MATCHWEEK SEVEN – MONDAY PREVIEW
Updated: Apr 14, 2021
Football is back and we almost can’t contain our elation at the prospect of games returning on Monday. With such a disrupted season so far, and a commitment to fulfil all the fixtures for the season, there will be exciting times ahead for us in the ESPFA, with games taking place on both a Monday and a Thursday. The league resumes on Monday 12th April and what a round of fixtures we have install for us.
Key Matchup
Belper Town v Carlton Town
The Key Matchup for #MatchweekSeven’s Monday fixtures comes from the Midlands division where Belper Town face Carlton Town. Both these teams may feel they haven’t performed to their potential yet this season and will be desperate to restart their season on the front foot. Carlton Town Academy coach, Luke Weatherall is delighted to be back in training with his side and believes his side are extra motivated with games returning. He said: “The boys have worked really hard since returning back to the education on a full-time basis. It’s great to have something to look forward to and brilliant to be able to plan sessions around an upcoming fixture.”
Carlton Town will look to build on their last result before the shut down when they beat Mickleover (Black) in #MatchweekFive to claim their first points of the season while Belper will be hoping they can get their first mark in the win column. Speaking on Carlton’s latest match, Weatherall said: “The boys were superb! They adapted to a new style of football really quickly taking all information on board, on that day back in December it came out really well and the lads got what they deserved. We’ve looked good so far in training trying to remember everything we learnt back in November/December.”
Northern Division
Ossett United v Mossley
Mossley ended 2020 at the top of the table and will be looking to stay there when they visit Ossett United. The Greater Manchester side also boast an unbeaten record as well (P4, W2, D2) and join Skelmersdale United as the only teams in the division to hold such a record. ‘The Sheepicorns’ have experienced life at the top of the Northern Division in the early part of the season but defeat to West Yorkshire rivals Brighouse Town in their last game opened the door and allowed other teams to leapfrog them. These sides are yet to face each other this season which bodes for a thrilling spectacle.
Witton Albion v Radcliffe
This will be another tasty matchup in the Northern Division as two bottom half teams face off, wanting to start the 2021 portion of the season off strongly. Radcliffe have experienced a mixed bag of results so far this season with a win, a draw and a loss coming from their three games played. They also haven’t played a competitive league game since the 29th of October, so will be raring to get back on the field.
Midlands Division
Rushall Olympic (Amber) v Mickleover (Black)
Second place Rushall Olympic host Mickleover (Black) and a win could see ‘The Pics’ join Stafford Rangers at the top of the table on 13 points, with the Staffordshire side not playing until Thursday. Mickleover (Black) started the season well with a win in their opening game but have faced four successive defeats and slip to fourth in the table. A win could be vital for this Mickleover side with Carlton picking up a win in their last game and drawing level on points with them.
Southern Division
Kidlington v Swindon Supermarine
After a tricky start to the year where they lost two games out of two, Kidlington managed to build up some decent form with back-to-back wins over Frome Town before the shutdown. Swindon however are on the opposite end of the spectrum, as they opened their account for the season with a 5-1 victory over Frome Town but have lost their two games since the opening day. A win for Swindon could see them go level on points with Kidlington so there is a lot to play for in this Southern Division clash.
Yate Town v Frome Town
Yate Town currently sit in second place of the Southern Division with Kidlington level on points and snapping at their heels while Chesham United are storming out in front ahead of them. A win will be paramount in this game as they will look to try and keep the pressure on behind Chesham United. Frome Town on the other hand hope to bounce back from a recent run of disappointing results and get their first win of the season.