FISHERS DOUBLE INSPIRES WOLLATON TO THE POINTS

Precision Notts Senior League

Premier Division

ATTENBOROUGH FC 1 WOLLATON FC 6

With Hazel;s daughter over for the weekend and them attending her brother in laws party in the evening, I had already made plans to go to football alone, when I left Mansfield at 10am, it was belting it down with rain, so thought no camera today, plus if Attenborough FC was called off, I could get the trams to Nottingham Trent Uni on the 3g. Hazel dropped me at Hucknall, where I got the tram and the sun began to shine, I decided to stay on the tram till Beeston and got off and had a pie from Birds and then caught the bus to the main road in Attenborough and walked down the long lane to the ground.

All credit to the Attenborough committee as they were working on the pitch to get the game on, it was a heavy pitch but looked superb. Had a cuppa and a chat with the 3 officials and got the teams line ups from both sides, before heading to pitch side.

Attenborough are towards the bottom end of the table, as they have a new manager and a totally new squad, whilst Wollaton seem to win a game then lose a game.

The game kicked off and Attenborough were first to settle in to the game and had Wollaton on the back foot and after 9 minutes, they were in front through LIAM McCORMACK. This seemed to wake Wollaton up, with Ben Moore shouting out instructions from the side lines, but both sides then had to make very early substitutes. This seemed to effect Attenborough the most and within a minute after 13 minutes,DAN CHADWICK had pulled it back to 1-1.

The game then swung to and fro with both sides equally attacking, but after 33 minutes,

 the home keeper bought down the Wollaton right winger for a penalty to which JAKE FISHER dispatched though the keeper did get a good hand to it to put his side in front. The first half though was quite even and in the interval I spoke to a groundhopping couple from Kimberley who had come to watch the game and we felt the game was there for any of the clubs to go and win.

The Secong Half began and it was the homesters on the attack and the visiting keeper was forced in to 2 very good saves to keep his clubs lead in tact. On 57 minutes, the visitors increased their lead when a lob hit the crossbar and SEAN CRAVEN was first to react and head the ball home. After 62 minutes a superb run and weave through the Attenborough defence was finished by JAKE FISHER to make it 4-1. Jake Fisher then on 67 minutes cut down the left wing and set up LIAM TOWLE to head in to a empty net. On 72 minutes ASH KELLY completed the scoring. We then had a massive downpour and the players carried on playing but just wanted to see time out. Though it was 6-1 to Wollaton, Attenborough;s players heads didnt drop and they tried to keep playing.

Must give a mention to all 3 officials ref Craig Langton and his Assistants James Tewson & Michael Evans, who had a very good game.

CLIFTON DO IT FOR PHIL

Notts Senior League

Premier Division

REAL UNITED FC 0 CLIFTON ALL WHITES FC 6

A minutes silence took place before kick off in respect of long time Clifton All Whites supporter Phil Odam and his team didnt disappoint him as they went on their mission towards top spot in the table. With Awsworth Villa;s match being postponed and table toppers losing at home to AFC Dunkirk, this win was like gold dust for the All Whites.

From the start, Clifton were in the front foot and got the early breakthrough on 6 minutes, when Haughton levelled the ball for CRAIG ANDERSON to sweep home. Real pushed forward and McDonald dealt with a shot that he turned round for a corner.

On 17  minutes, All Whites broke down the left side and CONNOR HARDY placed his shot in to the bottom corner to double his sides lead.  On the half hour, it was 3-0 as Clifton were taking full control of the game, from a corner on the left hand side, CONNOR HARDY was first to react and backheel the ball in to the net. On 41 minutes, ALEX HAUGHTON made it  4-0 when he hit home after the ball hit the Real crossbar.

After my half time cuppa, kindly made by Real Secretary Rich Hopkin and a chat to Scott Litchfield, it was back to pitchside and a chat with Clifton;s secretary Dave Wigley.

