Author: Square Peg

Back to the League! Scarborough Athletic (H): Match Preview

Sports will be looking to take their recent cup form into league action on Tuesday night as they take on league new comers Scarborough Athletic. With Sports scoring 10 goals in the last two cup matches, John McGrath will want to see his side take this form into what will be a very tough league match with the opponents sitting in the play off places going into the game. With Sports sitting 17th with only 2 league wins to date so far, its important to start picking up more victories and points to pull away from the danger zone and further up the table.

LAST TIME OUT
Our visitors tonight were in League action on Saturday as they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the 1st Qualifying Round by Marine. The Seadogs travelled North Ferriby United and moved up to third in the table with a 3-1 victory. Goals from Michael Coulson and James Walshaw turned the game around after Jordan Harrison put Ferriby ahead. This means Scarborough have lost only once in the league all season. Sports however were scoring for fun in Leicester as they booked their place in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a 7-1 demolition of Step 6 side Anstey Nomads. Isai Marselia, Nathan Jarman, Oliver Roberts and Jimmy Phillips all netting in the game, with Marselia bagging an FA Cup hatrick.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
With Pablo Mills returning to the fold last Saturday at Anstey, the defender is expected to be involved again tonight after recovering from a shoulder injury. Weather he starts or is on the bench again remains to be seen but still very positive news to have Mills back regardless. Niall Doran is definitely out with the availability of the other injured player Kevin Grocott unknown. Everybody else is presumed fit and available for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is a 7:45pm Kick Off at the Don Amott Arena on Station Road, Mickleover, DE3 9FB with Admission Prices set at £10 Adults, £7 Concessions £2 10-16’s with Under 10’s FREE with a playing adult. Derby County Season Ticket Holders are being encouraged to come along to support their local non league side with reduced admission of £7 on production of their club’s season ticket at the turnstile. The bar and snack van will be open as usual serving hot and cold drinks and food before during and after the match. Your new look Sports Report Match day Programme will also be on sale at the turnstile for only £2! This features the thoughts of Chairman Don Amott and Manager John McGrath plus all your usual content.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
WE’RE BACK! Then no need to worry. After two back to back weekends of weddings, Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy are back and will be at the game keeping you up to date via the usual platforms of Twitter & Facebook. We also have the return of match reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (Youtube) after the game!

Sports Up for the Cup: Anstey Nomads (A) Match Preview

After the Youth Team successfully progressed in the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 win away at Buxton on Wednesday night, the First Team will be looking to do the same in the senior competition as they look to avoid a potential cup upset at Step 6 side Anstey Nomads. The Nomads currently play in the United Counties League (UCL) Division One after moving sideways from the East Midlands Counties League last season and currently sit top of the league on 13pts with 4 wins and a draw, level with Melton Town. The side from Leicester have only lost one game all season that coming in the FA Vase at home to Eastwood Community. This will prove to be a extremely difficult test for John McGrath and his Sports side who will need to be at their very best against a side on fantastic form and a side who will be chomping at the bit to cause an upset against a team three leagues higher than they are.

LAST TIME OUT
The Nomads last game came last Saturday in the UCL Division One as they ran out 3-0 winners at home to Holwell Sports, another side who had moved over from the East Midlands Counties League due to the non league reshuffle. James Hicks with two and a single goal from Ashley Day saw Anstey go top of the league. Sports won by the same scoreline on Tuesday night as they defeated Stamford AFC at the Zeeco Stadium to progress into the 2nd Round of the Integro League Cup. Nathan Jarman and two from Isai Marselia with the goals for Sports on the night.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Sports are still without long term absentees Kevin Grocott, Pablo Mills and Niall Doran. Harley Kozluk impressed on his full first team debut for Sports at Stamford on Tuesday night at right back so may get another chance to impress in this game. Both Marselia and Garnett will be battling to be selected alongside Nathan Jarman but it all comes down to if John goes with a strong first team or feels a few fringe players could do with some more minutes.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place on Saturday 22nd September, 3pm Kick Off, at Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicester, LE7 7BP. Admission is £5 for Adults and £3 for Concessions. A Match Day Programme will be available as well as hot and cold drinks served in the clubhouse as well as alcoholic beverages. Parking inside the club grounds is for Players and Officials only so parking is available on a small car park outside the ground, otherwise it’s street parking. We ask you respect local residents when parking on streets and look out for any restrictions they may be in place.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
There will not be the usual coverage as Sam & Kerry are at another wedding. There will be no interviews after the game or Match Report but Jake Garratt will provide team news and updates throughout the game on our Twitter page @MickleoverSFC.

