SUGARBAGS JUST TOO SWEET FOR ASLOCKTON

 Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Premier Division

WOLLATON FC 5 ASLOCKTON & ORSTON FC 1

Seems ages since I last visited Wollaton FC and  not having seen either of todays clubs and having to visit the Nottingham area, it fitted in nicely for me. Early in the week I had a message from a couple of groundhoppers who were travelling down from Leeds and seen my post that Wollaton FC  do a excellent programme and also a badge, this was music to John Turner and his lovely lady Lisa to attend this match who soon joined me in the clubhouse.

On arrival on the car park, I heard this voice greet me and big chap with big sunglasses approached me, once he had taken them specs off, I knew it was old friend Chris Bennett, the Aslockton keeper, I always have a laugh and joke that if he plays I always see goals and that Id see 6 today, but joking apart Chris is a good keeper and we have a laugh and catch up on things around the local football scene.

We are soon let in to the ground by Bill Fishwick, the Wollaton FC Chairman, who soon has programmes and badges at the ready but today being Non League Day, he is allowing everyone in free and free programme instead of the usual £3, the crowd of 52 are very impressed in this offer by the Sugarbags Chairman(I wont make the same mistake and call them the Sugarbabes like last time lol).

Ian Smith one of the Assistant Referees arrive who Ive not seen for about 3 years now and we have a chat whilst Hazel grabs the coffees and I scout round to grab the teamsheets and meet match Referee Dave Southern and the other Assistant Referee Jess Melrose who I must add they all had excellent games.

I headed for the far side of the pitch as the sun was blazing down on the pavillion side, so I was sheltering in the shade amongst the tree lined touchline. I was soon joined by John and Lisa and just before half time Hazel appeared.

The game kicked off at a fast pace with both sides battling away with end to end stuff but the ball flying over the bar in to someones garden or the shots just going astray or both keepers being on tip top form.

Wollaton then began to up their game and in the 28th minute, they took the lead through ARCHIE WOOD who drew my old mate off his goal line and shot low past him to make it 1-0.

During Half Time, the visitors made a double substution and this paid off straight away as in the 48th minute, the scores were level when OLIVER STEVENSON netted.

Wollaton began to get in to their stride and on 52 minutes retook the lead when a cross from the right hand side was headed home by JOE PHILLIPS to make it 2-1. The homesters were not taking their foot off the gas as they pressed forward and 2 minutes later had extended their lead when the ball was played back to the edge of the box for RYAN PEARSON to blast home.

Aslockton pushed forward, but play was stopped for attention to a player from each club due to a clash of heads and both players had to come off, I have heard the sad news from the Wollaton camp that their player has 3 breaks on the eye socket, a broken cheekbone, a broken nose, a broken sinus wall and has got to have a operation, the clash of heads was purely accidental.

On the hour, a Aslockton attack broke down and the Wollaton defence cleared the ball upfield for LIAM TAYLOR to pounce on to and slot the ball home to make it 4-1.

After 64 minutes, ARCHIE WOOD got Wollaton's fifth and his second of the game, meanwhile though it ended 5-1,, it was good see my old mate Benno for the Lockers still encouraging his fellow team mates.

A very good match played in excellent spirit and good advert for the Nottinghamshire Senior League, everyone shaking each others hands at full time despite the result.

Today the Charity Blog that is in aid of FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports families with children with special needs and diabilities had £20 donation from Wollaton FC, Leeds based Groundhoppers John & Lisa £10 and Wollaton Manager Justin Eastman £6 plus £1,50 from the goals scored which takes the running total to £1,398.00 so a BIG THANKYOU to all.

