Blidworth Focus

Blidworth Focus now amalgamated into the Sherwood Community Newsletter

Marathon — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:18:26 +0000

Take a look at the new Sherwood Community Newsletter that incorporates your usual Blidworth Focus. Visit www.sherwoodcommunitynewsletter.wordpress.com

Lots of new content and your own dedicated local pages packed with information.

Blidworth Welfare F.C. Steaming Ahead

Marathon — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 05:28:28 +0000

Clipstone Welfare 1 Blidworth Welfare 3 Tuesday 26th April 2011 KO 7.45pm

A hat trick from Jason Edwards led Blidworth Welfare to a three one victory at Clipstone Welfare last night. Edwards struck on forty, fifty five and eighty one minutes to leave Blidworth six points behind leaders Sheffield Parramore with three games in hand. Dean Short scored for Clipstone. Blidworth are next in action away at Parkhouse on Saturday 30th April KO 3pm. Blidworth Welfare: Paul Stanhope, Tom Mallinson, Mark Ellison, Steve McGurk, Liam Pride, Dave Issott, Jason Edwards, Steve Carty, Simon Ellison, Ricky Chambers, Carl Haslem. Subs: Jamie Allen, Gary Armstrong and Kieron Wells. Regards AlanWhitworth Chair

Blidworth Welfare FC Match Abandoned Due to Waterlogged Pitch

Marathon — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:38:04 +0000

Sheffield Parramore 1 Blidworth Welfare 1 Saturday 23rd April 2011 KO 3pm.

Match abandoned at half time. Referee Criag Langton was left with no choice but to abandon this game at half time after a torrential thirty minute downpour during the first half flooded the Don Valley pitch making it virtually impossible for either side to pass the ball. Parramore had taken the lead on twelve minutes as Gavin Davis volleyed Craig Mawhood’s low cross home from close range. Dean Rick equalised from the penalty spot on thirty seven minutes after Simon Ellison had been brought down inside the area. We now move to Saturday 14th May (noon kick off) when this fixture will be replayed at the Don Valley Stadium by which stage Blidworth will be hoping to have the title sewn up. To do that they have to win their next four games before travelling to Parramore for their final league fixture. It’s all still to play for and Blidworth are next in action at Clipstone Welfare on Tuesday evening kick off 7.45pm. Regards Alan Whitworth Chair.

Kirkby Town 0 Blidworth Welfare 2 Tuesday 19th April

Marathon — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:18:26 +0000

Kirkby Town 0 Blidworth Welfare 2 Tuesday 19th April KO 6.30pm

Two goals from striker Dean Rick moved Blidworth Welfare up into second place of CML Supreme Division last night, now six points behind leaders Sheffield Parramore with three games in hand.

Rick struck first in the 17th minute firing the ball past Lewis Sprigg with his left foot after a good interchange play with Carl Haslem put him through on goal. His second came on seventy six minutes from the penalty spot after substitute Simon Ellison had been fouled inside the area.

Blidworth’s next game is on Saturday 23rd April when they travel to leaders Parramore at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield KO 3pm.

Blidworth Welfare: Paul Stanhope, Tom Mallinson, Mark Ellison, Steve Mcgurk, Liam pride, Dave Issott, Jason Edwards, Steve Carty, Ricky Chambers, Dean Rick, Carl Haslem (Simon Ellison). Subs: Simon Ellison, Nathan Hollingsworth and Lee Dawson.

Blidworth Welfare Continue Promotional Drive

Marathon — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:32:40 +0000

Blidworth Welfare continued their promotion drive with a 5-0 success away at Kimberley Town on Saturday. However, the score line suggests this was an easy victory which was far from the truth. Blidworth gave Kimberley the respect they deserve despite being the bottom club in the Supreme Division and it took a hard workman like performance from every Blidworth player to ensure the three points came their way. Manager Brett Marshall had to shuffle his pack due to suspensions and players being unavailable. The side were once again without striker Dean Rick as he completed his two match suspension. Gary Armstrong was promoted from the reserves to start the game in the middle of the park alongside Ricky Chambers who was given the task of marking Leon Aikman considered to be Kimberley’s main play maker. In fact Chambers made an excellent job of his task throughout the game.

