Retro: Retro: It wasn’t outstanding but Worksop Town reserves did the job

The first team under Tommy Spencer were in the Northern Premier League while the reserves competed in the Central Midlands League, Reserve Division One, meaning that all the members were second elevens.

The “Cubs” as the second string were known, kicked off with a 3-3 draw at Rossington Main but then went down 3-0 at Burton Albion’s Eton Park. A 4-4 draw away in Arnold brought another point but Saturday 11th October brought a home 3-2 defeat against Harworth CI. Bird scored both goals as Ilkeston Town were beaten 2-0 at Central Avenue a week later.

On the last Saturday in October the youngsters lost 2-1 at Graham Street Prims. A rare midweek game the following Tuesday brought Arnold Kingswell to Central Avenue to face an “augmented” Worksop side who won 6-2. First teamers John Stokes, Mark Marrow and Peter Moore were among the scorers.

When the “Tigers” made the long trip to Barrow on 8th November, most fans stayed at Central Avenue to watch the “Cubs” entertain table topping Shepshed Charterhouse. They were well entertained with a 3-3 scoreline, Simon Berghara scoring two, and Russ Lilley the other.

The League Cup was exited with a first round 4-0 defeat at Derby Carriage & Wagon on 6th December, but after a spell without games due to poor weather, February saw a new enthusiasm and 109 paying spectators turned up on Saturday 7th to see Arnold FC beaten 2-1.

The gate was up to 170 for the midweek 2-2 visit of Borrowash Victoria, when the first team were not playing.

The season was played out in much the same vein, the side not really looking like world beaters, despite a 5-0 win at bottom markers, Ilkeston Town, but fulfilling the job of a reserve team very well.

They produced the odd player for the 1st team, provided Saturday afternoon football for squad players and those returning from injury, and Saturday afternoon football for fans unable or unwilling to travel to the far flung outposts of the Northern Premier League to support the first team.

At the season’s end, they finished in 8th place in a 15 strong League, having won 9, drawn 9, lost 10, scored 55 and conceded 55.