ROYCE ROLL TO FIRST POINTS

 EUROSOCCER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE: DIVISION THREE

ROLLS ROYCE FC(DERBY) 4 CITY UNITED FC 2

After last weeks adventure to Trent Vineyard, I had a email from their secretary to say they had kindly donated £20 from their club to the charity blog in aid of Autism Awareness, I will come on to the running total later down the page and how you can make a donation if you wish.

Today we headed down the A38 from Mansfield Woodhouse to Derby and went passed Pride Park as we tried to find the home of newcomers Rolls Royce, who were at the foot of the table wil no points from their opening mattches, whilst todays opposition are also newcomers to the Notts Senior League City United FC.

On arrival shorty before 1pm, it was raining very heavy and the tea bar was closed, so no flask of a cuppa for me today, the pitch was quite a distance from the changing room area and I found a short path that took me pitchside as the players came out and the rain stopped for kick off, infact it only began again as I headed back to the car after the maatch, so fell very lucky.

The referee that was appointed called off overnight due to work arrangements so a local young referee was found as a replacement by the home club.

The game kicked off and the homesters seemed to feel more at home with a pitch that had been hard but rain on it, made it slippy and arkward, but Rolls were passing the ball around, whilst United hit long balls towards their target men up front.

The game looked very even but after 11 minutes,it was Rolls that took the lead, when OLLIE HIGGINS 30 yard shot hit the underside of the crossbar beforee falling in to the back of the net to send the hoeme crowd of 18 wild with delight.

City United were soon back on the attack and in the 19th minute, a defensive error allowed OPE ATOKI to roun d the keeper and slot home to make it 1-1.

The action continued with end to end battles and chances missed until Rolls retook the lead when a free kick from the left wing saw the visiting keeper palmed the ball away 30 yards only for RIO MORRE to volley the ball back past him.

More goals could well have been scored in the first half as both teams had very good chances but at half time, the home side lead 2-1.

The Second Half kicked off and City United had more of the play but didnt really force the home keeper in to any saves and  on 77 minutess came a turning point in the game, when a ball from a corner sprang round the visiting penalty area, ROCCO HIND shot which the keeper blocked but it fell in to the path of Hind to score from the rebound, the referee then gave the goal, theen was surrounded by the United player who insisted that the rebound had come off the players hands, the referee went over to the club linesman who had his flag raised but then walked with the ball up the pitch, so even I was a little confused to what was happening, he then placed the ball on to the centre circle but no signals to which City United were still not happy about as this had made the score 3-1.

United pressed forward and twice the striker was clipped in the box and were unhappy with the referee, to be honest, the nfirst did look to me as a spot kick but the referee was closer than me, the second looked like the striker was looking for one and the ref waved play on both situations, but in the 84th minute, the ref did award the visotrs ma penalty to which player manager DAMILOLA SIDIQ SANUSI slotted straight in to the corner with ease, so could they fight back with 6 minutes to go.

United pushed everyone forward in search of a equaliser, whilst Rolls were running down the clock as much as they could, but with few men left at the back, City were caught out in the final minute, when the referee awarded Rolls a penalty to which JOSH WISDOM stepped up to finish the match off with.

A strange game as for a neutral, it was a good flowing game to watch, for the home club, they will be delighted to get points on the board, whilst for City United they will be disappointed as they could have gone 3rd in the league if they had won, but for next week for me, me and the wife are going up to the daughters in Preston and Ive found a Lancs Cup Match not far from the Lake District in a little village called Galgate FC which on their website looks a nice ground to visit.

Meanwhile back to the Charity Blog in aid of AUTISM AWARENESS with Trent Vineyard FC's £20 donation and todays 25p per goal, it now takes the running total up to a amazing £3,050.82p

If anyone would like to make a donation, how ever small, you can do a bank transfer to

MR R HORNBY

Sort Code: 111324

Account: 00269688

To see the 193 photos from the match, please click this LINK

VINEYARD AND COLTS ENDS UP IN A STALEMATE

 EUROSOCCER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE: DIVISION THREE

TRENT VINEYARD FC 0 ROBIN HOOD COLTS FC 0

Well this game was my plan A, as Trent Vineyard usually play onpitch 2 of Chilwell Olympia but todays match was being played on pitch 1, also to set up a groundhop day for them in November where I will be doing their 1st ever programmer and metal badge, also to see newcomers to the league Robin Hood Colts who are hosting a groundhop day in April 2026.

All of a sudden, plan B came in to my view, with Stapleford Town Reserves winning the league's team of the month for August and it would be held at Stapleford's new look ground with a stand, floodlights and new changing rooms and a bar, but then the council made a mistake with the safety certificate and the game looked in doubt, but then could be played but with no spectators allowed to watch the game, so at 12.30pm I did the presentationa nd it was back to plan A.

