WONDER GOAL WINS IT BUT REF SHOWS THE CARDS

SHERWOOD COLLIERY 1 BOSTON TOWN 0

UCL PREMIER AT DEBDALE PARK

14 OCTOBER 2023 --- 3PM

SHERWOOD COLLIERY ATTACK VERSUS BOSTON TOWN

A superb strike from Will Norcross three minutes before half time gave table toppers Sherwood Colliery victory in this feisty and tetchy affair, so much so that referee Guy Owen became a talking point with eleven yellow cards and one red which saw the dismissal of Layton Maddison for the visitors 

EXCITMENT TIME FOR SHERWOOD MANAGER WAYNE SAVAGE

Boston travelled to Debdale Park in a below half way in the table position and at the end of this affair you have to ask why they are in that place because their determined performance here pushed the home side all the way.  From the opening minutes this had a temperamental feel to it with a fair amount of dissent, appealing to the referee and some edgy challenges.

But the first half performance was really to Sherwood's advantage and so it proved when Norcross hit what proved to be the winner just inside the left angle of the penalty box he curled a beauty round the keeper into the top right hand corner.

That was about it really apart from a caution for the visitors Daniel Worthington, who knew the yellows were about to arrive on mass after a very cautious first half display from the man in the middle.

Colliery manager Wayne Savage, always a man of full commitment, was getting frustrated with the official and many on the pitch seemed to be as well, although it had to be said the dissent and a visiting keeper who I'm sure will be taking a referees course very shortly having spent most of the game giving his opinions from penalty box on the officials performance were not helping.

Although the referee on a couple of occasions when his dug out side assistant was coming under a barrage of dissent seemed either unable or unaware to come to his assistance.

Half time arrived with Sherwood looking to hold onto the valuable lead before the break who could have seen the second half fun to follow.

EARLY FIRST HALF ACTION FOR SUB CRAIG WESTCARR

The early stages of the second half saw Boston gradually gaining an upper hand in proceedings and as they looked more threatening the home side reached for the time wasting policy something that all of a sudden sprung referee Owen into action with a fair percentage of his cards issued against this.

Nothing though could bring me to remember a period of yellow cards that came just after the hour mark with eight in a period of just over fifteen minutes, it was a crazy period with many around me in the crowd cowering behind the advertising boards if the referee got near them to save also receiving a yellow card.

FIRST HALF SHERWOOD ATTACK BEGINS

The excitement from the touchline though did not stop home manager Savage also adding a yellow card to his afternoon as the referee continued to give himself a busy Saturday night.

The cards continued to flow in a slightly less frantic pace but it had to happen and with a minute to go Maddison received his second yellow and ultimately red variety to reduce the visitors to ten men.  Amazingly the final few minutes of stoppage time ran out with no more cards and Sherwood had secured a valuable and hard fought for victory.  Was there any football in the second half?  Who knows I got lost in the cards and as the clubs photographer said if he had taken all the cards he would have run out of storage space.

FIRST AND ONLY FIRST HALF CAUTION BUT WAIT FOR IT

From past experience I love watching, as a neutral, Sherwood and their managers sides they are so determined and they must be a nightmare to play against but Boston Town apart from some of the dissent should be playing like this more often and they would be much higher in the league.

WILL NORCROSS GETS THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS SUPER STRIKE

What happened to the bits around the day?  Well a good walk to Holmewood and a Pronto to just shy of Mansfield got me to the Rufford Arms crossroads and then a mile down to Debdale Park the return at the end allowed for a visit to the Local Nisa before a reverse Pronto journey and a fifty minute walk back to base after an eventful afternoon. 

The ground itself has come on steadily and sensibly over the years and the nice addition since my last visit is you can now walk behind the goal nearest to the clubhouse making all four sides accessible, with the players coming out now behind that goal over the 4g mini pitch.

I'm still waiting for that first cracking game of the season but this one provided enough 'game' excitement to keep up hopes.

AIRBONE ACTION

MACASKILL AT THE DOUBLE

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 3 CROMFORD AND WIRKSWORTH TOWN 0

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT LEES LANE 

7 OCTOBER 2023 --- 3PM

TY MACASKILL IN DOUBLE FOR SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC V CROMFORD AND WIRKSWORTH TOWN 

A double from Ty Macaskill helped South Normanton Athletic to the top of the table and defeat a stubborn Cromford and Wirksworth Town who would have been disappointed to have gone away with nothing, much of that due to the home sides sharp finishing and equally dominating performance of keeper Ross Etheridge.  

