CARLTON ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES AT ILKESTON

ILKESTON TOWN 2 CARLTON TOWN 4
NPL S.E. @ THE NEW MANOR GROUND
26 DECEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF THAT TERRACING AT THE NEW MANOR GROUND

Neighbours Carlton Town showed no festive joy as they put in a quality performance down the street at neighbours Ilkeston Town to make it look like it was the Derbyshire outfit who had eaten too many of the tinned sweets over the Christmas period.  A lacklustre opening had seen The Robins lead before a period of eight minutes before half time provided clinical finishing and a 3-1 lead at the break for the visitors that all but wrapped up the three points there and then.
After a lovely bright Christmas Day celebrations completed and the early risers of Boxing Day would find a return to normal for the football fans wet, dark and downright miserable which could probably describe me and most non league fans not just the weather [poor photos excuse again here].  With games off all over the East Midlands hope was held out that Ilkeston whose pitch survied all last season without a call off, I believe, would not be adversely affected by the persistent rain and with a courtesy lift from Mr R of the refereeing parish I was in the right place for any information, with many thanks. 
Ilkeston had been a haunt many years back as far as The West Midlands Regional League and then the days of Nicky Law as manager so The New Manor Ground to give it its current name is reasonably well known.  Like the ground the club has many former monikers and to go into them all would take up too much space lots of ups and lots of downs for a club that really should be playing with the top of the tree clubs, backed up by some ever large attendances it remains a crying shame that nobody seems able to bring stability to The Robins.  To that end the club have recently recruited Martin Carruthers as the latest hot seat resident fresh from Quorn in The UCL where he was starting to pull up trees and formerly the on field guidance of Basford United and their euphoric rise.  With the club on the crest of a mini slump he has worked well before and it remains to be seen if he can arrest the slide here but if he can he will have a great supporter backing of that there is no doubt.
Recent visits to Ilkeston have been for midweek reserve fixtures and I probably haven't seen a first team game for a little while so a brief descriptor is in order.  Entry behind the goal shows up immediately the obscurely placed clock tower stand rising high in the far corner above the changing rooms with of course a large timepiece in the corner as part of a tower forming its name.

THE MUCH PHOTOGRAPHED CLOCKTOWER STAND

Before this is a small stand of a few rows variety with the far goal being serviced by an excellent modern covered stepped terrace for the full width of the ground.  The right hand side offers the large club house and hospitality rooms this was the former changing rooms side and dug outs both of which have now re located to the opposite side coming back towards out entrance a less showy cover
hanging over a flat terrace offers cover.  The ground has a couple of catering facilities and one of the highlights was The Hatch which for some reason, probably research, I had to visit twice today.  The club shop is a little disorientated and could do with a reforming as there appears to be a lot of potential customers with a crowd of 468 today and a poor afternoon that would probably have pulled in 700 or so had it not been so wet many looking to purchase.
Following the circuit it was good to catch up with Glyn again after our recent chats at Radford and Basford shortly after along came his mate who had just made it in time after Mickleover Sports game was called off just before 2pm by the match official upon arrival.

ILKESTON CAPTAIN DANIEL RACCHI SORTS OUT SOME MID GAME TACTICS

With both sides vying for a play off spot and Ilkeston already in the zone all looked set for a cracking local derby however the opening exchanges seemed to declare nobody had told the players it was agricultural stuff to say the least.  The deadlock was broken when the much travelled Kieran Wells met a cross off the left on 21 minutes to head home a superb effort to give Ilkeston the lead and from there I expected a home win to be honest.  Return to mediocrity until 37 minutes referee Hall pointed to the spot after a foul on the edge of the box and Carlton had a chance to pull level Tom Maddison crashed his spot kick off the post but Tyler Johal rescued his blushes when he was first to react and fired home the lose ball.  Two minutes later Johal got his second when he headed home in front of goal and then on the stroke of half time Carlton had turned this game on its head after neat play down the right Aaron Opoku lifted the ball over the Ilkeston keeper Ross Durrant and the back of the net rustled shortly afterwards.
An amazing section of play and the half time whistle couldn't arrive quickly enough for The Robins for Carlton they celebrated as though they couldn't believe it and only a few of the home crowd could rise out of their shock to issue a few boos as the home players trooped off.
Freshly restored after a resounding team talk and within two minutes of the restart after the Carlton keeper Jack Steggles cleared off his line Daniel Freeman was on hand to reduce the deficit and when moments later Wells flying header, although I'm told it was his shoulder by people nearer than me, missed the target by inches the comeback was on.

ASSISTANT REFEREE REES THROWING SOME SHAPES ON THE ROLLING ROAD TOUCHLINE

That was until the visitors absolutely nailed the three points to the door when with twenty minutes remaining Oliver Clarke made it 4-2 from close range after Ilkeston struggled to clear their lines.  The home side had lost all the air in their balloon now and looked a deflated side with little to offer in the way of any comeback previously looking possible and Carlton more than comfortably played out to ninety minutes and local bragging rights for today anyway something their small band of supporters would probably not have expected at five to three but nothing more the club deserved after their players efforts.
For Ilkeston there is work to be done on a side that looks disjointed and out of touch all over the park its the challenge for new manager Carruthers and one by his past record that he is more than capable of solving he just needs a little time, I'm afraid Ilkeston fans and once he gets it right watch the supporters flock back in even larger numbers to follow one of the big boys of the local non league scene.

