Caribbean Cavaliers 2-2 Huck Rolls Leisure

Thursday 20th May 2010 -- NSL Senior Cup Final - Cavs win 4-3 on penalties after exta time.

Our final game of the season - the short journey to the Eagle Valley home of Arnold Town FC, to see Caribbean Cavaliers take on Hucknall Rolls Leisure in the NSL Senior Cup Final.

Turned out to be a very good evening, even though it was extended due to the teams needing extra time and penalties to seperate them, and I was feeling a bit rough....

For me and Kev this was more of a social occasion, and we spent a lot of the game in the company of friends we have made over the last few years.

Referee Rob Townsend, Notts F.A's Mick Kilbee, Hucknall Town Chairman Dave Gamble, fellow bloggist Adam Barlow, 2 x Peter Craggs, "wanderer" Richard Lane, physio Fred Kirk, journalist Brian Dennett, Linby CW striker Jonny Scott and former Hucknall Town, now Worksop Town midfielder Deon Meikle. We have known Deon for a few years now, since his days with the Eastwood Town Academy. Many thanks for the photo opportunity Deon!!

Yours truly and Deon Meikle

I also finally took possession of Roger Rann's two books " Kings Of The Recs" and "When Mary's Were Kings"......books charting the history of football in Arnold - looking forward to reading these over the next few football free weeks!

Most of the Rolls players were just back from a short break in Benidorm, and for a while it showed! They looked a little sluggish and offered little up front. Rolls were lucky that Referee Colin White waved away what looked like a certain penalty for Cavs on 34, but when Mr. White awarded Cavs a free-kick five minutes later, Tom Simpson smashed the ball goalwards. With Rolls keeper Neil Waters seemingly well positioned to save, the ball deflected off the head of defender Richard Harrison, hit the inside of the post and nestled in the back of the net! H-T 1-0

Rolls had struggled with just Andy Start up top, but the introduction of 19 year-old Harry Allen as his strike partner changed the game dramatically. The youngster levelled the scores on 80 after the ball fell kindly to him six yards out. F-T 1-1

Cavs sub Ryan Perkins lit up the game in the 98th minute, rounding Waters before taking his time to line up a shot that dissected the two defenders who were covering the line. With full time looming it was that man Allen again who once again levelled the scores, latching on to a long punt forward before chipping Cav keeper Dave Martt from the edge of the box. F-T 2-2

Although Harrison missed Rolls' first spot kick, they went 3-2 up and just needed skipper Jonathan Wass to convert to give them the trophy. He missed and Perkins stepped up to make it 3-3. Jonathan Dakers then missed for Rolls, but Cavs Robert Bolton smashed home his kick to give them the victory.

Admission £3 ( inc programme)

Attendance - given out as 190 + children

Season tally -- games 109 with goals 393 at an average of 3.6055 per game

On The Road will be back next season - blog already sorted !!

Carlton Tn Academy 4-1 Newark Flowserve Academy

Wednesday 19th May 2010 --- NSL Reserve League Cup Final

Played at Calverton MW FC, pleasant setting, pleasant company and a mild evening. Much better game than the Tuesday night effort ... and a decent turn-out - we reckon over 150 present.

Met up with Richard "Wanderer" Lane - he'd been at Trent Bridge all day and just made Calverton for the kick off. Also in the company of evergreen Brian Dennett... mind you he didn't stay with us long - I think he went and had a talk to every single person in the ground !!!

The first three goals were all down to poor goal-keeping ...the first in the 8th minute saw Newark's keeper parry a shot he ought to have held - presenting the Carlton no.7 with a simple tap in from close range. Newark levelled on 27 when Carlton keeper Ross Cherry missed his kick giving the Flowserve 11 jacket an open goal to run the ball in to.

I really don't know whether the Carlton second goal should be put down to a goal-keeping error - but when Carlton's Matt Wilkinson flighted the ball goalwards from 40 yards out on 31, the Newark keeper was way off his line, and even though he back-tracked he failed to stop the ball entering the net. Goal-keeping error? May be a bit harsh H-T 2-1

The second half was full of flowing football, but chances were at a bit of a premium. Two great saves by the Newark keeper in the 72nd minute kept his team in the game, but when Carlton's no.9 played in his strike partner on 79, there was little the keeper could do other than watch as the ball was stroked into the net. Carlton were awarded a penalty right on full time that their 11 shirt fired home. F-T 4-1

This was the second time we have seen Carlton win a trophy after their epic game with Coronation in April

Admission £2

H/C 150

Thursday -- More NSL -- Senior Cup Final at Arnold Town kick off 7:30pm

Kimberley MW 3-0 Caribbean Cavaliers

Tuesday 18th May 2010 -- NSL Senior Division

I think I've seen worse games than this, but not many come to mind! Still, end of season, nothing to play for and Cavs resting their 1st team so they are fresh for their NSL Cup Final on Thursday, what did I expect?

