BELPER TOWN REVIEW OF THE SEASON 2024/25, NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE EAST SECTION
 |
| ACTION from the impressive 2-0 win at Grimsby Borough in November |
In all fairness, Cleethorpes Town looked different gravy for much of the campaign and would have been hard to catch whatever.
The play off semi final at Stocksbridge was a very tight game where Belper probably had slightly more chances, but an opportunist strike in extra time settled the issue after an impressive late rally had cancelled out ex-Nailer Luke Rawson's header from a corner, perhaps the only real time he got any joy in the two games he played against us after leaving.
The disciplinary record was much improved this time around and as ever, you wondered what might have happened had we not lost top scorer Harry Draper in particular through injury along with several other departures who left of their own accord that we'd probably much rather have kept hold of, but thats often the case in non league football.
Here's a look at the personnel used during the season:
MANAGER
LEE ATTENBOROUGH
After losing most of last season's string it was an excellent effort from the boss to bring in the kind of quality to once again be challenging towards the higher end of the league and I'm sure he would have preferred to keep several players who moved on at least as increased competition for the squad even in the case of those that wouldn't have been guaranteed regular starts. Once again we wait and see what happens in the close season but hopefully more magic can be worked by the hard working gaffer and his sidekick Mr Wain.
GOALKEEPERS
DANIEL MOORE
Having already been signed up from a spell at the end of the previous season, the popular Dan started the season between the posts and as ever made some good saves and showed good vocal command of the defence. There were odd blips in the FA Cup games with Bromsgrove Sporting and the match at Emley as you would expect from a young goalkeeper who will only improve and after initially going out on loan, now finds himself as understudy at Worcester City who have just gained promotion to higher echelons.
KIERAN PRESTON
Came in from Basford United in the level above and the ex Derby County reserve did a solid job, often famed for his distribution and proving Mr Reliable for the two thirds of the season that he took over the mantle.
HARVEY ADAMS
Didn't play any full games but was often on the bench up until late October.
DEFENDERS
BEN RHODES
A highly impressive season earning him fans Player of the Season a couple of years after he was runner-up. Well deserved award for this consistent, talented and whole hearted performer, who had a few niggles early on in the season but once in the groove made the right back spot his own for the bulk of the season.
LARELL KING
Missed the early part of the season but got a run of games in late October and November, a slight mix up for one of the goals at Stocksbridge meant Rhodes was back in after some injury niggles, and once there was impossible to keep out of the side meaning King only appeared in isolated games thereafter but looked a steady player who could have done a job along with the useful long throw he possessed.
PAOLO AGUAS
Certainly played his part through to mid November when he left for Liversedge, with his pace overlapping coming in particularly useful when on the offence in home games. Was missed in that respect when he decided to move on due to the signing of Keenan, but might still have got chances further forward on the left had he decided to tough it out. Always gave his all for the cause.
LOUIS KEENAN
More of an out and out defender than Aguas, with bags of knowhow, he brought to the team experience and calmness though was perhaps less likely to put in penetrative runs going forward. Hence, once we added more legs in midfield late season, the blend looked better in home games. An astute signing.
ANDREW TSOLAKIS
Mainly used as a containing substitute in the later stages in early season, he finished up at Belper United towards the back end.
JACK BROADHEAD
Did a solid job at centre half coming in from Worksop Town straight into the captaincy role. Could be a threat from corners and for the large part installed confidence into the defence.
IOAN EVANS
Another whole hearted central defender coming in from Matlock Town who teamed up well with Broadhead to form a solid partnership for most games over the season.
MIDFIELDERS
CURTIS BURROWS
As ever he put in lots of harrying and chasing and was perhaps the main source of mobility in the middle of the pitch in the first half of the season until additions came in late season. Chipped in with the odd goal from dead balls also and made the odd appearance at right back.
MASON WARREN
After figuring fairly regularly in early season, his appearances became more sporadic towards the end as a few new faces appeared and he often had to be content with coming off the bench. Certainly many more plus points over his time with the club (has announced he will be moving to pastures new in the future).
NATHAN WHITEHEAD
Very experienced strongman midfielder / stand-in central defender who possesses know-how and a good range of passing. Obviously advancing years meant he wasn't as quick as he used to be so probably needed more legs around him but had a good vocal presence on the pitch where he noticably tried to lift the team in times of adversity. Went on dual registration to Wakefield for the latter part of the campaign.
LEWIS AUSTIN
After a good pre season we wondered if this would be the year Lewis came to the fore and so it proved, albeit in later season where his mobility in the middle of the pitch had a galvanising effect on the team, and seemed a big factor in turning around the at one stage faltering home form. Perhaps unlucky not to play more of a part earlier in the season but apparently had a few niggles.
TOBY GREGORY
Mostly appeared from off the bench towards the early stages of the season, this playmaker-type never really broke through for a regular run in the team over the past couple of seasons.
JONATHAN WAFULA
Arriving from Ilkeston Town in the later stages of the season, Wafula initially started off in the midfield role where he impressed in early games though also turned up in the forward line and in defence at other times. A useful addition to the team and another one who improved the aspect of getting around the pitch.