HYDE...ING FOR BASFORD

BASFORD UNITED 1 HYDE UNITD 4
NPL PREMIER @ GREENWICH AVE
21 DECEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

BASFORD UNITED AND GREENWICH AVE AWAITS THE TEAMS

Hyde United showed absolutely no festive spirit towards their hosts as they stormed into a four goal advantage just past the half hour mark and to make matters worse for Basford they were reduced to ten men three minutes before the break when Liam Bateman was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge.
With festivities nearly upon us you would have hoped for a change in the weather sadly not though with last midweek being devoid of any games and todays schedule curtailed due to the wet stuff yet again the safe option of some good old 3g was selected at Basford on the northern side of Nottingham this time.  Having sung the praises of the new X1 service this week was a time to sweep all that under the carpet as it failed to arrive due to a little local mechanical difficulties in spire town, thankfully Trent Barton was on hand with The Comet flying me to Alfreton before a change onto an all stopping service.  Jumping off an unusually quite Rainbow 1 saw a brief ten minute walk in a dry but dark day, there's the picture excuse in already, which we see the floodlights illuminated before kick off.

REFEREE O CONNOR TURNS DOWN AN EARLY SELFIE REQUEST

Arriving at Basford for a step three game, way above my normal remit, saw a degree of excitement for a club that I had seen quite a few mid week games at over the last couple of seasons mainly thanks to Mr Storer of  'On the road blog' for the continued fixture guidance and so I will not enter into swathes of ground description because its been done before.  The proprietor of the said blog was as is normal in attendance today and by the end of the first half was substituted after a footballing injury, even though he was stood on the terraces, while updating on his phone a rogue ball flew out of play struck a stanchion and the beautiful face of local football that is Malcolm Storer stopped it.  He will have some bruising and a enlarged hooter but here full credit must go to Basford and their physio team who came to check on him during the incident and at half time, well done.
The ground and indeed the club has developed at a tremendous pace under the excellent Chairmanship of Chris Munroe and looking back to where they were just a short while ago they have been clearly been under a rewarding stewardship.  There is no real focal point at Greenwich Avenue both internal or external but the club are in the process of collating some grants and hope to develop shortly a large seated stand and terrace to advance the capacity and type of accommodation.  What has been a much appreciated improvement is the new snack bar which was well controlled today by the two ladies and also is large enough for people to queue within not having to join the normal crush at most grounds and so today it was time to sample the chip cobs, hurrah.  As ever the club issued an excellent programme although todays was a double issue covering the New Yars Day fixture with Grantham.

A RARE BASFORD ATTACK SAFELY GATHERED BY HYDE NUMBER ONE LUKE MEWITT

So by the time kick off came around I had taken up position with Mr O of the Burnley persuasion and awaited with anticipation to see if third placed Basford could go top by the end of proceedings.  At half time it was also good to catch up with local hopper Glyn who I had met the previous week at Radford and discussed many a thing sporting and the like. Hyde had clearly not read the script they had got out of the traps sharply and took the lead after seven minutes when a right sided corner from Paddy Lane flew in off an attempted goal line clearance from Bateman.  Ten minutes on and the visitors doubled their lead when a superb cross field ball from Liam Tongue found Dan Turner who took the ball down made space for the shot and fired across home keeper Kieran Preston into the
far corner of the Basford goal.  Hyde looked sharper all over the pitch and were closing down the
home side with a real attention to detail as they tried to get any moves going and it came as no surprise when they scored a third on 25 minutes following good work on the right the ball fell to Connor Hughes who fired home unmarked just inside the box.  The disaster that was this first half for the home side was complete on 35 minutes when Turner headed a back post header against the woodwork when he should have scored but luckily for him the ball fell straight back to him and he lashed the ball home.  Fears of a repeat of Hyde scoring eight last season at Greenwich Avenue circulated but this is where the scoring was to end for the visitors.

REFEREE O ONNOR HAS A BIT MORE EXPLAINING TO DO

Former Forest and now Basford manager Steve Chettle looked stunned much like the crowd of 259 were and any potential of a great comeback in the second half disappeared when they were reduced to ten when Batemans horrible tackle on Tongue left the Hyde player flat our and after a controlled coming together of players Derbyshire referee Jamie O'Connor had no option but to show a red card.
The second half was a subdued affair which surprisingly Basford won thanks to a consolation goal when Stef Galinski drove home after an initial blocked shot fell out to him.  Around all this Hyde did create a few chances Preston saved a Pratt header Tongue saw a shot pushed away by the home number one and then in the closing stages the same player saw his shot take a sharp deflection only to rebound off the post.
Disappointing second period for the neutral but it all been done by Hyde in the first half with a superb performance of closing down any of the football Basford like to play and with a collection of performances all over the pitch they thoroughly deserved this win against a home side who today looked off the pace in all aspects of their play.
Return was a gamble as I let two Rainbow 1's go in the hope of the X1 arriving after the early display of petulance from the big gold one and thankfully it had been duly reprimanded and turned up more or less on time with a return this week of just 45 minutes direct to base I could once again sing its praises.

DEJA VU RADFORD

RADFORD 3 BELPER UNITED 1
EMCL @ SELHURST STREET
14 DECEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

GETTING READY AT RADFORD

Moments of deja vu often occur when we least expect them but this one was part set up with a quick return to Selhurst Street following last weeks visit but the theory was enhanced with exactly the same score line as 7 days ago.  It was Radford who would comfortably gain a consecutive victory with a result that could have been much more convincing with the woodwork intervening on four occasions to deny them.
Once again its Saturday and roll out the weather forecast heavy rain in the proceeding two days had once again enhanced 3g search but with Radford normally draining well there was the option of a re visit and having thoroughly enjoyed last weeks attendance off we set on the X1 again this time straight into Nottingham.
Thankfully it would not be a long visit to the city centre as the melee of Christmas tug of war had begun in commercialisation land and the NET Tram was soon whisking me away from the Lace market to Hyson Green.  So what had changed in a week, well the Nottingham East constituency had elected the youngest MP in the country Nadia Whittome representing the Labour Party with a majority of over 17,000 in Thursday's general election.  Selhurst Street was still in situ but today was devoid of John on turnstile who was under the weather but as per normal at the club a warm greeting was offered by many which makes it the pleasure that it is to visit.

