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, 16 May 2015

RAMS SINGING THE BLUES TO THE TROPHY

Grantham & District Football League
Memorial Cup Final
ANCASTER RAMS FC 5 FC BLUE PIG 3
Admission & Programme £1
Raffle: Had £2 worth
@ Barrowby Sports Pavillion
Attendance: 57 headcount
Having scouted round the websites looking for games after the Notts Senior League had finished, there were very few left, but came across this fixture and with it not being too far away from Mansfield, this fitted the bill. I'd never ventured in to the Grantham & District League and also missed Barrowby FC whilst they had a short stay in the CMFL.

On my way to hospital yesterday morning, I had a phone call from Buxton Hopper Ian Oldfield who asked if I was still going to the match and then asked if I would like a lift, so at midday today Ian picked me up and we headed to Barrowby near Grantham.

On arrival we was met by Geoff who was shocked to see us two at the ground and whilst e set up, we went down to the village pub before getting back to the ground.

We was greeted by the League Secretary/Treasurer Vicki and committee member Bob and todays Referee Tony Sharrock, who kindly gave me the team line up's just before kick off.

The game kicked off at a frantic page with both sides looking to break the deadlock and both having early attacks, but it was FC Blue Pig who took the lead after 6 minutes when DANNY HENSON beat the offside trap and slotted the ball home. Within 3 minutes, the scores were level, when MARTIN WORMALL scored from an acute angle past the keeper.

Ancaster then seemed to have the majority of the play winning a lot in the midfield area and after 36 minutes, after a scramble in the Blue Pig six yard box, JORDAN STINSON squeezed the ball in to the net. As half time was approaching Blue Pig wasn't giving up and a high cross from the left found out LEE RADFORD who headed over the outcoming keeper to make it 2-2.

The Second Half I stood chatting to Ian Hughes of the United Counties League, whilst the game was getting in to a few rough and tumble tackles with Referee Tony Sharrock doing well keeping a lid on things. After 62 minutes, it was Ancaster who made the breakthrough when KEN DOLL fired his side into a 3-2 lead. Blue Pig weren't going down without a fight and after 73 minutes, LEE RADFORD scored his second of the game and levelled things up at 3-3.

Ancaster then began to find spaces behind the Blue Pig back four and on 79 minutes, MARTIN WORMALL put his side in to a 4-3 lead. After 84 minutes, a silly incident by a Blue Pig player saw him receive his Second Yellow Card of the game and so making his clubs a touch more difficult. As people were looking at their watches, it was that man again MARTIN WORMALL who finished the scoring with his hat trick and he secured the cup victory for Ancaster Rams FC.

PHOTOS FROM THE GAME CAN BE SEEN ON THIS LINK

GRANTHAM & DISTRICT LEAGUE FACEBOOK GROUP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/224496184367491/

Don't forget folks to join my Non League Facebook Group Click HERE

Wednesday, 13 May 2015

BOWEN SEALS THE WOLLATON DOUBLE

Notts Senior League Senior Cup Final
WEST BRIDGFORD FC 0 WOLLATON FC 1
Admission £3/£2
Programme £1
Attendance 220
The Notts Senior League Senior Cup Final pitted the two top teams against each other in this seasons Final of the competition.
 
A good advert was presented by both teams for the Notts Senior League with a close but exciting game with plenty of chances.
 
The winning goal came after 23 minutes when a fierce shot was met by the head of RYAN BOWEN who guided the ball in to the back of the net.
 
West Bridgford pushed forward in the Second Half and the closest they came was after 71 minutes when Tim Hopkinson hit the underside of the crossbar and the ball spun outwards and in to play.
 
 
 
We must thank everyone for their kind donations and the Charity raffle raised a total of £97.00
 
WEST BRIDGFORD FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
WOLLATON WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
 

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

HODGEMAN HERO OF THE WELFARES

Precision Notts Senior League
Junior Cup Final
LINBY COLLIERY WELFARE RESERVES 0
KIMBERLEY MINERS WELFARE RESERVES 1
@ Basford United FC
Admission £3/£2
Programme £1
Attendance: 181

 
In front of a healthy crowd of 181 at Basford United's Greenwich Avenue Ground, Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves FC won a close Cup Final over last seasons holders Linby Colliery Welfare Reserves FC 1-0 through a 71st minute goal by LUKE HODGEMAN.
 
