Double header Sunday!

Game 1 - venue: The Summit Centre, Kirkby. Kick off 10:30am

Kirkby Town 10-2 Stratford Haven - Notts Senior League Premier Div One

Stratford Haven are looking likely to be the Division's whipping boys after having played three games and lost three games - conceding 19 with only 5 in reply.

Kirkby have a terrific line up and are hoping to emulate what they achieved in the league last season - unbeaten throughout the entire campaign.

The visitors lined up in shocking pink shirts, whilst Kirkby sported a change kit of orange shirts and black shorts.  A veritable  kaleidescope  of  colours!!

Kirkby line-up:

Boot, Walters, Cobb, Fisher, Smith, Campbell, Watson Kr, Cresswell, Watson K, Watson N, Bowen.

Great weather for October, and just about perfect for football.  The Kirkby players were in no mood to sun worship though and were ahead after just two minutes had been played, KEIRAN WATSON slotting home after he was given far too much room just inside the box.

RYAN BOWEN side-footed Nathan Watson's inch perfect ball past the visiting keeper on 8, then Bowen played in KRIS WATSON to add the third two minutes later.

Ryan Bowen (no. 11)

NAT WATSON fired home the fourth seconds later - controlling the ball well, before placing the ball into the net.  

Stratford Haven pulled one back on 16, a close range effort from MARC SCOTT beating Steve Boot at his near post. 

The four goal lead was restored in the 21st minute, KEIRAN WATSON finishing off a neat move. FRAZER CAMPBELL added Kirkby's sixth on the half-hour mark, taking his time before picking his spot and firing through the mass of bodies in the area.  H-T 6-1

We had to wait until the 67th minute for the next goal, NAT WATSON driving home from 15 yards. KEIRAN WATSON added his third and Kirkby's eighth on 70, then NATHAN WATSON completed his personal triple a couple of minutes later, dribbling through the defence, sitting the keeper down then beating the defenders again before drilling the ball into the net.  Kirkby were shocked again when Haven's SAM WILSON broke free and fired past Boot, but the final word went to RYAN BOWEN, a neat little back flick from a Kris Watson cross. F-T 10-2

Head count 18 ( Fredkirkbytown)

Game 2 - venue: Watnall Road, Hucknall 

Nottingham Forest Ladies 2-0 Blackburn Rovers Ladies - Women's Premier League

Back out into the autumn sunshine for this 2pm kick off at the home of Hucknall Town - delighted that Kev decided to join me for this game! We were joined inside the ground by Richard Lane and Maurice McFarland -  always a pleasure to be in the company of such  knowledgeable  friends.  

It was great to see the Forest Ladies in action again - I enjoyed the Newcastle game a couple of weeks ago, but this was a better game with a much better result, and not a single expletive uttered! 

The first half was goal-less, but in good company and with great banter it flew by. The second half was just four minutes old when Forest finally opened their account, KIRSTY ALLEN superbly controlling a through ball from Trina Greaves before firing home.

Kirsty Allen  (pic from Forest Ladies twitter feed)

Amber Hughes had a fierce shot well save by the Rovers keeper on 55, but the goal that settled the game was hit even harder!  With 15 minutes left, Forest had three close range chances blocked, but as the beleaguered Rovers defence finally cleared their lines and breathed a collective sigh of relief, STEPHANIE SMITH unleashed a bullet from 25 yards that gave the visiting keeper no chance.  What a strike from the midfielder!  F-T 2-0

Admission: £3

Programme: £1

Attendance:  Kev head count 43

MOM:  Trina Greaves - controlled the Reds' midfield and ran her socks off. 

First half action

Ollerton Town 2-4 Westella Hanson

Venue: The Lane, Ollerton.

Our first ever visit to the home of Ollerton Town - it's only just over a half-hours drive, and as we pulled in to the ground we were wondering why we've never been before....

Had a walk around the pitch perimeter to see where would be a good spot, and had to chuckle at the signs on each of the dug-outs requesting that people do not urinate!

Before kick off Westella were joint leaders of the CML Northern Division along with AFC Mansfield, having played 8, won 7 and drawn 1. 

Ollerton were 10th in the league before the game commenced, having played 8 - winning 4 and losing 4. We knew a few of the Town players, but the Westella team were completely unknown to us.

