Author: Square Peg

10 Men Reds Hit Four Against Title Rivals

by Peter Scherer

Top of the table Stafford Rangers had only dropped one point and had already beaten the Mickleover Reds when they visited Stafford, but no one could anticipate how the return match would unfold in this Championship decider.

It was end to end action from the start, with Bobby Battisson having a shot blocked three minutes in, after a Jacob Edge-Lucas cross, before Josh Satchwell headed just wide after a corner.

Fin Barker was leading some powerful attacks on the Stafford goal, and when he was tripped on the edge of the box, George Atwal put his free kick wide.

Only a minute later Stafford had a similar shot from a free kick off target too, before Mickleover Tom Smith had to come charging off his line, to quash another Stafford attack.

 

Atwal and Barker shared a couple of good exchanges, but the end result was disappointing, but in the 24th minute the deadlock was broken. Sam Pipes was fouled on the edge of the box, and Atwal’s free kick was met superbly by Edge-Lucas, heading into the far corner of the Stafford net 1-0.

Only minutes later Battisson was scythed down on the left. As a couple of Stafford defenders started to protest their innocence, Pipes was given a harsh straight red car, for a slight push.

Despite being down to 10 men, Mickleover more than held their own, as the Stafford team started arguing among themselves.

After a follow up from a 30th minute free kick   had beaten the Stafford keeper before gong just wide, Satchwell had a strong run down the right, before Battisson crossed the ball landing just behind Barker.

Stafford had started to push forward, but another Satchwell run after 39 minutes, fed Barker, who outran the defence and shot just over.

The visitors continued to show some defensive disarray which saw Barker through on goal, before the keeper intercepted his 42nd minute attempt. After Louis Pennington was brought down with minutes left in the first half, Atwal had another free kick attempt saved, but Stafford were ruing their missed chances from a busy first half.

The second half started similarly to the first, with Battisson’s early attempt blocked. 54 minutes had gone though when Barker had a shot which rebounded off the keeper, out into Satchwell’s path, firing it hard to the keeper’s right 2-0.

Only five minutes later it could so easily have been three, after Battisson dispossessed a Stafford defender, went on a run and saw his shot bounce back off the right hand post.

Mickleover then opted to make their first substitution with Brodie Carter on for the hard working Barker. No sooner had Carter come on, he was in with a chance, after Stafford began to commit a string of minor fouls, he just missed getting on the end of an Atwal free kick.

Stafford started to push forward again to try and open their score sheet, their leading scorer Jayden Hunter was almost through after 17 minutes, and five minutes later he had the ball in the net, but used his hand to take it past the advancing Smith in the Mickleover goal.

As attack turned to defence though, Stafford were in trouble again, after a mix up between keeper and defence. Carter was able to take the ball past the keeper as he rushed from his line to make it 3-0 after 69 minutes.

Pennington was having a much better second half and began to spray the ball about, with help from the running Battisson and continuous overlaps from Edge-Lucas and Lewin.

The keeper had to run out again to stop Carter, before Edge-Lucas’ charge in the 73rd minute found Atwal who shot over. Battisson then had a good shot saved, before it was played out wide to Satchwell, whose effort was wide o the right and post.

Cameron Anthony and Will Robinson had both been solid as a rock in the centre of the Mickleover defence, but it was Stafford under continuing pressure, with Battisson through again.

Ted Stevenson was on for Atwal, and had a cracking shot from just outside the area, after Battisson earned another free kick.

Kai Moore came on for Carter but there was still another goal to come, when a great build up from Battisson, saw Edge-Lucas collect, before sending a powerful shot past the keeper, 4-0!! 

Kyran Ward was the final sub on for Battisson, but time was up and despite having been down to 10 men barely halfway through the first half, it was convincing win, with a terrific all round team performance.

Now only Rushall Olympic stand between Mickleover Reds and the ESPFA League title, which will be settled at Borrowash next Thursday.

