Kimberley MW 1-3 Heanor Town

Thursday 31st July 2014 - kick off 7:40pm

Venue: The Stag Ground, Kimberley, Nottinghamshire

Scorers:
Welfare - Jemaine Ward (82)
Lions - Paulo Piliero ( 36), Louis Radcliffe (69), Nathan Benger (72)

Sunset over Kimberley

Stood with ex-Linby MW goalkeeper Rhys Watkinson as the game started - Rhys is now Eastwood Community FC keeper, and says he is looking forward to playing at Coronation Park again.  

Scott Ward, Ian Duffield, Ian and Tony Squires kept me company throughout the game - Kev is still trying to get to games, but  family health concerns have meant that football is, quite rightly, having to take a back seat. 

This was EMCL v NCEL Premier, but the home team gave as good as they got for the first 25 minutes or so - even then it was a defensive lapse that helped Heanor take the lead. A ball in from the right was missed by the home defence and was nodded on by Nathan Benger to Paulo Piliero - the diminutive winger stretched to reach the ball and looped a neat header over Kimberley keeper Danny Walsh. H-T 0-1

Kimberley held out until the 69th minute before conceding again. Louis Radcliffe is on trial at Heanor, and when Benger picked him out with a superb ball, the youngster confidently took the ball in his stride before slotting firmly past the keeper from 12 yards. On this showing the lad looks like he may have something of a future in the game.

Benger scored the third Lions goal on 72, collecting the ball in front of goal, turning on a sixpence and firing it into the roof of the net. 

By now it was getting seriously dark, and there were some concerns expressed over the players' safety. There are floodlights at the Stag, but it seems no-one knew how to switch them on. 

Kimberley did manage to get the ball past Ian Deakin just before the Referee called time with 5 still to play. Jermaine Ward tried his luck from 30 yards, and although the shot was hit firmly enough, Deaks obviously didn't see the ball as it went straight through his hands, through his legs and nestled in the back of the net. F-T 1-3

Admission: £2

Attendance: 108 Scott Ward h/c

Charity: £3

Hucknall Town 1-4 Clipstone FC

Wednesday 30th July 2014 - kick off 7:47pm

Venue: Watnall Road, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire

Scorers:
Town - Davidson (77)
Clipstone - Ord (63), Owen (64), Collen (80), White (88)

This game was a little nondescript for the first 45 minutes, but it certainly entertained us in the second period!

We spent the first half in the company of Clippo press officer Nigel Spalding - no doubt his match report will be much fuller than mine, but trust me, he will not be writing too much about the first period!!

Great to have Kev back on the road - unfortunately he had to leave early as his daughter was unwell.  

It was good to see our old friend Brian Dennett again - thanks for the charity contribution, Brian - most welcome!

We were with Brett Marshall for the second half - Brett says he is pleased to have handed the Clipstone managerial reigns over to Chris Millington - and is looking forward to the coming season  as Chairman of the club, rather than as Chairman/Manager.

The home team play in the CML South and looked comfortable against their NCEL1 opponents as the first half progressed - both teams looked solid in defence, but seemed lacking up top, and it was no surprise when the half ended goal-less. H-T 0-0

We had to wait until the 63rd minute for the first goal, a shot from Matty Ord from 10 yards that gave home keeper James Beddingham no chance.

Seconds later the visitors doubled their lead after a superb passing move down the left culminated with a simple close range  tap in from Blake Owen.

To be fair to Hucknall, they kept going and were rewarded with a goal of their own on 77 - Cameron Davidson beating the off-side trap and running into the box, side-stepping the keeper before slotting home.

Clipstone cannot actually sign Lewis Collen, as he is only 15 years young, but he finished like an old pro with 10 to play, smashing the ball home at the near post. One to watch I reckon - he's a big lad, for one so young!

The final goal of the game was a gem. Ryan Hindley's right wing corner was met at the far post by Dan White - the defender rising salmon like to head powerfully home. F-T 1-4

Admission: £2
Attendance: h/c 50
Charity: £3.75

Gedling MW 6-1 Newark Town

Tuesday 29th July 2014 - kick off 7:37pm

Venue: Plains Road,  Mapperley,  Nottingham.

