BRIDGFORD'S LATE BURST SEES THEM WIN THE A52 DERBY

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Development Division

COTGRAVE DEVELOPMENT FC 2 WEST BRIDGFORD U23'S 4

Not often I get out to watch a Development League game, but with this being midweek and under floodlights, it was a good opportunity to visit a ground Ive not been to for quite a while in Cotgrave FC. I noticed that the referee was Jevon Swinscoe and I know that he travels via bus and we was passing his way so we could give him a lift to and from the game.

On arrival at the ground we was greeted by the Cotgrave Chair and his committee and soon had a cuppa and then we got a sausage and bacon burger which tasted great and was well worthy of the money.

It was time to go to pitchside and I bumped in to the 2 assessors at tonights match and had a chataway and 1 of them went to fetch me the teamsheets, just as the players were coming out on to the pitch.

The match began at a frantic pace and it was the visitors having the first couple of chances and in the 11th minute had a goal disallowed for a offside decision.

This seemed to fire the homesters up and on 16 minutes, they took the lead when a shot from the left hand side by LUKE ZACHAROWSKI hit the bottom far corner of the net.

West Bridgford pressed forward and were on level terms when BRADLEY DAMES hit a low shot from just outside the penalty area on 25 minutes.

The rest of the half too and frowed and either team could have gone in at half time in the lead.

The Second Half saw many changes with the roll on roll off subs being used, to be honest i lost count, but I think all the subs from both sides got game time.

After 55 minutes, West Bridgford failed to clear a corner in their penalty area and LUKE ZACHAROWSKI was first to pounce and strike the ball home to give Cotgrave a deserved 2-1 lead at the time, infact it was hard to see how they had only won 1 game all season.

The visitors began to come more in to the game in front of a crowd of 87 and on 69 minutes were awarded a penalty after a trip in the Cotgrave penalty area, up stepped BRADLEY DAMES who placed the ball home but the home keeper was very unlucky not to keep it out.

The game looked like it was heading for a draw as we entered the final 10 minutes, but on 81 minutes, SANCHO AGODEGI-ANSELL turned and shot in to the far corner of the net to give Bridgford a 3-2 advantage.

3 minutes later and things got worse for the homesters when their captain was sent off.

Tiredness and lack of a player then showed in the final minute, when a defensive mistake let in BRADLEY DAWES to run past the keeper and slot in to a empty net to make it 4-2 to the visitors.

A really enjoyable match which in the end I feel West Bridgford U23 possibly had the edge but if Cotgrave Development keep playing like they did in this game, they will soon be adding to that 1 win tally.

In the week, Dave Pickerill of Grassroots Plus Podcast kindly donated £15 and tonight Cotgrave FC kindly donated £25 and with the 6 goals now takes the running total up to £129.25p to the Charity Blogs Charity MND Nottngham Support Group. So a BIG thankyou to both

I was the special guest a couple of weeks ago on Grassroots Plus Podcast and a few people have asked me to post the link so they can listen to it..please click this LINK

I must mention also, that this coming Saturday sees one of the Semi Finals of the NSL League Cup between Wollaton FC v Trent Vineyard FC being played at Ilkeston Town FC. Admission is FREE but donations are being split between Wollaton FC & the Charity Blog, so please come along and support it. There will be programme and badges on sale

If anyone no matter how small would like to make a donation to the charity blog here are the charity blog bank details

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

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NOT ROY OF THE ROVERS BUT GAV OF COLLINGHAM

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Cup: Quarter Final

GRESLEY ROVERS RESERVES FC 1 COLLINGHAM FC 7

With the postponement of Awsworth Villa v Stapleford Town, it gave me a chance to see 2 new clubs to the Nottinghamshire Senior League in the Quarter Final of our League Cup. A phone call to Ian Collins a good friend of mine for years, who is the Secrretary of Gresley Rovers Reserves at first didnt sound too hopeful as he said there was a 11am pitch inspection, I soon got the call back to say that the match referee was already there and had pass the pitch was playable.

I then tweeted I was going to this match 2pm kick off as stated on FA Full Time but on the way, I got a call from Ian to say it was a 3pm kick off, on arrival I found the referee there as he had made plans to go out after the match and as he was a late replacement ref, he also had taken the time off FA Full Time thinking it was a 2pm kick off.

Well I was a bit worried as we came off the M1 to join the A42 and it took us about a hour to get to our junction, as both lanes were at a gridlock after a crash and police trying to get through, the accident had happened right on our junction and my worry was that if Collingham came that way, then they would be stuck in it, infact they came a different way so kick off wasnt in doubt.

As me and hazel got to the gate,the enterance man said I know who you are and nice to meet us, I then popped down to Ians office and he made me and Hazel a drink before Haeel disappeared in to the clubhouse.

I then spotted another old friend Gerry Williams of Collingham FC who used to swop programmes with me in the late 1980's and then Ive known his daughter Emma for years but never knew it was his daughter as Ive known her at Newark Town, Aslockton, Radcliffe Olympic, but now she is settled at her dads club as the physio.

It was then time to get both line ups before getting my scooter on a raised terracing that looked over the pitch.

The match kicked off and it was the homesters who had the first chance of the game, with the visiting keeper being forced in to action after about 30 seconds.This seemed to awaken the visitors as they pushed forward and after 3 minutes took the lead when a 30 yard dipping shot hit the back of the net by GARVIE CAMERON.

Rovers pressed forward but this left gaps in midfield and the back and on 9 minutes, a cross from the right wing was met by a bullet of a header by WILLIAM HOLLINGSWORTH to make it 2-0.

I was a bit worried of a walk over now but to Rovers credit they kept going and after 12 minutes were back in the tie when ALEXANDER POTT raced clear and fired home to reduce the score.

It was then end to end with last ditch tackling or blocked shots nd good goalkeeping that kept the score at 1-2, but there were quite a few stopages for injuries in the half with both physios entering the pitch to give treatment, this added 12 minutes of injury time in the first half, in that time JOE ATKINS broke away and fired a cross shot from the left side of the area to beat the keeper and make it 1-3. With seconds ticking down before the half time whistle, Collingham increased their advantage to 4-1 when a free kick from the right side, saw Rovers not cleared the ball and GARVIE CAMERON stabbed it home from inside the 6 yard box.

Ian duly appeared at half time and filled my flask with coffee to which I was very grateful as we drank it in the car on the way home.

The Second Half kicked off and the young home side seemed to have looked a bit jaded after the visitors had scored two late goals in the first half, but with a good crowd of 150 people behind them, they pushed forward, new legs were bought on, but Collingham by now looked like they could step up another gear, as they made a couple of subs as well.

On 68 minutes a arkward cross came in that bobbled in front of the keeper, which he spilled in front of WILLIAM HOLLINGSWORTH to tap in to a empty net to give his side a 5-1 lead.

The game then went back and forth again with either team having chances, but it was Collingham who took theres in the 89th minute through that man GARVIE CAMERON who completed his hat trick.

At this stage, I think the home support and players were just awaiting the final blow of the whistle, but GARVIE CAMERON had other ideas as he rounded the home keeper to make it 7-1 and book a place in the semi finals of the League Cup.

Gresley Rovers Reserves are a  young side who didnt give up and on another day they may well have scored more than 1 goal, whilst Collingham do look a good side.

The Blog's Charity this year is for The Motor Neurone Disease Support Group with the 8 goals today it takes the running total to £87.75p..If anyone would like to make a donation no matter how large or small, it is always most appreicated.

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

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To view the 201 photos, please click on this LINK

RUSHCLIFFE FC GO TOP AFTER LAST GASP PENALTY DRAMA

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Division Three

BYGLASS.CO REINDEER FC 0 RUSHCLIFFE FC 1

I was going to the Stag Ground to watch Kimberley MW Reserves v Bingham Town on Twitter on Friday the venue had been altered and with Hazel having 2 of the grandsons, she needed to be at a ground where she could warm the 6 month olds bottle up, so it was to he fixture list and every local club to Mansfield were away apart from Byglass who play on the Racecourse Park in the south of the town and is the closest ground Ive not been to, so here was a chance for me to tick it off.

On arrival as Hazel was putting my scooter together, the ref Gareth Pye was parking up, he was the linesman of the match I was at last week.

I soon got both sets of line ups and headed to the halfway line on the footpath that went down the park and level with the pitch.

Byglass had been beaten 11-0 at home last week, whilst the visitors needed a win to top the table, Byglass came out fired up and the first chance fell to the homesters but it was pushed wide by the keeper.

On 20 minutes, the away side had a breakaway on the right hand side where the home keeper left his goal area and the ball was rolled across for the forward to tap in to a open net, but striker somehow knocked it the wrong side of the post.

The game was entertaining going end to end  and at half time, I said to the ref jokingly that Id not seen a 0-0 since Bingham Town v Ruddington FC on a groundhop match some 8 plus years ago,so if no goals after 89 minutes to give a dodgy penalty, the Byglass manager laughed.

The Second Half went to and fro and either side could have won this game on another day and I had resigned myself to a 0-0 draw as in the 89th minute, a visiting player drove in to the area and had his legs taken from under him to give his side a penalty, there was no arguments, apart from Wes the home manager who looked over at me and shouted to me, you predicted this but it is a penalty,up stepped CALLUM BAKER who duly slotted it home down the centre of the  net.

Reindeer well in to injury time pushed forward and the visiting keeper was forced in to a superb double save to earn his side a win that took them to the top of Division Three.

After the match, Gareth Tye who had a very good match made another £4 donation and with the goal took the running total for the MND Nottingham Support Group to £85.75p. Damian Hucker has pledged £20 this weekend so hopefully that will take the total over £100.

If anyone, club, player or supporter would like to make a donation, you can make a bank transfer to the Charity Blog Account.

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

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To view the 186 photos from the match, please click this LINK

SIX GOAL THRILLER SEES MY PITCHSIDE RETURN

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Premier Division

WOODTHORPE PARK RANGERS FC 3 FC SEZ 3

After suffering 3 heart attacks in October and being bought back to life, I have spent the past few months resting in bed and going to cardio rehab, I am now on a mobility scooter so can get round a lot more as  was struggling to walk far on my stroller.

On Thursday morning I opened the curtains to see the front garden and our road on the cul de sac snowed in, so thoughts was my comeback to pitchside ld have to wait another week.

On Friday Evening, I was the special guest on Grassroots Plus Podcast, a show I listen to every week, so was delighted to be asked to go on to, the show is well worthy of a listen, so please give a listen on this LINK

Well a fair few matches were off this Saturday but then noticed 2 matches being played at Eagle Valley and the one that caught my eye was FC Sez's visit to Woodthorpe Park Rangers, the reason, Ive only ever seen FC Sez and that was away at Attenborough FC a number of years ago.

On arrival, Hazel got my scooter out the car boot and put to together like a jigsaw, then just as I was about to get a cuppa,up strolled fiend and local hopper Jim Bethall, Jim was fast out with his wallet and the coffees was in my hand. I put mine in to the basket at the front of my scooter and as I turned the cup fell over with all coffee inside, one mistake made..must take a flask next time for them to pour it in to.

Photo taken by Jim Bethell 

It was to pitchside and the weather looked a bit grey and cloudy as the game kicked off, the game began with the ball going from end to end, until after 5 minutes the visitors took the lad, when a freekick as floated in to the area for DOMINIC FURNISS to knock home.

