Local teams in action - week commencing 31st July

Monday 31st July

PSF
Dunkirk FC 0-0 Carlton Town

Tuesday 1st August

EMCL

Belper Utd 1-1 Clifton AW

PSF
Athersley Rec 0-1 Matlock Town XI
Belper Town 3-3 Chesterfield XI
Clay Cross Town 5-0 Clipstone FC
Collingham FC 2-1 Ollerton Town
Handsworth Parramore 2-2 Basford Utd
Harworth Colliery 1-1 Maltby Main
Heanor Town 1-5 Matlock Town
Holbrook Sports 2-0 Sleaford Sports
Ilkeston Town 2-4 Notts County XI
Long Eaton Utd 1-6 Alfreton Town
Loughborough Dynamo 0-2 Grantham Town
Radcliffe Olympic 3-4 Newark Town Sunday
Rainworth MW 1-4 Mansfield Town XI
Real Utd P-P South Normanton Athletic
Retford FC 3-1 Limestone Rangers
Retford Utd 2-4 Penistone Church
Wirksworth Ivanhoe 2-3 South Normanton FC

Weds 2nd August

PSF
Bilborough Town 5-2 Radford Res FC
Bingham Town 5-0 Aslockton & Orston
Cotgrave FC 3-0 Arnold Town
Eastwood Tn Res 5-0 Ravenshead FC
Linby CW Res 6-2 Bilborough Utd
Mansfield Hosiery Mills 0-9 Gedling SB
Sherwood Colliery 6-1 Ruddington Village
Staveley MW 3-2 Sheffield FC
Underwood Villa 2-1 Ashland Rovers

Thursday 4th August

PSF
AFC Kilburn 6-1 Little Eaton
Kimberley MW AFC 3-1 Attenborough FC

Friday 4th August

F.A. CUP
Heanor Town 0-1 Aylestone Park

PSF 

Matlock Town 2-1 Belper Town 

Mickleover Sports 1-6 Sheffield Utd XI 

Teversal FC 2-0 Gedling MW ( plus a few words this weeks other games)

Week commencing 23rd July

Sunday 23rd - at Basford to see the new look Forest Ladies take on Loughborough Foxes. Forest have a lot of new players, new management as well as a splendid new garibaldi red kit. The Lady Reds went ahead in the 9th minute when Amy Dicken managed to force the ball over the line after the Foxes couldn’t clear their lines, but the Foxes were only behind for 20 mins – a superb 20 yard strike from Eva Rogers that gave the home keeper no chance. F-T 1-1

Tuesday 25th it was a visit to Eagle Valley to see Arnold host Keyworth Utd. Arnold went ahead on 37, but that was as good as it got for the home team as Keyworth levelled seconds later and added a further 5 goals in the second half. F-T 1-6. The last three Arnold friendlies have finished 1-6 v Keyworth, 0-9 v Burton Albion, 0-10 v Pinxton !

Wednesday 26th was Hucknall v Bilborough Town. Bilborough took the lead through a Ricky Law 45th minute free-kick, but Ben Wapplington levelled from close range five minutes after the restart. The game was decided by an O.G – a cross in from the right was deflected past Nicky Ivanov with just two minutes of the game remaining. F-T 2-1

Thursday 27th – Heanor Town hosted Basford Utd, and held out for 43 minutes before Ashford Dawkins hammered home from just inside the 6 yard box. United added their second on 53, a Liam Hearn shot from the corner of the 6 yard area flying across keeper Joey McCormack before nestling in the far corner of the goal. F-T 0-2

Friday 28th - I originally intended going to Sandiacre to see them play Swanwick PR, but the game at St. Giles was cancelled. Sandiacre made enquiries and managed to secure a slot at Coronation Park, the home of Eastwood CFC. Swanwick had the bare eleven at kick off, and were well beaten in the end. Goals on 18, 49 and 68 for Sandiacre. F-T 3-0

Saturday 29th – the return of league football and a trip for me and Kev to one of our favourite venues, as Teversal welcomed Gedling MW for an East Midlands Counties league game. Watched the game in the company of Richard Lane and Scott Mason.

Admission: £5 / £2.50 concession

Attendance 93

Programme £1

Free team sheet 

Gedling have more or less a new squad and managers Chris Marks and Stuart Robinson looked to have put together a good set of players – on paper anyway. They didn’t do themselves justice in this game though, but with only three pre-season games under their belts they haven’t had much game time together and will surely improve as the season progresses.

