NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE WEEKEND PREVIEW

PRECISION NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 16th APRIL 2016

This weekend in the Premier Division sees table toppers West Bridgford FC play their final league game of the season when they travel to Underwood Villa who sit fourth from bottom. A win for West Bridgford would see them finish at least third in the final table as others do have games in hand and can pass them in the run in.

Underwood Villa(From) Arnold, Bibby, Dainty, Ellis, Foster, Lawson, Quinn, Shipley, Smith, Wright(J), Wright, Greaves, Taylor, Limb

West Bridgford(From) Belshaw, Charlesworth, Clark, Coole, Hart, Kirkby, Martt, Newsome, Simmons, Spriggs, Sylla, Westcarr, Burrell, Erentz, Jackson,

Wollaton FC moved in to 2^nd place in midweek after a 2-1 away victory at Attenborough FC and they host FC Cavaliers

Wollaton FC(From) Green, Hickey, Johnson, Litchfield, Day, Millensted, Mitchell(K), Mitchell(L), Rawson, Richardson, Smedley, Stark, Bignall

FC Cavaliers(From) Abdullah, Theresure, Bibkiker, Blades, Danylyszyn, Dunca, Faulkner, Francis, Taylor, Kolapo, Tomusange, Jikdenek, John, Richards, Isse

Third placed Ruddington Village who still have 7 games to play are on their travels to Beeston FC.

Beeston FC(From) Allen, Blaze, Brown, Hickey, McElhone(K), McElhone(L), Murray, Neary, Pickance, Sweeeney, Taylor, Harrison, Snape, Payne

Ruddington Village(From) Benwell, Blanchard, Carver, Cocks, Davies, Edge, Hopkinson, Leslie, McMullen, Starbuck, Winch, Hassell, Samson.

Clifton All Whites host Burton Joyce, with the visitors fresh from a midweek win over Real United 5-2.

Clifton AW(From) Dalton, Hardy, Meakin, Peel, Price, Reid, Richardson(B), Richardson(J), Turner, Want Thomas, Whitman, Bannister, Duffy

Burton Joyce(From) Brewer, Buckle(M), Buckle(S), Clements, Easom®, Easom, Easom(RY), Fenton, Grady, Hayes, Lawson, Cooper, Harris, Rocca

Real United host Dunkirk AFC at the Inspire Stadium

Real United(From) Anderson, Burrows, Dyce, Hopkinson, Large, Newton, Rhodes, Smith, Spiers, Tozer, Walton, Ofshone, Shannon-Lewis, Charlton

Dunkirk AFC(From) Adeleye, Clark, Dudley, Ellis, Harbottle, Howes, Lang, Moore, Parton, Read, Robinson

Unity FC host improving Newark Flowserve at their Clifton Campus Ground.

Unity FC(From) Burton, Campbell, Croft, Wigley, Dobie, Parlett, Richardson, Eshelby, Seaton, Fyffe, Robinson, Jenkins, Hines, Elliott, Scott, Ventrella, Seymour, Blair, Hall

Newark Flowserve(From) Barnes, Betts, Brooks, Nicholson, Broxholme, Hage, Kirkham, Martin, O’Connell, Pashley, Potts, Price, Ashley, Hurst, Walker, Lambert.

Bingham Town face Bilborough Town at Butt Field, with the visitors on a good unbeaten run at present

Bingham Town(From) Abbott, Archer, Bramwell, Cox, Gamble, Hardy, Hutchinson, Morley, Nicholson, Page, Spencer, Andrews, Snelgrove, Wall

BilboroughTown(From) ivanov,battison,Lee,caoduro,d.Kane,Woodward,a.Webster,nadif,J.kane,Palmer,street,hayles,Cooper,L.Webster

Midtable Attenborough took Wollaton all the way on Tuesday evening before losing out to a last minute goal, but they will be hoping to bounce back at The Strand when they face Cotgrave FC

Attenborough FC(From) Bowles, Clark, Cotton, Knight(J), Knight(N), McGeown, Merritt, Oldham, Smith, Spawton, Winfield, Fryer, Ruck

Cotgrave FC(From) Baron, Bates, Cohen, Cooper, Elliott, Fisher, Garton, Gray, Stanley, Terry, Thorpe

In Division One, with South Normanton Town FC clinching the Championship title last weekend, the race heats up for runners up spot with quite a few clubs in contention, In pole position at present are Hucknall Rolls Leisure Reserves who are at home to Clifton All Whites Reserves.

