Saturday 14th January - local teams in action

Links to the relevant sites are bold and underlined. If you spot any errors or emissions, please let me know via twitter @ontheroadblog

F.A. TROPHY ROUND 2
Barrow AFC 3-2 Matlock Town

Boreham Wood 2-1 Alfreton Town

NP PREMIER

Buxton FC P-P Hednesford Town

Sutton Coldfield Town 1-0 Ilkeston FC

Workington FC 4-1 Mickleover Sports

NP DIV 1 SOUTH

Basford Utd 4-0 Rugby Town

Carlton Town P-P Leek Town

Loughborough Dynamo 1-1 Romulus FC

Stocksbridge PS P-P Belper Town

MFL PREMIER

Heanor Town 2-2 Alvechurch FC

Loughborough University 1-3 St. Andews

Lye Town 3-0 Shepshed Dynamo

Stourport Swifts 2-2 Long Eaton Utd

NCEL PREMIER

AFC Mansfield 0-1 Harrogate RA

Parkgate FC 1-2 Clipstone FC

Rainworth MW 3-4 Retford Utd

Worksop Town P-P Pickering Town

NCEL DIV 1

Pontefract Colliery 9-0 Ollerton Town

Teversdal FC 3-1 AFC Emley

Yorkshire Amateurs 3-3 Shirebrook Town

EMCL

Anstey Nomads P-P Radford FC

Arnold Town 2-3 Aylestone Park

Ashby Ivanhoe P-P Greenwood Meadows

Belper Utd 3-0 Barrow Town

Birstall Utd 4-0 Stapenhill FC

Blaby & Whetstone Athletic 3-0 Graham St Prims

Dunkirk FC 2-1 West Bridgford

Ellistown & Ibstock Utd 1-4 Borrowash Victoria

Kimberley MW 4-1 Gedling MW

Radcliffe Olympic 4-0 Holbrook Sports

South Normanton Athletic 3-2 Holwell Sports

CMFL NORTH

Collingham FC 5-1 Phoenix FC

F.C. Bolsover 7-2 Harworth Colliery

Retford FC 3-3 Newark Town

Welbeck Lions 0-8 Clay Cross Town 

CMFL SOUTH

Blidworth Welfare P-P Mickleover RBL

Holbrook St. Michaels 1-2 Eastwood CFC 

Linby CW 1-1 Selston FC

Swanwick PR 3-0 Hucknall Town 

DERBY F.A. DIVISIONAL CUP (NORTH)

Dronfield Old Boys 1-3 Matlock Town Res

NSL PREMIER

Aston Utd P-P AFC Dunkirk 

Attenborough FC 1-3 Clifton AW 

Awsworth Villa 2-2 Nottm Trent University 

Bingham Town 2-3 Wollaton FC 

Cotgrave FC 3-0 Basford Utd CFC

F.C. Cavaliers 0-0 Real Utd

Newark Flowserve 2-2 Magdala Amateurs

Underwood Villa 1-1 Ruddington Village 

Unity FC 1-4 Sandiacre Town 

Midweek games - local teams in action w/c 9th January

Links to the relevant sites are bold and underlined. If you spot any errors or emissions, please let me know via twitter @ontheroadblog

