UP NEXT, the reserves are back on the road in search of promotion after missing the chance to seal a top two finish on Wednesday night. This time, they make the short trip to face third from bottom, AFC Sandiacre Town at St Giles’ Park.

Kimberley head into the fixture on a fourteen match unbeaten run, winning ten of those matches and scoring 55 goals, conceding just 17 in that period.

AFC Sandiacre head into the fixture losing nine matches in the same period, although three wins from the last seven represents an upturn in performances and results which has seen them elevate themselves out of the bottom two with games in hand.

On Wednesday night, The Miners welcomed fourth placed Bingham Town to The Stag Ground. With Bingham still being in the hunt with their games in hand, this was to be a huge match for both sides. Despite being under the cosh early on, Kimberley opened the scoring through a penalty from Bijan Pakrouz after Louis Fazal was brought down in the box after just seven minutes. Brad Mee added to the lead just six minutes later and Kimberley looked to be well on their way. Bingham had other ideas and totally dominated a second half where the home side struggled to get the ball out of their own half. Bingham grabbed a goal back midway through the second half and then equalised after a very soft penalty decision following what looked like a fantastic tackle. Bingham looked more likely to take the three points but Kimberley managed to hold on for the draw. Final score 2-2.

LAST TIME AROUND

The two sides last met in January, where Kimberley ran riot. Lewis Deavin scored four goals along with one each for Brad Mee, Louis Fazal, Bijan Pakrouz, Alfie Newbold and substitutes Tom Bailey and Luke Marshall for a 10-0 win for the Miners.

Last season, The two sides last met at The Stag Ground with the match ended in a goalless draw.

Earlier last season, the miners came away from St Giles Park with a 3-2 victory with goals coming from Robert Da La Silva Makamu, Matthew Dickinson and Brody Horsley.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Sandiacre Town Football Club was formed in 1978 by Malc Turton and Pete Smith and Tony Mattison. They had previously run the successful Ilkeston Town Under 14's, and saw the need for youth football in Sandiacre.

At the very first practice night over 150 youngsters turned up and it was decided to run three teams in the Notts Youth League at under 16's, 14's & 12's. The first Trophy for the club was when the under 14 team won the 1978/79 Notts. Youth league beating Clifton all whites 5 2 to pip them to the league title. The team was run by Tony Mattison and Peter Thornley.

Season 1979/80 saw the number of youth teams grow to five with a Saturday senior side also being established and joining the Central Alliance League as one of the founding members.

In 1982, work started on building the Club Headquarters at St. Giles Park, the cost of the project was £40,000 with half the money being raised by Club members. The building work was carried out with the help of the Manpower Services Commission and was completed in 1984, The official opening on 28 March 1984 was performed by Peter Taylor and Roy McFarland from Derby County Football Club.

The club played in the Central Alliance League in the 1970s and 1980s. They were one of the founding members of the Central Midlands League in 1983, but the club lost its place in the league in 1990 after failing ground grading. In 1992, the club merged with Lace Web United. They were promoted to the CML again after finishing runners-up in 1991–92. They won the CML Premier Division in 1992–93. Their first appearance in the FA Vase was in 1995, and they reached the first round in 1997–98 and 2004–05.

HONOURS

Central Midlands League Premier Division
Champions 1992–93
Midlands Regional Alliance
Runners-up 1991–92

FINALLY

This is a huge match for both sides. Kimberley can almost guarantee promotion with a win, while AFC Sandiacre would be able to build on a survival push with no pressure on them as underdogs.

Please get along to support the lads. This is a huge weekend for the club