It seems a while since we’ve said this but football is back, this weekend with a near full fixture programme of local action on Saturday to whet your festive soccer appetite ahead of Christmas.
Whilst Nottingham Forest and Mansfield Town are in football league action against Millwall (away) and Southend United (at home) behind closed doors respectively, both Notts County and Basford United have tricky away ties in the FA Trophy as Neal Ardley’s Magpies travel up the A1 to Northern Premier League side Morpeth Town and Steve Chettle’s men drive down the old road to Peterborough Sports of the Southern League Central Division.
There’s FA Vase action in the county however as Newark FC host Walsall Wood in a third round sell out at Lowfields whilst Radford FC take on Westfields in a match that is pay on the day with up to 150 spectators allowed through the turnstile.
League matters returns in the Northern Premier League as Carlton Town travel to Loughborough Dynamo in the NPL South East Division with the Millers currently eleventh in the twenty team competition. Worksop Town are without a game but currently lie in sixth position.
In the Midland Football League, bottom of the table Selston still look for their first win of the season as they host Lye Town at the Parish Hall Ground tomorrow with supporters welcome.
In the Northern Counties East League, AFC Mansfield are back as the Bulls take on Hemsworth Miners Welfare at the Forest Town Arena, adult tickets are £6 and all fans that attend will receive a free gift and mince pie.
A win for Mansfield could take them as high as second in the table as they aim to put pressure on the teams above them.
Retford FC also have a home match in the NCEL First Division as they take on Glasshoughton Welfare at Babworth Road.
Also in the East Midlands Counties there are plenty of local derbies for groundhoppers and non-league enthusiasts to enjoy.
Second placed Ollerton Town host Kimberley Miners Welfare who are currently seventh. Third play fourth as Sherwood Colliery entertain Eastwood Community in a cracking looking match in Mansfield as fifth placed Clifton travel to eighth positioned Rainworth Miners Welfare in another all Notts affair.
On the road are West Bridgford at Ingles, Teversal are at Borrowash Victoria whilst Gedling Miners Welfare entertain Shirebrook Town at Plains Road.
Finally at Watnall Road, Hucknall Town take on Dunkirk as the yellows take on the reds in a 3pm kick off with Hucknall Manager Eddie Graves stating after the clubs six week layoff “We’ll be pleased to play properly again on Saturday, that’s for sure”.
A statement echoed by many across the county.
To see what’s on this weekend click here
*Main image @RadfordFC64 spectators will again be allowed at Radford FC’s Selhurst Street on Saturday.
