So endeth the 2013-2014 season

The "ontheroad 2013-2014" season was not a classic one, by any stretch of the imagination. 

113 games is not a bad total for the campaign and 472 goals is a decent quantity, but some of the games were instantly forgettable.

So, as we wind down this season's blog in preparation for a new challenge next season, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took a little of their time to read the posts  and hope one or two were of some interest!

This is the 187th and final post of the 2013-2014 blog - that is a lot down on previous seasons, but still a lot of writing! My excuse? I had a serious loss of interest around the end of 2013 and missed quite a few games.

2010-2011 posts 282
2011-2012 posts 202
2012-2013 posts 215
2013-2014 posts 187

Goal of the season: Has to be Martin Lench's 40+ yarder for Kimberley MW v Magdala.

Best game: Probably Arnold Tn U19 1-3 Southwell City U19's. What a great advert for the U19 game.

Worst game: Sorry, I had to chose one, and Hucknall Tn v Holbrook St. Michaels is still stuck in the memory as the one game that made you want the two hours of your life back!

Most feisty game: Has to be Kirkby Town v Sycamore Saints - red cards, fights and was eventually abandoned!

Most foul mouthed team: Expected it to be a men's team? Oh no -  it has to be Newcastle Utd Ladies. Talk about Geordie Shore! %~@*ing potty mouths!!

Best come back: Forest Ladies coming from 0-2 down 3-2 win over Leeds Utd was good, but not quite as good as Heanor's remarkable 4-3 win against Long Eaton Utd, the Lions turning around a 0-3 half-time deficit to grab all three points.

Nil-nils?: Only one - Kimberley MW v Hucknall Rolls, but as that was abandoned at half-time, does it count?

Double figures?: Only one - Kirkby Town 10-2 Stratford Haven

Sad to see them go: Eastwood Town, T8's.

I couldn't possibly choose a "most friendly" club - there are so many that if I miss one out, I may be in serious trouble!!

So endeth a less than enjoyable season, but here's to "ontheroad 2014-2015" - hopefully for "maggie's", it will be a good and fruitful one!

Hope you all have a good break - see you in July!!!

Malcolm Storer / Kevin Goodman

TTFN !!!

Nottm Forest Ladies 3-4 Preston NE Women

Venue: Hucknall Rolls Leisure Complex, Watnall Road, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire

Competition: F.A. Women's Premier League Northern Division

Scorers:

Forest - Nastasha Meade (45), Andrea Bell (56, 73)

Preston - Katie Anderton (26, 65), Keeleigh Savage (35), Melissa Ball (66)

May 11th 2014 - 113th and final game of the 2013-2014 season, which has been far from a classic one! Hopefully the added incentive of supporting a charity next term will re-kindle our passion for the game that has been sadly lacking this season.

Forest were looking strong favourites to claim the runners up spot behind champions Sheffield Ladies, but a solitary point from  their  final six games could see the Reds slip to fifth if other results go against them. 

Torrential rain overnight and throughout the morning must have put this game in doubt, but ten minutes before kick off the rain ceased and the game kicked off in bright sunshine.

Forest: Kinnerley, McKechnie, Hollingsworth, Greaves, Kennaugh, Titterton, Bell, Sullivan, Howard, Hughes, Meade. Subs- Abbott, Freestone, Voce.

Preston: Brown, Stanfield, Taberner, Lupton, Forshaw, Walker, Foster, Anderton, Watson, Ball, Savage. Subs- Rawcliffe, Hutton.

The rain was back though ten minutes into the first half, but the pitch remained perfectly playable. Forest made all the early running, but failed to create any solid chances. They went behind on 26 when Kelly Kennaugh and Vanessa Kinnerley left the ball for each other, allowing KATIE ANDERTON time to nip in and prod home the loose ball from close range.

10 minutes later, the home team went further behind, KEELEIGH SAVAGE with a simple side-foot finish after Gemma Watson had stepped over Beth Stanfield's cross from the right. 

Forest were back in the game just before the break, NATASHA MEADE curling a left side corner straight in at the far stick. H-T 1-2

It was all square on 56, ANDI BELL stabbing past Danielle Brown after a defensive slip gifted her the ball just inside the box.

