WOLLATON THROUGH TO QUARTER FINALS

Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League Cup

Third Round

WOLLATON FC 4 TEAM DNF 0

On arrival at Wollaton FC, I was greeted by the Wollaton FC committee and was kindly donated £10 from club Chairman Bill Fishwick, after getting the teams on my way out towards pitchside, I was stopped by Malc Brown who donated £2. Malc's lad plays centre back for Team DNF and he is regular reader of the Charity Blog. May I thank both Wollaton FC and Malc for their kind donations and with the 4 goals scored today tops the £500 mark.

I took up my standing point between the 2 dugouts on the half way line and we didnt have to wait very long for the first goal to be scored when after just 19 seconds Liam Towle slotted home.

Team DNF to their credit with six lads of only 16 years of age pushed forward and could well have been level, if not for a superb save by Helthrope in the homesters net, also a shot that flashed wide of his goal.

After 27 minutes, SAM ROTHWELL was left on his own in midfield some 30 yards out and his low shot found its way in to the bottom corner of the net to double Wollaton;s advantage.

The game flowed end to end and looked like it was going to finish the half at 2-0, but on 42 minutes, a defensive mix up in the DNF defence, saw SEAN CRAVEN steal the loose ball and rifle home number three.

The Second Half saw the visitors come out and play alot better and could well have reduced the deficit but captain Jay Knight cleared off his own line.

In the 87th minute, Team DNF gained a penalty to which their captain Cameron Gray skied over the bar. From the resulting goal kick Wollaton won the ball in midfield and a cross found DAN CHADWICK who back healed the ball in to the net to make it 4-0.

A good game to watch with two good sides taking part and I must say referee Phil Towers had a great game with no cards shown.

Photos of the match can be seen on this LINK

BRICKIES & WELFARE SHARE THE POINTS

Notts Senior League

Division One

KIRTON BRICKWORKS FFC 3 KIMBERLEY MW RESERVES 3

Had to stay local today as Shawn was rock climbing at Walesby with the scouts in the morning and had to be fetched at 1pm and then having to be at church for 4pm to go with the scouts to the Space Centre for a overnight sleep, so Kirton was close enough for me.

On arrival there was a bit of a scare as the Kimberley manager was running late and he had the kit, but it all turned out in the end and kick off got on the way right on time.

I stood and had a chat with the young Welfare keeper's parents and then got a cuppa from Kirton Chairman Tony Marsh and Steve before grabbing the line up's.

I went and had a chat with Danny Staley and Neil Johnson whilst the action commenced on the pitch. It was the visitors who were on the front foot for the first 20 minutes, but after 21 minutes, JAMIE BIRCH on the right wing hit a ball from some 30 yards out that found thhe back of the net to give the Brickies the lead. This seemed to give the homesters some confidence and they pushed forward in search of a second.

On 40 minutes, the scores were level at 1-1, when MATT CLOWES scored his forst goal of the afternoon. 

After 50 minutes, WES O ROURKE captain of Kirton put his side back in front, but it didnt last long as on 55minutes, a cross from left was met by the diving header of LEE JOHNSON to make it 2-2.

Both sides were then pressing forward leaving gaps at the back and chances flowed until the 66th minute, when MATT CLOWES put his side in front for the first time in the game, but had injured himself in the meantime and had to be replaced.

After 72 minutes, record scorer for The Brickies whipped in and got a equaliser to square things up at 3-3.

A point for both sides in a entertaining game that none deserved to lose.

Photos from the game can be seen on this LINK

BOATMEN GIVE STUDENTS A LESSON

Notts Senior League

Premier Division

AFC DUNKIRK 5 NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY FC 1

Firstly I must thank Notts FA official Dave Plowright for the kind offer of a lift so I could attend this midweek game. He would not accept any petrol money I have chucked £5 in to the charity blog total. The Notts FA with the Notts Senior League are filming so many matches throughout the season and using them as training videos for referees throughout the Country and this was one of the games chosen.

On arrival at the ground, I was greeted by the Dunkirk committee and soon got a cuppa and the teamsheet, but then had to chase the Students team at the last minute.

Dunkirk were soon in their stride and were soon ahead on 12 minutes when GORAN SEYMOUR hot a low free kick in to the corner of the net from 30 yards. It soon became 2-0 with young TIM BERRIDGE getting his first of the night after 15 minutes. On 24 minutes, the boatmen's captain PIERCE BIRD got in on the act when he converted and made it 3-0, by now this looked like the scoreline could be anything as the students struggled with a lot of their team making their debuts, but they then began to settle down and came back in to the game with a couple of close chances.

The Second Half began like the first with AFC on the attack and the Uni keeper was kept on his toes a couple of times, a few subs took place for both sides and the tempo of the game slowed down and it was one of the subs that saw the Uni side pulled a goal back on 63 minutes through JOSHUA SMITH.

Dunkirk;s reaction was to go straight back on the attack and after 65 minutes regained their 3 goal margin when TIM BERRIDGE netted his second goal of the game.

Towards the end of the game, Dunkirk wrapped up the game through McKenna Parton to make 5-1.

TOWN REIGN AT THE TOP

Notts Senior League

Premier Division

BILBOROUGH TOWN FC 2 MAGDALA AMATEURS FC 0

Well after many years of travelling round different venues looking for a home, Bilborough Town have finally found a place in the heart of the Bilborough Community at Harvey Hadden Stadium.

I had this game on the cards fro a few weeks now and quite glad I did as the rain was torrential and I was able to sit in the massive stand to stay nice and dry, which is more than can be said about the players of both sides.

Just after arriving and getting a cuppa in a massive cup, Pete Watmouth arrived and we had a chat as Shawn ran round the pitch helping putting the corner flags out for the game. With team line ups got, it was in to the stand.

Magdala begin the game brightly and could well have been three goals in front after 15 minutes, if it wasnt for the Town keeper who was in fine form. On 20 minutes, came the closest we got to a goal in the half, when on a Bilborough attack, the ball was flicked away by the keeper and a shot was bungled off the line and dropped just in front of the goal before being cleared.

The weather got worse with thunder and heavy rain but the pitch looked perfect and both sides were giving their best, but the home side were just edging it on chances. After 71 minutes, Town were awarded a free kick just outside the area and RICKY STREET fired it home.

Magdala pushed forward and again the home keeper in the 82nd minute came to the homesters rescue by pushing the ball past his post.

In the final minute, came the best play of the day, with a slick move which ended with RICKY LAW smashing home from close range to make sure Bilborough went seven points clear at the summit of the table.

Sadly there are no photos from the game, as I seemed to have problems with my camera grrr

HOLWELL MAKE IT COUNT IN EXTRA TIME

FA VASE

Second Qualifying Round

CLIFTON ALL WHITES FC 1 HOLWELL SPORTS FC 2

(After Extra Time)

Holwell Sports of the East Midlands Counties League travelled to Clifton All Whites of the Notts Senior League and snatched a late extra time winner.

The First half belonged to the visitors who really should have had the tie wrapped up and should have gone in at the interval with a three goal lead, but only went in 1-0 through a goal in the 20th minute by CHRISTOPHER HIBBITT.

The Second Half belonged to All Whites who pushed forward and chance after chance went begging along with good defending by the away defence, until STEVE O CONNELL equalised in the 71st minute. Clifton then had a penalty appeal waved away and a corner given.

The game went in to extra time and with weary legs on both sides, the tempo of the game slowed down, but it was Holwell who stepped up their game and looked the more likely team to score.

As the game entered in to the second period of extra time, the home side appealed for a foul but the ref waved play on and a long ball over the top, left KIERAN FOSTER in the clear to fire home the winner.

In the final minute, a few words were exchanged and the referee produced a second yellow card and dismissed the Holwell player to the amazement of most the people in the ground.

A cracking cup tie between two very good sides who want to play football.

A nice gesture by Dave Wigley of Clifton All Whites FC when presenting 2 hoppers who had made the journey to the match, with a shirt and a couple of badges.

PHOTOS FROM THE MATCH CAN BE SEEN ON THIS LINK

VILLA CONTINUE UNBEATEN START

Notts Senior League

Premier Division

MAGDALA AMATEURS 3 AWSWORTH VILLA 7

Att: 38

With Hazel and her family at Chatsworth House for the day, a long day ahead for me and Shawn was in store, most buses from Mansfield to Nottingham take a hour but if you catch the 141 it goes through every village and takes double the time. Shawn was hungry and we popped in to Subway for lunch before having a stroll to the Market Square, they had a event on with all paraolympians and the kids could try out some events, Shawns favourite was being in a wheelchair and playing tennis. We got on the tram and headed for the Roko and we nearly got off at the wrong stop, but got off at Wilford Green and stolled along the road to the ground.

We was met by Matt Harrington and the rest of the Magdala side shortly followed by thee ref Dave Southern and the opponents. I managed to get the team sheets early sso I could relax for the afternoon, or thats what I thought as Shawn was having fun playing with a large tyre at pitchside.

Before kick off, a minutes silence was completed by all and the game was on its way and Awsworth nearly scored after just 40 second with a cross shot just going wide of the post but we dodnt wait very long for the first goal, when JOHN WHITEHURST cut in on the left wing and placed the ball past the advancing keeper. Magdala pushed forward but then left gaps at the back and on 10 minutes, RYAN WHITEHURST volleyed his side in to a 2-0 lead. All credit to Magdala and they forced their way back in to the game through NEIL MORGAN on 13 minutes. On 18 minutes, RYAN WHITEWHURST restored the visitors two goal advantage.

Just then Shawn went off to fetch a ball, next thing he comes back in tears covered from his waist down in thick oil, I thought of going in to the ROKO but he would have trod it all the way in, so had to take his trousers off and his trainers and at half time I took him over to the Car Wash and they sprayed him down and his clothes, the clothes he was wearing dried but not his trousers, so after the matcch, we went back tot he pub and he dried them with the hand drier in the toilets!

Back to the match and on 33 minutes, GOODWIN made it 4-1 to Villa and this game looked like a landslide. NEIL MORGAN playing a captains role for the homesters again pulled a goal back in the 38th minute. Just on the stroke of half time and the visitors were awarded a penalty, to which RYAN WHITEHURST stepped up and completed his hat trick.

Just after Shawn's hosing down and getting back towards pitch side and Villa went 6-2 up 20 seconds in to the Second Half through JOHN WHITEHURST. Magdala then began to play their best football of the game and were rewarded on 50 minutes when ETHAN LESPEARE made it 6-3. The game then went through a bit of a dull period, but on 66 minutes, a clash in the penalty area, saw the home keeper down and a second penalty awarded to the visitors, the home keeper had to be substitued and the first thing that Paul Franks(Ex Notts Cricketer) had to do was save Luke Hodmans's penalty on 66 minutes.

On 88 minutes, a long ball out of defence caught the home players out of position and LEE STEVENSON made it a 7-3 victory for Awsworth to maintain the impressive start to this seasons campaign.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

CLIFTON ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT

FA VASE FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING

CLIFTON ALL WHITES FC 7 OADBY TOWN FC 0

Oadby Town have a great FA Vase history in the past but it was a pity for them tonight to see them try their best with a very young side get outplayed but on the other hand Clifton All Whites could only beat what is in front of them.

Oadby Town do have a few problems at present, as most of their squad and management walked out of the club recently and the team that was fielded tonight must have been their under 21's.

Before the game, I was greetd by all the Clifton All Whites committee, players and management and then as I was having a cuppa in walked the referee, old friend Rob Rees.

I had taken some boxes of programmes for Oadby Town;s clubshop and soon met the friendly secretary Kev Zupp and we had a chat and he was determined not to be driving the minibus back as he sunk in to a nice pint of cold guinesss.

So it was off outside and ready for kick off, and I popped in to the Ref's changing room to ask if there was to be a minutes silence in respect of Daniel Wilkinson who aged 26 last night lost his life whilst playing football for Shaw Lane Aquaforce FC, as the ref was making his final prepaarations, he asked me if I woulld go in to both changing rooms and ask both clubs, to which they agreed and when on the pitch the silent minute was observed.

The game kicked off and Clifton were on the front foot and after 22 minutes they took the lead, it soon became 2-0 when the visiting keeper fumbled the ball on 28 minutes, I felt sorry for the lad, as his dad was on the mobile at the time and had to tell his mate that his son was having a shocker.

I then went to stand behind the goal and spoke to Joe & Ann Dunstan from Ruddington Village FC, they love their local football and are always out and about, on 34 minutes, a rasping shot came in and it was 3-0.

Half time came and in the Second Half, I went and stood near the two dug outs with Draycott based Hopper Jack Warner who used to live in Ossieland and missed the hop match at All Whites as he was still over there.

All Whites started the Second Half as they left the first and that was on the front foot and on 50 minutes, it was 4-0. A good time to talk to 2 of the Clifton subs, Connor Hardy who I used to teach and had in my school football team when he was knee height and he still calls me sir, even when I tell him, its Rob, but he says its respect, gosh he must buy me a pint one day. The Trist Whitman, who I seem to have known for years when he played for Arnold Town and his mum and grandad used to come along and support him.

The game was drifting on and 68 minutes on the clock and it was 5-0 and getting very one sided and you had to feel for the visitors as they didnt give up. Infact they bought a sub on and he had 2 very close efforts from long range.

The young lads from Oadby by now were tiring and after 86 minutes they conceded again and by the 89th minute, Clifton made it 7-0.

 I do hope that Oadby Town can bounce back in the future as they have some good people involved in their club.

So Clifton All Whites FC now host Holwell Sports FC in the next round on Saturday 24th September with a 3pm kick off which Im sure will be a much tougher match,

RAVENSHEAD COMPLETE EARLY DOUBLE

Notts Senior League 

Division Two

GREYHOUNDERS FC 2 RAVENSHEAD FC 5

Well Saturday morning was a bit of a panic, with the car going in to the garage on Friday bit a phone call at midday saying it was ready to pick up, as we left the garage and we hit the road on the way to Clifton All Whites, we got the message to say that their FA Vase tie had been postponed, as the rain was lashing down all night and all morning.

A quick phone call to Gavin McAndrew of league newcomers Greyhounders FC confirmed where I was going. On arrival, Hazel said she would do the tea bar for them, as she was sitting inside with Shawn. Shawn was full of beans and wanted to help, so Adrian Curzon set him on to filling the water bottle and put out cones down the pitchside.

The game kicked off and it was the Greyhounders who was on the front foot and after 2 minutes JORDAN STINSON fired them in to a early lead. Greyhounders game plan then seemed to desert them as Ravenshead pressed forward and had several good chances but found Andy Cole in the home net keeping his sides lead in tact.

After 19 minutes though came the equaliser through TYLER LAMBERT and soon the visitors were in control of the game, with the home side only having the odd push forward. In the 32nd minute, Ravenshead went in to the lead when SEAN CREER-THORNTON struck home. After 36 minutes, the home defence seemed to go to sleep, as from a visitors throw in, they stood still and allowed TYLER LAMBERT to increase the lead to 3-1.

Right on the stroke of half time, DANIEL PHILLIPS made it 4-1 from 30 yards out.

After half time cuppa, Greyhounders must have had a good chat as they seemed to cone out a different side, pressing straight away and got a goal back on 46 minutes through RICCARDO LEIGHTON through a deflected shot. This gave the homesters a welcome boost and they pressed for the third goal which sadly didnt come from them, in the final minute of the game, the ref gave Ravenshead a penalty, to which their goalkeeper CALLUM MARKS sprinted up the pitch to take and duly dispatch.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

THE STUDENTS WIN ON THEIR AWAY DEBUT

Notts Senior League

Premier Division

NEWARK FLOWSERVE FC 1 NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY FC 4

Nottingham Trent University began life last week with a narrow 3-2 home loss in first ever match at Step 7 and went on the road to Newark Flowserve FC who themselves where in fine fettle having won their last 11 home matches and riding high towards the top of the league.

On arrival I was met and greeted by Flowserve;s Secretary Zoe Murr who is always running round like a bumble bee, she is non stop, apart from when she has a fag of course!

The game kicked off and it was Flowserve makng the early running, forcing the visiting keeper in to making quite a few vital saves, but against the run of play after DYLAN OFSHUDY opened the scoring for the students.

Within a minute, the Hawtonville based club were level, when ELLIOTT KING made it 1-1. Flowserve kept pressing forward, with shouts from the management of, its only time before we get a second, but this wasnt to be, as chance after chance went begging in to the half time interval.

Straight from kick off in the Second Half, the homesters should have taken the lead but the visiting keeper smothered the ball at the last minute, as I watched the game with old friend Herbie.

This seemed to lift the visitors in to action and on 56 minutes, they were awarded a penalty to which JACK MORDECAI duly converted. This seeemed to knock the stuffing out of Flowserve and put the Uni side on the front foot, as their passing  and found space on the pitch was plain to see.

On 64 minutes, The Trent Uni side increased their lead when a shot found its was to JACK MORDECAI who slotted in to a empty net to make it 3-1.

With 5 minutes to go, JOSHUA BARR-ROSTRON wrapped up the points for the visitors.

In the clubhouse after the game, Zoe had served up Pulled Pork and Chips, whilst at the bar, Referee Gavin Rice kindly donated £5 to the Blogs Charity, so a BIG thankyou Gavin. The 3 officials all had good games, esp the 2 Assistants who were very young but made some very wise decisions.

PHOTOS from the game can be seen on this LINK

MILLS AND BILSTHORPE SHARE THE POINTS

Notts Senor League 

Division Two

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS FC 1 BILSTHORPE FC RESERVES 1

Att: 69

With both sides being towards the top end of the table, this game was always going to be tight, on arrival I was greeted by both clubs and officials and in the crowd this evening was Premiership referee Kev Friend.

The game kicked off and Bilsthorpe soon had the ball in the back of the net, but the young Assistant Referee had his flag up for offside after just 3 minutes. Two minutes later and the home club took the lead through a drive by THOMAS HUNT.

Bilsthorpe upped their game and pressed forward and on 12 minutes were on level terms when their captain STUART GRAINGER fired home.

As I walked round the ground I then bumped in to Heanor Town;s Tony Squires and had a chat with him during the 1st half, the midfield on the pitch was winning the battles as chances were few and far between.

The Second Half I sat with the Selston three who had come to watch the match and play swung from end to end with Hosiery Mills just shading the first 25 minutes of it, but seeming to tire with Bilsthorpe looking as they could well nick it, but in the final minute, the Millers drove a ball just wide, so both clubs ended up with a well deserved point.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK