The draw has been made for the 3rd round of the Notts F.A. Senior Cup.
Holders Eastwood Town are away at Southwell City, while Hucknall Town look to have a potential "banana skin" -- they have to visit Dunkirk.
Games to be played Tuesday 2nd February 2009
Full Draw
Wollaton (NSL) v Arnold Town (NCELP)
Hucknall Rolls Leisure (NLS) v Carlton Town (NPS)
Southwell City (CMLS) v Eastwood Town (NPP)
Gedling Town (EMCL) v Gedling MW (EMCL)
Dunkirk (EMCL) v Hucknall Town (BSN)
Ollerton Town (CMLS) v Rainworth MW (NCEL1)
Calverton MW (CMLS) v Retford Utd (NPS)
Forest Town (CMLS) v Radcliffe Olympic (CMLS)
A lot of games to choose from for our midweek "fix", but Hucknall Rolls v Carlton looks favourite at the moment...
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Saturday 29th November 2008
Carlton Town 6-2 Leek Town -- UniBond League Division One South
With Forest at home with £10 admission, and Eastwood dragging support from all over the County, there was never going to be a huge gate at Stoke Lane - but just 73 in attendance is poor -- especially as Carlton are top of their League at the moment. Mind you, it wasn't helped by the away support that numbered only 5 or 6.......
First surprise of the afternoon was finding out that Jay Smedley had joined the Millers on loan from Hucknall Town. I have seen Jay quite a lot recently -- he has been part of the team of electricians upgrading the wiring in our offices..
Jay Smedley (centre) searching for that certain something...
It was a bit chilly down at Stoke Lane -- one of those days that sees fluids escape from every facial orifice !!
Ex-Mansfield Town star Wayne Corden was on the bench for Leek - Wayne was part of a superb Stags midfield that included Liam Lawrence ( now Stoke City), Leroy Williamson ( now Watford) and Craig Disley ( now Bristol Rovers).....what a midfield that was Lawrence, Disley, Williamson, Corden.....brilliant!!
I didn't take many notes - it was far too cold to keep removing my gloves. What a game this turned out to be and our average goals per game was reached by half-time!
Leek's game plan was overtly obvious right from the get-go.... offside trap, after offside trap after offside trap... ok if you're good at it - but Leek aren't. Stepping up and raising your arm may work sometimes, but not all the time and this was the away teams downfall -- and when they got it wrong who's fault was it? Yep, the poor Assistant Referees...they got some right old stick from the Leek defenders, but they did get most offside decisions right...
Carlton opened the scoring on 13, Dean Gent running at Matt Cooper in the Leek net before slotting the ball between him and his near post.
Leek levelled in the 26th minute - new boy Smedley's defensive header flew up in the air and was volleyed home by Andrew Bourne. Then two goals in two minutes ensured that the visitors were on the receiving end of a tirade of abuse form their managment at half-time... blimey, the eff word was a bit over-used I can tell you.....
Second surprise of the afternoon was when Evening Post Brian came walking up to us with pie, peas and gravy in each hand - one each for me and Kev....... this man takes some stick of both of us, but what he doesn't know about the local non-league game isn't worth knowing. And the grub was most welcome ... He had also secured me a copy of the team sheet earlier - a good job because I never heard the P.A. system announce the team line-ups.
As I mentioned previously, we had a tab-hole at the Leek changing rooms during the break -- wow ..the paint may need retouching in there after that "hair dryer" treatment the players received....effin ell, effin this, effin that, effin 3-1 effin down... eff , eff, eff, eff, eff.
Carlton looked comfortable for the first half hour or so of the second period, but they conceded a penalty on 79 which Ashley Miller duly converted and the nerves started jangling a little. However, the nervous spell didn't last too long because Carlton netted again in the 81st minute. Sub Steve Cox received the ball and laid it to Gent who curled a beauty past the despairing dive of keeper Cooper.
Right on fulltime, Gent made it 5-2, striking a stunning 25 yarder past Cooper. What a goal and what a hat-trick! Wayne Corden was noted for his sweet left-peg and he must have been secretly applauding Gent's display of left foot striking....
Chaplin fired in off the post in the third minute of stoppage time to make the final score 6-2.
Getting to the car, it transpired that the Florists had won, and goals from Eastwood Town's Lindon Meikle and Peter Knox had dumped Wycombe out of the Cup.... all we had to do now was thaw out a little and have a little celebratory Grouse or two....
Tuesday -- Clipstone W v Ollerton Town ...
Woke up feeling a bit achy-painy and debated with myself whether it was a good idea to go to a game and get frozen... I made the effort, but asked Kev if he wouldn't mind driving -- he'd been moving furniture for his daughter all morning and was a bit knackered, but he said ok...... thanks Buddy...
With Forest at home with £10 admission, and Eastwood dragging support from all over the County, there was never going to be a huge gate at Stoke Lane - but just 73 in attendance is poor -- especially as Carlton are top of their League at the moment. Mind you, it wasn't helped by the away support that numbered only 5 or 6.......
First surprise of the afternoon was finding out that Jay Smedley had joined the Millers on loan from Hucknall Town. I have seen Jay quite a lot recently -- he has been part of the team of electricians upgrading the wiring in our offices..
Jay Smedley (centre) searching for that certain something...
It was a bit chilly down at Stoke Lane -- one of those days that sees fluids escape from every facial orifice !!
Ex-Mansfield Town star Wayne Corden was on the bench for Leek - Wayne was part of a superb Stags midfield that included Liam Lawrence ( now Stoke City), Leroy Williamson ( now Watford) and Craig Disley ( now Bristol Rovers).....what a midfield that was Lawrence, Disley, Williamson, Corden.....brilliant!!
I didn't take many notes - it was far too cold to keep removing my gloves. What a game this turned out to be and our average goals per game was reached by half-time!
