COTGRAVE POTT THE NSL LEAGUE CUP

Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League Cup Final

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY 2 COTGRAVE FC 3

@ Dunkirk FC

Att: 272

A very exciting Cup Final ended with Cotgrave FC lifting the Notts Senior League Cup Trophy. The game played in bright sunshine in front of a crowd of 272 at the Ron Steel Sports Ground, the home of Dunkirk FC.

Nottingham Trent University had the first chance after only 14 seconds, when the Cotgrave keeper was called in to early action. After 5 minutes, Cotgrave took the lead, when a cross was whipped in and Uni defender CONNOR BARTLE turned the ball past Jake Cox in the Uni net.

Cotgrave continued to press forward, but finding Cox in great form. On the half hour, the Uni side began to come more in to the game, with a free kick that just dipped over the bar.

After 42 minutes, the men in pink, gained their first corner of the game, to which the Cotgrave backmen tried to clear, just outside the penalty area, where DAN BUSCH hit a 35 yard volley to pull his side level.

On 53 minutes, Cotgrave retook the lead, when ADAM GRAY chipped Cox from just outside the penalty area.

The Uni pushed forward and in the 64th minute, they were awarded a penalty after a trip, up stepped sub AKIM AKIMBINU to smash the ball down the centre of the net to make it 2-2.

In the 76th minute, NTU went close to taking the lead for the first time in the tie, when a Jon Coates shot went close. 

With the clock ticking down and looking likely that the game may go in to extra time as the 2 well matched sides both went in search of a winner, on 78 minutes, Cotgrave;s top striker broke away from his defender and run towards Cox and though Cox got a hand to LEE POTTS effort, it was too good a chance for him to miss the follow up to take the League Cup home to Cotgrave FC.

League Guest of honour Andy Rolfe named Cotgrave FC;s JOE HEGGERTY as man of the match but presenting the 4 officials who had a superb game and both sides their medals, before handing the Cup to Cotgrave captain LEE POTTS

Me and Hazel would like to thank all that supported the Charity Raffle at the Final and she raised a whooping £151, after the match the Referee James Tewson and 4th Official Lewis Quayle both donated £5 each to take the running total for MAGGIES CANCER CENTRE at Nottingham City Hospital to a amazing £847.90p.

All the photos taken from the Final, you will find on this LINK

Well that is the 2016-17 season over apart from Wembley for Non League Day but pre season starts again very soon and if your clubs have any pre season friendlies in the Midlands area, please let me know and I will gladly advertise them on my Charity Blog.

The NEW CHARITY BLOG 2017-18 is already up and running, here is the LINK

FOOTBALL AID

FOOTBALL AID MATCH

held at City Ground, Nottingham

RED KIT FC 6 BLACK KIT FC 6

A couple of weeks back, Notts Senior League Referee Gregg Stuart contacted me via private message n facebook and offered me and my wife Hazel a couple of guest tickets for the Football Aid match being held at the home of Nottingham Forest, with a 10am kick off.

We went along and really didnt know much about the event or how skilled the players were, so I looked it up on the internet.

Football Aid is held over and held in parks of the UK and gives players a chance to play on professional grounds, whilst raising money for charity along the way.

On to the pitch the teams were lead out by a little girl called Ellie May and the 4 officials, 3 of whom I know from the Notts Senior League, namely Gregg Stuart, James Tewson and George Dibbs, plus a young female official Phoebe Cross.

The game kicked off and it was soon noticed that the standard of football was going to be quite good, as many of the players only played each week in five side games. Each team had a Ex professional player in their line ups, the Red team, it was Craig Armstrong and the Black shirted team Paul McGregor.

The game was tight in the First Half with the Reds leading 3-2 at the break, the Second Half, The Reds took control and went in to a 6-3 lead, but the Black shirted team pulled it back to 6-6 in a very competitive match.

A game played in the right spirit, in front of families and friends.

After the match, I did hear that a few players were going up to Sunderland to play in Monday morning at the Stadium of Light.

