Bilborough Pelican 4-1 Calverton MW (CMLS)

Saturday 29th October 20011 - kick off 3pm

This was our first ever visit to the Brian Wakefield Memorial Ground, and I think it will be a while before we go there again.  The pitch is is good nick, but the facilities aren't the best and the football was not very entertaining, despite the scoreline.

We seem to be very hard to please just lately,- Kev was really fed up and wanted to go and watch Dunkirk Reserves after the break.  I couldn't have walked that far, so we stayed with the Bilborough game and to be fair, it did improve second half.

The Calverton keeper, Tommy Wright,  was kept busy as the first half progressed - but he was busy only watching the ball fly wide or over the goal.  Until the 26th minute that is, when he had to pick the ball out of the net after JOE ASHURST had raced into space before delicately chipping over his head from 15 yards.  Calverton central defender "Giz" made a last ditch challenge to foil Danny Blanchard soon after. H-T 1-0

CHRIS ISON leapt highest to power home a header from a free-kick on 57, doubling the home teams advantage, the five minutes later DANNY BLANCHARD fired under Wright's body after he latched onto a superb through ball from Ashurst.

In the 78th minute, the home team grabbed their fourth, and this goal was probably the highlight of the game.  Ison played a great ball to Blanchard wide right, and the no. 9 carried the ball into the area before picking out strike partner ASHURST who hade the simple task of side-footing home.  Calverton grabbed a consolation on 84 through their no. 9, but even that was a gift, as a defender failed to clear giving the striker a clear shot at goal. F-T 4-1

Admission £3 inc programme

Attendance -- head count was 30

Saturday 29th October - local teams in action

F.A. Cup 4th QR
Mansfield Tn 1-1 Fleetwood Tn

BSN
Vauxhall Motors 1-2 Eastwood Tn

NPP
Northwich Victoria 0-0 Matlock Tn
Stafford Rangers 2-2 Worksop Tn

NP1S
Belper Tn 1-5 Hucknall Tn
Grantham Tn 4-2 Carlton Tn
Rainworth MW 0-2 Coalville Tn

MFA
Atherstone Tn 0-3 Dunkirk

NCELP
Long Eaton Utd 1-3 Bridlington Tn
Retford Utd 1-1 Arnold Tn

NCEL1
Eccleshill Utd 4-2 Teversal
Shirebrook Tn 1-0 Louth Tn

EMCL
Borrowash Vics 2-0 Greenwood Meadows

EMCL Cup
Blaby & Whetstone 3-4 Graham St Prims
Heanor Tn 4-0 Holwell Sports
Radford 1-2 Blackwell MW
St. Andrews 0-2 Radcliffe Olympic

CMLN
Easington Utd 4-1 Ollerton Tn
Yorkshire Main 5-0 Glapwell

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

NSL Senior
Attenborough 3-2 Ruddington Village
Bulwell 4-1 Selston
Hucknall Rolls Leisure 2-2 F.C. Cavaliers
Kimberley MW 2-3 Awsworth Villa
Linby CW 0-2 Magdala Ams
Sandhurst 3-2 Gedling SB
Wollaton 7-2 Cotgrave Welfare

Hucknall Tn 0-2 Stamford (Evo-Stik Div 1 Sth)

Wednesday 26th October 2011 -- kick off 7:45pm

Hadn't planned on going to this game - but thought it may be interesting to see how Des Lyttle's men were shaping up, and to see the return of former Yellows boss Tommy Brookbanks to Watnall Road with his new charges, Stamford FC.

Teams :

Yellows - Lindley, Walker, Baxter, Duik, Graham, Lloyd, Gregory C, Gregory A, Ryan, Massingham, Brady.  Subs : Armstrong, Pearson, Goodacre, Allen, Platt.

Daniels : Ziccardi,  Cook, Barratt, Staff, Chamberlain, Pheasant, Beeson, Deane, King, Mullarkey, Watson. Subs : Smith, Toyne, Gibson, Whitby.

Had a chat to Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox prior to kick off - he said he isn't too happy how his team are playing at the moment, but was quick to point out that the Stags are one of only 30 teams, at Conference level and above, who have lost only three games since the league season started.  (Stat not checked !!).

