by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Two first half goals from Thabang Dube set Mickleover on the road to victory at Rugby Town, with Louis Bonser consolidating a 3-0 win.

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

It was a fairly lively start on a bitterly cold day, with both sides trying to push forward. Dales earned a free kick after five minutes, when he was pulled back, but the following effort went wide.

Rugby then tested keeper McDowell twice in two minutes, the first a tip round his right-hand post low down after Mardenborough’s shot 10 minutes in, before a Harris header forced a tip over from the resulting corner.

Four minutes later Bald in the hosts goal was quick off his line to block a Dales effort, after he picked up a Dube cross from the right.

Mickleover had started to gain the upperhand when after 24 minutes Webb put a cross in from the left. Atkinson slid in to try a toe poke, but once again Bald managed to block it.

Rugby earned a corner after a break, but that came to nought, as the pressure continued to build on their defence, with Webb having a shot blocked from the edge of the box on the half hour mark.

Webb put another cross in from the wing, missing Dyer’s headed by a whisker, before another corner soon followed. Dales found Dube, whose cross was headed goalwards by Gascoigne, but lacked the power to test the keeper.

But 35 minutes in and another strong build-up down the left, sent the ball crossfield to Dube, who buried it in the bottom corner, 1-0.

Two minutes Dales was fouled on the edge of the box, he took free kick himself and went for goal, but the keeper collected as it headed for the far top corner.

Rugby managed another attack after 41 minutes, to earn a corne. As the ball seemed to hang in the air, McDowell came out and punched away.

Webb then had another chance after picking up a crossfield ball from Dales, only to push the ball too far ahead with the keeper collecting before a shot taken.

With half time approaching, Dube made it 2-0 after a nice one two with Dales. The Mickleover skipper held it just enough for Dube get into position, giving keeper Bald little chance.

It had been a strong first half for Sports, with Gascoigne and Wilkinson solid at the back and both Bennett and Bonser looking effective on the wings. In midfield too both Atkinson and Derham had plenty of time on the ball to be creative.

For the first 10 minutes of the second half Rugby were allowed back into the game and forced Mickleover to be on the back foot.

52 minutes gone and Dales then sent Dube on another run. He made it into the box but pushed it a little too far ahead and his hopes of a hattrick disappeared.

Rugby had a free kick a few minutes later and then McDowell had to make a double save, parrying Elliott’s initial strike, before Hamilton’s follow up was just passed the post.

But when Bonser made an interception on the left, he was in space and sent Webb clear. Dales picked it up and cut inside before firing his shot just wide of the right-hand post after a deflection.

Wilkinson almost connected with the following corner, but Rugby then got a break on the hour, but Bennett had it covered at the back with a timely interception.

Mickleover had started to take charge again, but Dube’s cross was too close to the keeper with Dales and Webb waiting.

It was almost a third though for Sports though after 63 minutes, when Bonser linked up with Webb again to send Dales one on one with the keeper.  Keeper Bald read it well though and came out on top.

Sports made their first change after 65 minutes when White replaced Dube, but two minutes later there was finally the anticipated third goal. It was another timely interception from Bonser, but this time he had acres of space. He cut inside and had his first shot saved, but it came straight back to him and the rebound was in the bottom corner 3-0.

Webb could have made it four a minute later, when Dales crossed from the right, only for the shot to go well over the bar.

Rugby should have pulled one back after 73 minutes when Tye collected a cross from Lundoloki, only for his shot to hit the roof the stand.

Corden and Hollingsworth then replaced Webb and Derham, before Dales continued to take on the home defence. He was intercepted on a 79^th minute run and then found Dyer, whose effort was straight at the keeper.

Corden then put Dales through, but that shot was straight at the keeper too, before Offler became the final sub, coming on for Dales.

Dyer had the final chance in time added on, he collected and turned nicely, but his shot was over the bar and it remained a well-deserved and fairly impressive 3-0.

 

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

It was another mixture of missed chances and questionable refereeing decisions that cost Mickleover dearly, as they ended their final home game of 2025 with a 1-1 draw.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Archie White 4-Ross Derham 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-George Wilkinson 7-Tbanag Dube 8-Will Atkinson 9-Josiah Dyer 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Liam Carter, Ashton Offler, Josh Ashman, Michael Hollingsworth, Louis Bonser.

Right from the kick off Webb had a punt on goal, firing over bar as he tried to catch keeper Charlie Woods off guard.