Took a few arty-farty pics, and was poised to take a few of the game, but after 20 minutes I put the camera away and had a chat with Brian Dennett. He made a few predictions about which Carlton Town players will follow Tommy Brookbanks to Hucknall - I will keep the list and check it out prior to the new season starting.

Ought to have known what was to come when the Cavs manager said "if you don't beat us tonight, you never will " to the Welfare manager! It looked a good shout as after 10 minutes the home team were 2-0 up through their no. 9 JAKE FISHER, and no. 11 REECE BERTRAM.

No. 11 ready to pounce on the loose ball to net the second goal

Should have been 3-0 on 18 when the Cavs keeper bundled the Bertram over in the box. Straight forward? No ! The ball was passed from the spot (!!) to Bertram who blazed it hopelessly high, wide and not very handsome from 8 yards out!

Here you go buddy -- just kick it into the net!!! Ooopps!

2-0 at the break - went for a sit down and endured a further 27 minutes without a goal until sub RYAN DOCHERTY tapped in from close range after the Cavs defence failed to deal with a corner played into the six-yard box. F-T 3-0

Luckily, no-one had blocked me in so first out of the ground and home 10 minutes after the final whistle.

Admission - no gate

H/C 35

Weds - Cartlon Tn Academy v Newark F'serve Academy at Calverton MW ko 7:30pm

Next season -- tentative allocations

http://nln24.com/news/story/league-allocations-for-201011

Looks like great news for Rainworth MW.. well done to all at Kirklington Road.

Saturday 15th May 2010

There were a couple of games we could have gone to, but as Kev was busy and I like to watch the F.A. Cup final coverage on TV, we gave them a miss even though this was effectively the last Saturday of the 2009-2010 season.

Three possible games next week, all in the Notts Senior League. Reading Rob Waite's excellent the66pow blog, it appears he is taking in Doncaster Senior League games. The NSL and DSL seem to be running a lot later than other leagues. I can only assume that the majority of the teams in these leagues have no floodlights, and the volume of games lost due to the crap winter can't be played mid-week, leaving the leagues no alternative other than to extend their seasons.

Hope to call it a day with "On The Road 2009-2010" towards the end of May .... already set up "On The Road 2010-2011" and we will be back in July as we take in some of the local pre-season games.

Hope to write a "best of / worst of" within the next couple of weeks, but after that, a few weeks off will be most welcome!

Nottm Forest Ladies 5-0 Hucknall Rolls Ladies

Thursday 13th May 2010 -- Notts F.A. Womens County Cup Final

Getting towards the end of a third season on "On The Road", with just three probable games left before I hang up my pen for a few weeks.

The Ladies County Cup game is the last Notts F.A. Cup final of the season, and on this occasion it was played at the Welfare ground home of Forest Town FC. Full circle for Notts F.A. as the first final was also at Forest Town.

Greeted at the gate by F.A. Officials Mick Kilbee and Malcolm Fox. A nice gesture by Mr.Kilbee to let me and Daft Lad into the ground as their guests, as we apparently have been at more Notts F.A. finals than have their Committee members!! Much appreciated.

Grabbed a word or two with Forest Town's Pete Craggs who appeared to be enjoying his burger and chips, followed by a pint of Magners....

Also had a chat with Clifton a player I managed at youth level, Mike Banister. He's had a good season with Clifton, who secured the Notts Senior League Senior Division Championship last weekend.

The teams line up.......


....and are presented to the Notts F.A. representatives

Forest Ladies took the lead in the 8th minute - a sweet well placed free-kick from 22 yards by CAROLINE LAWSON easily beating diminutive Rolls keeper Hayley Wilson.


The ball on it's way into the net

Justine Turley had the Rolls best effort on 19, her shot from fully 35 yards just flying over the Forest crossbar. KATIE WADDELL added Forest's second with 29 minutes played, the pocket sized no. 11 jinked her way into the box before slotting past Wilson. On 36 SUZANNE DAVIES battled her way into the box before hitting the ball between Wilson and her near post. Seconds later the game was effectively over as NATALIE CLARKE crashed the ball through a ruck of players from 6 yards. H-T 4-0

The second half saw Rolls perform much better, and they had a couple of decent chances to reduce their arrears, but Forest keeper Claire Wallhead remained alert after having a fairly quiet first half. It took Forest until the 75th minute to add their fifth and final goal. SUZANNE DAVIES had seconds earlier hit a tame effort at Wilson, but the striker made no mistake when presented with the ball 12 yards from goal, fairly lashing the ball home. F-T 5-0

Tough tackling Ellie Gilliat - received the games only yellow card

Too cold to stay for the Trophy presentation!! Where is this global warming they keep talking about???