Rob Hornby greeted me as I entered the ground - he was with the Stamford FC press officer who kindly let me copy from his team sheet.   Watched the game in the company of Fred T Kirk - physio extra-ordinaire.  You want treatment for sports injuries? Fred is your man...

I spent half the first half wondering where I knew Anthony Gregory from - then when someone called him by his nick-name "Chink" it clicked -- Arnold Town via Dunkirk  - although he was most recently at Eastwood Town.

Not a lot to say about the game - it was poor... no, strike that - it was awful.  The first half was a non event, and the second half, although the visitors did score twice, was hardly any better.

It was a player that Brookbanks took to Stamford from Hucknall who broke the deadlock on 47.  I was having a chat to injured Yellow Dean Gent, when NATHAN WATSON tried his luck from 35+ yards - somehow the ball went under Town keeper James Lindley's his body and into the net, much to the amusement of the few Stamford fans behind the goal.   

The second goal came 6 minutes later,  full back KIERAN WALKER stabbing into his own net at the far post after the ball was played across the goal from the right wing.   Not a lot the young man could do to get out of the way, but again the Stamford faithful went into raptures!

Hucknall looked ineffective against a well marshaled Daniels defence, and in desperation, resorted to long range efforts, most of which flew onto the roof of the Watnall Road stand.   F-T 0-2

Des Lyttle has his work cut out for him in his new post as Hucknall gaffer - so far he has seen three games played with no wins ...conceding 9 goals and scoring only twice.  Could be a cold, long, hard winter!!

Admission £7

Programme £2 (adverts take up 15 pages out of 28) really not worth £2 in my opinion....

Attendance 171  

The game that I originally had pencilled in for 26th Nov, was Carlton tn v Market Drayton Tn - finished 5-2 to Carlton - damn!!!! 

Blackwell MW 1-0 Pinxton FC ( F.A. Vase)

Saturday 22nd October 2011 -- kick off 3:00pm

Only a couple of miles separate these teams, and only one Division.  Pinxton could have been playing in the EMCL with their hosts after finishing 3rd in the CML Supreme Divison, but the CMFL was a little reluctant to lose one of their better teams. 

Fellow blogger "Beat The First Man" tweeted that this "game was dire, but the weather nice".  Going to disagree on both points. The sun was out, true, but the wind spoiled it - it was cold and eye watering, and by 4:30pm my coat was zipped up to the chin!!

As for the game, Pinxton gave as good as they got and only lost thanks to one piece of bad luck -  a defensive slip up three minutes before the break exposing keeper Dave O'Hare, allowing Arron Large to fire into an empty net. 

Both sides saw chances galore go begging, and towards the end of the game, Blackwell were forced to hang on grimly as Pinxton tried in vain to grab the leveller.

Pinxton almost went ahead on 19, only a goal line clearance foiling Jay Cooper after he was found in front of goal by strike partner Ben Bacon.

Large had a cracking volley well saved by O'Hare in the 22nd minute,  then Blackwell were lucky to survive as Cooper's rasping 22 yarder crashed off the bar. 

Large was again on target with 5 minutes of the first half remaining, this time his shot bringing out a superb diving save from O'Hare. 

Then came the goal, and it all stemmed from a ball played over the top of the visiting defence. Pinxton centre-back  Sam Rawson appeared to slip as he went to shield the ball back to O'Hare, and the ball ended up at the feet of ARRON LARGE - the former Gedling Town man gleefully slotted home from close range.

Bacon had a chance to level with seconds of the first period to play, but from Evans' corner he clipped the ball just inches wide of Wayne Smith's goal. H-T 1-0

Kev spent the entire break deleting pictures off his camera - then we had a wander around and took up a position on the cricket pitch side of the  ground.

Pinxton had the advantage of the gusting wind behind them second half, and they laid siege to the home goal early doors.  A series of corners were won,  culminating on the hour with a cracking block by Smith from Evans' bullet shot.  Smith was again the Welfare hero on 74, tipping over a powerful Bacon header. 

The Pinxton faithful thought their team had levelled in the 77th minute - Evans hit a neat free-kick at goal and it flew just over the bar, rippling the net as it came back off the wall behind the goal!  Bacon also went close from a free-kick a few minutes later, again the ball going inches over the bar. 