HERE WE GO AS REFEREE ROB PEALING LEADS THE TEAMS OUT

Last weeks ground pictures hopefully illuminate the place so if you need to have a general look around it may be worth popping back a couple of blogs, a brief return blog this time out then.
Straight to the action and Belper nearly caught The Pheasants out in the opening minutes when Curtis Williamson sent the ball goal bound it was home captain Simon Hore who cleared the ball of the line.  Radford had out on an impressive first half showing and when Ryan Smith struck the post the resultant corner saw him out his header against the bar on 39 minutes.  With five minutes to half time the home side took the lead when Will Daly supplied the corner Joe Nice finished and that's how we went in.

RADFORD GO CLOSE AS THE CITY WATCHES ON

Radford doubled the lead two minutes after the break when Smith admittedly unmarked rose like a salmon to meet a Robbie Manners cross off the left and his header soon nestled in the Belper net.  Radford failed to clear their lines on 52 minutes and a smart side footed finished from Ryan Baker got the visitors back in the game.  However just five minutes later Radford responded in the correct fashion by restoring the two goal lead when Smith got his second driving home.  The woodwork would save Belper twice more Connor Moore struck a superb 25 yard effort that hit the bar and then then post intervened just short of eighty minutes.   By the time the final whistle blew we in the same situation as last week a dark cold night in Radford with a 3-1 win for The Pheasants and the X1 was calling and once again within fifty minutes base was arrived at after a very enjoyable afternoon with Radford Fc.

BLADES THROUGH IN INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

SHEFFIELD UTD WOMEN 2 COVENTRY LADIES 2 [PENS 1-3]
INTERCONTINENTAL CUP GROUP A @ THE PROACT
11 DECEMBER 2019 --- 7.30PM
Sheffield United secured the point that sees them qualify as group winners thanks to a Katie Wilkinson 25 yard free kick three minutes from time as The Blades stormed back from two down against a resolute Coventry United side.

BLADES MANAGER CARLA WARD SEES HER SIDE QUALIFY FOR THE CUP QUARTER FINALS

With another set of fixtures falling to the further downpour this interesting group game was always on the cards at Chesterfield Fc and being probably a couple of years since I last saw a women's game with that being the final of this same competition at the same ground it was time to pop along again.
This one is a nice and local two bus trip journey and pre-match was in the local Greggs after the KFC looked to be having a discouraging night when I arrived.  Entrance paid at a fiver was supplemented by a flattering to deceive programme at £2 this was a shiny effort but turned out to be a very poor 8 pages which covered the absolute minimum without really advancing the women's game and this competition which was a bit of a shame.  I hope the fast developing game will not fall into Football League and Premiership prices there was further evidence of big ground experiences even though The Proact is a non league ground now when at half time I warmed up with a Bovril and kit-kat [duo] for £4.
With just the main stand open on a bitterly cold night the crowd looked around 100 quite a bit down from United 'home' fixture on Sunday that attracted around 400.  The Blades led the group and had to better a selection of teams around them with the top two qualifying a top spot should see an easier draw in the quarter finals, although this has turned out to be Manchester City. 
Both sides were out warming up early on and the shooting boots of the strikes for United were looking good with the impressive Katie Wilkinson packing a good old shot and with manager Carla Ward overseeing proceedings all looked comfortable against tonight's opposition who could not qualify.
The opening thirty minutes had been all Sheffield United with some lovely sweeping play just finding the final touch was the elusive element and then it happened Coventry had produced nothing Helen Dermody put through Shannon O'Brien whose cross floated in beating all and fell in at the back post.
The second half saw the home side gain the upper hand but again it happened Rosie Axton showed a great turn of pace down the right and Dermody stretched to convert well from close range to double the lead.
A really hard score line to accept from a United point of view but cometh the hour cometh Wilkinson she finished of a cross from the left in 67 minutes and then with three minutes left fried home a low free kick from distance for the goal that would prove enough.  Even then they could have won it but for an excellent save from the Coventry keeper after Jade Pennock struck an effort goal bound.
The resultant penalty shoot out which I knew was a requirement in these games but left without seeing due to the potential very late return due to public transport restriction and I also forgot, even after reminding myself twenty minutes earlier, was lost 3-1 by The Blades. 
Thankfully the extra point gained by Coventry was not massively relevant as the home side topped the group on goal difference from Aston Villa and Liverpool in third both who would have qualified if Wilkinson had not struck home that free kick close to time.
An enjoyable evening if somewhat cold alright very cold and great to catch up with the women's game which has everybody is aware has come along tremendously with some excellent skill and ever increasing fitness levels assist the entertainment.

RADFORD WIN NOTTS DERBY

RADFORD 3 TEVERSAL 1
EMCL @ SELHURST ST
7 DECEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

RADFORD FC CITY CENTRE FOOTBALL

Radford secured three points against fellow Nottinghamshire side Teversal leading 2-1 at half time Liam Smallwood with The Pheasants third midway through the second half facilitating the win in an entertaining and occasionally feisty affair.
A return to an old favourite is always anticipated and Radford is just that, with travels often undertaken on a Saturday there is often less chance to revisit the clubs and grounds that you enjoy.  But at Selhurst Street there is a small band of officials and helpers who make this club unique with its hemmed in ground tightly surrounded by its cosmopolitan community and there is always a comfortable feel about visiting Radford Fc with today being no different.  The need to describe a ground covered on quite a few occasions today will be left to a few pictures included and with the club developing a new covered terrace, The Leading Labels Family Stand, there is a constant effort to improve evidence to this the reasonably recently extended clubhouse. The only disappointment for the club is the lack of spectator numbers from the local and wider Nottingham community for this hidden gem. 
Travel would be undertaken directly from base on the brand new Stagecoach X1 service which would arrive fifteen minutes late at base but drop me at Bobbers Mill big 'M's just fifty minutes later after a trip through Alfreton, South Normanton Outlet and two junctions of the M1 a quite remarkable effort with thankfully no motorway problems.

