Wednesday 29th April 2009

Sutton Town AFC 0-4 Pinxton FC --- CML Floodlit Cup final

Played at the Lees Lane home of former NCEL club South Normanton.

We saw Sutton lose 4-0 last week, and what do you know, they did it again at Lees Lane - and it has to be said, the Snipes never looked like winning after Pinxton netted on 39. A superb effort it was - well worth the £4 admission fee.

A crowd of 311 saw a fairly lack-lustre performance from Sutton, but Pinxton had netted 20 goals in their previous four outings and looked the far more motivated team.

The only goal of the 1st half was a real cracker. After Sutton keeper Mark Frost had made a terrific save, the ball was played back into the area to BEN NEWMAN whose acrobatic overhead volley gave Frost in the Snipes' goal no chance. Wonderful strike - although Ben's brother Martin wasn't too pleased, he was playing for Sutton! H-T 0-1

It took just 11 minutes for Pinxton to increase their lead, a superb shot across Frost into the far corner. Not too sure who scored, we were, as usual at the wrong end of the pitch. We lost interest and focus then, because Sutton were never going to get back into the game, and with Kev's "this could end up 4-0 " in my brain, I switched off...... failing to see JAY COOPER'S apparent belter flash past Frost on 82, then just catching the Pinxton right-winger run into the box and fire across Frost and into the net. Left straight after the final whistle F-T 0-4

Sorry about the lack of detail, but this was a game that had you trying to count the crowd, or see who you could recognise....

It was a cold evening - and I bet a few people were wishing they have taken along a big coat.... I did!!

Had a nice chat with Pete Craggs from Forest Town - if all goes to plan, their game on 9th May at Radcliffe will be a title decider...results this coming Saturday will be interesting, as Forest Town face a tough trip to Ollerton with Radcliffe having a seemingly easier game at Blidworth.

Admission £4

Attendance 311

Refereshments - gave them a miss

Programme a bit expensive @ £1.50 for 4 pages, but Sutton Town AFC manager Danny Bryant made a prophetic statement in the Q & A item...

Question -- "Are you brave enough to predict tonight's score?"

Answer from Danny - "No way, never! I feel this is a match between two very good sides and that we are in for a good final. It will be the ones that want it most...."

He got it half right, I suppose. It wasn't a very good match, but Pinxton certainly wanted it more, and ended up deserving winners.

Saturday 25th April 2009

"We are going up, said we are going up!!"


Wasted champers? No way!!






Dying fly, but who pushed Rudy Funk over??

Rainworth MW 4-1 Teversal -- NCEL Division 1

After agonising over which game to go to, we opted to go to and see our good friends at Rainworth.

This was not just another local derby - Wrens manager Rudy Funk used to manage at Teversal, and his team also dearly wanted to finish their season unbeaten at home. Teversal would have liked to have rained on the Wrens' parade, but in the end the home team won convincingly enough after coming back from a goal behind.

We had a chat to Rudy before the game. We were actually invited into his office, and he was beaming. He said he had arrived an hour before everyone else to grab a "moment" on his own -- and as he took a walk around the ground he was thinking " I've had other offers, but where else would you want to be?" Looking out of his office at the superb facilities and the incredibly well manicured pitch, it has to be said that you would have to agree. At this level, the Kirklington Road set up is as good as any, and better than a lot!

Rainworth gained promotion to the NCEL Premier Division last week and they left Division One on a high, and gave us a game to savour to boot. Fair play to Teversal, they played their part in a really entertaining game, and although they ended up on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline, in all fairness they took the game to their hosts early on and could have easily been ahead at the break.

We manged to grab a chat with Wrens' Chairman Brian Reece again -- although our conversation was ended abrubtly when he realised he had to go and sort out the music...... err...mmm ... we were then the tannoy treated us to a version of "Amarillo", and then we had to suffer a version of "You'll never walk alone", by some band or other - the musical delights ended with the teams entering the field to the "Match of the Day" theme!!

The game itself took a while to get going, but the visitors were more than matching Rainworth, and should have gone ahead on 25 after Craig Charlesworth misjudged the flight of the ball leaving Tevvie striker Andy Woodcock with jusy Mark Hales to beat. The striker struck the ball well enough but Hales is a big unit and he managed to block the effort.

