Tuesday 28th October 2008

Mansfield Town v York City F.A. Cup 4th QR replay

A first visit to Field Mill for over two seasons, but as soon as I walked pitchside, I felt I was back home.

Kev had earlier sent me a text telling me the admission fee was just £10.00 in the Quarry Lane end, and as it usually costs £16.00, we were £6.00 to the good before we started out!!

Anyway, we parked up in the Walkers Bingo Hall car park, and made our way to the ground undecided whether to sit in the Quarry Lane end or in the Main Stand - we decide on Quarry Lane and didn't regret the decision - we had the perfect view of Matt Somner's winning goal.

But as the 1st half progressed, we were both wondering if the game we should have gone to was any better ( it finished Forest Town 3-2 Radcliffe ) - both teams were awful showing little or no talent and the words "stale" and "sterile" came to mind.

The prize for winning was a trip to Saltergate, but even this seemed to mean little to the Stags players. The home teams first shot in anger came in the 44th minute, and that went way wide of the goal. H-T 0-0

Emile Sinclair is at Field Mill on loan from the Florists , and it's easy to see why he is no longer in the Reds future plans - he was dreadful - a really poor 45 minutes. It was no surprise when he failed to appear after the break. His replacement was Bulwell lad Aaron O'Connor and he provided the spark that the Stags needed. They came out with guns blazing and had three decent chances in the first couple of minutes of the second period.

Somner's goal on 51 was a beaut and he has to thank Nathan Arnold for the tremendous wing play that set him up. Arnold darted past two defenders, beat another, cut inside the box before beating another than laid the ball into Somner's path 18 yards out. The former Magpie's shot was inch perfect, beating the despairing dive of York keeper Michael Ingham.

Arnold had two glorious chances later on, one saved by Ingham's legs and the other a delightul lob that just sailed over the bar, but York came really close to handing us the dreaded extra time, and right to the end of the four added minutes, it was touch and go!! Special mention for Referee Mr. Marchant -- excellent game, hardly knew he was there .

Full report here..

Blimey, it was cold! But with the Stags winning, Eastwood dumping Wrexham out of the cup and Kev's team ( the Florists) beating Palace, we were well happy with our evening....then back to the car -- just as Bingo was turning out! How popular is this game? There were bloody hundreds of people, and it seemed that each one had a car. So slightly extended stay, but it gave us chance to reflect on the game - and we will be going to Field Mill again... probably at Xmas - Stags v Burton Albion.

Saturday -- a trip to the Robinson Contruction Bowl to see unbeaten Borrowash take on Bardon Hill Sports.

Mansfield Town v York City

October 28th October 2008 - FA Cup replay

Going to my spiritual home of Field Mill to see if the Stags can overcome Conference rivals York City to earn a 1st round proper tie at Spirite-land. What an incentive - but I dread replays -- and this has 0-0 written all over it!! According to the forecast it's going to be cold, so extra time and penalties would not be welcome!!

Saturday 25th October 2008 Pt II

Greenwood Meadows 3-3 Holwell Sports -- EMCL

With Kev busy with other things, I was on my own again...

I left home early thinking I'd get caught up in the traffic headed for the City Ground - but I'd reached the Queens Medical Centre by half-two, so decided to risk nipping to Castle Marina McDonalds for a burger. I still arrived at Lenton Lane with 10 minutes to go before kick-off, so stayed in the car to see off my 1/4 pounder with cheese -- went down a treat....

In blustery and wet conditions, it was always going to be difficult for the players to express themselves, or so I thought !! Holwell started out as though it was a calm, sunny day and after some slick passing, they were in front in just the second minute. Neat play down the left, and when the ball was played into the area, Keightley in the no. 7 shirt was on hand to fire past Scott Clay in the home goal - the ball rolling just inside the far post.

The home team had a great chance to level on 5, but Mark White heading over from close range. Another chance fell to Meadows no. 10 shirt, but the Richard Gordon in the Holwell goal made a fine stop.

Holwell had three efforts in as many minutes, two safely gathered by Clay and one well wide.

