Saturday 1st May - local non-league results

NP1S play-off
Chasetown 1-0 Glapwell

NCELP
Long Eaton United 2-0 Bridlington Town
Scarborough Athletic 5-1 Arnold Town

EMCL
Borrowash Victoria 0-2 Gresley FC
Gedling MW 1-1 Barrow Town
Gedling Town 2-2 Ellistown
Greenwood Meadows 0-1 Graham St. Prims
Hinckley Downes 4-2 Heanor Town
Radcliffe Olympic 1-2 Dunkirk (champions)

CMLS
Grantham Rangers 0-1Blidworth W
Harworth CI 3-3 Clipstone W
Kirkby Town 0-2 Forest Town
Newark Town 4-0 Nettleham
Ollerton Town 2-1 Kimberley Town
Pinxton FC 2-2 Kinsley Boys
Southwell City 4-3 Westella & Willerby
Sutton Town AFC 4-3 Parramore Sports

CMLP
Dronfield 2-0 South Normanton Athletic
Yorkshire Main 3-0 Bulwell Town

Carlton Tn Academy 5-4 Coronation FC

Thursday 29th April 2010 -- Notts F.A. Saturday Minor Cup Final

Played at the Watnall Road home of Hucknall Town - Carlton Town Academy have finished mid-table in the NSL 2nd Division, while Coronation FC from Kirkby were recently crownded champions of M.A.A 1st Division. The teams had scored 194 goal collectively this season ( 111 to Coronation and 83 to Carlton), so this never looked like being a 0-0 draw!

Arrived at the ground in the middle of a tropical downpour, and the first person I spoke to was good friend and ex-Hucknall Town boss Danny Bryant. He was at Watnall Road to hand over his mobile phone and keys to the Town Chairman Dave Gamble. The next person I met up with was Kev... he had been enjoying a late dinner, so arrived a few seconds after the kick off.

Carlton went ahead in the 7th minute - no. 11 TOM HUBBARD beating Coro keeper Luke Maloney to the ball and firing home. 90 seconds later ROSS MARRIOTT added the Millers' second, cutting in from the right before lashing the ball across Maloney and into the net. This was real end to end stuff - Carlton hanging on to their lead and Coronation pressing hard to get back into the game.

The young Carlton lads held out until the 30th minute when Alex Wright tried a speculative drive from 15 yards that was going well wide until JOE PARKER stuck a leg out and diverted the ball past Hadlee Dunn in the Town goal. 10 minutes later it was all square - this time Parker the provider, keeping the ball live at the far post before palying a neat reverse pass to JAMES WHITMORE who calmly drilled home from 12 yards. H-T 2-2 Breathless first half - action packed and leaving us wanting more. Had a chat with Fredkirkbytown - will meet him again on Saturday as we visit the Summit Centre to see Kirby Town entertain Forest Town.

Coronation started the second half as they finished the first, pressing forward straight from the restart. They had to thank their opposition though for handing them the lead on 56. A ball through the middle was chased down by Whitmore - and when Carlton centre-half Josh Stones went to pass the ball back to Dunn, he found his keeper was only a couple of yards away from him!! Dunn had charged out of his area to clear and the defenders pass flew past him leaving Whitmore with an open goal - he duly hit the post - but fortunately JOE PARKER had followed his run and had a simple tap in.

ROSS MARRIOTT produced a spectacular 20 yard volley on 74 that looped over Maloney to level the scores, but they weren't level for too long. Alex Wright "won" a penalty on 77 that JOE PARKER put away superbly to complete his hat-trick.

Agian, Coronation failed to hold on - and Carlton sub JOSE ALFONSO hit another belting volley past Maloney to make it 4-4. With a couple of minutes to play, Carlton went for the winner, and after a sustained period of pressure it was fitting that their skipper JOSH HENRY grabbed what proved to be the decider - crashing the ball through a crowded area after the Coro defence failed to clear a corner. F-T 5-4

What a gem of a game -- well done to both sets of players -- 90 minutes of football at Watnall Road that we enjoyed from start to finish.