Hucknall Rolls Leisure(From) Cheeseman, Dove, Duncan, Jackson, Marshall, Niblett, Pearson, Rick, Tolley, Tring(D), Tring(S), Clifford, Wain, Woodings-Finch

Clifton All Whites(From) Soar, Baker, Bell, Farmer, Hannant, Harlow,  Kill, Newton, Smith, Soiza, Williams

Magdala Amatuers travel away to face Bilborough United FC, this game being played at Digby Street in Kimberley.

Bilborough United(From) Day©, Day(N) Dyer, Elliott, England, Gunn, Hunt, Muncaster, Newman, O;Reagan, Rodgers, Cotterill, Riley, Greaves, Tomlinson

Magdala Amateurs(From) Bennett, Bradley, Coffey, Franks, Groves, Haw, Hayes, Lucas, Mannion, Morgan, Simpson, Gunn, Husband, Lord

Fourth host fifth when Ruddington Village Reserves are at home to Ashland Rovers

Ruddington Village Reserves(From) Bolstridge, Burke-Campbell, Dunstan(N), Dunstan(S), Griggs, Hillyard, McIndoe, Orchard, Palmer, Phillips, Richardson, Squires, Hawkins

Ashland Rovers(From) Barnes, Beavis, Bircumshaw, Evans, Hall, Jackson, Martin, Mellors, Revuella, Smith, Summers, Goss, Moss,

Kimberley MW Reserves travel to local rivals Aspley Park

Aspley Park(From) Alama, Belfield, Cafferkey, Catton, Deabell, Devino, Ellis, Mannion, Owen, Tebbutt, Woolley, Abbott, Beardsley, Knott

Kimberley MW Reserves(From) Dennis, Johnson, Green, Barrett, Edwards, Beavon, Neilson, Rocco, Lewis  Worthtington, Morley, Slade, Syson, Freeman, Wedge, Shaclock, Smith, Powell, Creaswell, Wilson 

Midtable Gedling Southbank travel to basement club Kirton Brickworks

Kirton Brickworks(From) Birch, Darch, Fuller, Gray, Hall(D), Hall(M), Horton, Norman, Ricketts, Smith, Watson, Cockburn

Gedling Southbank(From) Bakone, Bancroft, Broomfield, Cockayne, Hammond, Heap, Jefferies, Johnsey, Matthew, Pickard, Thomas, Cranney, Fox-Smith, Edgar, Clerke

Tony Mullens men Calverton MW will be looking to carry on their good form when at home to Southwell City Reserves

Calverton MW(From) Bradwell, Brett, Davis, France, Harris, Hodson, Humphries, Limb, Newton, Scrivens, Williamson, Bennett, Smith, Ashley, Richards, Sharpe

Southwell City Reserves(From) Barrowcliffe, Gleeson, Harmer, Law, Plume(H), Plume(I), Sims, Swan, Watson(A), Watson(O), Wilkinson, Allsopp, Morris

Nottinghamshire FC host Linby CW Reserves at Grassington Road

Nottinghamshire(From) Allsopp, Brittan, Cairns, Greensmith, Groves, Harvey, Hope, Hylton, Margeson, Mitchell, Saini, Newbold, Seagrave, Johnson

Linby CW Reserves(From) Butler, Coupe, Ellis, Farn, Guyatt, Hannigan, Mitchell, Paterson, Sims, Towle, Wrigt, Elson

It is very close at the top of Division Two with 5 clubs still in contention to win the Championship, aat top at present are Watnall Athletic and they travel on Friday evening to Woodview, the home of Cotgrave Reserves.

Cotgrave Reserves(From) Cooper, Cyrek, Dobbins, Gray, Hopkinson, Nicholson, Richards, Sallis, Thorpe, Wells, Young, Fisher, Lynn, Terry, Elliott

Watnall Athletic(From) Brookes, Fry, Gooch(M), Gooch(J), Henson, Howarth, Randle, Ward, Wilson, Woodward, Worrall, Holland

On to Saturday and the chasing pack are lead by Keyworth United Reserves who are expected to return with the points from Bilborough United Reserves.

