THE SAINTS MAKE IT FIVE UNBEATEN

 Kernow Stone St Piran League: Division One West

ST IVES TOWN FC 3 WEST CORNWALL FC 0

From our holiday base, St Ives Town FC is possibly one of the closest, infact it was the closest Id never visited until today. As the weather hasnt been too good this past week, I rang the home secretary Steve to check the match was on and got a positive reply.

The ground is a bit of a funny one to find, as many years ago, you would drive up a little lane to Lelant train station and catch the train to St Ives, now you turn up that lane and are faced with new houses and cul de sacs branching off everywhere and the poor old train station I dont think is in use anymore, through the old station car park and behind a hedge is the car park for St Ives Town FC(the one in Cornwall of course)

AS I went in on my mobility scooter. a lovely lady made me a cuppa and poured it in to my flask and took my admission fee(only a quid to get in)

The ground has a changing room block, then dug outs opposite each other on the halfway line. On the far side is also a stand and the ground is fully railed, a smart ground for those to visited.

Steve came up to greet me and so did the referee who had seen me at another match some years ago in Cornwall and remembered me. The visiting manager then Ash Kemp came over to see me and also give me a photo of his sides teamsheet.

On paper, St Ives were favourites to win this game having been unbeaten in their past 4 games in the league and cup, whilst Ash's team hadnt registered a point as yet.

The game kicked off and St Ives were soon on the front foot going forward and hitting a few waybound shots, as the visitors had two very close changes just go wide and one saved from the left wing.

On 21 minutes though, St Ives got the breakthrough, when ASA DONALDSON beat the offside trap to pounce on to the ball and draw the keeper before coolly slotting it home to the delight of the home supporters including the man in the stand with the wooden rattle.

As the players were heading back to the centre circle, the referee produced a sin bin signal to a visiting player(which now counts as from this season as a yellow card), as the player was going off, he must have said something to the match official which saw him receive a second yellow card, thus his side down to ten men for the rest of the game.

The visitors heads seemed to drop a bit and they seemed upset with the referee, whilst the home side was just keeping the ball knocking it about and trying to tire their opponents out.

Half Time came and I scootered round to the near side of the ground opposite the stand and saw some trains going to and from St Ives during the second half.

In the 46th minute and the first attack of the half, the homesters got a corner on the right hand side, where LEWIS TIDY rose and headed hard in to the net to double his teams advantage..

On 53 minutes, things got worse for the visitors as a Saints shot from 25 yards, saw JEFF ROBINSON in the right place to clip it in to the net to make it 3-0.

A strange last 30 odd minutes, as I expected West Cornwall to fold, but they began to start to play some of their best football in the game and went close a few times with a few efforts, whilst Ives could well have scored more, but it was a very good match.

I know at the end the visitors werent too please with the referee, but to be honest, I felt he had a decent match, letting it flow, bring back if not a advantage, I cant comment on the sin bin/sending off as no idea what was said and of course the referee is a lot closer to the action than me.

With the 3 goals scored at todays match that now takes the Charity Blogs Running Total in aid of MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP to £1,958.50p

If you would like to make a donation no matter how small, you can do a bank transfer to

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

To see the 274 photos taken at todays match, please click this LINK

 

NEW GROUND IN STORMY WEATHER IN TRURO

 South West Peninsula League: West Division

TRURO CITY RESERVES FC 0 PENZANCE AFC 0

A few months ago, I bumped in to old friend(well we arent getting any younger) Phil Hiscox(MR SWPL) in my neck of the woods, Im not sure if he has recovered from the visit of North Nottinghamshire. He told him we was down on holiday at Hayle for a couple of weeks and he mentioned that I could visit the NEW Truro City Ground, where their reserves were hosting Penzance. I put this on my facebook group called Non League Grounds of England, Wales & Scotland, where I got banter from folks who said I couldnt class this as a visit from the groundhop police, as it wasnt their first team playing, to me, its a league match and at a ground thats new.

The club for yeara have been in the news about a new ground and even their first team not only had to play in a different town but several counties, but finally for the start of this season, they returned back to their home city.