HARRY WOOD
Ex-Matlock Town player who could both graft and play a forward thinking midfield role, played a number of games towards the end in the last couple of months of the season after having to serve a suspension virtually as soon as he came in.
BRADLEY MUNNS
A late addition to the squad for the last month or so of the season, he made a few substitute appearances where he looked busy but didn't have oodles of time to show his worth.
FORWARDS
HARRY DRAPER
The archetypal centre forward of yesteryear, big strong and adept at roughing up defences, which meant referees were often quick to show him a card when the home crowd were baying at seeing their centre halves flying sideways to the left and right! Also a real goal-scoring knack in the box with (I think) 24 goals in all competitions despite missing a sizeable chunk of games due to work commitments and then his late season knee injury.
LUKE RAWSON
Looked very impressive in the home friendly against Long Eaton and despite playing a less central role when paired with Draper, was always likely to prove a threat when crosses were slung into the box and could lay the ball off well. Moved back to Stocksbridge three quarters of the way through the season, and of course it was sod's law that he should score against us in the play off semi final.
JACOB GRATTON
Was really excited and surprised that we managed to get him in for the start of the season, (he had done very well for us previously but had been a success in the league above last year). Only saw it through to early September however before he moved on to Worksop, who he had trained with before coming to Belper, and then eventually to Basford. Mostly played on the right at Belper with licence to cut inside though perhaps his best position is slightly more central behind the main strikers. Looked very good in the centre forward role once too in his first spell at the club. No doubting his quality was missed.
NAT CROFTS
Livewire from Matlock Town who started mainly on the wings before eventually moving to a role where he broke from behind the main strikers using his pace. Could be effective in both roles though perhaps his best returns were from out wide in early season where he got into some great positions and scored goals, though perhaps should have had even more from the areas he got into. Didn't start so often in later season.
KEATON AUGUST
Very pacy acquisition from Heanor Town, to where he eventually returned, citing that he wanted to start enjoying his football again. Certainly was a disappointment he left, as he had a real turn of foot that could cause defenders lots of problems, and his end product as a young player was always going to improve year by year. Had a few niggles apparently which meant he mixed starts with appearances off the bench. Another one we could have done with staying.
BRODIE LITCHFIELD
His first spell where he was one of the mainstays of the team and one of the most popular players was obviously his best as he never really pinned down a long run of games this time around, either this season or the last. Always felt there was more in the locker again if given more time but he decided to move on to Hallam as much for family reasons as anything else.
KELAN SWALES
Grafted away on the right wing and popped in a few decent crosses which resulted in goals, a workmanlike fixture in the side who got plenty of starts. Was a bit frustrated himself judging from interviews that he could not bring more goals to the team from his own boots.
LUTHER MUNAKANDAFA
Came in on a dual registration from Spalding and appeared until half time in the home loss to Brighouse Town where he did not really get involved at all, for whatever reason. Not sure if he suffered an injury but was never seen or heard of again.
TAVONGA KULEYA
Showed some great ability and skills having arrived on loan from Doncaster Rovers and chipped in with a few goals to boot. Sadly an injury in late February kept him out for the rest of the campaign.
JACK WATSON
A head down and up-and-at-em type of winger from Sheffield FC, who notched a few goals here and there, including a thrilling late winner at Bradford Park Avenue from off the bench. Suffered an injury which meant he missed much of the last couple of months of the season until coming back just before the play offs.
ANDREW BUAH
This Port Vale loanee youngster was a mixture of unpredictable skill and rawness as we often saw within the same game but provided some decisive moments which resulted in the ball hitting the back of the onion bag in spectacular style on more than one occasion. Made things happen.
TERRY ATEM
Often looked quite lively though mostly came from off the bench towards the end of games and didn't have a large number of starts. His goal against Carlton was the one highlight of a disappointing day for the team and soon afterwards he was turning out for Sherwood Colliery, having come to the Nailers from Belper United.
KEVIN BASTOS
Having originally signed on for another season, Bastos tried a stint in Kosovo instead and then came back to the UK with Basford United, where he was largely on the substitutes roster. Perhaps understandably rusty on his return to the Nailers thereafter, it took a fair while for him to find his groove but from April onwards he started to prove what he was still capable of, twisting and turning defences and scoring goals. Plus no disciplinary problems this time around.
JAANAI GORDON
Ex-Peterborough United forward who has been around the block, coming in following the injury to Draper and providing an effective foil up front. As Lee Attenborough commented, he is a decent player who needs pace and movement around him to bring out his best attributes. Did a fair enough job.
JEROME GREAVES
Having been with Belper during the NPL proper relegation season, Greaves looked a shrewd capture from Morpeth Town but the tall striker was beset with niggling injury problems during his second stint, scoring in his first game back but not getting many chances to add to that.
TOMASSO ZERBONI
Just an odd appearance off the bench towards the end of the campaign, this left sided player did not really have much time to make an impact and didn't figure in the play off match.
HARRISON POULTER
Another arrival from Matlock Town and scored the late winner at Ossett United from off the bench on his debut though only made a couple of full appearances thereafter before moving on to Doncaster City and then to get promotion at Stocksbridge latterly.
Comments
Post a Comment