A BIT ABOUT THE CHARITY BLOG


Each year, me and my wife Hazel have decided to help a Charity, by donating 25p every goal we see at the matches we attend. Over the years, people and clubs have also donated as we have visited the grounds and we have raised over £2,300 in the 3 seasons we have run the Blog.
During the 2014-15 season, we are supporting "Support Dogs" who train Dogs to transform lives of people with Autism and other disabilities. So if you would like to make a donation(no matter how small) and you see me at a match, please come up to me or Hazel, we would be very grateful. All Donators will get a mention on the blog.


www.supportdogs.org.uk



Saturday 27 September 2014

STALEMATE AT THE KINGSWAY

Notts Senior League
Division One
ASHLAND ROVERS FC 0 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FC 0
 
We left Cornwall at 7am and headed for the M5 hoping for a clear run to get near to home as possible so I could catch a local game, all was well and had Breakfast at the Harvester just outside Bromsgrove. The motorways was clear as a bell and I fancied going to see Ashland Rovers today for a few reasons, one I'd never seen them on their new ground where they are to hold the Friday Evening game on this season's Notts Senior League Groundhop, which Advanced Tickets and coach tickets are selling very well(see below for link), secondly, I'd never seen Nottinghamshire FC play in a League game before(seen them with Tony Squires from Heanor Town in a pre season friendly once).
 
I arrived at 1pm and went to the park cafĂ© for a cuppa before the players began to arrive and I got a programme when John Dawn, the Chairman/Secretary arrived and he also provided me with the teams so I could tweet the goals as they went in..mmm not today folks!
 
The game was a keen contest with both sides beginning the day on 10 points, the whole game saw both sides cancel each other out, with very few opportunities towards goalmouth action.
 
The first half saw the visitors have the best two chances with Devan Merryweather being equal to Simon Betts in a one on one situation on both occasions.
 
The Second half saw the better chances fall to Ashland but they failed to  find the net due to some excellent goalkeeping  by visiting keeper Scott Coxon.
 
Well that ends my 4 year wait of a 0-0 draw, so hopefully where ever I go next week, I will see a few goals go in to the onion bag..who knows?
 
Photos from todays game can be seen on this LINK
 
ASHLAND ROVERS FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FC WEBSITE/FACEBOOK
 
The BLOGS Charity "Support Dogs" which aids people with disabilities, with no goals scored at this game takes the total to £186.62
 
If you enjoy Non League Football, then why not join my Non League Football Facebook Group of over 3,000 members, please just click this LINK
 
Information and booking form for the Notts Senior League Groundhop can be found on this LINK
 

Tuesday 23 September 2014

TAVI SUB SINKS VILLAS CHALLENGE

SWPL DIVISION ONE EAST DIVISION

TAVISTOCK AFC 2 EXWICK VILLA FC 1
Attendance: 52 Headcount

A nice greeting on arrival at Langsford Park, the home of Tavistock FC, I was met by the joint home managers who allowed me to go on the pitch and take a few photos before the light drew in. A nice pint in the bar and then I met the clubs chairman who was doing the gate.

The game kicked off and it was the visitors who created the first few chances, whilst Tavistock took their time to get in to the game and as I was talking to the Exwick's chairman and secretary and the chair said "if we don't put our chances away we know what will happen", he was correct as in the 33rd minute, IAN ROOKE fired the homesters in to the lead.

Exwick were soon back on level terms as on 35 minutes, a neat finish by TOM TAYLOR made it 1-1.

A nice pasty was consumed and a cuppa to wash it down with, before the Second Half began, this half Tavistock seemed to up their game, whilst Exwick had chances of their own but their own keeper being the more busier.

With game looking as if it was heading for a draw, home substitute KELVIN FYNEBOYS hit a crisp shot home fromk outside the area to give his side a 2-1 victory and move them up to 3rd in the League Table

Photos from the game can be seen on this LINK

TAVISTOCK AFC WEBSITE/TWITTER

EXWICK VILLA FC WEBSITE/TWITTER

The BLOGS Charity "Support Dogs" which aids people with disabilities, with the three goals scored at this game takes the total to £186.62

If you enjoy Non League Football, then why not join my Non League Football Facebook Group of over 3,000 members, please just click this LINK

Saturday 20 September 2014

FATHER & SON SEE LANREATH IN TO THE NEXT ROUND

Cornwall Senior Cup
Preliminary Round
LANREATH FC 2 PENSILVA FC 1
Attendance : 36 headcount.