Real came out the second half and looked to be moving the ball about a lot more and had a couple of half decent chances, which on another day may well have found the back of the net, but the visitors kept probing and on 73 minutes CRAIG MEAKIN fired a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out to make it 5-0.

On 88 minutes, Clifton substitute BEN CLARK rounded off the afternoons scoring when making it 6-0.

During the match a police helicopter had been flying low up above the pitch, it was only when we got in the pub next door, that we saw a white tent at the side of the River Trent and we had been informed that a body had been recovered. Hazel and Shawn had been sat in the pub most the afternoon and had seen the lights and tent going up and the body being lifted out.

I must mention all 3 officials who had superb games today,, so well done Gavin Rice, Matthew Picker and Aiden Jackson, I must also thank Referee Gavin Rice who kindly donated another £5 to the Blogs Charity.

A lad with a bright future is Will Oldham for Real United who is only 17 and was given man of the match by Clifton All Whites.

Photos from the game can be seen on this LINK

Notts FA COUNTY CUP SEMI FINAL DRAWS

Nottinghamshire FA Senior Cup

Semi Finals

Carlton Town v Teversal FC

Rainworth MW v Basford United

Nottinghamshire FA Intermediate Cup

Semi Finals

Nottingham Trent University/Basford United Community v Hucknall Town Reserves

Sherwood Colliery Reserves v AFC Dunkirk

Nottinghamshire FA Junior Cup

Mansfield Hosiery Mills v Bilborough United

Southwell City Reserves v Awsworth Villa Reserves

Nottinghamshire FA Minor Cup

Semi Finals

Aslockton Cranmers v Wollaton IV XI

Gedling Southbank Colts v AC Wollaton

COTGRAVE POTTS THE POINTS

Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

COTGRAVE FC 3 BASFORD UNITED COMMUNITY FC 0

My first visit to Woodview this season saw Cotgrave put up a very good performance against Basford United Community. Cotgrave are having a bit of a funny season, where they win one then lost the next one, whilst the young Basford side have been in the top three of the table for most of the season.

On arrival, I got my team lines from the three officials, Sam Worrall, Tim Bee and Matt Picker and noticed that Cotgrave had two players back from suspension from last weeks defeat away at Ruddington Village, whilst Basford were missing star target man Harry Wakefield.

There was a minutes silence for the late Graham Taylor before the game kicked off and the homesters were soon in front after just 4 minutes, when a ball found LEE POTTS on the left hand side, who drove his shot and it seemed to go slow motion in to the far corner of the net.

Cotgrave pushed on and were winning the second ball and probing forward, whilst Basford were pushing forward but the final ball was missing for them.

After 32 minutes, LEE POTTS secured his second of the game and doubled his sides lead to 2-0.

A nice cuppa at half time as the strong sun had set and the temperture had dropped, Basford came out more attacking and were camped in the Cotgrave half for the first ten minutes and on 54 minutes, were very unlucky not to have clawed a goal back when a 35 yard shot from Sylla smashed the crossbar with Garton beaten, this seemed to awaken Cotgrave and they began to take control of the game again and Brown was called in to a couple of saves, whilst at the other end, Garton made a superb double reflex save.

After 69 minutes, the ball was played across from the left side and ANDY MCLEAN turned and tap the ball home to claim the points.

Photos from the game can be viewed on this LINK

THE WRENS FLY INTO THE SEMIS

Nottinghamshire FA Senior Cup

Quarter Final

RAINWORTH MINERS WELFARE FC 9 REAL UNITED FC 1

Att: 55

Programme £1 with free teamsheet

After Real United beat Step 6 club Arnold Town in the previous round and step 5 Rainworth MW not in the best of form of late, I felt this may well be a close tie, how wrong could I be, as Rainworth produced one the best performances Ive seen by any club this season, with some lovely passing moves and diagonal balls that led to many of their goals. It could have been so different if Real had taken their chance in the first minute when the ball flashed across the penalty area and just flew past the far post.