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

ATHLETIC TOO FAST FOR THE HARRIERS

 Central Midlands League: Premier Division South

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC FC 4 HILTON HARRIERS FC 0

Att 44: Very Good Programme £2 

Not that often I get the chance to get to a midweek fixture, but with 14 month grandchild living just up the road from South Normingtons ground, the wife was going to visit. Id seen Lance a few weeks back at Rainworth MW where he said that his club would do the same as Rainworth had done that evening and my admission fee could go to the Charity Blog and I said I would take him up on the offer, I was going to tis fixture 2 weeks ago but the rain put pay to that, but tonight was a lot different after sunshine all day. Hazel got a phone call just as we set off to say that our grandsons mum wasnt feeling too good and was having a early night, so rather than drive 30 mins and back and back and forth she would sit in the clubhouse and have a cuppa and do her puzzle book.

Ive always been made welcome at South Normanton, a nice friendly and had working committee and I have fond memories of opening their clubhouse some years ago, taking a groundhop fixture there for a Saturday night 8pm kick off and also hosting a race night for them, so yes good times.

I was greeted I walked in by 2 of the recently appointed managers of the home club and then by the club chairman Phil Bailey and secretary Jack Naylor, then introduced to club shop manager Dale who also runs the tea bar with his lovely wife. After a rummage through some boxes in the club shop I find a coupe, of programmes of interest and they are very cheap..Any one visiting should have a look in as they also have a board pf badges from around the country as well as some foreign ones.

Then in came Phil Handley the Programme Editor with a bundle of programmes wrapped round his arms, he greets me straight away as we go back some years and we have a chat and I grab one of his programmes for £2 which is very good.

It was then time for me to hit the bar and say hello to Simon who does me a shandy, I think he thought I was on a wind up when I told him I dont drink, but only shandy now days.

So it was outside I go and sit right behind the goal in the stand at the top of the hill, but on my way I bump in to a few folks I know and say hello to.

The game kicks off and it the Shiners on the attack straight away and could well have been a goal to the good after just 30 seconds as the ball flashed past the far post. Hilton looked quick up front and quickly appealed for a penalty but from where I was sat, the referee was spot on waving play on, much to the disgust of the Hiltons number 10 who was still insisting he was bought down.

After 10 minutes, South Normanton break down the left side before the ball is played in to LIAM McCORMACK who fires them in to the lead.

Hilton press forward but the home defence is standing solid and there is a good midfield battle going on between both teams but not many chances at goal, that is until the 35th minute, when a quick break down the right hand side sees the ball played square for HARRY BROOKES to knock home from near distance.

Things got worse for the visitors on 43 minutes, when they went 3-0 down, when HARRY BROOKES smashed home a shot from just inside the area.

Half  Time came and the wife had got the coffees in and also some lovely cakes, I know being diabetic I shouldnt have ate it but they were lovely, I was then joined by Malc who has been with Normanton since I can recall.

The Second Half kicks of and it is the homesters straight on the attack when the ball is played to the right wing where LEE CARTER cuts in and smashes the ball in to the far corner over the net to make it 4-0.

The rest of the half is fairly even with Hilton hitting the post and it bouncing out before being cleared, both keepers making very good saves at each end to prevent anymore goalscoring.

I'd like to thank South Normanton Athletic FC for the kind £6 donation and with the 4 goals scored it takes the running total to a amazing £1,360.50p for Family Fund, that support families with children with special needs and disabilities

COLLIERY THROUGH TO FINAL

 Euro Soccer Nottingham Senior League: Intermediate Cup Semi Final

BESTWOOD COLLIERY WELFARE FC 2 EAST LEAKE ROBINS FC 1

On a sunny afternoon, everything was set up for a Semi Final that could well have been the Final itself, where the two top of the table clashed from Division Two North and Division Two South.

On arrival, I set out my chair on the dugouts sides in the shade and then had a chat with a few folks and got both teamsheets as the young referee Ben Hopton arrived and had a chat.

just before kick off AC Wollaton(The Angels) Manager Roberto arrived, he started up this team project some years ago and I remember going to one of their first matches when they played Sneinton Town FC, since then, this charity team play regular for different charities in the region ad n Saturday 4th June, I have selected a NSL Rep team(s) to play against them at Basford United FC. At present they are collecting Easter Eggs for QMC Childrens Ward, so Shawn presented Roberto with 10 easter eggs saying he would like them to go to children who arent as lucky as he is.

