We all stand together: CONFIDENT WIN

BELPER UNITED 3 MELTON TOWN 0

UCL PREMIER NORTH AT CORONATION PARK

1 APRIL 2024 --- 3PM

BELPER UNITED V MELTON TOWN

An afternoon when the Belper management team were so happy everything came together three goals, a clean sheet, some slick moves, a first touch goal for the manager after 14 months out oh yes and they nullified play off qualifiers Melton Town out of this game. So all in all a good afternoon for the Derbyshire sides final 'home' game of the season at their Nottinghamshire base.

NO PRE MATCH FOOD FOR ME AND THEN THIS

For the blog after a rainy, surprise, start to the day the option of a deja vu of just 48 hours later taking in a game at Eastwood came to the front of the queue again with 3g being the saviour with many games again falling to the wet stuff. Saturday's game featuring Eastwood was a cracking affair and was my first viewing of them this season this though would be my third of Belper and second time at Coronation Park and it would not disappoint.

Although it nearly got close with the cheeky taxi being 35 minutes late, I did arrive twenty minutes before kick off which denied me the chance of continuing the healthy diet at The Coop you know the stuff by now pasty and cake. If that wasn't enough I spent the whole afternoon looking at a giant pork pie on the visiting supporters flag in deference to their towns famous product.

JACOB FERDINAND TAKES ON TWO FOR BELPER

Thankfully the referee George Younger was great in allowing me to obtain the teams and there was also a greeting from United assistant manager Aaron Hayer. As we approached kick off the sun burst through and with some warmth on the back it turned into a very pleasant afternoon for a change.

ANOTHER MAZY RUN FROM THABANG DUBE

Melton arrived having already qualified for the play offs but suggestions were that they would like to get some wins in the final games to secure a home tie and for Belper mid table safety looked like it didn't leave much on the menu, how different it turned out to be.

LETS DANCE

Early on in the season when Manager Alex Steadman and Hayer took over there was a requirement to clearly try the younger element of footballer to the team and of course consistency will always be a problem but today they looked so good and were a pleasure to watch for the spectator and you can only imagine it was the same with a little bit more joy for the management team.

THE JOY AS SURAFEL TEFERA MAKES IT 2-0

The opening exchanges were tentative but the build up from Belper was looking encouraging against a more laboured Melton and so it proved with a sharp ball into the pathway of Paul Johnson who drove into the box before firing past Bill Harrison in the visitors goal to give Belper the lead on 28 minutes.

That's how we arrived at half time despite the weaving runs of Thabang Lethabo Dube Melton were not really threatening the home defence.

SURAFEL TEFERA CELEBRATES HIS GOAL

Half time was spent taking in the sun readily aware that within a few hours it would be throwing down the wet weather again.

Melton had to turn up for this game and in the opening exchanges of the second half they did appear to get up a head of steam which saw Belper on their mettle defensively to deny the visitors.

CATCH UP WITH THE BELPER CAPTAIN

But that bit of good luck required fell the way of Belper when captain Surafel Tefera fancied his chances and tried a shot from 20 yards, Harrison looked to have got it covered but the ball bounced at the front of him as he was down to save and proceeded to fumble over the prostrate keeper and the home side had doubled their lead with Tefera absolutely delighted on 52 minutes.

REFEREE GETS THE WALL BACK

Melton looked deflated now but credit must go to Belper to the way they were tackling this game for many clubs an end of season game would have been a stroll and often boredom for the fans but this was so far from it with Belper looking to push home their advantage.

A few minutes later Kalis Gore cleared off the line for Melton as Belper threatened more goals.

The pictures surrounding this are from a strong but what looked superb ball winning tackle by the Melton defender and was something that both assistant referee and the man in the middle were telling the Belper players who were asking the question. When you take a look at the left leg and foot of Johnson its not surprising that even after some extensive physio he was substituted shortly afterwards.

The third goal would be a little special with manager Steadman returning to action after fourteen months he replaced captain Tefera after 82 minutes and within 30 seconds had score with his first touch hence joyful wheel away to be congratulated by his players. A lovely ball nipped through close in and he guided the it past the Melton keeper from ten yards.

There was still time left for Belper to attempt to get a fourth but in time added on they were denied by an excellent save from Harrison moments later referee Younger blew for time and the final home game of the season had brought much to look forward to in this Belper squad if it can stop together for next 24/25.

BELPER QUESTION REFEREE YOUNGER

It was a small crowd of 89 while Belper search for a return to base but there were a good 20 or 30 from Leicestershire which brought a snack bar side atmosphere to proceedings but overall they must have been disappointed in their sides showing.

To the credit of Belper United they continue to produce a match day programme and operate a public address system which all adds to the match experience.

PAUL JOHNSON RECEIVES TREATMENT FROM PHYSIO IMOGEN BAILEY

On the footballing side if Belper continued to play football like that, which I hope they do I could certainly watch it, this afternoon was a thoroughly enjoyable game and performance.

PACKED MELTON GOALMOUTHS LOOKS TO REPEL BELPER

Taxi back to base was on time, thanks Jack and and an enjoyable footy chat during the journey, there had also been the chance to grab a crafty sausage roll and cake from The Coop, after match healthy eating now.

The words have run out before the pictures again so please enjoy the remaining action from the afternoon.