Mickleover Sports are delighted to announce the loan signing of Max Watters who joins us from League One outfit Doncaster Rovers.

Max is an exciting player who has been tracked by manager John McGrath for a while now and we’re confident he will be a great addition to the team.

Max will be available for tomorrow’s game at Gainsbrough should the manager call upon his services.

Finally we would like to thank Doncaster Rovers and Darren Moore for their assistance in making this move happen.

Tonight’s game against Nantwich has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Mickleover Sports have signed Stuart Beavon, ex Coventry City and Burton Albion Striker, on a season long loan from Nuneaton Borough. Manager John McGrath will be hoping Beavon’s talent and experience will help bolster the Sports attack.

by Laurie Newman

Mickleover Sports were defeated one-nil by Ashton United at home despite having a one man advantage for the majority of the game.

Mickleover Sports will be kicking themselves after today’s match as they had countless opportunities to draw level with the visitors who picked up their first league win of the season at the Don Amott Arena.

Ashton United took an early lead thanks to Aaron Smith after he dribbled the ball from inside his own half until he was just inside Mickleover’s box. He then stroked the ball past Nathan Broome and into the bottom right hand corner.

Sports nearly went two goals behind within a few minutes of the opener after Callum Dolan’s shot from inside the box nearly found the bottom left hand corner.

Ashton United were on the front foot as they had a number of opportunities to double their lead but the game was flipped on its head when Joshua Wilson brought down Nathan Modest after he was played in on goal with just the keeper to beat. 

The extra man advantage allowed Mickleover to dominate the ball for the remainder of the half but they failed to create any real chances for the remainder of the half apart from a header by Richard Batchelor at the back post which was saved by David Carnell.

Sports came out all guns blazing in the second half. They could have equalised within a minute of the referee’s whistle when Declan Bacon found himself inside the box with the ball at his feet, but he failed to get his shot away quickly and was subsequently tackled.

Mickleover were on the front foot and they continued to press Ashton and put them under pressure. Richard Batchelor nearly scored for Sports as he found himself at eh far post again but this time he couldn’t direct the ball towards the goal.

Sports had a few chances in quick succession. The first came from Lee Hughes when he nearly guided the ball into the top left corner from a tight angle after a quick throw in. The second came from Jack Storer whose shot was headed away after making his way past three players inside the box.

Declan Bacon who wasted a great chance in the first half would go on to squander two more chances before the end of the match.

Bacon’s first opportunity came when he shot straight at the keeper after being played in behind the back four by Batchelor and his second came when his volley from inside the box was easily saved in the centre of the goal.

Sports didn’t conjure up any more clear cut chances for the remainder of the match which left them kicking themselves after wasting numerous opportunities to equalise. If Sports did equalise they would have most likely went on to win the game.

Sports missed a great opportunity to move up the table as well as losing their 100% win ratio at home. There is now a long break before the next game which will be a great time to regroup and prepare for the next game.

by Laurie Newman   (photo: granthamtownfc.com)

Mickleover Sports were held to a draw at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium as Grantham Town’s early goal was enough to earn a point for the home side.

The goal scorer for Grantham was none other than former Sports striker Chib Chilaka who takes his goal tally to two goals in as many games for the Gingerbreads.

Sports started off the better team as just two minutes into the game Lee Hughes thought he scored his first goal for Sports. Hughes beat his man to direct the ball into the top corner after a corner from Mason Warren, but unfortunately for him the linesman ruled it out for offside.  

Sports continued to dominate possession and it wasn’t long until they produced another fine chance. Lee Hughes again headed the ball towards the top corner but it was dramatically cleared away for a corner. 

Grantham Town started to get themselves into the game a little bit more. Chib Chilaka was one player who definitely stood out for the home side and it clearly looked like he was out to prove a point.  He first tested Mickleover with a shot from distance that caught everyone by surprise as it nearly found the top corner.

It was only a few minutes later though, when Chilaka would break the deadlock. He curled the ball into the top corner from a tight angle after forcing his way past Durrell Berry. 

Mickleover didn’t sit back despite going a goal behind. Lee Hughes was again at the forefront of Mickleover’s attacks when his powerful shot from inside the box was parried away for a corner.

Grantham were very clearly trying to hold onto their lead by any means necessary which made it increasingly hard for Mickleover to penetrate into their final third.

It wasn’t until the end of the half until Mickleover started to worry Grantham Town. Lee Hughes was clearly brought down in the box as he turned the defender marking him meaning that Sports would have a chance to level the score before the break.

The referee blew his whistle, but somehow not in favour of Mickleover who were shocked along with everyone else in the stadium about the decision that was made.

The first half ended in controversy and Sports were undeservedly trailing, but thankfully they had the second half to try and level things up.

Just like the first half, Mickleover hit the ground running. Even though the chance amounted to nothing Lee Hughes’ back heel from a cross nearly crept into the far corner of Grantham’s goal.

Although Grantham didn’t have many chances during the game they did force a fantastic save out of Louis Jones who was forced to save a header that was flicked right into the top corner.

Declan Bacon who had a quiet first half came close on a couple of occasions with one shot going just a few yards wide of the post and another going just a few yards over the bar.

Sports would eventually get their goal. Top goal scorer Mason Warren who had dictated the play like he does every game for Mickleover scored in the 81^st minute to level things up.

His powerful shot from outside the box caught everyone off guard including Grantham’s keeper as it flew like a rocket into the back of the net.

Sports pushed for a winner and they nearly got one when Captain Jake Scott had a header tipped over the bar with only a few minutes of normal time left.

Although they deserved more from the game, a point keeps Mickleover close to the playoffs in 8^th place. They will entertain Ashton United in their next game at the Don Amott Arena where they will hope to keep their 100% win ratio going.