Reserves Lose Out In Poor Chairman’s Cup Tie

by Peter Scherer

It wasn’t a particularly skilful encounter and combined with some poor officialdom, the Mickleover Reserves visit to Rowsley was instantly forgettable.

Having already qualified for the knock out stages of the Central Midlands League Chairman’s Cup, Mickleover weren’t fielding their strongest line-up.

The hosts had a free kick just wide in the opening minute, followed by another shot just over the bar.

Gradually Sports started to push forward and in the ninth minute had a chance to take the lead. Matt Fuertado chested the ball down in the box and was about  shoot, when the referee blew for handball, which was clearly incorrect.

Rowsley’s attacks were coming mainly from long balls, but Marcus Calderone marshalled the defence to fend off any early threat.

Aaron Hayer took a free kick for Mickleover, from which Ben Lewin had his shot blocked, but it was in the 16th minute when the defence failed to collect a through ball, a brief scramble in the area and it fell to a Rowsley striker, 0-1.

It was a bad spell for Mickleover as only three minutes later it was 0-2, Rowsley broke after a Sports corner was cleared. The defence struggled to retreat and left the keeper isolated.

Another shot in the 24th minute hit the side netting after Calderone narrowed the angle and some telling crosses from Rowsley’s left wing back began to cause a few problems.

It was on the half hour before there was another promising Mickleover attack, aided by the hesitancy of the Rowsley keeper to leave his line, ending in a corner.

Captain Surf Tefera had been doing his best to marshal the midfield, with the determination of Ash Elliott. They combined for a promising run in the 33rd minute, before a shocking back pass from Rowsley allowed Mickleover to strike, but straight at the advancing keeper.

Tefera had his own shot blocked a few minutes later, with the rebound blocked too. Rowsley had another header just wide, as half time approached. But then Hayer’s ball into the box found Feurtado, who couldn’t quite find the space to turn.

Elliott then managed to ride a foul tackle with a minute left. He was clear on goal, but the referee ignored the advantage, gave a free kick which came to nought.

After a scrappy first half the second was worse, with the Rowsley players becoming more vociferous as they picked up on some poor officialdom.

Tefera’s 50th minute free kick went well over the bar, before a couple more efforts were just off target, from various players.

The Rowsley keeper made a couple of fumbles but got away with them, one attempt cleared off the line. But the hosts had another chance in 68th minute, splitting the defence before putting the shot wide again. 

The referee then went into the first of a number huddles, seemingly reluctant to stand by his own observations.

Elliott had a free kick ricochet off the wall after 75 minutes and a minute later Hayer took another, which was saved by the keeper.

After Rowsley hit the post their keeper dropped the ball from a cross, but following a goal mouth scramble it was out for a goal kick.

The home keeper was inaction again when he had to make a diving save from a headed back pass, from one of his own defenders!

But with two minutes of real time left, Mickleover pulled one back, the keeper well beaten by a header to his far corner, 1-2.

Into injury time and the referee rejected a blatant penalty shout as the Mickleover striker was hacked down in the area, and gave a corner. Fortunately the final whistle went shortly afterwards.

Academy Juniors End With A Winning Flourish

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Academy first years finished their ESPFA season on a high, with a 2-1 over Carlton at Borrowash.

It was a lively start from both teams, with Mickleover’s Reece Perry going close after five minutes with a free kick, after Berhard Koecher’s run and  cross.

One minute later it was Devon Smith’s effort saved by the Carlton keeper.

But 14 minutes in, and after a Carlton attack broke down, they had pushed well forward leaving the defence wide open. The Mickleover clearance put Smith in the clear, who jinked passed the keeper and opened the scoring 1-0, with an excellent solo effort.

Carlton had a good chance to equalise two minutes later, but their striker wanted too much time and failed to get his shot in.

They came close again in the 19th minute, when Mickleover’s Fin Bowen charged from his goal, but was left stranded. Carlton went close, but not close enough.

Lewis Hughes and Ethan Mann were looking fairly steady in the centre of the Mickleover defence, and stopped Carlton again in the 22nd minute, when the strikers failed to collect from a good chance.