Stamford AFC 0-3 Mickleover Sports – Match Report

Stamford AFC 0-3 Mickleover Sports

Tuesday 18th September 2018

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Sports progressed into the 2nd Round of this seasons Integro League Cup after a 3-0 win away at Division One East side Stamford AFC. In what was a very windy and blustery Tuesday night as Sports made the long trip down to South Lincolnshire but the small travelling continent from the away side were rewarded with goals from Nathan Jarman and Isai Marselia but were certainly made to work hard for their win as the home side certainly had chances to score but non the less it was Sports who progressed.

Sports made a few changes to the side that lost 1-0 away at Farsley Celtic the weekend before. Lewis King remained in goal but Academy and Reserve team player Harley Kozluk was given his full debut at right back. He was joined alongside Tyreece Robinson, Ben Turner and Mason Warren. In midfield were John McGrath and Jake Scott in the center with Curtis Burrows and Jimmy Phillips on the wings. Up front was the pair of Nathan Jarman and Isai Marselia.

Stamford had the first chance as a ball was fizzed across the face of goal where Sam Grouse was waiting but he could only find the side netting on the outside of the left hand post. Nathan Jarman who two efforts in two minutes next as he took the ball down well both times but one was over the bar and one was side of the left hand post with both being outside the area. After a lull ten minute period as both sides were gathering momentum Sports began to grow into the game as Marselia and Burrows has quick fire efforts before Jarman put Sports ahead with 24 minutes gone. Sports broke out from the back and after a good spell of play the ball was fed over the Nathan Jarman on the right hand side of the box. The former Gainsborough Trinity man drove into the box before striking a low and hard effort under the keeper and into the bottom left corner.

Moments after the restart Stamford hit the bar as they looked to draw level straight away. Then a Burrows cross was nearly stabbed in by the Stamford defense for an own goal but was caught by the keeper just in time. Harley Kozluk received a yellow card for a late tackle before a foul on Phillips went unnoticed by the referee which allowed Stamford to break with King having to pull off a fine save to his right hand side to keep the score at 1-0. McGrath hit the bar with a free kick and Stan Mughisa fired a rocket of a shot just past King’s left hand post.

In what was a frantic end to the first half where Stamford bombarded the Sports goal with efforts, they were made to pay for not taking them. First Marselia could have scored a few minutes before we did. His first effort went tricking over towards the line but the purposely longer grass in the 6 yard boxes made a difference as the ball lost pace and allowed Stamford to just clear away before Jarman could get there. However with the last kick of the half Marselia got his goal and Sports second of the night. A cross over from the left took a massive deflection as the ball fell into the path of the Dutchman who showed great composure to slide the ball into the bottom left corner.

The second half started with Phillips striking an effort over the bar after good play between Jarman and Marselia. Eliot Putman smashed a shot over the bar before King had to be on full alert to save a 1v1 effort with striker Liam Adams with the rebound from Sam Grouse being put wide. Sports made their first change as Jarman was replaced by Evan Garnett. Mason Warren was booked for halting a Stamford counter attack just before Garnett had his first chance forcing the defenders to block his effort for a corner. A 50/50 challenge between Kozluk and Stamford’s Armstrong left both on the floor requiring treatment but thankfully both were ok to carry on moments later.

Sports final change saw Jimmy Phillips come off for young Will Norcross. Jake Scott sent an effort over the bar but only a few minutes later Sports killed a hard game with the third of the night. A succession of corners ended with McGrath finding Marselia inside the box who took the ball down and smashed the ball into the right hand side of the net to score his second and Sports third.