On 35, Julian McDonald was put through one-on-one with Teversal keeper Danny Herring, but the home no. 9 fluffed his shot allowing the keeper to save with some ease. Seconds later it was one-on-one again - this time Danny Naylor went head to head with Herring, but he was too casual and although he fired wide of the keeper, his side foot shot hit the post. The rebound fell to Ant Lynam but his shot was well blocked. H-T 0-0

We went for a cuppa during the break, and it has to be said, the quality has improved shed-loads.... We have been critical in the past of the Rainworth tea and coffee, but the ladies appear to have sorted out the problem with the water, and a very nice cuppa it was -- and although the brew was in a styrofoam cup, it was a big 'un ....and it was lava hot !!

Teversal looked determined to spoil the Rainworth promotion party, storming forward straight from the restart, forcing a series of corners. They took a well deserved lead on 55 when DEAN SHORT met Dave Cockerill's corner from the right with a powerful header at the far post.

Dean Short ( no.5) heads into the top corner to give Tevvie the lead

This seemed to wake the home team up, and all of a sudden they started passing the ball about - and when Brendon Sweeney played the ball into McDonald, he chested it down to RICHARD SMITH who hammered the ball past Herring from 20 yards.

Richard Smith ( image courtesy Kev Goodman)

A couple of minutes later, Herring was at fault as Rainworth were gifted the lead. A poor goal-kick went straight to McDonald who played in ANT LYNAM - the striker controlled the ball well and raced into the box before firing past Herring.

In the 74th minute, DANNY NAYLOR found the ball at his feet with half the pitch to run into.... these chances are not easy, because there is so much time to think about what you are going to do - but the midfielder made his mind up early and one-on-one this time made no mistake. Matt Draper almost added the Wrens fourth, heading Naylor's corner powerfully against the bar. It was JULIAN McDONALD who did add the fourth on 42 - a great ball from Sweeney playing in the striker - again a one-on-one with Herring .. again a calm finish. F-T 4-1

Julian McDonald slots past Danny Herring
The runners up trophy and medals were presented after the final whistle, and it was great to see all the Teversal players and officials applauding along with the Rainworth faithful......

A visit to hospitality followed -- a nice glass of Chardonnay for me, a cup of tea for Kev, a chat with Sue Funk and Brian Reece, and because this treatment is not a weekly event, most surprising and most enjoyable.

Grabbed a minute with Rudy Funk before we left Kirklington Road - he is really looking forward to the challenge next season, and he said he was already planning and working towards improving the squad to ensure that the Wrens can compete in the NCEL Premier Division.

All in all, a great day - good game, cracking goals, nice weather, some great photographs - and add to this the fact that Eastwood secured the UniBond Premier Division championship and Carlton did enough to secure their play-off place in UniBond Div 1 South.....it doesn't get much better than this!!

Admission £4

Programme ( inc team sheet) £1

Attendance 144

Tea/coffee - excellent

Special mention for the match officials. Referee David Sullivan of Retford was superb - and his Assistants, Barry Goodley and Chris Stevens also performed admirably.....

Not bothering with the Stags v Stevenage game, looking to go to Belper on Tuesday to see the Nailers take on Rushall in a UniBond Div 1 South play-off semi.....

Then it's off to Lees Lane on Weds - Sutton v Pinxton in the CML floodlit cup final.

Thursday 23rd April 2009

Kimberley Town 4-0 Sutton Town AFC -- CML Supreme Division

No, the scoreline is not, repeat not, a misprint. We have just witnessed third from bottom Kimberley Town take apart high flying Sutton Town - and trust me, it could have been 7 or 8 nil......and it wasn't as if the Snipes put a weak side out either, they were just not "at the races" as they say.

The home team were in front as early as the 7th minute. After striker Tom Reville forced Sutton keeper Mark Frost to give away a corner, the ball in was cleared out to the corner of the box - and AARON RUSSELL just pinged it back into the danger area - it by-passed everyone, including Frost, and ended up in the back of the net.

Bad start for the visitors, and it could have been worse in the 11th minute when Russell somehow managed to hit the ball wide when he was just two yards out and in smack in front of goal..!! H-T 1-0

The second half was only 7 minutes old when Kimberley doubled their lead. This time it was a superb effort NATHAN RYAN, firing past Frost from an acute angle after working his way into the box.

It was 3-0 on the hour mark - after Sutton's Kyle Ludlow lost the ball in midfield, it was played forward and eventually found TOM REVILLE who made no mistake from 12 yards or so.