Ollerton line-up:

Louis Sprigg, Lee Bowler, Jack Beeby, Alex Wilford, Ryan Bunce, Ben Bowring, Chris Rhodes, Sam Holmes, Tristan Burrell, Craig Stanton, Jamie Senior. Subs: Jordan O'Callaghan, Aaron Norman, Callum Atkinson, Craig Waddell.

Westella Hanson:

Curtis alden, Tom Dent, Mike Hewitt, Andy Bagshaw, James Atkinson, Matt Fyvie, Alex Wood, Dave Gordon, Rob Petch, Garry Flounders, Joe Norton. Subs: Chris Spinks, Mike Bettney, Luke Metcalfe, Rob Dodson, Paul Wilson.

Strange to see the Referee in almost the same colour strip as the Ollerton team - but this, as it turns out, was the least of Mr. Jack Forder's problems as he went on to have the proverbial "mare" of a game. 

Ollerton opened the scoring their dominant play deserved in the 9th minute, TRISTAN BURRELL slamming the ball home from an acute angle. He had appeared to have taken the ball too near the touchline after rounding the visiting keeper, but the striker kept his composure and finished well. 

Great sequence of Burrell's first goal (courtesy Kev Goodman)

Ollerton gave away a free-kick on the edge of their area on 17, and although the wall did it's job blocking the initial effort, the ball went wide to a Westella boot, and was crossed to the far post where GARRY FLOUNDERS was waiting to simply tap in from close range. 

Jamie Senior saw his well-struck free-kick cannon off the underside of the bar seconds later, as the home team strove to regain the lead. 

   

Senior's effort flies down off the underside of the crossbar

As it transpired, the travellers took the lead on the half-hour mark, FLOUNDERS powering a terrific header over the outstretched arms of Louis Spriggs. 

Flouders adds Westella's second

The Westella lead lasted barely 30 seconds though as BURRELL received the ball from the restart and drilled a shot low into the back of the net. H-T 2-2.

Burrell levels for Ollerton

The home team dominated the first 20 minutes of the second period, but failed to capitalise on that domination, and the inevitable away goal seemed destined to arrive and punish Ollerton for their profligacy. That away goal came on 68, and was a flick header by DAVE GORDON, the midfielder diving in through a crowd of players to score. 

Dave Gordon (hidden) gives Westella the lead

The final goal of the game came in the 82nd minute of the game, and it was a beauty! From a corner, the ball was cleared to  CHRIS SPINKS some 25 yards from goal, and the substitute hit a stunner past Sprigg - the keeper rooted to the spot as the ball sizzled past him.  F-T 2-4

Chris Spinks' shot hits the back of the net before Sprigg moved!

This game was spoiled by the attitude of some of the players, and the lack of control showed by Referee Forder. Quite a few offences went unpunished - pushing, elbowing etc. but it was the general  inability  to control the players that caused all sorts of bother on the pitch. 

The only surprise was that it took until the 86th minute for a player to be dismissed -  namely Rob Petch, and his tackle on Wilford wasn't anywhere near as bad as some of the previously unpunished challenges. Can't see Mr. Forder gatting very high marks from either team.

Admission: £3

Programme: £1

Attendance: Head count 45 

Basford Utd U19 3-1 Buxton FC U19

Venue: Greenwich Avenue, Basford.  Kick off 7:50pm.

Really pleased that Kev was able to get to this game - not only did we see Basford continue their unbeaten start to the season, but we also saw a really good game between two strong teams.

Buxton were arguably the better team on the whole, but sharp finishing from the home team saw them prevail.

Greeted inside the ground by Referee Craig Langton,  who assured me he would have a quiet game - and true to his word, he did.  One or two players tried it on, but Craig was having none of it and kept the game flowing, a trait that at times, is not always apparent in some officials.

Buxton were alert from the off, and posed one or two problems for the United back-line, but despite all their possession and neat play, they went a goal down with 14 minutes played, JOE BROTHWELL hitting a  fierce  drive from almost 30 yards that took a slight deflection and left the visiting keeper stranded.

United's second goal in the 30th minute was a stunner!  A corner from the right was cleared and when it fell to LEWIS SELBY some 25 yards from goal, we though the left-back would fire it back into the danger area - instead he lashed an arrow straight bullet of a shot right into the top corner! What an effort from the defender - too bad there were less than 30 people in attendance to witness this super strike....

On 33, Basford midfielder Rhys Plackett was back helping his team-mates defend a free-kick, but when the ball broke to the Buxton no.5, Plackett unceremoniously dumped him to the floor, giving Mr. Langton little option other than to award a penalty to the visitors. The Buxton no. 8 duly converted from 12 yards.

