Author: Square Peg

MFC Vets: Sundays Match Reporter Mark Whitton & his MOTM

First Half: Quick-Fire Exchanges

The match began at a high tempo, with both keepers called into action early. Mickleover looked dangerous in the opening exchanges, as both Betts and Clifton saw goal-bound efforts denied from point-blank range.
​However, it was Shardlow who drew first blood midway through the half. Exploiting a lapse in Mickleover’s set-piece marking, the hosts converted a towering header from a corner to take a 1-0 lead. The advantage was short-lived; Mickleover responded with their best passage of play in the match. Bailey produced a superb solo run, weaving through the Shardlow midfield before delivering a precise cross for Betts, who clinicaly finished to level the scores before the interval.

​Second Half: A War of Attrition

​The second half proved to be a far more disjointed affair. Mickleover struggled to find their usual rhythm, often attempting to force the final ball rather than relying on the patient build-up play that had served them well in the first period.
​Opportunities remained scarce as the game became increasingly physical. Gayle came closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors, but his powerful strike cannoned off the post.
​With only five minutes remaining, Mickleover appeared to have found the winner. A fluid move saw the ball worked wide to Palms, whose pinpoint cross found Diksa in the area to slot home for a 2-1 lead. However, a defensive lapse in the dying moments allowed Shardlow a route back into the game. A late break resulted in a foul by Mickleover goalkeeper Ash inside the box. Shardlow converted the resulting penalty with composure to make it 2-2 at the final whistle.

​The Shootout
​The tension carried over into the shootout. While Diksa, Palms, and Bailey all converted their spot-kicks with confidence for Mickleover, Shardlow held their nerve as Sam, Lille, and Clifton failed to find the target. Shardlow FC clinicaly finished the shootout 4-3 to advance

Motm- Richard Bailey

This Sunday we are at home top of the table clash v unbeaten castle donnigton fc who have won 9 out of 9 on including a 4-1 win against us start of the season will be a tough test especially with keys players for us out injured

Please show your support 2pm ko bar open

MFC Vets 8–1 Ethan United – Dominant display at the Don Amott Arena

by Gavin Warren

The full-time whistle confirmed a ruthless attacking performance as MFC Vets put eight past Ethan United to collect another three points, closing both the gap and the goal difference on high-flyers Castle Donington.

The lads started brightly, controlling the game from the off and playing on the front foot. It took just five minutes to break the deadlock when Kris burst down the right and slid a delightful ball into a dangerous area for Sav, who made no mistake to fire home. 1–0

Six minutes later, Sav turned provider, laying the ball off to Palms, who struck from 18 yards. The keeper stood rooted as the shot nestled into the bottom corner. 2–0

Our wide players, Mannion and Betts, were causing Ethan’s full-backs endless problems with their pace and delivery. On 25 minutes, another dangerous ball into the box caused chaos. Ethan struggled to clear, Mannion’s initial shot was blocked, but he recycled possession to Aidan, who smashed home emphatically. 3–0

Ethan had a couple of half chances, but nothing that truly troubled us. The back line was solid throughout, and it was great to see Stamp back in the squad.

Then… chaos.

Out of nowhere, Adam Salter delivered a goalkeeping masterclass in how not to clear a ball — confidently winding up before karate-kicking absolutely nothing but fresh air, allowing the ball to casually roll into the net. Time briefly stopped as teammates, fans, and reality itself tried to process what they’d just witnessed. Later, Salter pointed the finger at a knee injury — apparently one so serious it prevented his foot from meeting the ball 🤣🤣
3–1

With minutes remaining in the half, Palms restored order with a 20-yard wonder strike into the top bin. The keeper had no chance as he watched it sail over his head. 4–1 at half-time.

At the break, Quig and Kris — both excellent in the first half — were withdrawn to keep them fresh for the week ahead. Bailey and new signing Scott entered the action, and the tempo immediately lifted.

It took Bailey only a few touches to find his rhythm. A bursting run from midfield saw him glide past an Ethan defender before placing a composed finish past the keeper. 5–1

Diksa replaced Sav, and Clifton came on for Mannion. The pressure continued, and Diksa soon added our sixth with a tidy finish. 6–1

On 60 minutes, Aidan was replaced in a rare runout for the Gaffa. A Palms corner soon found him, but his header drifted just over. Moments later, questionable decision-making from the manager saw him attempt an audacious bicycle kick — well struck, but smartly saved by the Ethan keeper.

