Mickleover Sports 0-2 Hyde United
Saturday 16th February 2019
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

With a disappointing result away at Marine, Sports come into this game aiming for success. Sports manager John McGrath put out a strong 4-4-2 formation with Lewis King in goal. The back four consisted of Jake Scott, Mason Warren, Pablo Mills and Durrell Berry. The midfield consisted of Ricky Ravenhill, Jimmy Phillips, Jack Walsh and Kyle Carey. The two front strikers consisted of Shaquille McDonald and Evan Garnett. The bench consisted of Will Norcross, Joel Bonner, Karel Tvaroh, Adam Prusa and a first senior debut for Mickleover Academy player Jack Thatcher.
First half commenced on the 4th minute, chance came for Hyde. Dean Smalley ran down to the left side of the box but Lewis King gets up and close to him before he could make an impact and Sports go up the other end and a chance came for Sports with Shaquille McDonald aiming for goal but went out of the right side of the post. On the 10th minute, a couple of strikes from the visitors in the last couple of attacks but both shots went over the bar. On the 13th minute, chance came for Sports with Shaquille McDonald who ran through on goal and dinked it over the ball but was flagged offside. On the 16th minute, another great chance came for Sports with Sports awarded a free kick. Mason Warren took the free kick and was curled over the wall but is parred away by Hyde’s goalkeeper Peter Crook.

On the 25th minute, chance came for Hyde. Hyde were awarded a free kick and after four efforts, Hyde were awarded a corner after Sports put their bodies on the line to block the shot out. Corner was taken and out into the Sports area. On the 33rd minute, Jake Scott was down for quite a period of time due to his shoulder but was ok to continue with the match. Sports had a throw in and a chance came for Sports but Jimmy’s chance goes to Kyle Carey and his shot was saved by Hyde’s keeper Peter Crook. On the 44th minute, a huge chance came for Hyde from a corner kick and ref awarded Hyde a free kick. Jordan Fagbola took the free kick and was saved by Lewis King. During added time in the first half, goal came for Hyde. Ball came into the box from a corner and Dean Smalley headed it into the bottom left corner to give Hyde the lead.

Half Time: Mickleover Sports 0-1 Hyde United

Second half commenced and on the 49th minute, Sports made a substitution after Jake Scott went down again with his shoulder. Karel Tvaroh replaced Jake Scott. On the 54th minute, Sports had a scare with Shaquille McDonald who got completely wiped out by Jordan Fagbola but Shaquille was ok to continue. Two minutes later, Sports made another substitution with Will Norcross replacing Jack Walsh who was on a yellow card from an incident in the first half. On the 59th minute, chance came for Sports with Pablo’s head shot tipped over the bar by Hyde’s keeper Peter Crook and out for a corner. Corner was taken and cleared away. On the 60th minute, a huge chance came for Sports after an audacious over head kick by Shaquille McDonald from inside the box went over the bar and out for a goal kick.

On the 70th minute and another goal for Hyde. From a corner awarded to hyde, Sports tried to get the ball away and on the third attempt, Ross Daly smashed it into the right corner and gave Hyde the all advantage lead. On the 76th minute, Sports made their third and final substitution with Adam Prusa replacing Kyle Carey. Two minutes later and a huge chance came for Hyde. A 2v1 situation for the visitors occurred but Lewis King tipped it over the bar for a corner. Corner was taken and a free header from the corner was saved again on the line by Lewis King. On the 80th minute, huge chance came for Sports with Shaquille’s effort from outside the box going out wide of the left side of the post. On the 84th minute, another big chance came for Sports after a free kick was awarded. Mason Warren took the free kick and his shot went straight into the hands of Hyde’s keeper Peter Crook. A minute later and once again, another huge chance came for Sports. The ball was into the Hyde area and Adam Prusa smashed it low and hard as it is saved by Hyde keeper Peter Crook. Shaquille McDonald had a follow up but his shot goes out wide of the left side of the post.

