23.07.08 - OLLERTON TOWN 4 KIVERTON PARK 1
Match report written by Liam Kent
Ollerton Town made three wins out of four in pre season after trouncing premier division side Kiveton Park. However the visitors started on the front foot with the first chances of the game, Holmes’s header could only find Neil McClafferty’s hands and after McClafferty was called again to parry out Ebb’s shot Gribben failed to lob the keeper from the edge of the area.
Ollerton then had their opening chance Ricky Chambers fired over the bar from his half volley. Ollerton should of really took the lead a corner fell to a unmarked Jack Beeby on the front post but his shot somehow didn’t find the back of the net. Nevertheless they took the lead moments later Kier Webster’s terrific header beat the keeper via a small deflection.
Gary Panting nearly doubled his side’s advantage but the keeper closed him down before he could get his shot away. Ollerton started the second half the way they ended the first, on top. Chambers nearly got the home side a second but he headed wide from Lee Wilson’s cross.
The away side was struggling to get back in the game and at some points win the ball Julian Topliss played a one two with Gould before breaking through and pulling the ball back to see that no one was there.
The second goal of the game finally came and it belonged to Ollerton, Richard Walker headed across the box for the ball to be turned in by the opposing defender. The third followed shortly after, when the keeper failed to hold the ball only for Gould to pounce on the rebound.
Ollerton’s fourth was inevitable and it looks like Zac Webster had found it only for his shot to cannon off the crossbar. Kiveton got a consolation when Holmes smashed the ball into the top cornet of the net yet their joy was cut short when Chris Beard ran rings round Warrington before smashing home from the edge of the box via Holmes’s leg.
21.07.08 - CHURCH WARSOP 0 OLLERTON TOWN 3
Match report written by Liam Kent
Ollerton returned to the lane victorious from a game in which wind was the main opposition after a fine example of “Sexy Football”. The home side was the first to test the opposing goalkeeper McGurk’s header glanced wide, they then had another chance to score the opener McClare’s shot was smothered up by Neil McClafferty.
Richard Walker nearly got Ollerton in front but his diving header soared wide. Wisdom nearly found the back of McClaffertys net but his shot lacked the power needed and they were punished when Ollerton took the lead Brad Well’s freekick deflecting off the wall and into the corner of the net.
From then on Ollerton got a foot hold in the game and Kier Webster was the conductor controlling the team from the heart of the midfield. They nearly got their second but Jack Beeby’s effort fired into the side netting.
Beeby had a second chance to get himself a goal but when he was faced one on one by the keeper he was closed down before he could get his shot away. Chris Booth nearly scored a stunning 30 yard volley to secure the win for the visitors but unfortunately it just dipped the wrong side of the post.
Church Warsop was once again had to call on their defensive skills when the ball fell to Terry Annable but he got the ball caught under his feet and the ball was cleared from danger. Chris Beard came on as a second half substitute and had a chance to double his sides lead but his edge of the box effort flew wide.
Rob Evans was surprisingly the next man to have a shot his attempted lob landed wide of the target. Julian Topliss had a great chance to score but despite severe pressure fired over. Brad Wells’s half volley almost gave him his second goal of the game but his effort soared over the Church Warsop goal.
Dobb had his sides first shot in almost sixty minutes and it wasn’t good enough to get the equaliser. Ollerton at last doubled their lead when Rob Evans crossed for Webster to head pass the keeper and the win was secured when Topliss fired into the net despite a touch of the goalkeeper after an exquisite touch set him up.
So Ollerton got their just rewards for their shear domination of the Premier Division side and their exciting and sexy football.
Ollerton Town Team: Neil McClafferty, Zac Webster, Jack Beeby (C. Gould), Gary Panting, Rob Evans, Julian Topliss, Chris Booth (Tony Buchannan), Kier Webster (M.o.m), Richard Walker (Chris Beard), Brad Wells (Alex Wilford), Terry Annable
16.07.08 - OLLERTON TOWN 3 SHEPSHED 1
Match report written by Liam Kent
Ollerton town managed a surprise win down at “the lane” against the unibond premier side as clinical finishing was the difference. Ollerton took the lead with their first shot of the game Terry Annable lobbed the keeper from Ricky Chamber’s defence splitting pass.