Preston restored the lead with 65 played, KATIE ANDERTON emulating Natasha Meade by curing a corner from the left straight in at the far post! 

Seconds later, the home defence lost concentration and Danielle Brown's clearance was allowed to reach MELISSA BALL who calmly steered the ball past Kinnerley. 

Forest tried desperately to get back into the game, and when Amber Hughes crossed from the right on 73, ANDI BELL raced into the six yard box and steered the ball home at the near post. 

Kinnerley made a cracking stop at the feet of Ball with 10 to play, keeping the Reds in the game. Despite incessant late Forest pressure, Preston defended in numbers and managed to see the final few minutes out and take all three points back to Lancashire. F-T 3-4

There was some consolation for the Forest Ladies - their reserves won the F.A. Women's Premier League North division title after a resounding 6-1 win away at Newcastle Town.

Clifton AW 4-2 South Normanton Athletic

Venue:  Norman Archer Memorial Ground,  Green Lane,  Clifton,  Nottinghamshire

Competition:  CMFL South Division

Scorers:

Clifton - Phil Massingham (11, 32), Jaylee Hodgson (36), Stuart Robinson (71)

Shiners - ( Shane Newton (pen 45+3, 73)

We had a few concerns over the current horrendous roadworks in and around South Nottinghamshire, so left Hucknall just after 2pm.  We also had a few concerns over how the weather was going to behave - we'd had torrential rain all morning and there is little cover at Clifton. 

Despite the tram works, we arrived at the ground about 2:40pm, and it was already very busy - but at least the rain hadn't reached this part of the county! 

With hoppers galore, and the great and the good of the local non-league game present, the attendance was huge for a CML game, although this was the Championship decider and one not to miss. 

Spent the game in the company of Richard Lane (again!), Benjamin Newman and Kenny Shinfield from Pinxton, Andy Graves and Paul Stevenson from Hucknall Town and Selston striker Jay Cooper. Rob Hornby provided the team sheets - Kev took a pic of his programme, as we didn't manage to get one.

Pre-match cuddles -- give over!!

Although it was sunny, the wind was a bit of a bugger, and both teams struggled to cope from the start, although the home team looked more up for it than their opponents from Derbyshire. 

PHIL MASSINGHAM opened the scoring with just 11 minutes played,  the Clifton striker hitting a speculative shot from 25 yards out that sailed past Lawrence Kennerson and into the far corner before the keeper could react.

Mass can't believe it!

The Shiners upped their game after going behind, and Curtis McDonald in the home goal was called into action on a couple of occasions, but the home team defended well and actually doubled their lead on 32. 

Plenty of protection for McDonald!

A South Normanton corner was cleared, and when the ball fell to Lee Torr on the edge of the box,  the defender ran almost the full length of the pitch, held off a strong challenge from Graham O'Reilly and fired in a cross to the near post that MASSINGHAM met with a neat flick header.  

Massingham (out of shot) heads past Kennerson

It was more joy for the All Whites in the 36th minute, JAYLEE HODGSON heading home a Tom Maddision free-kick from the edge of the six-yard box. 

Hodgson header leaves Kennerson flat !!

The visitors were handed something of a lifeline in the third minute of added time when Sam Leggitt appeared to trip an attacking player in the box. SHANE NEWTON made no mistake from the spot, and "Normo" were back in the game as the half ended. H-T 3-1  

                                                                        

Athletic were in attack mode straight from the re-start, although Clifton did invite them on, defending way too deep and struggling with the wind in their faces. Unfortunately for the Shiners, they failed to take advantage of their superiority and actually went further behind on 71, STUART ROBINSON given a simple tap in after Joe Carter had deflected a ball in from the right towards his near post.

South Normanton had the final word two minutes later though, SHANE NEWTON curling a terrific shot from the corner of the box past McDonald.  F-T 4-2

Admission: £3

Programme: 

Attendance: hundreds!!

MOM: Kev's choice - Lee Torr

Pics: Kev Goodman

Boots Athletic 2-3 Hucknall Rolls Leisure

Venue:  Eagle Valley,  Arnold Town FC,  Oxton Road,  Arnold,  Nottinghamshire.

Competition: Notts Senior League Senior Cup  Final.