Carlton starting eleven :

Dunn, Henry, Crisp, Wilkinson, Stones, Earnshaw, Marriott, Randall, Longdon, Bartlett, Hubbard

Coronation starting eleven :

Maloney, Hogg, Golding L, Marsh, Taylor, Bottomore, Golding S, Wright, Whitmore, Parker, Golding J.

Admission £2 ( inc leaflet)

Attendance H/C well over 100

Saturday - Kirkby Town v Forest Town

End of season draws nigh...

....and I reckon some teams can't wait!

Saturday 24th April -- NCEL Premier
Scarborough Athletic 13 -0 Brodsworth Welfare

Tuesday 27th April -- CML Reserve Supreme Div
Mickleover Sports Reserves 15-0 Shirebrook Town Reserves

Proper thrashings - but you have to feel for the Brodsworth and Shirebrook players.....

Gedling Southbank 0-1 Retford Town

Tuesday 27th April -- Notts F.A. Intermediate Challenge Cup Final

Having seen nothing of either of these teams prior to this game we were unsure what to expect. Gedling were favourites apparently and to be fair they had enough chances to win this game over and over again. Only some last ditch defending and hacks off the line kept Town in the game.

Not a bad game on the whole, but it was more a gathering of the great and the good - or not so good in some cases!! Cast list : Brian Reece, Vice Chairman of Rainworth MW FC - I mentioned that the pen he gave me the other season was out of ink, and "hey presto" a brand new one is now in my proud posession! Rob "the66pow" Waite was on hand to support Retford. Adam " the Mind Of An Imp" Barlow also present - first time we have seen Adam this season, I think?

Gordon Foster is Rainworth's announcer, reporter, programme editor - and it's always a pleasure to see Gordon at work. Mark Connor, formerly manager of Greenwood Meadows and before that Gedling Southbank. Mike Kilby and John Waterall ( Notts F.A.) both had a few words before the game.

Peter Craggs, press officer at Forest Town - on hand to watch son Pete run a line. Stayed with Pete for most of the game - always worth listening to what he has to say - talks a lot of sense. Rob Townsend was 4th official, but never got a chance to speak to him.

So a cast of many and the players gave a good performance - the only goal slid in at the far post by DANIEL LAW on 31 minutes. More a social evening than a serious blog night - more of the same please on Thursday at Hucknall Town's Watnall Road ground - Carlton Tn Academy take on Coronation in the Notts F.A. Minor Cup final.

One sad note - two GSB players were badly injured during the game : from NSL forum " GSB suffered a cup final defeat this evening losing out 0-1 to Retford Town. In a game that GSB dominated, but just couldn't put their chances away. More importantly GSB suffered more injury woes, after Terry Guerbaouy dislocated his ankle and Nicky Labbate badly broke his right arm. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to both lads " As do ours.

Danny Bryant relieved of duties

Hucknall Town have told Danny Bryant that he will not be in charge of the club next season.

I suppose that with the recent string of results that this was inevitable. Previous Hucknall boss Bryan Chambers left the club because he was threatened with legal action for revealing details of the club's financial turmoil to the press. Danny Bryant was Chambers' assistant at the time and he was asked to step in until the end of the season.

A section of the Hucknall Town faithful have been unhappy with the teams recent form - to the extent that Danny's car was vandalised in the club carpark after the Bradford game at the weekend.

Link to local paper

I know nothing of the club's finances, but having to let players like T.J. Nightingale, Luke Shiels and Lee Whittington leave must have been for financial reasons. You would try very hard to keep this calibre of player.

The replacements for these departed players were drawn from the local CML / EMCL and although capable in their own right, the UniBond for some, may have been a step too far, too soon.

I am sure Danny will be back in local football soon - both Kev and I wish him all the best.

Stags 3-3 Kidderminster Harriers

Saturday 24th April 2010 -- BSP


Jake Speight 3 Kiddy Harriers 0

Ooops....

Ooops......

Oh f***

Just about sums up the season....started off ok then screwed it up big-time. A poor first half between two teams with nothing to do but play another 90 minutes before jetting off to Marbella, or wherever the fashionable holday destination is now.