Shepshed nearly responded with the equalizer Ben Saunders was through on goal only to see his effort cannon off the post and away from safety. Ollerton then doubled there lead, Chambers held the ball up at the edge of the area before acrobatically volleying into the goal via the inside of the post.
The visitors had another chance to get a goal but Wilks free kick was well handled by Neil McClafferty. Wilks then had another go at beating McClafferty however his shot was saved and Rob Norris failed to get to the rebound.
Hannable nearly got his second of the game but his free kick lacked the power needed to test the goalkeeper. Ollerton then sealed the game by going three goals ahead Richie Walker cannoned the ball against the crossbar and it fell down to Chris Beard to tap the ball home.
Brad Wells nearly got the home sides fourth but his free kick fired just wide of the post. It was then Graham Epps turn to test the opposing goalkeeper with a free kick, his shot thundered against the cross bar and then when the ball returned to Epps seconds later he found Lee Marshall in the box but McClafferty was equal to his header.
Marshall tried again to beat McClafferty but like the whole of the match McClafferty couldn’t be beaten. Dave Frekington had a series of chances to get his side a consolation firstly he tried to lob McClafferty but he tipped it over the bar, secondly he fired over the net before finally scoring to give his side a deserved goal but it was Ollerton that looked the side from the higher leagues today.
13.07.08 - OLLERTON TOWN 0 EASTWOOD TOWN 1
Match report written by Liam Kent
Ollerton town and Eastwood town replayed last seasons senior cup final but this time Eastwood could only find the one past the premier division champions . The opening ten minutes was in a state of equilibrium with no real action.
When the first chance did come it belonged to Ollerton, Kier Webster smashing the ball high and wide. Eastwood got their first shot of the game however Ricky Chamber’s lunge prevented Brooks from finding the net. Brooks was the next man to try and beat Neil McClafferty unfortunately for him his curling shot.
The last chance of the half was also so the easiest of the game. Rhead was put through into a great position but somehow failed to find the gaping goal in front of him. Ollerton nearly had the first chance of the second period Gavin King floated the ball into the box but Ricky Chambers was just beaten to it by the defender.
Jay Topliss had Ollerton’s next effort but once again they failed to find the back of the net, his attempted lob failed to beat the stranded keeper. Ollerton used 24 men in this game one of those substitutes was Jack Beeby he nearly got his Ollerton career off to a flyer but he could only find the side netting.
Eastwood town got the winning goal just past the 80th minute mark Rhead side footed home from a left wing cross to once again beat “the ton” despite a strong and promising performance from the home side.
29.06.08 - OLLERTON TOWN WIN TOP LEAGUE AWARD
Ollerton Town’s successful season was rounded of at the annual Central Midlands League awards evening. The club was awarded the team of the year in recognition of becoming Premier League Champions, reaching the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup final and having long runs in both league cup competitions.
The award was won ahead of teams in the division above and is the first time in the clubs history that this prize has been achieved. In addition to the annual award the club also won team of the month for April. Both awards were collected by Liam Kent and were presented by league chairman Frank Harwood and sponsors Abacus Lighting.
On the night the club was presented with the Premier League trophy and prize money. These were collected by leading goal scorer Dean Hankey, on behalf of club captain Jamie Allan who was not able to attend the ceremony.
29.05.08 - GETHFIELD LOOKS TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN SUPREME DIVISION
Report written by Michael Gibson
OLLERTON Town manager Don Gethfield is backing his side to make an immediate impact in the Central Midlands Supreme Division after clinching the Premier Division title with eight points to spare and reaching the Notts Senior Cup final.
This view was echoed by players and supporters alike at the club’s annual presentation evening at Ollerton House Hotel, attended by over 100 people. The trophies were sponsored by Mansfield Co-operative Funeral Services and were presented by Town Major Terry Bell.
Awards winners were Liam Mason (most man of the match nominations and the Colin Gibson MBE Supporters’ Trophy); Gary Panting (manager’s player and players’ player of the year); Dean Hankey (top scorer), and Ashley Grayson (best young player). Mrs Nancy Milligan received the Dennis Walker Trophy.
Reserve team awards went to Scott Ward (most MoMs); Wayne O’Hare (player’s player), and Jason Cotterill (manager’s player).
League committee member Mr Rob Hornby congratulated the players and coaching staff on a splendid season before presenting the League Premier Division trophy to skipper Jamie Allan.
