MILLERS STACK THE GOALS AT THE BRICKYARD

 Pre Season Friendly

KIRTON BRICKWORKS FC 1 MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS FC 5

I usually pop up to Station Road the home of Kirton Brickworks FC most season and always greeted by club chair Tony with the joking comments of, oh no not you again, we never win when you turn up and it always rains! Well just as he said that and got me a cuppa, the heavens opened!!

Most players walked in and aid hello as they have known me over the years and then Alan from Ollerton popped in for a cuppa and kindly handed over £10 to the charity blog. The match referee Gaz Tye arrived and we had a chat andn he always sponsors £1 a goal but added if its 0-0 then he will donate £10, well I dont do 0-0's.

I then did something very silly and decided to go and watch the first half of the game without my crutches, thinking id be ok, but after about 30 minutes, I could feel my hip going and the pain was there strongly so just before half time, I spotted a couple of chairs near to the the dug out, of course with the earlier downpour, they were full of water, so back up to the tea room and ex Kirton's player Lee Wareham,his daughter carried me a chair down to the halfway line and helped me at the end of the game, so a big thankyou to her for her kind support.

ok on to the game, the first 20 minutes, the footballs were being found out of the wooded area over the far side of the pitch as neither keeper had a chance to save, im not even sure if they even touched the ball, i was getting a touch worried that Gaz's prediction could come true in a 0-0 draw.

Then on 22 minutes, came the first real attack of the game to the visitors and ELLIOTT NUNN slot the ball home, this seemed to spur the Millers forward and on 26 minutes, a player went down in the area to which they appeal,by ref Gaz was having none of it and waved the appeal away.

Half  Time came and with cuppa in hand and chair at side of pitch, Gaz blew for the second half to commence, 30 seconds in and the visitors had doubled their lead through AIDEN McTIE. Hosiery Mills the set out in a 4-4-2 formation as Kirton had 1 man up and I think about 5 or 6 behind the ball, so each time, Kirton cleared long it would come straight back at them, but the Mills had quite a few subs whilst the Brickies had 1 and this was showing with tired legs.

On 50 minutes, the Millers broke down the left wing and JOE OSBORNE took the ball to the edge of the left hand side of the box and chipped the ball over the top of the keeper to make it 3-0.

On 54 minutes, The Millers pressed down the right hand side and the winger hit a low cross to the back post and inside the 6 year box ELLIOTT NUNN nudged home his second goal of the game and Mansfield's fourth.

I was getting a bit worried about Kirton by now and felt this could well be a hiding for them, but they didnt give up and started to pay their best football of the game and on the hour got a goal back when JACK MARCH hit a shot across the keeper in to the far corner of the net.

The game began to fade a bit by hen with the result not in any doubt and lads just getting the minutes in, but on 80 minutes, the Millers RYAN BOLER hot a low 25 yard shot that hit the back of the net to make it 5-1.

I must thank the following Mark Turner of Mansfield \HM for keeping me updated with each goalscorer whilst tweeting, but most of all Ollerton Alan, Gaz Tye and Kirton |Brickworks FC who all donated £10 each to the blogs charity for the Childrens Bereavement Centre, with the 6 goals scored at 25p a goal, it now takes the running total up to a incredible £3,152.75p

To view the 141 photos from the match, please click this LINK

EASTWOOD & KIMBERLEY HIT BACK IN 7 GOAL THRILLER

 Pre Season Friendly

EASTWOOD & KIMBERLEY FC 4 COTMANHAY FC 3

A rare evening out for me, but with Shawn on a trip with his special needs youth to Drayton Manor, Hazel was able to drop me off at The Dale Club in Jacksdale, not to be confused with Jacksdale Social Club just down the road. Eastwood & Kimberley have quite a few set up's with a charity team, a sunday team and now a Saturday team that have entered the Nottinghamshire Senior League for this coming season, tonights visitors Cotmanhay FC play in a Sunday League, so wasnt really sure what to really expect in the match.