The two sides met last week in a league fixture and drew 1-1 so a fairly close game was expected in this Cup tie and so it was to be. The First nine minutes saw end to end action until after 10 minutes, a nice through ball saw DAVE McGHEE time his run to time to beat the offside trap to place the ball past the outcoming visiting keeper to put the home side ahead.


Pensilva should well have been at least on level terms when Jon Filbly failed to find his way past home keeper Richard Rendle in two one on one situations.


It was then Lanreath's tome to push forward and could well have increased their advantage but Nicky Collins fired wide.


After 46 minutes, the ball was played out towards the right side of the penalty area, where CALLUM McGHEE lobbed the keeper to make it 2-0. This seemed to spur the visitors to press players forward but this left gaps at the back and home striker John Colley was making a nuisance of himself by winning a lot of balls in the air.


Pensilva then pulled themselves back in to the tie, when awarded a penalty on 64 minutes to which SAM ROGERS duly dispatched. Pensilva threw everything forward in the final ten minutes but the home defence stood tall and solid to cling on to their passage in to the next round of the cup.


Photos from the game can be seen on this LINK


LANREATH FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
http://www.lanreathfc.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/LANREATHFC


PENSILVA FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/pensilvafc
https://twitter.com/Pensilvafc

The BLOGS Charity "Support Dogs" which aids people with disabilities, with the three goals scored at this game takes the total to £185.87


If you enjoy Non League Football, then why not join my Non League Football Facebook Group, please just click this LINK

Thursday 18 September 2014

LILYWHITES IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

SWPL Premier Division
AFC ST AUSTELL 7 SALTASH UNITED 2
Admission: £5/£3
Programme £1
Raffle £2 I had two tickets
Tea 80p in a proper mug





A night to remember for AFC St Austell who sent their fans home after a convincing win over previously unbeaten Saltash United in style.





The Lilywhites were on the front foot from the first whistle and went close twice before in the 8th minute, DAN LEAN rifled the homesters in front. It was soon to be 2-0 on 11 minutes, when MARTIN GILES rose above the visiting defence to add to his sides tally. At this stage it looked as AFC may run away with the game, but Saltash had ideas on their own and on 13 minutes, DANNY ZALICK headed them back in contention.




Both sides poured forward in a fast paced game and it was no surprise that St Austell regained their two goal advantage in the 38th minute, when NEIL SLATEFORD made it 3-1. As we headed for the half time tea bar in the 41st minute, OLLY BROCKENSHIRE poked the ball home from close range.




Saltash took the pitch early for the Second Half and looked ready for action in front of the crowd of 155, but AFC started off where they had left and after 48 minutes, JAROD SIMMS smashed in a shot from 25 yards out to make it 5-1 and within three minutes, it became 6-1 when LIAM EDDY edged the ball home after a smart build up.




On 55 minutes, visiting skipper TOBY CLARK reduced the arrears to 6-2, but there was no way back when after 65 minutes, JAROD SIMMS got his second and his clubs seventh goal of the game to make it finish 7-2.


Felt the Referee and his 2 Assistants had fine games.






The BLOGS Charity "Support Dogs" which aids people with disabilities, with the nine goals scored at this game takes the total to £185.12




Photos taken from today can be seen on this LINK




AFC ST AUSTELL WEBSITE/TWITTER

SALTASH UNITED FC WEBSITE

If you enjoy Non League Football, then why not join my Non League Football Facebook Group, please just click this LINK


NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP INFO CAN BE FOUND HERE




Saturday 13 September 2014

POLPERRO HELD AT HOME

East Cornwall Premier League
Premier Division
POLPERRO FC 3 PLYMSTOCK UNITED FC 3
 
Polperro FC battled back from 3-1 down to snatch a point and were unlucky not to end up with all three points after a exciting 3-3 draw with lowly Plymstock United FC.
 
