by Peter Scherer

This Saturday is Mickleover was important home game for a number of years, as we welcome neighbours Alfreton Town to the Vibrant Doors Arena.

Undefeated in the last three league games, Mickleover’s confidence is growing as we hope to the run extended.
Alfreton are currently 10th in the Northern Premier League after being relegated from the National League North last season. They have had two wins in their last six league games and beat Shifnal Town 2-1 in the last round of the FA Trophy.
Former Derby County and Burton Albion defender is currently the manager, assisted by coach Ben Turner,
Alfie Roberts is currently the first choice goalkeeper. A former Derby County junior, he was loaned to Barwell and Newcastle Town before his release. He moved on to Belper Utd and has played for Matlock and Ilkeston too, before joining our visitors. He has also been dual registered with Shepshed and Heanor Town.
Second choice keeper is teenager James Wright who came to Alfreton visitors from Hong king football is January.
Ex Derby County youngster Josh Shattell is also on the goal keeping strength, having signed in pre-season. He’s also dual registered with Belper Utd. He’s played for Erith Town and had a loan spell Forest Green
Centre back Aaron O’Reilly was signed in pre-season from Buxton. He started out at St.Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland and has played for Aston Villa and Huddersfield Town’s Under 21’s too. He’s been capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under 15, 16 and 19 levels.
Kasper Williams is a centre back, on loan from Doncaster Rovers. He’s also had loan spells at Whitby, Bridlington and Stocksbridge.
Ziggy Kozluk came Barnsley in pre-season. He’s a right back who started out in the Derby County Academy and the son of ex Rams player Rob.
Dan Benson is well known to Mickleover fans after spending the last two seasons with us. Another versatile defender who started out at Barnsley. After loans at Bradford Park Avenue he joined Matlock on his release and it was from there he came to Mickleover in September 2024.
Centre back Ewan Robson came from Carlton after successful pre-season trial. He had previously made over 300 appearances for Sherwood Colliery.
Ex Notts County Junior Reco Fyfe was a pre-season arrival from Quorn, where he captained the side last season after nine years with the club.
Sam Parker is a versatile defender signed from Ilkeston in the summer. A former Derby County Junior, he also captained Long Eaton Utd during his time there.
Central midfielder Jay Abudu is on loan from Worksop Town. He started out at Chesterfield and went to Portugal with Nogueirense and Leixoes before returning to the UK with Worksop in July.
Connor Dixon is also a central midfielder and has been captaining the side of late. He started out at Derby County and was loaned to Ilkeston and Farsley, before moving to Ilkeston on his release. He joined our visitors in July.
Another midfielder who arrived in pre-season is Tom Solanke. An ex West Bromwich Albion junior, he joined Stourbridge on his release, before moving on to Weymouth, Alvechurch, Boston Utd, Ilkeston and Stratford. Before joining Alfreton he spent two years back at Stourbridge.
George Grumley came from Pontefract in pre-season. He’s a midfielder too, who started out at York City and has also played for Brighouse Town.
Fellow midfielder Jack Nadin was at Nottingham Forest, before joining Welsh League side The New Saints following his release in July 2025. He came to Alfreton in September.
Charlie Finney has spent most of his career at Coventry City. Another midfielder, he was loaned to Rushall Olympic and Weymouth, before joining our visitors in pre-season, following his release.
Jakub Kruszynski is a former Mansfield Town junior midfielder. He was loaned to Ilkeston, Telford, Gainsborough and Rushall, before joining Alfreton in July following his release.
Striker Dylan Youmbi came from Ilkeston last March. A Bradford City youngster, he was loaned to Stocksbridge, Farsley and Scunthorpe, before joining Farsley following his release. He started last season at Ilkeston.
Fellow striker Siyabonga Ligendza started out at Cardiff City. He moved to Fylde following his release and also played for Eastbourne, Bognor Regis and Hastings, before joining our visitors from Eastbourne in July 2025.
Winger Lewis Salmon is another loanee from Chorley. He played for Trafford, Altrincham and Stalybridge before joining Nottingham Forest in 2021. Loans at Alfreton and Telford followed, before he returned to Alfreton in July 2023 following his release. He started this season at Chorley but returned on loan last month.
Striker Daniel Odunaiya was signed from Ilkeston in pre-season, he was previously with Belper Utd.
Kick off as usual is 3pm with all the usual bar and catering facilities.

by Peter Scherer 

Two first half goals from Josh Carter made sure Mickleover returned home with all three points from their visit to Bourne Town.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2- George Wilkinson; 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Will Atkinson; 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6-Charlie Hickingbottom; 7-Kane Richards; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith 10-Andy Dales; 11-Josh Carter. Subs: Manni Norkett; Jude Taylor; Darryl Powell; Theo Rowe; Dwayne Wiley.