Bilborough United Reserves(From) Colclough, Conway, Densley, Dyer, Elliott, Featherstone, Peddle, Poku, Samuels, Stuart, Thomas, Coxon

Keyworth United Reserves(From) Barrett, Bradley, Crawley, Cullis, Hastie, Hodgson, Mason, Randle, Standage, Talbot, Walker, Brady, Orange, Webster, Sneath, Wright

5^th placed Awsworth Villa Reseves entertain 3^rd placed Bilsthorpe Reserves and with the homesters having a game in hand on their visitors they could well close the gap on them.

Awsworth Villa Reserves(From) Asher, Blackbourn, Foster(B), Foster(S), Garofolo, Pearson, Saunders, Sneddon, Tonra, Walker, Watson, Cooper, Shaw, Whitehurst

Bilsthorpe Reserves(From) Auld, Biggs, Cooper, Gill, Grainger, Marshall®, Marshall(S),Waddell©, Waddell(G), Westerman, Whitehurst, Hudson, Mason

Selston Reserves kick their local derby match against Underwood Villa Reserves off at 11.30am as patt of their annual Chairmans Day at the Parish Hall Ground.

Selston Reserves(From) Chapman, Clarke, Griffiths, Hassell, Hempsall, Holland, Melbourne, Radzynski, Simpson, Toon, Widdowson(A), Widdowson(L)

Underwood Villa Reserves(From) Annable, Arnold, Askew(D), Askew(L), Bibby, Foster,Greaves, Haydon, Lawson, Mann, Smith, Dainty, Hollingworth, Limb

Nottinghamshire Senior League News

The Nottinghamshire Senior League are delighted to have several clubs that have made it it to the Notts FA County Finals

The Notts Intermediate Cup Final will be between Bingham Town FC and West Bridgford FC on 5^th May 2016 with a 7.30pm kick off at Radford FC.

The Notts FA Minor Cup will be held at Mansfield Hosiery Mills Ground on 27^th April 2016 with a 7.30pm kick off and will be contested between MAFC and Bingham Town Reserves.

The Precision Notts Senior League Senior Cup Final will be between Awsworth Villa v Real United on Saturday 14^th May 2016 at the Ron Steel Sports Ground, the home of Dunkirk FC with a 3pm kick off.

The Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League Junior Cup Final will be between South Normanton Town v Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves on 10^th May 2016 at Greenwich Avenue, the home of Basford United FC.

The Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League Groundhop takes place with 1 match Attenborough FC v Awsworth Villa on Friday 29^th April 2016 with a 6.30pm kick off and 4 matches on Saturday 30^th April 2016, beginning at Beeston FC v Underwood Villa at 10.05am, then to Bilborough United FC v Ashland Rovers at 12.45pm, on to Nottinghamshire FC v Gedling Southbank FC kicking off at 3.15pm before the final match the Inspire Stadium between Real United Fc and Unity FC kicking iff at 6.15pm. Al matches will have a matchday programme and food and refreshments on sale on the day. For advanced ticket information, please contact Rob Hornby on 01623 486678 or 07973517603 or email hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk for all details..Advanced tickets are on sale until Thursday 21^st April 2016, there should be a very good turnout for all games as nearly 120 tickets have been sold

SMITH'S DOUBLE ROLLS LEISURE OUT THE CUP

Precision Notts Senior League

Junior League Cup Semi Final

SOUTH NORMANTON TOWN 2 HUCKNALL ROLLS LEISURE RESERVES 0

Played at The Stag Ground, Kimberley MW FC

This semi final pitted top v second in Division One of the Notts Senior League, on Saturday South Normanton had won the Division One Championship, whilst Rolls had put space betweden themselves and other clubs to moved further in front in the battle for 2nd place, so tonights match was going to be a close encounter.

On arrival of both clubs, both bought £15 worth of raffle tickets for the blogs charity to which we are very grateful. The raffle in total raised £61.

Both sides began brightly and both had good chances to opening the scoring in front of the crowd of 56, both sides playing some very good football.

In the 35th minute, it was South Normanton who took the lead through SHAUN SMITH. After the break, I stood with old friend Phil Handley and Tom Leighton as Normo attacked and Rolls played on the break.

As thee game was in its dying moments, a ball was played out of midfield over the top of the Rolls defence, with Smith bearing down on goal, he chipped the keeper, who tipped the ball away but was outside his area, so the refere had no option to produce a red card, from the resulting free kick, the stand in keeper palmed it away to the feet of SHAUN SMITH who settled the tie to send Normanton in to the final against Kimberley MW Reserves at Basford United FC on 10th May.