Gedling won a corner on 14, and although Steve Brett got his head to Luke Smith’s kick, keeper Josh Turton collected the ball unchallenged. Teversal should have been ahead on 16, a cross from McCann reached Sean Dickinson at the far stick, but with the simple task of tapping home, the no. 19 somehow directed the ball wide of the post.

McCann was cautioned in the 19th minutes for making a rash challenge, then seconds later when McCann was himself upended, Mr. Forder showed Luke Smith a yellow as well. On 26, Ryan Plummer and Baz Payne both went in a the far post to head a cross from the left – both failed to connect and any danger cleared. 

James Travis was booked in the 28th minute after he made a reckless challenge on Alex Clarson. Two minutes later the game had it’s first goal – a penalty fired home by Josh Radford. The penalty came after Teversal keeper Turton hammered the ball almost the full length of the pitch, and when Kurt Bamford raced into the area, Tom Crisp tried an overhead clearance that almost took Bamford’s head off. Crisp was duly given a yellow card, his punishment made all the worse when Radford fired the ball past Chris Heltop in the Welfare goal. 

Kyle Sargent was booked on 37 – yet another poor challenge, although by now some of the “simulation” was leaving a bit of a nasty taste in the mouth, and it was becoming more and more difficult to know what was an actual foul and what wasn’t. 

Teversal went two up with seconds of the first half left, a low free kick across the face of the goal was missed by all the Welfare defenders, leaving an unmarked Radford the simple task of sliding the ball home. H-T 2-0

Gedling attacked from the start of the second period, and it took a blatant shirt pull by Sam Lavelle to stop Plummers run into the Teversal area. No booking on this occasion for Lavelle, but when he tripped another Gedling player seconds later he was cautioned. Lucky boy – the shirt pull would normally bring a caution and the foul ought to have seen the player given his marching orders. 

Not much to add re the second half – Wilkinson had a shot well saved by Heltorp and Martin Holt was booked. This took the total match cautions to seven – the home team coming out on top at four bookings to three. F-T 2-0.

On The Road will be supporting a local charity in season 2017-18

After a couple of previous successful attempts at fund-raising for specific charities (2010-2011 aptcoo and 2014-2015 maggies), the “ontheroad” crew (myself and Kev!) have decided once again to donate a sum of money for each goal we see on our travels in this coming season, to a local, deserving charity. With Kev being recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, my initial idea was to raise funds for Parkinsons’s UK, but Kev thought that a children’s charity would be a great idea, and maybe look at Parkinson’s UK in the near future. 

Last season, I watched watched 285 games with a tally of over 1300 goals seen. Hopefully, with midweek afternoon games and Sunday games, I reckon that this coming season I should be able to get to over 250 games again, with hopefully around 1,000 goals seen. I have retired so can take in many more games than Kev, who obviously with health worries and family and work commitments cannot possibly get to all the games, but has agreed to donate anyway. The format will be me and Kev chucking in £0.30 per goal between us and – well, you do the sums. Any goal-less games will see us add £1.00 to the pot – we only had five last season and long may that trend continue.

This is not a begging exercise, and we're not trying to buy a place in heaven! We will never ask for contributions – we are just a couple of ordinary blokes wanting to do our bit, and with so many people asking if we are still supporting charities, we thought it may be time to give it another go. 

We have decided on the charity we are hoping to give to - we just need to cross a few t’s and dot a few i’s before it can be 100% confirmed. The charity has a couple of well known sporting patrons and should (I hope) benefit from any publicity, however limited, that “ontheroad” can provide. 

Rob Hornby is already doing such a superb job raising funds via his blog, so we don’t expect our football loving friends to dip their hands in their pockets again, but I can assure you that any contributions will not be turned away. 