Both Koecher and Tom Griffiths had been used on the overlap, but Mann went on the attack too briefly, firing a shot over the bar.

Carlton continued to push for the equaliser and Jack Cockram had a good shot from outside the box, well taken by Bowen.

It could have been a second for Mickleover in the 31st minute, when the Carlton keeper came out to a Griffiths free kick, failed to collect and let the ball run loose.

Smith then went on another run just before half time, he was through, but fired just wide.

It was only seven minutes into the second half when Carlton got their goal. A through ball split Hughes and Mann and Cockram was on hand to slip it passed the advancing Bowen, 1-1.

Smith had a shot straight at the keeper a minute later, before Carlton responded with another effort just wide.

But in the 54th minute Perry was through on goal, his shot was saved, but the enthusiastic Koecher smashed the rebound into the Carlton net, 2-1.

Another good run from Smith put Josh Woolley through, shooting just wide, but Carlton were beginning to try random shots from further out, keeping Bowen on his toes.

Smith’s 79th minute attempt was blocked again, and after a good build up Koecher put Woolley clear before he was intercepted.

Smith had another late chance, which went close, before Carlton had two free kicks in the closing minutes, but failed to capitalise on either.

So it remained 2-1 and the Mickleover Black squad brought the curtain down on their season.

Mills On Target As Reserves Beat Pinxton

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves visited Pinxton for a friendly match and came away as 1-0 victors, after a second half goal from Pablo Mills.

There was an early chance for Mickleover when a good build up with Mills and Ben Lewin, led to Elijah Fatubarin shooting just wide.

Overall the first 10 minutes were fairly even, before Mils put a great ball through to Matt Feurtado, who couldn’t collect, before Ricky Ravenhill picked it up and Lewin shot wide.

As the attacks started to grow, Mills was through again before Fatubarin earned a corner, then Feurtado crossed before Fatubarin’s shot was saved.

Pinxton started to fight back and got a 14th minute break, which Pat Pugh dealt with comfortably.

15 mins in and Mickleover had a shot cleared off the line, when Feurtado’s shot had beaten the keeper.

With wing backs Lewin and Tom Eccleshall both working hard on the overlaps and John McGrath, Ravenhill and Lopes Massampo running midfield, Lewin’s 17th minute cross was met by Ravenhill, who attempted a half overhead kick.

Three minutes later Eccleshall’s cross found Feurtado, but his twist to turn and shoot didn’t work out.

Pinxton had another chance after 23 minutes, but the shot failed to trouble Mickleover keeper Ollie Staines.

Mickleover had done all but score in the first half hour, but Pinxton continued with random shots when the opportunity occurred.

McGrath was sent airborne after a heavy tackle, but Pinxton started  to threaten a little more, creating more chances with a shot just over the bar.

Feurtado had a good chance with half time approaching, but wanted too much time on the ball and failed to get his shot in.

Pinxton had another shot high and wide and a nice ball through the middle from Pugh, just failed to find Mills.

Another weak effort from a Pinxton striker brought the half to an end, 0-0.

Mickleover had to replace Fatubarin with Keenan Barrett as the second half kicked off, but it was Pinxton with the first shot of the half, saved by Staines.

But sustained attacking from Mickleover soon followed, as Feurtado was through and Mills shot was blocked, then on 56 minutes Massampo and Keenan combined and were nearly through on goal.

McGrath put a tight cross right into the Pinxton area, which the keeper had to tip over and then on the hour Feurtado came off and Ash Elliott took over.

Keenan’s pace had started to cause problems and when he was fouled on the edge of the box, McGrath took the free kick, before a quick one two with Mills saw the shot well over.

Four minutes later Pinxton went close with a shot across the Mickleover goal, out for a corner, then Keenan was on the move again but his long ball was just too long for Massampo.

Staines had to earn his stripes with a point blank save after 68 minutes, as it was still a fairly even game, with Pugh and Jacob Ferdinand looking solid in the Mickleover defence.