Another break from midfield lead to the fourth Kimberley goal. This time the ball was headed against the bar, and when the Sutton defence failed to react, NATHAN RYAN was presented with the simplest of tap ins at the far post. F-T 4-0
This result was totally out of the blue. I'm not a betting man, but I wonder what the odds were of this game finishing 4-0 to "Kimbo"?
Attendance h/c well over 50

Programme -

Admission £1.50

Saturday - not too sure where to head off to ....Carlton need a point at home to Spalding to secure a play-off place - Rainworth are celebrating their promotion at home to Teversal... tasty one at Mickleover - they take on Long Eaton in the NCEL top of the table clash - Gedling Town entertain champions elect Kirby Muxloe in the EMCL... choices, choices, choices....

Wednesday 22nd April 2009

Carlton Town Reserves 2-0 Linby Colliery Welfare -- Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup Final

Played at the Watnall Road home of Hucknall Town, and it has to be said that the pitch has seen better days - but with Worksop Town ground sharing with Hucknall Town it's hardly surprising to see the pitch in less than perfect condition. Having said that, both teams seemed to cope well enough and produced a half decent game.

Got to the ground around 7:20pm and had a chat with a couple of former F.A. Council colleagues and then caught up with Dave Scott who used to manage my son at Under 14 & 15 level. Had a chat with former Carlton Res manager Ian Spencer and Carlton 1st team physio Stuart Scott - then spent time in the Company of one of my favourite non-league Managers, Greenwood Meadows' Mark Connor. Then toddled off for a cuppa .. £1 a cup - and although Kev said the tea was ok, my coffee was crap.....yeukk.

The game was goal-less up to the break, but Linby had to thank their keeper Craig Lear for two outstanding tip overs and superb double save as Carlton's second string put some decent passing moves together. H-T 0-0

Just 10 minutes into the second period, Linby's no. 8 Simon Martin kicked out at Ash Winfield and was shown a straight red. This changed the game big time - just 5 minutes later, Ricky Gardner found room at the far stick, and slotted home from an acute angle to give Carlton the lead.

90 seconds later, Linby conceded a penalty and Ricky Gardner stepped up and powered the spot kick past Lear. Nothing much else to mention -- apart from the fact that it was quite a warm,pleasant evening.... about bloody time... F-T 2-0

Admission £2 ( included team sheet)

Attendance -- well over 100 counted...

Tea £1 - ok

Coffee £1 - awful... and semi-skilled milk again - just who did invent that rubbish...give me full fat milk every time please!!!!

Thurdsay - Kimberley Tn v Sutton Tn AFC - the reverse game at Sutton surprisingly ended 0-0 ......revenge time for Mr. Bryant's outfit?

Tuesday 21st April 2009

Eastwood Town 3-1 Carlton Town -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup 1/2 final

Carlton still have hopes of promotion to the UniBond Premier Division, albeit via the Div One South play-offs. Eastwood showed them the sort of strength in depth of squad that is needed to do well in the higher division - the majority of the Badgers' first team squad sat in the main stand watching the game., their starting eleven included Sturdy, Rhead, Smith, Asher and Garner who were all on the bench at Ashton on Saturday! Carlton were without Grant Brindley who damaged his arm on Saturday.

The home team went ahead in the 5th minute, Alistair Asher's superb cross from the right headed home by MATT RHEAD after Michael Martin failed to intercept. On 36, TRISTRAN WHITMAN beat the offside trap and ran into the box - moving the ball onto his left foot before firing past Goddard in the Eastwood net. DEAN GENT reduced the visitors' arrears three minutes later, hitting a long range effort into the far corner of the net. H-T 2-1

From a corner soon after the restart, SIMON STURDY was left unmarked at the far post and his simple volley restored the Badgers' two goal lead. Carlton tried to make a game of it, but Danny Blair and Darryl Thomas showed little and in the end the Badgers eased into the final at Meadow Lane on May 6th. F-T 3-1

Teams: Eastwood : Goddard, Asher, Flynn, Sturdy, Swinscoe, Breach, Gardner, Cooper, Thomason, Rhead, Whitman. Subs Palin, Bailey, Marc Smith.

Carlton: Barcherini, Henshaw, Cane, Martin, Fenton, Robertson, Ball, Gent, Marquin Smith, Blair, Thomas. Subs F Smith, Fletcher, Chaplin, Francis.

