by Peter Scherer

The next visitors to the Don Amott Arena are Ashton Utd, who currently lie fifth in the NPL, after following up their 2-0 win against Matlock, with a 1-1 at Scarborough last Tuesday.

Let’s take a look at their squad, which is headed by first choice keeper, the vastly experienced Greg Hartley. 

Hartley progressed through the Manchester City Academy, winning the FA Youth Cup, while playing alongside Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart during his time at City. 

He spent ten years at City before moving to the US where he plied his trade at Georgia Gwinnett and Chattanooga. Following a seven-year stint in the US, he moved back to England, joining Oldham Athletic in 2017 where he worked with the academy and as a goalkeeping coach. 

During his coaching Hartley also played for Tadcaster Albion and Atherton where he worked under Ashton United manager, Michael Clegg for the first time.

Australian born defender Stavros Tserpes joined Ashton during the 2019/20 season from Droylsden, but has also spent time at Altrincham, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Clitheroe.

Harry Spratt is one of the new signings, having joined pre-season from York City. He was a Manchester Utd junior and then moved onto Huddersfield, before joining York and was also on loan at Scarborough last season.

Also in defence is player coach Michael Raynes. He joined Ashton United in July 2020 after a two-season spell with National League side Hartlepool United. As a d journeyman of professional football Michael came to Ashton with a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as talent.  He played almost 500 league matches at Stockport, Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Oxford, Carlisle and Crewe before joining Hartlepool. Standing at 6”4 Michael is the monster amongst the Robin’s back line.

Centre back Harry Coates is another new signing, having arrived from Scarborough last month. He started his career at York City, before moving on to Harrogate, Tadcaster, and Bradford PA.

Midfielder Chris Rowney was an Oldham Junior, before joining Mossley following his release in 2010. After one season he joined Woodley Sports, before returning to Mossley in 2012. Prior to joining Ashton, he had six seasons at Curzon Ashton and this is his third season with Ashton.

Michael Brewster is another midfielder in his third season at the club. After leaving Oldham as a junior, he moved on via FC United, St Mirren, Colwyn, Skelmersdale, Southport, Shaw Lane, Marine and Droylsden, before coming to Ashton from Atherton Collieries. 

Ben Hardcastle scored the equalising goal at Scarborough last Tuesday. He made his way through Morecambe’s youth ranks before signing for Ashton manager Michael Clegg at Pennington, then following him to Atherton LR before signing for Atherton Collieries

He played over 250 games for Atherton and was an essential player for the Colliers, especially in their promotion winning season from Division One West. He was the first player manager Clegg, signed after taking over at Ashton.

Striker Tom Bentham was one of the scorers in their win over Matlock on the opening day of the season. He was a summer 2020 signing, rejoining manager Clegg having tasted success with him at Atherton Collieries. He’s a strong centre forward, having also played at Hyde and Stalybridge.

Centre forward Jack Redshaw was the other scorer against Matlock. Another ex Manchester City junior, he played league football at Rochdale, Morecambe and Blackpool. He also had spells at Altrincham, Salford City, Halifax and York, joining Ashton this summer.

Liam Thomsett is one of the longest serving players, having signed for Ashton in 2017. An ex Blackpool youth player, he made one first team start in the FA Cup, before moving on to Altrincham, Ayr Utd and Hyde on loan.  After a year at Fylde, he was at Curzon Ashton for another two, before his current spell at Ashton.

Harvey McAdam was a former Burnley junior, who joined the Ashton in February 2019 from Nelson FC. After his release from Burnley the young midfielder joined AFC Fylde’s under 18s before moving again to Northwich Victoria. 

Another new signing is midfielder Tom Warren. He was an Everton junior until September 2019, from when he joined Warrington, prior to his move to Ashton a few weeks ago.

Theo Hudson is another young midfielder recently signed. He was a junior at Leeds and spent last season at Darlington, before his summer signing for Ashton.

The second choice keeper is Josh Ollerenshaw, formerly at Oldham, Colwyn Bay, Stalybridge, Curzon Ashton, Fleetwood, Mossley, Altrincham and FC United, he’s been at Ashton for four years.

Finally Panos Katsmagkas is another midfielder he came from Osset Utd.

by Peter Scherer

There have been three new signings joining the Mickleover FC squad for this season, but one more than familiar to some fans.

Derby born winger Andy Dales had spent 10 years coming through the ranks as a Derby County before joining Mickleover first time around in 2014/15.

He then joined Scunthorpe Utd and made 33 first team, plus had loan spells at Dundee and Hamilton in the Scottish Premier League, before coming back to Mickleover.

It’s nice to enjoy my football again and put the last year behind me. The gaffer is a real motivator for me and that hadn’t been here recently.

said Dales.

Joe Bateman is another ex Derby player, a centre back who had been a regular in the Rams under 23’s until his release earlier this summer.

Thirdly Bermudan International midfielder Roger Lee signed after a recent trial.

He has been playing his football in Latvia and Estonia over the last couple of seasons, having also played at Loughborough, Stafford Rangers, Corby and Basford. 

I was happy to secure a club and it felt such a good environment here and welcoming. I layed in some friendlies and the team like to play how I play.

said Lee.

