Saturday 28th February 2009

Forest Town 3-0 Clipstone Welfare -- CML Supreme Division

Should have gone to Ilkeston v Leigh, but the lure of the local derby called - and as it tuned out it wasn't a bad choice of game. With Kev working, I was on my own and decided that having seen both these teams win during the week it might be interesting to see them in action against each other.

As it transpired, watching the two losing teams would have been the better option for our goals per game average, the Kimberley v Rolls game ending 5-2 to the home team.

No idea of the attendance, but it was a good one ....looked to be about 100 or so. Plenty of vocals from the Clippo fans - but some of it no doubt fuelled by the large amounts of beer being consumed!!

Talked to CML official Rob Hornby as the game kicked off - he was enthusing about the forthcoming CML "hopper bonanza" that takes place in a couple of weeks - so far 104 tickets have been sold..

Rob Hornby

Also bumped into Carlton Town's Daryll Claypole - he was taking notes on Forest Town who travel to Stoke Lane on Tuesday to play Carlton in a Notts F.A. Senior Cup 1/4 final.

As noted previously, I watched Clipstone last week and it seems they had kept the same boots on - their early shots flying everywhere but at Johnson in the Town goal...!!

The home team began with 3 up front, Jackson, Elliott and McCann - all decent players and after Clipstone's early chances, the home team began to assert themselves and went in front on 13. A neat through ball from Tighe collected by JAMES McCANN who ran on, rounded Sheppard in the Clippo goal and slotted home.

Clipstone rallied and began to rattle their high-flying neighbours bringing a series of poor challenges - Jackson, Tighe and Holmes all collected yellows for their cynical challenges.....

Carl Russo had the chance to level for the visitors just before the break, but he fired straight at Johnson from close range. H-T 1-0

After a Clipstone 58th minute corner was cleared, McCann made a great surging run down the left before cutting in and firing over. This seemed to prompt Welfare into dropping players back and they were sometimes defending with a back six !!

This invited Town on and only a couple of decent saves from keeper Sheppard kept them in the game. Holmes saw a header cleared off the line and then Carter watched in agony as Sheppard collected his well struck effort.

The home team increased their lead on 75. A Jackson ball into the box found McCann who was tripped - Referee had no doubt, and it looked a stonewaller from where I sat. CRAIG JACKSON fired the spot kick past Sheppard - although the young keeper made a valiant effort to save.

Craig Jackson (4) fires past Sheppard from the spot

It was 3-0 in the 79th minute - a superb free-kick from Hurst nodded back across goal to SAM HOLMES who was waiting unmarked on the line to nod home. F-T 3-0

Admission £3

Programme - £1 -- excellent

Coffee - £0.50 and probably the best ever... big, full mug, steaming hot, very strong --- could have been out of my flask it was that good!!! 10/10

Attendance - my best guess 100 ... seemed to be a well supported local derby...

Images from the game

Tuesday - we are taking in the afore mentioned Notts F.A. Senior cup game at Carlton.

Hucknall Town out of Senior Cup !

From Hucknall website

Town Removed from Senior Cup

It has been confirmed this morning that Hucknall Town have been expelled from the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup for playing a player who should have been suspended.
The 1-0 win at Dunkirk saw Gary Ricketts take the field for Town, but he should have been serving a one game ban. However, the club received notification of the ban three days after the Dunkirk game, from the FA, but following a meeting with the County it has been confirmed that Town are out of this season`s Senior Cup.
It`s disappointing news obviously but it`s a decision that we have to accept.

From Retford website

Notts FA hearing for opponents cancels Cup clash

The Notts Senior Cup Quarter Final match versus Hucknall Town scheduled for Tuesday 3rd March 2009 has been postponed due to the Watnall Road side being involved in a Notts FA hearing regarding their last match against Dunkirk in Round 3.It is understood that the club played a suspended player in the game and this matter is being looked at by the County Association.It is not yet known what the outcome and implications of this will be, but we will keep supporters informed as soon as information is made available.It has since transpired that Hucknall Town have been removed from the competition as the Badgers now wait to see if they will face Dunkirk in the next round, or if they get a bye to the Semi Finals.

Thursday 26th February 2009

Kimberley Town 1-2 Clipstone Welfare --- CML SupremeDivision

Bonus mid-week game and not a bad one, it has to be said. Thoroughly enjoyable, although some of the players from both sides had left their shooting boots at home. The phrase containing the words, "barn door, with a banjo, couldn't hit a" applied...!