With 12 goals scored, the £3 iis now in the pot and takes the running total up to £685.65p

VILLA LIFT NSL JUNIOR CUP

Precision Notts Senior League

Junior Cup Final

KIMBERLEY MW RESERVES 0 AWSWORTH VILLA RESERVES 4

@ Sandiacre Town FC

Att: 147

Kimberley went in to the game as favourites having done the double in the league over Awsworth, but with the clubs hardly a mile apart and in a Cup Final, League form goes out the window.

The First Half saw a very even contest and it was vital who was going to opening the scoring and just as I thought the half would end goal less I popped in to the clubhouse to fetch the tickets for the half time charity raffle, when I got back to pitchside, I was told it was still 0-0 and there was a break in play as all 5 footballs suppied by the league had gone missing, a few were tracked down and play resume. What had happened unknown to me, was that Awsworth had taken the lead on 44 minutes through JAKE BROOKES.

The Second Half begin and it was Awsworth on the front foot and in the 48th minute, doubled their lead when a long free kick was headed in, though the last touch seemed to come off a Kimberley player, GEORGE COPPER went on to claim the goal.

It then turned in to a real derby game, with both sides putting in some meaty challenges and keeping the referee on his toes.

Kimberley pushed forward but the Awsworth defence was staying strong at the back.

After 77 minutes, KURT SAVAGE slid the ball home from close range to make it 3-0.  After 84 minutes, Awsworth wrapped up the game when JUAN VICKERS completed the scoring.

On the Final whistle, Ex Notts Senior League Official Andy Rolfe who was guest of honour did the presentation

We would like to thank Sandiacre Town FC for the kind donations of prizes for the raffle, The Notts Senior League for allowing Hazel to do the raffle and also both clubs, supporters etc for buying raffle tickets in aid of this seasons blogs charity MAGGIES CANCER CENTRE based at Nottingham City Hospital, to which Hazel raised a whopping £117.00, which takes the running total a amazing £682.65p.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

BOATMEN LIFT NOTTS FA INTERMEDIATE CUP

Notts FA Intermediate Cup Final

AFC DUNKIRK 4 BASFORD UNITED COMMUNITY FC 3

played at Eastwood Community FC

A gripping end to end Cup Final saw AFC Dunkirk run out victors 4-3. The game began with Community looking the better side and went ahead after just 3 minutes, when a ZAIRE BIRCHALL-JACKSON bullet shot hit the back of the net.

Basford pushed forward and a cross from the left saw a forward narrowly connect with the goal gaping on 18 minutes and this seemed to be the turning point of the match, as the next Dunkirk attack on 20 minutes saw TIM BERRIDGE knock home the equaliser.

This seemed to throw Dunkirk the confidence they needed and within a minute, they took the lead, when TIM BERRIDGE;s looping shot ducked over the Basford keeper to put his side in to the lead.

On 22 minutes, Dunkirk extended their lead to 3-1 when GEORGE HARRISION netted to the delight of the Boatmen crowd. After 38 minutes, Basford thought they were back in the game, but the referee spotted a push in the Dunkirk defender and ruled out a Basford goal.

On the hour, Basford were in fact back in the game, when a long range thunderbolt shot by BETTISON PAIXAO was rifled in to the net to reduce his sides arrears.

On 78 minutes, the Community side pushed forward and were on level terms when MALCOLM PODIER;s low show nestled in to the net to even things up at 3-3 and it was game on.

Both sides continued to press forward to avoid extra time and after 84 minutes, Harry Wakefield broke through and was bought down for a penalty by the Community keeper and SAMUEL HARBOTTLE stepped up and dispatched the penalty to win the cup for the Boatmen.

A superb match which was a credit for both clubs that ply their trace in the Precision Nottinghamshire Senior Football League.

The Charity Blog had some excellent news this morning, when a groundhopper Graham Moseley kindly sent a donation of £71.00 for MAGGIES CANCER CENTRE at Nottingham City Hospital, so with the 7 goals as well at this evenings final, it takes the running total to a massive £564.65p

TUREK BROTHERS SECURE RANGERS VICTORY

Midland Regional Alliance

Premier Division

SHIREBROOK RANGERS FC 2 CROMFORD FC 0

Attendance: 23

Many a time, I have visited relations in Shirebrook and also each Wednesday, my son Shawn has swimming lessons at Stubbin Wood, which is only about 800 yards from Warren Terrace, the home of Shirebrook Rangers FC.