EARLY BIT OF WRESTLING

Due to the usual public transport fun much of it today with some of the people using it I had a nice little walk from short of Alfreton through the town and out to Lees Lane.  With a nice fifty minutes to play with a re acquaintance with the Coop superstore was made and needless to say a couple of snacks hit the wallet.

Arrival at Lees Lane, which I think was visited on the big walk last season for the game against Mansfield Hosiery Mills, saw the shock of the field to the left now being built on indeed the show cabin was now in the football club car park. 

EARLY PONDERING MOMENT FOR THE ATHLETIC MANAGEMENT

One big change since my last visit would be the arrival in close season of the Glapwell management team along with a fair few of the squad, who admittedly drop their club affinity at the end of the season and with an experienced squad full of some well known faces they would be hoping to make a challenge for promotion this season.

Its a ground that beckons a higher level and this season was looking smart with a fresh coat of paint everywhere to a high standard, probably something to do with Athletic manager Dave Turner being a decorator?  The star of the development though is a new electronic scoreboard situated at the Blackwell end of the ground, an excellent position when so many clubs put these in the wrong place.

SOUTH NORMANTON ATTACK BUT LOOK AT THAT SCOREBOARD

Thankfully the home side were obliging in an early gathering of the team sheets picture and the obligatory circuit was completed before the start of todays proceedings.

The first half saw the sides only separated by a Macaskill goal after fifteen minutes when his sheer determination saw him force his way through on the left edge of the box before firing past Max Charlottes on the visitors goal.

HOME KEEPER ETHERIDGE IN COMMANDING FORM

Much of the first half had failed to get going and at the end of it the visitors had seen as much of the play as Athletic but that all important goal was what made the difference.

REFEREE HODSON ADVICES WHICH WAY THE FREE KICK IS GOING

The second period showed a similar pattern to the first with South Normanton struggling to get much free flowing football together but at the important times they could finish and had the increasing threat of livewire Macaskill who would get his second after 64 minutes.  He would again weave his way into the box with pace to slot past the out coming keeper.

Talking of keepers and Athletic's number one Etheridge who always impress when I have seen him previously was no different today with a commanding performance indeed before Macaskill got the second he had saved superbly from Scot Taylor for the visitors.

GOOD SERVICE HERE AT THE BACK POST FOR CROMFORD AND WIRKSWORTH

As the game crossed over into stoppage time frontman Josh Parfitt secured the third when he headed home a cross from Elliott Bland off the left.

Shortly afterwards referee Chris Hodson blew for time and The Shiners had leapfrogged to the top of the table after a successful afternoon result wise against a very challenging mid table Cromford and Wirksworth.

TY MACASKILL RECEIVES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS SECOND FROM OLIVER ROUSE

As a game and I don't know whether it was me but this wasn't an easy watch as a neutral on the entertainment front but South Normanton have some good experienced players at this level and I'm sure will be right up there at the top of the table this season.  Will it be enough to secure top spot?  I'm not sure there will though be some good encounters with Derby Singh Brothers and Mickleover RBL who are also looking strong challengers for the title. 

THE SHINERS BLAND 

With a prompt finish it was back to the bus to Alfreton which needless to say brought further challenges with one passenger who was making a nuisance of himself , thankfully it was only a short journey before launching The Comet back to base.

Look forward to another trip to Lees Lane soon.

LATE ATTACK FROM THE SOUTH NORMANTON SUBSTITUTES

PINXTON DOMINATE

PINXTON 3 HOLBROOK ST MICHAELS 0

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE VAN ELLE ARENA

30 SEPTEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

PINXTON V HOLBROOK ST MICHAELS ON A WET AFTERNOON

Pinxton eased to a comfortable victory over struggling Holbrook St Michaels in this local derby played out in constant rain on a challenging afternoon for watching never mind playing in.  

Although the visitors put up a resolute defensive effort Pinxton would run out deserved winners and after the third goal just past the hour mark it became a training ground stroll.

EARLY PINXTON ATTACK SEES THE BALL GO INCHES WIDE

A small selection of games were all giving me a concern with the wet stuff forecast and after a damp week but with the decision taken to pop along to Wharf Road in this seasons re visits to local grounds plan.  Although I think it was only last season I was here its always worth a trip especially enjoyable with the close proximity to the pitch for spectators although with limited standing cover an umbrella would be the order of the day.