Kiddy looked a decent passing team first half - until they got to the 18 yard box, then they ran out of ideas. Stags were quite content to absorb the pressure and play on the counter. JAKE SPEIGHT grabbed his first of three on 17, latching onto a pass from Gary Mills before firing high across Dean Coleman in the Harriers net. SPEIGHT'S second followed 7 minutes later - this time all his own work - the striker running into the box and slotting home. Seconds before the break, Duffy's flick was helped goalwards by SPEIGHT and although Coleman appeared to have stopped the shot, he somehow let the ball squirm from his grasp and into the net. H-T 3-0

The Stags conceded on 50, a BYRNE heading home after being left unmarked in the area. 3 minutes later KNIGHTS hit a great drive that Marriott never saw. On 73, MCPHEE unleashed a volley from 25 yards that flew into the top corner. F-T 3-3 

McPhee with arm raised watches the ball fly into the top corner

Main hightlight for me was the eyeful I got in the car-park before we walked to the Mill -- the lady in question needs to be more careful when bending forward -- mind you, she made this old bugger happy!!

Jake Speight - hat-trick before half-time

Admission ; season ticket

Attendance 2734 (144)

What made this even worse? All six goals were scored in the North Stand goal.....well over 100 yards from where we sit. These old, myopic eyes ( even with me specs on) can barely see that far..!!

Anyway, thank goodness that the season ticket ordeal is now over - seemed a really good idea at the time, and I love going to Field Mill, but pre-season what was a time of real optimism quickly turned into Mr. Holdsworth bringing in all sorts of no-hopers and other clubs' rejects.. and ending up playing over 30 different players over the season.

Time for us to concentrate on the myriad non-league cup finals coming up.

Tuesday :Gedling Southbank v Retford Town at Rainworth MW ko 7:30pm

Saturday 24th April -- local non-league results

BSP
Mansfield Town 3-3 Kidderminster Harriers ( 3-0 and they mucked it up)

BSN
Eastwood Town 0-3 Southport ( 1,147 see Southport crowned champions)

NPP
Hucknall Town 0-5 Bradford Park Avenue
Worksop Town 0-1 Kendal

NP1S
Belper Town 3-0 Cammell Laird
Brigg Town 2-4 Glapwell
Willenhall 0-1 Carlton Town

NCELP
Hall Road Rangers 3-0 Arnold Town
Long Eaton United 1-2 Liversedge
Rainworth MW 4-1 Dinnington Town

NCEL1
Teversal 4-1 Askern Villa

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 0-1 Gedling Town
Barrow Town 1-5 Borrowash Victoria
Dunkirk 5-0 Graham St. Prims
Greenwood Meadows 1-3 Gresley FC
Heanor Town 1-1 Radcliffe Olympic
Hinckley Downes 3-2 Radford
St. Andrews 2-1 Blackwell MW

CMLS
Calverton MW 0-2 Harworth CI
Grantham Rangers 2-2 Clipstone W
Ollerton Town 2-1 Forest Town
Westella and Willerby 2-0 Kimberley Town

CMLP
Bulwell Town 2-0 Thoresby CW
Welbeck W p-p South Normanton Athletic

Plumtree 1-4 Vine Inn United

Thursday 22nd April 2010 -- Notts F.A. Sunday Minor Cup Final

Another Notts F.A. Cup final, and as it turned out, a decent game in front of a decent turn out -- not bad for Sunday Footie. Plumtree play in EMPAL Division 3 - Vine Inn United are members of the Gainsborough Sunday Football League Divison 2.

Vine Inn took the lead on 34 after poor defending by Plumtree gave no. 12 shirt Daryl Hewitt space to run at goal and tap the ball past the keeper. Five minutes later Hewitt created the second goal for Vine, turning his marker before finding top scorer Daniel House in the box - the Vine hitman made no mistake from 10 yards. H-T 0-2

The second half was played at a little slower pace than the first - the Plumtree lads looked knackered and hardly troubled the Vine defence. It was the Gainsborough side that showed more going forward and House grabbed their third after 78 minutes. This was quickly followed by Hewitt's second, a simple near post header. Plumtree managed to plunder a goal from close range right at the death, but it finished 4-1 to Vine.

Special mention for Referee Mr. Harry Hawkins ... did really well handling this game. Harry is only 17 and not the biggest of Referees you will see, but he controlled this superbly was never far away from where the action was taking place. Definately one for the future.