Full Time: Mickleover Sports 0-2 Hyde United

Marine 3-0 Mickleover Sports
Saturday 9th February 2019
Written by Sam Goldsworthy

After arriving only 45 minutes before kickoff, you could have excused Sports for making a sluggish start in his crucial relegation battle. However it turned out the complete opposite as a fantastic first half for the Sports had everything but a goal in as Tomas Junek, Jake Scott and Shaquille McDonald all had chances to put Sports ahead at half time. However a dismal second half showing with three unlucky goals from wide positions inflicted another defeat on lowly Sports who remain inside the relegation zone for another week.

Sports named a 4-4-2 formation consisting of Lewis King returning to the starting XI after the return of Callum Hawkins to Burton Albion. The consisted of Jiri Boula, Durrel Berry, Ben Turner and a new signing Joel Bonner made his debut at centre back after joining from Midland League side Loughborough University. The midfield four was made up of John McGrath, Jake Scott, Mason Warren and Jimmy Phillips with Tomas Junek and Shaquille McDonald making up the strike force up front. Sports bench consisted of Jack Walsh, Adam Prusa, Karel Tvorah, Evan Garnett and Kyle Carey.

Sports started off as the better side in the opening stages of the first half with the Marine back four and keeper looking shaky from set pieces that were thrown at them. You have to feel a side at the top of the table would have taken the half a dozen chances that came Sport way but when you’re at the bottom it seems that nothing goes your way. Tomas Junek, Shaquille McDonald and Jake Scott all had excellent opportunities in the first 28 minutes however all either went sailing over the bar or were held onto by the keeper. Marine’s first real chances of the game didn’t occur until the 30th minute of the game when striker Niall Cummins had time to spin on the spout outside the box and fire a low strike wide of King’s left hand post. Tomas Junek was still providing a threat for Sports and a good ball played over to Mason Warren nearly found the former Rotherham United man but the Marine stopper managed to get to the ball first. The Mariners then went straight up the other end and played a ball over into the box in a dangerous area which was well cleared from what was a good counter attack by the hosts. The final chance of any note was a dangerous Jake Scott cross into the box which again caused panic in the Marine ranks but the keeper managed to hold on before any trouble could unfold.

It seemed a completely different Sports team came out of the dressing room in the second half rather than just the one substitution of Evan Garnett for the injured Tomas Junek. Marine were in the ascendency and had an early chance through Steven Irwin but his effort was dragged wide of the right hand post. But it wasn’t long before the Mariners first goal of the afternoon came on the 55th minute. A cross into the box was allowed with no resistance and the ball was headed back across the goal for substitute Craig Carney to poke home on the line to break the deadlock. This was followed by another Sports sub due to injury as boss John McGrath made way for Karel Tvorah. The only real clear cut chance by Sports in the whole of the second period came on the 67th minute was sub Evan Garnett did really well to sprint down the left hand side and managed to cut inside into the box but his strike took a deflection off another Sports body inside the area and went for a goal kick.

That’s as close as Sports got as Marine heeded the warning and took advantage with a second goal on the 74th minute. A free kick from eventual man of the match Steven Irwin crashed off the Sports cross bar and was the Sports defence could only look on as Niall Cummins tapped in from 6 yards out to make it 2-0 to the hosts from Merseyside. Ten minutes later the game was wrapped up through a Ben Turner own goal to make it 3-0. Liam Hymes managed to dribble unopposed as far down the field as the by-line on the left flank and his fizzing cross was scuffed into the bottom corner on the far side by the Sports left back Turner to seal a miserable second half from Sports.

The final Sports change came on the 86th minute was Jimmy Phillips came off for forward Kyle Carey. But the former Coventry United man didn’t really have enough time to make a real impact as the final chance of the game falling to Steven Irwin who did everything in the game but score as his most recent effort smashed off King’s left hand post and away from danger. After an uneventful three minutes of added time the game came to an end to signal a very disappointing away day for Mickleover Sports. After a great start the moral of the story is take your chances when you’re on top in games or it will come back to bite you.