The first half was a bit of a non-event really – oh, the teams performed well enough, and Kimberley again showed some good defensive fortitude, but apart from a fluffed header by Clipstone’s Dominic Jones and a great diving save from home keeper Mick Oxborrow, there was not a lot to write about. Several shots were tried by both teams, but most were so far off target that they ought not be classed as shots. H-T 0-0

Went for a beverage at half-time – proper mug but Kev’s verdict only 5/10. I didn’t bother – it wasn’t cold enough for me to need a hot drink. "Young" Brian Dennett was sat sitting at a table with a mug of OXO … but he put a little to much pepper in it and it ended up making his eyes water!!

With just five minutes of the second half played, the Kimberley right back decided he would try and dribble the ball out of his area – I’m afraid he is not quite good enough to attempt this and was almost made to pay dearly when Carl Russo dispossessed him and forced another good save out of Oxborrow.

Welfare took the lead on 55, a great through ball collected well by Mike Hewitt – he found CARL RUSSO who side-stepped Oxborrow before firing home from close range.

Oxborrow pulled off a superb flying tip over on the hour - this young keeper doesn’t half look a prospect. Seconds later his opposite number, Dale Sheppard, was sent off for clattering into a Kimberley attacker as he ran in on goal. Seemed to be a just bit of a collision, and a red card looked a bit harsh. Still, it was a foul, and was deemed to be a goal-scoring chance so “letter of the law” says red card.

The home team drew level on 63 – a neat shot across the stand-in Clippo keeper from an acute angle from new signing AARON RUSSELL. The lead only lasted 10 minutes though… Clipstone back in front after a deflected shot from GARY BUCHANAN from almost 25 yards out just beat the outstretched dive of Oxborrow and went in off the inside of the post. Tough on the keeper, but the deflection moved the ball just enough ….

Kimberley failed to take full advantage of Clippo being a man down, with an outfield player in goal – and it was the visitors who had most of the play until the final whistle. F-T 1-2

Admission £3

Programme £1 ( nice one Danny!)

Tea – never asked how much it was

Attendance – head count -- about 35?

Saturday – Kev’s working so I will be “Billy No-mates” again… supposed to be at Ilkeston v Leigh but may opt for Belper v Lincoln Utd...

Notts F.A. Senior Cup 1/4 final line-up

Tuesday 3rd March
Carlton Tn v Forest Tn
Retford Tn v Hucknall Tn
Gedling Tn v Arnold (after Gedling Tn beat Gedling MW 3-1 on Weds 25th Feb)

Tuesday 31st March
Rainworth MW v Eastwood Town FC

Tuesday 24th February 2009

Rolls Royce Leisure 0-8 Forest Town -- CML Supreme Division

Scoreline just about says it all,,,

It was 0-4 at half-time.

Then Rolls lost the plot a little, had one of their management team sent from the dugout, had their goalkeeper and an outfield player sent off as well...

Forest Town's biggest ever win sees them leap above Sutton into third place in the league... spent the game in the company of Gordon Foster aka rainworthgord and a very pretty 18 year old girl....made our night!!

Err.. oh yes - the match ...

It took just 5 minutes for Forest Town to open their account, SAM HOLMES heading home sweetly at the far stick.

Rolls then had a brief spell of possession, but all too soon their high flying visitors netted again -- well, it was an OG really, a cracking diving header from the the Rolls 4 shirt after Robinson had headed back across goal. On the half-hour it was 0-3, JAMES McCANN volleying home after Jackson had twice headed against the bar!! HOLMES grabbed his second in the 33rd minute, tapping in from close range. H-T 0-4

Straight from the re-start, McCANN curled a beauty past the Rolls keeper to make it 0-5. The Rolls keeper was dismissed for headbutting an opponent. An out-field player and one of the Management team soon followed, leaving Rolls five-none down and with 9 players. CRAIG JACKSON rounded the stand-in keeper on 62 to score the Forest Town 6th, then McCANN completed his hat-trick on 75. The 8th and record breaking goal was netted by JACKSON seconds later.

Strange but true : "Foggy" had not played all that well up to this point, then after the eighth goal had gone in, they started passing it about like they were Brazil !! Mind you, Gary Castledine's appearance off the bench had a lot to do with this....

We were informed that Rolls are not entering a team in the CML next season. If they lose at Kimberley on Saturday, they will be bottom of the league. A bit of a sorry state for Hucknall's second highest placed team to be in..but I believe Hucknall Rolls Leisure will still be alive and kicking.