That goal killed the rest of the game and the referee below straight on the 90th minute to end a very tough test for Sports who may not have played as well as the score line suggests but the target of progression into the next round was achieved and that’s all that matters in these competitions. Next its back to the FA Cup as Sports travel to Leicestershire to try and avoid a cup upset against United Counties League and Step 6 side Anstey Nomads on Saturday 22nd September, 3pm Kick Off.

Sports on the Road – Stamford AFC (A) Match Preview

The Integro League Cup is back and Sports will be looking to go further in the competition this season after reaching the quarter final stage last season. However this first round tie with a side in the division below in the form of Stamford will be far from straight forward. The Daniels made a flying start to the season and were top of the Division One East for an early part of the season. They have since dropped down to 8th but they will also be looking to progress in the competition and cause an upset against higher opponents at the same time. For Sports its a week of avoiding banana skins as they face two lower league teams in two separate competitions. Top the the United Counties League Division One Anstey Nomads await on Saturday but for now its all focus on progression in the Integro League Cup after another narrow defeat without scoring away at Farsley Celtic last weekend.

LAST TIME OUT
Stamford were at home on Saturday losing out 2-1 to the team the furthest north in the Northern Premier League, Morpeth Town. Joseph Walton and Jeffrey Henderson put Morpeth 2-0 up either side of half time with Sam Grouse netting a consolation for the Daniels but it wasn’t enough to claim a point. Sports however went down 1-0 to a Ben Turner strike for the hosts.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Kevin Grocott made a welcomed return to action on Saturday but was sadly substituted with another injury in the first half. So the former Burton Albion defender looks set to be out again alongside long term absentees Pablo Mills and Niall Doran. Everybody else at the time of writing was available for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is on Tuesday 18th September with a 7:45pm Kick Off. Stamford AFC play their home games at their relatively new ground, The Borderville Stadium, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1US. Admission Prices are set at £10 for Adults, £7 for Concessions (Over 60’s HM Forces and Students), £3 for 12-16 year olds and Under 12’s FREE. Match Day Programmes as well as hot and cold drinks will be available and alcoholic beverages will be sold in the club house. Parking at the ground is free but is on a first come first served basis as it is limited to 110 cars and two coaches.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officer Sam 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!

Sports on the Road: Farsley Celtic (A) Match Preview

Mickleover Sports will be looking to try and claim their first away win of the season as they travel up to West Yorkshire to take on Farsley Celtic. The villagers have had a similar start to Sports in the league but have two games in hand on Sports who sit one above their opponents going into the weekend. A much needed FA Cup win was followed up by the hard earned three points at home to Hednesford Town on Tuesday with Nathan Jarman bagging the only goal of the game. Now it will be about securing a first away win if possible to climb further up the table and away from the dreaded bottom four. Farsley Celtic are a tough opponent of home turf however so McGrath’s men will have to be up to their best to get anything from their trip to Leeds.

LAST TIME OUT
The last fame for Celtic was a 4-0 away win at Guisborough Town in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round. Two goals from Nathan Cartman and one a piece from Luke Parkin Isacc Baldwin ensured Celtic progressed to the next round of the cup. Their last league game was a 1-1 draw at home to Gainsborough Trinity. Lewis Turner canceled out an earlier goal from Alex Byrne to snatch a point for the Villagers at home. Sports of course come into the game off a 6-0 win over Haughmond in the Cup and a 1-0 win at home to Hednesford Town in the league.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Kevin Grocott, Pablo Mills & Niall Doran all look set to still be unavailable through injury. Everyone else looks set to be available if selected. Many fringe first team players got some good game time under their belts on Wednesday night as the Reserves win 12-0 at home to Holbrook St Michaels Development. The highlight being Dutch forward Isai Marselia bagging seven goals so will be looking to make an impact on Saturdays game. Lewis Belgrave, Will Norcross, Jack Walsh and Tyreece Robinson also featured as they look to steak a claim in the first team squad.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at Farsley Celtic’s Throstle Nest Stadium, Newlands, Farsley, Leeds, LS28 5BE. Admission is £9 for Adults, £5 for Concession, £1 for Juniors under 16 with a paying adult and Armed Forces Members are FREE. Match day Programmes as well as hot and cold food and drink will also be available with alcoholic drinks available in the clubhouse. This also has Sky Sports showing the early and late kick offs for those who wish to watch.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
With Sam & Kerry at a Wedding in Kent and Jake working there will be no social media coverage of Saturdays game on any Mickleover Sports platform (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube). For those who cannot make the game you can keep up to date by following Farsley Celtic’s twitter page, @FarsleyCelticFC. A reminder that the Reserves are also at home this Saturday as they play Heanor Town Reserves at the Don Amott Arena with a 3pm Kick Off admission to that game is only £3 so if you can’t follow the first team to Farsley Celtic make sure to go and support Dave Mackenzie and his Reserves.