This will help the club get more local players and also bring in local support and sponsorship, which all clubs are in need of

With being on a mobility scooter, I rang the secretary JENNY BLADON to ask if there was any disabled parking and she said that she would make sure that she would cone me a parking spot for my arrival.

On arrival, a chap come running down to the cones to remove them and welcomed me to the club, we parked up and Hazel said oh look there is a chap waving at us in the next car, it was Terry from Dorset with his wife, he had been asked at the cones if he was me lol.

The weather looked decent and warm and made my way over to the disabled gate to which Jenny greeted me  and got me a programme and took my admission fee, it was lovely to meet this jolly lady.

Next it was the 50/50 raffle man and we had a chat and he was saying they still had quite a bit of work to do, but like new grounds, things dont take 5 minutes to do, I bought some tickets, no idea if I won or not, so if I did, send the cheque to the local childrens hospital ward.

At present they havent got a club house but a massive marque that sells food and drinks etc.

Behind one of the goals are the changing rooms and also a scoreboard as the photo above, the score didnt change from the first minute to the 90th minute. To the far side of the ground is a seated stand and a disabled seating, plus a pull back area to fit in wheelchairs and mobility scooters and 2 seats for carers, thats where me and Terry sat and chattered all game.

Behind the other goal was standing stand.

Before the game, a chap who ive known for years and cant remember his name from Swindon came up and said hello with his friend and said hello and we had a chat and up in the stand was a young lady who I managed to grab a photo of the teamsheet off to type up the scorers(yes I know there werent any lol)

The game kicked off and it was very even with both sides going very close, but also both defences on top.

On the 30th minute, the visitors thought they had scored, the ball came in from a left sided corner to be headed and bungled into the net, but the eagle eyed referee was very correct in seeing the push and disallowed the goal, as he signalled for the foul, he must have signaled for the rain as well, as it bucketed it down.

Half time came and the rain got more heavy and I got more wet even under cover, well I should have worn my waterproof trousers, but you can always tell the hardy locals of Cornwall, as no matter what the weather is like, they were a brown pair of shorts and |I spotted one with a pasty in his hand!!!

The Second Half and the Pirates of Penzance began the game the stronger pressing forward and forcing the home keeper in to 3 excellent saves, Truro then countered back and it was the turn of the visiting keeper to be called in to action on 3 or 4 turns of good goalkeeping, this really was a match of which keeper would get man of the match.

The rain became heavier but the pitch looked in first class condition as the players looked like drowned rats and as the final whistle went, Im sure I saw Noah's Ark float across the pitch.

Basic Sum Up: Truro City Reserves volunteers were friendly polite and helpful, both sets of players and fans not only a credit to their clubs but also to their League.

Going back to MR HISCOX, he was a bit under the weather tonight, so couldnt make the match, but I know you will all be hoping he is soon better and back pitchside

The Charity Blog's running total to MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP currently stands at £1,957.75p, if anyone would like to make a donation no matter how small, you can do a bank transfer to:

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account Number: 70342862

NICHOLS HAT TRICK SEES ROVERS INTO NEXT ROUND

 Percy Stephens Cup; Second Round

PENDEEN ROVERS RESERVES FC 3 ST KEVERNE FC 1

This was my first choice of a fixture for the first game during our two week stay of our holiday, but after a bad storm overnight and heavy rain until 11am plus thunder and lightening, I was beginning to look  at 4g grounds to play the safe card. I rang the Rovers secretary but no answer but Jeff from the Saints informed me the match was on.

On arrival from a miserable wet Hayle, we arrived, well in the village did, as the postcode took us along the main road, but we did find the ground in blazing sunshine.

One of the volenteers saw me on my mobility scooter and greeted me to the club, then told me they did a programme, so off he went to get me one, then he came back as his wife had sorted me a few other programmes for me, I asked if they did a club badge to which they did and there was a clubhouse there and a stand that faces the sea. What a cracking ground with good people who run it, nothing too much for them. I then met Jackie who was the home number 5's partner.

I got the team sheets from both clubs and settled on the halfway line opposite the stand, with no referee, I did say I wouid ref one half as my scooter does do up to 8 miles a hour, but I turned down being a Assistant Referee running the line.

