By Phil Matthews

Mickleover Sports 5 0 Hednesford Town

Sports:- King, Grocott, Turner, McGrath (Scott 56), Mills, Burgin, Dales, Morrison (Thomas 68), Phillips (Horne 74), Garnett, Belgrave.

Subs:- Gordon, Draper.

Hednesford:- Wren, Platt (Oji 46), Weir, Bailey, Mutton, Fitzpatrick, Bullock (Lyttle 68), Thorley, Glover, Lawrie, Davies (Levingston 45).

Subs:- Melbourne, Syteele.

Referee Lee Hible

Attn 200

After a worrying three game run when Sports could not buy a  result despite the quality of their football, they returned to winning ways with victory achieved with some style against A Hednesford Town outfit that went into the game above them in the table on points.

If the recent run of results had dented the confidence of the hosts it was impossible to tell as they went after their opponents from the first whistle.

Evan Garnett and Andy Dales combined after 3 minutes to set up an opportunity but Dales shot was blocked, a minute Jimmy Phillips saw his rasping drive go wide.

On 6 minutes left back  Ben Turner had a  shot from the right turned away for a corner.

Turner did not have to wait long for his reward as he headed home powerfully from a left wing corner to give the home side a 7^th minute lead.

The visitors tried to regain parity but found Lewis King on song as his positioning meant that he was able to deal comfortably with everything thrown at him.

The game was effectively over as a contest with a 2 goal burst from Garnett. His first in the 28^th minute owed much to the work of Jimmy Phillips in the build up, although it was a fine strike across goal and into the net by Garnett to double the lead.

Ten minutes later he got his second and Sports third with a simple tap in after tremendous approach play by Dales – and he was quick to acknowledge that after scoring.

Hednesford were falling apart and the jeers from some of the large number of visiting fans can have done little to their faltering confidence.

Mickleover started the second period in the same manner they had played the first – on the front foot.

They netted their 4^th two minutes after the restart. A free kick on the edge of the visitors box was only partially cleared. The ball fell to the foot of Lewis Belgrave who fired home through a crowded penalty area to make it clear to the opposition that any possibility of a revival was not going to happen.

Dales completed the scoring on 54 minutes after good link up play by Garnett and Clinton Morrison gave the winger the chance to fire home from the edge of the area.

It was no more than the player deserved for his work on the day.

Sports could have made it six 7 minutes from time as Dales was tripped in the box for an obvious penalty.

Garnett placed the ball on the spot but this time fluffed his opportunity of a hat trick firing high over the bar.

It was still a good days work by Sports which left their fans purring at the final whistle.

By Phil Matthews (Image courtesy: Derby Evening Telegraph)

Mickleover Sports 2-1 Hinckley AFC

Sports:- King, Grocott, Gordon, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott, Garnett, Grayson, Thomas (Phillips 67)

Subs:- Belgrave, Williams, Morris, Draper.

Hinckley:- Whitcombe, J Williams (Rolston 62), Haines (Cooper 67), Smith, Melligan, Morris, Butler, Miveld (Healey 76), Agar, Bowerman, S Williams.

Subs:- Tomlinson, Rad, Minto, Stretton.

Referee Mark Howes

Attn 305

Cliche though it may be the FA Cup at any stage of the competition can be a great leveller as Mickleover nearly discovered to their cost.

Hinckley may ply their trade several levels below their hosts, but gave a decent account of themselves all the same.

Sports took the lead on 24 minutes with a superbly struck free kick from outside the box by Zeph Thomas that would have beaten keepers many levels above the Evo Stik Prem, yet alone one from lower down.

The home team nearly doubled their lead on 37 when player manager John McGrath was played in on goal but was unable to keep his shot down.

Both Bradley Grayson and Andy Dales caused danger when raiding down the flanks but on neither occasion was there anyone lurking in front of goal to complete the good work.

Mickleover’s attacking dominance was all for naught though as George Bowerman converted a far post cross to head the sides level on the stroke of half time.

Grayson continued to create problems along the touchline and was unlucky to see his shot blocked after 51 minutes.

The game looked to be drifting away from the hosts after 52 minutes as Dales was shown a straight red for what the referee saw to be an attempted headbutt by the Mickleover player, although his team mates were still adamant after the game that the match official had misjudged the situation and  the incident was only deserving of a caution rather than a dismissal.

With the odds suddenly stacked against them 10 man Mickleover rolled up their collective sleeves and regained the lead in the 71^st minute with McGrath once again foraging into enemy territory and finishing off a well worked move with a super strike.

Sports could have made the final minutes more comfortable for themselves if Evan Garnett had not shot wide in the 80^th minute, but managed to claim  the victory and a place in the hat for the next round with their first victory in four matches and the hope that a corner had been turned.

5 DAYS TO GO! MICKLEOVER SPORTS VS BURTON ALBION

Yes – the football season is nearly back (WOOHOO!) and there are a mere 5 days until Mickleover Sports FC start their pre-season campaign against Championship side Burton Albion FC.

It promises to be an amazing evening at the Don Amott Arena with some of the finest ales around and reduced ticket pricing (£6 and £4) to guarantee a great atmosphere.

The club are delighted to announce that goalkeeper Nick Draper has signed to extend his stay at Mickleover Sports, following an impressive spell with the club, playing 15 league matches during the 2016/17 season.

First team player-manager John McGrath said:

“I am pleased to announce that Nick Draper has agreed terms and resigned for our 2017/18 season. Nick had an excellent time with us having joined just after Christmas from Worcester City.

A very calm and commanding GK he is someone I trust 100% to marshall the boys in front of him. He is still only young and I believe he has a very bright future ahead of him”.

Draper added:

“Really pleased to resign back at Mickleover Sports and to be working again with John McGrath and the lads. Its a good ambitious club, a real family club with a strong sense of community and togetherness and I am looking forward to next season”

Draper will be involved in the first team’s pre-season campaign which starts on the 14th July with a home tie against Burton Albion.

We are extremely pleased to confirm that Andy Dales has signed a new contract at Mickleover Sports Football Club despite heavy competition for his signature from a number of other clubs.

Dales made the following statement:

“I’m delighted to have resign my new contract again with Mickleover Sports. The club is going places and everyone both on and off the pitch is pushing the club in the right direction. I believe this will be a massive season for the club and myself. Cant wait to get started.”

First team player-manager John McGrath added:

“I am delighted to announce that Andy has agreed a new contract to keep him at Mickleover Sports. Here is a player who I genuinely believe will go on to play in the football league. He has all the attributes and at the tender age of 22 and played over 150 senior leagues games he is one with a very bright future. We had a lot of interest from clubs in higher divisions but ‘Dalesy’ believes another season with Mickleover will be of huge benefit to him. Our style of play suits him and he will be a key factor in our progression this season”.

This looks like yet another piece of sound business from McGrath who looks to building an exceptional squad in advance of the new season.

Remember, season tickets are available at the same prices as last season, so please come down to your local club and give us your support!

#ProperFootball #SportsRising