A couple of times, Ive gone to go to this venue this season but for some reason never made it, so when I saw this Wednesday Evening fixture wit a 6.30pm kick off, only 30 minutes after Shawn had finished his lesson, so this chance was too good to miss.

I texted the Rangers Manager and got a reply straight away to say that the game was on and he even sent me details of how to get to the ground and the colours that his team play in.

On arrival, I met a hopper who had travelled from Birmingham and then Veteran arrived, as the sides entered the pitch, the visiting Cromford FC keeper Adam Gratton came over to chat to me, as Ive known his dad for a long time through the non league game, but sadly he couldnt be there this evening.

The game kicked off and after just 2 minutes, the visitors nearly went in front after the keeper fumbled a routine catch and the attacker hit the post from close range. This scare seemed to settle the homesters nerves and they began to put a few passes together and after 7 minutes, they went in front from a JORDAN TUREK effort.

Cromford werent going to lay down and were very stubbon and defended well, as Rangers went forward to try and double their slender lead. 

At half time, I was offered a free cuppa, which I think it was the managers wife made , so a thankyou to her, as it wasnt expected.

The Second Half saw Shirebrook pour forward and it only looked a matter of time before the goals were going to flow, but Cromford werent giving up and were a threat on a couple of occasions and Rangers had to thank their keeper in the 57th minute, when he produced a superb one handed save that he pushed over the crossbar.

Just after the hour, Rangers got their just deserts, when a quick break down the right side, saw Jordan draw the oncoming keeper and square the ball for his brother MARK TUREK to tap home.

The last half hour seemed a bit scappy and end of season football, with the man in the middle having to stop and start the game for niggling tackles.

With the 2 goals scored at the match, this adds 50p to the charity running total for MAGGIES CANCER CENTRE at City Hospital in Nottingham at £491.90p

The photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

RAFFS HEADS THE TITLE TO ALL WHITES

Precision Notts Senior League

Premier Division

FC CAVALIERS 0 CLIFTON ALL WHITES 1

Att 90

What a day it turned out to be, not Groundhopping but Tram Hopping. Hazel dropped me off at Hucknall Tram Station and I caught the tram as far as Basford and changed to the clifton bound tram as I headed to Wilford Lane, as I was going to Unity FC v Aston United, as I arrived in front of the Roko Centre, I was greeted by one of the Assistant Referees Jevon Swinscoe who informed me the referee had just rung him at 2pm to say the game was off due to Unity FC unable to field a side, I then got the phone call from Unity FC;s secretary, so it was a matter of where should I go, I knew there were two games being played at the Gresham Centre, but I also knew that if Clifton All Whites won away at FC Cavaliers then they would clinch the Premier Division Championship, so there was something on that game.

Me and Jevon caught the tram round to the Forest Recreaton Ground and walked the ten minutes across the Forest to reach the ground, I was greeted by the Cavs Founder Karl White who kindly gave me and match day programme and also donated £5 towards the Blogs Charity, which is MAGGIES CANCER CENTRE at City Hospital Nottingham, so the running total now stands at £491.40p. So a BIG thankyou to Karl.

The game kicked off and Clifton started the brighter, with some attacking moves, but Cavs were tight at the back and also breaking and shooting from distance, so at the half way stage it remained goalless.

The Second Half began and in Clifton;s first attack, they took the lead, when a shot hit the bar and bounced out for NIALL O RAFFERTY to head home(as seen in above photo).

Clifton continued to push for the second goal, but whilst it didnt come, FC Cavaliers kept breaking on the counter attack and with better luck could well have snatch a goal, but though playing well, it was to be Clifton All Whites day and the Championship will be presented next Saturday at their home match against Bilborough Town.

I felt all three officials had good games and I must thank Ref Ian Smith for kindly dropping me back at the tram stop, so I could get back to Hucknall..For those of you that read my blog and enjoy Real Ale, the Station Hotel next to Hucknall Tram Station is now a real ale pub, when I arrived it was full of Portsmouth fans who had been to the Mansfield Town v Portsmouth match.