Tom Higginbottom had the first strike at goal for Kimberley in the first minute but he shot well wide. Ricky Chambers made some space for himself inside the Kimberley box but his shot was blocked and the ball cleared. Simon Ellison had a deflected shot easily saved by Kimberley keeper Simon Dye. Carl Haslam had a good chance to score on nine minutes as Nathan Hollingsworth’s long pass put him through on goal but he shot wide of the goal as Dye came out to meet him. Kimberley’s Leon Aikman should have done better with a free header from a corner but could only guide it wide of Paul Stanhope’s goal. Haslem had another opportunity as Dye dropped Tom Mallinson’s free kick at his feet but his shot was blocked on the line and the ball was cleared out for a corner. Simon Ellison found himself free inside the area with only Dye to beat but could only manage to shoot straight at him. It could so easily have been one nil to Kimberley on twenty five minutes. The impressive Liam Pride’s back pass to Stanhope fell short and the Blidworth defender could only look on in horror as Higginbottom ran through on goal unmarked but fortunately Stanhope managed to block the strikers shot with his foot and then saved Aikman’s follow up attempt. Blidworth finally managed to convert one of their chances on thirty two minutes. Haslem tackled and won the ball off Aikman on the half way line and ran through with a number of Kimberley defenders in his trail to shoot underneath Dye and score. Jason Edwards should have made it two nil a minute later as Simon Ellison’s pass put him through on goal but he shot wide. However Edwards made amends on thirty six minutes. Haslem’s corner was cleared by the Kimberley defenders out only as far as Mallinson who headed the ball back into the penalty area for Edwards to head home from close range. Haslem made it three nil on thirty nine minutes. Gary Armstrong played a neat one two with Mallinson who played a good ball over the top for Haslem to race through and blast past Dye into the net. Dye was then called into action to save Edwards shot after he had been put through on goal by Hollingsworth’s pass. The same Blidworth player was again denied by Dye as the Kimberley keeper managed to fist away his fiercely struck shot. Both Simon Ellison and Chambers had further opportunity’s to increase the lead before half time as first Ellison controlled Haslem’s cross in front of goal but blasted the ball over the bar and then Haslem’s short corner went to Chambers whose shot at goal went well wide. The only attempt from Kimberley came from left back Josh Havenhand whose effort from the edge of the box flew well wide.

Straight from the kick off Chambers tried to do a David Beckham from the half way line and it was a good attempt as his shot just cleared Dye’s crossbar. Blidworth started were they had left off at half time. Haslem was fouled just outside the penalty area and Edward’s fiercely struck free kick hit the top of the cross bar and went over. Hollingsworth’s pass gave Simon Ellison a great chance to score as he ran through on goal unchallenged but he shot wide of Dye’s goal. Haslem completed his hat trick and Blidworth’s fourth on fifty six minutes. He ran at the Kimberley defence with the ball beating a number of players before driving the ball past Dye into the bottom right hand corner. On sixty two minutes Armstrong’s curling shot on goal was well saved by Dye. Simon Ellison made it five nil on sixty four minutes headed home Haslem’s corner from close range. Blidworth manager Brett Marshall decided to give his substitutes an opportunity at this stage of the game as Carl Gould replaced Simon Ellison; Kieron Wells for Mark Ellison and Steve McGurk came on for Hollingsworth. In his first attempt on goal Wells had a shot which was saved by Dye. In a rare Kimberley attack Jake Liddell shot high over the bar from outside the area. Dye pulled off a great save to deny Haslem as the Blidworth striker’s trickery put him in a good position to score. Haslem had another attempt on goal but after beating a number of players he could only drag his shot wide. On eighty minutes Armstrong’s excellent pass freed Haslam on the right wing and his cross found the unmarked Wells who really should have hit the ball first time but his delayed effort was blocked by a defender and the ball went out fo a corner.

