The Match Background

Both sides come into Saturday afternoon’s contest on the back of differing result in the United Counties League Knockout Cup last weekend. While the Greens were succumbing to Eynesbury Rovers on penalties, the Miners were also on the road, edging out Wisbech Town by the odd goal in five at the Fenland Stadium to record just a third win in all-competitions this season. The Greens meanwhile are themselves looking to build upon an improved couple of weeks in league action, now three unbeaten after winning just one of their opening four games. The pick of those results no doubt came in their last league outing when the Greens defeated play-off chasing Skegness Town on the road last midweek. Player/Manager Tom Ward is urging his side to use that result as a catalyst for better things over the coming weeks and was not too disheartened in defeat last weekend, instead focusing on the positives of getting useful minutes into players that needed them. As the season settles in for the long haul over the winter, so has Ward’s squad in recent weeks as he continues to find a blend that will get his Greens firing towards the top of Premier Division North in the coming weeks.

Team News

Ward will enter into Saturday’s game though without probably his star man of the campaign so far, Ben Robson, as he begins his three-match suspension for his sending off at the end of the Greens victory at Skegness Town. His absence in the middle of the park could open up an opportunity for Kegan Everington to make his first start for the club following his cameo debut last weekend at Eynesbury Rovers, while it is also likely that Joe Smith will return to the side after being absent for last weekend’s contest in Cambridgeshire. Ward himself – rested last weekend – could return to the side at the heart of defence alongside his brother Max, while there could also be minutes for Kyle Watkins who has made recent appearances on the bench following a hamstring problem.

The Opposition

Now entering into their third season at step five, Kimberley Miners Welfare have reached somewhat of a crossroads as they juggle consolidation with a push to become sustained challengers in Premier Division North. Since winning Division One in 2021/22, the Stags have recorded 10th and 14th placed finishes in their inaugural campaigns at step five, and there is an urgency amongst the hierarchy at the club to continue to push on after firmly establishing themselves at this level.

A sign they might see that potential through came in the form of a 6-1 opening day hammering at the expense of Deeping Rangers, but since then, the Miners have gone six league contests without a win as a promising start faltered badly. They did succeed in stopping the rot in their last league outing, drawing 2-2 with Heanor Town at the Stag Ground. They twice had the advantage in that one before twice being pegged back by the Lions who themselves have suffered a frustratingly inconsistent opening to the campaign.

It was the Nottinghamshire outfits first point since game week two when they surrendered a 3-0 half-time advantage to draw 3-3 with Gresley Rovers on the Stag Ground - a result that caused much obvious frustration from manager Ant Ward. Any hopes of a quick response there were quashed in unerring fashion the weekend following when they trounced 7-0 by Northern Premier League Division One East side Cleethorpes Town. On the whole though, it's been in the cups where the Miners respite has based itself. 3-0 victors at Holwell Sports in the FA Vase three weeks ago saw them progress to a 2nd Qualifying Round tie with Skegness Town, while progress was also made in the Knockout Cup last weekend at the expense of a struggling Wisbech Town side.

They were thankful in that instance to a 91st minute Joshua Timson winner on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border, his second goal of the campaign. He’s someway to go to catch top-scorer Lewis Weaver who sits on eight for the campaign already, including a brace early in the campaign at home to Gresley Rovers. The Miners have the knack of finding an exciting striker or two, having enjoyed the goalscoring exploits of James Shaw and Kole Lambert over the last two campaigns, the pair scoring over 50-goals between them in that time. It’s likely then, that if the Miners are to make a marked improvement this campaign, a star-striker might be vital once again.

Previous Meetings

Only four meetings have taken place between the Greens and the Miners and, by a quirk, both sides have shared two away victories each. The Greens were defeated 2-0 at home in October 2022 before returning the favour by winning 3-0 at the Stag Ground in early April 2023, Tom Ward, Ryan Rushen, and Rodrigo Goncalves the scorers on that occasion in front of 138 spectators in Nottinghamshire. The Greens were then 2-0 winners at the Stag Ground again on an unseasonally warm October day last year, Dominic Kew and Jacob Fenton seeing the Greens to a comfortable victory in front of 145 spectators. The Greens were then soundly beaten on home soil in February this year, finding themselves 3-0 down by the hour mark – on that occasion, 106 spectators saw Gregg Smith bag a late consolation for the Greens.

The Match Details

Admission to The MKM Ground (NG34 7ER) on Saturday afternoon is priced at £7 for adults and £4 for concessions, with under-sixteen’s free (alongside a paying adult). We also offer a military discount for those in the armed services, and this grants you entry at £5 upon production of a valid ID. Cash and card can be accepted at both our turnstiles and at the hot food counter which serves a variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks. Our matchday programme can be found on our website or social channels in the lead up to kick-off, but for those who prefer a printed memento, you can pick up a complimentary teamsheet at the turnstiles or in the bar. Saturday’s match referee is Istvan Mod, and he is assisted on the day by Cameron Johnson and Stephen Hines. Kick-off at Eslaforde Park is scheduled for 3:00pm.

Words; Oliver Atkin