After the match in the clubhouse, The manager of Sout Normanton Town came over to me and Hazel and told me that the lads had a whipround to add to the charity total of £22.55p, to take tonights total to £83.55p and take the blogs running total to a amazing £747.27p

SOUTH NORMANTON TOWN FC TWITTER

https://twitter.com/sntfc

HUCKNALL ROLLS LEISURE FC TWITTER

https://twitter.com/HRLFC

Not long left to Book your Advanced Tickets for this seasons Notts Senior League Groundhop, only 8 days so please click this LINK

SMITH BANKS NORMO THE TITLE

Notts Senior League

Division One

GEDLING SOUTHBANK FC 0 SOUTH NORMANTON TOWN FC 3

After a long journey back from Cornwall, The postman knocked us out of bed with a parcel of groundhop badges..These can be ordered from me in advance packs for just £21 plus a sae for all 7 badges.

A local game was to be visited and I noticed that South Normanton Town were away at Gedling Southbank and if they won, they would win the Division One Championship.

On arrival, I gainned both clubs line ups and by 2.45pm there was no sign of the match referee, so a phone call to the League Secretary and League Referee's Secretary allowed the South Normanton Town sub Chris Green to be the man in the middle with both clubs in agreement.

The match kicked off and both sides matched each other, but with few chances in front of goal, but aafter 23 minutes, Pat Bakone took the ball past the visiting defender and round the keeper and missed with the goal at his mercy.

Normo pushed forward and a couple of crosses from the right winger caused a few anxious moments as headers were flicked just wide and right on the stroke of half time, Smith blasted a shot wide with just the home keeper to beat.

After the half time cuppa nd back to pitchside, kit was the team from the other side of Junction 28 of the M1 who pressed forward and stepped up their game.

On 53 minutes, a ball was fired at the home keeper which he parried away but only in to the path of SHAUN SMITH who scrambled the ball home to give his side a 1-0 lead. On 62 minutes came the turning point of the game, when Southbank were awarded a penalty, to which Bakone hit wide and high and this seemed to see some of the home teams heads go down, as 2 minutes later, sub MIKE SMITH chipped the ball in too the net to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Both sides had further chances but it was SHAUN SMITH who in injury time cinched the championship when he dribbled through the home defence before slotting the ball home.

Must add how well Chris Green refereed the game and what good respect by sides gave him.

Photos from the game can be seen on this LINK

SOUTH NORMANTON TOWN FC TWITTER

https://twitter.com/sntfc

Only 12 days left to book your advanced tickets for the Notts Senior League Groundhop, for full details please click just HERE

JAMES BRACE SECURES LUDGVAN WIN

Cornwall Combination League

LUDGVAN FC 3 FALMOUTH TOWN RESERVES 1

Admission £2

Att: 48

After a afternoon to the Lizard, we popped in to look at Lizard Argyle FC and then travelled just up the road to Mullion FC and was greeted by their committee, as they had a evening kick off, but we needed to ventured back closer to the holiday site we are staying at as Shawn was a bit tired. My first choice was Perranwell v Carharrack but as Id seen the visitors at the weekend, I don’t like to watch a team twice in a matter of days.

After a phone call to friendly Sue Cook to confirm that Ludgvan’s game was on, we headed there. On arrival, we watched some kids having a training session, so after 20 minutes, got out the car and asked a lady if that’s where the adult team played and she replied that I was at the wrong ground, it was next door, a ground they shared with the cricket.

Ludgvan FC are doing very well this season sitting at the top of the Cornwall Combination League by nine points at the start of tonights game, but like everywhere in the Country they still have a lot of games to be played.

I met Sue and paid my £2 admission and made my way down to the side off the pitch ready for the kick off. The homesters began the game brightly and had quite a few half chances whilst the away side played on the break.

Just on the 30 minute mark, Ludgvan broke the deadlock when top scorer GERAN JAMES stroked the ball home. A minute later saw a bit of confusion, when a Ludgvan corner from the right was met by the head of a home player that struck the bar and rattled the net and bounced out, the Ludgvan players celebrated whilst the opponents linesman put his flag up, the referee couldn’t see if the ball had crossed the line, whilst the away linesman said he couldn’t be sure, so the goal was disallowed to the frustration of all the home faithful.

