ROBINS WIN IN THE HEAT

Pre Season Friendly

AFC VILLA FC 2 EAST LEAKE ROBINS FC 4

played at South Nottinghamshire Academy,

Radcliffe On Trent NG12 2FQ

When I saw this pre season match had been arranged at a ground Id not visited and between two clubs Id not seen, it appealed to me. AFC Villa play in the Midlands & Notts Alliance League whilst the Robins ply their trade in the North Leicestershire League.

Having noticed on the Villa facebook page that Lewis Quayle was the match official, I messaged him to see if I could get a lift and I met up with him at the Sherwood Manor pub.

On arrival at the 4g ground, there was a refreshments cabin behind one the goals that was open and with the sun blazing down, a cold drink was in order, only problem was they didnt have any cold drinks, so a cuppa it was.

The game kicked off with several groundhoppers in attendance including people travelling from Leicester, Birmingham, Stone and Nottingham.

AFC made the early breakthrough on just 13 minutes, when their captain took a 25 yard free kick that nestled in to the top corner of the Robins net. This seemed to bring the visitors in to life as they pressed forward and after 27 minutes, they were on level terms when a angled shot found the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-1. Regular drink breaks were taking place due to the hot weather and at half time, I retired again to the refreshments cabin for another cuppa.

The Second Half began and The Leake's were first on the attack and after 52 minutes, a square ball across the 6 yard box saw a tap in to give them the lead. On 74 minutes, a well worked move saw the Robins extend their lead to 3-1.

With 4 minutes to go, AFC pulled a goal back with a good shot, this gave the homesters hope and they pressed for a late equaliser, but this left gaps at the back and in the final moments of the match, The Robins exploited the gaps and punished the home side with a final goal to make it 4-2.

For those hoppers who wish to visit this venue, AFC Villa do have a number of pre season matches here in the next few Saturdays, starting next week v Radcliffe FC, the 13th v Mapperley FC, 20th v Netherfield Seniors and 27th v Wollaton III.

I would like to thank AFC Villa & Adam Rawson for the kind £10 donation and also to Lewis Quayle for the £5 donation and the 6 goals scored towards this seasons charity blog which is in aid of Nottingham Stroke Club which takes the running total to £312.50.

To see the 81 match photos, please click the LINK

STORM CANT RUIN CHARITY MATCH

Charity Match

UNITED GRAYS FC 10 DCT BOXING ACADEMY FC 6

played at Melbourne Park, Aspley

Att: around 120

Id only ever been to Melbourne Park once before and that wasnt for a football match but for a local Wrestling event, so was eager to get back to the venue to see a game, so when last week John Manders contacted me to make me aware of this charity match, it gave me the chance. I contacted local hopper Malc Storer and also Chesterfield based hopper Chris Roberts.

On arrival, I soon found the tea bar open, so grabbed a cuppa whilst chatting to a few players and also the match referee Jevon Swinscoe who had given up his match fee for the charity event.

The match kicked off in awful wet conditions and everyone crowded under the trees on the sidelines whilst the players matched each other and played some football, me and Chris were soon joined by Kev Buxton and Willie from Awsworth Villa FC. Chris than offered me a lift back home to Chesterfield to save me catching 3 buses, which I was very thankful of.

It took a while for the match to liven up and united were awarded a penalty on 33 minutes to which it was dispatched. On 41 minutes, a cross from the right wing was tapped in close home to double United's lead. Then a total mix up by the DCT keeper and defender left the United attacker with just the ball to angle home from a acute angle to extend United;s advantage to a half time 3-0 lead.

With loads of changes for the Second Half and the rain stopped, it was DCT who had the first chance with the ball beating the keeper but just flashing wide. After 50 minutes, United made it 4-0 and it soon became 5 when the DCT keeper palmed out a strong shot only to fall in to the path of a attacking player who knocked the ball home.

After 56 minutes, it became 6-0 when the United keeper converted a penalty and it looked like it was going to be a matter of how many goals would be scored in this second half.