Only three minutes into the game Richards was hacked down on the right wing, initially the free kick was cleared, but the first corner soon followed.

Only a minute later Furey broke clear for Bourne, but his shot from the left crossed the face of the goal, just missing the right-hand post.

Despite the constant drizzle both teams were pushing forward, but it was the hosts that opened the scoring after 10 minutes, when Forbes sent in an opportunistic lob from the left which became an outstanding goal, with Chapman off his line, it was 0-1.

Smith then charged through for Mickleover, straight down the middle until he was crudely challenged on the edge of the box. Richards took the free kick which was saved by keeper Lakin, but it fell to Ashman who scored the equaliser from close range. 1-1.

Just three minutes later Dales led a tidy build-up on the left and his cross found Carter who slotted in number two after 15 minutes, 2-1.

Bourne had another half chance 19 minutes in, but that shot was wide from a tight angle, before Carter broke again on the left. He managed to get his cross in but it was just inches short of connecting with Richards.

Smith then put in a cross narrowly missing Dales and Carter, but with just 22 minutes gone, Sports were taking charge, with the evident pace of Richards, Dales and Carter and with Smith the target man.

Apart from the opening goal the Mickleover back four of Wilkinson, Bencherif, Hickingbottom and Sanders hadn’t been tested. But on the half hour there was a goal mouth scramble following a corner. A couple of efforts were blocked, but Bencherif conceded a penalty as he attempted to clear and skipper Zac Allen stepped up to score 2-2.

Dales tried an exploratory shot from outside the box after 33 minutes, but it was Sports pushing forward again to try and regain the lead before the half time whistle.

A confident build-up down the right almost paid dividends, with Carter shooting on the turn just wide, and then Smith put a header just wide too.

Forbes tried another lob but this time Chapman had it covered, but virtually on the half time whistle Dales split the home defence down the middle and Carter followed up for both his and Mickleover’s second 3-2.

It was a lively start from Bourne in the second half, with striker Darlington shooting just wide, five minutes into the restart, before Dales retaliated a minute later.

Smith then broke through to set up Carter, who shot just over the bar, before a total mix up in the home defence after 55 minutes. Lakin charged out of his goal but failed to get the ball, Smith had his shot blocked and Carter was close to connecting with the rebound before the danger was cleared.

On the hour Richards outpaced the defence on the right with Hickingbottom collecting the cross, before sending a volley over the bar.

Mickleover had been playing deeper, but were coping comfortably with Bourne’s breaks. Richards and Smith played a nice one two on the right, before Richards shot wide, he was then the first change when Taylor came on.

Hickingbottom was looking particularly strong in defence and headed away a couple of dangerous crosses, before Bourne earned a 74th minute free kick which failed to trouble Chapman.

Taylor had a shot saved by the keeper, before Rowe replaced Carter for the final eight minutes. Bourne then went close again with Forbes, just before Rowe went on a late solo run, shooting just over with the final whistle imminent.

A good solid team performance with some well taken goals, which now moves sports back into the top 10.

 

by Peter Scherer

With a day off last Saturday it’s back on the road for Mickleover as we visit Bourne Town on Tuesday night.

Our hosts are struggling near the foot of the table after a string of defeats, so Sports will be hoping for a repeat of last years visit when we came away 3-1 winners.

Manager Dan Flack is in his fourth season in charge and has Martin Bond assisting. Flack is also still registered as a player.

Keeper Will Lakin came from Stamford at the start of last season. He’s a former Peterborough Utd youngster, who was loaned to Kettering before joining Dulwich Hamlet on his release.

