PREVIEW | BURTON JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE - JONATHAN SLIM MEMORIAL TROPHY FINAL - HATTON UNITED U18’S vs MICKLEOVER RBL U17’s

U17’s FACE HATTON IN THE SECOND MATCH IN THE RBL CUP FINAL DOUBLE HEADER AT THE PIRELLI

Tomorrow afternoon sees the second of the Mickleover RBL teams in action at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium. Paul Gray can already look back on the season with great satisfaction as only a first place playoff denied his side a Winter league championship to go with their Summer league title.

The team are in their second season in the Burton Junior League after an enjoyable 2021-22 season after moving across from the Derby City League. After feeling their way into the league, the boys have capitalised and become a real success as an under 17’s team playing in a league which includes both under 17’s and under 18’s.

With two third place finishes in Division One last season, the Lions could have been forgiven for going into this season with an air of trepidation, as they were going to be facing players a year older and no doubt more physical. Manager, Paul Gray will be over the moon with his team, as they have not only made the step up physically, but their play has been nothing short of brilliant as they’ve taken to the step up like ducks to water.

This year's campaign has shown the rest of the club what can be accomplished as players go through the age groups, as many of the under 17’s have gone on to represent both of the senior sides this season. Mickleover RBL is a club with a true pathway for young players.

RBL rounded off the league season strangely with a visit to Ashby Leisure Centre, where they played a championship playoff match for the Under 18’s winter league against Ashby United under 18’s. This was strange, having just wrapped up the summer league the week before with a 4-0 victory over Hurley Kings at the Royal British Legion in Mickleover. The match for the winter league title went to extra time, with Ashby taking the victory and the winter league title.

Hatton United will present a very stern test for the Lions in the final, having finished third in both the winter and spring league this season. With just three defeats all season, Hatton will be hoping to get revenge on the only club to have beaten them twice since September in RBL. With their only other loss coming against Ashby United, Hatton represent the best of the rest by far throughout the season.

Hatton’s last match was in the cup semi final against Marlborough Rovers, but their league campaign ended in mid-March with a 5-3 home victory over Polesworth Swifts Clarets after being 3-0 down at half time.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

The cup run for RBL saw them host Streeton Eagles at the Royal British Legion in November, who finished their winter league as Division Two runners up and promoted to Division One. Four goals in each half took RBL into the Quarter Finals and never looked like they were going to lose the match. Four goals from Luke Thompson were accompanied by a goal each for Harry Banks, Alieu Jatta, Nathan Heier and Karsen James.

The Quarter Final was a trip to Repton Casuals Orange, who have since gone on to win Division Two in the summer league. A close first half saw the teams go into half time at 2-2, RBL managed to find a winner in the second half to progress to the Semi Final. RBL goals came from Harry Banks, Tommy Jordan and Finley Robinson.

The Semi Final had RBL on the road against Repton again, this time facing Repton Casuals Blue. A routine 7-1 victory over the division two side took the Lions to tomorrow’s final. A Finlay Robinson goal went with a brace each for Harry Banks, Devon Cooper and Lewis Reece, booking a place at the Pirelli.

Hatton United’s cup run also saw them paired up with a Repton Casuals team from division two. Repton did not fulfil the fixture, meaning that Hatton went straight into the Quarter Final.

In the Quarter Final, Hatton hosted winter league champions, Ashby United. Goals from Renato Hanko, Harley Grice and a brace from Nathan Prince were enough to give RBL a 4-2 win after being 2-1 behind at half time, and passage into the semis.

Hatton hosted Marlborough Rovers in the semi final. Goals from Milad Niassa, Will Stone, Noah Wilson and Tom Mitchell secured their place in the final with a routine win over the division two side.

ONTO THE FINAL

Both teams will be giving everything to lift the trophy tomorrow as they continue in their search for silverware. Please come along and support the team in what is sure to be an exciting match.

Entry is £3 at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium

See you there