Next season will be uncharted waters for Gethfield’s young team, but they will certainly be giving it their best shot, and will hope to attract the support of the whole community as they bid to challenge for honours again at their new higher level.
Gethfield believes that with the addition of just a few players to the highly talented squad, the team will be more than capable of competing at the top end of the Supreme Division.
10.05.08 - OLLERTON SIGN OFF IN STYLE
Match report written by Frank Bridges of the Mansfield Chad
OLLERTON Town wrapped up their best ever season with a 2-0 victory at Sutton Town, to finish Premier Division champions with eight points to spare. With nothing at stake for the visitors they were able to enjoy the party, and two goals in the last 10 minutes provided a fitting climax to their season.
But Sutton, who went into the match still with an outside chance of finishing third, made it a compelling end-to-end contest which, until those last 10 minutes, could have gone either way. In the event, even had the Snipes won, Calverton's victory at Blidworth would have ended their hopes of third place but they have all but mathematically ensured fourth.
The only result that could deny them would be the bizarre event of losing their last game at home to struggling Stanton Ilkeston by 12 clear goals. The Snipes were quickly into their stride, with Matt Lane turning past Alex Wilford before crossing for Peter Stubley to head on to the well placed Carl Longmore, who squandered a great chance to give the home side an early lead.
Stubley then played a slide rule pass to Lane, whose snap shot was turned around the post by Ollerton keeper Neil McLafferty. The corner was easily dealt with, and Ollerton responded in style with Tony Buchanan forcing a corner off Danny Love. And the visitors had another opportunity when Chris Beard escaped the attentions of Shaun Archbold, but his cross caught Dean Hankey just offside.
Sutton then broke through Archbold, whose crossfield ball found Longmore, but the striker's poor pass was intercepted by Chris Baugh who cleared upfield. Keeper Richard Fenn came to the Snipes' aid in the 16th minute, tipping Craig Stanton's shot over the bar, and 10 minutes later McLafferty dealt ably with Archbold's free kick.
Hankey then swept down the left for Ollerton before delivering a low cross into the area which Archbold, under pressure from Beard, hooked clear. And just before half time Archbold won a corner off Baugh, but Kyle Ludlow's flag kick was cleared away.
Ollerton pressed early in the second half, but Sutton came back at them, and after the home defence had dealt with another Archbold free kick, Stanton conceded a corner from which Stubley's rising shot just cleared the bar.
However, Ollerton broke the deadlock in the 81st minute. Substitute Wayne O'Hare escaped down the left before knocking the ball over the defence to Lee Wilson, whose low shot went across Fenn and into the bottom far corner.
Then two minutes into stoppage time, with Sutton pushing for an equaliser, a long ball out of the Ollerton defence reached Beard, who ran on to drive a low shot past the advancing Fenn.
SUTTON: Fenn, Love, Archbold, Hadley, Baylis (Wakelin), Weedon, Shiels, Ludlow (Senior), Longmore, Stubley (Cresswell), Lane.
OLLERTON: McLafferty, Baugh, Evans, Mitchell (North), Wilford, J. Allan, Stanton, Buchanan, Hankey (Wilson), Beard, Grayson (O'Hare).
REFEREE: Rob Townsend of Collingham. MEN OF THE MATCH: Sutton – Shaun Archbold; Ollerton – Neil McLafferty.
08.05.08 - BATTLING OLLERTON'S PRIDE IN SENIOR CUP FINAL DEFEAT
Match report written by Gordon Foster from the Mansfield Chad
OLLERTON Town could not quite put the Notts Senior Cup icing on their Central Midlands Premier title celebration cake in Wednesday night's final, but they left Meadow Lane with proud heads 10 feet high.
In the end UniBond League Eastwood Town simply held too many aces and were undoubtedly the better side. But Ollerton should reflect that at no time in the 90 minutes was it evident that there is a five-division gulf between the two clubs – the equivalent of that between the Premiership and Blue Square Premier.
The tie was settled by two goals in five minutes around the mid-point of the first half, both put away by Matt Rhead. For the Badgers not to have completed their third successive Senior Cup final triumph would have been a major shock.
Ollerton chairman John Thompson had asked only that his team should do the club and the town proud. And, despite the defeat, he was rightly bursting with pride at the final whistle. It has been a remarkable season for Ollerton, who have won their first league title since 1996 when they were Notts Alliance champions.