HARDY FELLED FOR THE PENALTY

After a bit of local difficulties with the planned Comet service the hope for a little walk round the village was curtailed having to take the next bus one hour later and with arrival in Alfreton a quick taxi to Pinxton allowed for a bit of comfort food from the nearby Coop.

Walking up past the massive welfare building and onto the ground just in time to obtain the team sheets photo op thanks to referee Churcher was probably the first bit of good timing today had brought about.

JONES OPENS THE SCORING FROM THE PENALTY SPOT

The ground has not changed since my last visit and with a snack bar and raised covered standing area added to by a smart stand near the changing rooms there was enough for todays crowd of around 70 to keep relatively dry.  The large brolly was working for me and a few others who wanted to stand pitch side.

ROSS HARDY SETS UP ANOTHER PINXTON MOVE

The opening 45 minutes were more or less constant Pinxton pressure with the odd breakaway from the visitors but the boys in blue seemed unable to find that final ball to finish off their attacks and had to be reliant on a penalty that came mid way through the half for the half time lead.  Livewire Ross Hardy attacked the box and the sliding tackle of James Knighton took him down just inside the penalty box for which he received a caution before Ben Jones sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot. 

THE EXPERIENCED NATHAN BENGER

It took just five minutes into the second half  to double their lead and Pinxton were thankful to a lovely finish from Hardy who deserved it for his contribution to this game, put through the middle he raced on to slot past the out coming Harvey Adams with comfort.

It was 3-0 on 62 minutes when Jones set up Brad Newby pulling the ball back to the front man who switched it onto his left foot before firing home.

PINXTON GO CLOSE

Strangely it was game over with Pinxton visibly taking their foot off the gas which was a shame as it would have been nice to see them gain a few more confidence boosting goals.  I say strangely because Michaels substitute Kian Roome struck the post and then saw a header bounce back off the bar in the space of a few minutes.

HALF TIME GAMES DISCUSSIONS

The rain was still falling sharply at the final whistle but the craving for a non league game had been satisfied, bus back to Alfreton and I even treated myself to a taxi back to base on this wet and dismal evening.  Pinxton is always worth a trip but it seems such a long time since that red hot day a few weeks ago at Radford so I may book some dry stuff for the next visit to Wharf Road.

HARDY MAKE IT 2-0

MILLER HITS FOUR AS RHP GO THROUGH

GLAPWELL 1 RHP SPORTS AND SOCIAL 6

BUCKINGHAM INSURANCE LEAGUE CUP ROUND ONE AT HALL CORNER

23 SEPTEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

HAT TRICK FOR SOLOMON MILLER IN GLAPWELL V RHP SPORTS AND SOCIAL

Captain Solomon Miller was the star in this League cup encounter as he hit four goals and had another two chalked off as RHP Sports and Social hit half a dozen to despatch a struggling Glapwell at Hall Corner.

The division one east side led their premier league south counterparts 2-0 at the break in what had been a relatively good showing for the home side but the second period saw the Newark based visitors push home their advantage which in the end could have been by more goals.

KIERAN STARBUCK SHIELDS THE BALL

Today the short trip to Glapwell would be undertaken by four buses the first change would be in Clay Cross and today this definitely looked like a shabbily kept rear end of a Badger, with the bus station and surrounds looking an absolute mess,  How this town as suffered over the the years of industrial decline thankfully we would soon escape on a 49 to Clowne with our departure at Glapwell just over twenty minutes later.

WHERE THE AFTERNOON BEGAN FOR RHP CAPTAIN SOLOMON MILLER 1-0

Over the years Glapwell in its various guises have been covered many times but it sadly needs saying that this ground is in a very sad state of repair and I believe the varying clubs only rent from the council who really need to undertake a tidy up operation its so sad to see Hall Corner in this state.

Admission front was £4 and £3 with the club making the effort to publish a programme something that a small band of the crowd of 21 purchased this afternoon.

