by Peter Scherer

Mickleover travelled to Whitby Town last Saturday looking for a first win in eight league games. It started so well, but three goals in 14 minutes ended hopes of any reward.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Ceiron Keane 5-Nathan James 6-Danny Benson 7- Will Atkinson 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Dylan Edwards 10-Andy Dales 11-Jamie Soule. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Brandon Ferron, Dan Bradley, Toby Smith, Edimond Oppong.

It was positive start for Mickleover on a bright but breezy East coast day, with Edwards going close after three minutes, following a strong attack from Dales. 

But the momentum continued with Soule working his way through on the right wing, to find the overlapping Bennett. A beautifully placed shot had keeper Bland beaten on his far post and it was a well-deserved lead for Sports after just four minutes, 1-0.

It could easily have been a second for Mickleover two minutes later, when Keane crossed from the left. Edwards managed to connect, but didn’t quite get enough direction to challenge the keeper again, as his effort went just wide.

It was 14  minutes in before the hosts made a telling break. Nathan Thomas charged down the left but as he cut inside his cross or shot was blazed well over the bar.

It had been a great start for Mickleover, precise passing moving forward and a relative confidence that seemed to have spread throughout the team, as they dominated the first 15 minutes.

Just after Sports had another corner, with Keane’s final lob straight into Bland’s hands, Sam Collins got clear on the right and almost had Mersin beaten, as it whistled just wide.

Keane then tried his luck from long range after 20 minutes, but it was wide of the right -hand post. But Mickleover still had the upperhand, with some good work from Dales on the right. He found Soule but he couldn’t quite get space to get his shot in.

A few minutes later Edwards held the ball in the middle before laying off to Dales, but his shot was saved. Keane was down injured though after taking a knock and had to be replaced by Bradley.

As the half hour mark approached Dales and Edwards worked hard again to set up a Hickingbottom strike. His shot had the power, but unfortunately it was blocked by a defender.

But suddenly the tide turned and in the 31^st minute Stephen Walker’s shot was initially saved by the Mickleover keeper, but the defence were beaten to the rebound and Aaron Haswell scored the equaliser, 1-1.

The pressure began to build as the early confidence had waned and Whitby were on the ascendance. Another ball through the middle wasn’t picked up and Connor Simpson got on the end of it. Mersin made a great save again, but Walker’s follow up made it 1-2 in the hosts favour.

Edwards had the ball in the net in time added on but was ruled offside, and then in the fifth minute of injury time, Whitby were awarded a penalty after a handball and Thomas stepped forward to make it 1-3 as the half time whistle followed.

Ferron had replaced Wilson as the second half kicked off, with an early corner for Whitby, which failed to trouble the defence.

Mickleover had tightened up at the back with James, Benson and Atkinson, which was allowing Bennett and Ferron to use their wings more.

Ferron had a useful cross cut out after a 52mnd minute run and on the hour mark Bennett was Sports most dangerous attacker. In the 62^nd minute a cross from the left found Bennett, whose header was just over the bar. Ferron then had another run, he got his cross in but it was out of play.

Debutant Oppong came on for Edwards a couple of minutes later and soon started to show his pace, with a strong run on the right, finishing with a tame effort straight at keeper Bland.

Ferron tried his luck after a strong run down the left after 70 minutes, but his effort was well over the bar and then Hickingbottom got the ball into the Whitby box, there was a scramble and Benson was so close to pulling a goal back, as the ball bounced on the line before being cleared.

Atkinson managed to stop Whitby sub Steel in a one on one break and then Hickingbottom was hacked down, with the ref waving playing on as Whitby took possession. A hard defensive tackle followed and a slight scuffle broke out, with Dales joining the already yellow carded Atkinson in the book.

Haswell hit the post for Whitby in the 77^th minute, after a half save from Mersin gave them a corner, but luck was with the hosts again when Frankie Whelan got his head to the ball and made it a flattering 1-4  to the hosts.

Smith came on for Hickingbottom for the final six minutes and Dales had another run down the right before his path was blocked. Benson got his head to the following corner, it was on target but Bland saved low to his right to bring to end a disappointing game, that started with such promise and ended pointless again for the fifth successive game.

We were on top after a great start and all we would have wanted. Some excellent performances and we had a deserved lead.

