Ahead of tonight's clash between Cleethorpes Town and Grimsby Borough, football writer Matt Dannatt gives his thoughts...
I WAS lucky enough to be present at the first ever 'Battle of Bradley' between Cleethorpes Town and local rivals Grimsby Borough.
That game was watched by a crowd of 463 fans – a huge attendance for a Baris Northern Counties East League (NCEL) game and a fantastic advert for the local amateur scene.
There was a good atmosphere around the Bradley Community Stadium that night, and I'm sure it will be no different tonight.
Watching that game, it struck me that, as an area that loves its football, we should be proud of what both Borough and Clee have achieved and how they've both developed during their relatively short existence.
To have two teams, fighting it out at such a high level of amateur football – both based at one of the best facilities the NCEL has to offer – is fantastic for the area.
Although both managers would admit that the first meeting between the sides didn't throw up the greatest game of football, things are shaping up to be different this time around.
Clee have made a strong start to their first campaign in Division One, after storming the Lincolnshire League last season.
Borough recently made two exciting signings in Grimsby Town Youth team keeper Liam Higton on a season-long loan and former Mariner Jammal Shahin.
Both have made a big impact, helping the Wilderness Boys to record their first win in five games with a 3-2 victory over Yorkshire Amateur earlier this month.
In Andy Taylor and Lee Stephenson, both Borough and Clee boast two of the league's more potent goal threats – boasting 13 and 11 goals respectively.
After Clee's 2-0 win over their local rivals in that first game in September, Borough will be desperate to bite back and claim a share of the local bragging rights.
Throw in a bit of festive cheer and tonight's game could be a real Christmas cracker.
Tonight's match at the Bradley Community Stadium kicks-off at 7.45pm.