Scorers:
Welfare - Ricky Law (2), Tony Law (16, 66 pen, 75), Jordan Whitehead (53), Luke Stanley (81)
Town - Rhys Stanley (83)

Newark Town of the CML North, visited Gedling Miners Welfare of the East Midlands Counties league on something of a high after their weekend friendly with Grantham Town. Although they lost 2-1 to the Evo-Stick outfit, according to Richard Lane it was a great performance - sadly there was nothing great about Newark in this game, they were totally outplayed by their hosts.

A goal down after 90 seconds after Tony Law found brother Ricky in the area, the visitors never really came to terms with the free-flowing Gedling football.  At the heart of things was our old buddy Kelvin "Mushy" Mushambi - still looking good and still running around like a good 'un !

Tony Law added the Welfare second goal on 16 after he broke the offside trap and was allowed to run in on keeper Craig Rhodes, before slotting the ball to his left. H-T 2-0

Jordan Whitehead grabbed a third soon after the restart, collecting a neat pass from Reece Campbell before slotting  coolly  home. 

Referee Craig Langton gave the home team their fourth goal - awarding a penalty after Gedling sub Tom McDonald fell over a prone defender.  Tony Law stepped up to convert the spot kick.

Newark were guilty  time  and time again of giving the ball away, and Law completed his triple on 75 with a sweet volley, after he was presented with ball just inside the box.

Another penalty was awarded seconds later - this time there could be no argument, but on this occasion Rhodes went the right way and was able to palm Law's effort away to safety.

Newark's Ricky Brewer played a sweet ball onto the boot of Luke Stanley with 9 to play - the Welfare player never having to break stride as he volleyed superbly past Rhodes. Great ball Ricky!! 

Town did manage to foil the home teams hoped for clean sheet when Rhys Stanley nodded home at the far post on 83. F-T 6-1

Admission: £2

Attendance: h/c 45

Charity: £5.25

Kimberley MW 0-2 Nostell MW

Saturday 26th July 2014 - ko 3:10pm

Venue: The Stag Ground, Kimberley, Nottingham.

Scorers: Matt Johnson (40), Jermain Royce (83)

Spent the entire game in the company of Paul McFarland and John Adams - we sorted out the world whist the players did their best to keep going in the 28 degree heat.

Work at the Stag Ground is coming along nicely, but still a way to go before it's completed.  

Would have liked to get a few pics, but Kev was otherwise engaged and hopefully we can do a full report with pics sometime in the near future. 

Nostell had a poor season 2013-14, winning just 6, drawing 4 losing 34. They scored only 22 goals while conceding 134. They never looked like losing this game though, keeper Ben Saynor having little to do throughout the entire 90 minutes. 

Kimberley were promoted to the East Midlands Counties League at the end of last term, and with Paul Rawden taking care of team matters, they should be able to hold their own at the higher level. 

Matt Johnson had a few decent early chances, but found home keeper Danny Walsh in good form.  Johnson did have the ball in the net five minutes before half-time, chasing down a long ball through the middle before controlling well and slotting wide of the keeper.  H-T 0-1

We had to search out some shade for the second half - poor old Addo was sweating like a cat in a chinky!! The second period was slightly better for the home team, but Saynor was still relatively  unemployed  for the majority.   

The second Nostell goal came on 83, a ball in from the right was delicately flicked across the Kimberley goal by Jermain Royce before nestling in the inside side-netting. Great first time effort that gave Walsh no chance. F-T 0-2

Admission: £0 

Attendance: h/c 51

Charity: £1.50

Hucknall Town 2-3 AFC Mansfield U21

Thursday 24th July 2014 - kick off 7:45pm

Venue: Watnall Road, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire

Scorers: 
Town - Aaron Evans (13), James Rigg (43)
AFC -  Bradley Galiford (50), Declan Brewin (73), Danny Barke (90+1)

Apparently this was Hucknall's Reserve side, and although they looked okay in the first half, they were less than  impressive  in the second.

Aaron Evans put town ahead on 13 with a 10 yard drive that gave the visiting keeper no chance. The lead was doubled with two minutes of the half remaining when James Rigg fired home the loose ball from close range, after the keeper had failed to hold onto a fierce Evans shot and palmed the ball straight into his path. H-T 2-1

It was a different tale after the restart, with Hucknall failing to create much, and AFC gaining confidence with every passing minute. They reduced their arrears on 51 when Bradley Galiford finished off a superb six or seven pass move with a sweet shot into the back of the net. 

The scores were level after 73 minutes play, - Declan Brewin cut in from the left and fired the ball across the keeper and in off the far post.