Admission £5
Attendance 270

Saturday 18th April 2009

Gedling MW 0-1 Gedling Town -- EMCL

This was our final visit of the season to Plains Road, and although the game only had the one goal, it was a very well played out local derby between two sides that know each other so well.

We always get a warm welcome at Plains Road from Tony Hay and Co - even though we have yet to see Welfare win this season.


Tony Hay (snapped by Kev)

Our three visits -- three defeats -- but has to be said though, that the defeats have been against the sides in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the league. Lost to Holbrook 0-3 and Borrowash 1-4 and now Gedling Town 0-1. Welfare will finish in a respectable mid-table place, and will have learned a lot from their foray into step 6 fooball.


Lance Walker, Rob Gill and a three legged dog.....!!


Town goal scorer Graeme Epps

The first half saw Town create the better chances, with Rob Gill guilty of firing way off target on a couple of occasions - Welfare's Matt Richards did manage to test keeper James Mason after half-an-hour, but the former Welfare keeper saved well. The visitors scored the only goal of the game on 33, GRAEME EPPS getting the slightest touch to divert the ball home after it had been played in to him at the near post. H-T 0-1

Didn't go for a beverage during the break - the last time we were at Plains Road I wrote a comment about the styrofoam cup size,,, my instincts told me to keep out of the snap shed!!!

Town lost centre-back Gary Wright through injury during the first half, and when his defensive partner Tom Hannigan failed to re-appear after the break, the visitors ended up with their back four made up of players all playing out of position. This gave the home team heart, and they powered at Town - but lacked any real striking power and despite having most of the play they failed to take advantage of the visitors' make-shift defence.

Skipper Hesham Ramadam went straight through Aaron Large right at the end of the game and received a deserved straight red card from Referee Mr. M. Johnson, who I thought had a really good game.

Images from the game

Admission £3

Programme - usual excellent publication £1

Tea/coffee --

Attendance - creditable 115

Best players:

Welfare : Matt Richards

Town : Joe McShane

Tuesday : Eastwood Town v Carlton Town ( Notts F.A. Senior Cup semi-final)

Wednesday : Linby CW v Carlton Town Res ( Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup final)

Tuesday 14th April 2009

Greenwood Meadows 2-1 Dunkirk --- EMCL

Me, being me, said "I'm not stopping in to watch Chelsea v Liverpool - it will be crap" lets go to Lenton Lane and see the local derby...

We arrived at the gorund with 10 minutes to go, and although there were quite a few cars in the car park, there weren't many bodies about -- every player must have a car !!! At kick off I counted 25 present, the actual official figure was 27. A local derby? 27? Must be soul destroying for the people that work so hard to ensure these games actually take place - they must sometimes ask themselves why they bother....

Greenwood's CRAIG MEAKIN opened the scoring for after three minutes, a great driving run took him to the egde of the box and from there he curled a beauty past the Dunkirk keeper.

The visitors had a chance to level on 9 after Phil Massingham was tripped in the box. The striker got up and took the spot kick - but a great diving save from the home keeper kept the ball out.

DANNY WALSH doubled the home teams lead in the 23rd minute, latching onto a neat through ball before running on and slotting past the keeper.

When Dunkirk won a corner 4 minutes later, the ball in seemed to be over-cooked a little, but JARROD WESTCARR was waiting at the far post to gather and fire across the keeper and into the net. H-T 2-1

Went into the clubhouse for a beverage during the interval - caught up with the Chelsea game -- 0-2 to Liverpool .... tea and coffee were magic -- I thought my coffee had been heated up using a thermo-nuclear device - blimey it was hot!! Mind you, we needed a hot drink - it was bloody cold again!!!!!!!!

Dunkirk created a dozen chances in the second half, but a combination of poor finishing, good defending and decent keeping meant the chances all went begging leaving us with a 2-1 final score.

Admission £4

Programme --

Tea £0.60 excellent

Coffee £0.70 excellent

Attendance 27

Saturday EMCL again -- going to see if we can upset Tony Hay again at Gedling MW as they take on Gedling Town

Monday 13th April 2009 Pt II

Calverton MW 6-0 Kimberley Town -- CML Supreme Division

Second part of a CMLS double header -- not too much to report - the home team were 3-0 up at half time thanks to strikes from Baz Paine on 13, Craig Boulton on 17 and Warren Hatfield on 33. Kimberley keeper Oxborrow made some great saves to keep the score respectable for the visitors.