Bailey then grabbed his second of the evening, smashing home from a tight angle into the top corner. 7–1

The Gaffa then missed a gilt-edged chance, choosing to round the keeper instead of striking first time, only for a recovering defender to clear off the line.

Redemption followed late on. Instead of slipping Bailey through, the Gaffa shifted the ball onto his right foot and calmly slotted into the bottom corner to cap the scoring. 8–1

A superb all-round performance from every lad. The three points move us into second place in the league and significantly reduce the goal difference. You couldn’t ask for much more from the boys.

Motm- carter solid at centre back again and formed a good partnership with stamp.

Gaffa all smiles with the good run and performances from the lads onto the cup next away against a good shardlow st James veteran side.

Anstey Nomads v Mickleover: Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

Following Wednesday nights defeat at Lichfield, its back on the road again for Mickleover, as we travel to promotion chasers Anstey Nomads.

Nomads have only lost five games this season and one was back at the Don Amott Arena, when Michael Hollingsworth’s goal gave us a 1-0 win back in October.

It’s also been a successful season for out hosts in the FA Trophy, recently going out in the fourth round.
Tony Blanchard is the Nomads manager and they are currently in second place, with games in hand.

Mansfield Town loanee and Dominican Republic International Anthony Nunez is the first choice keeper. He was at Basford and Notts County before joining the Stags and has been out on loan at Shepshed Dynamo too.

Centre back Lewis Gibbens started out at Mansfield too. He moved onto Boston Utd after an initial loan, but came to Anstey from Worksop Town after one season, in July 2022.

Kyle Tomlin is another centre back and another former Mansfield Junior, after joining them from Burton Albion. He joined Coalville Town following his release and played for Carlton Town and Eastwood before joining Anstey in February 2024.

Left back Oscar Tonge was signed from Coleshill in August 2024, where he had spent the previous season after being released by Peterborough Utd.

Tristan Thomas is a left back too. A pre-season arrival following his release by Leicester City.
Ben Humphrey’s is a defender signed in pre-season from Hinckley Leicester Road.
Centre back Jordan Annable came from AFC Mansfield in August 2021, after spending seven seasons with the Nottinghamshire club. He is the club captain.

Luke Redfern is a centre back, a pre-season arrival from Stamford. He started at Burton Albion and was loaned to Nuneaton and Sutton Coldfield before joining Stoke City. He had another loan spell at Hednesford before going to Halesowen on his release. He spent the whole of last season at Stamford.
Defender Danny Gordon came from Corby Town in pre season, where he had played for the last three seasons. He has also played for Belper Town and Loughborough Dynamo
Henry Bestwick is a midfielder and a home-grown talent, having joined Anstey as a 16 year old. He had a few seasons away at Long Eaton Utd before returning to our hosts.

Former Leicester City junior Rubyn Gill is a defensive midfielder who went to the US after a spell at Solihull Moors. Starting with UCAS Bears, he played for Belmont Bruins and Brown Ballers before returning to the UK.
Central midfielder Tobias Liversidge arrived in October from Stamford. He started out at Lincoln City and has also played for Spalding Utd and Lincoln Utd.

Ronnie Kokkinos is a defensive midfielder, currently on loan from Mansfield Town.

Attacking midfielder Josh Burniston came from Stamford in pre-season. He had been on a dual registration with Lincoln Utd, but started off at Nottingham Forest. He’s had spells at Cambridge Utd and Gresley Rovers too.
Striker Nyle Blake spent much of last season out injured. He started out at Mansfield Town and had a spell at Alfreton before going to Frickley after an initial loan. He moved on to Belper Town, Carlton, Hyde Utd and Gainsborough before returning to Frickley in November 2021. Further moves to Stamford, Newark & Sherwood preceded his move to our hosts in 2023.

Tendai Chitiza is a striker that started off at Leicester Nirvana. He then had a short spell with Gresley Rovers before going to Serbia with CSK Celarevo and TSC Backa Topola. On his return to the UK he joined Stamford, but after three years he moved on to Coalville. Returning to Stamford again in August 2023 he was there until joining Anstey at the start of this season.

Striker Liam Murphy was another pre-season signing, having played at Bedworth and Boldmere St.Michael’s last season.

Courey Grantham is a striker too, signed from Quorn in pre-season. He spent four years with Basford and as played for Heanor Town and Hednesford too.
Also in our hosts squad are veteran strikers David Nugent and Martyn Waghorn, both ex Derby County players, but neither have seen much game time since their signings.
Kick off is 3pm and your support would be welcomed.

