THE STIDWELL COUSINS SEE THE BLUES TO VICTORY

 Cornwall Combination League

HELSTON AFC THIRDS 4 ST DAY RESERVES 1

Looked around for something local to Hayle and this fixture caught my eye for a few reasons, firstly the dreadful weather and this ground had a stand, so I could sit out of the rain, secondly, always had a nice welcome at the home club and lastly Id not seen Mark from St Day for a few years so a chance to have a chat and catch up with him.

On arrival at the gate wasthe Helston Chairman who on my last visit got talking to me and I advised him where to order his badges from, as they had sold out on a previous visit which was the SWPL groundhop, he then told me they had some in and would find them in the new tea bar called "Blues Kitchen",

I made my way over to the tea bar and got chatting to the chap who has been there since the start of the season and had a nice cuppa coffee, freshly made with beans. Shawn had a hot chocolate with all the works on it. During the match, Hazel had home made Curry and Chips whilst Shawn had sausage and chips.

The game kicked off and the rain soon began to pour down, very impressed with the stand as not one leak in it and I was soon joined by a couple of parents of a St Day player. It was infact the visitors though that had the first chance of the match but the home keeper kept them at bay.

Helston were playing some nice football, passing the ball around and on 12 minutes, a long range low shot from 30 yards slid in to the bottom left corner of the net by ASHLEY STIDWELL to give the Blues the lead.

The Blues upped their game and pressed forward and could easily have been 4-0 after 20 minutes, but for some excellent goalkeeping by the visiting keeper and also a last ditch clearence off the line.

St Day began to play themselves more in to the match and the game began to sprung to and fro from area to area, on another evening they could well have got a equaliser but after 41 minutes, the homesters crossed from the left side and ASHLEY STIDWELL placed the ball past the keeper to make it 2-0.

With some of the fans in attendance heading to the tea bar and clubhouse, St Day had a corner that broke down and left them short at the back and were caught out as they conceded a penalty to which ASHLEY STIDWELL dispatched to complete his hat trick.

The Second Half began and I was joined in the stand by a chap who began chatting to me and I asked if he knew who scored the Helston goals, to which he told me his lad, had scored all three, that saved me tracking down names of scorers after the game.

Was there hope for the Saints, well on the hour, a ball in to the home area saw MATT WYSOEKI pounce and pull a goal back, but their joy was little lived as Helston's next attack in the 62nd minute, saw my new mates nephew and hat trick hero Ash's cousin BEN STIDWELL fire his team in to a 4-1 lead and that was the end of the scoring.

The referee I felt had a excellent game and it was a pleasure to see 2 sets of players not questioning him on his decisions.

To See 39 photos from the match, pls click this LINK

HURRELL LEADS UNITED WITH A NAP HAND

 Trelawny League Division Two

FALMOUTH UNITED FC 13 FROGPOOL & CUSGARNE RESERVES 0

Last Saturday I saw a side score Thirteen goals usually I will see 1 match all season containing ten goals in it, so surely this couldnt happen again today on my first match on my Cornish holiday..well it did and it could well have even more.

I looked at this match for several reasons a few weeks ago, firstly Id never seen a game on this venue and secondly not that far from Hayle where we are staying. Id spoken with Trelawny League Officer David James a few times over the famous facebook during the week and soon met him at the ground. He kindly got me both line ups and invited me to sit in the away dugout seats as no one was using them. During the match I did a live interview with Dale Godding on St Austell Radio, to where I have been asked to be a reporter for the Radio station next Saturday at Dropship FC v Lanner FC.

The game kicked off and it was the visitors who had the first chance after just a matter of 30 seconds and could well have been in the lead, but brave goalkeeping in a on on one situation kept the score at 0-0, but this didnt last long as in the 5th minute, the yellows of Falmouth took the lead through JACK SYMONS. One soon became Two when after 8 minutes, CONNOR HURRELL scored his first of the match. Frogpool pushed forward again but in the 12th minute conceded another goal when ALEX GALLOWAY made it 3-0 and a minute later CONNOR HURRELL made it 4-0.

