The NSL representative side, sponsored by Precision Training, made it two wins from two as they qualified for the final of the inter league Charity tournament with a narrow 1 - 0 win over the Midland Amateur Alliance at Dunkirk FC. Scott Smalley of Wollaton struck a superb twenty yard drive into the bottom corner in the 38th minute to seal the win and a place in the final at Meadow Lane on 6th May

The Management Committee of the Precision Training NSL were bouyed by news this week that Basford United have decided to stay in the league after having an application to join the Central Midlands League accepted. United, based at Greenwich Avenue, are in their first season in the NSL after winning the Notts Amatuer Alliance and Notts Intermediate Cup in 2005/06 under the stewardship of Martin Soley and have settled in well, currently occupying a place close to the summit of the Senior Division

'We are delighted Basford are staying with us' commented NSL Chairman Frank Hunt. 'It is not our policy to try to hold back NSL sides with ambitions to play in other leagues, however Basford are confident that the NSL can provide them with everything they need at this moment in time and have decided to remain in the NSL. They have been a superb addition to the NSL from a playing point of view and have provided defender Mark Dimech plus striker Kevin Walker to our rep squad such is the quality in their side. There is some improvement to be done at Greenwich Avenue, particularly in the dressing rooms, however Basford are aware of this and Martin is planning to make this his responsibility for next season. All in all though, we have been very pleased with what Basford have brought to the NSL and we look forward to working with them for years to come. These are exciting times for the NSL and we hope to persuade other leading local sides to join us within the next few seasons'

Soley meanwhile, is stepping away from management to concentrate on playing from next season saying 'I've really enjoyed running the side and will stay involved as a player and committee member with responsibility for fund raising and ground improvements. I'd like to enjoy playing for as long as I can and the managerial side of things can get in the way. Like everyone else at Basford we are pleased to be staying in the NSL but thank the CML for the consideration and time they have given us'

The Precision Training Representative Squad Managed by Wollaton FC's Andy Benner and Linby CW's Dave Bradshaw enters its first competitive tournament this month kicking off against the Notts Amateur Alliance Representative team on Tuesday 13th March at Rolls Royce Leisure (Watnall Road, Hucknall) in a four team competition set up by the counties FA which will also help raise funds for Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. The top two sides in the four team group which includes a representative XI from the MAA and an Under 19 outfit selected by the Notts FA will play off in a final at Notts County FC's Meadow Lane Stadium on Sunday May 6th.

The NSL select their squad for all three group games from the following: Goalkeepers: Richard Povey (Boots Athletic), Matt Worster (Attenborough). Defenders: Dave Elson (Linby CW), Dave Smith (Wollaton), Mark Dimech (Basford United), Carl Springthorpe (Cotgrave CW), Lee Collison (Keyworth United), Michael Holtham (Ruddington United), Adam Waddley (Clifton). Midfielders: Chris Marks (Wollaton), Winston Brown (Caribbean Cavaliers), Tom Aldred (Keyworth United), Will Heath (Wollaton), Karl Mitchell (Clifton), Richard Oakes (Basford United), Scott Smalley (Wollaton). Attackers: Lee Penley (Cotgrave CW), Andy Start (Linby CW), Danny Chaplin (Kimberley MW), Kevin Walker (Basford United), Antwon Bonnick (Boots Athletic), Paul Gadsby (Wollaton).

The footballgroundsinfocus.com website has recently visited the NSL and double Champions Wollaton were hosts to the ground hoppers as they clashed with fellow NSL title challengers Cotgrave CW in the Preliminary Round of the Precision Training Nottinghamshire Senior League Senior Section Cup.

Dead ball game buries Cotgrave   

Hopping can be quite a frustrating business at times as many travellers will no doubt testify. Our trip on the way up to Nottinghamshire had been a most pleasant one - well, until we reached the Leicester Forest East Services on the M1, that is. The flashing lights on the overhead gantry soon came into full view and displayed the familiar gut-wrenching message: "Accident Ahead - Junctions 25-26". With a sudden increase in heart rate and tightening grip on the steering wheel, I secretly feared that our day was going to be ruined. With our planned route in possible jeopardy, some quick thinking was necessary to avert a real 'hopping' disaster.

The executive decision was made to leave the motorway early and follow the Nottingham Ring Road so that we could reach the Wollaton Sports Association Ground before the scheduled 2pm kick off. Our enforced detour seemed to be a popular choice with other motorists who no doubt were all going the same way. Not a good sign! Each time we slowed down or stopped at traffic lights the nagging doubts came back. Our photocopied map wasn't much help either - we hadn't yet reached the bit of the A52 which we had scanned earlier in the morning! It was 1.45pm. As the lights changed to green we accelerated with purpose along the Derby Road and headed at breakneck speed down Wollaton Vale. A brown road sign pointed towards Wollaton Park which gave us some hope. A quick glance at the map and its small typed font proved fruitless as I had left my reading specs at home - what great organisation! By now we had reached a major junction but the road name was obscured by a white van. Don't you just love that when it happens!! The driver in front seemed to wait an age before moving off. It was only then that we were able to see the Trowell Road street sign. Fran calmly reminded me that we had gone too far! A desperate U-turned followed (which resembled something out of an early episode of Starsky and Hutch) in order to save time although our nerves were shredded in the process. What a result!! Wollaton Road appeared from nowhere and we shot down it. With views of the main entrance in sight there was a massive sigh of relief as we pulled up. We had made it with as many as FOUR minutes to spare. Oh the joys of hopping!!

