Clipstone Welfare 0-3 Clifton FC

Saturday 28th April 2012 - CML Cup 1/2 Final - played at Radford FC

This game was played on the 28th April 2012 - despite what the programme tells you.....

We were scheduled to go the South Normanton v Basford game, but this semi-final looked like it could be a good game. We have seen both teams recently and they both have impressed. Gave us another chance to hop on the tram from Hucknall to Radford - a real multi-cultural experience that everyone ought to experience at least once if they ever visit God's County......

The fare has gone up from £3.20 to £3.50 since we last used the tram - not exactly in line with inflation!!!

There were not as many people in attendance as we would have expected for a semi-final, but it was a bitterly cold afternoon and to get 58 (my head count) through the gates wasn't too bad I suppose.

On the subject of the weather - this has to have been one of the coldest seasons ever......and if this drought doesn't break soon, we will soon be having games called off because the pitches are too hard.....

The Radford pitch was in decent nick considering the recent climatic abnormalities, but the biting, swirling wind made it difficult for both teams to put anything together in the first 10 minutes or so, but when they did manage to work out the conditions, they gave us a great game . Clipstone keeper Briggs had to be alert in the 12th minute when a ball in from the left took a huge deflection, forcing him to tip it over the bar.

Welfare's first real chance came after some neat play between Mike Taylor and Mark Carter saw Taylor go one-on-one with Clifton stopper Joe Parlatt, who blocked the strikers eventual effort superbly. 

On 28, Briggs made another fine save to deny Alex Haughton, then at the other end Welfare had a series of 5 corners that were all dealt with admirably by the well organised Clifton defence.  H-T 0-0

I have no idea what managers Chris Driffill and James Turner said to the Clifton players during the break, but the came out for the second half on fire!  With Mike Banister charging down the right and Heath down the left, the Welfare defence was unable to cope with the early pressure.

That pressure told in just the third minute of the second period, when Briggs failed to clear a Heath cross, allowing Haughton a chance to flick the ball back across the goal to where MICHAEL EVANS was waiting to nod home from very close range.

Evans on the run after opening the scoring

Clifton doubled their lead on the hour mark after the Clipstone defence let Heath stroll through their ranks before picking out EVANS in front of goal, and the striker calmly fired home with his right foot.

On 65, Evans almost completed his hat-trick, but could only watch in agony as his fierce drive clattered the post before going safe.

Clipstone centre-half Lee Hunt and Assistant Manager Jamie Kirk were having a right old slanging match due to some tactical disagreement - and while they were calling each other names that I couldn't possibly print on here, ALEX HAUGHTON latched onto a through ball and after controlling superbly, calmly chipped Briggs to make it three-nil to Clifton, effectively ending the game as a contest. F-T 0-3

So next Sunday -- off to Alfreton Town's Impact "Arena" to see if Clifton can cap off a superb first season in the CML with a cup final win against Dronfield Town.

Straight out of the ground after the final whistle, a quick stroll across Asda car-park to the tram stop - home by 5:30pm.

Admission £3 inc programme

H/C 58 

Saturday 28th April - local teams in action

BSP
Kidderminster Harriers 0-3 Mansfield Tn

BSN
Bishop's Stortford 4-0 Eastwood Tn

NPL Cup Final
North Ferriby Utd 4-1 Rushall Olympic ( not local teams, I admit, but venue is Coronation Prk, Eastwood).

NPL Div 1 South play off final
Ilkeston FC 2-0 Leek Tn

MFA
Tividale 3-1 Dunkirk

NCELP
Arnold Tn P-P Winterton Rangers
Bridlington Tn 2-2 Retford Utd
Hall Road Rangers 2-3 Long Eaton Utd

NCEL1
Shirebrook Tn 3-1 Pontefract Colls
Teversal P-P Hemsworth MW

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 0-7 Borrowash Victoria
Bardon Hill 2-1 Gedling MW
Blackwell MW 3-3 Barrow Tn
Graham St Prims 1-2 Radford
Greenwood Meadows 1-3 St. Andrews
Radcliffe Olympic 2-0 Blaby & Whetstone Ath

