Saturday 1st October - local teams in action

BSP
Forest Green Rvrs 1-1 Mansfield Tn

NPP
Marine 4-0 Worksop Tn

NP1S
Hucknall Tn 3-1 Sutton Coldfield Tn
Rainworth MW 0-2 Belper Tn
Shepshed Dynamo 2-2 New Mills

F.A. Cup 2nd QR
Carlton Tn 0-1 Hednesford Tn
Eastwood Tn 0-3 Evesham Utd
Matlock Tn 1-3 Hinckley Utd

MFA
Coventry Sphinx 1-3 Dunkirk

NCELP
Arnold Tn 3-4 Selby Tn
Parkgate 3-1 Long Eaton Utd
Retford Utd 1-2 Brighouse Tn

NCEL1
Glasshoughton Welfare 1-1 Teversal

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 3-0 Radcliffe Olympic
Blackwell MW4-0 Greenwood Meadows
Graham St Prims 0-5 Borrowash Vics
Heanor Town 4-3 Bardon Hill
Holwell Sports 2-0 Gedling MW
Radford 3-3 Holbrook Sports

CMLN
Phoenix 0-7 Clipstone Welfare

CMLS
Bilborough Pelican 1-3 Southwell City
Blidworth Welfare 2-1 Newark Tn
Kimberley Tn 1-4 Clifton
Notts Police 1-3 Basford Utd
South Normanton Ath 5-0 Nottm Utd
Sutton Tn AFC 1-2 Pinxton

NSL Senior
Gedling SB 4-5 Attenborough

Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup
Awsworth Villa 8-3 Trent Vineyard
Basford Utd Res 2-1 Kirkby Tn
Coronation 1-5 Bulwell FC
Cotgrave Welfare 2-3 Arnold Tn Res
Linby CW 2-1 Magdala Ams
Radcliffe Olympic Res 3-1 Vernon Villa
Real United 1-2 Bilborough Tn
Ruddington Village 8-3 Woodborough Utd
Sandhurst 1-0 Clifton Res
Selston 7-2 Beeston
Steelers 0-7 F C Cavaliers

Heanor Town 6-1 Greenwood Meadows (EMCL)

Wednesday 28th September 2011 -- kick off 7:45pm

                                                                                    

                                                                         

                                                                     

Not a lot of mid-week football on offer recently - but after Heanor's 9-0 destruction of Thurnby on Saturday, the Town Ground looked a good bet for at least a few goals. Greenwood are rebuilding after losing the majority of last years' squad, and must have secretly been dreading this visit to their high flying hosts.

Spent the game in the company of the "Tall-Lad" Chris Dent, and his buddy Steve - and most of the first half we were joined by Fred Kirkbytown and former Greenwood boss Mark Connors.

Very warm evening - very good company and the game weren't too bad either!!! Heanor opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute when young right back JASON FOSTER drilled the ball across Greenwood keeper Danny Dobbie from the corner of the box.

The Lions were dominant throughout the half, and on 17 went further ahead - a lesson to be learned for the visiting defence - clear your lines and don't leave NATHAN BENGER unmarked in the 6 yard box, because he won't miss from there!   JAKE VERNON lobbed Dobbie from 20+ yards to notch the Lions' third. H-T 3-0

Three minutes into the second period, GRAHAM WELLS got his name on the scoresheet after he collected the ball on the edge of the box, turned his marker and fired hard and low past Dobbie.

Greenwood then upped their game a little and tested the home defence at times, but although the Lions back line does look  a little suspect on occasion, they managed to keep out the youthful Greenwood attack,  with keeper Mark Frost making a couple of good stops.  Dobbie, at the other end, was in constant action, and made one terrific point blank save to foil Benger.

The home team added to their tally after 70 minutes had been played,  Dobbie unfortunately at fault for this one. The keeper failed to hold on to a 20 yard free kick allowing sub PHIL LOWRY the simple task of tapping home the loose ball from close range. 