On arrival, I was greeted by the Home players who made me a cuppa and the ground is a hidden beauty with a nice clubhouse.
 
The game kicked off and it was the homesters on the attack but failed in delivering the final ball in front of goal, whilst the visitors played on the long ball and counter attack. On 20 minutes, Polperro thought they had taken the lead, but a last ditch outstretched leg on the line by the central defender denied them the advantage.
 
On 37 minutes, a lovely ball from midfield, split the Polperro defence and TOM TULLIS ran on it to round the advancing goalkeeper to put his team in front. As the first half was running to a close, TOM TULLIS on 45 minutes doubled his clubs advantage.
 
Plymstock came out for the Second Half playing with more spring in their steps and Polperro were on the back foot for the first 15 minutes, on 63 minutes, the ball was cleared out of the visitors area and fell to SAM LANE who fired home from 30 yards to reduce the score to 2-1.
 
Plymstock went back on the attack and after 66 minutes, NICK WINTERS let rip with a dipping shot from 25 yards to regain the 2 goal advantage.
 
This seemed to spur Polperro in to action and they hit back with 2 goals in 2 minutes, firstly after 69 minutes when ROB SPENCER broke away and fired home and then after 71 minutes a chap named HOLLY somebody(his team mates hadn't a clue of his name) equalised.
 
The last 20 minutes belonged to the homesters as they pushed forward for the winner but found Man of the match, the visitors goalkeeper in fine fettle.
 
After the match, I was kindly given a Polperro AFC Pennant, so a special thankyou for the club for looking after me during the afternoon, so if you are in the area, this club is well worthy of a visit.
 
The BLOGS Charity "Support Dogs" which aids people with disabilities, with the six goals scored at this game takes the total  to £182.87
 
Pics from the game can be seen HERE
 
POLPERRO AFC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP INFO CAN BE FOUND HERE
 
If you enjoy Non League Football, then why not join my Non League Football Facebook Group, please just click this LINK

Monday 8 September 2014

NSL Review from Saturday 6th September

NSL Review from Saturday 6th September
by Rob Griffiths
 
Cotgrave kept both their 100% record and top spot in the Precision NSL Senior Division following their 4-2 victory away at Bilborough Town.  Bilborough were missing five players from their previous match through injury but still managed to take a 2-1 lead into half time thanks to a Martin Doyle penalty and an own goal.
 
Cotgrave were the stronger team in the second half, netting three times to seal the win.  The goals were shared between Lee Collinson, Shaun Jackson, Marc Green and Ryan Thorpe.
 
Another team with a 100% record are Wollaton, who are now up to second after they won by the odd goal in seven at home to Boots Athletic.  Aaron Mitchell, Ryan Starke and Anthony Atkins (2) were on the scoreseheet for Wollaton, Chris Roome, Danny Walker and James Starbuck for The Chemists.
 
Burton Joyce slipped to third as they only managed a 1-1 draw with Beeston.  BJ’s Josh Croft scored both the goals to help Beeston to only their second point of the season.
 
Honours were also even at Forest Lane as Sandhurst and PMG Cavaliers drew 2-2.  Eric Pearson and Jamie Charlton were on target for Sandhurst, Jahman Salmon and Joe Onnughalu for PMG, who are fourth in the table.
 
West Bridgford are in fifth, having the division’s third 100% record but having only played three games.  This was their first home appearance and it ended in a 4-0 win over Awsworth Villa.  Tim Hopkinson (2), Chris Atkins and substitute Phi Hopkinson did the damage for Bridgford.
 
Selston are beginning to find their form following a slow start to the season and are now up to sixth.  They were made to work hard for their 3-2 victory away at Keyworth United.  Aaron Darch stole the points for Selston with an 89th minute winner following an earlier Steve Smith double.  Ben Clarke and Scott Lichfield were the United scorers.
 
Kirton Brickworks’ struggles continue as they are still in search of their first point after a 4-2 defeat away at Ruddington Village.  A Philip Bignall hat-trick saw Village take a 3-0 lead after half an hour.  Wayne O’Hare quickly pulled one back for The Brickies before Dave Rimmington notched for the home side to make it 4-1 at the break.  The only goal of the second half came from Mitchell Hall of Kirton.
 