But the dead lock was finally broken after 74 minutes. A big scramble in the Pinxton box resulted in the keeper chasing Elliott out of the area, almost wrestling for the ball. But it was still turned in with the keeper stranded. Mills fired it goal wards but it hit the underside of the bar, just crossing the line 1-0.

Mills then earned a break and was replaced by Kyran Ward, who was straight into the action, after a cross from Eccleshall was well met, earning a corner.

Pinxton continued to fight and when Ravenhill lost the ball, they broke for another shot, saved by Staines.

In the final 10 minutes McGrath had another good run down the right before being fouled, while goal scorer Mills returned to replace Ravenhill.

It could have been a second for Mickleover when a McGrath free kick, was met with an excellent header from Elliott, saved point blank by the Pinxton keeper.

Pinxton were down to 10 men however after one of their players received a second yellow card for renaming the referee!

In the closing minutes Ward went close with two attempts and Keenan tried his luck in the final minute. 

A good all round challenging game, with an interesting mix of youth and experience in the Mickleover side.

Gresley Hit Sports for 5 in The Don Amott Spring Cup

by Peter Scherer,

It was certainly men against boys at the Moat ground last night, when Gresley Rovers inflicted a first defeat on Mickleover FC in the Don Amott Spring Cup, by 5-0.

The Mickleover side made up of a few of the first team squad, but mainly academy players, were up against it from the kick off, against a much bigger and stronger Gresley side.

The home sides first chance was as early as three minutes, when Munday’s shot from just outside the box, whistled past Fin Bowen’s post.

But Mickleover got a first shot in a few minutes later, when Bobby Battisson fired in just over the bar.

Gresley kept pressing and although Bailey managed to turn Will Robinson, his effort was just wide too.

Mickleover tried to break out of their own area, but it was proving difficult, but after 10 minutes Battisson had a good run down the right, and Josh Satchwell’s shot earned the first corner.

Marcus Calderone then had a header just wide from a Battisson cross, before a dangerous Gresley free kick ended with a spectacular but very wide overhead kick from Lansdowne.

Louis Pennington was next to push forward starting a good move from midfield, before Declan Bacon followed up with a shot straight into keeper Fryatt’s hands.

But 14 minutes and the first goal came for Gresley. A good cross from Munday on the right into a crowded box, saw Oli Bailey’s header heading past Bowen, 0-1.

Gresley were almost through again three minutes later, but the attempt was blocked, before Mickleover had their best chance so far.

Bacon was through but had his back to the line, before Josh Baker got a shot in. Fryatt saved well but from the resulting clearance, Satchwell’s header was just wide.

Bailey then hit the bar for Gresley in the 20th minute and the attacks became ever more relentless. 

26 minutes and Bailey was on target again, after Bowen initially lost possession on his near post. But at the second attempt the ball was turned back in for the striker to head home for his second goal, 0-2.

It wasn’t long before there was a third, after Calderone lost possession. Bailey fumbled his first attempt, but had so much time he was able to jink into space again and fire home, for his hattrick 0-3!

Robinson had a good run for Mickleover, but Battisson was brought down on the edge of the box from the resulting cross. Bacon’s resulting free-kick was then saved by Fryatt.

Bowen saved well from Gresley’s Holmes after 39 minutes and Baker responded for Mickleover, with a promising cross to Battisson, finding Bacon who shot just wide.

As half time approached Gresley made it four after Phil Watt fouled, Ryan Seal had Bowen well beaten.

Maslen-Jones almost made it five at the break, when his wild volley went close.

Mickleover had more of the ball as the second half got underway, but possession wasn’t always leading to progress.

Gresley had an early shot wide and Bacon had a chance from a Baker cross, but the ball bobbled unkindly and was easily collected by Fryatt.

Both sides began to make changes and George Atwal was first on for Mickleover, replacing the hardworking Pennington.