As the game entered stoppage time, Pinxton strove to grab the equaliser, throwing keeper O'Hare into the fray as they battered the Blackwell defence.  Fair play to Blackwell, they stood firm and kept out their visitors to advance into the Vase second round.  F-T 1-0

Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 112

Saturday 22nd October - local teams in action

BSP
Mansfield Tn 3-2 Alfreton Tn

BSN
Eastwood Tn 1-2 Histon

NP1S
Loughborough Dynamo 2-4 Carlton Tn

F.A. Trophy
Barton Rvrs 0-1 Belper Tn
Bradford PA 1-1 Worksop Tn
Leek Tn 4-1 Hucknall Tn
Matlock Tn 3-0 Stamford

F.A. Vase
Arnold Tn 0-2 Long Eaton Utd
Blackwell MW 1-0 Pinxton
Glossop NE 5-0 Blidworth Welfare
Spalding utd 2-1 Greenwood Meadows

MFA
Heather St Johns 3-4 Dunkirk

NCEP
Retford Utd 3-2 Winterton Rangers

NCEL1
Hallam 2-2 Shirebrook Tn
Rossington Main 6-2 Teversal

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 4-1 Gedling MW
Blaby & Whetstone 0-1 Graham St Prims
Heanor Tn 2-1 Ibstock Utd
Radford 3-4 Radcliffe Olympic
Thurnby Nirvana 1-2 Borrowash Victoria

CMLN
Clipstone Welfare 2-1 Easington Utd
Welbeck Welfare 1-3 Kiveton Park
Ollerton Tn 0-2 Yorkshire Main.
Thorne Colliery 0-0 Glapwell

CMLS
Basford Utd 1-1 South Normanton Ath
Bilborough Pelcian 9-0 Nottm Utd
Calverton MW 0-2 Kirkby Tn
Clifton 0-2 AFC Hucknall
Newark Tn 1-2 Belper Utd
Southwell City 1-1 Real Utd
Sutton Tn AFC 5-0 Notts Police

NSL Senior
Attenborough 8-1 Sandhurst
Awsworth Villa 5-0 Keyworth Utd
Bulwell 2-0 Kimberley MW
Cotgrave Welfare 7-0 Vernon Villa
F.C. Cavaliers 1-1 Linby CW
Hucknall Rolls Leisure 3-1 Gedling SB
Magdala Ams 1-2 Wollaton
Selston 0-4 Ruddington Village

Heanor Town 1-1 Radcliffe Olympic (EMCL)

Wednesday 19th October 2011 -- kick off 7:45pm

Top v bottom - but Radcliffe surprised most people at the Town Ground by not only stopping the goal machine that is Heanor Town FC, but attacking with no little skill and ability.

Match report will be on Heanor's website - all I can say really is what a performance from the visitors!  Mind you, even though JAKE VERNON headed home a cross from the wing early doors,  Heanor should have noticed that Wes Spencer and Co. in the Radcliffe defence were actually winning 99% of headers and should maybe have changed their game plan.  No, the ball was continually played into the box and most crosses were mopped up admirably. 

The only time Spencer got it wrong was when he held onto Nathan Benger's shirt in front of goal, and the Ref punished him by awarding a penalty. A bit of a soft one, but the Radcliffe keeper pulled off a "worldy" to save Benger's spot kick, so maybe justice was done. 

Radcliffe went in level at the break after a defensive mix-up between Phil Ausin and Kieran Debrouwer presented the ball on a plate to THOMPSON, who gleefully hammered home from just a few yards out.

This game attracted a gate of 121, but there weren't many games on offer on this cold Wednesday night, so the above average attendance might have been expected - we arrived at 7:40pm, and apparently 20 minutes too late to get a programme, so maybe not!

Spent the evening in the company of funny man Steve Reading again - strangely for Steve, he wasn't able to pick out anyone on the pitch to "befriend".......

Nice to see John Ramshaw at the game - had a bit of a chat at half time. Rammers is enjoying life in charge at Shepshed Dynamo, but as most team Managers will tell you, a larger budget would help!  Offered to put us a couple of tickets on the gate if we decide to venture into deepest, darkest Leicestershire any time during the season.  I'll certainly be checking out the Dynamo fixtures!!!! Thanks, John.

