30.9.06 Wollaton 1-4 Kimberley MW (NSL Senior Division) Andy Benner.

Team: - Walters, Willows, Smith (Dave), Emery, Walker, Heath, Marks, Gadsby, Markowski, Smith (Dan), Savidge Subs Used: - Benner (46 mins)

Wollaton 1^st team suffered their 3rd straight loss with a 4-1 defeat to Kimberly Miners Welfare. With only 11 first team players available from kick off managers Benner and Walker was hoping no injuries was forthcoming, Anthony Shannon again for the second time in two weeks failed to turn up, Ash McPherson injuring his knee in the warm up and Phil Blasdale suffering with a bad back after his return from holiday. It was left to me to provide the only substitute.

Wollaton started the brighter with Will Heath providing a good cross from the right which Savidge failed to connect with a header, Paul Gadsby then appeared to get pulled down in the box from behind after 5 minutes but nothing from the referee. Gaz Willows then went on a charging run which again Savidge just failed to hit the target with a header over the bar. After 10 minutes against the run of play Kimberly took the lead with a great strike form O’Dowd, Walters goal kick went unchallenged in the middle of the park by Marks and Gadsby and a forward header found O’DOWD who rifled a bullet shot in the top right hand corner with Walters having no chance. Chris Marks was then clattered after 15 minutes which resulted in lengthy treatment for the midfield playmaker who was clearly in pain. Wollaton got themselves back in the game with good work down the right from Heath, he found Savidge who flicked it on for DAN SMITH to ram the ball home from the edge of the Kimberly box. Chances then fell to Heath after great work from Dan Smith but the Kimberly keeper did well. On 40 minutes a break down the right from Robbie May for Kimberly resulted in Kimberly taking the lead with a shot from DAVIES finding its way through three Wollaton players and out of reach from Walters in the Wollaton goal. In the last minute of the first half Savidge them wriggled himself free in the box but screwed his shot wide when he should have done better. HT 2-1 Kimberly MW

The second half started badly in which Wollaton had no option but to bring off David Walker who was clearly struggling with an injury and unable to run, Joint manager Andy Benner then had to come on to replace him playing in the middle of midfield with Marks, Savidge moving to the back with Gadsby up front. Also Eddie Emery was injured in a knock in the first half; Chris Marks still hobbling around things didn’t look good for the Champions. Kimberly took full advantage and made Wollaton suffer in the second half, Will Heath gave the ball straight to Robbie May who turned and drew Walters off his line to find FISHER in the middle of the goal with the simple task of tucking the ball away. He then had a good appeal for a penalty turned down when Emery appeared to foul May from behind but nothing given. Kimberly scored a fourth goal when a long clearance found Smith and Savidge in no mans land for MAY to lob the ball over the advancing Walters. FT 4-1 Kimberly MW.

Overall a deserved victory for Kimberly MW who look a good outfit with a balance of experience and youth in their side. They simply took good advantage of Wollaton’s ‘bad day at the office’ and were clear and worthy winners. Wollaton have now gone three games without a point and a win but next weeks crucial away game at Siemens will see the return of several key players for the first team. If needs be players will have to be used from the reserves in order to make up fourteen players on the day to make sure this doesn’t happen again. On a last note Anthony Shannon has had his signing on form cancelled by Wollaton as he has let not only myself and Paul Walker down but all the players involved in the first team with two weeks of not turning up.

9.9.06 Gedling Southbank 1-4 Wollaton (NSL Senior Division) Andy Benner.

Wollaton continued their excellent start to the season with a 4-1 defeat of Gedling Southbank with Dan Smith hitting 4 goals in a thoroughly deserving away win. Also added to the Wollaton squad today was the signing of prolific goalscorer Anthony Shannon from Gedling Miners Welfare who play in the Central Midlands League.

Wollaton were without Dave Smith (Holiday) and David Walker (Injured) today in a team that was brimming in confidence from their opening three games of the season. The unfortunate Neil Hamed missed out up front to Paul Markowski and Eddie Emery slotted in at the back for a deserved start after having an excellent start to the season playing in the reserves. Within 10 minutes Wollaton were 1-0 with good work and cross from Will Heath starting his first game after signing for the club a couple of weeks ago. His pace took him away from the left back and a cross that DAN SMITH slotted into the corner with the big keeper from Gedling Southbank having no chance. The next period of 15 minutes were stop / start with Gedling Southbank getting frustrated with the referee's decisions which resulted in two yellow cards for the home side. Wollatons defence looked composed with Walters in goal not having anything noteable to do as Marks and Gadsby in Central Midfield getting hold of the game and raising the tempo when it mattered. Dan Smith then peeled of in the box and was brought down by a clumsy challange which resulted in DAN SMITH sending the keeper the wrong way from the resulting penalty kick 2-0. Gedling Southbank to their credit raised their game and gradually forced a couple of corners in which Clowery put over from 6 yards with a free header. Chris Marks then got a yellow card for a soft challenge which was to be crucial to him later on the game, Gedling Southbank then had an indirect free kick on the edge of the Wollaton box which was turned around for a corner and they were certainly trying hard to get back into the game. 5 minutes before half time saw Dan Smith put Paul Markowski clean though on goal and only a magnificent save from the keeper preventing Wollaton adding a third. From the resulting corner that was only half cleared Gaz Willows clipped the ball in for DAN SMITH to score his first hat trick of the season drilling the ball past the hapless keeper 3-0. at half time.