Attendance h/c 21

Admission - no-one on the gate to take our money

Programme - none

The young lady? Girlfriend of the Rolls no. 5 jacket.......

Thursday we are off to see if Kimberley can carry on where they left off on Saturday when they entertain in-form Clipstone at the Stag Ground.

Saturday 21st February 2009

Sutton Town AFC 0-0 Kimberley Town -- CMLS

Went for a pre-match cuppa - it appeared that the caterers had not turned up - but the coffee and tea were, as usual, superb -- big cup, hot and very welcome.

Great defensive performance from bottom of the table Kimberley Town, although to be fair they had little to fear from a very tame and ineffective Sutton front line.

Sutton only began to play with half an hour gone, then when they did manage to break through the solid Kimberley back-line, they found young keeper Micky Oxborough in fine form. H-T 0-0

Sent the score by text to "Kimberley" Danny during the break - he replied "have Sutton turned up?"

Sutton began to assert a bit more pressure in the second half, but again fired blanks. Oxborough was tested again as the game entered it's death throes - but when Sutton's Lee Clay was given a second yellow and then red, we new the game would finish scoreless. F-T 0-0

This was down as a game that would at least keep up our goals per game average, but credit where credit is due - Kimberley deserved their point and we endured our second 0-0 in 5 days.....

The afternoon started out very spring-like, but by the end of the game I was frozen -- a bit too early to put the gloves and scarf away !!

Images from the Fieldings

Admission £3

Programme - not available

Attendance h/c 35

Tea /coffee £0.50 for a large cup.. great value.

Tuesday - Rolls Royce Leisure v Forest Town

Wednesday - Gedling Town v Gedling MW

Notts F.A. Senior Cup 1/4 finals

Rainworth MW v Eastwood Town -- Rudy Funk is over the moon.

Rainworth Manager Rudy Funk has said this draw is a dream come true - he and Eastwood boss Paul Cox are great friends and this was the match he wanted. Rainworth website has more.

The ties are to be played 3rd March with a 7:30pm kick off, but this is usually flexible.

Draw in full

Rainworth MW v Eastwood Town
Carlton Town v Forest Town
Calverton MW / Retford Utd v Hucknall Town
Gedling Town / Gedling MW v Arnold Town

The Rainworth v Eastwood game is one that both myself and Kev are looking forward to. We have seen a lot of both teams over tha past few seasons, and although on paper it should be an Eastwood win, I reckon this could be a close game.

Rainworth MW play in the NCEL Div 1(step 6), while Eastwood are flying high in the UniBond Premier Division (step 3). Eastwood have just added prolific Danny Holland to their strike force and look formidable up top. Danny Holland, Ian Holmes, Peter Knox, Marc Smith, Matt Rhead, Lindon Meikle are all top players. However, Rainworth have a few proven goalscorers of their own in Malc Brown, Ant Lynam, Phil Bignall, Robbie Clarke and Alan Jeffries -- I know they can't all play, but both have decent attacking line-ups to choose from.

Former Badgers James Whitehead, Richard Smith and Danny Bainbridge would love to put one over their former team, as would Rainworth physio Dave Nicholls who "carried the bucket" for Eastwood for many years. For Paul Cox it will be a chance for him to take a look at his former academy star Jermaine Hollis. Big things were predicted for this young player after he went to Kidderminster Harriers from the Eastwood Academy, but obviously things didn't quite go to plan ...

This one is in the diary - no matter when it's played!! Should be 3rd March -- Eastwood do not have a league fixture that day, and the fixture is already on the NCEL website, albeit with the incorrect ko time...should be 7:30pm NOT 7:45pm

Wednesday 18th February 2009

Hucknall Rolls Leisure 0-4 Carlton Town --- Notts F.A. Senior Cup

Bonus game this week - although Kev had to give it a miss because of work commitments. Met Brian "Evening Post" Dennett at the ground - he kindly let me crib the team line-ups. Carlton put out a fairly strong team, determined not to take the opposition too lightly. I don't know a lot about Hucknall Rolls Leisure, but looking at their previous match reports they put out a strong team as well.

Rolls : Waters, Hulme S, Potter, Lee, Harrison, Hulme P, Patterson I, Wass, Hodgson, Niblett, Betteridge. Subs: Ashrust, Lancaster, Patterson D, Marshall, Poole.

Carlton: Bercherini, Smith F, Fletcher, Henshaw, Cane, Smith M, Robinson, Gent, Chaplin, Akers, Fenton. Subs: Brindley, Francis, Ball, Thomas, Marshall.