The evening began with both sides carving out good chances after some very good football, but without any scoring. The Second half saw very much the same pattern with both sides going very close and  both sides having one on one chances to opening the scoring but finding the goalkeepers in fine form until a long clearance from the Miners defence caught out the Colliery defence and HODGEMAN was clear to take the ball past the oncoming keeper and slot home the winner.
 
Linby pushed forward in vein for a equaliser but it wasn't to be their night this season, but both sides must be given a lot of credit for reaching this stage of the competition.
 
 
Tonight we launched next seasons Charity and began the raffle and we would like to thank everyone who bought raffle tickets as we raised a whopping £102, I would also like to thank Malc Storer & Kev Goodman who also began the ball rolling donating a tenner.
 
 We have chosen 2 charities for next season, both have similar aims and are very close to me, as they help homeless and vulnerable adults.  I left home at 15 and slept for 3 weeks on Broadmarsh car park, also Hazel's daughter works with homeless and vulnerable adults as well.
 
The two Charities are called
 
Foxton Centre
 
Integritas

Saturday, 9 May 2015

HALF CENTREY MAN GRAYSON SEALS SIXTH

Central Midlands League
North Division
GLAPWELL FC 1 HARWORTH CI FC 0
When it starts to see the season wind up, its hard sometimes to find matches with anything to play for, so it comes down to clubs that have been so good to ask you to visit them, so Glapwell was on the cards today, what wasn't was the amount of hoppers from all over that arrived, people from as far as Boston to Walsall to local hoppers who turned out in force, so much that programme editor Paul Hepworth was in the press room printing more and more programmes as they sold out 5 times.
 
The situation of the game was that Harworth needed three points to gain sixth place, whilst Glapwell needed to avoid defeat. It was Glapwell that settled the better and on 13 minutes, it wwas unlucky for the visitors when 50 year old veteran NEIL GRAYSON placed the ball past the oncoming visiting keeper.
 
Harworth pressed forward with young winger  Ross Taylor chasing everything but to no avail. Glapwell pressed forward and went close from a couple of free kicks to adding to their tally but only one goal separated the sides.
 
The Second Half went end to end but not much to trouble both keepers to be fair, so with Glapwell winning it secured them sixth place whilst this defeat dropped Harworth down to eighth on goal difference.
 
 
GLAPWELL FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
HARWORTH CI FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
Don't forget folks to join my Non League Facebook Group Click HERE

Tuesday, 5 May 2015

BINGHAM FINISH FIFTH

Notts Senior League
Senior Division
SANDHURST FC 0 BINGHAM TOWN FC 2

Well after a downpour of showers all afternoon, I didn't take my camera, so all credit to my wife Hazel who whilst dropping me off at Sandhurst FC took a lovely photo of a full rainbow, so that's what you are stuck with tonight.
 
As I was drinking my cuppa in the nice clubhouse after speaking to both sides and the officials, I was joined by hoppers from wide and afar and Kirton Brickworks Chairman Tony.
 
Sandhurst kicked off to the goal to our left with the wind behind them whilst Bingham played down the slope against a strong wind. Sandhurst had several close shots in the first half but it remained 0-0 at half time.
 
The Second Half and the wind had died down after a short but wetting shower that had sent Kirtons Tony home to watch some rubbish footie on the box..poor mans team weren't even on the tele as Arsenal had failed at the last hurdle I think,,shows how much I watch premiership stuff!
 
Bingham seemed to have the majority of the Second Halfs play but Sandhurst battled but on 55 minutes, EDWARD HODGSON fired home to send the visitors in to a 1-0 lead. They then hit the post from a 30 yard shot, but Sandhurst also had their chances but to no avail.
 
After 83 minutes, a claim for a penalty was waved away by ref Tim Gregory and the ball fell outside the box for JOHN MOORLEY to smash home and give Bingham the points.
 
SANDHURST FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
BINGHAM TOWN FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
 

Monday, 4 May 2015

PHOENIX HIT EIGHT AT SORRY WELBECK

Central Midlands League
North Division
WELBECK WELFARE FC 0 PHOENIX FC 8
Was kindly offered a lift by Buxton based hopper Ian Oldfield and Id not been to Welbeck's new ground, so took up on the opportunity. We arrived early to get our programmes, but since my last visit to Welbeck, they have begun to do club mugs for £4, so another one had to be had for my collection.
 