On 21, Holwell doubled their lead, a magnificent ball in from the right headed over Clay by Bitmead who out-jumped all the Greenwood defenders.

The Referee was in the picky, petty mould, and it wasn't long before players and spectators alike were getting fed up of hearing his whistle....the players were trying really hard to master the conditions, and the constant breaks in the game did little to help.

Meadows halved their defecit on 35, an Ashley Whitt corner from the right headed powerfully home at the far stick by centre-back Mark White. H-T 1-2

I spent the 1st half under cover - but I have to say that all the spectators who also chose to stay out of the rain were smokers! I was on my own to begin with then all these smokers came and decided to stand near me -- cough, cough ......

Went for a wander around the ground during the interval, a desperate attempt to get some fresh air into my smoke filled lungs -- cough, cough ...

Took a few pics of the surroundings - a bit of a mixture of trees and industry - as well as the pylons and A453 -- quite a surreal setting. Dunkirk's ground is 100 yards away on one side of the ground, while Pelican play just up the road. Lenton Lane is also home to a golf course / driving range -- sport a-plenty in the heart of industrial Nottingham.....

The second half never really got going, and although the home team battled hard to try and level, they went further behind on 79, a penalty converted by Andy Teare after a foul was spotted by Referee Mr.Booker.

Andy Teare (no.2) wheels away after netting from the spot

Holwell seemed to think that the game was won, and Meadows took advantage of some slack defending in the 82nd minute when Nathan Robinson rolled the ball past the keeper to make it 2-3. As the game entered it's first minute of stoppage time, Greenwood played the ball down the left and the subsequent cross was nodded on by White to Adam Jackson who fired home from 18 yards... F-T 3-3

Admission £4.00
Programme £1.00
Attendance 41

More images from Lenton Lane

Great fightback by the home team who could have let their heads drop after losing their last three games - and Holwell have to be kicking thenselves for letting Meadows grab a point so late in the game. I really enjoyed the game and am quite sure that Lenton Lane will be visited again quite soon.

Tuesday - Forest Town v Radcliffe Olympic or Mansfield Tn v York City or Eastwood Tn v Wrexham - fantastic effort by the Badgers to get a draw at the Racecourse..

Saturday 25th October 2008 Pt I

Kev has informed me that he has "other" stuff to do - and with a Bryan Adams concert to go to later, he has to miss his Saturday football "fix".

So once again I'm "Billy-no-mates", but whatever - not a lot will keep me in Saturday afternoon. It's cold, wet and windy, but I am still going down by the Trent to see Greenwood take on Holwell Sports in an EMCL game.

Tuesday 21st October 2008

Rolls Royce Leisure 6-4 Sutton Town AFC -- CML Supreme Division

I was toying with the idea of staying in to watch some Champions League on TV - thank goodness Kev came around to call for me!!

What should, on paper, have been an away banker, turned into a night of embarrasment for high-flying Sutton. They were lying second in the table, with Rolls next to bottom. Rolls have scored their fair share of goals - averaging over two per game - but the down side is that they are averaging over 4 per game conceded !! Sutton were scoring almost 3 goals a game so we did expect a high scoring encounter, but never thought we would see TEN goals.......

Davey and Powell both had decent chances in the first couple of minutes before the Rolls' right back, under pressure from Powell, volleyed into his own net to give Sutton the lead.

Sutton looked a bit unbalanced, and with several key players missing they began to lose the plot - especially when Rolls' striker Damien Rennicks took the game by the scruff of the neck on 25 . He levelled the scores with a 20 yard drive that was past keeper Frost before he could react - then 6 minutes later gave Rolls the lead, poor defending allowing the big no.10 to retain possession and fire through a crowd of players. Rennicks completed his hat-trick on 33, converting from the penalty spot after a Rolls player was tripped in the box.
Sutton reduced the arrears on 36, a ball flicked across the goal by Powell volleyed home by Farrell. H-T 3-2

First time ever, I had a flask of coffee ..it was placed on the floor out of the way -- but "Evening Post" Brian managed to kick it over -- he wasn't offered any of the contents!!

