Match Preview: Kirby Muxloe (A) - saturday 22nd March

Match preview by Matt Jones

Date: Saturday 22nd March 2025
Time: 3pm
Opponent: Kirby Muxloe FC
Venue: Ratby Lane, Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire, LE9 2AQ
Admission Prices: £7 Adults, £4 Concessions, £2 Under 16s
Tickets available on the gate or in advance here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/kirby-muxloe-football-club

So here we are, after 7 months and 38 matches, Nuneaton need just 6 more points for a first league title since 1999.

However that is assuming 2nd placed Heather St John's win all remaining games. The equation is simple, a win for Nuneaton and a loss for Heather on Saturday afternoon sees Nuneaton Town crowned champions of the Midland Football League Division 1. Heather have the trip to Ingles, the ground on which Nuneaton Town last suffered defeat all the way back in November.

Kirby Muxloe will still prove a challenge. Despite falling away from the title race in recent weeks they remain in with a chance of the play offs and will need to put Town's promotion party on hold to give themselves the best chance.

Last time out, Nuneaton Town secured a 3-0 victory over Stapenhill, whilst Kirby Muxloe secured a 2-0 home victory over local rivals Allexton & New Parks. Kirby still have 2 of the top 5 scorers in the league in Luca Watson-Quilter and Zakari Adams.

In the meeting at The Oval back in January, Nuneaton Town won 5-2 in front of 418 courtesy of goals from Carsley, Recci, Spruce and 2 from Johnson, including 2 of the stoppage time goals which have become quite a regularity for Town in recent weeks.

Kirby Muxloe is famous for its castle a short walk from the ground, which dates back to the 1400s, next to the pub of the same name. The castle itself, now owned by English Heritage is unfortunately closed on Saturday but makes for some good pictures from the outside. Kirby Muxloe's ground is 4G like The Oval, so the surface will be familiar to Town.

Can Nuneaton gain a 17th straight win in all competitions? Can we win the title? We need you in numbers on Saturday for what could be a historic day!

Please note that parking is very limited, and it is recommended to use public transport where possible. Details are below.

Directions from Nuneaton town centre:

Take Hinckley Road out of town to the A5 via the Long Shoot. Take the A5 to the M69 and then take the M69 towards Leicester. Follow onto the M1 north, and then leave at J21A onto the A46 and take the first slip road to B5380 Braunstone Firth/Kirby Muxloe. Turn right at the roundabout and then right at the next one towards Kirby Muxloe (Kirby Lane), turn right at the next roundabout to head back over the M1 (Ratby Lane). Follow the road across the next roundabout and past the new housing estate on the left and the entrance is on the right (a little hidden by trees) signposted Kirby Muxloe Sports and Village Club.

Public transport:

Buses run to Leicester passing Kirby Muxloe each hour. Bus 148 leaves Nuneaton station at 13:05, arriving at Grange Avenue at 14:04. Take Bus 153 across the road at 14:12 arriving at Kirby Main Street at 14:17. It is then a walk down Main Street and turn left down Ratby Lane at the end to the ground.

Leaving at 17:57, the 153 is at 18:14 from Main Street and then the 148 from Grange Avenue is at 18:26.

If taking the train, go to Leicester, and take the 27 bus from St Margaret's Bus Station across the city centre. Tyler Road in Ratby is a short walk from the ground.