Centre back Michael Bostwick has over 400 football league appearances under his belt in Leagues One and Two. He started out at Millwall and was loaned to Crawley Town, before a permanent move to Rushden & Diamonds. He’s played for Ebbsfleet, Stevenage Borough, Peterborough Utd, Lincoln City, Burton Albion and Boston Utd and spent last season with St.Albans City.

Joshua Burrows is another former Peterborough Utd youngster. A defender, he arrived from March Town in July last year.

Freddie Allen is a full back, who spent time with our hosts last season on loan from Stamford. He was previously with Doncaster Rovers and has played for Bridlington, Corby Town and Grantham too.

Noah Henderson is a defender too, who has come through the junior ranks at Bourne and Market Deeping.

Defender Brad Marshall arrived at Bourne in July last year from Corby Strip Mills. He was previously at Daventry Town.

Joshua Randall returned to our hosts in pre-season from Deeping Rangers, who he joined in August 2025.

Midfielder or striker Connor Furey was signed at the start of last season from Shepshed Dynamo. He was previously at Loughborough Dynamo, Harborough Town, Corby Town and Stamford.

Henry Dunn is a midfielder in his second spell at the club. Another ex Peterborough Utd junior, he moved on to Peterborough Northern Star, before his first spell at Bourne. He also played for Melton Town and Deeping Rangers.

Midfielder Aaron Eyett came from Deeping Rangers in 24/25. He’s also played at Boston Utd, Holbeach and Pinchbeck.

Fellow midfielder Jack York was another pre-season signing from Quorn. He also played for Shepshed last season on a dual registration.

Dan Forbes is an attacking wing back or midfielder signed from Harborough Town last month. He’s also played for Anstey Nomads.

Sam Harris is another recent arrival from Wisbech, having previously played for Skegness Town.

Lewis Darlington is a former Nottingham Forest and Peterborough Utd junior. A striker, he was loaned to Corby Town, Cambridge City and Banbury before joining

Spalding Utd following his release. He joined our hosts at the start of last season after a year at Grantham.

Fellow striker Cheyenne Loureiro came from Tamworth a couple of weeks ago. A former Leicester City junior, he joined Nantwich Town following his release and has played for VVV Venlo in the Netherlands, before returning to Tamworth., where he was also loaned to Stamford.

Long serving strikers Robbie Ellis and Zac Allen tend to share the captaincy. Ellis made his 100th appearance for the club at the end of 24/25.

Kick off at Abbey Lawns is 7.45pm and your support would be welcomed.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Two second half goals following corner kicks made sure all three points came to Mickleover last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2-George Wilkinson; 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Will Atkinson; 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6-Charlie Hickingbottom; 7-Theo Rowe; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith; 10-Andy Dales; 11-Josh Carter. Subs: Manni Norkett; Kane Richards; Jude Taylor; Darryl Powell; Stuart Beavon.

Right from the first whistle Mickleover were on the attack and ready to test the visitors defence. In the first minute a dangerous cross into the Boldmere box, could have been productive, but no one was able to get a shot in.

But only four minutes later Dales got a break down the left and as he started to cut inside he fired a shot just wide of the right-hand post.

As the game started to settle, the Sports midfield began to push forward with Atkinson leading the way. After 13 minutes he broke clear and sent Smith on a chase, but keeper Harrison just managed to intercept and conceded a corner.

Two minutes later a similar move tested the Boldmere defence again, but this time it was Carter’s cross from the right, desperately close to connecting with Smith again.

It was 20 minutes into the game before the visitors showed any real attempt to push forward and for a while both defences were challenged. But with Wilkinson, Bencherif, Hickingbottom and Sanders forming a solid back line for Sports, it was looking like a quiet night for Chapman in the Mickleover goal.

Dales had another shot blocked after 21 minutes and Carter then went close on the half hour, just missing the connection in the box after Rowe had fed the ball in from the left.

For the final minutes of the first half Mickleover pushed forward to try and break the deadlock with Carter on another run, finding Smith with his cross, only to be blocked, before Atkinson’s follow up was blocked and Dales finally shot wide.

Smith had another header just wide, but it remained 0-0 at the break.

Just as in the first half Sports started strongly with Smith earning another corner four minutes into the restart. Just a minute later he was on the receiving end of a Rowe corner on the right, and the deadlock was finally broken 1-0.

