TOWN FIGHT BACK FOR SHARE OF THE POINTS

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

AWSWORTH VILLA FC 2 BILBOROUGH TOWN FC 2

Admission £2 with free programme

Att: 40

The second offering of the day kicked off at 3.30pm with Awsworth VIlla FC having won their last two games hosting Bilborough Town FC who had lost their last eight matches, so on the form book this should have made Villa favourites for the three points on offer today, but the formbook doesnt always run to form.

The game kicked off and Awsworth played a couple of balls from midfield to the right wing and this looked like this was going to cause Town a lot of problems, but Bilborough began to settle in to the game and on 6 minutes, BUBA CEESAY put a curling shot in to the bottom corner of the net.

This seemed to spring Awsworth in to action as they pressed forward on the front foot and Lee in the Town net had to called upon a couple of times, but 15 minutes, he could little when after goalmouth scramble COURTNEY SAMUELS poked the ball home from close distance to level up the scores.

Villa continued to press forward and in the 29th minute took the lead, when a angled shot by LIAM TOWLE hit the back of the net.

The Second Half saw Bilborough press and press but saw their efforts come to very little, until the 77th minute when JOEY UBIDO fired home a well deserved equaliser.

The final ten minutes saw both sides play free open football and both have very good chances to snatch a late winner, we saw a bit of handbags as both teams got passionate to get the three points but on full time, both sets of players respectfully shook each others hands.

I felt all 3 officials had very good games.

After the match, Danny Staley of Awsworth Villa FC kindly donated £5 to the Charity Blog and then I got a phone call from Herbie who had been to East Leake Robins this afternoon and the referee of that match had also donated £4 to take the running total up to a superb £652 towards Nottingham Stroke Club.

149 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

WOLLATON FC MAKE IT FIVE WINS ON THE BOUNCE

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

ATTENBOROUGH FC 1 WOLLATON FC 3

Played at Basford United FC

Attendance: 35

A chance today to get in a Notts Senior League double on the 4g at Basford United FC, with a 1pm kick off of Attenborough FC  who after a change of manager have won the past 3 out of 4 league games who hosted  Wollaton FC who had won 9 out of their last 11 league fixtures.

The game kicked off and it was soon the visitors who had the early openings and after just 3 minutes, a cross from the right wing found the scooping head of ADAM HASSALL who guided the header home. Things got worse for the Boro within 90 seconds as Wollaton known as the Sugababes doubled their advantage when DANIEL CHADWICK stroked the ball home from close range.

On 12 minutes, Wollaton raced in to a 3-0 lead when their top striker turned a hit his shot home from 30 yards out.

Wollaton continued to press forward and another cross came in, but as Charlie Carder came out to punch the clearance away, he went down with a shoulder injury and had to be replaced, it looked like the floodgates may well open up, but to Attenborough;s credit, they continued to push forward and take the game to Wollaton and in the 28th minute was awarded a penalty, to which KEIRAN WHALIN coolly converted.

The second Half saw Attenborough press and press but found no way through the Wollaton defence, but on 82 minutes, a crisp shot from outside the penalty area smashed against the post with the Wollaton keeper well beaten, but was then cleared to safety for Wollaton to record their 5th straight win.

Must mention the 3 officials who all had very good matches

123 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

CONOR'S BRACE SENDS GREEN IN TO COUNTY TROPHY FINAL

Nottinghamshire FA County Trophy

Semi Final

KEYWORTH UNITED RESERVES 3 NOTTINGHAM FC 0

Admission Free

Programme 50p

Attendance: 74

Another weekend where the wet and stormy weather put pay to a lot of matches in the Midlands area, saw full credit to the Keyworth groundstaff on pulling out all the stops being at the Platt Lane ground from 7.30am to make the heavy pitch perfect for the County Cup Semi Final tie.

Both teams headed in to the game in good form, with the hosts winning their last 3 fixtures whilst the young Nottingham FC side winning their last six, so a close game was being looked forward to.

