by Peter Scherer (Image: Steve Ingers)

Any hopes Mickleover had of repeating their shock home win against Macclesfield, were dashed after a late second half goal spree.

0-1 at half time, Andy Dales struck the equaliser, but in the final 30 minutes Macclesfield hit five more, including two goals in injury time to make it 1-6.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Kieran Brown 3-Jake Bennett 4-Gabby Adebambo 5-Will Atkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Dylan Edwards 8-Ryan Wilson 9-Chris O’Grady 10-Andy Dales 11-Samson Hewett. Subs: Toby Smith, Kwaku Donkor, Amarn Robinson, Brandon Ferron, Stuart Beavon.

Macclesfield had their first attack after just two minutes, when Adebambo lost the ball to Etaluku, but no one was in the middle as his cross came in.

Five minutes later Kengni sent in another cross which Benson managed to block, before Dales got a break for Mickleover. He managed to find Edwards, but there was no power in the shot and it failed to challenge home keeper Dearnley.

The hosts continued to look dangerous on the break and 11 minutes in Elliott managed to latch onto another telling cross, only to head over the bar.

Adebambo lost possession again after19 minutes, but Mersin made an excellent save, after Mellor and Elliott had combined.

Six minutes later Rooney shot well over the bar, after an accurate square ball from Etaluku had found him, but having been yellow carded earlier for breaking up a Macclesfield attack, Bennett went close for Sports with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, well saved by Dearnley.

Atkinson cut out another Etaluku break on the half hour, and Benson similarly as Duffy earned a corner. Menaysese came up for the corner and after 36 minutes, the Mickleover defence was finally breached as he scored the opener and it remained 0-1 at half time.

Ferron replaced Brown for the second half, but only three minutes into the half Mickleover were back on level terms, when Dales’ rocket shot from outside the box, found the right-hand top corner. 1-1.

But Mersin’s skills were soon saving Mickleover again. A brilliant low save from a Fensome shot was taken low down after 51 minutes, two minutes later it was a save from Mellor, before Donkor replaced Hewett.

Elliott then tried an overhead kick, which Mersin took well, before Robinson came on for Edwards after 63 minutes. But Rooney and Eliott made it two more in three minutes and suddenly Sports were 1-3 down. 

Mickleover had been far from disgraced in the first hour and were still in with a chance for much of the game.

Rooney fired another attempt over the bar, just before Smith came on for Adebambo, but with seven minutes of normal time left, Rooney scored his second, after stepping up to convert a penalty.

Sub Heathcote almost scored too within minutes of coming on, but his effort was just over. In time added on though the Macclesfield rampage continued, with Mellor and Dawson both scoring to make the final score 1-6, which flattered Macclesfield somewhat and gave little credit to Mickleover.

by Peter Scherer

It was probably the league surprise of the season when Mickleover beat top of the table Macclesfield back in November.

Although Robbie Savage’s team have suffered two further defeats at home to Leek Town on Boxing Day and as Ashton Utd in January, they are still riding high at the top.

But for Mickleover it’s been a different story, with just the one win at home to Basford since that memorable night and now having to recover from the questionable defeat at home to Bamber Bridge last Saturday.

Goalkeeper Max Dearnley was a pre-season signing from Buxton. He started out at Penistone and after a season at Ossett Utd, moved on to Huddersfield Town. His next stop was Farsley Celtic, before joining Buxton at the start of last season, ending it on loan at Chorley.

Centre back Sam Heathcote is in his second season with our hosts, since arriving from Runcorn Linnets. He started out at Altrincham and then spent a year each at Ramsbottom and Hyde Utd, before making the return trip in July 2019. Before moving to Runcorn, he spent 2 ½ years with West Didsbury.

Right back Lewis Fensome is a former Preston North End Junior, who spent 3 ½ years at Lancaster City, before signing for Macclesfield in January 2022.

Dontai Gabidon is a midfielder that came from FC United last September. He started at Altrincham too and also had two years at West Didsbury. He is currently on loan at Warrington Rylands.

