LATE VINEYARD FIGHTBACK SEES OF THE REDS

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Three

TRENT VINEYARD FC 4 RAVENHEAD REDS FC 3

Well this match was played at the Weirside Ground in Beeston, a place I never knew existed, the field is surrounded by barges and locks and has 3 football pitches and on the first pitch, Division One match between Beeston Old Boys v East Leake Robins was taking place and local hopper from Arnold Michael had come to watch that game.

We had our 2 year old grandson Elijah with us and it was his first ever football match he had ever been to, though Hazel took him for a walk around the marina.

Settled on my seat on the half way line and with both teamsheets in hand, the game kicked off and the Reds(well they were wearing white today, whilst Vineyard wore red) looked the brighter of the two teams.

The Trentsiders pushed forward but didnt create any chances but several corners they were cleared, whilst the visitors played a long ball tactic over the top of the home defence for their attack to run on to.

On 14 minutes, a cross from the left side found out RHYS WILLIAMS to run on to and stroke the visitors in to the lead. The visitors pressed on and began to play alot better passing game and on 21 minutes doubled their league when NICOLAS HINES hit a shot from the edge of the area.

On 24 minutes, things got worse for the homesters when a cross from the right, found out MAX GOSS at the far post to head home to make it 3-0.

Vineyard began to grab a few corners and as half time neared, a corner from the left side was headed home by RORY LEWIS to reduce the score.

Half Time came and Trent Vineyard looked a different team winning the 50/50 balls and pushing forward. After 53 minutes, they were back in the game, when PEDRO CANAS cut in from the left and hit a low shot in to the bottom far corner of the net.

With subs made on both sides, The Reds had a few chances but couldnt add to their total and in the 80th minute, a cross from the let side was met by RORY LEWIS who drew the scores level at 3-3.

Both teams battled and pushed for the winner and in the final minute, a cross shot by IMMANUEL DUBE clinched the winner and come back for the home side, sad;y the keeper was driving struck his head on the post and was treated and had to be helped off, so hopefully he is ok.

I must thank Trent Vineyard FC for a donation of £20 and Ravenshead Reds FC of £10 kindly donated to the charity blog for BUTTERFLY and with the 7 goals scored takes the running total to £218.00.

To view the 243 photos from todays match, pls click this LINK

Raffle Tickets are now on sale for the NSL REP CHARITY DAY on 1st JULY at Hucknall Town FC, you can buy them via bank transfer to the charity account then email me and I will send you your ticket numbers

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

Please send me your email address to robhregnsl@hotmail.com and I will email you your ticket numbers. Tickets are £1 each or £5 per strip

SOLDIERS SAVAGE GUNS DOWN BRAVE ATHLETIC

 Derbyshire FA Junior Cup Final North

SHIREBROOK SOLDIERS FC 2 TINTWHISTLE ATHLETIC RESERVES FC 1

Att: 206

The Derbyshire FA Junior Cup North Final was held at Staveley Miners Welfare FC, a ground Id not visited for around 15 years and with Shirebrook Soldiers FC reaching the Final, I went as the Nottinghamshire Senior League Representative. Their opponents Tintwhistle Athletic Reserves ply their trade in the Manchester League and it is a village just outside of Glossop that Ive been through many a time, when going up to my daughters in Preston and the M62 is blocked, so diverted through snake pass and on to the M67.

The game kicked off and Athletic were awarded a penalty after just 48 seconds, up stepped Alexander Elliott who saw his shot hit the post and rebounded to another player who struck a shot goalbound but was stopped by the Soldiers keeper and cleared to safety.

Four minutes in to the game,  Shirebrook had their first chance when a ball down the centre saw ROBBIE SAVAGE beat his defender and drew the keeper before lifting it over his head in to a empty net to give his side the lead.

Soldiers had a few more chances and needed that second goal, as Tintwhistle looked dangerous going forward. The half time whistle went and it was off for hospitality for a nice cuppa.

Shirebrook came out and had a few shots saved but at 1-0 it looked as this game was far from over and in the 61st minute, Tintwhistle wee awarded another penalty to which BRANDON WOOD slotted away down the middle of the goal.

This seemed to spur Athletic's hopes as they were playing the better football and pushing more players up front whilst Soldiers played with a lone striker and played on the counter attack. Like any final, the game had its fair amount of tackles going in and the match referee did well producing yellow cards when he needed to.

