NSL newboys make title
statement
Monday 23 August 2010
Forest Town displayed their title credentials with an
impressive 7-1 thrashing of reigning Senior Division champions Clifton. Mark Carter
started the campaign off with a hat-trick and Mike Taylor (2), Sam Holmes and James McCann
also got on the score-sheet; with just Karl Mitchell bagging a consolation for James
Turner’s side. Jake Fisher picked up where he left off last season as he also netted
a treble in Kimberley’s 5-0 win over Cotgrave; with Lench and Shepherd completing the
scoring. Last season’s title challengers Boots and Basford secured first weekend wins
as they beat Linby and the newly named FC Cavaliers respectively. Nathan Hodges and Kevin
Walker scored for Boots in their 2-0 win whilst Walker’s former club Basford beat
Cavs 1-0 thanks to an Adam Palmer strike.
Newly promoted Awsworth Villa had a tough start to life in the Senior Division as they
went down 4-0 to last season’s surprise package Hucknall Rolls Leisure. Richard
Harrison (2), Ashley Marshall and Harry Allen the scorers. There were also opening day
victories for Notts Police, Carl Litchfield scoring the only goal in their 1-0 win over
Bilborough Pelican and Wollaton, who were convincing 4-1 victors over Bulwell; Jamie
Carlton bagging a brace and Ryan Bowen and Scott Pratt also netting. Both Attenborough and
Gedling Southbank will be looking to improve on difficult campaigns last year but had to
be content with a point a piece as they played out a 2-2 draw.
Division One champions Wollaton Res got off to a winning start as they narrowly beat
Netherfield Albion with prolific striker Anthony Fragola netting the winner. There were
mixed fortunes for relegated sides Ruddington Village and Magdala. Rudd were 3-1 victors
over Hucknall Rolls Res with Snape, Davies and Potter the scorers. Magdala however were on
the wrong side of a nine goal thriller as Keyworth Res triumphed 5-4, Simon Marlow the
star of the show as he struck four times for Keyworth. There were also plenty of goals as
Clifton Res defeated Southwell City Res with Murphy (2) and former Wollaton pair Roy
Sharpe and Barry Turner also netting for the all whites. Dom Elliott scored a hat-trick as
Sandhurst were 5-2 winners over Cotgrave Res, with Ben Lynch and Cliff Clarke strikes
completing the scoring for Sandhurst. Promoted side Vernon Villa were 3-1 away winners at
Arnold Town Res, a Sheldon Tuitt brace and Jack Bell’s effort giving Villa a winning
start to the season. Gedling Southbank Res were 3-0 victors over Matrixgrade with Wetton,
Hunt and Fountain scoring one a piece.
Underwood Villa and Hucknall Town Res set the early pace in Division Two as they both
recorded big victories. Steve Smith (3) Alan Smith (2) and last seasons top scorer Steven
Froggart (2) all getting on the score-sheet in Villa’s 7-0 thrashing of Linby Res.
Ashley Dobb netted twice for Hucknall in their 6-1 hammering of Sandhurst Res with Simms,
Bartlett, Randall and Longden completing the rout. A Chris Walker hat-trick inspired
Southwell St Mary’s to a 3-1 win over Awsworth Res. There were also wins for Beeston
AFC as they beat Cavs Res with McNeill, Beldham and Price scoring in a 3-0 win and
Calverton Academy who beat Kimberley Res 2-1, Jackson and Tinsley amongst the goals. Last
years runners-up Nottinghamshire were held to a 2-2 draw by Chilwell Town whilst Newark
Flowserve and new boys Forest Town Res played out the same score-line. Meanwhile there was
also a draw between Carlton Town Academy and Magdala Res.
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