A crowd of around 80 at The Strand saw Attenborough record a 3-1 win over Bingham Town in their first home game of the season.  Jordan Rook (2) and Aiden Brady were on target for Boro, Edward Hodgson with Bingham’s reply.
 
Underwood Villa stay top of Division One after their 3-0 away win at Southwell City Reserves. Luke Williams, Greg Simmons and Callum Thompson were the goalscorers.
 
The division’s biggest winners were Hucknall Rolls Leisure Reserves who overcame Magdala Amateurs 5-1 at Watnall Road.  Matt Rick scored twice and Reece Jackson recorded a hat-trick for the home side, Liam McElhone got The Budgies’ consolation.
 
Ruddington Village Reserves looked like maintaining their winning start to the season after Nathan Dunstan put them into the lead away at Gedling Southbank.  However, with just over five minutes left on the clock Darren Gent ensured a share of the spoils for the home side.
 
Newark Flowserve won 3-0 away at Linby Colliery Welfare Reserves through goals from Simon Greenfield and Rick Glaves (2).
 
South Normanton Athletic Reserves drew 1-1 with Wollaton Reserves.  Stephen Hallam was on target for The Shiners, Alex Reeves for Wollaton.
 
Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves beat Nottinghamshire 3-1 at the Stag Ground thanks to a Danny Chaplin brace and one from Luke Hodgman.  Ciaran Gibbons got Notts’ reply.
 
Ashland Rovers saw off Radcliffe Olympic Reserves 1-0 through a goal from substitute Liam Best.
 
There were plenty of goals around in Division Two with Underwood Villa Reserves winning 9-1 away at Nottinghamshire Reserves.  Watnall Athletic defeated Bilborough Town Reserves 8-0 at home and Newark Town Reserves came away from Eagle Valley with a 7-0 win over FC Samba.
 
Cotgrave Reserves and Aspley Park shared the points following their 3-3 draw at Woodview and the division leaders, Kimberley Miners Welfare AFC, were 2-0 victors away at Keyworth United Reserves.

Sunday 7 September 2014

COBRAS HIT BOROUGH FOR SIX

FA Vase: First Qualifying Round
GRIMSBY BOROUGH FC 0 CLIPSTONE FC 6
With Grimsby Borough groundsharing the Bradley Football Development Centre with Cleethorpes Town, their home FA Vase tie was switched to Sunday Afternoon, whilst visiting Clipstone FC pre season I was invited by Clipstone FC Chairman Brett Marshall to travel on the team coach. Clipstone didn't run a coach as a few of their regular players were at a christening, so players went by car and Brett kindly took me up to Cleethorpes to cheer his side on.
 
On arrival I met Mr & Mrs Sprecken who are up this way from Dorset on holiday and visiting a few football clubs during their time. I also met a local hopper from the Grimsby area and stood with him during the First Half of the game in the lovely sunshine.
 
On the pitch, this was turning in to a rout after the first 30 minutes, as Clipstone played some excellent football to destroy a poor Grimsby Borough side.
 
Clipstone kicked off and were soon on the front foot and after just 6 minutes, JAMIE SMITH guided the ball home with a well placed header. The Cobras kept pushing forward and it soon became 2-0 when on 10 minutes, Harness blocked JAMIE SMITH's first effort for it stroke the attacker on his leg on bounce in to the empty net.
 
Clipstone were playing good touch football, whilst a couple of the Grimsby back four were falling out with each other and whilst grumbling over a corner, the corner on 17 minutes was taken and JAMIE SMITH attacked the ball with his head to complete his hat trick. On 29 minutes, it was teenager BLAKE OWEN who fired home following a corner to make it 4-0.
 
ON 44 minutes, JAMIE SMITH added his fourth of the game and his sides fifth before the whistle went for half time.
 
Grimsby came out for the second half and had made a few changes and this seemed to give them a bit of confidence and they took the game to Clipstone but with no success as the Cobras defence especially Richard Mintoft cleared any type of danger.
 
Having made chances of their own, Clipstone had the odd break and could have added to their tally, but had to settle for just one goal in the second half in the 84th minute, when RYAN HINDLEY dispatched a penalty to make 6-0 and see his side progress in to the next round to face local rivals Blidworth Welfare away from home on Saturday 4th October.
 
