Author: Dave Bird

Member of the Mickleover Sports finance committee, with the role of managing the website and social media.

Match Report: Workington (A)

By Tony Shaw
Workington: Taylor, Douglas, Rowntree, Wordsworth, Calvert, Wright (Waterston 80), Syminton, Mcluckie, Allison, Joel (Earl 75), Tinnion.
Sports: King, Grocott, Turner, Mcgrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott, Morris (Grayson 67), Garnett, Phillips. Other subs Timms, Horne, Morrison
Attendance 397.
Sports were unlucky to go down to this score-line, especially as they had around 70% of possession in a game against one of the form teams of the Division.
After a long journey it was Sports who settled early and they should have taken one of three early chances. Pablo Mills went close on 10 minutes meeting a John Mcgrath corner with a goal-bound header but he was denied by a full length save from Aaran Taylor. An intricate move saw Andy Dales find Evan Garnett but with only Taylor to beat he screwed his shot wide of the far post on 12 minutes. Dales then went close with a fierce shot which was held well by Taylor.
To make matters worse Workington took a 13th minute lead. A corner was headed away but only as far as Conor Tinion and his return cross caught out Sports and Dan Wordsworth reacted first to flick the ball on and over Lewis King. Sports were lacking a final pass though they dominated but were hit y a poor second goal on the stroke of half time. Lewis King came out to collect a routine waist high cross but this was knocked from his grasp and controversially rolled in by Wordsworth for his second goal, despite Sports protests.
Sports tried to hit back at the start of the second half and Garnett headed into the side netting at the near post from Jake Scott’s cross. With Sports pushing forward they were hit on the break on 84 minutes when Nathan Waterston’s ball was swept home by Phil McLuckie.
Sports still had chances to score but Evan Garnett fired a first time shot over the bar and Pablo Mills’ chip went past the far post.
#SportsRising

Sports In Hunt For New Assistant Manager

Mickleover Sports are sad to announce the departure of assistant manger Liam Walshe due to work commitments.

We thank him for all his hard work at the club, and wish him all the very best for the future.

That, of course, means there is now a vacancy for John McGrath’s assistant! Get in contact with the club or John directly to register your interest.

#SportsRising

Match Report: Sutton Coldfield Town(H)

By Phil Matthews

Mickleover SPORTS 2-0 Sutton Coldfield TOWN

Sports:- King, Horne, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott (Hickman 68), Morris, Garnett, Phillips (Dickinson 90).

Subs:- Williams, Morrison, Tyrell.

Sutton Coldfield:- Draper, Beresford, Martin, Smith (Lovett 45), Kelly, (Probert 75), Haran, Little, Webb, Knight (Howell 63), O’Callaghan, Singh.

Subs:- Walters, Perry.

Referee Paul Tomes

Attn 230.

Mickleover Sports are on a great run of form at the moment, with impressive back to back league victories on the road – and it continued with a win against bottom of the table Sutton Coldfield Town at the Don Amott Arena.

In goal for the visitors was Nick Draper who had served the home club well last season before departing earlier this after hitting a bad patch of form. This was not a home coming that he will wish to remember for long having been beaten between the posts more times that he would wish.

Sports took the lead on the 13th minute as a superb through ball by Jimmy Phillips was collected by Andy Dales who took it round Draper before firing home.

So dominant were the hosts in the first half that it was 35 minutes into the contest before the visitors struck a shot worthy of note. Gurjit Singh struck it from the edge of the box after referee  Paul Tomes awarded a free kick against Sports keeper Lewis King who was adjudged to have held onto the ball fractionally outside his area. The free kick flew over the bar.

By this stage Mickleover had already found the back of the net four times, only for the linesman to rule out three of them for various offences.

The first disallowed goal came in the 10th minute as Tom Burgin netted from close range only to have his effort ruled out for an infringement in the build up to the shot.

The other two to be annulled were by Evan Garnett, the first a shot after an Alex Morris strike had rebounded off the post, and the second a header. Both apparently ruled out for offside.

Pablo Mills completed the scoring on 54 minutes. Dales was fouled at the edge of the area and Mills  took an immaculate free kick that Draper could only help into the net – although it was already over the line before he got a hand to it.