Monday 9th January

NOTTS F.A. SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL

Basford Utd 5-1 Kimberley MW 

NMDFL U21 NORTH

Staveley MW P-P Dronfield Town

Tuesday 10^th January

DERBY F.A. SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL

Alfreton Town 3-0 Borrowash Victoria

Buxton FC 5-1 South Normanton Athletic

NOTTS F.A. SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL

Rainworth MW 9-1 Real Utd 

NPL CUP

Belper Town 2-4 Chasetown

EMCL CUP

Barrow Town 2-4 Dunkirk FC

Stapenhill FC 0-4 Radford FC

NMDFL U21 NORTH

Handsworth Parramore 6-0 Harworth CI

NMDFL U21 SOUTH

Carlton Town P-P Ilkeston FC

NMDFL U19 NORTH

Chesterfield FC 1-4 Sheffield Utd 

NMDFL U19 SOUTH

Southwell City 1-3 Mansfield Town

Wednesday 11^th January

NATIONAL LEAGUE U19 ALLIANCE

Ilkeston FC P-P Football CV Reds 

Maltby Main 0-7 Basford Utd

Peterborough Utd 3-4 Mansfield Town Brooksby

NOTTS F.A. SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL

West Bridgford 1-2 Teversal FC

CMFL NORTH

F.C. Bolsover 2-2 Retford FC

CMFL SOUTH

Eastwood CFC 1-1 Hucknall Town

NMDFL U21 SOUTH

AFC Mansfield 4-0 Sherwood Colliery

NMDFL U19 SOUTH

Dunkirk FC P-P Eastwood CFC

Thursday 12^th January

NMDFL U21 SOUTH

Borrowash Victoria P-P Belper Town

Heanor Town P-P Eastwood CFC

NMDFL U19 NORTH

Swallownest MW P-P Retford Utd

NMDFL U19 SOUTH

Kimberley MW P-P West Bridgford Colts

Friday 13^th January

CML SOUTH

Southwell City 3-1 Sherwood Colliery

NMDFL U21 NORTH

Chesterfield FC 6-2 Sheffield FC (@Eastwood CFC)

Kimberley MW 4-0 Barrow Town

Saturday 7^th January 2017

Kimberley MW 4-0 Barrow Town (H-T 1-0)

Admission £5.00 / £3.00 concession

Attendance : 62

Referee: Wayne Gray

Didn’t see a programme

Teams:

Kimberley MW : Shaun Bodkin (c), Adam Morley, Felix Hogg, Gerry Moran, Josh Stevenson, Tom Dale, Scott Carlile, Tom Marshall, Adam Hassall, Conor Carter, Scott Bailey. Subs: Martin Lench, Frazer Campbell, Alex Marshall, Rikki Turner.

Barrow Town: Scott Handley, Sam Beaver, Jordan Thacker, James Portwood, Bryn Statham, Dan Agar, George Coser, Jim Mee, Zak Ginvert, Ndouma Chilaka, Ben Law (c). Subs: Mark Schultz, Jonny Smith, Aaron Carrs.

This was my second game of the day, the first being a very good, close contest between Mansfield Town U18 and Doncaster Rovers U18.  Played at Rainworth, the football on show was a credit to both teams and their coaches – fabulous stuff. The final score was 1-1, and unusually, both goals were own goals, the Stags conceding on 14, and Donny in the 58 minute.

I was supposed to be going to watch AFC Mansfield take on Sunderland RCA, but circumstances forced me to change to a fixture more local to home. Kimberley have been resurgent in recent weeks, but this could be partly due to the fact they have played their last nine fixtures at home – the wear and tear on the playing surface more than evident as you enter the ground.

Kev had other matters taking precedence , but I wasn’t to be on my own again as Ian Squires was on hand to keep me company. Ian is usually to be found watching Heanor Town, but didn’t fancy the trip to Boldmere St. Michaels, so opted for the Kimberley game and after the first half-hour probably wished he had chosen differently. 

Scott Carlile had the first real chance of the game on 8, but Barrow stopper Handley managed to block the effort with his legs and force the ball away for a corner.  Seconds later, Tom Marshall played the ball across the Barrow box to Tom Dale, but his resultant shot was well wide of the post.

Conor Carter saw his header from Marshall’s eleventh minute free-kick skim the bar, then five minutes later we were treated to the first Barrow attack, and although Ndouma Chilaka’s drive was hit well enough, it was blocked well by Bodkin.  On 35, Dale had a great chance to play in Carter as he ran in on goal, but the weight of the pass was a little heavy and a decent chance went begging.

