The 2023-24 season is the first in the Burton Junior League for the Jaguars. Having previously played in the Notts Youth League, and before that, the YEL and the Derby Junior League, the team made the choice to move to the Burton Junior League based on the fact that this is the GCSE year for the players and less travelling would be a benefit. Another deciding factor has been the success and enjoyment of the under 17’s and under 18’s teams, who were in the league last season.

RBL currently sit at the top of division one, unbeaten and eight points clear of second place, with four games to go and a game in hand over second placed Hatton United. With a midweek game against Hatton coming three days after the cup final, the Lions will hope to have the league and cup wrapped up in the space of four days having already beaten Hatton 6-0 earlier in the season.

Woodville Rangers Black come into the final sitting third from bottom of the league with just two wins in the competition this season. They have shown as very much a cup team this season, with some fantastic results on the way to this weekends’ final. With three of their last four matches against teams around them, they will be hoping to push further up the table. The third of the remaining four league matches is against today's opposition in the cup final.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

The cup run for RBL saw them awarded with a walkover result as they were due to face Hilton Harriers Typhoons from division three, who did not fulfil the fixture.
Next came their first match in the cup as they travelled to Belvedere Park Blue, who have since folded. A straightforward 5-1 victory took them into round three. Goals came from Fin Dampier, Sadeed Naveed, Marcus Wall and two from Ali Rizaie.

The third round saw another walkover as Whittington Spitfires Blue were the opposition to forfeit due to not having enough players.

The semi final saw the Lions host Outwoods Eagles of division two at Mickleover Sports’ Don Amott Arena on the 4G pitch last Sunday. Another straightforward victory saw RBL progress to the final at the Pirelli. Passage was secured with goals coming from Ryan Santini, two each for Fin Dampier and Ali Rizaie, and a hat trick for Sam Leonard.

Woodville’s path to the final has seen more obstacles that RBL’s, starting easily enough, until the quarters and semi got tense.

Firstly, Woodville travelled to Stretton Eagles, where a 3-1 victory saw them safely into round two. Goals came from Luca Howells and two for Dylan Foster.

The second round was an 8-1 away demolition of Mickleover Sports. Goals came from Josh Hallam, Euan Smith, Dan Brackstone, two for Luca Howells and a hat trick for Dylan Foster.

Things got interesting in the quarter final, as an away trip saw Woodville get through by the skin of their teeth in a goalfest 6-5 victory over bottom of the league Belvedere Park Red. Jack Woloczkow scored twice and goals from Josh Hallam, Euan Smith, Tom Wyatt and Heath Chaplin saw them sneak into the semi final.

The penultimate game of Woodville’s cup run came in the form of a win on penalties away at Barton Rovers Vikings. With the score at 1-1 at the end of normal time through a Heath Chaplin goal for Woodville, Euan Smith score in extra time as the goals were shared to go into penalties at 2-2 after extra time. Barton Rovers missed one of their five penalties, with Woodville scoring all of theirs to progress to this weekend’s final

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The two sides have met just once so far this season in November, when Woodville played hosts to the Lions. RBL ran out very comfortable winners as Fin Dampier, Sadeed Naveed, Ali Rizaie, Theo Roome and an Alex Tier brace took the points with a dominant 6-0 win

ONTO THE FINAL

Both teams will be giving everything to lift the trophy and look to give themselves a chance of a league and cup double. Please come along and support the team in what is sure to be an exciting match.

See you there