Selston 3-0 Leicester Nirvana

Date: 08/07/17

Venue: Bracken Park pitch 2

Attendance: >50 

With Selston’s Parish Ground still undergoing the improvements that are needed for them to compete at step 6 in the coming season, this game was played on the back pitch at Underwood Villa – a very good playing surface in very pleasant surroundings. The visiting team comprised, (as we were told) a mix of youth players and first teamers. What I watched was a step 6 (EMCL) team give a step 5 team (UCLP) a very tough time.I was supposed to have been at Eastwood v Holbrook Sports, but a buddy from a few years back requested my presence at the Selston game as he was manager for the day, with Craig Weston AWOL. 

Richard Smith was a hell of a footballer when he was with Eastwood Town, and he has recently taken up the Assistant Managers position at Selston. Gary Breach was assisting Richard at pitchside – together they chalked up a hell of a lot of games at Coronation Park. I didn’t take many notes, and the Nirvana line-up was completely unknown to yours truly. Selston had a few defenders not available, but in all honesty the visitors didn’t look to be a threat early doors – and any worries Mr. Smith may have had must have eased in the 6th minute, when Kane Hempshall turned and fired home after he was played in on goal by Dominic Airey.

Airey went close to adding a second two minutes later, his deft chip clearing the Nirvana keeper, but unfortunately clearing the bar as well. The visitors defending at times was poor, and on 13 they gave the ball away and it fell to the feet of Carl Moore, who had the simple task of rolling it into an empty net.

Elliott King entered the game after half an hour, and five minutes later he’d added the Selston third. After making space for himself at the far post, the ball was played across the goal to him giving him the relatively simple task of firing it past the Nirvana keeper. H-T 3-0. 

The second half was relatively dull compared to the first, but the visitors did have an effort cannon of a post, as did Airey on 72 – a terrific header that deserved more. Not a lot to add. A very competent team performance – albeit against an understrength opposition. You can only beat what’s in front of you – and Selston did that with some ease. F-T 3-0  

Kimberley MW 2-3 South Normanton Athletic

Date: 07/07/17

Venue: Greenwich Avenue outside pitch no. 2

Attendance: A couple of dozen or so…..

Kick off: 7:10pm

Starting elevens:

Kimberley: Buxton, Hickey, Doyle, Dale, Wrenn, Marshall A, Lewis, Lench, Coxon, Carter, Henry.

Shiners: Mansfield, Bartley, Jellyman, Leigh, Chambers, Marshall T, Crosby, Newton, A. Trialist, A, Trialist, Stryzewski.

Referee: Mr. Tim Gregory

Not the most friendly of pre-season games – nothing overly nasty, but a few rash challenges that are slightly out of place pre-season. Having said that, the few who bothered to to turn up and watch, were treated to a very competitive affair, with the Derbyshire side just edging the result.

Dave Leigh had the first pop at goal in just the third minute, but his 20 yard effort flew well over the Kimberley bar. Kimberley’s Conor Carter tried a shot from a similar range four minutes later – with the same result.

The Shiners took the lead with 8 played - Shane Newton was picked out in the box, and controlled the ball well before turning and firing home. The lead lasted barely 60 seconds though - Alex Marshall firing home from just inside the area after he was played in on goal by Carter.

With a quarter of an hour played, Martin Lench tried his luck with a 35 yard free-kick – it looked a bit ambitious, and so it proved as the ball sailed well over the Shiners’ bar. Luke Crosby fired a shot just wide of the far post on 26, then Referee Tim Gregory had to send Alex Marshall to sit on the naughty step after he’d been a little vocal about a decision made against him.

Carter tried a curler off the outside of his boot in the 38th minute, but Charlie Mansfield wasn’t unduly troubled and collected well. Lench had another free-kick just before the break, this time his low shot from 20 yards was well held by Mansfield. H-T 1-1

Within just five minutes of the restart, South Normanton were awarded a dubious looking penalty. Kev Hemagou appeared to have tied his own legs in knots before falling over when challenged. Mr. Gregory was in a better position than me though, and his eyes probably in better condition than mine, and he gave a spot kick that Hemadou duly rolled past Buxton in the Kimberley net.

Alex Marshall was politely asked to go back to the naughty step on 61 when almost cut a Normo player in half with a challenge. Before his ten minutes in the “sin-bin” was completed, his team-mates had levelled. Kev Davis fired in a cross from the right that Stryzewski and Danny Roberts both tried to intercept – unfortunately, whoever headed the ball placed it perfectly into the top corner to bring the scores level. I heard the Kimberley dugout mention that the goal was scored by Josh Lewis, but it looked an O.G all the way to me. 

