Pre-season -- not really got the bug yet!!

After watching a couple of games, I have lost interest in the pre-seson merry-go-round.

Kev went to watch Hucknall get a 5-2 footballing lesson from Notts County last Thursday, but he had to work on Saturday so I stayed in with a couple of bottles of wine and 20-20 cricket!!

Monday was to have been Mansfield v Sheff Utd, but we both couldn't be bothered, while Tuesday was supposed to be Gedling MW v Arnold. Kev was stuck in traffic and I fell asleep......

So, what about Weds? Eastwood v Grimsby? The Mariners were sending their youth team and they had to kick off at 7pm so the lads could get to bed early and get up to do the papers!! Another no-show for Malc and Kev!

Thursday -- we should be visiting Rainworth for their "prestige" friendly v Macclesfield - but the Macc lads are playing a Chinese team on the same day, so you can imagine it will not be too strong a team. Another no show...

Saturday - we were looking at Kimberley v Heanor, but it may well be Carlton v Arnold. Then Tuesday -- could well be that Rainworth v Blidworth may be worth a look...

We'll see.......

Tony Hay -- Gedling Miners Welfare

We have met Tony on several occasions - what a genuinely nice man -- always has time for a chat.. guess what? Some bastard stabbed him last Sunday...he is still alive - just........

From GMW forum

"Just to let everyone concerned with the club know that Tony was unfortunately involved in the stabbing incident on Mansfield road in the early hours of Sunday morning. The attack was un provoked.Due to the swift action of a paramedic ,who was fortunately passing by at the time this probably saved Tony's life. I am sure you will all be as shocked by the news as I was.My thoughs go out to Tony and hope that is recovery is a swift one. Also to his family.It makes you wonder what the world is coming to. Vic "

Anyone who knows Tony -- go to the GMW forum and leave your regards --- please...

http://gedlingmwfc.proboards61.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=50&page=1

Monday 21st July 2008

Eastwood Town v Tamworth --- pre-season friendly

Decided to pay a visit to our old stomping ground Coronation Park, home of Eastwood Town FC, to see the "new" Badgers take on Tamworth.

After a pre-season spending spree that saw no fewer than 10 new faces arrive at Eastwood, we expected to see the players struggle to bond together, but never expected such obviously talented players to forget how to play football.....suffice to say, this was a pre-season game to forget -- the only decent chance saw the ball cannon off the underside of the Eastwood bar and back into play, right at the end of the game.

Impressed with Anton Foster, Alistair Asher and Ian Holmes, but none of the other players really stood out .

Starting 11 -- Deakin :Asher, Shaw, Mathews, Sturdy, Robinson : Foster, Gardner, Cooke : Holmes, Rhead ... subs used... Goddard, Smith, Brookes, Bailey, Whitman, Meikle, Swinscoe.

Highlight of the night? Damn silly linesman cavorting in front of us...what a pratt. He was bobbing up and down, crouching like he was taking a dump, and generally entertaining us more than the actual game!!! He must also have been the only person in the ground that did not know who Des Lyttle was, referring to him as "number 2" !!!

It was a bit strange hearing the Eastwood Chairman hawking Season Tickets like a barrer-boy -- but record season ticket sales seems to support his actions. I have to hand it to the ETFC Chairman - he really has a desire to take the team onwards and upwards, and when the squad finally knits together, they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.....

Another game on Thursday -- Hucknall Town are taking on Notts County at Watnall Road 7:30 kick off...

Saturday 19th July 2008

Hucknall Town v Mansfield Town -- pre-season friendly

We're back on the road - although to be fair we were only in the car 10 minutes - the Watnall Road Ground is only 1/2 mile down the road from where we live.

Anyway, after what seems just like a 5 minute break, football is upon us one again, and our first choice of game was a local derby between Blue Square North side Hucknall Town and Blue Square Premier Mansfield Town.

You never know what to expect with pre-season games, and with both teams undergoing major personnel changes this proved to be no exception. Mansfield's squad was made up of 1st team, youth team and trialists, while Hucknall played what could be argued to be their strongest available line-up, with a couple of trialists on the bench.

The game was played in the right spirit, and to say it was both teams first proper pre-season game, some of the football was not bad at all..... indeed the only goal of the game was a cracker - a neat one-two between Michael Blackwood and Rob Duffy ending with Blackwood slotting past Hucknall keeper Lindley.

Report from Mansfield website

Both teams should take heart from their performances.

Even though Mansfield ended up playing no fewer than 10 trialists, Matt Somner, Jason Lee, Gary Silk and Paul Hurst all have vast experience and will be decent additions to the squad.

Hucknall played really well as a team, and with a few more games under their belt they seem set for a comfortable season in the BSN.

Looks like a trip to Eastwood on Monday -- the Badgers are entertaining Tamworth.....

2008-2009 early season games

Most of the fixtures are out now

Provisional early season line-up

Tuesday 12th August Rainworth MW v Scarborough ( NCEL1)
Saturday 16th August Arnold Tn v Long Eaton Utd ( FA CUP Extra Prelim) at GMW
Tuesday 19th August Worksop Tn v Eastwood Town ( NPP ) at Hucknall Tn
Saturday 23rd August Calverton MW v Sutton Tn AFC ( CML Supreme )
Monday 25th August Belper Tn v Grantham Tn ( NPS )
Saturday 30th August Bulwell Tn v Thorne CW ( CML Prem )
Saturday 6th September Borrowash Vics v Dunkirk ( EMCL )