The game kicked off and it began at a fast pace from end to end but no end product, but after 10 minutes, the ball was crossed over to the right wing, where ANT NICHOLLS drove the ball low into the far corner of the net from acute angle of 25 yards to put the Ressie team 1-0 to the good.

Rovers looked dangerous as they attacked down the left side wing, but quite a few shot flew out the ground, the Sasint pressed forward but just couldnt get that final ball to a attacker.

In the 28th minute, a mistake in the Saints defence saw the ball being failed to be cleared and it fell to ANT NICHOLLS to weave through players before striking the ball home to double his teams advantage.

Just on the stroke of half time came a chance for the Saints to get back into the game, when a crisp shot was heading at speed to the  bottom corner, but the homesters keeper dive and managed to push it away one handed.

The start of the Second Half, id moved round into the stand and the Saints began to press a lot more forward and direct and on 58 minutes were awarded a penalty to which MATT RUSE stepped up to reduce the score, so game on.

The Saints kept pressing for that goal to get them back on to level terms but this left gaps for Rovers to also break and press and on 66 minutes, ANT NICHOLLS beat the offside trap and sweetly placed the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1 and complete his hat trick, but he was then subbed straight away as he was limping.

Both teams then went forward for more goals but both defences held tight and it was the Rovers that progress into Round Three.

Id like to thank Jackie form helping me to get from the stand to my mobility scooter, the lady who was doing the refereshments bar,  her husband the barman and the gentleman who told me about the programme.

With the 4 goals scored that means another £1 thats gone into the Charity Blog Bank Account, which this years is for the MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP with a running total of £1,957.75p

If anyone would like to make a donation, the Charity Blogs bank details are as follows:

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account Number: 70342862

To view the 314 photos from the match, please click this LINK

FIRST EVER PROGRAMMES AND BADGE

 TO ALL FIRST PROGRAMME AND BADGE COLLECTORS. PLEASE HAVE A READ

Many of you will know me as Im the registrations and discipline officer of the Nottinghamshire Senior League, also was organiser of 14 groundhops in the past.

I used to be Programme Editor of Arnold Town, Dunkirk FC and Ripley Town back in the day, whilst most clubs programmes are fading out, several of the Nottinghamshire Senior League Clubs have asked if I would do their FIRST EVER PROGRAMME and several are asking for a badge to be done.

A couple of weeks ago, I produced AFC Parabellum's first ever programme which was a great success and on the 12th October I will be issuing BUYGLASS CO REINDEER FC FIRST EVER PROGRAMME v Greyfriars FC. Reindeer will also be doing a METAL BADGE.

On 2nd November, again I will be producing FCV GRACE DIEU FIRST EVER PROGRAMME when they face Dunkirk AFC

On the day, all programmes will be £2 each and badges £4(at Buyglass Co Reindeer, as FCV Grace Dieu arent having one done). so if coming to the match, please let me know and I will add you to the growing list so I am aware of how many programmes to print,as I dont want anyone to be disappointed. All money taken at both BUYGLASS CO REINDEER FC and FCV GRACE DIEU on the day will go to the club to help pay towards pitch hire and the referees etc.

ANY that cant make the matches but would like to purchase the programmes via post can do and that money WILL BE going to my CHARITY which is being split between Nottingham Motor Neurone Support Group and Autism Awareness support Shop.

If you would like ALL 3 programmes posting out and you arent on my list yet, it will be £6 for the programmes plus £2.50 for the envelope and stamps(postage) = £8.50p via the charity blog bank account, but I( will contact you in the last week in October for payment, if you want the Buyglass CO Reindeer badge as well just add £4 to the total.

To let me know if you are coming to a match and want a programme or badge saving for your arrival or the postage package, can you please email me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

There are other Nottinghamshire Senior League Clubs that want a programme and badge doing but Ive told them Feb onwards, so I do have a mailing list, so if anyone wishes to be added on to that I can do that, so you are first to know(well second as I will be first lol)

COLTS FIRE FIVE IN FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division One

MEDEN VALE COLTS FC 5 RUSHCLIFFE FC 0

Well the plan was to go to the fun day over at Wollaton FC, but with us going away to Cornwall on Wednesday and Hazel having not packed anything yet, she asked if I could stay local, this gave me 2 choices either Langwith Whitestar FC which I visited last month or Meden Vale Colts FC which is closer and Ive not seen them for a while.