Greenwood spoiled Frost's day on 85, the keeper was celebrating his 50th appearance for the Lions. I think he would have hoped for a clean sheet along with the win, but when KELLY hammered a 20 yard free-kick towards goal, it took a massive deflection off the wall before hitting the post and nestling in the back of the net. 

Heanor had the last word though - NATHAN BENGER heading Wells' cracking right wing corner  home at the far post with 90 minutes on the clock. Classic goal to finish off a very good game. F-T 6-1

Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance  109

AFC Hucknall 0-3 South Normanton Ath (CMLS)

Saturday 24th September 2011 -- kick off 3pm

Change of plans - Kev had decided to take his good lady away for the day, and I had a full morning at work - so I had to opt for a game nearer to home than Teversal, and they don't come any nearer than Watnall Road. 

I actually fell to sleep on the sofa when I finally got in from work - waking up at 2:48pm.! Quickly into the car and at the ground with two minutes to spare!  Things have been a bit on the hectic side this last couple of weeks, and this, coupled with unwelcome news about my health,  have taken it's toll !!

Normo sit proudly at the top of the CML South division, having yet to lose a game.  AFC gave as good as they got in the first half, and arguably had the better of the chances.

The best chance of the half fell to the home team, but Dan Blair fired wide after Joe Gent had played him in on goal.  Hucknall no. 10 Adam Corrigan had an effort well saved by James Baker in the away goal, but the big striker should really have done better.

AFC left-back Nick Labbatte was stretchered off after he was injured halting Adam Nicholls' run on goal.  Nicholls then had a fierce drive well saved by Harvey in stoppage time. H-T 0-0

The league leaders did take the lead on 57 - Corey Bowler fired the ball across goal from the left and ASH ROGERS, who was running back to defend,  hammered it past Harvey from 10 yards.  Spectacular own goal, one that any striker would have been proud of.

Athletic frontman Steve Connelly brought a cracking save from Harvey in the 76th minute, but as Josh Henry went to clear the loose ball, he clipped Bowler and Referee Rob Jackson had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.  STEVE CONNELLY smashed the ball past Harvey to double the Shiners' lead. 

On 85, AFC were awarded a corner, but when Joe Gent's kick was cleared, the ball fell nicely to Bowler and the no.9  calmly picked out STEVE CONNELLY who skipped past Harvey before driving home.  With two minutes of added time already played, Athletic were awarded another penalty - giving Connelly a golden chance to complete his personal hat-trick. Not to be though - the ball was hit well enough, but it was high, wide and landed in someones garden on Salterford Road!!!! F-T 0-3

Admission £3

Programme £1

Attendance - not bad ... I head counted 50.

We spent a lot of time watching Blidworth, Pinxton and Heanor last season.  A day to remember for all three as they recorded remarkable wins : Pinxton 4-1 away at Dunkirk, Heanor 9-0 at home to Thurnby Nirvana, and Blidworth beat Borrowash away, 3-1. Well done to all !!!

Saturday 24th September - local teams in action

BSP
Mansfield Tn 0-3 Kidderminster Harriers

BSN
Eastwood Tn 2-2 Hyde Utd

NPP
Chorley FC 4-1 Worksop Tn
Whitby Tn 1-1 Matlock Tn

NP1S
Carlton Tn 3-2 Belper Tn
Kidsgrove Ath 1-1 Hucknall Tn
Lincoln Utd 0-0 Rainworth MW
Sutton Coldfield Tn 4-1 Shepshed Dynamo

F.A. Vase 2nd RQ
Arnold Tn 6-2 Calverton MW
Borrowash Vics 1-3 Blidworth Welfare
Boston Tn 4-2 Radford
Dunkirk 1-4 Pinxton
Greenwood Meadows 2-0 Sleaford Tn
Holbeach 4-0 Newark Tn
Long Eaton Utd 1-1 Lincoln Moorlands Railway
Shirebrook Tn 1-3 Glossop North End
Staveley MW 1-1 Retford Utd
Teversal 1-3 Blackwell MW

EMCL
Gedling MW 3-3 Blaby & Whetstone
Heanor Tn 9-0 Thurnby Nirvana
Radcliffe Olympic 2-3 Graham St Prims

