Author: Square Peg

Red Card Seals Reserves Fate

by Peter Scherer

A good strong first half and half time lead came to nought as Mickleover Reserves visited Mansfield Hosiery Mills, aided by an appalling red card decision against striker Sam Tomlinson. 

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Maher 2-Mason Hoult 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Luis Mas-Hall 5-Jared Cholerton 6-Toby Smith 7-Josh Carter 8-Harry Atwal 9-Sam Tomlinson 10-Josh Powell 11-Mason Tudgay. Subs: Sam Johnson, Ellis King, Hayden Simpson.

The hosts were first to try a shot, firing just over the bar after three minutes. But five minutes later Mickleover were close to opening the scoring, when a good build up on the left between Ferron and Tudgay, found Tomlinson, whose shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced clear.

But Mansfield soon struck back with Maher having to save with his feet, after Hoult had been out muscled by a bulky striker.

The hosts tried another shot 16 minutes in, but Maher saved, before a follow up effort went wide.

Sports hit the bar again after 18 minutes, with an Atwal free kick after Tomlinson was fouled.

The pressure was beginning to build on the hosts goal and a lovely ball through the middle found Carter, but as he cut inside his path was blocked, but earned a corner.

Sports were outplaying Mansfield for skill, but the size and maturity of the hosts started to play a part too, with Mas-Hall hacked down on a run down the right.

On the half hour Mas-Hall had another cut in from the right, but just missed connecting with Tomlinson in the middle.

Five minutes later a poor clearance by the Mansfield keeper went straight to Tudgay. He found Tomlinson, whose strike was just over the bar again.

Sports quickly followed up with charge down the left from Ferron, before Tudgay shot over too.

The goal finally came after 39 minutes, with a lovely build up down the left. Tomlinson found the overlapping Ferron, who duelled with a defender on the by line. His cross came over to find Mas-Hall in space, and with time on his side he slotted into the far corner 1-0.

Ferron then had a long shot after 41 minutes, but the keeper held it, but Mansfield were still trying to break out, and couldn’t break down Smith and Cholerton in defence.

In time added on Mansfield had another shot wide of the left hand post, and Sports youngsters went in at half time with the upperhand.

Barely had the second half kicked off and the Mickleover defence disintegrated, as a cross from the right was met by an unchallenged striker, and it was 1-1 after 48 minutes.

Just seven minutes later and it was 1-2 to Mansfield with another striker virtually unchallenged in the centre.

Mickleover fought back with Carter sending a shot over the bar on the hour, before the referee turned the game in the hosts favour.

Tomlinson was battling to regain the ball against some robust defending. He made a challenge, which created a melee with two defenders, probably twice his age and size. The referee jumped in as the Mickleover teen was being physically threatened and unbelievably showed him a straight card.

Neither of the Mansfield perpetrator’s were even warned, never mind yellow carded, yet Tomlinson was dismissed for what at worst was a yellow card, but questionable to whether he had fouled at all.

Johnson then replaced Carter, but without the fire power at the front any comeback was virtually over, as the referee then brandished some random yellow cards to both sides, but the damage was already done by his earlier decision.

Mansfield had a wild shot after 69 minutes, miles off target and Mickleover earned a corner a minute later which came to nought. king came on for Powell for the final 15 minutes and Simpson for the final 10, but apart from a late diving header from Mansfield following another free kick, the game fizzled out to a scrappy finale.

 

Super Sub Barnes Double Strike

by Peter Scherer

It was a typical top of the table duel, as second placed Mickleover faced third placed Redditch at the Valley Stadium. But after a superb all round team performance, it was super sub Marcus Barnes with two late goals that cliched al three points for Mickleover.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Kyle Rowley 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Tyrell Waite 10-Ben Sault 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Dan Bradley, Marcus Barnes, Ethan Fitzhugh, Rhys Dolan.

The opening 10 minutes were fairly even in bitterly cold conditions, but it was Mickleover that had the first real shot. Wilson picked up the ball after Bennett and Trueman had exchanged on the right, following his own free kick after 12 minutes when Waite had been fouled.

Redditch then shouted for a penalty when Johnston went down, but the pleas were rightly ignored.

But it was Mickleover continuing to apply most of the pressure, with Rowley and Mann looking supreme in the centre of defence.

