KIMBERLEY MW RETAIN HORACE HIBBERT MEMORIAL SHIELD

Horace Hibbert Memorial Shield

KIMBERLEY MINERS WELFARE 2 EASTWOOD COMMUNITY 1

The Horace Hibbert Memorial Shield has been played pre season each season now for a few years between clubs from Kimberley and Eastwood and always serves up a good local derby.

Danny Staley of Kimberley MW invited me, my wife Hazel and son Shawn to the Stag Ground to do the raffle for our Charity Blog and we would like to thank everyone as we raised a fantastic £35.00.

On arrival we were greeted and bought a cuppa by Kimberley's sec John Beeston, always nice to have a chat to him and just before kick off was joined by local hoppers Malc Storer, Alan Savage and local sweet eaters The Hartsthorne Brothers who I stood with during the first half of the match.

The game kicked off and it was the visitors who controlled the early play with the majority of the Eastwood side having played for local rivals and now defunct Hucknall Rolls Leisure FC last season.

After 22 minutes, Eastwood took the lead when the centre forward beat the Welfare defence and tuck the ball home. This seemed to be a wake up call for the homesters as they got in to the game and began to attack and after 37 minutes were awarded a free kick some 30 yards out to which GREG SIMMONS hit low in to the bottom left hand side of the net to equal the scores. At this stage Kimberley Miners Welfare Chairman Neil Wilson asked of I would do the honour of presenting the winning shield to the winning club at the end of the game.

As the Second Half began, I stood with Albert Greaves before he went as the game went through abit of a dull period and really needed a goal to brighten things up, as Albert was saying hs good byes, up popped JARROD WESTCARR with what turned out to be the winner after 61 minutes.

Eastwood pushed forward but this left gaps at the back and it was the visiting keeper with a string of saves that kept the score down but it was Kimberley Miners Welfare's Day as they were presented with the Horace Hibbert Memorial Shield.

Please click HERE for all photos from the match

SHERWOOD CONTINUE THEIR GOOD PRE SEASON

Pre Season Friendly

SHERWOOD COLLIERY 4 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE 2

These two teams met in last seasons Notts FA Senior Cup where Ben Johnson(not the sprinter) of Ruddington broke his leg in a freak accident during the tie, so the two teams arranged this friendly. I will be honest I was going to stay in and watch tele, as I had forgotton about the match, even though it was on my pre season friendlies list on this charity blog. 

At lunchtime, Sherwood had tweeted the game and I though sod the tele, a match to go to, my 10th pre season, also Ruddinton Village Reserves FC had won the Notts Senior League Respect Trophy for Division One last season but the club that won it the year before forgot to hand it back, so after a bit of chasing, it came to my house last week, so it was a good idea to just pop up the road and award it to this years owners.

I rang Mr Ruddington Steve Wilson who told me it was a 6.30pm kick off, so I tweeted it and arrived at the ground for 6pm and strolled up to the pitch, which looked excellent and Phil Kirkwood was putting up the nets and told me it was 7.45pm kick off, so it was a stroll down to the clubhouse and well didnt fancy a cuppa so had a few beers.

Before kick off I was joined by Mr Clippo Barry Clarke who was looking really well and a few others, when I asked Steve about the 6.30pm kick off, he has mistaken my question and said the players were to meet at the ground for 6.30pm.

I paid my £2 entry and stood with Mr and Mrs Dunstan during the first half. The game kicked off and Sherwood were straight on to the front foot and after just 4 minutes took the lead, but Ruddington were going to just come along and make up the numbers and were back on level terms after 6 minutes.

The rain began to hammer down but the players seemed up their game and carry on playing too a very high standard. On 20 minutes the Colliery side retook the lead to make it 2-1, but again the Villagers refused to lie down and were again level after 34 minutes.

Just before half time, Sherwood had a good spell and went in to the break 3-2 in front after a goal on 40 minutes. At half time, a well refreshed bovril was in order as the rain had stopped ut it went a bit chilly. 

The Second Half I joined Mr Short, Dean's brother, as Dean is manager of Teversal FC. The game slowed down in pace as subs were made at a regular timing. Though it was still a very good game, but then a Ruddington player had to come off with a knock and left them to play the final 20 minutes with just 10 players.

Sherwood were now finding the gaps and having played a few more friendlies, their extra fitness was showing through, so after 80 minutes, it came as no surprise that they increased their lead to 4-2.

As friendlies go, I think both teams will be glad of the run out and look at the positives from the match.

DRAW FAIR SCORE

Pre Season Friendly

GEDLING SOUTHBANK 2 BILBROUGH TOWN 2

A late friendly arranged for a Monday evening saw me venture down to Calverton MW, on arrival, I spotted that the game wasnt to be played on the main pitch but thee back pitch which was in very good nick.

I popped inside th welfare for a cuppa but the kitchen were closed, in which tome bumped in to old friend John Cusack who now runs a club called Rainworth Archers who play out at Farnsfield.