CMLN
Clipstone Welfare 1-2 Dronfield Tn

CMLS
AFC Hucknall 0-3 South Normanton Ath
Basford Utd 5-2 Nottingham Utd
Belper Utd 0-6 Bilborough Pelican
Clifton 3-0 Sutton Tn AFC
Real Utd 5-0 Notts Police

NSL Senior
Attenborough 2-0 Selston
Awsworth Villa 0-2 Wollaton
Cotgrave Welfare 2-4 Ruddington Villa
Keyworth Utd 2-2 Hucknall Rolls Leisure
Kimberley MW 1-3 F C Cavalier
Linby CW 0-2 Gedling Southbank
Magdala Ams 2-6 Bulwell FC
Sandhurst 1-2 Vernon Villa

Calverton MW 2-2 Oadby Tn ( F.A. Yth Cup)

Thursday 22nd September 2011 -- kick off 7:45pm

Late finish - Calverton won 5-3 on penalties.

Spent the evening in the company of Richard and Rick Lane - always a pleasure to spend time with the "Wanderer" and son!

It was a little disconcerting to discover that it was £3 to get into the ground... U18 football costing the same as CML?  Plus it was £1 for a programme!!  I declined gracefully!  Usual charges are £2 inc programme.  Declined a go on the "card" as well!   Yes, we did get an extra half-hour plus penalties, and I think Calverton made a few bob, with over 80 in attendance.  It's not the extra £1, it's the principal --  in my experience U18 F.A. Cup and U19 football has always been £2.......

Oadby's number 11 opened the scoring on 26, and his opposite number levelled for the home team 7 minutes later. H-T 1-1

The visitors went ahead within 5 minutes of the resumption, again their no. 11 on target.  Calverton levelled in the 69th minute through their 10 jacket, then the Oadby players were guilty of miss after glaring miss, leading us inevitably into the dreaded extra-time. F-T 2-2

After extra time things were still level, so into penalties we went. Calverton scored all five of their spot kicks - and this, combined with a great save from their keeper to keep out Oadby's first effort, secured the win for the Welfare. 

Admission £3

Programme £1 ( declined)

Attendance 80 + head count

Took a break!!

It's been a bit hectic recently -  football, work and life in general - so the planned Monday and Tuesday night games were given a miss. The evenings were spent with TV and a cracking bottle of Chivas Regal 18 year old scotch, and were very pleasant.  I had forgotten how good an 18 year-old can be.....!!!

Off to see Calverton MW v Oadby Tn on Thursday in the F.A. Youth Cup, then another visit to Teversal on Saturday where Blackwell MW are the visitors in the second qualifying round of the F.A. Vase.

Hucknall Rolls 1-2 Linby CW (NSL)

Saturday 17th September 2011 -- kick off 3:00pm

Nottinghamshire Senior League Senior Division.....barely 2 miles separate these teams geographically, but they were a lot closer on the pitch.  Re-born Linby having to battle and scrap really hard to keep their 100% record  -- the Miners have now played 7 , won 7, scored 22 and conceded 7.  Rolls gave as good as they got and were arguably the better team on the day.

It was Rolls who took the lead on 17, a great free-kick from the right headed powerfully home at the far post by ALISTAIR MURRAY. Classic far post header, but the Linby equaliser was out of the top drawer - MATT MURPHY unleashing a spectacular shot from 30 yards that had Rolls' keeper Neil Waters grasping at thin air as it flashed past him. A goal that was well worth the entry fee....!!!

Linby had the chance to take the lead with one minute of the first half remaining after the Referee awarded them a penalty, much to everyone's surprise - there was the merest of touches by the Rolls player and the players looked as baffled as we did when the spot-kick was given.  Justice was done, I reckon when Damian Mann hammered the ball way over the bar - bringing forth a comment from keeper Waters that saw the over-fussy and whistle happy Ref to issue him a yellow card... H-T 1-1

Went to watch a bit of the Rolls reserves v Arnold reserves game on the other pitch during the break. When we first entered the complex at 2:50pm, Rolls had just scored, then straight from the kick off they added a second.  H-T 2-0

While we were watching the first team game, we saw Arnold score two to level - it finished 3-2 to Rolls .. looked a decent game, the bits we saw.

