TOP OF THE TABLE THRILLER

KILBURN 2 MICKLEOVER ATHLETIC 2

CMA 1 WEST AT CHAPEL ST

27 APRIL 2024 --- 3PM

KILBURN V MICKLEOVER ATHLETIC

Ten men Kilburn twice came from behind to secure a draw in this thrilling top of the table clash with Ben Hilton notching both goals against leaders Mickleover Athletic.  The visitors had twice taken the lead but did not count on resilience of Kilburn who even found the winner after Daniel O'Donnell had received a red card.

SAM PIPES SHIELDS THE BALL

The threat of rain was in the forecasters minds but with the light variety possible after this season a big call was made to go for a game on the real turf for a change and this intriguing clash, second v first, had been on the radar all week.  It would be a return to Kilburn after around ten years since the last trip and pre match research showed that the chippy had closed about three years ago, a shame as Kilburn is a village that looks pretty much out on its own and you would have assumed would have supported it.

No Coop to tick off however their is a fantastic shop, 'Metro' from what I can see is part of the Nisa system which although the shops are independent is owned by the Coop, so I'm counting it.

Pasty and a walk around the estate opposite would allow a look around the sleepy village before returning to Chapel Street for the narrow cut down between the terraced houses to the welfare car park and ground.

THE EYES HAVE IT

With the Welfare to the left the ground is straight ahead enclosed in by the changing room block and two turnstiles which for today of which one is opened up but with their windows boarded up I'm not sure if they ever operated.

The changing room block has a small enclosure at the front for protection and to the right two dugouts, most of the boundary of this three sided ground is railed and with some paving slabs still visible for the spectator to view from.  Much of the corrugated boundary was reminiscent of Teversal and although the ground as seen newer days its the sort of ground that the seasoned hopper loves.

A friendly welcome from Ryan Smith and Andy Bonser, the latter who had got back to my enquiry quickly in the morning further convincing me to take this game in.  A brief hi with the Athletic manager and a catch up with referee Jason Glanville who was a late week change for this fixture and with thanks a quick picture of the teams and we were ready to get underway.

TOM KENT HEADS CLEAR

Kilburn looked resplendent in their striking all red kit and with Mickleover having the same colour kit their away kit is mainly black which they used but thankfully the club had arranged with the referee to appear in what looked like an ex Premier league green kit to avoid any clash

THE MANAGEMENT FOR KILBURN ANDY BONSER AND RYAN SMITH

First action came in the third minute and the visitors went close when a long throw from Callum Horton was flicked on only for it to come back off the crossbar.  Kilburn were more than competing but it looked like Athletic were getting the openings of which the best fell to Cole Hassell who missed connecting with his side foot effort with the goal open after a corner off the right from Sam Groves, 22 minutes.

Just shy of the half hour mark it was the visitors who took the lead a long ball through the middle saw saw Jamie Laird run onto it and fire past the advancing Kilburn keeper Sam Linford.  You feared this may dent the efforts of Kilburn but nothing was further from the truth as they battled on from this blow eventually levelling.  A long clearance down the inside left saw visiting keeper Josh Clapp fly to 30 yards out to make the clearance and whether due to the infamous 'Kilburn bobble' or not miss his kick allowing Hilton to guide home his first after 32 minutes.

JAMIE LAIRD OPENS THE SCORING

But with just five minutes further on the clock Kilburn's enthusiasm was dented when Sam Pipes was adjudged to have impeded a Mickleover player in the box and Michael Tristram stepped up to despatch the spot kick into the bottom left hand corner.

Before the break Hilton went close with a mid air flick with the side of his boot that that was saved by Clapp before at the other end Linford proved his worth with a vital save from Hassell.

LAIRD STARTS THE CELEBRATIONS

Half time had brought Mickleover in with the upper hand and for Kilburn the importance of not conceding again in the second half would prove vital as you could see the visitors then taking full advantage.  But the home side came out with a real gusto and took the attack to Athletic as it became a game of attack from the home side and counter attack from the visitors.

FLYING TACKLE

Much as Kilburn were building up a constant head of steam in their search for an equaliser move after move appeared to be falling down as the last pass could not break down the visitors defence and when they picked up possession they attacked with pace that threatened a further increase in their tally.

SOLOMAN MILES ON THE BALL

End to end was definitely the order of the day but it looked bleak on 75 minutes when the home sides number were reduced when O'Donnell was shown a red card for a high challenge and you feared this may lead to an end of the Kilburn chances but it seemed to galvanise them and deservedly they equalised just three minutes later.

1-1 AS HILTON RACES ON TO SCORE

Josh Jennison worked hard in the left hand side of the penalty to box to get in a cross that found Hilton at the back angle he quickly pulled the ball back central and fired past the stranded Mickleover defence to create joyful scenes as the scores were levelled.

HALF TIME ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR ATHLETIC

For a brief spell Kilburn took the pace out of the game but then realised they could win this and in the closing stages went so close with Soloman Miles firing just over from a Jennison assist and Hilton went close too with a 25 yard free kick that Clapp got down to save superbly at his post.

Clapp's early disappointment at the way the first goal was conceded with his side getting his head back on the game and encouraging him was more than matched by this previous save and then another one with two minutes to go that kept Micklover in the game.  It was from a Hilton cross off the right and Jennison whose shot was superbly blocked by the Athletic number one.

HILTON HOLDS OFF THE CHALLENGE

Breathless finish to a highly entertaining game for the small gathered crowd and a result that keeps both sides in the hunt for the league title. Thanks to both teams for a great game.

With third placed club Holbrook Sports securing a 1-0 win against Heanor Town Res its a three way battle and the remaining weeks.

In midweek Kilburn travel to Mickleover for an enthralling re-match although all three clubs meet one another and have some tough games for what will be an exciting run out and of the seven CMA leagues now has the most exciting finish to proceedings.

Own up time there was a cheeky re visit to the metro for a pastry before returning to base from a very enjoyable afternoon hopefully a return quicker than last time will be on the cards, can somebody open a chippy for next time?

As per normal recently more pictures than waffle to go around them and I couldn't leave them out so hopefully you will enjoy a scroll through the action shots.

PIPES UNDER CHALLENGE

RED FOR DANIEL O DONNELL FROM REFEREE JASON GLANVILLE

BEN JENNISON SETS UP THE EQUALISER

HILTON FIRES HOME HIS AND KILBURNS SECOND

2-2

HILTON AND JENNISON CELEBRATE WITH MILES, JACK ARCHER AND JASON BARRATT

IN YOUR OWN HANDS

SELSTON 1 RAINWORTH MWFC 2

UCL 1 AT THE PARISH

26 APRIL 2024 --- 7.45PM

SELSTON V RAINWORTH MW

Rainworth were handed a survival lifeline seven minutes from the end of this tough encounter when Callum Brooks fired home a superb strike that put the Kirklington Road outfits UCL 1 status right back in their own hands.  Win away at Southwell or get the better of West Bridgford result wise and the Wrens will have performed the great escape on the last day of the season.

GROUND OVERVIEW TONIGHT AT THE PARISH

A  quick return to grounds as happened quite a lot this season and as I mentioned in Saturday's blog its always a pleasure to come along to Selston.  Thankfully I did avoid the game two days earlier versus Clifton which was called off by the match referee thirty minutes before kick off.  

Today unlike Saturday the chariot was on time and a visit to The Coop just shy of the ground led to a cheese pasty which saw a heavy lumber up the light incline to the ground mind you I did celebrate arrival with the cake slice purchased at the same time!

As ever a warm welcome at the pay box, thank you, and there was to be a quick run around to collect the Selston yellow shirts due to Rainworth somehow coming along with their home blue kit the same as the home side.

Teams as ever after some re scheduling of the team sheet to suit the new kit was as ever readily available from secretary Adam and to be purely social I purchased a bar of chocolate from the lovely ladies at the snack bar.

A walk to the far side allowed me to get into conversation with a gentleman I had briefly spoken to on Saturday and turned out to be home keeper Joe Fryatt's dad, nice to meet you, thank you.  With light failing and the threat of floodlights a quick twenty minutes or so of photos tonight before putting the camera away to watch proceedings would be the order of the evening.

PRESSURES ON

A pacey start from both sides and non more so than Rainworth who looked a threat but their hopes were dented on eleven minutes when a lovely lob from Jordan Black on the right beat visiting keeper James Leverton to give Selston the lead.

Deservedly Rainworth were straight back on level terms within two minutes when soon to turn scorer Brooks was provider with a darting run down the right and his low cross found Harvey Thomas at the back post who guided the ball over the line.  

Rainworth were gaining the upper hand and went close with Tom Bedford who volleyed agonisingly wide from close range and just before half time the ball was in the Selston box for what seemed like an age before Mason Gee got a shot away only for home keeper Fryatt to hold on to the effort.

WRENS GOING FORWARD

The second period would return a couple of near chances for the home side as they continued to look to take the lead but missed their cutting edge Brooks fired narrowly wide and then Jay Cooper saw Leverton push the ball away for a corner to keep Rainworth hopes alive.

The visitors really needed the win with with West Bridgford at the basement side on Saturday and a point with a poorer goal difference would not be good enough tonight.

Both sides were still going for it in an intriguing watch and it didn't look like anybody would secure the breakthrough.  That was until Brooks who had looked a danger all night picked up the ball on the inside right and lashed a shot across keeper Fryatt which hit the far post and flew at a pace back into the right hand side netting.  Cue some glorious celebrations non more so than to see a happy long term Rainworth secretary Les Lees.

SELSTON NUMBER ONE JOE FRYATT

Referee Guy Owen blew the final whistle after an anxious five minutes of stoppage time but at the end of it Rainworth had their hopes up and survival back in their own hands.  Hopefully I still have some old friends at Rainworth, even though I have not made a game there for a while, and it was good to see them take this big step forward tonight, more so with Selston being already safe.