I was soon greeted by the clubs secretary Sue White who showed me the improvements they had made to the ground since taking it over and in the next couple of weeks will have new dugouts installed as the pitch is barrier down one side and a respect roped down the other, with some nice benches facing the pitch on the roped side, nice large car park and wooded area behind the far goal, a place well worthy of a visit.

At kick off I was joined by Nottinghamshire legend hopper Malc Storer. The visitors began the brighter and were in the lead after just 4 minutes when their number 17 fired in a shot from 25 yards. Cotmanhay pressed forward again and went wide.

On 11 minutes the homesters were back on level terms when MITCH MPUTU lobbed the outcoming keeper to make it 1-1. 

This was Eastwood & Kimberleys only second outing of pre season and it seemed to show with new players looking to fit in but the visitors just quicker to the ball and looking more likely to score at any time and infact after 34 minutes, the derbyshires club's number low shot from distance crept in to the corner of the net to make them regain the lead.

The Half Time break came and both teams had their talks but it began badly for the home side as after just 48 seconds in to the half, a free kick from the right was latched on to by the visiting number 20 who smashed the ball home to extend their led to 3-1..oh dear was I the jinx of E & K!!!

But then Eastwood & Kimberley began to pick up their game and play alot better and on 54 minutes they reduce the score when DIEGO MIRANDER collected the ball on the right wing and shot from a acute angel from 25 yards in to the top corner of the net

The game then went from end to end with both sides missing chances and both keepers being called in to action, but then on 75 minutes, a superb cross from the right wing was met by the eye of MITCH MPUTU, I say eye as when he headed it home, he then was holding his eye!!

So was 3-3 going to be a fair result, every one thought so, but as they say never leave a match early, in the 82nd minute, the ball was played down the left side and ROBERT BENNISTON fired home the winner with a shot across the keeper's reach to make it 4-3 to the EK's

After the match £5 donation was made by Eastwood & Kimberley FC and the 7 goals at 25p per goal was added to the running total of the charity blog in aid of the CHILDRENS BEREAVEMENT CENTRE to take it up to a amazing £3,121.25p, a massive thankyou to Eastwood & Kimberley for their kind donation, Im sure people understand why this charity means a lot to me, as in my first marriage 30 years ago I lost my daughter at birth and then 12 years ago lost my 5 day old grandson.

To view the 26 photos, sadly a lot didnt come out very well, please click this LINK

RAVENS HIT FOUR

 Pre Season Friendly

RAVENSHEAD FC 4 ARNOLD TOWN FC 1

The second of  the matches played at Ravenshead Leisure Centre, both matches being played on the top pitch, as they dont use the main pitch for friendlies saw top division side of the Notts Senior League host Central Midlands League club Arnold Town.

Those that know me well will know I was involved with Arnold Town in the 1990's as Programme Editor and Club Shop manager, so still have a few friends at the club. As folks arrived, a few folks came hello from both sides, Ash and Roy the management of Arnold and Ross and Mark from Ravenshead.

The game kicked off and the strangest goal, Ive ever seen happened after just 59 seconds, Ravenshead kicked off and pumped a long ball to the right wing but it went out of play opposite the Arnold penalty  area, out runs the Arnold keeper to take a quick throw in across his own 6 yard box, but the defenders werent ready for a qiuck throw in and in whipped a Ravenshead's JACK WAGSTAFF to tap the ball in to a empty net.

The Eagles began to get more in to the game and forced the Ravens keeper in to a couple of saves, but on 25 minutes, a throughball was played and the homesters made it 2-0 through OLIVER HIGGINS, the Arnold defence werent happy as the complained to the referee for offside, I couldnt judge from where I was sat and we dont have VAR, so the goal stood.

Arnold then began to play their best football in the game and pulled a goal, when a long range shot was parried by the home keeper and TYLER COBB was first to the ball to knock it in.

Arnold continued to press forward and had lots of corners but each one went to the far post with no man on the front post, so each went astray or as cleared by the home defence.