Garnett did well to forge a chance with a 58th minute cross that no one was able to get a final touch to, and Dales blazed over on 64.

Best chance to increase the score, though, fell to Ben Turner who failed to find the target from close range on 86 minutes when it looked impossible to miss.

Sports were good value for their win as their winning run continues.

#SportsRising

Remembrance Weekend: FREE Entry To All Service Personnel

With this weekend being Remembrance Weekend, we thought we would honour the occasion with the offer of free entry to all ex and current service personnel who would like to attend Saturday’s home game at the Don Amott Arena (Sutton Coldfield Town, 3pm KO).

To request tickets on this basis, please email Dave Kelsey (davek@mickleoversportsfc.com) with details (before the end of Friday) and you will be added to our guest list for the day.

There will be collections on the day on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

 

Match Report: Stalybridge Celtic (A) – Sports Hit Celtic For Five

By Tony Shaw

StaLybridge Celtic 0-5 Mickleover Sports

Stalybridge: Slinn, Morton, Neville (Honeyball 69), Brown (Wilkinson 46), Ashworth, Killock, Baily-Jones, Roberts, Dickinson, Wolfenden, Hughes (Charles 63). Other subs Julien, Crowley
Sports : King, Horne, Turner, Mcgrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales Samoud 75), Scott, Morris, Garnett (Tyrell 87), Phillips


Another fine away win for Sports against one of the form teams with five goals and a clean sheet. Sports got off to the perfect start with an opening goal on five minutes. A through ball from Turner found Andy Dales in space and Joe Slinn could only clatter inti him to give away a penalty which John Mcgrath dispatched into the bottom corner. Stalybridge fought back and former Rams striker Liam Dickinson saw his shot hit the outside of the post. Matty Wolfenden headed a Lee Neville cross wide as the home side pressed forward. Pablo Mills fired a shot just over the bar but Connor Hughes went closer with a 20 yard shot that clipped the bar.


Sports were defending well but needed a second goal and this came on 40 minutes. A great run down the channel by Evan Garnett saw his pass put in Jimmy Phillips who hit a first time shot which hit the post, bounced out to Dales who fired in a first time shot from 12 yards.


Sports needed a solid start to the second half and Lewis King produced a fingertip save to touch over a 40 yard shot from Greg Wilkinson on 47 mins. Sports then produced another fine counter attack with Garnett again running clear and his cross was knocked in by Jake Scott on 52 mins.Sports looked dangerous on every attack and scored a 4th on 68 minutes when Garnett, yet again got clear on the left. His pass inside found Andy Dales in space to score with a low shot into the corner from 18 yards out.
To make it worse for the home team sports scored a 5th on 86 minutes as his pace caused panic in the home defence and a poor pass back saw him run the ball into the net.


Stalybridge went close again in the last minute Oli Roberts shot hit the bar.


Attendance 258. 


Referee Andrew Smith – Barnsley


Match Report: Whitby Town (H). Sports Impress With 2-1 Win

By Dom Hynes

Sports 2-1 Whitby Town

The Mickleover attack was a treat to watch on the night of Halloween as an excellent first half helped secure Sports a 2-1 over Whitby Town.

Despite a great start for Mickleover that saw Clinton Morrison head just wide, it was Whitby who took the lead.

Goalkeeper Lewis King was disposed in his box by Kiaran Weledji who then tapped into the empty goal to put his side ahead.

But Sports responded well as Evan Garnett levelling the score just 10 minutes later. Morrison played an excellent ball in to Garnett to split the defence, the forward then struck a shot excellently across the keeper and into the bottom corner.

The old football cliché says that scoring just before half-time is the best time to score – if that is the case, then Andy Dales superb volley from outside the box was the perfect goal.

Morrsion chested the ball down superbly for Dales who thundered the ball into the bottom right to put Sports in front with the last kick off the half.

The visitors began to get into the game more and more as the game grew older. But some brave defending from the Mickleover defence made life difficult for the Whitby attackers.

A great block from Tom Burgin on the line followed by a heroic dive that saw King clatter with the post somehow maintained Sports lead.