Well on to the match and it was the Welfare on the front foot, pushing forward and the visiting keeper had to be at his best a coupe of times with great saves, but it was a cup semi final and one of no holds barred with full blooded challenges and each ball being fought for. The visitors had a couple of break away chances, but it was mainly the Welfare that had the best of the First Half.

In the 43rd minute came the breakthrough, when a cross from left found out KASEY FISHER to fire Bestwood in front.

During half time, I crossed over to the other touchline, where the majority of the 89 spectators were. As I settled down in my chair, Bestwood burst forward down the left side and a chip over the keeper seemed to be going just wide, but in popped KAI BYRON to make sure he doubled his sides lead on 49 minutes.

At this stage, Robins picked up their game and started to press the homesters back and have a few chances at goal and after 68 minutes must have thought they were back in the game when they saw Mason Ball's shot smash the crossbar. The Miners were playing on the break and both sides now looked dangerous going forward. There was a few handbags and the referee dealt with them calmly and without any fuss.

In the final minute, the Robins got a goal back as CHARLIE EGGLESTON scrambled the ball home, but it came too late for them.

After the match, Gez from Bestwood Colliery Welfare FC kindly donated £5 to the charity blog in aid of Family Fund, which helps and supports families with special needs children, Thankyou Gez. The Running total now stands at a superb amount of £1,353.50p

To view the 182 photos from the match, please click this LINK

GOOD FAIR GAME ENDS IN A LATE DRAW

 Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Two North

BLIDWORTH WELFARE RED FC 1 NOTTINGHAM COMMUNITY FC 1

Not having seen both Blidworth Welfare Red  or Nottingham Community this season, this was the fixture for me.

Blidworth Welfare Red FC are a team that began out in the village of Blidworth but as soon as they ended their youth age league, they felt they would not be included in the Blidworth Welfare set up, so broke away to become a new club but set in Sutton in Ashfield, meanwhile Nottingham Community folded for a season but reset up at the start of this current season but over the past couple of weeks have made chances to their admin team, so have needed a little guidance to help them through.

On arrival I was met by Red Chairman John who had the refreshments and biscuits all laid out for all to enjoy free of charge. Also I noticed that the Blidworth side had a badge but they have now run out and need to order some more.

Just before kick off and just as I was getting the teams, I was joined by Mike from  Wolverhampton who stood with me during the first half of the game.

Before the match it is always nice to hear good comments from a opposition club and the Community Manager Macca was very polite about the welcome from the Reds.

The game kicked off and it was the visitors pushing forward, but chance after chance went begging, though they did have to alter their formation a couple of times as two of their players had to be replaced due to injuries in the game. The home keeper was the one most in action as Reds were busy trying yo stay solid in defence.

The Second Half, Red had a few more chances and tested the visiting keeper a few times but again Community had a few chances that flashed across the box with only a touch needed to prod the ball home.

In the 74th minute, Community must thought they had got the winner when a ball floated across from the right wing found out DAMILOLA SANUSI tapped the ball in to the empty net.

It could well have been 2-0 as they were denied with a superb save by the home keeper in the 82 minute.

The Red manager alter the teams tactics on 84 minutes with pushing more players forward and the visiting keeper was now having to pull off saves.

5 minutes in to time add on, a trip on the right side of the box saw the ref look to see if any advantage would take place before pointing to the spot to the Red. LEON BARTLE stepped with the final kick of the game to equal up the scores.

To see the 182 photos, pleas click this LINK

MASON's FOUR PROVES A BALL ACHE FOR COLSTERWORTH

 Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Two South

EAST LEAKE ROBINS FC 8 AFC COLSTERWORTH S & S 2

A mad dash from the outskirts of Ilkeston saw us arrive at the Dome, the home of the Robins just 15 minutes before kick off, so a mad rush to get both line ups before saying hello to Rob Campion and then strolling over to the far side of the pitch to stand with good friends Herbie and his wife Sue.

