Although boasting a game in hand on several of those above them in the United Counties League, Premier Division North, tenth place Kimberley Miners Welfare go into Saturday’s game away to Heanor Town having suffered their third league defeat of the campaign.

A 5-1 win at home to Pinchbeck United stretched their unbeaten run to six in all competitions, as James Shaw (2), Tom Eccleshall, Jordan Wheatley, and Louis Nicholson gave them all three points, before midweek saw Kimbo fall to defeat against local rivals, Sherwood Colliery.

Looking back at the past week at the Notts club, Kimberley joint-manager, Graham Furnell, provided insight into both Pinchbeck, and Sherwood.

“Confidence was high (against Pinchbeck), especially playing at home, and going into the game unbeaten in five games,” began Furnell.

“Jordan Wheatley returned after missing the previous three games due to a holiday, but Louis Anthony missed out with a hamstring strain picked up in the Melton game.

“(Following an even start, including a chance for ex-Forest and County striker, Spencer Weir-Daley) Pinchbeck led after nineteen minutes with Weir-Daley beating man, and ‘keeper, to a cross from the right, and heading home from six yards.

“We levelled four minutes later after a fierce, in-swinging corner from (Michael) Pearson saw the ball strike the inside of the far post, and drop kindly for (James) Shaw, who finished from close range.

“It was the kick-start we needed and started to get the ball down more, and played with a more, upbeat tempo.”

No holding the upper-hand, following Shaw’s equaliser, Kimbo continued to push forward and scored further goals, through Eccleshall, and, in stoppage time, Shaw’s second, for a two-goal, interval lead.

Eccleshall finished from the edge of the box, Shaw, he dropped his shoulder to shake off two defenders, which also afforded him time to place his shot past the visiting ‘keeper; within ten minutes of the restart, three became four when Wheatley notched his first goal for the club and, ten minutes later, Nicholson forced home the killer fifth.

That afforded both breathing space, and an opportunity for the Kimbo management, Furnell adding: “With the game looking like it was all but wrapped up, it was a great opportunity to both rest a few, and  get valuable minutes for players off the bench, some of whom were returning from injury.

“A combination of some good saves, and I guess, poor finishing, prevented us from extending our lead further.”

Now, six games unbeaten, Kimbo went to Sherwood Colliery in midweek buoyed by their form, and the big win over Pinchbeck.

Although mixed form, and several games going to penalties (Nottinghamshire Senior Cup and FA Vase), Sherwood are now, a couple of places, and, because of the midweek win, a point ahead of Kimberley in the table.

Sherwood though, they’d claim a 3-0 home win with goals from William Norcross (first half), Luis Rose and Lewis Belgave, Kimbo’s Furnell saying of the game/defeat that: “We didn’t start the day too well if I’m honest.

“Three players were ruled out, and two more needed fitness tests on arrival, with our talisman, Shaw, playing through the pain barrier.

“Even with a full squad to choose from though, the game against Sherwood was always going to be tough, especially having already been tore apart by them two games into the season, going down 5-1 (Luis Rose and Charlie Taylor both scored braces) at home.

“We needed to combat their attacking threat so made a change to our formation, and started the game brightly, having several chances, but without testing their ‘keeper.”

Norcross’ goal, a rocket into the top corner, meant Kimbo went in a goal down at the break and, although the message was to “remain patient,” it was a game which same Kimbo working against the run of play, and a hope they could create chances to stay in the game.

Sherwood though extended their lead early in the second through Rose, the former Kimbo striker being afforded too much time and space, before firing home from distance; it was a goal that gave Sherwood control, and they wrapped up the points with a little under twenty remaining,

Belgrave found himself in space on the edge of the box and, with time and space himself, picked his spot well to score a decisive third.

“To compound our misery (Nathan) Banton, (Michaell) Pearson and (Thomas) Hilton all coming off having picked up knocks; credit to Sherwood though, they fully deserved the six points they’ve taken off us this season, and, to be honest, I’m glad to see the back of them now.”

Now, focus has been on the trip to Heanor Town, who Kimbo face on Saturday 8 October, in the league, but will go into with their physio having hopefully worked some magic, getting the players back in shape.

“Yes, the physio will have be earning his money the rest of this week and there’s no doubt he’ll have been the busiest man at the club, getting treatment into several players on the build-up to Saturday’s tough trip to Heanor, who sit comfortably in fifth.”

Kimberley MW look to quickly get back to winning ways when they travel to Heanor Town on Saturday 8 October, before hosting Leicester Nirvana a week later, 15 October, at the Stag, followed by a Notts Senior Cup derby, away to Gedling Miners Welfare, on Tuesday 18 October.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @KimberleyMWFC Graham Furnell with James Shaw who’s been playing through the pain barrier.