They have also built up a fearsome reputation as cup giant killers, seeing off four higher grade teams on their way to the Meadow Lane final – the club's first in 70 years. Next season Town will be playing their football in the Supreme Division, and will be a very hard side to beat.
But before that they have one game left on Tuesday night at Sutton Town when, with nothing at stake for them, they can relax and enjoy the party. Manager Don Gethfield reflected afterwards: "The occasion got to us a little bit in the first 20 minutes and we showed Eastwood a bit too much respect.
But after that we began to compete, especially in the second half. "It was a great experience for the lads, and especially some of the younger players, and it will help to make them stronger for the bigger challenge which faces us next season. "I'm still pleased, and very proud. It's been a fantastic day out for everyone involved in the club in any way – players, supporters, officials, and helpers.
I would like to mention in particular David Kent, Andy Thompson and Adge Owen who have been marvellous on the management side." Five coachloads of Ollerton supporters and countless more carloads made their way down the A614, and their support matched that of their more exalted opponents.
Eastwood had reached the UniBond Premier Play-offs for promotion to Blue Square North, but in their last game before the Senior Cup final they had been thumped 4-0 at Gateshead in the Play-off semi-final.
They were determined to bounce back and put a trophy on the Coronation Park shelf, and they began brightly, with Rhead getting nothing behind a close shot on the turn in only the second minute. Two minutes later the Badgers broke from an Ollerton corner.
Clipstone lad Ricky Hanson rounded Rob Evans, and Shaun Morris did very well to block the finish with his legs. Morris had been called into the team in place of the unlucky Neil McLafferty. Manager Gethfield explained: "He's not been available very much this season because of work and family commitments, but he's helped us out a few times and his experience is invaluable in games like this."
Indeed Morris was named the official man of the match, voted for by the match officials. The Chad nomination, though, went to Chris Baugh, of whom Gethfield added; "He was superb at the back and marked his man really well."
Baugh stuck out a leg to deny Danny Brookes in the 17th minute, but a minute later the Badgers took the lead. Chris Shaw fed Hanson on the right and somehow picked up an injury in the process, Hanson centred, and Rhead was on hand to steer it in from close range.
Five more minutes on Rhead struck again, and the Ollerton fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. The striker looked arguably offside as he was picked out in the left of the area, but the flag stayed down and his shot passed through Morris' legs as the keeper tried in vain to spread himself for the save.
At that stage Ollerton could not really complain at being two down, but they picked themselves up and began to compete, albeit without really extending Badgers keeper Ian Deakin. Baugh made another top drawer challenge on the busy Lindon Meikle, and when Morris had to stretch to parry away Iain Screaton's free kick in a busy area Meikle drove the follow-up wide.
Ashley Grayson was becoming more prominent in Ollerton attacks, and he had a half-chance in the 39th minute from a free kick, which he aimed wide. And when Grayson's persistence won a corner Deakin dealt well with Tony Buchanan's kick.
However, the Walesby Lane club were indebted to Liam Mason three minutes before the break when he got in the way of Paul Mitchell's finish, after the Eastwood midfielder had shown silky close control to open up the chance and looked certain to score.
A minute into the restart Deakin was extended seriously for the first time, smothering the ball at the feet of Dean Hankey and the keeper then just beat Grayson in a race for possession when Hankey headed on Gary Panting's free kick. But Morris was back in action in the 63rd minute.
He failed to cut out Hanson's cross which went deep, and when it was knocked back in to Brookes the keeper recovered to make a superb point blank save. Both sides rang the changes, and the game petered out somewhat in the final quarter.
But Baugh timed another challenge to perfection as Anthony Howells threatened to go clear in the closing stages. And Panting had to be helped off after picking up a knock right at the end of the 90 minutes, leaving Ollerton to play out injury time with 10 men.
EASTWOOD: Deakin, Hanson, Shaw, Cooper, Screaton, Mathews, Breach, Mitchell, Rhead (Smith 67), L. Meikle (Howells 67), Brookes. Subs not used: D. Meikle, Stevenson, Swinscoe.
OLLERTON: Morris, Baugh, Evans (Beard 77), Panting, Mason, J. Allan, Buchanan (Booth 67), R. Allan, Wilson, Hankey, Grayson (Stanton 85). Subs not used: North, McLafferty.
