DRAWN POINTS IN THE DENSE FOG

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

ELSTON UNITED FC 1 ASHA FC 1

Att: 22

Elston play just off London Road in Newark and can be a bit difficult to get to from Mansfield, but through Full Time I get the League emails regarding the appointments of match officials and it came as a surprise that Shirebrook based Gary Bryant was to ref his first NSL game this afternoon at Elston, having known Gary for several seasons, I rang him up and asked if I could travel with him.

The fog was already down on arrival but you could see most of the pitch, so the referee gave the go ahead to the delight of all players from both sides. Elston must have had bad thoughts when they saw me, as everytime Ive seen them, they havent gained a point.

The game began and both sides matched each other but at half time, it remained 0-0 with each goalkeeper only having to make one save a piece. During the half time break the fog began to drift low and there were concerns that the match may well not finish, but credit to the match referee who re started the Second Half.

In the 69th minute, a scramble around the Asha defence finished with ETHAN JONES firing home. The fog was getting worse but the visitors began to take risks by throwing everyone forward and in the final minute, this paid off when JAY COOPER was bought down as he went in to the penalty area and was awarded a lifeline of a penalty to which he duly stepped up and smashed in to the top corner of the net.

Ten minutes after full time whistle, you couldnt see any of the pitch.

I must thank Gary Bryant for the lift from to Shirebrook for me to get to Elston.

121 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

BOTTOM TWO PLAY OUT DRAW

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

FC CAVALIERS 2 SANDIACRE TOWN FC 2

With still not well, it was a matter of wanting to stay as local as possible and with games being called off during the morning, I looked at FC Cavaliers v Sandiacre Town where the bus from Mansfield dropped me very close to the Forest Recreaton Ground.

On arrival, the rain had stopped and I soon got the team line ups from both sides and had a chat with todays referee Michael Leslie, before I had a chat with committees from both clubs.

Just before kick off I was joined and spent the match with Wayne Morrison, Cavs had a new look to their side with 3 new signings making their debuts and they began the game on the front foot missing a lot of chances and as they say if you dont convert your chances, the chances are it will come back to haunt you and this was to happen, when on 30 minutes, Sandiacre Town's JORDAN LEONARDI struck a low shot that nestled into the bottom of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

FC Cavaliers came out the second half and pushed forward but Sandiacre looked more likely to score on the break, meanwhile the sandiacre keeper made 2 very good saves to keep his sides advantage. It didnt look to be Cav's day but on 68 minutes, a well worked move saw KASUM BAYO score at the second attempt from a acute angle to level things up at 1-1.

On 73 minutes, Cavs were in front, the ball was played up the right hand side and as the forward was approaching towards the penalty area, he clashed with the outcoming visiting keeper with the ball ending up at LIAM TAYLOR's feet for him to side foot home. The referee gave the goal from the advantage played and then showed the keeper a yellow card.

The game then seemed to see a few players go down injured and this led to a lot of injury time and this gave Sandiacre Town time to throw everyone forward and with the clock ticking down, they were awarded a late penalty to which BLAISE DURUAKU dispatched to make the final score 2-2.

BUDGIES SEE OFF THE BADGERS

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FC 0 MAGDALA AMATEURS FC 2

After the goalfest at Sutton Lawns in the 12pm kick off Id attended, I was unsure what sort of game I would see here, as Development are third from bottom of the table with a young side and three players making their debuts, whilst the visitors who were on the same number of points before the match were reeling from last weeks 10-0 drubbing away at Awsworth Villa FC, though changes had been made for this game.

On arrival, I met with Chesterfield based Martin Roberts and then was invited in to the officials changing rooms for a warmth by match referee Michael Leslie, his assistants today were Jack Poxon who Ive met a couple of times this season and a newcomer to the NSL Kamil Balin who it was his first match having just moved up from Southampton.

I went in to the clubhouse to get a cuppa and met club secretary Debbie Bennett and was having a chat when I heard the roar of GOAL, what a shot, having gathered that The Budgies of Magdala had taken the lead on 7 minutes through 35 yard shot by THOMAS GROVES, it was then I spoke in to twitter with a score update, which later the Magdala lot found amusing, as it had printed and sent Eastwood 0 Mandela 1, so a picture appeared of Nelson to my reply.

