REP SIDE DRAW IN OLYMPIC WORKOUT

Following the eleventh hour withdrawal of the Birmingham AFA’s representative side, high flying CML side Radcliffe Olympic stepped in to take on the rep side from the Precision Training NSL at Bilborough Pelican’s excellent Lenton Lane ground

In a full blooded encounter, Olympic were looking to put their Notts Senior Cup defeat at Ollerton behind them. Radcliffe led 3 – 0 only to lose 4 – 3 right at the death but showed no hangover from the cup defeat and played some lively stuff, taking the lead in the 39^th minute when a long free kick from Aaron Korol evaded the NSL defence with the knock back converted by Jamie Spence. NSL keeper Matt Worster then had to leave the field after being fouled heavily by veteran striker Rick Ranshaw

After the break the NSL side was more lively with Keyworth’s Alex Woolich just failing to pick out the run of Rich Saunders. First Woolich then Gaz Willows narrowly missed out from close range and Kimberley MW’s Danny Chaplin, who battled superbly all night and was arguably the NSL’s best player overall shot just over after a smart turn

With time running out, a free kick from Cavs’ Wes Burke out on the right was glanced on by Woolich for Juree Staples to convert from close range. Burke split the wall in the last minute but saw Mountain save another free kick as the game ended 1 – 1

Many thanks to Craig Clarke, Jamie Brodie and Bob Norris of Radcliffe for helping out and to all associated with Bilborough Pelican FC for letting us use their excellent facilities. Thanks also to all the players for giving their time and to Phil Towers, Kevin Tietjen and Greg Stuart for officiating as well as Andy Benner and Baz Campbell who managed the side

The Express Fit staff at Robins And Day Derby have voted Ruddington's Andy Littlewood as September's NSL senior division manager of the month. With three win's out of three in September including two away from home they narrowly pipped Cotgrave who had four wins from six.

NSL AWAITS TOUGHEST SEASON YET

The toughest campaign of all is expected as the Precision Training Nottinghamshire Senior League enters it's fourth year since establishing in 2004. This time the up and coming season ahead is hugely anticipated and already exciting everybody involved directly and not, in the amateur football circuit across the county.

Nottinghamshires toughest Amateur Football League gets tougher this year with the introduction of four new sides across both divisions including an especially major coup in Central Midlands Supreme outfit Bilborough Pelican, who were tempted to step down a level after finding out that major ground improvements aside, they would have to drop down a division meaning a lower standard of football completely whilst still having to travel as far as Rotherham in South Yorkshire and Louth in Lincolnshire. Bilborough posses the likes of Daniel Gunn and David Gill who can create things going forward and will undoubtedly be pressing the top sides in the clubs debut season in the NSL.

Also pressing at the top will be last season's second half form side, Caribbean Cavaliers. Cav's only lost once in all competitions since mid January, winning the NSL Senior Cup and finishing second in the league after a hugely average first half of their campaign. Cav's have increased depth to an already talented squad including the summer captures of former Pelican Midfielder Damien Rennicks, Siemens Defender Alex Oldham and Wollaton Winger Tom Simpson.

Champions Cotgrave will undoubtedly be the side to beat, keeping on to their assets will be vital if they are to match Wollaton's achievements of 2005 & 2006 in retaining the Senior Division title. Wollaton, having lost some star assets this summer will be hoping to improve on a fifth placed finish last campaign. Former Manager Chris Munroe who helped steer Wollaton to back to back championships alongside current boss and rep squad commander Andy Benner is back in the NSL after a season at CML outfit Radford. Munroe is now working alongside Martin Soley at Basford United and the Greenwich Avenue outfit who impressed in their debut season last campaign are sure to be in the running again this time around. Basford have taken Ash MacPhearson and Gary Willows from Wollaton as well as adding to an already powerfull attack with the addition of former Burton Joyce front man Jason Nicholson. The club have also signed Simon Labatte and Neil Jones and still wish to add more in a bid to push for honours.

One of the most eagerly anticipated sides to hear about this campaign is likely to be North Notts outfit Sandhurst. The Walesby based side have finished bottom in the Division all three years since the NSL established but this time will have an influx of former Central Midlands players and a new management team, they are sure to be moving in the right direction and adding a far more competitive and fearful side to the Division.

Other top sides have been pretty quiet in mentioning their comings and goings this summer with Linby, Kimberley and Clifton all hoping to maintain good campaigns following from recent achievements and high finishes. Two of the Division's youngest promising stars have gone on to better things with Boots losing leading scorer Antwon Bonnick to Eastwood Town and Keyworth letting star midfielder Tom Aldred leave for Lincoln United. Gedling Southbank have had Managerial Changes with former Crystal Palace youngster Nev Silcock joining Reserve team supremo Jason Desnica in the First Team structure after Vinny Checkley's departure. Attenborough, will be hoping the floods won't affect their home ground come September and onwards, Clifton FC are ground movers after August when re-development of Green Lane starts.

Hoping to improve on the past campaign are Siemens, Awsworth Villa, Notts Police, Ruddington and Magdala Amateurs.

Four new sides will be hoping to test themselves in this season's First Division, which for the first time since the Nottinghamshire Senior League begun will include non reserve sides. Bilborough Pelican's second string join the division and with Bestwood, Siemens and Notts Police all not involving second elevens this term, recently formed Hucknall Rolls Leisure, NAA Premier Division side Matrixgrade and Midland Amateur Allliance outfit Underwood Villa all join the Precision Training sponsored competition with the hope of promotion in to the top flight.