Three minutes later Basford's two goal lead was restored when ANTON ROBINSON hammered the ball into an empty net after Luke McKeag's challenge on the Buxton keeper saw the ball roll straight into the strikers path. H-T 3-1

The second half saw Basford a little more in control of affairs, and they restricted Buxton to just a hand full of half chances.

Even though the second period remained goal-less, some of the play was in the top drawer, and the teams were a credit to the league. F-T 3-1

Saturday 5th October - local teams in action

F.A. TROPHY Preliminary Round
Belper Town 2-0 Loughborough Dynamo
Carlton Town 2-2 Gresley FC
Eastwood Town 0-3 Halesowen Town
Rainworth MW 0-1 St. Ives Town

NPP
Droylesden FC 1-4 Matlock Town
Stockbridge Park Steels 2-3 Ilkeston FC
Worksop Town 2-3 Witton Albion

NP1S
Leek Town 4-0 Mickleover Sports

MFA
Dunkirk FC 2-3 Highgate Utd
Shepshed Dynamo 1-4 Coleshill Town

NCELP
Long Eaton Utd 2-3 Basford Utd
Retford Utd 1-1 Tadcaster Albion
Staveley MW 2-5 Heanor Town

NCEL1
Clipstone FC 4-1 Louth Town
Ecclehill Utd 1-1 Shirebrook Town
Teversal FC 1-1 Worsborough Bridge Athletic

EMCL
Borrowash Victoria 1-0 Gedling MW
Ellistown & Ibstock Utd 1-1 Graham St Prims
Holbrook Sports 1-4 Arnold Town
Holwell Sports 2-1 Radford FC
Radcliffe Olympic 2-2 Blaby & Whetstone Athletic
Stapenhill FC 3-3 Sutton Town AFC
Thurnby Nirvana 3-3 Greenwood Meadows

CMLN
Easington Utd 9-1 Welbeck FC
Ollerton Town 2-4 Westella Hanson *
Sherwood Colliery 1-2 Clay Cross Town
Thoresby CW 0-6 AFC Mansfield
Thorne Colliery 2A0 Glapwell FC

CMLS
Allenton Utd 3-0 Mickleover RBL
Bulwell FC 4-2 Belper Utd
Calverton MW 0-0 Linby CW
Clifton AW 2-1 Holbrook St. Michaels
Hucknall Town 1-0 Real Utd
Mickleover Royals 4-0 Barrowby FC
Southwell City 2-0 Blidworth Welfare
Swanwick Pentrich Road 2-1 Bilborough Pelican

NSL SENIOR Division
F.C. Cavalier 3-1 Attenborough FC
Hucknall RL 8-1 Sandhurst FC
Magdala Ams 3-3 Ruddington Village
Nottingham Utd 2-0 Kimberley MW
Selston FC 5-3 Cotgrave FC

Bilborough Town U19 4-6 Heanor Town U19

North Midlands U19 League Divison III

Venue: Eagle Valley, Arnold. Kick off 7:55pm

Bilborough scorers: Huckerby 24, Nhdiza 35, 75, Wright 59

Heanor scorers: Ward 10, Barber 27, 44, 83 (pens), Hood 40,80

Invited by Bilborough Town U19 secretary Jev Swinscoe to this game - the 0-0 he predicted was a bit far off the mark!

Both teams have struggled to come to terms with playing regular league games, Bilborough had lost all three of their games so far, whilst Heanor had lost the four they have played. 

Only a dozen or so were present for this bottom of the league encounter, but although the game was a little short on quality, it wasn't short of goals!

The first came from Heanor's JACOB WARD on 10, a neat volley from 15 yards that was past Bilborough keeper Jack Nicholson before he could react.

JACK HUCKERBY brought the home team level with 24 minutes of the first half played, firing across the Heanor goal from 20+ yards, a shot that Lions' keeper John Foster maybe should have saved.

Then came the first of the games penalties. This wasn't given by Referee Sam Kane - it was his assistant on the far side who put his flag across his chest for some reason or another. All I saw was a Bilborough player lunge at the player on the ball,and miss both! LIAM BARBER stepped up and fired the ball home from the spot to restore the Lions' lead with 27 played.

The lead lasted only 8 minutes, SHAYNE NHDIZA picking his spot from 12 yards after Heanor had made a mess of clearing a corner.

