by Peter Scherer (Image: Steve Ingers)

Two weeks since our last game, Mickleover hit the ground running at the Don Amott Arena with an early goal against Coleshill Town. But unable to consolidate the advantage, Sports had to settle for a point after a second half equaliser.

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

It was fairly lively start, with Sports outpacing their visitors from the off. Bonser’s overlap on the left provided the first chance after seven minutes, with Norkett sending in a powerful header from the cross. But Coleshill keeper Cameron Belford pulled off a brilliant save to tip it over the bar.

Coleshill then made their first break, comfortably dealt with by the home defence, before Wilkinson lobbed the ball forward. Initially Norkett checked he was onside, but he was in the clear and came out on top of a one on one with Belford, for a wonderful debut goal, 1-1.

It could have been a second just three minutes later when the ball fell to Bonser, after a scramble in the box. But the less than kindly bounce affected his shot and it was over the bar.

Coleshill skipper Carter-Byrne then gave the ball away in midfield, White picked it up crossed and Corden had his shot blocked to earn a corner.

It was 20 minutes in before our visitors got another break, but their cross from the right found no one to receive.

Bonser then got another break down the left and cut inside to shoot, that was saved too for another corner, before a Dales and Corden interplay ended with a fairly tame shot.

Usher-Shipway failed to trouble home keeper McDowell with a weak shot after 25 minutes, but Coleshill had gradually started to push forward more.

Just after the half hour mark some good work between Dales and Derham, saw Dales shot blocked, with another shot from Norkett was blocked too.

Atkinson continued to try and push Sports forward as Coleshill began to pose more of a threat. They hit the post after 37 minutes, but Corden finished the half with a shot just over as Mickleover managed to retain their advantage at the break.

As the second half got underway Coleshill showed new purpose and it was Sports on the back foot, ruing the fact they hadn’t managed a second goal before the break.

Just one minute into the second half and Theo Rowe had a good chance for the equaliser, but he fired over the bar.

Both Gascoigne and Wilkinson at the back were having to show their mettle, as the creativity had waned and Coleshiil were pressing.

Dales had a run down the right after 51 minutes, but there was no one to meet his cross, but then White and Sweeney were yellow carded, after the Mickleover player responded to the initial foul.

On the hour Sweeney and Rowe then combined to cross from the left, but Usher-Shipway’s shot was saved by McDowell’s feet, as the threat of the equaliser seemed to be getting closer.

Sports then made three changes, with Dube, Dyer and Webb on for White, Norkett and Corden.

But the pressure on the home defence continued, with Rowe putting an effort across the face of the goal, with fortunately no one on hand to receive. Sweeney then put a cross in which Wilkinson headed away, before Jack Hallahan’s shot hit the post again.

Dales made a solo break again after 70 minutes, but was fouled. The free kick came to nought, but Coleshill came straight back with McDowell making a good save from Usher-Shipway, before Rowe followed up to make it 1-1.

For a while it could have gone either way, with Sports failing to maximise a corner after 75 minutes, before Rowe followed up with another shot straight at McDowell.

Webb almost broke through too on the left, his shot was blocked and it was another corner, but Wilkinson’s header was an easy catch for Belford.

Benson then came on for Derham for the final nine minutes and with eight minutes added on, Sports suddenly came to life and again.

Dyer put a cross in that just missed out and then Belford’s feet thwarted Dube, before Dales, Dube and Dyer combined again, only for Belford to block with his feet yet again.

Bonser was fouled as he tried to make the final break, but that winning strike continued to elude at the death, just as it had in the first half, thanks mainly to a heroic performance from Belford in the Coleshill goal.

by Peter Scherer

With last Saturday’s game at Lichfield postponed, it will be over two weeks since Mickleover were in action, in their 3-2 win over Loughborough Students.

Sports are sixth in the table, with our visitors seventh, equal on both points and goal difference, but they have a game in hand.

We should see new signing Manni Norkett making his Mickleover debut, while Harry Wood will be available too after serving a two- match suspension.

Our visitors were briefly in action last Saturday. Having deemed the pitch at Loughborough playable, the referee then changed his mind at half time and abandoned it at 1-=1.

When we visited Coleshill in October it proved to one of our worst performances of the season, going down 1-3, before going unbeaten in the next seven.

On recent form our visitors had three successive wins until New Years Day, when they lost 0-1 at home to Boldmere St.Michaels.