Danny Whitehead plays in central midfield and was another pre-season signing from Fylde. He has league two experience and started his career with Stockport County, before a move to West Ham Utd. Following his release and a short stay at Accrington, he joined Macclesfield for the first time in July 2015, but moved to Wigan after six months.

He was loaned back to Macclesfield, along with Cheltenham, before a permanent return to our hosts Next stop was Salford City, with another loan back at Macclesfield preceding a move to Port Vale. He was then loaned to Altrincham, before joining Fylde in January 2022.

Justin Johnson is a right sided midfielder. His career started at Sparta Rotterdam and Manchester Utd, before a spell at FC United. He then headed north to Dundee Utd, who loaned hm to York City. Cyprus was his next port of call, spending two years at Othellos Athienou, including a loan at Akritas Chlorakas, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He moved on again via Morton, Stalybridge Celtic and had two years at Fylde before joining our hosts pre-season.

Tre Pemberton favours the right side of midfield. A youngster with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, he joined FC United on his release. He was loaned to Longridge before a move to Stafford Rangers, where he spent nine months before arriving at Macclesfield in July 2022.

Luke Duffy is a right midfielder too. He came from Warrington at the beginning of last season after a three year spell and was previously at Lower Breck FC.

John Rooney is the brother of Wayne and is an attacking midfielder who started his career at Macclesfield back in 2008. He moved to the United States with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, before returning to the UK with Barnsley.

Next stop was Bury, who loaned him to Chester, before the move became permanent. Wrexham was next, followed by Guiseley, Barrow and Stockport County. He came back to Macclesfield in August 2023, after a year at Oldham.

Winger Sean Etaluku started out at Burnley, before joining Mossley on his release. He moved to Barrow in July 2023, who loaned him to Buxton and Matlock, before coming to Macclesfield last November.

D’Mani Mellor is a former Manchester Utd junior striker, with experience in Leagues One, Two and the Europa League. He was loaned to Salford before making a permanent move to Wycombe Wanderers. Further loans at Rochdale and Sutton Utd followed, before joining Gateshead at the start of this season. After just two weeks in the North East he signed for Macclesfield.

Fellow striker Danny Elliott was a pre-season arrival. A youth player at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, he moved to the US in 2014 with Hofstra Pride, a University side. He was loaned to Carolina Dynamo and Long Island Rough Riders, before his four-year stay ended, with a move to Spain with San Cristobal. 

Three months later he was back in the UK with Port Vale, and has played for Chester, Alfreton, Hartlepool, Boston Utd, Boreham Wood and Gateshead, before joining Scunthorpe in February last year, spending five months with the Irons before becoming a Silkman. 

Neil Kengni is another striker signed from Marine in July 2022. He started off at Rochdale and has played for Stalybridge too.

French midfielder Laurent Mendy was signed in June 2021 from IFK Amal in Sweden and was the first player to make 100 appearances for the reformed Macclesfield FC.

Paul Dawson is a midfielder too. Signed from Bamber Bridge in May 2023, he has also played for Lancaster City.

Left back Brandon Lee s one of the longer serving players, having come from Longridge in September 2021. He started at Bolton Wanderers and has also played for Chorley.

Centre back Rollin Menayese only arrived a couple of weeks ago from Aldershot Town. A former Wales under 17 International, he started out at Cardiff City.

He joined Weston super Mare on his release, but soon moved on via Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town, Mansfield, Grimsby, Walsall and Hartlepool, before joining Aldershot at the start of this season, after two loan spells, following his release from the Saddlers. He had played over 100 games in Leagues One and Two.

Former England C International Elliott Whitehouse is a central midfielder, with League One and Two experience too. As a Sheffield Utd youngster, he was loaned to York City, before moving to Notts County. He then went on loan to Nuneaton, before a permanent move to Halifax, preceded a return to Nuneaton.

Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Forest Green and Scunthorpe followed, with a loan at Spennymoor followed by Chester, from where he joined Macclesfield pre-season.

