BELPER TOWN REVIEW OF THE SEASON 2023/24, NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE EAST SECTION
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| BELPER TOWN 2 DERBY COUNTY U-23s 1 PRE SEASON |
A stark look at the statistics shows all eight games were lost against teams in the final top four placings with a goal difference of 6 for and 31 against so its fair to say we didn't quite have enough quality overall against the upper echelons of the division, which was also evident when we were well beaten at home by Leek Town, champions of the Western section in the FA Cup preliminary round.
That said, we often put the lesser teams to the sword, with seven wins out of eight games against the bottom four teams with 23 goals for and 7 against (the one loss being the gale-affected home game with Brighouse Town where we didn't adapt at all well to conditions).
Losing Danny South to the financial package offered by Shirebrook Town was a pivotal blow at a time when he and Sidik Atcha were forming the best central defensive partnership of the season, and we also had quite a few disruptions in the full back positions which often meant primarily midfield players being forced into those roles.
We could maybe have done with another playmaker because of this, ideally someone who could carry the ball, pass and move, and get the very best out of our wide men.
Thinking back through the years, most of the successful teams I have witnessed have had two attacking midfielders and one stopper in the engine room and given all of ours could play defensive roles if needed, perhaps we needed an out and out forward thinker amongst them. But its all conjecture of course, sometimes it just clicks and sometimes it doesn't...
Added to this some of the players simply showed their better form early doors but from the situation we were in before a ball was kicked, it was a worthy effort from all.
Once again there were too many red cards so this is certainly an area we can improve on next time around as it makes a massive difference overall.
The highlights were the excellent 4-0 and 5-0 home wins over Carlton and Grantham respectively and the lowlights probably the back-to-back games with Cleethorpes where we didn't really do ourselves justice against a mid-table side at a time when we still had a decent shout of getting into the end of season play-offs (admittedly in the second match not helped by one of the more bizarre refereeing displays you're ever likely to witness!).
Here I take a look at the personnel used during the season:
MANAGER
LEE ATTENBOROUGH
In his first full season at the club, Lee had to undertake rebuilding the squad virtually from scratch with just a trio of players remaining from the previous relegation season. As he himself said, we perhaps never looked quite as good as the league position suggested when sitting top early doors and eventually the sixth place was about right with us falling short against the top teams and a marked dip in fortunes right at the end of the season being our undoing. Next year will once again be a big challenge in this very decent section, already so with some players moving on who we would rather have built around but hopefully Lee and Matt can use their eye for a player to find the extra quality we need to have a really good shot at it again.
GOALKEEPERS
JONATHAN HEDGE
Experienced net-minder from Mickleover took the gloves from the start and you could soon see his organisational skills in the early friendly games. Made some good one-on-one saves in particular but we struggled to contain the very best sides in the league and he was left exposed on occasions, leaving the club with a niggling injury being cited after 14 goals were conceded in 3 games in late November.
JAY RABONE
Didn't actually manage any game time but warmed the bench for a few games early in the season.
JASON ALEXANDER
Only managed one game in the Derbyshire Senior Cup before personal issues meant he wasn't able to play any further part after coming in from Basford United.
DANIEL MOORE
Already had a couple of previous loan spells at Belper where he was well received, and overall enhanced his reputation again from December onwards with some excellent saves. Already signed up for next time around.
DEFENDERS
BEN RHODES
Last season's player of the season runner-up had a steady enough season though was sometimes hampered by injuries and didn't get such regular game time from the turn of the year onwards. Took over the captain's role at times as the situation dictated.
BEN ALGAR
Veteran left-back who played most of the early games until mid-September and despite announcing his retirement due to family reasons, came back to help out in the home defeat to Hebburn and stayed available on an emergency basis thereafter if needed.
LUKE MARTIN
Looked like he might be a useful asset from the pre-season friendlies but only managed a few early season appearances (affected by a heart murmur which put him on the easy list) and eventually moved to Long Eaton when Kieran Walker came the other way.
ANTHONY MACKIE
Only a couple of full starts, the latter being a very tough one for him against a very lively winger from Newton Aycliffe and eventually dropped down the leagues for more regular game time.
JOSH ASHMAN
A loan acquisition from Guiseley, he certainly looked the part with some impressive displays at right back with his composure and height very reassuring attributes. Sadly we only managed to keep him through December and he returned to his parent club.
RHYS DOLAN
Two short spells on loan from Mickleover and looked a quality player but unfortunately, was injured on the first occasion and re-called second time around so only managed half a dozen games all in from both spells. Brought a good balance to the team.
OLLIE BROWN-HILL
Played one game at left back (which is probably not his regular position from other reports) on loan from Stamford but immediately seemed to pull his hamstring so wasn't seen again, looked like he could have been effective overlapping until the injury struck.
DANNY SOUTH
Having returned to the Raygar from Ossett stating that Belper was "my club really" he probably formed the most solid defensive partnership of the season with Sidik Atcha, having also showed his diversity with a few effective games in the centre-forward role just prior to this. However, a lucrative offer from Shirebrook Town, albeit a team two leagues lower, was too good to turn down and following their benefactor's decision to step down, he now reportedly captains Hallam FC next term. Otherwise would be once again musing about him coming back no doubt!!
PHIL WATT
Another veteran returning to the yellow and black from Mickleover, Phil scored some important goals in the first half of the season although a couple of red cards and eventually a niggling hamstring injury meant the nominated captain spent a fair amount of time on the sidelines after that.
SIDIK ATCHA
Made a big difference when he came in from Loughborough, his height and athleticism proving very important in stabilising the back line and enabling the team to go through the whole of February without conceding a goal. Was signed up for the season coming too, but being allocated into the Eastern section again means he will unfortunately be moving on and will take some replacing. Scored a cracking brace against Ashington.
