Increasingly decisive United Counties League Premier Division North points go under the hammer this weekend as the Greens welcome play-off chasing Belper United to the MKM Ground – kick-off, 3:00pm.

A most welcome return to home soil it is too, the Greens absent from the MKM since losing 3-1 – albeit valiantly – to league leader Eastwood Community in the final throws of November. Since then, the Greens have sported a point at a rejuvenated Gresley Rovers and seen their trip to Ashby Ivanhoe fall foul of the rather Baltic conditions bought about by Storm Darragh last weekend. If that postponement had the lads dreaming of a Saturday off it was for the best they’d rethink any plans as Matt Evans took the opportunity for an extra training session – alongside a 5K run – as the Greens prepare for the toughest of festive periods.

With Boston Town and Bourne Town – likely the leagues two form sides – waiting in the wings, this weekends clash with Belper United takes on even more significance. Conveniently, the Greens last victory in any competition arrived at the hands of Belper some two months ago now – so if the Greens are seeking that extra shot of belief ahead of the weekend, then let that be it. On that occasion, Josh Parker’s solitary strike made all the difference in a tightly contested affair at Coronation Park and the Greens would bite your hand off for similar this time around too. Take that result out of the equation though and the Greens still have an awful lot to be optimistic about. Three draws in their last five is surely considered hard proof that the Greens have turned a corner, something not argued by Matt Evans who is now urging his side to ‘take the next step’ and turn promising performances into something more substantial going forward.

To do that, the Greens will need a favour in return from those baring the goalscoring burden. The opener in the clash at Gresley will certainly have done Harry Gibbons confidence no harm, while Josh Parker rediscovering his shooting boots would pose a welcome boon to the Greens as the campaign creeps towards its crux. With Tyrell Shannon-Lewis still suffering from a niggly back problem and Ryan Flitton still sometime from a return after injuring his ankle last month – Evans will likely turn once again to his smattering of fresh faces. None of those are more evident than in new loan signing Jake Thompson who joins the Greens from National League side Boston United. He appeared from the bench at Gresley for his debut, while a second appearance in Green for young Joe Wilkinson was a welcome plus and he could well be involved again, though likely from the bench.

Opponents Belper United meanwhile are enjoying their best campaign at step five to date. Promoted three years back, the Greens – as they are also nicknamed – have displayed incremental improvements season-upon-season since then and currently find themselves in the thick of a promotion chase. Having spent much of their history in the shadow of their more illustrious neighbours Belper Town, the Greens now have eyes rigidly fixed upon their hometown rivals who reside just one league above in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
It is upon that model that the Greens have moulded their approach, developing young, local talent while maintaining a competitive squad that continues to defy odds at the top end of the division. The only real bump in the road has been their temporary relocation to Eastwood Community’s Coronation Park at the beginning of the last campaign – but the Greens have settled in well on the whole in Nottinghamshire. After losing to the Greens back in October, this weekends visitors have won four of six in league action and arrive at the MKM having seen off Deeping Rangers last weekend whilst much of the division found themselves battening down hatches as opposed to playing football. Back-to-back defeats to Newark Town and Boston Town before that were somewhat indicative of the inconsistencies that see the Greens placed just outside the play-offs as opposed to in them. But, with half their games left to play and now just two points off fifth placed AFC Mansfield, it is very much a crucial, season defining festive period ahead for the Greens.

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 Cassey Rook, and he is assisted on the day by Brett Hovey and Martin Mountain. Kick-off at Eslaforde Park is scheduled for 3:00pm.

Words: Oliver Atkin