Belper come to the Northolme like ourselves, desperate for points, but for entirely different reasons. The Nailers currently sit bottom of the pile, on the same number of points as Liversedge, but having played four games more. Despite the lowly league position, it is imperative that Bish’s boys do not underestimate the magnitude of the task in hand. The league position’s of the two teams the Holy Blues have faced this week, are poles apart. But the message from Bish to his young charges will be the same.

In the reverse fixture, on Bonfire Night last year, the Holy Blues served up a fantastic fireworks display, to come back from a goal down to win 4-1. Goals coming from Harry Lewis & a Clayton Donaldson hat-trick. The Don will be hopeful that the same opponents yield a similar outcome, as the front man is currently seven games without a goal, though not his longest run (in Gainsborough colours) without a goal, the front man has continued to be a talismanic figure for Neal Bishop's young side. And I am certain, his next goals are just around the corner, as he guns for Regan Linney’s total at the top of the Golden Boot charts.

Five former Trinity players appeared for Belper in their last game. A narrow 2-1 defeat to Marine. Featuring for the Nailers include goalkeeper Tom Jackson, a regular under Curtis Woodhouse; midfielder Harry Middleton (who now combines patrolling the midfield, with policing the streets of Doncaster) Rio Molyneaux the winger/forward who spent a brief spell at Gainsborough under Tom Shaw. Brodie Litchfield, Belper's top scorer with seven & previously played for Trinity while Liam King and Ross Hannah were in charge. And finally, James Tague who spent a couple of games with Trinity as a teenager, before opting for a move to Basford, and then time at Loughborough Dynamos, before linking up with Belper's third manager of the season Lee Attenborough.

A look at our visitors away form, in fifteen games, they have won three and drawn two, picking up eleven points on the road. Stafford, Morpeth and Liversedge are the three sides where Belper have collected three point hauls as well as sharing the spoils against Lancaster City and Atherton Collieries in back to back October away games. In the fifteen games away, Belper have scored sixteen times, conceding double the total (32) at an average of just over two goals a game. This is as opposed to the Holy Blues’ goal scoring form, which has seen the side net 24 goals in 14 games, while conceding fifteen – just over one a game. Since the turn of the year, Belper have scored in seven of their last eight games, beating Stafford and Liversedge, but notably taking points off title chasing Hyde United, at the Raygar Stadium.

There is certainly plenty at stake in this one – and we are hopeful of a sizable crowd, with the distance between the two towns, of Belper and Gainsborough only 54 miles apart! So, come on down, spread the word – and let’s have a bumper crowd – ready to watch a fantastic game of Pitching In Northern Premier League football. It really is better than watching on the television. And that can be done too, if you wish. After the battle of the Northolme has finished, you can retire to the Blues Club and watch the Premier League offering, whilst mixing with your heroes as they enjoy their post-match food, and a pint. This weekend, on the big screens, it is Newcastle United and Liverpool… you know a day out at the football makes sense, so see you there – Dave Longstaff Martin and Co Arena from 2, kick off at 3pm!

Squad Update

Neal Bishop has moved to strengthen his squad, with the addition of young Work Experience loan, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming. The 17 year old, second year trainee joins the Holy Blues in fine form in front of goal, netting 16 times in 20 appearances for Scunthorpe United Under 18s this season. Pending all relevant paperwork subject to usual clearances, Tyrell will be available for selection on Saturday.

Match Sponsors

Special thanks to our generous Match Sponsors who join us for the game against Belper Town. Our thanks go out to everybody coming on board and being a part of our journey. Please share your thoughts, as we strive to provide a top experience, with some great company – and great football.
Gold – MKS Groundcare
Silver – Spectrum: Hull Boys on Tour
Bronze – Sills & Betteridge

Please reach out to us via the contact us page on the website, if you are interested in sponsoring any games in future, whether it’s the main Bronze, Silver or Gold packages, Match Ball Sponsor or for your special someone to lead the team out as Mascot, we’ve got a range of opportunities to suit any budget!

Matchday Programme

Inside this weekend’s Matchday Programme, in association with our friends at Matchday Creative, our midweek goal scorer, George Hornshaw is the player feature in ‘First and Last’. We hear from the man with the armband, Isaac Rice. Dale Storey, Phil Anderson & Steve Andrews all provide their excellent contributions, with plenty of great information to amuse and inform. Boss Neal Bishop outlines the threat posed by Saturday’s visitors and the importance of preparing properly. Along with some superb, full colour photography, this one is certainly one not to be missed – so grab your copy at the turnstiles, priced at £2.50! Oh, and if you were wondering, it’s Dylan Cogill the face on this week’s cover!

Elsewhere

Atherton Collieries vs Marske United
FC United of Manchester vs Stalybridge Celtic
Hyde United vs Liversedge
Marine vs Morpeth Town
Radcliffe vs Bamber Bridge
South Shields vs Matlock Town
Stafford Rangers vs Lancaster City
Warrington Town vs Guiseley
Whitby Town vs Warrington Rylands

Match preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)

Photograph by Ruth Hornby