As the 90 minutes was up and it began to spot with rain, a ball out to the right hand side found ROBBIE SAVAGE who beat his defender and curled the ball in to the far corner of the net for the winning goal and creating history in the Nottinghamshire Senior League club to win a Derbyshire FA Trophy

All credit go to Tintwhistle Athletic Reserves and all the best to them in their upcoming cup final in May

I only took a few photos last night from my phone but sadly they have come out very well.

The Charity Blog running total is now up to £186.25p for BUTTERFLY

THE KING MAKES IT A GREY DAY FOR MANSFIELD

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Two

GREYFRIARS FC 5 FC MANSFIELD 1

Going in to this match it was fifth v sixth in the league table, but quite a few points apart, the match had been moved to the Roko, as the Burton Road ground had no running water and a early kick off was set at 2pm, at 1.40pm there was no sign of the visitors and Id looked at back up plans to divert to AFC Dunkirk for their 3pm kick off, but no need to worry as the sat navs had taken the players to another ground just down the road, so a agreement was to kick off at 2.15pm but with everyone ready the referee Colin  Burton managed to get the game kicked off and on its way by 2.10pm.

Along my side of the pitchside was FC Mansfields loyal supporters, the parents of one of the team who attend every match rain or shine and my 2 friends the twins from Ilkeston and of course they both had a bag of sweets in their bag. I felt abit sorry for them, as they thought I could talk, well the wife Hazel didnt stop all first half, I hope their ears are ok today.

The game kicked off and the Friars were on the front foot straight away playing some nice football and on just 2 minutes saw a ball smash the top of the crossbar from just outside the area.

FC Mansfield with a bare eleven and old friend Wes O Rourke pacing up and down the line and round the pitch talking to everyone in sight, as he such a jolly fella had got himself down as a sub but wasnt even kitted up, but always a very fair chap.

On 5 minutes though, Greyfriars made the breakthrough when a ball down the left hand side was crossed and LIAM McELHONE slotted home to make it 1-0.

FC Mansfield then began to make breaks forward but didnt really test the home keeper and 18 minutes, a FC corner broke down and was cleared upfield and the visiting pushed the ball out and REISS COY doubled the score.

Both teams were playing some good passing football and the visitors shouted for a penalty on 22 minutes with the home keeper getting treatment and no penalty given to the disappointment of the visiting players.. this seemed to unsettle them and on 26 minutes TOBY KING broke down the right wing and cut in, shot and the keeper parried only for the forward to tuck the ball past him to make it 3-0.

Both teams started to play good football but both sides had chances that went astray, but on 42 minutes, TOBY KING started and finished a move to make it 4-0.

The Second Half started and the visitors looked a different side as they pressed forward and Callum Marks in the home net had to be on his guard with a coupe of good saves. A few free kicks was given as the referee was trying to keep the game moving as much as he could but the visitors were beginning to get on his back at nearly every decision.

On 68 minutes, a penalty was awarded to the home side and up stepped TOBY KING to convert and complete his hat trick, much to the disgust of the visiting players.

The game then went through a dull spell and constant grumbling from the visitors to which the referee took the captain to one side to ask his team to calm down. One of the players decided not to and was sent to the sin bin with 8 minutes to go.

FC Mansfield though wasnt finished with their 10 men as in the last minute, a trip inside the penalty area saw them awarded with a penalty, up stepped their centre back and smashed it to the keepers left, to which the keeper was equal to, to push it out, the ref then asked  for the penalty to be retaken as he not blown his whistle for it to be taken, but the first time Ive ever seen this, another player stepped up to take the retaken penalty, so up stepped JOSHUA BRENTNALL who hit it straight in to the centre of the net to reduce the arrears.

A match where there could well have been more goals in, if FC Mansfield would have concentrated a bit more on their play which was good at times rather than shout at the referee, they may well have been in this match. Greyfriars are a good side and have moved up to 3rd place in the table. Photos are at the bottom of the report

I must that Michael and Andy for purchasing £6 worth of raffle tickets for the NSL REP match day v Hucknall Town on 1st July, taking the running total up to £118.00. The Charity Blog running total stands at £185.50p for BUTTERFLY, also a BIG thankyou to the manager of the Greyfriars Social Club who has also donated some superb prizes for the charity Rep day for the raffle and auction.

