Review of 2012-13

REVIEW OF THE 2012-13 SEASON FOR ME

85 Matches I've been to this season, from little villages in Cornwall like Wendron to around Notts Senior League Grounds and Central Midlands Grounds.

Some great moments include raising a staggering £803 plus for the Cancer Unit at Kings Mill Hospital in Mansfield after being told I'm in remission for the 2nd time in July 2012.

The First ever Notts Senior League Groundhop where the attendances even shocked me and ran like clockwork.

Visiting so many lovely clubs who just made me and Hazel and of course Shawn so welcome across the country.

Meeting so many friends through Non League Football, including fellow Bloggers and of course Hoppers and club Volunteers around the grounds.

It all begin at a new ground for me on a rubber pitch in Arnold at a school, where it lashed down with rain but I saw a entertaining 3-3 draw between Southwell City FC and Wollaton FC and ended at the Notts Senior League Senior Cup Final where the impressive Bulwell FC not only beat Keyworth United FC to win the trophy, but went through the whole season with just one loss and that was narrowly to Carlton Town in the Notts FA Senior Cup.

I am always asked questions like what is the best game you have seen this season and whats the best goal you've seen etc, so I'm going to try and answer them if I can.

Most Improved Ground Visited

BASFORD UNITED FC

Since the groundhop last season, the work that has gone in to this ground is remarkable in such a small space in time. Though a lot of work had been down at Wendron United FC.

Best Game Seen
Bulwell FC 3 Magdala Amateurs 2
The visitors really gave the hosts a real match and were unlucky not to get something out of the match.

Best Goal Seen
Jack Lomax 35 yard second goal for AFC Hucknall v Sutton Town AFC.

Most Friendliest Club

Far too many to mention, so the list could go on and on.

Best Beer

SELSTON FC

cant remember having 6 pints of Strawberry Cider!

Best Food

ST BLAZEY

The cheesey chips and sausages were beautiful.

Funniest Moment

AWSWORTH VILLA

Showing Kim from Sweden the view from the ground of a IKEA and told him it came as a flat pack on the Saturday Morning and it has been built just for him!

BEST PROGRAMME

WADEBRIDGE TOWN

Full of information and a real good read.

MOST IMPROVED PROGRAMME

BLIDWORTH WELFARE

Scott Ward has worked hard on this programme for his club and though not the best in the Central Midlands League, it is one of the best in the South Division.

BEST WELCOME

HOLMANS SC FC

On arrival was greeted by Sec and clubman/player Neil Pitt, was given a couple of programmes to which he had done a page about me and even found a photo of me and my grandson, still no idea where he got that from! Really went out his way after inviting me to his club the season before.

BEST PERSON

HAZEL HORNBY

Without my wife Hazel who drives me about due to me being epliptic and in remission from Hodgkins Lymphomia, none of this would be possible. She runs the programme stall at the Groundhops and helps raise the blogs charity funds doing the raffle as well.

I know I have possibly forgot some people and clubs on here, so if I have please dont get offended.

With that, I have to go hospital to the Cancer Clinic on 1st July, where I will be handing over the cheque to them. I will of course post the photos on here.

Meanwhile I have already set up next seasons blog and chosen a small group for my charity as they are in need of help. I have also added some pre season friendlies on there as well

http://aroundthegrounds2013-14.blogspot.co.uk/

Please click on and have a look

THE BULLS SAY GOODBYE WITH THE LOT

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE SENIOR CUP FINAL

BULWELL FC 4 KEYWORTH UNITED FC 0

Played at Arnold Town FC

Att: 252

Bulwell FC made their farewell to the Notts Senior League with a 4-0 victory over Keyworth United FC ending the season with a complete 100% record in both the League and the Cup and also doing the double that they achieved last season.

Before the game inside the clubhouse, I met hoppers Roman from Rochester and Dan Bishop from Newhall United FC, also Arnold Town's Malc Gretton.

The Bulls were out the blocks early and the Keyworth keeper was called in to action several times to keep the scores level in the first 20 minutes, they also defended well and cleared a chip off the line. Keyworth though did have chances of their own, but also found the Bulwell keeper to be in fine form.

The breakthrough came just before half time when ALAN JEFFRIES opened the scoring. During the half time break, Hazel asked members of the Notts Senior League Committee to draw the charity. The raffle made a outstanding £126 and would like to thank everyone for their support on the evening. 

Out for the second half and I stood with Bob from Sandhurst FC and had a chat about the past season, whilst on the pitch two quick goals in the 51st and 55th minute increased Bulwell FC's lead to 3-0 through JAMIE WALKER and MAREK VIPOND.

