Saturday 9th February - local teams in action

BSP
Mansfield Town 8-1 Barrow FC

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

NP1S
Chasetown P-P Loughborough Dynamo
Hucknall Town 0-3 Carlton Town
Kings Lynn Town 2-0 Rainworth MW
Lincoln Utd 2-4 Belper Town

UCL
Irchester Utd P-P Shepshed Dynamo

NCELP
Arnold Town 1-2 Scarborough Athletic
Maltby Main v Heanor Town
Retford Utd 1-2 Worksop Parramore
Thackley 4-0 Long Eaton Utd

NCEL1
Grimsby Borough 1-1 Clipstone Welfare
Louth Town 0-3 Shirebrook Town
Teversal 5-0 Rossington Main

EMCL
Aylestone Park 1-6 Borrowash Victoria
Basford Utd 2-1 Thurnby Nirvana
Blaby & Whetstone Ath 3-1 Gedling MW
Graham St Prims 0-1 Anstey Nomads
Radcliffe Olympic 2-0 Greenwood Meadows
Radford FC 0-4 Barrow Town

CML CUP
Belper Utd 4-0 Easington Utd (2pm) reverse fixture
DFS Welbeck Welfare 1-7 Holbrook St Michaels (2pm)
Westella Hanson 0-3 Newark Town

CMLN
Clay Cross Town 4-3 Ollerton Town (2pm)
Kiveton Park 4-1 Thoresby CW (2pm)
Phoenix Sports 1-1 Glapwell FC (2pm)
Sherwood Colliery 0-6 AFC Mansfield (2pm)

CMLS
Blackwell MW 1-2 Hucknall Town AFC
Blidworth Welfare 0-5 Sutton Town AFC
Clifton AW 2-0 Calverton MW (2pm)
Nottingham Utd 1-4 Southwell City (2pm)
Pinxton FC 2-2 Real Utd
South Normanton Athletic 2-2 Linby CW

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

Eastwood Town 1-3 Sutton Town AFC aet

Something of a surprise as the "Snipes" sent the holders crashing out of the competition that they have dominated for the past few years ....

So, Notts F.A. Senior Cup time again, and although we were hoping to see the Clipstone v Linby tie, after that was lost to the weather, we opted for a visit to Eastwood. It was good to be back at Coronation Park again - a lot of the great and the good of the Nottinghamshire non-league game were in attendance, far too many to name individual names.

Eastwood are struggling at the foot of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, whilst opponents Sutton Town AFC are among the contenders for promotion from the Central Midlands South Division.

The first half was a frenetic affair, with both teams seemingly unwilling to slow play down and add a little sophistication to the action. 

On another night, Eastwood could have had 4 or 5 goals in the first period alone, but visiting keeper Gavin Saxby was on top form and kept out everything that was thrown at him.  Sutton had their fair share of the game, but it was Saxby's performance that caught the eye. H-T 0-0

The Snipes took the lead within seven minutes of the restart, a well struck low drive from ANDY WHITE nestling in the back of the Eastwood net, after the home defence could only clear to the edge of the box where the former Stags' favourite was loitering with intent.

Sutton weathered the storm as Eastwood strove for the equaliser, but with just two minutes left to play we were plunged into the additional half hour when GREG SMITH nodded home a left wing cross from close range. F-T 1-1

The first period of extra-time saw Eastwood again on the offensive, although Sutton did create a couple of decent chances. H- T E-T 1-1

The home team were rocked in the 2nd minute of the second period of extra-time when their former favourite JAMES WHITEHEAD rose like a salmon to loop a header over keeper Richard Stainsby.  We  have seem "Topps" play hundreds of times, and he has scored his share of goals from his regular right back slot, but I cannot ever remember him scoring a goal with a header! 

Eastwood then piled on more pressure as you would expect, but Saxby was having none of it, and when a Badgers attack broke down in the 119th minute, Craig Mitchell raced toward the area before crossing straight into the path of on-rushing RICHARD GUEST who calmly side-footed home from 10 yards.  F-T E-T 1-3.

Excellent performance from Referee Andy Dallison - we've seen Andy on numerous occasions and he rarely has a bad 'un...!

Admission £5
Programme -sadly absent
Attendance 81
Team sheet courtesy of Samantha Demetriou

Basford Utd U19 3-2 Buxton U19

The temrerature gauge in my car read 6 degrees, a little bit deceiving - at pitchside it was baltic!! 

It's been a good season so far for United's younsgsters. Before kick off they were still unbeaten in the league, sitting in third spot, three points behind Harworth and Parkgate but with three games in hand.

This looked like being a tough challenge for the home team - Buxton having played the same number of games and just one point behind Basford.

Ground improvements are coming along nicely at Greenwich Avenue, a second turnstile has been added since my previous visit, and they have begun to infill the pitch perimeter fencing.  I spent the first half in the company of Tony Squires, with Danny Staley  joining us at the break. 

Old school paper and tape, but it's always pleasing to see the line ups. Thanks Neil!

Basford's usually tight defence appeared to at sixes and sevens as Buxton pressed from the off.  On 23, the visitor's took full advantage and grabbed their first goal - DANNY HOPKINS firing home from close range after the defence failed a three occasions to clear their lines.

Five minutes later it was all square, a thundering drive into the net from JACK HODSON after terrific wing play and cross from Dan Jackson. Jackson is already a fully fledged first team player - one to watch I think!!!

With 10 to go in the first half, Basford went ahead through KYLE KEETLEY, who fired home left footed from about 12 yards. ALEX AIREY restored parity for the Bucks  on 41, again taking advantage of some poor defending. 