I ventured outside and was joined by a gent who usually watches Wollaton FC and then Mr Coffey whose sons play for Magdala. Magdala were cutting out the chances but debutant keeper Wagstaff in the Community net was keeping the score down and his side in the game.

At Half Time I strolled over the far side of the ground and met up with the twins from Ilkeston and Steve Buttle of Eastwood and Steve thought his side were getting back in to things, they were certainly having the majority of the play but sadly not creating very much in the final third, but they were getting on top and I think at that stage of the game, people in the ground must have thought that a equaliser was on its way, but nothing is certain in football and on 85 minutes against the run of play, ETHAN LESEARE hot a shot from 30 yards that clipped a defended before dipping over the keepers head to send the Amateurs back to Roko with the points.

Must say all 3 officials had a very good match, infact they must have had a good match as I didnt notice them and in the clubhouse after, no one moaned about any decisions.

Only 14 photos taken and can be seen on this LINK

ASHA SMASH UNITED FOR TEN

Derbyshire FA Junior Cup South

Second Round

SOUTH NORMANTON UNITED FC 1 ASHA FC 10

Att: 4

played at Sutton Lawns 3g

12pm Kick Off

The FA have bought in a ruling regarding County Cup ties across England where if a home side has their tie postponed twice, then they must either find a alternative venue or lost home advantage and switch the tie to their opponents ground, some clubs dont like it but it does save a massive backlog in fixtures and sees games at venues not usually visited.

When I saw this tie had been arranged for a midday kick off, I thought a few groundhoppers would be interested as they could double up with another 3pm kick off in the near by area, but that wasnt the case, indeed at one stage, I thought I was the crowd!!

With both teams having done their teamsheets and handed to young match official referee Kieran Widdowson, the match kicked off with South Normanton United who ply their trade in Division Two of the Midlands Regional Alliance taking on Nottinghamshire Senior League Division Two club Asha FC who are in the football pyramid approx four divisions above.

South Normanton had the first couple of attacks and the Asha keeper was called in to early action twice, but with Asha fielding a couple of players who have played at a higher level, it soon became clear that the experiance was going to count and with 4 minutes on the clock, JAY COOPER opened the scoring.

To United's credit, they tried to fight back but this was leaving gaps at the back and Asha were guilty of missing a few chances on the counter attack, but on 22 minutes, the United central defender was shown his way to the sin bin for dissent and Asha took advantage of the man advantage when on 24 minutes doubling their lead to 2-0 through DAN EVANS.

On 39 minutes, it seemed like game over when DAN EVANS then made it 3-0 and I headed up to the pavillion for a half time cuppa.

On 47 minutes, JOSH ANDREWS made it 4-0 and on 52 minutes JAY COOPER made it 5-0 as Asha looked like they were going to score each time they went forward at this stage of the game.

On 55 minutes, United got a deserved goal, when SAM HORSLEY saw his penalty saved but he was first to react to the keeper push out and smashed the loose ball in to the net.

On 64 minutes, JAY COOPER not only bagged his trick but extended his sides lead to 6-1 and on 77 minutes, not to be outshone DAN EVANS scored his third and his clubs seventh of the afternoon.

With the clock running down and United's legs very weary, Asha made the extra fitness count as JAY COOPER on 86 minutes made it 8-1 and then the same man scored 2 in the final minute to bag himself six for the game and leave Asha scoring double figures.

Must say young referee Kieran Widdowson had a very good match, controlling the play well by letting the game flow and using the advantage good when he could and bringing it back if it didnt come off.

After the match the referee's dad Martin kindly donated £10 to the Charity Blog which is for Nottingham Stroke Club and with the goals scored at this match and my next match at Eastwood takes the running total to a fantastic amount of £559.50p

To view the 89 photos from the match, please click this LINK

REDS CANT CONTAIN THE BRIGHT ORANGE

Nottinghamshire FA Saturday Senior Trophy

2nd Round

RAVENSHEAD REDS FC 2 BEESTON FC 7

Played at Sutton Lawns 3g

Att: 11

Coffee £1

With having as important scan on Monday before having to have a operation and some treatment coming up very soon, I didnt want to venture too far from home, I noticed that under the new FA's rules regarding cup ties if postponed twice, then the home club must find another venue or reversed the tie, Ravenshead Reds looked round and found Sutton Lawns 3g inside the cage.