MAIN STAND AND THE BUSINESS END AT SELHURST STREET

Walking through the multi-cultural community and approaching the ground by a variety of pathways between the houses, jittys for us northerners, would see an arrival by The Clock public house and over the road the ground is accessible by another walkway that leads out onto Radford Road and the hustle and bustle of shopping local and at the big Asda all intersected by the Nottingham Tram rumbling past at regular intervals.

THE CITY SIDE

A brief look around with some time built in saw ground entrance just after 2pm and as ever a warm welcome from John Holt who was, as is the norm, operating the turnstile.  With time for a catch up on Radford and football in general the new stand was pointed out to me so it was time to do the obligatory circuit.  Some grounds have lovely back drops and are built miles out of town in former farmers fields but here at Radford the backdrop is how a football ground should be right in the centre of its community a small style version of the old Baseball Ground with the back of the flats above the Radford Road shops overlooking the only bit of green space, other than Forest Fields, for a few miles.

THE NEW STAND NEAREST TO THE CAMERA

Radford had started the season strongly but were in a bit of a slump and for Teversal its not been a great start but like so many clubs there have been few fixtures for them to test that against with the recent downpours.  Indeed this fixture was postponed a few weeks ago one hour before the kick off and so a quick re arrangement would see both sides looking to kick start their season.
Kick start it did with three goals inside the first quarter of an hour Radford were two up within seven minutes Smallwood headed in a left wing corner at the near post after just three on the clock and then Will Daly hit a 20 yard free kick to double the lead.

RADFORD TAKE THE LEAD LIAM SMALLWOOD SECOND MAROON SHIRT IN FROM THE LEFT

Teversal could have been shell shocked by this and gone down to a heavy defeat bit they recovered well and pulled a goal back on fifteen minutes when a floated free kick was missed by the
Radford keeper the ball came back off the woodwork and Josh Radford scored against his namesake club.  The momentum was with Teversal now and just before half time Joshua Barker struck the bar with an effort that would have provided a deserved equaliser.

RADFORD KEEPER WARREN SQUIRES OVERSTRETCHES

The second half provided some feisty moments as referee Fanran Mang was tested to the full with quite a bit of dissent and at times you were hoping for it too ease up for his observed performance.
In the action Errol Campebell broke through for the home side rounded the keeper but then couldn't find the finish past the defender on the line to extend their lead.  But that comfort zone did come when Smallwood got his second and Radford's third when Teversal keeper Rio Alberry misjudged a cross and the Radford player was there to convert.  In the final couple of minutes Alberry pulled off a superb full length save to deny a long range Daly effort but the three points were in Radford's grasp moments later from a very enjoyable game and visit to Radford.

MR CAMPBELL AND MR MENG HAVE A CHAT

The pre Christmas attendance was 44 with a paying gate of around half of this hopefully any visitors planning on a trip will pop along soon and the locals may also take up a good afternoons entertainment for a fiver at a superb little club that is well worth your support.

IT USED TO BE PICTURES OF FISH AND CHIPS NOW ITS ATMOSPHERIC FLOODLIGHTS

Return was with the X1 and a busy departure saw the service slightly late but an efficient fifty minutes later a drop off at base had been achieved and a new route into Nottingham will hopefully allow for further re-visits soon.

WARMED BY FREEZING CUP CLASH

KIMBERLEY MW 2 CLIPSTONE 0
EMCL CUP @ THE STAG GROUND
4 DECEMBER 2019 --- 7.45PM

THE FLOODLIT STAG GROUND IS READY FOR LEAGUE CUP ACTION

On a freezing cold night it would be two goals in close succession just before half time that sent Kimberley through to the next round of the East Midlands Counties League Cup.  With a slight lull in the wet weather we were now troubled by the frost which thankfully was not bad enough to affect this fixture however during the night for those hardy soles stood on the famous banking at The Stag we did have to be snapped away from the grass at the end of the match.
Football match selected from the few available and once again bus towards Eastwood but this time the next town on was the destination and after the required change in Alfreton all went relatively well there was a bit of late running but it was catered but what did go wrong was my research on the chippy in Kimberley that has a good reputation and was my first port of call.  In darkness and before crossing the road a quick referral to the hand held research pack showed the only midweek night of the week it closed was used guessed it Wednesday.  Off to nearby supermarket for hoppers delights and several pastry packages later we were off to the ground which is just a short walk away.

RESPECT AND FLOODLIGHTS EVERYWHERE

Having covered the ground before now is not the time to go into again but it would be unfair not to mention that the club worked wonders getting Saturdays game on and the same applied tonight well done.  The Stag is a ground that is a pleasure to spectate from and tonight was no different with a good vantage point on the banking gained and after greetings to a few of the Clipstone officials plus secretary Malc whom it was good to catch up with we were underway.
It was fast and furious but little in the way of goal mouth action that was until 38 minutes when Jordan Smith nipped in to break the deadlock and for Clipstone the whole game really fell apart three minutes later when Kimberley doubled their lead a wonderful 25 yard strike from Robbie McNicholas flew into the roof of the visitors net.  Clipstone would go on to lose the game thanks to a three minute spell that was rounded off with an unstoppable second goal in the mix.

CAN SOMEBODY FETCH THE BALL

The second period provided much effort and guile but no further goals and Clipstone could not find a breakthrough they have a collection of good players who currently are not knitting together as a team for Kimberley its an interesting mix of younger players who will suffer defeats to the stronger sides but will become increasingly successful if they stick together.
In a game of many injury delays, probably more than I have seen for ages, referee Booth closed down proceedings fairly promptly only for me to find the Rainbow 1 was running nearly 15 minutes late something I didn't want with the five minutes change over time in Ripley.  Somehow we made up nearly ten minutes and as we pulled in at the back of the connection a smart 50 yard dash was completed to jump aboard and with taxi journey from Alfreton base was achieved in a remarkable one hour, but it so nearly wasn't.