But after the equaliser for about 20 minutes we were all over the shop and have got to be better. We went from being in the ascendancy to under the cosh. We just weren’t tight enough in the middle and the gaps got too big. Players need to step up and take that responsibility.

We did better in the second half, but I felt frustrated. It was good for 65 minutes of the game, and we had seven or eight strong performances, but a couple of weak ones and it’s my job to change it.

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed Italian striker Edimond Oppong and he goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s visit to Whitby.

Having played for Union EuroCalcio in Italy, Oppong has recently had trials with Brentford and Middlesborough too

by Peter Scherer

Unlucky not to hold onto a point last weekend last Saturday, Mickleover head to North Yorkshire this weekend to face Whitby Town.

Sports have used a number of players in varying positions over recent weeks, some caused by injury and some by choice.  But with four successive league defeats they are now 18^th in the NPL table, just outside the relegation zone and still seeking the winning blend.

Our hosts have had five wins so far, and are currently 13^th, but having played two games more they are only two points ahead too.

They have only won three of their last 12 league games and lost 0-3 at Worksop on Tuesday night. They also lost their last home game, 0-2 to Gainsborough on November 5^th.

Manager Gary Liddle and his assistant Jason Kennedy are both still registered players and are often on the subs bench. Liddle was signed as a player from Spennymoor pre-season, but took over the managership too when Nathan Haslam left last month.

A centre back he started his career at Middlesbrough, before joining Hartlepool on his release. After six years he moved to Notts County, followed by spells at Bradford City, Chesterfield and Carlisle, before joining Walsall in 2006. He then returned to Hartlepool and was at South Shields before his Spennymoor move at the end of last season. He has made 572 league appearances in Leagues One and Two and scored 28 goals.

Kennedy came from Marske Utd last month to join Liddle. A midfielder, he started out at Middlesbrough too and was loaned out to Boston Utd, Bury and Livingston, before joining Darlington on his release. 

A year later he joined Rochdale and then moved to Bradford City, who loaned him back to Rochdale, before another permanent move to Carlisle in 2015. His next stops were Hartlepool and Spennymoor, before a two years spell at Marske and has 390 League One and Two appearances under his belt with 38 goals.

First choice goalkeeper Shane Bland was another Middlesbrough youngster. He first came to Whitby in 2013 following his release, but after just over four years moved onto Spennymoor. His next move was West Auckland after an initial loan and is now in his sixth season at Whitby.

His deputy is Nick Cranston, was signed from Billingham in October 2021. He has also played for Wolviston, after starting his career at Darlington.

Jassem Sukar is a centre back and currently captains the side. He started out at Sunderland before heading further north with Dundee Utd. He was loaned to Peterhead, Brechin City and Arbroath, playing in Scottish League’s One and Two, before signing for York City on his release.

He came to Whitby in April 2018, but moved to Darlington four years later. After a loan at Scarborough he came to our hosts pre-season.

Fellow centre back Frankie Whelan and left back Sam Collins are pre-season signings too, following their release from Middlesbrough.

Right back Soni Fergus is his fourth season at the club, after arriving from Pickering in July 2021.

Priestley Griffiths is a former England Under 17 International and another ex Middlesbrough junior. A defensive midfielder, he joined Bishop Auckland on his release, before moving to IBV Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland.

After a two year spell he returned to the UK with Marske Utd, before a move to Blyth Spartans, where he played until joining our hosts in August 2021.

Yet another ex Middlesbrough is central midfielder Joe Wheately. A former England C International. He joined Darlington following his release. He then moved on to Spennymoor, who loaned him to Whitby in February 2023, before making it permanent five months later.

Central midfielder Alfie Doherty another ex Middlesbrough junior too, who came straight to Whitby when he was released in August last year.

Connor Smith is a right sided midfielder, who began his career at Hartlepool. He was loaned to York and to Whitby in 2017, before a move to Frickley Athletic. He then moved onto Marske Utd and was loaned to our hosts again in September last year, but the move became permanent in November.

Midfielder Adam Gell has recently made his 300^th appearance. Having arrived at Whitby from Guisborough in 2015, he spent nine years with the club before starting this season at Bishop Auckland. But he made the return trip after just two months.

Joe Gibson is another right sided midfielder and another former Middlesbrough junior. He was loaned to Darlington, before starting this season at Blyth Spartans following his release. After just one month at Blyth he moved to our hosts.