Winger Edy Maieco came from Bradford Park Avenue in September on a return trip. Having previously been at Macclesfield in 2022. In between he played for Hyde, Warrington Rylands and Stafford Rangers. He started out at Macclesfield too and has also played for Maine Road, Stalybridge, Stockport County, Glossop North End, Clitheroe and FC United. He has recently been loaned out to Warrington.

Midfielder Basit Yusuff has recently stepped up from the clubs Academy and also plays in the reserve side.

Tom Clare also arrived in 2021, a striker from Pontefract. He started off at Barnsley and Bradford City, before joining Boston Utd after an initial loan. He then had spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Buxton, before joining Pontefract in September 2020.

He also had a spell away from the Silkmen in 2023, to appear on TV in “Love Island.”

Kick off is 3pm, so let’s see if we can give them another shock?

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Just when the duel with fellow strugglers Bamber Bridge looked to be heading for a goalless draw, a heavily disputed goal went in the visitor’s favour.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Brandon Feron 3-Kwaku Donkor 4-Kieran Brown 5-Will Atkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Ryan Wilson 8-Samson Hewett 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Chris O’Grady. Subs: Toby Smith, Stefan Galinski, Curtis Weston, Amarn Robinson, Deylan Edwards.

It was a fairy strong start for Mickleover, earning a corner after two minutes, from which Benson’s effort went over the bar.

But the visitors were soon on the attack too, with Will Russ heading over a cross from Adam Dodd four minutes later. Hewett was then fouled, but Wilson’s free kick failed to test the visiting defence.

Ferron had his first positive charge down the left after 12 minutes, but ran out of space as it went for a goal kick. Shortly afterwards Russ put another header over the bar for Bamber Bridge too, after a positive build up down the Mickleover right.

The visitors had started to show more in attack and began to test the home defence, with Mark Cullen going close with a low header at the near post 16 minutes in.

Mickleover responded with a positive play down the left, between Ferron, Beavon and Dales, before O’Grady sent a powerful strike just over the bar.

Atkinson and Benson had ably coped with the Bamber attack but after 21 minutes Atkinson lost possession and set up a break for the visitors. The cross came in from the right, but Brown rose well above any challengers and headed clear.

After Russ had put his third effort over the bar, Ferron again broke free on the left for Mickleover. Dales and Beavon then worked together to put Hewett through, but Charlie Casper was quick to respond, narrowing the angle as the shot went wide of the right-hand post.

Back in Sports defence, Benson’s pass to Donkor was too short and created another break for Bamber Bridge, but fortunately Chris Churchman’s strike missed the target again.

Benson had to clear a dangerous ball into the box after 26 minutes, before Michael Potts beat the defence, but fired straight at Mersin who took it well.

Cullen put another strike over the bar after 32 minutes, before Jack Baxter followed up a minute later, with a weak shot that failed to test the Mickleover keeper.

Although still fairly even, it was the visitors ahead on shots, though many at random, fortunately virtually all off target. But Mickleover appeared to struggle for some midfield creativity.

But Dales then tried his luck with a long shot, after an early build up from Brown and Ferron, but it was well over the bar.

Just a minute later it was Dales again, cutting in after a lay-off from O’Grady, but his effort was comfortably taken by Casper again.

It was now Mickleover pushing forward again, with Wilson’s through ball almost finding Ferron on the overlap. But the visitors then made another break, with Mersin making a one-handed save from Churchman at close range.

Cullen went close after 41 minutes, after he was left almost clear on the right, but he shot just beyond the left-hand post as the half time whistle approached.

Ferron and Brown had swapped position for a while, but with three minutes of the first half left, Brown limped off and was replaced by Edwards, but it remained 0-0.

There was another change for Mickleover as the players came back out, with Weston on for Beavon, which pushed Edwads into more of a striking role.

Almost from the kick off Sports had a half chance, when Donkor had the ball down the right and the cross missed Edwards by inches in the box. 54 minutes in and Edwards almost connected again, after O’Grady and Dales had worked together on the right.

But Bamber Bridge were still fighting too and after Robbie Cleary missed a telling cross, Potts skimmed Mersin’s right-hand post, before the ball finished in the side netting.