It was all guns blazing though from Sports, pushing forward at every opportunity with Sphinx pegged back in their own half.

10 minutes in and Gascoigne played a long cross field ball out of defence, sending Webb on a chase down the left. He was into the box when Ryley Nicholson tripped him from behind, everyone including the Coventry keeper prepared for a penalty, but the referee thought other otherwise and ignored the appeals.

Two minutes later Dales put Webb through again, but a combination of keeper and the recovering defence managed to stop him, but it was very close.

Sports continued their barrage and a combination of Dyer and Dales after 18 minutes set up Webb again. As he ran in he tried a first-time volley, but it was over the bar again.

Dales then charged through on the left and found Webb in the middle, another strike hit the underside of the bar, as Sports were hitting everything except the back of the net.
Dube was next to try his luck on the 20 minute mark after a strong run and cross from White on the left, but the keeper parried the shot and the ball was cleared.
There was a slight respite before Dube was obstructed on another run after 33 minutes, but White’s free kick was straight into the wall and cleared again.

With Gascoigne and Wilkinson controlling things at the back, both Bennett and White had plenty of freedom on the overlap. 35 minutes and White used the space to try another shot from distance, but it was over the bar again.

With five minutes left in the first half White tried again, firing a shot from the left, after a strong build up between Dales and Dube, but once again it was over the bar.
Coventry hadn’t had a shot, but with one minute left Jordan Hayward’s determination almost got him through after a corner, before the Mickleover defence closed ranks.
The defence had looked solid, Atkinson and Derham had both been creative in midfield and it had been a strong first half performance from Mickleover. But none of the chances had been converted and instead of going into the break 3-0 up, it was still 0-0.
There were no immediate changes for the second half and both teams won corners in the first 10 minutes of the restart, which came to nought.
Sphinx had their first real shot of the game after 56 minutes, but McDowell had it covered. They were somewhat luckier six minutes later when a ball from the Mickleover left found Daniele Reka, who beat McDowell at full stretch, 0-1.

Carter then replaced Dube, as the visitors continued in the ascendancy, with Mickleover ever more frustrated. Derham had a shot saved after a nice build up, but five minutes after the opening goal we were level again. As the ball came into a crowded box from the right, Bennett got the last touch as the ball bounced off a number of players. Scrappy but it was 1-1.
68 minutes and Gascoigne went close with a header from a corner just over the bar, but he was soon replaced by Offler. “It was a precaution as my hamstring had tightened,” he said. Bonser was also on for Webb, moving to left back with White pushing further forward.
Coventry had another chance after 73 minutes, when ex Sports plater Matty Bowman set up Jack Downes, but his shot was high over the bar too.
Dales tried a solo run a few minutes later, cutting in from the left he shot just wide of the right-hand post, before there was another scare at the opposite end. Sports had lost possession in midfield and Sphinx got a break, a volley from the right hit the post and the ball ran across the face of the goal and out of danger.

Hollingsworth replaced White for the last seven minutes, but Mickleover continued to push for a winner. Bonser had a couple of good runs on the left, setting up Dales who had a shot blocked and earning a corner almost on time.
So it ended 1-1 in a game that should have been comfortably sewn up in the first half and we now prepare to visit Rugby Town on Boxing Day.

 

by Peter Scherer

For the second consecutive week Mickleover are at home, as we welcome Coventry Sphinx to the Don Amott Arena.

It was another disappointing weekend for Sports last week, going down 1-2 to Wellingborough Town, which saw us slip back to ninth in the table as we started the second half of the league season.

Hopefully Danny Benson and Stuart Beavon will be back from injury, enabling manager Gareth Holmes to go into the festive programme with a full squad.

Our visitors started the season strongly after defeating Mickleover 0-2 on the opening day of the season. But with just two wins and five defeats in their last 10 games, they’re now 16th in the table.

Manager John Woodward has been in charge at Sphinx since the start of the season , having been a co-manager last season. But he is assisted by Louis Guest, former club captain and currently recovering from a long term injury.

Keeper Charlie Woods was signed from Alvechurch in September 2024 and has played for Quorn and Barwell too, since being released by Northampton Town.

Reserve keeper Tom Cross came from Hinckley AFC in 2019., where he had spent the previous four years. He’s played for Sheffield FC, Corby Town, Irchester Town, Rothwell Town, Wellingborough Whitworth, Bedworth United, Banbury United, Evesham United, AFC Rushden and Diamonds and Southam Utd..