Nathan Thomas is a traditional left winger with masses of experience, with over 200 appearances in leagues, one, two and the Scottish Leagues, scoring 34 goals.

He started out as youngster with Newcastle Utd and Sunderland, before joining Plymouth Argyle. He then moved to Scotland with Motherwell, before returning to England with Mansfield Town.

After a spell at Hartlepool he moved to Sheffield Utd, who loaned him to Shrewsbury Town, Notts County and Carlisle Utd, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. York City was his next stop, before a five month stay at Marske Utd, which preceded his move to Whitby last December.

Left winger Jake Charles was picked up by Huddersfield Town during his early career at Garforth Villa. After a loan at Guiseley he moved to Barnsley, who loaned him to York City before a permanent moved to Stalybridge. Stafford Rangers, Farsley Celtic and Scarborough followed, with further loans at FC United and Ashton, before joining our hosts pre-season. He has represented Wales at Under 15, 16,17,19 and 21 levels.

Aaron Haswell is a midfielder and former York City and Harrogate youngster. He was signed from Ossett Utd in May 2022.

Striker Stephen Walker has League one and two experience. He was a Middlesbrough junior too and had loans at MK Dons, Crewe Alexandra and Tranmere, before joining West Auckland on his release. He came  to Whitby last December and has played for England at Under 17, 18 and 19 level. 

Connor Simpson is a well travelled striker who started his career at Hartlepool. He moved on to Preston North End, who loaned him to Carlisle and Accrington, before he made a permanent moved to Cork City.

He returned to England with Scarborough, before a move to Iceland with Kordrengir. Connahs Quay in Wales was his next stop, before a short spell with Marske Utd preceded his arrival at Whitby in November 2022.

He then joined Sorrento in Australia in January this year, before returning to Whitby last month.

Defender Alfie Jackson is a recent signing, having played in pre-season trials. 

Campbell Darcy and Alfie Steel are both loanees from Hartlepool. Defender Darcy came at the start of the season, while striker Steel is a new arrival on a short term loan.

Kick off at the Towbar Express Stadium is 3pm

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Hopes were high of some points on the board for Mickleover, following three successive league defeats. But once again a late goal for Guiseley settled it and the pointless run continues.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Danny Benson 6-Nathan James 7-Ceiron Keane 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Dylan Edwards. Subs: Brandon Ferron, Josh Carter, Bernard Nsiah, Dan Bradley, Curtis Weston.

After both teams stood in silence in Remembrance, the game starting with a fairly even opening 10 minutes.

But Bennett was yellow carded for a trip after 12 minutes, before Guiseley had their first real shot eight minutes later, when the defence failed to clear a Longbottom corner and Moke fired the shot wide.

Bennett proved to be the Mickleover saviour however after 24 minutes, when the visitors broke through again. Mersin saved Emmett’s initial shot, but Longbottom then tried a lob, with Bennett clearing off the line as it headed goalwards.

It was just after the half hour mark when Mickleover went close too. Dales’ 34^th minute header was heading for the top corner, but keeper Cracknell just got his fingers to it at full stretch.

Mersin was then back in action in the Mickleover goal. He had taken a Longbottom free kick comfortably after a foul on Lufudu, and comfortably collected a following cross too.

Keane was the second Sports player to go into the referee’s book, but the half time whistle soon followed, with it still level at 0-0.

Although Guiseley had continued to show promise in attack, it was Sports looking more likely to make telling breaks in counter attack.

Keane sent in a curling long distance shot after 57 minutes. Cracknell had to make a low save to palm the ball away, but the following corner was easily cleared.

The visitors followed up just a minute later when Lufudu had a shot straight at Mersin.

Bradley replaced Keane on the hour, but after only three minutes on the pitch he was yellow carded too after a scuffle. 

Both sides continued to have chances but it remained goalless. James had a header just wide and then Johnson tried his luck for the visitors. He cut in from the left and despite a deflection, it failed to trouble Mersin.

Bennett was on the attack in the 68^th minute with his cross going across the face of the Guiseley goal, with no one there to collect.

Nsiah replaced Beavon after 79 minutes and immediately went close with a header just over the bar. But a couple of minutes later a Longbottom shot had Mersin beaten, but fortunately it struck the post.

