MAC LEADS FIGHTBACK FROM HALLOWEEN SPOOK AT THE VINEYARD

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Two North

TRENT VINEYARD FC 1 BESTWOOD COLLIERY FC 3

This morning I awoke to a very wet Mansfield Woodhouse, with the rain lashing it down, it looked like my plan A to Trent Vineyard FC would be out the question, as I began to look for a ground with a little bit of cover, plan B was soon in action at 11am when i got a call back from Calverton's manager Rob Musson to say thier game was on, but the rain was beginning to ease and i got a photo from the Vineyarders to say the sun was shining and pitch was perfect, so it was back to plan A and a trip over to the edge of Beeston.

On arrival, I was greeted by both sets of players and committees and also a late replacement referee Derek Spray who only lives up the road from me, as his match had been postponed and we joked about if Id known I could of got a lift from him. Then a old groundhopper friend Halifax Les arrived with his friend Oz, they had only come to watch the first half as they were off to another match in the Nottingham area. Les asked if i was still doing the Charity Blog and he kindly donated £5, then Colliery Clubman John Manders kindly donated £10. After the match Trent Vineyard FC then kindly donated £25, so a BIG thankyou to all of you.

Before kick off was a minutes silence for Mick Gregory, a committee man of Southwell City FC for many decades during the clubs spell in the Notts Alliance, Central Midlands and Notts Senior League, who sadly passed away on Thursday this week.

The game kicked off and Colliery went forward and gained a corner after just 8 seconds but the tight home defence cleared it to safety. Bestwood kept pushing forward but the Vineyard defence were standing tall and were not to be beaten.

After 11 minutes, Vineyard took the lead when a low shot from 25 yards by LLOYD RODGERSON surprised everyone and crept in to the far corner of the net to the delight of the home supporters.

Bestwood looked shocked but kept pushing the ball forward down the wing or by the long ball, but the home side were playing out of their skin and thoughts were on my mind of maybe a Halloween shock for the table toppers maybe on the cards. After 30 minutes, Colliery thought they were level when a cross came in from the right hand side, the ball bounced around the box before ending up in the net, as the players celebrated, the referee saw the flag up and ruled the goal out for offside, much to the disgust of the visitors.

As we were drawing towards half time, infact the 44th minute, Colliery gained a corner on the right side, which was drilled in low at the front post for MACAULAY TINSLEY to turn and nudge home for a equaliser.

The Second Half kicked off with Bestwood on the front foot again and several times Michael Cox in the home net had to be on his guard, but on 67 minutes, the visitors swung in a corner from the right hand side, which was met with a bullet of a header by MACAULAY TINSLEY which smashed into the back of the net to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Vineyard pushed forward in search of that equaliser but this left gaps at the back and in the last minute of the game, a quick breakaway by the visitors saw the ball played to the right ready for SAM ROTHWELL to fire home and secure the points for his club.

Again a Massive thankyou to all the donations today and with the 4 goals now takes the running total for FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports families with children with special needs and disabilities to a superb amount of £874.00.

To see the 199 photos taken at todays match pls click this LINK

LIONS ROAR TO VICTORY

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Foundation Division

CARLTON TOWN LIONS 8 YATESBURY UNITED 0

The Yellow Lions not only protected their 100% league start after their seventh straight win but also opened up a seven point gap at the top of the table after a 8-0 home victory against Yatesbury United at their Teal Close Ground.

On arrival I was greeted by both sides and the match referee Jevon Swinscoe, just before the match began I was joined by newark based assessor Andy Porter, though our chats usually end up talking regards t Cornwall from where Andy is from.

Positioned just near the halfway line and the match about to kick off, we are joined by Mansfield based hopper Neil Woolley who Ive not seen for a while.

The match kicked off and it was the homesters who were straight on the front foot as they pressured the visiting defence and after just 7 minutes, it was DANIEL CHAMBERS who broke the deadlock when he struck home.

The visitors found it hard to get out of their own half and the Town forwards pushed and pushed and Macauley Cotton in the United net knew he was in for a long afternoon, as he produced some vital saves, but after 18 minutes, he could do little, as DANIEL CHAMBERS cut in from the right and shot home to double his sides lead.