As the game was headed to half time and I was looking forward to my half time cuppa, a good movee by the home team saw GERAN JAMES hit home from 25 yards to double his sides advantge.

At half time, I headed up to the clubhouse and asked for a cuppa and the lady said it was free, but I chucked a quid in to the clubs kitty anyway to support this friendly club.

After the break, Falmouth began to play better and forced Ludgvan to defend a lot more and this time it was the home side;s turn to play on the counter.

On 68 minutes, the visitors were back in the game when OLI WALKER hit a low shot in to the corner of the net to make it 2-1. Falmouth now had their best spell in the game and with minutes to go, the Ludgvan keeper had to be on his guard when a low shot was heading for his far corner to which he was equal to.

In the 89^th minute, Ludgvan sealed the points when JACK RAMSEY scored to send the majority of the 48 crowd home happy.

POWELL SINKS THE PEPPERMINTS

Cornwall Combination League

CARHARRACK AFC 5 NEWQUAY RESERVES 1

Admission £2

Attendance: 51

After heavy rain in Cornwall, it was a matter of seeing what was left on and getting a new ground in, I did look at Halsetown FC in the Trelawny League, but after a text from their secretary saying in doubt, I looked at option B, I have passed Carharrack AFC’s ground on several occasions over the years and it hass been on my hit list, so as soon as I saw a tweet on twitter to say those magic words Game On, then it was in to the car and on our way.

On arrival, we were greeted by the friendly groundsman who was setting the tea bar up, we had a chat before Mr Chown Snr and his wife arrived. Mrs Chown runs a well organised tea bar and I soon sunk my first cuppa on the afternoon whilst I went and paid for my £2 entry.

Mr Chown Jnr(Richard) runs the Cornwall Football Forum and Ive had many a conversation in print with him over the years but never met him, so it was good to meet him face to face at this friendly and progressing club. The club has a real community feel about it and only last weekend they won the Cornwall Combination League Cup beating St Agnes in a thrilling final played at Porthleven FC.

Just before making my way to the stand, I was greeted by a old friend who Ive not seen for years, Newquay Loyal and we sat in the stand on the halfway line area.

Carharrack on a high from their cup victory were quick out the blocks and on only 6 minutes, their top striker  RYAN STEPHENS collected the ball 30 yards out and unleashed a thumping shot in to the top of the net. 1-0 soon became 2-0 after 9 minutes, when RYAN STEPHENS turned 25 yards out and proved his first goal wasn’t a fluke with a stunning shot.

The game went from end to end with chances missed at both ends, but the visiting keeper made 4 or 5 outstanding saves and the homesters could well have been well out of sight. After 39 minutes, came a turning point in the game, when the Peppermints striker was clear through, went round the keeper and stroked the ball wide of the post. On 42 minutes, Carharrack broke down the right side and the ball was crossed in, a Newquay defender failed to clear and CONNOR POWELL slotted home his first and his teams third of the half.

After the half time cuppa, Mr Chown Snr presented me with a club mug in the stand to remind me of my visit. The start of the Second Half belonged to the visitors as they came out with more of a purpose in their game and on 51 minutes thought they were back in thhe game when a Dean Vince goal was ruled offside. They continued to press and got their reward a minute later, when ELLIOTT SIMCOX smashed home to reduce the arrears to 3-1.

This seem to wake the homesters up and CONNOR POWELL made it 4-1 in the 56^th minute. Newquay again pressed forward and the home keeper made a triple save with his legs to keep his goal in tact.

The pitch was now beginning to cut up in to a mudbath and mistakes by both sides was beginning to show, but some good football was still being played even with players tiring.

With 80 minutes on the clock, a cross came in and after a scramble CONNOR POWELL notched home his hat trick to end the scoring at 5-1.

A lovely club run by lovely people and if anyone hasn’t been there, then you must put this ground on your list.

Photos from the game can be seen HERE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE HOP

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE HOP

Held over Easter 2016

Organiser Phil Hiscox

A superb weekend organiser by SWPL Secretary Phil Hiscox and his committee from 1 match on the Maundy Thursday Evening to the 3 games on each of Good Friday and Easter Saturday, with a mixture of the 4 seasons of Cornwall thrown in as well.

Thursday we began at AFC St Austell, a club I have visited several times  and they took on their local rivals St Blazey FC with the homesters running out 4-0 victors in front of a crowd of 451 who brave the heavy rain.