Carter then replaced Edwards, but Guiseley went close again when their sub Witham’s shot skimmed the post again.

Mickleover were holding on and desperate for a point to end the run od defeats. Ferron came on for Dales for the final minutes, but in the second minute of added time luck finally ran out. Lufudu charged down the wing and managed to get in a well timed cross, finding Thewis in the middle who finally opened the scoring.

The full time whistle soon followed and with it had gone any hopes of a point, leaving Sports edging ever close to the relegation zone.

I was frustrated at Morpeth that we showed no improvement from the Telford game, but today we showed better shape and deserved something out of the game. The late goal was a bitter pill though.

said Sports gaffer Gareth Homes, as we now look towards Saturday’s visit to Whitby.

 

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday Mickleover will be hosting Guiseley as they try to halt a run of three successive league defeats and take a first win since September 21^st.

New signing Jamie Soule should be making his home debut and hopefully the competition for starting places will begin to breed success.

Our visitors are currently ninth in the NPL table, having recently ended their FA Cup run with a first round proper defeat on penalties at Stevenage, after it had finished 1-1 after extra time.

Their last league win was back in September 2-0 at Basford, having drawn away at both Lancaster and Ilkeston since then.

Manager Mark Bower is a former Bradford City defender, who returned to the club for a second spell in April, having previously gained the club promotion to the National League during his previous stay. He left in 2016 and has also managed Bradford Park Avenue.

Goalkeeper Joe Cracknell was a pre-season signing from Scarborough, where he had spent two years since arriving from Harrogate. A former Hull City junior, he was loaned to Scarborough before going to Bradford City on his release, who then loaned him to neighbours Bradford Park Avenue.

Cracknell’s deputy is goalkeeping coach Danny King. He arrived in December 2023 from Bradford Park Avenue.

Ollie Brown is a centre back who started with our visitors. After a loan at Frickley, he joined Alfreton, where he stayed a year before returning to Guiseley in July last year.

Right back Lucas Odunston came from Bradford Park Avenue in pre-season. He was previously in Leeds Utd and Hull City’s Academy.

Left back Liam Ridehalgh was signed in September, after starting the season with Bradford City. A Huddersfield youngster, he was loaned to Swindon Town, Chesterfield, and Rotherham, before joining Tranmere permanently following another loan spell and had been at Bradford City for three years. He has played over 300 games in leagues one and two.

Prince Ekpolo is a central midfielder that returned to our visitors in July 2023 for a second spell. He started his career with Gimnastic de Tarragona, Ploba de Mahumet, CE Morell and Reus in Spain, before coming to the UK with Glossop North End in 2017.

He first came to Guiseley in January 2020, staying 2 1/2 years before moving to Telford, making the return trip a year later.

Lebrun Mbeka is club captain and a centre back, signed in pre-season from Spennymoor. He started out at Tadcaster, before first arriving at Guiseley in September 2020. He moved to Boston Utd after two years, but came back on loan for a month, before a permanent move to Spennymoor in January last year.

Jake Lawlor is another experienced centre back signed in pre-season from Darlington. Having started out at Harrogate, he first joined our visitors in 2013. He stayed for 5 ½ years which included a loan spell at Fylde, before moving on to Salford.

A stop at Wrexham, and a return trip to Harrogate followed, before he signed for Hartlepool. After a loan at Darlington, he made that move permanent and spent 2 ½ years with the Quakers before joining our visitors.

Right back John Lufudu was another pre-season signing from South Shields. He started off at Sheffield FC, and played at Emley, Tadcaster and Ashton Utd, before joining Guiseley in November 2020.

Just under a year later he moved to Spennymoor and was loaned back to Ashton, before going to South Shields in July last year. However he spent the latter part of last season back on loan at Spennymoor too.

Adriano Moke is a midfielder and former Leeds Utd and Nottingham Forest junior. He spent a year in Spain with Jerez after his release, then returned to the UK with York City.

His next move was Cambridge Utd, who loaned him to Tamworth, before a permanent move to Stockport County. Macclesfield, Wrexham, Boreham Wood, a return to York City, Spennymoor and Darlington followed.

He was loaned out again to Ashton, before finishing last season at Hednesford, arriving at our visitors at the start of the new term.