Josh Waldram managed to find Battisson on the edge of the area, but he couldn’t connect, then Atwal put a good ball into the box which was cleared.

57 minutes in and another good build resulted in a Battisson shot being saved, but just after the hour Calderone was booked for an innocuous foul, forcing Bowen into an excellent save from the free kick.

Atwal managed to create space for his own shot in the 65th minute, tipped just over and earning a corner.

But as Mickleover sought their first goal, Gresley continued to look dangerous on every attack. Bowen had to pull off a diving save after 70 minutes, when Calderone misjudged a bounce, which fell kindly for the striker.

Ben Lewin and Ethan Mann both came on for Jacob Edge-Lucas and Dec Bacon. Lewin tried an early shot just wide, and 75 minutes in Satchwell sent a great curling shot just wide of the post for a corner.

Satchwell went a close again a few minutes later and Atwal had a free kick on target but saved.

Robinson overlapped to cross for Battisson, but his 79th effort was straight the keeper and with three minutes left Satchwell was almost there again, after a good build up from Robinson and Atwal.

But almost on full time Gresley got their fifth, when Keith Thomas picked up a rebound and was left with an empty net 0-5.

Academy Reds Hit Five At Carlton

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Academy Reds dominated their visit to Carlton Town and were on the attack from the first whistle.

 Only two minutes in and Fin Barker was fouled on the edge of the box, before they went even closer when Barker donutted a Carlton defender, before a challenging ball got through for Sam Pipes to go close, then Josh Satchwell put his attempt just over the bar.

It was only three minutes later that the goal account was opened, after Bobby Battisson was tripped just inside the box. Battisson successfully took the penalty, 1-0.

Satchwell was then on the attack, his through shot was blocked, but earned a corner, leading to a cracking shot, well saved, from George Atwal.

Relishing his return to the frontline, Satchwell broke free for another shot after 10 minutes, with Battisson picking up the rebound, which was saved, before Barker earned another corner.

With wing backs Jacob Edge-Lucas and Ben Lewin free to overlap at will and Pennington, Battisson and Atwal continually feeding the strike force, Satchwell put a telling ball into the area on 12 minutes, but no one collected.

It was continuous pressure on the Carlton goal, and Barker burst through yet again two minutes later. He was on the back line, turning it back to Atwal, whose shot was blocked, before Edge-Lucas fired just over.

The Carlton goalkeeper was left extremely exposed and after 18 minutes he charged out to intercept Satchwell, the ball ran loose but no one tried a chip towards the empty net.

20 minutes gone Barker was clear once more, forcing an excellent save from the Carlton keeper. Then it was Battisson’s turn to press, sending Barker on another run. The keeper saved again, before Edge-Lucas headed over from the resulting corner.

It was inevitable there would be more goals and number two came after 26 minutes, when Satchwell’s progress allowed Lewin to float a perfectly timed cross to meet Barker’s head 2-0.

Barker and Satchwell combined again on the half hour after Pennington had taken control in midfield and then Will Robinson came charging from the back line, to set up Satchwell whose shot was saved.

With a minute left in the first half, the Carlton keeper came well out again, as the ball ran loose from a defensive mix up. He failed to connect and Barker not only collected it, but scored what should have been a third goal, until a late and dubious decision from the linesman gave it offside.

Right on time it finally was 3-0, when a quick and efficient build up took Battisson to the back line, which allowed Atwal to fire in a shot, but in the scramble to clear he collected the rebound and made no mistake at the second attempt.

There was no respite for the Carlton defence as Mickleover were straight onto the attack again in the second half.

Battisson found Barker, whose shot hit the bar, with Sam Pipes putting the rebound just over.

Carlton did have a weak attack after 49 minutes, but from interception it was straight to the other end as Atwal shot just wide.

For a brief moment the Mickleover had some work to do, but Cameron Anthony and Robinson were untroubled.

There was an appeal from Battisson for handball in the box in the 55th minute, but nine minutes later Carter made it 4-0, when a cross from the left appeared to go in off his back!