The Friday began in bright sunshine at Illogan RBL where they upset the formbook and beat 2nd placed Penryn Athletic 3-1 with 369 people watching, we then followed the narrow country lanes down to Wendron United FC who since I have visited have done a lot of work on their ground including a superb stand down the far side of the pitch and plenty of advertising boards around it. The game v Porthleven FC finished even in a 1-1 drew in front of a crowd of 427. For the evening match we travel to Helston AFC where the Helston Town Brass Band turned and played away to the Famous Floral Dance as the players entered the pitch. This game provided the biggest gate of the weekend topping 514 to watch Helston beat Falmouth by a single goal.

Saturday Morning saw a monsoon as we headed to Sticker AFC and we was greeted on arrival by the Club Chair who was busy with the bacon cobs, he also allowed us to set up stall like a few other clubs on the Hop to set up in their clubhouses, since my last visit they now have a stand and also they have extended the clubhouse. On the pitch, they were equally as good as they beat Wadebridge 6-1 in front of 372 people. We then headed down the road to St Dennis who entertained Millbrook that ended up as the game of the weekend as the Saints ran out 6-4 winners to send the  crowd of 306 away happy, where most the hoppers were looking at the match through the massive clubhouse windows. To the final game we travelled to north cornwall to watc the local derby between Bude Town & Holsworthy FC and a decent crowd of 409 turned out to watch Bude win 5-1.

A BIG thankyou to all the clubs for allowing me and my wife to set up the Charity Stall at all the games and also to Penryn who also donated some of their old club shirts and to all those who helped by spending at the stall raising a great £60.37p, which takes the running total to £651.17p.  With the 34 goals scored the total now goes up to £659.67p.

If you like Groundhops, please dont forget the NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE HOP is 1 match on Friday 29th April and 4 matches on Saturday 30th April..Already over 100 Advanced Tickets sold, so please contact me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

VILLA THROUGH TO THE FINAL

Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League Cup

Semi Final

AWSWORTH VILLA FC 2 NEWARK FLOWSERVE FC 1

played at Calverton MW FC

Admission £3

Programme £1

As I was setting up I was greeted by Mr Swinscoe who was sorting out the changing rooms for the players and setting out the pitch etc, Hazel got me a nice cuppa and then I settled down on the main gate as the cars entered the car park. Ryan the Awsworth manager true to his word bought a load of raffle tickets for the charity raffle to which Hazel and myself would like to thank everyone as she raised £31.00. Ryan was delighted with his prize of some beer after the final whistle.

The game kicked off and it was Flowserve who had the 1st chance of the game, when a dipping shot just floated over the crossbar, Awsworth hit back at the other end and put a shot narrowly wide.

As Id not got my stopwatch with me, I dont know the times of the goals, but a corner was taken by Awsworth and a superb shot flew in to the net by MICHALSKI,

After my half time cuppa, it was out to my groundhop stall, where Jim Bethall came along and ordered his advanced ticket, coach ticket and badge set, you still have time to order yours folks, please contact me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

As the game was going from end to end, Flowserve hit back with a equaliser, sadly it was at the far end of the pitch and couldnt see who scored it.

Awsworth nearly retook the lead, when a cross was headed in from close distance but the Assistant Refe made the right call with a offside decision.

At this stage the game looked as if it may well be going to extra time as it began to get colder, but a cross from the right wing bobbled in front of the Flowserve keeper and spun out of his hand and WHITEHURST was close up to blast in to the net.

Flowserve pushed everyone forward for a final attack and went close, but it was Awsworth Villa who take their place in the final on Saturday 14th May 2016 against either Clifton All Whites FC or Real United FC at Dunkirk FC 3pm kick off

The Running total for the charity now stands at £590.75p

ALL IN NOTTS ABOUT THE HOP

In 1993, I was made aware of a festival of football matches in the Northern League over an Easter period, this was known as the 3^rd Northern League Groundhop.At the time I was Programme Editor at Dunkirk FC and they rewarded me with a paid ticket for the weekend.
I travelled up and stayed at Durham University, where other Non League football supporters from all over the Country gathered and met up, lots from other Non League Clubs.
A coach was provided round all the football grounds, with around 100 hoppers attending. When the Northern League grounds were completed by the Ground Hoppers, the Devon League took over the event at Easter and then the South West League. Over the years there have been other Leagues covered, with some in Wales, Shropshire and also the Northern Counties East League.