Raffle Tickets are now on sale for the NSL REP CHARITY DAY, you can buy them via bank transfer to the charity account then email me and I will send you your ticket numbers

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

Please send me your email address to robhregnsl@hotmail.com and I will email you your ticket numbers. Tickets are £1 each or £5 per strip

To see the 253 match photos, please click on this LINK

THE SAINTS GO MARCHING ON OVER VALIANT VILLAGE

 Nottinghamshire Senior League Senior Cup Semi Final

SANDIACRE TOWN 1 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE 1 (4-2 on pens)

Att: Approx 140

Second in the Premier Division Sandiacre Town FC hosted top of the Division One table Ruddington Village FC in the second of the Senior League Cup Semi Finals with Keyworth United FC awaiting the winners in the final at Hucknall Town FC on Saturday 13th May.

The Secretary of Sandiacre Town Emma Clarke has not been well this season battling cancer and all credit her for always having a big smile on her face and a positive attitude through the rough times, but still doing her secretary duties at the same time and not letting anyone down.

With rain all day yesterday and all night, I thought the tie may be in doubt, but on twitter this morning the game was def on, so there was only one place I was heading.

With a cuppa and both teams handing their teamsheets in early, it gave me time to relax and have a nice cuppa and chat to all 3 officials who had a very good game today.

I headed to the halfway line and joined the Ilkeston Market sweet stall twins Michael and Roo(they arent twins but brothers and dont have a sweet stall, but Micheal always has a bag full of sweets, today it looked like jelly babies. Also was a novice t non league football named David from the Ilkeston area, a nice friendly chap who I hope the three of us convinced him to visit a few more NSL matches.

The game kicked off and you wouldnt have known there was a division between the two teams as the battle went from end to end and chances were going begging at each end and both sets of supporters were in great spirit cheering on their teams. On the pitch both teams were both disciplined and well organised.

After 27 minutes, it was the home side that was celebrating when a ball to the left hand side was put in to the area at a angle and found out BEN MAXWELL to hammer them in front.

Chances kept going from end to end up to half time.

The Second Half kicked off ad Ruddington nearly scored in the first seconds as a ball flashed across the six yard box and just wide. The next goal looked vital and both teams looked like to get it but as the game wore on, it began to look like the Saints of Sandiacre were going to hold on, but on 85 minutes a breakdown in midfield saw the Village push forward and gain a corner on the left hand side. a inswinging corner found the Ruddington captain CONOR SWEENEY who guided his header in to the far top corner of the net to level the scores.

Both teams in the final minutes had chances to snatch the win but it was not to be and it was straight to penalties, both keepers made some superb saves n the shoot out but it was the hosts who kept their nerve to progress through to he final winning 4-2.

Both clubs were a credit to the league in a match where both tams just wanted to get on with the game with any arguing and as said earlier Kieran Shaw  the match referee allowed the game to flow as much as he could with his 2 assistants

The 8 goals scored(including pens) took the Charity Blog  running total up to £184, Roo and Emma also bought raffle tickets for the charity league rep fun day which takes raffle ticket sales up to £92, below will be the charity blog bank account details if you would like to donate or buy raffle tickets for the fun day in advance.

To see the 212 photos taken at todays match, please click on this LINK

Raffle Tickets are now on sale for the NSL REP CHARITY DAY, you can buy them via bank transfer to the charity account then email me and I will send you your ticket numbers

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

Please send me your email address to robhregnsl@hotmail.com and I will email you your ticket numbers. Tickets are £1 each or £5 per strip

AC PAY THE PRICE TOO CAVS ON SET PIECES

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division One

AC UNITED 0 FC CAVALIERS 3

A big week as on the Monday, me Hazel and Shawn travelled to Newark to hand over a massive Aroundthegrounds Charity Blog cheque for  £3,620.00 to the Childrens Bereavement Centre

With Hazel and Shawn away from Thursday for the Easter holidays till Tuesday, I looked at where I could get to via bus, last weekend AC United had beaten Cavs 3-2 with the last kick of the game and the return fixture was this Saturday and it is a fairly easy ground to get to from Mansfield. I had to pop in to Nottingham first to pick up a raffle price for NSL Rep match on 1st July at Hucknall Town before having a breakfast and then on to the tram where I met a chap who played for FC Sez, then a steady walk across Forest Rec, the home of Goose Fair.