Kimberley finally managed to break down the stubborn Barrow defence in the 41^st minute when Carter retrieved the ball after what seemed to be a lost cause, and crossed into the box to where Tom Marshall was on hand to stab home.  The lead should have been doubled on 44, but Carter scuffed his shot after Carlile’s ball in from the right wing picked him out in front of goal. H-T 1-0

We had to wait until midway through the second period before the home team really tested the visiting back line again. It was Carter again with the chance, forcing  Handley into a save after he had broken free of his marker. Seconds later, sub Alex Marshall flicked his shot wide just of the post after he connected with fellow sub Frazer Campbell’s corner kick.

The goal that the home team desperately in need of arrived in the 70^th minute – this time Carlile’s run and cross down the right was flicked home in the six yard box by the trusty boot of Tom Dale.

Barrow almost clawed one back on 78 after Mark Schultz had jinked his way into the Kimberley penalty area and picked out Jim Mee ten yards from goal. Although Mee’s shot flew past Bodkin, fortunately for the home team, it also flew past the outside of the far post.

Carter added the Kimberley third with 10 to play, this time an Alex Marshall left wing cross finished superbly at the far stick by the inform striker. The final goal came in added time, and this was proper “route one” football! Kimberley had used the long ball occasionally throughout the match, but this time when Bodkin launched the ball into outer space, after re-entry it fell straight into the path of Carter who collected it well before clipping it over the advancing Handley.  Great finish, and showed what is possible if you take the playing surface out of the equation! F-T 4-0

MOM :  Conor Carter - without doubt 

Saturday 7th January - local teams in action

These fixtures are subject to change and I strongly advise that you contact the home team, or visit their website, to confirm venue and kick-off times if you plan to attend a match.  Links to the relevant websites are in bold and underlined. Any errors and omissions – please let me know via twitter @ontheroadblog

EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE
Mansfield Town 1-1 Doncaster Rovers