By the time we reached the entrance the players and officials were already walking out of the pavilion and onto the field. The game promised to be an absolute cracker with both teams in sparkling form and featuring prominently at the top of the Notts Senior League. Visitors Cotgrave were on a terrific run with eight straight wins in the league which propelled them to top spot with games in hand. Wollaton, after their excellent win in midweek against CML side Radcliffe Olympic 4-2, were themselves hopeful of continuing their own good cup run.

A visit to this lovely little club is thoroughly recommended to all travellers. Hoppers will be impressed by what they will find at the Wollaton Sports Association. 

FGIF Rating: 4*

The NSL's representative team has a big end of season ahead  with a mini tournament set up in conjunction with the Notts FA and supporting funds towards the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. The NSL take on representative teams from the Notts Amateur Alliance, the Midland Amateur Alliance and and a Notts FA under 19's team in a four team group with the top two sides battling it out in a final at Notts County FC's Meadow Lane ground.

The NSL side kick off their campaign on Tuesday 13th March against the NAA at Rolls Royce Leisure (home of Notts Police FC), seven days after the competitions opening tie between the NAA and Notts FA under 19's. The final tie will be played on Sunday May 6th at the County Ground and local clubs are urged to offload final tickets at £2 each with an estimated figure of 10,000 being available.

Kick Off times 7:30pm (unless stated)

The Precision Training NSL's representative XI, managed by Wollaton's Andy Benner and Dave Bradshaw of Linby, followed up their 3 - 0 win over Birmingham AFA by beating Unity 3 - 1 at Watnall Road. Unity, managed by former Radford and Ilkeston star Morris Samuels, is a team made up of excellent young footballers from The Meadows, St Anns and Radford and is designed to unite the youth of these areas through sport. This is Unity's first defeat in seven games after they had beaten Notts Police 2 - 0 last time out

The first half of the game, played at Rolls Royce Leisure's Watnall Road ground was very even with former Wollaton striker Micky Grinion, now with Gedling Town, bringing two excellent saves from Boots 'keeper Richard Povey, whilst at the other end, Notts Police custodian Joe Parlatt, formerly of Gedling MW and Southwell City had to be alert to deny Winnie Brown of Caribbean Cavs, with Linby's Andy Start firing just over the Unity goal

The game came to life after the break, with both sides playing some flowing football on a tricky surface made worse by the onset of frost as the game went on. Keyworth winger Tom Aldred fired the NSL ahead as he converted a cross by Clifton's Karl Mitchell in the 51st minute but the lead only lasted ten minutes before Unity drew level with Kye Hall of Carlton Town producing a magnificent strike which flew past Attenborough 'keeper Matt Worster into the top corner. Two minutes later the NSL were back in front as Basford's Kevin Walker controlled a bouncing ball in the area, swivelled and blasted home. The game continued to flow and Worster produced two top drawer saves to keep his side in front before the NSL sealed their win in the dying stages of the game when sub Danny Chaplin of Kimberley MW saw his looping header deceive Unity's replacement and drop into the net

It is hoped that this game will become a fixture on the NSL calendar with a view to building bridges with local communities and giving Unity's talented group of players the opportunity to play in the NSL in future. The NSL Management Committee would like to thank Brian Willows and all at RR Leisure for staging the event and Samuels for bringing his side along. Officials Andy Rolph, Steve Abbott, Greg Stewart and Steve Watts also deserve credit for overseeing the smooth running of a terrific game

Following the unfortunate postponement of the NSL's rep game v Kev Presland's Newark XI, a game has been arranged for RR Leisure FC on Tuesday 23rd January 2007 (7.45) against UNITY- a team run by former Ilkeston and Radford star Maurice Samuels designed to demonstrate the bond sport can provide by uniting talented footballers from St Anns and The Meadows

UNITY beat Notts Police 2 - 0 last time out and will provide a stern test. The NSL's provisional squad is the same as for the Newark game:

Linby CW may have a secret for why they are currently going strong and heading the Precision Training NSL Senior Division and according to Managers son and utility player Jonty Bradshaw, the enjoyment of pops pies in the clubhouse after every home game is enough to ensure happiness and success in a closely bonded team as they hope to go one better then they did in 2004/05 when they finished runners up to Wollaton as Notts Senior League Champions. Bradshaw (24) has been mostly impressed with Wollaton during his time playing in the NSL, Bradshaw who has also played for Bestwood and Awsworth sees the current title holders midfielder Chris Marks and their right sided summer signing Will Heath as two of the best players in the Division, but Bradshaw who believes things are certainly going well at the club he started his career at and is confident that his side can win the league and maybe have a good run in the Senior County Cup.

The Precision Training NSL representative side, managed by Andy Benner of Wollaton and Linby's Dave Bradshaw, host the Birmingham & District League at Rolls Royce leisure on Thursday 26th October (7.30pm). Players are also asked to attend a pre match get together and practice session at 8.15pm on Tuesday 24th October at Powerleague.

Players are asked to contact Benner on andrew_benner@yahoo.co.uk  or 07968 525822 by Sunday 15th October at the latest to confirm availability. Players not confirming by 15th October will be considered unavailable and replacements sought, but it is hoped to field as strong a side as possible.

Goalkeepers: Richard Povey (Boots), Matt Worster (Attenborough).

Defenders: David Savidge (Wollaton), Lee Collinson (Keyworth Utd), Mark Dimech (Basford Utd), Dave Elson (Linby), Michael Holtham (Ruddington).

Midfield: Will Heath (Wollaton), Winnie Brown (Cavs), Richard Liburd (Boots), Paul Nicholls (Cotgrave), Karl Mitchell (Clifton).