Today see’s the first team play for the second weekend in a row for the first time since November. This time around, attention turns to the Buckingham Insurance league challenge cup third round, when they host Rowsley 86, who currently sit second bottom of Division One West, the division in which RBL reserves ply their trade.

With only two league matches happening in the division, featuring only lower placed opposition and the rest being cup, RBL can go into this fixture with no concerns of losing ground on the top teams. This leaves them free to focus on progressing in the competition that they finished runners up in last season and will feel confident as they face a side whose last win in all competitions came in November last year.

RBL’s only match of the year so far, and their first since early December last year came last weekend with an away trip to Nottingham FC. They could have been forgiven for being a little rusty, however, a 6-2 victory put any of those thoughts firmly to bed. Nottingham started the stronger and raced into a 2-0 lead, but the Lions roared back and went into halftime at 2-2 thanks to goals from Jordy and Josh Lee. RBL dominated the second half and goals from Dean Oliver, Mason Booth-Davis, Lee Hillier and a Jordy Lee penalty proved to be way too much for the home side.

Rowsley head into this match on a miserable run of six defeats in a row in all competitions, seeing them sitting second bottom of Division One West and out of the Division One cup. However, their match last week saw them host unbeaten Heanor Town Reserves. An Aaron Eyre goal wasn’t enough to take any points as Rowsley went down 2-1.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The two sides last met in April last year, when Rowsley were still in Premier Division South.

Firstly, Rowsley hosted RBL on the 9th. Goals from Dean Oliver, Lee Hillier and Josh Wright for RBL were answered by Nick Bainbridge and Conoer Hiley as RBL took the win 3-2.

The following week, the teams met again at the legion. This time around, a Josh Wright brace and a goal from Jordy Lee gave the Lions a convincing 3-0 victory in what part of a brilliant 18 match unbeaten run.

ONTO TODAY

RBL will be keen to progress in the cup with the aim of going one step further than last season’s runners up and will field a strong side.

Rowsley will be wanting to get a win and break their current poor run of form.

The match kicks off at 2pm and the bar will be open

See you then