Match Preview – Clifton All Whites vs Sleaford Town, Saturday 29th November 2025

The Greens face yet another away fixture this weekend, as they head to Nottinghamshire to face twentieth place Clifton All Whites, on the pitch at the Norman Archer Memorial Ground.

In The Green Corner

Town will be looking to build on last Saturday’s game, where a late Andy Whalen goal secured a pleasing 1-1 draw at Swallownest for manager Matt Evans and his team. The result meant that Sleaford ended their losing run of two games, an now sit sixteenth in the table after twenty-three played, on twenty-six points.

As November draws to a close, Evans has relished the month, despite the challenges it faced the team. “As a football fan, I really enjoy seeing new grounds and finding out how other clubs operate” he said.

“Be it the quirky posters at Southwell or the ex-mining welfare clubs of Swallownest (etc), each have their own history and reasons for existing. We can learn from them and gather new ideas. The only challenge is trying to perform at a level capable of getting points from games”.

After a point back in the right direction at Swallownest, Evans believes his players have to be able to show the same levels week in week out to progress further. “Getting points sets a tone that helps lift players at training and into the next game. Each opponent is different to the last though so getting consistency has proved to be difficult. After a good performance against Grace Dieu, we expected much better from the following fixtures, but those levels of quality were not achieved.

“Last week we had to show character to stay in it. At some point it will come together: character and quality!”

In terms of the task at hand on Saturday, Evans is quick to acknowledge Clifton’s threat, despite their league position. “Clifton are fighting at the bottom of the league so will be doing all they can to ensure we don't get much at their home. We've heard a lot about their pitch being good to play on so I'm expecting them to play good football on it. Let’s hope for a positive day!”

Opposition Report

The All-Whites have been consistent mid table finishers since their arrival into the UCL Division One, but have not came higher than eleventh in their debut campaign in 2021/22.

This season, it has been more of the same for Clifton. Currently in twentieth place, but with games in hand over most of the league, it has been a struggle for consistency that has seen them trapped into a relegation tussle. The last five games have indicated this, as only a single draw, though impressively against Retford United, has seen them slip to only one point above the drop zone. The hosts have also had a postponement recently, as their fixture away at Sandiacre Town on Tuesday was called off.

Key Details

Location: Norman Archer Memorial Ground, Clifton, NG11 9AZ​
Time: 3pm kick-off
Ticket Prices: Adults £5 | Concessions £3 | U16s Free

Match preview by Olly Burton.