Photos can be seen on this LINK

AIREY FINISH FOR SELSTON TO RETAIN TITLE

Central Midlands League

South Division

SELSTON FC 1 PINXTON FC 0

Programme £3

Att: 522

Today was Selston FC's Chairmans Day, a annual event that the Selston FC Chairman Mark Wilson set up after I took the NSL Groundhop there some years ago and the locals came out to support the event.

Over the years, the event has not only added kids games before the main match but plenty of family fun of the pitch with side stalls like bouncing castles, ice cream van and also a real ale room, which today offered 3 barrels of different ales and 3 different ciders, to which I was sampling Lemon and Lime Cider for most of the afternoon.

Todays Chairmans Day was a bit different to the past, with the Central Midlands South Division title on the line, Eastwood Community FC had finished their games and were 2 points ahead of Selston FC before kick off, so nothing more than a win would be enough for Selston FC.

Just before kick off, I was joined by a lovely groundhopping couple from the North East, namely Lee Stewart and his partner Katie Wallace, who we chattered away during the match.

Selston began the better but Pinxton were very stubborn and proving hard to break down, but after 27 minutes, the ball fell to DOMINIC AIREY who fired home to send the home crowd in to raptures.

Selston were having the better of the half and really should have gone two up but on a one on one, a forward fired wide.

Thee Second Half saw Selston hit the post and crossbar twice and they looked very nervous, as the clock was ticking down, but they more than did enough to hold on and clinch their third step 7 championship title in the past four seasons.

With just the one goal, the Blog Charity of MAGGIES CANCER CENTRE at Nottingham City Hospital, the running total moves on to £486.15p

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

MILLERS ARE NOTTS FA JUNIOR CUP WINNERS

Notts FA Junior Cup Final

AWSWORTH VILLA RESERVES 3 MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 5

Played at Basford United FC

Firstly I must thank Mansfield Hosiery Mills FC Chairman Russell Booth for the kind lift to and from the Final and would like to thank him for the £5 donation towards the Blogs Charity in Maggies Cancer Centre at City Hospital in Nottingham, along with the £2 for the goals scored in this final, it takes the running total to £485.90p

A chat on arrival with the officials of this evenings game, the Referee Richard Mills and his three Assistants Lewis Quayle, Colin White and Aidan Jackson and also a catch old friends Dave Hunt.

The game kicked off and it was the Huithwaite based side that was first on the front foot and after just minutes were ahead, when LUKE GREAVES cut down the left hand side before shooting in to the near post.

Awsworth were back in the game and on level terms on 7 minutes, when from a corner from the right hand side found the head of GEORGE COOPER to head home.

Hosiery Mills werent stunned by this and carried on playing the flowing football Ive seen them play in previous rounds of this competition and all credit to them when they retook the lead on 25 minutes, when JAKE BATTY made it 2-1.

On 32 minutes, a terrible judgement by the Villa keeper allowed a shot from AARON TURNER squeeze in to the net with a little help from the keepers hand. It got worse for Awsworth as 2 minutes later, it looked like game over, when AARON TURNER curl a superb ball in to the far side of the net from 30 yards out to make it 4-1 to the Underdogs.

Awsworth pushed forward but the Millers missed a couple of good chances to increase their lead, but right on the stroke of half time, Villa reduced the arrears when SAM McELROY pulled a goal back.

The teams came out for the Second Half and it looked like this could be a game where the next goal would be vital and it was Awsworth who came straight out on the attack and on 47 minutes, SAM McELROY made it 4-3, so most of us thought this could well be the fightback, but how wrong we was proved, when on 49 minutes JAKE BATTY burst through and lobbed the outcoming keeper to make it 5-3 to the Millers.

Awsworth;s chances in the second hhalf went high and wide, whilst Hosiery Mills chances were denied several times by the Awsworth keeper.

A very good match, won by the better team on the night.

The Celebration dance by Mansfield Hosiery Mills FC can be seen on this LINK

TEAM DNF ARE THE CHAMPS

Precision Notts Senior League

Division Two

TEAM DNF 8 SELSTON RESERVES 1

Att: 37

Looking at this match some weeks ago when planning m matches, this was top v third and this was the case as the teams went in to the fixture. On arrival it was a matter of getting a cuppa and getting the team line ups. Team DNF's Chairman is ex Aston Villa, Hull City and Notts County man Dave Norton.