On arrival, just near to the changing room block was a window, where a young chap was serving teas and coffees and cans of pop, so a cuppa was in order for my cold hands having travelled by 2 buses to reach the destination.

At pitchside, I was joined by Long Eaton hopper Dave and Ripley John, the crowd swelled as the match kicked off to a total of 11.

A minutes silence was held as all showed their respects for our heroes  before Remberance Day.

The game kicked off and it was the Reds first out the box and created a couple of early chances, but the orange men of Beeston pushed forward and on 7 minutes BRIGHT AGANA tapped his side in to the lead.

The Reds pressed back in a end to end half and had their chances including hitting the Beeston post and could well have considered themselves to be unlucky not to have gone in to the half time break on level terms.

The Second Half kicked off with everyone expecting a tight and close affair, but it was that man BRIGHT AGANA in the 47th minute who netted again to make it 2-0 to Beeston.

This forced the club from north of the county to push players forward and they got a reward and back in to the game in the 55th minute, when TYLER LAMBERT cut down the left side and shot across the outcoming keeper to reduce the arrears.

Beeston then on the hour made it 3-1 through captain JACK WILKINSON and then extended it to 4-1 on 64 minutes through JOEL BUXTON, I felt that Ravenshead Reds heads may go down at this point, but they proved everyone wrong as within 30 seconds they had gone down the other end and were back in the tie when young MITCHELL TRAVERS netted to make it 4-2 to Beeston with 25 minutes to play.

The Reds then pushed forward and seemed to have more confidence but this left big gaps in midfield and at the back and with tired legs setting in, Beeston exposed this, as after 82 minutes, BRIGHT AGENA got his hat trick and his teams fifth goal of the game.

In the 88th minute,  SCOTT PICKARD on the left hand wing hit a high ball that floated straight over the Reds keepers head and in to the net to make it 6-2 and then in the final seconds of the match, DENZIL CATWELL made it 7-2 to provide Beeston FC with a away trip to Robin Hood Colts FC in the Third Round in a couple of weeks time.

Must mention Referee Lee Harrison who let the game flow and had a very good match, also many thanks to John from Ripley for the kind donation of £5 to the Charity Blog which is for Nottingham Stroke Club.

83 photos from the cup tie can be seen on this LINK

NELSON's BRACE TAMES THE BULLS

Notts FA Saturday Senior Trophy

2nd Round

AFC BULL FARM 0 HUCKNALL TOWN DEVELOPEMENT 2

AFC Bull Farm ply their trade in the Midlands & Notts Alliance League whilst the visitors play in Division One of the Notts Senior League. I had seen Hucknall twice this season and they had won both times, the only two victories that they have had.

With the heavy rain of recent days and with matches being called off left right and centre, it was a matter of having a plan A, B and C in place, though having rung the AFC Secrerary Dan, he said the game was on, bit the next two hours saw it hammer down as my house is only a matter of crossing the road to it.

I then rang match referee Scott Anderson who said he would ring me once he got to the ground, to which he did, to say there was a bit of standing water in a goal area but the home side was clearing it away and the game would kick off at 1.30pm.

On arrival at the ground, I walked across the very soft pitch and outside the changing rooms, there seemed to be some sort of disagreement if the game was to take place, as players from both sides seemed a bit confused, but referee Scott deemed the pitch to be safe and in a state to be played on, much to the delight of London based hopper David Bogie who had travelled from 6.30am.

The game kicked off and both sides cancelled each other out, though the Development side missed a couple of easy chances, whilst at the other end, Bull Farm must have been wondering how on earth the Town keeper pushed a excellent shot over the crossbar.

Bull Farm seem to have the pressure for the first 20 minutes of the second half and hit the post from a acute angle.

The pitch was holding up well as we had rain, sunshine and the odd rainbow and the match looked like it was heading towards extra time, but in the 78th minute, Hucknall broke down the right hand side and the cross saw the forward tap towards the home keeper who then pushed it out, only for ADAM NELSON to side foot home.

Bull Farm pressed forward but this left gaps at the back and in the final minute, ADAM NELSON beat the offside trap to shoot home and complete the Developments day.

A very good match which was a credit to both sides and their leagues on a very heavy pitch, I felt Scott Anderson made the right decision for the game to go ahead and had a good game himself.