As ever a pleasant night with Selston regularly around the 150 attendance mark its a great encourager for them after a long season with the pitch work and after the seasons downpours it has to be said it was looking in good condition tonight.

Fully enjoyable night thanks Selston and Rainworth.

HARVEY THOMAS LEVELS FOR RAINWORTH

FEISTY AFFAIR

SELSTON 1 RADFORD 2

UCL DIVISION 1 AT THE PARISH

20 APRIL 2024 --- 3PM

SELSTON V RADFORD

[A selection of pictures continues at the end of the report].

Radford got the better of ten men Selston in this all Notts encounter to take the three points away from The Parish although with results going their way the home side have now secured their status at UCL League One for another season.

It was a feisty affair with the afternoon producing three red cards and numerous physical challenges that made this game an intriguing watch.

With the wet stuff gradually relenting during the week Selston were able to stage a festival of football today headlined by this UCL fixture and to slightly misquote Brucie 'you're both my favourites'.  Its always a great visit to Radford FC a good old community club based in the city hemmed in by houses and businesses and Selston in its sleepy parish area always a pleasure to visit a well run club who offer a friendly welcome and under the guidance of manager Craig Weston a team that give good value. 

The much lauded taxi service has had a bit of a downer in the last month and once again today were forty minutes late meaning an arrival fifteen minutes before kick off, not a disaster to most people but for my delicate diet it denied me a savoury visit to the large Coop here.  So although the rain had gone it was a stressful start but knowing that the team sheets would be available from Adam slightly eased the normal run around at some clubs.

FOLA FAGBEMI ENJOYS HIS OPENING GOAL FOR RADFORD

There was a large following from Radford and an equally youthful section from Selston taking up residency in the two stands split by the dug outs.

A Saturday game on grass here's unique and off we go.

The game started off at a tetchy old pace with Selston always working hard and making it difficult for the opposition to get any consistency going it made this Nottinghamshire encounter a game you didn't want to take your eyes off.  Radford were trying to move it around but they had to compete too as the home side chased them down.

Selston had gone closest after two minutes when Martin Bassey struck the post but just after the quarter of an hour mark Radford would take the lead.  A smart cross off the right from Cashmere Rowe was headed in by the unmarked Fola Fagbemi from close range a simple but neat little goal.

A hotly disputed offside which seemed to bemuse many resulted in home manager Weston cautioned by referee Stott as he warmed up his card arm.

The game hit a controversy moment but looking at the level of complaint from the Selston player it probably wasn't.  Awaiting a Selston throw in the referee stopped the restart with Radford keeper and defender joined on the goal line by home captain Ben Moore, the latter was pulled aside by referee Stott.  The man in charge spoke to his assistant who by all accounts had seen nothing but the referee strode back and flashed the red at the Selston leader.  It later transpired it was for an alleged stamp.

Half time brought little in the way of any questioning of the decision and it looked as though the only person to spot the transgression was referee Stott.

Half time and the sun was out no rain threatening is there anywhere better than on a football terrace in these conditions?  

RED FOR BEN MOORE

The second half saw Selston start on the front foot and amazingly the ten men equalised within four minutes again from a cross off the right the ball fell through to the back post were Declan Whitton forced the ball home.

Josh Smith would then force Raddy keeper Oluyinka Adebowale into a save before Radford took the lead again Favour Osaghae crossed off the left and the towering Joe McLaughlin headed into the floor and over the keeper and for Selston agonisingly into the top corner of the net when it looked like the bounce was taking it over the bar.

The game settled into a pattern of box to box play with little in front of goal until the ninetieth minute when Selston went so close to equalising.  A powerful run down the inside right from Jacob Barrass saw him aware of the despairing challenge coming in from Craig Meakin and he got his shot in quickly it flew across Adebowale and unbelievably clipped the cross bar and flew to safety much to the relief of Raford.

The final whistle signalled some 'coming togethers' which after one was sorted another broke out with what mainly looked like players and officials trying to stop anybody getting too involved.  But at the end of the close encounters Grant Tobin and Kuwsi Ofushine had been shown red cards for Radford who had been left with a disappointed feel to what had been a hard fought victory for the Nottingham side.

SELSTON MANAGER CRAIG WESTON HEADS TO THE CHANGING ROOMS AT HALF TIME

A great watch that kept you alert to all possibilities for the whole ninety minutes and beyond, great to catch up with Selston again and Radford and although not at their place it was great to see them on the road with a very healthy following in attendance.

Return trip went a lot smoother and apart from the missed Coop visit the game more than made up for it.

Typically as the weather dries out the season is coming to life in the games I have seen over the last few weeks.

1-1 AS SELSTON EQUALISE

This weeks nice weather has brought a large amount of pictures that I couldn't not use them and so hopefully you will continue on without any waffle and take a look at them below.

DECLAN WHITTON TAKES THE PLAUDITS

JOE MCLAUGHIN TAKES HIS CONGRATULATIONS WITH THE WINNING GOAL

A BANDAGED GRANT TOBIN LOOKS TO QUIETEN THE HOME SUPPORT

AFTER THE FINAL WHISTLE GREETINGS