We look to continue our excellent start to the United Counties League Premier Division North season when we host Lincolnshire rivals Deeping Rangers this evening – kick-off 7.45PM.

We return home to the Longwater Stadium for the first time since a 2-0 defeat to Sherwood Colliery on Saturday 13th August for what is the final scheduled home game until October!

Manager Tom Ward will be looking for a similar start this evening to the one that laid the platform for a brilliant away victory at Leicester Nirvana on Saturday afternoon. Rodrigo Goncalves starred with a goal and an assist – albeit to an own goal – and he will be pushing for another starting spot on his return to Eslaforde Park after a fruitful loan spell in NG34 last season. Elsewhere Mitch Griffiths will be pushing for a return to the starting eleven after featuring from the bench on Saturday while new signing Akeel Francis could be in line for his Sleaford Town debut.

Deeping meanwhile arrive at the Longwater Stadium on the back of an underwhelming opening to their campaign. Rangers currently sit 16th in the league and have only one victory to their name – a resounding 5-0 triumph over Heather St. Johns – but they did record an FA Vase Preliminary Round victory over Heanor Town on Saturday, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate.

Deeping boast Premier League/Football League experience amongst their squad with former Manchester United, Coventry City and Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele now enjoying an outfield role with Rangers and he has five goals to his name as an attacker so far this season. The club recently made headlines when a previously-retired Paul Bastock donned the gloves for them in the aforementioned victory over Heather St. Johns, clocking up his 1,281st career appearance in the process.

The two sides met on three occasions last season with Deeping emerging victorious during both league fixtures by 1-0 score-lines. The Greens however were 2-0 victors in a Lincolnshire Senior Cup tie with Tom Ward and Ryan Rushen on target for Town.

As always we’ll have live updates on Twitter and once again these are sponsored by the wonderful team at Sleafordian Coaches. Remember to also pick up a copy of our Matchday Programme, designed by the brilliantly talented team at Castle Print. Copies are available on the turnstile for £1.50 and are packed full of all the latest news and views from around the club.

Make sure you are part of what is expected to be a bumper crowd for a feisty and entertaining local derby under the lights at the Longwater Stadium!

Words: Oliver Atkin