Blidworth’s next fixture is at home to Kinsley Boys on Tuesday 12th April KO 7.45pm.

Kimberley Town: Simon Dye, Courtney Bentley, Josh Havenhand, Liam Edge, Tom Davey, Tristan Spencer, Jake Liddell, Adam Lovell, Tom Higginbottom, Leon Aikman, Rob Brown. Subs: Steve Reed, Zidon Matthews and Jack Harrison.

Blidworth Welfare: Paul Stanhope, Tom Mallinson, Nathan Hollingsworth (Steve McGurk 68), Lee Bowler, Liam Pride, Gary Armstrong, Jason Edwards, Ricky Chambers, Simon Ellison (Craig Gould 65), Mark Ellison (Kieron Wells 58), Carl Haslem. Subs: Craig Gould, Steve McGurk and Kieron Wells.

Officials: David Styles, Andy Richardson and Stuart Walker.

Regards

Alan Whitworth Chair

Blidworth Welfare 3 Kimberley Town 1 26th March 11

Marathon — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:49:31 +0000

Match Report by Alan Whitworth.

Blidworth Welfare were made to fight all the way for the three points against bottom club Kimberley Town on Saturday. The victory became significant as both league title rivals Sheffield Parramore and Pinxton surprisingly lost their games enabling Blidworth to close the gap to eight points with four games in hand on leaders Parramore.

Kimberley surprised everyone with their open attacking football and had Blidworth on the back foot in the early stages as striker Liam Edge beat Lee Dawson to a ball over the top and forced a good save from Paul Stanhope. Edge was looking very lively up front and as he received the ball inside the area on seven minutes he created some space for himself and drove the ball low and hard past Stanhope into the corner of the net to give Kimberley a shock lead. Jason Edwards, who was to play a key role in the game, tried to respond for Blidworth with a shot from outside the area which went straight at keeper Simon Dye. The Kimberley keeper produced an excellent diving save to deny Simon Ellison as Steve Carty hit the loose ball over the bar. Dye raced out of his box to punch the ball away from the head of Dean Rick as he chased a through ball. Blidworth equalised on twenty minutes.

Carl Haslem got possession on the left wing and drove the ball across the penalty area where Edwards fired home from close range. Midfielders Leon Aikmen and Zidan Mathews were making some strong runs from the middle of the park for Kimberley and Mathews nearly scored as he beat a number of players but shot just wide from the edge of the area. Rick drew a good save out of Dye after a one two with Haslem enabled him to shoot at goal but Dye managed to tip his shot around the post. Rick was getting involved in a lot of the action as Blidworth drove forward and the Blidworth striker shot wide after good work from Simon Ellison. Rick got his reward on thirty three minutes as he controlled Stanhope’s kick just outside the area, turned the Kimberley defender who was marking him and shot past Dye to give Blidworth the lead. Blidworth had a lucky escape as Kimberley went in search of an equaliser. A number of defenders managed to get their bodies in the way as the ball bounced around in their area to block shots from the Kimberley strikers and eventually the ball was cleared out for a corner. The dangerous Aikman came close for Kimberley as his left foot shot just cleared the bar. Rick had a great chance to increase the lead as Haslem’s flick put him through on goal but he got his foot underneath the ball and his shot went over the bar.

Blidworth came out on the offensive after half time and went close as both Rick and Dawson headed crosses against the Kimberley cross bar. Dye denied Rick and Simon Ellison with good saves before Blidworth’s pressure told on sixty six minutes as Edwards got his second goal firing home a loose ball from inside the penalty area. Dye denied Rick twice first blocking his shot as he was put through on goal by Edwards and also when Rick looked certain to score as the ball was pulled back to him in front of goal Dye managed to save his shot. On eighty minutes Rick had another good effort as he ran with the ball into the area turned and shot but his effort went just wide.