GLAPWELL KEEPER HUDSON DOWN TO DENY RHP

Spaced out paragraphs are an excuse for including a larger than normal set of pictures and I make no escuse, apart from this mention, of featuring Miller in so many he was the outstanding contributor to an exciting ninety minutes.  It took me a bit of research after the game to jolt my memory of where I remembered the number 9 from and he was one of the stars of the Newark Flowserve side who rose from step seven to five.  Today the front mans pace and finishing was prominent and although I guess he could be playing at a higher level it was great to see and watch him again.

EARLY CHAT FOR JASON THURLBY WITH REFEREE BARNES

With the preliminaries done and a team sheet photo secured it was to the stand side to take a few pictures on a lovely sunny afternoon.

Glapwell had lost all seven of their league games conceding 44 goals in the process and after losing their management team and squad to South Normanton the shock of rebuilding was proving a stern test for player manager Jamie Durham.  RHP were sat mid table in their regional league one level below but must have fancied their chances of progressing.

KEANU JONES RECEIVES CLOSE ATTENTION OF GLAPWELL DEFENDER DEL KADIS

A fairly even opening but on nine minutes the harshest of fortunes hit Glapwell when Kieran Starbuck struck a sharp shot against the visitors post as the ball fell away the visitors cleared the ball up field and before you knew it Miller drew the keeper and slotted home for the lead.

We didn't see another goal until twenty seven minutes but it was Miller again who enticed Rhys Hudson off his line before firing home all this was superbly set up by a cross field pass from Jason Thurlby.

Before the break Thurlby tried a cheeky back heel that was scrambled off the line before at the other end Starbuck saw his effort saved by Ashley Reed in the visitors goal.

HUDSON DENIES JONES

The half time break was wiled away but for any visitors thinking of taking a visit or re visit to this ground there is a snack bar in operation for the usual goodies.  RHP were out about five minutes earlier than the fifteen minute break eager to continue and also to signify at 'this level' generally everybody gets on with it.

RHP MAKE IT 2-0 THROUGH MILLER

The second period would need just two minutes for Miller to secure his and the visitors third when his pace took him through two merging visiting defenders before firing past Hudson.  A few minutes later he was denied by the keeper but RHP would get their fourth when Thurlby was brought down in the box by Zach Hogg who received a yellow card from referee Martin Barnes, the felled player got up brushed himself down and sent Hudson the wrong way.

STARBUCK DENIED BY RHP KEEPER

Just over the hour mark Miller turned provider when his run down the right saw the ball laid back to Calum Chilvers who cheekily clipped the ball into the far corner of the Glapwell goal to make it five.  Shortly afterwards Glapwell danger man Starbuck did find the net to pull a goal back when the visiting keeper could not deny his low shot.

THURLBY LEGGED UP JUST INSIDE THE PENALTY BOX

Comeback on the cards?  Miller stopped that thought when just two minutes later, 67 minutes, when he paced away and again slotted past Hudson with an apparent ease for his fourth.

The game at this stage was clearly won and although the edge appeared to have gone out of the fixture it didn't stop the chances.

MILLER LEAVES A COLLECTION OF GLAPWELL PLAYERS BEHIND

Having had a first half goal disallowed for offside Miller suffered the same fate with seventeen minutes remaining again outpacing the defence and slotting home only to see the assistant referee with his flag aloft.

Starbuck again got himself into scoring positions but on two occasions Reed again denied him with saves.

CHILVERS [LEFT] CLIPS THE BALL INTO THE BOTTOM CORNER

Referee Barnes was sympathetic to the home side with a full time whistle on forty five minutes non of this 5 and ten past 5 of recent weeks this was a game that was gone and there was no need to drag out the agony for Glapwell.

FOUR FOR CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

With no need to rush for a bus that would now have a fifty minute waiting time which is typical after most of the Saturdays of the season so far when with the overrun of games not leaving enough time for the old public transport timetable.

THIS TIME MILLER IS DENIED BY THE OFFSIDE FLAG

There was time for a comfort break and a reminisce about those 'glory' days at Hall Corner when one of the former Glapwell so very nearly made The old Unibond, Northern Premier League, Premier League.  Those days are so sadly gone but even then the club appeared to have a constant struggle with convincing locals that this footy success thing was a good thing for the village. 

MILLER TURNS ON THE PACE

So for now while this club fights for its future lets hope a few more will pop along to support it in its efforts its going to be a long hard road this season and you can only hope the club will retains its Premier League status in the Central Midlands Alliance.