Two great goals, and the last gasp winner was just as good - this time Danny Barke unleashed an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box that looked in as soon as he hit it.  

What a terrific goal  to complete the fightback - one that was well worth the £2 entry fee. F-T 2-3

Admission: £2
Attendance: h/c 67
Charity: £3.75

Linby CW 6-1 Keyworth Utd

Tuesday 22nd July 2014 - kick off 7:10pm

Venue - Church Lane, Linby, Nottinghamshire.

Scorers:

Linby - Joe Butler ( 30, 32, 62, 69), Damian Mann (54), Jonny Bernard (86).

United -  Jonny Crawley (39)

The scoreline flatters Linby somewhat - the game was well contested, and Keyworth were a little unlucky not to have scored 3 or 4 more goals. A great display of finishing by Joe Butler and a couple of goal line clearances helped secure Linby the victory.

Keyworth ought to have scored  very early on - a superb ball in from the right saw their unmarked no. 14 completely miss his shot just four yards from goal.

Both teams looked to attack at every opportunity, but for the first half an hour we remained goal-less. 

The opening goal was a bit of a scrambled affair, a cross into the box from the right was blocked, and when the loose ball fell kindly to JOE BUTLER, and the 6ft+ striker prodded home from close range.

Joe Butler  

The next Linby goal came just two minutes later and was a real gift - and is one that the Keyworth custodian will not want to be reminded of! After the keeper picked the ball up way outside his area, referee Scott Mason awarded the free-kick to Linby. Instead of throwing the ball away to safety, he handed the ball to BUTLER who calmly placed it on the deck and rolled it past him into the net.  Mr. Mason saw nothing wrong with the quickly taken free-kick and quite rightly gave the goal.

Keyworth replied on 39, a sweet shot from the outside of Jonny Crawley's left foot that gave Linby keeper Rhys Watkinson no chance.  H-T 2-1

Rhys Watkinson

Keyworth began the second half strongly, and had an effort hacked off the line a few minutes after the restart. The home team survived the early onslaught though, and went further ahead on 54 when a ball in from the right was headed on by Butler to DAMIAN MANN who took time to control before lifting the ball delicately over the keeper.

BUTLER completed his hat-trick on 62, his 30 yard run culminating with a neat finish.

BUTLER blasted home a free-kick from the edge of the area in the 69th minute to make it 5-1, then with a few minutes of the game remaining, JONNY BERNARD drilled home a loose ball after the visiting defence failed to deal with a ball fired into the box. F-T 6-1

This was a decent pre-season game. All in all a very pleasant evening at picturesque Church Lane.

Admission: free
Attendance: 20
Charity: £5.25

Linby CW 1-6 Loughborough Dynamo

Wednesday 16th July 2014 - ko 7:10pm

Venue: Church Lane, Linby, Nottinghamshire

Not too sure about the scorers, and not too worried either. All I know is another £5.25 is on it's way to maggie's!

Linby: Murphy ( pen 40)
Boro:  Munn (38), Gent (46), Smithson (67, 75, 80), no.9 (70)

A bit of a damp evening - but unlike some I had my brolly handy!  This really gave the old cliche "game of two halves" some  credence. The first half was evenly contested - Bradley Munn's superb near post volley for Dynamo on 38 was cancelled out by a Matt Murphy spot kick two minutes later - the spot kick awarded after Tom Coupe was upended in the box. H-T 1-1

The second half was a different story - Linby hardly had a kick - conceding 5 more goals without reply.  Dean Gent netted just 55 seconds into the second half after he was given the freedom of the box, before turning and drilling past Rhys Watkinson in the home goal.

On 67, Luke Smithson was challenged by a Linby defended as he was about to shoot - but all the challenge did was deflect the ball over Watkinson and into the net.  Loughborough's no. 9 added their 4th three minutes later, then with 15 to play, Smithson pounced on the loose ball after Watkinson parried Nat Watson's free-kick into his path.

The sixth goal was also accredited to Smithson, but my view was slightly obscured - so I may be amending this later! F-T 1-6

Admission: £0 -- hurrah!
Attendance: 51

Nice to see Brian Franks again! Also good to spend some time with Brian Dennett, Ian Spencer, Daryl Claypole,  Dave Bradshaw and Mike Banister ( get your own brolly, Banno!).