This now became one way traffic and United looked dangerous each time they pushed forward and on 20 minutes, CONNOR HURRELL completed his hat trick to make it 5-0. It looked a matter of how many today.

After 28 minutes, the score was 6-0 when JACK FROUD netted and the visitors must have thought hurry up half time, but they did keep trying to play, but the young lads from Falmouth were playing very well and things got worse for the reserve team when ALEX GALLOWAY made it 7-0 in the 34th minute. In the 38th minute, a couple of the Frogpool's players heads went down when MATT RODDEN made it 8-0.

During half time, the visiting manager had to gather his player together and gave them a senisble talking to, which they listened to, as the second half they had a bit more of the ball, but the homesters pushed forward again and extended their lead in the 56th minute, when CONNOR HURRELL scored yet again.

The double figures came up in the 69th minute, when JACK FROUD made it 10-0 and then United began to take their pot at goal from distance, with the visiting keeper producing some good saves.

With the clock ticking down, Falmouth began to pass the ball around well again and got their 11th goal through MATT RODDEN in the 88th minute, the they scored 2 in the final minute through LEWIS PRESTON and a fifth goal for man of the match CONNOR HURRELL.

Both clubs are a credit to their league and was great to spend the afternoon with David James

92 Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

THE GUNNS HELP FIRE TOP VALLEY INTO SECOND

 Eurosoccer Notts Senior League: Division One

PYTHIAN FC 0 AFC TOP VALLEY 7

Well after the first match of the day, the delayed kick off in Division One as between lowly placed Pythian FC and visitors AFC Top Valley. Both teams have been rebuilding over the summer, with Pythian FC stepping up from Division Two to Division One, whilst Top Valley have been near the top for the last couple of seasons when the covid break has hit.

The game kicked off in blazing sunshine and the visitors looked a foot quicker to each ball, so it came as no surprise when after just 11 minutes on the clock, the ball was squared across the area for JACOB GUNN to knock the ball in to a empty net to give his side the lead. I then was joined by a few faces I knew in the crowd of 39 including Michael and his brother Andy Roo Hartsthorne, who we always have a laugh at pitchside.

With 20 minutes gone, the ball was played out by the home defence but found its way to visiting player SAM ATKINS who let the shot go from 25 yards in to the net to double his sides advantage.

The home side huffed and puffed but Top Valley were holding strong and Pythian were struggling to get a shot on target.

The Half time talks came and the visiting camp were certainly the loudest as ex Grays boss dished out what he expected from his side in the Second Half and boy did he get it as in the 52nd minute, JOE GUNN placed the ball home past the advancing home keeper to make it 3-0.

Within 2 minutes, it became worrying times for Pythian as JACOB GUNN drifted in to the area to head home to make it 4-0 and some of the home players began to drop.

Things were to get worse for the homesters as the visitors knew a win would put them second in the league table with a game in hand on table toppers Gedling Southbank and on 63 minutes, JOSH GARNER made it 5-0.

Pythian then began to have their best spell of the match and the Valley keeper made 2 fine saves, but a free kick given away just outside the penalty area, saw JACOB GUNN stroll up and smash it home for his hat trick.

The final minute of the game saw the visitors sprint forward again and complete their victory when DAVID GRAY made it 7-0.

Must say that I felt Wayne Sheffield had a very good match as the referee.

Firstly I must thank PYTHIAN FC for their kind donation of £35 and also local groundhoppers MICHAEL & ANDREW HARTSHORNE for their donation of £5 and with the 21 goals scored today(£5.25) takes the running total for the Charity Blog to a Amazing £669.50p for FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports families with children with Special Needs and Disabilities.