The BLOGS Charity "Support Dogs" which aids people with disabilities, with the six goals scored at this game and may I thank Brett Marshall who kindly donated £5,   now takes the total  to £181.37
 
Pics from the game can be seen HERE
 
GRIMSBY BOROUGH FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
CLIPSTONE FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP INFO CAN BE FOUND HERE
 
If you enjoy Non League Football, then why not join my Non League Football Facebook Group, please just click this LINK

Saturday 6 September 2014

GEDLING BANK A LATE POINT

Notts Senor League
Division One
GEDLING SOUTHBANK 1 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE RESERVES 1

Having not been to the Inspire Stadium for a matter of at least 15 years when the now defunct Gedling Town FC played there, with it being Non League Day, I felt having never seen Gedling Southbank at home, it was time to put that right.
 
Their visitors Ruddington Village sat at the top of the Division One table with a 100% record, whilst Southbank at in 6th place.
 
On arrival I was greeted by the Southbank Secretary Adrian Hall who has been with the club for 20 years and he soon made us a cuppa and also got me some paper to write down the team line up's. The secretary of Ruddington gave me their team sheet and then I met the Southbank player/manager and ex Stevenage player Nick Edgar.
 
The ground hasn't altered much since I last visited and is also used by CMFL club Real United FC.
 
The game got off to a fast start and it looked like to was only a matter of time before Ruddington would take a early lead as the homesters didn't hardly get out their own half in the first 20 minutes, after that Southbank began to apply pressure going forward and had the best two chances of the First Half, with the visiting keeper tipping one shot round the post and the other going wide.
 
The Second Half saw the tempo remain the same as the referee David Hague hardly had to use his whistle so the game just flowed at a fast rate. Ruddington took the lead on 64 minutes, when a long range shot was parried by the home keeper and SAM ROTHWELL tucked the ball home.
 
Ruddington seemed to take their foot off the game and Southbank battled back and went close a couple of times. With 84 minutes on the clock, a ball played in from the right wing, saw home defender DARREN GENT be first to the ball to knock it past the visiting keeper to make it 1-1.
 
A very good game of football by both teams and the match official was very good.
 
Photos from the match can be seen HERE
 
GEDLING SOUTHBANK WEBSITE
 
RUDDINGTON VILLAGE WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP INFO CAN BE FOUND HERE
 
The BLOGS Charity "Support Dogs" which aids people with disabilities, with the two goals scored at this game now takes the total  to £173.37

If you enjoy Non League Football, then why not join my Non League Football Facebook Group, please just click this LINK

Tuesday 2 September 2014

SELSTON KICK OFF HOME CAMPAIGN WITH A WIN

Notts Senior League
Senior Division
SELSTON FC 2 BEESTON AFC 0

 
Selston FC opened their first home fixture with a comfortable victory over Beeston AFC. The Home side came out and could well have been six up after 15 minutes as they took the game to their opponents, with James on the wing tormenting the Beeston defence time after time and lots of smart football but no end product in the area.
 
After 16 minutes, a diagonal ball from Davis in midfield set JAY COOPER free to stroke the ball past the Beeston Keeper. After te goal, Selston seemed to lose their way a little with balls going astray and Beeston coming more in to the game with them attacking more, but wit no final finish.
 
The Second Half saw Selston pretty much start the same way as they began the first half, on the attack, but now Beeston's defence were more solid and restricted the homesters to shots from outside the area, whilst they broke on the counter and had a couple of chances themselves.
 
After 66 minutes, Beeston were dealt a blow when their centre half handled in the penalty area giving referee Craig Ford no option to award Selston a penalty to which DOMINIC AIREY gave the visiting keeper no chance of getting to, so making it 2-0.
 
Beeston then hung on as they played the last 15 minutes with ten men, as they had used their two subs when their captain had to come off injured.
 
Must thank Selston FC for the mug and badge
 
Photos from the game can be found HERE
 
SELSTON FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
BEESTON AFC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP INFO CAN BE FOUND HERE
 
 
The BLOGS Charity "Support Dogs" which aids people with disabilities, with the five goals scored at this game now takes the total  to £172.87