DAKIN BRACE

EASTWOOD CFC 0 BOSTON TOWN 2

UCL PREMIER NORTH AT CORONATION PARK

30 MARCH 2024 --- 3PM

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY V BOSTON TOWN OPENING GOAL CELEBRATIONS BEGIN

After the wettest winter weather known football clubs and fans at non league level cannot wait for a respite from the chaos this has befallen them with late postponements, backlogs of games as an aside to the general frustration this has brought on a regular basis.  However for Boston Town they have hit a rich vein of form in the last few months that they are one of the form sides in the UCL Premier Division and they would probably love the season to continue.  They proved that form here again with a 2-0 victory thanks to in form front man Lucas Dakin who netted with two headed goals.

LUCAS DAKIN HEADS BOSTON IN FRONT

Yes again the weeks downpours visited the East Midlands and with many games at the lower levels of the non league structure in doubt, already called off or reversed it was time to take up the saving grace of 3g football for the umpteenth time in recent weeks.  After an early season visit to take a look at Belper United here at Coronation Park today was time to take a viewing of Eastwood Community who sit just below the play off zone after toying with it for most of the season. 

GROUP CELEBRATION AFTER THE OPENING GOAL

Today arrival was via a cheeky taxi again on a lovely afternoon dry and sunny, but for the postponed games the damage had been done in the previous week.  Thankfully both sides were well up to speed with social media and teams were posted with shirt numbers so there was no need to go chasing team sheets.

Oh yea forgot to mention early culinary delights were supplied by the nearby Coop and it was once again all very healthy, not.

Having settled opposite the main stand with the sun shining down on my back it proved to be the right place when Boston took a fifth minute lead the dangerous long throw of Luke Wilson was deployed and with a near post flick on from Richard Ford it was Dakin who headed home with ease at the far post in a move that looked well practiced it went like clockwork.

Eastwood looked shocked and indeed struggled to get any foothold in the game as the visitors dominated and just shy have the half hour mark doubled their lead when Eastwood failed to clear an attack the lose ball was chased out down wide by Will Langford who put in a superb cross to the back post for Dakin to nod home. 

Eastwood looked deflated and at this point you could see little way back into it for them with Boston totally dominant by half time whistle.

End of season feel had certainly visited the red badgers in the first 45 minutes but a triple change at half time including what was to be an impressive appearance from Thomas Hodgkinson so much so that it would win him the man of the match performance.

The second half would prove the theory that football is a game of two halves with roles reversed Eastwood cheered everybody up but turning up to the show and becoming the dominant side in a similar fashion to Boston's first half showing.  The only difference being that the home side could not break through and that owed a debt to the visitors number one Travis Portas who pulled off two superb saves.

WILL LANGFORD CHASES DOWN TO SET UP THE SECOND

Strangely it could have been Tyler Blake also hitting a brace any other afternoon but Portas denied his header just after the re start and then a beautiful shot from the edge of the box was saved by The Poachers keeper at full length.

EASTWOOD FORCEFUL CLEARANCE

On 77 minutes Eastwood had a great chance to set up a grandstand finish when Kamani Wilson looked to put in a deflective close range effort over the line only for the wrong weight to go into his effort and it rolled away to safety across the goal.

LUKE WILSON HEADS CLEAR

The closing stages as Eastwood believed one goal may lead to another straight after keeper Samuel Wilson joined the attack for two corners but it would be Boston who would hold on with a clean sheet with thanks to those two saves from Portas.

TOP BINS

A strange match were Eastwood looked totally out of the game at half time was certainly turned round by the half time substitutions for Boston it never got nail biting but after a superb first half showing they did appear to lose a grip on their attacking game.  However three points and a clean sheet was all they could ask for in a superb finish to the season being witnessed by The Poachers fans.

KAMANI WILSON SEES HIS EFFORT GO ACROSS THE FACE OF GOAL

It was a pleasure to see a game on the 3g at Coronation Park in nice weather but I do hope before the season ends to maybe just maybe see a game on grass it may not be for a few weeks though with the continuing wet weather forecast for the next two weeks.