We popped down the hill to the local pub and sat in the sunshine as the traffic roared by on a pleasant afternoon before heading back up to the ground, that was now filling up with hoppers from all over the UK.
 
A good chat with everyone and then got the teamsheets, but unknown to us Phoenix' was incorrect and had their 2 forwards the wrong way round as numbers 9 and 10, so when tweeting as the goals went in, I was tweeting the wrong goalscorers, so this is a blog has the correct ones!
 
We didn't have to wait long for the first goal as Phoenix on their first attack after 2 minutes had the ball in the net through ADAM BOOTH and not Gorman as I'd tweeted.  Phoenix pushed forward but Sipson in the home goal was playing a blinder coming out and smothering everything. After 29 minutes though, he had no chance when ADAM BOOTH doubled his side's lead and as they say like buses they come in twos and this was the case as in the 32nd minute, ROB GORMAN added a third(not booth as tweeted).
 
Half time came and as the hoppers gathered with their refreshments, the home manager wasn't too happy with some of his players as they hadn't gone in the changing room, so came out to get them in with a few choice words used.
 
After 65 minutes, ADAM BOOTH made it 4-0 and completed his hat trick and home defender Nathan Ward wasn't best pleased with the rest of his side. With in 4 minutes, ROB GORMAN made it 5-0 and the defender just lost it and the referee had no alternative but to show him the red card to which he wasn't happy about, but his own players were telling him to get off the pitch.
 
Welbeck now had a uphill battle on their hands to save this game going to double figures, but had a good 5 minutes where they looked likely to score, but on 77 minutes KIERON GALLAGHER made it 6-0.  On 84 minutes, ADAM BOOTH scored his 4th and his sides 7th of the game and you just felt sorry for Welbeck who were trying but it just wasn't good enough. 87 minutes saw HYDEN MARKLEW get in on the act and make the final score 8-0 to Phoenix.
 
 
Don't forget folks to join my Non League Facebook Group Click HERE
 

Sunday, 3 May 2015

TOWN BEAT TEN MAN ALL WHITES

Central Midlands League Cup Final
HUCKNALL TOWN 3 CLIFTON ALL WHITES 0
@Alfreton Town FC
Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 268
On arrival met by the CMFL Committee and Shawn was soon looking forward to his Sunday Lunch, Sausage and chips, I had Pie and chips, a lot of the local hoppers arrived as the ground began to fill as Shawn spotted faces he knew and gave out hugs to them all.
 
The game kicked off and a ball out to the wing after just 2 minutes, saw a rash two footed challenge by Clifton Captain Craig Anderson dismissed from the field of play. Though the game was 0-0at half time, it was the ten men of Clifton that had created the better of the chances.
 
After the half time cuppa in the hospitality room, it was outside to the action and it was Town who were first to strike after 47 minutes when a ball sent ADAM NELSON thorough to slot past the keeper.
 
With All Whites pressing forward, it left huge gaps at the back and Hucknall kept pressing forward at will and on 57 minutes, NIALL THOMPSON doubled the lead. Clifton now were struggling with the man less as Hucknall picked up another gear and missed out on a 4 on 1 chance to make it 3-0.
 
As the game was coming to a close on 85 minutes, substitute JONANTHAN HAMILTON made it 3-0 and secured the cup for the Watnall Road crew to send their supporters in to song behind the goal and even a mini conga of 2 fans.
 
 
HUCKNALL TOWN FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
CLIFTON ALL WHITES FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
Don't forget folks to join my Non League Facebook Group Click HERE

Saturday, 2 May 2015

AWSWORTH NAIL FINAL STRAW IN TO SANDHURST

Notts Senior League
Senior Division
AWSWORTH VILLA FC 2 SANDHURST FC 1
Sandhurst went into the game knowing that they needed four points from their final two games and to pull back a four goal advantage that Beeston AFC had over them to avoid relegation.
 
On arrival was greeted by Kev Buxton who sorted us out with a cuppa, before he headed in to the changing rooms to sort out his side for the game. The players entered the pitch and Awsworth pushed forward whilst Sandhurst played on the break.
 
