LEICESTER NIRVANA (Gleneagles Avenue)

FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND, LEICESTER NIRVANA 2-4 BELPER TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 96

The road, or rather train tracks, to Wembley led East today for a Leicestershire v Derbyshire FA Cup clash. Leicester Nirvana (of the United Counties Premier League) were taking on Belper Town (of the Northern Premier League Div.1 South).


Today was the club's first 'home' FA Cup tie under the 'new' name of Leicester Nirvana. 

The club was originally formed by a merger, in 2008, of Thurnby Rangers and Leicester Nirvana, which at the time was a youth set up only, and went under the name of Thurnby Nirvana.

As well as a change of name, the club have also had a change of home. The club played at Dakyn Road until last season but they have now moved to groundshare Gleneagles Avenue with Leicester Senior League side Highfield Rangers. 

Despite Belper being the higher ranked team today, there was absolutely nothing between the two sides in the first half but two goals in two minutes just before the break swung the tie in Belper’s favour.


Grant Ryan (43) headed Belper in front before Luke Day (44) raced into the box to fire home. Just seconds after the restart Ryan (46) bagged his second to seemingly put the tie beyond Nirvana.

However the home side refused to give in and reduced the arrears on 57 minutes when Ashley Day scored.

The Nailers soon restored their three-goal advantage when Rob Stevenson (64) broke clear and rounded the 'keeper to slot home. Just three minutes later though an own goal pulled another goal back for Nirvana.




Jonathan Williams was shown a red card after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, setting up a nervy finish for Belper. 

With nothing to lose, Nirvana went for it and nearly pulled off an unlikely draw but the Belper players threw their bodies on the line, blocking shots and clearing one effort off the line.

An excellent competitive cup tie but ultimately disappointment for Nirvana....Nevermind.