AC'S EXTRA FITNESS COUNTS

EXTRA TIME PROJECT FRIENDLY

AC WOLLATON 9 SNEINTON TOWN 5

A quick facebook message at 10.30am to me was saying the referee for this match had been called in to work, so I mentioned my friend and former Football League Official Steve Cooke from Derby who had said he would help sometime, so after a message to him, he gladly agreed to come and ref the game to which before thee game donated his fee to the extra time charity project as today it was for a little girl who had been involved in a tragic accident and badly burned at just 18 months old. This was the second of a series of these pre season games and the second one Id attended. The first game was a bit one sided, this one was nowhere like that.

After Hazel dropped me off in Hucknall, I caught the tram across Nottingham and caught the number 9 bus right outside the train station which took me to Rushcliffe Leisure Centre where I got a cuppa and had a chat with several players.

Just before kick off, 2 hoppers appeared, one from Bolton and another from Blackburn for this 1.30pm kick off and bought there programmes for just a pound.

Whilst in the cubhoouse, a chap asked if I was with AC Wollaton and I told him I just attended matches and was on the committee of the Nottinghamshire Senior League and he turned out to be former Notts County player Dave Norton and he introduced me to Mark Draper who;s team named Team DNF have just been accepted into the NSL for next season.

The game kicked off for a hour each way game and Sneinton looked very quick and organised, whilst AC looked out of shape and Town were soon in a 3-1 lead, a couple of handbags appeared and th ref took the sting out the heat by asking for the player to be taken off until he had settled down, to which he did.

Half time came and the visitors were leading 3-2 and the gentleman John from Bolton bought me a cuppa before I bumped in to a chap from Calverton.

AC stepped up their game in the second half as the young Sneinton side began to tired and mistakes were beginning to take place and the goals began to pour, must add some excellent advantage decisions given as well by the experianced referee.

At the end of thee game, hand shakes all round by all players and officials and beer enjoyed in the clubhouse.

Photos from the match can be seen HERE

AC ELECTRIC AGAINST THE SAINTS

Extra Time Charity Pre Season Friendly Project

AC WOLLATON 10 FC SAINTS 1

Admission Free

Glossy Programme £1

Well there was a big debate in my non league football facebook group to whether a game in June was the last game of te season or the first of the next, as far as Im concerned, all players become free agents and de-registered as of the 31st of May, so to me this was my first pre season friendly of the 2016-17 season..For those who arent members of my Non League Football Facebook Group please click HERE

Another question Im asked is how can a pre season match take place durin June, well the Extra Time Project was devised by AC Wollaton last season to help look at new players and keep up fitness levels and play games that raise money for local charities.

Well todays game was against a team called FC Saints, a newly formed team from Southglade in Nottingham and a fair few turned up to watch the game including Greg Osborne and his dad, Mr Macca senior, Simon Matters and a hopper who;s name ive already forgotten from Harlow.

The game itself was played in 2 x 50 minute halves and was one sided, not sure if was the fact that AC were very good and The Saints were poor, but the AC side had players who had played at a higher standard, whilst The Saints looked a very young side, but to be fair didnt give up.

The game began and after 4 minutes ASH ROBINSON hot a volley from the back post to open the scoring,  but AC were pegged back when The Saints equalised after 19 minutes, but that was as close as the game got.

The goals then reigned in like the speed of the Nottingham Trams, every few minutes, with GRIGGS making it 2-1 then WES BURKE hitting a low long shot that crept in the corner, much to his laughter, Id missed it in my camera! The managers son LUCA PIETRAFORTE made it 4-1 for half time.

In the Second Half, CORTNEY SAMUELS scored a couple, along with a solo goal from 15 year old RYAN ROBINSON, WES BURKE bagged a superb overhead kick before ASH ROBINSON finished off his hat trick.

Must did that Ref Jevon Swinscoe had a very good game and has donated his match fee to the Extra Time Project charity.

Photos from the game can be seen HERE

Wes Burke runs the PMG movement, PMG aims are unbiased and help support young lads into football and also has links with several professional football clubs like Leicester City and Sheffield United, in their first year they gained over 50 trails with pro clubs. ..PMG stands for Pass, Move, Grin.

HOPPER FAMILY RAISE RECORD CHARITY TOTAL

For the 2015/16 season me and Hazel decided to split the amount raised by the Blog between 2 charities, one local to us in Nottingham and the other in Preston, Lancs. Both charities having the same aims and goals and that was to help and aid people with mental issues and Vulnerable people including ex military. We have saved 25p for every goal we have seen during the season.

This season thanks to a lot of clubs and hoppers and the help of the Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League, we reached a record amount raised of £1400, to which on 31st May 2016, we handed over the cheque of £700 to the Nottingham Charity "Improving Lives" who have altered their name recently from Integritas. The other £700 will be presented on Saturday 6th August to The Foxton Centre.

For the 2016-17 season, we have decided to sponsor the 10th Mansfield Scouts Group who are in real need of equipment as they are based in a under priviliged area. My son Shawn as many of you know has autism and he enjoys going to the Scouts every Thursday Evening but the group is reliant on funds coming in, so if any club, supporter would like to make a donation, please see me round the Grounds and we will be very grateful.