Match Preview

PREVIEW | ASHLAND ROVERS (h)

THE LIONS FACE THE BOTTOM SIDE AS THEY PLAY CATCH UP

Today sees RBL welcome bottom placed Ashland Rovers as they travel to the Legion from Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Having won their previous match, manager Garry Smith will be hoping to see his side make it two in a row and put themselves in contention for a spot in the top six as they play catchup, having played at least two games less than anyone else in the division, in some cases, having up to five games in hand on the teams above them

In their last match, RBL fought out a difficult 1-0 victory away against Holbrook St Michaels. A goal from Owen Brader on the stroke of half time was enough to send the lions home with all three points,

The match against Ashland gives the boys the chance to put together back to back wins for only the second time this season. With a tough run of fixtures over the next few weeks, the Lions will want to kick on and get the consistency that served them so well last season. Today represents the ideal opportunity for this consistency to begin and build some confidence.

Ashland will come to Poppyfields Drive on the back of a disappointing run of form, with their only win of the season coming in the cup three weeks ago in the cup. Their last match saw them draw 1-1 away against last season’s bottom side Arnold Town, which came on the back of an 8-0 home defeat to Mansfield Hosiery Mills under the lights on a Friday night fixture at the end of September.

Both sides will see this fixture as an opportunity to get their season going, with RBL looking towards the top end of the table and Ashland aiming to pick up their first league win of the season and avoid a gap forming between themselves and second bottom South Normanton.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The last meeting between the two sides was at Ashland in March, as RBL ran away with the match as goals from Lee Hillier and Mason Booth-Davis were accompanied by an own goal to take the victory 3-0.

The last time at the legion was in September last year, as RBL wrapped up a close match with a 3-2 victory. Goals from Sam Groves, Daniel Minto and Sam Vickers were enough to edge past Ashland, who scored twice through James Whitmore.

Going back further, in August 2019, Ashland won 4-3 at home. The reverse fixture was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the 2018-19 season, RBL completed a comfortable double with a 4-0 home win being followed up with a 4-1 win at Ashland.

AWAY TEAM TRAVEL INFORMATION

The visitors take a 23 mile drive along the A38 from Kirkby in Ashfield to the Royal British Legion in Mickleover. It's a straightforward route, hopping off the A38 onto Kingsway and then joining Uttoxeter New Road, past the Royal Derby hospital into Mickleover. Take a right onto Western Rod, follow it around and Poppyfields Drive will be on the right hand side.

The bar will be open and everything will be ready for a 15:00 kick off.

See you then