The pitch has suffered a great deal recently, and was not looking it's best. The goalmouths were very muddy, but the outfield seemed to play ok and didn't seem to cause the players too many problems.

Rolls play in the Notts Senior League - equivalent to step 9 in the non-league pyramid. Carlton ply their trade in the UniBond Division One South - step 4 - so were clear favourites to progress to the 1/4 finals of the competition.

It took a while for the visitors to get into their stride, and Rolls did well to match them for the first 20 minutes or so - then after an intense spell of pressure the ball fell kindly to STEVE CHAPLIN 10 yards from goal, and his accurate drive went just past the outstretched hands of Waters to nestle in the back of the net. Chaplin went close again soon after, but Carlton were finding it difficult to break down the home defence and it was something of a relief to hear the half-time whistle. H-T 0-1

Coffee from my flask - 10/10 ... wonderful stuff - will keep me awake all night!!!

Carlton started the second half well enough, but they were not having things all their own way, with Rolls' sub Danny Poole in particular asking one or two questions of their defence.

It was soon game over though - CHAPLIN netting his second in the 73rd minute, a curling right-foot shot beating Waters. TERRY HENSHAW made it 3-0 on 84 with a close range tap-in, then CHAPLIN tapped in to complete his hat-trick with just 2 to go. Finished 0-4, but to be honest, Carlton never got out of second gear and were never in any danger of losing this tie.

Had a chat to Michael Banister who was fresh from scoring for Wollaton against Arnold on Tuesday night, also met Gedling MW centre-back Brett Peel - their game at Gedling Town was called off because of a power cut down by the Riverside.

One or two hoppers were present, and I spent a pleasant half-hour with a couple of them, discussing all things football and mutual aquaintances...( sorry, I failed to get your names, but I am sure we will meet again soon enough!!).

Admission £2.50 inc programme

Att 50 h/c

Coffee - unusually for Rolls there was tea and coffee on offer, but I had my marvelous flask of Nescafe..

Saturday : Sutton Town AFC v KImberley Town --- if the Fieldings pitch is fit to play on....

Tuesday 17th February 2009

Mansfield Town 0-0 Kettering Town --- BSP

After a first 45 minutes of decent football, we were hoping that the second 45 would be as good - unfortunately both teams cancelled each other out and the game ended goal-less. Mansfield were denied a chance of taking all three points after the myopic Referee missed a stone-wall penalty after Gary Silk was upended in added time.

We were somewhat amused by Stags Manager David Holdsworth views on the game on Radio Nottingham. He thought the Stags played with flair (?), Rob Duffy won all his headers (?) and Lewis Briscoe was great at breaking on the counter (?)..... which Field Mill did we go to? Not the same one Mr. Holdsworth did, obviously.

Basically, the Stags offered little. Kettering were solid at the back, with giant Exodus Geohaghon mopping up everything alongside Guy Branston. ..

Not been to many 0-0 this season, but I suppose we have to take them in our stride and hope that the next game is a little better...

Report from Stagsnet.net

Admission £16

Attendance 2355 (175 from Kettering)

Coffee -- Kev's flask --- a bit weak again, but very nice anyway... 7/10

Wednesday -- off to see NSL outfit Hucknall Rolls take on UniBond Div 1 team Carlton Town in the Notts F.A. Senior Cup -- kick off 7:30pm

Saturday 14th February 2009

Gedling Town 6-1 Heanor Town -- EMCL

Hey !! --- we're back on the road after a two-week mid-winter break.....damn weather! It's good to see the snow disappearing, but blimey isn't it time it warmed up a little? Getting a bit fed up with runny nose and watering eyes - roll on Spring!

Not been to the Riverside for a while and it was a bit worrying watch the various websites and seeing non-league games being postponed left, right and centre. However our scheduled game was never in doubt according to Gedling Chairman Roland Ash - apparently Notts County trained there yesterday.

Took the obligatory wild-life pics before going into the ground -- there were avian creatures by the hundred......

Gedling's pitch is usually in a pristine condition, but even the Riverside has suffered with the severe weather we have had recently - still there is plenty of grass on the pitch and it played well enough.

Gedling's line-up was relatively unchanged since the last time we saw the. Heanor had four ex-Eastwood Town U19 Academy players in their squad - Anthony Bedward, Callum Mason and Lee Stevenson were on the bench, with Liam Garner starting at no. 9. Mason looked a real prospect when he was with Eastwood, but failure to gain a first team place meant he felt he had to move to pastures new, and this is the first time I have seen him for a while.