Ted Stevenson had joined Carter as second half subs, and was keen to push forward too. But it was a Pennington cross then gave Carter a chance, shooting just over.

Carter had another lob onto the top of the net, before Stevenson had an attempt saved and Satchwell tried his luck too.

72 minutes and it was 5-0 and Battisson’s second from the edge of the box, with the keeper well beaten.

Carlton still kept trying to break out and succeeded in the 74th minute when Tom Smith was forced into a diving save.

Kai Moore and Kyran Ward came on too, but Smith got a knock with 20 minutes left. A few minutes later Carlton pulled one back 5-1, but Stevenson, Carter and Battisson all went close again in the closing minutes, before the final whistle went and another fine win was sealed.

Mickleover Reds Do The Double Over Academy Team Mates

by Peter Scherer

For the second time in two weeks Mickleover FC two’s Academy teams played each other. Unlike last week, the younger Black squad had the measure of the Reds for much of the game, and only lost out to two second half goals, rather than the 9-0 defeat in their first meeting.

From the kick off it was fairly end to end play for the first 10 minutes, before Fin Bowen had to charge from his goal to intercept a Brodie Carter run.

The Reds continued to build on their attacks, but the Black defence of  Rossy  Mahynduz, Chipigo Mahanga, Ethan Mann and Lennon Higgins held firm, as well as looking for promising breakaways too.

It continued to be fairly even, with most of the play in midfield, before Bowen had to race off his line to cut off another Carter attack.

Reece Perry then found space as the Blacks pushed forward, he had a shot just over Tom Smith’s bar after 28 minutes. It was then Bowen’s turn to be under attack, as Kyran Ward shot just wide of the right hand post.

The strength of the Black defence continued to be tested and in some cases Bowen was left with little cover as they tried to push forward.  He ran out to clear again after 34 minutes, before Ward put a good ball into the box, which was initially cleared, before Josh Satchwell fired it back in again only to be blocked.

Ted Stevenson then went on a run to earn a corner, as the half team whistle approached,

The Blacks earned  a free kick, which was wasted when Mann lofted it straight into Smith’s waiting hands, then it was Reds turn after Hamanga fouled Sam Pipes on the edge of the box.

Ward and Pipes both had good attempts as the Reds tried to break the deadlock before half time and with a minute left Pipes placed the ball almost at Carter’s feet in front of goal, but the striker just missed connecting. Centre back Will Robinson then tried his luck, with a shot well wide of the mark.

So they went in 0-0 compared with the 6-0 only a week before. 

The Reds made a number of changes for the second half, bringing on Bobby Battisson, Jacob Edge-Lucas, Fin Barker and George Atwal, as well as moving Satchwell from left wing back to striker.

Edge-Lucas had taken the right wing back position with Ben Lewin on the left, both looking to push forward, leaving Cameron Anthony and Robinson to look after the defence.

In the first minute of the restart Battisson had a shot tipped over and five minutes later Atwal went close too.

It was a much stronger looking Reds team with Louis Pennington beginning to look more effective in midfield than in the first half.

Pipes continued to work hard and put a lovely ball in close for Satchwell after 12 minutes, who quickly pivoted on one foot to crack a shot just wide. Two minutes later it was Satchwell returning the favour for Barker, with Bowen saving his attempt at point blank range.

Atwal then had a half chance and just after the hour Barker was almost through again, but somehow the first years continued to hold out.

Edge-Lucas had an effort lofted into Bowen’s hands after 21 minutes, then Hamanga showed commendable skills as he stopped Barker in his tracks.

It was 69 minutes when the breakthrough finally came. Battisson’s cross found Satchwell on the edge of the box, who then layed it into Atwal’s path and it was 1-0.

The Blacks came charging back however, and Devon Smith ran at the Red defence before being blocked and a minute later he was on another run with Robinson intercepting.

Battisson went close as the Reds looked to make it safe and 73 minutes in Lewin’s cross from the left was collected by Barker, whose first time shot was just wide.

