The Greens put in a spirited and organised display to condemn the hosts to a first defeat in three games – the Greens themselves earning a first triumph in three games. Those points were given to them by Josh Parker’s calm finish midway through the second half and displayed real defensive grit in the final 20 minutes to restrict the hosts to very little in the way of clear-cut chances and record a much needed three point haul.

Manager Matt Evans made three changes from the side that were defeated 3-0 by Newark Town last weekend, two of those enforced following injuries to both Tom Waumsley (Knee) and Sam Greenwood (Wrist). In their places came the returning Finlay Armond, while Lewis Greenfield made his first start for the Greens following a handy debut cameo last weekend – the other change seeing Mitchell Clogg drop to the bench as Jack Eden also made his first Greens start. Hosts Belper United meanwhile were 2-1 victors on the road at Newport Pagnell Town in the Knockout Cup last Saturday and they also made three changes to their side, Luke Zona, Terry Atem and Samuel Birks dropping out of the starting side with Jack Thatcher, Alex Steadman and Jacob Ferdinand taking their places.

Both sides played their parts in creating a breathless opening period in Nottinghamshire, the hosts Jack Thatcher enjoying a pair of early opportunities, first attempting to lob Liam Flitton before stabbing Tom Eccleshall’s cross into the side netting. The Greens were not without chances themselves, and probably created the best of them too – Durrell Berry required to divert Lewis Greenfield’s drive out for a corner. Jake Henderson was then unlucky, stabbing over from Joe Fryatt’s fumble before Ben Robson enjoyed the pick of the chances, crashing post following a neat setup from Tyrell Shannon-Lewis.

Tom Eccleshall receiving lengthy treatment for a knee injury was the first significant interruption and it certainly affected the flow on the contest – Eccleshall able to carry on in the end. There was, from there, very little else to report, Robson powering into Fryatt’s hands the only real moment of note before the break.

The Greens continued their first half momentum early on in the second, Ollie Fields crashing an effort just wide of Fryatt’s upright within the first couple of minutes of action before Liam Flitton was called into action, collecting from Lewis Belgrave following Thatchers setup. Shortly after though, the Greens got the lead that their overall performance had merited, and it was pretty route one stuff as Liam Flitton’s long-ball was flicked on into the path of Josh Parker who slotted coolly under Joe Fryatt to put the Greens ahead.

The Greens continued to keep their hosts at arm’s length, and it took another fifteen minutes for Belper to fashion an opportunity, Surafel Tefera drawing a save from Liam Flitton at distance. Flitton was then back into action three minutes later, foiling an advancing Jack Thatcher after he’d broken free of the Greens defence. Flitton was then in action on a third occasion as the game entered it’s final moments, collecting from Tom Eccleshall who had a pop from range – but ultimately, the Greens didn’t face any persistent pressure from a lacklustre United side and saw out their first win in three games.

Words: Oliver Atkin