Match Report - Belper United 3-0 Mickleover RBL - CML South - 30/11/13.

Belper United made 2 changes to the side that beat Linby last week. Aaron Pride has returned from his parent club Belper Town to regain match fitness at right back and replaced the injured Adam Taylor. Joe Sparham came back into the heart of defence after suspension and took over the captaincy. Jamie Wilde (illness) and Jordan McRobie (suspension) came back into the squad and took there place on the bench.

The match attracted a decent crowd of over 130 as not only had the club sponsors been invited to attend, local Belper School St Johns had been given free tickets for 1 adult and 1 child to attend and hopefully we encouraged a new batch of young supporters to join the Green Army.

Both sides battled hard for supremacy in the first 30 minutes without too much goal mouth action. Mickleover RBL had the first chance when a flowing move involving Dave Moon ended in Adam Jablonski tipping over a long range effort. In the same period, Belper United's only effort of any note came from an individual effort from Luke Crosby which ended with a fine save from the RBL keeper.

After 35 minutes, Belper United finally got there passing game together and a fine move including Scott Clapperton and Luke Crosby saw the ball tapped home at the far post by Tom Curtis. 5 minutes later Belper United doubled the lead when Sam Vickers gambled on a long clearance and with his pace outstripping the fullback to the byline and squared the ball for Scott Clapperton to slot in from 6 yards out.

Half time: Belper United 2-0 Mickleover RBL.

Belper United came out in the second half looking to improve on the score and after a move down the left the ball was squared to the back post but Ben Summers just failed to tap into a empty net.

On 55 minutes a disputed freekick was given on the edge of the RBL box. Tom Curtis stepped up and smashed an unstoppable left foot shot into the top corner to put the game out of Mickleover RBL's reach.

Substitute Jordan McRobie and Luke Crosby had further opportunities to increase the lead further but failed to put the chances away. Mickleover RBL looked to have scored a consolation goal late on but with the ball coming through a crowd of players Adam Jablonski managed to deflect it away to safety.

Full time: Belper United 3-0 Mickleover RBL.

Team: A.Jablonski, A.Pride, S.Slater, J.Sparham (c), A.Moss, S.Vickers, S.Clapperton, D.Riley, T.Curtis, B.Summers, L.Crosby

Subs: J.McRobie, J.Wilde, L.Bailey

Steve Watson says '3-0, 3 points and another clean sheet without really playing at our best. For 30 minutes the game could of gone either way, but we scored 2 late goals in the first half to put us in a commanding position. Another Tom Curtis thunderbolt secured the game early in the second half and it was nice to rest some players and give the bench some valuable minutes on the pitch. We have a great set of lads and are now in a positive frame of mind for next weeks tricky League Cup tie away at Glapwell from the Central Midlands League North.'

Next Game :

07/12/13 15:00 Glapwell FC v Belper United - League Cup

Photo Courtesy of Terry Fletcher - Aaron Pride returned to the side