by Peter Scherer
Following Wednesday nights defeat at Lichfield, its back on the road again for Mickleover, as we travel to promotion chasers Anstey Nomads.
Nomads have only lost five games this season and one was back at the Don Amott Arena, when Michael Hollingsworth’s goal gave us a 1-0 win back in October.
It’s also been a successful season for out hosts in the FA Trophy, recently going out in the fourth round.
Tony Blanchard is the Nomads manager and they are currently in second place, with games in hand.
Mansfield Town loanee and Dominican Republic International Anthony Nunez is the first choice keeper. He was at Basford and Notts County before joining the Stags and has been out on loan at Shepshed Dynamo too.
Centre back Lewis Gibbens started out at Mansfield too. He moved onto Boston Utd after an initial loan, but came to Anstey from Worksop Town after one season, in July 2022.
Kyle Tomlin is another centre back and another former Mansfield Junior, after joining them from Burton Albion. He joined Coalville Town following his release and played for Carlton Town and Eastwood before joining Anstey in February 2024.
Left back Oscar Tonge was signed from Coleshill in August 2024, where he had spent the previous season after being released by Peterborough Utd.
Tristan Thomas is a left back too. A pre-season arrival following his release by Leicester City.
Ben Humphrey’s is a defender signed in pre-season from Hinckley Leicester Road.
Centre back Jordan Annable came from AFC Mansfield in August 2021, after spending seven seasons with the Nottinghamshire club. He is the club captain.
Luke Redfern is a centre back, a pre-season arrival from Stamford. He started at Burton Albion and was loaned to Nuneaton and Sutton Coldfield before joining Stoke City. He had another loan spell at Hednesford before going to Halesowen on his release. He spent the whole of last season at Stamford.
Defender Danny Gordon came from Corby Town in pre season, where he had played for the last three seasons. He has also played for Belper Town and Loughborough Dynamo
Henry Bestwick is a midfielder and a home-grown talent, having joined Anstey as a 16 year old. He had a few seasons away at Long Eaton Utd before returning to our hosts.
Former Leicester City junior Rubyn Gill is a defensive midfielder who went to the US after a spell at Solihull Moors. Starting with UCAS Bears, he played for Belmont Bruins and Brown Ballers before returning to the UK.
Central midfielder Tobias Liversidge arrived in October from Stamford. He started out at Lincoln City and has also played for Spalding Utd and Lincoln Utd.
Ronnie Kokkinos is a defensive midfielder, currently on loan from Mansfield Town.
Attacking midfielder Josh Burniston came from Stamford in pre-season. He had been on a dual registration with Lincoln Utd, but started off at Nottingham Forest. He’s had spells at Cambridge Utd and Gresley Rovers too.
Striker Nyle Blake spent much of last season out injured. He started out at Mansfield Town and had a spell at Alfreton before going to Frickley after an initial loan. He moved on to Belper Town, Carlton, Hyde Utd and Gainsborough before returning to Frickley in November 2021. Further moves to Stamford, Newark & Sherwood preceded his move to our hosts in 2023.
Tendai Chitiza is a striker that started off at Leicester Nirvana. He then had a short spell with Gresley Rovers before going to Serbia with CSK Celarevo and TSC Backa Topola. On his return to the UK he joined Stamford, but after three years he moved on to Coalville. Returning to Stamford again in August 2023 he was there until joining Anstey at the start of this season.
Striker Liam Murphy was another pre-season signing, having played at Bedworth and Boldmere St.Michael’s last season.
Courey Grantham is a striker too, signed from Quorn in pre-season. He spent four years with Basford and as played for Heanor Town and Hednesford too.
Also in our hosts squad are veteran strikers David Nugent and Martyn Waghorn, both ex Derby County players, but neither have seen much game time since their signings.
Kick off is 3pm and your support would be welcomed.