F.A.VASE ROUND 4

AFC Mansfield 0-1 Sunderland ARC

Ely City 3-0 Shepshed Dynamo

NOTTS F.A. INTERMEDIATE CUP 1/4 FINALS

AFC Dunkirk 4-3 Newark Flowserve

Hucknall Town Res 2-1 Attenborough FC

Sherwood Colliery Res 3-1 Southwell City

NOTTS F.A. INTERMEDIATE CUP R3

Nottingham Trent University 5-2 Gedling Southbank 

NL NORTH

Harrogate Town 6-3 Alfreton Town

NP PREMIER

Halesowen Town 2-4 Buxton FC

Matlock Town 1-2 Corby Town

Mickleover Sports 0-1 Nantwich Town

Stafford Rangers 2-1 Ilkeston FC

NP DIV 1 SOUTH

Basford Utd 3-3 Bedworth Utd

Belper Town 0-2 Stamford FC

Loughborough Dynamo 3-2 Northwich Victoria

Romulus FC 1-1 Carlton Town

MFL PREMIER

Boldmere St. Michaels 0-2 Heanor Town

Quorn FC 0-2 Long Eaton Utd

Stourport Swifts 2-1 Loughborough University

NCEL PREMIER

Albion Sports 4-2 Rainworth MW

Clipstone FC 1-2 Thackley FC

Retford Utd 0-2 Staveley MW

NCEL DIV 1

Eccleshill Utd 3-2 Teversal FC

Ollerton Town 2-2 Grimsby Borough

Shirebrook Town 1-0 Campion FC

EMCL

Aylestone Park 2-1 Belper Utd

Blaby & Whetstone Athletic 5-1 Radcliffe Olympic

Borrowash Victoria A-A Dunkirk FC

Gedling MW 2-8 Birstall Utd

Greenwood Meadows P-P Radford FC

Holwell Sports 3-0 Graham St Prims

Kimberley MW 4-0 Barrow Town

South Normanton Athletic 3-2 Arnold Town

West Bridgford 4-2 Anstey Nomads

CMFL NORTH

AFC Bentley 3-1 Tideswell Utd 

Appleby Frodingham 0-3 Harworth Colliery

Clay Cross Town 6-2 Thorne FC

Dinnington Town 0-3 Collingham FC 

Dronfield Town Res 4-0 Welbeck Lions

CMFL SOUTH

Blidworth Welfare 2-2 Swanwick PR

Holbrook St. Michaels 1-5 Pinxton FC 

Keyworth Utd 0-5 Mickleover RBL

Linby CW 3-2 South Normanton FC 

Selston FC 2-1 Matlock Town Res 

Teversal Res 0-5 Hucknall Town

NSL PREMIER

Aston Utd 3-1 Bingham Town

Clifton AW 6-0 Underwood Villa

F.C. Cavaliers 2-1 Sandiacre Town

Magdala Amateurs 1-0 Unity FC

Real Utd 1-1 Awsworth Villa 

Ruddington Village 3-0 Cotgrave FC 

Wollaton FC 1-2 Bilborough Town 

Eastwood CFC 6-2 Awsworth Villa

Wednesday 4^th January 2017

MID-WINTER FRIENDLY

Eastwood CFC 6-2 Awsworth Villa (H-T 5-0)

Admission:  £0.00

Attendance: H/C 25 pitchside + many more watching from the clubhouse

This may not have been a league or cup match, but it was a decent enough game and there wasn’t a lot else on offer. It also saw me chalk up my 150th game of the season. The game was played between teams plying  their trades at the same level (step 7), albeit in different leagues.

At the time of writing, both teams are having a good time in their respective leagues. Eastwood lie second in the CMFL South division, with Awsworth in a comfortable second place in the NSL Premier division.

The game was played on Eastwood’s 3G pitch and was never in doubt, despite the below zero temperature.

Jack Smith opened the scoring for the home team after just nine minutes had been played, his shot cum cross from the right wing flying across the goal and nestling in the far corner. I’m sure Jack will say he meant it as a shot, but only he will know for sure!

Eastwood pressed forward at every opportunity, and a slick passing move on 13 minutes lead to their second goal, Rory Smith latching onto the ball before turning and driving the ball home from 12 yards out.

It was 3-0 after 28, this time Jack Smith firing in from the edge of the box after he was given too much space to manoeuvre. Chay Betteridge added the Eastwood fourth on the half hour, drilling the ball across the Awsworth keeper and into the far corner. Danny Tring headed home from a free-kick seven minutes later to make it 5-0 at the break.

A different Awsworth team came out for the second period – not different in personnel, but in attitude. They were totally outplayed in the first half, but began the second firing on all six, as they say! They took the game to their hosts and were rewarded within 6 minutes of the restart when Matt Goodwin ran powerfully through the Eastwood midfield and hammered a shot home from all of 30 yards. 

Villa further reduced their arrears on 66, when Asher Phythian nodded home from close range. Eastwood were now on the back foot, but as the half progressed they gradually began to resume control.

The final goal action of the game came with 10 to play, Jack Smith completing his hat-trick after dribbling through the Awsworth back line and firing home from the corner of the six-yard box.  

F-T 6-2

This game was arranged to give players from both teams a little match action before their league seasons recommence – Villa on Saturday at Real Utd, Eastwood on Wednesday at home to Hucknall Town. Eastwood’s last league game was on the 17th December when they thumped Blidworth Welfare 6-2. That’s a long break, and based on their overall performance in this game, the Red Badgers look like they are raring to go! 

Teversal FC 1-1 Ollerton Town

NCEL DIV 1

Tuesday 3^rd January 2017

Teversal FC 1-1 Ollerton Town (H-T 0-0)

Admission: £5.00 / £2.50 concession

Attendance: 127

Referee: Mr. Christopher Darling

Programme: £1.00

Free team sheet

Not a very warm evening at Carnarvon Street with a strong, cold wind blowing straight across the pitch. The stand behind the dugouts was the ideal place to cut out the wind so, along with Richard Lane that's where I stayed for the whole game – cold, but draught-free!   