David Bogie kindly donated £5 to the Charity Blog which is for Nottingham Stroke Club and takes the running total to £539.00

CALVO & VILLA SHARE THE POINTS IN THE RAIN

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

CALVERTON MW 2 AWSWORTH VILLA 2

Att: 25

After returning home from Cornwall, it was a matter of seeing what the NSL offered this weekend, but with 3 days of constant rain, it was going to be a case of what was left on, that was going to determine my decision of where I was going to end up.

This morning, I looked at the 3g options as game after game fell foul of the wet weather, but I noticed Calverton MW were at home, a club that very rarely has games called off, so a phone called the lovely blondeshell Jo Swinscoe the club secretary and her hubby Dave who is a referee was up at the Welfare Ground to check the pitch, the report came back that there was no problems but it would of course be up to Steve Hines the match Referee of his arrival.

On arrival, the match officials were coming off the pitch in the rain and was greeted with the good news that the pitch was of perfect conditions, infact after getting my cuppa and the teamsheets, I walked on to the pitch to do the respect handshake photos and the pitch wasnt even soft.

I was then joined in the crowd by James Spring from Bournemouth and then by local hopper Jim Bethell and his dad and also Jim;s Grandson who was attending his first ever non league match, also joined by Arnold FC legend Roger Rann who kindly did the crowd headcount for us.

The game kicked off  and we all shuffled under the stand behind the goal towards the clubhouse end of the ground. Awsworth were just a step quicker in the early stages of the game and after 12 minutes took the lead when KYLION RICKETTS danced round the area before slotting home from a acute angle. It soon became 2-0 to Villa in the 19th minute, when COURTNEY SAMUELS swept the ball home.

The half continued but the final ball was missing for the Welfare and they didnt create too much, but right on the stroke of half time, SAM BUCKLE bought them back in to the game when he slammed the ball home to reduce the arrears.

The Second Half, Calverton had to thank their man of the match Lewis Wheelhouse when he made a last gasp lunge to knock a goalbound effort off his own goal line. On the hour, Calverton were on level terms when DALTON STEPHENS beat his man and fired home to make it 2-2.

The game went from box to box as both sides went for the winning goal and Villa must have thought they had got it, when their sub chipped the keeper but this time it was Calvertons Adam Limb who cleared off the line.

After the match, Jim Bethell kindly donated £10 to the Blogs Charity which this season is for NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB, where the running total now stands at a superb £533.50p

Must also mention match referee Steve Hines and his two assistants David Baxter and Jack Poxon who I felt had very good games.

68 photos can be seen on this LINK

LAKERS EXTEND LEAD AT THE TOP

Duchy League

Premier Division

GUNNISLAKE AFC 3 NEWLYN EAST AFC 0

ATT: 11

Admission: Free

Coffee: 50p

Two unbeaten sides in the top division of the Duchy League met on a sunny afternoon at Butts Meadow in East Cornwall, with only 2 fixtures being played in the division this afternoon, it was a chance for league leaders Gunnislake AFC to extend their lead at the top.

The First Half was very even but lady luck rode against the visitors when they lost their leaders after 33 minutes and then went the other end to strike the post. Then they were reduced to ten players when a player received a second yellow card.

The Second Half saw the homesters take control of the game but not creating much, but tiring legs and the man advantage saw them break the deadlock in the 70th minute when a scrambled effort from close range by KEVIN McCALLION  saw the ball placed in the net.

The Lakers then extended the lead to 2-0 through a LIAM BRYAN penalty after 75 minutes. Gunnislake sealed their victory on 80 minutes when burst KEVIN McCALLION through on goal to complete his brace and make it 3-0.

I felt that referee Allen Lewis had a very good match.

Both sides did provide good football and were a credit to their league.

242 photos can be seen on this LINK

SAINTS IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

Whirlwind Trelawny League

Division One

ST ERME FC 7 HOLMANS SC RESERVES 5
Att: 41
Programme £1

Many years ago I visited Holmans and met Neil Pitt who did a programme and wrote a page about my groundhopping, I have bumped in to him over the years. St Erme FC i came across due to a match i was intending going to up near Hayle being postponed and they were the opponents of a game I arrived at. I became friends with the club and visited their home ground a couple of seasons ago.

With us having a late holiday break down here in Cornwall, I looked at the fixture list and noticed that St Erme FC were hosting Holmans Reserves, also it being Non League Day, I felt what can I do to put these 2 clubs on to the map, there was only 1 thing I know what to do and that is produce a programme as St Erme FC's first ever, so a 20 page programme was produced for the match and developed interest from as far as Germany up to Liverpool and the match also attracted a few groundhoppers.