Heanor took the lead again on 40 - a shot from distance crashed off the Bilborough crossbar and the loose ball fell kindly to CALLUM HOOD who composed himself in front of goal before placing the ball past Nicholson.

The visitors went further ahead on 44, another penalty from LIAM BARBER. This spot kick was awarded after home defender Nathan Fogo had tripped a Heanor player as he broke free, and looked likely to score. Denying an obvious goal scoring attempt is a sending off offence and Mr. Kane had no option other than to dismiss Fogo. H-T 2-4

The 10 men showed a lot of fighting spirit as the second half began, and on 52 Huckerby had a 25 yarder well saved by Foster.

More poor defending from the travellers gave ANGUS WRIGHT a free shot at goal in the 59th minute, and the no. 11 took full advantage drilling the ball home from close range.

As unlikely as it sounds, the 10 men were level on 75, NHDIZA in the right place after Foster failed to hold onto a tame shot.

Heanor re-took the lead with 10 minutes to go, CALLUM HOOD firing home from close range after the home defence failed to deal with a corner.

This time there was to be no fightback, and the Lions made sure of the points thanks to another LIAM BARBER penalty. This time it was keeper Nicholson at fault, bringing down the Heanor no. 14 some 15 yards from goal. I've been watching football for more years than I care to remember, but I've never previously seen a hat-trick of penalties....F-T 4-6

With a 4-6 scoreline, it may be time for a bit of defensive coaching for both teams, even if it's just "if in doubt, boot it out!"

The game was entertaining enough, but would have been more so if Referee Sam Kane had allowed a little more player to player contact. Even the slightest of touches drew a whistle and as a young Referee still learning the game, Sam needs to realise that football IS a contact sport and let the players get on with it. Players, management and supporters get so frustrated with constant  interruptions in play - and an anonymous Referee is by far the best Referee.

Arnold Town 3-0 Gedling MW

Venue: Eagle Valley Stadium.

Arnold Town are in serious financial trouble, according to an article in the Nottm Evening Post. Manager Graham Walker thinks that the small gates will eventually see the club fold, but the £180,000 debt may have finished the club off way before the low gate proceeds have a lasting effect.

Let's be 'avin you!!! Where are you!!!

Teams: Eagles - Walker, Hall, Price, Hayes, Hore, Smith, Spiers, Corrigan, Middleton, Slawson, Royes.

Miners: Mountain, Bradley, Spencer, Brett, Watson, Walton, Korol, Stanley, Westcarr C, Jones, Westcarr J.

A decent enough turnout for this game - and there were a lot of familiar faces in attendance, including good friend Rob Townsend, who spent the first half with us. Rob is a cracking Referee, but is currently out of the game through injury. Get well soon, buddy!

We had spent a while deciding where to stand, because on the dug out side of the ground, some views are restricted - by the dug outs! We ended up just below said dug outs where the view was passable. 

The game was only five minutes old when Arnold took the lead. A free-kick from the left was headed at goal by Danny Hayes, and although Welfare keeper James Mountain did well to parry the effort, the loose ball fell kindly to MITCH SLAWSON who had the fairly easy job of slotting home at the far post. 

Mountain made a good diving save on 28 to keep out Slawson, then Gedling managed to force a save from Lance Walker, Wes Spencer's free-kick from the right causing the keeper to leap into action. 

CHRIS HALL netted the Eagles' second goal on 34, a rare left foot curler from 12 yards that left Mountain grabbing for thin air. H-T 2-0

We had a walk to the main stand side of the ground during the break, but decided that was a bad idea as the wind blowing past the stand was a bit of a bugger - so we trudged back to our origin position - and how pleased were we that we made that decision! 

Within two minutes of the restart, REGGIE ROYES collected the ball on the left, cut inside his marker, and from the edge of the box swung a sweet, curling shot into the far top corner of the net. Keeper Mountain just waved the ball bye-bye as it sailed past him.....

The remainder of the game was scrappy to say the least, with nothing really to write about. F-T 3-0

Referee Kev Guise had a fairly good game, although the general feeling was that the Tom Watson booking was a bit harsh. Apparently accumulated offences saw the number 5 go into the book - but the actual challenge was so innocuous it would normally not even have warranted stopping the game.    

Admission: £4

Programme: £1.30 

Attendance: 111

Let's hope Arnold can dig their way out of the financial hole they are in - although if the club does eventually die, will the Arnold public, as Walker so rightly says, EVEN CARE?