No more updates

Just one more post -- the best of / worst of list.... then this blog will not be updated --- OK – here goes : and I am prepared to be shot at !!! 

BEST: 

Game : Sutton Tn AFC 4-3 Yorkshire Main – good old fashioned finger-biter……although Worksop 3-1 Frickley was not far behind.

Referee : Rob Rees / David Sullivan  

Food : Not too many occasions we had to buy food, but Gedling MW’s cheeseburger and chips were superb – fresh burgers, not the usual frozen ones. Alternative ? Any Pukka pie outlet!! 

Coffee/tea : Forest Town / Greenwood Meadows / my flask! 

Goal : 364 to choose from !! 

Cup : Ben Newman -- overhead kick for Pinxton v Sutton Tn AFC at Sth Normanton. 

League : has to be between Ben Greenhalgh’s great run, dribble and fierce drive for Sutton v Nettleham in April and Julian Topliss’ run and shot for Ollerton Tn at Bliworth in May. 

Raffle win: Bottle of Pinot Grigio at Carlton Tn 

Programme : Not an avid programme collector, but there are a few grounds where buying one is a must. 

1) Rainworth MW – editor Gordon Foster. 

2) Gedling MW – editor Tony Hay. 

However, the overall best programme must be Eastwood Town’s Andy Cope’s publication for the Notts F.A. Senior Cup final - £2, but superb!

  

 Best programme 

WORST : 

Game : Mansfield Town v York City or Worksop Tn v Eastwood – take your pick!

Coffee/tea : Rainworth MW and Gedling Town for quality, Calverton for quantity. 

Referee : Colin Barraclough 

Food : probably Mansfield’s pies – not too good, let me tell you. 

Programme : For value it has to be the Pinxton cup final effort at £1.50 for 4 pages

 

Worst value programme 

MISCELLANEOUS : 

Good feeling moments: 

1) Going back to Field Mill 

2) Seeing Tony Hay at Gedling MW after his recovery from a vicious knife attack. 

3) Blidworth W v Ollerton Town – great game in great company 

Funny moments : 

1) Rob Hornby getting his hat knocked off his head at Kimberley. 

2) Also at Kimberley – Brian Dennett struggling with his OXO after putting a little too much salt in it!!! 

Strange moments: 

1) Looking up from a game at Radcliffe to see a dark hooded figure looming close by – we thought the grim reaper had come for us….weird!!! 

2) Ilkeston v Eastwood – why that police helicopter at half-time???? 

Statistics – Games 100 Goals 364 Average 3.64 Grounds visited 29 

Most visits: Kirlington Road, Rainworth - 9 times Stoke Lane, Carlton - 9 times Watnall road, Hucknall - 9 times 

Most goals in a game: Not counting the pre-season friendly, Gedling Tn 1-11 Eastwood Town, the highest aggregate was 10 : Rolls Royce Leisure 6-4 Sutton Tn AFC and Kimberley Tn 2-8 Forest Town.

Click here to be directed to the all new ON THE ROAD 2009 - 2010 blog !!!!!

Season 2009-2010

Well... just been to Field Mill and bought me and Kev's season tickets.

I walked towards the ticket office and was beckoned into the foyer where I was greeted by MTFC chairman Andrew Perry. He lent me his pen to fill out a cheque! I haven't paid for anything by cheque for years.....as it was, I had had a bit of a struggle remembering where my cheque book was!!!

Cheque is the preferred method of payment - debit and credit cards attracted a 5% card charge - so a saving of £19.50 just like that!

Asked for Quarry Lane End tickets but we will have no idea of where the seats will be. Fear not : Mr. Perry assured me that if the seats designated to us are not to our liking, we can very easily be re-located.

So, season 2009-10 should pan out like this:

Stags home games every two weeks or so, with another local non-league game on alternative Saturday's. Tuesday will still see us out and about locally- if the Stags aren't at home. Still hope to get 100 games in, but with 23 games at Field Mill I can see our this season goal average of 3.64 dipping a little. We are not expecting goal feasts in the Conference.

I can't begin to explain how good it is to be going "home" again.

New blog for next season

Review of season 2008-2009

DAMN!

