Rossington Main continues their NCEL Premier Division campaign against Horbury Town at Oxford Street on Saturday 29th August.

Not only are Rosso in search of going five undefeated in the league, Main will be looking to extend their run of four successive wins against Town, the stand-out result of course being the fiery 2023 NCEL Division One Play-Off Final, which delivered promotion to Oxford Street.

2025/26’s home win in this fixture sprang into life in the final ten minutes. Ross Hannah opened the scoring from 12-yards on 80 minutes, but another penalty saw Main pegged back with two minutes to go. Alex Phillipson ensured the side were not to be beaten, however, when he flung himself at Cody Prior’s swerving cross.

The reverse fixture ended 2-0 in Rossington’s favour, Myron Gibbons adding to a first half own-goal.

Under the 12-year management of Darren Barnes, Horbury have steadily progressed through the divisions after taking charge with The Three Castles operating at Step 7 of the pyramid. The West Yorkshire club would eventually join Rosso in the NCEL Premier last season, finishing respectably in 16th.

Barnes, who is also co-chairman, has chased a marked improvement in his team’s fitness levels throughout pre-season as he looks to mould his side into a more competitive outfit for the level.

This will include improving on their record on the road, in which they managed only victories. In fact, they are already half-way to matching that total with a win in their last league game at Frickley Athletic.

That 3-2 success came on 1st August, with the intervening period being booked up by five cup ties. Town won’t mind though as they recorded their best ever FA Cup run, advancing to the First Qualifying Round with replay win’s against Golcar United and a familiar face to Rosso in 1874 Northwich. A trip to Prescot Cables of Step 4 awaits in September.

In the FA Vase, 2-1 defeat at the hands of Club Thorne Colliery saw them eliminated at the first stage.

Despite lagging behind in terms of games played, an undefeated start resulting in a return of seven points from a possible nine has them in good stead as they look to plot their way through nine games over the next month.