Stevenson had come back on had a good try which Bowen put out for a corner, before Satchwell almost took advantage of an 80th minute defensive mix up, before Bowen came to the rescue.

Satchwell was relishing his move back into the strike force, heading just over from a Barker cross, before Barker then found Edge-Lucas, who found too many legs to get a clear shot. 

With two minutes left Satchwell got his goal for 2-0, Battisson’s first attempt was blocked, but it was Satchwell that managed to pick it up in a busy goal mouth and seal the victory.

Both Battisson and Barker went close again before the final whistle, but despite finally going down to the two second half goals, the first year Black squad performed with great credit and determination.

Another Week, Another Win, In The Supporter’s Lottery

David Bedlow, last week’s Lottery Winner poses with his winning prize – a Cadac Safari Chef BBQ, he will be getting some use out of that this summer!

For just £2 per week you can help Mickleover FC by signing up for this great cause with great prizes!

You can now sign up online

Download and fill in the online PDF form using the button below. Once completed just email it to lesloring@gmail.com

Mickleover Beat Ingles 3-1 To Keep 100 Per Cent Spring Cup Record

by Peter Scherer

First team regulars Phil Watt and Dec Bacon once again joined a mainly Academy based line-up at Borrowash last Friday, when Mickleover FC faced FC Ingles in the Don Amott Spring Cup.

It was five minutes into the game when Mickleover went ahead. Bobby Battisson picked the ball up and played it to Jacob Edge-Lucas, playing at wing back, his cross was met by Bacon 1-0,

Three minutes later it was George Atwal scoring his first senior goal. Having seen the Ingles keeper off his line, he placed a 40 yard chip over his head into the empty and welcoming net.  2-0.

It wasn’t all Mickleover though and  Sports Keeper Fin Bowen had to pull off a great save to deny an Ingles striker in the 13th minute, before the visitors had another chance but wasted a free kick.

Battisson then earned a free kick for Sports after 22 minutes, but Bacon’s effort was just wide of the post.

Watt and Will Robinson had stayed solid at the back, which freed up Edge-Lucas and Satchwell on the wings. But Ingles managed to pull one back to go into half time 2-1.

Into the second half Louis Pennington added a third for Mickleover over 55 mins and was later subbed to give Ethan Mann a run out.

The next game is May 5th at Gresley Rovers.

English Football Announces Social Media Boycott

The FA, Premier League, EFL, FA Women’s Super League, FA Women’s Championship, PFA, LMA, PGMOL, Kick It Out and the FSA will unite for a social media boycott from 15.00 on Friday 30 April to 23.59 on Monday 3 May, in response to the ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse received online by players and many others connected to football. 

This has been scheduled to take place across a full fixture programme in the men’s and women’s professional game and will see clubs across the Premier League, EFL, WSL and Women’s Championship switch off their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

As a collective, the game recognises the considerable reach and value of social media to our sport. The connectivity and access to supporters who are at the heart of football remains vital.

However, the boycott shows English football coming together to emphasise that social media companies must do more to eradicate online hate, while highlighting the importance of educating people in the ongoing fight against discrimination.

In our letter of February 2021, English football outlined its requests of social media companies, urging filtering, blocking and swift takedowns of offensive posts, an improved verification process and re-registration prevention, plus active assistance for law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute originators of illegal content. While some progress has been made, we reiterate those requests today in an effort to stem the relentless flow of discriminatory messages and ensure that there are real-life consequences for purveyors of online abuse across all platforms.

Boycott action from football in isolation will, of course, not eradicate the scourge of online discriminatory abuse, but it will demonstrate that the game is willing to take voluntary and proactive steps in this continued fight. 

Finally, while football takes a stand, we urge the UK Government to ensure its Online Safety Bill will bring in strong legislation to make social media companies more accountable for what happens on their platforms, as discussed at the DCMS Online Abuse roundtable earlier this week. 