Kyle McDermott brought out a cracking save out of Linby keeper Scott Miles on 49, but the visitors had a gilt-edged chance to go ahead on the hour, but their no. 14 shirt somehow missed a 2 yarder, after Murphy had played in a cracking ball from the right. What a miss, but 10 minutes later it was forgotten when another Murphy ball from the right was tickled past Waters by DAMIAN MANN. The striker hardly touched the ball, but it was enough to beat the keeper.   F-T 1-2

Admission - none

Programme - none

Attendance - we counted well over 100 - the locals turning out in force for this most local of local derbies.  

Saturday 17th September - local teams in action

BSP
Barrow Tn 2-3 Mansfield Tn

BSN
Nuneaton Tn 4-0 Eastwood Tn

NP1S
Goole AFC 3-1 Shepshed Dynamo
Market Drayton Tn 0-6 Ilkeston FC
Rainworth MW 0-2 Sheffield FC
Sutton Coldfield Tn 2-0 Belper Tn

FA Cup 1st QR
Carlton Tn 1-0 Heanor Tn
Grantham Tn 2-0 Arnold Tn
Matlock Tn 2-0 Hucknall Tn
North Ferriby Utd 1-0 Worksop Tn

MFA
Dunkirk 1-1 Tividale

NCELP
Liversedge 2-1 Long Eaton Utd
Retford Utd 5-0 Lincoln Moorlands Railway

NCEL1
Teversal 2-1 Appleby Frodingham

EMCL
Blaby & Whetstone 2-1 Radcliffe Olympic
Blackwell MW 0-3 Borrowash Vics
Gedling MW 1-2 Bardon Hill
Graham St Prims 1-3 Oadby Tn
Holbrook Sports 1-1 Radford FC
St. Andrews 1-0 Greenwood Meadows

CMLN
Phoenix 2-2 Glapwell FC
Thorne Colliery 2-7 Clipstone Welfare

CMLS
Bilborough Pelican 3-1 AFC Hucknall
Blidworth Welfare 6-2 Calverton MW
Kimberley Tn 1-2 Belper Utd
Kirkby Tn 2-4 Clifton FC
Nottingham Utd 0-1 Pinxton FC
Notts Police 2-1 Southwell City
South Normanton Ath 2-0 Newark Tn
Sutton Tn AFC 6-2 Real Utd

NSL Senior
Attenborough 3-2 Cotgrave Welfare
F C Cavaliers 2-0 Keyworth United
Gedling Southbank 1-1 Kimberley MW
Hucknall Rolls Leisure 1-2 Linby MW
Magdala Ams 0-4 Ruddington Village
Selston 5-1 Sandhurst
Vernon Villa 0-5 Awsworth Villa
Wollaton 2-7 Bulwell FC

Arnold Tn 3-1 Retford Utd (F A Vase replay)

Tuesday 13th September 2011 - kick off 7:45pm

Eagle Valley in May was a bit chilly, now it's September and it was positively Baltic!!! The original tie on Saturday 10th September ended 3-3 after extra time, so we took the opportunity to catch up again with Brett Marshall's "new" Retford team.

Teams details can be found on Retford's website (click here).

LUKE SMITHSON opened the scoring for the Eagles on 12, but has to give a big thank you to Retford keeper Jason Fisher who completely missed his kick, allowing the youngster to follow the ball into the net. I don't really know if Smithson had the last touch, but no doubt he will claim the goal. 

RICKY CHAMBERS had the visitors back on terms just three minutes later, latching onto a superb through ball from Dean Rick before guiding the ball past Lance Walker in the Arnold goal. 

In the 26th minute, Chambers should have put the Badgers ahead, but his close range effort after a mad scramble in the 6 yard box, crashed against the angle of bar and post.