Leek's game plan was overtly obvious right from the get-go.... offside trap, after offside trap after offside trap... ok if you're good at it - but Leek aren't. Stepping up and raising your arm may work sometimes, but not all the time and this was the away teams downfall -- and when they got it wrong who's fault was it? Yep, the poor Assistant Referees...they got some right old stick from the Leek defenders, but they did get most offside decisions right...
Carlton opened the scoring on 13, Dean Gent running at Matt Cooper in the Leek net before slotting the ball between him and his near post.
Leek levelled in the 26th minute - new boy Smedley's defensive header flew up in the air and was volleyed home by Andrew Bourne. Then two goals in two minutes ensured that the visitors were on the receiving end of a tirade of abuse form their managment at half-time... blimey, the eff word was a bit over-used I can tell you.....
On 36, Steve Chaplin won a header and the ball fell straight to Danny Blair who volleyed powerfully home from 12 yards. Then, with the defenders still complaining to the Ref about everything and nothing, Chaplin fired past Cooper after being put through by Gent. H-T 3-1
Second surprise of the afternoon was when Evening Post Brian came walking up to us with pie, peas and gravy in each hand - one each for me and Kev....... this man takes some stick of both of us, but what he doesn't know about the local non-league game isn't worth knowing. And the grub was most welcome ... He had also secured me a copy of the team sheet earlier - a good job because I never heard the P.A. system announce the team line-ups.
As I mentioned previously, we had a tab-hole at the Leek changing rooms during the break -- wow ..the paint may need retouching in there after that "hair dryer" treatment the players received....effin ell, effin this, effin that, effin 3-1 effin down... eff , eff, eff, eff, eff.
Carlton looked comfortable for the first half hour or so of the second period, but they conceded a penalty on 79 which Ashley Miller duly converted and the nerves started jangling a little. However, the nervous spell didn't last too long because Carlton netted again in the 81st minute. Sub Steve Cox received the ball and laid it to Gent who curled a beauty past the despairing dive of keeper Cooper.
Right on fulltime, Gent made it 5-2, striking a stunning 25 yarder past Cooper. What a goal and what a hat-trick! Wayne Corden was noted for his sweet left-peg and he must have been secretly applauding Gent's display of left foot striking....
Chaplin fired in off the post in the third minute of stoppage time to make the final score 6-2.
Admission £6
Programme £1.50
Pie/peas/gravy - courtesy Evening Post Brian
Attendance 73
Getting to the car, it transpired that the Florists had won, and goals from Eastwood Town's Lindon Meikle and Peter Knox had dumped Wycombe out of the Cup.... all we had to do now was thaw out a little and have a little celebratory Grouse or two....
Tuesday -- Clipstone W v Ollerton Town ...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Wednesday 26th November 2008
Greenwood Meadows 2-3 Dunkirk FC -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup
Before I begin to comment on the game, let me assure a certain person ( who shall remain anonymous, but writes a bit every now and again for local paper and initials are BD) that I am NOT retired !! I may be a bit weather-beaten and in need of a "10 years younger" type make-over, but I am still a long way from my pension ....blimey, just when you think you know someone .....
Had a nice, steady drive down to Lenton Lane arriving just before the teams came out of the changing rooms...
Had a nice, steady drive down to Lenton Lane arriving just before the teams came out of the changing rooms...
The Notts F.A. Senior Cup is held at the moment by Eastwood Town - this was the final match of round 2. Dunkirk join Wollaton, Calverton MW, Forest Town, Radcliffe Olympic and Hucknall Rolls Leisure in round 3 - that's when the "big" boys join in .. Hucknall Town, Eastwood Town, Retford, Carlton etc...
Both these teams play in the newly created East Midlands Counties League, and this is a true local derby -- their grounds are only about 100 yards apart.
The first 10 minutes or so were a bit cagey with both teams passing the ball well but failing to mount significant attacks. The first real attack by home team saw them go ahead. A scramble in the Dunkirk 6 yard box ended with Robinson prodding the ball past the groping hands of Wheater-Lowe in the Dunkirk net. The lead lasted barely 9 minutes though.
After some impressive ball control and trickery, the visitors no. 10 managed to get the ball to Massingham who ran into the box and was promptly upended. The striker picked himself up and hammered the spot kick home. Dunkirk went ahead on 24, Soar's powerful close range header for a right wing corner giving the home keeper no chance. H-T 1-2
Kev had brought a flask of chicken soup, and it was apparently very nice - Evening Post Brian liked it anyway... mind you, owt for nowt ...... I don't do soup.
Straight from the restart, Meadows' centre-back Pollard brought down Massingham on the edge of the box, and was booked for his trouble. Whether he was the last man is debatable, but if he had have been shown red, I don't think there would have been too many complaints. Massingham sent his free-kick flying wide. The same player was foiled by a brilliant diving save from the home keeper seconds later.
It was all square on the hour mark. A speculative effort by the home no.11 shirt, from an acute angle, saw Wheater-Lowe lose sight of the ball and he failed to connect with his clearance and the ball ended up in the net.
As the game entered it's final quarter, we were hoping and praying that someone would score -- extra-time and penalties loomed large!!!
Unfortunately for Greenwood, it was Dunkirk who managed to grab the decisive goal. The ball was played to Massingham from a free-kick just inside the half - the no. 9 took the ball in his stride and angled a shot across the keeper and into the net. Looked marginally offside, but the lino was in a better position than us ...and there were not too many arguments for the home players.
Straight out after the final whistle -- third car out of the car-park. Back in the house at 10pm in time to see the Champs League goals on Sky...
Admission £4
Never saw a programme
Att 80?
Saturday - Carlton Tn v Leek Tn... a chance to see Wayne Corden ( one of my favourite ex-Mansfield Town players) in action for Leek.
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Assault on Referee - Sat 22nd November pt II
The player involved in the incident has been identified on the EMCL forum.
"The players name is Joe Preston and he has already been suspended indefinitely by Leicestershire FA. "
That will be just the beginning, I suspect....