Sam & Kerry’s Sports Man of the Match: Jake Scott

With a bit of luck and Mother Nature being kind Sports may actually have a game this weekend as they travel up to Liverpool to take on fellow relegation rivals Marine. Sports sit inside the relegation zone in 20th, five places blow the Mariners however are only three points behind them. So a second away win of the season would be more than welcome to try and lift Sports out of the dreaded bottom three as quickly as possible. Sports relegation rivals have been picking up good results while they have not been playing to it is crucial that Sports pick up where they left off at the start of the year and try and get a positive result with some huge matches against title contenders to come in the next few games. It will be interesting to see if Sports will have an advantage of being fresher than their opponents or being a bit rusty as a disadvantage.

LAST TIME OUT
Marine’s last game was two weeks ago on Saturday 26th January with a 2-1 win over Hyde United away from home. Daniel Mitchley and Samuel Barnes netted either side of Chibuzor Chilaka to secure a vital three points for the side from Liverpool. Sports have been without a game for three weeks now with their last match being the 1-0 loss to Gainsborough Trinity all the way back on the 19th January.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Nathan Jarman is still serving his suspension picked up at Lancaster City. Everyone else is presumed fit and available for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at The Marine Travel Arena, College Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 3AS. Admission prices are set at £10 Adults, £5 Concessions/OAP’s/Students and Under 11’s are FREE with a full paying Adult . Match day programmes are available as well as hot and cold food and drink will as always be available inside the ground with alcoholic beverages available inside the clubhouse. If you would prefer not to drive we do have spaces on the team coach leaving the Don Amott Arena at 11am costing £10 a seat. Ring Tony Shaw on 07966 197 246 to book.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy will be at the game keeping you up to date via the usual platforms of Twitter & Facebook, with match reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (Youtube) after the game!

Don’t forget that we will also be doing live match commentary on Mixlr during the game. Either download the app or go onto the website and search for Mickleover Sports. Once the broadcast has gone live at around 2:50pm click listen and you should be able to enjoy full match commentary. You can access our page by clicking on this link… http://mixlr.com/mickleover-sports/

If there was ever a relegation six pointer then this is it! Workington sit 9 points behind Sports sitting 2nd bottom. However with four games in hand on Sports, a victory for either side could go a long way to deciding who stays up and who goes down. It’s a 416 mile round trip for Sports up to the West Cumbrian coast so John McGrath, his staff and the players will be determined to make sure the journey back is a happy one for Sports. They will be looking to add to their only single away win of the season at Witton Albion way back in October. Workington however after going through a few managers this season will hope to get some stability and put a run of form together to see if they can make the great escape.

LAST TIME OUT
Workington recorded a victory in their last game defeating Bamber Bridge 2-1 at home last Saturday. Samuel Joel and Sam Smith (no not that Sam Smith!) scored either side of Bridges’ Scott Harries to win the game for the Reds. Sports last game was also last weekend narrowly losing 1-0 to Gainsborough Trinity at The Don Amott Arena.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Nathan Jarman should be available for Sports now after his suspension he picked up in the last away game at Lancaster City. Everybody else is presumed fit and available for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at Borough Park, Black Path, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2DT. Admission prices are set at £11 Adults, £7 Concessions/OAP’s/Students, £3 for 12-17 year olds and Under 12’s are £1 with a full paying Adult . Match day programmes as well as hot and cold food and drink will as always be available inside the ground with alcoholic beverages available inside the clubhouse. If you would prefer not to drive we do have spaces on the team coach leaving the Don Amott Arena at 9am costing £10 a seat. Ring Tony Shaw on 07966 197 246 to book.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy will be at the game keeping you up to date via the usual platforms of Twitter & Facebook, with match reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (Youtube) after the game!