11 minutes into the second half, there was a bit of a tussle on the halfway line between Calverton's no. 5 Corey Nightingale and the Kimberley no. 8 - it was all a bit of handbags really until Nightingale kicked the Kimberley player while he was on the ground.

Referee Mr. D. Styles was five yards away from the incident and showed both players a yellow. Now I'm not one for wanting players to get their marching orders, but the action by Nightingale was foolish, stupid and needless - and a sending off might have taught him a bit of a lesson......

As it was, the home team netted three more times, Hatfield again in the 65th minute, Lewis Cauldwell three minutes later and Boulton with a tap in on 77 after great work by Hatfield.

Admission £3 inc programme

Attendance - h/c about 80

Tuesday - Greenwood v Dunkirk ( maybe)

Monday 13th April 2009 Pt I

Sutton Town AFC 5-1 Nettleham -- CML Supreme Division

Snipes' manager Danny Bryant and mascots

A game of many chances -mostly from the home team - they scored 5 but it could have easily have been double figures. Nettleham never gave up, but the difference in class was so obvious.


Matt Lane powers home the fifth Snipes goal


Ben Greenhalgh - candidate for goal of the season

Sutton went in front in the first minute. James Senior took a quick free-kick, playing the ball straight into the path of RICHARD GUEST, who just had to run with it and give it a little more momentum to help it past the on-rushing Nettleham keeper. The lead lasted barely 5 minutes though due to an uncharacteristic error by Snipes keeper Mark Frost. He failed to hold onto a tame shot allowing the ball to fall straight at the feet of the visiting no. 10 shirt who gleefully tapped home. Despite a dozen decent chances ( most of which are captured on camera), it was not until the 38th minute that Sutton regained the lead. This time a Senior corner was deflected goalwards but blocked - then the loose ball was nodded home by LUKE SHIELS. H-T 2-1

We'd had a cuppa before the game, and very nice t was too, so we opted to stay out in the SUNSHINE (!) during the interval and soak up a few rays!!!

Sutton began the second half as they ended the first, creating chance after chance, but they failed to take advantage of their superiority until the Manager introduced Ben Greenhalgh and Ryan Ludlow with 15 to go.

It was GREENHALGH who added the Snipes third on 78, and what a goal it was too... A run down the left, cut into the box, beat the defenders, cut in again, beat them again before unleashing a terrific right foot shot past the keeper. What a goal from the youngster!!

LUDLOW added the fourth seconds later, running into the box and smashing home from 16 yards. Matt Lane looked to have headed home the fifth from a corner, but it seems that MARTIN NEWMAN has claimed it -- if you look at the pic above, you will see Newman standing in front of the keeper as the ball arrows towards goal ,,, it was going in anyway, so Newman's claim is a bit harsh on Laney!! F-T 5-0

Admisson £3

Attendance h/c about 60

Tea/coffee £0.60

Calvo v Kimbo to follow

Rainworth MW 2-1 Staveley MW

April 11th 2009

Rainworth MW 2-1 Staveley MW -- NCEL Division 1

No apologies for going to Rainworth again -- we just like going to Kirlington Road ..... and when the afternoon is as good as it was today, who cares if we've been there 8 times this season? Not us!!

Brendan Sweeney gets airborne


Matt Draper heads over from close range

Kev spent the morning and early aftrnoon helping a friend move house, so we met up at the ground - Kev's brother-in-law John came along, and I think he was quietly impressed with the set up at Rainworth....

Although it appears that Askern Villa (!) have failed to meet the necessary ground grading requirements, and even if they were to finish second behind champions Scarborough, they will not be promoted. However this does not mean that the team finishing 3rd will be guaranteed promotion, so Rainworth are desperate to finish in that vital second spot. With Staveley sitting in fourth place this was a crucial game for the home team and a win would go a long way to securing that 2nd place, and would also effectively take Staveley out of the promotion race.

Rainworth got the early lead they so desperately craved after just 10 minutes - a Simon Wright corner was well headed towards the goal, but the ball was hooked off the line - unfortunately for Staveley it fell at the feet of BARRY ALBERRY who slammed it home from close range.

