UP NEXT, the reserves head North, as they travel past Mansfield to Meden Vale, where they face fifth placed Meden Vales Colts, who are unbeaten in their last three matches. The miners know the importance of every match as they hit the business end of the season.

Both sides come into the fixture in good form, with Meden Vale winning three and drawing one of their last six matches, while Kimberley winning four and drawing twice in their last six, which has seen them hit the back of the net twenty six times.

Kimberley currently sit in top spot, with some daylight in between themselves and the chasing pack. They know that with nine matches to go, the season is far from over and a minimum of eight wins from nine matches are still needed to guarantee the championship.

Meden Vale have recovered from a poor start to the season and improved dramatically to find themselves occupying fifth spot, taking some big scalps along the way. While top spot is a tall order, Meden Vale will want to finish the season strongly and climb as high as possible in the table before the season ends.

Kimberley’s last match was at home as such, but played on the 4G at Kimberley Leisure Centre against Bilborough TRD. The visitors opened the scoring on the half hour mark, only to be pegged back just two minutes later by Louis Fazal. Brad Mee put the miners in front on the stroke of half time. Taylor-James Booth and Fazal bagged towards the end of the second half before Bilborough grabbed a late consolation. With nine games remaining, Kimberley sit on top of the pile, but every game is a must win if they are to realise the dream of becoming champions. F/T 4-2

Meden Vale's last match was a fantastic home draw with Bingham Town. Joel Whyle and a Jake Smith brace gave Meden Vale three goals, but Bingham were equally as deadly in front of goal as Jacob Boyes, Harry Stannard and Ben Zalewski hit the back of the net for 3-3.

LAST TIME AROUND

The two sides met at the Stag Ground in October of this season. A goal in each half from Aaron Coyle gave Kimberley a 2-0 victory.

Last season, the sides met in back to back weekends. First, at The Stag Ground, Brad Mee scored twice in a 2-0 win for Kimberley.

The following week, Matt Dickinson and Dylan Thornley were on the scoresheet for the miners, while George camps scored the only goal for Meden Vale in response.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Meden Vale Colts FC were formed in the Spring of 2019, when it was determined that the village needed a football club again, following the demise of Welbeck Welfare earlier that year. It had been well over 40 years that the village had been without a club and interest was high amongst the local youth.

A meeting was held in the Three Lions pub in May, where a committee was formed and an open day was planned. Supported by the Welbeck Miners Trust, Sports 4 Kids, and Vibrant Warsop, equipment was bought and a successful first event was delivered, attracting interest in joining a team from over 60 players.

The club formed officially in June, affiliating with the Notts FA and commencing the summer with a Men's Sunday team, and youth sides at Under 7's, 8's, 9's, 11's and 13's.

Whilst the initial season did not go as hoped, the efforts of all involved did not go wasted as the club solidified its place as a club with great aspiration and a bright future. The committee was strengthened, interest in playing for our teams was heightened, and our Elkesley Road home was refreshed.

Our second season was still impacted by the pandemic, due to a number of lockdown's throughout the campaign limiting action but in the main the club progressed well.

The season commenced with new teams being added at U7's, U8's, U9's, and a Men's First Team, with the creation also of an Under 5's football school.

It took 3 attempts before the club would experience its first full, uninterrupted campaign, and it was one where there was lots to look back on.

The team continued to grow, increasing from 11 teams that competed in 2020-21, to 18 teams, with the addition of teams at all ends, with our football school producing teams at U7's, our first girls team was introduced at U8's, a Ladies team was set up, and a Men's Vets team came on board. A local group of youths also became the club's first U18's team.

There was to be further silverware, as our U8's Reds achieved the club's second Kickstart Spring League title, whilst our U9's Golds came runners-up in the end of season Kickstart Festival, and our U13's took runners-up spot in the YEL Division 5.

A remarkable 4th season was enjoyed across 2022-23, as the club really began to thrive, increasing in teams up to 27, registering over 400 players across the campaign.

The accolades were being received thick and fast throughout the year, with 5 league titles, a cup win, 6 league runners-up, a cup final defeat, and a Kickstart Festival runner-up.

This was just reward for our teams for all the effort and commitment that had been put in since the first day.

Our 3rd annual presentation day was aligned with the Kings Coronation and delivered as a community festival, with over 800 people on site across the day.

The club delivered a great tournament as part of the Warsio carnival, with 24 teams attending across 6 age groups, with our own teams succesful in 4 out of the 6 events, whilst later in August our first full-size youth tournament was a fantastic weekend, as Girls & Ladies teams aged from Under 8's to Ladies came in their droves to compete, over 50 teams joined us over the weekend, with one of the highlights being the viewing of the Women's World Cup Final in front of a large crowd. Despite our own Lionesses proving unable to lift the biggest prize in football, it still made for a fantastic atmosphere in our first tournament of this scale.

The season culminated once more with our Star Awards celebration eveing for our volunteers, which was another fantasic night for all that came.

Other highlights from across the year included the delivery of a full club sticker album, which was popular as players and adults alike competed to complete the album of over 300 stickers, whilst we introduced our new mascot outfits that have been seen at numerous events since.

FINALLY

Both sides will be keen to take the points this weekend. Kimberley need to keep their dreams alive and know exactly what's needed in the remaining run of games. Meden Vale will want to continue in their improvement as they look to better their fourth placed finish of last season.