Tuesday 31 July 2012

Sad End to Excellent Match

Pre-Season Friendly

Sutton Town AFC 2 Alfreton Town 2(abandoned after 68 mins)

Att: 157
£3/£2 entry.

There are times when football takes a back step and this really is the time when our thoughts are with Alfreton Town's young Goalkeeper who laid motionless on the pitch for over 30 minutes with a broken nose which meant he was struggling to breathe and when ambulance men were assessing him, he seemed to have a strained neck, lets just hope the lad makes a quick speedy recovery.

The First Half kicked off with Alfreton kicking down the slope and Sutton had Saxby in the nets to thank for 3 excellent saves or the game could well have been out of sight after just 20 minutes. Eventually on 34 and 36 minutes, he was beaten twice by a rampant away side.

The sides swopped round and this seemed to give the homesters a lot more confidence as they pressed forward and made some telling moves. On 61 minutes, Sutton got a deserved Penalty which was stuck to the keepers right in to the corner of the net to reduce the arrears.

Four Minutes later, the Snipes were level after a bullet of a free kick of 35 yards left the away defence and goalkeeper staring as the ball flashed in to the net.

By now The Snipes were buoyant and pressed forward when a ball came in from the left wing and down went the keeper not to get back up...The referee was first class, as he came over to Sutton's Sec Tim and asked for a ambulance to be called straight away and he then abandoned the match which was certainly the correct decision. As the players of both sides left the pitch they left to a standing round of applause from the crowd.

The ambulance arrived and the keeper was still laying on the ground when I left some 30 minutes later, so hope the keeper is ok. No doubt there will be a update on Alfreton Town FC's website soon.

Sutton Town AFC Website

Alfreton Town FC Website

Follow Sutton Town AFC on Twitter

Follow me Rob Hornby on Twitter(as the goals go in)

Saturday 28 July 2012

Some results from Saturday 28th July

Saturday 28th July 2012
Alfreton Town 0-3 Burnley 3pm
Askern Villa 3-2 Belper United 
Attenborough 2-0 Blidworth Welfare
Clay Cross Town 1-4 AFC Mansfield 
Cleethorpes Town 5-2 Dunkirk FC 
Dronfield  Town 0-9 Worksop Parramore
Gedling MW 1-1 Arnold Town
Glapwell FC 1-5 Borrowash Victoria
Greenwood Meadows 1-3 Quorn 
Holbrook 0-2 Belper Town
Holwell Sports 6-0 Southwell City
Hucknall Town 0-5 Matlock Town
Louth United 1-2 Basford United 
Old Elizabethians 0-7 Clipstone Welfare
Ollerton Town 0-1 Eastwood Town
Radcliffe Olympic 3-3 Bilborough Pelican 3pm
Retford United 1-0 Porthmadog FC
Shirebrook Town 1-3 Carlton Town 
Staveley 1-1 Athersley Rec
Teversal FC 4-1 Ellistown

AFC leave town in the clay

CLAY CROSS TOWN 1 AFC MANSFIELD 4
Admission £2
Programme - Comp
Raffle - £2 worth
Burger & Chips & Pop - £3.25

Att: 97


Though Clay Cross Town may be a new name, it has replaced the name of Parkhouse FC and they look forward to a new exciting time ahead for their community,meanwhile AFC Mansfield are a new set up and enter the CMFL this coming season.

On arrival, I was met at the gate by the 2 friendly gatemen and then by Martin who was quick off the mark on his selling. He has set up a table that he hopes to convert in to a inside clubshop eventually, but at present it is a table where he sells Clay Cross Mugs(which i bought), Coasters, Badges, car stickers and other stuff as well..well worth a visit just to have a nose at!

After buying some raffle tickets, I joined some of the AFC Mansfield lads on the pitch and had a good chat to them and I must thank Mr Fretwell for bringing me their first ever programme from last weeks match.

As it was only 2.30pm, I strolled towards the famous Club Cafe when I saw Referee James Hall, a nice young lad who I remember him making his Official Debut v Thorne Colliery some 4 years ago in front of his mum and sister and he has turned out to be a respected Referee now.

Well the burgers are from the local Butchers Shop and was well worthy of the value, as in the cafe, in walked Pete and Big Macca and we sat down and had a chat.

Off to pitchside and AFC Mansfield looked good, Clay Cross had very few clear cut chances, as I felt it was only a matter of time before the visitors scored and that is what they did on 36 minutes through a header from Mark Carter. Just on half time, Mark Carter made it 2-0 with a long range shot.

