Hucknall Town 1- 0 Rainworth Mw

So that`s how they do it!!!

It`s a double header today, Hucknall Town v Rainworth Mw followed by a trip to the "Meatball Mecca" of Nottingham..... IKEA!! ("You can`t have it all your own way Chaps").

Dudsey`s only hope for today's game is that it`s as entertaining as Saturday`s trip to watch SheffieldFc v Carlton Town turned out to be. ("Sheffield proper mugged Carlton")

For those of you yet to visit Watnall Road it`s a pretty decent set up, good link roads from the M1and ample parking, there`s a good Clubhouse and a selection of refreshments can be purchased from a burger wagon in the top corner of the ground, there`s also plenty of cover should the heaven`s open.

Today should see a decent encounter, after all Hucknall`s problems off the pitch full credit goes to Tommy Brookbanks and the lads for sticking with the club through such troubled times when most would have chosen to walk away.

In the line-up today are two of our old Rainworth favourites, Matt Baxter and James Jepson, no disrespect but we hope they have had a good night out and aren`t on top form today!!


Hales has blobbed, a night out with the Shirebrook Massive has rendered him "out of action".

Looks like Captain Jepson steered well clear of the Amber Nectar last night, Hucknall have a shot on goal within the first minute, luckily Jared Holmes blasts it straight at Gavin Saxby.

Hucknall have a go at Rainworth`s defence

It took another twenty five minutes before the home-side would make another credible attack on Rainworth`s goal, in the meantime Rainworth are on a roll, Kyle Gee-Pemberton who is in for the injured George Zuerner is causing loads of problems for a very disjointed midfield.

I`m beginning to sound like a parrot, but once again the inability to find someone who knows where the goal is still remains the root cause of Rainworth`s tumble from the top of the table to fifteenth in nine days.

It`s in the box again but that`s about it today!!

Possession wise, you couldn`t ask for anything more from the lads in white, Kyle Gee-Pemberton, Ian Clarke and Ricky Hanson are doing what they should be doing, the defence as usual are as solid as a rock but it`s all in vane without a finisher.

In all fairness though the Ref was either having a bad spell or had had a fiver on Hucknall, he`s spoiling the flow of the game. Romaine Graham looked to have hand-balled in the box but he`s having non of it.

Hucknall do eventually start to have some of the ball but the game decends into a middle of the park affair until half-time. 0-0

Midfield mayhem

Forget what I said about the tea at Sheffield on Saturday, it`s looking good Douwe Egberts cups!! Mrs H passes me mine, Hold on... I wanted tea not Chicken soup!! Whoa it`s supposed to be tea. Yikes!! 1 out of 10 for this effort.

The second half gets underway and James Lindley is once again put to the test but has no trouble in collecting the ball from Wilson.

Jimmy Lindley safely collects Wilson`s shot

Hucknall are entering their best spell of the game, a series of corners and free kicks ensue, non more-so than James Jepson`s rocket which looks to have pole-axed Craig Mitchell, he eventually stirs and shakes off the full force of the set-piece from the Hucknall skipper.

Hucknall also have cause to shout for a penalty as Fearon takes out Aidan Brady in the box but the Ref deems it was clean and contact was made with the ball.

Jepson (No 3) prepares a rocket destined for Mitch.

It`s all one way at the mo, despite this Rainworth are managing to keep a clean sheet, Grant Ryan is featuring heavily and Brady is also in the mix, the home fans behind the goal are baying for blood but the defence are remaining resolute, Clarkey is having a very good shift and Lee Briggs is pulling his weight along side Chris Timons who has won everything in the air.

The second half is all about defending for the Wrens

Just has Dudsey`s coming to terms with the possibility of a goal-less day, Jared Holmes goes and throws a spanner in the works, Clarkey is deep in the box helping out and uncharacteristically gifts the ball to the Hucknall mid-fielder just outside the box, without adieu he blasts the ball deep into the bottom right-hand corner. 1-0 with about fifteen minutes to go.

Holmes (centre) enjoys his moment, Watson is far right.

Hucknall haven`t finished yet, both sides have made a few changes, Kieron Watson who Dudsey has been watching at Shirebrook in recent mid-week matches once again displays his blistering pace and tricky feet for the home side, I really rate this lad, why on earth he didn`t start beats me!!