CML Cup 1/2 final
Clipstone Welfare 0-3 Clifton (at Radford FC)

CMLN
Ollerton Tn 0-0 Thoresby CW
Phoenix 2-2 Welbeck Welfare
Westella & Willerby P-P Glapwell

CMLS
Notts Police 1-10 Newark Tn
Real Utd 4-0 Kimberley Tn
South Normanton Ath 0-5 Basford Utd

NSL Senior Div
Bulwell 9-0 Vernon Villa (at Vernon Park)
Gedling SB P-P Awsworth Villa (at Awsworth Villa 3:30pm ko)
Keyworth Utd 1-1 Sandhurst
Linby CW 4-2 F.C. Cavalier
Magdala Ams 4-0 Attenborough
Selston 1-5 Kimberley MW

Eastwood Tn 2-0 Clifton FC (NSC Final)

Tuesday 24th April 2012 -- Notts F.A. Saturday Senior Cup final

Played at the Watnall Road home of Hucknall Town after the Nottinghamshire F.A. were apparently reluctant to pay for a more glamorous venue.  The flagship competition final was traditionally played at Meadow Lane - up until last season when it was switched to Field Mill.

Eastwood have been in the last eight finals, and this was their sixth victory from those eight appearances. 

Nice to see a few familiar faces again, and great to see the Badgers lift the trophy again. Having said that, Clifton gave their Conference North opponents a good game. 

Second half goals from GREG SIMMONS and DANNY ELLIOTT settled this less than exciting affair.

Both teams hit the woodwork in the first 15 minutes, and Eastwood almost went ahead on 32 when Alex Troke's header beat Clifton keeper Joe Parlatt but the striker was foiled again by the frame of the goal. H-T 0-0

Eastwood showed more resolve from the restart, and Markel Bailey rattled the bar on 49 with a rasping drive.  It was another drive from Bailey a few minutes later that lead to the opening goal. The shot deflected off a Clifton defender and landed straight at the feet of  GREGG SIMMONS at the far post, and the no. 7 volleyed superbly into the roof of the net.

 On 63 it was game over as far as Clifton were concerned.  They really played their part in the game, but the step seven CMLS club just didn't have enough to keep out their step two BSBN opponents.This time DANNY ELLIOTT forced his way through the Clifton defence to fire the ball across Parlatt and into the net. F-T 2-0

So Eastwood have had a poor season by their recent standards, but the Senior Cup is back at Coronation Park where it seems it belongs.....!!

I personally have seen the Badgers play on four occasions this season - and they won all four!  Crisis, what crisis????

Admission by personal invitation - thanks go to Mr. Rob Townsend for the tickets.

Programme included

Attendance - no idea

Mr Townsend

Southwell City 1-2 Basford Utd (CMLS)

Saturday 21st April 2012 -- kick off 3:00pm

We had been meaning to visit the Centenary Sports Ground home of Southwell City all season, but never seemed to get around to it. After looking through the fixtures, I realised that this was the Minstermen's final game of the season and that we ought to at least consider it. FC 05 Bilsthorpe was supposed to be our original destination, but this game looked a little more promising than FC 05 v Welbeck Welfare. Turns out that that game was washed out anyway!

We got to Southwell in good time, but as soon as we hit the town centre, the traffic stopped.  So, with kick off time approaching we made a decision to go down to the Minster School to park up. We then took a short walk through a jitty and arrived at the venue just as the teams were entering the pitch. Apparently a St.George's day parade had caused the traffic hold-up, and half way through the second half, the park was invaded by hundreds of marching bands! This gave us cause for concern about getting out of the school car park at full time - but luckily we got to the car just before the marchers disbanded and headed to the school - where their buses were waiting to take them home! 