If the Wrens no. 9 Julian McDonald had have showed a little more composure the home team could have been home and dry in the first half - but two fairly simple chances missed meant the half ended 1-0.

Kev and John decided to try the beverages during the interval, and were more than complimentary! Last time we tried then they were undrinkable - this time they got a "very nice".

Staveley came out for the second half firing on all six - forcing home keeper Mark Hales into making two terrific saves in the first two minutes. Two minutes later though, Hales blotted his copy book by tripping Staveley full back Scotty Wharton - LEE GREGORY stepped up and slotted the resultant spot kick wide of Hales' desparing dive.

Lee Gregory (no.10) wheels away after beating Hales from the spot

Rainworth almost grabbed the lead on 65, a blistering 25 yarder from Danny Naylor clattered the frame of the goal before rebounding straight into keeper Martin Keirney's arms.

The home team were awarded something of a soft penalty with 10 to go. Striker Phil Bignall ran into the box and with central defender Andy Brownrigg hot on his heels. A bit of a challenge, a tangle of legs and a penalty! A bit untidy, but the decision looked very harsh on Brownrigg - we thought he won the ball and it was going out for a goal-kick....

Phil Bignall nets the winner from the spot

Still, it was Mr. Walsh's decision not ours, and PHIL BIGNALL took full advantage from the spot, sending Kearney the wrong way.

The Wrens held on for the final 10 minutes and when Manager Rudy Funk and Chairman Brian Reece shared a hug after the final whistle, you just had to smile -- a lot of hard work has been undertaken at Kirklington Road, and promotion now looks certain -- well done to all at Rainworth....

Admission £4.00
Programme ( inc team sheet) £1.00
Attendance 134.

It's been a long season....

We started our second season of local hopping on July 19th 2008, and so far we have taken in 80 games with probably another 15 to go!

This season has been terrific -- visited 24 venues, seen 80 games with 289 goals at an average of about 3.66 per game. The last three games though, have yielded only three goals !!! I know compared to some of the "serial hoppers" we are just playing at it, but what the hell -- it's been quite a ride so far!!

With the Cup finals coming up and seasons ending late due to the poor winter (!), we will be watching games right up until the 16th May....it's been a long season so far, and to be quite honest I feel ready for a break....but I'm sure I can manage another 4 weeks or so!! We've seen tight games, real classic games, right 'ammerings, high scoring games, a few 0-0's, sendings off galore and more than our share of on and off the field incidents.

But up until the Ilkeston / Eastwood game on Good Friday, we have never felt uneasy at a game...we weren't scared or fearful, just uneasy. We were standing in the bottom corner of the ground, just away from all the goings on, but it was a night for watching your back and hoping the gates would be open in case we needed to make a quick exit.

The crowd figure of 2288 is fantastic for a non-league game and, as was obvious from the lack of organisation at the NMG, totally unexpected. With a police helicopter, police dog teams, dozens of squad cars, police vans, police motorcycles and countless officers eventually on hand - just how much did this cost the Derbyshire Constabulary?

Putting this behind us, it should be a bit more sedate over the next couple of days. We are planning to visit Rainworth, Sutton and Calverton... and not only will the atmosphere be different at these games, but we are hoping to rack up a few goals as well........

So onwards and upwards, as they say -- Kirlington Road here we come.

Oh, and this is just for my friend Gordon Foster at Rainworth :-

7 visits to Kirlington Road this season

Record in league games P5 W3 D2 L0

v Scarbro 1-0

v Appleby Frod 1-0

v Brighouse 1-1

v Ponte Colls 1-1

v Bottesford 3-0

Record in other games P2 W0 D0 L2

v Stourbridge 1-3 FA Cup

v Dunkirk 1-3 FA Vase

Friday 10th April 2009 Pt II

Ilkeston Town 1-0 Eastwood Town -- UniBond Premier Division

A crowd of about 1000 was expected, but when we arrived at the NMG the traffic was aalready at a standstill and we knew that the1000 estimate was going to be well short of the actual attendance.. .

I think that 2288 surprised everyone, especially the Derbyshire Constabulary who had just a small presence initially. After a bit of bother with smoke bombs and rowdy behaviour, that presence turned into dozens of squad cars, hundreds of officers and a heccyclopter - that shone it's light in my eyes and gave me a headache with it's constant buzzing at half-time...!

