Match Preview

PREVIEW | CROMFORD & WIRKSWORTH TOWN(h)

RBL AT HOME FOR THE SIXTH TIME IN A ROW

UP NEXT, after a game of two halves last weekend, Mickleover RBL are at the legion for the sixth match in a row, where they host Cromford & Wirksworth Town in the Central Midlands Alliance Premier Division South.

Having gone two matches unbeaten, RBL will be hopeful of using this weekend’s match as a springboard to get a run going, having had an inconsistent start to the season so far. Doing this will be tough, as they face a side who have scored nine goals and conceded none in their last two matches.

Last week’s match against Mayfield was very definitely a game of two halves. Sam Vickers put the Lions ahead after just four minutes as expected. The lead lasted just seven minutes before Mayfield equalised. Minutes later, the Mayfield goalkeeper was sent off after a clumsy last man tackle as he came running out of the box. Instead of RBL capitalising on this, it was Mayfield who took advantage, taking the lead on the stroke of half time, compounding a particularly poor first half from the men in yellow. After some stern words at the interval, RBL were back on terms just five minutes into the second half through Mason Booth-Davis. A second for Sam Vickers put RBL into the lead, with a Booth-Davis penalty making it 4-2 to the hosts with twenty minutes left. Goals in the last ten minutes from Dean Oliver and Cole Hassell wrapped up a much more comfortable second half as the match finished 6-2 to the Lions.

Cromford & Wirksworth are welcomed to the legion having played just three matches so far this season. With two of those matches against some of the teams faced by RBL, comparisons can be drawn. Both sides have had heavy victories over Mayfield, while Linby Colliery Welfare took the points against Cromford, and drew with RBL.

Cromford’s last match was a straightforward 4-0 away victory over Arnold Town at Eagle Valley. Two goals apiece for Scott Taylor and Daniel Watson sealed the victory for Cromford.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The two sides last met in April of last season, where the Lions gained revenge for a controversial away defeat earlier in the season. Goals from Mason Booth-Davis, Josh Lee, Ben Rushby and Josh Wright doing the damage in a 4-1 win

Earlier in the 2022-23 season, in November, Cromford put the skids on an in-form RBL side, taking the home victory at Cromford Meadows with a late goal to finish 1-0 on a pitch that greatly resembled a farmers field.

[b]ONTO SATURDAY[\b]

RBL will want to make it three unbeaten as they search for some form and go on a run. Cromford will want to do likewise, following their fantastic last two matches. Exp[ect fireworks at the legion.

The legion bar will be open and the car park will be available. Entry is £3 and kick off is at 3pm

See you then