14 seasons ago, I joined the Central Midlands Football League Committee and I announced that they were to hold their first ever Football Bonanza/Groundhop and was going to attempt to beat a world record and hold FIVE Matches in ONE Day.

Sky Sports and also the Times Newspaper and the Daily Telegraph covered this; as well our local newspapers like the Nottingham Evening Post, Mansfield Chad and Derby Telegraph.

A few Easters later saw us created a New World Record with us doing 8 Central Midlands League matches in under 35 hours, knocking an amazing 8 and half hours off the previous record held by the Devon League.

Ground hoppers are people who love football, mainly Non League for several reasons really, the cost, the friendliness of the clubs and the people that run clubs. Some Groundhoppers go to a new ground every week, some even 2 or 3 new ones a week.

The Groundhops have attracted people from all corners of the World, over the years there has been Kim from Sweden (who runs a Swedish Groundhop in June/July), Magret Hanke, a lovely lady from Germany, a chap all the way from Oban in Scotland and a local chap known as aka Veteran who has been to over 3.000 football grounds, as well as many hoppers from all over the UK. A big supporter of the Groundhops is no other than "Talksport Radio" Tony Incenzo

This season, will be my final Hop as a Organiser, For the past four seasons I have taken the Groundhop to the Notts Senior League, which of course is based in Nottinghamshire. The date of this seasons Groundhop is Friday 29^th April & Saturday 30^th April. In the first season we held the NSL Hop, Ground and League crowd records were broken.

The weekend sees the Groundhop begin with a 6.30pm kick off on Friday at Attenborough FC which is situated in Attenborough Village, where they entertain Awsworth Villa FC.

An early start on the Saturday Morning sees the first match held at The Hetley Pearson Ground  between Beeston FC v Underwood Villa FC at 10.05am. We then head to the Basil Russell Ground, where Bilborough United FC face Ashland Rovers FC with a 12.45pm kick off. Grassington Road, the home of Nottinghamshire FC sees them play Gedling Southbank FC at 3.15pm and we then finish with a 6.15pm kick off at the Inspire Stadium Ground when Real United FC host Unity FC

Advanced ticket sales deadline is on 21st April 2016, with over 95 tickets sold already. The Advanced Tickets are £15 each and that includes entry to all 5 matches and a pack of the 5 programmes, which I think you will agree is superb value.

Club Badges Sets can also be pre-ordered in advance with the 5 Home Clubs and Unity FC and Gedling Southbank FC also doing a badge for the first time, the sets can be ordered at £21. All are FIRST EVER ISSUES!!!

 On the Hop, there will also be some stalls at each game, Mrs Hazel Hornby, my wife will be selling football programmes etc for the 2 charitys that support vulnerable people with mental issues, so of course any kind donations will be very grateful for such a good cause!

All clubs will be doing Food and Refreshments all at a reasonable cost, . Food will be different at each club, for example, Sausage and Bacon cobs at Beeston FC and Jerk Chicken at Real United FC

We do run a coach from Nottingham Station Street, at the side of the main train station in Nottingham on the Saturday to all 4 Saturday games at the cost of £15 per seat. We are down to the final 8 seats left on the coach , so if you would like to book on the coach, please get in touch with me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk or phone me on 07973517603 for all information and a booking form.

Crowds are expected to be around 300, but it would always be nice to see more and there will be free car parking at all grounds. So if you want to see what Non League Football is all about, then please come along. 
If you are on the committee of a club and feel you have a fan who deserves some sort of a reward, why not buy him a Advanced Ticket and book him on the coach for the Saturday for such a cheap cost and as a thankyou to them.

Hope to see many new faces on 29/30^th April, so why not leave Premiership and Football League for just ONE DAY and come along for a cheap cheerful break.

Rob Hornby

Notts Senior League Groundhop Organiser

FOWLER HEADS ALBION TO VICTORY

Notts Senior League

Division One

NETHERFIELD ALBION 2 MAGDALA AMATEURS 1

Well Netherfield Albion FC groundshare at the Inspire Stadium, the next time I visit here will be with 300 hoppers for my final match as a groundhop organiser, when tenants Real United FC play host to Unity FC on Saturday 30th April with a 6.15pm kick off. Advanced tickets for the groundhop are still on sale, please book your tickets now on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk 

Both of todays sides have been in reasonable form of late, Netherfield made a poor start to the season and were near to the bottom of Division One but after a few good results have climbed just below halfway in the table, whilst visitors Magdala have been towards the top and coming in to the game on a high after winning away at Clifton All Whites Reserves 3-0 in midweek.