Arnold Town 1-1 Heanor Town

Venue - Eagle Valley, Arnold, Nottinghamshire

Tuesday 15th July 2014 ko 7:30pm

Scorers:
Eagles - Reggie Royes (20)
Lions - Gary Ricketts (12)

Tony Squires and Scott Ward - very studious!!

Not a lot to say about this pre-season game. Two good goals, a penalty save - and precious little else.

Heanor opened the scoring on 12 when GARY RICKETTS rose well at the near post to head home a Paulo Piliero free-kick.

Arnold were not behind for long though - a neat ball in from the left was flicked superbly with the outside of his foot by REGGIE ROYES giving Heanor keeper Ian Deakin no chance. H-T 1-1

Arnold were awarded a soft penalty on 52, but justice was done when the spot kick was well saved by Deakin.

I can't really add any more about the game.......................................................  F-T 1-1

Spent the game in the company Brian Franks and Lance Henderson from South Normanton, and Heanor press man Tony Squires. I hope Tony can find inspiration from somewhere when he writes the Heanor Town match report!

Chris "Tall-Lad" Dent made a donation to the maggie's fund - Chris was one of the first to donate the last time we did our bit for charity -- thank you very much, Chris.

Disappointed that the entry fee was so high -  £5 adult and £3 concessions.  For a pre-season  game?  Come on - these used to be free. I don't think Kev would have been best pleased if he had been asked for a fiver to get in! As it happened it was his Grandson's birthday - so he couldn't attend - jammy bugger....

Admission £3

Attendance - I counted 89

Hucknall Town 1-5 Bilsthorpe FC

Saturday 12th July - ko 3pm

Venue: Watnall Road, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.

We knew a most of the Hucknall Town players from last season, and recognised a few familiar faces in the Bilsthorpe starting eleven, namely Jason Westwood, Ricky Starbuck, Mark Carter and Richard Guest. Unfortunately I don't know the name of the player who headed home Town's goal at the far stick.

Ricky Starbuck and Cameron Davidson shake hands prior to kick off

Goal times:-

Bilsthorpe: Mark Carter (16, 39, 82), Lucan Barker (46), Triston Burrell (90)

Town: no. 9 (26)

Added another £4.50 to the charity kitty - I said I'd like a good start to the fund-raising, and with 18 goals in 3 games, I can't complain!

Admission: £2

Attendance: H/C 32

Basford Utd 8-1 Hucknall Rolls

Thursday 10th July - kick off 6:55pm

Venue: Greenwich Avenue - Pitch 2

H-T 2-0
F-T 8-1

Scorers:

Basford - Ruben Wiggins-Thomas (21, 46, 86), Kamal Asamung-Hayles* (I think) (26), Carruthers (53), TJ Nightingale (56, 76), Francis (65)

Rolls - Start (68)

Attendance: 12

Pleasant evening at Greenwich Avenue

Charity bagged big-time with this scoreline - 9 goals at £0.75 a pop !!  £6.75 to the kitty!

Teversal FC 0-3 Thoresby CW

Saturday 5th July 2014 ko 3pm.

Venue - Carnarvon Street, Teversal.

Referee - Mr. Craig Langton

Goals Tryner (pen)10 Fazakerley 50, 85

Charity £2.25

Starting Line-ups
Teversal: Brooks, Jones, Lee, Tolley, Schofield, Fisher, Green, Vincent, Naughton, Grinion, Pursegrove.

Subs: Dickinson, Darby, Bamford, Newton, Lane, Allen, Wilson

Welfare: Smith, Parnwell, Dyson, Burgess, Mason, Shaw, Rhodes, Tryner, Wood, Bingham, Adcock.

Subs: Booth, Buchanan, Fazakerley, Bonser, Hamilton, Selby

Team sheets

Typical pre-season fayre - and although there is a long way to go before the season starts in earnest for these clubs, Welfare boss Lee Tryner must have been delighted at the way his CML lads completely outplayed their NCEL1 hosts.

Teversal had experienced strikers Zico Grinion and Lee Naughton leading their line, but they were rendered ineffective by a  competent looking Welfare back line.  Grinion did hit a post late on in proceedings, but that was about as close as Teversal got to scoring. 

Teversal will improve - they have to, otherwise they will find life in Divison 1 of the NCEL difficult in the coming months.

Thoresby will, under Tryner's guidance, have a good shout in CML North. The strongest team in the section by far last season were AFC Mansfield, but with their promotion to the NCEL1, the league title is now there for the taking.

Admission: £2

Attendance: 113