The Match Background

The Greens will take to the road on Saturday in good spirits too following a much-needed four game unbeaten spell that has got their season back on the rails. Wednesday evening’s 2-1 victory at play-off chasing Skegness Town was arguably the pick of those results as the Greens executed their gameplan to perfection to grab a third win of their United Counties League Premier Division North season. There was a fluidity and a togetherness that was missing earlier in the campaign on Wednesday and Ward alluded to fact that having a settled and committed side has really helped his side take strides forward. They’ll want to continue that form into Saturday’s cup encounter with old rivals Eynesbury Rovers as the Greens look to instigate a cup run that could lead to Tom Ward’s first major trophy as Greens manager. A semi-final defeat to Anstey Nomads two years ago showed how well a cup run can bring the club together and with Eynesbury themselves defeated in midweek, Ward and his squad will travel in confidence.

Team News

Gaffer Tom Ward indicated in his post-match interview on Wednesday evening that he could make changes as he looks to give some of his fringe players a run out. That could include central defender Kyle Watkins who was fit enough to return to the bench on Wednesday evening, while players like Mitchell Clogg, Ainslie Harrison and Ollie Fields will hope to build on fleeting minutes recently also. Ben Robson – dismissed on Wednesday evening at Skegness Town – will not start his ban until the Greens host Kimberley Miners Welfare a week Saturday meaning he’ll be available for Saturday’s contest at Eynesbury. Elsewhere, Ward could call upon the returning Kegan Everington for his Greens debut on Saturday, the former Wisbech Town man has been suspended since joining the Greens from Skegness Town a fortnight ago.

The Opposition

Much like the Greens, Saturday’s opponents Eynesbury Rovers were in midweek league action, travelling to face Cambridgeshire rivals March Town. It was a meeting of two of United Counties League Premier Division South’s early pacesetters and the sides looked set to share the points too until Dan Cotton’s stoppage-time penalty edged March to a narrow 1-0 victory. That three points hoisted them right into the early title race in Premier Division South, but left Saturday’s opponents lagging behind and falling out of the play-off places to the benefit of Lutterworth Town.

For Eynesbury, it was a first defeat in four games since a 5-1 reversal to Daventry Town just under a month ago. Since then, Rovers won three and drew one in all-competitions, including making Isuzu FA Vase progression at the hands of Lakenheath FC three weeks ago to set up a tie with Great Yarmouth Town in a fortnight. Losing to nil on Tuesday evening was the first instance of Rovers failing to score this campaign, and they’ll point to the need to keep more clean sheets if they are to sustain a challenge having kept just two clean sheets in 10 so far this season. Victor Osobu is the Rovers obvious dangerman, already having bagged six goals in just nine appearances so far this season, his rare off-night on Tuesday more a flash in the pan than a prolonged decline.

His goals will prove vital if Rovers are to improve upon a lowly 17th placed finish last season that saw them clear of the relegation zone by just five points in the end and they’ll be keen to avert such concerns this time around. 14 points from their final 10-games was the catalyst for that recovery last season and they’ll take promise from their early season success that better times may be on the way in Cambridgeshire.

Previous Meetings

Once members of the United Counties League Premier Division, Eynesbury and the Greens were regular opponents of each other before the two sides were split when the National League System reshuffle took place just after the Covid-19 pandemic. Now in Premier Division South, Eynesbury proved profitable opposition for the Greens during their stint together – winning nine of 16 contests overall. One of Eynesbury’s seven victories did arrive in the last meeting between the two sides back in 2019 when the Greens were defeated 2-0 on the road – Joe Smith a part of the Greens side that day. The Greens have bagged 34 goals in those meetings to Eynesbury’s 32 goals.

The Match Details

Admission to The Alfred Hall Memorial Ground (PE19 2SF) on Saturday afternoon is priced at £6 for adults and £4 for concessions, with under-eighteen’s free (alongside a paying adult). Saturday’s match referee is Andrew Hitchcox, and he is assisted on the day by Paul Buck and an official yet to be confirmed. Kick-off in Eynesbury is scheduled for 3:00pm.

Words; Oliver Atkin