FRENCH GIVES ELSTON THE LE POINTS

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Division Two

CALVERTON MINERS WELFARE FC 0 ELSTON UNITED FC 1

My planned match was Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves v Bingham Town FC but it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, so it was to look for a plan B, so a quick look on the League website, I spotted Calverton MW v Elston Un ited, both teams have had opposite season, with Elston top with 4 games in hand and Calverton rock bottom, though they havent  been being beaten by many.

On arrival, I met old friend Adam the Calvertons manager and got the teamsheet from todays referee Andrew Sargent and then found Elston warming up to get theres.

The game started well with the visitors pressing forward but not testing the ex Cslverton boss Rob Musson in the nets.

They say 13 is a unlucky number for some and it proved the case for a mistake in the defence of the homesters, then a lovely ball found CURTIS FRENCH who passeeed the ball in to the net to give his side a lead, I thought the floodgates may well open, but Calverton gave as much as their opponents and performed well.

Half time came and the Welfare side made some changes and Elston were changing their shape as they were a few players missing due to injuuries, butit is games like these you need to grind out results esp when you are top of the table.

Calverton to their mcredit seemed to0 be the better side in the second half but I dont think Ive ever been to a match where I have seen so many headers.

Only real save in the game came in the 80th minute, when a long low dipping shot was tipped over the calverton bar.

I felt the referee had a very good game for his young age

In all not a game that will last ion the memory too long but at least both sides tried in more of a midfield battle.

The charity Blogs running total now stands at £222.00 in aid of Autism Awareness, if anyone would like to make a donation, then you can make a bank transfer to 

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

To see the 187 photos, please click this LINK

TEAM OF THE MONTH JINX HITS SOUTHBANK

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Two

WOLLATON RESERVES FC 4 GEDLING SOUTHBANK FC 1

Today took me to Wollaton Reserves who were hosting Gedling Southbank, the visitors had been in good form and have games in hand on a couple of clubs above them in the table, whilst the hosts sat in midtable before kick off.

The reason for my visit was that last November, Gedling Southbank won the EUROSOCCER TEAM OF THE MONTH after defeating higher opposition Ollerton Town in the FA County Cup, a team two divisions above them.

So they went in to todays fixtuire as favourites on a muddy heavy pitch, but it was the sky blues of Wollaton that began the game better and had a couple of chances as the game was flowing end to end with several corners for both sides.

After 10 minutes a beatiful worked goal when a Wollaton player weaved his self in to the area, shot that the keeper pushed away, then another home player played level sidewards for TIAGO MATA to place home.

The visitors  pushed forward and had several chances cleared o0ff the line or saved well by the home keeper and started to get a bit frustrated and it seemed the luck was going to be on Wollatons side today as me and Mr Wollaton Bill Fishwick chattered away.

The Second Half kick off and Wollaton were out the blocks and on 50 minutes, the ball as played to the left edge of the area where TIAGO MATA rifld a cross shot in to the far corner of the net to increase his teams lead to 2-0.

Southbank began to get in to some rhytham and pushed forward more but the home defence was holding solid, but on 62 minutes, a corner from the right side found JOSHUA WOOD unmarked for him to head downwards in to the bottom corner of the net.

Gedling start to look more comfortable as they pressed but the Wollaton keeper was in excellent form, saving shot after shot and at times being brave.

On 79  minutes, Wollaton restored their two goal advantage , when a break away, saw the ball land to the right side and it was that man again TIAGO MATA to fire home his hat trick.

As the clock was running down, Gedling pushed forward and a collision with the home keeper saw them reduced to ten men.

In the 88th minute, Wollaton were awarded a penalty and up stepped JERICO BONNER who chipped the ball home for the game to finish 4-1.

Here is a photo before the match of Gedling Southbank receiving their team of the month award.

PLUCKY BEESTON HURT BY LAST KICK DEFEAT AGAIN

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League:Premier Division

BEESTON FC 1 ASLOCKTON & ORSTON FC 2

Having not visited Beeston FC from before pre covid some years ago, Id got this game in mind and with the visitors Aslockton & Orston winning the sponsors League Team of the Month, it gave me chance to do the team photo before the match.

As always a warm welcome by Beeston FC and manager Dan King before the match awarded me with 4 cans of Guiness 00 for helping him here and there with some advice and help when unable to do FA Full Time, which I would do with any club.

The teamsheeets were soon collected of match referee Lewis Quayle and my flask was soon filled by a lovely lady running the tea bar.

The game kicked off with Aslockton in fine form, whilst Beeston lower down in the table, havent been playing that bad, infact o0nly last week they were winning and lost to the final kick of the game and just havent had the rub of the green.

Making his debut and running the visitors front line was my mate Keiran Ginger Wells, who Ive know for years and always had a great banter but respect for, he is a lad who will just make you laugh.

Beeston had the first few chances as the game settled in to a rhytham in a dizzly rain conditions and  I was joined by Michael Greaves who writes for The Football Traveller Magazine and his report will appear in this weeks copy, so will put on to the NSL Facebook site in midweek when it is published.

Aslockton pressed fprward and the odd late tackle was going in from both sides keeping ref Lewis busy but there was no arguments just two teams who wanted to play football on a bitter day, as my feet was telliing on my mobility scooter. Half time came and it was 0-0 but t looked as if goals would come in the second half.

On the hour that was to happen, when a cross from the right side, picked out MORGAN BELL who headed home from close range to give the homesters a 1-0 lead. Was the team of the month jinx about to pounce for the visitors.

Aslockton pushed forward but missed chance after chance and Beeston played on the break and forced the away keeper in to a couple of good saves.

On 81 minutes, Aslockton got back on level terms when AIDEN LOSCALZO got t he ball just outside the area and placed the ball into the far corner of the net.

With the clock ticking down and a fair draw on the board, Aslockton broke and the home keeper took the visiting attacker down in the area to give the opponents a late penalty to whom JACK ROBB stepped up to place home their winner with seconds left in the game.

Must give a mention to all 3 officials who I felt had a very good match

I must also give a BIG THANK to the following for their kind donations to the charity blog in aid of Autism Awareness..FAYE HANDFIELD(Aslockton & Orston FC), BEESTON FC, MICHAEL GREAVES which takes the running total to £221.75p

To see the 154 photos taken at the match, please click this LINK