Manager Harry Harris took over as manager at the start of this season, having previously been in charge at Walsall Wood and briefly at Hednesford. Sam Heath has recently been announced as his assistant too, having previously been in charge at Smethwick Rangers.

Goalkeeper Cameron Belford is vastly experienced, having played over 200 Leagues One and Two in England and Scotland. He started at Coventry City and was loaned to Tamworth before moving to Bury. He was then loaned to Worcester City, Southend Utd and Accrington, before returning to Tamworth in July 2013.

Mansfield, Swindon, Stranraer and Forest Green are among his later stays and three years at Stafford Rangers before joining our visitors in pre-season.

Bermudan International Dale Eve has also deputised for Belford, having signed in November of a dual registration with Stratford Town. He first came to the UK with Derby County, before moving to Stoke City. He was loaned to Fleetwood, Newcastle Town and Congleton, before joining Forest Green following his release.

After a spell back in Bermuda with Dandy Town Hornets, he has played for Ilkeston, Rushall, Kidderminster, Robin Hood in Bermuda, Spennymoor, Hereford, Alvechurch and Walsall Wood too,.

Right back Ben Usher-Shipway arrived from Boldmere St.Michael’s at the start of last season. He started at Boldmere before a spell at Solihull Moors, who then loaned him to Alvechurch, Sutton Coldfield and Stourbridge. He then returned to Boldmere September 2023 after a year at Leamington.

Defender Taylor Carter-Byrne is the club captain in his second spell with the club. He left to join Hednesford in June 2022, but returned after a few months.

Defender Dan Brookes arrived at the beginning of last season from Lye Town and took the Players Player of the Year, supporters and managers player of the season awards last season.

Pre-season signing Tyreace Brown started as defender in the Northampton Academy. He moved on to play for Rushden & Diamonds, Alvechurch, Barwell, Highgate Utd, Lye Town, Romulus, Atherstone, Walsall Wood and Worcester City.

Harry Sweeney is a defender that became part of our visitors squad last season.

Experienced centre back George Cleet was initially a West Bromwich Albion junior. After loans at Worcester and Hednesford, he went to Halesowen on his release. Sutton Coldfield was his next stop, followed by Highgate Utd and he started this season at Boldmere, until joining our visitors in November.

Jack Hallahan is a central midfielder, signed from Walsall Wood last October. He’s previously played for Alvechurch and Evesham.

Theo Rowe is a right sided midfielder and former Stoke City junior, who arrived pre-season. After his Potters release he joined Banbury and first arrived at Coleshill in July 2023 from Redditch. After three months he moved to Alvechurch, followed by Boldmere and Anstey Nomads.

Midfielder Gio Dainty is a Coleshill stalwart. He started at Coventry Sphinx and played for Alvis, Atherstone and Bedworth before joining our visitors. He made his debut for the club back in August 2015.

Joe Fitzpatrick is a midfielder, pre-season arrival and ex Wolves youngster. He joined Mansfield Town on his release, where he made three first team appearances and was loaned to Sutton Coldfield. He then moved on to Worcester City, Telford, Boston Utd, Hednesford, Halesowen and Walsall Wood and spent last season at Cradley Town.

Midfielder Louie Webb is currently on loan from Walsall.

Lewis Allison is a midfielder too, signed in October from Boldemere St.Michaels, while fellow midfielder Bassit Mandey joined the club in November 2024.

Alex McSkeane is a striker signed from Sutton Coldfield in September 2024. He started out at Walsall and has also played for Boldmere.

Joe Morley is a pre-season signing from Stafford Rangers and another striker or midfielder. He’s played for Hednesford and Chasetown too.

Daniel Gyasi is a former Stourbridge and Redditch striker in his second season at Coleshill. He has also played for Boldmere and Sutton Coldfield.

Striker Tristan Dunkley was signed from Shepshed Dynamo in October. A junior at Birmingham City, he moved onto Loughborough Dynamo, Hednesford and Halesowen, before arriving at Solihull Moors. He soon moved on again to Rushall, Tamworth, Alvechurch, Barwell, Corby and Bedworth, before joining Shepshed at the start of last season.

Fellow striker Marvelous Onabirekhanlen came from Quron in November. He has spent most of his career at Walsall, who loaned him to Worcester, Stourbridge and Chasetown, before singing for Sporting Khalsa on his release. He’s played for Redditch and Alvechurch too.