Edleen John, The FA’s Director of International Relations, Corporate Affairs and Co-Partner for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said: 

It’s simply unacceptable that people across English football and society more broadly continue to be subjected to discriminatory abuse online on a daily basis, with no real-world consequences for perpetrators. This needs to change quickly, and we continue to urge social media companies to act now to address this. We will not stop talking about this issue and will continue to work with government in ensuring that the Online Safety Bill gives sufficient regulatory and supervisory powers to Ofcom. Social media companies need to be held accountable if they continue to fall short of their moral and social responsibilities to address this endemic problem.

We have recently seen how powerful it can be when everybody is united for the good of the English game. We are calling on organisations and individuals across the game to join us in a temporary boycott of these social media platforms, to show solidarity and unite in the message that English football will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said:

Racist behaviour of any form is unacceptable and the appalling abuse we are seeing players receive on social media platforms cannot be allowed to continue.

The Premier League and our clubs stand alongside football in staging this boycott to highlight the urgent need for social media companies to do more in eliminating racial hatred. We will not stop challenging social media companies and want to see significant improvements in their policies and processes to tackle online discriminatory abuse on their platforms.

Football is a diverse sport, which brings together communities and cultures from all backgrounds and this diversity makes the competition stronger. No Room For Racism represents all the work we do to promote equality, diversity and inclusion and tackling discrimination.

Trevor Birch, Chief Executive of the EFL said:

EFL clubs have expressed a clear desire to take a united stand against abhorrent racist, discriminatory, and threatening abuse on social media platforms which we fully support alongside the rest of the football family.

While we recognise the value and role social media plays in our game, online abuse will not be tolerated and we will continue to strongly pursue all avenues open to us to affect change.

The boycott is only part of the work being undertaken in this area but further highlights the need for social media companies to take additional responsibility for the inappropriate and unwelcome behaviour that appears on their platforms.

Simone Pound, Director of EDI at the PFA said:

Social media channels represent an extension of the working environment for professional footballers, and as the players’ union, we are committed to finding solutions that better protect our membership and the wider community from online abuse.

As part of our work to address this issue, which started with the 24-hour #Enough boycott of social media channels, the PFA has been pushing for collaboration between the platforms, the game, the Government, police and CPS to find solutions and protect players from the abuse they face daily.

In 2021, with a collective voice, we can hold social media companies to account and send a powerful message to a global audience – abusive behaviour is unacceptable.

Sanjay Bhandari, Kick It Out Chair, said:

Social media is now sadly a regular vessel for toxic abuse. This boycott signifies our collective anger at the damage this causes to the people who play, watch and work in the game. By removing ourselves from the platforms, we are making a symbolic gesture to those with power. We need you to act. We need you to create change.

We need social media companies to make their platforms a hostile environment for trolls rather than for the football family. We need the Government to hold its nerve and keep its promises to regulate. The Online Safety Bill could be a game changer and we aim to help make that happen. There should be no space for hate and everyone can play their part. If you watch, work in or love the game, join in.

Richard Bevan, Chief Executive at the LMA said:

The LMA fully supports the social media boycott across the professional game. A unified silence will send a loud and powerful message to those that perpetrate online abuse that their actions will no longer be tolerated, and to the social media companies that they have a responsibility to do everything in their power to eradicate online hate.

We also urge Government to understand the significance of this collective action and to ensure that its Online Safety Bill delivers appropriately strong legislation.

Kevin Miles, Chief Executive of the Football Supporters’ Association said: “The Football Supporters’ Association is fully behind the game’s efforts to stamp out online hate and discrimination and will join next weekend’s social media boycott. Much media attention has rightly focused on the vile abuse aimed at players, managers and journalists in the men’s and women’s game and we see that aimed at fans groups too. It has to stop.

Many of our most active fan groups tell us that they have received disgusting abuse when they are doing nothing more than trying to represent their supporter base. It’s a threat to the very existence of supporter organisations who are run by volunteers in their spare time. As fans we stand with players, managers, referees and all in the game in calling for the social media companies to step up.