THE EYES HAVE IT

Return taxi saw a swift arrival at base around 5.45pm, onwards now for tomorrows Sunday League which it goes without saying will again be on 3g.

KEEPER UP FOR LAST MINUTE CORNERS

CHAMPIONS ELECT

KIRTON BRICKWORKS 0 BLIDWORTH WELFARE 3

CMA LEAGUE 1 EAST AT RADFORD HYMAS ACADEMY 4G

23 MARCH 2024 --- 2PM

KIRTON BRICKWORKS V BLIDWORTH WELFARE GOALMOUTH SCRAMBLE

Kirton Brickworks were very gracious with their comments after this defeat to champions elect Blidworth Welfare who still remain in second place to today's hosts but with five games in hand and a deficit of five points it would appear that the title really is the Welfares to lose.

A bitterly cold afternoon accompanied by a howling gale made conditions on the pitch difficult and believe me equally as difficult for the watching 35 or so hardy souls, I mean this is March come on spring has sprung surely it should not be this cold.

The morning started off with the usual checking on games as many in the local corridor fell to waterlogging again after heavy overnight rain.  Its been said every weekend since October but its becoming a joke and is really endangering the future of some non league clubs.  Kirton have flirted with Walesby Rec and here at Mansfield Town's Academy in Pleasley and when I saw this one flick up on Friday night it went straight onto the list with the prospect of first versus second.

Thankfully Kirton have been really pro active in not letting their club get behind in the fixture stakes and after a a few flirtations with a game on grass I opted for safety in what was to be the wind tunnel of Pleasley.

Also noteworthy was the home sides social media so many sides have been really poor in updating, not everybody walk five minutes to the game.  While the moan button is pressed don't start me on 'non league day', of which today is, it absolutely galls me that some sides offer free admission or reduced price to local football league and premiership sides supporters.  This is people who normally don't give a chuff about the non league scene or their local side and quite happily pay 30, 40, 50 quid for a match and some sides are non league sides are falling over themselves to get them in the ground while not giving a jot about their regular supporters who are still expected to pay their normal admission.

Before the game it was good to catch up with Jamie and Tony from Kirton and also while obtaining the teams today's referee Corey Green who was on the Hosiery Mills game a few weeks back.  Having popped down pitch side earlier you could see this was going to be a difficult game with the wind howling pitch length and many on the touchline were wrapped up to the ultimate to protect themselves from the wind chill factor.

Due to a Mansfield Town Under 16 game having been on site in the morning the snack bar was still open and a few non healthy provisions were obtained.

Both teams entered the pitch in kit colours that looked classical blue v red and with the shrill of referee Green's whistle we were underway for a very important ninety minutes for both clubs.

BLIDWORTH CELEBRATIONS AFTER THE FIRST GOAL

Blidworth with the wind to their backs kicked away from the changing rooms end, sounding more like cricket already and it was a half that saw Kirton battling to thwart an onslaught of attacking football that in fairness could have seen the visitors hit eight had their chances have been taken but they proved slightly slack in front of the target and had to rely on a goal after fifteen minutes.  Kirton failed to clear their lines and the inevitable happened when up popped Tris Burrell to fire home.

The visitors led at the half time break and the hosts hopes would be that with the wind behind them in the second half they had limited the title challengers to one goal and they would be able to surmount it.

More worryingly at half time was that referee Green could not access his changing room which he taken up in the main academy building as it had all now been locked up with the cafe closed something that probably all 35 of us watching would have been in for a hot drink had it have been open.

CARVER FIRST HALF SHOT

The referee would have to put the possibility of not getting back into the changing rooms to the back of his mind as we had a second half to start and it was very early on normal service resumed as Blidworth attacking into the wind went back into missing chances mode.

Two goals in five minutes finished off the challenge of Kirton when on 62 minutes Burrell set up Liam Carver to guide the ball past Reace Mills in the home goal who had done his best in the previous hour plus to thwart the men in blue.  The game was settled when Reilly Hodgkinson control a ball on the edge of the right side of the box before sweetly striking home into the Kirton goal to make it 3-0.