I greeted both teams and the referee and got the teamsheets before going over to the halfway line on the far side of pitch 1.

It would be interesting how todays game would go, as last weekend both teams had suffered heavt defeats, so who was to bounce back the better, well none of them actually as they both cancelled each other out and at half time, both keepers coild well have been sat with me watching the game, where neither of thyem had made a save.

The Second Half seemed to have a bit more urgency with both teams having a go, but the odd wswhot being aimed at the keepers.

Towards the end, both sides had good chances to win the game, with the homesters keeper tipping over a shot as it was heading in, whilst up the other end, Vineyard thought they had scored, but the linesman said it hadnt crossed the line and it was cleared, he had a better view than from where I was sat on my mobility scooter, whilst in the final minute, the visiting captain found himself with the goal gasping for him to score and he mishit his shot to go wide.

A fair result in a game that will restore the confidence of both sides.

The Running total for the Charity Blog in aid of AUTISM AWARENESS stands at £3,029.37p, if anyone would like to make a donation no matter ho0w small, you can do a bank transfer to

MR R F HORNBY

Sort Code: 111324

Account: 00269688

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE CLOSED DOWN THE LLOYDS ACCOUNT DUE TO THEM CHARGING ME £4.25 PER MONTH, SO I HAVE SET THIS NEW ACCOUNT WITH THE HALIFAX.

To view the 266 photos, please click this LINK

REINDEER WIN THE NORTH MANSFIELD DERBY

 EUROSOCCER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE: DIVISION TWO

LANGWITH WHITESTAR 0  REINDEER FC 3

 A strange day in meeting people ive not seen for a long time, plus a match where it rained then stopped and rained again.

I looked todays fixtures and nothing struck out apart from this local North Nottinghamshire, even could call it the Mansfield Derby, with Langwith just in the north boudry of Mansfield, whilst Reindeer to the south of the town centre, so I expected a battle.

On arrival, I soon got a cuppa and the match referee Ashley Bradley arrived who Id not seen for 5 or 6 years, with both line ups, it was to the far side of the pitch, where one of the home teams 17 year olds mum and gran sat and spoke to me.

The game kicked off and a passback to the home keeper saw him kick the ball in his penalty area to opposition striker ASHLEY McKAY for him to smash his team in to0 a third minute lead.

A chap then came and sat a few yards away and said he knew me and I knew him but couldnt remember where from, then as he mentioned AS Plant from the past, it was Levi Charles, a old friend of mine, who id not seen for years and he hadnt been very well of late, his 16 year old son Lincoln was playing his first ever game in adults football, having signed for Reindeer FC.

There was some good battles on the pitch and the game was being played at a dec ent pacew, but not much in the way of attacking play.

In tthe 43rd minute, a visiting corner came in to the near post, where PAUL JENKINSON turned and shot, with the ball ending up in the back of the net to make it 2-0 to the Reindeer.

Half Time came and the rain stopped, whilst I drank my flask of black tea and the players were soon back on the pitch ready to kick the second half off.

In the 52nd minute, Whitestar was punished as they pressed forward, by a long ball out of the Reindeers defence that found ASHLEY McKAY on the left wing, who cut in from a acute angle and scored after the ball struck the inside of the post.

As the game wore on,  Reindeer FC'S keeper went down on 62 minutes and had treatment, but on 68 minutes, a winger went down and was treated and it was noticed that the Reindeer FC'S keeper was down as well in pain and he was helped off the pitch to be replaced.

All in all,  none of the keepers really had a save to make during the game and for a local derby very few fouls in the game.

I felt the referee played the advantage qwell and was in the right positions when it mattered and had a very good match.

After the 3 goals today, it now takes the running total for AUTISM AWARENESS up to a amazing £3,029,37p

If anyone would like to make a donation how ever how small, the bank details are:

MR ROBERT F HORNBY

Sort Code:111324

Account: 00269688

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE CHANGED THE BANK, DUE TO LLOYDS CHARGING ME £4.25p pre month

To see todays 182 photos, some blurred due to weather, please click this LINK

MINERS FIGHT BACK FROM 3-0 DOWN TO EARN A POINT AGAINST THE VILLAGE

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Premier Division

KIMBERLEY MINERS WELFARE RESERVES 3-3 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE FC

I had to sort of stay local due to a 11am appointment at Kings Mill Hospital for my eyes, infact if id had eyedrops or a needle in my eye, then I wouldnt have been able to venture out anywhere, but whilst Kimberley Miners Welfare FC's ground is having improvements to it, their 1st team are playing at Basford United FC, whilst their Reserves and last seasons Division One Champions are playing at Bracken Park, the ground of the defunct adult club Underwood Villa FC and with not too far from the hospital and home fitted the bill for me.