Don’t forget that we will also be doing live match commentary on Mixlr during the game. Either download the app or go onto the website and search for Mickleover Sports. Once the broadcast has gone live at around 2:50pm click listen and you should be able to enjoy full match commentary. You can access our page by clicking on this link… http://mixlr.com/mickleover-sports/

Mickleover Sports 0-1 Gainsborough Trinity
Saturday 19th January 2019
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

After last week’s heartbreaking goal for Lancaster to share the points, Mickleover come into this game continuing their unbeaten run. Sports manager John McGrath put out a strong 4-4-2 formation with Callum Hawkins in goal. The back four consisted of Jake Scott, Durrell Berry, Pablo Mills and Ben Turner. The midfield consisted of John McGrath, Mason Warren, Jimmy Phillips, Adam Prusa. The two front strikers consisted of Evan Garnett and Shaquille McDonald. The bench consisted of Kyle Carey, Jack Walsh, Jiri Boula, Will Norcross and Sports new signing Tomas Junek.

First half commenced and on the 4th minute, chance came for Gainsborough as Damion Reeves had a shot but was saved into the hands of Sports goalkeeper Callum Hawkins. On the 8th minute, chance came for Sports. A great attack for Sports as Evan Garnett fed to Shaquille McDonald who then dinked it to Jimmy Phillips who took the shot but was a bit off balance and went over the bar. On the 17th minute, chance came for Sports. Mason Warren delivered a great free kick onto the head of Pablo Mills but was saved by Gainsborough keeper John Stewart then fell out of his hands and deflected for a corner. On the 18th minute, corner was taken and was hit in by Jake Scott like a rocket towards the goal but was saved by Gainsborough keeper John Stewart. On the 22nd minute, chance came for Sports. Good play by Sports resulted in Mason Warren who cut inside on his right and struck the ball, but his shot was saved by John Stewart.

A minute later and a chance came for Gainsborough with Ashley Forsfold’s shot over the bar and out for a Sports goal kick. On the 33rd minute, chance came for Gainsborough and it was close for Shane Clarke who flicked it towards goal and went out wide of the right side of the post. On the 36th minute, chance came for Sports with Jimmy Phillips taking a shot, but his effort was dragged out wide of the left-hand post. On the 40th minute and a huge chance came for Sports as Shaquille McDonald broke down the left and squared it to Evan Garnett, but his shot goes under him and out for a goal kick.

Half Time: Mickleover Sports 0-0 Gainsborough Trinity

Second half commenced and Gainsborough got back into the game with the most chances in the first ten minutes. On the 52nd minute, Sports made their first substitution with Sports new signing Tomas Junek replacing Evan Garnett. On the 55th minute, chance came for Gainsborough. Gainsborough go close but the shot went into the hands of Callum Hawkins. On the 57th minute, goal for Gainsborough Trinity. The ball was not cleared inside the Sports box and Max Watters struck the ball into the bottom left corner. On the 63rd minute, chance came for Sports after new Sports signing Tomas Junek forwarded the ball to Shaquille McDonald but is deflected for a corner. Mason Warren took the corner but saved into the hands of John Stewart. On the 69th minute, Sports made their second substitution with Will Norcross replacing Adam Prusa.

On the 72nd minute, chance came for Sports as a free kick from Mason Warren was delivered and met the head of Durrell Berry who sent it to Shaquille McDonald, but his shot was saved in the hands of John Stewart. On the 77th minute, chance came for Sports. Will Norcross found Shaquille McDonald and had a shot but fell into the hands of Gainsborough keeper John Stewart. On the 78th minute, Sports made their final substitution with Jake Scott replaced by Jiri Boula. On the 82nd minute, chance came for Gainsborough with Nathan Stanfield who put a header out wide of the left-hand post from a corner.

Full Time: Mickleover Sports 0-1 Gainsborough Trinity