BELPER TOWN REVIEW OF THE SEASON 2022/23, NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

NUNEATON BOROUGH away in the FA Cup 1QR

FOLLOWING a great set of pre-season results, admittedly largely against teams from the lower ranks, optimism for the new season was high going into 2022/23 after promotion through the play-offs but it soon became apparent Belper were short in most areas when compared to the rest of the quality on show in this higher division.

A gradual improvement over the season was not enough in the end as Belper were relegated with several games left in the campaign.

Highlights were  the 3-1 win at Liversedge in February which lifted the team off the bottom of the table but ultimately the loss of playmaker Jacob Gratton in that game for two months with a hamstring injury was too much of a burden to overcome. Also the double over Stafford Rangers (2-1 and 2-0) and the first home win over Stalybridge Celtic (2-0).

Lowlight was probably the 5-0 home loss to fellow newcomers Warrington Rylands which confirmed what a tough season lay ahead though they proved later in the season in the return leg they were a very capable side who could possibly have been challenging higher up the league on what we saw against Belper.

Hopes are high that there is now a solid base for the Nailers to move forwards again with a promotion push targeted for next time around.

Here I take a look at the personnel used during what ended up as a very challenging season:

MANAGERS

GRANT BLACK

League: P7 W1 D1 L5 F5 A17 Pts 4 - Cup: P1 W 0 D0 L1 F1 A3

Grant and the team continued with the gritty in-yer-face methods that had brought so much success in previous seasons but the sheer pace and athleticism of the teams in this higher league was proving hard to deal with. Plus a host of red cards which meant the team were often finishing short-handed in the early part of the season compounded matters and it soon became apparent it was likely to be a long tough season with Grant moving on by mutual consent after only a handful of games. This should not detract from what a successful period he had created in his years at the club. Quite a few of the team starting the season would eventually follow him to Ossett United in the league below.

STEVE KITTRICK

League: P15 W3 D4 L8 F14 A31 Pts 13 - Cup: P3 W1 D1*(won on pens) L1 F6 A4  

Perhaps due to his seniority and some well-worn cliches in his after-match interviews, Steve was maybe not the most popular of appointments ever to walk through the door but had a wealth of experience in the higher divisions and without doubt brought some quality attacking players to the club, meaning some of the football was very easy on the eye. But the frustration was that the goals against column did not seem to improve and he never really settled on one goalkeeper. In fairness, it is always difficult to change the style of play mid season, in this case from a quite direct method to a more footballing approach while trying to escape relegation simultaneously. His final match, a win over Stafford, was one of the better performances of the season but he paid the price for the previous heavy defeat at local rivals Matlock, where despite some decent football, he was rather let down by a senior player getting himself sent off in needless fashion early in the game. To his credit the team achieved its best points per game ratio of the season during his tenure.

LEE ATTENBOROUGH

League: P19 W3 D4 L12 F22 A35 Pts 13 - Cup: P2 W1 D0 L1 F6 A4

Lee came to the club after guiding Corby to the edge of the play offs in the league below and  has improved the goals for and against columns, making the team on the whole look a more effective unit . Most of the new signings seem to have something to recommend them, with the focus more on permanent acquisitions rather than the coming and goings of the loans under Kittrick. Plus a good media man too.

GOALKEEPERS

ROSS DURRANT

Came from Ilkeston but only managed four games in front of a creaky defence before reportedly breaking an ankle in the heavy home defeat to Warrington Rylands and moved on since.

MAX CULVERWELL

Came in for a few games early season after the aforementioned injury to Durrant, looked steady enough but Kittrick said he was looking for another goalkeeper soon after coming in.

DAN MOORE

Having been on loan at Belper previously, the then Burton Albion youngster was already familiar at Christchurch Meadow and started in positive manner as he tried to organise the back line. Gradually the goals against seemed to start sneaking up again, but it seemed little to do with the man between the sticks and it was a surprise when he was left out in favour of new signing Harrison Davison-Hale after a narrow defeat at South Shields.