Just on the hour mark Edwards and Dales linked up on the right again, but Dales final shot lacked power and failed to challenge Casper.

It was still fairly wide open, but 67 minutes in and Hewett had another chance. It was another right-hand build-up with Dales, Ferron and O’Grady, before Hewett had the chance to shoot. But a deflection took the sting away and the chance was gone.

For a few minutes though the pressure was on the visitors defence again, with Ferron and O’Grady setting up another un for Dales. But as he took on the defence the ball bobbled and the chance was lost.

As Dales went for another break from his own half, Lewis Hey went in the book for pulling him back and following the free kick Ferron earned another corner.

Hey then had a chance himself, but shot well wide after a dangerous cross from the left.

Robinson replaced Hewett for the final 15 minutes, but the visitors were still shooting on sight, and Potts put another effort just wide of the right-hand post after 76 minutes.

But Casper then made a great save to palm away Edwards’ close range shot, after Dales had run through again. Probably the closest to a goal in the whole game.

80 minutes gone and Bamber Bridge were on the attack again. Mersin saved the initial effort, a header from Simon Grand, but the flag was up as the ball ran loose. Russ then appeared to tap the ball back into the goal, but the expected offside decision wasn’t given. The flag went down again and the referee awarded the goal, without apparent consultation, but to the clear confusion among the Mickleover players and surprise among the visitors.

But Sports went close when Grand cleared off the line from Dales, but the rebound was safely taken by Casper, before Bamber ended the game with another shot over the bar almost on time, but thanks to the disputed goal they went home with three points 0-1.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s another important game for Mickleover on Saturday, when we welcome fellow strugglers Bamber Bridge to the Don Amott Arena.

While Mickleover are looking for their second win of 2025, our visitors have yet to get off the mark, with just a point from their visit to Stockton to show since the New Year.

Their last wins were back-to- back in December at home to Hebburn and Leek Town.

New Mickleover signings Chris O’Grady, Kwaku Donkor and Samson Hewett all impressed on their debuts for Mickleover in the defeat to Ashton Utd on Tuesday night, but Michael Hollingsworth and possibly Andy Dales, now join Jake Bennett, Tyreece Palmer, Will Atkinson and others on the casualty list.

Jamie Milligan has been in charge at Bamber Bridge since December 2019.

Current goalkeeper Harvey Bardsley has been on loan from Blackpool since the end of November.

Simon Grand is a vastly experienced centre back, having played in Leagues One and Two. He started out with Rochdale, before moving on to Carlisle Utd, Grimsby Town, Morecambe, Northwich and Fleetwood.

After loans at Mansfield and Aldershot, he made a permanent move to Southport, but was soon on the move again via Telford, Barrow, Salford, Fylde, Chester and Charnock Richard. He started last season with Lancaster City and joined our visitors in January 2024.

Finlay Wallbank is another young centre back. He started at Preston, but spent last season with Workington, before joining the pre-season signings at Bamber Bridge.

Captain Adam Dodd is a left back with experience in the Scottish League. He is another former Blackpool Junior who was loaned to Altrincham and Ayr Utd, before joining Chorley on his release. He first joined our visitors in January 2016, but after 3 ½ years moved onto FC United, but returned four years later to start last season.

Fellow left back Liam Brockbank was a pre-season signing from Altrincham. He was a junior at Carlisle, before joining Workington. Lancaster and Altrincham were his next stops, with loans at Gloucester City and Warrington Rylands.

Right back Macauley Wilson rejoined Bamber Bridge from Bury last September, having only moved at the start of the season. He started off at Lytham before Manchester Utd signed him. He was also a junior at Blackpool and was first loaned to Bamber Bridge in 2016. After a loan at Fylde he came to Bamber permanently in July 2017, following his release from Blackpool and s a former club captain.

Defensive midfielder Alex Kenyon made over 250 senior league two appearances, after starting his career with Everton. He joined Chorley following his release, before a three year stay with Stockport County. 