Sports on Home Turf: Hednesford Town (H) Match Preview

Matches against the Pitmen of Hednesford Town are always entertaining and this game is expected to be just the same. With both sides having goals of incredible quality featuring on TV and social media recently both sides will be looking to pick up more points in what is already looking like an incredibly tough and competitive league. With Basford United smashing Matlock Town out of the park 6-0 last night Sports will have an opportunity to pull clear of their Derbyshire Rivals in the relegation zone tonight and Hednesford will be looking to close the gap on Basford after their impressive win the night before.

LAST TIME OUT
Hednesford Town booked their place in the 2nd Qualifying Round the same as Sports when they defeated Southern Premier League Side Tamworth 2-0 at Keys Park. They currently sit 10th in the table after winning three and losing three of their six games so far. Sports of course won 6-0 at home to Haughmond in the same competition so both sides will be looking to get a good result off the back of their cup victories.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Pablo Mills (Shoulder) and Niall Doran (Achilles) are still out through injury. Everybody else is presumed fit and available for selection. A few of the players on Saturday will certainly have staked a claim to be involved tonight however we can expect not too many chances to the starting XI from Saturday.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is a 7:45pm Kick Off at the Don Amott Arena on Station Road, Mickleover, DE3 9FB with Admission Prices set at £10 Adults, £7 Concessions £2 10-16’s with Under 10’s FREE with a playing adult. Burton Albion & Derby County Season Ticket Holders are being encouraged to come along to support their local non league side with reduced admission of £7 on production of their club’s season ticket at the turnstile. The bar and snack van will be open as usual serving hot and cold drinks and food before during and after the match. Your new look Sports Report Match day Programme will also be on sale at the turnstile for only £2! This features the thoughts of Chairman Don Amott and Manager John McGrath plus all your usual content.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
There will no be much of the usual coverage as Sam & Kerry are at the England Game in Leicester. There will be no interviews after the game but Jake Garratt will provide Twitter team news and updates throughout the game.

Mickleover Sports 6-0 Haughmond: Match Report

Saturday 8th September 2018
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Mickleover Sports 6-0 Haughmond
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

Mickleover Sports began their FA Cup journey with a home tie against West Midlands (Regional) League side Haughmond. Sports manager John McGrath put out a strong side with Lewis King in goal, with the back four of Jake Scott and Ben Turner as the left and right back defenders and Tom Burgin and Tyreece Robinson in the centre of defence, the four midfielders of Oliver Roberts, Jimmy Phillips, Curtis Burrows and John McGrath with Nathan Jarman and Evan Garnett as the front two strikers. On the bench were Isa Marselia, Mason Warren, Clinton Morrison, Jack Walsh, Will Norcross, Lewis Belgrave and Harley Kozluk.

It was a fantastic start for Mickleover in the 2nd minute as a corner was dummied by Oliver Roberts which then fell to Nathan Jarman who struck it in the right corner of the goal to give Sports the lead. Nathan Jarman was back on the ball in the 7th minute with a brilliant ball from Jimmy Phillips to Jarman who then struck it past Haughmond’s goalkeeper Sam Jones into the bottom right corner of the goal making the score 2-0. It didn’t stop there as Mickleover was 3-0 up by 9 minutes thanks to attacking midfielder Jimmy Phillips that got past Haughmond’s defence and fired the ball into the bottom left corner.
For 15 minutes, Haughmond had quite a few chances to get on the scoreboard but Sports defence and Sports goalkeeper Lewis King prevented them from getting back into the game. On the 12th Minute, a shot from Haughmond’s Harry Morris got Lewis up and performed a fantastic save by tipping the ball onto the bar and caught the ball on the rebound. Evan Garnett almost made it 4-0 but Jones was there to save it and the defenders cleared the ball.
But it was 4-0 on the 22nd minute and Nathan Jarman bagged his first hatrick in a Sports shirt. A fantastic cross from midfielder Jake Scott gave Jarman the opportunity to score a third with his head and went pass Jones and into the right side of the goal. A free kick from John McGrath could have made it 5-0 but the ball went out wide of the right hand post. Burrows and Roberts also had a chance to score but on both occasions were near misses with Burrows shot saved by Jones and Roberts shot going out wide of the right hand post.