The teams were out for the Second Half and on 48 minutes, a long ball from the Ravenshead defence saw PERRIS THOMAS sprint clear before chipping the keeper to make it 3-1, the Arnold defence wasnt happy with their own linesman at this stage and both of the Arnold management both said it wasnt offside and Ash ended up taking the flag to quieten his team down.

Some tackles were getting strong and the ref had to blow quite a lot for fouls to which some players didnt agree with. 

Ravenshead kept playing and on 66 minutes JACK WAGSTAFF made it 4-1. More nasty looking tackles were beginning to creep in to the game and the poor referee was getting a lot of stick, so on 79 minutes, he did the right thing in my own opinion and ended the match before someone got hurt.

To see 93 photos of the match, pls click this LINK

REDS FIGHT BACK IN TOWN FRIENDLY

 Pre Season Friendly

RAVENSHEAD REDS 2 BINGHAM TOWN DEVELOPMENT 2 

A change of plan saw me head to Ravenshead Leisure Centre for a double header, as this match kicked off at 12.30pm and Ravenshead FC v Arnold Town FC kicking off at 3pm.

On arrival, I was greeted by Kev the Reds Chairman who was also todays referee for this match and soon saod hello to the newly formed Town manager Chris Dawn who has been involved with Bingham for a matter of years.

Just on kick off I was joined for the afternoon by local hopper Pete from Mansfield. The game kicked off and the Town youngsters looked very quick and eager to make a good start and got the rewards after 5 minutes when JENSON DAUBRAH-SCOTT netted from close range.

Bingham continued to knock the ball around well and a through ball on 14 minutes saw them double their advantage through OLLIE WILSON.

Reds began to create a few more chances of their own as the half wore on, but the Town defence were standing solid.

At half time, the new Reds manager Andy ex Gedling Southbank told them they must be quicker and passing more direct, this seemed to have the desired effect as in the 50th minute, they pulled a goal back, this seemed to spur Reds in to more action and Bingham seemed to have changed tactics by trying to play on the counter attack. On 65 minutes, the scores were level when a mistake in the box saw a Reds attacker's shot find the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-2.

Me and Pete was then joined by a hopper from Derby who collected badges and was so  happy when he found out that Reds do a badge and the chairman had one in his car for him after the match.

With 25 minutes still to go in the match both sides had their chances to win it, but overall a draw was the right result, but regardless of the result not only was it a entertaining match to watch, it was 90 minutes in the bag for each player before the season kicks off

To view the 67 photos from the match, please click this LINK

GREY DAY ON THE LAWN

 Pre Season Friendly

RUFFORD TRAVELLERS FC 2 GREYFRIARS FC 4

Played at Sutton Lawns 4g

Well 2 new clubs? well not really..Rufford Travellers FC are a merger of AFC Rufford & Sutton Travellers FC, whilst Greyfriars FC were Netherfield Seniors FC but have new sponsors from their local pub Greyfriars in Nottingham.

I was heading to Bestwood Colliery today but they had put out they were playing Newark FC but I coiuldnt find what Newark team they were playing and didnt want to turn up and no game on, so when Greyfriars FC tweeted on their twitter page, they were playing a away friendly on Sutton Lawns with a 1pm kick off against Rufford Travellers, then this caught my eye.

On arrival, I was met by a few of the visitors and Hazel walked down to the cage to put my chair on the half way line, I was then greeted by the hellos Rob from the homesters. Just before kick off Greyfriars FC kindly donated £10 to the Charity Blog which as many of you know is for the Childrens Bereavement Centre, a charity close to me, having lost a child at birth and also a 5 day old grandson, so a BIG thankyou to all at Greyfriars FC.

It got to 1.05pm and we seemed tp be waiting for a referee to arrive, but word came through that he was in Birmingham, oh well perhaps he had gone to Sutton Coldfield and not Sutton in Ashfield!

With Travellers only having a bare 11 players and 2 of them only being able to play the first half, I was a bit worried for them and the Greyfriars manager became the referee but did briliant without a whistle.

The game kicked off and the first chance fell to the visitors in the 4th minute, but the home keeper was equal and stood tall to a one on one attempt. Greyfriars seemed to be the quicker to the ball, but the 2 vets of the Travellers defence was keeping them at bay.

