KING SCOTT CROWNS A HAT TRICK ON CORONATION DAY

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Premier Division

AWSWORTH VILLA FC 7 RADCLIFFE OLYMPIC FC 2

Not having been to Awsworth for a while and not having seen Radcliffe Olympic for ages, this match fitted my bill for today, I do like Awsworth's ground where you can sit at the top of the hill and lookdown on the pitch above the players and is great for taking photos, when not raining of course.

A greeting from both clubs on arrival and from todays 3 league officials, Ref Lee Harrison and his assistants Tim Bee and Kev Guise and a shock to get both teamsheets a hour before kick off. With the rain I knew the benches on the hill would be wet, but some one had thrown in the inside bin and cardboard box for me to rip up on put on the bench so I didnt get a wet bum.

I was soon joined by Groundhopping father and son from Retford and a quick hello from local hopper Wayne Morrison, but it also good to see a old friend in attendance Albert Greaves.

The game kicked off and it was like a end of the season game, where someone had to nudge you if there was a chance as both teams were cancelling each other out, but on 24 minutes, KANE BRADY beat the offside trap to put the Villa in front.

Half time came and went and Awsworth Chairperson bought me a cuppa, the second half kicked off and it was noticed by Albert that Radcliffe only had 10 players on the pitch, though had 4 subs named on the teamsheet, but maybe they put them on incase they turned up late.

It was the 10 men of Olympic who had the first chance of the second half with a shot what went narrowly wide, but on 52 minutes after a nice move by the homesters doubled their lead to 2-0 through THOMAS SCOTT. Four minutes later, a corner from the right side found a unmarked THOMAS SCOTT who headed home to make it 3-0.

On 62 minutes, Radcliffe pulled a goal back, when a corner from the left was headed downwards towards goal and hit the back of the net by JAKE MORRIS.

On 67 Minutes, Radcliffe were given a lifeline when they got a penalty, captain Paul Durham hit it low and the home keeper guessed the correct direction, from the clearence, it set MASON PROCTOR SMITH free to round the Olympic keeper to make it 4-1.

The Visitors were not giving up and on 73 minutes, BASSEY OKON reduced the arrears to 4-2.

On 80 minutes, the visitors with 10 players legs began to tire and Villa began to press forward and a shot from just inside the box from THOMAS SCOTT found the back of the net to complete his hat trick. Within 40 seconds sub AARON COYLE found the net to make it 6-2, by now even the referee was losing count of the goals.

In the final minute just as the rain began to fall, AARON COYLE finished the goal scoring off to make it 7-2

I thought all 3 officials had a great game with bookings and both teams wanting to play football.

After the match in the pub, referee Lee Harrison donated £5 to the charity blog, so with the goals scored it takes the blog running total to £426.00, also I would like to thank all 3 officials plus All Awsworth Committee Members and players for buying raffle tickets for the upcoming NSL Charity Day which after the event wiil of course be added on to the running total of the Charity Blog for BUTTERFLY

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

If you would like to purchase RAFLLE TICKETS in advance 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

MOORE FOR LINBY ENDS WINLESS ROVERS SEASON

 Central Midlands League: Premier Division South

ASHLAND ROVERS FC 1 LINBY CW FC 2

I was due to go to this fixture a few weeks ago but due to bad weather it was postponed until tonight, both these clubs are very well run by non league football people but going in to the game Ashland had failed to register a win all season whilst linby had secured a mid table slot.

On Arrival I was greeted by Mr Ashland John Dawn and given a programme and a cuppa, as on the way to the ground the heavens opened, hence no photos from the match, Then a catch up with Adi Ward from Linby who bought back memories of the Notts Alliance days when he was involved with Hucknall Rolls Royce FC and whilst I did the Dunkirk programme I did the Hucknall Rolls programme for a season as well. He then kindly donated £10 to the charity blog and during the match John Dawn kindly donated £20 towards this years charity BUTTERFLY.

With both teamsheets in, I got a copy of each and John got me a chair to sit on at pitchside to watch the match.

The game began very evenly with both young goalkeepers in fine form, but after just 9 minutes, it was Rovers who had taken aearly lead, when after a foul was given just outside the area, up stepped KORBEN SPIER to slot the free kick home.

Linby began to press forward and on 17 minutes were awarded a penalty, the Ashland keeper guessed which way MASON MOORE's kick was going but could only push out for the penalty taker to follow up and put the ball in to the back of the net.

Both sides were creating chances and it was hard to understand how the homesters hadnt won a game all season at the half time stage.

The Second Half saw Linby up their game and press forward whilst Rovers had the odd attack, but on 64 minutes the game changed, when firstly a home player was sent to the sin bin and then within 3 minutes were reduced to 9 players whwn they had a second player sent to the sin bin.

Linby didnt make the two man advantage count but just as Ashland was back to 10 players, they got a corner on the right hand side that was floated in to the area, the linby defence cleared a long ball to the right winger who then crossed to the back post for 17 year old MASON MOORE to slot in to a empty net.

In to injury time and Rovers had a corner and pushed everyone up in to the area and a shot that looked goalbound was superly stopped by the visiting keeper and the rebound was hammered over the crossbar and over the top of the changing room area.

So with the donations of £30 from both clubs and the 25p per goal seen, it now takes the charity blog running total up to £418.75p for BUTTERFLY, a charity that supports people, men and women and children who have been in abusive relationships, sadly I was a victim when a child and saw things that a child have to see or be beaten, hence why I ran away from home in Birmingham when 15 years ld and lived on the streets of Nottingham in the winter.

If anyone would like to make a donation, no matter how small, you can make a bank transfer to my charity blog account..the details are as follows:

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

SORT CODE: 30-98-97

ACCOUNT: 70342862

Thankyou to everyone for their kind support

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