The 5th goal did come for Sports on the 39th minute with Evan Garnett having the ball and Garnett sending Curtis Burrows through to beat the offside trap and slot past Jones. Before the half time whistle, Haughmond had another shot at getting on the scoreboard but their strike hit the bar once again. This was a warning for Sports but the whistle blew. Half Time, Mickleover Sports 5-0 Haughmond.

Second half commenced and Sports made two changes. Nathan Jarman and John McGrath came off and were replaced by Will Norcross and Isa Marselia. It started off with the Sports and the Mond producing chance after chance starting with a 47th minute chance from Sports Striker Isa Marselia as he fed the ball to Evan Garnett and Garnett had a shot which went out wide of the left hand post. A minute later, Haughmond had a shot but is fired over the bar and then had a second chance on the 50th minute which saw the ball go into the net but is then flagged offside. For 13 minutes of the game, chances came from the Mond with Sports giving away a free kick. Harry Morris takes the free kick but is saved by Sports goalkeeper Lewis King. Mickleover had more chances with Marselia feeding Phillips who turns and fires the ball into Jones’ hand and Norcross firing the ball to volley over the bar. Sports make their last substitution on the 72nd with Curtis burrows coming off and the debut of Academy player Harley Kozluk.

Haughmond once again have another shot from Kevin Renshaw who forces King into a wonderful save and Harry Morris’ shot went out wide of the goal post. Mickleover score again in the 78th minute with Isa getting on the goal tally. Isa Marselia was 1v1 with Jones and goes past him to hit the ball into the net and score his first goal for the Sports. A big chance for Norcross could have made it 7 but it goes out wide which then gives Haughmond the opportunity to score but the ball went over the bar thanks to a wonderful save from Lewis King.

Full Time and it ended Mickleover Sports 6-0 Haughmond. A fantastic match overall and the Sports are in the hat for the 2nd Qualifying Round.

The Magic Of The Cup: Haughmond FC (H) Match Preview

It’s the return of the famous and legendary cup is back at The Don Amott Area has Sports will look to progress to the next round and avoid a potential banana skin and an upset against Step Six side Haughmond. A welcome distraction from the league to boost confidence and get the form of pre season back will be how this fixture will be viewed however as we all know nobody should be written off in the cup which has seen the like of Newcastle United, Arsenal and Coventry City fall by the wayside of Non League Sides in living memory. It will be the first time Sports have ever come up against “The Mond” in any competitive game and should be a real cracker of a cup tie to watch.

LAST TIME OUT
Haughmond won their Preliminary Round Replay only last Tuesday away from home, defeating Market Drayton Town 1-0 from the spot after the hosts went down to 10 men. Their last league game came on Tuesday 28th August when they defeated Wem Town 6-0 in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division at Step 6 of the Non League Pyramid. They currently sit 7th in the league with Three wins and one defeat from four games. They were relegated from the Midland League Premier Division last season alongside Shawbury United and Rocester.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Pablo Mills (Shoulder) and Niall Doran (Achilles) are out through injury. Kevin Grocott may have a slim chance but probably won’t be risked for this one. Everybody else is presumed fit and available for selection. Although John McGrath will not be underestimating the opposition he may use the game to give minutes to those players who have not had too many so far in the league, such as the likes of Will Norcross and Isai Marselia.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is a 3pm Kick Off at the Don Amott Arena on Station Road, Mickleover, DE3 9FB with Admission Prices set at £10 Adults, £7 Concessions £2 10-16’s with Under 10’s FREE with a playing adult. Derby County Season Ticket Holders are being encouraged to come along to support their local non league side with reduced admission of £7 on production of their club’s season ticket at the turnstile. The bar and snack van will be open as usual serving hot and cold drinks and food before during and after the match. Your new look Sports Report Match day Programme will also be on sale at the turnstile for only £2! This features the thoughts of Chairman Don Amott and Manager John McGrath plus all your usual content.

