PREVIEW | LINBY COLLIERY WELFARE (n)
ALFRETON TOWN HOSTS RBL’S BIGGEST MATCH OF THE SEASON
Its all change this weekend as RBL change days to play on a Sunday for a Saturday league. The reason for this is that the match is the Buckingham Insurance League Challenge Cup Final at Alfreton Town's Impact Arena. Here, they face Linby Colliery Welfare, who sit two places below them in the league in sixth spot.
RBL go into this match on the back of a fantastic fourteen match unbeaten run, which has seen them need just three points from nine to secure fourth spot, with a chance of taking third as they sit just a point behind Pinxton, with two games in hand.
Linby reached the final with a mixed bag of results in recent weeks. Having received a walkover result in their last fixture, along with a postponement, a draw and a heavy loss making up their four matches since winning in the cup semi final.
RBL’s semi final match saw them travel to South Normanton Athletic’s Lees Lane ground, where they faced Harworth Colliery. A hard fought first half (in more ways than one) saw RBL take the lead through Owen Brader. Harworth then equalised before Lee Hillier headed in a cross from a free kick and Jordy Lee coolly finished to make the score 3-1 at half time. The second half didn’t live up to the first as Harworth appeared to have worn themselves out in the first half, and RBL were happy to stay organised and look after their lead and take the step to the final.
Linby Colliery Welfare faced Pass, Move Grin at Pinxton’s Wharf Road. Linby went into half time at 2-1 down through two goals from Dembo Jatta, despite opening the scoring through Travis Shooter. The second half saw Linby stage a comeback, with Caden McGrath and Elliott Jones scoring a goal each to overcome the deficit and take Linby through to the final.
To win the cup would be a fantastic achievement for either team, who have both had a great season in the league, without quite managing to hit the promotion places.
Please come along and support the boys. After the under 16’s match in the morning, this final could be a fantastic way to round off the bank holiday Sunday.
See you there for a 15:00 kick off