When I got to pitchside, I was soon joined by Wayne Morrison and  fellow blogger and the chap who encouraged me to do this charity blog Malc Storer, Malc is Mr Non League Notts Hopper, though he doesnt really like to be called a hopper. He does a tremendous blog, which you can view HERE 

The game kicked off on time at 7.15pm and I was told before the game it would be 3 30 minutes, but this seemed to have been altered to a proper 45 minute each way.

We didnt have to wait very long before the first goal was scored as a shot from a acute angle from the left side of the box went home after just 4 minutes for Bilborough Town.

Gedling Southbank who play in the Division below, didnt give up and attacked as much as Town did and after 17 minutes were on level terms after converting a penalty.

The game was very even but after 52 minutes, it was the Romanys that retook the lead after a mix up in the Southbank defence.

Southbank continued to pay their football and got a deserved equaliser on 67 minutes. On 70 minutes, Bilborough felt they should have been awarded a penalty when their attacker was held back by his shirt but this was on the blind sode of the referee who waved away the appeals, though with just 4 minutes left on the clock, Town should have wrapped the game up after being awarded a penalty, but it was missed.

I must thank Nick Edgar, the manager of Gedling Southbank FC for the kind £10 donation to the Charity Blog.

TOWN BREAK DOWN THE BRICK WALL

Pre Season Friendly

KIRTON BRICKWORKS FC 1 NEWARK TOWN FC 4

Well a third visit to the Brickworks this pre season was a fixture I had planned for quite a while, mainly to meet up with good old friend Richard Lane.

On arrival, I didnt feel too well as Im not sure if my sugars was down, so was grateful that Thearea;s refreshment bar had some sausage rolls available and I soon felt better after stuffing myself with one.

Had a good chat with the locals and Town's Dave Hurstfield(photo below)

The game kicked off and was fairly even but Newark were the ones that were creating the better chances but wasted quite a few as we reached the half time point.

The Second Half kicked off and Town were straight on the attack and soon took the lead on 48 minutes, but the Brickies werent going to lay down and were soon on level terms when they equalised after 53 minutes.

Newark made several subs and fresh legs seemed to open the game up for them, as they took the lead again after 67 minutes. On 72 minutes they extended their lead to 3-1 and Kirton pressed forward but the young Newark Keeper kept their goal in tact. Three minutes from time, Newark made it 4-1 to complete the goals for the day.

A good day to meet up with old and new friends from the local Non League Football scene.

Photos from the game can be seen HERE

VILLA & SWANS SHARE SIX GOAL FRIENDLY

Pre Season Friendly

UNDERWOOD VILLA 3 SWANWICK PENTRICH ROAD 3

After a very hot day I asked Hazel if she would drop me down at Bracken Park, the home of Underwood Villa FC for their home pre season match v Swanwick Pentrich Road FC. On arrival, Dean's kum Gloria had her little refreshments bar open and in full swing and I had a quick cuppa before venturing out towards pitchside as the sun began to fade.

The game kicked off and it was Underwood who were straight in to the game and were in the lead after just 100 seconds. The Swans pushed forward and on 9 minutes they were on level terms when a ball played through the middle found the attacker who lobbed the outcoming keeper.

The game was very even, with Swanwick pressing forward and the Underwood number 6 ruling the midfield. On 41 minutes the visitors took the lead.

The sun came out for the Second Half and the games pace slowed down as the heat was getting to the players, but we still had both sides creating chances and after 74 minutes, it was Villa who were back level.

With 5 minutes to play, Underwood thought they had won the game, when going in to a 3-2 lead, but the Swans fought back within a minute to square the friendly up as a draw.

Nice to meet folks from both clubs and have a drink with them afterwards in the impressive Villa Suite.

Photos from the game can be seen HERE

A FINE DAY AT RAVENSHEAD FC

Pre Season Double Header

RAVENSHEAD FC 1 BILBOROUGH UNITED FC 1

Had this pre season friendly marked out for quite a while as Ravenshead FC will be newcomers to the Notts Senior League for the upcoming season. Local hopper Rob Campion from Leicester contacted me to see if I was still going and was to meet up at the ground. On the Friday I found that the day was to be a double header with the Reserves playing Derbyshire Amateurs, so it was 2 games to watch and the weather was nice enough to do that.

On arrival, I was greeted by a couple of Bilborough United players and then by their manager/chairman Dean Seymour, then I popped in to the Leisure Centre foyer to get a cuppa, before grabbing a seat on the park bench near the changing room area, when I was welcomed by the Ravenshead manager Ross.

The big surprise was that  the game was being played on a second pitch and this is being used for all their pre season friendlies, so the hoppers who count pitches, then here is a great opportunity to visit.

The referee turned up Adrian Cresswell who Ive not seen for a few years now and we had a chat before Rob Campion arrived just before kick off.

The First half went from end to end and it was a surprise that at half time it was still 0-0 as chances were going begging.

At half time it was a walk up the hill back to the Leisure centre and I got another cuppa and a bottle of pop, then me and Rob sat on a bench behind the goal to watch the second half in the shade from the bright sunshine.