On arrival, I was greeted by Club Chairman Chris Thompson and grabbed a cuppa before a chat with the 3 match officials. Before getting the teamsheets, I wished both sides well and strolled towards pitchside.

I also met Stickypalms who also writes a superb blog called "The Groundhopper" here is the LINK

The wind was howling down the pitch, but credit to both sides who were trying to play passing football and it was the team in blue that had the first chance of the game after just 12 minutes, when the home keeper was called in to action after a shot from the oppositions number ten.

With the heavy ground, players knew they would have to work for every ball and a nice move on 16 minutes by the homesters saw the ball laid back to THOMAS SISWICK to fire United in to the lead. The visitors seemed abit upset by this and the referee sent one of their players to the sin bin for dissent.

Whilst Nottingham FC were still down to ten players, United used this to their advantage in the 24th minute to double their lead, when CONOR PAULEY latched on to a loose ball to smash in to the top corner of the net to make it 2-0.

After the half time cuppa and the action began straight away, when a visiting player already on a yellow card, was shown a second yellow card when he handled the ball inside the area in the 50th minute, up stepped Conor Pauley but the visiting keeper guessed the same way the penalty was going and pulled out a excellent low save.

Nottingham FC pushed forward but didnt really use the wind to their advantage and didnt test the home keeper and being a man short tired legs began to kick in and so did a bit of frustration, resulting in them picking up several yellow cards in the meantime.

The tie was put out of reach in the 83rd minute, when a corner floated in from the left hand side was met by CONOR PAULEY who guided his header home from around ten yards out to send the greens in to a 3-0 lead.

I felt that Alex Smith the referee had a very good match along with his two Assistant Referees in Gregg Stuart and the young Assistant who's name sadly I cant remember(but he is from Southampton).

I would also like to thank Gregg Stuart for donating £5 of his match fee to the Charity Blog which is for NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB, also to Keyworth United FC who have pledged 25p per goal throughout the season, also Nottingham FC donated earlier in the season. The running total at present stands at a superb £645.00.

197 Photos from the tie can be seen on this LINK

OLYMPIC MAKE IT FOUR IN A ROW

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

RADCLIFFE OLYMPIC FC 2 BEESTON FC 1

Att: 23

A game played in very difficult conditions due to Storm Dennis raging throughout the afternoon, saw a match where chances went begging in the swerling wind and high over the crossbars and some good shot stopping kept the score down.

Radcliffe's Wharf Lane Ground sits at the side of the River  Trent and at present with the river high, then pitch isnt playable, so they have looked round and found this venue at Nottingham Uni Academy in Radcliffe the perfect place, with new changing rooms and even a washing machine in the referees room.

Referee Lewis Quayle kindly picked me up at Sherwood Manor in Nottingham and was soon at the ground for the 2pm kick off, both sides handed me their teamsheets for 1.20pm so I could go to the portacabin and grab a cuppa.

I tried several times to stand up the corner flags on each corner but after the strong wind had blown them down for the 8th time, I gave up.

The match kicked off and Olympic had the first few chances with the wind behind their backs and the visiting keeper being called in to action several times diving low to keep the scoreline goalless, but this was all to alter in the 35th minute, when a long low shot by NICK LEVACK squeezed in to the bottom corner of the net to put Radcliffe in front.

In the 38th minute, Radcliffe thought they had doubled their advantage when Brett Soiza had the ball in the net, but during the build up play, it appeared that someone had strolled off side, so it was still 1-0 at half time.

Beeston must have thought with the wind behind them they would be in for a easier second half, but it was Olympic in the 46th minute, who had a superb chance, but again the Beeston keeper was in fine form.

Beeston did come more in to the game but didnt really test the Olympic keeper very much, whilst the homesters played more on the break and on 73 minutes, the reliable visiting keeper misplaced a pass out of defence to the half way line, to which Player Manager Hegarty side footed towards goal and the strong wind took it narrowly wide.

JOESPH HEGARTY didnt have to wait long though for his opportunity as in the 76th minute, he cut in from the right side and stroked the ball in to the far corner of the net to put his side in to a two goal cushion.