Strikers Staying On

by Peter Scherer

WE can confirm that strikers Manni Norkett and Josiah Dyer will be staying at the Don Amott Arena to the end of the season.

Dyer, on loan from Peterborough Sports has scored six goals so far, while Boston Utd loanee Norkett has three under his belt.

We would like to thank both Peterborough Sports and Boston Utd for their continued help and co-operation

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

Sports Draw A Blank At Lichfield

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

On a night when victory was almost expected against a struggling Lichfield side, Mickleover came away pointless after a goal in each half, gave our hosts their first points since mid-December.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Archie Hall 4-Ross Derham 5-George Wilkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Josiah Dyer 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Manni Norkett, Josh Ashman, Will Atkinson, Fraser Corden, Louis Bonser.

It was a delayed 8pm start after problems getting out of Derby,

As in our last away defeat, Mickleover had the first chance of the game, but Bunn in the Lichfield goal came out on top in a one on one with Dyer in the opening minutes, resulting in a corner.

A few minutes later our hosts earned a corner too, with centre back McMenemy just failing to connect with a header.

Both keepers were kept busy in the opening 15 minutes, with McDowell saving from Footes, just after McMenemy had volleyed over the bar and then Bunn had to make a save low down at his near post.

Mickleover had a free kick after 19 minutes, but Bunn was able to collect as it came off the wall. Although Sports dominated the possession, it continued to be fairly even on chances.

Bennett, Wilkinson, Benson and White had held firm at the back for Mickleover, but pressure began to mount, with Smith hitting the bar for our hosts after 22 minutes.

A succession of corners followed and 27 minutes in McMenemy’s head connected with as corner to open the scoring for Lichfield 0-1.

Mickleover tried to push forward for the equaliser and had a corner cleared on the half hour, but Edwards had two more attempts on the Mickleover goal before the half time whistle, one shot blocked from the edge of the box, followed by a lob over the bar.

Despite Mickleover’s push forward as the second half got underway, any chance of an equaliser continued to elude them.

Just before the hour mark a free kick just outside the box was cleared and succession of corners followed before the home defence finally cleared the danger.

Norkett had come on for Dyer and his low drive in the 74th minute tested keeper Bunn.

A triple substitution then followed with Corden, Atkinson and Bonser on for Derham, Dube and Wood.

Lichfield continued to have their chances too, with Edwards long shot going wide on the 80th minute mark.

But with two minutes of normal time left Footes made it 0-2 , while the game concluded with White trying his luck with a shot over the bar.

 

Ashman Returns

by Peter Scherer

MICKLEOVER have re-signed former Sheffield Wednesday Under 23 captain Josh Ashman on a further months loan from Bradford Park Avenue, and he goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s game at Anstey Nomads.

As well as his earlier spell at Mickleover, he has previously been loaned to Guiseley and spent three months at Matlock Town last season.

Sports On The Road: Lichfield City (A)

by Peter Scherer

We travel to Lichfield City on Wednesday night for the rearranged fixture, following it’s postponement on January 10th.

Since the original date, Mickleover have won one game, drawn one and lost one, leaving us eighth in the table and just one point outside the play-offs.

Our hosts are without a single point since their 1-0 home win over Corby Town a week before Christmas and have slipped to 15th place.

Following their dominant win over Corby Town last Saturday, Sports will be looking for another three points, before the tough trip to Anstey Nomads next Saturday.

Ivor Green has been in charge at Lichfield since March 2020, with his assistant Wayne Chapman there for the duration too. Last season they took the team to the Midland League Premiership title and have retained most of their title winning team. Our visit will be the pairs 250th game at the helm.

Goalkeeper Brendon Bunn came in at the end of last season from Studley. He has also played for Highgate Utd, Gresley Rovers, Coventry Utd, Halesowen and Worcester City. After a return trip to Studley, he joined Stratford on a dual registration with Darlaston last season too.

Jordan Clement is a central midfielder who came out of Wolves Academy. He joined Romulus on his release, before moving on to Coleshill. Tamworth was his next stop, but after a loan at Stratford he moved to Alvechurch, before spending the next three years alternating between Redditch and Tamworth. He came to Lichfield in August 2023 from Redditch.

Defender Josh Mansell returned to Lichfield for a second spell at the start of last season from Walsall Wood. He’s also played for Alvechurch and Chasetown and has been captain for much of this season.

Joe Haines is one of the longest serving members of the squad, having returned to the club in June 2021, making his 250th appearance last season. A left back, he’s had spells with Walsall Wood and Gresley Rovers.