RED BADGERS IN WEBBS WONDERLAND

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY 3 GEDLING MW 2
EMCL @ CORONATION PARK
30 NOVEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY FC MAIN STAND READY FOR A LARGE CROWD TODAY

Eastwood Community rose to the top of the table when Joe Harrison got the winner seven minutes from the end on this enthralling encounter which featured the second and third placed clubs before the start of proceedings plus the leagues top goal scorers.
The usual Saturday morning version of Mike Reid's 'Runaround' was well under way only this time the wet stuff had relented, still not early enough for some pitches, and we were greeted with a sharp frost.  Late pitch inspections ensued and by the time these were about to take place spire town was enveloped in fog so one again the safety option was selected and I hunted out the Eastwood Community Fc season ticket, I probably should have one this was the fourth visit this year with grateful thanks to 3g.
As ever public transport suffered some delays but it was relatively trouble free arriving in time to sample the usual hoppers confectionery in the Red Badger bar which was starting to fill up, having gained the teams from the excellent secretary here the obligatory circuit was completed, mind you not much had changed since Wednesday night.

THE REFEREE IS WISE TO ASST REF FRANK WEBSTERS JOKE ELECTRIC SHOCK GLOVES

Gedling arrived in third spot and had looked impressive in my early season viewings of the club and Eastwood in second with both knowing a win today would see them at the top of the tree as December arrived.  Adding to the interest in Paddy Webb and Courtney Hastings both home team and visitors respectively have the top two scorers in the league.
Greetings were passed to Mr S of the 'on the road blog' and his video man Kev who were both in attendance after their allocated game fell foul to one of the three forms of weather lobbed at us today.  Assistant referee Nick Lees would make a return visit, this time on the dug out side, after Wednesday nights appearance and he would be joined by the ever youthful Frank Webster and a very patient Wayne Gray.  Patience was certainly the refs virtue today as its a few weeks since I have seen a side argue and dissent so many decisions and I guess non decisions not sure why Gedling adopted this approach when they are clearly a super little side.




The encounter got off to a superb start for Eastwood when Webb added to his seasons tally breaking away to fire past the out coming Keaton Sharpe as early as the fourth minute.  Shell shocked by this early strike Gedling levelled on the quarter of an hour mark home keeper George Warren pushed away a whipped in free kick it fell on the right edge of the box to Curtis Millward who fired back in an excellent first time strike that nestled in the back of the net before you could shout goal.  Gedling had powered their way into a lead on twenty two minutes when Luke Smith shot from the edge of the box his effort struck a home defender and looped up over a now stranded Warren.
It would be Eastwood who would continue to play their passing game which looked great but lacked any final outcome so often as Gedling looked bigger and stronger and at this stage more than comfortable with their role they were however grateful for two goal line clearances from Charlie Roberts as they went into the break ahead.

PADDY WEBB OF THE RED BADGERS CHALLENGES FOR THE BALL

The second half started with Eastwood getting the ball forward faster and not over playing on the carpet and their reward came on 69 minutes when Meakin crossed off the left and at the back post, you now who, Webb converted to level affairs.  Gedling were not done for and battled back with Hastings in an excellent position he let fly and rippled the netting, sadly for the Nottingham side it was the side netting.  Then with seven minutes left the ultimate comeback Meakin turned supplier again with his cross and this time Harrison stepped up to take the plaudits and send Eastwood to the top of the table.  In the closing stages Webb went close to his hat trick but Sharpe was just what his name says with an excellent save to deny the lively frontman.
A superb encounter that swung one way then another it was an excellent advert for the league and both sides on a day which saw so many games lost to the weather yet again now the challenge is on for Eastwood to remain top, this encounter was superbly supported by a crowd of 298.

WEBB WINTER WONDERLAND

EASTWOOD CFC 3 WEST BRIDGFORD 1
EMCL @ CORONATION PARK
27 NOVEMBER --- 8PM

BIG MATCH ON THE TELLY

OK so its not winter for another few weeks officially but for any non league fan that's travelling around its felt pretty much like it for the last two months with the continuation of the constant downpours and here tonight with the help of the 3g carpet we suffered yet more heavy rain in the afternoon and during the game.  The winter warmer though was an excellent showing from the red badgers front man Paddy Webb who scored two beautiful goals to 'be the difference'.
Journey start time was brought forward half an hour and it was a good job to with The Comet service to Alfreton stuck in some inter-galactic traffic out of spire town that made it fifteen minutes late, thankfully from here on in the Rainbow 1 allowed a departure at Hill Top close by the ground one and a half hours before kick off.

LIGHTS AND VERY SOON ACTION

A small expedition into the local mini 'T's allowed for a sandwich to accompany a soft drink and a selection of behind the counter snacks at the grounds bar and a chance to catch up with Mr Bob L Hatt of that much travelled blog fame.
The blessed safety of 3g pitches means a further visit to Eastwood and I'm sure with this being my closest it wont be the last of the season so just a couple of pictures from different angles from previous ones and even from two weeks ago when the Developments game against Magdala was covered.
The visitors from south of Nottingham were in mid table but in steady old form whereas a win for Eastwood would see a second place spot come the end of proceedings.  With enough blogers to shake three sticks at Mr S of the excellent on the road blog joined us for the action. 
When I say action that may be a lose term as the first half didn't contain too much save for the opening goal after 25 minutes when Joe Harrison converted after good work from Webb.

FROM THE LOW END

The visitors equalised when the Red Badgers keeper pushed out a free kick for John Whitehurst to snap up the crumbs after 56 minutes, just over ten minutes later though and Eastwood had resumed the lead with Webb cutting in off the right to fire gloriously past the visiting keeper who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it from nestling in the back of the net.