After moves to Morecambe and Scunthorpe, he went to Scotland with Ayr Utd, returning to England with Chester. He was at Curzon Ashton last season, before his pre-season move to our visitors.

Central midfielder Jack Baxter has spent most of his career at Preston North End. He was loaned out to Clitheroe, Chorley, Stalybridge, Cork City and Radcliffe, before joining Stafford on his release in July 2022. He came to Bamber at the start of last season.

Michael Potts is an experienced central midfielder too, after starting out with Manchester Utd and Blackburn Rovers. Following his release he moved to York City and Guiseley, before a loan at Stalybridge.

Next stops were Bradford Park Avenue and Curzon Ashton, before his first spell at Bamber Bridge in 2016. After two years he moved to FC United and returned to our visitors at the beginning of last season.

Chris Churchman is a long serving central midfielder, having signed from Hyde Utd in July 2018. He started out at Stockport and was loaned to Buxton, before a permanent move to Macclesfield. The next stop was Welsh League side Connahs Quay, followed by a year at Clitheroe before he joined Hyde.

Lewis Hey is another midfielder who arrived from Bradford Park Avenue pre-season, having previously played for Guiseley. 

Striker Mark Cullen has played in the Premiership and all three EFL Divisions. He spent much of his career at Hull City during which time he was loaned to Bradford City, Bury and Stockport, before moving to Luton Town.

Two years at Kenilworth Road were followed by a move to Blackpool, who also loaned him to Carlisle, before a permanent move to Port Vale. His next stop was Hartlepool, before our visitors signed him from Fylde at the start of last season.

Midfielder Jarma Mohammed came from Wigan Athletic, but has also played junior football at Liverpool, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers.

Jeff Adubofour is a midfielder too and has played Champions League Futsal for Manchester, while fellow midfielder Billy Bould is now a regular in the squad too.

Midfielder Alex-Ray Harvey is dual registered with Colne FC. A former Burnley Junior, he was loaned to Fleetwood, before a permanent move to Barrow. After stops at Guiseley and Hednesford, he spent last season with Stafford Rangers and came to Bamber Bridge at the start of this term.

Lewis Pilgrim has recently come into the first team squad. A young midfielder, he previously played for Charnock Richard.

Striker Sandro Da Costa is on loan from Salford City. He started out at FC United and has also had a loan spell at Warrington Rylands.

Robbie Cleary is another striker and another loanee from Salford. He joined Salford at the start of this season, having spent his early career in his native Canada, with Oakville SC, RVDL Soccer Academy, Burlington SC,Sigma FC and Forge, before spending three years at Oakland University in the US. He has also had a loan spell with FC United.

Fellow striker Harry Scarborough started out at Bamber Bridge, before joining Wigan Athletic. But after four years at Chorley he headed across the Atlantic to play for Providence Friars in US College football last August.

After a three month stay he returned to the UK and rejoined Bamber Bridge.

Will Russ is an on loan striker too from Southport. A former Wales Under 16, 17 and 19 International, he started out with Chesterfield, before joining Leicester City’s Academy. He then joined Fleetwood on his release and was loaned to FC United, South Shields, Hyde Utd and Marine, before moving to Southport in January last year.

Carson Greaves is a young striker, that recently made his first debut after coming through the clubs reserve side. 

Kick off is 3pm, everyone welcome.

by Peter Scherer

Two first half goals for Ashton Utd set the trend at the Don Amott Arena last night, when despite a second half recovery, Mickleover still went down 1-3.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Brandon Ferron 3-Kwaku Donkor 4-Kieran Brown 5-Stefan Galinski 6-Danny Benson 7-Ryan Wilson 8-Michael Hollingsworth 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Chris O’Grady. Subs: Marcus Barnes, Dylan Edwards, Samson Hewett, Toby Smith, Josh Carter.

The game started at a fairly lively pace, with Ferron breaking on the left for Mickleover, before his cross was taken by keeper Jordan Eastham.

For the first five minutes Sports showed their keenness to attack, keeping the visitors on their toes.

