Match Preview

Barwell are back in League action at home to Leiston on Saturday after a weekend with no game last week. Leiston arrive at Kirkby Road without a league win this season and with only one point but a recent change of manager and some new players means that they should not be underestimated.

Leiston gained their only point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Coalville Town on the opening day of the season but they won on Tuesday night in a cup game (Suffolk Premier Cup 2nd Round) with Woodbridge Town. Last weekend they went down 3-1 at Stratford Town in an improved performance. Leiston have scored 7 goals in the league this season and conceded 39.

Barwell are on the back of three defeats following losses against Nuneaton Borough, Hednesford Town and Tamworth. In both of the last two games there has been a sending off for the Canaries and Guy Hadland will be looking to keep all eleven men on the pitch in the game this week.

Kai Williams and Zayn Hakeem both signed for Barwell ahead of the Nuneaton game and will be in contention for a place in the starting XI against Leiston. Kai Williams has spent time at Coventry United, Stratford Town and Tamworth whilst Zayn Hakeem has played for Coalville Town and Mansfield Town. At Mansfield, Zayn appeared once in the league and has also played four games for the Antigua & Barbados U20 team.

It is Non-League day on Saturday. Non-League Day was set up by James Doe in 2010 as a social media experiment, after being inspired by a pre-season trip to Devon to watch Queens Park Rangers play at Tavistock. It has now grown to become an annual part of the football calendar, backed by Premier League and Football League clubs, MPs, celebrities, media organisations, charities and most importantly the non-league clubs themselves and the fans who turn up on the day.

Always scheduled to coincide with an international break, Non-League Day provides a platform for clubs to promote the importance of affordable volunteer led community football while giving fans across the country the chance to show support for their local non-league side.

Many non-league clubs are almost exclusively volunteer run, with money taken at the turnstiles often funding thriving youth set-ups, projects and facilities which are of benefit to the whole community. The level of skill on offer at non-league grounds will never compare to that at the Emirates Stadium or Old Trafford, for example, but there are other sides to the experience, from which the smaller club will always win hands down. The vast majority of games still kick off at 3pm, ticket prices are realistic, you can often stand (and drink!) anywhere in the ground and will always be guaranteed a warm welcome by people who run their clubs for a love of the game.

Whether you’re a Premier League or Championship fan without a game, a League One or League Two supporter who can’t make an away trip, or just someone who is curious about what their local club has to offer, there is sure to be something to interest everyone.

Your support will be very welcome on Saturday so please do come on down.