THE TOP END

There was time for the West Bridgford keeper to pull off a smart save from a back post header but as the game entered the last quarter he could do nothing as he raced out to meet Webb who elegantly lobbed him to make it 3-1 and Eastwood were breathing down the neck of Hucknall Town.
A wet old night illuminated by a performance from Webb that went a long way to stopping me from thinking for too long about 'why I do this on nights like this', well done two lovely goals.
With thanks to Mr Hatt for the return to Alf and a taxi secured back to base with the usual crew who once again were on time and courteous so return was around an hour after the final whistle.
Onto Saturday then anybody fancy some rain.

MADE IN SHEFFIELD A HANDSWORTH RETURN

HANDSWORTH RES 8 WOMBWELL MAIN DEV 1
SHEFFIELD COUNTY SENIOR 1 @ OLIVERS MOUNT
23 NOVEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

THE NEW OLIVERS MOUNT

A first visit to Olivers Mount for a Handsworth FC game in 2012 culminated with the ground failing its grading for promotion and a move away via a convoluted set of titles and ultimately now still residing, as a first team, at Sandy Lane in Worksop in North Nottinghamshire a good distance from the club who would want to be at their spiritual home in Sheffield.
Fast forward to a chat with first team manager Russ Eagle before a pre season game at Sandy Lane and the club were enthusiastic about the new installation of a 4g playing surface and the hope of a return in the not to distant future for the first team, of course in the mean time a whole host of the clubs sides playing on the selection of pitches that surround the clubhouse including the reserves who would be enjoying early usage of the new facility.
In truth todays game was probably not on the list until Friday and when an afternoon of the usual transport chaos struck, I know again- you really should try public transport, thankfully this fixture saved the day.  Bus journey in met traffic 3 miles short of spire town, stripey boys then decided to terminate short of the station and even after a sprint I missed the train to Loughborough and it just felt right to undertake Olivers Mount that had seemed to be given to the schedule so late on as the rain had continued to fall for most of the last few days yet again.
Arrival in Sheffield and the hourly train to Darnall was rejected in favour of a walk into Sheffield for the ten minute frequency bus service that would drop me within a few minutes of the ground, once again things did not go to plan.  Joining the queue on Arundel Gate the selection of people increased as we waited over half an hour and by this time five buses were all bunched together, we departed at 2.20pm.  Not the best of starts to the day and probably the most frustrating of any of the blogs days even with this being a relatively close journey but climbing up to the entrance to Olivers Mount arrival would be achieved at around 2.40pm slightly breathlessly.

CLUBHOUSE TOWARDS THE MAIN PITCH

The complex contains a centrally positioned clubhouse which is smart and with a selection of TV's offers a bit of shelter for the small crowd.  Going in search of the teams sheets and both sides were superb in facilitating this so much so it allowed for a circuit to be completed before kick off.  One of the first teams biggest problems was the distance from the changing rooms to pitch side and this is still to be rectified but I believe with some modern cabin builds behind the goal this should solve one problem there will probably be a need to provide some covered standing too.
High green fencing protects the ground as per most 3g pitches with the low level stuff at pitch side, entering by the clubhouse walkway there are three stands to the left the first is the largest seated enclosure with by its side the old structure from the good old days and then an Atcost stand with seat frameworks but not backs or seats, this maybe a conversion to a terrace who knows.  The furniture sits on a higher level and providing standing is stopped to its front will offer a good viewing position.  Moving to the right were the entrance used to be would appear to be the site for the changing rooms and behind this the Sheffield to Lincoln rail line sits in a cutting, the far side contains the dug outs and then close behind you is the constant intrusion of the Rotherham Gateway A630 which gives your eardrums little rest for the duration.  The far goal has behind it one of the further grass pitches at the Handsworth Sporting clubs site.

TRIPLE STANDS BESIDE THE MAIN PITCH

Sadly the match pictures would be non existent it was dark, misty and with the lights on from the start it felt like 8pm from kick off and the first half an hour matched up the mood of the weather it wasn't good but then all of a sudden we had a goal fest.
Just shy of that half an hour mark Sam Morley gave Handsworth a lead weaving around in the box he fired home before the lead was doubled on 33 minutes with Tiago Bravo slotted in the far corner and he doubled his tally two minutes later to send the home side into the break 3 goals to the good.
A short pitch side break for both sides saw the return of the wet stuff for a second half played in a constant variety of the persistent variety as the mist started to drop but it only signalled more goals.  Wombwell started better but on 52 minutes all that fell away when Rene Marsden put in a sharp finish across the keeper for the ambers fourth.  The visitors sensed a comeback when Dan Evans rewarded their efforts with a quick reply but normal service was resumed when Perry Jackson saw his stooping header find the net two minutes before the hour mark.

STANDS AGAIN WITH MATCH ACTION FOR THE SMALL CROWD

The visitors keeper elected to go outfield and after the change his replacement chipped up a goal kick to his own player who played it straight back to him the resultant indirect free kick was tapped short to Mohamed Saeed who added another to the score-line.  Jack Charlsworth struck a smart 20 yard free kick to make it 7-1 and we had seen eight goals in just under forty minutes.
Not to be sent home without a final strike Owen Darwent slotted away an eighth three minutes from time before referee Pepper signalled an end to the proceedings.
A steady walk back to the Handsworth Road found the ten minute frequency back in play and after a few lengthy stops in nearby Darnall we arrived back in Sheffield with time for a quick trip to KFC for post match eats, what had started as a nightmare on the travel radar turned into an interesting little afternoon with a net full of goals and the chance to take a look at the new development at Olivers Mount. 
Hopefully it will not be to far away for all the clubs family to be back together once again on one site and Handsworth FC can return to their natural home in Sheffield.

