Match Preview – Sleaford Town vs Shirebrook Town, Sat 25th October

It will be a second home league game in a week for The Greens on Saturday, as Shirebrook Town visit Eslaforde Park.

In The Green Corner

Sleaford will look to revitalise after some unfortunate results, as they head into their last fixture in October. Town can look forward to another home game, and there is no better opportunity to pick themselves up than in front of the Green Army.

A loss on Tuesday night may have been disappointing on paper, against one of the best sides in the UCL Division One, but Sleaford manager Matt Evans believes however that there were plenty of green shoots visible against Retford United.

“The level of focus and determination from the lads on Tuesday is something that needs to be a minimum in every game moving forward.

“Whilst we didnt get any points, we did show desire to compete with some of the best players in the league. We have already started looking at what we can learn from the experience against such talent”.

On the injury table, Sleaford will continue to be without attacker Lewis Rowland who continues to be absent due to groin issues . “At the moment, we have a couple of lads that continue to carry niggles from what has been an intense month” Evans stated. “Rowly is unlikely to make it but we are confident everyone else will pull through”.

Evans also understands that Saturday will not be any easier to prior matches. “Shirebrook have plenty to fight for as they find themselves nearer the relegation zone than they'd like” he said. “They also have a number of players, like us, that are desperate to prove their ability at this level”.

Opposition Report

Saturday’s opponents Shirebrook Town will not be unfamiliar to all associated with Sleaford, as they were relegated alongside The Greens last season, drawing 0-0 and winning 1-0 in the head to heads.

Formed initially as Shirebrook Colliery in 1985, the club changed their name to Shirebrook Town in 1993. The club debuted in step 5 for the first time in the early noughties and remained there until relegation in 2011. The club were relegated from step 6 in 2023 but were handed a reprieve and remained in the league, which saw them eventually win promotion the season after into step 5. This did not last long however, as The Brook were relegated after promotion.

Finishing bottom in the United Counties League Premier North last season, the visitors have also struggled so far this season on and off the field. Nineteenth position is where they currently find themselves and will be looking to get a result at the weekend to stave away the fear of a back-to-back relegation, currently two points off the drop zone.

In terms of form, Shirebrook have picked up eight points in their last five. Draws against Retford United and Gedling MW either side of beating Dunkirk was then however followed by a 3-0 loss to Southwell City. However, an excellent 1-0 away victory at Sandiacre Town rounded up the quintet of recent games.

Key Details

Location: Eslaforde Park, NG34 9GH
Time: 3:00pm Kickoff
Pricing: Adults £7 | Military £5 | 65+ £4 | U16 Free

Match preview by Olly Burton.