JACK MARCH CHALLENGED

Kirton would try to force their way back into the game but it was all too late now and even despite the efforts of the piercing runs from Jack March it wasn't to be and when the final whistle blew you could feel the elation of a Blidworth side who know barring a terrible run in they are returning a side to the CMA Premier League next season.

HIGH DEFENCE AS BLIDWORTH CLEAR THEIR LINES

There was no doubt that the visitors were impressive but you had to feel for Kirton who are a nice club who have had a fantastic season and have a nice little side gathered together and hopefully for manager Jamie Birch they can get a good final game result to finish the season on a high and accept what has been a very good effort from the club.  Hopefully they stop together for another tilt at it next season.

CARVER TURNS IN THE BALL

Blidworth still have to pull in the points but you cannot see anything stopping them after this crunch game went their way they now sit in the box seat and a chance to return the club to the top tier of the CMA after the turmoil of the former first team having to resign from The UCL and promote their reserve side into seeking this now surely obtained promotion.

More importantly had the ref got back in his changing rooms, no he had not and after a struggle to get anybody I believe there was finally hope after the persistence of the Kirton chairman. 

From a personal point of view my cheeky taxi was twenty minutes late and it was just what you wanted but I wasn't hanging around in referees kit on a bitterly cold late afternoon which was my only plus. 

Arrival back at base for me was just shy of 5pm and I believe Corey was still not away from the academy for another thirty minute a long afternoon for the match official.

LIAM CARVER MAKES IT 2-0 TO BLIDWORTH

Always a pleasure to catch up with Kirton I hope they can get their ground back into playing shape but I guess like many clubs that will be relevant to the rain ever abating and looking at next weeks forecast its not happening soon.  It was nice to catch up with Blidworth who it had certainly been a while for me.

BLIDWORTH CELEBRATE THEIR SECOND GOAL

With nothing more to add enjoy the pictures that remain I'm off to check the long range weather forecast.

JACK MARCH SETS OFF ON RUN

HENRY STANILAND SHIELDS THE BALL FOR KIRTON

REILLY HODGKINSON FREE KICK

SHIREBROOK GO SOUTH

SHIREBROOK TOWN 2 WAKEFIELD AFC 0

NCEFL 1 AT LANGWITH ROAD

16 MARCH 2024 --- 3PM

SHIREBROOK TOWN V WAKEFIELD AFC OPENING HOME GOAL CELEBRATIONS

The signing of Danny South may just be the icing on the cake that Shirebrook needed to get them an end of season that the club so desire to raise this sleeping giant and send it on a journey to the levels the town would love to see with a promotion.  South signed from Belper Town a few days before this table topping game and it raised a few eyebrows but the player was honest and said he had to think about his family and just couldn't turn the offer down and in fairness Nailers fans have been warm in their praise and love of his efforts for the NPL side.

Well after this victory thanks to a goal in each half which saw them also play with ten men for half of the second forty five minutes it was a superb team performance but you just could not take away the presence of South.  From before the game to kick off and beyond the final whistle he cajoled and encouraged his colleagues while denying Wakefield a way through and making a strong physical presence in the opposition box for any set pieces or corners he just looks the piece of the jigsaw that can complete the promotion push.

EARLY ENCOURAGEMENT FROM NEW BOY SOUTH

As ever the usual start even after a less rainy weekend there was still a fair few games at this level and step 7 that fell to the p-p.  A cheeky you know what over to Shirebrook saw a pre match visit to The Coop for a healthy pasty and confectionery.

On arrival at Langwith Road a good following from West Yorkshire swelled the crowd to well over 200 and with the locals in good voice it was to be a challenging atmosphere for the players and match officials.

CARLTON CARTY ON THE ATTACK

My memories of a previous Wakefield side were from visiting a former ground at the site of Wakefield rugby union club but overall the town for some reason, I guess rugby league, as struggled to support a football side of course even now they play in the under development ground of Wakefield Trinity.  