Stevie Owens made a cracking, mazy run through the Arnold defence on 33,  and his ball into the area was there to be chased.  Rick did the chasing, getting to the ball at exactly the same time as Walker and nicking the ball into the net. Referee Nick Hopton however,  deemed that Rick had challenged Walker unfairly and awarded Arnold a free-kick, incurring the wrarth of the Retford players and management....looked a good goal to me. The Retford fans behind the goal were also a bit miffed, and dubbed Walker "Lazarus" - he did recover from the "knock" very quickly!!

It was the home team who scored next though,  a near post corner somehow finding it's way into the net - SMITHSON may have got a touch, but it looked suspiciously like an OG from where we were standing.  H-T 2-1

Notes not taken during the second period,  but halfway through the half, Adam Scott saw Walker save well after the substitute had raced in on goal, but the victory was sealed with 6 minutes to go,  LUKE SMITHSON definitely scoring this one!  A run at goal from wide left , and a shot across Fisher completing  (not yet confirmed), the no. 9's hat-trick. F-T 3-1

Admission £5
Programme £1.20
Attendance TBC h/c 120

Heanor Town 1-2 Dunkirk FC ( F.A. Vase)

Saturday 10th September 2011 - kick off 3pm.            

This was our first visit to the Town Ground this season - but this was only Heanor's second home game due to the cricket club taking priority on the facilities pre-September.

Opponents Dunkirk play in the Midland Football Alliance, one step above their EMCL hosts.

Heanor have yet to come to terms with losing both Gary Webster and Ashley Grayson -- basically the heart of the midfield has been ripped out ...Webster opting to play for Wirksworth Town, while Grayson has gone to join his Dad Neil at Carlton Town.

Teams:

Lions: Frost, Stevenson, Austin, Cancellara, Peel, Degirolamo, Foster, Gee-Pemberton, Benger, Moon, Wells. Subs: Vernon, Williams, O'Donnell, Hopkins, Kirkwood

Boatmen : Mountain, Spriggs, McGaughey, Frawley, McCormick, Hawkins, Bertram, Garmston, Ramsey, Day, Alls. Subs : Henry, Gordon, Dowdall, Love

The first half was very even, and despite the gale force wind blowing across the pitch, both teams played some decent stuff and both created several chances.

Wells went close for Town on 13, firing just over from 25 yards after he saw Mountain off his line.  2 minutes later Bertram had an effort cleared off the line by Peel, after Austin failed to clear his line.  Ramsey was unlucky to see his quality flick header crash off the angle of post and bar after 32 minutes, with keeper Frost well beaten.  H-T 0-0

Dunkirk took only three minutes of the second half to take the lead - DARREN GARMSTON latching onto the loose ball and hammering home for the edge of the box after Heanor had struggled to clear.

It really should have been two-nil to the visitors a few minutes later. Heanor keeper Mark Frost couldn't hold on to Hawkins' free-kick and Bertram pounced on the ball as it ran loose, but he could only watch in dismay as his effort crashed off the underside of the bar before bouncing back into play, allowing the home defence the chance to clear the danger.

 

On the hour mark,  Ryan Cancellara mis-timed his tackle on Andy Frawley, and the Dunkirk midfielder went down like the proverbial "sack of spuds" - Referee Martin Dexter immediately signalled the penalty that LEE DAY converted, the ball going one way, Frost the other.

Day sends Frost the wrong way

Heanor sub Jake Vernon fired wide just seconds later, then Mountain pulled off a great save to deny Williams after he was picked out superbly by Vernon. 

Heanor did manage to score, NATHAN BENGER'S 90th minute deflected effort flying past Mountain, but it was too little, too late and the Nottingham outfit advance into the next round where they will face another one of our favourite teams, Pinxton FC.   F-T 1-2

Admission £5

Programme £1 ( great value : maybe some CML clubs should take a look !)