"The players name is Joe Preston and he has already been suspended indefinitely by Leicestershire FA. "
That will be just the beginning, I suspect....
Assault on Referee - Sat 22nd November
St. Andrews v Gedling MW -- EMCL
Not much detail other than these posts from the EMCL forum.
"St Andrews v Gedling Miners Welfare [ Abandoned ] Canal Street
Abandoned after 85 minutes, score 3-1, assault on referee
How very SAD ====Any one care to Comment "
"The worst thing I've ever seen at a football match (and I've been to 1000's)Fracas near end of game. Ref confers with linesman and calls one player over from each team and books them. Then calls over St Andrews No 12 and sends him off. No 12 puts his face up close to ref and says something, then turns away before swinging round and punching the ref with GREAT FORCE in the face. No 12 then jumps over fence and runs to dressing room. On arrival at door to dressing room decides he wants some more and turns round to head back onto pitch. One of St Andrews people stops him and pushes him into dressing room. Ref has been knocked out cold and is just lying on pitch. He is covered in blankets and given attention but it is a LONG time before he moves. Divided opinion amongst spectators and players, management etc. I heard one SICKENING comment that the ref had been asking for it! Several St Andrews players were saying how disgraceful it was and one said that he would not play with No 12 again."
Not much detail other than these posts from the EMCL forum.
"St Andrews v Gedling Miners Welfare [ Abandoned ] Canal Street
Abandoned after 85 minutes, score 3-1, assault on referee
How very SAD ====Any one care to Comment "
"The worst thing I've ever seen at a football match (and I've been to 1000's)Fracas near end of game. Ref confers with linesman and calls one player over from each team and books them. Then calls over St Andrews No 12 and sends him off. No 12 puts his face up close to ref and says something, then turns away before swinging round and punching the ref with GREAT FORCE in the face. No 12 then jumps over fence and runs to dressing room. On arrival at door to dressing room decides he wants some more and turns round to head back onto pitch. One of St Andrews people stops him and pushes him into dressing room. Ref has been knocked out cold and is just lying on pitch. He is covered in blankets and given attention but it is a LONG time before he moves. Divided opinion amongst spectators and players, management etc. I heard one SICKENING comment that the ref had been asking for it! Several St Andrews players were saying how disgraceful it was and one said that he would not play with No 12 again."
"The referee Mr. Andy Parker has received a broken cheek bone and two breaks to his jaw and was kept overnight at the Leicester Royal Infirmary"
No idea of the identity of the no. 12, but if this is what actually happened, then he should get the full penalty of the law - assault / GBH / threatening behaviour etc... PLUS a lifetime ban from the game AT ALL LEVELS.
We all knock the officials every now and then, but however poor they are, we can't knock them out! Criticism is one thing -- assault and battery is on another, totally unacceptable, level completely. Whether the Ref is incompetent/useless/crap - he is still a human being...
No idea of the identity of the no. 12, but if this is what actually happened, then he should get the full penalty of the law - assault / GBH / threatening behaviour etc... PLUS a lifetime ban from the game AT ALL LEVELS.
We all knock the officials every now and then, but however poor they are, we can't knock them out! Criticism is one thing -- assault and battery is on another, totally unacceptable, level completely. Whether the Ref is incompetent/useless/crap - he is still a human being...
I hope Mr. Parker is ok....I also hope he stays on as a Referee - no Refs, no game....
It will be interesting to see what action the League, the F.A and the police take against this individual - and no doubt the club will also suffer some form of punishment ....
It will be interesting to see what action the League, the F.A and the police take against this individual - and no doubt the club will also suffer some form of punishment ....
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Saturday 22nd November 2008
Long Eaton United 6-0 Eccleshill United --- NCEL Premier Division
Long Eaton have, according to the local media, been playing really well - with strikers Kevin Mabon and Kelvin Mushambi among the goals. Eccleshill on the other hand are having a miserable time of it, winning only one game out of 16 played and conceding 73 goals prior to their visit to Grange Park. We set off for the game in anticipation of at least keeping our almost 4 goals a game average going!!
Mushambi has always been a Malc and Kev favourite. He suffered an awful achilles injury a couple of years ago and this took quite a while to heal. This type of injury takes a player some time to get over -- both physically and mentally -- consequently "Mushy" was not at his best for a considerable period after the injury had healed. It is great to see him back playing well and scoring on a regular basis. Kelvin is a genuinely nice man, and always takes the time to have a word. He has also added a little steel to his game - he is not easily pushed about now and his physique is superb.
Anyway - managed to make myself look a pratt at the turnstile.... I asked the young lad why he had only given me £0.80 change from my tenner when I was looking for £1.00 - mental arithmetic 2 x £4 = £8 plus £1 programme = £9 --- change £1... except the programme was £1.20 .... D'oh! I am that used to paying £1 for a programme that I assumed this would be as well.
The teams were announced on a PA system that can only be heard if you are stood standing next to it - still, I knew the Long Eaton player names anyway, and I only expected to use the Eccleshill keeper's name - who according to the programme is Darrell Crowley.
The first 15 minutes left us wondering which was he struggling team, after Eccleshill won a few corners and caused a little panic at times in the Blues defence. Everything was as it should be on 18 though - Crowley did well to save and clear from a Long Eaton corner, but as the ball was pumped back up field, Mabon latched onto it and raced on before poking the ball past the keeper. Looked clearly offside, but the Assistant thought differently and signalled the goal.
Mabon doubled the score after 24 minutes. Mushambi improvised by passing the ball while he was on his backside - the pass found Gamble who in turn found Mabon. The strikers first effort struck the foot of the post, but he somehow managed to squeeze the rebound between post and keeper.
Eccleshill still kept knocking the ball about, very pleasing on the eye - but they almost went 3 down on 36 - only a great block from Crowley keeping out Mushambi after a stunning pass from Piliero had put him through on goal.