But only two minutes later a break by Ashton down the Mickleover left, Luke Burke fired in a cross after outpacing the defence, which was met with power and accuracy by Darius Osei, whose shot had Mersin beaten 0-1.

The complexity of the game had changed and it was Ashton pushing forward. Only three minutes later it was 0-2 when Dan Cowan beat the defence on the right. He found Jason Gilchrist almost unmarked in the middle, leaving an easy tap in from close range.

Despite the two-goal deficit Mickleover continued to play some good football and were quite creative, which limited Ashton’s attacks too.

Brown got his head to a 12^th minute corner, but Beavon’s final touch was easily taken by the keeper, before Ashton made another break, with the final shot well over the bar.

Donkor was showing pace on the right wing and his cross seven minutes later was heading for Hollingsworth, but a timely late tackle stopped his progress.

But the defence were almost caught out again after 22 minutes, looking flat footed in response to another Ashton break. But Mersin was well placed in the centre of his goal to make a good save.

Mickleover responded a minute later with Dales’ first real run at the visiting defence. After cutting in from his left-wing charge, he let fly and only keeper Eastham at full stretch denied him.

Wilson had a shot blocked by the keeper from an O’Grady pass a few minutes later, but Ashton continued to look dangerous on the break, with Donkor cutting out an attack on the left.

It was Donkor again to the rescue after 28 minutes, stifling another visitors attack, before Gilchrist headed over.

Sports had to make their first change  when Hollingsworth pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury and was replaced by debutant Hewett after 34 minutes.

Beavon had a shot blocked after 37 minutes, with Dales’ rebound saved by the keeper, Ferron then found O’Grady, but his shot or cross was too close to the keeper.

Beavon had another good run with four minutes of normal time left, but he was intercepted before he shot and he was then tripped after a positive run from Hewett. Dales free kick was straight into the wall and so it remained 0-2 at half time.

Overall Mickleover hadn’t played badly, but two defensive errors had cost them dearly again.

A change in tactics soon looked to be paying dividends for Sports. Ferron was first on the attack, cutting in from the left after a long run, he just missed getting a final shot in after 49 minutes, but earned a corner.

Dales’ ball came in to a crowded box and Galinski almost succeeded with a cheeky back heel that came off a defender.

52 minutes in and O’Grady suddenly struck, with a superb strike out of nowhere to make it 1-2, beating Eastham from the edge of the box.  “That’s what striker’s do,” said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

Dales almost hit the equaliser just two minutes later, the keeper saw it late and did well to pull off a save again.

Ashton were being forced to defend hard and after 56 minutes another cross from Donkor just missed O’Grady’s head by inches. But three minutes later Mersin had to save the defences blushes again, when Ashton were gifted a one- on- one break, with the Mickleover keeper coming out on top.

It was close again for Sports after 62 minutes, earning a corner after a free kick had been cleared, O’Grady layed the ball off nicely, but no one followed up.

Brown had been attacking more too in the second half and his cross from the left tested the defence, but ran wide of the far post, before O’Grady found the side netting after a goal mouth scramble.

It had been all Mickleover for a while and Donkor had a shot tipped over after a solo run down the right.

But all the pressure and promise was dashed again after 67 minutes, when another defensive lapse on the left saw Osei pick up the pieces, firing home his second and Ashton’s third, 1-3.

Barnes came on for Beavon, but it was still Mickleover on the attack. Ferron put a cross in that just missed Barnes’ head after 71 minutes, followed by another telling cross from the other side by Donkor.

Dales and O’Grady teamed up before the keeper had to make a one handed save, but after taking a number of knocks, Dales had to limp off to be replaced by Edwards for the final minutes.

Despite the result the second half had showed promise and hope for Mickleover, which hopefully will carry on into Saturday’s match at home to Bamber Bridge.

“The second half was really positive for us and Chris O’Grady gave us a quicker route to goal. That’s what we’ve been missing all season. We put them under some sustained pressure and we haven’t been doing that either and that’s against a team third in the table,” said Mickleover boss Gareth Holmes.