DO I NEED TO CAPTION IT OH GO ON THEN MILLER WITH A TURN OF PACE AGAIN

Two more back with the 49 and 55 dropping us at base just over an hour later from departure at Glapwell.  An enjoyable afternoon a surprisingly entertaining game, my best of the season so far and great to see the abilities of Solomon Miller on show.

REFEREE BARNES HAS A CHAT WITH CAPTAIN MILLER

TUPTON STRONG

TUPTON 45 DRONFIELD 2'S 10

COUNTIES THREE MIDLANDS EAST [NORTH] AT NORTH SIDE

16 SEPTEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

TUPTON RUFV V DRONFIELD

A brief one from Tupton Rugby Union Club this time around on a cloudy and cooler day after last weeks hot one.

Tupton stormed to a 19-0 lead courtesy of three tries of which two were converted, their dominance fell away a little while Dronfield had a stronger fifteen minutes that saw them pull back three points from a penalty.

Tupton got back into gear with a further try and conversion before being reduced to 14 with a sending off just before the break but lead 26-3.

The reduction of number had little effect as the home side continued to dominate with three more tries and bringing the score line to 45-3 before Dronfield scored a determined try thro the posts to bring the final score to 45-10.

A change of an afternoon for one of the couple of Rugby Union trips that normally encompass a season. 

TOO HOT FOR FOOTY?

RADFORD 2 BOURNE TOWN 1

UCL LEAGUE CUP AT SELHURST ST

9 SEPTEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

RADFORD ON THE ATTACK VERSUS BOURNE TOWN

Never go to a game in strong winds is always my comments after having gone to a game in strong winds because very very rarely is it of any good value as a match.  Here today after a late summer heat wave the temperature in Hyson Green, Nottingham was firmly placed at 30 degrees and purely walking round the perimeter of the pitch and taking a few pictures was enough to require a shower after half a lap, I don't think I have every watched in conditions so hot and humid.  That said these two sides give 100% in what must have been terrible conditions to play in.

In the re visit of old grounds season I wont go over Radford Fc's ground again but just back up with some distance match pictures the wonder of the place it really is one of mine and many others favourite local [ish] non league grounds.  Situated in Hyson Green and wedged tightly right into surrounds this ground is everything a football club should be.

Bourne make a fairly lengthy trip and probably a culture shock to for many as they look to move forward in the UCL League Cup which is at the preliminary round stage.  

It doesn't start well when after just ten minutes Harry Peasgood turned the ball into his own goal following a sharp cross from Jevin Seaton. 

Half time arrived at 3.55 after a three minute late start it had an ominous feeling about bus times after the game for me and when as ever the match officials took, fairly, their full fifteen minute break we re started at two minutes short of quarter past four.

Bourne were level on 58 minutes when Zak Munton swung in a low free kick off the left that evaded everybody and fell in at the far post and Radford were kicking themselves for some half chances they hadn't converted.  Thankfully the penalty option was pushed a little further away when ten minutes later Radford re took the lead.  A free kick just outside the box was laid in low and the ball lofted up for Joseph McLaughlin to head in.

There was a water break of a few minutes in each half with the weather oppressively hot and when after a few minor injury stoppages referee Everatt at 4.45 announced to an asking player that there was still 20 minutes left I knew then it would be a mad dash.

With penalties still looming Radford nearly scored again on 89 minutes when a header bounced back off the crossbar.  

After a few more stoppages in play the end time was obviously going back and like a few other hoppers at this game I also had to leave at five past five for the bus back to Alfreton.  The game finally came to an end at about ten past five and thankfully I missed no goals or penalties.

It does seem a shame games are taking longer with the added on time I was of course all for this at one stage but when the old public transport is involved its not the wonder it sometimes appears.

As the Radford interviewer commented in the after match video this 'felt like a game that was never going to end'.

As ever love visiting but next time I'm sure it will be cooler.

SELSTON VALUABLE THREE POINTS

SELSTON 2 LUTTERWORTH ATHLETIC 1

UCL 1 AT THE PARISH GROUNDS

2 SEPTEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

JORDAN BLACK [10] CELEBRATES THE SECOND OF HIS GOALS

Two superb strikes from Jordan Black gave Selston a deserved three points that puled them away from the lower reaches of the table, both goals came from lovely weighted passes while Lutterworth pulled a late goal back from the penalty spot.

The decision was taken not to blog this game in full after a disappointing 'incident' during the second half.