Attendance 87

Saturday 10th September - local teams in action

BSP
Mansfield Town 5-0  Newport County
BSN
Stalybridge Celtic 2-1 Eastwood Town

NPP
Matlock Town 0-1 Bradford Park Avenue
Worpsop Town 0-3 Chester FC

NP1S
Belper Town 0-3 Grantham Town
Hucknall Town 3-2 Carlton Town
Ilkeston FC 2-0 Quorn FC
Rainworth MW 0-2 Sutton Coldfield Town
Shepshed Dynamo 2-1 Kidsgrove Athletic

F.A. Vase 1st Round Qualifying
Blackstones 5-2 Kimberley Town
Gedling MW 0-5 Boston Town
Greenwood Meadows 1-0 Graham St Prims
Heanor Town 1 v 2 Dunkirk FC
Louth Town 1-2 Borrowash Victoria
Ollerton Town 3-2 South Normanton Athletic
Retford United 3-3 Arnold Town
Shirebrook Town 3-0 Radcliffe Olympic

NCELP
Selby Town 1-2 Long Eaton United

NCEL1
Hemsworth MW 0-1 Teversal

EMCL
Blackwell MW 3-1 Radford FC

CMLN
Clipstone Welfare 3-2 Hutton Cranswick United
Glapwell FC 0-1 Westella & Willerby

CMLS
Basford United 2-1 Blidworth Welfare
Calverton MW 1-3 Clifton FC
Newark Town 6-0 AFC Hucknall
Pinxton 1-1 Kirkby Town
Real United 1-2 Southwell City
Sutton Town AFC 2-0 Nottingham United
Whatton United P-P Notts Police

NSL Senior
Attenborough 1-2 Keyworth United
Bulwell FC 1-1 F C Cavalier
Cotgrave Welfare 3-3 Hucknall Rolls Leisure
Magdala Ams 0-3 Linby CW
Ruddington Villa 3-0 Vernon Villa
Sandhurst 2-1 Kimberley MW
Wollaton 2-2 Selston

Blidworth W 2-3 Sutton Tn AFC (CMLS)

Wednesday 7th September 2011 -- kick off 7:55pm

Blidworth
Zac Webster 53
Kyle Clarkson 75

Sutton
Rick 27, 61
Gillat 36

More monsoon rains, but that aside, this was a very pleasant evening at the Welfare ground. Had the pleasure of Retford manager Brett Marshall's company all game, along with one of the Counties up and coming match officials, Scott Mason,

Been friends with Brett for a couple of years now, but seldom had chance for a right old chinwag. The details of much of our conversation are confidential, some revelations that, at times, caused raised eyebrows!!

Scott related how he was enjoying life officiating at Evo-Stik Premier level ...he enjoyed the Matlock/Mickleover game on Bank Holiday Monday, and is looking forward to his game at Stocksbridge this coming weekend.

Retford and Sutton had agreed to loan Dean "Maggot" Rick - Sutton needed a striker, Brett wanted Dean to get some playing time under his belt. Did seem strange seeing Dean playing AGAINST Blidworth though, after he spent the whole of last season as a Blidworth player!

After a frenetic first 25 minutes or so, it was, inevitably, DEAN RICK who opened the scoring - smashing a drive from wide left past Blidworth keeper Paul Stanhope.  Stanhope appeared to leave the ball at the near post, expecting it to go out for a goal-kick. Unfortunately it crept inside the post, much to the keepers' embarrassment!

DALE GILLAT added the visitors' second on 36, firing a low free-kick through the wall and past Stanhope.  H-T 0-2

ZAC WEBSTER halved the home teams deficit 8 minutes after the resumption of play, crashing a shot past Town keeper Dale Sheppard from 20 yards. 

Sutton soon had the gap back to two, again the irrepressible DEAN RICK on target on 61, heading home a neat right wing cross at the far post. 

Bliwdorth came back fighting though and in the 75th minute,  after Jamie Senior had his free-kick tipped onto the bar by Sheppard, KYLE CLARKSON nipped in to force home from about 8 yards, setting up a very lively last 15 minutes. They tried, but Blidworth could find the net again, and the three points gained saw Sutton climb to third place in the table.  F-T 2-3

Admission £3

Programme £1 ( not the best - sorry, Scott!)

