by Harry Day (Images: Steve Ingers)
Mickleover’s FA Cup campaign, which saw victories over the likes of Barwell and Stamford, reached its climax in a 2-0 defeat to step 3 Halesowen Town.
1- Aaron Chapman 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders 4-Charlie Hickingbottom 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Dwayne Wiley 7-Andy Dales 8-Josh Ashman 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Jude Taylor 11-Kane Richards
Subs: Rowe, Norkett, Atkinson, Alonzi, Powell, J. Carter, McDowell
It was a positive start from Mickleover in front of an over 700-strong crowd in the West Midlands. The Sports got on the front foot from the first whistle, looking to camp within the Halesowen final third.
The ball was getting worked around the edge of the box nicely, with a pass from Stuart Beavon being received by Hamza Bencherif. The Sports’ captain shot, but did not make sufficient contact to cause Dan Platt any issues in the Halesowen net.
The first real chance for Mickleover to punish Halesowen for a slow start came in the 13th minute. Beavon, starting once more, squeezed the ball through to Jude Taylor in the box; his strike, however, was straight down the throat of Platt, who palmed it away easily.
Mickleover were enjoying the larger share of possession in the opening 20 minutes, limiting their opposition’s time on the ball and, as a result, preventing anything of real threat.
There was plenty to be encouraged about for the travelling side in the opening 25, but Halesowen soon reminded Mickleover just how clinical they could be going forward, as they took the lead 28 minutes into proceedings.
Vanylson Silva delivered an inviting ball that was found by Samson Hewett, who tapped the ball across goal to an onrushing Jason Cowley, who was left with a simple finish into an near enough empty net as Aaron Chapman had been dragged out of position.
The goal flipped the game’s momentum on its head as it was now Halesowen firmly on top and on the hunt for a goal that would double their lead and put them one foot into the next round of the FA Cup.
Cowley continued to threaten, coming close with an effort that was always swinging away from goal, but came very close to nestling in the top left corner.
Halesowen very nearly found that insurance goal on the stroke of half-time when Cowley blasted an effort off the crossbar. It had been a nervous fifteen minutes for the Sports, but they made it to the break only a goal down.
Mickleover made a change ahead of the second half, introducing Manni Norkett to the game, replacing Stuart Beavon, who had once again shown tremendous work rate; the Sports would now set their sights on a way back into this game.
But it was never going to be easy as Halesowen picked up where they left off towards the end of the first half, looking dangerous once more, as the Sports continued to try and keep their opponents out.
The work rate in midfield was something to be admired on the day, as Josh Ashman, who is enjoying a fantastic campaign, and Charlie Hickingbottom continued to patrol in the central areas.
But Mickleover’s task soon grew a lot larger as Cowley, who had caused issues all afternoon, struck once more to double his tally for the day and put his side two to the good. It was a cruel deflection to take the ball away from Chapman; there was nothing the goalkeeper could have done.
The game was very quickly getting away from Mickleover as the momentum was out of their favour whilst they were chasing the game. Halesowen’s defence was a hard one to breach as the Sports had little opportunity to strike in the box; a lot of moves forward bore no fruit for the visitors.
Theo Rowe was introduced as was Luca Alonzi, making his debut having recovered from injury; a bright moment in a tough afternoon for Mickleover.
There was just no way back into the game for the Sports in a game which, twenty minutes in, looked in the balance. However, Halesowen’s quality came through when it mattered as Mickleover’s FA Cup run had come to an end in the West Midlands.
Attention will now turn to next Saturday when Malvern FC travel to the Vibrant Doors Arena for an FA Trophy clash as Mickleover still fight on two fronts.