Clay Cross came out second half and went straight on to the attack and pulled a goal back on 48 minutes, but the gap only remained at 1 goal for 7 minutes before Joe Meehan slotted in a penalty to make it 3-1. Clay Cross battled but AFC looked like adding another at any time and they did after 79 minutes through Danny McLane.

A very good match and another £1.25 put in to the Charity Blog today.

Pic from the match can be viewed on

Clay Cross Town FC Website

AFC Mansfield Website

The Bulls Clip those Wings

 Pre-season Friendly
South Wingfield 2 AFC Bull Farm 3
Att: 35

A first run out for newly founded AFC Bull Farm saw them beat Matlock Saturday League Club South Wingfield in a very good friendly played in a fast paced and spirited game.

South Wingfield started the better and had the early exchanges, but the visitors were more than holding their own and had their own half chances.

Just before Half Time, it came as no surprise when Wingfield took the lead and went in a goal to the good. Chances were made to the Bulls and they seemed a step quicker and were soon on level terms after 47 minutes.

This seemed to give AFC Bull Farm a lot more confidence to push forward but still to be careful of the Wingfield breaks and on 61 minutes the ball scrambled home to give the visitors the lead in their first ever match.

A fine diagonal ball saw the a nice finish put The Bulls in to a 3-1 lead and all looked comfortable, but Wingfield wasnt to give up and to their full credit pulled back a goal on 82 minutes.

In the final 8 minutes, both sides had chances to add to their tallys but a matter of poor finishing and both keepers being alert prevented this.

South Wingfield FC Facebook Page

AFC Bull Farm Facebook Page

Pics from the match can be view on the link below

If you would like to make a donation to my charity Blog, then please contact me

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Honours Even in Welfare Derby

Pre-season Friendly

Clipstone Welfare 1 Blidworth Welfare 1
Att: 100

On arrival at the Lido Ground, Clipstone, I was greeted by Mr Clippo himself "Barry Clarke" who has been with the club for years and years. I then was greeted by Les Graham who made me a freebie Cuppa, a thing that Blog Follower and Blidworth Welfare's Press Officer, Programme Editor and Webmaster Scott Ward remarked on when he saw the cuppa in my hand!

I went and sat near to the halfway line in the stand and the pace of the game was fast in boiling heat over 80 degrees..Clipstone came out and had the first few chances then the young youthful Blidworth side began to get in to the game.

On 40 minutes, Blidworth took the lead and it silenced the home supporters around me, as Blidworth were playing a good part of the match..This seemed to wake Clipstone up as in the 43rd minute, a Blidworth Defender saw his miss hit clearence slid past his own keeper to level the scores.

The Second Half, the game ebbed to and fro from each clubs areas and looked like any of them could score a second goal, but it wasnt to be and a draw was the correct result.

After the match, Blidworth Welfare's Scott Ward kindly donated £10 towards the Blog's Charity to which I'm grately thankful for.

Pics from the match

Clipstone Welfare FC Website

Blidworth Welfare FC Website

Sunday 22 July 2012

Some Results from 21st July

Saturday 21st July 2012

AFC Mansfield 1-1 Clipstone Welfare
Alfreton Town 0-2 Leeds United
Arnold Town 3-1 Worsborough Bridge
Ashland Rovers 1-4 Blidworth Welfare
Athersley Recreaton 5-3 Worksop Parramore
Basford United 6-2 Shepshed Dynamo
Bentley Colliery 0-5 Maltby Main 
Blaby & Whetstone 4-1 Clifton
Clay Cross Town 4-1Whalley Bridge
Eastwood Town 2-4 Lincoln City
Greenwood Meadows 2-1 Hucknall Town
Horncastle Town 1-5 Newark Town
Hornsea Town 3-3 Harworth CI
Kimberley MW 2-1 Radford FC
 Kirton Brickworks 1-2 Glapwell FC
Pinxton FC 2-1 Ellistown FC
Radcliffe Olympic 8-1 Wollaton FC
Rainworth MW 0-3 Boston United
Shirebrook Town 0-4 Matlock Town
Staveley MW 1-6 Chesterfield
Teversal 4-0 Barrow Town

Saturday 21 July 2012

Lovely Ground, Lovely People

Pre-Season Friendly

Kimberley MW 2 Radford FC 1



Well with never had been to Kimberley MW's Digby Street Ground and with them being on the Notts Senior Football League Bonanza this season this seemed the right time to pay them a visit.

On arrival I was met by Radford FC's Danny Staley and he took me down to show me where Awsworth Villa's ground is before returning back to the ground, where home manager George Hulley met me and gave me a Cuppa coffee.

