The Opposition
Like many northern teams, Hebburn Town have their roots as a works team.
In the case of the Hornets, that was the Reyrolles company and they were formed in 1912, joining the Jarrow and District Junior League.
They switched to the Tyneside Combination in 1923 and the Tyneside League four years later.
They moved over to the Northern Combination in 1941 before becoming members of the North Eastern League until returning to the Combination in 1945.
It wasn't until 1988 that they adopted their current name.
Recent seasons have seen them win the FA Vase (2020) and Durham Challenge Cup (2023).
Promotion to the NPL Division One was secured in 2021 and last season saw a third place finish, losing in the playoffs to Long Eaton United.

A journey of 156 miles awaits them today.

Hebburn started the 23/24 season like a team with a point to prove, winning their first five league matches while scoring 14 goals, although they did see their FA Cup hopes end at the first hurdle.
As with the Cup, they only played one match in the FA Trophy, losing on penalties to Brighouse and despite losing three out of four in the league in September and early October, they come in to this Raygar Stadium encounter unbeaten in five matches.
Last time out saw one of the matches of the season in the NPL East - away to Ossett they were 3-0 up, 4-3 down and salvaged a 4-4 draw through an injury time own goal.

Manager Daniel Moore took over ahead of the 22/23 season.
Amar Purewal leads the scoring charts with 8 and has scored in each of the last three matches. Olly Martin has 5.

After an impressive start to the season, they sit 2nd.
Their record reads: P 14 W 9 D 2 L 3 F 28 A 17 Pts. 29
Three of those wins and eleven of those points have come away from home.

The Nailers
It's been a tough week for Belper.
A heavy defeat at Stockton Town last weekend followed by a narrow home reversal to Newton Aycliffe has seen them drop to 15th in the form guide and reduced their goal difference significantly.
This represents the first time this season the Nailers have lost back to back matches.
They remain 3rd in the table and their record ahead of this fixture reads: P 15 W 9 D 1 L 5 F 35 A 26 Pts. 28
At home they have won four out of seven, losing the other three.
Kevin Bastos' goal on Tuesday evening took him to 14 for the season. Cam Johnson has 7 and Phil Watt 6.

Head to Head
This will be a first meeting between the sides.
The return fixture from today is scheduled for Saturday, 27th January.

Form Guide (League)
Belper Town - (17 Oct) LDWWLL (21 Nov)
Hebburn Town - (6 Oct) LWDWWD (11 Nov)

Team News
Brodie Litchfield is available if selected to make his second debut.
Rhys Dolan is out for the time being.
There are no outstanding suspensions.

Permutations
If Belper win and Stockton don't (away to Brighouse) the Nailers will return to the top of the table, although they have played a game more than all of the teams around them
A playoff position at 4.45pm is guaranteed due to a four point gap from 6th.
Hebburn will go top if they better Stockton's result.

Match details
Belper Town vs. Hebburn Town
Northern Premier League Division One - East Division
Saturday, 25th November 2023 – 3:00pm kick off
Raygar Stadium
Bridge Street
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1BA
Tickets: Adults £11, Concessions £7, U11s with paying adult £Free

Follow the match
Live commentary is available with Tom on Radio Belper Town - https://radiobelpertown.mixlr.com
Full coverage on X (Twitter). Team news, HT & FT scores on Facebook.
Match reports to follow on the website and in the Non-League Paper.

Elsewhere in Division One East

The game at the Raygar Stadium, 3rd vs 2nd is undoubtedly game of the day.

Both teams could do with a favour from Brighouse and a draw at Consett.

(9th) Ashington AFC vs Liversedge (12th
(13th)Brighouse Town vs Stockton Town (1st)
(4th) Consett AFC vs Carlton Town (7th)
(17th) Grimsby Borough vs Pontefract Collieries (6th)
(14th) Newton Aycliffe vs Grantham Town (18th)
(15th) Ossett United vs Bridlington Town (10th)
(20th) Sheffield vs North Ferriby (5th)
(19th) Stocksbridge Park Steels vs Cleethorpes Town (11th)
(16th) Winterton Rangers vs Dunston (8th)