I was planning on writing a review of the season just passed, but I have changed my mind....how the hell can I hope to get anywhere near the66pow review.. I'll tell you what, Rob Waite is the master!

All I had planned was a best of /worst of effort, but now I feel like just calling it a day and spending my summer reading other blogs to see if I can learn how to write correctly and get somewhere near the quality that has been on show this season from various bliddy bloggers........

Ah well.... I might still spend five minutes on mine and Kev's best/worst bits, but my HEARTS not in it.....

Saturday 23rd May 2009

Carlton Town Reserves 2-0 Yorkshire Main Reserves -- CML Presidents Cup

A recently added fixture to the CML season gave us the chance to notch up our 100th game of the season.

Played at the Stag Ground, home of Kimberley Town FC, CML Supreme Reserve Division champions Carlton Town took on CML Premier Reserve Division champions Yorkshire Main.

The only seat available and Brian Dennett nabbs it!!

Nice day out in the sunshine, decent turn out - and another chance to meet up with Rob Waite aka "Ian Midloth" - he had brought along his friend Adam, a Lincoln City fan... well, we're none of us perfect...!!!!

The football was of a decent standard, but nothing that made you want to take copious notes.

One moment to report was a shot from a Carlton player that flew over the bar and dipped under the stand and took Rob Hornby's cap off his head!! H-T 0-0

More of the same for the first 15 minutes of the second period, then Carlton were awarded a penalty after one of their players was bundled over in the area. STEVE COX stepped up and calmly slotted home the spot-kick.

Steve Cox sends the keeper the wrong way

A few minutes later, Carlton doubled their lead when an 18 yard shot from MATT PEBERDAY flew past the Yorkshire Main keeper. F-T 2-0

There was a bit of nonsense after the game -- with the cups and trophies all lined up ready to be presented, Yorkshire Main were kept waiting by Carlton who had decided to have a team talk .... Some unpleasant language and abuse was directed at League officials by the Yorkshire Main contingent, and that was not really in keeping with the day.

Also, being from Nottingham it has always baffled me why, after all the intervening years since 1984, we are still called "scabs" by Yorkshire people - anyway this was turned on it's head at this game with one of the YM management complaining that it's always the same, "as soon as we cross from Yorkshire into Nottingham, they get reminded of the miners strike".... come on people - this was 25 years ago --

Carlton Tn Res collect their 4th trophy of the season

Admission £3 inc programme

Attendance -- approx 100 ?

Saturday 23rd May 2009 pt 11

Carlton Tn Res v Yorkshire Main Res - CML Presidents Cup

CML's Rob Hornby asked me to photograph the pre-match handshakes.....

Saturday 23rd May 2009 pics

Carlton Town Res 2-0 Yorkshire Main Res -- CML Presidents cup

A few images of the pitch -- promised young "Kimberley" Danny I'd highlight the fact that he has spent a lot of time this past week ensuring the teams had the best playing surface that Kimberley Town could offer. I think you will agree, not bad for this time of the season!!!

Wednesday 20th May 2009

Nottm Forest Ladies 9-0 Clifton All Whites Ladies and Girls - Notts F.A. Women's County Cup Final

How refreshing! No abuse, no spitting ( well, not much) no tantrums - and a shedload of goals to boot........

Not been to a women's game for years and years, but this encounter certainly made us think that maybe next season we should try and get a couple of the Forest Ladies home games in....we'll see.
Decent crowd in at Watnall Road, maybe 200 - but the majority were female -- not been in so much female company for a long, long time. Made my glasses steam up a few times, let me tell you!

The first 10 minutes or so were fairly awful, but there must have been a few nerves out there. Forest took the lead on 11, a simple near post corner met well six yards from goal by the Reds no. 3 BETH BAILEY. ANNABEL McKECHNIE added Forest's second four minutes later. After a great run into the box by Lyndsey Cunningham, her shot cannoned off the foot of the post and McKechnie was on hand to tap home from close range. Blatantly off-side when the ball came back to her, but neither the Referee nor his Assistant seemed to know the offside rule!

On 19, it was 3-0. This time LEVI PENNY looked offside when she received the ball, but she ran on and fired past Clifton keeper Collette Wong. Wong made a complete mess of a clearance on 41 - completely missing the ball as she ran from goal to clear a Forest attack. The error left an empty net for CATHERINE STAINTHORPE, and she took full advantage.