A last minute dash by the pacey young striker looked as though he was about to double the tally as he broke and faced Saxby one-on-one, fortunately Gavin is up to the test and makes a decent stop.

For the second time in two games a moment of madness spoils the game in the dying minutes.

A foul on the left flank near the corner flag sparked a punch up between Fearon and Ghislanzoni leaving the Ref no option than to send both of them for a shower.

The final whistle blows, Dudsey makes his way out of the ground feeling rather deflated, this one ticked none of the boxes today. No doubt the Hucknall faithful will be well chuffed having racked up six points over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Good Luck to Jeppo and his team for the rest of the season.

My Men of the Match - Hucknall Grant Ryan, Rainworth - Close call between Chris Timons and Steve Kennedy.

Attendance - 171

Admission -£7 

Ok, I was wrong and you were right...... All along Belper v Ilkeston was Mrs H`s choice for Bank Holiday Monday, but no I knew best!!  If  I`d have known ten meatballs, a handful of chips and a scoop of fancy frigging jam would be the highlight of my day I`d have stopped in bed........ "Ah well you live and learn"

Sheffield Fc 2-1 Carlton Town

Being a Bank Holiday and Hucknall Town v Rainworth already pencilled in for Monday, Dudsey`s decided to Groundhop today, probably inspired by seeing Massiah McDonald at Rainworth on Tuesday night.

Sheffield Fc`s usual warm welcome, good banter and an afternoon out at the BT Stadium also tipped the scales in favour of a trip to see Rainworth take on Market Drayton today.

I text to see if Hales is up for it and we agree to meet at the ground (You can`t beat a family outing!!)

Carlton currently sit fourth in the table aided by Massiah`s three goals whilst Mark Shaw`s side occupy tenth spot prior to the kick off.

Dudsey`s expecting this one to be a "Peach of a game" given the talent on display this afternoon, a myriad of familiar faces line up for both sides so names shouldn`t be a problem today!!

There`s a fairly decent gathering, basking in some lovely sunshine, not bad considering the day started with fairly heavy showers, top marks to the Ground-staff, the pitch is in immaculate condition.

Looks like Carlton have a plan!!

Plan or no plan, it`s not the ideal start for Les McJannet`s Millers, the home side are very quick out of the blocks and as in previous visits to the BT Stadium it`s Steve Woolley who is the driving force, he`s a nimble character and weaves his magic down the left wing, a lot of Sheffield`s creative play revolves around him.

True to form he`s off on his way and crosses a useful ball across the face of goal, Charlie Weir shoots and is credited the goal but I thought from my snap David Graham put it over the line. 1-0 after only six minutes.

For me David Graham (9) gets the opener.

Sheffield seem to have the bit between their teeth, Wooley,Weir and Harrison are rampant, Carlton seem unable to contain the early onslaught, not really what we`d come to see, but it`s really entertaining stuff.

The Millers do start to probe down into Sheffield`s half but are only too aware that any break by the home-side has potential to cause trouble for them.

True to form Hales arrives late and has missed the opener, he`s accompanied by Pocco and his loveable son Harry.

He`s at it again!! Woolley goes on another charge.

Slowly but surely Carlton spring into action and are starting to look increasingly comfortable on the ball, Ryan Goward is is offering very good support to Massiah McDonald, Terry Hawkridge and Jermaine Hollis.

Massiah picks up the ball on the left, runs in and unleashes a rocket which flashes by Dan Whatsize but it returns just as quickly off the cross-bar.

Massiah`s shot only manages to find the woodwork!!

The Millers are looking really comfortable at this point, but not complacent enough to dismiss Sheffield`s threat on the break. Goward is brought down in a crunching tackle and looks to be struggling, credit due to the lad he soldiers on and eventually runs it off. 

In contrast, there`s one character who I thought would feature heavily this afternoon.... Conor Higginson, this lad has shedloads of ability, the ex-Mansfield starlet scored for fun last season whilst out on loan at Glapwell and in comparison he has hardly figured in the game`s opening half hour.

Higginson looks on as Carlton go close again.

McDonald, Hollis and Hawkridge are enjoying a really good spell, the home fans just to our left are getting more anxious and it does look a goal is on the cards for the visitors, but despite some really good chances it`s just not coming together for them!!