Despite the ever-mounting pressure; Sports held on for a deserved three points that saw Mickleover climb to 14th in the table.

One of the few negatives for John McGrath’s side was to see substitute Lewis Belgrave limp off the field with a hip injury just 10 minutes after entering play.

Sports will look to continue the winning run as we travel to face Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday.

#SportsRising

Coach Travel To Hednesford Town Available

The club are providing coach travel to any supporters that would like to travel to Saturday’s FA Trophy tie with Hednesford Town (3.00pm kick off).

The coach will leave the ground at 12.15pm with tickets priced at £10.00 (return).

Please contact Tony Shaw at tonys@mickleoversportsfc.com to book your place.

Come on Sports!

 

‘Sporting Legends’ Christmas Dinner (Sold Out)

 

**UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT**

 

Details of the Mickleover Sports FC annual Christmas Dinner have been finalised, and it’s looking better than ever!

It will take place on Thursday 30th November at Pride Park Stadium (7.00pm) and will include big names such as Steve Howard, Marco Gabbiadini, Graham Richards (Radio Derby legend!), Steve Daley, and Austin Knight (comedian).

It promises to be great night and space is limited so please reserve your tickets ASAP. See the poster for payment details.

 

 

 

Saturday Is Non-League Day For Prostate Cancer (Free Programmes)

Saturday 7th October is Non-League Day where Sports will take on Ashton United on Saturday (3pm) at the Don Amott Arena.

In support of Non League Day for Prostate Cancer UK, Sports chairman Don Amott has kindly offered to provide free match programmes to all supporters (although a donation to Prostate Cancer would be more than welcome!).

In addition, season ticket holders from any league club can enter the ground for half the normal price upon showing a valid season ticket.

 

Phill Coates

More about Prostate Cancer UK from Phill Coates…

“I wear my Prostate Cancer UK pin badge because of the great support and advice I received”

Once known by the St Albans City faithful as club mascot Sammy the Saint, Phill Coates tells us why Non-League Day’s partnership with Prostate Cancer UK means so much to him and why he wears his ‘Man of Men’ pin-badge with pride.

“I wear Prostate Cancer UK’s badge because of the great support and advice I received from the charity when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2014.

“It was lucky that I visited the doctor when I did. If I’d gone earlier, I may have avoided invasive surgery; but if I’d gone later, the cancer may well have spread.

“After my diagnosis I found the service I received from Prostate Cancer UK invaluable, particularly from the Specialist Nurses and a member of the fundraising team, Sam, who would speak to me every couple of weeks.

“Sam was great and it felt like I had a friend at the end of the line. Whilst chatting he mentioned the Football to Amsterdam bike ride to me which felt like the incentive and challenge I needed after having surgery just two weeks earlier.

“I’ve come a long way since then. I’ve walked ten marathons with Jeff Stelling, cycled three Football to Amsterdam bike rides and have worn my badge to raise awareness just like Jeff and the guys on Soccer Saturday.

“As well as support from Prostate Cancer UK, I’ve also felt supported by my club, St Albans City FC, and I’m so pleased that they’re backing Prostate Cancer UK and Non-League Day’s partnership once again, so that we can get the message out to even more men and their families.”

Join Phill in the fight against prostate cancer. Text BADGE to 70004 to donate £5* and get a badge to wear with pride.

* Text costs £5 plus network charge. Prostate Cancer UK receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 0800 082 1616. Charity No 1005541.

 

Sports Sign Highly-Rated Defender Alex Morris

John McGrath has dipped into the transfer market to secure the signing of Alex Morris, a player that became a target for the club following his impressive performance against Sports in this seasons FA Cup tie.

Morris is a strong defender who will add to the defensive options available to McGrath who had the following to say:

“I am delighted to sign Alex and look forward to working closely with him. A towering centre half but with great ability on the ball he will add great quality to an already excellent back line. He is exactly the character I want to add to the squad. He’s a natural born leader and winner. Welcome to sports Alex”.

Morris added:

“Mickleover are a great club and I am really happy to have signed for them. It is a great opportunity to prove myself after being in and out of football for the past 3 years due to university commitments. I am looking forward to the challenge and cannot wait to get started”.

#SportsRising