Dales and Bateman made their NPL debuts against South Shields, before dales scored both goals in the home win against Gainsborough. 

Lee has only just become available after international clearance.

by Peter Scherer

A goal in each half by new signing Andy Dales, secured all three points for Mickleover, in their first home game of the NPL season against Gainsborough Trinity.

With skipper Mason Warren out injured after last week’s defeat at South Shields, there were a few changes to the starting line-up, including a debut at left back for Ben Lewin.

1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ben Lewin 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-George Milner 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson. Subs. Paddy Webb, George Atwal, Kemy Agustien, Josh Satchwell, Ben Gowing.

It was strong and fairly robust start from both sides, with Gainsborough making the first serious attack after five minutes, easily dealt with by the home defence.

Only a minute later a good run overlap from Lewin produced a perfect cross, if Battisson had just been three inches taller.

The loose ball fell to Bacon whose miss kick allowed Dales to get the first shot in.

Making his seasonal debut, Milner had a charge after 10 minutes, which almost took him through the visitors defence.

Shortly afterwards another build up involving most of the team, resulted in Bennett shooting just wide.

The Mickleover pace had picked up and was forcing the visitors back and a nice combination move between Dales, Beavon and Bacon, resulted in Gainsborough keeper Matt Yates saving Beavon’s final effort.

Gainsborough still showed occasional flair from breaks and Hawkins was called into action when Gainsborough had a long run down the right.

Some excellent build ups were just lacking the final ball for Mickleover, but after Battisson had created space in the middle, his final pass to Dales left the striker in the perfect position for a 25 yard shot into the roof of the net after 22 minutes, 1-0. “I just felt relief when the ball hit the back of the net,” said Dales. 

Straight from the kick off Gainsborough burst into attack, until Neal Bishop was fouled by Butler on the edge of the box. Sports skipper Butler went into the refs book for the tackle too.

The following free kick was easily saved by Hawkins, but the visitors continued to try and push forward, with Watt heading one attempt clear, before Bishop fired a shot high and wide.

Bateman and Battisson had linked up well with the tenacity of Milner and started to take control again. 

Battisson’s strong run into the box in the 29^th minute, prompted a great interpass with Bennett, before the wing back’s shot went just wide again.

Milner then tried his luck, with a deep cross into the box which slightly overshot until Butler headed it back into play.

But after 39 minutes there were shouts for a penalty, after Bennett was through on goal again from a Beavon pass, only to be pushed down, but the appeals were waved away.

Milner then had a shot just over after nice build up from Bennett and Bacon, but shortly afterwards he was replaced by Gowing after spraining his ankle.

In time added on Dales created his own space and fired a shot on goal, before he then put Bacon through, whose shot went into the side netting.

As the second half got underway Mickleover started much the stronger, with Battisson fouled just outside the box after 48 minutes, with Bacon’s shot then saved from Dales’ free kick.

Bennett was then fouled in a similar place, before a third wild tackle from the visitors saw Dales hacked down.

Butler hit the bar with a header and then Bacon had a shot just past the post, after the ref played the advantage.

Only a few minutes later Dales got his revenge for the earlier foul in the best possible way. Keeper Yates had made a clearance but it fell right at Dales feet, his shot took a slight deflection, but it was in for 2-0. “I know it took a deflection, but I will happily take that,” he said.

Now looking for his hattrick, Dales fired just over only three minutes later, before a rare second half attack from the visitors saw Joe Wilson’s cross go across the Mickleover goal, with no one to receive.

Another good long run from Dales ended when he ran out of steam and was intercepted, before Bennett put Beavon through. He was fouled but still got a shot in just wide of the post, but penalty appeals again fell on deaf ears.

While Butler, Watt and Lewin had stayed as the defensive block to any threat, it allowed Bennett to continue his penetrating runs. After 65 minutes he came from his own area, to have a shot blocked on the edge of the visitors box.

Dales was then replaced by Webb a couple of minutes later, but it was then almost three for Mickleover, when a Battisson cross was headed against his own bar by Gainsborough centre back Hayden Cann.

Yates easily saved the resulting corner, but the attacks were coming thick and fast again. Bacon found Bennett whose shot was blocked after 77 minutes and Webb burst through seven minutes later, but his cross for Battisson proved too long.

Gainsborough had a half chance after a mix up in a crowded Mickleover box and then a pass from Butler to Watt fell short, leaving the visitors to intercept, but Hawkins easily held the following shot.

In the closing minutes Bennett was through yet again before his shot was blocked, then Battisson outstripped the Gainsborough defence, but there was no one to receive his cross.

Finally Gowing got clear, passed to Beavon, but his path was finally blocked.

With only seconds to go, Atwal came on for Bacon, which turned out to be 10 second cameo appearance as the whistle blew to end a good all round team performance.

by Peter Scherer

Tuesday night’s visitors began their NPL season with a 1-1 draw at home against Witton Albion last Saturday. Trinity have had a tough couple of years and could easily have been relegated if the seasons had run their course.

A new youthful squad will be hoping to progress this season with a many out to impress early on.