Strolled down to pitch side and joined Bulwell's sec Andy Radford and to take photos and to finish the game off on 87 minutes, Bulwell wrapped things up with a goal from RYAN PERKINS to make it 4-0.

Photos from the game can be seen HERE

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE WEBSITE

http://www.precision-nsl.co.uk/

BULWELL FC WEBSITE/TWITTER

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

https://twitter.com/BulwellFC

KEYWORTH UNITED FC TWITTER

https://twitter.com/KeyworthUnited

13 Goals and could well have been a lot more

CMFL NORTH DIVISION

EASINGTON UNITED AFC 8 BENTLEY COLLIERY FC 5

Shawn wanted to go to the seaside, so I saw Easington United had a home match this weekend, so noting I;d not been to the lovely village club Easington since the groundhop some years ago, I looked at the Ibis website and booked a family room for the weekend, so we could go to Bridlington for the Sunday.

On arrival, main man Richard Lusmore was slightly worried as he was having problems with the generator, but being the superman he is, he got it repaired and the coffee pot was soon on and a friendly greeting was received by all from the hosts.

The match kicked off and I suppose I thought well 2 clubs nothing to play for, the usual end of season 1-0 perhaps..boy was I wrong..goal within 3 minutes put the hosts in front, but I had a problem, no phone signal in Easington and my tweets werent working or saving, so no idea who scored or what times..oh well it was 4-2 at half time and though I'd not seen a game with 10 goals in it all season, I thought the game may die a death in the second half. subs were made, but this just improved the game with fresh legs. Goals going in from all angles and awful misses as well, saw 13 goals scored, possibly 10 close chances and about 5 poor missus..not often you get a entertaining game like this. 

Must add as usual from Richard, a First Class programme, so if you havent ever been to Easington, get up there for a lovely welcome from these genuine people and a great programme.

Went to the pub after and had a couple including one bought by the club chairman before setting off up the coast to Withernsea and Hornsea before heading back to the hotel for a good nights kip.

Just one last match for me this season, the Notts Senior League Senior Cup Final between Bulwell FC and Keyworth United FC on Tuesday Evening 7.30pm kick off at Arnold Town FC. Hazel will be doing a charity raffle.

Photos from the game can be seen HERE

Easington United AFC Website/Twitter

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/easingtonunited

https://twitter.com/EasingtonUtd

Bentley Colliery FC Website

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

SUTTON EDGE CLOSER TO THE TITLE

CMFL SOUTH DIVISION

NOTTINGHAM UNITED FC 0 SUTTON TOWN AFC 2

att: 99

Sutton Town AFC went in to this match needing just five points from their three remaining games and I'm sure they didnt expect such a touch game from bottom three side Nottingham United. I knew there would be a few hoppers there and as United hadnt done a programme for a while, I advised them to do some and I would help them run the gate.

Hoppers did turn out in force, travelling from Sussex to Ipswich, Sheffield to London with the programme selling out just before kick off.

The game kicked off and Sutton didnt take long to get in to their stride and took the lead through MITCHELL after just ten minutes. The crowd must have thought at this stage there was more goals to follow but Nottingham United put up a dogged performance and were hard to break down.

With just eight minutes remaining, Sutton extended their lead through CHARLESWORTH, with a few little niggles going on throughout the game and the ref at half time having to be changed, the replacement referee flagged to the ref after 84 minutes for a alleged jab off the ball, which saw the home side down to ten men. Within 2 minutes the Bulgarian Secretary was also removed when he lost his rag in the dugout area.

After the match, I went back to the club and was kindly donated £20 by Nottingham United FC towards the Blogs Charity. I must thank the Notingham United tea lady's son for a lift home.

Nottingham United FC Website/Twitter

http://www.nottinghamunitedfc.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/NottinghamUtd

Sutton Town AFC Website/Twitter

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

https://twitter.com/Suttonsnipe

CALVERTON YOUNGSTERS SNATCH THE POINTS

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE

Division Two

ASHLAND ROVERS 0 CALVERTON MW AFC 1

played at Ashfield School

On Tuesday evening I spoke to Steve Seers at the Notts Senior League Junior Cup Final and he told me that he was the referee for this fixture, so I put it on twitter, as this was a ground Id not been and Ashlands usually play at Kirkby's Summit Centre Ground, but with the goals having been taken down, the fixture had to be played here at Ashfield School as a one off. Now Ashland produce a programme for a Saturday match, so a ground hopper came along tonight and bagged himself a few freebie copies from previous matches.

Finding the dressing room area as Hazel dropped me off was a challenge but then walked in to 4 Calverton players who was also lost, but then I spotted joint managers of Ashland  Jez Wright & Liam Best, so knew I was at the right place.