Another Forest attack just before the half-time whistle saw ANDI BELL receive the ball 25 yards from goal. She ran into the area and put the ball to one side of the keeper and ran the other side before firing home. H-T 5-0

Forest keeper Claire Wallhead only touched the ball twice in the first period - indeed her first touch was not until the 30th minute! She was a bit more active as the second half began and Clifton had decided to make a game of it.

After weathering the early Clifton storm, the Reds made it clear fought back and made it clear that they were not going to settle for 5-0 and went further ahead on 56. A trip by the Clifton no.8 on the Forest no. 14 saw Referee Lee Chappell award a spot kick that PENNY fired home with consumate ease.

Clifton to their credit kept going, and held out until the 81st minute when LEANNE WOODFORD beat the offside trap and cooly lobbed the ball over Wong. 90 seconds later BELL was unselfishly played in by Penny and again Wong found herself looking over her head as the ball was lobbed into the net.

This lead to the quip of the night -- 8-0 down and Clifton's no. 9 called out "come on Whites, 6 minutes left to score 9 goals!!!!"

As it transpired, it was Forest no. 14 who rounded off the scoring in stoppage time - a fierce drive that Wong got a hand to, but couldn't keep out. F-T 9-0

Admission + team sheet £2

Attendance - guess at 200?

Final game of the season on Saturday - game no. 100 !!!! Carlton Town Reserves looking for trophy no. 4 of the season, having already won their CML Supreme Reserve division title, the League Cup and the Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup. Opponents Yorkshire Main ressies won the CML Premier Reserve Division title, so this ought to be a good game to end the season.

Wednesdy 20th May 2009

Nottm Forest Ladies v Cliftom All Whites Girls and Ladies -- Notts F.A. County Cup final

To be palyed at the Watnall Road home of Hucknall Town FC. Kick off 7:30pm.

Not been to a women's game for years, so I have no idea what to expect........

Forest Town receive their shields

After their 2-8 win at Kimberley Town, the Forest Town players are presented with their CML Supreme Division runner-s up shields.

Saturday 16th May 2009

Kimberley Town 2-8 Forest Town -- CML Supreme Division

Forest Town knew victory in this game would see them claim runners-up spot in the Division. However, Kimberley are a bit of an enigma this season -- and if they stopped their high-flying visitors from gaining all three points, a win at Yorkshire Main for Calverton would see them finish in second spot.

We arrived at the Stag Ground just as the teams were taking to the pitch - unusual for us to cut it so fine, but we'd been watching the Man U v Arsenal game. We only live 10 minutes from the ground, so we weren't worried about missing the kick off!! The carpark was full, but there was a plum space right next to the entrance - for some reason this had been left vacant, and left us with a two yard walk into the ground !!

Once inside, we met up with Steve Davies - he had his grandson in tow. He is two years old and already kicks the ball like a good 'un!

After complimenting "Kimberley" Danny on the condition of the pitch, we caught up with Brian Dennett - then had a chat to old friend Fred Kirk. Fred was physio at Eastwood Town for a few years, but spent last season at Hucknall Town - he has now left the Watnall Road club and has set up his own sports injury clinic.

Kimberley began the game brightly enough, more than competing with their illustrious visitors - until the 9th minute that is, when they conceded a penalty. CRAIG JACKSON converted the kick although keeper Mike Oxborrow did get a hand to the ball, but not enought to divert it from goal.



Craig Jackson scores from the spot

Three minutes later LEWIS CROUCHER was left unmarked on the far post and he slid the ball home from close range.

We had to wait until the 28th minute for the third Forest Town goal - and keeper Oxborrow has to hold up his hands for this one. The youngster failed to hold onto a drive from the edge of the box, and CROUCHER was on hand to stroke home the loose ball.

The fourth goal was a beaut - a fine solo run from JACKSON that was topped off with a delightful chip over Oxborrow. H-T 0-4

Didn't bother with a beverage at the break - just nipped into the hut to check out the half-times on the telly, then back out into the very changeable weather. Blazing sunshine, then howling winds, then showers. Not very good weather for mid-May.