Ricky Martt scored for Rolls within seconds of the restart - again bad defending allowing the midfielder to stab home at the near post. Keeper Frost exclaimed "this is embarrassing!" - and he had a point - the comedic defending was not something that anyone expected... It got wose for Sutton on 56 -- a free-kick from inside the Rolls half was completely missed by Conner and their no. 9, Jeremy Millensted raced through on goal and slid the ball expertly past Frost.

Powell prodded home from close range on the hour to make it 5-3, but Rennicks added his fourth on 78. A long throw from the right was met with the deftest of flick headers - and despite a despairing dive from Frost, the ball nestled in the back of the net. Sutton scored right on the final whistle, a corner from Ludlow ( I think) going straight into the goal. F-T 6-4

We have seen Sutton a few times this season, but this was a different Sutton to the team that beat Yorkshire Main, Pinxton and Forest Town. The defending really was a comedy of errors, and to their credit, Rolls took full advantage to claim the points. Fantastic win for the home team, only their second victory of this season's campaign.

Admission £3.00
Programme - free
Attendance -- head count 30

Saturday : Greenwood Meadows v Holwell Sports

Saturday 18th October 2008

Bulwell Town v Bolsover Town CML Premier Division

Kev decide to go maggott drowning on the east coast this weekend, so it's "Billy no-mates" again for me!!

Although this was my first visit to Goosedale to see Bulwell Town play, I have been there several times in the past - mainly in my capacity as press officer for the Young Elizabethan League who used to hold their cup finals at the ground. Me and Kev also took our Bulwell Rangers U9's team to play there once.....

Arrived at the ground with 10 minutes to spare, so took in a little of a youth game being played on the far pitch -- then had a litlle look at the hockey game that was going on next to the main pitch.

Paid my £2 to get in although I could have sat in my car and watched for nowt - not the spirit though eh?

There is hard standing behind one of the goals, but I decided to take up a position down the side of the pitch opposite the dugouts.

I noticed the old sh*t shovel had been used - brought back memories of when I was involved with youth footie!!

Second thing to notice was the Bolsover keeper – a big lad !!

then the ref – a big lad !!

– then his female assistant – big lass !!

– then the Bolsover manager - big lad !!

I didn’t feel too bad shoving my Snickers and Double Decker down my throat!!

Also noticed that the other assistant was a bit of an old boy – had trouble keeping up, but got most things right…

Bulwell’s no.5 and Bolsover’s no. 9 had a bit of “handbags” soon after the kick off. Free-kick to Bolsover but ALL their players walked away from the ball - I was tempted to go on the pitch and take the kick myself, but they soon realised SOMEONE had to take it and the game restarted...

Bulwell’s striker James Coup was put through on 10, but the keeper blocked well. Two minutes later the visitors took the lead – a poor ball from defence played straight to no.4 shirt who struck it past Smith in the Bulwell goal from 20 + yards. The lead lasted only 5 minutes though. A quick ball forward and a slip by the keeper allowing Coup to control and prod home from 12 yards out.

Referee Mr. Wragg produced the games “silly” moment soon after. Bulwell’s no. 11 Shannon Bird was baulked as he went for the ball, and the ref waved play on – to which Bird retorted “what kind of bulls**t is that?” Mr Wragg told the player that he was “going in” the next time the game was stopped. When the ball went out for a throw, he called Bird over and showed him a red card !! After much protesting by the Bulwell players, Mr. Wragg apologised and said he only meant to show Bird yellow and then did just that! So a player in the space of a minute was shown a red then a yellow card – no idea what the rules say about this!! Anyway, “Boza” piled on the pressure and had two good efforts cleared off the line, but it was the home team who scored the games next goal. On 34, Coup was on hand to stab the ball home from inside the 6 yard box – he completed his hat-trick two minutes later, a powerful header from a corner giving the keeper no chance.

With three minutes to go before the break, Coup added his, and Bulwell’s fourth. Duffy ran at the defence and hit the ball across the goal where the big no. 10 was waiting to tap in. H-T 4-1

Four goal man Jamie Coup

Watched a bit more hockey during the interval – blimey, it’s a rubbish game .. but it kept me entertained for 10 minutes or so.