Shirebrook arrive at this game after a superb 3-0 away win at league leaders Beverley Town.

WAKEFIELD FLYING HIGH TO CLEAR

Suitably fed with some low calorie food kick off approached as did frustratingly some pre match rain although by the time of kick off it had just about left us alone and the umbrella could be placed to one side thankfully.  

NAT WATSON SETS OFF

As expected the game went off at a good old pace and proving to be a physical encounter which encouragingly Shirebrook were having the better of.  Referee Nunn was blowing up regularly and after a couple of early cautions and I think had made the call that this game was not going to flow to freely or it could be harder to control.

The game looked like Shirebrook would probably not gain a first half advantage but all that changed on 34 minutes with a lovely move that saw Nat Watson power on from the half way line he fed Anthony Dwyer who slipped the ball to Carlton Carty to fire home.  Cue some wild celebration and you could see how much that breakthrough goal meant to the home side.

NAT WATSON SETTING UP THE OPENING GOAL

Just before half time Shirebrook survived what looked a fair call for a penalty when Lewis Stephens appeared to be pushed in the box.

The first half saw four bookings but we arrived at the break with Shirebrook one goal to the good.

REFS BLOWN FOR A FOUL........NO

The second half would be a tense affair with both sides out eager to get underway the visitors made two substitutions in an attempt to get some threat at the business end.  

Shirebrook had a great chance to double their lead three minutes in when they were awarded a penalty but visiting keeper Ryan Musselwhite pulled off the save to deny Town.

TO ME TO YOU

Shirebrook didn't have to wait to long to double their lead when on 59 minutes a superb deep cross off the right from Igor Mlynarski found Brad McGowan who headed home to create that much required comfort zone.

DANNY SOUTH SEES OFF ANOTHER WAKEFIELD THREAT

That buffer zone was certainly needed with twenty three minutes remaining when Nat Watson studs caught Cameron Barnett and referee Nunn produced a red card for the Shirebrook man as the visiting player lay injured and requiring attention from the physio.

This could have opened up the game but Shirebrook doubled down and continued to work hard closing down and denying Wakefield who probably only had one effort of note on target in the whole 90 minutes so dominant was the home defence.

BRAD MCGOWAN MAKES IT 2-0

The remaining time was seen out fairly comfortably and when Referee Nunn called time on the proceedings there was an undoubted joy that excellent victories this week and last week against two of their closest rivals had combined to send Shirebrook back to the top of the table.

RED CARD FOR NAT WATSON

The final celebrations and the support from the locals was great to see for the players and manager Stephen Bodle and his team.  They now march on to Parkgate away on Tuesday who have games in hand and if they pull enough wins in would make it difficult but they have to get those points and on this showing Shirebrook are in rich form.

WAKEFIELD GET A LATE SHOT IN BUT OWEN EVANS IS WELL BEHIND IT

An enjoyable game with a good victory for the Derbyshire side who will hopefully push this title challenge all the way now.

SHIREBROOK SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION TO THE FANS AT THE FINAL WHISTLE

Cheeky taxi back to base arriving just after 5.30pm and as per last week I guess the question remains about next week 'anybody for rain'?

A HAPPY STEPHEN BODLE AT THE FINAL WHISTLE

BACK FROM ABYSMAL

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 2 MICKLEOVER RES 1

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

9 MARCH 2024 --- 3PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V MICKLEOVER RES AS MILLS CELEBRATE THE WINNER

After a mid week home loss to Bakewell described by the club as 'abysmal' The Mills returned to winning ways but not before being behind to an indifferent first half performance against a lively Mickleover Reserves side.  The second half though saw two quick goals after the break that allowed the home side to dominate and when the visitors were later reduced to ten men the three points were heading to Nottinghamshire.

ITS TIME FOR THAT MARK TURNER PICTURE

A drier week but a morning of rain had lead to the usual concerns and once again some clubs don't communicate and some clubs do thankfully Mills manager Mark Turner is one of the latter and on the back of this he had another paying spectator.