Both sides then bought on some little kids to join in the fun and on 61 minutes, one of the kids run a full 40 yards showing some skills before hammering home DCT;s first goal, the same youngster then reduced the arrears to 6-2, but United were not in giving mood when a ball from the right side saw the ball headed home on the line to make it 7-2.

Goals were then rolling in at steady intervals and I made the score 10-5 to United Grays but according to Chris Roberts he made it 10-6, so I swill go with Chris;s score as it adds another 25p in to the Charity pot.

A really good fun day and what a shame about the weather as I am sure a lot more people would have turned out

With the 16 goals scored it now takes the running total for The Nottingham Stroke Club to £296.25p and John Manders has kindly pledged to make a donation during this week, so a BIG thankyou to John.

127 photos can be seen on this LINK

FUN IN THE SUN AT JACKSDALE

FUN DAY @ JACKSDALE MW

AFC JACKSDALE MW 3 WACKODALE GALACTICOS 2

Att: 200 approx

Well I thought I had finished my 2018-19 season last week, but early in the week saw a twitter message to say there was a Fun Day at Jacksdale where their AFC Sunday side were to face the giant legends of the past. I had only ever been to this ground once before and to be honest, the pitch wasnt the best, it was full of holes and I felt was a danger to the players that day back some five years ago when Corner Pin entertained Mansfield Hosiery Mills in the Notts FA Junior Cup.

As Hazel dropped me off today, the first thing I noticed was how good the pitch looked, it was green, level and no holes in it at all and all a credit to Paul Gutteridge who had put in a lot of hard hours to get this place in to a superb state.

On the sidelines were a few bouncing castles and throw the wet sponge stalls, two lovely blonde ladies selling the raffle and a gazebo selling hot dogs, burgers and cups of tea and coffee.

Before kick off, I got a chance to take photos of both tams then both teams together and just before the kick off, both teams did a 2 minute applause for a gentlemen who had played for many years in this annual event who sadly lost his life only a few weeks ago, it was good to see the whole crowd join in this moment of respect.

The game kicked off and i was soon joined by local hopper Malc Storer who has been to over 300 matches this season, but this ground was a first for him, he arrived with Mansfield Town Supporter and local hopper Melvyn Piasecki.

The game was going from end to end and some the challenges were concerning match official Tim Gregory for him to have a couple of words, with a smile on his face.

The breakthrough for AFC came in the 34th minute, when the striker cut in from the left hand side and planted the ball past the Wacko keeper to make it 1-0.

Off it was for a half time cuppa, where the gazebo was doing a roaring trade and the ladies were working up a sweat with the lovely smell of onions frying and burgers grilling.

As soon as we got back to pitchside, it was 2-0 after 48 minutes, when a long strike nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

The game then went through a bit of a dull patch where both sides were cancelling each other out, but this all changed as on 78 minutes, a scrambled effort bought the Vets back in to the game when the score was halved.

AFC then had the chance to go 3-1 up as they were awarded a penalty, but Michael Shipley was equal to the spot kick and saved it.

It didnt stay 2-1 for long though, as on 86 minutes, AFC were awarded another penalty after a defender had handled the ball, this time, the AFC keeper ran the full length of the pitch to slot the ball home.

With time running out, the Galas pressed forward and they were awarded a penalty of their own, to which Wilson(who had lost his dad, see earlier in the report) stepped up and reduced the arrears. One final effort by the Galas but they didnt lose as everyone was a winner today in this match, as on this sunny day, a lot of much need cash was raised for this friendly club.

Once the players were showered and got their drinks, the youngsters of the club had their presentation, to which I was kindly asked if i would do the camera work for.

On the raffle, a committee member Mrs Wood won and kindly gave me a Trival Pursuit game which id got my eye on for my 14 year old son with autism Shawn, he was over the moon as i got back to the car.

244 photos can be seen on this LINK

With the 5 goals scored at this match, it now takes the Charity Blog;s running total to £282.25p for Nottingham Stroke Club