Sheffield do manage to create a few more clear cut chances but it`s the Millers who are in the driving seat up until the break. Half time and Sheffield go in a goal to the good.

Sheffield sneak another chance before the break

Dudsey, Hales, Pocco and young Harry decide to sample the delights of the Burger Bar and although not the best on taste, what they lack in quality they make up for in quantity, they`re humongous, Harry looks down at his "McMassive" as though to say "what am i supposed to do with this Dad?

I honestly couldn't see the second half going without a goal and it didn`t fail to produce, Carlton start where they finished off, in control...... McDonald, Hawkridge and Brown press on and the ball once again returns off the woodwork, this time Hollis is on hand to push the ball over the line in the goal-mouth scramble. 1-1 after only two minutes of the restart.

Carlton celebrate the equailiser

The Sheffield faithful are uneasy and sense an upset could be on the cards and that`s the way it looks from where I`m standing, it`s one way traffic this half and it`s hard to see how they can survive the constant wave of pressure, the game is turning a bit cynical and a flurry of yellow cards are brandished for a few over zealous tackles.

A foul just outside the box presents Carlton with the perfect opportunity to take the lead, Hawkridge tee`s it up but only manages to pull it wide.

Hawkridge fancies his chances.

The Sheffield bench decide a fresh approach is needed and Matt Roney is brought on to liven things up and that`s exactly what he does, totally against the run of play he makes a run down the right and fluffs a ball into the box and it falls to Higginson who sinks it into Danny Marshall`s goal. 2-1 with half an hour to go.

Carlton seem totally unfazed by the goal and carry on pushing and looked as though they had equalised as a lovely header looks to have beat Whatsize but he pulls off an amazing save.

How many more chances can Carlton miss!!

To say the second half was a bit one-sided is a real understatement but chances don`t add up to points and Sheffield defy the odds and manage to keep their noses in front.

Massiah comes up to the byline for a throw-in, he shrugs his shoulders and his face say`s it all, "what do I have to do to score today", "nothing pal that`s how it is some days".

The weather turns a bit messy with five minutes to go and we all retreat undercover, the game does the same in the final minute as a rash tackle on Ronay sparks an handbag scuffle on the final whistle resulting in a red card being shown (not sure who to as there was so many bodies involved). "Shame it had to end this way as it had been a really entertaining afternoon out".

A sour end to a good game of football!!

So Sheffield take the points, the fans and players are overjoyed with the win and rightly so, seldomly will you spend so much time in you`re own half and scrape a win, but they did and well done to them.

Man of the Match - Sheffield Fc`s Groundsman

Admission £6

Attendance 249

Rainworth Mw 0 - 2 New Mills

From the East Mill to the New Mills all in the space of three days... Rainworth need to get weaving tonight if they are to remain close to the leading pack!!

New Mills.... Not a team Dudsey knows a great deal about other than they are reigning Champions from the North West Counties Premier Division, they seem to have some very good connections in and around Manchester and have got off to a dream start this season.

Wins for both Ilkeston and Carlton last night see the Wrens sitting in sixth spot, early days admittedly but it would be nice to remain within striking distance of the top three.

Talking of Carlton, we were well chuffed to see ex-Rainworth striker Massiah MacDonald and his Dad sat in the stand prior to kick-off, Dudsey jokingly asks if he`s here to sign (If only, Massiah`s No 1 on my wish-list!!).

From the off it`s evident that New Mills are a very good footballing side, very clever on the ball with quality in virtually every position, Ben Proctor in goal looked very suspicious under pressure but having very little to do on the night saved his blushes.

Once again Rainworth`s back four were at the helm, efficiently holding the fort once again, Fearon, Timons, Kennedy and Carter worked tirelessly to contain the constant barrage.The midfield also carved out a very creditable performance tonight I thought.

Rainworth have the first sniff at Proctor`s goal.

Possession wise "The Millers" looked very dangerous in the first half, Horrocks and Grandison lead the constant charges forward, feeding skipper Douglas-Pringle with endless opportunities, for me I (and probably most of the Rainworth faithful) would have took a draw at the interval as it remained goal-less.


Rainworth did manage to do a fair bit of "Milling" around in the second half, George Zuerner and Ricky Hanson battled like troopers but despite their valiant efforts the pace and determination of the visitors always had the upper hand.