We skirted pitch 2 to get to the main event, but it has to be said that the Southwell St. Mary's game against Arnold Tn Ressies was far more entertaining. That game had a decent mass brawl and 6 goals, St. Mary's running out 5-1 victors.  Had a chat to St. Mary's Chairman,  Neil Oxborrow - we always enjoyed watching his goalkeeping son Mike when he played for Kimberley Town a couple of seasons ago.

As mentioned earlier, the main event wasn't really very good  - Basford were content to stroll about the pitch with little or no enthusiasm, while Southwell showed little to trouble their high flying visitors.

Basford opened the scoring in the 27th minute, a slow motion free-kick from DARREN GARMSTON that took so long to reach the net from just outside the box that Kev's fixed set of six sequence shots ended before the ball entered the net! The ball dropped over City keeper Nathan Burrows, who for some reason was a couple of yards off his line - maybe it was the presence of Cashell Walters just behind the defensive wall that made the keeper leave his line - maybe not...

The second goal for Basford came on 35 and was from their best move of the game. From wide right, Jarrod Westcarr picked out Wayne Jones in the area. The Basford no. 6 looked up and played the ball across the goal to where CARL WESTCARR was on hand to fire the ball into the roof of the net.  H-T 0-2

The second period really was a non-event - but Southwell  began to take charge mid-way through the half and caused one or two problems for the home defence.  Jarrod Westcarr did force Burrows into a save from a free-kick on 79, but Basford were now in cruise mode and when City pulled a goal back in the 86th minute through TOM TYLER, they had to step up a gear to try and hold on to their lead.  Courtney Hastings was a good outlet as Basford cleared their lines, but solid defending from Minstermen Robbie Mawer and Jamie Bennett saw off any late resurgence, and after three minutes of added time, Referee Mr. Townsend brought proceedings to a close. Quick exit for us and home before 5:30pm.  F-T 1-2

Admission - public park, but we did buy raffle tickets. ( No idea if we won or not, but not that bothered)!

Programme - never saw one

H/C - no chance of an accurate count - my reckoning was at least 50

Saturday 21st April - local teams in action

BSN
Eastwood Tn 1-6 Altrincham

NPP
Hednesford Tn 0-0 Worksop Tn
Rushall Olympic 1-0 Matlock Tn

NP1S
Belper Tn 1-1 New Mills
Carlton Tn 3-0 Goole AFC
Grantham Tn 2-1 Ilkeston FC
Hucknall Tn 0-3 Loughborough Dynamo
Leek Tn 5-0 Shepshed Dynamo
Stamford 2-1 Rainworth MW

MFA
Dunkirk 0-1 Coleshill Tn

NCELP
Long Eaton Utd 2-1 Maltby Main
Parkgate L-L Arnold Tn
Retford Utd P-P Thackley

NCEL1
Albion Sports 4-3 Teversal
Shirebrook Tn 2-0 Hemsworth MW

EMCL
Blaby & Whetstone 1-1 Borrowash Vics
Gedling MW 4-6 St. Andrews
Greenwood Meadows P-P Oadby Tn
Radcliffe Olympic 2-1 Blackwell MW
Thurnby Nirvana 3-2 Radford FC

CMLN
FC 05 Bilsthorpe P-P Welbeck Welfare
Glapwell 0-6 Ollerton Tn

CMLS
Blidworth Welfare 0-0 Pinxton FC (at Pinxton)
Nottm Utd 5-1 Kimberley Tn (at Gresham)
Notts Police 1-1 South Normanton Ath
Southwell City 1-2 Basford Utd

NSL SENIOR
Hucknall RL 2-2 Wollaton
Keyworth Utd 4-0 F.C. Cavalier
Linby CW 1-0 Kimberley MW
Ruddington Village 2-3 Bulwell
Sandhurst 2-1 Attenborough
Selston 1-5 Awsworth Villa

Gedling MW 2-1 Thurnby Nirvana (EMCL)

Tuesday 17th April 2012 -- kick off 7:45pm

Not been to Plains Road for a while - strange for us because we usually enjoy our visits there.  Always a warm welcome from everyone involved with the club, and for their friendliness and hospitality, the Committee are second to none. No exception tonight - the last team sheets saved for us and a coffee, sandwich and cake at half time.