Obviously there will be match reports on other sites, and I took no notes anyway...needless to say, Ilkeston won the game thanks to a Marc Newsham goal on 27. The goal came after a fierce drive had cannoned of the post - Newsham reacted quickest and fired home...

Having parked the car in the "back field" and aware of the problems that might be faced getting out of the ground, we exited 6 or 7 minutes early and were one of the first cars to leave. Back in Hucknall for 9:45pm......

Highlight of the night for Kev was his favourite ex-Badger Chris Shaw coming up and saying hello.... and after chatting to James Whitehead earlier, we were then joined by my favourite ex-Badger Danny Bryant who stayed with us throughout the game. Bryant, Whitehead, Shaw....three great players from Eastwoods recent past ... really made Kev's night let me tell you!!!

Is it really 4 years since they played together?

Friday 10th April 2009 Pt I

Who is this sporting a shirt and tie?

Carlton Town 0-0 Loughborough Dynamo -- UniBond Div 1 South

Good Friday? Not at Stoke Lane it wasn't !! This was a poor 0-0, and unless you knew beforehand, you would struggle to tell who was 5th in the league and who was 13th. Both team created chances, but both lacked that cutting edge. The tea and coffee were decent enough though........


It all went downhill after this

The game started brighly enough, with the visitors Ryan Collis looking dangerous - he forced a good save from Carlton keeper Ali Barcherini early in the half. Dean Gent headed over for Carlton soon after, but the best chances fell as the first half drew to a close - first Kris Nurse failed to connect at the far post for Dynamo, then a Danny Blair header was tipped over the bar by visiting keeper Matt Nurse. Just before the whistle brought the half to an end, Town's Marquin Smith headed over from 4 yards out when he should have scored. H-T 0-0

There were a couple of early chances early in the second period - Ryan Collis again the danger man as he raced into the box forcing Barcherini to block at the near post - then Carlton sub Steve Chaplin saw his powerful goal-bound header hit Dynamo's Karl Noble in the face and go out for a corner.

On the subject of corners, Carlton's were awful - no matter who took them, they struggled to get the ball anywhere near the goal .....mind you, their free-kicks weren't much better - seems that a bit of set-piece practice is required!!

Dynamo keeper Matt Nurse tipped a long range effort from Darryl Thomas wide, but his opposite number Barcherini made the save of the game right on full time. A cross from the right was met by the head of Karl Noble, but the keeper stayed big and managed an instinctive block. F-T 0-0

Carlton stopper Ali Barcherini

Att 101

Adm £6

Tea/coffee 8/10 £0.60 -- decent size styrofoam cup...

Programme £1.50 -- lots of ads

Tuesday 7th April 2009

Forest Town 1-1 Newark Town --- CML Supreme Division

A top of the table clash that didn't quite live up to expectations, and if Forest Town miss out on a trophy by a couple of points then their keeper Jason Johnson will feel even worse than I imagine he felt after this game was over. His glaring error of judgement halfway throught the second half gifted Newark an equalising goal.

Mind you, it has to be said that 1-1 was probably a fair result -- neither team managed to play any decent football and for one team to have walked away with all three points would have been something of an injustice.

The home team went ahead on 33 - the Newark defence failed to clear a corner, and allowing the home team three chances to score. After two goal-line blocks, the ball eventually fell to MARK CARTER ( I think) and he had he simple task of tapping in from close range. H-T 1-0

Newark have a few big lads - and when no. 15 LUKE PARSONS went on, he added even more height to the team. It was the tall striker who levelled after 67 minutes, when Johnson called for the ball when it was never his - and the covering defender left it for Parsons who was left an open goal to tap into from an acute angle. F-T 1-1

Not much more to say apart from IT WAS BLOODY COLD AGAIN!!!!!!! arrrgghhhhh damn weather.....!!

Admission £3

Programme -- none left, but Mr. Peter Craggs donated his -- many thanks, Peter

Tea - £0.50 Kev gave it a 9/10

Coffee - also a 9/10 -- missed the mugs - much better than the styrofoam cups.

Attendance - not too many for a top of the table clash, but a few from Newark made it up to about 40 I would estimate..

Decent Referee again - Rob Rees take a bow.

Friday - dependant on the weather really -- either Belper v Glapwell or Carlton v Loughbro in the afternoon - then off to the New Manor Ground to see ilkeston v Eastwood.