The 2 sides were out on the pitch and across came old friend and now new manager of Radford FC Iain McCulloch, ex Notts County player and Arnold Town Manager, gee he has aged just like me, put on the odd pound in weight and also got a bigger parting in his hairstyle!

Then across came Radford Sec John Holt who kindly donated £5 towards the Blog's Charity for the Cancer Clinic at Kings Mill Hospital in Mansfield, a BIG thankyou John.

I was then introduced to the Sec of Kimberley MW who had met me at the meeting I had with the Notts Senior League Committee a few months ago and we had a good old chat about the upcoming Bonanza.

The game kicked off and it was decided before hand that the game was to consist of 3 30 minute thirds(not halves lol)..Radford looked the better team to adjust and had the better of the opening exchanges and went in front after only 3 minutes.

The Second Third(are you still with me?) Kimberley MW were a lot more relaxed and looked a lot more confident and fully deserved their equaliser after 35 minutes.

The sun blazed and Bob Thomas Chairman of Radford and a fellow Committee member of the club bought me another Coffee, as we stood chatting in to the Third Period, Kimberley MW took the lead.

Radford then tried to push forward but shots direct at the home keeper and wayward shooting didnt help their cause in looking for a goal that would have put them level, though they had to be on their guard as the homesters kept breaking and could well have added to their lead.

Very Good Friendly match played in excellent spirit by good nice clubs at a lovely venue, those coming to the Bonanza later in the season will enjoy this place.

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https://twitter.com/robhornby

Pictures from todays match can be found on the link below

Radford FC Website

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Fitness runs out the winner

Pre-Season Friendly

GLAPWELL FC 1 TEVERSAL FC 4

played at John Fretwell Centre, Sookholme

Att: 40

With the black clouds over Mansfield a hour before kick off hanging over Mansfield, I decided to leave my camera at home, even though this was a new ground for me to visit. On a arrival at the ground, there was cricket going on and a load of folks in whites playing Adult Marbles..opps I mean Bowls! The sun was out and damn I had left my camera at home, so no pics from this very pleasant setting.

Glapwell players were already there along with Ref Harry Hawkins and his 2 Assistants and soon came along a young looking Teversal side, as at Teversal their first team were entertaining Matlock Town.


The first half hour was very even with both sides carving out chances, but on 31 minutes the Tevvie Boys took a lead, from there they looked a extra step quicker, this may be due to them having played more friendlies, but on the hour Glapwell who never gave up pulled level, but it only lasted for a matter of a couple of minutes before Teversal regained their lead.

On 72 minutes, Teversal increased their lead and it was soon to be 4-1 to the NCEL Club.

A good match with flowing football and well reffed by young Harry

Scores from Tuesday 17th July 2012


Tuesday 17th July 2012

Alfreton Town 1-2 Barnsley FC
Basford United 1-0 Blidworth Welfare
Glapwell FC 1-4 Teversal FC
Highfield Rangers 2-5 Borrowash Victoria
Holbrook Sports 1-0 Heanor Town
Rainworth MW 1-0 Scarborough Athletic
Real United 2-3 Ollerton Town
Retford United 3-0 Newark Town
Shepshed Dynamo 2-2 Eastwood Town
Teversal 1-2 Matlock Town 

Saturday 14 July 2012

Glapwell stun local rivals

Pre-Season Friendly

GLAPWELL FC 2 SHIREBROOK TOWN 0
played at Clune St Recreation Ground
Clowne, Derbyshire




This Pre-Season Friendly appealed to me for a several reasons, Glapwell FC finished near the foot of the CMFL North Division last season and were re-building their squad, whilst local Derbyshire Rivals from the NCEL had reached 2 Cup Finals, but then lost most of their squad when their manager moved to another club..So they had a new team out today. Plus I've never been to this ground before.

No shelter at this ground or even cover, so when it did rain, you simply got wet! The match started in cloudy conditions, with Glapwell kicking off and within a minute were a goal to the good. Shirebrook looked shocked and Glapwell seem to pour forward and doubled their lead on 13 minutes.

This seemed to bring Shirebrook in to life, with player/manager Gary Castledine beginning to control the back four/midfield and the chances began to come, but a mixture of bad crossing and good goalkeeping kept the NCEL at bay in the light showers by now.

The Second Half, subs were made at regular intervals and both sides had chances to score, the closest saw a shirebrook shot of 35 yards bounce off the crossbar, I think the keeper just got a finger to it!

The ref looked real cool in the wet weather and also when it wasnt too bad running around in his trendy sunglasses!

Good to meet up with Leicestershire based Hopper"Rob Campion" who joined me at this match after travelling down from the Parkgate FC v Rotherham United match.

