Match Preview

PREVIEW | DERBYSHIRE FA DIVISIONAL CUP SOUTH FINAL - DERBY SINGH BROTHERS

IT’S NEARLY CUP FINAL DAY!!!

Thursday night sees the Lions travelling to Ilkeston, where they face Derby Singh Brothers in the final of the Derbyshire FA Divisional Cup South at the Microlise New Manor Ground, home of Ilkeston Town.

Both sides come into the final in the middle of a hectic schedule in the final few weeks of a rain disrupted season, with games in hand to make up. This results in a combined thirty four (possibly thirty five) matches to play after the final up to the end of the season in May.

On Saturday, RBL welcomed Arnold Town to the Royal British Legion for their last league match before this cup final. Sam Vickers opened the scoring for RBL on 28 minutes, followed by Josh Lee doubling the lead just eight minutes later, taking the teams into half time with RBL leading 2-0. A late flurry of goals saw eighteen year old Conor Livingstone and Emilio De-Abreu score, along with Toby Francis for Arnold Town for the match to finish 4-1 to the Lions.

Derby Singh Brothers are currently sitting in mid-table in the league due to having anything from four to eleven games in hand on the teams above them. With top side, Pinxton having played twenty four matches, Singh Brothers “could” go seven points above Pinxton if they win all of their games. Having been unbeaten throughout the season, March saw a slight dip in form as top side Pinxton, and then mid-table Linby Colliery narrowly came out on top of Singh in their last two matches in the league.

Singh’s last match saw them travel to Linby Colliery, where comeback goals from Tyler Johal and Stephen Byrne were not enough to overcome their hosts, who took the points through an early brace from Joe Butler and a ninetieth minute winner from Mason Moore for 3-2 to Linby.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

RBL began their cup journey with a straightforward 5-0 home win over Belper United Reserves in October. A Daniel Minto hat trick was accompanied by goals for Matt Brittle and Ryan Ross to wrap up an easy win over lower league competition.

Next up was another Belper side in Inter Belper, last year's runners up to RBL’s reserve side in the DCFA Junior cup. Two goals from Jordan Lee secured passage into the next round.

The quarter final saw a ten goal thriller at the Don Amott Arena as the Lions faced Mickleover Athletic. Jordy Lee and Daniel Mionto scored two each, while Emilio De Abreu and Dean Oliver made up six goals for RBL. Josh Ablett, Dominic Hurst and a brace from Jamie Laird finished off the scoring in what was frankly a ridiculous scoreline of Mickleover Athletic 4 - 6 Mickleover RBL.

In the semi final, Holbrook St Michaels visited the Royal British Legion in what was a close and competitive match which emphasised the rivalry between the two teams. Kieran Smith scored for the visitors, but goals from Lee Hillier and Ryan Morgan booked a place in the final for RBL

The cup journey for the Singh Brothers started with a stroke of luck as they were given a bye into the second round.

The cup journey properly got off the ground in the second round as Singh completely dominated a young Mickleover Reserves side at the Don Amott Arena. Jared Cholerton scored the only goal for the hosts as the visiting team won 4-1 with goals from a Tyler Johal brace and goals from Lee Williamson and Khaleeq Shafique.

The quarter final was an ill mannered affair as Singh beat Gresley Rovers Reserves on their home patch. Two red cards for other players accompanied two goals from Tyler Johal and Khaleeq Shafique to give the Singh Brothers a 2-1 win.

The Singh Brothers secured passage to the final via penalties after a 3-3 draw against Melbourne Dynamo in the semi final. A Khaleeq Shafique hat trick was equalled by goals from Tyler Withers, Sam Simpson and Oscar Supple to take the tie to penalties. Singh scored all of their penalties to progress to the final, winning 5-3 on spot kicks.

EARLIER THIS SEASON

The two sides have already met once this season, as the Singh Brothers visited the Royal British Legion way back in August, before the weather became a factor in league fixtures. Tyler Johal scored twice as RBL missed a hatful of chances to go down 2-1, with only Ben Rushby finding the back of the net for the Lions.

ONTO THE FINAL

Both teams will be giving everything to lift the trophy today. Please come along and support the team in what is sure to be an exciting match.

Entry is £5, and £3 for concessions.

See you there