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

GRAYS SCORE CONTROVERSIAL WINNER

Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy

First Round

QUARRYDALE UNITED FC 1 UNITED GRAYS FC 2

Att: 43

Club Mug £5

This ground is one Ive never been to and one of the closest to my house, so when the draw for the County Trophy was drawn, this came out as tie of the round, as it pitted two teams with 100% league records. 

Quarrydale United ply their trade in the Midlands and Notts Alliance, whilst United Grays are in their debut season in the Notts Senior League having joined from Quarrydale's league.

Matches between the two clubs have been close, so I was expecting a close match and thats what I got. On arrival I was greeted by Julie who runs the Refreshments Room and Bar, I was introduced to her husband Tony who is the Clubs Chair, whilst buying a cuppa, I noticed that they sell Club Mugs at £5, so had to buy one for my collection.

Round to the changing rooms area and was greeted by Dale's Secretary who provided me with both teams line ups.

The tie kicked off and it was United who took a early lead after just 5 minutes, when a cross bar found out CONNOR WARD who rifled the ball home. This seemed to awaken United as they surged forward but good defending by the home defence kept them at bay. Just before half time, the home keeper Liam Aspinell was called in to action on three occasions.

After the half time cuppa, it was back to pitchside and the visitors upped their game and again could well have been on level terms a few times with close efforts. On the hour, things were to become harder as they were reduced to ten players for ten minutes, as a player was sent to the sin bin.

Grays continued to press forward and it seemed that it was only going to be a matter of time before they equalised but could the homesters hang on, the answer was no, as in the 76th minute, the ball was played out to DAVID GRAY on the left wing, who fired home from 35 yards to the delight of his team mates.

As the clock was ticking down and extra time looming, with 86 minutes on the clock, a United player went down in the six yard box after a clash with the home keeper, the home defence cleared the ball out of player for the visiting attacker to receive treatment to his head. When play resumed from the throw in, it reached the feet of JOSH GARDNER who tapped the ball in to a empty net. The home side wasnt happy that the ball wasnt played back to them and it turned out to be the winning goal.

It left the match on a sour note to be honest, as the game had been played in good spirit up to that point, so it was a pity to see two good footballing sides at loggerheads.

191 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

JAKE'S HAT TRICK RETURNS WIN TO KEYWORTH

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FC 1 KEYWORTH UNITED FC 5

Att: 45

Keyworth United moved up to 8th in the league table as they now are four games unbeaten after a convincing 5-1 win away at Eastwood Community Development.

It was the Development side that started the better of the game going close twice before the Greens had their first chance in a frantic end to end start to the game, but it was Developments ZEB KASUJJA who drew first blood by putting his side in to the lead after 16 minutes.

This sparked the visitors in to action and in a matter of 45 seconds they were on level terms when JAKE FISHERS volleyed home from a acute angle from the edge of the box to make it the scores level at 1-1.

Keyworth continued to press forward, whilst Eastwood played on the counter attack and this game looked like it had a goal to be scored at any minute, but we had to wait until the 37th minute, when a cross shot by DAN CHADWICK floated over the young Development keeper and nestled in to the top corner of the net to give the Greens a 2-1 lead.

The Second Half kicked off and it was the Development side who was pushing forward and it was time for the young United keeper to be called in to action a couple of times.

In the 57th minute, a break down the left side saw KASEY FISHER look up and spot the Development keeper off his line and drove a diagonal ball from the wing across the top in to the net to expand the visitors lead to 3-1.

Both sides bought on young subs to give them field time, but by now it was Keyworth who was in control of the game, but in the 72nd minute, the visiting keeper had to be at his best to keep his sides 2 goal advantage in tact with a excellent save, this proved vital as United broke on the counter and JAKE FISHER fired home his second and his sides fourth goal of the game.

This seemed to knock the stuffing put of the young development side and United took advance as JAKE FISHER danced his way round the area and lifted the ball over the outcoming keeper to complete his hat trick and secure the 5-1 win for his club.

I felt all three Match Officials had superb games.  I would also like to thank Keyworth United FC who are sponsoring the Blogs Charity NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB with 25p every goal they score this season..In the clubhouse after the match, Tony Spencer of Nottingham City FC kindly came in and donated £30, and then Match Referee Tom Beard chipped in with £2.50 so a BIG thankyou to all.