Admission £2

H/C over 100

Kev managed to grab THE prime parking spot.... just inside the gates of the ground -- meant we were first out again and home before 10pm - magic!

Worksop Town 0-1 Burscough

Wednesday 21st April - UniBond Premier Division

Met Brian Dennett, met Rob Waite and his better half. Had a natter about this and that .....saw Worksop sub Kevin Sanasy hit the bar on 76 and also saw Burscoughs Craig Mahon slot home the winner on 92. I took a few pics, but they were all rubbish.

Came home.

Admission £8
Attendance 131

You have to feel for the reporter from the Worksop Guardian - he has to write a full page report about this game.....poor sod!

Thursday - off to see some Sunday football !! Plumtree and Vine Inn United go head to head in the Notts F.A. Sunday Minor Cup final at Clipstone Welfare.

Tuesday 20th April - local non-league results

BSN
Eastwood Town 0-3 Ilkeston Town

NPP
Ossett Town 2-2 Hucknall Town

NP1S
Glapwell 3-1 Loughborough Dynamo

DERBYSHIRE F.A. SENIOR CUP FINAL
Matlock Town 2-0 Belper Town

NCELP
Rainworth MW 3-0 Scarborough Athletic

NCEL PRESIDENTS CUP FINAL
Arnold Town 1-3 Winterton Rangers

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 0-3 Barrow Town
Ellistown 0-4 Gedling Town
Graham St Prims 0-5 Gresley FC
Gedling MW 0-1 Radcliffe Olympic
Holwell Sports 0-2 Dunkirk

Gedling MW 0-1 Radcliffe Olympic

Tuesday 20th April 2010 -- EMCL

So endeth our recent goal glut... just the one tonight, and that was from the penalty spot. It's always a pleasure to visit Plains Road, and being offered a hot drink from hospitality made it even better. Team sheets are always welcome, and Gedling produce a colour version - this along with the excellent programme, highlight the level of work put in at Plains Road to ensure your visit is enjoyable. On the playing side, the Welfare have been struggling of late, but should be ok for a top ten finish. Remaining fixtures do not look too intimidating - Barrow at home, St. Andrews and Graham Street Prims away.

Radcliffe have had a superb 1st season in the EMCL, currently lying fifth in the table - remarkable when it seems that quite a lot of their players lining up for this game were at the club in the CML last season. A case of "if it's not broke, dont' mend it" ?

Alex Haughton is a tall, sppedy winger and in the 7th minute he flew down the left flank leaving all in his wake, before crossing to Craig Anderson who hit a powerful drive the was well saved by Lance Walker in the Welfare goal.

Gedling's first chance came 3 minutes later, a Ramadam header deflected for a corner. Nothing came from the set-piece, but the clearance to Haughton saw the winger force a corner at the other end. From the kick, Anderson did well to pick out Massingam, but the hit-mans powerful shot flew just over the bar. In the 14th minute, Massingam was put through on goal only to be hacked down by just outside the box by Walker. The keeper was duly booked, but on another day and with a different Referee he could so easily have walked.

Massingham fired wide on 26 as the visitors conitues to apply pressure, and 5 minutes later the striker was tripped in the box. Strange one this -- from where we were sitting it looked a penalty, but Referee Mr. P. Dixon waved the Radcliffe appeals away, and actually appeared to be going for a card to book Massingham for "simulation"! Common sense eventually ruled when Mr. Dixon noticed that his Assistant on this side had flagged for the penalty, which skipper CRAIG ANDERSON duly despatched.

Well it was a fair distance away, and it was getting dark..

Chris Ison fired over as Gedling tried to get back into the game, but they were leaving room at the back and Carl Westcarr almost made them pay just before the break - his shot crashing against the post after being deflected by the keeper. H-T 0-1

Bumped into blog maestro "Sticky Palms" at half-time. Both "On The Road" and "The Groundhopper" blog were featured in the match programme . "The Grounhopper" is aways a good read, and as we have not seen Nick this season, it was nice to have a bit of a chat about this and that....

Kev opted for a tea at the break, and gave it a big thumbs up. Leaving the warmth of the Welfare club-house was a bit of a wrench - it was a bitterly cold night, and in some ways I am pleased the second half was somewhat uninspring - this meant that the trusty note pad could stay in my pocket along with my hands!!