Rushcliffe FC were their opposition and went in to the match with two wins out of their four match, whilst the Colts had no wins or draws, so it looked on paper that this would be a away win, but as we all know, football isnt played on paper.

On arrival, I soon got my flask of tea filled up by the Colts manager Jason Gill and both team sheets off todays referee Stuart Ingleby.

The match kicked off and the homesters were soon on the front foot attacking and testing the visitors keeper and it looked like it was only a matter of time before a goal would be scored.

In the 15th minute, the deadlock was broken when GEORGE CAMPS on the right hand side of the edge of the penalty area hit as low cross shot in to the bottom of the net.

Rushcliffe pushed forward but didnt really attack and Vale kept pressing forward with speed and on 21 minutes, GEORGE CAMPS doubled his sides lead to 2-0.

The visitors looked a bit disjointed and seemed to be second to every ball and a quick throw in on the left hand side, saw the winger cross for ALFIE GAUGHAN to smash home to make it 3-0.

At half time, the visiting manager gave his players a good talking to and it seemed to work, as they pressed forward and made a few chances and were more in the game.

But in the 73rd minute, Colts veteran NICK WESTERMAN entered the pitch as a sub and with his first touch tapped the ball in to a empty net.

On 78 minutes, another sub then BRENDAN ARNOLD also netted for the homesters.

The action wasnt finished there as with just 30 seconds to go, a bit of handbags and maybe some verbal saw a Rushcliffe player see a straight red card.

All in all, it was difficult to see how this was Meden Vale Colts first win of the season with a display like this and if continued they will move up the table.

The running total on the charity blog in aid of MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP now stands at a amazing £1,956.75p

If anyone would like to make a donation, you can make a bank transfer to:

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

To see the 200 photos from the match, please click on this LINK

PARAS 100 PER CENT RECORD REMAINS

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Three

AFC PARABELLUM 5 NOTTINGHAM GREENS FC 1

Whilst floating about during pre season, I stumbled on a pre season friendly at Buyglass co Reindeer playing at Joseph Whittaker School against a brand new club AFC Parabellum. The visitors that day blew apart the mansfield based team and in the pub afterwards, Im arranged to produce Buyglass Reindeers first ever programme, this was overheard by Parabellum Chairman Jed who was also interested in his club having one done.

So I set out certain matches,with this one being Parabellum's day in front of groundhoppers who had travelled from afar.

Orders via post had been coming in to me for their first ever programme and also for the metal badge.

On arrival, I was greeted by the groundsman Tony Spencer who Ive gone back in football a long time ago, but soon Jed arrived not only with the badges but loads of buffet free for for the hoppers and hazel volunteered to make sure they all got a free cuppa.

The day was a big success with all badges being sold out on the day though I have some to send out to the pre ordered postal ones along with their programme.

The postal ones will be sent out all those that have pre ordered once the FCV Grace Dieu match on 2nd November has been played, so there is still a chance if you would like to pre order the pack of 3 programmes or Buyglass badge which game is on 12th October.

Parabellum kindly donated all the progreamme money from todays match which will be split between the MND Support Group and the Autism Awareness Support shop. so once all three programmes have gone out, I will have a overall total to add to the charity Blog.

So today with a kind donation of 2 cards that went round the pub, Parabellum kindly donated half of the winning which was £20 that I will add on to running MND Support Group total, plus £1.50 for the six goals seen today.  

The sale of programmes and bucket donations, the running total on to the Buyglass Co Reindeer match is £82.65p which as I say will then  carry on to thBuyglaa Co Reindeer and the FCV Grace Dieu matches and then the money from the postal sales will come in and will be split between the 2 charities..I hope that all makes sense.

On to the match and there was a minutes silence for a young boy with autism who played football in the North Nottinghamshire area who sadly took his own life at just 12 years old. Then the tragic news came through that ex Bulwell FC.Wollaton and Dunkirk FC man Ian Lowe had passed away during midweek after a illness.