Mills had lost 4-2 to Bakewell in midweek at The Fieldings just as they were looking to pull away into mid table respectability the visitors arrived also looking for a much needed three points to pull away from the wrong end of the table.

CLUB MAN OF THE MATCH AND CAPTAIN TOM SUTER RECOVERS AFTER A FOUL

Cheeky taxi territory would allow for a comfortable afternoon just over the Derbyshire border and what had started of a nice one was soon to turn into an inclement affair with a sharp wind which was making it a cold watch, added to this a bobbly pitch as the surface dries out things would not be easy for the players either.  As ever though a warm welcome from the small band of volunteers here who keep the club functioning.

HENRY BROOKS ALL SMILES

It was nice to see former Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Forest star Marcus Tudgay in attendance, watching his son Mason who was playing for the Derby based visitors.  Upon return to base I did have a few more reviews of the wonderful goal he scored for The Owls v The Blades a glorious strike from 25 yards into the top left hand corner of the goal, worth searching for it to take a look yourself unless of course you are a Sheffield United fan.

STRONG PERFORMANCE FROM REFEREE COREY GREEN TODAY

Mansfield kicking up hill against the increasingly strong wind were struggling to put to much of value together however the visitors had struck the bar twice within the opening twenty minutes, the first crashed back off the woodwork onto the goal line before a 20 yard free kick rattled the framework.

Just as it looked like Mills had held off the Mickleover attack they conceded four minutes before the break when Luis Mas-Hall turned the ball in from close range after good work from Tudgay and that's how we went into the break.

MARCUS TUDGAY STUDYING THE FIRST HALF

The cold half time break was warmed by Tudgay senior showing his skills with an interval kick about so after the break the home side made a double substitution before the re start something that immediately seemed to allow the team to move up a gear as they forced Mickleover onto the back foot.

MARCUS TUDGAY HALF TIME SKILLS

They were level within three minutes of referee Corey Green's re start whistle after a smart little move on the left it was George Simpson who found the back of the net to create parity.  

Just seven minutes later the visitors were left stunned as Mansfield took the lead when the ball was fed into the box to Luke Crosby who shielded and then turned to fire across the goal into the left hand corner of the net to make it 2-1.

GEORGE SIMPSON [L] RECEIVES CONGRATS FOR HIS GOAL TO MAKE IT 1-1

Mickleover were battling to get a foothold back in the game but disaster struck for them just past the hour mark when a high challenge from Samuel Tomlinson felled the Mills player and it resulted in a confrontation which saw referee Green show a red card for the initial challenge.

MATT FOWLER IN PROFILE

An alert home side from there on in denied the ten men of Mickleover any way back into the game but the chance count was not high for Mansfield either.  It remained a game that turned on the opening ten minutes of the second half probably aided by the double morale boosting substitutes and helped thereafter by the visitors reduction in numbers.

GEORGE SIMPSON LINES UP AM EFFORT ON GOAL

The increasingly cold March afternoon had by ten to five produced three points that opens up the vista of mid table respectability for Mills and the warmth from the victory was there for all too see in the players.  Mickleover have some handy players but today it wasn't to be and they probably perform better on flat pitches it will be interesting to see how their run in to the season goes.

LUKE CROSBY ENJOYS HIS WINNING GOAL

It was time to say cheerio to The Fieldings again and I couldn't say I would be too sorry with my body in need of a good old warm through.  Cheeky taxi got a return to base at around 5.45 from a visit to a club that I'm increasingly enjoying popping along to.

MATT FOWLER ON THE RUN 

As the 23/24 season comes to its conclusion much like you, I bet, I just crave picking a game midweek and being able to stick to it with no pitch problems from the constant wet weather lets hope for a good finish for all clubs without the continuing inconvenience of constant postponements.  Who knows we might just get a dry warm summer for the cricket, but that may be asking too much.

TOM TORRINGTON RALLIES THE MILLS

Run out of waffle before the last picture, ha ha.

RYAN BARSON MILLS NUMBER ONE