Forest Town were stunned when NATHAN RYAN fired a speculative shot over Johnson and into the net just after the restart.


Nathan Ryan's effort stunned everyone into silence!!

They were even more stunned when RYAN's shot across Johnson hit the far post and ended up in the back of the net. 2-4 .. game on? Not really, because another penalty converted by JACKSON on 53 calmed the Foggo nerves a little. That strike was our 350th goal of the season....



Craig Jackson on the spot again

Forest Town had two efforts crash off the woodwork and Oxborrow made one outstanding save, but another goal looked inevitable and when CROUCHER tapped in on 78 you had to wonder how many more the visitors would get. As it was, they scored twice more - one was another penalty, this time ADEY HALL converting, the other another close range effort from MARK CARTER. F-T 2-8


Adie Hall sends Oxborrow the wrong way


Hat-trick duo Craig Jackson (9) and Lewis Croucher (11)

The Forest Town players received their Runners-up shields after the final whistle had blown, and after gaffer Gary Castledine had finished his after match team talk on the pitch.

More images from the game

Admission - £3
Attendance - 81
Programme - £1

Wednesday -- Nottm Forest Ladies v Clifton All Whites Ladies ( Notts F.A. Womens Senior Cup Final).

Fixture added

Carlton Town Res v Yorkshire Main Res -- CML Presidents Cup Final

Saturday 23rd May 2009 at the Stag Ground, home of Kimberley Town FC.

It isn't that we were really bothered overmuch about hitting 100 games, but this game will see us notch up a century of games this season.........

I have to say that this season has been thoroughly enjoyable so far..... we have made new friends, visited new places and generally had a great time.

I must take time to do an end of season "best of" list, but with so many highlights where do you start?

Nottm Forest Ladies v Clifton All Whites Ladies

Nottinghamshire F.A. Womens Senior Cup Final

Link to Evening Post confirming ko time and venue.

Thursday 14th May 2009

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Wednesday 13th May 2009

Blidworth Welfare 1-3 Ollerton Town -- CML Supreme Division

This was like an old pals reunion -- met up with Rob Waite, Steve Davies, Steve R, Rob Townsend, Brian Dennett - I don't have many friends (ahhh!!), but a seemingly disproportionate number of them decided that Blidworth was the place to be on a damp Wednesday evening in May.

Rob Waite, writer of the superb blog the 66pow, had been in Blidworth since just before 6:30pm - someone had informed him that he kick off was scheduled for then - Rob spent a lovely time wandering about in the rain sightseeing!! The Co-op is quite nice apparently!!

Both me and Kev like going to Blidworth -- not a special ground, but has that great non-league feel to it....and we usually see a goal or two as well. No exception tonight, but we had to wait 15 minutes before the first was scored - a superb header by Blidworth's LUKE BEST from a right wing corner.

The visitors were level on 26 though. JULIAN TOPLISS carried the ball from just inside the Blidworth half and with the defenders trying desperately to halt his progress, he found enough time and space to rifle the ball past the Blidworth keeper from 18 yards.

4 minutes later it was TOPLISS again on the scoresheet after he was presented with a tap in after an earlier effort had been blocked. H-T 1-2

Nice cup of coffee at half-time - nothing special, but very welcome. Decided to have a sit down for the second period, and found myself sandwiched between Steve Davis and Rob Waite..... nothing wrong with that in itself - as long as you know someting about Scottish football. I have to admit I am a complete ignoramous when it comes to the Scottish game - I've never been to Scotland, and to be honest I've never had ambitions to go to Scotland. Kev fancies a few pre-season games in the land of the Jocks, but I don't travel too well so that may never happen.

Sat in the old corrugated stand, wooden benches, but not uncomfortable. The football was very entertaining and several times we gave a few of the old "oohhs" and "ahhhs" - as shots flew in at both ends.