REFEREE: Mark Jones of Retford. ATTENDANCE: 674.
GOALS: Eastwood – Rhead 18, 23. CAUTION: Ollerton – Grayson 76 (foul on Cooper).
OFFICIAL MAN OF THE MATCH: Shaun Morris (Ollerton).
CHAD OLLERTON MAN OF THE MATCH: Chris Baugh.
08.05.08 - COX REFLECTS ON PROGRESSIVE SEASON
Match report written by Mark Duffy from the Eastwood Advertiser
PAUL Cox looked back on a 'season of two halves' after he guided his Eastwood Town side to their second trophy of the campaign. Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Ollerton Town was The Badgers’ third Nottinghamshire Senior Cup triumph in as many seasons, and added to the UniBond League Challenge Cup won last month.
And while Eastwood fell just short of making it a clean sweep by being denied promotion at the play-off stage, Cox was still pleased at how far both the team and the club as a whole had come in the last 12 months.
He said: “If someone had said to me last summer that we’d finish fourth in the league with a chance of promotion, and that we’d win two trophies, I’d have ripped their hands off. “But to me the season had two halves.
It started out with us performing beyond all expectation given that we’d been favourites to be relegated at the beginning. “In the end though, from a personal point of view, it finished with a bit of an anti-climax when we let ourselves down in the first half at Gateshead, when we were so close to getting promoted.
“So I’ve got slightly mixed emotions, but I know that for the fans it’s been a great season and that’s important.” Cox is now determined to put everything into going one better next season as Eastwood aim for promotion to the Blue Square North. “I’m not going to be resting on my laurels.
I’m really excited about next season and it’s going to be a tough division so a lot of work will be required,” he said. With regards to the Senior Cup win on Wednesday, Cox was pleased to end the season on a high in what was a comfortable victory.
He said: “Ollerton had earned the right to be there and we gave them plenty of respect and I told the players they had to win their own battles. “We’d prepared properly for the game and had them watched a couple of times, so we knew what to expect.
“We started brightly and even though Ollerton raised their game, I didn’t feel there was any doubt about the result once we’d got in front. “Had we needed to change up a gear or two I think we could have done, but it’s great to end the season with another trophy.”
08.05.08 - RHEAD'S BRACE SEALS SENIOR CUP GLORY AGAIN
Match report written by Mark Duffy from the Eastwood Advertiser
Notts Senior Cup Final Eastwood Town 2 Ollerton Town 0
THEY say there's no easy games - especially in cup finals - but Eastwood Town may beg to differ after they coasted to Senior Cup glory on Wednesday night. Matt Rhead scored twice in the space of five first-half minutes as The Badgers claimed their third success in this competition in three years.
Eastwood hardly needed to get out of second gear as Ollerton struggled to make an impact against opponents from five divisions above them. And the signs were bleak early on as Eastwood created two clear cut chances in the opening four minutes.
First, Rhead saw a close range effort saved after Ollerton got in a mess at the back, then Danny Brooks fired a ball forward that bamboozled a central defender and set Ricky Hanson through on goal, but his shot was saved by the legs of goalkeeper Shaun Morris.
A lull then fell over Meadow Lane as both sides adjusted to the bigger, if somewhat less atmospheric, surroundings than they might be used to, but Rhead was soon ready to administer the first blow.
On 18 minutes, left-back Chris Shaw, whose sat-nav had seemingly broken resulting in him appearing on the right hand side for a moment, released Hanson down the flank with a lesser-seen 'over the shoulder' through ball.
Hanson took a touch before crossing low and finding Rhead who, despite the attentions of two defenders and keeper Morris, calmly tapped home. Five minutes later Rhead was on hand again to put the game beyond any doubt.
Brooks' free-kick from the right wasn't cleared properly by the Ollerton defence, and after Paul Mitchell knocked the ball out to Shaw, who had found his way back to familiar territory on the left, he threaded a pass to Rhead who fired a powerful left-foot shot through the legs of Morris and high into the net.
It remained one-way traffic for most of the game, Ollerton's best moment coming when Ashley Grayson got free and saw his shot deflected into the side netting just before half-time. Paul Mitchell nearly scored before the break too when he broke into the six-yard box but a swarm of Ollerton defenders contrived to block any shot he might have been able to muster.