There still seemed to be little attacking creativity from Boldmere in response and on the hour Rowe, Dales and Smith combined to threaten the visitors again.

While Wilkinson and Sanders both pushed forward on the wings, Ashman and Hickingbottom alternated between centre back and defensive midfield, which seemed more than effective in thwarting any threat.

63 minutes in and Dales almost put Smith clear again, but keeper Harrison was quick off his line again, as his defence put him under more pressure with some risky passes.

Boldmere had their first real shot after 66 minutes, from the break on the right, the shot was wide of the right-hand post. The visitors defence also began to show more aggression, with Carter taken out on a right wing charge. Dales’ free kick then bounced around in the box before being finally cleared.

Mickleover’s first change came after 73 minutes with Richards on for Rowe. There soon followed a succession of corners, before Richards put the ball precisely into the box, finding Hickingbottom’s head and it was 2-0.

Taylor was the second sub to be used, but with six minutes left, Chapman raced off his line to intercept a rare Boldmere attack. A couple of minutes later Smith was clattered from behind by a defender who had no intention of playing the ball. For a while the referee lost control, failing to show a deserved yellow card, before Mickleover skipper Bencherif took charge.

Richards was then yellow carded for a legitimate tackle, before the game ended with Taylor on a great run, until a final interception, but a well-deserved win for Mickleover.

 

by Peter Scherer

With a victory looking likely at Shepshed last Saturday until the injury time equaliser, Mickleover need to strike some home form and gets points on the board to climb the table.

It’s been a strong start to the season for our visitors, with only one defeat so far, at Belper Town 0-1 back in August, which sees them fourth in the table at present. They are currently fifth in the table after Saturday’s draw at Corby Town, six points clear of Mickleover with the same games played.

Ben Roberts has been in charge since February last year, having first taken on the job on a temporary basis.

Goalkeeper Adam Harrison is one of a number of new arrivals. He’s a former Leicester City youngster, who joined Bedworth following his release. He then moved on to Tividale, Redditch, Bedford, Rushden & Diamonds and Bromsgrove, before ending last season at Quorn. He came to our visitors in July, after a very brief stop at Stamford.

Centre back Kye Bilton is in his second season at the club, having come straight from his release at Burton Albion in July last year.

Jack Lynch is another of the pre-season arrivals. A right back and former Aston Villa and Walsall junior, he joined Coleshill following his release. Spalding and Shepshed were his next stops, before a two year stay at Sutton Coldfield preceded his latest move.

Left back Frankie Ealing came from Welsh League Aberystwyth in February 2025. He was previously at Aston Villa up to under 23 level.

Nathan Allison is former England Under 18’s international and is dual registered with Smethwick Rangers.

Captain Aris Christophorou is a centre back, signed from Sutton Coldfield in August 2022. He started out at Walsall and has played for Nuneaton Borough, Stourbridge and Rushall Olympic as well as playing for Cyprus at Under 19 level.

Centre back Pedro Lima joined our visitors last December. He started last season at Rushall Olympic, has played for Sutton Coldfield and previously attended a West Bromwich Albion College programme.

Connor Armstrong is a midfielder who arrived in September 2025 from Rushall Olympic. He was last seasons player of the year.

In his second spell at the club Jack Burgess is another midfielder. He returned to the club in late 2025 2025 from Rushall Olympic, having signed originally in 2022 from Sutton Coldfield. He’s also played for Stratford, Stafford Rangers, Walsall Wood and Rugby Borough.

Former Chasetown captain Danny O’Callaghan was signed in June 2025. He’s another midfielder and has played for Rushall, Sutton Coldfield and Castle Vale too.

Fraser Doyle is another midfielder and yet another ex Sutton Coldfield player. He’s played for Walsall Wood too.

Midfielder Max Ngbeken-Itota came from Bedford Town in pre-season. He’s also played for Bedworth and Rushden & Diamonds.

Kyle Byrne is a winger signed from Shifnal Town in December 2025. It’s his second spell at the club, but has spent much of his career with Sutton Coldfield.

Striker Jaiy Leydon is another former Walsall youth player. He had a loan spell at Redditch, before joining Coventry Sphinx following his release last January.

