Retro: How Worksop Town reserves won the league title

Worksop Town reserves bowed out in style with a title win.

The last Worksop Town reserve team took to the field in season 2005-6, competing in the Central Conference Eastern Division, a mid-week league, writes Worksop Town historian Steve Jarvis.

We were joined in this Division by the reserve teams of Lincoln United, Alfreton Town, Gainsborough Trinity and Grantham Town meaning that just eight League matches were required.

Worksop did well in League games winning five and drawing twice as they went on to lift the title.

After an opening 2-2 Sandy Lane draw with Lincoln United, the reserves then won 3-1 at Grantham and 5-3 at Gainsborough.

Steve Owens got all three at Grantham and a further two at the Northolme. Fox 2 and Archer made up the rest.

January brought a 2-2 draw at Alfreton and then a 1-0 defeat at Lincoln. A 1-0 win at Sandy Lane against the Trinity reserves got things back on track.

This left just two remaining League fixtures, both at home. On 26th April Alfreton Town were beaten 2-0 (Squires, Podmore) so Worksop would win the League if Grantham could be beaten in the final fixture on May 4th.

As first team fixtures were completed, a good crowd assembled at Sandy Lane hoping for the chance of some honour coming our way.

They were not to be disappointed as Grantham were swept away to the tune of 8-0 as Worksop Town reserves took the League title.

Owens scored three, Squires 2, Oldham Payne and Jones one each.

We didn’t know it then, but that was to be the last match played by a Worksop Town Reserve side (at least until the present day). A good way to bow out!