Blidworth are next in action at home to Nettleham on Wednesday 30^th March KO 7.45pm.

Blidworth Welfare: Paul Stanhope, Tom Mallinson, Mark Ellison, Lee Dawson, Liam Pride, Max Pembleton, Jason Edwards, Steve Carty, Simon Ellison, Dean Rick, Carl Haslem. Subs: Craig Gould, David Bramwell and Dave Issott.

Blidworth Welfare Reserves produced an excellent performance drawing 0-0 at Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves. This followed their midweek victory over Belper Town Reserves.

Church Warsop 1 Blidworth Welfare 10!!

Marathon — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:53:53 +0000

Church Warsop 1 Blidworth Welfare 10 Saturday 5^th March 2011

Match Report by Alan Whitworth.

Blidworth Welfare returned to winning ways after two consecutive defeats in the space of a week with a ten one thumping of Church Warsop. Prolific goal scorer striker Dean Rick scored five of the goals. Carl Haslam, Tom Mallinson and David Bramwell were brought into the side after the midweek defeat at Southwell with Mark and Simon Ellison dropping to the substitute’s bench where they were joined by Max Pembleton. Ricky Chambers was not available.

Jason Edwards opened the scoring on twenty minutes when Carl Haslam’s cross found him unmarked at the back post and he headed home. It was two nil a minute later as the ball found its way to Steve Carty who was unmarked inside the area and he shot past Jamie Davies in the Church Warsop goal. Dean Rick got his first, shooting home after receiving the ball from Haslam who had raced towards goal before passing to his fellow striker. Rick got his second and Blidworth’s fourth on thirty minutes from the penalty spot after he had been brought down inside the area. Defender Lee Dawson got his first goal for the club volleying home a cross from Rick five minutes later. It was six nil on the stroke of half time as Rick got his hat trick firing home after receiving a pass from Edwards.

Adam Fletcher scored for Church Warsop on fifty eight minutes as he slid in at the back post to guide the ball into the net after a cross across the face of goal had beaten everyone. Edwards restored Blidworth’s six goal advantage receiving a pass from Rick inside the area, taking the ball round Davies and scoring. Haslam got his name on the score sheet to make it eight one running at the Church Warsop defence and beating a number of players before shooting past Davies. Rick scored his fourth with his second penalty after being brought down by Jordan Johnson as he received the ball. Johnson was sent off for his second bookable offence. Rick rounded off a good team performance to make it ten one on ninety minutes controlling Mark Ellison’s cross at the back post and shooting past Davies.

Church Warsop: Jamie Davies, Craig Charlesworth, Tom Robley, Robert Camm, Jordan Johnson, Steven Jenkins, Adam Fletcher, Adrian Smith, Richard Preston, David Middleton, Liam Middleton. Subs: Mark Shaw, Luke Collier and Joshua Johns.

Blidworth Welfare: Paul Stanhope, Tom Mallinson, Nathan Hollingsworth, Lee Dawson, Liam Pride, Dave Issott (68 Mark Ellison), Jason Edwards, Steve Carty (45 Max Pembleton), David Bramwell (79 Simon Ellison), Dean Rick, Carl Haslam. Subs: Simon Ellison, Mark Ellison and Max Pembleton.

Officials: Tim Walker, Steve Hall and Kristen Davidson.

Blidworth Welfare Reserves beat Dunkirk Reserves four one to move into fourth position in the Supreme Reserves Division. Goal scorers were Richard Mills (2), Kye Marty and Kieron Wells.

Blidworth Welfare Juniors completed a great weekend for the club as two of their teams reached the finals of the Notts Junior Cup. The under 12’s managed by Roger Parkes and under 11’s run by Simon Ward were the successful sides. This is a great achievement and reflects the current status of junior football at Blidworth Welfare.

