Gedling MW 6-1 Wollaton PSF

Tuesday 30th June - Plains Road.

Jordan Smith put Wollaton ahead inside the first minute, capitalising on some very poor defending before firing the ball past James Mountain.

Welfare were level on 20 though, Tom Watson making a terrific run down the right before picking out Jarrod Westcarr, who made no mistake firing past Paul Stanhope at the far post.

Jarrod created the next goal for Gedling after 35, his neat ball finding brother Carl who was surprisingly left all on his own in front of the goal.  Tom MacDonald beat all the Wollaton defenders twice before firing the home team further ahead with seconds of the first half remaining.  H-T 3-1

Luke Stanley added the fourth for Welfare in the 62 minute, then twinkle-toed Cameroonian Manude Nsumbu saw his shot deflected into the Wollaton net by a defender. Stanley was credited with the sixth Gedling goal, but it should be given to the stand in Wollaton keeper, who tried kicking Stanley's shot away but somehow ended up curling it into his own net... F-T 6-1

Spent the first half being entertained by South Normanton's Brian Franks, whilst the second half was spent in the always friendly company of Gedling stalwart's Tony Hay and Ian Williams. 

Eastwood Town 3-1 Heanor Town PSF

Fund-raiser for the Help for Heroes charity.  Well attended and I reckon a fair few bob was raised! We've not been able to get to many PSF's, but it's about time we started re-kindling the enthusiasm that was present before last season's disastrous season.

This game gave us a chance to meet a few old friends, and also gave us the chance to look at the team line-ups as they both enter new eras.  Eastwood were relegated from the Evo-Stik Premier Division last season, so need to re-group, whilst Heanor have undergone several backroom changes and have virtually a new team from the one that competed so well in their first season in the NCEL Premier Division.

Thanks to Steve Peat for the team-sheet - and the half time sarnies!!! Very nice...

Most of the players on both sides were well known to "On The Road". One really good signing for the Badgers is Keiran Wells. We've know Keiran for a while now, and although people may find him a little brash at times, this lad can play - and is almost certain to grab 20 goals this coming season - if he plays.

Heanor have captured the services of Nick Hall from Carlton Town - another fine player who should do well in the Lions' midfield.  A few Heanor players were absent - attending keeper Mark Frost's wedding in Agia Napa......

The first half was, in all honesty, very poor. The highlight being a 25 yard snap-shot from Hall that crashed off the foot of keeper Alex Malong's post. H-T 0-0

Invited into the directors Lounge for sarnies and a cup of tea at half-time - very nice, Steve, thank you.

The start of the second half was more or less a continuation of the first, although Wells missed a sitter soon after the restart - failing to connect in front of an empty net. After NICK HALL nodded the visitors ahead at the far post on 67, Eastwood pulled their socks up and began to look like they could play a bit. 

Wells collected the ball out wide in the 77th minute and took on Heanor centre-back Ryan Brooker. After he left the defender for dead, he crossed to the far stick where PAUL RILEY was on hand to slide home the equaliser. 

LIAM GARNER side-footed home from 12 yards three minutes later after he found space in the box. WELLS had the chance to run at Ross Cherry in the Lion's goal seconds later and the striker calmly took the ball past the keeper before slotting home.  F-T 3-1

Pleasant afternoon - we will be at visiting Coronation Park occasionally during the coming season to see how the team is progressing - and as usual, will take in our fair share of games at the Town Ground.

Pre-season fail !!!

Pre-season games have been few and far between for "On The Road". Various reasons, but we hope to get the wheels turning again in the coming week. Not sure if we can make the Basford v Loughboro Dynamo game on Tuesday, but should be at the Blidworth v Thoresby game on Thursday, and the Eastwood v Heanor game on Saturday.

Basford Utd 5-1 Gedling MW (PSF)

The first pre-season game for the hosts, after no fewer than ten training sessions!  The Basford squad looks very strong - with several new players added as they prepare to start their first season in NCEL Premier Division.

 

The list of names should make other NCELP teams take a serious look at United's intent for the coming season. 