Follow me on Twitter

His blog can be found at

Glapwell FC Website

Shirebrook Town FC Website

Photos from todays match can be view on

Saturday 14th July Results

Askern Villa 4-1 Thorne Colliery
Basford United 10-2 Pinxton
Clay Cross Town 1-2 Heanor Town
Clipstone Welfare 3-1 Sherwood Colliery
Glapwell FC 2-0 Shirebrook Town
Harrowby United 1-3 Newark Town
Hucknall Town 3-2 Lincoln City
Parkgate 0-2 Staveley MW

Radford FC 3-2 Blidworth Welfare
  Rainworth MW 1-2 AFC Mansfield
Retford United 1-0 Worksop Town
Worksop Parramore 1-1 Buxton FC

Saturday 7 July 2012

It Just Rained Goals

Pre-Season Friendly

Southwell City 3 Wollaton FC 3
Played at Arnold Hill School
Admission Free


After finding this game was being played on a All Weather pitch and everything else was postponed, I rang round to check the game was on, a difficult thing when so many people are on holiday!

Arrived at the complex at about 2.40pm and learned that Southwell had 21 players and Wollaton has 17 players, so changes were to be made at half time.

The game kicked off and the sun shone bright down on the pitch with Southwell creating the early openings, so it came as no surprise after 16 minutes when they took the lead.

The clouds were beginning to form and on 31 minutes, Southwell doubled their lead with a shot from 25 yeards.

The rain then began to fall very badly and thunder roared above us, I was glad to go inside the complex and pay £1.20 for a coffee and try and get dry..on returning back to pitchside, the ref had decided to turn the teams straight round, hence me missing Southwell's 3rd goal, but then I noticed Southwell only had 10 players on the pitch, as the team that played the first half had gone in the bar or cleared off.

Wollaton then began to play some nice football and started to boss the game and on 51 minutes they had reduced the lead to 3-1..Again they pressed forward and on 55 minutes they scored twice in a minute to level things up.

Both teams then had chances to win the game, but on reflection of this game, a draw was possibly the fair result and also it was a good run out for both clubs.

A good match for a pre-season game.

Photo's from the match (1st Half only due to heavy rain)

Southwell City's Website

Wollaton's Website

Follow me on Twitter

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Sutton Town AFC draw 1st Blood

Teversal Tournament 2012

Teversal FC White 2 Sutton Town AFC 2
Sutton Town AFC win 4-3 after Pens
Admission £2
Programme £1
Teamsheet Free
Pies, Chips, Gravy and coffee only £2.90
Attendance: 64




After being bored during the rest season, it was good to come and see some footie and what a good match to start with. On arrival, I bumped in to Simon Matters & Howard, closely followed by Greg Osborne, Pete and Mac Senior.

After tucking in to the excellent Pie and Chips and gravy, I joined Malc "the bearded wonder" and Kev and strolled round to the far side where we nestled under the covers of the stand in the pouring rain.

The First twenty minutes of the game were very even, but with Tevvies first real attack, down went a player in the box and the spot was pointed to by the experianced ref Craig Langton..Up stepped Tevvie's captain Dave Cockerill to hammer the ball home.

Sutton picked up the pace and pressed forward and ten minutes before half time, Craig Mitchell pounced on a loose ball to equalise.

Half time arrived and the rain eased, so I took a stroll over to the changing room side of the ground, where I met Darren Wragg who looks great after only having had a Kidney Transplant only a month. Darren gave me a lift home after, as Brian Wheatcroft who gave me a lift there, his mum had been rushed in to hospital and had to rush off, so hoping that Brian;s mum a speedy recovery.

Half way through the Second Half, I spotted AFC Mansfield's new Manager Mickey Taylor on his own, so went over and had a chat to him, in meanwhile on the pitch, Craig Mitchell had put Sutton Town AFC 2-1 up and within 2 minutes Teversal had pulled it back to 2-2 through Dave Cockerill.

I then spotted the Pinxton FC trio of Kenny Shinfield, smiler Lee Shinfield and Glenn Clarence who donated £2 to the Blog's Charity.

The game went to pens and after a few pens were saved, hit the bar, eventually Sutton Town AFC moved in to the Semi's 4-3 on pens.

A great day today, with a hospital appointment at the cancer clinic 15 of Kings Mill Hospital(to which is the blog's charity) where I was given the great news that I am now in remission and backed up with a fantastic match

Photo's from the match can be found on the following link
http://s1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc460/Midlandsman/Teversal%20FC%20v%20Sutton%20Town%20FC/ 


Teversal Website
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/teversalfc/