Tuesday 7th April -- Paul Holland's new book

One of my favourite players during my early years as a Mansfield Town supporter was Paul Holland.

Just received my signed copy of his new book " Talking Double Dutch" - look forward to reading it whenever time allows.

Paul was part of a great Mansfield team .. Jason Pearcey: Paul Fleming, Greg Fee, George Foster, Cliff Carr: Gary Ford, Paul Holland, Steve Spooner, Steve Charles: Phil Stant, Steve Wilkinson -- I think this was probably my favourite ever Stags line-up...

I have read Phil Stant's book "Ooh, Aah, Stantona" and a blinding read it is too... I hope Dutch's effort is up to that standard!!

Saturday 4th April 2009

Teversal 4-3 Appleby Frodingham -- NCEL Division 1


Looking a bit cool or what!!.

We have been meaning to get a game in at Teversal for a while, and we picked a corker!! Not a lot of elegance on show on the pitch, but endeavour and passion were plentyful.

And this was another great trip out! I know when the day has been ok when I walk away from the ground with a smile on my face - and at Tevvie I was grinning from ear to ear...

Images from the game

I need to apologise to Kev – my inane ramblings about how I have created a family tree and some of the surprises found therein made him miss his turn off….. sorry, buddy…

Still, his sense of direction was soon back in evidence after I had shut up and we arrived at Teversal Grange with plenty of time to spare. We had to wait to pay – the turnstile box was temporarily unmanned due to someones need for a cup of tea!!

Nice touch having the team sheet stuck on a window for all to see, although the P.A. guy was very good, and very clear.

Respect!!

It was good to see young Mr. Hristo Karaivanov taking the middle – the last time we saw him he was lining at a Carlton Town game. The weather was pleasant at times, although the sun did keep going back in whenever Kev put his sunglasses on !!!

Teversal opened the scoring in just the 6th minute after a great header forward from Dave Cockerill found GARY ATKINS who ran on to drill the ball past Collison in the Frod net. From the restart, visitors striker Ryan Hibbard was put through, but his shot flew over the bar. Five minutes later the same player found himself one-on-one with Tevvie keeper Jonathan Wilson, but he had too much time to think about what to do and consequently gave Wilson the opportunity to save the eventual shot.

RYAN HIBBARD it was though, who levelled the scores on 26 – he latched onto another over the top ball but this time he slotted the ball early under the body of Wilson. After Hibbard had seen a shot saved by Wilson in stoppage time at the end of the first half, the resultant corner from James Hare was flicked in neatly at the near post by CAINE MAWER to give Frod the lead. Great goal, great set-piece, but where was the marking?? H-T 1-2

We were a bit too far away from the tea shed and settled for a sit down behind the dugouts….trying not to be too critical but they look like they could do with a bit of a scrub, but nothing that some CIF and a scratter pad wouldn’t cure!!

Although Tevvie must have been a bit deflated conceding with the last kick of the first half, they stormed forward straight from the whistle, winning four corners in quick succession. They came to nothing, but the home team did level on 54. The highest ball of the day put real pressure on keeper Collison and although he should have been favourite to collect, DAVE COCKERILL managed to get to the ball first and nod home.

Frod were back in front in the 72st minute when careless, sloppy defending allowed the ball to cross in front of the goal where RYAN HIBBARD was waiting to stretch out a long leg and steer the ball into the back of the net.

60 seconds later though it was all square again – GARY ATKINS lashing home his second of the afternoon from a Dave Cockerill cross.

Teversal scored what proved to be the winning goal on 85. That man Dave Cockerill again the architect. He sold his marker a dummy and charged off down the left touchline, then fired the ball to the far post where man on the spot GARY ATKINS was wating to calmly smash the ball past Collison….great finish to complete the hat-trick…. F-T 4-3

Hat-trick hero Gary Atkins

No problems on the way home – Kev called “Evening Post” Brian who was at Grantham watching Carlton Town win 3-0. He mentioned he was not happy about my remarks about his flatulence at the Blidworth v Forest Town game – and reported that there were no such incidents at Grantham !!!
Admission £4
Programme £1
Attendance 42 – what a shame that only 42 were present to watch this seven goal thriller….

Tuesday – EITHER : Rainworth v Grimsby Borough (Rainworth need to keep up their promotion push), OR Forest Town v Newark Town ( 1st v 2nd in the CML Supreme Division)