Both teams had chances to win the game as the half went on, but it took something a bit special to actually secure the victory for the Shiners. When Hemagou received the ball out wide in the 83rd minute, he decided to take on the whole Miners’ defence. His run was superb, evading every challenge before entering the penalty area and firing sweetly across the goal and into the far side of the net. What a goal – one worthy of winning any game, competitive or otherwise! F-T 2-3

Saturday 8th July - local teams in PSF action

8th July PSF results:

AFC Clifton 2-5 AFC Kilburn k.o. 3:00pm
AFC Dunkirk  0-0 Keyworth Utd k.o. 3:00pm
AFC Villa 0-3 Stapleford Town k.o. 2:00pm
Ashby Ivanhoe Res 4-5 South Normanton FC k.o. 3:00pm
Basford Utd 6-0 Tamworth FC k.o. 1:00pm
Basford Utd CFC 3-1 Arnold Town k.o. 3:00pm
Beeston Rylands 4-0 Arnold Samba k.o. 3:00pm
Bilborough Utd 0-3 F.C. Cavaliers
Blidworth Welfare 2-2 Staveley MW XI k.o. 3:00pm
Borrowash Vics 2-4 Mickleover Sports k.o. 12:30pm @ Marston's Sports, Burton
Bridgford Utd 0-5 Bilborough Town k.o. 3:00pm @ The Inspire Stadium, Stoke Bardolph
Carlton Town 1-0 Coalville Town k.o. 2:00pm
Eastwood CFC 3-1 Holbrook Sports k.o. 2:00pm
F.C. Bolsover 4-1 Welbeck Lions k.o. 2:00pm @ Palterton MW
Harrowby Utd 1-3 Dunkirk FC k.o. 3:00pm
Hucknall Town 5-1 Hucknall Town Res
Ilkeston Legends 4-1 Ilkeston Fans k.o. 5:00pm @ Eastwood CFC
Kirkby Athletic 3-3 Mansfield Hosiery Mills
Kirton Brickworks 3-3 Kimberely MW AFC k.o. 3:00pm
Linby CW 0-6 Notts County XI k.o. 3:00pm @ Rolls Royce Leisure
Retford Utd 0-0 Staveley MW k.o. 3:00pm
*Selston FC 3-0 Leicester Nirvana k.o. 2:00pm @ Underwood Villa
Shirebrook Town 7-0 Greenwood Meadows k.o. 3:00 @ Shirebrook Academy
Teversal FC 0-1 Clay Cross Town k.o. 3:00pm

Hucknall Town 2-0 Coalville Town

Date: 05/07/17

Venue: Watnall Road

Attendance: H/C 100

Teams: 

Hucknall: Randall, Maxwell, Pitt, Leak, Jenkins, Phillips, Crawford, Banister, Smith, Hodgson, Hubbard.

Coalville 1st half: 

Coton, Pegg, Bryant, Trialist, Towers, Cox, Atkinson, Hollis, Trialist, McGlinchey, Anderson.

Coalville 2nd half: Harris, Pegg, Trialist, Towers, Trialist, Cox, Trialist, Dean, Anderson, Trialist, McDonald.

CMFL Hucknall Town welcomed Northern Premier outfit Coalville Town to Watnall Road on a very warm and humid Thursday evening. Coalville boss Tommy Brookbanks is well known to the home faithful, having managed the Yellows in their Northern Premier days.

 There were a  few trialists on show for the visitors, and it was one of the hopefuls who almost put ‘Ville into the lead in the first minute – running through the Hucknall backline before unleashing a shot from 20 yards that only just cleared the bar. From a corner a few seconds later, the visitors had a header cleared off the line at the far post, and early doors, it really looked as if Hucknall were going to be in for a tough time of it. They did produce the next chance though, Shaun Smith heading just over from Town’s first corner. Blair Anderson was played through on goal in the 6th minute, and only a great save from Mike Randall kept the scores level. What a cracking start to the game!

With 12 played, McGlinchey saw his fierce drive from 15 yards clear the bar, then Hucknall almost grabbed the opener as a corner was flicked on by Smith to Hodgson at the far stick – unfortunately for the striker his diving header cannoned off the foot of the post and the loose ball cleared. Smith headed over on 18, then his terrific cross-field pass set up Crawford for a shot, but the wingers drive across the face of the goal flew just wide of the post. 

Coalville almost took the lead midway through the half – a curling 20 yard Joe Pegg free-kick looked a goal all the way, but it was not to be as the ball crashed off the post before being hacked to safety.This was real end to end stuff, and Dave Leak had a great chance to fire Hucknall into the lead on 32, but slotted just wide after a goalmouth scramble saw the ball land at his feet. Five minutes later, Leak was again unlucky as his header from a free-kick flew just over the bar. H-T 0-0

Within seconds of the restart, Smith headed Hodgson’s cross goalwards, but the visiting keeper did well to punch the effort to safety. Coalville had made seven changes to their first half line-up with four trialists given a chance to show their worth. Hucknall took full advantage of the “weakened” opposition and were deservedly ahead in the 65th minute. Mike Banister had been guilty of overhitting a few passes, but made full amends when he picked out Matt Brian on the left, and when “Cabbage” crossed the ball into the box, Adam Nelson was waiting in the 6 yard box to stab home.