The Second Half began with United on the front foot missing a couple of early chances, but after 51 minutes, a close shot from inside the 6 yard box went in to the bottom corner of the net.

Ravenshead came straight back out fighting and on 54 minutes were level when a long range shot was fired home.

The game continued to flow back and forth without any other goals being scored and a draw was a true reflection of the game at the final whistle.

After the match, Rob Campion kindly donated £10 to the blogs charity

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

RAVENSHEAD RESERVES 5 DERBYSHIRE AMATEURS 2

The Second match of the afternoon saw Ravenshead Reserves all ready to kick off at 4pm whilst their visitors were looking upwards towards the car park, it emerged they only had ten players, so Ravenshead kindly borrowed them a player who needed a run out.

The Amateurs began brightly and had a couple of attacks before the homesters began to settle in to the game, after 15 minutes, Ravenshead took the lead and by then looked comfortable and continued to create chance after chance, but like in most games, if you dont finish, the side are always in the game and after 37 minutes, the club from Long Eaton were back on level terms.

The Second Half started at a frantic pace with shots for both sides going wayward until the 57th minute, when the visitors took the lead through a solo run and shot goal.

This seemed to wake the home club and they began to play their best football of the game, pushing forward at every opportunity and it came as no surprise on 77 minutes when they equalised.

This seemed to hit the visitors hard as their heads seemed to drop and the home sides passing got better and in a 4 minute spell between the 82nd and 86th minute they had added another three goals to their tally.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

After the match, the Ravenshead Management/Committee kindly donated £10 towards the Charity Blog, so with the £10 donated from Rob Campion and the £2.25p raised from the 9 goals seen at the 2 matches, it takes the Blogs running total to a amazing £363.25p

THE ROMANYS HIT SIX ON THEIR TRAVELS

Pre Season Friendly

KIRTON BRICKWORKS FC 1 BILBOROUGH TOWN FC 6

For the second week on the trot I headed for Kirton Brickworks for a pre season match, I had planned to go to Ruddington Village v Keyworth United, but a change in venue and difficulty getting there by bus plus a late 4.30pm kick off put pay to that plan. My mum and my nephew have come over for the weekend from Lichfield and wanted to come to the football with me, so it had to be somewhere close and with Kirton giving the green light after wet weather, it was all systems go.

On arrival, I was met and greeted by the Kirton folks and Steve Lee(Chairman, Secretary, Manager etc) kindly donated £20 to the Charity Blog.

Just before kick off, I heard it was to be a match of 4 thirty minute quarters, so a two hour game, with both sides wanting to look at new players.

The game kicked off and it was a fairly even start to the game and maybe Kirton should have gone in front when a clear cut chance was sliced off target, so it was Town who took the lead after 14 minutes. Kirton a division below in the NSL didnt lay down and tried to fight back but it was Bilborough Town who extended their lead to a two goal advantage after 47 minutes with a stunning shot from 30 yards out. 

The Brickies fought back after 50 minutes and were on the scoresheet to reduce the arrears, so at a normal 90 minute mark, it was 2-1 to the visitors, but experiance from a couple of players who have ventured at a higher level combined with Kirton's tiring legs lead to Town scoring another four goals in a 15 minute spell.

With the kind donation of £20 and the £1.75 from the seven goals scored, it now brings the running charity blog total to £341.00, which this season is going to the 10th Mansfield Scout Group for new equipment to aid the youngsters(including my son Shawn who attends the group)

KIRTON BRICKWORKS FC TWITTER

https://twitter.com/KirtonFC

BILBOROUGH TOWN FC TWITTER

https://twitter.com/btfcboss

PHOTOS FROM THE MATCH, PLS CLICK HERE

KIRTON KICK OFF WITH GOOD FRIENDLY WIN

Pre Season Friendly

KIRTON BRICKWORKS 6 WATNALL ATHLETIC 2

Last season Kirton Brickworks finished bottom of the Division One table, whilst Watnall Athletic lead the Division Two table for a long time during the season before just fading towards the final games.

Kirton have now installed a new management team and remained in Division One, whilst Watnall have been promoted to Division One.

Having to stay close to home, I attended this friendly between two good clubs, on arrival I was given a free cuppa by Trish who runs the clubs refreshment bar and then I had to make a presentation to Joe Brooks of Watnall who received the joint most highest man of the match awards throughout last season in Division Two.

I was soon joined by local hopper Pete Watmough who stood with me throughout the match.

The game kicked off and Watnall soon took the lead after just 2 minutes and the visitors looked the better side for the first 15 minutes, but after 17 minutes, Kirton were back on level terms and were soon in control with goals flying in as they went in to the half time break leading 3-1.

Watnall came out in the second half and straight away pulled it back to 3-2 after scoring a penalty but after that it was all Kirton on the front foot and they ran out a impressive 6-2 victors.

With the 8 goals scored today and donations kindly received from Ian Runham, West Bridgford FC and Ruddington Village FC the charity blogs running total goes on to £319.25