After 9 minutes, it was the Ruffs that took the lead, when a break on the right wing, saw the winger lash his shot from the right side of the penalty area over the keepers head to put them in to a early lead. This seemed to give them some confidence in the sweltering heat.

On 23 minutes, the visitors were back on level terms, when a corner from the left wasnt cleared and J STARBUCK smashed the ball through a crowded area to make it 1-1.

The game went end to end with both keepers making some good saves and with a few hard felt tackles going in as well, but on 41 minutes, Greyfriars took the lead when a long kick forward beat the home defence and the ball was squared across to G McLEAN to tap in to a empty net.

At half time, some of Rufford Travellers mates and supporters had turned up and a couple of them was given a run out and to be fair, the first 10 minutes of the Second Half looked the better side, but the Friars came back in to the game and after 66 minutes T KING finally got his goal to increase the lead to 3-1.

With pace of the game slowing down, back came the homesters and on 81 minutes caught the away defence out and capitalize and their forward slotted into the net to set up a close finish.

The visitors responded 3 minutes later, when they broke down the right hand side before the ball was tapped across to the far post for S COX wrapped up the scoring and make it 4-2.

Greyfriars FC do have a fundraising day with all activities going on, with a pre season match on Saturday 6th August kicking off at midday at Carlton Forum.

With the kind donation and 6 goals @ 25p, it now takes the running total to a amazing £3,087.25p

To view the 164 photos from the game, please click this LINK

YOUNG BOATMEN SINK MINERS IN FRIENDLY

 Pre Season Friendly

CALVERTON MINERS WELFARE FC 0 AFC DUNKIRK 4

With rain forecast, I thought Id play safe and go to my 1st Pre season match where there is a stand, but found out that the main pitch had been seeded, so the match was to be played on a outer pitch, but it was fine, as it was well sheilded by lots of trees down one side.

Calverton have had a rough couple of seasons and have done really well just to survive as a club and last season were on the end of a couple of hammerings, so they have now begin this coming season in Division Two of the Notts Senior League, meanwhile AFC Dunkirk folded their Development side and merged them with their AFC side in the Premier Division of the Notts Senior League making them a very young side.

Calverton's manager Rob Musson has managed to build a team of a mixed of experiance and youth and the club have also entered a side in to the Development Division for this coming season. Lads turned up today and this was the first time they had met, so I really wasnt sure how they would ciope with a team that had been together for a couple of seasons.

The game kicked off and Dunkirk pressed forward and played some neat passing football, but I felt wasnt direct enough in front of goal in the first half, whilst the Miners held tall and strong in numbers in defence. During the first half going in to the final minute, only 3 chances had been created for the 2 goalkeepers to be saved, 2 to the visitors and 1 for the homesters. In the final attack of the half, the Boatmen took the lead, when a ball was played in to the six yard box from the left hand side, for RICHARD JOHNSON to scoop low to guide the ball in to the net. As the game re-kicked off, the referee blew for half time and what bought a smaile to my face was when the home keeper shouted, oh no ref couldnt you have blown 30 seconds earlier before they had scored!

Both sides then made lots of subs to begin the Second Half and whilst Calverton were not creating much up front, they were certaining closing down Dunkirk and playing their part in this game and making things difficult for them.

After 74 minutes, tired legs bean to be seen in the Calverton camp and the Boatmen explioted it, with a corner from the left and KIAL THURMAN smashing the ball home at the near post to double his sides advantage.

On 79 minutes, Dunkirk's TYLER BEARD headed in at the far post to make it 0-3, before DENNAN MORGAN hit a 25 yard shot through the area to make it 0-4 in the 85th minute.

At the end of the match, AFC Dunkirk's Roly Braithwaite kindly donated £5 to the Charity Blog which is in aid of the CHILDRENS BEREAVEMENT CENTRE and with the 4 goals scored today, takes the running total to a superb amount of £3,075.75p

To see the 143 photos from the match, please click on this LINK