HARRISON DAVISON-HALE

A shock signing from Stocksbridge Steels, and described as "a confident lad", Davison-Hale is clearly better than he showed at Belper where unfortunate errors in games with Whitby and FC United proved costly at a time when the Nailers were showing definite signs of improvement. Just one more appearance in the Derbyshire Senior Cup and then in came another shot-stopper.

OWEN MASON

The Mansfield youngster's debut came in the ill-fated match at Matlock where he misjudged a cross for the final goal but judged on his few appearances (four in all), he looked a promising and competent 'keeper overall. With a change of manager however, there was another change with the gloves.

TOM JACKSON

Coming from Cleethorpes Town, Jackson brought good reports with him and hasn't disappointed, handling confidently and looking to organise the defence at every opportunity with a strong vocal presence. Looks a very solid acquisition.

ALFIE SMITH-ECCLES

Became the seventh goalkeeper to be used during the season (is that a club record?!) in the Derbyshire Senior Cup tie with the Rams Under 21s but with Jackson's form being very strong, has had little chance to break into the first team.

DEFENDERS

BEN RHODES

Certainly been one of the stand-out performers of the year and for me the runner up in the Player of the Season. Uses the ball well coming forward and has a good combination of defensive and creative qualities whilst always putting in a shift.

OLIVER LOBLEY

Originally signed as the would-be left back but maybe was too early for him at this stage of his development and moved on after some heavy early season defeats. Playing further forward now in the lower leagues and doing OK by the sounds of it.

JOSH WOODCOCK

Has always looked a promising young full back for the Nailers but only a few early season appearances this time around before going out on loan. Maybe could have played a few more games at left back early on as was likely going to struggle for game-time given the competition in his natural position at right back.

TODD JORDAN

Always a whole hearted left sided central defender and probably one of those who was all-out in this higher league but was always going to give it a good shot. Not sure if he had an injury near the end of the season as didn't feature from mid-March onwards.

BEN MIDDLETON

Can either play right back or central defence. Probably on the whole his very best games have come on the flank but difficult to displace Rhodes there and played his part in the team attaining a couple of clean sheets at the back end of the season. A blood-and-thunder type of player who gives everything but sometimes lives on the edge with the officials.

DANNY SOUTH

A colossus of the club's history no doubt, you would always have picked him out as one of the main men in the trenches in Grant Black's team as captain and leader. But didn't spend enough minutes on the pitch this time around with a couple of sending offs (one when acting manager) and then Kittrick unexpectedly moved in another direction after taking over the hotseat.

TOM WILSON

Started the season in midfield as a continuation of last season's experiment but his best form certainly came after switching back into central defence, where he had often shone in the past. As was expected, received most fans' votes for Player of the Season, and he couldn't have done much more on a personal level to try and arrest the flow of goals against, even starting to weigh in with a few at the other end towards the back end.

DEREK UBAH

Left around the same time as Danny South and the type of aerial orientated physical player Belper missed as the season wore on. Went to Stafford who he had just starred against but ultimately didn't get too many games there so not sure it worked out as had been hoped.

AMIR ARIELY

The Israeli youngster came in from Barnsley for a few games when suspensions started to bite just before Grant Black moved on but was unable to help markedly improve the defensive record. 

BAILEY AISTHORPE

Arriving from Gresley, made one full appearance at Nantwich where he did OK and a couple more off the bench at left back but saw no more of him.

BEN ALGAR

Added much needed know-how to the left back position for the latter part of the season and always looked to use the ball well, using all his experience in the role.

JAYDEN COTTERILL

Didn't see too much of him as a second-half-of-the-season signing but was steady enough in a couple of appearances, can either play right back or centre defence.

PAOLO AGUAS

Loanee from Sheffield Wednesday whose best moments came going forward despite playing mainly as a wing back. Had an absolute stormer in his farewell appearance playing on the wing against Stafford before switching back through necessity after a sending-off later on and a pity we didn't see more of him in that more forward position that seemed to suit.