164 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

BROWN'S BRACE SENDS THE POINTS TO THE VILLAGE

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

BEESTON FC 1 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE FC 3

Att: 18

Ruddington Village returned back home with their unbeaten record still intact after a hard fought 3-1 away victory at Beeston FC.

The game kicked off with a slight delay as the FA took the appointed Referee for a FA Vase tie late on Friday Evening, a late replacement was found but he was at a earlier match and got there when he could, so the game got on its way at around 3.20pm to everyones delight.

Beeston who are laying 2nd from bottom of Division One started brightly and were pushing forward, forcing Farnsworth the visiting keeper in to a couple of early saves, but as the half went on, the more confident Ruddington became and they began to put some moves together.

In the 29th minute, they were awarded a free kick on the right hand side, which was pumped in to the area and first to rise head the ball home was JOSEPH BROWN to give his side the lead. Beeston tried to come back in to the game, but the visitors looked strong on the break and looked  more likely to adding to their tally.

The Second Half saw the visitors pushing forward and it came as no surprise when they doubled their lead in the 57th minute, when a throughball found FRASER CANNON-BROWNLEE who slipped the ball past Matt Hyde in the home nets.

Beeston's heads seemed to have gone down at this point and after 61 minutes, the visitors took advantage of this, when JOSEPH BROWN pounced on to a loose ball and drove home to make it 3-0.

This forced the home management to make a triple change from the bench and this is when they really began to play some football, but their opponents still looked dangerous and home keeper Matt Hyde twice had to deny Cannon-Brownlee in one on one situations.

Finally after 71 minutes, Beeston did get their goal, when a free kick on the left hand side was whipped over the visitors wall and in to the top left hand side of the net by JASON JUDE. Beeston tried to fight back but it was all too late to do so.

To view the 204 photos from the match, please click this LINK

LINDSAY FIRES HOME HAT TRICK FOR PYTHIANS POINTS

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

PYTHIAN FC 4 BILBOROUGH TOWN COMMUNITY FC 1

I chose todays match for several reasons, this being Pythian FC's first ever home match in the Notts Senior League whilst their opponents, it was their first ever game in the league. Before todays match Pythian had lost their first game away at United Grays last week, whilst the Community side had been getting players together to get the season kicked off, so some of the players for them today hadnt even trained together.

Before the game, Pythian Sponsor BNS presented the Club Chair Ben Rosser with the clubs new away kit.

The game kicked off and Town had the first chance with the home keeper having to be off his line quickly to smother any danger and the game was going end to end, but after 16 minutes, the deadlock was broken when MICHAEL LINDSAY latched on to a loose ball and steered it past the on coming Filip Gajos to put the home side in front.

Pythian were more in to the game, playing some fast passing football and could have gone 2-0 up on 28 minutes, when Matt Lockley;s cross shot went just wide, in the 31st minute, he then failed to hit the target from a bullet of a header.

It didnt stay 1-0 for long as LUKE HALLAM in the 36th minute doubled Pythians advantage.

The Second Half kicked off and straight away in the 47th minute, the Community side were back in the game after JAMES SCOTT-PARKIN hreaded in on the back post.

This seemed to give the visitors some confidence as they pressed forward but this also left gaps at the back and Pythian should really of had the game out of sight before the 69th minute, when MICHAEL LINDSAY added his second and his teams third of the game.

In the 80th minute, over on the far side of the pitch was a bit of a tussle, which led to the homesters going down to 10 players when  Adam Marsden was shown the red card and the Community side player getting a yellow, but to be honest from where I was stood, I didnt get a good view of things.

In to injury time and a quick break saw MICHAEL LINDSAY pouncing down on goal and he swerved the ball past the keeper for his hat trick and the points for Pythian FC.

A lovely venue to stand upon the pavilion steps and look over the pitch, which I did with Ruben Clay who had a touchline ban and was a pleasure for his son, who wanted to know abit about cameras, to allow him to take some of the matchday photos.