Bolsover reduced their arrears just three minutes into the second period – a great cross met with a fantastic diving header from the no. 9 shirt. Should have been 4-3 on 56, but the no. 11 fired over from close in when it looked easier to score!

It was 4-3 in the 61st minute when, from a really acute angle, the no. 12 hit the ball across Smith and into the net. By now it was getting a bit chilly, but Bolsover kept the heat on the home defence – pouring forward to try and grab the equaliser. A series of free-kicks and corners ought to have brought some reward, but a combination of poor finishing and last ditch desperate defending saw Bulwell home … F-T 4-3

Not a lot of skill on show, but plenty of heart and endeavour – and for me, 7 goals meant it was well worth the £2 to get in !!

£1 programme

Attendance -- lucky to be double figures if you take out players families etc...

More images from the game

Tuesday : More CML – this time the Supreme Division as Rolls entertain Sutton Town AFC

Tuesday 14th October 2008

Forest Town v Blidworth Welfare -- CML Supreme Division

Blimey... the lights, the lights....the rain, the rain..!!

This was our first visit of the season Forest Town, and after their sterling performance on Saturday we hoped that we would have more football of the same calibre....not to be, I'm afraid. The rain lashed across the pitch for most of the game and made it more or less impossible for the players to perform.

This was the first time I received a lesson in how to hold an umbrella properly! Not one for umbrellas at all, apparently I was holding it all wrong, so all the drips ran down my arm and leg - Kev suggested a slight adjustment to the position of said brolly -- worked a treat.

This repositioning of said brolly also helped cut out some of the glare from the floodlights recently erected at the ground.

There are 5 sets of lights on either side of the pitch, they seemed to be bright enough, but they are really at a low level and it's a bit like having the sun blazing in your eyes all the time. One set did appear to fail half way through the first period, and we thought the ref was going to abandon the game - but the light was soon repaired and the game went on...

We entered the ground 10 minutes before kick off and we were greeted by Mr. Rob Hornby who handed me a match programme from the Blidworth v Rolls game we went to see the other week. I failed to procure a programme on the night, but Mr. Hornby came up with the good..thanks Rob!!

Off we went for a cuppa - bit of a trek to the tea bar, but well worth it .. my coffee was very good, as was Kev's tea - £0.50 -- in a proper mug.. champion!!

We watched the 1st half from pitchside, down at the changing room end, and to be honest the football was less than inspiring. Town's no.9 Dean Short saw his header cannon off the bar in the 20th minute, and Blidworth's Dale Crowder headed wide on 35 when it looked easier to score. That was about it really for the first 45 minutes......... H-T 0-0

Moved to the balcony outside the Welfare for the second half, but limited cover meant that we were out in the rain and the brollies became an essential piece of equipment!!

More unremarkable play, but just as we were thinking this game had 0-0 written all over it, Forest Town scored. On 62, a free-kick was played over the sleeping Blidworth defence - and Short delicately lobbed Jason Fisher in the visitors' net as he advanced to try and block.

In the 83rd minute Blidworth almost equalised - only a fine block at his near post by Town keeper Johnson kept the scores level. Blidworth forced a series of corners as the game drew to a close, but the Town defence held on and the game finished 1-0.

Not the best night game ever, far from it. The football was poor and the weather was worse, but it gets you out of the house doesn't it !!

Attendance -- rough head count 50
Programme £1
Admission £3
Tea/coffee £0.50

Saturday -- Buwell Town v Bolsover Town

Saturday 11th October 2008

Sutton Town AFC v Forest Town FC -- CML Supreme Division

Tell you what, this was one of the noisiest non-league games I have ever been to…! Both teams were very, very vocal - and, well, anyone who knows Danny Bryant will tell you he does not have a volume control!!

A lot of Bryant's vocals were aimed at Referee Mr. Ward - he had a bit of a shocker. A penalty given that wasn’t, a goal given for Sutton that shouldn’t have been allowed - bookings that weren’t deserved….not a good day at the office for Mr.Ward.