45 seconds later though, Basford were back in front again, this time the run and cross from Jackson picking out KYLE KEETLEY who hammered the ball home to score what was to prove to be the wining goal. H-T 3-2

Second half was a dire affair, and with the eye-watering, nose running, blustery conditions it proved difficult for both teams to create much.  F-T 3-2

Harry Hawkins took the middle and as expected, didn't put a foot wrong - both teams' marks should hopefully reflect this!!

Link to the up to date table

Admission £2 (inc programme)

Attendance  - head count 26

Plough Barflys 3-2 Old Colonial

3rd February - at Rolls Royce Welfare - kick off 10.32am

Notts Sunday League Premier Premier...so good they named it twice!!!

Was going to watch Nuthall take on T8's originally, but that game was postponed as Nuthall were playing in the Cup, so ended up watching the Barflys again.

Some of the home team players played in the Linby CW team that we saw defeat Nottingham Utd on Saturday, namely  Mike Banister, Chaz Niblett, Terry Henshaw and Tom Coupe.

Flys had a couple of decent chances early doors, but on 19  keeper Aaron Wilby failed to clear as he raced out of his goal, handing Colonial striker SCOTT LITCHFIELD the simplest of chances and the no.9 took full advantage, stroking the ball into the empty net from close range. 

Colonial went further ahead with 37 on the clock, LITCHFIELD hitting a free kick form the left into the box. The ball sailed into the area where it eluded everyone, defenders, striker and keeper, before nestling in the back of the net. 

The Flys were back into the game within 60 seconds of the restart. MICHAEL BANISTER is an accomplished defender, but when he played for me at youth level, he was a prolific striker. He was asked to play centre-mid in this game and when he found room 22 yards out his goal scoring prowess returned as he smashed a screamer past the visiting keeper.  H-T 2-1

Birthday boy Brian Dennett had joined me for the first half, but he had to shoot off to see his family so missed the Flys completing a terrific fightback.

They were level on 55, and it was that man BANISTER again on the mark, controlling well before dispatching the ball over the keepers outstretched arms. 

Flys went ahead for the first time in the game two minutes later, a quickly taken Banister free kick picked out Ross Cheeseman who in turn fired the ball across the goal into the path of Jonty Bradshaw who finished well.

The home team defended well as Colonial strove to grab an equaliser, but after five minutes of added time, Referee Liam Jones' whistle thankfully brought proceedings to a close! F-T 3-2

Attendance  - only a dozen or so brave souls braved the biting wind!!

Next up - U19 action as Basford United entertain Buxton FC at Greenwich Avenue. 

Linby CW 4-1 Nottingham Utd

Saturday 2nd February 2013 - CML South.

Weren't too sure where to go, so took the easy option - making the very short trip to Church Lane, Linby.  Journey time 5 minutes!

Met up with Steve Peat inside the ground - he is weighing up his options after reluctantly deciding to leave troubled Hucknall Town. Steve has had offers to join several clubs - with Eastwood and Linby the front runners at the moment. 

No. 90 - raffle winner - nice bottle of wine for Mrs. Kev!

Bitterly cold afternoon, the bright sunshine was a bit deceiving! Certainly eye-watering in the brisk breeze!! Still, with the two o'clock kick off we were back home in the warm before four!

Linby line up: McNeil, Dakers (Coupe), Henshaw, Banister, Jago, Niblett, Burke, Ryan (Marlow S), Murphy, Start ( Payne), Marlow D

The first chance for Linby fell to Matt Murphy after just three minutes had been played. The striker was gifted possession by a defender, but could only watch in anguish as his well struck effort crashed off the United bar. 

Muphy picked out Andy Start seconds later, but the visiting keeper was alert and saved well. Mark Jago got a foot to Jonathan Dakers' corner on 8, but steered the ball just wide of the post.  Jago was in action at the other end two minutes later, sliding to clear a United effort off the line.

Jago at one end.....

then the other! 

Start had a shot blocked on the line halfway through the half, but Linby were given the chance to take the lead on 25 after the visiting no. 5 pushed Start in the back in the area. MATT MURPHY fired home the spot kick giving the keeper no chance.

Terry Henshaw hit a cracking pass to Start two minutes later, and the Linby no. 10 was unlucky to see his shot on the turn fly just wide of the post. 

The home team doubled their advantage with 5 minutes of the first half remaining, MURPHY flicking the ball over the keeper, with the United defence all standing looking for an offside flag that never materialised.  H-T 2-0 

Went into "The Shed" for a tea at the break - thanks Steve! Grabbed a few minutes with Linby Secretary Ade Ward who outlined the future plans for the club. Very impressive if all goes to plan. 

Back pitchside with Steve and Dave Banister, had a chat to former AFC Hucknall Manager Dan Pheasant who is Nottingham Utd's coach. Dan is working towards his UEFA B coaching badge - shouldn't be a problem!!

Mike Banister and....

....dad Dave on the touchline

A terrific turn and shot into the top corner saw MURPHY complete his personal treble in the 62nd minute - credit goes to full back Tom Coupe for picking out the hitman on the edge of the box.

United pulled one back on 45, a sweet 20 yard volley from Chris Tivey giving home keeper Phil McNeil no chance. 

5 minutes later Linby restored their 3 goal gap, SIMON MARLOW sliding in to convert Barry Payne's ball into the area. F-T 4-1

Enjoyed our first game of February, hopefully the weather will be a bit kinder this month than it was last !!! 

Admission £3 - including programme/raffle

Attendance 51 (head count)

Tea - courtesy Steve Peat, but very nice cuppa served in a proper mug.