Heanor site

Admission £5
Attendance 121

Pinxton FC 3-2 Clifton FC (CML South)

Saturday 15th October 2011 - kick off 3pm

We haven't been to Pinxton since the departure of Jamie Renshaw and Keiran Debrouwer, so we weren't sure how they have adapted without them.  We always receive a warm welcome at Wharf Road, and today was special as we actually claimed the raffle prize - our first of the season. 

As we parked up, it was great to see our friend Brian Dennett entering the car park - great to see him out and about again. His Carlton Town team were hosting Hucknall Town, but after his recent spell of poor health, the poor old bugger is still not up to resuming his role as Press Officer at Stoke Lane, so he made the short trip to Pinxton and enjoyed a thrilling game, with 5 goals, three sendings off and  a string of  memorable saves from Pinxton keeper Dave O'Hare.

Glen Clarence was in sole charge of team affairs for Pinxton, as Kenny Shinfield and Sean Connor were both away.

It took only three minutes for Pinxton to open their account, BEN MOORE prodding home from close range after Clifton keeper Joe Parlatt had done well to block the ball as it was fired in from the right, but his defenders failed to clear effectively leaving the Pinxton no.8 a simple tap in.

Moore wheels away after giving Pinxton the lead

Clifton were playing well and look a decent outfit - this is their first season in the CML South, but they have signed some quality players and were not going to lie down, even after conceding the first goal.   They were level on 15 thanks to a cracking free-kick from NEIL THOMPSON that flew past the despairing dive of keeper O'Hare. 

Neil Thompson (out of shot) fires past O'Hare

Josh Parker almost gifted Clifton the lead after 25 minutes had been played, stepping over the ball seemingly unaware that Clifton striker Danny Prance was behind him. The shot from the no. 9 was on target, but O'Hare spread himself well to block.

It was Parker's defensive parner Sam Rawson who was the next to incur the wrath of Clarence on 31, failing to clear the ball leaving Prance with a real chance 12 yards out - fortunately for Pinxton, the former Eastwood Town Academy player could only blaze wildly over.  O'Hare then pulled off a superb double stop, again foiling the unlucky Prance. H-T 1-1

The game had been played in the right spirit - plenty of good strong challenges and some decent passage of play, but things turned a litlte sour on 58 when Clifton's Vaughan Harvey flew in to Wayne Cooke with both sets of studs showing. Referee Aiden Coleman had no other option than to dismiss Harvey, and it turned out to be a double punishment for the travellers, as ELLIOTT JONES headed home after Parlatt had done well to save the original cross from the set piece.

Recent Pinxton recruit DAN "WELSHY" WILLIAMS added the home teams third in the 71st minute, and Kev caught it brilliantly on camera! Five sequential shots after the striker had collected and turned to fire at goal.

Clifton went down to nine men, and Pinxton 10 on 79.  Referee Coleman should have maybe stopped the game after Joe Riley had fouled Craig Anderson, but he let play go on, and a scuffle ensued - then both Anderson and Thompson sought a "quiet word" with Riley....well, Thompson appeared to strike Riley, so Riley put Thompson on his arse.  Although the Ref may have erred originally, he didn't shirk his responsibility and duly showed both players straight red cards.

Clifton seemed to settle more after the dismissals, and pulled a goal back through hot shot MICHAEL EVANS with two minutes to go.  Coleman then played a big chunk of added time, all of which was played in Pinxton's half. A string of six corners - all with keeper Parlatt in the box - almost saw the away team grab a point. Only last ditch defending and a hack or two off the goal line preserved the home teams advantage. F-T 3-2.

Great game, and it wasn't a dirty one, just a couple of flash points that were sorted out by the Ref without too much fuss and drama.

Admission £2
Programme £1
H/C 72

Saturday 15th October - local teams in action

I'm a lazy sod!!!!

