Match Preview

PREVIEW | KILBURN(h)

RBL TAKE A BREAK FROM THE LEAGUE AS THEY BEGIN THEIR DEFENCE OF THE LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

UP NEXT, the Lions begin their defence of the League Challenge Cup, having lifted the trophy at Alfreton Town’s Impact Arena in April, having beaten league champions, Clay Cross Town in a dramatic final.

With an inconsistent run in the league, the cup represents a welcome change of competition as the Lions face a team in a lower division to kick off the cup campaign.

Kilburn make the short eleven mile trip down the A38 to Poppyfields Drive on the back of a four match winning streak, which saw them sitting proudly at the top of the Macron Store Nottingham Division One West before Holbrook Sports won on Tuesday night.

RBL come into this match after a mixed start to the season, which has seen them win four and draw one of their eight matches so far, with six of those at home, with only one defeat at the legion so far.

In their last match, RBL travelled to Pinxton in what was only their second away match of the season. Unfortunately, the Lions went down 1-0 to their hosts, leaving them still chasing their first points on their travels.

Kilburn’s last match was two weeks ago, as they thrashed Bargate Rovers 4-1 at home. Two goals apiece for Kaine Bray and Chrisie Ward took the points.

A LITTLE ABOUT THIS WEEKEND'S OPPOSITION

Kilburn FC’s current club was established in 2017 from an under 12’s team that grew into what we have today which is an adult men's first team, adult men's veteran team, under 15’s, under 16’s and walking football team.

Although there has been football connected to the Kilburn Welfare Social Club (Kilburn Miners Welfare Social Club previously) since 1955 (could be earlier) the clubs have never ran consistently throughout and have folded and been reborn so to speak.

They are a relatively new club, and the first team is even newer, established in 2019. They have been members of the Central Midlands Alliance since 2020-21, where they have since been consistent in their position in the top five spots without quite doing enough to get promoted.

The 2020-21 season saw them finish fifth in an incomplete, Covid-ridden season in the Macron Store Stoke Division One Central.

In 2021-22, their first full season again saw them finish in fifth spot in Division One Central.

The 2022-23 season saw a one spot improvement, with Kilburn finishing fourth in the Macron Store Nottingham Division One West.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

While the first team have not yet faced Kilburn, last season, the reserves met them twice in five days towards the end of the season. Those experiences have given the team the knowledge that Kilburn will present a tough challenge. RBL will need to be at their very best if they are to progress into round two of the cup.

[b]ONTO SATURDAY[\b]

We hope that you enjoy what is sure to be a good match. Thank you for the continued support and know that the lads will be giving their all today to try to get the result and progress into the next round.

Entry is £4.

The bar is open and we hope to join you for a drink after the game.

See you then