Goalkeeper Matt Yates has recently been released by Derby County and after loan spells at Gloucester, Hereford and Telford, joined Gainsborough this summer.

Lewis Carr is an experienced defender just signed from Basford, but he’s played at Grantham too. He will be hoping to partner Irish Under 19 international Left back Cieron Keane, who had League One experience during his graduation at Notts County.

After leaving the Magpies he has played for Nuneaton, Worcester, Kidderminster, Alfreton, Boston Utd and Leamington and was at Basford last season.

Charlie Jemson, son of Forest legend Nigel, is another central defender just signed from Worksop. He had a spell on Forest’s books and also played for Ilkeston, Tamworth and Peterborough Sports.

Derby County’s Academy was the starting point for central defender Callum Minkles, while wing back Joe Wilson started out at Reading. He is a new signing from Ilkeston, but has played for Hayes & Yeading and Fleet Town too.

Midfielder Kyle Dixon has just come in from Basford, but is another former Notts County graduate. He made one League One appearance for Notts, before loans at Grantham, Boston and Telford. He had a couple of seasons each at North Ferriby and Newark Flowserve, before spending last season at Basford.

Experience in coaching and playing make Neal Bishop a valuable member of the Gainsborough squad. A former Middlesbrough Academy player, he made his league debut for Barnet in League two. The reliable midfielder had already played at Billingham, Spennymoor, Whitby, Scarborough and York, before making 95 appearances for Barnet.

168 games at Notts County and a spell with Blackpool in the Premiership followed, before another four years at Scunthorpe. His league career ended at Mansfield and he was at Scarborough last season, before joining Gainsborough as player coach.

Midfielder Alex Wollerton is another summer singing. The ex Manchester Utd and Leeds junior also had a spell at the Barnsley Academy, before joining York City last September.

Gianluca Bucci is an ex Lincoln City Junior who is at home in defence or midfield. He has played at Spalding too, but has returned to Gainsborough after a spell at Frickley.

Recently released by Grimsby Town, midfielder Jock Curran is keen to impress. He started at Doncaster Rovers and has also played at Spalding and Lincoln Utd.

George Hornshaw made 12 first team appearances for Scunthorpe last season. He joined the Irons back in 2011 aged 12, making his first team in 2017. He had a loan spell at Farsley and came to Gainsborough initially in 2019, before joining permanently in July this year. He plays full back of midfield.

Ex QPR and Fulham winger Toby Gould and former Chester Junior Jack Gibson will be looking to start up front, the latter coming in from Carlton in May this year.

Another new signing is Curtis Morrison, back at Gainsborough for a third time but this time its permanent for the former Chesterfield midfielder. He made two first team appearances at Chesterfield and was also loaned to Matlock before joining Guiseley and also played at Matlock and Hednesford.

Striker Ben Morris started at Derby County, before coming to Gainsborough via Bedworth, Matlock and Ilkeston and finally Portuguese striker Joao Antonio Soares Rangel as been brought in from Portuguese club Nogueirense, having sampled the UK scene with Norwich, Barnsley and Mansfield.

by Peter Scherer
Photo: Kev Wilson (South Shields FC)

It was always going to be tough visiting South Shields for the first game of the new NPL season, but for 33 minutes Mickleover held off the hosts challenge.

Callum Hawkins was under attack in the Mickleover goal from the word go, pulling off a save from a 20 yard strike from Darius Osei.

Only three minutes later he was in action again, collecting a Nathan Lowe free kick. It wasn’t one-way traffic however, but skipper Mason Warren found himself on the end of a foul by Blair Adams, which earned the South Shields defender a yellow card.

The hosts had a positive attack down the right wing 12 minutes in, but the final ball was too long. Three minutes later Phil Watt joined Adams in the book, after bringing down Osei in full flight.

Rob Briggs took the free kick for South Shields, which Hawkins had covered as it went just over the bar.

As the first half hour was completed however, Mickleover were forced to make a change with Kemy Agustien coming on for Warren.

The hosts were on the on the attack again though and just after Adams had a shot blocked, he collected the ball again from the left and sent a scorching shot out of Hawkins reach into the top corner after 34 mins, 0-1.

There was a chance for Mickleover to bounce back, when a mix up in the hosts defence left Dec Bacon with a one on one on Myles Boney in the South Shields goal. His initial effort was saved, but he collected the ball again and had his shot tipped over.

Briggs shot just past the post after 40 mins and Hawkins had to pull off another save, diving to his right to keep out a 15 yard free kick from Lowe.

Into injury time for the first half it could so easily have been level again, as Stuart Beavon’s header went close after collecting a cross from the right.

Only three minutes into the second half it was 0-2 though, when debutant Ntumba Massanka met an Adams cross. Six minutes later it was South Shields third and Massanka’s second, after Osei’s initial shot was blocked, then fell kindly for the striker to hit the roof of the net 0-3.

The hosts had a penalty appeal turned down after 61 mins and Hawkins saved well again from a Briggs header seven minutes later.

In the closing minutes Bobby Battisson was booked for a trip and on Conor Tee and in the final seconds Sports saw their last attempt skim the crossbar.