ALL LEVEL IN THE PRE CHRISTMAS DERBY CLASH

 Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

AWSWORTH VILLA FC 1 SANDIACRE TOWN FC 1

Plan A was to visit Beeston FC as they have done quite a lot of work on their ground since I last visited them, but the visitors had to cancel the game due to covid, so Plan B was set in motion and on Friday evening, I picked out Awsworth Villa v Sandiacre Town, two teams in very good form of late, also Ive not been to Awsworth's Shilo Ground that is set in a bowl shape for a few seasons.

On arrival we was greeted by both clubs and their members and Hazel offered to help in the refreshments canteen, which Villa were very grateful of.

As the Teamsheets were handed in, Awsworth Secretary wrote out both sides on the whiteboard for all to see and take a photo of

On lovely advantage point is the benches on the hill that look down on the pitch and is superb spot for taking photos when its not foggy, well today it was a bit foggy, as I was walking round towards the benches, I was joined by local NSL hopper Wayne Morrison who used t be involved at Bilborough Town FC some seasons ago.

The game kicked off with both sides not really creating too many clear cut chances and cancelling each other out in a midfield battle, some tasty tackles going in but nothing too serious. In the 33rd minute, the visitors broke down the left side and the ball sprang around like in a pin ball machine in the home penalty box, before ALEX BENO nicely placed the ball home to give Town a 1-0 lead.

At Half, I headed to the tea canteen to get my cuppa and Alan the Villa Secretary had kindly baked me 2 mince pies, Wayne helped carry my coffee back to my position on the bench as the fog began to drift in, meanwhile as I munched in to the first lovey mince pie, I had to offer Mr Morrison one, which we agreed were very nice.

The Second Half began very slowly, as Sandiacre looked relaxed with the one goal advantage and Villa were huffing and puffing and shooting from distance, nearly hitting the wifes car three times, but on 67 minutes, Villa were back on level terms when Town's clearence only reached around 25 yards out and found MATTHEW ANTCLIFF who drove a low shot in to the corner of the net to make it 1-1.

The equalizer seemed to spur the homesters forward whilst Town played on the break, but neither side could find that extra goal to give them the win, I felt hat a draw was a very fair result and ref Kev Guise had a very good game.

In the tea canteen a pot was put for people to donate to the charity blog in aid of FAMILY FUND where both supporters of each club donated, the pot then went back to the Crown pub in Awsworth where the players and committee of Awsworth and pub regulars and the landlords all donated and on the day, we raised a amazing amount of £92.54p which takes the running total up to £1,151.04, me and Hazel would like to thank everyone for their kind donations..If you would like to read more about Family Fund, that helps and supports Families with children with Special Needs and Disabilities, please click this LINK

To view the 58 photos from the match please click this LINK

GEORDIE HIT VILLAGE RIVALS FOR TEN IN VILLAGE DERBY

 Euro Soccer Nottinghamsire Senior League: Division One

FC GEORDIE 10 CALVERTON MINERS WELFARE 0

Att 50

Last time I went to FC Geordie it must have been the heaviest it had ever rained as I got soaked, with sun shining this morning, it looked a lovely day, This infact was to be the first ever clash between these 2 clubs in a league fixture, the grounds are less than a mile apart and both have their own social clubs, known as the Geordie Club(Calverton Mens Working Club) and Top Club(Calverton Miners Welfare). The history of FC Geordie is quite simple, during the 1960's, a lot of Geordies moved down from the Newcastle area in to the village of Calverton to work at the village pit.

On arrival at the William Lee Memorial Ground that houses a newly build changing room block inside a recreation park complex, I was greeted by both clubs and soon joined by match referee Lewis Quayle.

With the Charity Blog sitting on £980, Ali West of Calverton MW FC kindly donated £10 which I would like to thank him, then Lewis Quayle kindly donated £10 to take the total to a superb £1000

With the teamsheets received, it was up to pitchside with those clouds looming above in a string cold wind, so I headed over to the far side of the pitch for some sort of protection from the trees, I soon joined up with Burton Hopper Gareth Seagrave and Ripley Hopper John Hardy who both kindly donated £10 each so a big thankyou to them as well.

Just on kick off like on order, the heavens opened and the rain lashed down and got us all soaked, Jim Bethell and grandad(its really Jim's dad, but a long standing laugh between us all), we were soon joined by local Simon.

The gamee kicked off and it was Calverton who had the first two chances and could well have been two goals to the good, the wind was very strong in the rain and a few passes were being tried by long ball, but they just swirled in the air and dropped anywhere.

FC Geordie picked up their game and began to play the ball on the floor and also using the wing and crossing low which in the 12th minute led to JAMES PARKIN opening the scoring to give hi team the lead. On 15 minutes, ADAM LIMB doubled Geordie's lead to 2-0.

Calverton kept playing but it was their keeper keeping the score down but on 40 minutes, he could do little when BRINSLEY KIRKHAM notched his first and FC's third of the game.

The players went in to the changing rooms for half time, so it was good to catch up with Simon, who I spent the Second Half with, as it stopped raining but got colded.

With both teams out for the Second Half could Calverton get back in to this game, one wondered, but this question was answered straight away as in the 46th minute, BRINSLEY KIRKHAM beat the offside trap to sail through and make it 4-0.

After 53 minutes, a ball played down the left wing, saw a cross come in and JAMES PARKIN headed home. In the 66th minute, JAMES PARKIN made 6-0 when completing his hat trick.

Calvertons head had gone down now and it looked a matter of how many Geordie would score, as they hit the crossbar and the post twice and the keeper had to push the ball away several times, but on 71 minutes BRINSLEY KIRKHAM knocked in his 3rd of the match and Geordies 7th.

Subs were made and had a effect straightaway as both MORGAN JAMES and BARRY PAYNE hot the back of the net in the 74th and 78th minutes.

With the clock ticking down, man of the match BRINSLEY KIRKHAM struck a low shot that crept into the corner of the net to make it 10-0

After the match, FC Geordie Secretary Craig Martin kindly donated £20 ,so a thankyou to him and all others who donated today raising £60 plus £2,50 from goals scored taking the running total up to a amazing £1,042.50p for FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports families with children with Special Needs & Disabilities.

To see the 59 photos taken today please click this LINK