Match Preview

PREVIEW | WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE (h)

RBL BACK IN ACTION AFTER A WASHOUT LAST WEEKEND

UP NEXT, after last weekends' fixtures were decimated by the weather, Mickleover RBL are at home again, but in league action as they host Wirksworth Ivanhoe, who sit one place below the Lions in fifth spot in Premier Division South and are sure to offer stern opposition today.

After a convincing midweek away victory in their last match, RBL will hope to continue this form into this weekend's must win game against a team who are enjoying some great form in a five match unbeaten run, taking thirteen points from a possible fifteen.

Both teams go into the match having played the same opponent in their respecitve last fixtures.

Following a convinving defeat at home in the cup two weeks ago, RBL travelled to Teversal on Tuesday of last week for what turned out to be an eventful game. After going behind to an early goal, and both teams having a player receiving his marching orders, RBL took control of the match and won convincingly in the end, with goals from Owen Brader, who was later injured, Jordan Lee and Sam Vickers, before super sub John Cullen opened his account for the season, before following up with an assist for new signing Jakub Cybulski. Despite his heroics, a disgusted Cullen still did not find himself in the club team of the week.

Wirksworth Ivanhoe also faced Teversal in their last match, just three days before the Lions mauled Tevvie. A 2-1 home victory was enough to keep the Wirksworth run going, giving them confidence coming into the match this weekend.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The two sides met at the end of last season, with RBL chasing second spot in the league. A comfortable 5-0 victory kept them on track, with goals from Cole Hassall (2), Mike Ryan (2) and Randy Sarpong.

The home fixture was the first match of the season, with RBL taking the points at the legion in a 4-2 win. Mason Booth-Davis, Jordan Lee and Lee Hillier (2) with the goals for RBL.

The season before, the first meeting was in early August as RBL had a midweek away trip. On a cowfield of a pitch, with grass in desperate need of a cut, an end to end match was played out with a lot of huffing and puffing and very little in the way of quality. The one moment of quality in the match saw Jordan Lee grab his fourth goal of the season to seal the points.

The second fixture was in November at the legion. A hard fought battle saw RBL take the points with a 2-1 victory. Goals from Jordan Lee and Liam Oliver sealed the win for the Lions

A LITTLE ABOUT THE VISITORS

Wirksworth Ivanhoe F.C. were formed prior to the start of the season 1921 -1922, they had a very successful first year winning the Derbyshire Cup in 1922. The early years were spent playing in various different leagues including those centred on Matlock and Derby. It may seem that travelling to Derby in those days before private cars were popular would have been to say the least arduous, but it must be remembered that in that period up to 1947 there was a direct rail link between Wirksworth and Derby.
Wirksworth Ivanhoe have for many years thought of themselves as the community club of Wirksworth, there are a number of current players and committee members who can point to 4th generation of involvement with the club. We like to think ourselves to be the natural home for players graduating from the Wirksworth Colts Junior teams.

Although there have been long periods of not winning things and changing leagues, the club still remains strong and active. Over the past six years since getting promoted from the Midland Regional Alliance division 2 there has been a continuous improvement in on-field achievements. During this first season in the Central Midlands League on the field efforts have been generally steady, with some of the best performances being reserved for cup competitions

THIS WEEKEND

We hope that you enjoy what is sure to be a good match, as the Lions aim to build on the good work in their last match, with a few questions to be answered.

Will JC continue as a creative force on the left wing? Will Braders injury hold together? Who will take over Jaffa's role of team enforcer as he sits out an enforced rest?

Thank you for the continued support and know that the lads will be giving their all to try to get the result.

Kick off at the is at 14:00

See you then