LEIGHTON THOMAS

Substitute appearance at Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Senior Cup helped gain him some experience.

MIDFIELDERS

LUKE HINSLEY

Ex Matlock Town man appeared in a few early season matches but didn't really make a great impact before moving on after the loss at Hyde.

HARRY MIDDLETON

Ex-Doncaster man could spray the ball around from deep but the balance never quite seemed right in the middle of the park where we missed a tough tackler to stop the other team in their tracks and perhaps someone to provide more athleticism. Notched seven goals with five coming from the spot and another on the rebound from a saved penalty.

DERRY ROBSON

Showed up as well as anybody in the early season games where we were clearly playing second fiddle and his versatility came to the fore with appearances both at full back and in midfield, before re-joining Grant Black at Ossett via Cleethorpes.

KYLE DIXON

Seemed to play a more central midfield role early season rather than in the wider role he excelled in at  the end of the previous campaign. Whether it was the change of role or the higher standard, he didn't feature so much this time around and with Kittrick coming in with whom he'd had previous at Telford, the writing was on the wall as he left for Carlton.

GREG TEMPEST

A pre-season signing but came more to the fore under Kittrick, had a cultured left foot but the midfield blend never looked quite right. Certainly passed the ball well at times but left for personal reasons.

ALI ELKOSSI

Mostly an unused substitute but made a few fleeting appearances before moving on.

JANNI LIPKA

Came with a good pedigree after many fruitful seasons at Hyde but had also been plagued by injuries and wasn't seen until a couple of months had passed. Played his part in some improved performances before re-joining Grant Black at Ossett.

CHARLIE REANEY

Turned out to be a useful squad player playing as a versatile midfielder who could both track back and join in with attacks. Even turned his hand to playing at left back at Rylands though that wasn't his best position and overall the impression was positive.

ETHAN CARTWRIGHT

An industrious hard working player who was probably the closest fit to the type of defensive midfielder we lacked since Riece Bertram had departed in pre-season. Had a couple of decent runs in the team while on loan from Guiseley before being signed on by Matlock.

LEE GLOVER

Came on loan from Sheffield Wednesday at the same time as Aguas and was a mobile midfielder who did a reasonable job. Knitted in with attacks quite well and was a neat and tidy player with an engine. Filled in for the position of Cartwright when he fell ill for a few games.

CURTIS BURROWS

Followed the manager from Corby, a hard working midfielder who harries and chases and is renowned as a free kick expert who has an eye for goal. Only scored one such effort at Belper, but, if more on the front foot in the lower division, you would hope there would be plenty more to come.

WILFRED PEEL-EVANS

Youngster who just made the odd substitute appearance.

DANIEL ADIEFAN

Loanee from Notts County who again only appeared as a rare substitute.

LEWIS AUSTIN

Scored within seconds of coming on in the Derbyshire Senior Cup at Ashbourne which was a great moment for the youngster.

CIAN KELLY-CAPRINI

Made one full appearance and one off the bench while on loan from Derby Under 21s who were sending their whole squad out at that time due to a lack of fixtures and he certainly showed some promise on the left in his brief stay.

FORWARDS

BRODIE LITCHFIELD

Finished as the team's top scorer with eight goals and always a whole hearted player with a turn of pace that can unravel opposition defenders. For me his very best performances have come on the wing though proved he can play effectively in a deeper role under the new manager and was also sometimes used down the middle. One of the main reasons the team were promoted the previous season.

TOM HEWLETT

Came in on loan prior to the season when an appendix operation put new signing Luke Mangham out of action early doors. A small nippy player who netted in the opener but soon returned to Burton after being consigned to the bench following Mangham's return to action.

ALEX PETERSON

Often an unsung hero in the lower divisions where he regularly found the back of the net, Peterson still managed a couple of goals in this higher level and as ever was exclusively used as the target man for throw-ins, free kicks and corners when he came into the team. Played a big part as a squad man at Belper in recent seasons before following Grant Black to Ossett.

