UP NEXT, after two losses in two cups, the miners welcome Melton Town to Greenwich Avenue in a return to action in the league, having played once in the competition since October.

With just one match played in the league in the last three weeks, Kimberley have slipped to fifth spot as the teams around them have been winning their fixtures. This means that the miners have games in hand on three out of the four teams above them and also the next nine teams below them in the league. Three points would see them move into fourth as Grantham are in cup action today. Kimberley will be keen to get back on track after three defeats in a row for the first time since October last year. A return to earlier form is essential today as the hosts aim to tighten their grip on the playoff spots at this still early stage of the season.

Melton Town will come to Basford in mixed form, winning once and drawing once in their last six matches, although the victory came down the road at neighbours Eastwood CFC. Having faced the miners at home on the first game of the season and were soundly beaten, the visitors will want to put on a performance both to improve recent form and get revenge for the opening game defeat.

In midweek, Kimberley welcomed Retford United to Greenwich Avenue for the second time in ten days. This time in the Nottinghamshire senior cup. After leading for most of the last match, the first half of this match followed suit after Fin Ryder opened the scoring midway through the first half after coming on as a sub for the injured Kole Lambert. Despite dominating the first half, Kimberley were unable to capitalise and went into half time just a goal up rather than the two or three that they deserved. This wastefulness in front of goal came back to haunt the miners in a disastrous second half. A combination of two defensive injuries and Retford dominating the hosts led to the visitors scoring four goals and running riot in the second half. Kimberley had no answer and they were soundly and deservedly beaten.
Final Score - Kimberley Miners Welfare 1-4 Retford United.

Melton Town’s last match came on Saturday as they welcomed AFC Mansfield to the sports village. Tom Wakley opened the scoring on seven minutes for Melton before Kaylum Mitchell equalised on the half hour mark for Mansfield. Toby Fura restored the lead five minutes later to take Melton into half time, a goal ahead. Ryan Ingram equalised again for Mansfield with eleven minutes remaining to end the match level.
Final Score - Melton Town 2-2 AFC Mansfield

LAST TIME AROUND

The last time the two sides met was on the first game of this season. After an even first half, the miners dominated the second, with two goals and an assist from man of the match, Finn Ryder, along with a goal from new signing Kole Lambert. A stunning 3-0 victory gave the miners a second win in 2025 over Melton.

In January, we hosted Melton Town at The Stag Ground. Having been well and truly beaten in the earlier league fixture, the miners were keen to take revenge along with searching for back to back victories for the first time this season. Melton started much the better side and the opening ten minutes was backs to the wall for the home side. The miners gradually grew into the match and eventually edged the first half. The second half was an even affair, with neither side able to make the breakthrough until Dan Tuck smashed in from the edge of the box late on after an Aaron Coyle pass. Coyle then doubled the lead on 90 minutes after following up a penalty that he had saved to make it 2-0 and a second win in a row for Kimberley. The survival fight is very much on.

The away meeting last season between the two teams was last November at Melton Sports Village. A dominant Melton found Kimberley at possibly their lowest point of the season, with very little effort or spirit shown by the miners on that occasion. Kimberley took the lead via an own goal on twenty seven minutes. Melton then took just nine minutes to equalise, followed by two more goals in three minutes. A shell shocked Kimberley almost gave up for the remainder of the half. The malaise continued into the second half, with Melton only unable to add to the lead because of poor finishing. Luckily, Kimberley improved their performances drastically since that match.

The two sides met last season at the Stag Ground in April. Melton scored a goal in each half to take a 2-0 win and confirm a playoff finish for the season.

The away match at Melton was at the end of September last year. Painful memories will recall a 6-1 win for Melton, with Robert Makamu scoring a late consolation for the Miners.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Melton Town FC was established in 2004 and joined Division Two of the Leicester & District League. In 2006–07 season they were Division Two champions, and were promoted to Division One. In 2009 they moved up to Division One of the Leicestershire Senior League.

After finishing as runners-up in 2012–13, the club were promoted to the Premier Division. They went on to finish as runners-up in the Premier Division in 2013–14 and 2014–15, but were unable to take promotion due to failing ground grading regulations. A third-place finish in 2015–16 and a move to a new ground saw the club promoted to Division One of the United Counties League, with the club also being renamed Melton Town.

In 2021 Melton were promoted to the Premier Division North based on their results in the abandoned 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons. They finished fourth in the Premier Division North in 2023–24, qualifying for the promotion play-offs, in which they lost 1–0 to Loughborough Students in the semi-finals.

Honours
Leicester & District League - Division Two champions 2006–07

FINALLY

Both sides will be in search of victory in a bid to improve recent form. Kimberley, while having had an amazing start to the season, have lost their last three matches and will be keen on returning to winning ways. Melton have endured a poor season so far and have had occasional improvements but no consistency this campaign.

The ultras have continued to be amazing over the last few weeks despite the weather and our performances, including travelling to Hanley with us on the team bus last weekend.. The team will want to reward them for their outstanding loyalty over the last few weeks and for the season so far.

We expect both teams to be at it from the start and hope for an exciting encounter.

The match has been very kindly sponsored by Jane Robertson

Kick off is at 15:00

See you there