To view the 74 photos taken at the match, please click this LINK

HUCKNALL HAND OUT HEAVY LESSON TO EDUCATION

 Notts Senior League Intermediate Cup: 1st Round

EDUCATION FC 1 HUCKNALL TOWN RESERVES 13

On arrival, I found only one pitch could be used, as I had intended to come to the 3pm kick off between Pythian FC and AFC Top Valley, but spotted this cup tie kicking off at 1.30pm with it being a cup tie, so thought Id watch the first half before watching the other match, but as it happens there was a kids party close by to the other pitch with bouncy castles etc, so all 4 tams agreed with the 2 referees to slightly alter the kick off times, to 1.15pm and 3.15pm on the same pitch, so a real bonus for me to pull in a double and what a day it turned out to be.

In the league cup tie, Education kicked off and pressed forward and looked quite good and I thought we could well be in for a close game here, with infact the Town keeper making a early save, but the blues of hucknall eased their way in to the tie and after just 7 minutes took the lead, when the ball was played out to the left and AARON LAMB cut inside and hot a low shot in to the corner of the net. Within a minute, the same player doubled his sides lead when a low scooped header to make it 2-0.

Education were not giving up to this early blow and gained a few corners but the Town defence stood firm and if they could have got a goal back, it may well have been interesting, but just on half time, the tide turned against them when Hucknall were awarded a penalty, to which SAM ATKINS dispatched to make it 3-0.

During half time , I went in search of the latter games teamsheets and as I was walking up the hill, well not so much walking but hobbling on my crutches, three quick fire goals hit the back of the Education FC net, so the team from Watnall Road were holding a 6-0 lead.

All credit to Education FC as they tried to battle and didnt let their heads go down and did try to press forward, but by now the visitors were in full flow and 56 minutes JAMIE SLACK headed home from close range. Things were getting worse for Education as they had their captain carried off the pitch through injury and on 61 minutes went 8-0 down when JOE BUTLER completed his hat trick.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon came in the 64th minute, when Edcation FC striker CHIDUBEM DAWN UFELE broke away and slot home.

Tired legs were beginning to set in for the young homesters and Town soon scored the tenth goal of the game through RYAN BUTLER and the same player added Hucknall's tenth goal to make it 10-1 in the 75th minute.

It now became sadly a matter of how many the visitors would score as they looked dangerous every time they broke forward and on 78 minutes, ALEX GOODALL got in on the act and fired home.

On 82 minutes, RYAN BUTLER made it 12-1 with his hat trick, but in the 86th minute, JAKE LEVERS fired home a hat trick to complete the tie.

A real shame for Education FC as I am sure that they can play a lot better but the visitors are from a division above and the difference showed in the Second Half..Football is a funny game and no doubt they will bounce back in the league next weekend.

A big thankyou to Darren Jubb of Hucknall Town Reserves who kindly donated £10 to the Charity Blog, which is in aid of FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports families with children with special needs and disabilities

83 Photos can be seen on this LINK

SOUTHBANK BATTLE BACK FOR WIN

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division One

GEDLING SOUTHBANK FC 3 SOUTHWELL CITY RESERVES FC 1

Attendance: 39

Two very good sides met at Eagle Valley and both wanted to play football, with young referee Lewis Hunt in the middle allowing play to flow. The First Half both sides had chances in a end to end affair, with Southwell taking the lead after just 7 minutes when a left sided corner was swung in to the 6 yard area and ALISTAIR STOCKS was first to react and head the ball home. This sprung Southbank in to action as they pressed forward and on 27 minutes they got a deserved equaliser when CONNOR PAULEY was played through and he slid the ball home. Right on the stroke of half time, the homesters must have though they were going in to the interval break ahead but from a 25 yard shot came a excellent save from Tooley in the Southwell net.

After a half time cuppa, it was back out in the seated stand and it was Southbank that had upped the tempo of the game and on 57 minutes, it came as no surprise when MASON COY played a nice one - two move to complete a nice goal to put his team in to a 2-1 lead.

Both sides now were carving out chances and both keepers had to be at their best with saves and some chances going just wide at both ends of the pitch, but in the 79th minute Gedling finished the comeback to extend their lead to 3-1 when JACK MILLWARD fired them in to a 3-1 lead.

Must say Ref Lewis Hunt had another good match in the middle, this is the second time Ive seen him in a week and feel he could be a star referee for the future.