Saturday 29th July - local teams in action

EMCL

Borrowash Victoria 0-2 Holbrook Sports

Graham St Prims 1-3 Selston FC

Teversal FC 2-0 Gedling MW

PSF

Be aware! Teams have been known to change k.o. times and venues, so it may pay to check the details of your game before travelling

AFC Dunkirk 3-8 East Leake k.o. 12 noon

AFC Mansfield 1-1 South Normanton Athletic k.o. 1:00pm

AFC Villa 4-5 Arnold Samba k.o. 2:00pm

Alfreton Town 0-2 Mansfield Town k.o. 3:00pm

Aslockton & Orston 3-3 West Bridgford k.o. 2:00pm

Awsworth Villa 1-1 Radford FC k.o. k.o. 3:00pm

Bilborough Town 1-4 Lichfield City k.o. 3:00pm

Blidworth Welfare 1-2 Shirebrook Town k.o. 3:00pm

Carlton Town 1-1 Notts County XI k.o. 12:30pm

Clay Cross Town 2-2 Kimberley MW k.o. 1:00pm

Cleethorpes Town 4-2 Staveley MW k.o. 3:00pm

Colllingham FC 1-1 CB Hounslow Utd k.o. 3:00pm

F.C, Cavaliers 1-1 Ashland Rovers k.o. TBC

Greenwood Meadows 1-5 Bilborough Utd k.o. 3:00pm @ Basford Utd

Harworth Colliery 2-2 Armthorpe Welfare k.o. 3:00pm

Hucknall Town 0-0 Redcar Town k.o. 3:00pm

Linby CW 1-4 Stapenhill FC k.o. 3:00pm

Long Eaton Utd 1-0 Boston Utd k.o. 3:00pm

Loughborough Dynamo 2-3 Dunkirk FC k.o. 3:00pm

Mickleover Sports 1-1 Belper Town k.o. 3:00pm

Pinxton FC (ten) 10-0 Arnold Town k.o. 3:00pm

Rainworth MW 3-2 Lincoln Utd k.o. 3:00pm

Shepshed Dynamo 2-2 Romulus FC k.o. 3:00pm

Skegness Town 8-2 AFC Kilburn k.o. 3:00pm

South Normanton FC 3-2 Mickleover Sports Res k.o. 3:00pm

Southwell City 5-3 Radcliffe Olympic k.o. 3:00pm

Wollaton FC Res 5-1 Mickleover RBL k.o. 1:00pm @ Chilwell Olympia

Worksop Town 5-0 Matlock Town k.o. 3:00pm

Local teams in PSF action - w/c 24th July

Fixture details gathered from various sources - may not be 100% accurate! 