Blidworth Welfare 4 Nettleham 1 !!

Marathon — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:26:02 +0000

Nettleham 1 Blidworth Welfare 4 CML Supreme Division Saturday 19th Feb 2011

Blidworth Welfare travelled to Nettleham on the back of a midweek 5-2 away victory at Newark Town. With both Sheffield Parramore and Pinxton not playing it was a good opportunity for Blidworth to close the gap at the top of the CML Supreme Division.

Ricky Chambers and Tom Mallinson were both not available so Liam Pride moved to right back and Nathan Hollingsworth joined Lee Bowler in the centre of defence Mark Ellison moved to left back. The changes gave the oportunity for new signing Max Pembleton to make his first start for the club in midfield.

Ross Henderson had the first scoring opportunity for Nettleham with a left foot shot that cleared Paul Stanhope’s cross bar. Blidworth opened the scoring on eleven minutes. New signing Pembleton played a good through ball to find Jason Edwards free inside the penalty area and the Blidworth midfield player struck the ball firmly past Richard Chester into the corner of the net. Pembleton then had an opportunity to score himself as he directed Chester’s poor clearance back towards an unguarded goal but the effort went just wide. A good passing move involving Simon Ellison provided a good chance for Dave Issott as the ball came out to him on the edge of the penalty area but he rushed his shot and the ball flew over Chester’s cross bar. Nettleham equalised on twenty five minutes as striker Lee Beesley appeared to be tripped by Nathan Hollingsworth inside the area. Beesley got up and took the penalty himself beating Stanhope in the Blidworth goal. Two minutes later Pembleton received a short pass from Dean Rick in a good position but from twenty five yards out his shot went just wide of the post. Beesley then headed a Nettleham free kick over the bar before the final chance in the first half fell to Blidworth as Rick’s left footed shot from inside the area went wide.

Blidworth raised the tempo at the start of the second half as they looked to regain the lead and their first chance came with an Edwards free kick from a good position that went over the bar. Rick then missed an opportunity after good work by Simon Ellison left him with a direct shot on goal from an unmarked position inside the area but he hit the ball straight at Chester. More chances for Blidworth as a Hollingsworth long range effort went high over the bar and Pembleton shot wide after a good pass from Rick. Nettleham nearly took the lead on sixty minutes as Matt Ward found space inside the penalty area but his left footed shot went wide of the upright. Craig Gould replaced Pembleton for Blidworth on sixty six minutes. Nettleham substitute Dean Szendarey was causing problems down the left hand side with his ability to get past players and his free kick on sixty nine minutes flew straight into Stanhope’s arms. Blidworth rgained the lead on seventy six minutes. Mark Ellison’s cross found Rick whose shot was blocked by Chester and as the ball was hit a number of times towards the goal and blocked it finally found its way to the feet of Simon Ellison who shot home from close range. Blidworth were now starting to get on top. Three minutes later Rick’s cross found the head of Simon Ellison whose effort was blocked and the ball went back to Rick whose shot was also bocked and the ball then went out for a corner. Nettleham had two good chances to equalise as the game approached the ninetieth minute. On eighty seven Beesley won a header from a free kick but he could only direct his effort straight at Stanhope and from another set piece Stanhope managed to punch the ball clear but straight to full back Stuart Wilkinson who volleyed the ball over the bar from a good position inside the area. Blidworth extended their lead as Nettleham pushed forward in the closing minutes of the game. Substitute Gould picked up the ball just over the half way line and ran unchallenged to knock the ball past Chester to make it three one and Gould was involved again on ninety one minutes as his pass created space for Simon Ellison to run through on goal and score his second and Blidworth’s fourth.

Blidworth travel to Ollerton Town on Tuesday night (22nd Feb) for a league game KO 7.45pm.