The Oranges of Beeston pressed forward with the clock ticking down and in the 91st minute, a long range shot by ROLAND TOMLINSON hit the back of the net to reduce the arrears, but there was very little time for them to press forward for another try at goal, so Radcliffe Olympic FC have now won their last four matches.

A good match in very testing conditions and a credit to both sides in playing their parts.

I just thank Steve Hyde of Beeston FC for their kind donation of £10 and also Radcliffe Olympic FC for a donation of just over £6 to take the running total for the Charity Blog, NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB to a amazing £639.25p.

143 photos from the match can been seen on this LINK

ROMANIES FALL TO HOME DEFEAT TO COTGRAVE

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

BILBOROUGH TOWN FC 0 COTGRAVE FC 2

Att: 21

I saw Bilborough Town FC earlier in the season at Burton Joyce FC in a match they were unlucky not to gain a point from in a 1-0 defeat, as I had to be at this venue as my son Shawn and me and the wife had to attend a Youth to Adult roadshow, it gave me chance to not run around and to pop straight next door to watch this match.

On arrival, I was greeted by Steve Lee at the turnstile and got a programme, before a guided tour of the new changing rooms that have finally been given the green light by Nottingham City Council and will be a great assett to the club once completed.

We was soon in the refreshments cabin when a lady named Sam spotted Hazel and it turned out they were related and of course Shawn was happy to find he had another cousin.

The game kicked off and Cotgrave were on the front foot and after just 5 minutes were in front through a KYLE WADDELL penalty after a trip in the home penalty area. It was a bad start for The Romanies but they put some good passing football together but they were missing someone who could convert the many chances that flashed across the six yard area of their visitors area.

Things were made more difficult for them in the 23rd minute, when home captain Ricky Law was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for dissent, but this didnt seem to bother the homesters as they pressed forward and could well and should really have been on level terms when the number 11 beat the visiting keeper to see the wide gap of goal closed down before he could tap the ball in to the net.

As we headed towards the half time whistle, a smart move by the visitors, saw their top striker LUCAS COTTERILL hammer home his 20th goal of the season in the Premier Division on his 15th appearance.

The Second Half saw Cotgrave press forward for a third goal in the 20 minutes, but then the rest of the half belonged to Bilborough who pressed and created chances, but sadly couldnt find that goal to set up a grandstand finish.

To be fair, there was not alot between the two teams apart from the finishing and if Bilborough could find a striker or had a bit of luck could well pull themselves out of the bottom two, as Cotgrave are a stubborn side to break down and deserved their well grinded out victory on the day.

I would like to thank Steve Lee for the kind donation of £10 and with the 2 goals scored now takes the running total for the charity blog for NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB to a amazing £623.25p

178 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

UNBEATEN AFC REMAIN SIXTEEN POINTS CLEAR

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

KIRTON BRICKWORKS FC 0 AFC TOP VALLEY 2

With my operation in 8 days time, I didnt want to venture far out and I hadnt been to Kirton Brickworks this season, Kirton had installed a new manager Rob Musson only on Wednesday evening but dont take the team on till the next match, the visitors today were AFC Top Valley who are running away at the top 16 points clear.

As always a warm welcome and cuppa awaiting for me on arrival, the game soon kicked off and it felt great to have my camera with me and my arm out of a sling.

Kirton pushed forward early doors, but Cummings came very close to opening the scoring for the visitors but was foiled by Ricketts guarding the home net.

On 13 minutes, a lovely move down the right hand side saw Cummings cross the ball foot perfect for JOESPH GUNN to put the visitors in front.

Both sides were giving 100% on a heavy pitch and a few late challenges went in from both teams, sometimes looking like the game may just boil over.

The Half Time break came and went and the game got a bit scrappy and then within 2 minutes, both teams went down to 10 men due to seeing a man each sent to the Sin Bin, whilst both sides were down to 10 players, in the 67th minute, a scramble in the home penalty area, saw the ball land in front of NATHAN ATKINS who hooked the ball home and double AFC's lead to 2-0.

Kirton pushed players forward, but Top Valley broke a couple of times and the homesters had their keeper to thank for keeping the score down.