H/C 50 +

AFC Hucknall 2-0 Calverton MW (CMLS)

Tuesday 6th September 2011 - kick off 7:45pm

The choices were : England v India ODI on Sky, England v Wales on ITV or AFC v Calverton.....no contest. The cricket match was severely rain affected, and the England "new" team had bored the crap out of me on Friday.

So, off to Watnall Road to see some proper football in proper footballing weather.  Me, Kev, Danny Staley and about 30 other brave souls suffering in the cold and damp - but the players didn't seem to care. They put on a half decent game, with AFC taking the points thanks to a goal in each half.

We had to wait until the 35th minute for the first goal - but it was well worth waiting for - SCOTT PEACH unleashing a pile driver from the corner of the box that gave Welfare keeper Mike Randall no chance.

Cries of offside from the defenders, as well as a couple of die-hard Calvo followers were ignored by Referee Declan Bourne and Assistant Steve Sears. We were level with the play, and Peach was a yard onside when he received the ball... no problem.

H-T 1-0

The home team grabbed their second goal on 85 - defender ROBERTO LABBATE latching onto ball as it was cleared to the edge of the box, and firing home through a ruck of players.  F-T 2-0

Admission £3

Programme £1

H/C 35

Arnold Tn Yth 4-2 Carlton Tn Yth (F.A. Cup)

Monday 5th September 2011 -- kick off 7:45pm

 

Kev was unable to make this game at the Eagle Valley, but on this occasion, Rob "the66pow" Waite,  Richard  "Wanderer" Lane, Brian "Big Issue" Dennett, Trev "Wheelchair " Williams and Keith "Mr. Teversal" Parnill were all on hand to ensure that I was not old "Billy No-Mates" at this game!!!

I enjoyed our U19 games at Arnold last season, and if this new batch of youngsters play like this all season, I reckon I'll be enjoying a few more.....

The F.A. Youth Cup is contested by the respective clubs' U18's, and both teams did exceptionally well, despite being cold and soaked throughout most of the proceedings...

Arnold went in front in the 16th minute when TOM LEES-COLLIER curled in free-kick from 20 yards.....bent it like Beckham, as they say.

LEES-COLLIER doubled the home teams advantage 8 minutes later, heading home a right wing corner. H-T 2-0

We were sitting in the Main Stand - shelter from the downpour - and it was very well populated... until the half-time whistle went that is - then there were just me and Rob, Keith and Richard left....made you feel like the body spray had worn off !!

Carlton were awarded a penalty on 48, I know not why, but their skipper NATHAN GUIGNO in the no. 3 shirt duly converted. The fightback was on .....well, actually it wasn't because within 5 minutes of the penalty success, LEES-COLLIER completed his hat-trick by firing home another free-kick - this one from about 22 yards. To say the keeper could have done better is a bit of an understatement - he just seemed to watch it roll past him without even trying to make an attempt at saving it. 

On the hour mark, the Carlton no. 16, RAHEEM GORDON, beat the offside trap and raced in to slot home, but when JOSEPH BROTHWELL ran through to add Arnold's fourth on 78, Carlton seemed to realise they were beaten and the game was effectively over. F-T 4-2

Admission £2 -- bargain !!

H/C -- didn't really check, but there had to be 70-75 present.....

South Normanton 4-1 Pinxton FC ( CMLS)

Saturday 3rd September 2011 -- kick off 3pm.

These teams are situated just a couple of miles from each other....and the rivalry is as intense as you would expect. It was hoped that the teams would produce some football on the day, and not just want to kick lumps out of each other. 

There were a few meaty challenges, but nothing to write home about. The result is worth writing about - this was on paper, an away banker, but someone forgot to tell that to Athletic!!

A crowd of well over 200 were treated to some great action, and two goals that would be replayed over and over again if they had have scored at the highest level.

Spent the first half in the company of Rob Hornby, and all the game with our friend Chris Daglish. Chris lives in Normo and whenever we meet him at Lees Lane, there always seem to be plenty of goals..

