Friday 10th November saw me back at the Hollinwood Lane home of Calverton MW to see Gedling Southbank entertain Bingham Town in a Notts Senior League Premier Division fixture.
Bingham are lying mid-table, whilst their hosts have found the jump from division one to the top division a bit of a struggle. The home team have some very good young players on their books, and one or two old experienced heads - that combination should be enough to help them stay in the top division. However, with the proposed restructuring of the leagues, the need to finish as high in the league as possible is paramount, and winning as many home games as possible a priority.
This Friday night game drew in an attendance of 41, every penny counts at this level and if Friday night is the way forward, let’s hope more teams take it up. We had to wait until the 25th minute for the first goal, Tom Jeffries running into the box and firing across the goal into the far corner. The Gedling second goal on 35 has been attributed to Raheem Suban, and his cross that was diverted into his own net by a defender, so fair enough. Bingham were awarded a penalty two minutes before the break, and Tom Spencer made no mistake from the spot. H-T 2-1
The two goal lead was restored when Jeffries finished off a good home team move, tucking the ball home from a tight angle just after the hour mark. Jeffries turned provider for the Gedling fourth on 71, his pass fired across the goal-line to give veteran Nick Edgar the simplest of tap-ins. Spencer netted again for Bingham in added time, but it was too little to late for the visitors, and Southbank deservedly came away from the game with all three points. F-T 4-2 Click here for GSB report
Saturday afternoon’s game was at Greenwich Avenue, home of Northern Premier Div 1 South leaders Basford Utd. They were hosting Spalding Utd in a re-arranged league fixture. For report and videos please click here. I'm not bothering with a report - details are widely available on the world wide web.
I made the very short trip to Titchfield Park in Hucknall on Sunday morning to catch a local derby cup match between AFC Dowhan and Hucknall Town Sunday. Advertised as a 10:30am kick off, it was soon apparent that wasn’t going to happen, so I headed off to the Remembrance Sunday parade and service that was taking place at the park Cenotaph. Two mins silence duly observed, the game kicked off just after 11:00am, but the wait was well worth it! Ashley Foster put Dowhan ahead in the fourth minute, then on 17, Damian Mann hit a 20 yard curler in the far corner to double the home teams lead.
Alex Stolarski was on hand to prod home for Hucknall Town in the 26th minute after a shot had rebounded off the post straight into his path. Mark Poyser’s 28th minute free-kick from the edge of the box beat the Dowhan keeper to level things up, then Stolarski had another tap in on the half hour mark to give the visitors the lead. H-T 2-3
Alex Stolarski was on hand to prod home for Hucknall Town in the 26th minute after a shot had rebounded off the post straight into his path. Mark Poyser’s 28th minute free-kick from the edge of the box beat the Dowhan keeper to level things up, then Stolarski had another tap in on the half hour mark to give the visitors the lead. H-T 2-3
Mann levelled the scores on the hour, his long range effort giving the Town keeper little chance. Tom Hubbard restored the visitors’ lead on 75, then five minutes later Poyser smashed home from 25 yards to increase that lead. Mann completed his hat-tick with five to play – this time an unstoppable 25 yarder that the keeper never saw. Hubbard fired into the top corner for Town on 87, effectively ending the tie. Very entertaining game in very chilly conditions – but 10 decent goals and for nowt, who can complain! F-T 4-6
Sunday’s 2pm fixture was Mansfield Town Ladies at home to Arnold Town Ladies at Rainworth MW. The afternoon was bitterly cold and a strong, gusting wind made for very difficult playing conditions.
The Stags ladies had a chance to take the lead just a few minutes before the break, when they were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, as the ball was smashed against the cross bar. H-T 0-0
So, after a half where both teams struggled with the wind and cold, Arnold netted just a few seconds into the second period, Jodie Ellis firing home from close range. Ellis doubled her tally on 57, but the Mansfield ladies slowly began to get back into the game, and their efforts were rewarded when Chloe Elphick reduce their arrears on 72, then Androulle Kokkinou restored parity four minutes later. The girls were all looking a bit jaded by now, and it was the introduction of Arnold fresh legs that made the difference. Chrystal Smiley hadn’t been on the park long, but her terrific 25 yard shot beat the Stags’ keeper all ends up, and ultimately secured the points for the visitors. F-T 2-3. The game was played in good spirit, and all the players have to be commended for their efforts in such demanding conditions.
