Out of form Melton Town are still firm favourites to grab a play off spot despite a recent poor run of results. Last years beaten play off semi finalists are on a run of four defeats on the spin picking up just three wins from their last ten matches in all competitions. The Leicestershire side sit tenth in the division six points off fifth place Heanor Town who occupy the final play off spot, Melton do however have three games in hand on the Lions. Melton now find themselves in a similar position to Eastwood having exited the FA Cup, FA Vase, League Cup and County Cup this season allowing them to fully focus on the league campaign. At home in the league Melton have suffered just two defeats since last February.

Martin Ball & Daryll Thomas’ side made it four successive wins in the league last time out, thanks to a 75th minute winner from Terry Hawkridge to earn the Red Badgers a deserved 1-0 win over Boston Town in tough conditions. The single goal equalled the Eastwood’s goal scoring total from the entirety of last season in the league (56) while the win also eclipsed last season’s total.

Player Watch: Top goal-scorers Kairo Edwards-John and Keenan King haven’t featured since mid November but have a combined twenty-eight goals between them. Former Sherwood Colliery danger man Will Norcross has made an impressive start to life with Melton notching eight goals so far this campaign that is more than he did in the entirety of last season’s with his title winning Sherwood Colliery side.

Previous Meetings: It is just one win from the six previous encounters with today’s opponents, with Town winning the last four. The last meeting took place just over 12 months ago a Kyle Tomlin goal wasn’t enough as the Red Badgers went down 2-1. With Melton playing at Loughborough Dynamo last season you have to go back to March 2023 for the last visit to the Sign Right Park the game ended 4-0 to the hosts and the fixture was Ball & Thomas’ sixth game in charge, Travis Munn captained the side with the gaffer himself Daryll Thomas was up front. The Red Badgers have never won away at Melton, tomorrow will be the fourth attempt (previous three; 2-1, 4-0, 5-0).

Squad Update: Phil Watt is available after suspension but captain Aaron O’Connor is a doubt after limping off in the first half last Saturday. Aaron Opoku is set to make his away debut after debuting at Coronation Park in the 1-0 win over Boston Town last weekend.

Chairman Lee Wood has once again reduced the admission prices for our next home game. The game is a week today on Saturday 4th January 2024 where we welcome Hucknall Town to Coronation Park. Entry will be just £5 across the board with U16’s FREE.

Saturday 28th December 2024
United Counties Premier North Division
Melton Town vs Eastwood CFC
3pm Kick Off
Sign Right Park, Melton Sports Village, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1DR
Adults £7 | Concessions £5 | One child FREE with each paying adult

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