The development at the Plains Road complex is going on apace, and with plans for even more investment, the future is certainly looking good for the Miners.

Both teams were guilty of early misses, Thurnby's Matt Melbourne failing to trouble Gedling keeper Carl Najuk from two yards out in the fifth minute, then seconds later Anthony Bedward failed to cause Najuk's opposite number James Flinders any concern with a tame header.

The home team took the lead on 11, helped in no small part by some spectacularly poor defending.  Bradley Wells played in brother Kieran, who in turn fired across goal to Bedward. The striker was given time and space to fire the ball back across the goal to where Thurnby's left back SEAN DOY was waiting to hammer the ball into his own net.

Thurnby looked lively, and kept the home defence on their toes - but despite looking solid at the back, after 35 minutes had been played, the scores were level.

After a needless foul on the edge of the box, KIRK MASTER took control of  the free-kick and fired in a cracker - the ball sailing to Najuk's left and into the goal. Excellent strike! H-T 1-1

So into the clubhouse for cuppa and cake, and the first chance we've had to have a decent chat with our friend "Deadly Derek".  Very quiet man, but very knowledgeable about the local game. 

The second half didn't provide much to write about. It was fast and furious at times, but despite a few "handbags" the players were a credit to their league. 

Welfare secured the win with a goal ten minutes into the second period - Brad Wells ran in on goal, skipped a challenge before picking out KIERAN WELLS who had the simple task of tapping home from close range.

Overall, a good evening - the rain held off thankfully,  and the game wasn't half bad!!

Admission £4

Programme £1

Attendance 72

Pinxton 3-4 Clipstone Welfare (CML Cup)

Monday 16th April 2012 -- kick off 7:45pm -- CML Cup 3rd Round.

This was a game that shouldn't have really been played. Pinxton had played an ineligible player in a previous round of the cup, but for some reason they weren't removed from the competition.  Newark were reinstated - Pinxton had defeated Newark 4-2 in March, but the winners of this game face them on Thursday in the 1/4 final.  Clear?  Good!

Saw Brian Dennett for a few seconds before the game, then he disappeared and we spent the game in the company of Richard Lane who was there to see who his Newark team will face, and Pinxton's injured midfield maestro Kieren DeBrouwer.

Three minutes in and we had a goal and a fight - but things soon settled down and both teams began to enjoy the occasion. The opening goal was scored by Clipstone's MIKE TAYLOR, the no. 9 taping home after a Gary Castledine free-kick had been knocked down some 8 yards from goal.

TAYLOR doubled the visitors' lead on 12, racing onto a through ball and beating Pinxton keeper Dave O'Hare at the second attempt.

Pinxton's Wayne Cooke was tripped in the box in the 19th minute, and GREG MARRIOTT stepped up to lash the spot kick past Clipstone stand in keeper Gary Briggs.  MARRIOTT levelled the scores after 37 minutes had been played - sliding in bravely at the far post to convert Cooke's excellent cross in from the right. H-T 2-2

The second half was just 6 minutes old when Pinxton took the lead.  A nothing ball was played to JAY COOPER 35 yards from goal, and the striker hit the sweetest left foot volley that flew over Briggs.  Special goal from a very, very good player.

The lead lasted until the 74th minute, when JAMES McCANN calmly lobbed O'Hare from 20 yards after he was given too much space to run in to.

We were dreading the extra-time that was apparently to be played in the event of a draw after 90 minutes.  Usually there is a replay in the League Cup, but as previously mentioned, this game was played according to different rules for some reason or other.

Anyway, we needn't have worried because Clipstone knicked it at the death, their big number 5 converting a McCann corner to send the Nottinghamshire outfit into the next round - a 1/4 final at Newark on Thursday.

Admission £2

No programme - sold out!