Kick off is 3pm at Don Amott Arena, as we try to make it three successive wins.

by Peter Scherer

21 year old striker Manni Norkett has joined Mickleover from National League Boston Utd.

He started his career back as an under five at Collingham and played for Newark Town and RHP Colts before being spotted by Manchester Utd as a 14 year old.

He went out on loan to Gainsborough Trinity, before moving to Nottingham Forest in June 2023, after five years at Man Utd. A further loan followed where he scored one goal in five games for Cheltenham Town in League Two, before joining Boston at the beginning of this term after his Forest release.

The lads have done well over the Christmas period, it’s positive and we have a good squad, but we have to look at adding to it and that’s my job. We have to make sure we get the right person and Manni fits that bill, he’s quick and has a good eye for goal

said Mickleover boss Gareth Holmes.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover centre back Ashton Offler has moved to Northern Premier League Gainsborough Trinity.

Having arrived from Stamford in pre-season, he has made 19 starts and been on the bench for four games, notably scoring our New Years Day winner, his one and only goal in Sports colours.

Ashton has been excellent for our club as a person and as a player. Despite limited game time of late, his character and personality have been great. When the club made him an attractive offer and they are chasing promotion, it would have been difficult for him to turn down and we wish him all the best for the future

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

by Peter Scherer

For our first away trip of 2026 we take a short trip down the A38 to Lichfield City.

Now sixth in the table Sports will be looking for a third win in a row and a fourth undefeated, against our hosts who currently lie 10th in the table.

Danny Benson should be fit after coming off at half time on New Years Day and Thabang Dube will be available again too.

We went down 0-1 to Ivor Green’s team back in August, but like so many teams, they have had an up and down season. They have had three wins from their last 10 games, all at home, but have lost their last three games without scoring a goal.

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.

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.

Right back James Wilcock started out at Tamworth, but has spent much of his career with Highgate Utd. He has played for Alvechurch and Coton Green too, and came to our hosts in July2024 after his second spell at Highgate.

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.

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.

Central midfielder Max Beech arrived in October from Rugby Town, having previously been at Peterborough Utd.

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.

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.

Striker Kieron Berry was a West Bromwich Albion Junior, signed a few months ago from Darlaston Town. He’s played for Rushall, Gresley Rovers, Chasetown, Bromsgrove, Boldmere, Stafford Rangers, Barwell and Rugby Town too.

Fellow 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.

Striker George Lycett is a former England Schools Under 18 international, who has also played for AFC Wulfranians and AFC Wolverhampton.

Sonny Sheasby is another young striker, signed from Ellistown last season, and Tom Brown, Joe Danby, Kev Hemajou, Tony Simkiss and Jack Bostock have also made starts this season.

Kick off usual is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

It took a late second half comeback for Mickleover to rescue a game that had looked well and truly lost. 0-2 down, a George Wilknson header, a solo strike from Fraser Corden and 91st minute winner from sub Ashton Offler did the business however.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Louis Bonser 4-Danny Benson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-George Wilkinson 7-Ross Derham 8-Will Atkinson 9-Josiah Dyer 10-Fraser Corden 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Paddy Webb, Michael Hollingsworth, Ashton Offler, Archie White.

For the first 10 minutes Mickleover bombarded the visiting defence, but failed to breakthrough, with a number of shots blocked.

Totally against the run of play and in their first attack it was Loughborough that took the lead after 11 minutes, with Daniel Vanderpuye firing home from the Mickleover right 0-1.

The goal had given Loughborough the confidence to push forward and Sonny Albert went close again after 20 minutes, with Mickleover not only losing their domination, but struggling to break out or even string together consecutive passes.

William Earley had a shot deflected over the bar for Loughborough a minute later, before Dales managed to earn a corner, which went to waste.

Corden put a shot wide of the left-hand post after a patient build up on the half hour, but then an Ollie Downes cross found Albert for the visitors, his shot was deflected for another corner.

Dales pushed the ball through the defence after 34 minutes rather than shooting, but his move failed to connect with Dyer, who misread the situation.

While Loughborough continued to shoot on sight, Mickleover were visibly struggling and McDowell was forced to make another save from Vanderpuye with his feet.

Both Benson and Corden could have had shots around the 40 minute mark, but took the ball too far and lost it, while a minute later Dales made it into the box before he was blocked.

With the half time whistle poised Dales broke through again, his strike was well saved by Sadler, before the rebound fell for Corden. His shot was then blocked, earning a corner, which was headed wide by Gascoigne and so it remained 0-1 at the break.