Centre back Ryley Nicholson arrived at the beginning of last season, Nicholson has played for Lutterworth and Coventry Utd too.

Right back Kyle Burke was a regular last season, but started this term at Boldmere St.Michaels. He returned to Sphinx in late September.

Defender Jordan Hayward has also been a regular mainstay of the team in the last few seasons.

Danny Monger is a defender too, and has also spent time at Coventry Alvis.

Defender Jamie Draper is home grown talent, having come through the clubs under 18 side. He recently made his 150th appearance.

Patrick Zito is an ex Aston Villa junior. A centre back he came from Quorn at the start of last season, after spells at Sutton Coldfield and Stratford Town.

Currently captaining the side in Guest’s absence is central midfielder Callum Woodward. He is in his second spell with our visitors, having originally left to join Coalville in September 2010, spending four years there until a move to Barwell, preceded a return to Coalville. He has now been back at Sphinx for nearly nine years.

Preferably a right sided midfielder, Matty Bowman is another ex Mickleover player in the visitors squad. A former Repton School pupil he played youth football at Middlesbrough and Hull City, before heading to Scotland with Dunfermline Athletic. He came to the Don Amott Arena from Basford in November 2023 and started last season at Bridlington. He arrived at Sphinx last month.

Finlay Shorrock is a midfielder and had spent the last two seasons establishing himself in the Sphinx side. He moved to Barwell during the summer, but rejoined our hosts in September.

Another midfielder is Jac Redhead, signed in September 2023 from Hinckley AFC. He’s also played for Coventry Copeswood, Barwell and Halesowen.

Devonn O’Sullivan was an early season singing from Quorn. He started off at Stratford and has also played for Rugby Town and Highgate Utd.

Iddriss Fuseini is a midfielder who joined our visitors in November last year. He stated out with Goldberg in his native Ghana, before a spell in Serbia wit Radnicki Nis.

Jack Downes is a midfielder who came through the clubs youth scheme. After being part of a successful youth team in 2015, he moved on, but returned in February 2017.

Striker Kyle Carey was at Mickleover back in 2018 and his previous clubs include Coventry Utd too. When he returned to Sphinx in September 2024, he was only the second player in the clubs history to sign a contract, having previously played youth football for the club.

Fellow striker Jamal Adams is in his third spell at the club, after starting out at Nuneaton. H first arrived from Ruby Town in July 2020, but after a year moved onto Bedworth. He retuned in January 2022, but left again just over a year later, joining Nuneaton Griff. Coventry Utd, Studley and Rushden & Diamonds then followed, before starring this season at St.Ives Town. He finally rejoined our visitors last month.

Daniele Reka is a young striker signed from Rugby Town at the start of this season. He was previously at Alvechurch and Worcester Raiders.

Harvey Smith and Djibril Diedhiou are strikers too, Smith was signed from Studley in November 2020.

Kick off as usual is 3pm

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Any hopes Mickleover had of making it two successive wins, were dashed when Wellingborough Town scored a decisive penalty on the hour to secure a 2-1 victory.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Josh Ashman 3-Archie White 4-Michael Hollingsworth 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-George Wilkinson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Josiah Dyer 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Will Atkinson, Fraser Corden, Jake Bennett, Ashton Offler, Ali Mohiuddin.

Although Mickleover started strongly, it was home keeper McDowell first in action, with a fourth minute save.
But Sports went close just two minutes later when Dube took on the defence with a run down the wing, playing Webb through on the left, before his shot was deflected wide.

Mickleover continued to look pacey and put the visiting defence under pressure, until they gave away a soft goal after 13 minutes. After a long throw, the defence failed to intercept Green’s flick, which continued to bounce into the net, 0-1.

10 minutes later Dube won a free kick on the edge of the box, before White attacked down the left. His cross found Webb, but the final shot was wide.

Wellingborough’s keeper had been the busier of the two, but he was finally beaten in the 42nd minute. Dube again initiated the move, with a powerful strike from outside the box. Snedker made the save, but it went straight to Webb, who tapped it home at the far post, as we went into half time as 1-1.

Wellingborough came out fighting for the second half, but Mickleover soon went close again too. 53 minutes in and a good ball from Webb found Dyer, only for the ball to get away from him.