BEN MORRIS

Diminutive winger who was once on Derby's books in his youth and figured in the early games but got quite a physical awakening in the match at Hyde where he was carried off and never appeared again.

ROY FOGARTY

Brief substitutes appearance late on at Nantwich after arriving from Whitby but disappeared again afterwards.

JACK GIBSON

Very tall striker who only appeared from the bench (scoring once) before moving on.

LUKE MANGHAM

Came with very good reports from Stocksbridge Park Steels while as expected finding it a bit tougher at this higher level. Notched a few goals (including an excellent finish at Marine) and missed a few chances but always put in a shift. Sometimes played out on the flank but always looked more at home down the middle. Sadly carried off injured at Matlock and was out for the season afterwards.

JAKUB HEBDA

A loan signing who played mainly on the right flank, the youngster looked very lively in his debut against Stalybridge but soon found himself on the fringes of the team and would have liked to have seen him given more opportunities before moving on to other loan options.

JAMES CARVELL

Mostly used off the bench, another small in stature but whole-hearted in effort and scored the equaliser at Lancaster when joining the action late on but eventually moved on to Ossett.

JACOB GRATTON

The most skilful player in the forward line, always willing to try something different even if it isn't successful every time, when it does come off it can be quite spectacular. Can take players on and provide defence-splitting passes, a pleasure to watch him play when it all clicks. Showed he could also play the target man role in the home win over Stafford but mostly used as a creator. Unfortunate that he got injured during the Liversedge away win, with the two months he was missing being hugely detrimental to Belper's survival hopes.

SHAUN TUTON

Came in from Matlock and initially bolstered the front line, mostly from the wing, offering a bit more physical presence, but his effectiveness became more sporadic as time wore on. Got needlessly sent off in the defeat at Matlock which was a big factor in Kittrick moving on and soon after being substituted in the home loss to Marine, he moved on to Whitby. 

JACK BUTTERFILL

Came in on loan from Barnsley where he made a full appearance in one of the cups but couldn't find the back of the net while at Belper. Was surprisingly chosen ahead of Litchfield in the local derby at Matlock but always endeavoured to do his best, without managing to increase the firepower.

CHARLIE WAKEFIELD

Looked like he could be an exciting addition to the squad in the few games he played out wide, mostly being forced to play as a wing back due to the shortages in that area rather than the more forward role he was accustomed to. Unfortunately was injured for the season before he really settled in and was very bad luck for all concerned.

JAMES TAGUE

Hustling and bustling centre forward with a strong left foot who doesn't give the defenders a minute's peace. Maybe brought more with next season in mind when he should excel but scored his fair share of goals this time around when often sharing the centre forward duties with Jerome Greaves (Little and Large!!)

JEROME GREAVES

Very tall striker who weighed in with some useful goals after his arrival and played  an effective target man role, giving a physical presence to the team in the latter part of the season.

RIO MOLYNEAUX

Showed his effectiveness on the wing in several performances after his signing from Corby, where he was pacy, direct and looked to provide crosses. Was forced into a more central role afterwards due to injuries and then spent most of the time on the bench due to a surplus of wingers in the latter weeks.

JAKE AVERY

Mostly used as a substitute after coming in from Hanley but looked a very lively prospect who could run at defenders and also was not frightened to have a pop at goal. Had a particularly good second half at Ashton which was one of the team's best 45 minutes of the season without the scoreboard actually demonstrating it.

JOSEPH NYAHWEMA

An unorthodox and exciting winger coming in on loan from Burton for the latter months where he kept defenders busy with his pace and trickery. Still at the development stage and his end product will clearly get better and better but the game time will be of much benefit to him in the long term and certainly pepped up Belper's forward line.

JAMES OLIVER

Came in from Alfreton with some steady displays on the left flank towards the season's end, having a low centre of gravity and capable of twisting and turning defenders at his best but the writing was already on the wall by then.

Thanks to all the staff past and present for their efforts over the season and I am sure next season will be a more successful one! Onwards and upwards next time around!