Going in to the match, The Robins were top of the table whilst their visitors had won all 3 of their games in February, so perhaps a close game was going to be the order of the day, but the Colsterworth manager was concerned as they had only 11 players.

From Kick Off it was East Leake that were on the front foot as they poured forward and after 6 minutes, they took the lead when a shot was palmed out by the visiting keeper for MASON BALL to slam home the opening goal of the game.

After 11 minutes, some nice one touch play led to NATHAN BALL slotting his team in to a 2 goal lead, but their visitors werent giving up and on a rare attack after 20 minutes their top scorer THOMAS FIGURA pulled a goal back.

The revival didnt last too long as in the 27th minute, MASON BALL latched on to a loose ball and made it 3-1.  Things got better for the Robins on 39 minutes when THOMAS HARDY(not Laurels mate|) increased his sides advantage to 4-1.

Right on the stroke of half time, MASON BALL completed his hat trick and the away side must have been glad of the half time break.

The Second Half began and Colsterworth had their best spell of the game with the home keeper making a couple of good saves, but it was a tough day for visitors as on the hour MASON BALL clocked his fourth goal as he made it 6-1.

In the 66th minute, THOMAS FIGURA got the ball from just outside the area and shocked everyone when he toe poked the ball from 25 yards in to the net and then gave the home keeper a cheeky smile.

That was as good as it got really for the visitors as their keeper was pulling off saves here and there but on 77 minutes he could do very little when JAMES DALTON's shot hot the back of the net. Just before the end, East Leake made it 8-2 when JOE PALMER got in on the scoresheet to make it 8-2.

To see the 105 photos, pls click this LINK

A TALE OF PENALITIES

 Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Development Division

PEGASUS DEVELOPMENT FC 4 DUNKIRK DEVELOPMENT FC 1

With shawn helping his elder brother decorate this weekend, this gave me time to pull in my first Development game in the Nottinghamshire Senior League,, the match should have been a 10.30am kick off at Pastures Road in Stapleford but with the recent bad weather, common sense prevailed and it was switched to a 11am kick off at Kirk Hallam School on the 4g pitch.

After breakfast in Ilkeston we quickly found the ground but all the disabled car spaces were taken up by non blue badge holders, so hazel parked straight across the back of 2 cars and put our badge up and went for a stroll round the local lake.

I  soon got the teamsheets and Pegasus must be sponsored by the National Lottery as the numbers on the shirts went up to number 99, whatever happened to the old days of 1 to 11, I must be getting old.

The game kicked off at a high tempo and a good battle down the right wing between Dunkirks winger and the home left back was taking place, each earning 50 per cent of the ball each attack. Pegasus possibly had the better chances in the first half but it was 0-0 at half time.

The Second Half began well for the boatmen as in the 51st minute, a through ball found MORGAN PITTER who lifted the bal over the advancing keepers head in to the net to give the visitors the lead.

Within 2 minutes, the homesters were back level when ARCHIE EDWARDS fired home a shot from 25 yards out. After 58 minutes, Pegasus had turned it round as they took a 2-1 lead when MCKENZIE BULT converted a penalty.

Both sides pressed forward with both goalkeepers being called in to action and in the 71st minute, the visitors got a penalty but the home keeper Billy Beale dived low to his left side to push the ball away, they say games have turning points and this possibly was it, as Pegasus picked up the pace and on 81 minutes, ARCHIE EDWARDS curled home a shot from the right hand side of the edge of the area in to the far corner of the net to make it 3-1.

In the 84th minute, a moment of madness as a Dunkirk throw in was left by 2 defenders and their keeper and in went MCKENZIE BULT who walked in to the empty area to slot the ball home to make it 4-1.

In the final seconds of the game, Dunkirk were awarded their second penalty of the match, this time it was aimed low to Billy Beales right hand corner, but again like before, he palmed the ball away.

A very good match watched by a crowd of 27 on a windy but dry morning and I think both sides have good players for the future.

To see the 144 photos from the match, please clink this LINK