Tuesday 25th

AFC Dunkirk 2-3 Linby CW k.o. 7:30pm

Alfreton Town 1-5 Notts County Res k.o. 7;30pm

Arnold Town 1-6 Keyworth Utd k.o. 7:30pm

Carlton Town 2-0 Mansfield Town U21 k.o. 7:30pm

Clipstone FC 1-3 Selston FC k.o. 7:30pm

Collingham FC 1-9 Lincoln Utd k.o. 7:45pm

Graham St Prims 7-2 Attenborough FC k.o. 7:45pm

Harrowby Utd 2-2 Newark Town k.o. 7:45pm

Hyde Utd 1-0 AFC Mansfield k.o. 7:45pm

Kimberley MW 2-1 Blidworth Welfare k.o. 7:15pm @Digby Street

Long Eaton Utd 0-2 Loughborough Dynamo k.o 7:45pm

Mickleover Sports 0-1 Coventry City XI k.o. 7:30pm

Radcliffe Olympic 0-2 Aslockton & Orston k.o. 7:30pm

Rainworth MW 0-1 Spalding Utd k.o. 7:30pm

Retford FC 1-2 Worksop Town k.o. 7:30pm

Retford Utd 4-0 Sheff Utd XI k.o. 7:45pm

Shirebrook Town 3-2 Newark Flowserve k.o. 7:30pm

South Normanton Ath 1-0 Belper Town k.o. 7:30pm

Southwell City 4-2 Gedling MW k.o. 7:45pm

Swanwick PR 0-2 Borrowash Vics k.o. 7:15pm

Weds 26th

Eastwood CFC 7-0 Sleaford Town k.o. 8:00pm

Matlock Town Res 0-4 F.C. Bolsover k.o. 7:00pm @ ARC Leisure Centre

Hucknall Town 2-1 Bilborough Town k.o. 7:45pm

Kimberley MW AFC 2-3 Radford Res k.o. 7:15pm @ Digby Street

Pinxton FC 7-0 Mansfield Town XI k.o. 7:45pm

Sherwood Colliery 6-1 Awsworth Villa k.o. 7:45pm

Staveley MW 1-2 Matlock Town k.o. 7:45pm

Underwood Villa 0-4 Ilkeston Town k.o. 7:00pm

Thurs 27th

Arnold Town 0-9 Burton Albion k.o. 7:30pm

Clipstone FC 3-2 Mansfield Town U21 k.o. 7:30pm

Heanor Town 0-2 Basford Utd k.o. 7:30pm

Hucknall Town Res 5-1 Mansfield Hosiery Mills k.o. 7:45pm

Newark Flowserve 3-4 Ollerton Town k.o. 6:45pm

Radford FC 5-2 Wollaton FC k.o. 7:15pm @ Basford Utd

Teversal Res 1-2 Spalding Utd U21 k.o. 7:45pm

Fri 28th

Clifton AW 0-4 lkeston Town k.o. 7:00pm

Sandiacre Town 3-0 Swanwick PR k.o. 7:30pm @ Eastwood CFC

Shildon AFC visit Greenwich Avenue for two games in two days!

Shildon AFC journeyed from Co. Durham to play PSF on consecutive days, spending the evening between the games at Eastwood Hall. Selston midfield player Ben Moore’s brother Daniel plays for the Railwaymen, and I have to assume this link was one of the reasons for their trip into the heart of Nottinghamshire. Friday’s game against Basford Utd was a very entertaining affair, ending up all square at 2-2, whilst Selston ended up on the wrong end of a 1-4 scoreline in the Saturday fixture.

Basford v Shildon AFC (Friday 21st July k.o. 7:30pm)

This game had a very cautious start, but even after just 20 minutes it was obvious the hosts were not going to have things all their own way. Basford did take the lead on 22 after a rash challenge on Kieren Wells gave the ref no alternative other than to award a penalty that Ben Hutchinson fired into the bottom corner. H-T 1-0 

Shildon didn’t let their heads drop, and after the break kept playing their crisp passing game and were rewarded on 53 when Cameron Fenton levelled the scores. A few minutes later they were ahead after Micky Rae fired past Deeney. Basford were level again on 76, a soft spot kick given by the ref after a seemingly harmless challenge on Callum Smith by keeper Liveredge. Hutchinson stepped up again, and once again fired the ball into the bottom corner. F-T 2-2

Selston FC v Shildon AFC (Saturday 22nd July k.o. 2:50pm)

Selston were without several key players, and their makeshift back line was always going to struggle against Shildon, even though they had to manage without five of their first team who had to return home for various reasons. Daniel “Bobby” Moore took just 10 minutes to inflict a wound on his brother, firing home a drive that flew past the outstretched arm of Selston keeper Jake Ball. 

The visitors doubled their advantage on the half hour mark, Lewis Dodds hammering a shot at goal from 25 yards that flew through the keepers gloves.On 37, Ben Moore thought he’d netted for Selston, but his delicate 20 yard chip over the keeper crashed agonisingly against the bar before being hacked to safety. Selston did reduce their arrears though just before half time when the visiting keeper failed to hold on to a Carl Moore shot, leaving the striker a simple tap into an empty net. H-T 1-2

It took Shildon just three minutes to restore their two goal lead, Adam Burnicle was played in on goal and he had the relatively simple task of rolling the ball past Selston keeper Ball. The “home” team offered very little in the second half, and even when their guests went down to 10 men they still had enough to grab a fourth. Burnicle was again the scorer, stroking the ball home after he had been played in unmarked some 20 yards from goal. F-T 1-4

Over the two games, both Kev and I were very impressed with Shildon who look a very good all round footballing outfit. They passed the ball for fun and even though they play in the Northern League Div One, step five in the national league system, they gave step four Basford a good run out, and dealt with step six Selston very comfortably. Had a chat to one or two of the Shildon faithful and talk about genuine, passionate people! They really love their club and I for one wish them all the success in the world……...

A little worse for wear!

0-1

0-2

0-3

Saturday 22nd July - local teams in PSF action

As usual, it may pay to check the details of your game before travelling. I have double checked , but I am not infallable - far from it!!