I didn't know all the players, but when you add - Curtis McDonald, Fabian Smith, Ashley Dyce, Martin Holt, Aidan Brady, David Baofo, Martin Carruthers, Jack Davis, Richard Harrison, Cashel Walters, Courtney Hastings and Dan Jackson - to Joe Ward, TJ Nightingale, Phil Massingham, Ali Barcherini, Jermaine Hollis, this looks to be a terrific squad.

Gedling have also added several players, including the Westcarr brothers, Carl and Jarred. Will Heath will add experience to the Miners' squad, as will keeper James Mountain.  Josh Royce has signed, but wasn't available for this game.

Martin Carruthers' glancing header from a corner put the home team ahead on 8, then Martin Holt doubled the score on 19, another header from a corner. 

Carl Westcarr headed home a superb Will Heath cross on 41 to reduce the visitors' arrears. H-T 2-1

Courtney Hastings came on at the break and scored on the hour mark, prodding home from close range. Hastings was on target again 5 minutes later, then completed his personal treble on 75, firing past James Mountain from the spot after Dan Jackson was tripped in the area. F-T 5-1

Decent game for a PSF - even in the blistering heat.

Linby CW 0-2 Grantham Town PSF

Linby hosted Evo-Stik outfit Grantham Town in a hastily arranged pre-season friendly on Thursday evening.

Several home team players were unable to make the game, but they still gave the Gingerbreads a good workout.  Goals from Deon Meikle and Kallum Smith in the first half saw the Lincolnshire team win the game, but Linby boss Dave Marlow has to be more than happy with his team's performance - especially after their poor showing against Sherwood Colliery on Tuesday.

Bonus game on 11th July!

Linby CW FC have asked me to publicise that they have agreed to entertain Grantham Town at Church Lane on Thursday 11th July, after the Lincolnshire outfit's scheduled game v AFC Hucknall was cancelled. Kick off at Church Lane 7:15pm.

Should be lots of familiar faces on show for the Gingerbreads. Managed by Gary Sucharewycz, the club has the services of Deon Meikle, Ali Asher, Karl Demidh, Massiah McDonald, Nathan Watson, Paolo Pilliero, Romaine Graham, Jake Turner, Adie Hawes and Dan Haystead. Should be interesting!!

Linby lost their first pre-season game on Tuesday 2-0 to Sherwood Colliery - two first half goals enough for the Colliers.

Season 2013-2014

POST AMENDED ! Took me ages to put the original post together - then I was told I had been greatly mis-informed - and I should know better....the CMFL is not, repeat not to have roll on -roll off subs for season 2013-2014.

July sees the bearded wonder and the daftlad trying to shake off that closed season malaise that always reappears after the dying embers of the season past finally splutter into nothing more than faded memories. 

We had a really bad 2012-2013 season - the Hucknall Town saga killed what promised to be another fine season. We were determined to "tick off" several new venues - using the fuel money saved by having a season ticket at Watnall Road to travel a little further afield. Ill health and growing lack of interest put paid to that idea - we actually failed to visit a single new ground last season!

Hopefully I can persuade Kev to join me in buying a members season ticket for Basford Utd for the up-coming season - has to be the best value going.  All NCELP games covered, programme included, all the U19 games covered and 25% off all food and drink bought either in the clubhouse or the ground. We can then visit a few new grounds - a lot of Leicestershire grounds are still on the to do list - with Loughborough Dynamo the top of that list. We promised our good friends and Dynamo stalwarts Barry and Judith we would visit at least once next season.....

July pre-season looks like this (all dates/times/matches subject to change) - please don't blame the author if you get there and the game isn't actually on or kick off time has changed!!!!!

Tuesday 9th Linby CW v Sherwood Colliery ko 7pm

Saturday 13th Basford Utd v Geling MW ko 3pm

Tuesday 16th Linby CW v Loughborough Dynamo 7pm

Wednesday 17th Clipstone v Mickleover Sports 7:45pm

Saturday 20th Teversal v Pinxton 3pm

Tuesday 23rd Basford Utd v Loughborough Dynamo 7:45pm

Thursday 25th Blidworth W v Thoresby CW 7:45pm

Saturday 27th Eastwood Town v Heanor Town 3pm

Tuesday 30th Gedling MW v Wollaton 7:30pm

August

3rd Clipstone v Matlock Town 3pm

6th Blidworth W v Ashland Rovers 7:45pm

NCEL / EMCL kick off on the 10th.