BSP
Mansfield Tn 1-3 Southport

NPP
Burscough 0-2 Worksop Tn
Matlock Tn 0-2 Northwich Victoria

NP1S
Brigg Tn 1-2 Belper Tn
Carlton Tn 3-1 Hucknall Tn
Sutton Coldfield Tn 0-1 Rainworth MW

NCELP
Hall Road Rangers 1-2 Arnold Tn
Lng Eaton Utd 1-3 Thackley

NCEL1
Dinnington Tn 0-0 Teversal

DSC
Gamesley 0-1 Shirebrook Tn

EMCL
Graham St Prims 1-2 Greenwood Meadows
Holbrook Sports 2-0 Radcliffe Olympic
Holwell Sports 7-0 Radford FC
Oadby Tn 1-2 Heanor Tn
St. Andrews 2-1 Gedling MW
Thurnby Nirvana 1-3 Blackwell MW

CMLN
Bentley Coll 3-5 Clipston Welfare
Ollerton Tn 5-0 Welbeck Welfare
Thoresby Coll 2-0 Glapwell

CMLS
AFC Hucknall 0-0 Notts Police
Basford Utd 3-0 Calverton MW
Bilborough Pelican 2-2 Kirkby Tn
Kimberley Tn 1-7 South Normanton Ath
Pinxton 3-2 Clifton
Real Utd 2-1 Blidworth Welfare
Southwell City 2-2 Newark Town

NSL Senior
Attenborough 3-3 Wollaton
Awsworth Villa 1-3 Hucknall Rolls Leisure
Cotgrave Welfare 1-0 Sandhurst
Keyworth Utd 0-3 Bulwell FC
Kimberley MW 1-0 Magdala Ams
Ruddington Village 0-5 F.C. Cavaliers
Selston 6-4 Gedling SB
Vernon Villa 1-2 Linby CW

Blidworth W 0-2 Basford Utd ( CMLS)

..............or Tales of Heather Mills and the Basford no. 15

Wednesday 12th October 2011 -- kick off 7:45pm

This was probably the worst game we have been to this season so far, but when in the company of Steve "Retired Bank Manager" Reading, things are never dull off the pitch. Steve likes to pick out a player for special attention, usually one that stands out through sheer lack of ability and pure ineptitude.

The Basford no. 2 was the early recipient of Steve's own particular brand of humour, but he was forced to switch to the Basford no. 15 after this young lad showed how, in spades,  a player can have a bad night ... he was caught offside on countless occasions and a managed a miss on par with the classics you'll see on any Xmas DVD! 

The game was so poor that we amused ourselves with taking the mick out of Paul McCartney's ex-missus, Heather Mills. The conversation began with us talking about the bloke who has just won the £101 million Euro, before moving onto Macca's wedding to that millionairess. We then descended into trying to out-pun each other about Mills's inability to stand on her own two feet ... etc. etc .etc.....

Should we really be making fun out of someones disability?  I don't know, but still,  it passed the time.  Most enjoyable banter - although I would sooner have spent the time talking about the game.

Basford managed to score two minutes before and two minutes after the break.  TIAN WALTON tapped home from close range after he was left unmarked in front of goal to make it 0-1, then TOM KEMP finished off a decent move, firing past Blidworth keeper Paul Stanhope from the corner of the area.

Basford missed a penalty on 90 - and that just about summed up the game......

Admission £3

Programme £1 ( much improved on the last one)

Attendance -- H/C 45

Heanor Town 7-2 Ellistown (EMCL)

Tuesday 11th October 2011 - kick off 7:47pm

Back to the Town Ground to see if Heanor could keep up their recent remarkable scoring spree, and we weren't let down by the rampant Lions, although Ellistown did give them a bit of a game for the first 25 minutes or so. The visitors actually took the lead on 18 when GEORGE HIMAN capitalised on hesitation from Town keeper Mark Frost and slotted home.

We had arranged to meet Brian "Big Issue" Dennett at the ground - the popular feller's first trip into the outside world or a while after a recent illness had all but left him house-bound.  Nice to see the bugger agian!! Great to see Trev Williams again as well, and it's always a pleasure to be in the company of Chris "Tall-Lad" Dent. 

Bit of a miserable evening, weather wise, but there is plenty of cover at Heanor so no real worries about getting too wet. 

Not writing a report as such, just the salient points  - there will be a much better account of the game on the Heanor website.

Heanor cancelled out Himan's effort after 25 minutes, KIERAN DEBROUWER stooping to head home after  Ellistown keeper Richard Edwards  had pushed away Jason Foster's free kick, and Jake Vernon had fired the loose ball back into the box. 

