For the third time this month we attempt to play Heanor Town. With two postponements to the fixture already the game will now be our final UCL fixture of the season.

Martin Ball & Daryll Thomas’ know that a win at the weekend will see their side finish a club record high of sixth just one point outside the play off’s. Saturday’s opponents Heanor have won just two of their last nine attempts in the league but have only lost one at home since December.

Heanor who started the league campaign on fire loosing one of their first seven soon fell off as the 4-1 defeat to Loughborough Students in September was followed by a 6-0 drubbing by champions Sherwood Colliery. A spike in form through October and November saw the lions win five games on the spin but the a failure to score in four of the following five matches heading in to the Xmas period dented any sort of play off push. In recent weeks Heanor have picked up impressive victories at home beating Melton Town and Lincoln United. Town’s most recent home fixture ended in a comfortable 4-0 beating of Wisbech Town. Heanor have had back to back clean sheets and manager Glenn Clarence will know another one one Saturday could help his side finish as high as 10th.

Player Watch: Since returning to the club in January from Gresley all time top goal scorer Jamie Sleigh has scored six times in eight games helping his side to victory in five of those. In the league when Jamie Sleigh hasn’t featured Heanor have won just once since early November.

Previous Meetings: The Red Badgers just edge the head to head record winning five of the nine meetings loosing the other four. It was Eastwood that took all three points on Boxing Day, Heanor took an early lead that was cancelled out a minute before half time through Tyreece Robinson, before a penalty from Aaron O’Connor midway through the second half won the game. The Red Badgers did also win in their last visit to The Town Ground Ayleal Dill with the only goal of the game was enough to take all three points for Paul Rockley’s men.

Squad Update: Thomas and Ball don’t face any new injury concerns and could name an unchanged side for the second time this season and first time since September. Daniel Elliott and Jermain Hollis are both doubts. Any sort of appearance from Tyler Blake on Saturday will see the forward make his 50th cap for the Red Badgers, Blake could also be the first player since Knight & Webb in 2019/20 to score 20 goals in a single season. Teenagers Toby Woodward, Owen Hayes and Finnley Commons will all be pushing for an inclusion in the matchday squad.

United Counties Premier North Division
Saturday 20th April 2024
Heanor Town vs Eastwood CFC
3pm Kick Off
The Town Ground, Mansfield Avenue, Derbyshire, DE75 7EN

#RedBadgers