These teams met on the 27^th December, and on that occasion Teversal won the game 2-1, and Ollerton ended the game with 9 players. Whether we were to have more of the same in this reverse fixture seemed unlikely as the teams cancelled each other out in every department. Just two chances of note in the first 45, one for each team – Teversal’s was fired wide of the post from just a few yards out, whilst Ollerton’s sole effort was tipped over the bar by home stopper Josh Turton. H-T 0-0

With over 140 games watched this season so far and only two goal-less, I was hoping that tired legs and careless minds would produce something. As it turned out, replacing tired legs and careless minds provided the goals the game so desperately cried out for. Teversal brought on Craig Mitchell midway through the second half, and it was the striker who broke the deadlock on 77 minutes. After a failed free-kick routine on the edge of the Town area, Mitchell fired a tame, bobbly effort at goal and was probably as amazed as everyone in the ground when it made it’s way slowly through a crowd of players before rolling past Scott Gretton and nestling in the back of the net! Not a classic goal, but they all count. 

The lead though, lasted all of 60 seconds – and it was another substitute on the mark, this time Ollerton’s Josh Bowkett.  He collected a neat George Pearce through ball and ran into the box before slotting calmly past keeper Turton.

That was the end of the scoring, but as the final whistle approached, both teams were to end the game with less than their full compliments after Mitchell and Ollerton’s Alex Sennett were both shown straight reds, after an altercation on the edge of the Teversal box.

So after the two “festive” games, the goals total five, the dismissal total four, with Teversal 3-2 ahead in the goals tally, Ollerton 3-1 ahead in dismissals. I imagine Tevie boss Dean Short must be quite happy with the four points, less so with the red card. Town gaffer Dave Winter is still bringing in players to help his team survive in the league after promotion last term, and with three of his players having suspensions looming over them, I suspect there may well soon be a few more new faces at Walesby Lane. 

Teversal are currently in 15^th place in the league on 28 points, Ollerton 17^th  with 25 points http://www.ncefl.org.uk/tables/short/2016/ 

Arnold Town 2-5 Radcliffe Olympic 02/01/2017

East Midlands Counties League

Arnold Town 2-5 Radcliffe Olympic 3pm ko (H-T 1-2)

Attendance 72

Admission £5.00 / £3.00 concession

Referee Mr. Martin Beard

The Daftlad and the Bearded Wonder back on the road again! Another very local fixture, but one that suited us both. 

Eagle Valley, the home of Arnold Town has a reputation for being a chilly venue. Today it was positively Baltic – as soon as the sun dipped below the tree line on the horizon, the temperature went from zero degrees and more or less bearable, to “f*** me, it’s f***ing freezing”!

 This fixture was the reverse of the game played on the 27^th December, which ended up three goals apiece.  Arnold were slightly understrength - three of their usual first choice eleven were unavailable for one reason or another.

Radcliffe almost conceded in the first minute, just managing to scramble the ball away from danger, but the home defence failed to do so in the fifth minute, allowing Ian Marley too much space in the box, and the no. 8 took full advantage, gleefully firing past keeper Ross Cherry. The Eagles were level on 13, Radcliffe centre-back Jan Yeomons misdirecting a header over his own keeper and into the net. Ryan Smith restored Olympic’s lead in the 39^th minute, turning and firing past Cherry from 8 yards. H-T 1-2

Smith was on target again five minutes after the restart, looping a shot over Cherry from 20 yards out. The goal of the game was undoubtedly Arnold’s second in the 55^th minute  – a superbly weighted through ball from Jack Smith was collected without breaking stride by Rian Charles, and the youngster ran into the box before firing across the Radcliffe stopper into the far corner of the net. Terrific goal and well worth the entrance fee! So, 2-3 and it was game on – but although the home team drove forward in search of the leveller, some of their passing was a little wayward at times, and the Radcliffe goal was rarely threatened.

As the game entered it’s final minute, the ball was fired at the Arnold goal and after hitting the framework it fell very nicely to Scott Litchfield who has a simple tap in at the far stick to notch his twelfth of the season. The thirteenth followed two minutes into added time, his low drive flying in past Cherry at the near post – the keeper could probably have done better, but it was academic really as Mr. Beard ended the game immediately after the restart. F-T 2-5

http://full-time.thefa.com/DisplayFixture.do?id=15935093