Admission : Notts F.A. guests

H/C 80+

Saturday - no game

Monday - hoping to get to Digby Street to see Caribbean Cav play Kimberley MW

Eastwood Town 4-3 Retford Utd

Monday 10th May 2010 -- Notts Senior Cup Final







Venue : Very, very cold Meadow Lane.

Admission £5

Programme £2 .... worst value for money ever! Who the hell decided that effort is worth £2 can't be right in the head. 12 pages of nothing!!!

Conference North v UniBond Premier. Turned out to be quite a poor game, but there were a couple of cracking goals. Kev behind the wheel for this one - he is the numero uno for City Centre driving.

Arrived at Meadow Lane with time to spare and bought a programme expecting something akin to Andy Cope's superb effort last season. Felt thoroughly ripped off when I was handed the thing.

Had a quick chat to Aggedor on the way to our seats, and then the public address system came on.... and stayed on throughout the game --- a constant hisssssssssss that was enough to drive you crackers! On a scale of 1 -10 for annoying this was a definate12!

Eastwood : Danby, Markel Bailey , Riley, D'Laryea, Mat Bailey, Cooke, Meikle, Foster, Holmes, Holland, Duncum. Subs: S Brown, D. Brown, Whitehurst, Gardner.

Retford: Lindley, Ludlum, Thompson, Smith, Ellis, Simkpins, Bettney, Ellender, Thomas, Harvey, Marrison. Subs: Mayman, Leggitt, Stephenson.

The teams were presented to the Notts FA's elite, and we settled back for the anticipated football feast. Soon got bored - the first decent chance not created until the 10th minute when Marquin Smith volleyed just wide. From the goal-kick the ball was collected by Duncum who dribbled his way into the box before firing wide of the goal.

Meikle looked to be Struggling for Town, but his mazy run and cross on 12 gave DANNY HOLLAND a chance from close range and he duly slotted past Lindley. Meikle was eventually replaced on 27 by Simon Brown, and he told me at the break it was a hamstring injury that ended his participation.

Mat Bailey had a header well saved by Lindley in the 32nd minute, but it was United who scored the games next goal. COLIN MARRISON looping a header from a free-kick over Danby after he was left unmarked some 12 yards from goal. H-T 1-1

Grabbed a word or two with Notts F.A. Secretary Mick Kilbee during the interval. He related how he allocated Tuesday 11th May as the date for the Notts F.A. Junior Cup final and that as a mad keen Forest fan he was shattered when he realised the play-off second leg between Forest and Blackpool is to be played on the same date! Having only missed half-a-dozen Forest home games in 45 years, you have to feel for Mick, but duty calls and he has to be at the Cup final!

The second half was poor and for the first 20 minutes we were watching the cricket on the TV situated in the "posh" area. Our attention was drawn back to the game when Anton Foster made a darting run at the United defence. After racing across the goal area he played the ball to Mat Bailey who steered it towards the goal where David Brown flicked on for DANNY HOLLAND to tap in.

Not much else to add to the regulation time, but when Referee Stuart Richardson allocated three minutes of added time, we had a feeling we were going to be out late - and would you believe it in the 93rd minute DARYL THOMAS crashed home a terrific shot that sent us into extra-time. F-T 2-2

It was so cold that we debated about whether to stay on or not, but as it happened we are pleased we did.

Retford were awarded a free-kick 20 odd yards from goal, and Chris Bettney fired in a great effort than Town keeper did well to tip over for a corner. From the corner though, MARQUIN SMITH rose like a salmon to power home a superb header and give Retford the lead for the first time in the game. 6 minutes later Retford committed defensive suicide - keeper and defenders not on the same wavelength allowing DAVID BROWN to nip in and roll home the equaliser.

We were still hoping upon hope that one team would break the deadlock before we went to penalties, when with just 90 seconds to play MAT BAILEY curled a fantastic shot into the far corner from the edge of the box. Wonderful goal - although Eastwood barely deserved their victory, that goal was well worth the entry fee. F-T 4-3

Didn't stay for the presentations, it was too bloody cold - so a quick hot foot to the car and heater on full!!

Attendance ... not yet published

Thursday - Nottm Forest Ladies v Hucknall Rolls Ladies in the Notts F.A. Womens Cup final at Forest Town FC, kick off 7:30pm