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

DALES DOUBLE MAKES TOWN PAY

Midlands Regional Alliance

Premier Division

RIPLEY TOWN FC 0 MAYFIELD FC 2

Attendace: 55(Headcount)

Programme £2(included admission)

Last week I thought I had finished the 2018-2019 season with a trip to Non League Finals Day at Wembley Stadium, but then on twitter in early week, I spotted this fixture to be played at Ripley Town FC. As many of you will know at the beginning of 2002-2003, I was the Ripley Town Programme Editor and also set up a Club Shop, but due to the club having to move location from the Brickworks ground, the club folded out of the Central Midlands League.

A new and current Ripley Town FC was set up and play up on Nottingham Road and having not seen a fixture there, felt this was the time, the club also advertised they were issuing a programme, those who know me, I dont collect programmes anymore but if one is issued I will support the club in buying a couple.

Sad news came through on Thursday morning that the council had taken down the goal posts, so they couldnt play there, so a search for a new location for the match to go ahead was on and a appeal went out, later the club tweeted that the game was to go ahead at Kilburn MW, another ground I had been to but never seen a match. On Friday, came the third change of venue to say the game was moved due to lack of grass cutting at Kilburn and the game would be at Eastwood Community FC.

It was a shame really as a few hoppers decided to give this match a miss after all the effort that Ripley Town had put in to get this game played, other clubs could have taken the attitude of oh well nothing to play for in a dead rubber match and we will call it off and settle for a point a piece, so a lot of respect must go to Ripley Town FC.

I found the buses only ran one a hour from Mansfield to Eastwood , so gave myself plenty of time and was greeted at the ground on arrival by the Ripley Town manager and a couple of the players, I got my 3 programmes at £2 each which included the admission price and had a chat. The hoppers soon began to arrive from far and local and it was good to meet up with them, just before kick off, the Assistant Referee got the line ups for hoppers to write down and photo.

The game kicked off and a young Ripley team pushed forward but Mayfield from the Ashbourne area started to come in to the game, in the first half there were very few on target chances, but tackles were going in fair and hard from both sides.

At Half Time, I asked Pete Watmough if he was returning back to Mansfield after the match and he offered to give me a lift home, which I was very thankful for, we had a quick drink(mine was a shandy, as I havent drunk now for about 9 months).

The Second Half had begin when we got outside and the visitors had the first chance but the Town keeper was equal to the visiting attackers effort.

As the game went on, it was Mayfield FC that was playing the better football and looked the most likely to score and after 63 minutes JOSH DALES struck a low shot in to the corner of the net from 25 yards.

Town were in shock and in the next visitors move, JOSH DALES added his brace and doubled his sides lead to 2-0 with a side footed placed shot.

Ripley then pressed forward and in the 78th minute felt they had a chance to get back in to the match, when a player went down in the area in my view, the referee pointed to the spot, but then went over to the Assistant Referee and then gave a free kick just outside of the area. The free kick was blocked and cleared.

142 Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

CITY HIT TOWN FOR SIX

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Senior Cup Final

SOUTHWELL CITY FC 6 STAPLEFORD TOWN FC 1

Stapleford Town won the Premier Division title and for a long time in the season it was a fight between them and Southwell City at the top, but Southwell dropped a few points and ended up in third place, but in the 2 league meetings, it was the Minister Boys that had the edge, winning 1-0 at home and a 1-1 draw in the other meeting, so a close Final was expected.

The game began in front of a large crowd despite the FA Cup Final being held at the same time and the game was quite even with both sides going close until in the 25th minute, JONATHAN NUSSEY released a volley n to the corner of the net to give City the lead.

Straight from kick off, Town pushed forward and were caught out and a long ball found JONATHAN NUSSEY who punished them to make it 2-0.

The Second Half began in  dramatic style when on 47 minutes, a City player was upended and James Hunter saw red as his Town side were reduced to ten players. Up stepped JONATHAN NUSSEY to place the spot kick in to the net to complete his hat trick.

In the 54th minute, things got worse for Stapleford Town when they were reduced to nine players when Luke Guadagni bought down a opposition player on the edge of his penalty area.

In the 68th minute, Stapleford had a corner, but a long ball out found City sub GEORGE CAUDWELL who drove forward and placed the ball past the outcoming Turner in the Town goal to make it 4-0.

It soon became 5-0 as on the next attack, GEORGE CAUDWELL chipped the ball in to the net. By now a few of the Town;s heads had gone down, but they still soildered on and got a slight reward when ADAM HASSELL neatly chipped the keeper with 13 minutes to go.

In injury time, CALUM LAW finished off the job to make it 6-1.

My self and my wife Hazel would like to thank everyone for donating at this matches Charity Raffle that raised £149 in aid of Nottingham Stroke Support Group.

149 photos can be seen on this LINK

ROBIN HAD MORE IN RESERVE

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Junior Cup Final

ROBIN HOOD COLTS 3 COTGRAVE RESERVES 0

Mansfield based Robin Hood Colts in their debut season in the Nottinghamshire Senior League finished it off in fine manner winning 3-0 in the Junior League Cup Final against Cotgrave Reserves.

The game kicked off and Cotgrave started the game the brighter and the Hoods keeper was called in to action from a threatening move with Waddell.

Robin Hood came back in to the game but the First Half was a very even period.

The Second Half began with Cotgrave on the front foot, but Robin Hood weathered the storm and in the 58th minute, a cross from the right hand side saw the Division Two's Top Scorer GEORGE CAMPS slot home from close range.

Cotgrave pushed forward but on 67 minutes they were reduced to ten men as Tommy Bacon saw red.

With the clock ticking down, The Colts pushed forward and DANIEL TYSON got his head on to the ball at the far post to extend the lead to 2-0.

Cotgrave had one final push forward but left gaps at the back and a good advantage played saw GEORGE CAMPS make it 3-0.

The 4 officials all had superb games.

The Charity Raffle raised £109 and we would like to thank everyone for their support.

198 photos can be seen on this LINK

ABOUT THE CHARITY BLOG

Some years ago, I was inspired by Nottingham Based Groundhopper Malc Storer and his idea to put a bit out of Non League Football in to local charities, so I set up my Charity Blog named AroundtheGrounds and the idea of sponsoring myself 25p each goal I saw scored throughout the season, with a aim of raising around £100.

Roll on the years and now I have many clubs, officials and players handing me money towards the chosen causes and even members of my facebook group named Non League Grounds of England Wales & Scotland to which in the photo above memeber Graham Moseley handed over a cheque for £75 recently.

The totals over the years have snowballed and never in my wildest dreams when first setting up the Charity Blog did I ever think that I and my wife Hazel would ever see over £1000 in a season raised, but this has happened now for the past 2 seasons.

We tend to chose the small charities with people that dont get paid, so the money goes directly to the people that need it for support, such as this past season aiding a small charity named FORGET ME NOT, a charity that gets no support and has to rely on donations for its members who have dementia and other special needs.

The Nottinghamshire Senior League is very supportive each season allowing my wife Hazel to do the raffle at their League Cup Finals Day which starts our next seasons Charity Blog which the 2019-20 season will be for a small Stroke Support Group n Nottingham.

A few clubs now have also begun to sponsor a goal for their teams that have scored throughout the season for my charity and I just cant say thankyou enough to everyone that makes a donation.