146 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

BROWNE BRACE SENDS AFC INTO THE SEMIS

Nottinghamshire FA Saturday Senior Trophy

Quarter Final

BLIDWORTH WELFARE RED FC 2 WEST BRIDGFORD AFC 3

With the wife Hazel away at her daughters up in Preston for her birthday this weekend, Hazel's brother offered to have Shawn for a couple of hours whilst I went to the footie, just over the road is Unwin Road and Blidworth Welfare Reds ground and I noticed that the match had been moved forward by 30 minutes to a 1pm kick off. Since visiting last season, the Reds have moved pitches and also got a hot water urn to make refreshments which were most welcome.

The tie kicked off with the visitors creating most of the chances, whilst the Reds had to re-shuffle due to a early injury to one of their defenders who limped off. The home keeper was also keeping the scores level.

The Second Half sprung in to action and on 51 minutes, the visitors were awarded a free kick just inside their own half, which was hit long and MARCUS BROWNE rose and guided his header in to the net.

Within 3 minutes and the visitors had doubled their lead, when a ball was played in to their captain LUKE DABELL  turned and shot in to the net from the edge of the area.

Blidworth Reds then upped their game and pushed forward and on 61 minutes LIAM STRAFORD cut in from the left side and fired home to cut the arrears in half.

The Reds continued to take the tie to their visitors and on 64 minutes were on level terms, when awarded a penalty, JAMES HENRY took the penalty which was palmed out but he was first to react and knocked the ball home.

The tie went from end to end and on 83 minutes, a mistake in the Reds defence saw MARCUS BROWNE pounce and prod the ball home for the visitors to re take the lead.

Well in to injury time came a controversial and sour ending to a very good tie, when the Reds broke forward and Liam Stratford stroked the ball in to the corner of the net, Reds celebrated their equaliser, when the referee went over to the club Assistant Referee who had raised his flag to say that the ball had gone put of play before the ball had been crossed, the referee stood by the club assistant referees decision and the goal was disallowed,it was a shame for the game to end like this as both sides had played some good football in a good flowing game

REDS FIGHT BACK TO HIT DEVELOPMENT FOR SIX

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

RAVENSHEAD REDS FC 6 CLIFTON ALL WHITES DEVELOPMENT FC 1

Was going to Kimberley MW Reserves v Gedling Southbank but after a 10am inspection, the match was called off, so it was to the drawing table, as I visited 2 of my sisters in Eastwood and in Bilborough, most games were 2pm kick offs not giving me much family time, but I got a call back from Ravenshead Reds Secretary Kevin Pinner to say their 3pm match was def on.

Earlier in the season, I saw the reverse fixture of this match, where the Reds won 5-0, but for both sides there have been a lot of changes.

All Whites have appointed former Rolls Royce man John Cheetham at the helm of a very young side, who to be honest in the first half of the match had their chances and played some very good fast football.

The game kicked off as previously said, All Whites were on the front foot pressing and having some good chances, as I stood on top of the hill overlooking the pitch with Ravenshead FC(not Reds) manager Ross Hardwick and soon joined by the chairman Mark Yates and his young son.

It came as no surprise when a ball squared across the Reds 6 yard box was tapped home by RYAN MILLS on 16 minutes, it looked like the All Whites could well add to their tally but that just didnt happen and they were punished on 32 minutes, when BRAD MARTIN fired home the equaliser.

Within 2 minutes, the Reds had turned the game around and went in to a 2-1 lead. All Whites pressed forward but this left gaps at the back and on the stroke of half time, the reds added their third goal of the match.

At Half Time we were joined by local Councillor Martin Smith who attends most matches down at the Cornwater and is a great supporter of local grassroots football of all ages, as he shot off to tell a bloke off for letting his dog off his lead, he missed a couple of |Reds goals to make it 5-1 after 52 minutes, this seemed to knock the stuffing out of the young lads from Clifton and their keeper made 2 very good saves, plus the Reds hot the crossbar twice.