Another header saw the Lions take the lead in the 36th minute, this time Debrouwer the provider for NATHAN BENGER, who rose superbly at the far post to loop a header over the out stretched arms of the keeper.  H-T 2-1

The home team increased their lead on 58 when Edwards appeared to punch JASON FOSTER'S left wing corner into the net.  BENGER added the fourth from the spot after 66.   On 79, Debrouwer played a superb ball out of defence, finding   Vernon. The striker managed to get a shot on target, but Edwards dived well to push away. Unfortunately for the keeper, sub LEE STEVENSON had charged down the pitch and was on hand to tap in the loose ball to make it 5-1.  DANNY CLARIDGE tried his luck from 30 yards with four minutes to play and watched in amazement as Edwards dived over the effort, then DEBROUWER smashed home a superb 25 yard left foot volley on 88 to end the scoring for the Lions. 

Ellistown had the last word though, their no 7, RIKKI BATES, finding space behind the home defence before leaving Frost for dead and stroking home.  F-T 7-2

Admission £5

Programme £1

Attendance 84

The win sees the Lions top the league -- click here for table

Arnold Tn U19 3-0 West Bridgford U19 (U19 Cup)

Monday 10th October 2011 - kick off 7:45pm

Straight forward journey into round three of the League Cup for the home team.  A blustery evening at the Eagle Valley ensured the game wasn't a football classic, but three good goals and some great banter with Trev Williams made it worthwhile making the journey.

U19 division one outfit Arnold went ahead of their division two opponents in the 8th minute through JOE BROTHWELL, the winger skillfully firing across the Bridgford keeper from the corner of the box.  H-T 1-0

The Arnold no. 17, JOHN KING was on hand to blast home from 10 yards out in the 68th minute, then 4 minutes later, the same player fired a superb first time drive home, after latching onto a long punt upfield by the Arnold keeper.  F-T 3-0

That's all folks!!!

Admission £2 (inc programme)
H/C 35

Gedling MW 0-8 Heanor Town (EMCL)

Saturday 8th October 2011 -- kick off 3pm

After watching Heanor score ten in their last two starts, and after seeing Welfare struggle to beat a very poor Ibstock team mid-week, the outcome of this game looked certain.  For once, the form book was adhered to and the Lions of Heanor won at a canter - the eight goal margin really was a fair reflection of the game, although Gedling did mange to create a coupe of chances.  Gedling are still trying to rebuild, while Heanor are now fairly settled - this was their 7th straight league win.

Welfare were without skipper Simon Labatte - Heanor's only absentee from last weeks classic v Bardon Hill was Phil Austin - his left back spot ably filled by new recruit Danny Claridge.

The home team must have known what they were up against, but they were a goal down after just 15 seconds, Kieran Debrouwer firing the ball in from the left and GARY WEBSTER was on hand at the far stick to slot home.

The Miners had a chance on 9, but Lewis Capewell' header from a left wing corner flew just over the Heanor bar.

Heanor's Graham Wells tried his luck from range after 12 minutes, but keeper Carl Najuk managed to save at the second attempt.

The second Heanor goal was a gift - NATHAN BENGER ramming the ball home from 8 yards, after Danny Pass completely missed his kick while trying to clear Wells' cross, effectively handing the goal on a plate to the Heanor no. 9.

Benger set up the Lions' third goal on 25, although it was shrouded in some controversy. Benger appeared to be offside when he dragged the ball back from the line - his cross found RYAN CANCELLARA at the far post and the midfielder fired home.  The Assistant Referee had flagged for the offside, but Referee Simon Swain over-ruled the flag as apparently the ball to Benger had been played to him by the boot of a Welfare player.

Chris Peet was then booked after he hammered Benger into the perimeter boards, then the visitors added their fourth in the 32nd minute, JAKE VERNON rifling past Najuk from 16 yards.   Mark Frost saw yellow on 35 - racing from goal, he hacked at the ball but connected with Tyrone Cairns as well after Brett Peel had failed to intercept a ball in from the right.

NICO DEGIROLAMO was the next Lion to get his name on the scoresheet,  heading home from close range on 41 after Benger's initial header had cannoned back off the bar. H-T 0-5

Met up with former Greenwood Meadows manager Nev Silcock at half time - Nev's on crutches at the moment after breaking a foot. He had predicted a 10-0 scoreline before kick off, and when JASON FOSTER'S corner from the left flew straight in just four minutes from the restart, his prediction didn't look too far-fetched!

