After two weekends of cup matches, RBL attention turns back to the league as they travel to Holbrook, where they face Holbrook St Michaels, with ground to make up on the rest of the league, having only played three times so far this season. With some teams having played eight matches already in the league, the Lions have a lot of catching up to do, and currently have no idea if they have had a good or a bad start to the season. Having played at home once in the league so far this season, the Lions take this trip away before four home matches in a row.

With only five matches in all competitions being played since August, finding some consistency has been hard to come by, with a return of three wins and two losses. RBL now have the chance to get that consistency with a run of thirteen matches up to the end of 2022. This weekend gives the boys the opportunity to get things going, with a tough away match at Holbrook St Michaels.

Last weekend, in the County Cup, RBL went down 3-2 against Newhall United as Mason Boot-Davis and Jordan Lee’s goals were outdone by three from the opposition.

RBL will want to put this result behind them and get back on track against an opposition who are in an equally mixed run of form, having taken three draws from five league matches, and one win and loss either side of these. Their last match was a 1-0 cup win of AFC Bentley, with a goal from Jorge-Alex Knowles enough to take the victory.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

There has been a football team in Holbrook village at least since the early part of the last century. Local newspaper records show that a team called Holbrook Swifts was successful in cup and league competitions around 1910 - 1912. It is believed that in 1912 this team changed its name to Holbrook Saint Michaels. What is known for sure (we still have the minutes book) is that in early 1932 the local vicar, The Reverend Sides, formed a team named after the village church of Saint Michael, to play in the Belper Sunday School League.

We moved to our present ground, Holbrook Park in 1936 and, apart from a short period during the Second World War, we have played continually since winning cup and league competitions. We have had many successes over the years most notably being the only club to win the Derbyshire Divisional Cup Northern section (1975 & 1983) and the Southern section (2006).The Club has progressed through the local leagues: The Belper Amateur League, The Derbyshire Welfare League, The Derby Senior league, The Central Alliance and latterly the Midland Regional Alliance where the Club was the longest serving member. The Club has always endeavoured to be a village team that follows its motto ‘victory with honour’. Our junior section consists of 2 teams competing in the Derby City league

For season 2021/22 Steve Palombo, first team manager and his Assistant Daren Cartwright, continue with their vision for the future for the club adding strength and depth to the squad. Noel Hayes is taking last seasons under 17 team into senior football, playing in the Midlands Regional Alliance. We have appointed a Junior development officer to help provide a pathway from junior to senior football. We have recruited several players and our reserves aim to progress with, primarily, a young squad intent on developing into first team players. Dave Wainwright and Simon Billyeald continue in their roles as Manager and assistant.

With both sides in need of finding some form, an interesting tie is in prospect.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The two sides last met on the last day of the 2021-22 season, as Holbrook hosted RBL for the second time of the season. RBL completed the league double over St Michaels in dominant fashion. Goals from Joe Conkleton, Lee Hillier, Branon Meehan and a brace from substitute Matt Green were answered only once by Josh Barnes as RBL ran out 5-1 winners.

Before that, in March, Holbrook hosted RBL in the cup. A close match saw RBL take a late lead through Jordan Lee, only for Holbrrok to equalise and take the game straight to penalties on the 97th minute, with a goal from Ben Cartwright. RBL scored all of their spot kicks, to go into the next round, winning 5-3.

Their first meeting of last season was in August, where RBL hosted the Saints at Poppyfield Drive. A goal from Jordan Lee and two from Liam Oliver were not enough in a poor match where St Michaels came out 4-3 winners, with goals from Regan Bickerton, Ben Cartwright, Dylan Garnett and Liam Gregg.

In the Covid hit 2019-20 season, the two sides met twice at Holbrook, once in the league and once in the cup. The Saints were victorious on both occasions as they won 2-0 in the league in August 2019, with goals from Ben Cartwright and Sam Williamson. The cup match in November was a little closer. With the hosts winning 2-1 on this occasion, with two goals from Morgan Holloway answered by a single goal from RBL.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

The match will take place a short 10 miles away at Holbrook Park. Take the A38 as far as the Abbey Hill roundabout in Allestree, joining the A6 (Duffield Road) and follow it and turn right onto Makeney Road in Duffield. Follow this road as it becomes Duffield Bank. Bare right onto Red Lane, which becomes Makeney Road in Holbrook. Turn into Holbrook Hall and the pitch is on the left.

Full details for the venue are:

Holbrook St Michaels F.C.
Holbrook
Belper
DE56 0UH