If I say that this could have been 8-2 to Forest Town, I would not be joking. Mark Frost was inspired all afternoon and made 7 or 8 great saves to keep the Snipes in the game, and a couple of the Forest Town players were guilty of glaring misses.

The visitors managed their first effort in the first minute, but it was Sutton who should have gone ahead on 6 -- Senior's free-kick found Stubley who crossed to the far post. From the cross, Hadley somehow managed to steer his header past the outside of the empty net.

Both teams battled well and hard and Sutton were edging possession, but it was Forest Town who almost opened their account on the half-hour - only a great sliding challenge from Hadley on Elliott kept the Sutton goal intact. Hadley also headed away the resultant corner, then Bowler fired just wide. McCann's run and shot on 37 brought out a brilliant save from Frost, and from the corner Farrell cleared off the line.

Elliott skinned Hadley just before the break, but another save from Frost saved the centre-half's blushes. H-T 0-0

We tried a cheeseburger at half-time -- not too bad, but nothing to write home about.. and at only £1.60 so I suppose we shouldn't moan.

Forest Town carried on their attacking football straight from the restart, and on 55 Robinson tried his luck from 22 yards only to see that man Frost dive to his right and push away. The corner was cleared off the line again, then when McCann found himself one-on-one with Frost, the keeper denied him yet again.

In the 67th minute, Forest Town should have gone ahead, but Robinson's superb cross was headed over the bar from two yards out. A costly miss, because as the ball went back upfield, Vardy picked out Stubley who ran on and fired past Johnson in the visitors' goal.

Hadley made another great saving challenge in his own area on 71, then seconds later the same player made the same sort of challenge -- and this time was adjudged to have committed a foul....no-one could believe the decision, and it certainly baffled the Sutton bench.... more vocals !!! A great piece of defending punished by a Referee who seemed to be determined to impress on the watching assessor as to how poor a referee can be if he tries hard enough!!

Anyway, the kick was converted expertly by Jackson and the scores were level. Frost made another great save to keep out Tighe, but against the run of play the Snipes re-took the lead in the 77th minute. A corner played to the far post was fumbled under pressure by keeper Johnson, and substitute Damien Powell was on hand to nod home. (This has subsequently been given as an own goal on the Mitoo website).

99 times out of 100 the keeper would have been adjudged to have been fouled, but this time Mr.Ward saw nothing untoward and and the goal stood. After the ludicrous penalty decision, Snipes manager Bryant said " that makes it 1-0"

The last 10 minutes were all Forest Town - they really battered the Snipes' defence - Gregory managed to clear the bar from 6 yards out, Short fired way wide with the goal gaping and then a shot cannoned off the foot of the post. Somehow the home team held out and the game finished 2-1.

Forest Town must wonder how the heck they lost this game - but it was all down to a combination of Mark Frost and Dean Hadley in top form, as well as some poor finishing that lead to their downfall.

Another great game at the Fieldings - and we ended up debating whether to visit again on Tuesday, but decided against it...

We are going to the Clod to see Forest Town take on Blidworth.

Attendance - head count 60

Admission £3.00

Programme £1.00

Cheesburger £1.60

Entertainment value : priceless

Sutton Town AFC v Forest Town -- 11th Oct 2008

Sutton were promoted from the CML Premier Division to the Supreme Division as part of the reorganisation that the formation of the EMCL entailed. Forest Town were denied promotion to the NCEL / EMCL even though they finished in 2nd place in the league behind Champions Askern Welfare.

With a promise that floodlighting was going to be installed, (installation now completed) you would have thought the two step 6 leagues would have welcomed Forest Town into their fold.. but it was not to be.

So the teams meet in the CMLS - and with Sutton currently 5 wins from 5 and Forest Town 4 wins, a draw and a loss from their 6 games, it ought to be a cracker.

Danny Bryant ( Sutton) and Gary Castledine ( Forest Tn) were colleagues at Eastwood Town a few years back, but the last time that Kev and me saw them in opposition was in our first league fixture of last season. Danny was then manager of Heanor Town and if memory serves, performed heroically in goal to help earn Heanor victory -- then after the game we met up, and he was carrying the kit bag !!