H-T 2-0
Went for a half-time cuppa, but my beady eyes noticed that the tea/coffee were priced at £1.00 per cup. We didn't bother, opting to go into the Clubhouse for a warm and a glance at Soccer Saturday..
Long Eaton were soon in their stride, and Mabon completed his hat-trick just 5 minutes into the second half. Piliero found Mushambi who played the ball to his strike partner who finished at the secong time of asking. It was 4-0 seconds later, Mushambi tapping home into an empty after a backward defensive header looped over Crowley.
The fifth goal was the best of the lot - it was a beauty........just after the hour-mark, Mushambi collected the ball on half-way and some superb control saw him beat several challenges before he played the ball to Holmes on the edge of the box. Mushambi had carried on his run and when Holmes played an inch perfect pass to him he opened his body and slotted the ball wide of Crowley - what a goal - but what a pity there were on 60 odd in the crowd to see it...
Lee Sutton netted the Blues sixth on 81 - running on to a long ball before slotting past Crowley - he was at least 5 yards off-side ( we were right in-line), but the Assistant saw nothing wrong with the goal... "Should have gone to Specsavers!!"
Special mention for the Referee ... after the behaviour of the Ref at Rainworth, this one was a true Gent... I can't remember a card being shown - even when the Eccleshill no. 3 showed a bit of dissent... Mr. Michael Leslie we have seen on several occasions (he is from Nottingham) - he uses a quiet word or two to sort out issues, no fuss, no histrionics -- all I can say is "well done, Sir" !!
Admission £4
Programme £1.20 !!
Tea/coffee £1.00
Attendance 60 +
Tuesday - staying in to watch Champs League, but off to Greenwood Meadows on Wednesday to see them take on Dunkirk in the Notts F.A.Senior Cup.
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Tuesday 18th November 2008
Rainworth MW 1-1 Brighouse Town -- NCEL Division 1
This season, with the "respect" campaign going on, we have both noticed the standard of refereeing is not as bad as it was last season... but is the "respect" campaign double-edged? Are the Referees supposed to "respect" the players and Managers etc in return?
Obviously, Referee Mr. Barraclough thinks not, nor does his Assistant Mr. Parker. Not very often you see Referees actually shouting at players - telling them to "shut-up!", "do not to argue with the Assistant!", "no more!" and "any more and you're in!"-- but Mr. Barraclough did ... throughout the game...
Assistant Mr.Parker was guilty of applying an iron fist when it came to the Managers using their technical areas. The Laws of the game state on page 52 that "only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical instructions and he must return to his position after giving these instruction"... ok..fine - but is this Law ever applied? Do David Moyes, Martin O'Neill, et al sit down during a match - ever? Not that I can recall -- talk about applying the letter of the law!!
http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/095F9568-466D-4D71-ABF5-C1253A1C28FD/151521/FifaLawsOfTheGame0809.pdf
The stand-in Assistant Mr.Lang, had a tough call in the second half, one of those did it cross the line, didn't it cross the line decisions...
Because the kick off was delayed we had to listen to the whole of Tina Turners greatest hits ....aaarrrrgggghhhhhh -- she's got a pair of lungs has that lady!! The players entered the field, shook hands, waved to the five people in the main stand - then off we went ,,, or rather didn't. The first half hour was dire -- no control, misplaced passes and little skill on show -- Rainworth's first true effort in goal came in the 33rd minute, a tame shot that Paul Brown in the Brighouse net gathered comfortably.
The visitors opened the scoring on 36, a fairly innocuous free-kick from no.11 Danny Ryan creeping through the wall and through Mark Hales's gloves. H-T 0-1
Won 2nd prize in the raffle, a box of Celebration chocolates - although there was not a lot to celebrate ...........
Got the tea/coffe in, both needed a bit more oomph... so only 5/10 sorry ladies!!
Rainworth had to up their game if they were to get anything from this match, and they almost pulled level on 58, a 25 yard screamer from Malc Brown that scraped the top of the bar. The "was it over the line " incident came in the 72nd minute - the ball was arrowing towards the back of the net and was pushed out by keeper Brown after it had appeared to go into the goal. I jumped up, Kev cheered - but Mr. Lang waved play on....to most people's chagrin........
Rainworth were level though just 6 minutes later, Phil Bignall turning and firing home from 6 yards after good build up play. Both teams went searching for the winner, but it finished 1-1.
Rainworth Chairman Mr. Reece stopped us for a chat just before we left --- thanks for the kind words, Brian...much appreciated.
Admission £4
Saturday -- 1st visit of the season to Long Eaton United -- hope to catch up with Kelvin " Mushy" Mushambi and also check on the progress of Jared Holmes who we were impressed with on the couple of occasions we saw him play last term.
Last season both me and Kev were sometimes undecided about the games we should go to, so I decided to pick out a few future games and stick to the "menu".... it was tempting to stray from the itinerary and take in the Forest Town v Sutton Floodlit game, but we were not too keen on the Forest Town floodlights, so Rainworth it was.
I like going to Kirklington Road - it really is a decent set-up now and you are always made to feel welcome..also a great idea of putting a team sheet in with the programme - so much easier than trying to jot down names and numbers from the PA system. Maybe in the future, with Hopping becoming so popular, this may become the norm rather than the exception ... I have my doubts!!
Arrived with plenty of time to spare -- actually we arrived with loads of time to spare - a linesman had got lost and a local replacement was called in - the game actually kicked off 8pm.
This season, with the "respect" campaign going on, we have both noticed the standard of refereeing is not as bad as it was last season... but is the "respect" campaign double-edged? Are the Referees supposed to "respect" the players and Managers etc in return?
Obviously, Referee Mr. Barraclough thinks not, nor does his Assistant Mr. Parker. Not very often you see Referees actually shouting at players - telling them to "shut-up!", "do not to argue with the Assistant!", "no more!" and "any more and you're in!"-- but Mr. Barraclough did ... throughout the game...