Defender Tom Brown has also played over a 100 games for our hosts.

Harry Eden is a left back too signed early into the season from Redditch. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Solihull Utd, Studley, Sutton Coldfield and Rugby Town too.

Centre back Leighton McMeneny is another long server, having just started his fifth season with the club, after signing in June 2021.

Luke Childs, Dan Lomas and Jimmy Elkes are all long servers too. Childs made his 200th appearance last season and played in goal for 85 minutes earlier in the season, rather than his usual striker role. Lomas is club captain and a holding midfielder, he made his 150th start for the club last season, while centre back Elkes has been a mainstay of the defence for a number of years.

Midfielder John Mills was signed in January last year, while striker Jack Edwards is another long server, having arrived in July 2021. He is he club top scorer too.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Spiers was signed from Atherstone at the beginning of last season. He started off at Shrewsbury, before joining Alvechurch on his release. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Boldmere, Bedworth and Hednesford too.

Lewi Burnside is another midfielder, who has recently returned to the club from Chasetown, after long term injury.

Hishan Chiha is another midfielder on loan from Leamington. He started at West Bromwich Albion’s Academy, before joining Peterborough Utd. He was loaned to Yaxley, before joining Boldmere on his release, where he spent most of last season.

Connor Okereke came through Burton Albion’s Community Trust. A midfielder he joined our hosts pre-season, after a spell in the US with Genessee CL.

Luca Taylor was signed three weeks ago after a stay in the US. A former Sutton Coldfield midfielder and England Schools Under 18 international.

Striker Keiran Francis is another long server, while Jude Taylor is one of the younger members of the squad, a talented striker who has come through the clubs own youth scheme.

Harvey Smith is a striker too, recently arrived from Coventry Sphinx, who he had joined from Studley back in November 2020.

Winger Elliott Hartley has just arrived on a dual registration with Worcester City, where he is the clubs longest serving player, while young striker Charlie Footes is currently on loan from Solihull Moors.

Kick off is 7.45pm and as always your support will be welcomed.

Webb Double Seals All 3 Points

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

After a disastrous own goal, Mickleover bounced back to dominate Corby Town, sealing victory with a Paddy Webb double and Manni Norkett’s third in four games for a 3-1 victory.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Louis Bonser 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-Danny Benson 7-Archie White 8-Ross Derham 9-Manni Norkett 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Harry Wood, Fraser Corden, Josiah Dyer, George Wilkinson, Thabang Dube.

It was strong start from Mickleover, straight into attack mode and putting the Corby defence under early pressure.
Sports were close to taking the lead after 10 minutes, when a Dales and Norkett one two, saw Norkett strike the post from close range.
Just a minute later there was a free kick to Sports too, which Dales sent curling towards the top corner, but it went out for a corner.
It had been all Mickleover until a bizarre misunderstanding gave Corby the lead. Benson made a back pass, but McDowell clearly wasn’t expecting it, and the ball rolled into an empty net, to give the visitors a 0-1 lead after 18 minutes.
Rather than dropping their heads, there was an immediate and positive fight back from Mickleover, with keeper Avery saving a Webb strike after 21 minutes.
It was all Sports again, with Atkinson, White and Derham dominating midfield to feed Dales, Norkett and Webb up front., while Bennett and Bonser were effective on the overlaps.
The equaliser came from an intercepted cross field ball from Jones. Webb got on the end of it and made it 1-1 25 minutes in.
Just three minutes later Webb sent another great cross over, but Norkett couldn’t quite connect, before the pace slowed for the remaining minutes of the first half, after a dominant Mickleover performance.
Norkett tested Avery again in the first minute of the restart, but Corby were trying to fight back too.
Mickleover made their first change when Dube replaced White after 54 minutes. Three minutes later it was 2-1 to Sports, when Webb brought the ball forward to find Dales, who put Norkett through to seal the chance.
Dyer and Wilkinson then came on for Norkett and Gascoigne, with Sports totally dominant again, which soon led to goal number three. It was Dales making the initial move, after picking up the ball following a Corby corner. The visitors defence was totally outpaced, allowing Webb to score his second of the game and make it 3-1 after 78 minutes.
Dube and Dyer both went close too in the final minutes, before Wood replaced Derham and Mickleover made it a winning double, having won at Corby back in October.

We had a few chances early doors, then conceded a haphazard goal. But the lads dug in and we got what we deserved. We played from the middle and controlled the game from early on and I was particularly pleased for Paddy getting the two goals he deserved.

said Sports manager Gareth Holmes.