AFC Villa 7-2 Kirkby Athletic k.o. 2:00pm @ Arnold Hill School

Alfreton Town  2-3 Burnley FC k.o. 3:00pm

Bingham Town  4-2 Newark Town k.o. 3:00pm

Blidworth Welfare  2-3 Clipstone FC k.o. 3:00pm

Buxton FC 0-3 Glossop NE k.o. 3:00pm (High Peak Radio Cup)

Collingham FC 1-3 Newark Flowserve k.o. 3:00pm

Cottesmore Ams 0-8 Bilborough Town k.o. 3:00pm

Dunkirk FC 2-3 Heanor Town k.o. 3:30pm

Eastwood CFC 4-4 Awsworth Villa k.o. 2:30pm

F.C. Cavaliers 3-4 Greenwood Meadows

Holbrook Sports 4-1 Holbrook St. Michaels k.o. 3:00pm

Horncastle Town 0-1 Hucknall Town k.o. 3:00pm

Kimberley MW 0-5 F.C. Bolsover k.o. 3:00pm @ Digby Street

Leek Town 4-2 Mickleover Sports XI k.o. 3:00pm

Long Eaton Utd 3-1 Arnold Town k.o. 3:00pm

Matlock Town 2-2 Burton Albion k.o. 3:00pm

Parkgate FC 0-0 Teversal FC k.o. 3:00pm

Pinxton FC 4-3 Clay Cross Town k.o. 3:00pm

Radcliffe Olympic 1-2 Wollaton FC k.o. 3:00pm

Retford FC 2-2 Athersley Recreation k.o. 3:00pm

Rocester FC 4-0 Mickleover Sports XI ko.o. 3:00pm

Rowsley 86 2-0 Swanwick PR k.o. 3:00pm

Ruddington Village 1-5 Keyworth Utd k.o. 2:00pm

Selston FC 1-4 Shildon AFC k.o. 3:00pm @ Basford Utd

Shirebrook Town 2-1 Worksop Town k.o. 3:00pm

Skegness Town 1-6 Clifton AW k.o. 3:00pm

South Normanton Ath 4-1 Belper Utd k.o. 3:00pm

Street FC 2-3 AFC Mansfield k.o. 3:00pm (Charity Cup @ Cribbs F.C.)

Underwood Villa 1-1 Gedling SB k.o. 3:00pm

Welbeck Lions 3-3 Swallownest MW k.o. 3:00pm

Hucknall Town 4-3 Carlton Town - a few words

Hucknall Town’s Watnall Road ground is a mere five minute car journey, but I left home early hoping to secure a parking spot at the ground, rather than parking over the road on Aerial Way. I think that after Christmas it will be me leaving early to try and secure a parking spot on Aerial Way, after the club makes it’s long awaited relocation to it’s new home!

I parked on the training pitch at the back of the stadium, where both teams were going through their warm up routines. Hucknall had the normal-ish compliment of bodies (15-16), but there seemed to be an awful lot of Carlton players warming up, probably enough for two teams. As it transpired, they did have a few trialists on show, and at the start of the second half made a heck of a lot of changes to the team that played the first forty-five. Had a quick chat with Wayne Morrison and said hello to Carlton stalwart Brian Dennett – not seen him for a while. Walked over to the far side of the ground to sit with Paul and Maurice McFarland in front of the old press box. The Hucknall team was as expected, but the Carlton line-up was a mystery – even Mr. Dennett couldn’t help put some names to numbers.

Yellows: Randall - Maxwell, Pitt, Leak, Jenkins – Brian, Banister, Phillips, Whitt, Crawford – Smith. Subs :- Goodacre (Phillips), Beddingham (Randall), Galtand (Pitt), Henry (Jenkins), Hodgson (Whitt).

Carlton: First half: Danny Rigley, Robbie McNicholas, Curtis Gregory, Danny Elliott, Kieran Walker, Lawrence Gorman, Ben Wallace, Brandon Mptuvu, Mason Coy, Wilfried Gnahore, Danny Gordon.

Second half: Jack Steggles, Darol Lucas, Daniel Fletcher, Eddie Schoenecker, Jake Carlisle, Gorman, Jack Oldham, Matthew Newton, Jordan Wilson, Mark Faflik, Gnahore (Kyle Stovell 67)

The first 25 minutes saw the step 7 home team more than compete with their step 4 opponents, but a defensive lapse in the 27 minute gave Carlton’s no. 10 Wilfred space in the box, and his superb cross to the far stick gave the unmarked Danny Elliott a simple tap in.The Millers’ lead lasted barely five minutes though, their hesitant defending giving Ashley Whitt time to pick out Shaun Smith some 12 yards from goal, and the hit-man smashed the ball gleefully home with his left peg.

