Friday 31 August 2012

Worksop Parramore 1 v Glasshoughton Welfare 2 - FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round

Friday 31st August 2012
at the Windsor Foods Stadium, Babbage Way, Worksop
FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Worksop Parramore (0) 1
Lee Whittington 77
Glasshoughton Welfare (0) 2
Liam Radford 52, Andrew Fieldhouse 55
Admission £6, Programme £1.50, Attendance 85
It was great to bump into some old friends of mine tonight at the WFSS, Peter Rinkcavage and his sidekick Jason Maybury amongst them, as I took a bit of a trip down memory lane at one of my old stomping grounds.
I enjoyed catching up with many familiar friendly faces from times gone by, who are willing to support local football and pay at the gate to watch Parramore, as well as the other club they support, who play at the Babbage Way ground as tenants.
And it's always a pleasure too, to meet up with Worksop Parramore's ever jolly vice chairman, secretary and resident rascal, Max Ross and the club (and stadium) owner Peter Whitehead.
Much respect and goodly vibes to you all gentlemen.
It would've been nice to have seen a few other Tigers fans present tonight too, who I haven't seen in ages ... but never mind, I'm sure our paths will cross eventually, somewhere.
Though not at a Worksop Town game.
But I won't comment on why that is.
I never have done and I never will.
Besides, I wasn't here tonight because of the Tigers.
I came to watch Worksop Parramore in their first ever FA Vase game, against Glasshoughton Welfare, a club I have never seen win previously.
An omen maybe? Err ... sorry Max, it would appear not.
Unfortunately, Parramore, the current Baris NCEL Premier Division front runners, though playing some neat, passing football in parts, hesitated in the starting blocks tonight, while Glasshoughton looked fired up and keen to progress through to the next round from the word go. The visitors were playing a system that squeezed the life out of Worksop in the final third, while breaking forward quickly on the counter attack, when the opportunity arose.
Parramore manager Darren Bland tried countering this tactic by pushing his full backs further up the wings, but Glasshoughton stubbornly resisted the extra attacking options and early in second half, their hard work and difficult to play against game plan bore fruition, when Liam Radford fired them ahead on 52 minutes and, with Parramore still momentarily knocked out of their stride from the setback, Andrew Fieldhouse netted from an improbable angle to put the Welfare side further ahead three minutes later.
Stung into action by the double blow, Bland reorganised his side and before long the visitors goal was under siege as the Parras sought to retrieve the situation.
When a side is chasing the game like this and are committed to piling men forward, it often leaves them vulnerable at the back, but the home side were seeing so much of the ball that Glasshoughton didn't really have the opportunity to exploit that loophole.
On 77 minutes, Lee Whittington gave the Worksop side a lifeline, when he belted the ball home from 15 yards out and a comeback now seemed to be the most likely outcome.
But Glasshoughton doggedly stuck to the task of soaking up all the pressure they were coming under and their hard work and persistence paid off in the end, even though the crossbar came to their rescue right at the death.
Parramore had created a lot of chances, especially in the second half, but they made hard work of actually finishing most of them off, while Glasshoughton had stuck gamely to a rigid plan to shut the home side out and utilised the opportunities they created when they came along.
Glasshoughton will now travel to Manchester based side Maine Road in the 2nd qualifying round.
Looking forward to visiting Parramore again soon, when they face Harworth Colliery in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup. The Worksop side will be strong favourites to win that one, but on current form they were probably odds on to win tonight too, but I'm not going to tempt fate.

Next up: Tomorrow, I'll be watching, Harworth Colliery v Easington United in CMFL North action, at Scrooby Road, Bircotes (not Scooby Road as it says on the Mitoo CMFL fixtures website).

Thursday 30 August 2012

Doncaster Rovers Belles 2 v Lincoln Ladies 1 - FA WSL

Thursday 30th August 2012, at the Keepmoat Stadium
FA Women's Super League
Doncaster Rovers Belles (1) 2
Alyssa Lagonia 20, Millie Bright 66
Lincoln Ladies (0) 1
Precious Hamilton 73
Admission £6, Programme £2, Attendance 204
Doncaster Rovers Belles:
Mary Earps, Lyndsey Cunningham, Leandra Little, Jessica Sigsworth, Katie Holtham, Aine O'Gorman, Alyssa Lagonia, Kasia Lipka, Tanya Oxtoby, Victoria Williams, Millie Bright
Subs - Lucy Sowerby, Sarah Saxon
Lincoln Ladies:
Nicola Hobbs, Sophie Bradley, Casey Stoney, Megan Harris, Carla Cantrell, Remi Allen, Jess Clarke, Sophie Watson, Emily Roberts, Sophie Barker, Lucy Stainforth
Subs - Lucy Alleway, Precious Hamilton, Katie Rood, Bonnie Horwood, Martha Harris
'Donny Belles' once ruled supreme in women's football, when they played at Armthorpe Welfare, in a very fetching yellow and blue kit.
But tonight, at Doncaster Rovers Keepmoat Stadium, using the slightly different name of Doncaster Rovers Belles and wearing the colours of the local npower League 1 side, they were hosting a FA Women's Super League, bottom three clash.
After taking all three points, Belles are now 6 points behind their visitors from Lincoln in the table, with two games in hand.
But, in what is a tightly packed league (with the exception of champions elect Arsenal), the 'Lady Imps' are still only six points behind second placed Birmingham City, who had an impressive away win against Chelsea tonight.
The other reason I'm mentioning Birmingham, is that they will be travelling to Ashby Avenue to take on Lincoln Ladies on Sunday afternoon, in a Continental Cup semi final game, which will be the next women's football match I will be attending.
Doncaster recorded their first home win of the season and second victory over the 'Lady Imps', in a game that could've gone either way.
From the outset, Lincoln were making all the running, but Mary Earps in the Belles goal was in a determined mood, thwarting Carla Cantrell, Jess Clarke and Remi Allen.
Alyssa Lagonia then caught the visitors out with a sucker punch.
She spotted that Nicola Hobbs had strayed slightly off of her line and chipped the ball goal-wards, aiming it just underneath the crossbar, from out on the right wing.
Hobbs back pedalled frantically, but could only get the slightest of touches to the ball as it dropped over the goal line and ended up in the back of the net.
A combination of Hobbs misfortune and Lagonia's vision (and precision), had broken the deadlock.
The goal lifted the home side's spirits and they finished the half strongly, much to the delight of their bell ringing and enthusiastic supporters.
A congested midfield

The Belles, buoyed on by their first half advantage, started the second half well, while Lincoln struggled to take advantage of a succession of corner kicks.
Ten minutes after the restart, Aine O'Gorman broke free inside the visitors area and fired wide from 8 yards out, when it looked as though another 'Donny' goal was on the cards.
On 66 minutes, O'Gorman lofted an in-swinging corner into the six yard box, but Nicola Hobbs was alert to the danger and punched the ball clear of her goal mouth and out of the penalty area.
But the ball fell to Millie Bright, who was waiting outside the box ... and she smashed the ball home from 20 yards to double the home sides lead.
Former Belles player Precious Hamilton, came on for Lincoln and livened things up in a three pronged attack with Carla Cantrell and Jess Clarke.
Clarke put Cantrell through inside the Doncaster area, but she pulled the ball across the face of goal and wide of the left post.
Then on 73 minutes, Precious Hamilton stabbed the ball home from close range and the 'Lady Imps' were back in the running.
Jessica Sigsworth had the chance to restore Doncaster's two goal cushion, but Nicola Hobbs came off best in an head to head duel in the visitors area and saved the Belles centre half's effort.
In the closing stages, the Belles had to withstand a sustained spell of pressure from Lincoln, who had a goal disallowed following an infringement in the box from a corner.
But Doncaster Rovers Belles held on to their lead and took the three points that lifted them above Liverpool at the foot of the table.
And at this moment in time I don't mind that at all, because Liverpool are not in my good books after their lucky men's team grabbed an 89th minute goal to beat Hearts in the Europa League tonight. Grr!
Alas, with 'Donny' just about hanging on for the win, my happy clapping 'Lady Imps' supporting friend Adam (he does their blog, twitter n' all that) didn't get the opportunity to aim his inspired 'You're not ringing any more!' chant at the bell brandishing Keepmoat faithful.
Sunday's semi final game against Birmingham City, who beat the Imps 3-1 two weeks ago, is being played at Ashby Avenue, the home of Lincoln United, with a 2pm kick off, if any of you fancy it the post code is: LN6 ODY
Doncaster Rovers Belles face a trip to Everton on Sunday, who beat Liverpool tonight to climb up to third in the table.
Many thanks to Linz - AKA the next Mrs 66POW ;-) - for driving to Doncaster.
The back injury that is currently limiting my mobility, ruled out a drive over the East Lancs Road to Anfield tonight and even the short trip to the Keepmoat Stadium from East Retford would've been problematic.
This decrepit and ancient invalid is very grateful for the lift. Cheers mi' dear!

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Harworth Colliery Institute U19 4 v Blacksmith's Arms 2 - Friendly

Wednesday 29th August 2012, at the Scrooby Road Arena
Pre Season Friendly
Harworth Colliery Institute U19 (1) 4
Lewis Elwood 2, 49,
Jordan Hardman 66,
Billy Ball 75
Blacksmiths Arms (0) 2
Ricky Tomlinson?

The final stage of Harworth Colliery Under 19's preparations, before their North Midlands U19 League season commences next week, saw them take on Blacksmiths Arms, a team of predominantly older players, several of whom have had experience of playing at a higher level and who still play a decent standard of football on Saturdays (including some of Harworth Colliery's first team).
It was an interesting work out for the U19's and provided them with a different sort of challenge to deal with than what they are usually accustomed to.
But the young Harworth side adapted well.
Lewis Elwood put the Colliery side on the way to victory, with a goal early in each half, the second of which came when he rounded the Blacksmith's keeper after some neat build up play from Callum Tiffany and Daine McGraine.
But the visitors pulled it back to 2-1 on 53 minutes.
Then Elwood and Lewis Francis combined in midfield to feed Jordan Hardman the ball out on the left wing, where he took a couple of strides and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the back of the net, via the underside of the cross bar, from all of 30 yards out, possibly even more, given the angle.
Jordan himself said it was a fluke ... but I reckon his modesty was doing him a disservice.
The fourth goal was scored by Billy Ball, with an unstoppable direct free kick from 25 yards out. Obviously Glenn and Hasan's next generation aren't worried about shooting on sight when the opportunity arises.
Enzo Guarini was tripped inside the penalty area, but the ref waved play on and said afterwards "I thought he was going to get back up and score"
The second Blacksmiths goal, on 77 minutes, was scored by a player who started his run from a position that was 10 yards offside.
That, by the way, was an honest estimation by the visiting players themselves, not biased reportage on my part.
But honest mistakes by match officials (everybody makes them over the course of 90 minutes, including the players and managers) are part and parcel of the game.
Pre season has gone well for Harworth, with just one defeat in seven games, now they have to keep that momentum going next Wednesday night, when Ollerton Town visit Scrooby Road and it all starts for real.
On the adjacent pitch, over the wall, at Bircotes tonight, Harworth Reserves beat Scotter United 5-2, but I only caught about 10 minutes of that and managed to miss all of the goals :-/

Monday 27 August 2012

Harworth Colliery Institute 1 v Thorne Colliery 0 - CMFL North

Monday 27th August 2012, 3.00PM Kick Off
at Scrooby Road, Bircotes
Central Midlands League (North)
Harworth Colliery Institute (0) 1
Tom Pick 80
Thorne Colliery (0) 0
Admission £3, Programme £1, Attendance 43 (ish)Harworth Colliery Institute:
Latham, Hardman, Burns, Dunning, Needham, Belshaw, Garner, Anderson, Walker, Sides, Pick.
Subs: Armstrong, Francis, Forbes, Gresham, Pashley
Thorne Colliery:
Chester, Sneap, C Hookway, Glyn, Marshall, Hindson, Sheppard, Atkinson, Rhodes, Palmer, Parkin.
Subs: Chapple, Boder, Cuttle, G Hookway, Fell.
Harworth took over top spot in the CMFL North this afternoon, by virtue of winning their fifth game in a row and having a maximum 15 points from their opening five league fixtures this season (and they were winning at Brodsworth when the South Yorkshire club's floodlights failed causing the CMFL game to be abandoned too).
It hasn't gone unnoticed, that Easington United (who visit Scrooby Road on Saturday) and Ollerton Town, still have 100% win records too.
I arrived just as the captains were shaking hands, after having had to circumnavigate my way around several problems on the A638 & A1 southbound and a gridlocked A635 detour through Doncaster, that had caused me a few headaches ... and possibly three points for an 'alleged' traffic light indiscretion too.
Thanks to Rob Dawson for saving me a programme when he heard I was delayed, they sold out again ... it must be the swanky new design Harworth are using this season.
It wasn't just me that suffered from delays and Bank Holiday hold ups today.
For the majority of the first half, Harworth found themselves stuck in a bit a gridlock too and they were struggling to get going ... while Thorne, playing some half decent football, got in behind the home side several times by playing a neat passing game.
Half time came with the game still evenly balanced and everything to play for, but it was evident that the Harworth lads were in need of some alternative directions and, in one or two instances, a bit of a 'recharge' to get them motivated.
Whatever was said said during the 'cosy chat' the management team gave at half time, which I would imagine was quite lively and loud, it seemed to do the trick.
They came back out all gun blazing and looked like a different side in the second half.
It's been a steep curve for the new management team, but they're learning fast.
And appointing from within seems to have been an inspired idea, because the players at the club respond well to both Bren and Jonny and it bodes well that they actually want to do well for the pair of them.
Harworth scored late on and had to settle for just one goal in the end.
That solitary strike came just when it looked as though both sides were going to settle for a point apiece from a hard fought (but never dirty) 0-0 draw, but all's well that ends well, for the Scrooby Road side today.
The Harworth team created enough chances in the second half, to have put all thoughts of their lacklustre first half showing behind them and win this game quite comfortably.
Early in the second half, Tom Walker delivered a precision free kick into the six yard box that sat up perfectly for Gavin Anderson, but the Harworth number 8 couldn't quite make the contact he wanted and he missed an open goal.
A good last touch in the final third evaded Harworth again shortly afterwards, when Chris Belshaw couldn't quite reach a cross into the box with the goal at his mercy.
Tom Pick then sent the lively Chris Belshaw away into the Thorne box, but the visitors right back Mark Sneap nicked the ball away at the last moment.
With time beginning to run out, Tom Walker resorted to shooting from 20 yards out, but his rushed shot was easily saved by Rob Chester.
Harworth substitute Kyle Pashley had a fierce shot blocked on the six yard line as the visitors battled gamely to preserve a point from the game, that their first half showing probably merited.
Inside the last five minutes, Tom Walker, who has improved no end as a player since he returned to Harworth, broke free on the right and put over a cross for Tom Pick, who broke Thorne's hearts with a great finish that sent Harworth to the top of the CMFL North table.
I joked after the game, that Harworth had lured Thorne into a false sense of security in the first half, then thrashed them in the second ... but everybody who'd seen the game knew that was only said in jest, because Thorne were a quality side at times, who'd caused Harworth a few problems and the league leaders had had to work bloody hard for the three points.
I think Jordan Hardman deserved a special mention today. The Harworth right back showed some great touches and was totally calm and collected when under pressure, he's got a very wise footballing brain and an assured, confident demeanour about him for someone so young.

Nostell Miners Welfare 0 v Maltby Main 2 - Baris NCEL Prem

Monday 27th August 2012, 12.00PM Kick Off
at the Welfare Ground, Crofton
Baris Northern Counties East League, Premier Division
Nostell Miners Welfare (0) 0
Maltby Main (1) 2
Gavin Gould 15, Scott Somerville 60
Admission £5, Programme £1 (inc. free team sheet)
Attendance 78
Pre match entertainment
Nostell Miners Welfare:
Ansley, Sammon, Dooley, Colquhoun, Hope, O'Gara, Redford, Rushton, Marchant, Williams, Knight
Subs: Pearson, Jackson, Brookes
Maltby Main:
Copley, Riley, Austin, Mason, Wesley, Laight, Langford, Cuckson, Gould, Sommerville, Foulds
Subs: White, Bridgman, Booth, Evans
Following on from their great win in the FA Cup at Chadderton on Saturday, Maltby Main won on the road yet again, in this noon kick off at Crofton Community Centre's Welfare Ground.
I like coming here, it's a nice facility where the locals are always very welcome and accommodating.
Spot the free loader
During the opening exchanges, Warren Radford had two opportunities to open the scoring, but this just wasn't going to be his (or Nostell's) day.
Adam Knight cut inside from the left flank, went inside two Maltby defenders, but screwed his shot wide of the far post.
Maltby then stemmed the early tide of Nostell pressure and went on the hunt for a goal for themselves ... it came on 15 minutes when Gavin Gould made good use of a gaping hole in home sides defence and drilled the ball home.
Scott Somerville had a chance to double the visitors lead shortly afterwards, but Gavin Ansley saved well ... as he was wont to do several more times before the afternoon was out.
Warren Redford, again, used some neat footwork to get through the Maltby defence just before half time, but he shot wide.
Half time - Nostell Miners Welfare 0 v Maltby Main 1
After the break, Maltby upped the ante, while several of the Nostell side came out as though they thought they were taking an early afternoon siesta.
Almost from the off, Somerville had a shot saved at the foot of the post by the home side's man of the match Gavin Ainsley.
There was a slight delay when one of the referee's assistants couldn't carry on and had to hobble off back to the dressing room.
The players stood around in the drizzle and waited, until a replacement was found and briefed by the referee.
Maltby went two ahead on the hour mark, when Sam Foulds got onto the end of a well weighted through ball from Scott Somerville to shoot home from close range.
At this point in time a second goal for the visitors was all they (and the Nostell defence) deserved.
The home side seemed to have left their 'mojo' in the dressing room during the interval. To be frank, the Welfare team can (and must) play better than this or it's going to be a pretty grim season for the Crofton based side.
As Maltby began to take the game by the scruff of the neck, Nostell have their overworked goalkeeper Gavin Ansley to thank, for keeping the scoreline respectable looking.
He was immense today.
Gould put Somerville through on goal, but Ansley blocked the shot.
Ben Langford tried his luck from long range but the over worked Nostell keeper turned the ball round the post.
Langford struck again, but this time Ansley saved with his feet, the loose ball fell to Luke Bridgman, but his shot ricocheted off the cross bar.
Ansley deserved that bit of luck.
To be frank, Nostell weren't very good in the second half and Maltby had them pinned back in their own half for most of it.
The heroics of Gavin Ansley, besides that moment when Scoot Somerville drove a herd of cattle through a gap in the Welfare defence to score, kept Maltby out throughout the second half, while his defence went AWOL.
Well played that man and well done to Maltby Main too.
Next up: Harworth Colliery Institute v Thorne Colliery, in a little over a hours time.

Saturday 25 August 2012

Mansfield Town 1 v Hyde 0 - BSBP

Saturday 25th August 2012
at Field Mill (AKA The One Call Stadium)
Blue Square Bet Premier
Mansfield Town (1) 1
Matt Green 7
Hyde (0) 0
Admission - £18 upper tier seat
Programme - £3
Attendance - 2,203 (inc. 64 Hyde fans)
Mansfield Town:
1 Alan Marriott, 2 Richie Sutton, 4 John Dempster, 5 Luke Jones, 7 Lindon Meikle, 10 Matt Green (12 Nick Wright 90 mins), 11 Louis Briscoe (19 Jamie Hand 81 mins), 13 Anthony Howell, 16 Matt Rhead (8 Jake Speight 64), 18 Gary Roberts, 31 Colin Daniel
Unused Subs - 14 Chris Clements, 17 Lee Beevers
Hyde:
12 Ashley Frith, 2 John Brizell, 3 Adam Griffen, 5 Luke Ashworth, 6 Alex Brown (14 Daniel Douglas-Pringle 74 mins), 8 Callum Byrne (18 Grant Spencer 86 mins), 9 Scott Spencer, 10 Phil Jevons, 15 Robbie Williams, 17 Matthew Cassidy (21 Liam Comsett 57 mins), 20 Matthew Blinkhorn
Unused Subs - 1 David Carnell, 16 Kelvin Lomax
*Note* David Carnell was named as goalkeeper by Hyde on the original team sheet, but he got injured during the warm up and was subsequently replaced by Ashley Frith.
Plus points today:
1) The Stags kept a clean sheet for the first time this season.
2) Three points, is three points.
3) Colin Daniel looks like a great signing for Mansfield Town.
4) Err ... I'll get back to you on that, when I've had a looooooong think about it.
It all started so well for the Stags, when Matt Green ran into the box and made himself the time and space to fire the ball past debutant keeper Ashley Frith in the seventh minute.
With just under half an hour gone, Lindon Meikle, who'd had a busy and productive first half, chasing everything to good effect, should have doubled Mansfield's lead, but he shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
With all due respect, Hyde are not one of the better teams that will visit Field Mill this season. But the Stags were making hard work of getting hold of the game and ramming home their first half superiority.
They had created enough chances to have given themselves a bit of breathing space before the break, but struggled to find the finishing touches.
No doubt the surface water on the pitch from several torrential downpours throughout the afternoon wasn't helping matters.
Also, I did hear somebody suggest that the added burden of expectancy this season, to go for promotion, weighed heavily on the team's shoulders, especially at home games.
Though I'll acknowledge that Field Mill/the One Call Stadium does have a disproportionate amount of critics and moaners, in recent times I've noticed that the crowd have been far more patient and understanding than in previous years, as they've had to take on board a huge slice of realism in the face of the trials and tribulations that Mansfield Town Football Club has been through.
That said, there were a few audible murmurings of discontent, as the natives began to get restless, when the team, who's chairman has publicly stated will be promoted as champions this season, began to misfire.
Save for one or two stand out performances, most notably that of Colin Daniel, Mansfield weren't very good in the second half.
Hyde for their part were were very slightly better, in spells, but only just.
Lindon Meikle looked good on the eye, but his hard work and ability do all the skilful stuff to get out of difficult situations, came unstuck when it came to delivering the final ball.
I'm not doubting his ability or work rate, he'd run through brick walls all afternoon for the cause, but sometimes he does all the eye-catching stuff, but then frustrates people by not executing a short, simple pass at the end of it.
Lindon's improving all the time though and he'll only get better when he irons out a couple of little flaws in his game.
Colin 'Junior' Daniel - Man of the match

Jake Speight and Matt Green looked like they were going to score between them, when Ashley Frith struggled to deal with the wet ball and a frantic goal line scramble ensued, but Hyde managed to clear their lines.
An example of just how wet it was, came during the first half, when two Hyde throw ins, slipped out of their player's hands, dropped onto the pitch and were awarded the other way ... unfortunate, but amusing and worthy of some piss taking never the less.
Hyde's away support

Right at the end, with the Stags still unable to make any further inroads into the Hyde rearguard, on an afternoon where the Stags faithful were having to content themselves with the fact that 'a win is a win, regardless of the performance', especially in the the second half, Hyde almost dealt them a sucker punch.
Adam Griffin crossed into the box and Matt Blinkhorn was a whisker away from equalising.
And Phil Jevons released Scott Spencer in the box, but Colin Daniel arrived in the nick of time to clear the danger, with Alan Marriott charging off his line.
During injury time Alan Marriott was booked for time wasting and Paul Cox ran the clock down by sending Nick Wright on for Matt Green in the 92nd minute, as the Stags just about made it over the finishing line with their 7th minute lead still intact.
Hyde manger and former Stags player Scott McNiven

I've no doubt that it was probably even harder than it looked to play neat, passing football on such a water sodden surface, so in conclusion:
Not a good game to watch, but 3 points for the Stags, two wins in a row, slow n' steady progress up the BSBP table and sometimes you just have to accept that an ugly win, is better than an entertaining draw or loss when valuable league points are at stake.
It's early days yet ... and though it'd be premature to start sounding the alarm bells after just four league games, there are obviously a few issues that need addressing ASAP.
Rumours abound that there could be a 'big' signing arriving at Mansfield Town imminently, but whether or not that is true still remains to be seen. So I won't comment on that 'news' or how much difference I think the player in question might make, until it's conformed.
Rumours are rife on certain message-boards and forums, but this is neither the time or the place.
After the game Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"I thought the first half maybe could have been out of sight with some of the chances we created.
"You've got to give credit to Hyde - they're a good side and made us work extremely hard defensively second half. It was a proper football match.
"In this league there's no-one who's got a divine right to go and walk away with a result and Hyde proved that today."

Thursday 23 August 2012

Retford United U19 13 (Thirteen) v Maltby Main U19 1 - Friendly

Thursday 23rd August, at Cannon Park
Pre Season Friendly
Retford United U19 (6) 13
Luke Walker 1, 4, 50, 52
Shaun Nesbitt 3, 37
Bobby Johnson 17, 29, 79, 86
Reece Thomson 77, 85 (pen), 89
Maltby Main U19 (0) 1
Jack Booth 65
Admission: free.
Adam Scott:
Prolific 1st team goal scorer, Under 19's assistant manager
... and occasional linesman


Retford had been scheduled to play Pontefract Colleries U19's tonight, but the West Yorkshire side pulled out of that arrangement around lunch time, because they were unable to raise enough players to travel to Cannon Park.
Maltby Main, to their immense credit, stood in at short notice and had approximately 2 hours to put a side together.
So the visitors starting eleven that took to the pitch tonight, was some way short of resembling their first choice team.
But give them their due, even when the goals started crashing in around their ears, they kept their discipline, didn't let their heads drop and despite the fact that they were obviously getting over run by a much stronger team with some very good players amongst their ranks (inc. Bobby Johnson and Reece Thomson ... it's good to see both of them back in United's colours), worked very hard.
The scoreline might suggest otherwise -but that's the way it was.
It was good to catch up with Maltby Main's secretary John Mills tonight, one of the unsung heroes of local football (like Simon Stones at Harworth, Annie & Jon Knight at Retford United, Ele Reaney at Staveley and Kev Newton & Keith Parnill at Teversal ... plus others) who seldom get the recognition they deserve for the unrelenting amount of time and personal sacrifice they put in for their respective clubs.
For what it's worth (possibly not very much in real terms), I appreciate the job they're all doing.
Alex 'Ticker' Tittcomb:
Missed a sitter when he headed over after half an hour ;-)


As for the game there's probably not much that can be said by me, that the result doesn't already say.
Retford got the chance to give what is, just about, their strongest side, a good run out together tonight before the season starts ... and John Mills and Co. showed what local non league camaraderie is all about, when they stepped into the breach at the 11th hour.
Jack Booth's 65th minute strike for Maltby was an absolute belter, but I'm not going to describe all of Retford's goals, owing the constraints of time n' all that.