Tolani Omotola is a well travelled striker who started his career at Tranmere Rovers. Coalville, Buxton, Corby, Barwell and Hyde were his other early clubs, before moving on to Alvechurch, Carlton, Stafford, Atherton Collieries and Burscough.

He then stayed at Anstey Nomads for two years, after a return trip to Barwell. Moving on again to Coventry Sphinx, Racing Club Warwick and Long Eaton, starting last season at Rushden & Diamonds. He joined our visitors in November last year, after three months at Bedworth.

James O’Neill is another pre-season signing, a former Stafford Rangers striker. He started off at Telford and Chasetown, before going to Wales with Newtown. After spell back in England with Stafford, he had a short say at Stratford, before returning four months later.

Winger John Atherton came from Stafford in pre-season too. He rejoined Stafford in June 2024 for his second stint from Chasetown.

Another pre-season arrival was Daniele Reka. A striker from Racing Club Warwick. He was previously at Coventry Sphinx, Rugby Town, Worcester Raiders and Alvechurch.

Taylor Townsend is another striker signed in pre-season. He’s an ex Gornal Athletic, Sporting Khalsa and Worcester City player.

Kick off at the Vibrant Doors Arena i3 74.45, with al the usual bar and catering facilities available.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover looked to have three points sewn up, after Harvey Smith had scored in the 80th minute. He then hit the post too, before Shepshed equalised in time added on, with their first real shot of the game.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2-George Wilkinson; 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Will Atkinson 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6-Charlie Hickingbottom; 7-Theo Rowe; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith; 10-Manni Norkett; 11-Jude Taylor. Subs: Kane Richards; Darryl Powell; Josh Carter; Charlie Knowles; Stuart Beavon.

From the kick off Sports were playing into a strong wind, which restricted Chapman’s kicking capabilities. But most of the first 15 minutes were even, with neither side able to create any real chances.

Then Rowe crossed from the left, Smith miscued his shot, but it fell to Ashman, who powered his shot goalwards, only for keeper Williams to tip it around the post for a corner.

The keeper was in action again after the corner came in, making a double save from Hickingbottom after his first effort hit the post. Norkett then piled in too as the ball was loose, before it went out for another corner.

18 minutes in Smith put Norkett through again, only to be hacked down. But despite charging passed a defender, he was flagged offside and the free kick went to Shepshed.

Samples then had a chance for Shepshed’s first shot of the game, after Medrano picked up a loose clearance, but his effort was well off target.

It was Mickleover looking strong though, continually driven forward by Atkinson and Ashman in midfield, with both Taylor and Rowe attacking on the wings.

It was another Rowe charge down the left after 28 minutes that found Norkett, his low shot was saved again by keeper Williams.

Sanders was working with Rowe on the overlap too and they almost broke through a few minutes later, before the keeper made another timely interception. It was Rowe again testing Williams 37 minutes in, after a good build up down the left his shot was saved as he cut inside.

With five minutes of the second half left, Bencherif was yellow carded, but Shepshed’s free kick in what could have been a dangerous place, was totally wasted.

Smith tried a distance shot too, caught by the keeper before Norkett was fouled as he tried to turn on the edge of the box, only for Rowe’s free kick to cannon off the wall.

With the whistle poised Smith got his head to another corner, but it came to nought and the half ended goalless.

It was Mickleover that started the second half the liveliest of the two sides again, with Atkinson close to putting Smith through, until the keeper intercepted.

After another lull in the pace of the game Norkett got a break down the right after 55 minutes, only to be flattened by the final Shepshed defender. A red card wouldn’t have been unreasonable, but the referee thought otherwise, only for Atkinson’s free kick to go straight into the wall before being cleared.

Sports first substitution came o the hour with Carter on for Taylor. He was soon in action with his 65th minute cross finding Norkett, but his shot was blocked again.

Richards then came on for Norkett, before the ball fell kindly for Shepshed sub Wyse on the right, but his feeble effort barely reached the goal leaving Chapman unchallenged.

Carter picked the ball up on the right and with head down headed for the goal after 77 minutes, but once again the keeper charged off his line and had it covered. Richards then sent in a telling cross from the right too, earning another corner.

