With new manager Matt Evans watching on, the Greens encounter one of their toughest assignments of the season when unbeaten Melton Town pitch up in NG34. Eight games into their campaign, the Pork Pie Army have won six and drawn two in league action – those six victories running consecutively back to a 6-4 victory over Harrowby United in early August. As the Greens were being dumped out of the FA Vase by Kirby Muxloe on Saturday afternoon, the Reds were making narrow progress of their own, defeating United Counties League Division One side Clipstone FC 2-1. They were made to work particularly hard for that triumph, looking set to face the lottery of penalties before Rhys Brailsford’s 91st winner sent the Leicestershire side through to a 1st Round tie with another United Counties League Division One side, Pinxton FC.

With tonight being the first of three games in hand on current league leaders Lincoln United, this visitors will have all eyes on instigating a run that will have them leading the way in a condensed title race that also includes Eastwood Community. A meeting with Lincoln United themselves is in the offing on Saturday – but Tom Manship and his men will be eager to make sure they are in a position to capitalise by getting a result tonight. They’ll come up against a galvanised Greens side though following the appointment of Matt Evans as the clubs new manager last night. Evans – who arrives from a spell at Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Bottesford Town – is probably best known for has spell as number two to Chris Funnell in Lincoln United’s highly-successful side last season and is the chosen man amongst what was a tough recruitment process.

He'll not be in official charge tonight but will certainly be watching over the Greens progress as he eyes a formal first game on Saturday afternoon at Heanor Town. His first task will be boost to fleeting confidence amongst a struggling Greens side. That confidence is likely to come with stability bought about by a new permanent managerial appointment, though the Greens will expect the natural upheaval and changing of faces that tends to come with a change of management. A 3-0 defeat on Saturday to lower-ranked Kirby Muxloe in the FA Vase underlined the need for swift progress off the field with interim Chairman Damo Tunnicliffe quickly acting this week to secure his and the boards preferred candidate.

The Greens then, now winless since the 3-0 victory over Kimberley Miners Welfare nearly a fortnight ago, will be keen to stop the rot before Evans takes official control on Saturday. A result against Premier Division North’s sole unbeaten record would be just the perfect tonic to usher in a new era and with players such as Joe Smith and Kegan Everington back available for the Greens, things are firmly looking up with distinct optimism.

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. Wednesday’s match referee is William Vickers, and he is assisted on the day by Anthony Sherrock and Elinor Blanchard. Kick-off at Eslaforde Park is scheduled for 7:45pm.

Words: Oliver Atkin