The second half continued like the first with that high tempo being maintained throughout in the first 15 minutes, we then saw a contender for goal of the season from DAN SMITH.  He collected the ball 10 yards outside their box twisted and turned past the two central defenders like they wasn't even their, one on one with the keeper in which he clipped it round him and headed into an empty net, absolute quality from the big man and 4 goals to his name 4-0. On 70 minutes an otherwise superb performance from Chris Marks saw him getting a second yellow after being clattered in the middle of the park,  his anger regarding the foul to the referee and the player produced his second caution and red card. Unlucky for the player as both teams remonstrated with the referee Andy Clayworth to keep him on the pitch. James Rhodes replaced Ash McPherson and with Wollaton down to ten men the unfortunate player was Paul Markowski who gave way for Neil Hamed to play wide right, Will Heath tucking inside, with Dan Smith playing the lone ranger up front. Gedling Southbank then had a free kick on the edge of the Wollaton box  after Phil Blasdale headed the ball away only for the referee to give hand ball. Strange decision but Gedling Southbank took advantage with PAUL EVANS tucking the ball in the bottom right hand corner after the initial free kick was charged down 4-1, 15 minutes to go. Anthony Shannon came on for Dan Smith and looked a threat with his pace and control as Wollaton dominated the final minutes. A clumsy challenge by a Gedling Southbank defender saw the referee award Wollaton their second penalty of the game, with no Dan Smith on the pitch, Paul Gadsby took the resulting penalty but rolled the ball agonizing wide. The final score of 4-1 was thoroughly deserved with all Wollatons players playing their part in an emphatic win. All credit to Gedling Southbank who played their part in a hard but fair game and I'm sure Vinny Checkly will rally his troops for his sides forthcoming games, good luck to them.

Team:- Walters, Blasdale, Savidge, Emery, Willows, Heath, Marks, Gadsby, McPherson, Markowski, Smith (Dan)Subs:- Hamed, Rhodes, Shannon

28.8.06 Wollaton Res 3-2 Cotgrave CW United Res (NSL Division One) Bill Fishwick.

After falling 0-2 behind after 20 mins the Res scraped home in the last 5 mins to continue their unbeaten start to the season.The first goal came after 5mins from a mistake by the young keeper Tremaine Blair when he allowed a free kick to spill out of his hands and under his body into the goal.Wollaton's resolve was severly tested by a vibrant Cotgrave side.Wollaton for the next 20 mins were all over the place, little cohesion or method to their play.From a Cotgrave corner Tasker in attempting to clear put through his own goal to put Wollaton 0-2 behind.However as the game went on Wollaton began to put their game together and both Wallace and Rhodes missed good chances.. However  youngster Rhodes twisted and turned in the box to score from a powerful shot to pull one back.The second half saw Wollaton dominate and when they passed the ball to feet and wide the chances began to come.However it was not until 75th minute from a superb cross from Page that Wollaton equalized with a well taken goal from Wallace. Cotgrave did not give up and it took two or three last ditch tackles from Emery to save the day for Wollaton. The winning goal again came from a cross that Saini was on the end of to crash into the net. A good second half from Wollaton when all the players raise their game and in which Cotgrave played their part Emery was outstanding and deservedly won.

MOM.Another plus for Wollaton FC was that 4 of the recently signed lads from Wollaton Hall YC all made significant contributions and look to have a bright future. Team: Blair Reeve Emery Wilkinson Hind Tasker Fell Page Wallace Rhodes. Subs used Crofts Evans.

22.8.06 Wollaton 4-2 Keyworth United (NSL Senior Division) Bill Fishwick.

Wollaton FC began their new campaign in style on Tuesday night taking an emphatic 3-0 lead against Keyworth Utd in the first 30 minutes of the game.Loss of players from last seasons champioship side had no impact on the way Wollaton started their new campaign. Newcomers Hamed upfront and Walters in goal started with Wallace, Rhodes and Hardy on the bench.

Wollaton started brightly taking the game to Keyworth and suprised Keyworth with their determination. Dave Smith was first on the score sheet with a well directed header for the first goal after 15 minutes. Willows scored with a deflection after 22 minutes with a powerfull shot from well ouside the box. Whilst the established Wollaton defence were in control Walters was called upon to make a couple of good saves to deny Keyworth. David Walker was replaced by Gadsby after 25 minutes with Blasdale moving to left back and Gadsby partnering Marks in midfield.  Marks and Gadsby combined well and were influential in Wollaton's victory. Wollaton went further ahead after 40 minutes when Markowski was crudely brought down by Ball in the Keyworth goal . Referee Guise had no hesitation in awarding a penalty which Dan Smith cooly slotted home.The first 20 minutes saw Wollaton dominant as an attacking force Dan Smith making good runs into the box and Gadsby  and Marks running the midfield. Hamed was replaced by Wallace upfront and Emery replaced Blasdale at the back. Paul Markowski worked hard all night and was full of running despite being a target for the Keyworth defence. His powerfull shot gave Ball no chance. At 4-0 with 20 minutes Wollaton allowed Keyworth back into the game and they were the more dominate side in the last quarter. Keyworth were rewarded with two long range goals  which Walters in the Wollaton goal will be disappointed not to have saved. The last 5 minutes Wollaton raised their game again and Ball had to be at his best to deny Wollaton further goals. A good start for Wollaton the team spirit was excellent, they will get better as will Keyworth who will be disappointed with their performance.

MOM Wollaton Dan Smith. Team: Walters Walker Willows Savidge David Smith  Marks Blasdale Markowski Dan Smith Hamed McPherson Subs Emery Wallace Rhodes Gadsby Hardy.