Gedling had a decent chance to level on 68, but Ison dragged his shot just wide. Radcliffe could have, and should have put the game safe in the 82nd minute, but sub Matt Turner somehow contrived to propel Massingham's inch perfect cross over the goal and over the retaining fencing at the back of the goal - Kev's remark summed the effort up fairly well "two yards out and 20 yards over"!!

Soon after, Hawkes also missed from two yards out, but these misses were not to prove costly - the Referee ending proceedings after three minutes of added time. F-T 0-1

Back to the car, heating on full -- and had Colin Slater on the radio adding to the hot-air - he goes on and on about Notts Count-eh, and although he jangles the nerves, always interupting his guests and spouting about Le-use and his gurls - you just have to listen in case you miss the one occasion that he comes up with someting interesting......... ( oops -- my Stags head took over there - sorry!)

Admission £4

Tea £0.60

Programme £1.50

Attendance 64

MOM Craig Anderson

Other EMCL results

Anstey Nomads 0-3 Barrow Town

Ellistown 0-4 Gedling Town

Graham St Prims 0-5 Gresley FC

Holwell Sports 0-2 Dunkirk

Seem the title is Dunkirk's to throw away....

League table

Weds -- Worksop Tn v Burscough

Calverton MW U19 2-3 Long Eaton Utd U19

Monday 19th April 2010 - North Midlands U19's Football League Div 2

Always a pleasure to watch U19 football -- played by honest players, most with a desire to learn the game. It is to be hoped that Referee Mr. Townsend enjoyed this game as much as I did ... it was a treat to watch and although Long Eaton edged it, a draw would probably have been a fair result.

Calverton had the first 10 minutes or so and it looked like United hadn't played together before. When their manager reminded them before the kick off that they need to remember that they were playing in yellow, I thought he was joking!

The visitors did get their game together after 15 minutes or so, and after taking the upper hand, deservedly went ahead on 23 through the no.8 shirt.

This is an age for learning and United will have to learn that they cannot switch off when they go in front ... they did and were punished 6 minutes later when the Calvo no.9 rounded the keeper after being played in by no. 3 shirt "Dobbo".

Right on half-time United went back in front when their 7 jacket fired home a low 18 yard drive through a ruck of players with the keeper unsighted. H-T 1-2

Unfortunately Mr. Townsend had occasion to caution three players in quick succession in the second half, one for a tackle from behind, the other two for having a bit of a confrontation. Still, the lads got on with the game after Rob had taken the necessary action and had calmed them down.

Calverton were pressing for an equaliser, but they left too much room at the back and when the Long Eaton no. 8 played the ball into the box on 82, the no. 6 chipped delicately over the Calvo keeper.

All over? Not on your Nelly. Calverton kept looking to score and they did manage a second on 90, but with just one minute of added time there was to be no dramatic come-back. F-T 2-3

Thouroughly enjoyable game - this is the third Calverton U19 game I've been to this season, and they have lost the lot, although not for the want of trying, it has to be said.

Admission £2

Programme £1

H/C 32 --- that's 8 more than were at our game on Saturday!

Tuesday - Gedling MW v Radcliffe Olympic

Nottinghamshire F.A. - Upcoming County Cup finals

Sometimes get a little confusing around April/May to pinpoint the Notts F.A. County Cup finals.

In date order :

Thursday 22nd April / Sunday Minor -- Plumtree v Vine Inn Utd at Clipstone W ko 7:30pm

Tuesday 27th April / Saturday Intermediate -- Gedling Southbank v Retford Town at Rainworth MW ko 7:30pm

Thursday 29th April / Saturday Minor -- Carlton Tn Acad v Coronation at Hucknall Town ko 7:30pm

Wednesday 5th May / Sunday Junior -- Arnold Cross Keys v Punjab Colts at Carlton Town ko 7:30pm

Monday 10th May / Saturday Senior -- Eastwood Town v Retford United at Notts County ko 7:30pm

Tuesday 11th May / Saturday Junior -- Awsworth Villa Res v Burton Joyce (Sat) at Dunkirk FC ko 7:30pm

Thursday 13th May / Womens County Cup -- Nottm Forest Ladies v Hucknall RR at Forest Town FC ko 7:30pm

Greenwood Meadows 5-3 Ellistown

Saturday 17th April 2010 -- EMCL

A glorious sunny day and a feast of goals served up by the teams - just a pity that Greenwood cannot raise their profile and attract a few more through the turnstile. Just 24 paying customers at this game.

