Nailers add three in play-off chase
UNBEATEN in the BetVictor South East Division since mid-December, Belper Town will aim to boost their promotion hopes further with a game at home to troubled Worksop Town tomorrow.
The Nailers’ run encompasses nine games so far and they won 3-1 away to Spalding United last Saturday to climb to fourth in the table.
Leaders Leek Town are starting to look uncatchable, 18 points ahead of the Nailers, albeit having played three games more, and eight points ahead of second-placed Stamford.
It means the play-offs are probably the realistic target and Belper have to make their games in hand count – they also have three in hand over Stamford and could close to with a point of them – while both league games against the Lincolnshire side scheduled in March.
Worksop recently launched an appeal for £30,000 to be able to keep going, a target they may reach after national publicity, but Belper boss Grant Black does not see that as doing anything but galvanise them on the field.
“They’ll still be hungry to play and, sometimes, when things are going on off the pitch it brings everyone closer together as a group,” he told the Belper News. “They’ll be a dangerous animal.” Grant recently added three players as he looks to consolidate the Nailers’ position.
Former Derby County youngster James Carvell, a midfielder, arrived on a month’s loan from Basford United and scored against Spalding.
Also in on loan is Aston Villa youngsters Ben Guy, an attacking midfielder or forward.
Corey Gregory is a permanent signing who has joined from Ossett United and has a wealth of experience in non-League football.
He counts Matlock Town among his former clubs.
THEIR game against second-placed Basford United was postponed in midweek but their is no let-up for Mickleover Sports, who are away to third-placed Lancaster City in the BetVictor Premier Division tomorrow.
NEW Matlock Town manager Paul Phillips is looking forward to three home games on the spin and believes the Gladiators have great potential in their support.
Phillips saw a crowd of 543 turn up for his first game in charge, a 1-1 draw at home to Hyde United, and 300 also came for the 4-0 home win over Radcliffe three days later.
Tomorrow, Matlock are at home to Witton Albion in the Bet Victor Premier Division, then Derbyshire neighbours South Normanton Athletic arrive on Tuesday night for a Derbyshire Senior Cup tie.
Whitby Town’s visit the following Saturday completes the three.
“Good support at home is massively important whichever league you’re in” said Phillips.
“We’re in a new era now at the club and the support from the fans at the first two matches has been top notch.
“We want that to carry on, we want people to get behind us.
“It’s been brilliant to be applauded off at the end of games and, sometimes, you need that extra helping hand that the fans can give you. It’s been great so far.”
GRESLEY’S bid to escape relegation in their first season in the Midland League Premier Division reaches a crucial point tomorrow when they are away to bottom side Selston.
Selston sit four points behind the Moatmen with four games in hand.