New Mills apply some pressure

Tbh I thought there was a possibility that despite New Mills constant pressure Rainworth might actually be able to take a point as from open play the back four had it under control. The introduction of Lee Cooksey for Craig Mitchell looked to have changed the game slightly but not enough to impact on the outcome.


Unfortunately, set play was to seal the game for New Mills, two of many very dubious decisions by the Ref (who made several bad calls for both sides) awarded two free-kicks, one in the 58th then again in the 86th minute which Carlos Meakin easily converted, much to the dismay of the home fans who looked on in despair as the Wrens keeper Gav Saxby failed to move for either goal........!!

More pressure for the Wrens

Once again Rainworth`s Nemesis was in front of goal, Sean Cann gave it a good go and Lavell White can run for England but neither posed a serious threat, and as easy as it is to be harsh on the strikers, the organisation of  the visitors back four would have made it hard for them to break into the six yard box anyway. Lee Cooksey missed an absolute sitter, but that`s how it was going at this point and 2-0 was how it finished.

Sax failed to see that one!!

So New Mills left Kirklington Road with all three points and I don`t think anyone would have had a problem with the result if they were honest. Well done to them and hopefully the FA Cup fixture will be kinder to the Wrens a week on Saturday.


Several good performances tonight by the Rainworth lads so I`m not picking a Man of the Match for the home side but Luke Horrocks gets New Mills award for me.

Attendance 101.

Belper Town 1- 0 Rainworth Mw

Belper`s East Mill has overlooked more football matches over the years and now bears the flag of the team it`s overshadowed for many a season.

It`s part in history coincides with a small piece of history for Rainworth, the Wren`s now occupy their highest position in the football pyramid since their foundation, hopefully they  can maintain it this afternoon.

Rainworth mugged Grantham on Tuesday night, grabbing all three points whilst spending most of the game under siege, but as they say it`s goals that count!!

Tommy Taylor on the other hand will be looking for something more substantial from the Nailers who have only taken one point from their opening two games.

There`s something about Christchurch Meadows that draws me in, don`t know what it is. When we made our maiden visit back in February the place captivated me, a very good set up in a with a lovely back-drop, it just has a good aura about it, needless to say we didn`t need an invitation to come back.

We arrived with twenty minutes to go to kick-off so Dudsey decided to sample the delights of Derbyshire Catering who provide the food and refreshments at the ground (highly recommended for any Ground-hopper who appreciates decent food on-site).

The game started quick, but stoppage after stoppage prevented it from gaining any real momentum, and although it was a very different Belper side on show today it was the more senior players, Froggatt and Wiggens-Thomas who lit the way for the new members of the squad.

Rainworth`s back four is probably as good as they`ve had, Fearon, Timons, Kennedy and Joe Carter are quickly becoming a very tight unit and work well for each other. Belper where knocking on the door but it wasn`t opening and Tbh at this point I couldn`t see where a goal was coming from and that`s how it remained until half-time. 0-0

Rainworth came out better in the second half but the game was still floundering and I honestly thought today was going to be my first goal-less game since "God knows when".

Slowly but surely The Nailers where starting to turn the game around and Froggatt produced a peach of a shot which looked a dead cert as he scooped a rasper over the defence towards the top right-hand corner, only to see it return off the right angle.

The introduction of Andy Rushbury tipped the scales in favour of the home side, match fitness also started to play a part in the game, Belper looked a lot more comfortable in the latter stages.

Dion Meikle tested Saxby from a corner but it was Rushbury who spoiled Rainworth`s reign at the top of the table as he found space just outside the box, thrashing it home with five minutes to go.

Rainworth rallied in an attempt to gain an equaliser but it wasn`t to be and TT`s lads scooped all three points.

Today for me saw another game where despite the valiant efforts of a very good back four, Rainworth have still to find an out-and-out striker, that natural predator, the one who can turn a defence inside out and find the target. Let`s hope he`s not far away!!

My Men of the Match - Belper John Froggatt, Wrens - Joe Carter


Admission - £7

Attendance - 170

Shirebrook Town 3 - 0 Dinnington Town - Ncel League Cup 1st Round

Dinnington, derailed tonight!!

Another mid-week visit to Langwith Road, clear skies and not a breath of wind, perfect conditions for a Cup-Tie

Dinnington look a shadow of the big strong side I remember from a couple of season`s ago when we visited Laughton Road with Rainworth.