The second-half was a similar story to the first, with Eastwood hardly breaking sweat as they looked for a third. Lindon Meikle was his usual hyperactive self, but saw his best effort fly over the bar after a mistake by Tony Buchanan let him in.
Rhead saw a volley fly wide and Brooks threw himself headlong at a cross from Meikle but his effort was well saved by Morris. Mitchell headed Hanson's cross over before the end, but that was that and Eastwood had finished their fine season on a comfortable winning note.
Eastwood: Deakin, Hanson, Shaw, Cooper, Screaton, Mathews, Breach, Mitchell, Rhead (Howell 68), L Meikle (Smith 68), Brooks. Subs not used: D Meikle, Stevenson, Swinscoe.
Ref: Mark Jones. Att: 674.
08.05.08 - COX, GETHFIELD REACTIONS
Report produced by the Nottingham Evening Post
Eastwood Town boss Paul Cox was delighted to seal a third successive Notts Senior Cup but has now vowed to take the club to a new level. The Badgers ended their season with a second piece of silverware, beating Ollerton 2-0 last night to add to the UniBond Challenge Cup they won earlier in the season.
And Eastwood also secured a place in the UniBond Premier Division play-offs a year after winning promotion. But with the backing of ambitious chairman Robert Yong, Cox is now eyeing further glory.
He said: "That is three times on the trot and it is a great achievement. "It was always going to be hard, any cup final will be like that. "But to finish the season winning two cups and reaching the play-offs means it has been really successful and we now want to take this club to a different level.
There is a lot of hard work and planning to be done in the summer. "Rob coming in has given us the impetus to take the club forward to another level." Two goals from Matt Rhead in the space of five first-half minutes did the damage against Ollerton, who won the Central Midlands Premier Division this season.
But despite the five-league gap between the two sides, Cox said it was always going to be difficult. "They worked exceptionally hard and full credit to them. They have some fabulous young players and some of them I will keep my eye on because they could step up quite a few levels."
Ollerton manager Don Gethfield felt his side let the occasion get to them in the opening 20 minutes but was delighted with the fight his young side showed.
"It was a fantastic day for the fans and they were terrific, as was everyone at the club".
08.05.08 - NOTTS SENIOR CUP REPORT
Report written by Stevie Roden from the Nottinghamshire Evening Post
In terms of a contest, this was David versus Goliath stuff with a five-division gulf between Eastwood Town and Ollerton Town. But the underdogs in Ollerton had earned their right to be in this final, beating a succession of teams from higher divisions to book their date at Meadow Lane.
Searching for a first Notts Senior Cup triumph since 1938, when they were Colliery, this season's winners of the Central Midlands Premier were up against Paul Cox's side that had reached the play-offs in the UniBond Premier Division.
But the supporters from north Notts turned out in force to see an upset - five bus loads pulling up as well as many others donning red and black scarves. For them, whatever the outcome, it was going to be an occasion to saviour.
It was a night to be enjoyed and if they could defy the odds again, it was a bonus. In the end they were thwarted at the final hurdle as Eastwood secured the Notts Senior Cup for the third successive year, winning 2-0. But the fight from Ollerton was not up until the final whistle.
It could have been a nightmare start to their special night out as within 60 seconds Eastwood's Matt Rhead had a chance at the back post, latching onto a sliced clearance but from close range he failed to connect properly.
And two minutes later Danny Brookes' long ball over the top saw Ricky Hanson free himself from last man Rob Evans but one-on-one with Morris, the goalkeeper saved his straight drive. But just when Ollerton's fans might have started to believe they could stage an upset, the Badgers rocked them with two goals in a five-minute spell.
In the 18th, Chris Shaw poked the ball through to Hanson on the right wing and he delivered a ball that oozed quality. The inch-perfect pass just in behind the defence found its way to the far side of the box where Rhead, running in at the back post, took a touch before placing it into the back of the net. And five minutes later Rhead doubled the tally.
Shaw poked the ball into the box, Rhead made sure he was onside and drove the ball through the legs of Morris. An Ashley Grayson free kick from distance on 39 minutes went well wide, but it was the first effort of note from Ollerton in the first half. And it led to another, Grayson fighting his way through a melee of players in the box before seeing his effort deflected for a corner.