The final goal of the game was scored by Ollerton's DEAN HANKEY - and was a real "he's behind you" effort. Blidworth's keeper managed to block the initial effort only for the ball to squeeze under his body and bounce off the post. With the keeper on the floor trying to work out where the ball had gone, he failed to see Hankey behind him - and when it fell invitingly at the striker's feet he couldn't believe his luck, and he gleefully tapped home from very close range! The whole incident left most of those present laughing - and capped a great evening!! F-T 1-3

Ollerton's two goal hero Julian Topliss

A few random pictures from the game

Admission £2

Attendance - well over 50 h/c

Programme £1

Tea/coffee £0.60

Company - priceless

Next up - NSL Cup final -- Wollaton v Boots at Watnall Road.

Tuesday 12th May 2009

Radcliffe Olympic 1-1 Sutton Town -- CML Supreme Division

After paying our first visit to Wharfe Lane on Saturday, we were there again to see Champions Olympic entertain Sutton Town AFC. The game was a rematch after the first encounter was abandoned earlier in the season.

For this game it was a case of "Malc & Kev & Brian" on the road - Mr. Dennett had arranged to travel with us - no point in taking 2 cars when there was room in mine........

Parked in the Legion carpark again, and after a quick double-check to see where a few of the local "hoodies" were going we walked to the ground. No fence this time, but everyone seemed happy enough to pay their £3 even though you could have watched the game for nothing...not what it's about though is it - getting in for nowt?

Had a chat to Steve Davies and the Steve R during the 1st half, we had a right old laugh .... but they went for a coffee at half-time and we never saw them again! I wonder if they were still queuing all through the second half? Or did the mysterious hooded man get them? Blimey, there was a strange hooded figure walking the pitch perimeter all through the game - looked like the grim reaper - frightened Kev to death!!!!

Carl Westcarr scored in the 18th minute with a delighful side-foot flick to give Radcliffe the lead, a lead they held onto quite easily until the break. H-T 1-0

Brian got the drinks in - he was actually digging into the hospitality chicken pieces, and he managed to blag us a cuppa - saved us having to queue!

Had a few words with one of my Facebook friends, Sutton's Kev Rowles before he was introduced into the game from the bench. To be fair, the game changed significantly when Rowles went on, and after he was foiled by a great challenge as he looked good to score, it was his deft flick that set up Ben Greenhalgh to level the scores with just 4 minutes to play. Strange goal - Ben had a couple of goes at the ball, and when it eventually flew into the net, Radcliffe keeper James Mountain was as surprised as anyone! F-T 1-1

A chilly night, but some good company and some light-hearted banter that elevated what was a typical end of season affair into a decent evening out........

Another bonus was watching our friend Rob Townsend referee the game. When the teams entered the pitch, there were the officials, resplendent in a fetching little blue/green number !!

On a less flippant note, early doors Rob had a stern word or three with Radcliffe's Wayne Halcro - loud enough for all to hear - and the players all left him alone for the duration -- excellent officiating!!

Admission £3

Programme - never saw one

Tea/coffee - freebies

Attendance - about 100 ?

Weds - more CMLS -- Blidworth v Ollerton

Rolls R Leisure v Yorkshire Main

Was scheduled for Tusday 12th May. Now to be played on Thursday 14th May due to cricket taking precedence at the Rolls sports venue.

This clashes with the NSL Cup final at Watnall Road, and means that if football is to be on the agenda on Tuesday, it's another trip to Radcliffe Olympic to see them play Sutton Tn AFC .....

Saturday 9th May 2009

Radcliffe Olympic 1-0 Forest Town -- CML Supreme Division

Radcliffe clinched the Central Midlands Football League Supreme Division title thanks to a 44th minute Craig Anderson penalty.


Craig Anderson sends Jason Johnson the wrong way from the spot

Sorry about the picture quality - we had just moved from that end of the pitch to get a coffee, and I took this from about 100 yards away. With my camera it was asking a bit much to hope for a clear picture from that range!!

A game that would see Radcliffe crowned champions if they won - but if Forest Town won, the title would not be decided until next weekend.

Kev has been doing the majority of the driving recently, but this was a great opportunity to try out my "new" second-hand car. Entertainment provided via the DAB radio station "Planet Rock" -- now that the local league footie has finished, what a nice change to hear a bit of Rush and Cinderella instead of Colin Bloody Slater!