The game needed a goal as chances were going astray mainly for Villa, but the game burst in to life just before half time, when a incident on the near side saw two players come together and as they walked away, the home player lashed out with a kick and ref Scott Anderson had no alternative but to produce a red card.
 
The Second Half seemed more open with both sides attacking and after a hour Awsworth made a sub and within 2 minutes sub JOSH DEACON bent a 25 yard curling shot past the visiting keeper.
 
Sandhurst pushed forward against the home ten men but sadly didn't create much in the final third as shot went wayward or the home defence held steady. After 77 minutes, a long ball found home forward SAM HALLSWORTH who fired a bullet of a shot to double his sides advantage.
 
Sandhurst continued to push forwards and got a consulation goal on 85 minutes through LEWIS BATCHELOR to make it 2-1.
 
 
AWSWORTH VILLA FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
SANDHURST FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
If you like Non League Football, then why not join my facebook football group on this LINK
 

Friday, 1 May 2015

BASFORD SEE OFF THE COBRAS FIGHTBACK

Notts FA Senior Cup Final
BASFORD UNITED FC 5 CLIPSTONE FC 3
Admission: £5 inc Programme
Attendance: 423
Two of the best footballing sides quite rightly met in this seasons Notts FA Senior Cup Final and possibly gave us on the one of the best Finals I've seen in the past 20 odd years. No bad tackles, just two teams that wanted to play football.
 
I sat throughout the game with the bearded wonder Malc Storer and his good side-kick Kev Goodman who let me use the photo above, many thanks Kev.
 
After a few pints in the Pate bar and a few hello's to lots of folks I know from around the Non League Footballing Scene, I entered the ground and joined Malc and Kev and had a natter before the players were soon out on the pitch.
 
The first 30 minutes of the game were quite even with Basford doing most of the attacking but Clipstone breaking quick. Then after 35 minutes, the ball came to STUART HENDRIE who ran in to space and hit a curling shot from 30 yards on the right hand side in to the net to give Basford the advantage.
 
Clipstone came out for the Second Half and were caught cold, when a trip on the right side of the box on 51 minutes resulted in a free kick to United, the free kick was floated in and was met by the head of DEON MEIKLE to make it 2-0, within a minute it was 3-0 as that man STUART HENDRIE struck again, at this stage it looked like it was going to be a matter of how many were Basford going to get.
 
On 58 minute, the ball pinged around the Cobras penalty box and was only cleared to the edge of the box, where STUART HENDRIE struck his hat trick and made it 4-0..surely no way back for Clipstone now or was there?
 
Clipstone then upped theit game and pushed forward and in the 65th minute, CALLUM MAWBY beat the offside trap and fired him to a big roar of the local Mansfield based supporters, but surely still too much to do, but the Cobras hadn't read the script and pulled another goal back on 75 minutes again through CALLUM MAWBY and when JOSH GIBSON made it 4-3 after 87 minutes, there were a few Basford fans biting their nails with nerves around me.
 
As the board went up for 3 minutes to be played, Clipstone pushed everyone forward for the equaliser, but it was Basford who won the ball in their area and a long clearance found out RUBEN WIGGINS-THOMAS on the left wing who then paced forward and slotted the ball past the advancing Clipstone keeper to send the cup home to Basford.

Must also add what a good game all 3 officials had as well
 
BASFORD UNITED FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
CLIPSTONE FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
 
MY FOOTBALL FACEBOOK GROUP can be found on this LINK, so why not join today.

Monday, 27 April 2015

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP PHOTOS

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP PHOTOS by NSL CHAIRMAN IAN KIRK
 
 Bingham Town FC v Ruddington Village FC
 
  Netherfield Albion FC v Nottinghamshire FC
(Netherfield are to donate all to their charity, the
childrens Renal & Urology Unit)
NSL Secretary John Beeston who did a excellent job
with his mobile office, supplying team sheets
at all games
 
Burton Joyce FC v Attenborough FC
Sandhurst FC v Kirton Brickworks FC
 
And of course our own Captain Kirk, chairman of the NSL
 
More Photos taken by NSL Chairman can be seen HERE
 
Some photos from PMG Cavaliers v Wollaton where Wollaton FC won the Championship