27 PENALTIES IN A NIGHT OF HIGH DRAMA

DINNINGTON TOWN 1 HOLBROOK SPORTS 1 [HOLBROOK WIN 11-10 ON PENS]
CMFL FLOODLIT CUP @ LAUGHTON ROAD
19 NOVEMBER 2019 --- 7.45PM

HIGH ENTERTAINMENT ON A COLD NIGHT IN DINNINGTON

As the evening became increasingly colder and more frosty the game rose in its temperature and entertainment stakes that finally settle only after 26 penalties were taken in the decider after full time and when Mathew Brittle smashed home the wining penalty just short of 10pm nobody could grumble at their three pounds worth of entertainment.  [In fact so many penalties were taken that the CMFL website wrongly states 12-13 on penalties an understandable oversight unless you had your abacus out]
Dinnington sitting in South Yorkshire is a former pit town, closed 1992 that's the pit not the town, surrounded by Sheffield, Rotherham and Worksop and after a previous visit a few years back in my non blog days it was high time to revisit.  Tonight with the superb help of a chauffeur service by Mr R of the whistlers parish it became possible and although evening games lack the pictures a daytime encounter would provide you could get the feel for the place as a former industrial community once again struggling with the loss of its major employers.
The club sits on Laughton Road behind the Dinnington Resources Centre and previously had received many problems that were mitigated by the tremendous hard work of former manager Steve Toyne who spent many years here dedicating many, many hours to the club.  Times have now moved on from NCEFL days from which I remember a giant killing act in the game I attended when they somehow at rock bottom defeated the high flying money men of Shaw Lane Aquaforce one nil on a gale swept afternoon.

IT STILL LOOKS COLD BUT WARMS UP AS THE GAME DEVELOPS

The ground is entered by the centres car park and with its own entrance booth and shows some signs of its former higher step status, to the left a snack bar and the Cowshed stand a covered terrace of smart build type of which all three stands are made of here.  Moving around its hard standing and panelled concrete fence boundary walling.  The dug outs are on the far side and as we approach the top goal the Ultra Stand is a two breeze blocked stepped stand that you can either sit in or remain upright on the blocks coming back towards the entrance the Family Stand is bench seated and then immediately to its side is the weaving path way to the back of the resources centre for the changing rooms.
The ground was looking smarter than on my last visit and pitch wise it had drained well from recent horrendous rain and although looking very bobbly and with a cold night developing we were more than happy to say 'game on'.

MR OC AND MR R OF THE REFEREEING PARISH ENJOYING SHARING A WARM BEVERAGE

The Floodlit Cup can be described as far from a competition most clubs are enthusiastic about although tonight these two sides set about providing a very close fought entertaining game that belied that theory.  Holbrook Sports were flying high in The CMFL South despite a fair few call offs recently and Dinnington sat in second spot behind Newark Town in the CMFL North.
The opening exchanges saw Dinnington take the upper hand in possession but as the half developed the clearest chances fell to Sports first Joe Evans saw Joshua Branch save after a misjudged cross that the home defence believed, mistakenly, had gone out, Chris Dring put over from close range and Brittle saw his shot re-gathered after an initial stop under the cross bar.
Half time arrived and the Ultra stand duo had been in good voice and during the second half the enjoyment of spending some time in the Ultra Stand was undertaken, the two guys in there and their fellow fans encouraged and shouted on 'dinno' and it has to be expressed supporters like this are the life blood of the non league game with one of these chaps conscious of his need to get the last bus back to Rotherham at 10pm, keep supporting guys great effort all of you behind the goal.
Dinnington started the second period strongly had a goal disallowed for offside and then Cameron Evans saw his shot well held by Scott Whittingham.  The match looked to have been settled by a highly debatable penalty with nine minutes remaining Evans was adjudged to have tumbled Mason Barlow and the 'offended against' got up to convert from the spot.
With three minutes remaining a more than fair equaliser for Holbrook came with a lovely 25 yard strike from Aaron Coyle but just as we lined up for Penalties Dan Cain from the home side hit a superb shot that fell just inches too high of the Sports crossbar.

DINNINGTON ULTRAS IN FINE FORM TONIGHT

Penalties with the decision made to take the kicks towards the Ultra Stand there was no need to move and we could enjoy the lottery that would commence.  Here is were the fun starts with official adjudicator by my side and in true Brian Hanrahan style 'I counted them all in and all back' it finished 10-11 with five missed or saved however if you want a few more the CMFL site wrongly states 12-13.
At 1-1 Dinnington number 9 Jason Short missed and we moved onto 4-4 as visiting keeper Whittingham dragged his effort wide and so we were into who misses loses.  Arriving at 9-9 Dinnington keeper Branch missed out and with Evans just having to score Branch made immediate amends with an excellent save and so we went on.  At 10-10 Short missed his second of the night for the home side and it left Brittle the nervous task of putting this game to bed something he achieved and we could all finally enjoy breakfast. 
A fantastic effort by both sides who showed a real willingness to lock horns in this competition and as the game warmed up in the second half we concluded with a monumental shoot out that probably surpassed any previous experience of penalties I had witnessed.

RUNAROUND NOW

EASTWOOD CFC DEV 0 MAGDALA AMATEURS 2
NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE PREMIER @ CORONATION PARK
16 NOVEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

EASTWOOD CFC DEV ON THE FIRST HALF ATTACK WITH THE TOWN CENTRE IN THE BACKGROUND

The classic TV quiz of the 1970's Runaround hosted by the late great Mike Reid gave the young competitors three options for an answer and on the hosts staggered 'GGGGGGGGO' they ran to stand beneath there chosen one.  But they could change their mind as the studio lights dimmed Reid
allowed his dulcet cockney tones to shout out 'runaround now' and with that you could opt for a different answer.  Well this seasons hopping is becoming very much like a spoof of the Southern Television produced classic although in my mind Reid allows me to 'runaround now' more than once.
Again with the appalling weather and flooding for a second week the train lines were in chaos, games were being postponed all over the place and with a few late pitch inspections somehow I came down to Pinxton, Heanor and a back up on 3g at Eastwood Community.