 

Corby come to Town: Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

After ending their four-game unbeaten run at Sutton Coldfield last Saturday, Mickleover will hoping to return to winning ways, as Corby Town visit the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

Back in October we were 1-0 victor at Corby, with Josiah Dyer scoring the winner, his first goal for the club.

Apart from Jake Bennett, everyone else came through last weekends game unscathed, so manager Gareth Holmes will hopefully have a full squad to chose from.

Currently ninth in the table, with Mickleover 11th, Corby have had four wins from their last 10 games, but all away from home, including a 2-1 win over Belper Town two weeks ago.

Leon Mettam took over as manager in December following Gary Setchell’s resignation. He was previously player manager at Wisbech Town a couple of years ago.

Northampton Town loanee Theo Avery has been in goal for the last two games. He was previously at Mansfield Town and Nottingham Forest.

Former Nottingham Forest youngster Nykah Liburd-Hines has also played in goal. After spells at Hereford, Chippenham, Lincoln Utd, Carlton, Rugby Town, Aylestone Park and Newark & Sherwood, he joined Stamford at the start of this season. He has also been loaned back to Carlton and Harrowby Utd’

Kalern Thomas is a right back and one of the longest serving players, signed from Ilkeston in July 2023, having previously been on loan. He started out at Quorn, and has played for Loughborough Dynamo, Boston Utd, Solihull Moors, Halesowen, Kettering, Kings Lynn and Coalville too.

Jack Keeble is a centre back who started out at Grimsby Town. He joined St.Neots following his release, before moving on to Stamford and Wisbech. He came to our visitors in July 2023 from Bedford.

Martin Tsvetkov is another right back or wide midfielder on loan from Harborough Town and defender Theo Braham has played for Wisbech and Histon too.

Full back Freddie Allen arrived from Stamford in November. He was loaned to Bourne to, having started his career at Doncaster Rovers.

On loan from Boston Utd, Sam Waburton made his debut on New Years Day. A former Northampton Town junior, he played for Rugby Town and Nuneaton before first joining Corby in 2017 from Kings Lynn. He’s also played for Wellingborough, Rushden & Diamond, Grantham, Spalding and Quorn too.

Alfie Wren left our visitors to join Wellingborough in the close season, but returned and debuted on New Years Day. Another midfielder, he’s played for Cambridge City, Biggleswade and Spalding too.

Former Peterborough Utd midfielder Ben Challinor joined Barwell on his release. He then spent six months at Peterborough Sports, before joining our visitors pre-season.

Jordan Crawford currently captains the side. A midfielder, signed from Harborough Town in October. He left Corby in 2021 to join Kettering and has since played for Boston Utd, Peterborough Sports and Brackley too.

Already known to Mickleover fans is midfielder James Matthews, as he started this season as a Sports player. A former Mansfield Town youngster, he’s also played for Carlton, Frickley, AFC Mansfield, Sherwood Colliery and Hallam too and joined our visitors three weeks ago. He is also a triathlete and International Ironman competitor.

Attacking midfielder Brad Gothard is a recent signing, having arrived from St.Neots a couple of weeks ago. He’s recently played for Bourne Town and Welwyn Garden City too.

Midfielder Abdul Koroma has recently returned to our visitors after a spell out of the game. He was previously at Shepshed, Spalding and Rushden & Diamonds.

Leon Johnson is a winger who started this season at Kettering Town and Desborough, before joining our visitors. Most of his career has been spent in the north west, with Altrincham, Chorley, Ashton Utd and Warrington.

Striker Connor Tomlinson was another pre-season signing. His career started with Luton Town and moved to Bedford after a loan spell with Hemel. His next stops were Bedford and Nuneaton, before a four- month loan at Corby in September 1993, which then became permanent. After a return trip to Bedford, he joined Spalding and latterly Berkhamsted.

Fran Obiagwu is a striker currently on loan from Northampton Town, where he has made two League One appearances.

Striker Matteo Perkins is another recent arrival. He was at Shepshed Dynamo last season and has also played for Eynesbury Rovers, St Neots Town, Wisbech Town, Yaxley, and Newark Town.

Dennis Halliday is another recent arrival from Welwyn. A striker, he was previously Wolverhampton Casuals, Market Drayton and Welsh League Newtown.

Defenders Jack Noble, Ben Smith, Ryan Martindalle and midfielder Harison Jones have also been in squad over the last 10 matches, which saw eight changes in the starting line-up for their visit to Rushden three weeks ago.

Kick off is 3pm as usual.