The first goal came in only the fourth minute and it was a pearler!  The ball was played out of defence and it sat up perfectly for DANNY BRISCOE to volley spectacularly over Dave O'Hare from 22 yards.  Cracking finish, and we thought this would add to Pinxton's fire, but they seemed out of sorts in defence, and it was no surprise when the home team doubled their lead in the 17th minute.  The visitors failed to clear after a scramble in their area, and DAN RILEY added the final touch from 6 yards out. 

Kieran Debrouwer had an effort well saved by the Normo keeper, but Pinxton were struggling to match their opponents in every area of the pitch.  H-T 2-0

Pinxton appeared to have shaken off some of their malaise as the second half started, and with 8 minutes played, they had halved their deficit. A superb ball in by Ben Moore from the right wing was met at the far post by ARRON BRADY, the striker jumping well to nod home.

Pinxton keeper O'Hare did well to tip over a fine effort from Athletics no. 4, but the away team were by now in the ascendancy. They could have levelled on 67, but after Jay Cooper won the ball in a race with his marker, his effort was well blocked by the home keeper.  Cooper then fired over from 6 yards after the Athletic defence panicked while under intense pressure.  Costly miss, because instead of being 2-2, a belter of a goal a minute later at the other end made it  3-1.

Briscoe received the ball on the right, and when he fired it into the box, ADAM NICHOLLS hit a sublime over-head volley that flew across O'Hare before the keeper could react.  How many w's in wowwwwwww? As many as you like....that was a special, very special goal.

With seconds to go, and with Pinxton deflated, NICHOLLS raced from the half way line and  the away defence parted like the Red sea allowing the striker to enter the box and fire past O'Hare to round off a very good day for South Normanton Athletic.     F-T 4-1

Their record of P7 W6 D1 L0 F33 A9 Pts19 sees them sit at the top of the table - and this result will certainly turn a few heads!!!!

Admission £3

Programme £1 - very poor effort - put to shame by some of the other CML publications....

Attendance --  estimated between 200 and 250.  The car park was rammed!!

Saturday 3rd September --local teams in action

Non League Day 2011

BSP
Darlington 0-2 Mansfield Town

BSN
Eastwood Town 0-0 Blyth Spartans

NPP
Burscough 1-2 Matlock Town
Northwich Victoria 2-1 Worksop Town

F.A. Cup
Arnold Town 5-1 Lincoln United
Borrowash Victoria 1-3 Carlton Town
Deeping Rangers 2-1 Belper Town
Gresley 1-1 Shirebrook Town
Heanor Town 2-1 Boston Town
Hucknall Town 0-0 Holbeach Utd
New Mills 3-2 Rainworth MW
Shepshed Dynamo 0-0 Thrapstone Town

MFA
Dunkirk 4-2 Willenhall Town

NCELP
Nostell MW 2-2 Long Eaton Utd
Retford Utd 2-2 Bridlington Town

NCEL1
Teversal 0-1 Worksop Parramore

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 2-0 Radford FC
Blackwell MW 1-4 Bardon Hill
Graham St Prims 0-0 Ibstock Utd
Greenwood Meadows 0-1 Holwell Sports
St. Andrews 4-0 Radcliffe Olympic

CMLN
Easington Utd 1-1 Clipstone Welfare
Harworth CI 3-2 Glapwell
Yorkshire Main 1-2 Ollerton Town

CMLS
Basford Utd 1-1 Bliborough Pelican
Belper Utd 0-0 Blidworth Welfare
Kimberley Town 0-2 Newark Town
Kirkby Town 3-1 Real Utd
Nottingham Utd 4-1 Notts Police
South Normanton Ath 4-1 Pinxton
Southwell City 1-3 Sutton Town AFC

NSL Senior
Awsworth Villa 1-2 F C Cavaliers
Bulwell FC 8-1 Magdala Amateurs
Cotgrave 2-3 Gedling Southbank
Hucknall Rolls Leisure 3-0 Selston
Keyworth Utd 0-1 Ruddington Village
Kimberley MW 2-3 Attenborough
Sandhurst 0-4 Linby CW
Vernon Villa 1-15 Wollaton (fifteen)