KIERAN DEBROUWER added the 7th on 66, blamming the ball home from 10 yards after Vernon's cross had been knocked to him by sub Phil Lowry.  Heanor completed the scoring with 12 to go.  Lowry picked out Danny O'Donnell on the left,  and the winger's shot across the goal was hammered past Najuk by JAKE VERNON. 

Nigel Amofa was tackled rather crudely by Claridge in the 85th minute, the Heanor debutant lucky to escape with just a yellow.  Amofa wasn't happy with the Ref's punishment though, and went after Claridge appearing to head-butt the defender.  We were 90 yards away from the incident, but Mr. Swain wasn't - he had no hesitation in sending the player from the field of play.  Gedling held out for the final five minutes - Mr. Swain added no stoppage time at all. Maybe just as well!!  F-T 0-8

Gedling need time to complete their rebuilding, and coming up against a rampant Heanor team should not worry them too much. This was never going to be a home win....and I think the Welfare boys knew it even before a ball was kicked.

Heanor face struggling Ellistown at the Town Ground on Tuesday, then face a much sterner test next Saturday when they visit Oadby Town.

Admission £4
Programme £1
Attendance 107

Saturday 8th October -- local teams in action

BSP
Mansfield Tn 2-1 Grimsby Tn

BSN
FC Halifax 2-1 Eastwood Tn

NPP
Matlock Tn 4-0 Chorley
Worksop Tn 3-0 Nantwich

F.A. Trophy
Barton Rovers 2-1 Shepshed Dynamo
Carlton Tn 4-5 Belper Tn 
Rainworth MW 1-2 Hucknall Tn

MFA
Dunkirk 1-0 Boldmere St. Michaels

NCELP
Long Eaton Utd 0-1Tadcaster Albion
Thackley 3-3 Arnold Tn
Winterton Rangers 2-4 Retford Utd

NCEL1
Teversal 3-2 Hallam

EMCL
Borrowash Vic 1-0 Holbrook Sports
Ellistown 1-3 Blackwell MW
Gedling MW 0-8 Heanor Tn
Greenwood Meadows 0-4 Anstey Nomads
Oadby Tn 5-0 Graham St Prims
Radcliffe Olympic 5-0 Ibstock Utd

CMLN
Glapwell 1-4 Dronfield Tn

CMLS
AFC Hucknall 2-7 Pinxton
South Normanton Ath 2-0 Kirkby Tn
Southwell City 2-0 Belper Utd

NSL Senior
Magdala Ams 4-0 Vernon Villa
Ruddington Village 2-1 Linby CW
Selston 0-2 Cotgrave Welfare
Wollaton 0-1 F.C. Cavaliers

Notts F.A. Senior Cup
Attenborough 2-1 Calverton MW.
Basford Utd 2-1 Radford FC
Bilborough Pelican 7-3 Blidworth Welfare
Clipstone Welfare 5-0 Kimberley Tn
Keyworth Utd 2-4 Sutton Tn AFC
Kimberley MW 0-5 Clifton FC
Nottingham Utd 1-2 Hucknall Rolls Leisure
Thoresby Coll 2-0 Ollerton Tn

Gedling MW 2-1 Ibstock United (EMCL)

Tuesday 4th October 2011 -- kick off 7:45pm

At Heanor on Saturday, the temperature was 29 degrees - at this game it felt like proper October - eyes watering, nose running and wrapped up against the biting wind that blew across the Plains Road pitch.

Not too much to write about - these teams were third and fourth bottom of the league before kick off, although the win has lifted the Welfare to the heady heights of 13th place.

We were entertained by Heanor Town stalwart Tony Squires throughout the game - Tony you have to send me that picture!!!! You know the one I mean!

Ibstock took the lead in the 25th minute when JACK KYTE was picked out in the box, and the no.9 hammered the ball past Carl Najuk before the keeper could react.

RHYS JEFFREY levelled for the home team on 35, a very similar goal to the United one - a ball across field picking out the diminutive no. 11 who rifled home giving keeper Jordan King no chance. H-T 1-1

Treated to a drink and a sarnie by our Gedling MW friends at half-time - always a pleasure to go to Plains Road, especially now the "On The Road" jinx seems to have been lifted.