Five minutes later Jones had just had a shot for the visitors, when Ashman took him down with a clumsy and late tackle. The referee pointed straight to the spot, and Draper stepped up to make it 1-2.

After their first half performance Mickleover had gone off the boil, and opted for a triple substitution after 71 minutes, as Corden, Bennett and Atkinson, replaced Dube, Webb and Wood

But Mickleover continued to struggle to create any serious chances, and a further change was made when Offler replaced Hollingsworth. But it remained 1-2 and Mickleover now slip to ninth in the table.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover returned to winning ways last Saturday with a 3-1 win at strugglers Bourne Town and now face 15th in the table Wellingborough Town, who beat us 4-2 earlier in the season.

Our visitors have won three of their last 10 games, which have all been at home., but their last game on the road was a 0-1 defeat at Shepshed.

We have now reached the half way point in the season with 21 games played, seeing Sports currently 8th in a very close and competitive season

Under Jake Stone’s managership, Wellingborough were promoted to the NPL Division One Midlands at the end of 23/24 and finished eighth in the league last season.

Goalkeeper Dean Snedker was signed a couple of weeks into the season. A former England Under 19 international, he started out at Northampton Town. He joined Brackley after his release, quickly moving on to Kidderminster, Nuneaton, Kettering, Cambridge City, St.Albans, Hemel and Rushden and more recently with Coalville.

Captain and centre back Jack O’Connor is in his sixth season at the club, since signing from Kettering in July 2020.

Glenn Walker is one of the pre-season signings. A left back, he started out at Banbury and has played for Corby Town, Hednesford and Brackley and came to our vistors after a two-year spell with Spalding.

Sam Warburton is a left back too and a former Northampton Town youngster. He joined Rugby Town following his release, before moving to Nuneaton who loaned him to Kings Lynn before a permanent move. Corby, Rushden & Diamonds and Bedford were his next stops, before coming to Wellingborough from Spalding in November 2024.

Joe Pursey plays wing back or winger and is another pre-season arrival from Coventry Sphinx, where he had spent the last few seasons.

Left back Daniel Emovon came from Potters Bar in October. He’s also played for Hemel, Wingate, Hitchin and Kettering, before initially joining our visitors in October 2024. After four months he returned to Wingate and started this season at Potters Bar.

It was a pre-season return to the Dog & Duck for defender Charlie Green. He left Wellingborough at the start of last season for Rushden & Diamonds.

Theo Robinson is a young defender on loan from Notts County. He has also been on loan at Kettering.

Lloyd Buckby is the clubs longest serving player. A central midfielder, he joined the club in 2016 and has made over 200 appearances as he is now in his ninth season.

Romeo Ingman is an attacking midfielder who started the season with a brief stay at Rushden & Diamonds. He was previously at Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Fellow midfielder Chris Clements has made over 200 league two appearances during his time at Mansfield Town, Grimsby and Forest Green. He started out at Crewe Alexandra and was loaned to Nantwich, Leigh Genesis, Stafford Rangers and IBV Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland, before joining Hednesford on his release.

He then spent almost five years at Mansfield, before moving on to Grimsby, Barrow, Forest Green, Cheltenham, Nuneaton and Potters Bar. He had spent the last two yeas at Rugby Town, from where he joined our visitors pre-season.

Danny Draper is a right sided midfielder, signed from Spalding in September last year.

Archie Murray is a midfielder too, and an ex Northampton Town youngster.

Connor Furlong is the most recent signing, having made his debut in last Saturday’s victory. He started with MK Dons and was loaned to Oxford City and Aylesbury Utd before joining Bedford Town on his release. St.Ives, Barton Rovers, Biggleswade, Rushden & Diamonds and Royston followed, before rejoining Bedford again in March 2023. Nuneaton and Daventry followed, before spending the last two seasons at St.Neots.

Isa Abrahamu is a winger who signed for our visitors at the start of the season, after a short spell at Coventry Utd.

Striker Nile Ranger has played in al three EFL Divisions and the Premiership. He started at Crystal Palace and Southampton, before joining Newcastle in 2008. Further loans at Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday followed before a permanent move to Swindon Town.

Blackpool was his next stop, before three spells at Southend Utd. He’s played for Spalding and Boreham Wood too, before joining our visitors in October, after a year at Kettering.

Ethan Johnston is another striker signed from Rushden & Diamonds last month. He started at Northampton Town, before loan at Kettering preceded a move to Banbury. He spent two years with St.Ives, before his two-year spell at Rushden.