In the 86th minute came the end of the scoring when the Reds made it 6-1 for a well deserved win for them, but All Whites will win games this season in games here they finish their chances and luck goes their way.

Sadly I couldnt see who got all the goals but the goalscorers for the match are as follows:

Ravenshead Reds FC

BRAD MARTIN 2

DEAN BUSSEY

RICHARD SAXTON

JAMIE SIMONS

MITCHELL TRAVERS

Clifton All Whites Development FC

RYAN MILLS

Referee James Green had a very good match in my opinion in only his second match in the Nottinghamshire Senior League.

SOUTHWELL'S DRAW TAKES THEM TOP

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

SOUTHWELL CITY FC 3 BINGHAM TOWN FC 3
Att: 115
Programme: Available in clubhouse at bar
Coffee £1

A last gasp goal saw Southwell City jump up to the top of the Premier Division in a top of a table clash against local rivals Bingham Town.

Before kick off with both the line ups got and a couple of cups of coffee and chat with both committee and supporters, Southwell City manager Jon Upton kindly donated £4 to the Charity Blog.

The match began in a swerling wind blowing down the pitch towards the clubhouse end and the action was flowing from end to end, but on 13 minutes a routine backpass to the Southwell keeper saw him kicking fresh air, as the ball drifted in to the net to give Bingham a early lead.

On 20 minutes, the visitors doubled their lead when EUAN SWEETING fired home after a good move that beat the homesters offside trap.

Southwell pulled themselves back in to the game on 26 minutes when CALUM LAW  fired home from a free kick.

The Second Half saw Bingham pushing for the third goal, but it was BRADLEY PEACE-McDONALD who cut in from the wing and slotted home to make it 2-2.

The play went from end to end with both sides going for the points and chances for both sides went a miss before Bingham retook the lead on 69 minutes through JAKE HARDY. As the clock was counting down, it looked like the visitors were to return home with the three points, but from a corner in injury time, BRADLEY PEACE-McDONALD scrambled the ball home.

Must mention match Referee Pete Craggs who I felt controlled the game well and must thank him for a lift to and from the match. I must also thank Bingham Town's number fan ALAN(who didnt grumble at me today) and kindly donated £10 to the Charity Blog which is in aid of NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB, the running total with both Alan and Jon's donations and the 6 goals scored at today match stands at a great £609.25p.

May I also point you to the match photos taken by Bingham Town FC's Official Photographer Geoff Cameraman, any photos used MUST acknowledge him. The photos can be found on this LINK

TOWN EDGE SEVEN GOAL THRILLER

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

ATTTENBOROUGH FC 3 SANDIACRE TOWN FC 4

Att: 51

My first match of the new decade saw me head to the Strand, the home of Attenborough FC were hosting local rivals Sandiacre Town FC, only 7 days before the two teams had met at St Giles Park where Town had run out 4-1 victors.

With me in a sling there was no camera due to my collarbone and this will prove the case for around another five weeks to come, so I only took a couple of photos with my mobile, but found this hard to do.

The game kicked off and within 7 minutes, it looked like the Blues of Attenborough were out for revenage on last weeks defeat as they took the lead with a lovely curled placed shot by KEIRAN WHALIN. By the 13th minute, TOM O REGAN doubled the home sides advantage with a carbon copy of the first goal to make it 2-0.

Sandiacre after a slow start began to come more in to the game and pushed forward and got themselves back in to the match when reducing the arrears on 37 minutes through JORDAN LEONARDI.

The Second Half kicked off and it was soon end to end and important to the game who was going to score the next goal, to which in the 59th minute JACK WARNER pulled it back level for the Town.

This spurred Sandiacre forward and sub THOMAS MELLORS put his side on front on 69 minutes, the home sides heads seemed to be shocked by the turnaround and in the 75th minute, JORDAN LEONARDI extended the visitors advantage to 4-2.

With the clock counting down, Attenborough got a free kick outside the area as the visitors were reduced down to ten men, ADAM MARTIN hit the free kick in to the net to make it 4-3.

Id like to thank match referee Lewis Quayle for the lift to and from the match