On 23 minutes, things got worse for United, as from a corner from the right side, GEORGE HAWKINS poked the ball home on the far post to make it 3-0.

Yatesbury changed their team about and were defending with eleven men behind the ball and Carlton were finding it difficult to cut through this, but just on the half time break, AARON SISSON turn and shot to make it 4-0.

The Second Half kicked off and the visitors began to knock the ball around well and had their best spell of the match, having a couple of attempts on goal, but in the 56th minute, a ball in their penalty area flashed around and the last touch before hitting the net came off one of their players to make it 5-0.

With both teams down to ten men due to one player from each side being in the sin bin, on 69 minutes, Lions sub JOSHUA WALTERS turned and shot home number 6 for his side.

The Lions now had the thorn in their teeth and the visiting keeper was being tested more and more, but it was only to be time before Town extended their lead and this happened in the 81st minute, when AARON SISSON netted.

Not to be denied, AARON SISSON completed his hat trick on 83 minutes to make it 8-0.

117 photos can be seen on this LINK

SCARDS FIRST HALF HAT TRICK SEES TOWN HOME WITH THE POINTS

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Foundation Division

MANOR FC 0 STAPLEFORD TOWN DEVELOPMENT FC 9

With Hazel not being too well today, I looked up what was on local and noticed that Manor FC have had to move away from their base at Manor Academy after the school has gone to in financial problems, so no sport etc can be held there for the time being. They played on the bottom pitch at Meden Vale Colts FC, it was the old pitch that was used for some years by Welbeck Welfare FC.

Meden Vale Colts were also at home on the top pitch that is enclosed and railed where they were hosting local rivals Kirton Brickworks, but as Id never seen Stapleford Town Development, I felt this was a good opportunity.

Before the match I got all 4 teamsheets and had a cuppa in the refreshment room and got some Meden Vale club badges to go to some of my club badge collectors. A kind lady then carried a chair to the top of the hill overlooking the pitch that my match was to be held on.

The game kicked off and it was infact Manor with the first attack and could well have taken the lead after just 20 seconds, when a ball that went forward sent the forward clear but the visiting keeper was on top form to save his shot.

Stapleford began to press in to the game and after 11 minutes, BRAD SCARD opened the scoring with a side footed placed shot from 20 yards out.

Manor pressed forward and again was thawted by Liam Shepherd who pushed the ball round the post.

The Development side doubled their lead on 19 minutes when a long ball found BRAD SCARD who slotted it past the home keeper.

The visitors were now in control of the game but Manor werent out of it, but the home teams moves were breaking down though they were fighting, as we were heading towards half time, a long ball was coolly taken down by BRAD SCARD who then dinked the ball over the defenders head then placed into the net to gain his hat trick and put his side in to a three goal lead.

The Second Half began and Manor began the brighter and possibly had their best spell of the game, but the visitors looked dangerous on the break, but from a home attack, the counter attack in the 60th minute, saw Stabbo get a corner on the right hand side, it as swung in and met by the head of JOE CLEMENTS to make it 4-0. In the next attack, sub ROMANI BURGHER who had just come on, cut in from the left side and shot home from a acute angle.

Manor had a couple of shots but from distance, whilst Stapleford were playing diagonal balls and leaving the home defence on the back foot, the home keeper came to the rescue several times but after 80 minutes, a cross from the left saw the keeper fumble the ball and JOE CLEMENTS claimed the 6th away goal.

From here in, Manor's heads went down and they played with just three men at the back and it left gaps and in the 83rd minute, a ball played in to the penalty area saw ASHTON COCKBILL turn and smash the ball home.

In the 85th minute, Stabbo pushed forward again and this time it was DYLAN THOMPSON-EVANS turn to smash the ball home. A few minutes later, a long ball over the top left CIARAN CULLEN in front of goal for him to make no mistake to make it 9-0.

