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Belper Town’s play off hopes
took a knock after their defeat at Nantwich and results elsewhere
conspired against them, but now that Retford United have been denied
promotion, a sixth place finish would guarantee qualification.
But the Nailers will know that
their performance at the Weaver Stadium must not be repeated if they are
to keep up with the competition for that final spot.
Joint manager Danny Hudson put
Belper’s lethargic display to their exertions in midweek.
“The Derbyshire Senior Cup
took a lot out of the players”, said Hudson, “and it showed at Nantwich,
and we had to rearrange the defence because of injuries which didn’t help
us either.”
“Joe Appleyard and Andy
Rushbury had to play in unaccustomed full back roles against two of the
best wingers in the division because of Jon Hobson’s suspension and other
injuries to key players”
The Nailers have done
remarkably well in their last few games and last Tuesday’s memorable
defeat of Blue Square North, Alfreton Town gives the Nailers a great
chance of winning some silverware.
They took the Reds completely
by surprise with their direct style and although the home side rallied in
the second it was a great performance from a team two divisions below
them in the football pyramid.
However at Nantwich, they were
a shadow of the team that consecutively beat Brigg, Nantwich and then the
Reds of Alfreton, and the Dabbers must have been surprised at how easily
they rolled over a side who only a week earlier, had beaten them just as
convincingly.
With just four league games
left critical analysis at this stage of the season won’t change anything
and after all defeats have been a rarity since the turn of the year, so
hopefully next Tuesday's home game against Sheffield FC will
hopefully see a return to winning ways.
And without being
disrespectful to Alsager who have been told that they will be relegated
due to their ground grading problems, Belper could be facing their last
two games on 66 points and very much in contention.
A tough Derbyshire Senior Cup
2nd leg faces Belper on 22nd April (kick off
7.45pm) and is followed 48 hours later with the longest trip of the
season to Colwyn Bay who are likely to still have an interest themselves.
But it’s been a long time that
Belper have had so much to play for at this stage of the season, and
management duo Andy Carney and Danny Hudson will surely have to play
their strongest side against Alfreton and hope that they emerge injury
free.
“We will put our best side out
against Alfreton because we really want to win this trophy”, said Hudson,
“Jon Hobson has now completed his suspension and Jasper (James Colliver)
will hopefully will be fit again”.
Player availability may also
be a problem bearing in mind a likely 3pm start next Thursday but the
Nailers will have to travel in the firm belief that they can claim all
three points.
“Subject to injuries I expect
everyone to be available for the trip to Colwyn Bay with the exception of
Gary Middleton as he will be out for the rest of the season”.
At the age of 38 the
experienced defender has announced his retirement from the game after 22
seasons and now is looking for an opening on the coaching side.
The final game of the regular
season will be played at Carlton Town who have been inconsistent in their
first campaign in the UniBond League, but they will be playing just for
pride, as they cannot now reach the play offs.
Looking ahead to next season
the Nailers have secured the signatures of Jon Hobson and Lee Stevenson
and are waiting on decisions from Anthony Wilson who has been offered
terms, but Ross Hannah is keeping his options open until the end of the
current campaign.
Remaining fixtures:
Tue 15th April –
Sheffield FC (h) 7.45pm
Sat 19th April - Alsager
(h) 3.00pm
Tue 22nd April - Alfreton
Town (h) (DSC Final 2nd Leg) 7.45pm
Thu 24th April - Colwyn
Bay (a) 7.45pm
Sat 26th April - Carlton
Town (a) 3.00pm
Nigel
Oldrini
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