Blidworth Welfare 2-2 Kimberley Town (CML South)

Blidworth Welfare Football Club was formed in 1926 under the title of Folk House Old Boys Football Club.

They changed their name to Blidworth Welfare in 1982 and for season 1982/1983 they became founders of the newly formed Northern Counties East League. They joined Division One South of this league when it was reorganised for the 1984/1985 season, and twelve months later when there was further reorganisation they became founder members of the new Division Three.

In season 1986/1987 they left to join the Central Midlands League and started life in the Premier Division, eventually winning promotion to the Supreme Division in 1990. They were promoted back to the Northern Counties East League for season 1994/1995 and competed in Division One but were relegated back to the Central Midlands League Supreme Division after finishing bottom of Division One at the end of season 1997/1998.

Former Southwell City and Kirkby Town Manager Brett Marshall was appointed First Team Manager for season 2010-2011. The season was a great success with Marshall leading the first team into runners up spot. This season after Marshall’s departure to Retford United the club had to work hard to rebuild from scratch bringing in a whole new squad.

The game was moved to Kimberley Town's ground due to damage caused to the changing rooms at the Blidworth Welfare ground.  A short bus trip on the Rainbow 1 took me to the Stag Inn, kimberley, close to the ground. Scott Ward the Blidworth Treasurer was on the gate and nearby were a pack of friendly groundhoppers. I positioned myself behind the goal at the changing room end of the ground. Blidworth had won the toss and were attacking in this direction.

The Blidworth team were wearing their Red & Black half shirts and their first chance came on five minutes when a shot flashed across the face of the goal. On ten minutes the Blidworth right back beat the offside, but he hit a weak shot into the Kimberley keepers arms. The Blidworth keeper didn't touch the ball in the first half hour as the game was played entirely in the Kimberley half. Blidworth eventually took the lead when Liam Pride thundered a header past the helpless keeper.

Kimberley had one attack in the first half and it was their ginger haired forward who had a shot that flew over the crossbar from twenty yards out. It was 2-0 to Blidworth just before half time when a Kimberley defender was adjudged to have handled in his area. Joseph Meehan duly blasted the spot kick into the net although Driver the Kimberley keeper got both hands to the ball.

Kimberley were awarded a penalty for handball themselves early in the second half, but it was hit straight at the keeper and saved. Although Blidworth were still creating many chances they were not being finished. They almost came unstuck when the Kimberley substitute Shaki Minors hit a low shot that hit the foot of the post. Moments later Blidworth were on the attack and the move ended with a shot hitting the crossbar and going out for a goalkick.

Midway into the second half Kimberley surprised Blidworth with a move which saw Shaki Minors cross for a team mate to score. The goal dented Blidworth's pride and they came forward with more purpose but again Kimberley hit them on the break. The ball was played into the Blidworth area and from twelve yards out they equalised. Despite being on the end of what seemed endless Blidworth attacks the battling Kimberley team held on for only their seventh point of the season.

Underwood Villa 0-1 Southwell St Mary's (NSL Div1)

Underwood Villa Football Club was officially formed around 1948. In the 1980's to 2002 they were called Bracken FC. The new millennium has signalled a period of sustainable success for Villa - both on and off the pitch. Between 2004 - 2007, Villa faired well at the top end of the Midland Amateur Alliance, most notably winning the MAA Senior Cup in 2006.

After finishing fifth in the MAA Premier Division, the Villa senior team decided to join the NSL for the 2007/08 campaign. Having become an F.A. Charter Standard club due to its dedication to developing local youth football they were also rewarded for their endeavours in developing local youth talent in the area, being named both Notts & East Midlands Development Charter Standard Club Of The Year for 2006.

From Nottingham Victoria the Rainbow One to Alfreton will drop you off at Beech Road, Underwood. Continue in the direction the bus goes for fifty yards and cross over and go to the end of Sandhill Road. Cross over Mansfield Road and the ground is at the corner of Felly Mill Road.

Southwell St Mary's needed at least a point from the final game of the season to get promotion to the Senior Division for next season.The home side looked comfortable on the ball and were on top for the first twenty minutes. After a series of free kicks and corners Underwood couldn't find the back of the net. The longer the game went on the more the visitors controlled possession.

The Underwood left back went on a run along the wing, played a one two with a collegue and his shot was saved by the Southwell keeper low down near his post. Brown in midfield for the visitors was setting up some good moves for his team and Southwells Danny Garrett tried a cheeky chip over the keeper but his effort went inches over the crossbar. Just before half-time Underwood's Sam Tring had a shot that hit the Southwell post before being cleared upfield.

It was nearly all Southwell in the second half with Underwood seldom bothering the visitors keeper. The home keeper tipped over a close range header and Brown had a shot that hit the bar and then another effort hit the post as Underwood's goal was under seige. Josh Christian scored midway into the half for Southwell but It was a surprise that they didn't add to the goal, but it was enough to earn them promotion to the top Division.