On 14 minutes, the scores were level, when Rangers captain CONNOR SCOTT-PARKIN made it 1-1.

Them grey clouds then decided to open up, so I headed the entrance of the clubhouse, where I joined the FC Cavaliers management and some of their players, as their match had been postponed. During that time, after 32 minutes, a ball was played from the right wing but due to a parked car in the way, all  hard was the shouts of goal from the visitors and all their players going over to celebrate with team captain BAILEY WALKER as he had restored their lead.

The rain stopped so I ventured back in to the damp cold pitchside just before half time, where with the last kick of the half , the ball fell the Woodthorpes DALTON STEPHENS just outside the box for him to half volley home.

Jim Bethell said his goodbyes as he was shooting off to another match to see some more friends and handed m a donation for the blog, which I will mention more about at the end of the report.

The Second Half began and both teams were cancelling each other out until 62 minutes,when the homesters bought on sub TONY WILSON who wasted no time in finding the back of the net, as he had only been on the pitch for 30 seconds to give his side the lead for the first time in the match.

FC Sez changed tactics and pressed forward and in the 85th minute were awarded a penalty, to which MICHAEL LINDSAY stroked home to level up the score.

A  fantastic game to come back to watch with both teams a credit to the Nottinghamshire Senior League.

The Referee Brett Hovey had a excellent game along with hos two assistants Tim Bee and Gareth Tye.

This years Charity Blog is for the Nottingham Motor Neurone Disease Support Group

Today, though Gedling Southbank FC were playing in another match on the other pitch beating Beeston Reserves 2-1 kindly had a whip round and donated £20, their match referee Darren Watt donated £5 and Woodthorpe v FC Sez match referee Brett Hovey and Gareth Tye both donated £5 and so did Jim Bethell, so a BIG THANKYOU to you all. With the goals scored it takes the running total to £51.50p

If you would like to make a small donation, please see me at a match or youcan do a bank transfer to:

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

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To see the 119 photos from todays match, please click this LINK

BUTTERFLY CHEQUE FOR £2,700

 BUTTERFLY CHARITY CHEQUE PRESENTATION FOR £2,700

2022 I was nominated for the BBC Make A Difference award and got to the final 12 in the East Midlands area,during the interview, I was asked what would be my charity blog for 2023 and said BUTTERFLY, a small group of volenteers that run a charity shop and help and support men, women and children who have been through violence. A charity match with a big raffle and clubs as I went round all chipped in along with supporters and other people like Herbie & Sue who sponsored 20p each goal they see scored, Graham Moseley the same and Stephen Muff who all send me a cheque at the end of the season, I did a first ever programme for Notts Senior League club Notts Olympic FC where those who bought via post the money went to the charity blog.

In October, I fell very ill, having 3 heart attacks and on the 3rd the Kings Mill Hospital staff in Mansfield had to bring me back to life and put in another stent, since then its been bedrest and cardio slow physio to which  finished last week, so the fundraising had to go on hold and so did football.

I am though nearly back to pitchside, as I was struggling on my stroller and was advised to get a battery charged scooter,, to which I have.

For BUTTERFLY I raised just over £2,693 but chucked in the extra to round it up to £2,700, as I handed the cheque over, the founder Jordan was close to tears, as she said, you dont know how many people this money will help and support. It is always a pleasure to hand the cheques over every year, but I cant do it and raise the amount I do without the people and clubs that support me and also my good lady Hazel who drives me to matches and does the raffles at the Notts Senior League Cup Finals.

I always choose small charities where there are no paid workers, so each penny goes to those users, this year I have chosen the Nottingham Motor Neurone Disease Support Group, who meet each month to help and support people and their families. We have all seen the sad story of Rob Burrows the Rugby League player and how a life can change so quickly overnight, the money he has raised has gone in to research and awareness, but is not coming down to the support groups to help them to aid more people.

If anyone would like to make a donation, the charity blogs details are as follows:

AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOG

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