Duffield expects tough start to 2013

Sixth-placed Belper Town are expecting a typically tough New Year's Day local derby when Mickleover Sports arrive at Christchurch Meadow, writes Nigel Oldrini.

Sports' Boxing Day outing in Evo-Stik NPL First Division South saw them lose 4-0 at home to Gresley but Belper manager Peter Duffield insists the relegation threatened visitors won't be pushovers after undergoing a mini revival under caretaker manager Charlie Palmer.

The former Football League defender replaced the departed Dick Pratley midway through November and Duffield said: "They are not going to lie down and let us roll them over that’s for sure. They have some good players in their squad and Charlie’s reorganised them so I’m expecting it to be a typical local derby encounter."

The Nailers head into the clash after their own Boxing Day victory sparked an unusual hat-trick of managerial resignations. Sheffield boss Curtis Woodhouse resigned after watching his side being swept away 5-1 by the Nailers at Dronfield. Earlier in the campaign, both Northwich Victoria and Hucknall Town parted company with their respective management teams after suffering defeats at the hands of Belper Town.

Duffield believes his side are ready for the challenge after bouncing back at Sheffield from their Doodson Sport Cup exit to Ossett Town. A Jon Froggatt hat-trick preceeded by goals from Colin Marrison and Simon Harrison was the perfect response to their poor showing according to the manager. Froggatt’s goals were all the more remarkable as the returning striker only entered the action on the hour mark before firing the Nailers into a commanding position from which a shell shocked Sheffield side would never recover.

"It was the perfect response to the Ossett performance," said Duffield, "and it shows what we are capable of when we pull together and play for each other. I was disappointed that we were only 1-0 up at half time because we had dominated the first 45 minutes and I can only think of one save that Chappy [Aaron Chapman] had to make.

"I started the game with Mark Ward and Darryl Thomas as my strike pairing, but switched early in the second half with Jon Froggatt and Shaun Tuton. The pair showed great attitude and I was pleased for Froggy who scored two great goals and hit a penalty to put us out of sight of Sheffield."

Duffield was also pleased with the performance of Eric Graves who made his debut for the Nailers after re-signing for the club from neighbours Mickleover Sports.

He added: "Eric will be a great asset to us and I thought he did very well on his first outing. He has all round ability and if we are going to do well this season then we need players of his calibre in the side to complement our other squad members."