White replaced Benson for the second half and was straight into the action, setting up a shot for Bonser on the edge of the box, but his shot was over the bar.

A few minutes later McDowell was spotted off his line and had to race back as a Loughborough punt went just wide.

White had shot saved after 50 minutes and two minutes later his cross from the right met with a misdirected header from Dyer.

But Rennie got a second for Loughborough after 54 minutes, when he was left unmarked on the edge of the box, to receive Prickett-Reed’s cross 0-2.

Beavon replaced Dyer on the hour and four minutes later Mickleover managed to pull one back, with Wilkinson heading home a White free kick 1-2.

McDowell made a diving save to his right as Loughborough fought back, before Sports upped their fire power with Webb coming on for Atkinson.

It was almost a third for Loughborough in the 74th minute, but Bennett cleared off the line. Beavon then put Webb through the middle, before his shot was blocked by Twite.

Mickleover had started to threaten again and started to put Twite and Earley under pressure in the centre of the visitors defence.

Bonser put a challenging cross in from the left, which proved too high, but after 78 minutes Corden picked the ball up in midfield, carved his way through and fired in the equaliser from distance, 2-2.

Webb went close three minutes later when keeper Sadler just got a touch on a fizzing shot and then Corden forced him into a one handed save.

Suddenly there was the scent of victory, with a Beavon header striking the bar from a Corden corner.

Time was running out though and with two minutes left Offler replaced skipper Dales. His first touch was heading a White free kick into Beavon’s path, so close.

But his second was a powerful header from a corner, the winning goal 3-2 with the full time whistle soon following.

by Peter Scherer

We start 2026 with the visit of Loughborough Students on New Years Day.

Back on a hot August Bank Holiday Monday, we went down 2-1 to our visitors in a dour and very unimpressive game, which was the first of only four wins for Loughborough this season.

On Boxing Day they lost 0-3 when Shepshed Dynamo visited. They had three successive wins back in October, but have managed only four points from the last 10 games and are currently 21st in the table

Sports will still be hoping that Danny Benson will be fit to rejoin the squad that came away with an impressive 3-0 win at Rugby Town. It consolidated 10th place in the league, but still only three points outside the play-offs.

Jamie Clapham’s side having had a rapid turn over of players in recent games, including four different goalkeepers.

Leo Webster was previously at Winchester City and had time in Spain with the Malaga Sporting Academy, while Jude Sadler has come from the Charlton Athletic Academy.
Steven Bessent was previously at the Newcastle Utd Academy before joining our visitors, while Will Dean was between the sticks on Boxing Day.

Defender Jonty Bouch has often captained the team and he started out in Mansfield Town’s Academy.

Centre back Harry Twite has previously played for Kings Lynn and Wisbech and is capped as a full international and under 20 by Bermuda.

Ben Royall is another defender who has played for Worthing, while left back Oliver Downs started at AFC Wimbledon, before moving on to Bognor and Fleet.

Fellow defender Nat Salsby has been a mainstay of the team this season, while centre back.

Will Earley is a recent debutant having also played for Burton Albion.

Midfielder Sam Fielding has been captaining the side of late. He is in his third season with our visitors, along with fellow midfielder Max McCcoy.

Winger Alex Spiteri is a Malta under 18 and 19 international and started his career with Sliema Wanderers, before a spell at Reading preceded his arrival at Loughborough.

Josh Roddy previously played for Corsham Town and Welton Rovers, while fellow midfielder Marcus Gilpin started his career with Bradfield College.

Striker Connor Keene, was previously at the Crystal Palace Academy, while his fellow forwards Gafar Abari and Max Prickett-Reed were at Sunnybank FC in Scotland, Northampton ON Chenecks and Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Striker Sonny Albert was at Florida Southern College before coming to our visitors on his UK return and has also played for Dorking.

Both striker Ashden Shortland and attacking midfielder Hussein Issa have been regular starters, while Tobenna Ikegwuonu, Thomas Higgs, Sid Hollywood-Martin, Liam Brannigan, Mat Rennie and Oliver Unwin have part of the squad too.

More recently both Noah Simmons and Daniel Vandapuye have arrived on loan from Lincoln City. Simmons is a midfielder, while Vandapuye is a striker, who has also been loaned to Lincoln Utd recently.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm as usual, with full bar and catering available.