Hucknall added a second on 72, but this was a bit of a gift from the ‘Ville keeper as he allowed Nelson’s tame 15 yard effort to trickle past his outstretched arms and nestle in the back of the net.

The visitors were hardly in the game as the second half progressed, and Hucknall looked the much better team, even though they too had made several changes in their personnel. The last real action of this terrific encounter came with four minutes to play, Jordan Phillips seeing his shot well saved by the Coalville keeper. F-T 2-0

 Looked a bit dodgy, weather-wise, but thankfully the clouds were all show and no go!

Check out these pics taken by Pete Lee - used with permission

1-0

2-0

Sherwood Colliery 2-2 Bilborough Town

Date: 5th July 2017

Venue: Bilsthorpe Town FC

Kick off: 7:40pm

Made the 14 mile journey to Bilsthorpe to take in a game that was previously scheduled for 28^th June. Throughout the month we’d had near record temperatures and hardly any rain – ironic then that the game had to be postponed after a torrential downpour left the whole of the county rather on the damp side! 

The game was played on an outer pitch, and although it was sunny and warm at kick off time, it was decidedly chilly as the evening progressed and the sun dipped ever closer to the horizon. Ever prepared though, I had a fleece and woolly hat to hand and trust me, they were needed. Watched the game in the company of Tony Squires and AFC Mansfield Chairman Andy Saunders, although the cold did see coat-less Andy leave a little before the final whistle.

I didn’t know the team line ups exactly, but a lot of the faces on show were familiar, Nicky Ivanov, Ryan Perkins, Julian Topliss and Ricky Starbuck to name but four.

The first goal was scored on 18 after Shaun Smith was allowed too much space in the Bilborough box and fired the ball across Nicky Ivanov and into the far corner. These step 7 sides were knocking the ball about well and as the players were looking to play the beautiful game instead of kicking lumps out of each other, the Referee was not overworked. H-T 1-0

The Ref was called into action with just over an hour played when Ivanov chopped Smith down in the box. I reckon in a league match the keeper would have had to have walked, but the official had his sensible head on and simply awarded the penalty that Topliss buried with some aplomb. Game over? Not likely! Five minutes after going two down, Town were back in it when a corner fired into the 6 yard box caused all sorts of chaos and Liam Taylor was alert enough to stab home when the ball fell kindly at his feet.

On 75, Taylor looped a header into the back of the net, but was adjudged to have been in an offside position when he connected with the ball. Taylor did create the equaliser for Town soon after, his pin-point cross headed over the Wood keeper by Jake Kane. As the temperature and visibility were dropping rapidly, the Ref sensibly called the game to an end right on 90 mins. 

Even though this was a PSF, I think both teams will be very happy with their performances, and I have to add that the fantastic spirit in which the game was played was a pleasant change from some “friendlies” where the meaning of the word is often lost! F-T 2-2

Hucknall Town Res 3-2 Bridgford Utd

PSF at Watnall Road, Hucknall

Had a chat with Andy Saunders, Brian Franks and Tony Squires on my way to join Kev and Mr. Mac near the halfway line. Andy and Tony came to sit with us at half-time, as did Town stalwart Michael Banister - after he had finished firing a few balls over the Watnall Road stand during the break!

I have so say I was a little disappointed when the Hucknall team emerged from their changing room. The squad was made up of reserves and a trialist or two – no first team players on show at all. Many of the first team were on the pitch at half-time having a bit of a kick about, but we will have to wait until Thursday to see them in proper action.

The oppostition had some local “names” in their squad – and it looked as is Real Utd had been re-incarnated as Bridgford Utd. They are down to play in the NSL Div 2 in the coming season, but if they can keep this squad together, they won’t be in Div 2 for long! A few names that most people reading this will know – Nathan Francis, David Baofo, Jourdan Blair, Jarrod Westcarr, Tyrell Shannon-Lewis and Eugene Francis.

It appeared that the visitors were short on kit – and had Nathan Francis looking resplendent in a Manchester Utd no. 9 shirt. It was Francis who opened the scoring on 18, racing past a Town defender to get to the ball and slot home. The half was really nothing really to write home about, with Town offering little or nothing in any department, and United seemingly heading towards a comfortable victory. Francis added his and United’s second on 37, drilling home from close range after the ball had crashed off the foot of the post and landed conveniently at the strikers feet. Still nothing from the home team in reply as we reached half-time – leaving us wondering if we should even bother staying for the second half!  H-T 0-2

As it transpired, the decision to stay was a good one, as Hucknall turned the game on it’s head in the second 45. Whether the United players had given too much in the first half, or whether the Town lads got a right bollocking during the break I can’t say, but what a transformation we were witness to as the second half progressed.