I would like to thank the following for donations to the Charity Blog this evening, Southwell City £10, Southwell City Supporter £5 and Referee Lewis Hunt £5, with the 4 goals scored that now takes the running total up to a amazing £614.50p for Family Fund, a charity that helps and supports Families with Children with special needs and disablities.

Just a quick advanced mention as I do now programme collectors read this Blog, on 2nd October 2021, I am attending DROPSHIP FC v Lanner FC in Trelawny League Division Three in Cury, Cornwall, Dropship FC are issuing their FIRST EVER printed programme at £2, if anyone wishes to order one, they can from me via bank transfer for £3(this covers programme, envelope and stamp) and will be posted straight after the match. Dropship FC have pledged a donation from the programme sales. For ore information, please email me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

INJURY TIME DOUBLE SEES FC MANSFIELD INTO NEXT ROUND

 EuroSoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Intermediate Cup 1st Round

AFC COLSTERWORTH S & S 2 FC MANSFIELD 3

A minutes silence was respected by both teams and their supporters for Dylan Rich who sadly passed away last weekend before the kick off of this Notts Senior League Intermediate Cup tie between Division Two South Club AFC Colsterworth and Division Two North Club FC Mansfield.

The venue had been changed to South Witham as Colsterworth's ground was being used for a very popular annual Bikers Rally event.

The game kicked off and the visitors should really have opened the scoring after just nineteen seconds when they broke through but their forward skyed the ball over the bar. FC Mansfield continued to press forward with chances but could not hit the target, as they had the ball cleared off the line and then saw a shot hit the crossbar.

Against the run of play and Colsterworth's first attack on goal on 36 minutes, they took the lead, when THOMAS FIO lobbed the ball over his defender and ran on and slotted the ball in to the net.

At Half Time I was joined by Nottingham based hopper Simon, meanwhile FC Mansfield bought on a sub JORDAN COLEMAN and he was soon in the game on 50 minutes when he converted a penalty after a trip in the box.

The visitors continued to press but the homesters on 68 minutes were awarded a free kick that found its way to THOMAS FIO who turned and tucked the ball in to the corner of the net to restore AFC's lead.

With the clock ticking down in to injury time, a ball was played in to the Colsterworth penalty area and a trip led to JORDAN COLEMAN stepping up and converted his second from the spot to even things up at 2-2. At this late stage I think everyone thought we were heading for Extra time, but the visitors had other ideas when a long ball was punted down the pitch and GEORGE CARTWRIGHT ran on to a loose ball and slotted home the winner.

Must give a mention to young referee Lewis Hunt who I felt had a excellent match.

After the match, both teams made donations to the Charity Blog to take the running total to a superb £591.00 for FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports families with children with special needs and disabilities, so a BIG thank you to both clubs.

To see the 158 photos from the match, please click on this LINK

ALEX HEADS THE POINTS TO TOWN

 Eurosoccer Notts Senior League

SANDIACRE TOWN 2 ATTENBOROUGH 1

A local derby with grounds just a matter of miles away on the borderlines of Notts and Derbys, both clubs wanting the points for bragging rights. The Saint have begun the season well and the visitors are always up for this game.

Town began well and pressed forward and looked likely to score and after just 6 minutes they did just that, when a scramble in the Attenborough area fell to ALEX BENO who placed the ball home, much to the delight of the majority of the crowd of 72.

Town pushed forward and chance after chance went begging, whilst the Boro had the odd attack and on 21 minutes the visitors were level when GEORGE CHETWYND slotted home from close range.

The boys in red carried on pushing forward but they couldnt find the back of the net and should have been well in the clear by half time.

The Second half began and it was Attenborough doing a bit more attacking but failing to break through and in the 54th minute, the homesters got a free kick on the left hand side, which was swung in to the area, that ALEX BENO headed home.

Both sides then had good chances where a lot more goals could have been scored, there was also some good saves by both keepers.

I felt Referee Jevon Swinscoe had a very good game

To view the 123 match photos, please click this LINK