HERE COME THE TEAMS

Boarding a departing Comet towards Alfreton found the traffic queue a mile short of the centre snarling up and gridlocking due to a very small set of road works, the normal 20 minute journey would take 45 minutes and by the time we managed to exit back onto the main road to re-join the logjam the Police had taken over the temporary traffic lights and were directing traffic so ridiculous had the situation become.  One and a quarter hours later Ripley arrived, I could almost have got to Congleton in that time, for I had now decided to visit Heanor again with the Eastwood back up being more achievable from there than Pinxton.
The lovely crew that operate BBC weather had predicted a dry day but on travelling to Heanor had changed the forecast to rain, modern technology and brewing heavy drinking sessions spring to mind.  Departure onto the Market Place and I just had that 'things are not right' feeling and decided to 'runaround now' for the second time on this journey and make the trip to Eastwood after seeing the next bus heavily delayed and being unable to obtain a taxi I looked up to see a Rainbow 1 pulling into the stand which thankfully allowed an arrival adjacent to the ground just before 2.30pm.

REFEREE MICK LESLIE CHECKS IF HIS ASSISTANT HAS ORDERED THE HALF TIME REFRESHMENTS

My first greeting on approaching was a text from Mr O of Burnley FC fashion catalogue territory to console with me with the fact that Heanor was off, postponed by the match official at 2pm after previous 2 inspections and before any afternoon showers that occurred.  For supporters this is an all too regular happening now and really needs looking into I can well understand if conditions have changed and do before kick off but they clearly hadn't an option to have just trained match officials to do inspections needs studying because this needs stopping.
Anyway a secure 3g game was achieved and a quick catch up with Mr Hornby of the NSL Parish and a gathering of team information with thanks to Magdala and Mick Leslie, the referee, allowed for a positioning behind the goal on a very dark afternoon that once again limited pictures.
Magdala came into this fixture off the back of a 10-0 drubbing at Eastwood's near neighbours Awsworth Villa but they still sat above second bottom Eastwood Development.  The first half was a tight affair and saw the teams only separated by a wonderful opportunist 30 yard strike by Tom Groves after seven minutes as the ball fell to him he saw the home keeper leaving the goal slightly ajar and he went for it.

MORE EASTWOOD BACKDROP PICTURES

The second period provided little of entertainment with Eastwood struggling to put much of note together despite a lot of possession it was Magdala who created the chances Oisin Coffey hit a 25 yard effort that the Eastwood keeper saved and with fifteen minutes remaining he did the same to a Dan Burton effort.
Magdala Amateurs put last weeks disappointment behind them when the wrapped the encounter up two minutes from time when Ethan Lespeare saw his shot deflected past the stranded keeper and the three points were safe.
Thankfully 3g is becoming the saving grace and although the game would be immediately forgettable there was a chance to catch up with a new side in the form of Magdala.  Return journey went unbelievably smoothly with a 5.05 departure and one connection later an hour saw me back at base, don't you like it when a plan comes together.  Runaround now.

SLEIGH TRANSPORTS HEANOR TO THE TOP

HEANOR TOWN 3 GRAHAM ST PRIMS 1
EMCL @ THE TOWN GROUND
13 NOVEMBER 2019 --- 7.45PM
A clinical period of finishing from Heanor Town just past the half hour mark was enough to send The Lions to the top of The East Midlands Counties League but strangely for the rest of the game the Derby based visitors were far from out of this encounter.

A WELCOMING SIGHT

A strange night as I entered the once described comfortable armchair of  The Town Ground strange in the extent that I was on high infusion of Lemsip, other products etc, and the most bitterly cold night of the winter so far made this fell like Mr Clarence had turned the heating off in my welcoming seat.  Warm greetings from the gate to Mr Squires jnr, Mr S senior had made the wise choice of a meal at friends and a roaring fire I guess, the ladies Kim and Elaine and the pleasure of meeting Lesley the clubs photographer.

ELAINE AND KIM HAD SECURED ANOTHER ADDITION TO THEIR PLAYERS PANTS COLLECTION

Lesley it appears has left behind her Derby County season ticket now and jointly discovered non league football and the ability to put together some fantastic actions shots from The Lions games, you can view here work on the clubs official websites.  It was a pleasure to get to know her and with her long lens and camera her evening results would well surpass any effort I could make.
Having travelled in on a packed direct service to Heanor it would be nice to escape the noise of the double decker and by the time we were ready for kick off I had further supplemented my evening by a trip to the snack bar for the only reason for a visit to Heanor a chip pea cob of course.

CLUB PHOTOGRAPHER SENSIBLY WRAPPED UP

Game wise the visitors were more than holding their own until a mad spell of three quick goals on the half hour mark Sleigh set up Kyle Daley who finished unmarked at the back post. 
Four minutes had advance and Daley struck a lovely finish across the keeper to double the advantage and then more or less immediately the livewire that is Sleigh delivered the ultimate present a third that more or less wrapped the game up when he broke through and finished with confidence.

ADDITIONAL FLOODLIGHING BY MR MOON

A sloppy half littered with stoppages and an over fussy referee who pulled in the captain for talks alongside the bench and by the end of ninety minutes he had booked eight players in a performance that so clearly said 'observer in attendance', a good referee but different performance to normal.
Prims sub Perry McGrath pulled one back on 72 minutes with a semi overhead and much as the visitors had made the running in the second half it did seem to wake up a relaxing Heanor when Sleigh hit the top of the cross bar and Daley forced the visiting keeper into a sharp save.
On a night when connections as ever from Heanor needed to run Trent Barton were, as usual on this service, late meaning a missed connection allowed for a thirty minute wait for the next service to Alfreton were it would now be a taxi return which as ever was an excellent service form the local private hire company.  A brief blog for a somewhat local regular visit that has been made harder in these austere times of public transport and as age creeps on these cold nights are becoming less for me than ever.