Preview – Albion Sports (A)

August 21, 2026

We’re back on the road tomorrow afternoon as we travel to Bradford to take on Albion Sports in our latest NCEL Premier Division fixture.

The Badgers head into Saturday’s game looking to respond after last weekend’s frustrating 1-0 defeat against Bottesford Town at Cannon Park. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. After a disappointing display against Knaresborough Town in the previous midweek fixture, we produced a much-improved showing against a Bottesford side who have started the season strongly.

For long periods it looked as though the points would be shared, but an 88th-minute winner saw the visitors snatch all three points and leave us empty-handed. Tomorrow gives us the opportunity to put that disappointment behind us as we make the trip to face Albion Sports.

Our hosts currently sit 16th in the NCEL Premier Division table having picked up one victory from their opening three league fixtures. Albion began their campaign against Barton Town and took the lead after 21 minutes, only for Barton to respond with three goals and claim a 3-1 victory.

They responded strongly in their next fixture, recording a 1-0 victory away at Rossington Main, before suffering another 3-1 defeat at home to Handsworth. Albion have also been in FA Cup action this month, where they were involved in a dramatic Extra Preliminary Round tie against Thackley.

Remarkably, all three goals arrived inside the final seven minutes. Ndlovu put Albion ahead, but the game was turned on its head right at the death as Thackley struck in the 89th and 90th minutes to claim a 2-1 victory.

For the Badgers, the target tomorrow is simple: get back to winning ways. It has been a mixed opening to our first season back at Step 5, but there have already been plenty of signs of what this group is capable of. A victory tomorrow could see us move back into the play-off positions and towards where we want to be.

We know there will be plenty of ups and downs as we adjust to life in the NCEL Premier Division, but we also know we will get there, especially with the fantastic support we continue to receive both at Cannon Park and on the road. We would love to see another strong travelling contingent in Bradford tomorrow afternoon.

Albion Sports v Retford United
Saturday 22nd August 2026
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Myra Shay Stadium
489 Barkerend Road, Bradford, BD3 8QX

Get behind the lads, make some noise and let’s get back to winning ways.

Come on you Badgers!

Preview – Albion Sports (A)

Retford United FC