflects the game - Leek were so dominant it was untrue! Michael Yates was in fine form again and made 4 or five decent saves, otherwise it could have been double figures.

Admission : season ticket
Programme : £1.50
Attendance : 55 

Tuesday 5th March - local teams in action

NP1S
Halesowen Tn 1-3 Belper Tn
Hucknall Tn 1-6 Leek Tn

Notts. F.A. Senior Saturday Cup 1/4 finals
Dunkirk 2-3 Rainworth MW
Greenwood Meadows 0-1 Sutton Tn AFC

NCELP
Tadcaster Albion P-P Long Eaton Utd

EMCL
Thurnby Nirvana 0-2 Basford Utd

Arnold T U19 3-3 Hallam U19

Kev's first taste of U19 footie this season - he picked a good one!!!

The warm spell was over a bit quickly- it was perishing at Eagle Valley - mind you, it always is!! Arrived slightly early so had a brisk walk around the pitch perimeter - some of the perimeter fencing has seen better days, particularly behind one of the goals.  Joined up with Tony Squires to watch the game - apparently Heanor played Scarborough last Saturday - and although the Lions lost the game, it seems a good time was had by all.

6 goals on the night - Arnold bagging on 11 and 22 minutes, with Hallam clawing one back on 38. Hallam got themselves back on level terms with just seconds of the first half remaining. H-T 2-2

The visitors went ahead for the first time in the 50 minute, but a battling performance from the Arnold lads saw them grab a share of the points with just 7 minutes to play. F-T 3-3  

Bit vague - but no notes were taken - frozen digits etc etc...

Scorers for Arnold were: 

Jordan Knight, Tom Shelbourne, Tom Lees-Collier

Scorers for Hallam were:

Connor Brunt (2) Ryan Ruddiforth

Admission £2 inc programme

Attendance 29 max (h/c)

Empire Hucknall 0-3 Sporting CBJ

Sunday 3rd March 2013 - Notts Sunday League - ko 10:30am

Actually watched two games on Titchfield Park - Empire v Sporting on pitch #1 and Premier Travel v Burton Joyce A on pitch # 2.

Empire Hucknall 0-3 Sporting CBJ

These teams are mid-table in Notts Sunday League Senior Division 2, but the visitors were by far the better on the day.  Empire struggled to create any chances during the fist half and were deservedly behind on 14 when PAUL OSBORNE tapped home from close range after he was picked out by a superb ball in from the right by Luke Hardwick.

HARDWICK doubled the visitors tally right on the stroke of half time - controlling well on the edge of the box before lobbing gently over Stewart York in the Empire goal. F-T 0-2

The home team offered little or nothing second half and went even further behind on 70 when PHILL TASKER found space to run at York and slot home. F-T

Had a chat to Empire defender Nick Clayton after the game - apparently the never play well when I'm watching -- I can be bribed to stay away Nick!!!

Premier Travel 3-1 Burton Joyce

Didn't really take too much in from this game - it's not easy to watch two games at the same time! At half-time there was no score, and few chances were created. On 56, MICHAEL MORRELL ran through the visitors defence and fired calmly past the keeper, then a superb solo effort from central defender JAKE MADDOX culminated with a delicate chip over the Burton Joyce keeper to double the home teams lead.

MORRELL added a third in the 83rd minute, firing in at the near post from a tight angle. Burton Joyce pulled one back through their  no. 4 shirt on 86, and if the travellers had have converted from the spot on two minutes later, the final minutes would have been squeeky bum time for the home team.  Alas it wasn't to be, and after 8 minutes of added time, the referee finally called proceedings to a close. F-T 3-1

I need to add that the goal scorers' names are only my best guess. "Jakey" and Mikey" were all that a sub could proffer as far as names went!!

Hucknall Town 0-1 Newcastle Town

Hucknall's eighth defeat in their nine games played in 2013.

Hucknall Town - still smiling despite their current plight!

Both of us are getting a bit fed up now - last week was a big improvement on previous matches, but this was back to same old, same old. The first 20 minutes were ok, and there were a few moments to remember in the second half, but once again a defensive error proved to be the Yellows' downfall.

Josh Stolworthy almost cost Hucknall dear in the 4th minute when he hesitated instead of going for the ball, allowing Tim Sanders to go round him before flicking the ball over his head and sending a volley just wide of Michael Yates's post. 

Joe Storer heads away - great pic Kev!!

Josh Stolworthy makes a face!!

Warren Hatfield tried his luck from the edge of the box shortly afterwards, but Newcastle keeper Dave Parton collected easily enough. Anthony Rowley made a terrific run down the left on 7, and was unlucky to see his shot cleared off the visitors line for a corner. 

Rowley effort cleared

Danny O'Donnell's corner was met in front of goal by the head of Warren Hatfield - Parton somehow managed to keep out the effort, but more by luck than judgement! Kev caught the save on camera - you lucky, lucky keeper....!

Lucky keeper!!!

Chris Freestone flicked the ball onto Mitch Slawson in the 11th minute, but the number 7's drive flew just wide of the Newcastle goal.

Despite Hucknall looking dangerous in the first quarter of the game, it was the travellers who looked the more likely to score - they were more composed on the ball and seemed to have more time to make decisions than the home team. 

The goal eventually came on 25 - Stolworthy tried to head back to Yates under pressure from Tom France, but the header was short and France managed to get off a shot that the Yellows' keeper did well to block. Unfortunately the loose ball fell kindly to NATHAN SUTTON, who hit a tame effort towards the goal - Yates was going one way, the ball, after a taking a wicked bobble, went the other! When your luck's out! 

Unlucky keeper!

Andy Nicholls was allowed a run and shoot at goal after 39 minutes had been played, but his shot was just wide of the far post. 

Just before the break, Rowley let his frustration get the better of him, launching Kyle Diskin into the air after the Newcastle player had blocked his attempts to get the ball. Referee Tommy Hollidge gave the free-kick to Newcastle, but issued no card for some reason or other. Looked a straight red to both me and Kev! H-T 0-1

Newcastle were quick out of the blocks at the restart, France crossing to Sanders who sliced his shot wide when he looked certain to score. Rowley then made another foray down the left before firing into Parton's arms. 

Sanders fired over after slack marking gave him space to run at the Hucknall goal on 48, but Hucknall were almost level on the hour mark after Rowley's cross was met by the head of Freestone. Unfortunately for the striker, Parton was able to collect low down at the near post. 

Although the home teams play was becoming one dimensional - pinging the ball out wide left to Rowley all the time, it almost paid off on 70 when the winger picked out Freestone in the box. The no. 9 hammered the ball towards goal bringing out a superb stop for Parton - the rebound was again blasted at the goal, but again the keeper blocked magnificently.

The home team had a final chance to get something out of the game on 87 - Kamal Asumang-Hayles hit a  weak shot to the far stick, unintentionally to where Hatfield was racing in, but the skipper could only managed only to slice the ball wide. F-T 0-1

Admission : season ticket

Programme : £1.50

Attendance : 95