I was met by AC director Lance who got me a can of pop and also arranged a seat at pitchside, I then met the Cavs players and the match referee Andy Benner.

The match kicked off in bright sunshine and United controlled the first few minutes of the game and had the ball in the back of the net after just 7 minutes but it was ruled offside. This seemed to have had a negative effect on AC as  they sat back and Cavs began to come more in to the match. On 26 minutes, a corner from the left hand side was floated in and United failed to clear their area, only for the ball to fall to MARVIN HUDSON to fire Cavs in to the lead.

AC then began to win the second ball alot but the young Cavs side wasnt giving them much time on the ball and after 57 minutes, they doubled their lead, when a corner again from the left hand side, went to the far post for ANTON ONI to head home. The United keeper wasnt happy and kicked the ball directly at the referee and got him self a yellow card.

As the clock was ticking down, Cavs pushed forward again and the AC Keeper clipped the forward and bought him down for a penalty and received a second yellow card. Up stepped BLEESING ADELEYE to convert the kick and finish the match 3-0 to his side.

During the match a gentleman from St Anns & Sneinton FC purchased £5 and after Ref Andy Benner purchased £5 of charity Raffle tickets so thankyou to both of them.

To see the 177 photos from the match, please click this LINK

Raffle Tickets are now on sale for the NSL REP CHARITY DAY, you can buy them via bank transfer to the charity account then email me and I will send you your ticket numbers

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

Please send me your email address to robhregnsl@hotmail.com and I will email you your ticket numbers. Tickets are £1 each

KEYWORTHS LATE SHOW END THE ROBINS DREAM

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Senior Cup Semi Final

EAST LEAKE ROBINS FC 3 KEYWORTH UNITED FC 3 (2-4 on penalties)

Att: 67

This semi final was worthy of the final with neighter team deserving to lose in a quality game, possibly the best match Ive seen for years. East Leake went in to the match as underdogs from Division One, whilst Keyworth are flying high heading the Premier Division.

Keyworth came out the blocks with a few chances, but the home defence stood firm and in the 10th minute, saw a ball played out to the right hand side and the Robins top scorer MASON BALL beat his man before placing a low shot in to the net to give his side a surprise lead.

The half went from end to end and the Keyworth keeper pulled off and couple of good saves, whilst East Leake looked on top in the midfield area.

The Second half kicked off and East Leake looked the brighter of the two teams pushing forward but they made a sub on the hour mark, but he only lasted a matter of 32 seconds on the pitch, due to a nasty looking challange and referee Tim Walker had no option but to show him the red card to reduce the Robins down to ten men. This is where I expected United to take over, but the Robins dug in hard and on 75 minutes, they doubled their lead to 2-0 when ASHLEY WAY's shot found the back of the net.

The Robins looked confident and the visiting keeper made a outstanding save forcing a corner, from the resulting corner, a free header just went wide of the target.

With the clock ticking down on 87 minutes, no one could of predicted what was going to happen next as RYAN SMITH turned in the box and pulled a goal back. In the next minute, a clumsy trip gave Keyworth a penalty to which  TOM MADDISON converted to even up the score.

As injury time was being played, Keyworth turned the game on its head, when HARVEY GRICE shot from just outside the box in to the corner of the net to send the visiting supporters wild.

A minute later with seconds left, a ball was hit low in to the Keyworth area to be turned in via the post by one of their own defenders to make it 3-3.

So to penalities the tie went and  Keyworth had their 1st penalty saved, but then The Robins scored, so advantage to the homesters, but then the Robins missed their next 2 penalties, whilst the visitors scored theirs, Robins score but then Keyworth converted to win the tie and gain their place i the Final at Hucknall Town on Saturday 13th May.

Must say both teams played well and all 3 officials had very good games.

After the match in the pub, I sold a few more Charity Day Raffle Tickets, please see below how to purchase yours, also Sam Ralph kindly donated £20 to the charity blog from Keyworth United, so with the goals as well scored today, it takes the running total up to £180.50p.

To see the 329 photos from the tie, please click this LINK

Raffle Tickets are now on sale for the NSL REP CHARITY DAY, you can buy them via bank transfer to the charity account then email me and I will send you your ticket numbers

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

Please send me your email address to robhregnsl@hotmail.com and I will email you your ticket numbers. Tickets are £1 each