We arrived at the ground a little early, so nipped next door to Pelican to catch a few minutes of a youth game that was taking place there. Saw a fantastic fre-kick from one of the kids, curled into the net from 20 yards....good start to the days proceedings!

Rob Townsend was in the middle for this game, and as a Referee, they don't come much better. Again, it's just a pity that there were so few present to see Rob in action, because he is one of the more knowledgeable and sensible Referees we have come across on our travels.

Rob Townsend in a hurry!!

Rob's first action though, after leading the teams onto the pitch, was to run back to the changing rooms. Rob, we know why you went back, but that will stay between us.. !!

Ellistown looked to have the bare 11 players, while Meadows had gaffer Nev Silcock on the bench to make up their numbers.

Greenwood line-up: Colton, Branson, Harrison, Pollard, Walker, Stephens, Francis, Robinson, Bignall, Atkins, Durrant. Subs: Meakin, Blair, Silcock

Ellistown line-up not known.

Greenwood should have gone ahead in the third minute, but Atkins headed straight into keeper Paul Madely's arms with the goal at his mercy. It was the visitors, though, who opened the scoring on 11. A corner from the left headed powerfully home by RICH LEWIS. It was almost 2-0 seconds later - Rory Francis gave the ball away, and the Ellistown no. 10 shirt tried an effort from 45 yards that only just crept over the bar.


Rich Lewis rises to head Ellistown in front


Close, but no cigar!

On 21, Atkins again had a great chance to level the scores, but Madeley again saved when the striker tried to clip the ball past him.


Atkins foiled

In the 24th minute, PHIL BIGNALL made no mistake when he was played in - the big man delicately lobbing Madeley from 16 yards to level the scores.


Bignall watches as the ball heads towards goal

10 minutes later the home team were ahead, Rory Francis firing a shot from the left that somehow rolled under Madeley at his near post.


Francis is congratulated after scoring

It was 3-1 with one minute to go before the break, KRISTIAN STEPHENS this time lifting the ball over Madeley after successfully beating the Ellistown offside trap. H-T 3-1


Kristian Stephens

Meadows set off right from the start of the second period looking to extend their lead, and Bignall was unlucky to see his shot blocked by the keeper after he latched onto a superb through ball from Craig Meakin. Nat Robinson hit a fierce drive wide on 56, then Meakin played in Francis who found Bignall at the far post - unfortunately for the home team, the striker's effort was well off target.

On 70, Colton did well to beat Ellistown's giant to the ball as the away team attempted to force their way back into the game, but when the ball was played out of defence, Bignall oicked out CHRIS ATKINS who sold his marker a dummy before slotting past Madeley.

Colton holds on well

Ellistown found a way through the Greenwood defence after 83, RICH LEWIS finding space to drill past Colton. Straight from the restart, the visitors won a free-kick and even though the ball hit the bar, it was quite clearly called indirect by Mr. Townsend and would not have counted even if it had been slighly lower.

Lewis fires past Colton to make it 4-2

Free-kick crashes off the bar

With just a couple of minutes to play, PHIL BIGNALL found himself all alone at the far post and when the ball was played to him, he cracked a stunning right foot shot into the net. The scoring was not over though, as TOM HIATT rose well to head home a corner from the right. F-T 5-3

Tom Hiatt ( no.5) heads Ellistown's third

Great entertainment for £4.00. We've been marvelling this week at the quantity of goals scored -- and how strange that Tuesday it was 5, Thursday it was 6, Friday it was 7 and Saturday we had 8.....26 goals in 4 games - magic!

Lenton Lane is slightly off the beaten track, the players ought to be playing in larger crowds than 24. Come on you greens!

Admission £4
Programme £0.50
Attendance 24

Monday - off to see Calverton U19 v Long Eaton U19