At the opposite end, Liam Mason kept his side in the game as Meikle skilfully quick-stepped his way into the six-yard box but as he went to pull the trigger, the central defender made a last-ditch tackle. Early in thesecond half, Meikle cut inside onto his right foot but his effort was easy for Morris. Ollerton were far from going to roll over, Dean Hankey nodding down a free kick but Ian Deakin gathered it up before the advancing Grayson could meet it.
Rhead once again demonstrated his threat for Eastwood, cushioning down a ball at the back post but he dragged his volley from the angle just wide. Just after the hour Hanson's cross evaded the Ollerton goalkeeper and when Meikle pulled it back from the far post into a central position, Brookes looked odds on to score but Morris flung himself to his left to beat away the diving header.
A player of Meikle's ability hardly needs gifting a chance but that is what Tony Buchanan did inside his own box but the Badgers' striker struck his shot over the bar from 12 yards. The man who scored the decisive goals is a player Cox paid a four-figure sum for. Ollerton could only dream of making such a move.
And while Cox's men revelled in a third triumph in as many seasons, Ollerton would have headed back to north Notts last night knowing they were a credit to themselves and their travelling band of enthusiastic fans. But on this occasion there was to be no Ollerton fairytale, the victory went to Goliath.
Eastwood: Deakin, Hanson, Shaw, Cooper, Screaton, Matthews, Breech, Mitchell, Rhead (Smith, 69), L Meikle (Howells, 69), Brookes. Subs: D Meikle, Stevenson, Swinscoe
Ollerton: Morris, Bough, Evans (Beard, 77), Panting, Mason, J Allan, Buchanan (Booth, 68), R Allan, Wilson, Hankey, Grayson (Stanton, 85). Subs: North, McLafferty.
Referee: Mark Jones, Attendance: 674
Man of the match: Chris Baugh. He might have been on the losing side but the defender had a superb game at the back for Ollerton.
07.05.08 - OLLERTON'S BID FOR SENIOR CUP
Report written by Matt Halfpenny from the Nottingham Evening Post
The last time a team from Ollerton won the Notts Senior Cup, the original Wizard of Oz was being filmed, Adolf Hitler's Germany annexed Austria and Italy were winning only the third football World Cup.
Plenty has changed since that 1938 triumph, including the name of the club from Colliery, to Miners' Welfare and now to Town. The one constant has been Ollerton's struggle to make a sizeable impact on the local footballing scene.
The club even disbanded for a while in the 1980s and then, following reformation, had to survive the closure of the colliery in 1994. But all that has changed this season. The club are very much on the up, both metaphorically and literally.
Under the guidance of management trio Don Gethfield, David Kent and Anthony Thompson, the club have secured promotion to the Central Midlands Supreme Division. But arguably the greater achievement is to be back in the Notts Senior Cup final with a chance of winning it for the first time in 70 years.
En route to the final, the team have fought their way through five rounds to set up their clash with Eastwood Town at Notts County's Meadow Lane tonight. All but one of those victories have come against teams from higher leagues.
It is a run that has given the club's general manager, Adge Owen, a tremendous sense of pride. He has stuck with Ollerton through thick and thin for the past 15 years after first joining as player/manager when the club were in the Notts Alliance. "Just to make the final is a great achievement, but to go on and win it would be unbelievable," said Owen.
"Dan, David and Anthony all deserve a lot of credit for the young lads they have brought this year from the reserves. "Having players like that developing makes a big difference, especially after losing four important players leading into the season. "And having this success will only make it easier to attract players next season as we continue to improve."
It would be a massive shock if Ollerton were to beat Eastwood; such is the gap in the football pyramid between them. While they play in the Central Midlands Premier Division, the Badgers are a full five leagues higher at UniBond Premier Division level.
Not only that, Eastwood have already accounted for arguably the two strongest teams, aside from themselves, in beating first Retford United and then Hucknall Town. Owen says the Senior Cup final fixture has really caught the imagination of the village.
He said: "We are taking five coaches down to Nottingham, which is a brilliant effort for a small club like ours. All we can do as a team is give it a good go and hope that is good enough."
07.05.08 - EASTWOOD ON TRAIL OF A CUP HAT-TRICK
Report produced by the Nottingham Evening Post
Eastwood are determined to clinch a seasonal cup double and a Notts Senior Cup hat-trick by beating Ollerton tonight. The Badgers have already won the UniBond Challenge Cup by beating Skelmersdale 3-0 in an April final.