Assistant Mr.Parker was guilty of applying an iron fist when it came to the Managers using their technical areas. The Laws of the game state on page 52 that "only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical instructions and he must return to his position after giving these instruction"... ok..fine - but is this Law ever applied? Do David Moyes, Martin O'Neill, et al sit down during a match - ever? Not that I can recall -- talk about applying the letter of the law!!
The stand-in Assistant Mr.Lang, had a tough call in the second half, one of those did it cross the line, didn't it cross the line decisions...
Because the kick off was delayed we had to listen to the whole of Tina Turners greatest hits ....aaarrrrgggghhhhhh -- she's got a pair of lungs has that lady!! The players entered the field, shook hands, waved to the five people in the main stand - then off we went ,,, or rather didn't. The first half hour was dire -- no control, misplaced passes and little skill on show -- Rainworth's first true effort in goal came in the 33rd minute, a tame shot that Paul Brown in the Brighouse net gathered comfortably.
The visitors opened the scoring on 36, a fairly innocuous free-kick from no.11 Danny Ryan creeping through the wall and through Mark Hales's gloves. H-T 0-1
Won 2nd prize in the raffle, a box of Celebration chocolates - although there was not a lot to celebrate ...........
Got the tea/coffe in, both needed a bit more oomph... so only 5/10 sorry ladies!!
Kev bought the Mars bars again, and also provided a delightful bottle of lemon flavoured water -- very nice ..,
Our constant companion Mr. Evening Post turned up during the interval - he'd started the evening up the road at Forest Town, but apparently that was less than entertaining as well !! Had a moan at me for not getting him a coffee in -- I felt really bad -- but that soon passed.....
Rainworth had to up their game if they were to get anything from this match, and they almost pulled level on 58, a 25 yard screamer from Malc Brown that scraped the top of the bar. The "was it over the line " incident came in the 72nd minute - the ball was arrowing towards the back of the net and was pushed out by keeper Brown after it had appeared to go into the goal. I jumped up, Kev cheered - but Mr. Lang waved play on....to most people's chagrin........
Rainworth were level though just 6 minutes later, Phil Bignall turning and firing home from 6 yards after good build up play. Both teams went searching for the winner, but it finished 1-1.
Rainworth Chairman Mr. Reece stopped us for a chat just before we left --- thanks for the kind words, Brian...much appreciated.
Admission £4
Programme ( inc team sheet) £1
Tea/coffee £0.60
Attendance 74
Saturday -- 1st visit of the season to Long Eaton United -- hope to catch up with Kelvin " Mushy" Mushambi and also check on the progress of Jared Holmes who we were impressed with on the couple of occasions we saw him play last term.
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Saturday 15th November 2008
Blidworth Welfare 6-1 Kimberley Town -- CML Supreme Division
Blidworth v Kimberley might not sound too attractive a fixture, especially with Welfare 4th from bottom of the table and the Stags rooted firmly in last place - but we've heard good reports of how Kimberley have been playing, and we have seen Blidworth twice already this season, so know what they are capable of. We thought this fixture might produce a few goals, although it transpired that at half time we were wondering if we were going to see only our third 0-0 of the season !!
Kimberley are currently without a regular 1st team keeper, and their vastly experienced Manager Paul Rawden had to take up the gloves. Paul will admit he's a few pounds heavier than is ideal for a keeper, but needs must, as they say.....
Blidworth v Kimberley might not sound too attractive a fixture, especially with Welfare 4th from bottom of the table and the Stags rooted firmly in last place - but we've heard good reports of how Kimberley have been playing, and we have seen Blidworth twice already this season, so know what they are capable of. We thought this fixture might produce a few goals, although it transpired that at half time we were wondering if we were going to see only our third 0-0 of the season !!
Kimberley are currently without a regular 1st team keeper, and their vastly experienced Manager Paul Rawden had to take up the gloves. Paul will admit he's a few pounds heavier than is ideal for a keeper, but needs must, as they say.....
Kimberley's no. 10, Leverton saw his 5th minute effort cannon off the Blidworth crossbar with keeper Fisher well beaten. At the other end, Roberts fired just wide from 15 yards with Rawdon well beaten.....
Blidworth's next chance also fell to Roberts - he was played in superbly by Bollington, but his firece drive was deflected wide by Kimberley centre-back Mee. From the corner, Rawden palmed away, but only to Bollington who watched in anguish as his terrific shot crashed off the bar and out for a goal-kick. Leverton had another chance to put the Stags in front on 29, but his shot across Fisher was just wide of the mark. Welfare should have gone ahead in the 32nd minute, Marsh's corner from the right headed over from close range by Tagg when it looked easier to score. Whitworth and Best combined well down the right on 38, but Crowder failed to connect with the full-backs fine cross and the half ended goal-less. H-T 0-0
Kev got the drinks in, and provided the Mars bars !!!
The home team began the second period on the front foot and after a couple of corners forced the save of the game from Rawden. Armstrong fired a neat cross to the far post and Best met it with a perfect header. Looked a goal all the way, but Rawden somehow got down and palmed the effort away - brilliant stop from the stand-in keeper - for a big lad he got down very quickly -- took a bit longer to get back up, mind you!!
Kimberley killed all our fears of a 0-0 on the hour - Ahmed's ball down the left collected by Steve Rudge who squeezed it past Fisher from the edge of the box to give the visitors the lead against the run of play. Not content with being a goal up, the Stags went looking for a second - and Ahmed almost gave it to them - only a good save from Fisher thwarting the midfielder. Kimberley should have concentrated more on their defending though, rather than going for more goals, because they left themselves somewhat exposed at the back, and when Rawden pushed away a long range shot on 65, there were no defenders were on hand to clear, leaving Crowder free to lash the ball home from 8 yards.