Not been to Wharfe Lane before, so out came the Garmin. Our friendly Evening Post correspondent Brian Dennett had pre-warned us to park in the British Legion car-park - so we took his advice and at leaving time we were glad we did -- getting out of Wharfe Lane must have been a nightmare patience buster -- there were 290 present, and it seemed like everyone had a car!!!

Walked from the Legion to the ground - and what a setting greeted us. Very picturesque. Trees all around - a grassy bank ( named "cheapskate hill" for apparent reasons ) and horses grazing in pastures....and with the church in the background -- it's all so very "England".......Nice it may be, but we were pleased it wasn't raining - no cover, no hard standing and no seats...



A very well observed minutes silence was held before the game - in memory of Clipstone's Mr. Rick Morris who passed away last weekend.

Both teams began with the usual early sparring - after 25 minutes or so this left us reflecting on the lack of serious attemps on goal ..... then the game really took off. Radcliffe put together the games first decent attack, but Danny Tighe was on hand to block the eventual shot. Soon after an Aaron Korol free-kick was well met by AlexHaughton, but the Radcliffe striker was stretching and could only manage to deflect the ball over the bar. The same player the forced a great save from Forest Town keeper Jason Johnson with a well placed header.

Tighe fired a free-kick at goal on 34 that brought out a terrific diving save from James Mountain - the Radcliffe stopper diving to his right to palm away.

Forest Town provided the next chance as well - a break down the right by Craig Jackson - his ball into the box well met by James McCann but his drive was acrobatically kept out by Mountain.

As the ball went back into the Forest Town area, Referee Mr. Booker penalised Lee Bowler for holding onto Carl Westcarr - and Olympic skipper CRAIG ANDERSON stepped up and calmly slotted home, sending Johnson the wrong way. H-T 1-0


Local favourite Nick Kennerdale poses for the camera!!

We had changed ends with 10 minutes of the 1st half remaining, hoping to be at the head of the half-time beverage queue. Kev, bless him, volunteered to get the drinks and emerged some 15 minutes later, prompting the old " ya bin ta Brazil for me coffee then" from yours truly.... if looks could kill!!!! As it was the coffee and tea were well worth wating for - my coffee was strong and hot and although served in a syrofoam cup, it was a big 'un and was great value at £0.50 .....8/10 for the coffee and same from Kev for the tea.

Now -- you would think that the 2nd half would be a passionate, blood tingling affair bearing in mind the importance of the result of this game, but it wasn't. Forest Town tried hard to break down the resolute Olympic defence, but Wayne Halcro and James Spence were determined that they kept a clean sheet.

I took no notes at all during the second half - there were plenty of "scribes" present, and more than a few snappers -- some of the cameras on show gave me a bit of a complex!!! How much do those things cost? Lenses about 2 foot long - blimey I felt like hiding my little Fuji. I'm sure a full match report will be on the clubs' respective websites soon.


And this was not the biggest

Full time - the air ringing with ",Campiones, Campiones" we headed down the road to the car and got straight out onto the main drag. With Deep Purple giving it large with "Woman From Tokyo" and "Pictures Of Home" we entered the A52 - then no hassle, apart from one silly woman not knowing which lane she wanted at the bottom of the A611 bypass - home by 5:20pm ....

Images from the game

Admission £3
Attendance -- someone mentioned 290
Programme -- £1
Tea/coffee £0.50 - excellent

Tuesday - Blidworth v Ollerton Town

Wednesday 6th May 2009

Eastwood Badgers 1-2 Retford Badgers -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup Final

Notts F.A's flagship final was played yet again at the Meadow Lane home of Notts County - not the best playing surface you will see locally, but the teams overcame the poor pitch and played out a really entertaining final.

Eastwood fielded a very strong line-up, while Retford were missing marksman Mick Godber and regular keeper Ross Turner.

Eastwood's keeper Ian Deakin made four of five superb stops as Retford showed their opponents how to play football. If this is what the Retford fans watch every week, they must be among some of the happiest fans in the non-league scene. Marvelous stuff, and one save in particular from a Paul Grimes header was well worth the £5 entry fee. H-T 0-0

Eastwood took the lead on 53 - Lindon Meikle's drive was fumbled by Retford stopper Chris Kingston and IAN HOLMES was on hand at the far post to tap in.