Before the match it was nice to see Ian Farnsworth who has been at Underwood Villa for years and he was running the refreshments bar inside and outside the clubhouse and I soon got my flask filled with black tea, with both team line up's and quick chat to all three match officials, it was time to ride my scooter to the far side of the pitch to the halfway line.

The teams were soon out and we didnt have to wait long for a goal, when after just 55 seconds on my watch, a ball played in to the home penalty area from the right wing was scrambled home by Ruddington's JACK MILLWARD.

Kimberley pushed forward with a couple of chances that went wide, but after 10 minutes, the Villagers doubled their lead when a through ball found TREMERE LINDO who fired past a advancing keeper.

Well it looked like a goal every 5 minutes, as on 15 minutes, Ruddington added a third, when DAN HOLLINGSWORTH headed home from the edge of the penalty area, at this stage the miners heads could well have gone down, but to theri credit, they carried on playing their game and had a few more chances before they pulled a goal back on 29 minutes, when LOUIS FAZEL turned in the area and his shot found the back of the net to reduce the arrears. It was now vital to see who would score the next goal. Half time came and it could well have been even with both sides having plenty of efforts in the forst period.

The Second Half kicked off and Kimberley looked a better side taking the game to Ruddington but couldnt get past their last line of defence and all looked lost, but they were a side that didnt known when they were beaten and on 72 minutes, a corner from right saw JOSHUA BEESTON with a bullet of a header to make it 3-2 to Ruddington, so could the visitors hold on for the final 18 minutes..well on 81 minutes, Kimberley had turned the game round, when a mistake in the visitors defence saw sub RYAN WHITEHURST  through on goal and the marksman finished to level things up.

The final nine minutes were manic with both teams going for a winner from end to end and chance by chance going closer and the Miners must have thought they had got it in the final minute when the ball struck the crossbar.

A fair result for both sides I felt in a entertaining match for the neutrals.

Also good news for the Charity Blog for AUTISM AWARENESS, when after the match Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves player/management team Ian Shepherd kindly donated £10, Referee Lee "Smiley" Harriuson kindly donated £5 and then a message from my friend Herbie who was at a Peterborough & District League match and Littleport United FC had donated £5, so withh 25p per goals as well £21.50p was raised today taking the running total up to a staggering £3,028.57p

To view the 191 photos, please click this LINK

ELSTON'S BIG HISTORY DAY IS CUT SHORT BY LATE COLTS GOALS

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division One

ELSTON UNITED FC 1 MEDEN VALE COLTS 2

Photo taken by Craig Dabbs

Programme £2

Badges £4

Attendance 161

A very special day in Elston United FC's history as they bought adult football to their village for the first time, hoppers came from Scotland to Kent and all over the UK to witness this historic game and ground.

At 2.15pm, there was the opening of the ground by a relative of Charles Darwin who lived in the village in the olden days, a few speeches and the ribbon was cut, at 2.50pm both sets of players left the changing rooms in to bright sunshine to every player and referee being clapped on to the beautiful laid pitch, whilst on the outside of the pitch, the ladies were selling teas, coffees and cobs of every flavour you can imagine, some hoppers even saw a cake but that was to be split up between the 2 clubs after the match in the local pub.

The game kicked off and though I didnt see much of it, like most of the groundhop matches I set up, checking everyone is having a good time and making sure nothing is a problem, it did seem to be a bit of a dull 75 minutes, but then the game sprang in to life, when Meden Vale took the lead and it was soon 2-0 as they doubled their lead, with only a few minutes left, the homesters got back in the game with a penalty. In the final minute, the Clams must have thought they had grabbed a point when a shot was heading for the bottom corner of the net, but the Colts keeper had other ideas as he dived and pushed the ball round the post at the final second.

I felt that referee David Robinson had a very good game from what I saw of it, as he let the play flow and pulled back when there was no advantages and nice to see no cards shown

From the match programme and donations at the match, we raised £251.49 after the cost of inks and paper was taken out, but unbelievelely the Charity Blog's running total has smashed over £3000 for Autism Awareness as it currently stands on £3,008.27p

A massive thankyou to all the hoppers that turned up today and the locals to make a attendance of a superb 161 people coming along to Elston United FC's new ground

In the pub after the game I presented the club with a framed programme for their cluh on this historic day.

A few photos I took today can be found on this LINK

THE GINGERBREADS BANK A POINT ON DEBUT IN THE NSL

 EUROSOCCER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE

GRANTHAM TOWN RESERVES 1-1 GEDLING SOUTHBANK

PROGRAMME £2

Many of you will ask why I chose a Reserve home game today, the answer is simple, I visited the ground around 15 years ago when Harrowby United played there but couldnt remember much about that day so long ago.. There were other reasons as it has the Gingernbreads Reserves first ever game in the Nottinghamshire Senior League, whilst their opponents had a new manager and quite a few new players. Some of Granthams players were from the defunct AFC Colsterworth.