At the end of the match, Snowy the Stapleford Town Development donated £20 to the charity blog on behalf of Stapleford Town FC which Id like to say a BIG thankyou for, the charity is FAMILY FUND which helps and supports families with children with special needs and disabilities, with the donation and goals total today, the running total now sands at a superb £831.00

To view the 146 photos from the match, please click this LINK

THE COLLS WRAP UP POINTS IN FIRST HALF DISPLAY

 Wiltshire Senior League

PURTON FC 0 FROME COLLEGIANS FC 5

After my two week holiday in Cornwall, we left for Wiltshire to see my son and daughter in law and grandkids as my son is in the army and has recently got another promotion and are going for 2 years out to Canada next March. So it was on the look out for my football fix in the Wiltshire area and I spotted this fixture not too far away in the village of Purton.

In the morning I rang the home secretary to make sure the match was on, as these days you dont know with the covid scare and also lack of players, it was confirmed as on, so the daughter in law dropped me off, whilst she and the wife emptied my wallet round the shops of Swindon.

I was really surprised as I got there, as Purton produced a programme and also had a little tea bar, which also sold Thai food. I spoke to the gate man for a while and a chap from London. As kick off was about to begin, I stood on the half way line barrier which is nestled above the pitch, so quite a good place t look down and take photos of the match. I stood with some of the visiting clubs committee members including the Chairperson and Secretary.

Purton had gone in to the game with no points from 8 games whilst their visitors were around midtable with 14 points from their opening 8 games, so a away victory was expected.

The match kicked off and The Colls were soon on the attack and with 2 minutes on the clock, a break down the left hand side, saw BARRY SANDQUEST lob the home keeper to put his side in to a early lead.

The team from Frome were knocking the ball around and Purton were chasing shadows and a few chances for the away side went amiss along with 2 good saves from the home goalkeeper.

On 24 minutes though, Frome Collegians did get their reward and doubled their lead, this time a cross from the right was bungled home by LAURENCE LUDGATE to make it 2-0.

The Colls were ready to turn the screw now and looked dangerous going forward, the homesters were just clearing the ball and hardly getting in to the visitors half and  I feared for them that this may well end up as a cricket score after 90 minutes.

After 32 minutes it became 3-0 when OLIVER BROOK converted neatly and some of the locals began to mutter that this was the game gone for Purton, but worse was to come for them, when on 43 minutes, a cross came in from the left and BARRY SANDQUEST back headed the ball in to the net to make it 4-0.

Just as folks were thinking its cuppa coffee time they were wrong as The Colls had one more attack and gained a corner, again from the left hand side and this was met but the head of GEORGE HOLLAND who guided the ball home.

During the Half Time break, the crowd must have been thinking a double figure result here and the visitors began on the front foot, with a couple of guilty misses by their forwards, but on the hour, Purton pressed forward and a young winger had a shot just wide and then had a corner but both resulted to nothing but did raise the hopes of them getting at least one goal back. The visitors continued to press forward and still miss chance after chance including a header near on the six yard box.

In the 84th minute, the visitors went down to ten men as they had used all their subs permitted and one of their defenders had to be carried off with what looked to be a bad knee injury(we all wish him a speedy recovery).

Purton FC all credit to them on their second half performance, they kept going and didnt give up.

Both clubs are a credit to their League.

Whilst chatting to the visiting Chair and Secretary they got me a club badge, so the badge money of £3 has gone from the club in to the charity blog total and after the match in the clubhouse they donated another £5, mean while Purton FC also donated £5, so a BIG thankyou to both clubs for the kind donations, which now takes the running total to a amazing £808.75p for Family Fund, a charity that helps and supports families of children with Special Needs and Disabilities.

To see the 172 match photos, please click this LINK

TOWN CRUSH SAD MAGPIES

 South West Peninsula League

PENZANCE AFC 1 FALMOUTH TOWN FC 5

After a day round the shops of Penzance as we were finishing off, Dave Higgins approached me in the town centre to say hi and he was on his way to the same match as myself. On arrival at the gate, I was greeted by the gateman who told me that sadly they hadnt done a programme this season, oh well not the end of the world. I made my way round the side of the pitch and bumped in to Mr Penzance AFC himself John Mead, a really helpful chap and always time for a quick chat. I then heard a voice say hello Rob are you on holiday again, as I turned round it was my old friend Neil Pitt from Holmans SC FC who was a assistant referee for this fixture.

I then got a pasty and a cuppa before sitting in the stand and it wasnt long before Dave joined me, I said a quick hello to Cornish non league legend Dave Deacon as he went by.