Scorers:

Boots - Ashley Harrison (61), Kevin Walker (79)
Rolls - Jack Matthews (73), Kane Matthews (85), Harry Allen (103)

We got to the ground fifteen minutes before the scheduled kick off time of 7:30pm and were a little surprised that there were so few present at the NSL's showcase final. As kick off time approached though, the crowd had grown considerably. I have no idea of the official attendance and I'm not even going to hazard a guess! 

The first hour of the game did little to raise any hopes that this would be a blood and guts, win at all costs affair, but the final 30 minutes were well worth the entry fee. H-T 0-0

Former Eastwood Town Academy player ASHLEY HARRISON opened the scoring on 61 for Boots, but the lead was cancelled out 12 minutes later when Billy Brooks fired a neat ball forward from the right-back position, picking out JACK MATTHEWS who took the ball under his control before slotting through the legs of Curtis McDonald in the Chemists' goal.

Rolls were pushing forward in the hope of keeping the momentum of equalising going, but with 11 minutes of regulation time remaining, they were guilty of pushing too hard. After an attack broke down, Boots fired the ball out of defence to Tian Walton who got the better of Rolls' keeper Jake Pearson and squared the ball to KEVIN WALKER - the no. 10 made no mistake from 15 yards. 

On 85 it was all square again, Andy Start's cross from the right neatly slotted home by KANE MATTHEWS.  F-T 2-2

What had began as a pleasant evening, weather-wise, now turned into a cold, damp one - just what was needed with another 30 minutes to play!

The decisive goal on the night came in the 103rd minute,  Jack Allen finding room down the right before firing the ball in at the near post to where brother HARRY ALLEN was on hand to flick the ball home.  F-T 2-3

The teams

The third team

Nice to be in the company of Richard Lane again, although the "Wanderer" and Kev spent a fair part of the game extracting the urine out of my match-notes from previous games. 

More worrying for me though was that after the game I was unable to find Kev's car in the car-park. I was wandering around in some confusion until I heard Kev shout me. Now, I'm not one to be too serious too often, but this was a little unsettling to say the least. Hopefully it was just a one-off brain-freeze, but I am certainly going to be visiting my GP very soon...  

Belper Utd 1-1 Bulwell FC

Venue: Christchurch Meadows,  Belper Town FC,  Belper,  Derbyshire.

Competition: CML South Division

Scorers: 

Belper - James Harrison (78)

Bulwell - Ryan King (73)

End of season game, with little for either team to play for, and it showed!

                  

Nice, easy journey to Belper, just hit a bit of hold up at Ambergate, but I'd allowed an extra 10 minutes for holiday traffic, so arrived at Christchurch Meadows with plenty of time to spare.

Richard Lane and Scott Ward were my company again - and again company that was most welcome as the game was not the most exciting encounter!

Nothing to say about a first half, and I was hoping that we would get at least one goal - the only 0-0 this season so far was the abandoned Hucknall Rolls v Kimberley MW game back in December 2013.

Those fears were put to rest on 73 when Bulwell's RYAN KING mis-hit a shot from 15 yards out that bobbled past keeper Matt Rathbone. A draw would have been a fair result on the day, and within five minutes of Bulwell taking the lead, United had grabbed the equaliser - JAMES HARRISON prodding home from close range after Dwayne Soar had failed to prevent Sam Vickers crossing from the left.

The final few minutes seemed to last for ages, and thankfully Referee Wayne Gray only added a couple of minutes to the proceedings. Mr. Gray did appear to brandish a red card at Dan Riley as the teams clashed after the final whistle, but there was some confusion, so this can't be confirmed by the author! F-T 1-1

Admission: £1.50 (concession)
Programme: £1
Attendance: not known, but looked about 100-ish

Thorne Colliery 1-2 AFC Mansfield

Venue: The Impact Arena, Alfreton Town FC

Competition: CML Cup final

Scorers:

AFC - Mark Carter (14,37)
Thorne - Kirk Frost (28)

AFC Mansfield completed the league and cup double at the Inpact Arena. Already Central Midlands League Northern Division champions, they faced a team they had already beaten in both league games. Thorne will end the season in third place, behind AFC and Westella Hanson.