They have also won the county's premier competition for the last two years - beating Arnold and Sutton Town. Boss Paul Cox insists his players will be fired up to end their campaign on a successful note after losing their UniBond Premier Division play-off semi-final with Gateshead last week.
"Every team sets off at the start of the season wanting to win a trophy and we have a great opportunity to win two, which we want to take," said Cox. "We have a proud record in this competition over the last few years and we owe it to ourselves and our supporters to try to keep that going.
"It was a big disappointment not to get promoted, but if we could win this to go along with the Challenge Cup, it will not have been a bad effort at all from the players." Although Eastwood are overwhelming favourites, Cox knows Ollerton will raise their game at Meadow Lane.
He said: "I have had them watched two or three times and seen the reports on them, which say they are a good, young side. "We know it is not going to be easy, despite what some people might think.
"We will have to earn the right to win the match and we will be training hard and approaching the game like any other." Captain Craig Swinscoe is unlikely to be risked after suffering knee ligament damage.
05.05.08 - TOWN LOOKS TO REWRITE HISTORY
Report produced by the Retford Times
High flying Ollerton Town will be looking to rewrite history after reaching the final of this season's Notts Senior Cup.The Central Midlands Premier Division side reached the final with a 3-2 victory over Supreme Division side Gedling MW.
Town scorers at the Plains Sports ground, Mapperley, were Liam Mason, Ashley Grayson and Chris Beard.
Their opponents in the final at Notts County's Meadow Lane ground on Wednesday, May 7 will be Eastwood Town, who are having a fine season in the Unibond Premier Division, which is five leagues above the Central Midlands outfit.
The last time any Ollerton team won this grand old competition was in 1938 when Ollerton Colliery, a predecessor of Ollerton Town, beat Ransome and Marles of Newark in the final.
Town's chairman Mr John Thompson said: "The lads' hard work and civic pride have taken them this far and it would be great if we could count on the support of the whole community."
If you want to find out about the travel arrangements, please ring John Thompson on 01623 823942 or Adge Owen on 01623 862121.
05.05.08 - OLLERTON TOWN VS EASTWOOD TOWN PREVIEW
The final of the Notts Senior Cup between Ollerton Town and Eastwood Town will be held on Wednesday 7th May at Meadow Lane, Nottingham. If you want to find out about travel arrangements, please ring John Tompson on 01623 823942 or Adge Owen on 01623 862121. Best wishes goes to both teams.
04.05.08 - OLLERTON TOWN CROWNED CHAMPIONS OF THE MANOR PHARMACY PREMIER DIVISION
Ollerton Town FC were crowned champions of the Manor Pharmacy Premier Division after a well deserved 3-0 victory over Stanton Ilkeston. The staff and the players have had a impressive campaign this season which has seen them also reach the final of the Notts Senior Cup.
If you want to find out about the travel arrangements, please ring John Thompson on 01623 823942 or Adge Owen on 01623 862121.
03.05.08 - OLLERTON WIN THE MANOR PHARMACY PREMIER DIVISION, STANTON ILKESTON 0 OLLERTON TOWN 3
Match Report written by Liam Kent
Ollerton secured the clubs first league trophy in fourteen years on Saturday after beating Stanton Ilkeston three-nil. The goals that came in the second half from Chris Beard, Captain Jamie Allan and Phil North secured all three points.
It was Chris Beard who opened the scoring volleying over the keeper’s heads from twenty five yards after Liam Mason’s headed knock down. Ollerton knew a draw would be enough for them to secure the title but they still pressed for the important second goal and when Chris Booth was through one on one it looked like it might be on its way but unfortunately he miskicked the ball and it rolled into the keeper’s path.
However the home side conceded the second goal of the game mid way through the second period, the keeper only parrying a cross down for Jamie Allan to poke it home. The excitement was clear in the Ollerton dugout with smiles beamed all over the managerial staffs faces and they had another reason to smile when they called Phil North from the bench and the ex Thoresby man made a real impact drilling the ball into the corner on the net to score his first goal for the senior cup finalists.
When the referee blew the final whistle the Ollerton’s players and staff finally had their reward for an impressive campaign and knew that going into the Senior cup final at Meadow Lane on Wednesday this would give them a motivational boost they needed to help them try to overcome a tough Eastwood side.