What a seven days that was!!
Started on Sunday 9th, I arranged to meet Richard Lane at Eagle Valley to watch Rise Park Ladies take Mansfield Town Ladies - but Arnold Town Ladies were on the main pitch playing Coventry Ladies, so we decided to take in this game as we could watch sitting down in the main stand. The game ended 3-3 after extra time and Coventry won 4-3 on penalties, so sitting down was, as it transpired, a great decision.
Monday 10th was a blank, but on Tuesday 11th it was back to Eagle Valley to see Arnold's first team take on Holwell Sports. The Eagles ran out 6-2 victors, but the game was a cracker - and all three teams (well done officials) were a credit to their professions.
Wednesday12th was the weeks first double header. In the afternoon it was a trip to Rainworth MW to see Mansfield Town's U21 team play Hartlepool Utd Reserves. The Pools team contained several first team squad players, and it was no surprise that the Stags went down 1-5. The evening game was at Ollerton, to see Town entertain NCEL Div 1 leaders Penistone Church. The rain did it's best to spoil the game, but the classy Sheffield outfit didn't let it bother them overmuch, and they won the game fairly easily, by four goals to one.
Thursday 13th - the Town Ground, Heanor. Their U21 team was in action against Sherwood Colliery, and this was a 7-4 cracker. Town went 2-0 up early doors, but let in Sherwood three times before dragging themselves level again. Sherwood scored next to make it 3-4, but Heanor stepped up a gear and ran in four more goals before the final whistle.
Another double header on Friday 14th - the first game was at Clipstone and saw Mansfield Town U19 take on Rotherham Utd U19. After taking the lead late in the first half through Kiearen Harrison, the young Stags couldn't keep tabs on Millers striker Josh Kayade who scored twice to give the visitors the three points.
Greenwich Avenue was the venue for the Friday evening game - and although the first 40 minutes or so were a bit lacking in entertainment, the final 50 minutes saw Basford Utd's Community team bang in nine goals without reply from their opponents, Magdala Amateurs.
Saturday 15th - no specific plans for the morning, but decided to take in a Notts Youth league game at Coronation Park, where Eastwood U18's were to take on Alfreton Town U18's. Alfreton lined up with quite a few 6ft + lads - Eastwood not so many. In fact, the home team only had 10 men from the onset, but even so, were unlucky not to get something from the game. They lost 0-2 to a first half Danny Darlow header and a tremendous 22 yard hit from Ellis Evans just before the final whistle that gave the Eastwood keeper no chance. As an appetiser, the game was just fine, but the main course was Selston v Hucknall Town and this game was as good as it's pre-match build up. With the weather behaving and the Parish pitch looking superb, a good competitive game was expected, and that is just what was served up. Hucknall took the lead through Jamie Crawford, Selston levelled from the spot via Ben Moore, then went ahead with a header from Dom Airey. Town never gave up and their pressure eventually brought rewards when Jordan Phillips netted from close range with just 5 minutes left to play.
So - to sum up: 9 games in 7 days with no less than 54 goals scored. Turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable week. Must do it again soon!!