Gedling Town v Staveley Miners Welfare FC

Saturday 29th December 2007 NCEL Division One

Missed out on Boxing Day footie, so to ease our withdrawal symptoms, we had to brave the gale force winds and monsoon rain - but it was worth it!

Decided on Gedling v Staveley - we had not been to the Riverside since Gedling changed managers....a lot of previously familiar faces had left - James Whitehead, Matt Millns , Brendon Sweeney, Ben Cobley and Carl Westcarr. Lee Soar was with us in the stand - in his own words he was "too drunk to play" !!

The conditions were attrocious, but the pitch as usual, was superb. Staveley adapted to the conditions far better than Gedling, playing the ball about on the deck rather than trying to launch the ball over the top. Lee Gregory put the visitors ahead on the half-hour, a curling, dipping shot beating Sprigg in the home goal. H-T 0-1

Ryan Damms slotted home Staveley's second from close range after an almighty scramble in the Gedling 6 yard box - the defence had three chances to clear, but failed miserably and paid the price. Then came the rain -- well it was more like a monsoon and made you feel glad you weren't a player.....

Alan Jefferies halved the deficit on 75, a well aimed shot from 18 yards beating Poulter. Jefferies levelled the scores right on full-time - a shot from the corner of the box after some neat play.

Staveley had a player sent off ( straight red), for a challenge on Bedward, but he never even made contact - the Ref failed to allow for the awful playing conditions and although I don't like critising refs too much, this decision was WRONG!

Gedling keeper Sprigg almost scored -- his long punt bouncing in front of opposite keeper Poulter and cannoning off the bar !

All in all, a decent enough game bearing in mind the weather - also a fair result - Gedling stay top and when the players who were unavailable return, they should be able to consolidate and earn the promotion that Chairman Roland Ash so richly deserves - he puts so much into the club......

New Years day? Eastwood v top of the table Witton Albion -- Ilkeston v Worksop -- Shepshed v Gresley Rovers -- Belper v Goole -- Alfreton v Hucknall or Nottm Forest v Huddersfield...

My choice would be either Eastwood or Belper, but Kev has tickets to the Forest game... we will see....

Eastwood Town v Guiseley FC

Saturday 22nd December 2007 UniBond Premier Division.

Made the short trip to Coronation Park, our former "spiritual" home, to see the Badgers take on Guiseley. Before the kick off all those in attendance took part in a minute silence in memory of former ETFC Chairman Keith Smith, who so sadly lost his battle aginst cancer last week.

Nice to be at CP again, but as we have not been since August Bank holiday Monday, we didn't know what to expect. What we got was a stange mix of dull and exciting ... the first 15 or so minutes were scrappy to say the least, but when the Guiseley no. 2 passed the ball straight to Eastwood's diminutive on-loan striker David Brown - he raced into the box and hammered the ball left-footed through the visiting keeper's arms to give the Badgers the lead.
Four minutes later it was 2-0, a Brown drive parried by the keeper straight to Paul Mitchell who fired home from 8 yards. It was 2-1 on the half-hour, a 20 yarder from Hanson flying past Deakin - then it was 2-2 just before the break, former Badgers striker Marc Smith nodding home from a free-kick.
H-T 2-2

Guisely powered forward to try and secure the victory, but despite intense pressure, and a few batterings, the Badgers defence were solid, and keeper Deakin kept the Badgers in the game with a series of superb stops. Matt Rhead hammered a 25 yarder against the cross-bar, but it was Lindon Meikle's mazy run in stoppage time that drew a foul 20 yards out. Up stepped Chris Shaw to curl the ball into the corner of the net to make it 3-2.

Hard lines on Guiseley, but they had enough chances...

As I said earlier, it was nice to be at CP again, but with the circumstances the atmosphere was very strange, and despite meeting a few old friends again, it was a relief to leave...........

Hucknall Town v Tamworth

Tuesday 18th December F.A. Trophy.

This game was put off by the weather on Saturday -- there was not a lot of other local footie available, so off to Watnall Road we went.... bloomin 'eck it were cold!!

The game did nothing to warm the cockles either - and even when Tamworth took the lead with a smart shot across Smith in the Town goal, it seemed Hucknall were not really up for the challenge. And so it was Hucknall went out of the Trophy with nary a whimper.... F-T 0-1

Feel sorry for Kev a little....decided to have a burger from the mobile snapshed,,,, I think it may still be repeating now !! The hot dog I had weren't bad ... but expensive -- very.

£9.00 to get in, £2.20 for the hot dog, £2.50 for the cheeseburger -- and hot chocolate @ £0.80p....

Saturday -- hope to go to pay my respects to the Smith family at Eastwood .. this will be difficult, Keith was a good mate - he will be sorely missed.

Keith Smith

Keith Smith Eastwood Town FC 17/12/2007

It is with sadness that Eastwood Town Football Club have to announce the death of former Chairman Keith Smith. Paddy Farrell, Eastwood Town Secretary gave the following tribute to his club colleague. “When Keith and Carole arrived at Coronation Park we had just suffered our first ever relegation, were struggling in the Northern Counties (East) League and in their first game, the pair saw us thrashed at Brigg Town.

The money Keith put into the club was important but was, literally, nothing, compared to the sheer hard work, inspiration and "sleeves-up" example he brought to the role. The Directors stand, the trainers boxes and other huge ground improvements are all entirely down to Keith as are huge up-grading within our Social Club.” “On the field, the work of Keith and Carole quickly brought us two promotions and the highest standard of football the "Badgers" have ever enjoyed.” “Above all else Keith was a wonderful man and a great friend. To say he will be missed is a sad and ridiculous understatement. All we can do is look on helplessly as Carole, Lisa, Scott and their families grieve. It was a huge privilege knowing you, Keith. Sleep peacefully old friend! At least your suffering is over.”

The management and officers of the UniBond League echo Paddy’s comments and send their condolences to Keith’s family.

Not a lot to add, but Keith Smith - God rest. It was an honour to have known you.

Keith was ETFC through and through, and although both myself and Kev have been largely absent from CP this season, learning of Keith's passing leaves us with heavy hearts.

We were due to visit CP this weekend - now, if the game is on, we WILL be there...

Saturday 15th December

Another Saturday affected by the weather.

Games we were looking at?

Ilkeston v Prescot OFF
Hucknall v Tamworth OFF
Rainworth v Teversal OFF
Sutton v Welbeck OFF
Long Eaton v Brodsworth OFF
South Normanton v Nostell OFF
Greenwood v Forest Tn OFF
Glapwell v Mickleover OFF
Heanor v Dunkirk OFF

I decided to stay at home -- Kev's going to watch the Tricky Trees play Northampton -- hopefully he will email me some details .....

Shepshed Dynamo v Stocksbridge Park Steels

Tuesday 11th December 2007 UniBond League Division One South

Because we went to Glapwell last week, we decided we would pop down the M1 to see if Lee Wilson and Jimmy Albans had made any significant improvements at Shepshed. Well,,,, the answer has to be, at the moment, no.....last time we saw them beat a poor Brigg side easily enough, but against a moderately good Steels side they struggled. A tale of two centre-halves really -- one not good enough ( Shepshed) and one that was good enough and was also 6' 14" tall ( Steels) ....blimey, what a contrast in abilities.

Anyway, it were cold again ...very cold... and sorry to say the usually lovely chips from the snapshed were well below par - didn't bother with the tea - last time it weren't very good, so we settled for kiddies pop!

The game? 1st half was awful - both teams having an "off-day", but Steels took the lead on 26, a shot from Walker that hit the back of the net and bounced out again leaving us wondering if it went in at all ! It was 2-0 to the visitors right on half-time, Riley latching onto the loose ball after the home keeper had palmed away a fierce drive. H-T 0-2

As soon as the Shepshed centre-half was subbed, the home team started to put one or two bits together, and when Lee Mellon halved the deficit from a 20 yard free-kick, we thought the impossible comeback was on the cards --- until slack defending left Riley free 16 yards from goal - he fairly slammed the ball home to make it 1-3. The Steels 6' 14" centre-half blotted his copybook with 5 to go, handling on the line to save a certain goal - straight red from the Ref - Frecklington hammered home the spot-kick to make it 2-3.
Without their lighthouse, we were wondering if Dynamo could still salvage a point, but try as they may it was not to be .... it would have been robbery anyway. Want to know the strangest chant ? Shepshed diehards singing " If you like it up the Butthole, clap your hands!!"... mmm.....makes you think don't it !

Steady drive home -- back here well before half ten.....

Saturday ? Hucknall v Tamworth methinks, but Kev will DEFINATELY be making this choice.

Ilkeston v Prescot Cables / Glapwell v Mickleover / Long Eaton v Brodsworth / South Normanton v Nostell / Rainworth v Teversal / Greenwood v Forest Tn / Heanor v Dunkirk / Sutton v Welbeck

Saturday 8th December

Decided not to go out -- there were only a couple of games that survived the weather..... none were attractive enough to risk pneumonia.

Tuesday, weather permitting -- looks like either Shepshed v Stocksbridge Park Steels or Glapwell v Eccleshill.

Glapwell v Winterton Rangers

Tuesday 4th December 2007 NCEL Premier Division

Kev chose this game... it was a belter. ( err ... I say Kev chose this -- it was either this or Arnold Town Reserves !)...

Took just half an hour to get to Hall Corner, home of Glapwell FC. We have been here before in seasons past, and nothing seems to have changed - nice, neat ground -- just a bit muddy getting through the carpark to the turnstile....

1st stop - cup of tea - blimey was it strong! The lady who made it was really stressed out and the teabags in the pyrex jug got hammered by a big spoon -- mmm.. not had tea leaves for a long time!!!!

Met a fellow "traveller" from Leicester - apparently there were no non-league matches being played in Leicester on Tuesday ....

On to the game -- we expected a full-blooded 2nd v 1st football fest, and we got one. The fighting broke out almost straight from the start - the visiting no. 10 and Glapwell's keeper West booked after about 5 minutes.
A couple of skirmishes later, but when West charged out of his goal to launch a Rangers player into orbit, the Ref handed him his second yellow -- should have been a straight red really. West was still a bit "pumped" from the previous incidents but his rush from goal, to try and get a ball he had no chance of reaching, was a bit strange considering his vast experience.

The stand-in keeper was very capable - safe hands and good kicking - made one tremendous tip- over save .....

10 man Glapwell took the lead on 26, Justin Burdett hammering home from 20 yards after some decent pressure. It seemed they would go into the break one up, but in the second minute of added time, Danny Clarke, the Rangers no. 9 was given far too much space and time - and his banana bender from 25 yards fairly flew past the bemused stand-in keeper.... H-T 1-1

Calmer second half, when football was the winner -- these two teams played some good stuff, but both seemed happy to settle for the point apiece as the half went on....

This was a marked contrast to last Saturday's game - it was a pleasure to be sat sitting watching.....we will definately visit Hall Corner again..... F-T 1-1

Saturday? Teversal v Rainworth looks odds on - but Kev gets to choose -- Arnold v South Normanton is NOT on the menu -- Belper v Warrington, Carlton v Nantwich, Shepshed v Cammell Laird, Forest Town v Dunkirk, Heanor Town v Radcliffe Olympic, Rolls Royce v Holbrook MW, Sutton v Kimberley, Calverton v Bolsover or Hucknall Town v Tamworth....

South Normanton Ath v Long Eaton Utd

Errm... where are we??

Our good buddy "Mushy"

Saturday 1st December 2007 NCEL Premier Division

Thought this would be a good idea -- to see if Long Eaton had improved any since they were beaten 2-5 by South Normanton in September... Next time there is a choice of game. I am going to let Kev make the choice - this was a "stinker".

We got to the ground early, this is one of the easier grounds to find. Not pleasant to look at, Lees Lane is really in need of a cash injection - the changing rooms are portacabins, while "Shiners Diner" is an old shipping container.
The visit gave us chance to catch up with Normanton's Kelvin "Mushy" Mushambi - a long time friend, and gave us another chance to watch my work colleague Adam Holmes playing for Long Eaton.

The pitch was boggy, it kept raining on and off and it was very cold. Excuses over - this was poor by anyone's standards.
As far as using the September game as a barometer ? Forget it - these teams struggled all afternoon and didn't look like they had one goal in them, never mind seven!!

It wasn't made any easier to watch with only 8 out of the 22 floodlights on during the first period. Nothing on the pitch was very illuminating either. Kelvin showed a couple of great touches, but it was Adam that looked class - so cool and calm on the ball, even when boxed into the corner. He had probably the games best chance at goal as well, firing well over from about 12 yards in the second half.

The majority of the lights came on after the break, but one corner was not lit at all, and Ross Whalin in the Normanton goal did well to see anything, his area was so dark!! Finished goal-less.

Cup of coffee before the game, chip cob at half-time - both ok and reasonably priced. Officially 55 were in attendance....have they nothing better to do?

Tuesday 4th December .. there is only one game -- NCEL Premier Div -- Glapwell v Winterton Rangers -- 2nd v 1st .... this has to be better than the game we have just witnessed !