This woke The Wrens up and they took the lead after 4 minutes, when MATT SKYES converted a penalty. It was the same player who doubled his sides lead on 14 minutes who slotting home from close range. It was tie over on the half hour when MATT HARRIS was through on goal to make it 3-0. Just before half time, things got worse for Real when PHIL BUXTON netted and made it 4-0.

Real came out for the second half and pushed forward and ALEX COOK pulled a goal back after 51 minutes to reduce the arrears. They continued to press forward but this left gaps at the back and Rainworth were quick to exploit this and made it 5-1 on 65 minutes, when Real;s Caulton was shown a red card for a last man challenge in the box, to which MATT SKYKES dispatched his second penalty of the game and completed his hat trick.

On 69 minutes, it became 6-1 through LANGFORD, then 2 minutes later HARRIS put Rainworth in seven heaven.

Real United tried but was getting caught out by runs on the wing and on 88 minutes, TOMAS POOLE hit a 35 yarder in to the net, then just before the final whistle, HERBERT ran through a tired Real defence to slot home the final goal over the evening.

Was great to meet up with a lot of folks Ive not seen for a while, including Les Lee, Gordon Foster, Barry Clarke, Bob and Nat Crawford and of course always good to see Malc Storer, Id also like to thank Stan from Arnold Town for the kind £4 donation for the Charity Blog.

GREAVES SLOTS UNITED INTO THE SEMIS

Nottinghamshire FA Junior Cup

Quarter Final

MANSFIELD ATHLETIC FC 2 BILBOROUGH UNITED FC 2

3-3 after Extra Time

Bilborough United win 2-1 after penalties

Mansfield Athletic FC won the County Minor Cup last season as well as the Derby Christian League treble and as soon as the draw for the Quarter Finals of this seasons County  Junior Cup was drawn, then this was the fixture I was to attend, one to represent the Precision Notts Senior League and secondly, this is the closest ground to my house, Ive never been to.

With some heavy rain on Friday, I rang Athletic's Sec Norma on Saturday Morning just to check that the game was on and for directions.

Quite a walk from the changing rooms to the pitch before the match, had a chance to have a chat with the referee Ant Gregory, who funny enough was the ref for the previous round tie I witnessed between Premium v Southwell City Reserves in the County Intermediate Cup a few weeks ago.

The game kicked off and the home side took shape and looked quite dangerous, putting together some good passing football and on 6 minutes MATT CHAPMAN had put them in front. Bilborough seemed to be a little shocked and at this stage the Mansfield Woodhouse based side had all the play.

As I took a stroll round the pitch, I was situation behind the home net when SEAN BUTLER drove home the equaliser on 13 minutes, this seemed to lift the visitors as they began to attack a bit more, whilst Athletic were playing on the break down the left hand side.

On 31 minutes, Bilborough were awarded a free kick some 35 yards out, which was fired in by Greaves, to which the keeper dropped to the surprise of everyone for JOEL BUXTON to tap home. This didnt knock the keepers confidence as he was to go on and make at least 3 excellent saves during the game.

The Second Half, United looked to extend their lead and Buxton thought he had done that on the hour, when his 25 yard shot was pushed on to the bar by the home keeper.

With seconds remaining on the clock, a last gasp break saw Athletic break on the right hand side and MATT CHAPMAN fire home to take the tie in to extra time.

Bilborough then went to a 3-5-2 formation and it paid off for them straight away, as after 95 minutes, they gained a corner, where at the back post, young sub ZADANE MITCHELL put his side in front again.

Bilborough with the advantage now began to play the clock down, but in the final minute of Second Half extra Time, it was Athletic;s turn to gain a corner kick on the right side, where all 11 of their players entered the box, as the ball came across, up went MATT SISSON and headed home to take the tie to penalties.

United were first up and missed, with Mansfield scoring theres, sot he advantage was with the home club, Bilborough scored their second, whilst Athletic hit the post, so it was level after 2 pens a piece. JOHN GREAVES then hit the target with what turned out to be the winning kick, as all other pens were missed or saved.