Blidworth Welfare: Paul Stanhope, Liam Pride, Mark Ellison, Lee Bowler, Nathan Holingsworth, Dave Issott, Jason Edwards, Max Pembleton, Simon Ellison, Dean Rick, Steve Carty. Subs: Steve Roebuck, Craig Gould and Kieron Wells

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Blidworth Welfare 7 Sutton Town 1

Marathon — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:24:54 +0000

Saturday 12th Feb 2011 Blidworth Welfare returned to league action on Saturday with a vengeance thumping seven goals past strugglers Sutton Town. This was Blidworth’s first league game since beating Calverton at home on January 8th.

A Nathan Hollingsworth free kick on five minutes was Blidworth’s first strike on goal but it flew wide of Sutton keeper Matthew Spencer’s post. Dean Rick then had an opportunity on fifteen minutes as he met Jason Edwards corner with his head at the near post but his effort went wide. Blidworth opened the scoring two minutes later as Spencer lost control and dropped a through ball whilst under pressure from Simon Ellison and the Blidworth striker had the simple task of taking the ball round the Sutton keeper as he lay on the ground and shooting into an unguarded net. Ellison’s brother Mark then had an opportunity for Blidworth but struck his shot wide. Simon Ellison scored his second and made it two nil after twenty minutes. He managed to beat a number of Sutton defenders to Hollingsworth’s long pass and lifted the ball over Spencer into the net. It was three nil on thirty minutes.

The Ellison brothers combined to find Rick unmarked in front of goal and he shot past Spencer to score. The Sutton keeper then gifted Rick his second goal as he failed to collect a cross and the ball bounced off his chest out to the Rick who fired home from close range. Rick completed his hat trick on forty minutes as Mark Ellison played the ball to him where he was unmarked in front of goal to guide the ball into the corner of the net. Bradley Wood pulled one back for Sutton on the stroke of half time as his intended cross caught Blidworth keeper Paul Stanhope flat footed and the ball flew over his head into the corner of the net. Rick scored his fourth goal on sixty two minutes. His initial effort on goal was cleared off the goal line but the ball fell kindly for him and he shot home from close range to make it six one. Tom Mallinson scored Blidworth’s seventh a minute later as he picked up a loose ball inside the area and guided it through a gap in the defence into the back of the net. Blidworth Welfare: Paul Stanhope, Ricky Chambers, Nathan Hollingsworth, Lee Bowler, Liam Pride, Dave Issott, Jason Edwards, Tom Mallinson, Simon Ellison, Dean Rick, Mark Ellison. Subs: Steve Carty, Kieran Wells and Carl Haslam. Blidworth are away at Newark Town on Tuesday night KO 7.45pm and away again at Nettleham on Saturday 19th Feb KO 3pm. Blidworth Welfare Reserves had an excellent result on Saturday winning by three goals to two away at Mickleover Sports having been two nil down at one stage of the game. Goalscorers for Blidworth were Oliver Tatterson, Shaun Roberts and Dave Voller. Regards Alan Whitworth

BMW Football Club Wins Again!