Armstrong put the Welfare ahead just four minutes later, and 60 seconds after that, Marsh fired home a free-kick from 20 yards to make it 3-1. Ahmed volleyed the ball into the roof of his own net on 81 to make it 4-1, then substitute Robley fired home the fifth from close range. Marsh added Blidworth's 6th right on full time. F-T 6-1
Strange how a 0-0 can turn into a 6-1 goal feast...Kimberley didn't deserve to be on the wrong end of a thrashing, but after scoring they got a little excited, and instead of concentrating on defending their lead, they tried to increase it.... and this cost them dearly.
Credit to Blidworth though, going a goal down gave them a right good kick up the backside and in the end they were deserving winners.
Harry Hardy ( no idea how old he is, but he is not young)!!
Referee Mr. Maltby got bit of stick, but seemed to do alright we've seen him a few times now and always seems to do ok -- officiates with a smile on his face. Assistant Ref Mr. Hardy is not a young man, but kept up with play just fine...he can probably run a bit quicker than me!!
Stood with Sutton Town AFC Manager Danny Bryant for the final 20 minutes - had a general chat about the recent events at the Fieldings. Danny was not too forthcoming, but did say that he now has some positive backing and has a few more backroom staff, and he is really looking forward to the rest of the CMLS season.
Admission £3.00
Programme £1.00
Tea/coffee -- Kev's treat ( £0.50)
Attendance -- head count 30
Tuesday -- Rainworth MW v Brighouse or Forest Town v Sutton Town AFC
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Wednesday 12th November 2008
Worksop Town 0-4 Guiseley FC -- UniBond Premier Division
Bonus game after missing out on Tuesday - high flying Guiseley at Worksops temporary Hucknall Town home. Worksop are really struggling at the foot of the table, while Guiseley would go 2nd with a win.
Bonus game after missing out on Tuesday - high flying Guiseley at Worksops temporary Hucknall Town home. Worksop are really struggling at the foot of the table, while Guiseley would go 2nd with a win.
You can't see me!!!!
Stalked by our favourite local football reporter Brian " Evening Post" Dennett again....that bloke gets everywhere!!
Brian is a Carlton Town man, and he was full of praise for the Millers after they won 2-1 at Retford on Saturday. Also seems to know everyone - or everyone knows him !!!
Bitterley cold night, and I think it may be time for more layers of clothing very soon .. I can see a long, cold winter ahead..
The game kicked off on time, and we both noted how fast the play was - from both teams -- but it was clearly evident that Guiseley had a much higher skill level on show. They took only 12 minutes to open the scoring, Alex Callery sliding the ball across Hernandez in the home net. Worksop heads dropped a little after the goal, and the only surprise was that it took until the 31st minute for them to concede again - Chris Bolder nodding home after the ball was pinged across the goal. H-T 0-2
Worksop responded well to their half-time team talk and pushed on at the Guiseley back line, but the pressure didn't last long - in fact the visitors went further ahead on 50 - a corner from the left met by the head of the no. 6 shirt and deflected home by centre-back Danny Ellis. Six minutes later Worksop conceded a penalty that Simon Burton hammered into the roof of the net. That was the end of the scoring, but Worksop did keep trying, and it was only some acrobatic goalkeeping from Skiba that foiled their efforts. One section of the "home" fans were a little derisive of their team, but one supporter next to us put it in context - " we may have a bad team, but our supporters are worse!"....
I know they travel a long way to get to each "home" game, but you would think that as they had made the effort to get to Hucknall, the dissenters could be at least a little more supportive...
Worksop were not as bad as the score suggests, but given the strength of the UniBind Premier Division this season, there must be some concerns over whether they can pick up enough points against the quality opposition in the league to hold on to their step 3 status. Would be ironic if they were to be relegated - their hosts Hucknall Town are also facing the drop - into the UniBond Premier!!
Admission £8.00
Programme £1.50
Att 171
Saturday -- Blidworth W v Kimberley Town
Midweek game
Missed out on Tuesday night, but looked at the fixtures and noticed Worksop were at home on Weds 12th Nov
And their temporary home is Walnall Road, Hucknall - 5 minutes up the road !! Just far enough to be "on the road".........
And their temporary home is Walnall Road, Hucknall - 5 minutes up the road !! Just far enough to be "on the road".........
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Tuesday 11th November 2008
Arnold game off, Ilkeston game off -- decided to stay at home and watch Arsenal Reserves
Good choice I think - what a display from a team with an average age 19! Beating an almost full-strength Wigan Athletic 3-0 ...there was some very impressive football on show from the Arsenal young guns ,,, enjoyed every minute.
Just wonder how the hell are these lads going to break into the 1st team proper?
Hucknall Town - press release
Tuesday 11th November
Surely Mick and Andy knew their days were numbered when firstly Bryan Chambers was appointed as Director of Football, then his buddy Richard Liburd appeared from NSL obscurity?
Surely Mick and Andy knew their days were numbered when firstly Bryan Chambers was appointed as Director of Football, then his buddy Richard Liburd appeared from NSL obscurity?
"Hucknall Town Football Club can confirm that Joint Managers, Mick Galloway and Andy Miller have been dismissed from their duties with immediate effect. The Club wish to place on record its appreciation and thanks to both Mick and Andy but recent results have left the Club with little alternative. Just one league win from the opening sixteen league games have left us seriously adrift at the bottom of the Blue Square North table and steps must be taken to try and rectify the situation.
Director of Football, Bryan Chambers, will take over as Acting Manager and he will be assisted by Richard Liburd. Bryan will also make an approach to Chris Timons about the possibility of a coaching role within the Club".
Director of Football, Bryan Chambers, will take over as Acting Manager and he will be assisted by Richard Liburd. Bryan will also make an approach to Chris Timons about the possibility of a coaching role within the Club".