Finally in the 80th minute a crossfield ball found Carter on the right again, he slotted the cross in perfectly for the oncoming Smith, who slotted neatly passed the oncoming keeper for his first Mickleover goal, 1-0.

Three minutes later Bencherif sent another crossfield ball to find Rowe, he cut inside but miscued his shot and it went wide.

With just two minutes left Shepshed had their first shot on target from Samples, it earned a corner then Chapman intercepted from the following half chance.

Carter almost got through on goal before the keeper got their first and on then on time Smith was clear through the middle. He placed his shot passed the oncoming keeper, but it hit the post, before it was signalled that four more minutes had been added.

Mickleover had dominated the game and were unlucky not to be at least two goals up, but then debutant Tague picked up a ball from Peart on the left for Shepshed, hitting the top corner from close range to make it 1-1.

There was one last chance for Sports when Knowles battled through on the left, but Williams beat Richards to the cross by inches and it ended 1-1.

 

by Peter Scherer

After two consecutive away defeats, Mickleover will be looking to get back to winning ways with the visit to Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday.

Both Dwayne Wiley and Sam Sanders both had to come off during Tuesday’s defeat at Wellingborough, so there could changes in Sports back four.

Mickleover are currently 14th in the table, with our hosts in 10th following their 2-2 draw at Coventry Utd on Wednesday night. There is just one point between us though.

Gary Drake has been in charge at Shepshed since October 2024, having previously been assistant and has also managed Rugby Town and coached in the US, Canada and the UK.

Jake Williams is first choice keeper at the moment, he was signed from Quorn in pre-season. Australian born, he’s played for Harborough Town and Leicester Nirvana too. But with a red card on Wednesday night he could be missing too.

Previously first choice between the sticks Dan Wallis came from Stamford in July 2024. He’s a former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest junior, who went to Norway with FK Valdres following his release. He came to Matlock Town on his UK return, and has played for Gainsborough, Macclesfield and Corby Town too. He’s currently out of action with a broken ankle.

Right or centre back Ben Bayliss arrived in July 2025 from Anstey Nomads, where he had spent the last five years. He previously played in the Leicester City and Mansfield Town Academies.

Chad Timson came from Loughborough Dynamo in June 2024.. A defender, he has also played for Leicester Nirvana, Hinckley AFC, Kettering Town and Corby Town.

Left back Jack Samples was signed in September last year on a dual registration with Quorn, but made it permanent in pre-season. He started out at playing junior football with Heather St.John’s, Ravenstone and, Aylestone Park, before joining Oadby Town. He’s played for Coalville Town, Ashby Ivanhoe and Anstey Nomads too.

Left back Kelly Fombad is a former Lincoln City junior, signed from Harrowby Utd in pre-season. He’s also played for Lincoln Utd and Melton Town.

Dec Peart is a centre back who started his career with Oxford City. He played for Kidlington and North Leigh before moving to Racing Club Warwick in July 2024. He joined our hosts in November 2024.

Home grown teenaged talent Harry Harrison is another defender who has come through the ranks at Shepshed to join the first team squad.

Ethan Baynham is another pre-season signing from Coventry Copeswood. He started out at Mansfield Town, but has also played for Anstey Nomads, Bedworth, Coventry Utd, Lutterworth Town and Hinckley AFC.

Central midfielder Kyle Dixon is in his fourth season at Shepshed, since arriving from Carlton Town. He started at Notts County and was loaned to Boston Utd, and Telford before going back to Boston following his release. He’s played for Basford, North Ferriby, Coalville, Newark Flowserve, Gainsborough and Belper Town too.

Josh Burniston is a midfielder too, who came from Anstey Nomads last May. He started out with Nottingham Forest and Cambridge Utd, before moving on to Hinckley AFC and Lincoln Utd.

Ben Britton, Josh Halliday and Reece Massey are also midfielders. Britton was signed in pre-season after a spell in the US with Mississippi Brilla and St.Charles, while Halliday came from FCV Grace Dieu and Massey came from Hinckley AFC.

Lucas Brown and Taylor Wyse are both on loan from Tamworth. Brown is a right sided midfielder, and Wyse is a striker.