The home team secured the win and the three points on 69 through CHRIS PEET, the centre-half firing home from close range after the visitors had failed to clear a corner played in from the right.  Colin Woodward missed a sitter from 6 yards soon after, but the miss was not too damaging as the Welfare defence stood firm for the final 20 minutes of the game. F-T 2-1.

Admission £4

Programme £1

Attendance 92

Heanor Tn 4-3 Bardon Hill (EMCL)

Saturday 1st October 2011 - kick off 3pm - temperature 29 degrees!!!!!!

                                                                           

Where do I start with this game?  Absolute cracker, and well worth every penny.

Arrived at the Town ground - and it looked a picture in the blazing October sun ( I have this horrible suspicion that we will pay for this Indian Summer very soon)!!

Grabbed the team details off Stan Wilton - Heanor, unsurprisingly were unchanged from Wednesday, but the squad is getting worryingly under-strength - Jimmy Gee-Pemberton and Lee Askham the latest departures.  David Moon and Dan Williams have moved on as well, Moon to Borrowash, Williams to Shirebrook.

Mind you, the capture of Kieran Debrouwer from Pinxton was a great piece of business - "Keano" will walk into any team at this level - and his performance today showed why Managers Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood were so keen to secure the midfielders signature.

Also signed on the dotted line is former Pinxton defender and good friend of ours, Jamie Renshaw. Spent most of the 90 minutes in the company of  "Jammer" - and for the first half he looked like he wondered what he had let himself in for, as Heanor's defensive lapses saw his new team end the first half 1-3 down!

Teams:

Lions : Frost, Foster, Austin, Cancellara, Peel, Degirolamo, Webster, Debrouwer, Benger, Vernon, Wells. Subs : Stevenson, Lowry, Guest, Whitehead, Hopkins.

Bardon : Harris, Blythe, March, Fletcher, O'Callaghan, Partner, Whatley, Schultz, Mulonga, Sheldon, Demidh. Subs: Hebberd, Cox, Taylor, Williams.

Heanor went close in the 14th minute when Nathan Benger headed Phil Austin's free-kick over the bar, but NATHAN BENGER soon made amends 2 minutes later, tapping home from close range, after Kieran Debrouwer had cleverly flicked the ball over Bardon keeper Aaron Harris.

The lead lasted barely 90 seconds though, as PAUL O'CALLAGHAN rose well to head in off the post.

On 20, Brett Peel was given a caution after he made a reckless challenge, and he was punished even more so when the resultant free-kick from Danny Blythe was volleyed past Frost by KARL DEMIDH.

It got even worse for the home team with 10 minutes of the first half to play - the Lions' defence parting like the Red Sea to allow KARL DEMIDH time and space to smash the ball off the post and into the net. Look at the pic below and count the defenders!!

Then came an incident that earned  Referee Scott Mason the "baddie" label.  Robert Mulonga had challenged for the ball as Heanor keeper Frost gathered it - then the no. 9 appeared to raise his hand and slap Frost.  Not too sure if the effort connected or not, but surely raising a hand into another players face is deemed a dismissible offence.  I may be wrong, but I always assumed this was a red card offence.  Anyway, Referee Mason issued a yellow, and had to put up with some rather nasty verbal abuse as the teams went into the changing rooms at half-time. H-T 1-3

The second half was most notable for the spirit that is so strong in this Heanor team. They pressed right from the restart, and were that dominant throughout the half, that keeper Frost had occasion to touch the  ball only two or three times!

Heanor were back in the game on 52 when Benger's header was well kept out by Harris, but in saving the effort he only managed to set up GRAHAM WELLS who nodded back across the keeper and into the net.

The home team were given the chance to level on 70 after Blythe tripped Wells in the area. NATHAN BENGER hammered home the spot kick and it was game on with still plenty of time on the clock for a winner.

Heanor won a series of corners as the game entered the final 5 minutes,  but a combination of good keeping and solide defending kept out the rampaging Lions. Until the 42nd minute that is.  Another corner, but this time all Hassis could do was punch the inswinger into the air. When it came down, a mad scramble ensued that ended when that man NATHAN BENGER stabbed home to complete not only his personal treble, but also a remakable comback victory for the home team.  Wow, what a game!!! F-T 4-3


3 goal Nathan Benger

Some of the true "hoppers" won't do revisits - we're not really "hoppers" and you can bet your bottom dollar we will be back at the Town Ground again - very soon!!

Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 85