Monday, 10 November 2008
Sunday, 9 November 2008
F.A. Cup 2nd round draw
Alfreton are off to Scunthorpe, Notts County host either Kettering or Lincoln City, but what a draw for Eastwood Town. The Badgers have a home tie, against the winners of the AFC Wimbledon / Wycombe Wanderers game, which is live on Setanta Sports on 10th November 7:45 ko.
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Saturday 8th November 2008
Eastwood Town 2-1 Brackley Town F.A. Cup 1st Round Proper
LINDON MEIKLE HITS £20,000 WINNER!!
Kev was asked to work, so it was off to Coronation Park on my own - but only after watching most of the Arsenal / Man Utd game on t'telly.
Pulled up at the ground 20 minutes before kick-off, but the car park was already locked up - ended up parking on Chewton Street - good move, because it meant I had no delay after the final whistle and missed the heaviest of the traffic.
Images from the ground -- sorry about the quality - left my proper camera at home. These were taken with my mobile phone.....
The teams lined up for the usual handshake ritual, and stayed in their lines while a minutes Rememberance Day silence was impeccably obsevered by all present.
This will not be a full report, Radio, TV and Newspapers were all in attendance, and they get well paid to do that sort of thing. The first half was played at pace and both teams looked up for it - knocking the ball about with some style. It was the visitors who opened the scoring on 19. A great run by no. 11 Tom Winters ending with him hitting a fierce 25 yard drive across Shane Redmond in the Eastwood goal. The keeper made a despairing attempt to reach the ball, but the strike was superbly placed and will probably be highlighted on TV... as Paul Cox said later on Radio Nottingham " it had to be good to beat Shane from that distance"
Eastwood should have been level on the half-hour mark - Ian Holmes ruled by the Assistant ref to be offside when he netted. The ball appeared to have been played to him by a defender, so the decision looked to be the wrong one.
H-T 0-1
Cox decided to make a change just 5 minutes into the second half, Matt Rhead replacing Ross Gardner -- the effect was almost immediate, as Rhead's 52nd minute header from Andy Todd's pinpoint cross forced a diving save from the Brackley keeper. Seconds later the Badgers drew level. A Dunning corner from the left was flicked on by Russell Cooke, and Simon Sturdy headed the ball into the back of the net from in the middle of a ruck players. ( need to check out on TV, the goal has been credited to Cooke)...
Lindon Meikle had been ineffective for most of the game, but when Todd's 40 yard raking pass in the 63rd minute picked the youngster out - he left his marker for dead and ran at goal before firing home from 20 yards with the help of a deflection. Eastwood then retreated into their own half, inviting Brackley onto them - but some stout defending and superb goal-keeping ensured the Badgers were in the hat for the 2nd round draw for the first time ever.....and banked the £20,000 prize money !!
Smashing game of football between two well matched teams. Both play at step 3 of the non-league pyramid, and both were a credit to their respective leagues.
MOM -- Andy Todd or Shane Redmond or the whole team!!
Special mention to the Eastwood Town fans behind the Chewton Street goal -- they were chanting "boing, boing, Badgers, Badgers", and "AYUP Eastwood, Eastwood AYUP" throughout the game - talk about a 12th man... well done all !!
Attendance 969 !!
Tuesday Arnold Tn v Pickering at Gedling MWThursday, 6 November 2008
Revised visits 6th November 2008
Had a couple of day off work, so decided to update/revise the upcoming visits.
Apologies to Fred at Kirkby - unfortunately the 2pm kick off clashes with TV game Arsenal v Man Utd - so it will be a case of watching most of this game, then making the 20 minute trip to Coronation Park in the hope of getting on the telly ourselves!! TV cameras are at all 1st round proper games, or so I understand.
November -- hope to see Arnold at GMW, with trips to Blidworth, Rainworth, Long Eaton, Greenwood and Carlton Town.
December is packed - although no game is scheduled in any of the local leagues for the 23rd.
So visits to Clipstone, Gedling Tn, Graham St, Eastwood, Arnold, Forest Tn, Heanor, Rainworth and Mansfield are planned, but nothing is ever certain is it!!
Apologies to Fred at Kirkby - unfortunately the 2pm kick off clashes with TV game Arsenal v Man Utd - so it will be a case of watching most of this game, then making the 20 minute trip to Coronation Park in the hope of getting on the telly ourselves!! TV cameras are at all 1st round proper games, or so I understand.
November -- hope to see Arnold at GMW, with trips to Blidworth, Rainworth, Long Eaton, Greenwood and Carlton Town.
December is packed - although no game is scheduled in any of the local leagues for the 23rd.
So visits to Clipstone, Gedling Tn, Graham St, Eastwood, Arnold, Forest Tn, Heanor, Rainworth and Mansfield are planned, but nothing is ever certain is it!!
Boxing day - hoping to get to the Gedling Town v Blackwell 11:30am kick off, then off to Heanor Town for their 3pm game with Graham St Prims..
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Tuesday 4th November 2008
DOUBLE HEADER !!
Calverton MW 0-A-0 Southwell City -- CML Supreme ( abandoned after 22 mins - fog )
Calverton MW 0-A-0 Southwell City -- CML Supreme ( abandoned after 22 mins - fog )
Calverton dugouts - honest!!
Carlton Town 3-3 Stamford FC -- UniBond Division 1 South ..
All clear at Carlton
A tale of two games...
A tale of two games...
Our scheduled game was Calverton MW v Southwell City in the CML Supreme division. We visited Hollinwood Lane last season and got thoroughly drenched, this year it was fog that caused us problems.
The car park was packed solid, so we had to park a little way down the road from the ground - walking back we noticed how errie the back-lit trees looked in the fog -- after 7 days of having the crap scared out of me by Yvette and the TV's Most Haunted team, the image would not have been out of place on that show !!
Paid our £3 to get in and with a blanket of fog covering the pitch we immediately wondered if the game was going to go ahead - but we were reassured when the Ref lead the teams onto the field of play and the game kicked off on time. To be honest we could only make out the individual players when they were in front of us, but we could see both goals from the halfway line and although not ideal, we were convinced the game would not be halted because of the conditions. How wrong can you be?