All players and hoppers were silent before the game kicked off, Parabellum thought they had taken a early lead but the flag was up on the far side as the ball hit the back of the net.

The homesters though didnt have to wait long to take the lead, when a low cross was met by RYAN ROSS to make it 1-0 after 14 minutes in front of the crowd of 45.

On 18 minutes, stout defending kept the score at 1-0 as the visitors pressed forward and had one chance cleared off the line, soon after in the 21st minute, a mess up at the visitors defence saw DILLON ROBERTS stroll past the keeper throw his arms in the air to do a well funny celebration as he tapped the ball in to the empty net to make it 2-0.

Nottingham Greens who have who havent won a match in the Nottinghamshire Senior League werent giving up and played some good football and in the 40th minute were awarded a penalty, but the keeper got down well to save it.

At half time, the hoppers were still munching in to those freebie sandwiches and ref Lewis Quayle also had his eye on them but was having a chat with the league referee secretary.

The Second Half kicked off and was quite a flowing game of football, but after 55 minutes, the visiting keeper made a superb low save only to parry it out to DILLON ROBERTS to hammer home.

On the hour, it was 4-0 when JOESPH SKILLINGTON finished in to the bottom corner of the net.  Two minutes later and the Greens got a goal back when a beautiful lob by FRANK MEADES nestled in to the back of the net to reduce the arrears to 4-1.

On 81 minutes, sub MacKENZIE O SHEA wrapped up the scoring when pouncing on to a loose ball and hitting it home to make the final score 5-1.

Must say that alot of hoppers commented on how good the match referee Lewis Quayle was today letting the game flow.

Almost all the groundhoppers praised AFC PARABELLUM for their superb organisation of their day nut also were impressed with Nottingham Greens as most turned up and thought this may well be a cricket score and I feel that if they continue to play like they did today, it wont be long before they get that 1st ever win in the Nottinghamshire Senior League.

I am still offering the pack of 3 programmes, so if you are interested then  please email me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

Please keep your eye on the Blog, my twitter and my facebook group called "Non league Grounds of England Wales & Scotland for further 1st ever programmes which for the start of 2025, im looking at producing for Nottingham Greens FC, Langwith Whitestar and East League Robins(on their new ground)

The running, total for the Charity Blog currenly stands at £1,955.50p

If anyone would like to make a donation and would like to, then my charity blog bank details are as follows:

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

To see the 187 photos, please click this LINK

PERRIS HALTS ROBINS HITTING THE TOP

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Division One

EAST LEAKE ROBINS FC 0 RAVENSHEAD FC 1

Having not been to Costock Road, the newish ground of East Leake Robins and the fact that a win today would take them to the top of Division One against recently relegated Ravenshead FC saw us travel down from Mansfield Woodhouse.

The Sat Nav took us to a car park where  cricket was taking place, so after Hazel had put my mobility scooter together, it was a matter of hurrying across a busy country lane. With cricket taking place, I asked someone if any adult football was being played here and they pointed me in the right direction over a massive hedge with a gap at the side the other side of the cricket field, but I do belieive that they do play on the cricket pitch when cricket season is over.

I soon find both sides warming up with Joe from the Robins running over to hand me his teamsheet and then ross from Ravenshead handing me theres. Im introduced to a young chap SAM who is the new East Leake Robins FC media man and he sits on top of the dug out and films some of the action for the clubs tik tok

The game kicked off and both sides cancelled each other out, no real action chances, with defences being on top for the majority of the match, but the deadlock was broken by the visitors in the 76th minute when PERRIS THOMAS netted from one of very few chances in the game that was on target, though in the final 5 minutes, the Robin did go close a couple of times.

After the match, Ravenshead FC kindly donated £5 and Eastl Leake Robins donated £10 and media man Sam donationed £5 to the Charity which is in aid of MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP and with the 25p going in to the pot for the goal, it takes the running total to £1,934.00.. A BIG THANKYOU to all.

If you would like to make a donation, you can see me at a match or do a bank transfer to the charity blog account.

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

Sort Code: 30-98-97

Account: 70342862

To view the 195 photos, please click this LINK