Hucknall reduced their deficit on 60, Morgan Jubb doing well to nod home at the far stick. On 68 the scores were level thanks to a belting 18 yarder from Tom Hubbard (pictured below), a shot that flew arrow straight, unerringly into the back of the net. The shot was hit so well, the visiting keeper had no chance to react before it flew past him.

The scores stayed level until the final minute. United conceded a free-kick centrally on the edge of the box, and after the wall was positioned, Aaron Evans stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner. What a strike it was – and despite the player looking slightly silly after turning around with arms raised like he’d just scored the goal of the century, it was certainly a class hit and as the ref blew for full time soon after, turned out to be a cracking match winner. F-T 3-2 

The following images are images used with permission

1-0

2-0

2-1

2-2

        3-2         

Sunday 2nd July - AC Wollaton Charity game at Eastwood CFC

AC Wollaton Charity raising funds for those affected by the Grenfell Towers disaster

First 45 minute game - Team Lowe 4-3 Team Roberto

Second 60 minute game – Team Lowe 7-4 Team Roberto

On Facebook this score was given out as 11-9, but I only have notes for 11-7! I don’t suppose the score matters, more to the point was the £600.00 raised on the night for the chosen charity.

The game was supposed have kicked off at 8:00pm, and was to have been 2 x 60 minute periods, one segment for the vets and the other for the young guns. As it transpired, due to the usual changing room antics that precede these events, the first game actually kicked off around 8:15pm and was cut to 45 minutes- a decision some of the vets embraced with open arms!

Nathan Scott opened the scoring for Team Roberto in the 12^th minute, a superb take, turn and volley from 12 yards that gave keeper Darren Lowe no chance. Scott was on the scoresheet again 3 minutes later tapping in at the far post after the ball was played in from the right.

From a well taken corner in the 17^th minute, Mark Clarke halved the Team Lowe deficit, his neat, near post header flying into the net. It was all square after 26 minutes, Marek Vipond slotting the ball across keeper Sam Ralph and into the far corner. Vipond completed the Team Lowe turn-around 6 minutes later, tapping home at the far post. A mistake in the Team Roberto midfield was punished to the max by Vipond on 38, the striker was left with half the field to run into and simply side-stepped Ralph before rolling the ball gently home to complete his hat-trick.

On 42, Scott also completed his personal triple, curling a terrific effort into the top corner from 20 yards, that left Lowe grasping at thin air.

First section: Team Lowe 4-3 Team Roberto

The second period turned out to be teams containing a mixture of vets and younger players, but as the game wore on almost everyone was running on empty and it was no surprise that quite a few goals were scored on the last 10 minutes!

Team Roberto were soon back among the goals, Paulo Pileiro hammering the ball past Lowe from 12 yard just four minutes form the restart (4-4). The game then entered a phase where there was plenty of endeavour, but no end results. It took until the 25^th minute of the half before the score keeper was troubled again - Austin Wallace hitting a sweet chip from 25 yards that sailed gracefully into the top corner, giving the keeper little to do but watch and admire…..(4-5)

Goals galore followed – Jamie Walker netted for Team Lowe from the spot on 76 (5-5), then after some neat build up play, Scott Litchfield received the ball and curled the ball past Ralph (6-5). Team Roberto had their no. 10 to thank for their next goal in the 84^th minute, a neat header from a corner (6-6). Litchfield was on hand to tap home on 90 for Team Lowe (7-6), the two minutes later Team Lowe netted again when Aaron O'Connor fired across the keeper into the far side of the goal (8-6)

An Aaron Jenkins penalty in the 94^th minute increased Team Lowe’s lead (9-6), then O'Connor netted his second, clipping the ball past Ralph, after being left with half the pitch to run in to (10-6).

Team Roberto did manage another goal, their no. 10 adding his second of the night with a scrambled finish at the far stick (10-7). Litchfield completed his triple on 98 (11-7), but when Vipond was injured soon after, referee Matthew Picker decided to call proceedings to a halt. I’m fairly sure that’s why, and it wasn’t the fact that serial match official baiter Tony Squires was one of his Assistants for the last 10 minutes or so!

Ouch!!!!

So on the night we had 18 goals, three hat-tricks and over 100 minutes actual play. A pity only a few dozen were on hand to witness this splendid slice of entertainment. Mind you, it was a late start, and late finish, and on a Sunday night this may have had an effect on the numbers watching. Personally, I can’t wait for the next AC Wollaton Charity game – bring it on…

Team Roberto MOM Nathan Scott                                    Team Lowe MOM Paul McKenzie