This looks like it should be a high-scoring encounter, with both teams currently averaging 3 goals scored per game so far. We should not be looking at a none-noner !! Famous last words!!

1:50pm -- just checked predictions on CML forum -- 11 posts / 6 for an away win / 4 for a draw and only 1 for a Sutton win..

Wednesday 8th October 2008

Hucknall Rolls Leisure v Magdala Amateurs -- Notts Senior League -- Senior Division

After missing out on a Tuesday night game, there was not a lot of football on offer, so we made the 1 mile trek to the Rolls Sports complex to see Hucknall Rolls take on Magdala.

Kev has never been to an NSL game before, so was a bit unsure what to expect - after 90 minutes he declared that he was very surprised at the high standard of football that had been on show.

Even though the game finished 0-0, there was plenty of action and more than enough chances - but both teams looked short of a decent striker. Magdala saw one shot fly off the Rolls bar, and Rolls had two efforts strike the woodwork, but both keepers were comfortable and never unduly troubled.

One decision by the Referee seemed a little odd -- Magdala did manage to get the ball into the Rolls net in the 70th minute, but the "goal" was written off for offside, even though the lino hadn't flagged.... !! The Referee must have judged that he was in a better position to call the offside ....

The home teams star player on the night was a little dynamo called "Pauly" ... he was everywhere, and at 5ft nothing he couldn't half move! The Magdala back line was hard for Rolls to break down, and the Dala skipper, wearing the no. 5 shirt was usually in control.

Only our second 0-0 of the season so far - but well worth watching ...

Admission £0.00

Kev's head count -- 40

Saturday -- off to see Danny Bryant's Sutton Town AFC host Gary Castledine's Forest Town -- looking forward to this one.....

Wednesday night out!

Weds 8th October 2008

Stayed in to watch the mighty Stags lose at Stevenage on Tuesday night, so our midweek footie fix is the NSL game between Hucknall Rolls Leisure and Magdala.

Thoughts on the game will be posted here later...

Photographs from Rainworth v Dunkirk

http://malcontheroad.jalbum.net/RainworthDunkirk/ Discovered a new hosting site..

http://malcontheroad.jalbum.net/rainworthDunkirkmore/ These are the ones that I originally rejected for one reason or another

Saturday 4th October 2008 results

Vase :
Borrowash Vics 1-3 Arnold Tn
Rainworth MW 1-3 Dunkirk

Trophy :
Carlton Town 2-1 Atherstone

EMCL :
Greenwood Meadows 2-5 Graham St Prims
Gedling MW 1-3 Holwell Sports
Gedling Town 4-3 Radford

UniBond :
Eastwood Town 3-1 Nantwich
Ilkeston Town 0-1 Guiseley

CMLP :
Kirkby Town 1-1 Bulwell Town

Notts FA Senior Cup :
Basford Utd 2-3 Calverton MW
Blidworth W 2-1 Bilborough Pelican
Clipstone W 1-1 Boots Ath (aet)
Forest Town 7-0 Thoresby
Kimberley Town 2-1 Rolls Royce Leisure
Sutton Town AFC 1-1 Newark Flowserve (2-3 pens)

BSP:
Mansfield Town 0-1 Woking

Saturday 4th October 2008

Rainworth MW v Dunkirk FC (F.A. VASE 1st round proper)

Made the trip to Kirklington Road on my own - Kevin has had a bereavement in the family and on these occasions, understandably, football takes back stage…

Went a different route to Rainworth today, tried out my new Garmin GPS… worked a treat - arrived with 20 minutes to spare.

On entering the ground, the Rainworth Chairman Brian Reece introduced himself and ushered me into the sponsors area - he handed me a diary, key ring and a box with a pen and the best toy I’ve had for ages ---- a “torch” (pictured), it's magnetic, has a bright blue light and a red pin light as well….brill !!! Apparently he reads this blog and wanted to give me a token of his appreciation - many thanks Mr. Reece.

Rainworth and Dunkirk are both at step 6 in the pyramid, the Wrens are in NCEL Div1, and Dunkirk are in the newly formed EMCL. The strong wind though meant that the game would be won by the team who were able to cope better with the conditions....