Many thanks to Eddie Pidduck for the complimentary ticket - much appreciated, although I will put the entrance fee into next season's charity pot. 

The usual suspects were present inside the ground: Rob Waite, Rob Hornby, Kev Newton, Richard Lane, Maurice McFarland, Scott Ward et al. Watched the game in the company of Mr. Waite and Mr. Ward, and as the game dragged on, and on, and on, it was great to have friends on hand to help relieve the boredom!

AFC went in front on 14, MARK CARTER nodding home a Carl Haslam corner at the far post. Thorne were level in the 28th minute after KIRK FROST hit a drive from 15 yards that Mansfield keeper Dale Sheppard managed to get a hand to, but couldn't prevent bulging the back of the net. 

On 37, MARK CARTER looped a header over Thorne keeper Elliot Redmile to give AFC the lead. H-T 1-2.

We were joined at the break by Lee Cook and Richard Lane, and as previously mentioned it was great to sort out the world's problems while the teams played out a fairly stale second period. F-T 1-2

Parking: £2

Programme: £1

F.C. Cavaliers 1-4 Selston FC

Venue: Arnold Town - pitch 1

Competition: NSL Senior Division

Line-ups:

F.C. Cavaliers- David Martt, Orlando Grindley, Mansi Duma, Rob Faulkener, Jack Barnes, Stefan Cross, Andy Danylyzyn, Marcus Williams, Liam Taylor, Chris Joseph, Sylla Aboubacar. Subs: Josh Smith, Wes Burke, William Kevin, Luke Terry.

Selston- Luke Wigley, Kieran Heath, Rory Davis, Shaun Farnsworth, Jamie Renshaw, Dominic Carraher, Dominic Airey, Ben Moore, Steve Smith, Jay Cooper, Jake Wright. Subs: Logan Bastow, Tim Moore, Cameron Short, Nick Olden, Craig Weston.

Scorers:
Cavs - Chris Joseph
Selston - Jay Cooper (35,39,81, Ben Moore (74)

Attendance: 30

This game was switched from the Cavs home at Carrington Sports Ground - I can only assume cricket has taken preference at that venue now. We never imagined that this game would be on one of the outside pitches, but the main pitch at Arnold Town's Eagle Valley is also home to FC Samba, and they had fixture v Kimberley MW ressies, so off to pitch one we went.

Great to see fellow blogger, and serial hopper Chris Bedford waiting to greet us as we approached pitch-side - his excellent offering http://pitch-side-stories.com/ is always a good read. 

Referee Andy Rolph leads out the teams

Shake

A very pleasant afternoon, weather wise and a very picturesque setting, and the rape seed adds a big splash of colour!

The home team weren't in any mood to bow down to the league Champions, and deservedly took the lead in the 6th minute. A great ball down the left from Mansi Duma found Sylla Aboubacar, who turned Selston centre-back Jamie Renshaw inside out before sliding the ball to CHRIS JOSEPH and the no. 10 diverted the ball home from 3 yards out.

Selston struggled to cope with the left side duo of Duma and Aboubacar - two worth watching in the future maybe?

Selston were gifted the equalising goal on 35 when home keeper Dave Martt threw the ball to Stef Cross. The midfielder was totally unprepared to receive the ball, and was promptly dispossessed by JAY COOPER who unleashed a thunderbolt that flew straight and true right into the top corner. 

Cooper runs in to collect the ball after smashing it past Martt

4 minutes later, COOPER added the Selston second, collecting a Kieran Heath cross some 15 yards from goal, and after looking up to see Martt was slightly off his line, the striker lifted the ball over the keepers' outstretched arms. H-T 1-2

The second half was devoid of any real talking points as Cavs appeared to run out of steam and Selston seemingly happy to settle for  what  they had. 

Selston did add to their tally on 74 though when Dominic Airey played Cooper in on goal. After rounding Martt his actual shot was way off target, but the ball fell neatly to BEN MOORE who fired home at the far stick. 

COOPER completed his triple in the 81st minute, smashing the ball past Marrt from 25 yards, the fierce shot giving the keeper no chance. F-T 1-4

 Cooper's shot also gave Kev no chance to capture it on film!

Selston actually secured the NSL Senior division title on Thursday, and as expected they received the trophy after the final whistle.