by Peter Scherer
After last weekends FA Cup success it’s back to NPL action on Saturday, when we host Matlock Town at the Don Amott Arena.
Sports boss Gareth Holmes is hopeful of having a full squad to select from, following a few knocks in recent matches.
“We have kept a clean sheet in the last two matches, but I want us to dictate the games more, but it’s coming,” he said.
Mickleover, currently 15th in the table, following the win at Leek and the point at home to Lancaster, our visitors are currently rock bottom, with just two points away from home from their opening six games.
Only a few days ago the Gladiators parted company with manager Nicky Law, who took over in May and brought with him vast experiences both a player and a manager, more recently having been head of recruitment at Burnley.
Matlock were in action too on Tuesday night, when they lost 0-1 in their FA Cup replay at home to Spalding, with captain Shaun Brisley and Under 21 coach James Holmes in charge.
Teenaged goalkeeper Rogan Ravenhill is currently on loan from Barnsley. He is also the clubs joint leading scorer, after heading home the equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Lancaster.
Centre back Shaun Brisley arrived from Alfreton in the summer. He has over 400 senior league appearances under his belt in the Championship, leagues one and two, having started out at Macclesfield. He then moved to Peterborough after a short loan, but was then loaned back to Macclesfield, as well Scunthorpe, Northampton and Leyton Orient.
His next stop was Carlisle Utd, before moving on via Notts County, Port Vale, Wrexham and Buxton. He spent the whole of last season at Alfreton and is currently Matlock team captain.
Connor O’Grady is another pre-season signing and a former Republic of Ireland Under 21 International. A centre back, he began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, before joining Buxton on his release. He joined Stalybridge in July 2021, but spent the following season at Worksop, before returning to Stalybridge last term. He has also captained the side this season.
Another centre back, another ex Sheffield Wednesday junior and another pre-season signing, Joshua Ashman has arrived from Guiseley, where he spent last season.
Danny Benson is a centre back too and started as a Barnsley Junior. He went out on loan to Bradford Park Avenue in February last year and his stay was extended until January 2024, before his release from the Tykes brought him to Causeway Lane pre-season.
Left back Joe West is another former Sheffield Wednesday Junior, who joined Farsley on his release. He moved on to Frickley Athletic and Gainsborough Trinity, spending a year at each, before coming to Matlock at the beginning of last season.
Right or centre back Keenan Ferguson started out at Sheffield Utd, before spending a year with Tottenham Hotspur. Following his release he joined Boston Utd, before moving to Spennymoor Utd at the beginning of last season. He had a loan spell at Bury too before joining the pre-season new signings at Matlock.
Midfielder Jay Glover is yet another ex Sheffield Wednesday player and pre-season arrival. He had loans Belper Town, Gainsborough Trinity and Spennymoor, heading to Matlock following his release.
Sam Essien is a central midfielder that started out at Halifax. After a loan at Golcar Utd, he joined Boston Utd at the start of last season. He is another of the pre-season signings.
Curtis Durose is a midfielder too. Coming from Rotherham in pre-season, he was loaned to Gainsborough and Scarborough, before coming to Matlock at the end of last season. He then made his move permanent, following his release.
Striker Liam Hardy spent seven years at Harrogate Town, after joining them from Armthorpe. Stops at Buxton, Grantham, Hyde Utd, Worksop, Shirebrook and Gainsborough followed. He joined Liversedge last October and came to Matlock at the end of March.
James Morris is a striker that started out at Doncaster Rovers. After a loan at Tamworth he headed for the US and spent 4 ½ years with Seattle Redhawks College team, before returning to the UK with Matlock in pre-season.
Defender Charlie Oglesby came from Stocksbridge in pre-season, having previously played for Staveley MW.
Mason Booth is a midfielder or defender who has come through Rotherham Utd ‘s Juniors. He arrived pre-season too, following his release.
Brothers Charlie and Harry Wood are both midfielders and have both come through Matlock’s home youth scheme. Charlie became part of the first team squad at the end of last season, whereas Harry has returned for his second spell at the club. He’s had a spell in Malta with Lija Athletic and FC Mgarr Utd, but came back to the UK with Grantham in early 2022. He came back to Causeway Lane from Stamford last October, from Stamford.
Midfielder Tomas Pole is in his second spell too, having returned from Stocksbridge pre-season. He has also played for Staveley MW.
Benni Ndlovu is a striker and yet another pre-season arrival, after coming from Sheffield FC.
Fellow striker Harrison Poulter came from Scunthorpe in pre-season. He was also loaned out to Spalding, Gainsborough, Sheffield and Cleethorpes before his release.
Finally George Milner needs no introduction to Mickleover supports, having spent a couple of seasons at the Don Amott Arena. A fierce competitive midfielder with an eye for goal, he was a Chesterfield Junior.
He had a spell in Norway with Valdres and played for Frickley and Belper Town before coming to Mickleover. He moved on to Ashton Utd and played for Stafford and Nantwich too, before joining the pre-season influx at Matlock.
Kick off is 3pm as Mickleover go for the second successive home win of the season and a third successive clean sheet.