Marathon — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 23:06:40 +0000

Blidworth Welfare 4 Calverton MW 1 Saturday 8th Jan 2011 This local derby was in danger of being postponed but hard work by the groundsman Terry Seymour managed to get the pitch playable. Manager Brett Marshall brought in veteran 37 year old Lee Dawson to the centre of defence for the suspended Lee Bowler and Tom Mallinson came in at full back for the unavailable Ricky Chambers. Blidworth Welfare started the game with a chance to go 3rd in the division if they could take the points against a young Calverton side. Right from the kick off Blidworth had total possession for the first 15 minutes but the surface was causing problems for both sides as players tried to come to terms with it. However it was Calverton who took the lead when a ball played over the back four caused Liam Pride a problem and when he got caught in possession the ball was played into the 6 yard box and the ball hit Blidworth defender Tom Mallinson and flew into the net. The goal had given the young fit Calverton side more confidence and they once again had the ball in the net but this time it was ruled offside. On 45 minutes Blidworth were awarded a penalty which changed the total completion of the game. Dean Rick the leagues leading scorer had made a run into the Calverton box and the Calverton goalkeeper caught him and was subsequently sent off. Rick stepped up and made the scores level at half time. Start of the 2nd half with Calverton down to 10 men it was always going to be difficult but Calverton to there credit played with the same energy and confidence without actually causing too many problems for Blidworth goalkeeper Paul Stanhope. Blidworth took the lead with 25 minutes left when the ball was played out to Dave Issott on the edge of the penalty area who fired the ball into the net from 20 yards. By now it was all Blidworth and it was inevitable when Rick fired his 20th league goal of the season to put Blidworth 3-1 up. Manager Brett Marshall made two substitutions with 20 minutes left taking off Simon Ellison and Dave Issott for David Bramwell and Nathan Hollingsworth. This immediately paid dividends as when a cross came into the box Bramwell was on hand to fire home from six yards and make it 4-1. Jamie Allen replaced the injured Mark Ellison to sure up the midfield and see the game out. Blidworth Welfare: Paul Stanhope, Tom Mallinson, Mark Ellison, Lee Dawson, Liam Pride, Dave Issott, Steve Carty, Carl haslem, Dean Rick, Simon Ellison, Jason Edwards. Subs: Nathan Hollingsworth, David Bramwell, Jamie Allan. Blidworth Welfare Reserves won by 3-1 away at Teversal. Goalscorers were Gould, Upton and Roberts. Blidowrth Welfare Reserves have a vacancy for a manager. Liam Best, the current manager, has had to step down from the role due to work commitments. Interested applicants please contact Brett Marshall on 07990987007. Regards Alan —–Original Message—– From: marshabre@aol.com To: ALAN WHITWORTH Sent: Sun, 9 Jan 2011 19:24 Subject: Match Report Don’t put my name to the report mate scan it and email it… Blidworth Welfare 4 Calverton FC 1 This local derby was in danger of being postponed but hard work by the groundsman managed to get the pitch playable. Manager Brett Marshall brought in veteran 37 year old Lee Dawson to the centre of defence for the suspended Lee Bowler and Tom Mallinson came in at full back for the unavailable Ricky Chambers. Blidworth started the game with a chance to go 3rd in the division if they could take the points against a young calverton side. Right from the kick off blidworth had total possession for the first 15 minutes but the surface was causing problems for both sides as players tried to come to terms with it. However it was calverton who took the lead when a ball played over the back four caused liam pride a problem and when he got caught in possession the ball was played into the 6 yard box and the ball was bundled into the net. The goal had given the young fit calverton side more confidence and they once again had the ball in the net but this time it was ruled offside. On 45 minutes blidworth were awarded a penalty which changed the total completion of the game. Dean Rick the leagues leading scorer had made a run into the calverton box and the calverton goalkeeper caught him and was subsequently sent off. Rick stepped up and made the scores level at half time. Start of the 2nd half with calverton down to 10 men it was always going to be difficult but calverton to there credit played with the same energy and confidence without actually causing too many problems for blidworth goalkeeper Paul Stanhope. Blidworth took the lead with 25 minutes left when the ball was played out to Dave Issott who fired the ball into the net from 20 yards. By now it was all blidworth and it was inevitable when rick fired his 20th league goal of the season to put blidworth 3-1 up. Manager Brett Marshall made two substitutions with 20 minutes left taking off Simon Ellison and Dave Issott for David Bramwell and Nathan Hollingsworth. This immediately paid dividends as when a cross came into the box Bramwell was on hand to fire home from six yards and make it 4-1. Jamie Allen replaced the injured Mark Ellison to sure up the midfield and see the game out. Alan Whitworth BMW Foot Club