Striker Jack Butterfill joined our hosts in pre-season from West Coast Rangers in New Zealand. He was previously at Lincoln Utd having played for Barnsley and Leicester City at under 18 and 21 levels.

Jiah Medrano is a winger and a former Burton Albion youngster. He returned to our hosts in July from Alvechurch, having previously spent two years with the club up to 2023. He played for Yeovil under 18’s Kirby Muxloe, Leamington, St.Ives and Barwell too.

John McHugh is a winger too, who came from Uttoxeter Town in pre-season. A former Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday youngster, he’s played for Rushden & Diamonds, Boldmere, Belper Utd and Hucknall Town.

Striker Josh Allen came from Barrow Town in July 2025. He started this season at Leicester Nirvana but has recently returned to our hosts.

Reuben Wyatt came from Stratford Town on a dual registration at the end of August, after starting the season with Rugby Borough. He’s a former Northampton Town youngster and had a loan spell at St Albans, before joining Tamworth on his release, who also loaned him to Barwell and St.Ives.

Kick off at the Dovecote Stadium is 3pm

by Peter Scherer

After a fairly even first half, it was Wellingborough that struck with an early goal to seal all three points.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2-George Wilkinson; 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Charlie Hickingbottom; 5-Dwayne Wiley; 6-Hamza Bencherif; 7-Andy Dales; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith; 10-Jude Taylor; 11-Kane Richards. Subs: Theo Rowe, Manni Norkett, Stuart Beavon, Josh Carter. Darryl Powell.

Mickleover were forced to make one change before kick off when Cieron Keane pulled up in the warm-up and was replaced on the bench by Stuart Beavon.

The first 10 minutes were fairly scrappy, with Mickleover relying on the long ball out of defence, but neither keeper were tested.

Sports had their first real attack after 13 minutes, when a good build up down the left found Dales, who sent Sanders on the overlap, before his curling shot was easily collected by keeper Snedker.

Two minutes later Dales was hacked down on the halfway line, which brought the first of seven yellow cards for our hosts midfielder Buckby.

The following free kick came to nought, but Mickleover continued to push forward, with Taylor outpacing the defence on the right, only for his cross to go behind Smith on the edge of the box.

Just before the half hour mark the tide turned in Wellingborough’s favour and Ashman had to clear off the line, for what looked to be a certain opening goal.

For the following few minutes the Mickleover defence was under pressure, with Bencherif blocking a shot from the right and after Sanders lost out on the left, Wilkinson made the clearance.

Jones then had a great chance for our hosts but fired well over the bar, but in the final throws of the first half it was Sports threatening again. Dales had a shot well saved by Snedker, while Higginbottom fired in the rebound, just over the bar and so it remained goalless.

Mickleover were forced to make a change for the second half, with Powell on for Sanders, which meant a reshuffle on the backline.

Just two minutes into the half Wellingborough attacked down the left, Wiley pulled up in challenge allowing Jones to find Fifield, whose shot was parried by Chapman, but fell to Ball who made the rebound count, 0-1.

Wiley then had to come off too and was replaced by Carter, who moved into the left back position, with Powell on the right and Wilkinson in the middle with Bencherif.

Seeking to expose more vulnerability in the defensive changes, Wellingborough tried a number of quick breaks, but overall any threat was dealt with admirably.

But Sports weren’t able to create anything going forward, which prompted more changes just before the hour mark, as Smith and Dales came off, to be replaced by Norkett and Rowe.

A goal mouth scramble after 65 minutes could easily have brought an equaliser. Norkett had the ball but with his back to goal and couldn’t turn, the ball was played back out, before Carter fired it in again and the home defence finally cleared it.

Rowe managed to get a break on the left, with Richards free on the right yelling for the ball. But he continued his run a step too far and lost possession.

78 minutes gone and Beavon replaced Richards, but as Mickleover tried to go for a final push, Wellingborough went close again. After an 82nd minute shot went over the bar, Green tried his luck three minutes later but it was an easy catch for Chapman.

Time had almost run out when Sports won a sequence of corners, which brought keeper Chapman into the attack too. The final chance fell to Beavon in time added on, but he sliced it wide of the right-hand post and the whistle went with a second successive defeat on the road, as we now look to our visit to Shepshed on Saturday.