The game began as a midfield battle with neither side getting the final ball through, but it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous, but on 7 minutes, a long ball was played out of the home defence on to the left wing where BRETT HORTON cut in and beat his defender and curled hos shot in to the bottom corner of the net to give Albion the lead.

This spur the visitors in to action and it looked only a matter of time before they would level the game, but Steve Jones on the home net was having a inspired afternoon, keeping out everything that was thrown at him with some very fine saves, infact Magdala could well have gone in at half time 3-1 up.

The Second Half saw Magdala again pushing forward and on 53 minutes, they gained a corner on the right side, which was half cleared to the left edge of the penalty area where NEIL MORGAN bent his shot in to the net. This I thought would be the turning point of the game, but how wrong was I to be, as Netherfield showed their grit and on 57 minutes, were back in front, when a corner from the right side was clipped on across the box and RYAN FOWLER headed home.

Magdala again pushed forward whilst the homesters played on the counter attack, Davey Muirhead was at the heart of Albion's defence and was equal to anything that Magdala could muster towards him. After 87 minutes, the visitors felt they should have been awarded a penalty Fionn Coffey was adjudged to have been tripped, but the referee waved play in and the visitors chance of getting a point from the game was gone.

NETHERFIELD ALBION FC WEBSITE/TWITTER

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/netherfieldalbionfc

https://twitter.com/NethAlbionFC

MAGDALA AMATEURS FC WEBSITE/TWITTER

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/magdalaamateursfc/

https://twitter.com/MagdalaAmateurs

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

BURTON HOME IN 10 GOAL THRILLER

Notts Senior League

Senior Division

SANDHURST FC 3 BURTON JOYCE FC 7

With the upcoming Notts Senior League Groundhop, I had to get the Hop trophy back from Burton Joyce and looking at the fixtures, I saw they were playing away at one of my local clubs Sandhurst FC, so a trip there was on the cards. Details for this seasons Groundhop can be seen HERE

On arrival I was greeted by both clubs and as Id not been too well recently, I had to take some medicine at the bar, a nice rum and brandy mix, well it helped me chest, thats my excuse.

The game kicked off and in the first attack, it was Sandhurst who opened the scoring after only 42 seconds when RYAN CHAPMAN slotted home from close range. This seemed to spur the visitors forward and they were soon level on 4 minutes through RYAN CLEMENTS.

Sandhurst seemed to be out of shapes now and Burton Joyce were winning the second ball and had soon turned the game round when going in front after 13 minutes through SAM BUCKLE. The visitors were all on attack now and the home keeper did well to keep his side in the game, but could do nothing in the 19th minute when the visitors stretched their lead through TOM LAWSON. As we were heading to the half time break, Sandhurst were back in the game when a cross found the head of LEE SHAW. Right on the stroke of half time, a breakaway saw Sandhurst with a golden chance of going in level but the visiting keeper kept it out.

The start of the Second Half saw the game go from end to end and it seemed a matter of who ever scored the next goal it would be vital to the outcome of the game.

On 55 minutes, SAM BUCKLE rose first to a cross and made it 4-2 to Burton Joyce, on 63 minutes it looked like game over when RYAN EASOM headed home to make it 5-2 but Sandhurst were out of it and within a minute, LEE SHAW reduced the arrears.

Sandhurst then pushed forward but didnt trouble the visiting keeper and Burton Joyce began to play on the break, after a clearence on 81 minutes, came the goal of the game, when TOM LAWSON picked up the ball on the half way line and drove forward with 6 home players in front of him, he took the ball to 30 yards out before lashing a low shot in to the corner of the net, within a minute and the game was out of sight when a cross from left right side was turned in by a Sandhurst defender in to his own net.

Must say I felt that all 3 Officials had a excellent game.

The 10 goals seen today takes the Charity Blogs running total to £559.00

Photos from the game can be seen HERE

SANDHURST FC TWITTER

https://twitter.com/SandhurstFC

BURTON JOYCE TWITTER

https://twitter.com/Burton_Joyce_FC