Danny Naylor twisted his ankle in Saturday`s in Shirebrook`s 1-0 defeat to Eccleshill United and Jordan Johnson is also struggling, Pete Stubley gets the nod leaving Lewis Jackson on the bench whilst Brendan Sweeney is unavailable mid-week due to work.

Despite a goal-less first half it was played at a fair pace on a very hard surface, Shirebrook should have took the lead in the first five minutes, Stubley only had to guide the ball home from a decent cross but managed to side foot it over the bar.

Perfect evening for a Cup-Tie

Ben Bowring took a really bad knock early on and ended up being replaced by the strong and powerful Steve McGurk, it remained an end for end affair, but neither side could hit the target, Kieran Watson didn`t seem to be probing as far into the box as last week, doing most of his work on the right flank.

Dinnington`s Danny Lindley and John Mellor were also quick to break but young Luke Thomas was doing a stellar job in central defence along side skipper Andy Jones.

Luke Thomas(5), keeping it honest

As the players left the field I would imagine both sets of supporters would have had an argument as to who should be in front had the chances on offer been taken.


Carl Haslam seems to be a bit of a lovable rogue, everyone else is in the changing room and "Hazza" is stood near the turnstile drawing the dying embers from a fag just prior to the restart. Dudsey spends most of the second half in the company of good friend Ian Oxley.

Nathan Millington tries his luck.

There seems to be no doubt in Shirebrook`s mind who was having the second half, within two minutes a well taken corner was headed neatly beyond Luke Hands (best goalie name ever!!) as McGurk`s towering frame raised above everyone else in the packed box. 1-0 after 47mins.

Hazza`s "Nicotine fix" worked wonders, in the second half he was scintillating, he`s lightening quick and can change direction like a frightened rabbit, constantly changing sides with Watson he`s got the visitors defence totally bamboozled, not to say Dinnington weren`t still trying but on the break Shirebrook always looked favourites.

Shirebrook battle it out.

Shirebrook break once again with Haslam sidling in from the right, he weaves his way into the box, cries to lay the ball off are echoing from behind the goal but he`s having none of it and pushes up to the by-line and blasts the ball home from the tightest of angles, 2-0 with twenty minutes to go.

Haslam, Top Draw!!

Shirebrook`s third and final goal came again from another rampant charge from Haslam this time down the left, he picked the ball up about thirty yards out and looked to be going solo again, he pulls up selflessly and lays a perfect ball back to the feet of Daniel McLane who had no trouble planting the ball beyond Hands.

Even though the game was out of reach Steve Toyne`s lads still managed to make a game of it


Despite the result the Dinnington keeper has had a cracking game. The final whistle blows and Shirebrook`s second half display has comfortably earned them a ticket into the next round.


My Man of the Match - Hazza, Quality!!


Attendance - 81

Rainworth Mw 2-1 Shepshed Dynamo

Time to get it rolling!!

At last the 2011/12 Evo Stik League football season is well and truly underway, the Pukka Pie factory in Leicestershire is back in full production and Tesco have reported a surge in sales of value Tea-Bags!

Frosty nights, cold feet, pockets full of Jakemans and a good old rant from the sideline are on their way, Lurvely Job!!

Rainworth start the new campaign as they did last season, a dressing room full of new faces and high hopes, the new season starts at home for the Wrens against Shepshed Dynamo.

Players who spear-headed Rainworth`s survival last season are no longer, Hales, Camm, Hannighan, Naylor, Jones, and Alberry`s name`s no longer appear on the teamsheet.

The writing had been on the wall for Shepshed during the latter stages of last season but Dudsey had already fallen for "The Dinosaurs", on entertainment value these chaps had earn`t the right to be in the league and no one was more chuffed for them than me when they got a reprieve from being relegated.

"The Dinosaurs on Tour "

It`s quite ironic that a team who were staring Midland Alliance football in the face should now find themselves under the watchful eye of John Ramshaw, one of our most successful local football managers. So what can he bring to the Evo-Stik One South outfit? Not much today as he`s out in the States coaching.

Not a bad afternoon to get the season started, irrespective how it finishes up today it`s going to be hard for anyone to really gauge where they are at due to both squads being rebuilt during the summer break.

New squads enter a new season.