Carlton were back in front on 36 when Wilfred was able to hold off a challenge, run into the box and roll the ball past Randall. Again the lead didn’t last too long, as right on half time Matt Brian picked out Smith inside the area and once again the prolific striker smashed the ball past the Carlton keeper. H-T 2-2

As mentioned earlier, Carlton made wholesale changes for the second half, whilst Hucknall made four. Obviously so many changes will have an effect, but the pace was still relentless and the only surprise was that we had to wait until the hour mark for the next goal!

This time, a long ball forward from the Carlton backline landed at the feet of Faflik, and the Millers’ number 17 ran into the area before slotting under James Beddingham in the Yellows’ goal to make it 2-3. Both teams were intent on attacking at all costs, and for a PSF this was a real treat.

The next two goals though were the icing on a very, very nice cake! With 15 to play and Hucknall striving for the equaliser, the Carlton defense were no doubt pleased to see the ball hacked well away from in front of their goal. Their pleasure was short-lived though as Montel Gatland ran onto the ball some 30-35 yards from goal and belted it straight as an arrow into the top corner! The ball never deviated from it’s path and the Carlton keeper could only watch in admiration and wave bye-bye as the ball flew past him. What a strike – already a contender for goal of the season!

Adam Nelson’s strike on the 80th minute will also be touted as a contender – the striker raced to get to the ball with a Carlton defender and after winning the race hit a sweet volley on the run that again gave the stopper no chance. Two delicious strikes that took the home team from a goal down to a winning position, and some solid defending in the last ten secured the home teams victory. F-T 4-3.

Were Carlton at full strength? I have no idea, but I do know that the record books will show that CMFL Hucknall beat Evo-Stik Div One Carlton. I think that if the Yellows can perform like this week in, week out, they have to be among the favourites to win the 2017-18 league title.

AD celebrates!!

Local teams in PSF action - week commencing 17th July

Based on information garnered from various sources. Things change, so please check the details of your game before travelling....