On arrival, I was greeted by one of the clubs media crew who got me the line up and also told me he was going to try and record the game for tic tok. We waas then greeeted upstairs by the lovely barlady who sorted us out for drinks.

I met Referee on arrival Leon Aylin who Id not met before, so with everything I needed I headed pitchside, where to my surprise the club had issued a programme for £2, then I headed  over to the far side and as kick off came I began my stopwatch.

The game was being played at a fast rate with both teams up for the game, but Gedling had to change tactics as one of their players went down twice in a matter of minutes, so sub Jake Lewis was introduced to the game.

With the game in the 45th miinute, a cross from the left wing found out JAKE LEWIS to tap Southbank in to a half time lead of 0-1.

The Second Half saw the homesters throw everything at the visitors defence but they held tight and broke on the counter attack a few times, with two good evenly matched teams and in injury time of the 90th minute, the visitors must have thought they were off home with the points in the bag, but there was one last chance as a cross this time for the Gimger Bread Men from the left wing ping poned round the box before falling to one of their subs HANIEL MARACO back helled the ball in to the net to square things up.

A fair result from two good sides who wanted to play football and I must add, I felt the referee had a excellent game in let the game flow

The Charity Blog in aid of AUTISM AWARENESS running total now stands at a superb amount of £2,756.78p..If anyone would like to make a donation, you can do via Bank Transfer to

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

To view the 241 photos from todays match, please click on this LINK

Next Saturday I am at Elston UNited v Meden Vale Colts, where Elston are playing in their villaage for the first ever time and Ive done their ever programme and badge, if you would like pre order or order any of the items, please contact me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

COLTS ARE SHOT DOWN BY THE ROVERS

 PRE SEASON MATCH 5

ROBIN HOOD COLTS FC 0 ASHLAND ROVERS RESERVES 3

With Hazel not wanting me to go too far from home for pre season games, newcomers to the Notts Senior League are Robnin Hood Colts FC who have been placed in to Division Three being managed by former Notts Senior League Referee Michael Hopkins, the ground has 2 enterances, the top leads to a pitch that Thorresby Colliery Welfare FC used to play on and today cricket was being played on it, whilst down the hill is a brand new changing room facility and a couple of childrens sized pitches and a full sized pitch to which this match was played on, so a new ground for me, or I would class it as.

Their visitors in only their 2nd friendly were Ashland Rovers Reserves who ply their football in the Central Midlands Alliance League.

On arrival Im met and sent over to Michael who had arranged a team photo to be taken by me before kick off

Kick off came and it was the visitors fast out the block and on 2 minutes had broken the deadlock, when a ball was floated over from the right wing to the far corner of the box to be struck home to give Rovers the lead.

I was then joined by Mr Ashland John Dawn and the 2 Arnold Town Managers Ash White and Im not sure on the other chaps name though I have met him before.

Rovers kept pushing forward and forward and must have thought they had doubled their lad when a shot crashed against one post and shot across and bounced off the other post before a defender managed to clear the ball away out of danger. At half time break the visitors could have been three or four goals in front but missed some very good chances, also the home keeper making a few good saaves.

The Second Half and rovers were still pressing for a second goal, but on 55 minutes, it was the Colts who had the chance to level things up as they were awarded a penalty after a trip in the box, but the visiting keeper diving to his right managed to push the spot kick away. Two minutes later and it was more bad news for the homesters as a player went down in pain to everyones concern in the ground, the players managed to get the player off the pitch and we all hope that the injury doesnt keep the young lad out for very long.

On 69 minutes, a move from the midfield ended with a player who turned his defender and shot in to the corner to make it 2-0 to Ashland.

The Colts were starting to play a lot more pressing and forward football but not really testing the keeper.

In the final minute, a ball was crossed from the left wing and from a acute angle, the Ashland player slotted the ball home to make the final score 3-0.

A good run out for both teams and played in the right spirit with little for the referee to do, as he kept the game flowing.

With the 3 goals scored today at 25p per goal, it takes the running total for the charity blog to as amazing £2.756.28p and John  Dawn has pledged £10 to be transfered from Ashland Rovers FC in the next few days, so a big thankyou to them.

Those that reads the Blog and are programme or badge collectors may be interested in knowing I have done Elston United FC's 1st ever programe and badge, programmes costing £2 going to the charity and badges  £4 going to the club, I can post out but postage to be added, please just contact me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk for more details.

To view the 106 photos from the match, pls just click this LINK