The match kicked off but me and Dave had no idea who was playing in which colour, as last time I saw these 2 clubs, The Magpies played in black and white stripes, whilst their visitors played in gold. I went to the line up board but no one had filled it in, so I was very grateful to where ever Dave Deacon was in the ground as he was tweeting the names of the scorers.

We soon found out after 12 minutes who Falmouth were as they scored after a superb shot from a distance from ANDREAS VALLEJA-STAYNE, the reason we knew it was Falmouth that had scored was a bloke behind the goal had a drum and started the Falmouth fans singing.

On 18 minutes, it soon became 2-0 to the visitors through a LUKE BRABYN penalty.

On 29 minutes, a ball up the left side of the pitch saw a home player go past a defender and the away keeper gathering the ball, no one appealed but the ref pointed to the spot, the Falmouth defence were too pleased esp the keeper and the keeper was shown a yellow card. Up stepped MARK VERCESI and smashed the ball home. Then keeper still wasnt very happy, then he took off his shirt as he had been sent to the sin bin.

Whilst down to ten men, the home side didnt really test the stand in keeper apart from one shot that went straight in to his arms and a easy catch.

The second half kicked off and Penzance pushed forward forcing the real visiting keeper in to a couple of saves but on 63 minutes, this led to spaces at the back and when they lost the ball, a quick break saw the visitors hit the post before LUKE BARNER to tap in from close range in to a empty net.

Falmouth continued to  press forward and hit the bar, the the home keeper made a superb reflex save to knock the ball over the crossbar, but after 85 minutes, the home side could do little when a ball was laid back for JACK BOWYER to belt it home to make it 4-1.

In the final seconds of the game, Penzance conceded a fifth goal, when from a corner from the right hand side, JAMES WARD reacted first and headed the ball home.

A good advert for the SWPL and felt the referee and his 2 assistants had very good matches.

Well that brings down the curtain to my Cornish Football whilst Im on holiday this time but I will be back

CHINN SECURES THE POINTS FOR THE SHIP

 Trelawny League: Division Three

DROPSHIP FC 3 LANNER FC 2

This fixture caught my eye a few weeks ago when scanning through where to go to whilst on holiday in Cornwall, not having seen either club fitted the bill, but then I spotted on Dropship's twitter that they did a online programme, so the question was asked if they would be prepared to do a printed copy, they agreed to do this as a one off, so I began to advertise it and Dropship FC then pledged any that I pre ordered, the money would go to my Blogs Charity Family Fund. Well id been in touch with Dave Bartlam for several weeks and on Tuesday placed the order of 40 copies.

On arrival I was met by several committee members of the home club and Dave offered me a fold up chair to which I sat near to the halfway line. Also Keith from Norfolk turned and donated £5 to the charity.

The game kicked off with the Ship sitting in 9th position whilst their visitors were in 3rd, but it was the hosts who should have taken the lead after just 3 minutes, when a cross from the right side was met by the glancing head that just went wide.

Dropship continued to press forward and in the 14th minute took the lead, when the visiting defence failed to clear and TAYLOR HOSKING hit a half volley from just outside the area that deflected in to the net to make it 1-0.

The Ship were having the best of the chances but were failing to put them on target, whilst Lanner broke on the break without any success.

The Second Half kicked off and straight away, Dropship doubled their advantage, when after some neat passing football, TODD BUTLER stroked the ball home.

This seemed to bring some life in to the visitors as they became more vocal in their support amongst their players and gained a few long throws to which they pushed more players forward and this paid off in the 53rd minute, when a mix up at the back of the home defense let in Lanner's CALLUM SOBEY to head into a empty net.

Lanner were now having their best period of the game and causing a few problems and in the 77th minute were awarded a penalty to which TOBY ANGWIN stepped up and converted.

In 80th minute, I got a call from Dale Godding from St Austell Bay Radio and whilst live on air, Dropship's LIAM CHINN turned and beat off three challenges before his curling shot produced the games winning goal.

I would really like to give a MASSIVE thankyou to ALL at Dropship FC who donated £86 to the Charity Blog which is for Family Fund, a charity that helps and supports families with children with special needs and disabilities.

To see the 191 photos from the match, please click this LINK