KIERAN WALKER
Arrived from Long Eaton for another spell at Belper, initially fitting in well to a back five in his first couple of games but the 7-1 defeat at Stockton caused a re-think to the formation and was more often on the fringes or used as a substitute thereafter where his long throw could be utilised towards the end of games.
MASON FRIZELLE
Came in from Basford United in the unenviable position of having to replace club legend Danny South and showed some potential although overall the number of goals conceded was totting up in the latter weeks of the campaign and it was continuing to be hard to stem the tide against some of the promotion contenders.
MIDFIELDERS
DECLAN DUNN
Ex- Basford man earmarked for the ball-winning role in centre-park and showed his best form early doors, an injury seemed to knock him back in the latter part of the season and dropped down to sub on the odd occasion.
MASON WARREN
Ended up playing at least as many games at left back as in midfield which I am sure was not the original plan as his creativity was missed in the centre no matter how well he deputised on the back line. My vote for Player of the Season for his overall industry and deft touches in possession and although missing out on the fans award, he ended up scooping both players and management's awards. A great signing for next season already.
CURTIS BURROWS
Very industrious midfielder whose energy levels are always high and will run through a brick wall, thus endearing himself to the supporters and earning him the Player of the Season award. Also showed he was very adept at right back where he could overlap and never looked out of place there as well as scoring the odd free kick or two. Another one we are happy to see again next time around.
JAMES CADMAN
Right sided midfield / wing man, not always a regular but has played some effective games when he has been selected, not afraid to get forward and try to make something happen while maintaining a high work-rate.
LEWIS AUSTIN
Promising youngster who was gradually introduced to more game-time as the season progressed. Perhaps could be one of those who could run with the ball, pass and move in time if he continues to progress, certainly hasn't looked at all out of place so far and is back for more next season.
TOBY GREGORY
Mainly used as a late substitute in games so far, the youngster has shown enough promise to stay on for another season where he will aim to stake a claim for a play-making role in midfield.
FORWARDS
KEVIN BASTOS
Started the season on fire with 13 goals before October was out, reaching 14 in November and finishing up top scorer with 18 goals. A bit lopsided you may say, but three sending offs impact on the figures with the associated incremental suspensions, plus also seemed to lose his knack from the penalty spot in the latter months. However, if he can stay on the pitch and show the consistency of those early weeks throughout the campaign, will be worth his weight in gold next time around. Can play along the front line but his best games have probably been from the wide positions using his pace.
CAMERON JOHNSON
His playing style reminds me very much of Franny Lee, sticking his backside into the defenders and twisting and turning to get in his shots and create openings for others. Often put in a big shift on his own down the middle and his efforts were appreciated by the fans before he decided to move on to Sheffield FC which was certainly a blow around the turn of the year.
ADAM BESSADI
Small statured but lively winger who made a real impact when coming on at Grantham late on to transform the game. Travelling was an issue for him, especially as he was more of a squad player, so eventually chose to play his football nearer home.
ALEX TROKE
Ex-Carlton and Ilkeston striker who appeared mainly as a substitute and perhaps didn't always get the service he needed to flourish as a target man type of player. Often dropped deep to receive and lay off the ball but consequently was not too often on the scoresheet at the business end from his limited appearances. Moved to Eastwood Community FC before the year was out.
RIO MOLYNEAUX
One of the speediest and best crossers of the ball we had in the squad, but we often struggled to get him into the game on the wing (his best spell came when Jacob Gratton was spraying passes around like Messi) and probably not the most physical when playing down the middle, moving on to Loughborough in early season.
REV JAMES
Came in from Basford (where he had mostly been used as a sub), immediately brought the front line more physicality and often alternated between playing on the wing (where he was probably best) and down the middle. Was having a bit of a quiet spell when named as sub and then apparently preferred to move back to Basford under their new management.
BRODIE LITCHFIELD
A real fans favourite last time around and the player who probably did most to get us promotion a couple of years back but not sure we quite got the best out of him this time around. Scored a few goals on arriving back in December despite often playing a more withdrawn role than usual but seemed to get knocked back by the sending off at Newton Aycliffe and it became a bit stop-start for him afterwards, for me best on the wing or at least up top.
ZAK GOODSON
An arrival from Ilkeston and played mainly on the wing where he hoped to utilise his pace, had his moments although his Belper scoring record wasn't quite in keeping with his career record. The game at Sheffield he played in was one where the system of two speedy wide men and a big target man showed it could be quite effective had we taken our chances.
DAVID GBEHE
Little used winger came on for some cameo appearances in mid season, scoring what looked like a great goal against Grimsby Borough until denied by the offside flag but only fleeting appearances thereafter.
KARL DEMIDH
Another past player returning, was perhaps overshadowed last time around with the likes of Johnny Margetts in the building, but after a decent spell in the higher league at Matlock Town, was brought back with high hopes. Often earned praise from the management for his target man qualities but injuries and suspensions meant he missed a fair few games near the end.
JAMES OLIVER
Came in on loan last season and was back again from Alfreton Town this time around, a neat and tidy type of team player who could every so often make something happen with his low centre of gravity, though in and out of the team towards the back end.
TIAGO NASSUNCULO
Short-term loan signing from St Ives after one of the suspensions to Bastos, had decent movement and hold-up play though should really have opened his account a couple of times over at Ossett in a game Belper ought to have won.
EWAN SUTHERILL
Another youngster, looks to have all the attributes to be a target man of the future, time will tell as we only had fleeting glimpses of his talent towards the end of the season and we look forward to seeing more of him.
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