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!

Grantham Town 2-1 Mickleover Sports – Match Report

Grantham Town 2-1 Mickleover Sports

Tuesday 4th September 2018

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Sports fell to another defeat on Tuesday night as they went down 2-1 to Grantham Town. Two goals either side of half time from Michael Hollingsworth, the first one being a spot kick, saw the Gingerbread men into a two goal lead. However Sports dominated large parts of possession during the game, had a missed penalty by Nathan Jarman and had several chances to score before and after Evan Garnett pulled a goal back in the last minute of normal time. Sports will have gone back into the dressing room at full time wondering how on earth they had lost the game. But it was down to Grantham capitalising on their mistakes and not the same way vice versa.

The Sports team consisted of Lewis King in goal as normal. Jake Scott slotted in at right back alongside Tom Burgin, Tyreece Robinson and Ben Turner. In midfield were John McGrath and Mason Warren with Jimmy Phillips and former Grantham player Curtis Burrows. Up front were the two strikers Evan Garnett and Nathan Jarman. On the bench were Oli Roberts, Will Norcross, Lewis Belgrave, Isai Marselia and Clinton Morrison.

Early on a Grantham corner headed on towards goal was cleared off the line before the rebound was saved by King. Two efforts from Nathan Jarman and Jimmy Phillips then proceeded as Sports got a foot. Garnett and Burrows then had further chances to grab a Sports goal before Grantham Town took the lead from the spot after a Sports defender pulled back a Grantham attacker who went down and the referee awarded the spot kick. Hollingsworth stepped up and drilled it into the bottom left corner leaving King rooted to the spot. However not too long after Sports were awarded a penalty for a similar incident in the opposite box as Garnett was pulled back. Nathan Jarman stepped up and had his spot kick saved in the bottom left corner and tipped round the post for a corner by the Grantham keeper. Jarman would have two further efforts before half time with a header in from a Turner cross before a long range strike went over the bar to signal an end to the first half.

Into the second half and Sports had two further chances either side of a Robinson error which gave Grantham a chance at goal. Phillips smashed an effort onto the bar and Jarman put a half volley attempt over the bar. Curtis Burrows then had two chances to grab one against his former side. First a Phillips crossed was just out his reach then a another cross from the other side was met with Burrows head but was put straight into the keepers hands. Sports were then made to pay for these missed opportunities as Grantham took advantage for a mistake to extend their lead. The ball was crossed low into the box, Robinson tried to clear it but it got caught under his foot and fell out to Hollingsworth who smacked one under King into the net to make the score 2-0 to the Gingerbeads.

Sports reacted by making two substitutions within a five minute period. McGrath was replaced by Roberts and Burrows was replaced by Norcross. Tom Burgin was given a yellow card for a challenge near the centre circle late on. The changes seem to work well as Sports grabbed a goal back just as the game was about to tick into added time. Evan Garnett was played through and managed to slot one past the keeper to get Sports back into the game as five minutes were added. However for all the pressure that Sports put on Grantham they only created one concrete effort to equalise in the 9rd minute of the game. Garnett again was played in 1v1 and just had the keeper to beat. But under pressure from the Grantham defender he strike was at the keeper and palmed away from danger.

That’s as close as they came as the game came to an end which signalled a second loss in a row for Sports however they still sit outside the relegation zone as none of the four teams below them (Lancaster, Marine, Matlock and North Ferriby all failed to register wins. Sports will need to get their league campaign back on track pretty quick but for now their attentions turn to the start of their FA Cup journey as they face a home tie with Step 6 West Midlands Regional League side Haughmond. The side from Shrewsbury caused an upset as they defeated Step 4 side Market Drayton Town 1-0 away from home to set up the tie at the Don Amott Area on Saturday 8th September with a 3pm kick off.