Monday 17th July

*South Normanton Athletic 1-3 Matlock Town k.o. 7:30pm

Tuesday 18th July

AFC Kilburn 0-8 Borrowash Victoria k.o. 7:30pm

Alfreton Town 0-2 Rotherham Utd k.o. 7:30pm

Belper Town 1-1 Rushall Olympic k.o. 7:45pm

Blidworth Welfare 3-1 Newark Flowserve k.o. 7:45pm

Clifton AW 4-1 Heanor Town k.o. 7:30pm

Frickley Athletic 4-1 Buxton FC k.o. 7:45pm

Harworth Colliery 2-0 Bottesford Town k.o. 7:30pm

Melton Town 1-2 Shepshed Dynamo k.o. 7:45pm

Mickleover Sports 3-0 Mansfield Town XI k.o. 7:30pm

Rainworth MW 2-1 Dronfield Town k.o. 7:30pm

Retford Utd P-P Gainsborough Trinity k.o. 7:45pm

Sandiacre Town 4-6 Beeston Rylands k.o. 7:00pm

Swanwick PR 1-4 Stapenhill FC k.o. 7:00pm

Worksop Town 3-2 Sheff Utd U23 k.o. 7:00m

Wednesday 19th July

Aslockton & Orston 0-0 Holbrook Sports Res k.o. 7:00pm

Bilborough Town 6-2 Gedling SB k.o. 7:30pm @ Calverton MW

Clipstone FC 1-1 Sherwood Colliery k.o. 7:30pm

Eastwood CFC 2-3 Maltby Main k.o. 7:45pm

Handsworth Parramore 5-3 Clay Cross Town k.o. 7:45pm

Hucknall Town 4-3 Carlton Town k.o. 7:45pm

Kirkby Athletic 3-4 Kirkby Celtic k.o. 6:45pm @ Ashfield School

Kirton BW 2-0 Newark Town k.o. 7:00pm

Kimberley MW AFC 2-2 Stapleford Town k.o. 7:15pm @ Basford Utd

Matlock Town 2-1 Sheff Utd XI k.o. 7:30pm

Ollerton Town 1-0  Staveley MW k.o. 7:45pm

Pinxton FC 1-3 Graham St Prims k.o. 7:45pm

Ravenshead FC 1-2 Gedling MW k.o. 7:00pm

Thursday 20th July

Basford Utd CFC 1-2 Radford FC k.o. 7:30pm

Coalville Town Devp 2-2 Kimberley MW k.o. 7:45pm

Heanor Town 1-1 Mansfield Town XI k.o. 7:30pm

Hucknall Town Res 7-2 Greenwood Meadows k.o. 7:45pm

Linby CW 1-1 South Normanton FC k.o. 7:00pm

Welbeck Lions 3-1 Maltby Main k.o. 7:00pm

Friday 21st July

AFC South Wingfield 4-2 Swanwick PR k.o. 6:45pm @ Tibshelf School

Basford Utd 2-2 Shildon FC k.o. 7:30pm

Hall Green Utd 2-1 Retford Utd k.o. 7:00pm

Saturday 15th July - local teams in PSF action

I have checked the match details, but you may want to check them yourselves before leaving for you game of choice. Please don't blame me if it all goes tits-up!

AFC Bentley 2-4 Staveley MW

AFC Dunkirk 0-3 Arnold Town 

AFC Villa 9-3 Netherfield Seniors

Alfreton Town 1-0 F.C. Halifax Town

Basford Utd 0-2 Notts County 

Bingham Town 0-7 Gedling MW 

Blidworth Welfare 2-1 Selston FC

Buxton FC 1-1 Port Vale 

Dunkirk FC 1-3 Nottm Forest XI

Eastwood CFC Res 0-0 Gedling SB 

Eastwood CFC 3-3 Heanor Town 

F.C. Cavaliers 3-0 Newark Town 

Gresley FC 3-1 Mickleover Sports 

Holbrook Sports 4-2 Hilton Harriers

Hucknall Town 3-1 Pat Samba XI 

Kirkby Athletic 3-3 Town Mill Legends 

Kirton BW 3-2 AFC Kilburn

Linby CW Res 6-1 Newark FC Res 

Linby CW 1-1 Newark FS 

Matlock Town 3-1 Mansfield Town XI 

Retford Utd 0-2 Ossett Town

Rossington Main 3-1 AFC Mansfield

Sandiacre Town 0-3 Borrowash Vics

Shepshed Dynamo 2-3 Hinckley AFC 

Southwell City 2-11 Clifton AW

Stapleford FC 3-4 Beeston Rylands 

Swanwick PR 0-5 South Normanton Ath

Teversal FC 2-3 F.C. Bolsover 

Underwood Villa 4-3 Holbrook Sports Res 

Welbeck Lions 4-1 Staveley MW Res

West Bridgford 1-4 Long Eaton Utd

Worksop Town 0-0 Swallownest MW 

Eastwood CFC 2-1 Staveley MW

Date: 12/07/17

Venue:  Coronation Park, Eastwood

Kick off: 7;45pm

Attendance: >50

Eastwood CFC welcomed Staveley MW to their Coronation Park home, and gave their step 5 visitors a stiff challenge, grabbing the winning goal in the 89th minute. I've known Eastwood manager Dave Marlow and Staveley supremo Brett Marshall for many years - Dave was previously with Linby CW and Arnold Town before taking charge at Eastwood, whilst Brett has managed at several clubs, Blidworth, Hucknall Town and Retford Utd to name but three. 

This step 7 v step 5 contest looked an away banker on paper - but PSF can throw up some unlikely results and with the look on Marshall's face after the final whistle, I don't think I would have enjoyed being in the Staveley changing room post-match!

Chay Betteridge need treatment on 14 after colliding with keeper Matty Leese, but shortly  after play resumed, Staveley took the lead through Micky Collins. A free kick was pumped upfield by Leese, and after a couple of touches the ball was rolled into the box to where Collins was on hand to slot home from 10 yards. The referee awarded a penalty kick to Staveley after Jack Walker appeared to barge into a Staveley player.  It took the ref a few moments to make his mind up, but after looking at the video, it looks to have been the correct decision. Nathan Benger stepped up and although he struck the ball well enough, Walker guessed correctly, diving to his right to save. 

Jamie Thomas tried his luck from 20 yards with 25 played, but Leese saved well, and when Thomas played in Joe Butler a few minutes later, the keeper was the Staveley saviour again, claiming the ball at the strikers feet. The same combination of Thomas and Butler were responsible for the Eastwood equaliser on 32. Thomas's forward run was picked out superbly by Jack James and although his shot was scuffed, it rolled across the goal to where Butler was waiting to tap into the empty net from a couple of yards out. 