Wrens skipper Lee Wilkinson fouled Theo Smith in the 7th minute, and McCaughey 's free-kick was deflected, bringing out a fantastic diving save from Mark Hales in the home net. The ball was played into the box from the resultant corner and Referee Mr. Stickley saw an infringement -no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Aaron Brady hammered the spot kick into the roof of the net, giving Hales no chance.

On 20, the visitors went further ahead, another free-kick conceded - this time Hales failed to hold onto the ball and as it went lose in the 6 yard box, it was stabbed home by Brady...

The Wrens fought back and halved their arrears on the half-hour mark. A long throw from the left by Ashley Grayson was nodded down by Malc Brown and Danny Naylor was on hand to steer the ball over the line from close range.

Dunkirk almost made it three on 38, Brady heading over from two yards, but seconds later Rainworth had the chance to pull level, after being awarded a penalty (I have to admit I didn't see the incident). Mark Hales ran all the way from his goal to take the spot-kick - and promptly smashed the ball against Darren Wheater-Lowe's crossbar. If the ball had been cleared, the home net was empty!! Seems to be a strange choice of penalty taker -- a miss obviously leaves the opposite goal wide open.... H-T 1-2

Chatting with Rob and Caroline Whitehead during the interval, I said I though that with the wind behind them, the Wrens will win the game...(errr..note to self - stop predicting, you're rubbish at it!!).The second half started with both teams being a little over-physical, but there was nothing malicious, just 100% commitment from both sets of players.

Bignall, Whitehead and Bainbridge all had shots off target as Rainworth kept going forward, as they had to...but as an attack broke down in the 66th minute, the ball went to Adey Bascombe on the right wing. The youngster flew down the line, leaving Grayson in his wake before crossing from the by-line and finding Theo Smith on the far post. His thumping volley was far too good for Hales and the game was effectively over. Dunkirk almost added a fourth with 2 to go .. Mark Draper clearing Tom Baker's effort off the line. F-T 1-3

Not the best game ever, but Dunkirk handled the conditions well, and all round they were the better team on the day.

A cold afternoon with a biting wind - my hands were turning blue by the end of the game...last Saturday it was glorious sunshine, this week, big coat, wooley hat - left my gloves in the car - I won't next week!!

Anyway, another 4 goals - and as Dave Harbottle had predicted, the Boatmen kicked Rudy's bum - good and proper, and took the £1000 prize money ... ( by the way, Rob and Caroline have asked me not to visit Rainworth too many times - the last time I was there they went out of the FA cup !! )

£4.00 to get in and £1 for the usual excellent programme. Attendance - my estimate 50....there were a lot of local games on offer...

Tuesday I'm watching Mansfield on Sultana, but Wednesday hoping to drag Kev to Rolls v Magdala...

Friday 3rd October 2008

Saturday 4th October 2008 -- talk about spoilt for choice!!

Games on offer include ---

Vase : Borrowash Vics v Arnold Tn - Rainworth MW v Dunkirk

Trophy : Carlton Town v Atherstone

EMCL : Greenwood Meadows v Graham St Prims - Gedling MW v Holwell Sports - Gedling Town v Radford

UniBond : Eastwood Town v Nantwich - Ilkeston Town v Guiseley

CMLP : Kirkby Town v Bulwell Town

Notts FA Senior Cup : Basford Utd v Calverton MW - Blidworth W v Bilborough Pelican - Clipstone W v Boots Ath - Forest Town v Thoresby - Kimberley Town v Rolls Royce Leisure - Sutton Town AFC v Newark Flowserve

BSP - Mansfield Town v Woking

So we have :

Mansfield Town, Sutton Town, Blidworth W, Rainworth MW, Clipstone, Forest Town and Kirkby Town all at home on the same day? That's going to kill some attendances....

Gedling Town, Carlton Town at home on the same day?

Kimberley Town, Eastwood Town and Ilkeston Town all at home on the same day?

Looking at these fixtures, I imagine that there will be a few attendances that are lower than usual tomorrow......