Dudsey`s fumbling about with the teamsheet trying to make sense of who is who, so much has changed at Kirklington Road since last season that it`s going to be one of those days!!

Gauging it was going to be harder than I had expected, the opening period is as dull as dishwater, played in the middle two thirds with neither team creating any real charges at goal. One definite positive is today`s attendance 179, a very credible turn out for the Wrens, I suppose the loss of Evo-Stik football in neighbouring Glapwell could benefit both Rainworth and Shirebrook.

Ian Screaton tries to raise the game for Shepshed

Eventually the game did start to open up a little and the visitors are venturing into Gavin Saxby`s area but Rainworth`s back four of Fearon, Kennedy, Timons and Carter look to have it in order, nearly half an hour on the clock and it`s still hard to see where a goal is coming from.

Ex-Wren, Julian Topliss is doing his best to make a game of it but Dudsey`s entertainment is being supplied by Shepshed`s No10, Jerome O`Connor, this guy demonstrates everything I dislike in the modern game but to be honest he is amusing with it, Tin-man they call him......!!

Tin-man (10) looks on as Wood clears the woodwork.

Rainworth finally do start to push on, Ricky Hanson is acting as play-maker but it`s Cameron Fearon who gets the first goal of the new campaign nodding the ball down and under Andy Simpson from a well taken corner with ten minutes to go of the half. When he`s focused on football Tin-man can play a bit and could have squared the game before half-time, 1-0 at the interval.

Cameron and the lads celebrate the opening goal.

Sam Wood looked as though he might trouble Saxby in the second half but only managed to loft the ball over the bar. Rainworth are threading some good balls forward but new striker Lavell White is struggling to get into the game and when he does manage to break forward Shepshed`s high-line catches him off-side.

Sean Cann eventually gets in beyond the back four and runs on to poke the ball against the inside edge of the near post and to his dismay it trickles across the line and comes off the far post.

Cann can`t on this occasion, nice effort though.!!

Shepshed are first to ring the changes closely followed by the home-side, one new face to emerge from the bench for Rainworth is Ant Rowley, he immediately makes a good impression on Dudsey and the game in general, he`s keen, industrious and working the right-hand flank very effectively.

White is still out of sorts but Cann`s luck is about to change as confusion between keeper and Rowan Hines see him nab the ball from Simpson and has only to direct the ball goal-wards to the awaiting empty net as the defender watches on.

Cann can, and does on this occasion 2-0 to the Wrens.

A late flurry by the visitors has Rainworth on the back foot in the dying minutes, Tin-man is having another Ballotelli moment and goes down like he`s been shot just outside the eighteen yard box, much to the amusement of both benches. Why players resort to these tactics is beyond me, such a shame because when his mouth is shut and he gets on with what he`s supposed to be doing  the lad is good at creating himself space and looks a threat.

Tin-man gets himself tangled around Sax,

Consolation comes in the dying minutes of extra time for Shepshed as Sam Wood`s effort pay dividends as his shot sells Saxby a dummy taking a deflection, the ball nestling in the opposite corner of the net, 2-1.

Rainworth manage one last foray down towards Simpson`s goal but the last gasp effort see`s the ball glance off the crossbar and over the top.

They don`t get much closer than that.

All-in-all a pretty uninspiring game overall but a good last twenty minutes made amends for The Wrens, no doubt Billy Millar and Wilko will be very happy to have started the season with a win and three points in the bag. Some good individual performances from Cameron Fearon, Sean Cann and young Ant Rowley raised the spirits of the home-crowd.

My Man of the Match - Cameron Fearon 

Attendance - 179

Admission- £7

Shirebrook Town 4-1 Bottesford Town / Wilkinson Sword 2nd Round

Just three days to the start of the Evo-Stik season but Dudsey is in need of a game!!

Shirebrook being my nearest ground, the plus of having quite a few friends at the club and having shared some very happy days at Langwith Road made this the obvious choice for me.

I think the departure of Rudy Funk as manager had left some feeling that "The Brook" would slip back into the doldrums, far from it I would say!!

We took in Shirebrook`s recent friendly against Scarborough Athletic, and to be honest I was amazed at what a decent side new managers Micky Taylor and Dougie Etches were assembling.

Some very familiar faces to me through their connection with Rainworth Mw have made the move to Langwith Road in the close season, Danny Naylor, Andy Jones, Lewis Jackson, Danny Bainbridge and more recently my "Pick of the Bunch" and one of Dudsey`s favourite midfield engines, Brendan Sweeney.

