UP NEXT, we make the trip to face Grantham Town in what will be the hosts’ final home match of the season, having cemented their position in the playoff spots, while Kimberley will wonder what could’ve been after a season of two halves.

Kimberley go into the match winless in six in the league, although in all competitions, the miners have won one and drawn twice. The Easter break saw two draws, one against a team battling their way away from the bottom end of the table, followed by a home fixture that sadly didn’t match the fantastic attendance from both clubs. After being top of the league at the end of October, the miners now find themselves in thirteenth spot, safe in mid table obscurity.

Grantham will be keen to put on a performance at home in their last match of the season before embarking on the playoff lottery. After a season in which their home support has been the best in the division, averaging home attendances of almost four hundred, one last push is likely to see big numbers through the gates again. Having dropped into the division last season, the Gingerbreads will want to find some consistency before the all important playoff matches. Winning three of their last five league matches, automatic promotion has slipped away in the last few weeks with the top two well clear as the season draws to a close.

Kimberley’s last match was on Bank Holiday Monday as they welcomed Eastwood CFC to The Stag Ground in an Easter Break Ikea derby in front of a magnificent crowd of 487. Sadly, the match itself was lacking in quality, with both sides seeming to employ long ball tactics. There was plenty of effort from both sides, with the rattling woodwork being the closest either side came to a goal.
Final Score - Kimberley Miners Welfare 0-0 Eastwood CFC

Grantham Town also enjoyed a huge home crowd for a local derby on Easter Monday as they welcomed Harrowby United to the South Kesteven Stadium.
A straightforward match saw Andy Wright and Lee Shaw score before half time, with Joe Smith and Cameron Johnson on the scoresheet for the Gingerbreads in the second half to seal a playoff spot and confirm Harrowby’s relegation.
Final Score - Grantham Town 4-0 Harrowby United

LAST TIME AROUND

At the start of August, Kimberley played their first competitive match at their temporary home at Basford United on as they welcomed Grantham Town. Having the lion’s share of the game, the miners found themselves behind through an own goal midway through a first half littered with bizarre decisions from the middle of the pitch. Finn Ryder equalised just before half time and then doubled his tally in the opening ten minutes of the second half to give Kimberley the lead. Despite pushing for more, Kimberley had to settle for a draw as Grantham grabbed a very late equaliser. A good performance to follow the opening day win.
Final Score - KMW 2-2 Grantham Town

The two sides last met in a preseason friendly in the summer of 2024 at The Stag Ground. Grantham raced into a 2-0 lead. With half an hour to go, substitute Ben Morley pulled a goal back for Kimberley and then set up an equaliser minutes later, nodding a cross back across goal for captain Ryan Wheatley to head in for a 2-2 draw.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

To find out more about Grantham Town, follow this link
https://www.granthamtownfc.com/a/club-history-43819.html

FINALLY

Both sides will be doing all they can to take the points this weekend. Kimberley will want to continue their unbeaten run and turn draws into wins, with one more game to go. Grantham will expect a large crowd to see them end the normal season before heading to the playoffs. A good result could act as a springboard for the hosts in the promotion knockout stage.

We expect a great match

Kick off is at 15:00

See you there