Both teams continued to provide entertaining football, and Retford were rewarded for their attacking play on 84 when BEN CHAMBERS tapped in after Deakin had pulled off yet another superb save.

With 3 of the 4 minutes of added time played we were settling for extra time - but it was not to be. A ball played to the right wing, a neat bit of control, a great cross and a fantastic drive from the edge of the box from STUART LUDLAM that flew past Deakin.........great goal, but with the Eastwood players appealing for an offside that never came, the old saying "play to the whistle" came to mind. As soon as Eastwood restarted the game, Referee Mick Leslie blew for full time. F-T 1-2

Man of the match ( voted for by the match officials) : Eastwood keeper Ian Deakin

Link to Evening Post article

Admission £5

Programme - not the usual ten-bob effort - this was proper even though it was £2

Attendance - n/k

Tea/coffee - didn't bother.

Chips -- I like Notts County's chips, but they were not available today!!!!!!!

Saturday -- CMLS top of the table clash - Radcliffe Oly v Forest Town.

Monday 4th May 2009

Westella & Willerby 0-2 Sutton Town AFC -- CML League Challenge Cup final

Sutton boss Danny Bryant

Played at the Impact Arena, home of Alfreton Town FC. Looks a bit tatty nowadays - could really do with a bit of TLC, but the pitch was not too bad to say there had been a match on it just 24 hours previously.

Not too many present, but other Bank Holiday attractions included the Womens FA cup final at Pride Park, and the NCEL cup final at Staveley.

We stood behind the goal again! Although this time it was by choice - you get a great view from the terracing behind the far goal. And there was plenty of room!!

Kev looking for someone to talk to!!

The National Anthem was played as the teams lined up to be presented to League and sponsor officials - and I had to admit that out of all the "music" served up pre-match, this was the only song I knew!!!



A well observed minutes silence was held in memory of Clipstone Welfare Secretary Mr. Rick Morris who sadly passed away on Saturday.

Westella were an unknown quantity to both myself and Kev, but the East Riding outfit are striving for a top three finish in the CML Premier Division having lost only three out of 26 league games played so far this season.

'Ella created the games first real chance in the 10th minute - a shot from left winger Andy Coverdale taking a deflection onto the far post with Sutton keeper Mark Frost well beaten.

Sutton replied two minutes later when Richard Guest nodded a Gaz Davey free-kick onto the bar. A series of corners were won halfway through the first period as the Snipes tried to impose themselves on the game, but some of their tackles were a bit strong for Referee Andy Wood and he booked Sutton's Pete Stubley and Richard Guest for poor challenges.

Stubley played Daniel O'Donnell on 43, but 'Ella keeper Liam Taylor blocked well. Taylor also made a great stop seconds later after Steve Bayliss met Kyle Ludlow's corner at the far post. H-T 0-0

Had a walk around to the tea bar during the break, but after queuing for a cuppa for 5 minutes with the line not moving at all, we gave up and made our way back to the terracing.

Westella started the second half well enough, forcing a couple of saves from Frost, but they went behind in the 64th minute. O'Donnell made a super run through the midfield before laying the ball into the path of PETER STUBLEY who made no mistake slotting past Taylor - he was then mobbed by his team-mates.....

Ouch!!!!!

'Ella skipper Lee Jackson was booked soon after for a reckless challenge on Stubley, probably the last thing the striker needed after being squished!! Stubley almost doubled the Snipes' lead on 74, turning well before firing just wide.

Sutton made the game safe with three minutes to go. Stubley jinked his way into the box and when three Westella defenders appeared to bring him down, Mr. Wood awarded Sutton a spot-kick. A bit soft really, but LUKE SHIELS wasn't bothered - and he stepped up and fired wide of Taylor's despairing dive.


Luke Shiels wheels away after netting from the spot

Cue another crushing, but this time Manager Danny Bryant was on the receiving end!!


Squish!!

After three minutes of added time, Mr. Wood brought proceedings to an end - F-T 0-2

Not bad entertainment, and although Westella gave a good performance, Sutton had just that little bit extra and ended up deserving winners.

More images from the game

Admission £4

Attendance -- no idea... could have been 150 ish?

Programme - £1

Wednesday -- Badgers v Badgers at Meadow Lane