H/C 50 +

Basford Utd 2-1 Newark Tn ( Floodlit Cup)

Saturday 14th April 2012 -- CML Floodlit Cup South (final)

Cold night at Greenwich Avenue, but cracking company again. Richard Lane, Tony Squires, Lee Spurr, Rob Townsend, Brian Dennett and Aggedor to name a few....

Basford looked comfortable after a DARREN GARMSTON drive flicked off a defender on 22, leaving Newark keeper Garry Attwood stranded. This seemed to galvanise Newark into action and they then took the game by the scruff of the neck, but it wasn't until there were just 2 minutes left to play that the visitors levelled, left back MARK ELLISON sending a looping header over Basford keeper Curtis MacDonald.

Extra-time on a  night more conducive to staying in with the heating on and watching t'telly!!  MARTIN HOLT scored the winner for the home team in the 115th minute - at least we didn't have to endure a penalty shootout....and home in time to see the second half of Levante v Barca.

H-T 1-0
F-T 1-1
ET H-T 1-1
ET F-T 2-1

Basford will now take on Ollerton Town in the Final proper - date and venue yet to be decided.

Admission £3 - thanks Lee !!
Coffee - thanks Brian £0.80 !!
Attendance - around the 80 mark..

Heanor Tn 1-0 Blackwell MW (EMCL)

Saturday 14th April 2012 - the day that saw Heanor Town FC crowned as East Midlands Counties League Champions!!!

   Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins hold the Championship trophy aloft

Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, and Heanor were lucky to claim the three points as Blackwell outplayed them at times. Some poor Blackwell finishing and heroic goalkeeping from Neil West saw the Lions home though, much to the delight of the Town Ground faithful.

The only goal of the game came from JOSH ROYCE right on half-time.  A Jake Vernon free kick from the edge of the box was well parried by Wayne Smith in the Welfare goal, but Heanor's no. 8 reacted quickest and prodded home the loose ball from close range.

Royce nets the clincher!!!

Admission £5

Programme £1

Attendance 154

Saturday 14th April - local teams in action

BSP
Hayes & Yeading1-3 Mansfield Tn

BSN
Histon 3-0 Eastwood Tn

NPP
Matlock Tn 2-1 FC United
Worksop Tn 1-1 Stocksbridge PS

NP1S
Coalville Tn 1-3 Carlton Tn
Goole AFC 3-1 Hucknall Tn
Ilkeston FC 2-0 Brigg Tn
Rainworth MW 0-2 Newcastle Tn
Shepshed Dynamo 0-6 Belper Tn

MFA
Dunkirk v Alvechurch

NCELP
Retford Utd (ten) 10-1 Nostell MW
Winterton Rangers 4-1 Arnold Tn

NCEL1
Shirebrook Tn 0-2 Rossington Main
Teversal 2-2 Bottesford Tn

EMCL
Barrow Tn 2-1 Graham St Prims
Blaby & Whetstone Ath 4-1 Greenwood Meadows
Borrowash Vics 4-0 Anstey Nomads
Heanor Tn 1-0 Blackwell MW
Ibstock Utd 0-1 Gedling MW
Radcliffe Olympic 2-2 Thurnby Nirvana
Radford FC 2-1 Bardon Hill

CML Floodlit Cup Southern (Final)
Basford Tn 2-1 Newark Tn ( 7:00pm kick off )

CMLN
FC 05 Bilsthorpe 2-6 Ollerton Tn (to be played at Ollerton)
Kiveton Pk 4-0 Welbeck Welfare
Phoenix 2-5 Thorne Colliery
Yorkshire Main 1-3 Clipstone Welfare

CMLS
Blidworth Welfare 3-4 Southwell City (to be played at the Summit Centre, Kirkby)
Pinxton (twelve) 12-0 Kimberley Tn
Real Utd 6-1 Bilborough Pelican
South Normanton Ath 8-0 AFC Hucknall

NSL Senior Cup Semi finals
F.C. Cavalier 1-3 Bulwell
Linby CW 1-0 Burton Joyce

NSL Senior Division
Attenborough 0-2 Hucknall RL
Awsworth Villa 4-3 Sandhurst
Keywworth Utd 6-0 Vernon Villa
Kimberley MW 1-5 Gedling SB
Ruddington Village 1-5 Magdala Ams

Arnold U19 1-3 Staveley U19

Tuesday 10th April 2012 - North Midland U19 League Div 1 -- kick off 7:45pm

Arnold's final home game of the season saw them take on league leaders Staveley MW. The pitch looked in remarkable condition despite the recent awful weather. 