A real good match played in the right spirit by two clubs from which both their leagues can be very proud of.

PHOTOS FROM THE MATCH CAN BE SEEN ON THIS LINK

STAGS WIN M1 CLASH

East Midlands Counties League

KIMBERLEY MINERS WELFARE FC 2 SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC FC 0

Att: 104

Programme £1

Teamsheet Free

As always a friendly welcome to the Stag Ground, the home of Kimberley Miners Welfare for their Bank Holiday afternoon clash where they hosted South Normanton Athletic from just 2 junctions up the M1. 

On arrival I was greeted by both clubs committees and soon got myself a cuppa, programme and teamsheet and then walked in to the clubhouse came Bolton based hopper and friend Colin Green who purchased a Stags badge and a cuppa.

The game began in bright sunshine, so I walked over to the far side of the ground and joined 2 hoppers from Shrewsbury, who was going to Sheffield FC but when they pulled in to KFC at Chesterfield found thhe game had been called off, so re-routed to this game.

The match became lively, with both teams matching some fair and crunching tackles, but it was the homesters having the majority of the attacks and after 10 minutes went ahead through TOM DALE.

The rest of the half was fairly even with both sides have several chances and both keepers in fine form.

The Second Half, I stood behind the clubhouse goal with Macca and had a chat about local football, as he had just arrived from Belper United v Graham St Prims, a match that had kicked off at 1.45pm.

The Second Half, South Normanton looked more likely to get the equaliser but good defending and a couple of good saves kept The Stags in front. With Normanton pushing forward on 86 minutes, CONOR CARTER found space at he back of their defence and fired his side in to a 2 goal lead and bank the points for them.

Would like to thank Danny Staley for a lift up to the Badger Box at Annersley, so Hazel could fetch me.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

KAI RESCUES DRAMATIC POINT IN FINAL SECONDS

Precision Notts Senior League

UNDERWOOD VILLA FC 2 ASTON UNITED FC 2

A trip to Bracken Park was venture for the Bank Holiday Christmas Tuesday fixture, not too far from home so Hazel could drop me off whilst she went shopping with her daughter down from Preston.

The team sheets were got very early and soon the hoppers gathered round and took the photos and wrote them down.

A more than eventful match was to proceed and it was the visitors who were soon in front after 4 minutes, when JORDAN SANDERS hot a low range shot that seemed to strike the post, hit the home keeper before ending up in the net.

On 10 minutes, the hosts should have been level, when they were awarded a penalty, but Jamie Hudson;s poor kick was saved by Chris Camm.

Aston continued to threaten and with better finishing could have gone in at half time at least three goals to the good.

The Second Half began and it was the hosts who were playing better football, but ten they were reduced down to ten men after a remark made by Joshua Hunt to the referee. The referee quite rightly explained to the home bench his decision.

On the hour, Underwood made a triple substitution and almost immediately a home midfielder went down injured and there was a long delay, but the lad continued to play on.

Underwood plugged on and Aston played on the break as the game began to fizzle out, but on 80 minutes, ALEXANDER MANN got the deserved equaliser.

As we headed to the 90th minute, Bradley Scald, already on a yellow card, kicked the ball away at a free kick to see another yellow card and Aston were also down to 10 men.

With 91 minutes on my watch, Aston must have thought they had scored the winner when SHAY WIGGINS nodded in to the clubhouse net.

People were looking at their watches as the game went on and there were a few more chances, in the 12th minute of injury time came a last gasp equaliser by KAI WILSON to give the hosts a share of the points.

I asked the Referee after the game about the added time and he explained that both sides were aware of the delays due to the explaining of the sending offs and the injury and the ball being out of play for long periods, so all credit to the referee Ian Smith for playing the full amount of time

Photos from the match can be seen HERE

BERTRAM HEADS HOME THREE POINTS FOR UNITED

Evostick South Division

BASFORD UNITED FC 2 CARLTON TOWN FC 1

Att: 221

Not seen Basford United First team at their home ground since they were in the CMFL days, infact it was the Groundhop match v the defunct Notts Police FC, though I have visited te ground several times for NSL matches etc.

