26.8.06 Gedling Southbank 4-2 Notts Police (NSL Senior Division) Vinny Checkley

Notts Police came to Carlton Hill having gained a 2-2 draw at Bestwood and we knew that although they had a few late arrivals they came to us with a very strong outfit. I had decided to target their two central midfielders as their dangermen even though they also had the likes of Lee Collopy and Franco Guddemi, Ady Beech and Mark Corbett are more than capable of winning a football match single-handed and this was something i had to stop. We started very well not allowing the two many chances to have time and space on the ball but it was the police who had the better of the chances with the young striker beginning to run my defence a merry dance and it was the same player who deservedly gave the police their 1-0 lead but before long the police exposed their frailties at the back to gift Michael Evans our equalizer. The police then had two or three very good chances in front of goal which fortunately for us they squandered but the tide was beginning to turn towards us as rash challenges began to be punished by the referee and it was from one of these challenges that from the resulting free-kick Simon Rhodes put Gedling Southbank 2-1 up.

Half-Time 2-1

The second half was a scrappy affair with neither side playing good football but my team still had the resolve to respond to an early setback when the police made it 2-2 and i was encouraged by our effort and endevour. It was another rash challenge this time inside the box that lead to us going back in front from the spot with Michael Evans making no mistake from 12 yards and when soon after Simon Rhodes got his 2nd and our fourth i knew the outcome was a Gedling Southbank victory. My plan had worked as Corbett and Beech got more and more frustrated and eventually became disinterested in a game that just wouldn,t go their way. It was not a game that was good on the eye but when each team has five chances or so and you win 4-2 then although people will say we're not that good a side, my team have six points and are beginning to find a belief in themselves that they will need in the coming months. We will play better and get beat but that's football isn't it Mr Clifford.

Starting X1 :- O,Brien, Allen, Caulton, Rimoldi, White, Elliott, Forbes, Frost, T. Rhodes, Evans, S, Rhodes.

23.8.06 Gedling Southbank Res 1-0 Caribbean Cavaliers Res (NSL Division One) Ady Collins.

Southbank start the season with high hopes with a good first match performance against strong opposition. Bank seemed to accommodate the atrocious weather conditions far better than Cavs, managing to play football and spread the game wide, as instructed by new man Des on the touchline. Within minutes Ash Whitt had rounded the keeper, only to be denied by a puddle on the goal line as he stroked the ball home. A relieved Cav defender blasting clear. All creative play was at Bank’s feet, a pleasure to watch for the first 30 and reaping rewards via a fortuitous 40 yard strike from McMillan, whizzing off the wet grass and into the far corner.  with a more clinical eye in front of goal, 5 or 6 more Bank chances could have put the game out of reach for the Cavs. With the weather settling for the last half the visitors managed to find some form and brought the game back to Bank.  By now a pretty even affair, Bank played out the concluding 45 without adding to the score line, but gaining a well needed work out to set them up for the early part of the season. A few chances came close at both ends but a final whistle couldn’t come soon enough. Des happy for the first 3 points and respected clean sheet.

22.8.06 Kimberley MW 0-1 Gedling Southbank (NSL Senior Division) Vinny Checkley.

In a hard fought game played at a frantic pace which neither side deserved to lose Gedling took all three points with a stroke of genius or just sheer luck. Gedling entered the game without regular goalkeeper Tommy Wright and midfielder Dave Cheney but apart from that were up to strength, both teams started with some good passing football and the home side carving out the better of the chances. Gedling suffered a massive blow when captain John Harte had to leave the field with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, he was replaced by the tricky wide player Paul MacMillan. Kimberley were pressing more and more and were getting the better of the individual battles and it came as some relief to manager Vinny Checkley when the referee blew the whistle for the half time interval.

half-time 0-0

Gedling came out for the second half a lot more positive with a desire and belief they had lacked for the first 45 minutes but this was still matched by Kimberleys hard work and endeavour. Chances were few and far between in a game dominated by midfield battles until a double substitution made by Gedling brought on the width and pace of both Tristan Rhodes and James Forbes and it was Forbes who chipped in the winner from 15 yards with 5 minutes or so left. Forbes claimed this special effort to be a masterstroke but all in his dressing room were dubious.Gedling left with all three points which would have left their opponents wondering how such a smash and grab raid was achieved but goals win games and meant or not this one certainly pleased new manager Vinny Checkley