NEXT UP, a second midweek game in three days as the Lions welcome Holbrook St Michaels to the Royal British Legion. After Tuesday night’s disappointment, RBL will look to bounce back with three points tonight.

Just two days ago, RBL made the trip to Linby Colliery Welfare, where, after being a goal up at half time through Jordy Lee, a second half collapse saw Linby score four before Lee bagged his second for the game to finish 4-2 to Linby.

Holbrook St Michaels sit third from bottom and will be looking over their shoulders at Nottingham FC, who are level on points but have a game in hand. A mixed bag of form in April has seen them slip into the bottom three with three matches to go.

On Monday, the Saints hosted top of the league Clay Cross at Holbrook Park. The league leaders took three points following a routine 2-0 victory.

RBL have seven remaining matches in the league. With every match now needing three points to keep up the chase for the top two, the pressure is now on.

A LITTLE ABOUT THIS WEEKEND'S 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.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The two sides last met in October at Holbrook, as a single goal for RBL through Owen Brader took the points as the Lions won a close encounter 1-0.

Previously, on the last day of the 2021-22 season, 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 Holbrook 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.

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.

ONTO TONIGHT

Both teams will be wanting a victory to make up for defeats earlier in the week. An exciting game is hoped for.

The match kicks off at 6:30pm and the bar will be open

See you there