Hazel dropped me off at Hucknall Tram Station and I traveled 4 stops and got off at Highbury Vale, crossed the line and then strolled by the 2 outside pitches before getting to the turnsitiles. I was greeted by 2 lovely ladies on the gate, Mrs and Miss Munroe and then got me programme and raffle tickets from Santa near the club shop before bumping in to local hopper Michael Pridgeon. We had a chat and discussed how good the Basford programme was and how improved it has become over the season. Went to the tea hut and had a bit of a laugh with the young lady who looked after us on our last visit in the bar.

The game commenced and Basford were soon on the attack and on 7 minutes, the visiting defence dished out a Boxing Day present as they left the ball for BEN HUTCHINSON to run on to and fire Basford in to a early lead.

The rest of the half was quite uneventful with very few chances with both sides cancelling each others play.

The Second Half, I strolled round the dug out side of the ground and stood with Malc Storer and Kev Goodman and Big Mac and on 48 minutes Carlton Town were level when WILLIAM MELLORS-BLAIR fired home.

Basford pushed forward whilst Carlton played on the break and this looked like Carlton could just sneak a winner at this rate as the clock ticked on, but on 78 minutes, a ball floated in from the right was headed home by REECE BERTRAM to give the homesters the three points.

I stayed for a few pints after the match as £1.50 a pint of lager was too good a offer to refuse and as I was leaving the ground, I was asked my choice of Man of the Matchh, to which I gaave it to Ben Hutchinson as he chased the ball down all afternoon, he put in a few dangerous crosses and also opened the scoring.

SUMMERS HEADS IN THE WINTER

Precision Notts Senior League

Division One

ASHLAND ROVERS FC 2 SOUTHWELL CITY RESERVES 1

With Hazel meeting up with her daughter Sarah at Chatsworth House, I looked for a local match and this fitted the bill, just 2 buses away, but the second bus went round every housing estate I never knew existed. A quick breakfast in a little cob shop saw me bump in to Bill the Calverton MW FC joint Manager.

On arrival I was greeted by John Dawn the Chair and Secretary of Ashland Rovers FC and sat and drunk my cuppa and then had a chat with local referee Colin White,  whilst waiting for the team lines, Southwell City Secretary Gerard Law greeted me and wished me a merry christmas and bought me some mince pies.

The game kicked off and play flowed both ends of the pitch and how it was 0-0 at half time was a credit to both goalkeepers keeping their sides a clean sheet.

The Second Half kicked off and a back pass made its way to the home keeper who kicked the ball and it struck CALUM LAW who slotted the ball home after 46 minutes. On the hour, the game was level when a Southwell defender handled the ball to which ADAM MELLORS converted.

On 70 minutes, Ashland gained a corner which was swung in and the visiting keeper remained on the floor, after treatment he had to be rushed to the hospital, as his finger was the opposite way to all his others, I wish him a speedy recovery, five minutes earlier I had been chatting to the sub who I know is a keeper and I dont think he expected he was going to be called on.

This seemed to spur the visitors forward and at this stage their looked like there was only to be one side that was going to snatch a winner, how wrong was I to be, as after 88 minutes, Ashland Rovers were awarded a free kick on the right hand side and it was floated in and seemed to hit 3 players at least before dropping in to the net, half the team were patting AdamMellors and the other half MARK SUMMERS for the header, there is still doubt who got the last touch but Summers has claimed it and it turned out to be the winner in what was a very entertaining game.

Thought Ref Colin White had a good game, as there could well have been some flashpoints but he Stepped in and defused them straight away and spoke to the players on why decisions were being made, his experiance showed, even though some players may well disagree.

At the pub after the game, Ashland Rovers FC kindly donated £20 to the Charitys Blog which Id like to thank them for.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK