NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP PREVIEW

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP PREVIEW

 

Its nearly here, the Annual Notts Senior League Groundhop in the tenth year of the League being in existence and do we have a classic Division One match to round it off.

 

With football fans arriving to the Nottinghamshire region over this coming weekend from all parts of the World, the clubs will be looking at record crowds at their grounds on Friday 11th & Saturday 12th April 2014

 

We begin the preview off at our Friday evening fixture, a Senior Division match at the Welfare Ground in Cotgrave NG12 3PG, just off Woodview , where Cotgrave FC host Burton Joyce FC.  The home club currently sit in 5th place whilst the visitors are in 13th in a division of 17 clubs. Cotgrave FC have had a fairly good season though results have not gone their way in the past couple of weeks, whilst Burton Joyce FC have struggled a bit but have picked up points against some of the top clubs, so this match could be a very close encounter.

 

On to the Saturday Morning and a early start for me, as I leave Mansfield at 6.15am and the wife Hazel drops me in Nottingham for about 7am to have my breakfast in the Station Street café next to the Midland Railway Station before heading to Queens Road, the other side of the train station to meet up with the fans travelling round the days four games, as we leave at 8.50am.

 

We then headed for the leafy suburbs of Wollaton FC, just 200 yards away from the world famous Wollaton Hall is situated and where the last Batman film was shot. Wollaton FC play hosts to their near neighbours Beeston AFC with both sides having had a good season. Wollaton changed management in around October and this seemed to work for them as they have climbed the table and only last week beat table topping Kimberley Miners Welfare FC 5-2, whilst I was watching Beeston AFC lose at home to Second placed Selston FC 2-0, a match that if they could have taken two early chances, could well have been a different result. Wollaton FC sit in 4th place whilst Beeston AFC sit in 7th, with this early morning kick off at 10.10am, this is a game not to be missed at Wollaton Sports Association Ground, Wollaton Road NG8 2AN.  Those who like comedy may well remember ITV making a show called "Outside Edge" this was filmed at Wollaton FC's ground.

 

The lunchtime kick off takes us just down the ring road and on to the A60 to the posh village of Ruddington, where we visit Elms Park, Loughborough Road, the home of Ruddington Village FC who host "The chemists" Boots Athletic FC. Ruddington Village FC are capable of beating anyone on their day and can play some attractive football, whilst Boots Athletic are a very strong side and quick on the break with a couple of good forwards. Ruddington Village FC are 9th at present whilst Boots Athletic FC are in 13th with a couple of games in hand on others around them. This should be a close game.

 

We then head to another village to the east of the County of Nottinghamshire, where we arrive at Platt Lane NG12 5GE, the home of Keyworth United FC who entertain North Mansfield based club Sandhurst FC(not Sandhurst Town FC near Readiing). Both sides have struggled towards the bottom of the table this season but of late both have begun to pick up points. The two clubs met only two weeks ago but the match was abandoned after 75 minutes when Sandhurst FC Assistant Manager Graham Scutt had a suspected heart attack at the side of the pitch..Glad to say that Graham was released from hospital after a few days and is doing well and will be at this game.  Keyworth United FC are in 14th position whilst visitors Sandhurst FC sit in 16th.

 

We then move on for a 6.30pm kick off at Regetta Way NG2 5AT and all eyes and plenty of supporters will be heading for this vital Division One match as 2nd placed West Bridgford FC host 3rd placed Bingham Town. Kirton Brickworks FC lead the table by 3 points, with West Bridgford FC needing to win this game by 3 or more goals to win the Championship, whilst Bingham Town FC need to win their last 3 games to pip West Bridgford FC to clinch the runners up spot. Don't think I could have picked a better game to finish this seasons Notts Senior League Groundhop with.

 

Admission to each ground will be £3 per match, programmes from each club £1 and each home club is doing their First Ever Badge at £3 each.

 

Food will be available at all grounds cost £2.50 or less with teas/coffees at 50p a cup.. Each home club will be having a stall along with a few other stalls, including my wife Hazel running the charity programme stall at Cotgrave FC, Wollaton Fc and Ruddington Village FC, this years charity is "The Oaklands Centre for Adults with Special Needs".

There will be a minutes silence before all matches in respect of the 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.
 

So there you go, everything is set and ready to go, hope to see as many people there supporting Grassroots Non League Football

 

Rob Hornby

Notts Senior League Groundhop Organiser

hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk for more info or details