Our match of choice is the one at Kirklington Road - Rudy Funk's Rainworth v Dave Harbottle's Dunkirk.... should be a good contest. However, my cup game choices are usually a bit iffy,,, watch this space!!

Wednesday 1st October 2008

Gedling Town v Graham Street Prims -- EMCL

Bonus extra midweek game, and my second trip in 5 days to the Riverside. Saturday the ground was bathed in glorious sunshine, but for this night game it was really very cold!! 1st October and big coats are out already!!

"Evening Post" Brian came to say hello again, and he said he had have several comments today about not getting his free coffee at the Arnold game..!!

Last time we saw GSP, they were beaten 4-0 by Gedling MW, but apparently this was a completely different team... they certainly began well enough, forcing Wardle in the Gedling goal to make two outstanding saves in the first couple of minutes. The first was a tip over from a fierce drive, the second from the resultant corner was point-blank - and when the loose ball was smashed over the bar from 6 yards, you had an idea this may be Gedling's night. Those thoughts changed in the 10th minute. Both teams were playing attractive football, quick, decisive passing with some fine indiviual play, and one of those was a mazy run and dribble by the no.7 shirt into the box that proved too good for his marker. A trip, a penalty, and right back Lillie smashed the ball past Wardle, who did get a hand to it, but to no avail.

The lead lasted barely 2 minutes though. A great move started by Davies - his ball found Ryan who delicately lobbed the ball goalwards. Gill managed a shot and the keeper blocked well, only to find little Ben Allison waiting to nod in the rebound from 6 yards.

Gedling went in front on 20, Ben Allison again "Johny-on-the-spot" as he prodded home after a goalmouth scramble. On the half-hour mark, Lavelle White broke free and was a mite lucky as his attempted flick over the keeper was not the best you'll ever see, but it hit the keeper and rolled into the net. Fantastic half of football, credit to both teams. H-T 3-1

Had a great natter with Greenwood Meadows' joint manager Mark Connors during the first half - he was there having a close look at Prims who visit Lenton Lane on Saturday...must have pleased him somewhat to see the Prims' fragile defence leaking so many goals.

What this man doesn't know about local non-league football is not worth knowing! He is also really enthusiastic and passionate about the squad that he and Nev Silcock have put together at Lenton Lane. After gaining entry into the EMCL, even though they finished next to bottom in the CMLS winning only 5 of 38 games, Mark and Nev have put together a squad that is a great mixture of experience and youth. After Meadows' win at Teversal, their manager Paul Thompson congratulated Connors on how well they played as a team. It looks like they have no superstars, no big-time Charlies, and their success is down to just plain old fashioned team-work....

Although Meadows sit atop the table at the moment, Mark has no thoughts of promotion yet - but he has been assured by his Chariman Mark Burton that if promotion is gained, their facilities will be up to the required grading .....

When the teams came out for the second half, I told Kev we ought to move to the end where Gedling were kicking - and for 15 minutes or so this seemed a daft decision -- the play was all at the other end !! My decision was justified though on 63, when great play by Allison lead to him playing the ball across goal to where Ryan Johnson was waiting to volley home with some relish.....

Prims were still fighting and reduced the deficit seconds later, a 20 yarder from Whitehead just evading the despairing dive of keeper Wardle. In the 75th minute, Jimmy Spiers ran into the box and fired past the keeper, only to see his goal-bound effort bundled over the line by Ben Allison - this 23 year-old certainly knows where the goal is!! A hat-trick, and all poached ... !!

The visitors were awarded a second penalty on 83, and Lillie's spot-kick fairly bulged the back of the net...

That was the end of the scoring, and thankfully the Referee only played a couple of extra minutes - the cold and the usual awful pong ensuring we made a quick exit! F-T 5-3

Official attendance 60

Admission £4

Programme - sold out!

What a week !! Games that finished 1-4, 2-1, 3-2, 4-1 and 5-3..... does it get better than this? No, but I bet it's going to get colder.......

Saturday -- off to see Rainworth take on Dunkirk in the vase -- "Evening Post" Brian had a quote from Dunkirk manager Dave Harbottle " we're going there to kick Rudy's bum! " Should be good game..