The visitors began really well, forcing their high flying opponents onto the back foot and causing home keeper James Mason a few problems. They made the pressure pay on 12, a deflected shot from the edge of the box beating Mason at his left hand post. Maybe you could say the keeper should have done better, but the EMCL Mitoo website recorded this as an OG, so the deflection must have been more wicked than we thought.

Gedling striker Epps brought out a great save from Heanor keeper Sam Ogrizovic as Gedling looked to restore parity, but Heanor should have doubled their lead in the 28th minute - good wing play by Bobby Mawer saw him find Timmons on the penalty spot, but the striker fluffed his kick and Gedling cleared. Five minutes later the home team levelled the scores - making the missed Timmons chance even m ore painful! The goal was created by Heanor's no. 4 Ady Hawes - he tried to switch the play from left to right, but his wayward 40 yard crossfield pass fell kindly to Rob Gill who ran on and fired the ball in for strike partner GRAHAM EPPS to lash home at the far post.

Ogrizovic saved well from Jimmy Spiers as Gedling took control of the game, and I happened to mention to Kev that Heanor may crumble if Gedling get another - prophetic words indeed... H-T1-1

Probably because of my incessant criticism of Kev's coffee making skills, there was no flask today - decided to get our beverages from the snack bar - tea for Kev, coffee for me.

Kev's tea was lukewarm and he only gave it 1/10 because it at least did taste like tea! My coffee was hot enough, but I can't stand skimmed milk, and that was all that was on offer - just 4/10 from me. To be brutally honest, the snack bar was a bit of a shambles - only one lady serving and quite a large queue. I can only put this down to the fact that 78 is quite a large attendance at Gedling and the staff were not prepared ....

Three minutes into the second half, Gedling took the lead through AARON RYAN. With Ogrizovic off his line, Ryan looked up and launched the ball from 40+ yards straight over the keeper's head and into the back of the net. Great goal, and this was followed second later by another. Jack Davies played the ball into Rob Gill who flicked it over his shoulder straight onto the head of AARON LARGE - the winger made no mistake, looping his header over the keeper from 10 yards.

To their credit, Heanor did manage a couple of attacks, one effort by Garner forcing Mason into a diving save. They went further behind though on 64. Again Rob Gill involved, playing the ball into Luke Jennings. The sub mis-timed his shot, but the ball fell straight to the feet of GRAHAM EPPS who finished well.

Just five minutes later it was 5-1, LARGE curling the ball right-footed past Ogrizovic after more great midfield play by Jennings. LARGE completed his hat-trick on 71, again fine midfield play, again the right-foot curler. You had to feel a bit sorry for Orgisovic in the Heanor net .. but I think dad Steve would have struggled to keep any of the efforts out. The striking from Gedling was so clinical - a real joy to watch.

Heanor keeper Sam Ogrizovic

It finished 6-1, but up until the ill-fated cross-field ball from Hawes, Heanor looked the better team and if Timmons had have took his chance, who knows?

Best Boatman was Aaron Large --- this lad never stops running. Great engine and what an eye for goal! Maybe a struggle for Gedling to keep him - he looks a really decent player.

Best Red - Bobbie Mawer

Attendance - 78
Admission £4
Programme £1
Tea/coffee £0.50
Entertainment - priceless

Footnote : floodlights were not used -- still enough natural daylight at 4:50pm....

Tuesday - bullet biting and wallet busting trip to Field Mill --- I still think that £16 is too much for non-league footie, but I have to answer to the call of the Mill occasionally!!

Images from the Riverside

Tuesday 10th February 2009

Ok... so the Ilkeston game has gone-- they are at Mickleover in the Derbyshire Senior Cup -- now the Hucknall Rolls game is off, Calverton is off.....

Dunkirk v Hucknall Town is on -- but it's too late to catch this one, and Kev is a bit under the weather anyway.

Not going out - Brazil v Italy on the box looks good....

Hucknall Rolls v Carlton is scheduled for Weds night - but Spain/England may take precidence..

Saturday -- should be Gedling Town v Heanor Town ( weather permitting)

Blank Saturday - 7th February 2009

The only game available is Mansfield Town v York City - but at £16.00 this is a little too expensive at the moment.

Spent most of Saturday AM looking at the various forums and league websites - games were being called off left, right and centre...the last to fall was the CMLS Blidworth v Forest Town game. So it looks like another afternoon with manic Jeff Stelling...

What chance for Tuesday??? Hucknall Rolls v Carlton Tn??