Centre back Jameel Ible is a St.Kitts and Nevis International in his third season at Guiseley. He started out with Stockport and played for Salford and York, before his first stop with our visitors in 2013. After just over a year he moved to Frickley Athletic and has also played for Scarborough and Pontefract, before coming back to Guiseley from Whitby in July 2022.

Former Bradford City junior centre back Sam Bentley was signed in September, following his release.  He also had a spell on loan at Ramsbottom last season.

Central midfielder Joe Ackroyd has spent most of his career at Barnsley. He was loaned to MFK Vyskov in the Czech Republic and spent three months at Guiseley in 2022. He was also loaned to Buxton before his release and returned to Guiseley pre-season.

Jack Emmett is another midfielder and another pre-season arrival, from Knaresborough. He has also played for Harrogate.

Will Longbottom is a striker that came through Doncaster Rovers Academy. He was loaned to Kidderminster and Halesowen before his release and then had a spell in the Republic of Ireland with Waterford. Since his return to England he has played for Bradford Park Avenue and Farsley Celtic, and was another pre-season signing.

Centre back Freddie Westfall has captained the Guiseley Academy, before joining the first team squad this season. he spent part of last season on loan with North West Counties side Steeton FC.

Midfielders Sam Walters and Max Dickinson are more Academy products, Walters having previously been with Hull City. Team mate and striker George Sebine has also joined the first team squad too.

Fellow striker Gabriel Johnson in his second season with the club and has previously played for Brighouse.

Leo Farrel land Feyi Afuape  are both  strikers on loan from Barnsley. Farrell spent last season out injured and is on the comeback trail.

Jordan Thewis came from Alfreton in pre-season. Another striker he started out with Scunthorpe, before moving onto Corby and Gainsborough. He then joined Harrogate and has also played for Boston Utd and Spennymoor. He is in his second spell at Guiseley, having spent six months with the club in 21/22.

Striker Jake Wright came from Buxton in pre-season. He was a junior at Sheffield Utd and was loaned to York City,  Southport and Gateshead, before joining Harrogate. He also had a spell at Boston Utd and spent all last season at Buxton.

Kick off 3pm, at the Don Amott, YOUR SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover made the long journey to Morpeth to face one of the current form teams in the league, as they hoped to return to winning ways and climb the NPL table.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Brandon Ferron 3-Jake Bennett 4-Curtis Weston 5-Nathan James 6-Danny Benson 7-Will Atkinson 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Ceiron Keane, Jamie Soule, Dan Bradley, Dylan Edwards, Bernard Nsiah.

It had been a fairly even first half, with the Mickleover holding their own against occasional attacking flurries from the hosts.

Morpeth had a couple of attempts on goal blocked in the first 15 minutes, before Hickingbottom was booked for a trip on Barlow.

The hosts had a shot from Gibson-Booth blocked again after 18 minutes, after Bollado’s initial attempt went across the goal face.

Bollado had another shot on goal on the half hour, but failed to test Mersin in the Sports goal. James found Marshall too, and although the final shot was blocked again, they earned a corner which came to nought.

The Mickleover back four of Ferron, James, Benson and Bennett and another excellent performance from Mersin, had managed to fend off the pressure from Morpeth and with half time approaching had their own best chance of the game, when Hickingbottom hit a distance shot and with the home keeper Langley beaten, it struck the post but set up a breakaway for the hosts.

James managed to meet the cross as it came into the centre, but Mersin was on top form with a terrific save to keep it level pegging.

But in the second minute of time added on, Morpeth got the break they had been seeking, with a precise cross from King, as Marshall made it 0-1, shortly followed by the half time whistle.

The hosts were on the attack again as the second half got underway, but fortunately their moves tended to lack finishing. 

Edwards and Soule came on for Beavon and Bennett just before the hour mark and Mersin made another great save to keep out an effort from James.

But two goals in five minutes ended any hopes Mickleover had of a comeback, with Barlow netting after 72 minutes and Dowling in the 77^th, both long range, while Foalle had gone close too, seeing his shot whistle past the post.

Nsiah came on for Barnes, who had also been yellow carded and with five minutes on the clock Bradley replaced Weston. Soale became the third yellow card for Mickleover too.

So it ended with a disappointing 0-3 defeat and a long trip home, with Sports still seeking their first win since the Blyth Spartans victory in late September and their first league point in four games.