MATCH PREVIEW: Steel towns derby
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Saturday’s NPL Premier Division fixture at Borough Park versus Stocksbridge Park Steels, is an important fixture but no more important than our last seven games or, for that matter, the next seven.
It is a situation we have found ourselves in after a disappointing start to the season, prompting a change of management in November. When Billy Barr was appointed, we had nine points in the bank and, although matters have improved dramatically since then, we are still playing catch-up.
That will probably still be the situation as we enter the final week of the campaign.
Stocksbridge Park Steels also had a change of management at the same time as us with Jordan Lemon succeeding Ian Richards at Bracken Moor after he moved to Guiseley. We did, of course, face the latter’s new team in Yorkshire last week.
Lemon was in temporary charge for the first meeting in South Yorkshire where a second half Kai Nugent goal secured a narrow Workington victory.
The win maintained our decent record at Stocksbridge (LDDDDWW) but, by the same token, Steels’ record in Cumbria is equally impressive (DWDLWWL).
In addition, Stocksbridge’s results on the road this term have been very good, better than at Bracken Moor in fact. They have obtained 18 points on their travels compared to 13 picked up on home soil.
Stocksbridge finished a commendable 3rd last season in Division One East and won promotion via the play-offs, overcoming Belper Town (2-1) and Dunston (on penalties).
The Reds manager will have to shuffle the pack once again with injuries, unavailability and Charlie Barnes’ still having one game of his suspension to serve.
It will be Steels first visit to West Cumbria for twenty-two years.
Kick-off: 3pm