The pitch as usual looked in excellent condition even after a few days of heavy rain storms in the area.

Before the match I was joined by Aldershot based hopper Paul Crofts who at the end of the match kindly donated £5 to the Charity Blog.

The game kicked off with just a sprinkle of light rain though heavy showers were forecast for the afternoon, the rain wasnt going to bother the Saints as they took a early lead after just 3 minutes and before long it had double to 2-0 and on 10 minutes things looked bleak for the visitors when St Erme bagged a third.

Holmans must have feared the worse as only a few weeks ago they had been on to a hiding from the league leaders Penzance, but to their credit on the half hour they pulled a goal back which spurred them forward and within 3 minutes, it was 3-3 as they shocked the crowd of 41. As the game headed toward half time, The Saints took the lead again to go in 4-3 up.

The Second Half began and it was the homesters on the front foot and it was their turn to score 3 goals in 5 minutes to extend their lead to 7-3 after 57 minutes and it looked like the floodgates may open.

Again to the visitors credit, they tried their best and tried to create chances whilst St Erme could well have extended their lead but the visiting keeper seemed on good form with at least 4 very good saves.

With just 2 minutes to go, the visitors gave it a last burst and scored twice in a minute, but this time, it was a matter of too late as it left the final score 7-5 to the Saints.

I must mention Referee Nigel Jewell who I felt had a superb game, he let the game flow when he could and was always in control.

After the match in the clubhouse, the St Erme FC manager made a speech and got me up to make a presentation to me, which was a lovely shock and surprise. The club also has donated all the money from the programme sales to the Charity Blog.

203 photos can be seen on this LINK

ST ERME FC FIRST EVER PROGRAMME

A few seasons ago, I visited St Ives Mariners FC near to Hayle who were playing host to St Erme FC in the Trelawny League, the game was played in front of only a handful of people, to be honest I think it was me, my wife and son Shawn.

After the match we went back to the village pub and found there was wifi, so I could download the photos and add them to the aroundthegrounds charity blog, whilst doing this in stepped both teams and wanted to view the photos, Elliott Jolly of St Erme FC asked where they could find the website, so I explained what I do and before I knew it, he had organised a whip round for the charity blog to my surprise.

I have stayed in touch with St Erme FC through their Facebook site and seen their lows and now their highs, I did promise I would go and visit them at their home ground and do a team photo, I remember this day well as Im sure I saw a ark go past the ground as the rain lashed down heavy, but all credit, the game was on.

Before the match though, as promised I walked out on to the pitch to do the team photo and as I was about to walk off, I was stopped in my tracks and St Erme FC made a presentation to me with a shield for the work that the blog does, I was totally in shock and really couldnt thank the lads enough. Again the clubhouse after the match, a whip round for the charity blog was organised.

As Im on holiday on Cornwall for NON LEAGUE DAY which is next Saturday 12th October, I looked around at the fixtures and noticed that The Saints had a home match v Holmans Reserves and this would give me a chance to say thankyou back to St Erme FC by editing their FIRST EVER PROGRAMME and this is possibly the FIRST EVER programme produced in the Trelawny League Division One, so a special item for a special day.

Non League Day began some 10 years ago and is held around this time of year when there is a International weekend, so when Premiership & Championship clubs havent got matches, it gives local community clubs a chance to try and entice floating supporters a chance to come and see what they can offer, some local clubs do deals like £5 entry and you get a free pint or half price admission or pay what you want.  St Erme FC dont charge but do have to pay for the referee on the day, so the programme money could well cover his fee for the afternoon.

I do have a list of programme collectors who collect FIRST EVER PROGRAMMES and St Erme FC cant believe that their little club are going on the maps far away as the programmes have been ordered from Germany, Newcastle, Stoke, Liverpool, Essex and Nottingham.

The day is also going to be very special, as my Daughter in Law and my 2 year old Granddaughter have just moved from Germany down to Wiltshire and we are spending time on holiday, this will be my grandaughters first ever football match that she will be attending and she is the Match Ball Sponsor having purchased 2 match balls.

All we need now is a decent day and a decent turnout and a good match between St Erme FC v Holmans SC Reserves