Southwell are managed by former Hucknall Town favourite, Mark Nangle and currently lie 13th in the table. Victory would see Calverton go top. You would have thought it was the other way around as Southwell took the game to their hosts. One of the players shouted “ come on lads – where are we?” – a valid question indeed !!
Calverton keeper Lance Walker was by far the busiest player on the park, making five tremendous saves in the space of five minutes. On 14 he had to dive full length to push away a firece drive, then from the resultant corner he stretched well to tip over another effort. Two more blocks followed then in the 20th minute he somehow managed to block from point blank range when we all thought the goal was inevitable. We saw this ok from the halfway line, but the Ref and his assistants weren’t happy and after a short consultation decided that the game could not go on.
A quick “ sorry lads, we tried” and off they went !! I know it was not ideal, but the conditions were no worse than when we kicked off and only the Ref can explain his decision.
Admission £3
Programme £1
Attendance - no idea
Anyway, thoughts then went to Carlton Town v Stamford. Plan B – but how to get to Carlton’s ground from Calverton? No problem – Kev had a think and off we went. A quick call to Evening Post Brian to find out if the game was on ( it was, and the score was 1-1), and after flying through Woodborough, Lowdham Grange and Burton Joyce, we arrived at the ground during the half time interval. Again we came across a full car-park, but Kev ALWAYS finds a space, although this time right next to a deep puddle that yours truly duly sploshed in to…..!!
We sneaked into the ground to find Brian, who was shovelling pie and peas in his mouth like they were going out of fashion, and between mouthfuls told us that the half-time score was 2-2 !
Memento from Stockport
It was great to hear that two of my YEFL rep squad lads from 1994-1997 had netted for Carlton – namely Dean Gent and Willis Francis .. quality players ..
At Stockport, Dean Gent 2nd from left front row, Willis Francis fourth from left front row
It transpired that Clarke had put Stamford ahead on 9, with Willis levelling four minutes later. Dean had added Carlton's second in the 38th minute with Stebbings scoring for Stamford right on the stroke of half-time.
Stamford took the lead on 56. A neat ball down the left found Stebbings who ran at goal, shook off his marker and fired past Brealey in the Carlton net.
Steve Chaplin restored parity three minutes later. A cross from Akers was nodded on by Smith and Chaplin’s deft header diverted the ball into goal.
There was a lot of hard tackling going on, and Kev said he thought there was no way the game would finish with 22 players on the pitch…well, he was wrong, but mainly because of a super-lenient Referee who let all sorts of all sorts go on without seeing the need to caution the perpertrators…
F-T 3-3
Attendance 102 + 2 !!
Nice uneventful trip home, just enough time to upload a few pics before watching the Champs League highlights…
Strange night, but enjoyed every minute!!
Saturday – should be Eastwood v Brackley I suppose, but I did promise Fred that we would be visiting Kirkby Town – so if the game is on, he’d better get the best china out of storage !!
Monday, 3 November 2008
Monday 3rd November 2008
Danny Bryant leaves Sutton Town AFC
Sorry to hear Danny has decided to leave the Snipes. Thought he did well over the last year or so .. no doubt he will turn up somewhere - nice bloke is Danny....
Sorry to hear Danny has decided to leave the Snipes. Thought he did well over the last year or so .. no doubt he will turn up somewhere - nice bloke is Danny....
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Saturday 1st November 2008
Borrowash Victoria 4-0 Bardon Hill Sports
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We were expecting a comfortable home win - unbeaten Borrowash sitting on top of the table, while Bardon are struggling a little near the bottom.
Had a walk around the pitch before kick off - well, we got 3/4 of the way round before realising that the area where the changing rooms and dugouts are situated is blocked off ! We waited where we were while the teams observed a minutes silence in memory of Graham St Prims' commercial manger who passed away last week.
Had a walk around the pitch before kick off - well, we got 3/4 of the way round before realising that the area where the changing rooms and dugouts are situated is blocked off ! We waited where we were while the teams observed a minutes silence in memory of Graham St Prims' commercial manger who passed away last week.
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Borrowash started the game with giant striker Channon North paired up front with the prolific Rob Spencer, and it took just 11 minutes for the combination to provide the games opening goal. The visiting keeper made a contribution though, fluffing his goal-kick. The ball travelled only about 25 yards before North latched on to it and played it across to Spencer who drove home from 12 yards.
Tom Betteridge tried his luck from 20 yards in the 21st minute, and the keeper did well to turn the effort away for a corner. James Pawley’s kick was nodded down and across the goal by Andrew Mottishead, who watched in delight as the ball crossed the line to double the home teams lead.
Bardon won their first corner on 31, but nothing came from it and when the ball was cleared, Tom Leighton crossed from the left finding Pawley who drove the ball goalwards. The keeper did well to block the initial shot, but the ball went straight back to Pawley who made no mistake at the second time of asking, hammering the ball home from 16 yards.
Just before the break, Leighton added the Vics’ fourth, a cross from the left fired into the top corner from 12 yards.
The Bardon keeper made 3-4 great saves during the half, but his defence was a little lacking in skill, and the score could have been 8 or 9 at the break. As it was Borrowash went in 4-0 to the good.
Kev bought the drinks, and was unimpressed with his tea – but my coffee was just what I needed to ensure I stayed awake for the 20/20 cricket tonight! Oh boy, was it strong!!
Sorry to say that there was absolutely nothing to write about in the second half as far as the football was concerned. There were two highlights, but surely the young lady should have had them covered up! Showing that much of your chest in the cold and damp must be bad for the health, but it cheered me and Kev up no-end and helped to brighten up a really dull second half. F-T 4-0
More images
Tuesday sees us off to Calverton MW take on Mark Nangle’s Southwell City
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