The game kicked off and it was very level with both sides probing each other, with few chances but the game being played at a fast pace.

After 14 minutes, TOBY SEWELL danced through the visitors defence before firing DNF in front. Selston refused to lay down and pushed forward and after 27 minutes could well have been on level terms but saw the ball bounce back off the crossbar, they say games have turning points and on 39 minutes, selstons attack from a corner broke down and within 20 seconds CAMERON GRAY had doubled the homesters lead.

The Second Half began with Selston forcing forward and again had a shot superbly saved and pushed on to the crossbar by Mason in the DNF goal. You then knew this wasnt to be Selstons day and the champers was on ice for Team DNF and on 58 minutess, RYAN HASTIE, the home team player/manager added a third.

On the hour, a sub was made by DNF and on came SheldonTuitt and he made a impact straight away on the game when on 64 minutes rounding the visiting keeper to make it 4-0.

On 69 minutes, it became 5-0 when SHELDON TUITT broke through and superbly chipped the keeper for the ball to land in the far corner of the net.

After 74 minutes, a free kick just outside the area was taken by CAMERON GRAY who fired home and made it 6-0, by now the Selston players began to look tired on the 3g surface.

On 78 minutes, SHELDON TUITT comleted his hat trick and the championship came to the pitchside by now, ready to be awarded at the end of the match.

Selston didnt give up and kept pressing forward and after 86 minutes, JAMIE SHACKLOCK cut in from the left wing and fired home from a acute angle to make it 7-1, but DNF was to have the last say, when a minute later SHELDON TUITT fired home to make the final score 8-1.

On the final whistle, I presented Team DNF with the Division Two Championship.

I just say that referee John Beckett had a superb game and he kindly donated £10 of his match fee to the Blogs Charity(so a BIG Thankyou to John) and with the 9 goals scored, we now have a running total for Maggies Cancer Centre at Nottingham City sitting at a amazing £478.90p

The Photos from the match and presentation can be seen on this LINK

REV'S FIVE PUSHES ROVERS UP THE TABLE

Notts Senior League

Division One

ASHLAND ROVERS FC 8 BILBOROUGH UNITED FC 2

A rare Wednesday evening out for me and as always as Dean Seymour sees me, he seems to think Im a bad omen for his Bilborough United side, I think I was for this match!

Ashland were quick out the blocks as I stood with Referees dad Russ Booth and Ravenshead FC player Paul Smith as in the 4th minute, PAUL REVUELTA fired home from close range.

Bilborough fought their way back in to the match with a short corner and a superb cross by Tomlinson which was met by the head of GRAHAM STUART to level up the scores after 27 minutes.

Ashland pushed forward and their next attack on 30 minutes saw MARK SUMMERS scramble the ball home to put the Rovers ahead.  On 34 minutes PAUL REVUELTA made it 3-1 when tucking home past the oncoming keeper.

The Second Half began with Bilborough pushing forward to try and reduce the arrears but on 55 minutes they were caught out at the back, when PAUL REVUELTA chipped home his hat trick after a poor mix up in the visitors defence to make it 4-1.

Bilborough carried on pushing forward and got their reward on 72 minutes when TOM O REGAN;s shot rebounded off the crossbar for him to nod home to make it 4-2.

On 76 minutes, the visitors heads seemed to go down a bit when mistakes were showing in their game and PAUL REVUELTA made it 5-2 when capitalising on a loose ball.

On 80 minutes, PAUL REVUELTA slotted away a penalty to which Nick Day in the United goal got a hand to, but the shot just beat him to make it 6-2 and give Paul his fifth goal of the evening. 

On 85 minutes, KLARKE GREENHAM fired home after finding himself in front of goal to increase the lead to the homesters to 7-2 and in the final minute, ADAM MELLORS shot from 30 yards hit the back of the net to complete the goal scoring for the night.

Ashland played very well, possibly the best ive ever seen them play, whilst I felt sorry for Bilborough Unkited as Ive seen them play alot better in the past and if not for the defensive mistakes, the score would have been a lot closer.

With the 10 goals scored, it now takes the total for MAGGIES CANCER CENTRE to £467.15p