I must thank Ruben Clay for donating £5 to the charity blog, which is for NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB and it takes the running total to a superb £420.75p

169 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

HITMAN FRANCIS SHOOTS DOWN TOWN

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

BURTON JOYCE FC 1 BILBOROUGH TOWN FC 0

Looking for a fixture and noticed that the referee on this match was Lewis Quayle, so after a quick text, the reply was to get to Sherwood and Id got a lift to and from the match. So on the bus from Mansfield to Sherwood and called in to a little cafe that did a lovely breakfast and a cuppa, before popping in to a couple of charity shops and buying a couple of bits. Met up with Lewis and soon arrived at the Poplars, the home of Burton Joyce FC with the Bilborough Town management emptying their cars.

In to the clubhouse, as the cricketers came legging it off the pitch as the rain began to lash down whilst I got the team ones and enjoyed a nice cuppa whilst chatting to a young lady who went out with one of the Bilborough Town team.

Both teams have had different starts, Burton Joyce after being promoted had a 100% record, whilst the visitors also had a 100% record but in defeats, so a home win was the favourite on the cards.

The game kicked off and not many chances were created but both sides were playing end to end football and this created a good game to watch. After 38 minutes, Ricky Law broke down the left hand side and drove the ball across just missing the far post, but then right on the stroke of half time came the turning point of the game, when Sanyo Campbell beat the offside trap with the goal in front of him and fired the ball over the crossbar, then four Town players fell to the ir knees with heads held in their hands.

The Second Half kicked off and I was stood next to Mr Faflik and I just mentioned how well the visitors had kept the Hitman Francis silent and no doubt he would make me eat my words and score in the 46th minute.

In the 46th minute, a ball was played in to the Town box which they failed to clear and the first person to pounce from 25 yards out was NATHAN FRANCIS who fired a dipping shot in to the net to give the greens of Burton Joyce in to the lead.

This seemed to spur Burton forward and good keeping by Liam Lee esp one superb one handed save from a header and superb defending kept Town in the game.

The final fifteen minutes and Town pushed and pushed but the equaliser just didnt come in a gallant performance from them.

Must mention what a great game all 3 officials, Lewis Quayle and his two Assistants Ian Wilkinson and Teo Ayodeji-Ansell had.

I would like to thank Ian Wilkinson for the £5 donation and also Lewis Quayle for the lift and he wouldnt accept any petrol money so he asked me to throw £5 in to the charity as well, so it now takes the running total for Nottingham Stroke Club to a super £414.50p

To view 115 photos, please click this LINK

REDS JUST TOO STRONG FOR THE YOUNG WHITES

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division Two

CLIFTON ALL WHITES DEVELOPMENT FC 0 RAVENSHEAD REDS FC 5

Admission: Free

Att: 24

This match was switched to Friday evening from the Saturday afternoon and was the only Friday match on in Nottinghamshire in the evening, so I thought there would have been a bigger crowd but those who missed it, missed a very good game.

The First 25 minutes, All Whites did the more pressing forward finding the Reds Keeper Dan Hurst in fine form and came very close to taking the lead when the ball smashed the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

On 38 minutes, the Reds had got themselves in to the game and TYLER LAMBERT slotted them in to a 1-0 lead. On 41 minutes, All Whites through they were back on level terms when again they hit the crossbar and there  were strong appeals from the home team to say the ball had crossed the line, the young referee looked over at the club linesman but no flag went up and play was waved on.

After the half time cuppa, it was the club from North Nottinghamshire who were out of the blocks first and within a minute of the restart, JAMIE SIMONS doubled his teams advantage.

The Reds were soon racking up the goals with JAMIE SIMON's getting his second on 57 minutes and ADAM MARTIN making it 4-0 on 63 minutes, whilst I was chatting to local photographer Ian Burton who was letting me take some photos with his lens on my camera.

The young All Whites pressed forward again and thought they had scored when a shot was parried on to the crossbar, then the visiting keeper was forced in to making a double close up save.

The Reds now pressed forward again and it was Harry Bowles turn to shine in the homesters net with two excellent saves, but couldnt prevent TYLER LAMBERT putting the final nail in the coffin to make it 5-0 in the final minute.

I would like to thank firstly Tom Spencer who on behalf of Ravenshead Reds FC kindly donated £11.00 to the Charity Blog which this season is in aid of Nottingham Stroke Club and takes the running total to £404.25p.

I would also like to thank Mitchell Travers mum for the kind lift to Newstead Abbey for me to catch a bus and be home about two hours earlier than if Id have had to have caught the trams and buses.

62 photos from tonights match can be seen on this LINK