 Walker penalty save

Danny Hayes saw his drive cannon off the bar on 35, then seconds later Thomas had another shot well saved by Leese.  Butler thought he'd given the Red Badgers the lead with seconds of the first half remaining, but after his terrific run through the visiting defence gave him room to fire at goal, the final shot rolled agonisingly wide of the far upright. H-T 1-1 

Butler had a shot at goal within four minutes of the restart, but the effort was deflected out for a corner. Staveley's best chance arrived some 5 minutes later, but after Ash Rawson's initial effort was blocked by Walker, it took a brave sliding challenge by Billy Brooks to kill off the danger. Jack Smith had a shot well saved by Leese, and with an hour played Butler fired wide after making yet another run at the Staveley defence.

Smith tried his luck again on 77, but Leese was equal to the shot and tipped over for a corner. At the other end, Danny Tring had to be alert in the Eastwood area with 10 to play, blocking Benger efforts twice before the ball was hacked away to safety.

On 86, Sam Meakin played Butler in on goal, but after controlling the ball well the strikers effort flew just wide.  The game was settled in the final minute when Thomas picked out Butler on the edge of the area. The frontman hit the ball well enough, but Leese was able to divert the ball way from goal - only to see that Thomas had continued his run into the box and was able to steer the ball home from a tight angle.  F-T 2-1.

Click here for a two minute ECFC video 

Basford Utd 2-0 Mansfield Town XI

Date: 11/07/17

Venue:  Greenwich Avenue 3G

Kick off : 7:30pm

Me and Kev have recently purchased Basford Utd season tickets, and all pre-season home games were included in the price, so despite their being several other games of interest locally, we opted to go and take in a "freebie" at Greenwich Avenue.  With rain falling throughout the day, the 3G surface also guranteed the game would be on. As it transpired though, only two local games were lost the the weather -  with most grass pitches welcoming a good watering after the recent drought.  

Made our way over to the stand on the far side of the pitch - always a good view until thoughtless others decide to stand in front of you - this time though the offenders quickly realised they were blocking our view and decided to relocate. 

This was our first chance to see a Basford team with the recent recruits, Laurie Wilson, Dom Roma and Liam Hearn included - a trio of signings that should bolster the defence (Roma), the midfield ( Wilson) and attack (Hearn). 

A minutes silence before kick off was well observed - in memory of Mansfield Town academy physio Matt Salmon who sadly passed away in May.

Hearn had his first chance to show his attacking prowess in just the third minute, but his well placed shot was well saved by the Stags' keeper. He forced the keeper into action again on 12, but again the stopper saved his first shot and his follow up effort. 

I watched the Mansfield younsters quite a lot last season, and although half-a-dozen have recently signed first team forms, it is difficult to see them making the break through into a League 2 starting eleven. Manager Steve Evans has brought in more or less a whole new first team squad at Field Mill, and I would imagine the players on show tonight will remain on the fringe throughout the coming season. 

Saul Deeney had to palm a header over the bar with half-an-hour played, but in reality with Wilson and Reid both outstanding in the centre of the park, and the protection they offered top notch, the Basford back line was rarely troubled. H-T 0-0

Basford made several changes as the second half progressed, two trialists, Reece Bertram, Ashley Grayson, Deon Meikle, Jake Wood and Kieran Wells all getting a run out. It was Wells who opened the scoring for the home team on 68, a corner fired in from the right headed powerfully home from 6 yards, much to the delight of the Basford faithful.

Image courtesy Chris Munroe

The Stags had also made several changes, but still found it difficult to trouble the Basford back line overly much. With just a few minutes remaining, Wells made a surging run into the Stags penalty area, He picked out one of the trialists in front of goal, and although the Town keeper did well to block the trialists shot, he couldn't hold onto the ball. As a top striker should do, Wells had carried on his run into the six yard box and with lightning quick reactions, managed to stab the loose ball over the line to chalk up his and Basford's second of the night. F-T 2-0

Basford starting eleven : Saul Deeney, Fabian Smith, Jamie Walker, Laurie Wilson, Lewis Carr, Dom Roma, James Reid, Rob Doolan, Liam Hearn, Callum Smith, Gideon Asiedu Boateng.