Spoke to Steve Seers the match referee before hand and Calverton were running late due to heavy traffic and both sides asked for a 40 minute each way game to which was agreed by all.

The game kicked off in bright sunshine and it was the visitors who made a bright start within the first minute seeing a dipping shot bounce off the cross bar. I stood with local hopper Howard and we spoke about upcoming matches. The visitors then hit the crossbar again with only 10 minutes on the watch. It then began to rain and we was joined by Mr Paling the dad of one of the Ashland players..up went the umbrellas. Ashlands were then denied a penalty when the ref adjudged a foul just outside the box, it was a very close call but the free kick was wasted. Then a lovely ball across the 6 yard box only needed a touch to go in to the Calvo net but  players  missed it.

Half time came and went and the match looked like it was going to just petter out for a end of season 0-0 draw, but the visitors had other ideas when on the Hour a lo shot found the corner of the net leaving Joint Manager Liam Best unsighted and picking the ball out as it passed him.

Ashfield pushed forward but the Calvo defence held strong and was just too good for the home attackers in the end.

A good match between two good sides and a faultless performance by Steve Seers in the middle and you can see why he is the referee for the NSL's Top match, the League Senior Cup between Bulwell FC v Keyworth United FC on Tuesday Night at Arnold Town FC 7.30pm kick off.

WOLLATON FIGHT BACK TO WIN THE JUNIOR CUP

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE JUNIOR CUP FINAL

Played at Arnold Town FC

Admission £3 with programme

Having been invited by the Notts Senior League Committee to attend the League's Junior Cup Final gave me a chance to go to Arnold Town's Eagle Valley Ground for the first time. Took over 100 photos but a lot of them there was a lot of glare on them, but still got some good pics on the night.

Hazel enjoyed a burger before the game, whilst I had a cuppa and a chat with the NSL Officials before venturing out in to the foul weather but got a nice seat under the stand around the half way line. It was awful weather for the players on the pitch, but it was Ruddington who began the brighter and they took a early lead after just 4 minutes, when Wollaton's FAWCETT put in to his own net. Ruddington went looking for a second goal but found the Wollaton keeper in fine form.

Stern words must have been spoken in the Wollaton changing room at half time, as they came out playing like a different side in the Second period and was soon back on level terms when FRAGOLA netted after 52 minutes.

10 minutes later, Wollaton turned the Final around, when FAWCETT put them in to the lead. Ruddington tried to fight back but to no avail.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK

DRONFIELD TOWN ARE THE CHAMPIONS

CMFL NORTH DIVISION

DRONFIELD TOWN FC 6 EASINGTON UNITED AFC 0

Last season Dronfield Town needed to beat Westella in the final game of the season in a winner takes all Championship match to which the visitors won, so Dronfield found themselves in a similar positon going in to todays match, wheere they needed a point to win the Championship and possible promotion to the North Counties East League in their match versus Easington United AFC.

The Derbyshire club has always welcomed me with open arms and are a very friendly club and I have fond memories of visiting them whilst in the CMFL.. I attended their first ever CMFL home match when they played Phoenix FC on a Bank Holiday Monday in front of a crowd of 111 and they learnt quick they had to produce a few more than 8 programmes. I was there to present them with the medals for finishing Runners Up in the CMFL Premier Division to gain promotion. I then took 279 groundhoppers there for the groundhop match when they beat a stubborn Thoresby CW on a day that saw the biggest rainbow I've ever seen.

Today, the rainbow and pot of gold was to be seen at Stonelow Road, when I saw them deserve to win the Championship when beating Easington United AFC 6-0.

Nerves were settled very early after only 4 minutes when the home side took a early lead through a direct free kick. On 25 minutes, they increased their lead and looked comfortable.

Half time was taken and there was a air of expectation around the ground that there was to be more goals to be added, but the visitors began brighly and could well have pulled a goal back but the home keeper was on his toes to snuff out any effort.

On 55 minutes, Dronfield extended their lead much to the delight of the three young fans behind the goal who sang all the way through the game..all credit to them. Even the away keeper joined in the fun with them by now. By 70 minutes, Dronfield turned the screw and made it 4-0 and a few of the Easington legs looked a big weary, so it was no surprise for them to conceed goals 5 and 6 after 73 and 75 minutes.

The final whistle went and Dronfield a small village had done what was only a dream some three years ago, but deservedly so.

Photos from the game can be seen on this LINK

DRONFIELD TOWN FC WEBSITE/TWITTER
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/dronfieldtownfc
https://twitter.com/DronfieldTownFC

EASINGTON UNITED AFC WEBSITE/TWITTER
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/easingtonunited
https://twitter.com/EasingtonUtd