Kobi Bivens is another striker recently signed locally from Northampton Silbey Rangers, while Taylor Franklin and George Barnell both came through the ranks with our hosts.

Fellow striker Will Jones first came to our hosts at the end of the 23/24 season dual registered with Cambridge City. He was previously at Sporting Khalsa.

Joziah Barnett is on loan from Northampton Town. A winger originally from Stotfold, he has also been out on loan at Redditch.

Kick at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm and REMEMBER “WHEN THE RAMS ARE AWAY COME AND WATCH MICKLEOVER PLAY”

by Peter Scherer

It had been five games without a win, but Mickleover returned to winning ways at Bourne, with a solid 3-1 victory.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Josh Ashman 3-Archie White 4-Danny Benson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-George Wilkinson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Ashton Offler, Josiah Dyer, Will Atkinson, Michael Hollingsworth, Ross Derham.

In the opening minute of the game Wood tested keeper Swan after positive work from Webb on the left. Bourne then earned a corner, which was wasted, before Sports reciprocated when Wood and Dales combined.

Our hosts had their first shot after four minutes when O’Brien fired his effort over the bar, but three minutes later they had the lead after Furey had outpaced White on the left. His first cross was blocked but at the second attempt he found Eyett relatively unchallenged to strike the ball home 0-1.

Furey’s pace continued to cause trouble on the Mickleover left, after twisting and turning himself clear, he shot wide of the right- hand post a few minutes later.

Dube then had his first real down the right, his cross was blocked and Gascoigne went close with a header, earning another corner.
In the first 15 minutes Mickleover had been on top possession wise, but still sought the equaliser, while trying to close down Furey’s continuous threat on the left.

17 minutes and Furey was through again, but Bird’s header was over the bar, eight minutes later another Furey strike was saved by McDowell at his near post.

As we reached the half hour mark White had broken clear on the left and almost connected with Beavon in the box. Then Dube attacked down the right, as he cut in the path was blocked, but it fell to Benson just outside the box, who smashed home the equaliser 1-1.

As Mickleover pushed forward from the restart, Bourne got another break, with Wilkinson trying to pursue Bird into the box. There was no tackle but the Sports defender pushed his rival in the back and as he fell to the ground the assistant alerted then referee who awarded a penalty.

O’Brien took the kick and aimed for McDowell’s bottom right corner. “I don’t think he was going to take the kick, so we tried to get into his head. I just went for my favourite side and saved it,” said the Mickleover keeper.

Sports maximised their reprieve and another strong run by Webb on the left, prompted a lay-off to Dales, who almost matched Benson’s early strike with another scorcher into the back of the net after 40 minutes, 2-1.

Dube tried his luck on two more occasions before the half time whistle, firing over the bar after 42 minutes and over the top a minute later following a throw in as Mickleover went into the break with a 2-1 lead.

Dyer replaced Beavon as the second half got underway. After Bourne earned a corner from the first attack of the half, Dales tested Swan from long range, pushed wide by the keeper.

55 minutes in and Dyer almost maximised a moment of chaos in the home defence. Webb had found him unmarked, but keeper Swan raced off his line to make the save with his feet.

After our hosts had tried a wild random shot over the bar, Dales broke again down the left on the hour mark. Webb put the cross in and Dyer was so close again to connecting.

With the Mickleover defence looking much more solid, both Ashman and White had been able to push forward too and the threat from up front looked ever more threatening to the home defence.

Wood received a yellow card after contact with Ellis, who writhed in agony until the card was given ad then miraculously recovered.

Hollingsworth then replaced Wood, followed by debutant Derham coming on for Dube.

Sports defence had kept Furey quiet in the second half, but he broke again in the 75th minute, but his dangerous cross was cleared with relative ease.

A few minutes later a long kick from McDowell was picked up by Webb, with the home keeper off his line he tried a lob but just off target.

Dales then attacked down the right to cross for Webb in the middle, but he couldn’t quite connect.

Ellis had a shot easily saved by McDowell after 80 minutes, before another comfortable save from an O’Brien shot, after their free kick had come off the wall.

But Sports hadn’t finished yet, and with Derham taking it the line on the right, he passed across the goal face to give Dyer a tap in on the left, 3-1.

Webb had another lob saved by the keeper almost on time, but it was a solid three points for Mickleover once the defence had settled after a shaky start, much to the approval of the five stalwart supporters that made the trip.