Started the game in the company of Trev Williams and Brian Dennett - we were joined just before the break by Tony Squires and Lee Spurr...the Heanor Town duo had been to watch the 6:15 kick off  at Digby Street where Linby CW beat Kimberley MW 3-0.

Staveley scored after just 70 seconds - their no. 9, ADAM HOUGHTON heading powerfully home at the far post.   JOE BROTHWELL levelled for Arnold on 10, his effort looked to have been hacked off the line but Refs Assistant Mr. Shead ruled that the ball had indeed crossed the line before the clearance was made. H-T 1-1

Staveley regained the lead on 53, another far post header - and I am reliably informed it was HOUGHTON again with the strike. The visitors' third goal came in the 78th minute after Arnold's keeper was left exposed and SAM FINLAW slid in to force the ball home. F-T 1-3

Admission £2 inc programme

H/C 30

Heanor Tn 3-1 Borrowash Vics (EMCL)

Monday 9th April 2012 -- kick off 3:03pm

Only one place for us to be today - the Town Ground to see Heanor take on Borrowash Victoria.  The weather was atrocious, but it didn't spoil the game, as both teams coped admirably with the skiddy pitch and driving rain.  A gusty wind also added to the game, which turned out to be a cracker in front of 328 paying guests...

The result means that the destiny of the League title is back in Heanor's hands.  Two points needed from next Saturday's game at home to Blackwell MW, or Tuesday's visit to rock bottom Ellistown.  If the Lions fail now, they will really have to kick their own arses, big time!

For this game, the home team were without regular full backs, Jason Foster and Phil Austin, but they welcomed back midfield General Ashley Grayson, kindly given permission to play by Tamworth.

Borrowash began the game at a furious pace, and outplayed their hosts in almost every department.  Heanor seemed content to punt the ball down the pitch in the hope that Nathan Benger could latch onto it and run in at goal.

This tactic wasn't very succesful for the home team, but when the Vics tried it on 27, DAVID HIND raced onto the ball. As keeper Neil West hesitated and then slipped, the no. 10 calmly slotted home to the delight of the travelling faithful.

Heanor responded well to going a goal down, and towards the end of the half began to play the ball on the deck - and when Lee Stevenson found ASHLEY GRAYSON, the maestro played a cracking one-two with Gary Webster, before flicking the ball past Steve Smith at his near post.  Best move of the game for the Lions, and must have made joint Managers Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood's half time team talk a little less spicy that it may have been if they had gone in a goal down.  H-T 1-1 

 On the hour, Heanor should have had a penalty. Referee Tim Walker waved away the protests after Benger appeared to have been tripped just inside the penalty area.  Had a good game did Mr. Walker, but how he failed to award a penalty on this occasion beggars belief.

West tipped over a point blank drive from Ross Coxon two minutes later, but it was the home team's attacking play that paid dividends on 79, ASHLEY GRAYSON making a run at goal then hitting a drive from the edge of the box that beat Smith's dive before nestling in the corner of the net. Not too much power, but the accuracy was superb.  

With two minutes left to play, Jake Vernon ran in at the Vics goal with two defenders in tow. Just as the sub was about to shoot, one of the defenders beat him to it and the ball arced gracefully over Smith and into the net.  Cue a mighty Heanor pile up on the pitch....!    

Mr. Walker sent off Sam Kellogg just before the final whistle. The Vics' skipper had been booked in the first half, then foolishly booted the ball away when a decision went against him, leaving the Referee no alternative other than to show a second yellow, followed by a red. F-T 3-1

Admission £5

Programme £1

Attendance 328