Captain Jones lead out his team

Shirebrook`s opponents Bottesford Town are a club we have visited on several occasions and found the Scunthorpe contingent a very nice crowd with an ever improving facility.

I really started to question the validity of attending this game at one point this afternoon given the conditions, gale-force gusts of wind and sharp heavy showers, I eventually decided to go with it and ended up very glad I made the effort.

I pay my four pounds ("Bargain") and am immediately greeted by a dedicated Shirebrook faithful and friend Wath (Glen Wathall)  who I spend the first half with.

With no team-sheet as such I was going to be floundering for names, fortunately I was kindly allowed to take a snap of Shirebrook Town`s Secretary Aimee Radford`s note-book at half-time, so a big thankyou for that one, saved my night!!

There`s no Brendan in the squad tonight, apparently Wath say`s his Mum isn`t too well at the moment, so let`s wish Mrs Sweeney a speedy recovery.

A previously parched pitch with some brisk showers has created a very slick surface, just right for a cup tie!!

Shirebrook get off to a great start, Carl Haslam (a lad I`ve heard a lot about but never seen) and Kieren Watson`s pace immediately has the visitors back four in tatters," these two are seriously quick lads".

Lewis Jackson is also linking up very well down the left hand side, threading balls in behind the defenders for Haslam and Watson to pounce on, at times their pace is causing them problems as they fall foul to the offside flag.

At this point it`s one way traffic and it`s only a matter of time before Shirebrook get the opening they deserve, a ball threaded over the top find`s Watson who is able to find the net despite being surrounded by Bottesford`s defenders.

Watson`s ball finds the net, 1-0

After the goal Shirebrook`s momentum starts to wane, slowly but surely the visitors are starting to see more of the ball, Alex Hipkins and Oliver Bradbury are starting to pose a threat down the right hand side, frustration starts to get the better of Shirebrook`s defence especially skipper Jones who is starting to make his presence known a tad too physically!!

Dudsey and Wath chuckle at El Capitan`s follies and I tell him " If Jonah doesn`t pick up a card tonight you can have my Credit Card". Andy perseveres with his mission, much to the displeasure of the visitors and their supporters, ("How many more Ref?"), tackle after tackle flies in but the Ref seems content to let it flow.

"Time to calm it down lads"

After a brief stoppage the teams have had time to absorb some oxygen and things seem to settle things down a bit, Bottesford are still pushing and without being too physical Shirebrook are looking a little flaky.

Hipkins and Bradbury`s constant attempts eventually bear fruit as a decent cross falls to Chris Rodgers who leaves Jason White no chance, the visitors draw level with about five minutes to go, the Ref blows for a much needed break for the home-team.

Bottesford start to get into the game.

Bottesford start the second half as they finished the first, in control, Jonah`s at it again, another late one saves my wallet from Wath`s grasp as the Ref points to about a dozen area`s of infringment and deals him a yellow. If not for some resolute defending by Jordan Johnson and Kyle Ludlow (this lad has impressed Dudsey tonight) the game looked as though it might slip away from Shirebrook`s grasp.

Fortunately this hasn`t gone unnoticed in the technical area and a double substitution see`s Kristian Watson and Lewis Jackson (who hasn`t hardly seen the ball in the second period) withdrawn with twenty minutes to go.

Watson`s on fire tonight!!

Almost immediately Shirebrook  "Up the Ante" and are looking a lot better for the changes, Bottesford`s keeper`s head is all over the place and the home supporters are on his case, "he`s having a mare" .

Shirebrook`s front two are getting a good level of service once again, put a ball within five yards of Watson and he`s on it, he breaks free and get`s his second, followed by his Hat-Trick five minutes later.

Shirebrook are cruising but Haslam is desperate for a goal but can`t make anything stick.

Fortunately a last minute penalty for which Adam Martin was shown a red card gives the lad his chance to get on the score-sheet. 4-1 the final score and well deserved.

Looking at what was on show tonight even in the absence of Sweeney, I think the Shirebrook faithful have every reason to be very optimistic about this season. Kieren Watson was outstanding tonight a was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch. Good Luck to him and "The Brook".

Attendance - 57 

Admission - £4 (Worth every penny)