Mickleover earned a 17th minute free kick when Dales was tripped, Flanagan was booked for the offence and as Bennett prepared to take the kick, he was barged by Cameron who also went into the referee’s book.

Wilson eventually took the kick which fell to Rowley, who shot wide.

Ridd had to palm away a cross come shot from the right a couple of minutes later, before Trueman tried his look from a Sault pass on the left, but he fired wide of the left-hand post.

Sports went so close to opening the scoring when a 24th minute corner saw the home keeper completely miss a punch. Sault picked up the loose ball and fired at goal, but Fulloway managed to head his effort away off the line, so it remained 0-0.

The pressure continued to build on the hosts, but Ridd had to receive treatment after a knock following a Redditch free kick.

Despite the pressure from Mickleover, Redditch were still dangerous on the break and after 32 minutes Ridd blocked an effort from Soleman and followed up with a save from Concannon before the ball was cleared.

Dales had a shot blocked after 38 minutes following a powerful run and cross from the right from Waite, but as the ball went loose Greaves took a knock from the home keeper.

The chances and possession had both favoured Mickleover, but it was still stalemate as the half time whistle blew.

Redditch started the second half with increased pace and briefly pegged back Mickleover in their own half.  Ridd saved a low shot from Concannon after 46 minutes and two minutes later Cranston put a cross into the box, which missed everyone.

Sault had another powerful shot blocked after 51 minutes to earn a corner, but the initial flourish from Redditch had past and it was back to stalemate.

Atkinson had been a strong force in both defence and attack and both Bennett and Wilson seemed to be cutting inside, rather than playing their more familiar overlapping wing back role.

Barnes was the first sub on the hour, coming on for Sault and after 68 minutes both he and Waite had shots blocked, before Trueman collected the rebound and tried his luck again.

With 20 minutes left on the clock. Mickleover really began to turn the screw, with continuous bombardment of the home defence.

Dales cut inside to shoot again after 75 minutes, but it was blocked again and led to a Redditch break, again well intercepted by the defence.

But 80 minutes in and Barnes charged out of defence, ran and ran before cutting in from the right, firing in a rocket shot beyond the keepers left hand, to finally give Sports a well deserved lead. 1-0.

Fitzhugh had come on Dales and with six minutes left Beavon came on for Waite. With three minutes to go Beavon headed just wide from a Greaves cross and Redditch had a corner right on the 90 minute mark.

The hosts had to push forward in time added on, but Beavon collected to find Barnes again, who split the defence wide open and charged forward to another superb strike 2-0.

The final whistle soon followed and it was all three points coming back to Mickleover, a third successive win and consolidation of second in the table.

 

 

Redditch Here We Come

by Peter Scherer

You could call it a “Six-pointer”, as Mickleover visit Redditch Utd on Saturday in a duel for play-off places. 

It was a 2-2 draw when they visited the Don Amott Arena back in October. Our hosts haven’t played since February 17th, when they beat Berkhamsted at home 1-0. Six wins out of the last 10 games and only two defeats, it wont be easy.

But two wins in succession with a three goal margin, Sports have hopefully hit form at the right time for the final run in.

Matt Clarke has been in charge at the Trico Stadium since September 2020 and is a former player for the club. He also played for Wolves, West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster during his playing career.

Centre back Ryan Wollacott started out at Stourport, before spending just over three years in the Welsh Premier League with Aberystwyth. He then moved to Alvechurch, before returning to Stourport, from where Redditch signed him in July 2021.

Left back Calum Flanagan is another ex-Villa Junior. After a loan at Kettering he joined Hinckley on his release, before making his first stop at Redditch in 2015, when he came from Worcester.

Further moves to Hednesford, Solihull, Rushall and Halesowen, with a couple of career breaks in between, preceded his return to Redditch in January 2022.

He isn’t the only Flanagan in the squad though, as brother Reece is a midfielder and former Walsall Junior.

He joined Leamington after his release and had spells at Rushall and Stratford, before Redditch signed him from Hednesford in July 2022.

First choice goalkeeper Adam Harrison was signed in December 2022 from Worcester City. He is a former Leicester City Junior, who has also played for Bedworth Utd and Tividale.

Jack Price and Charlie McNamara are his deputies and both have been on the bench recently. Price was a pre-season signing and is dual registered with Dudley Sports.

Right back Brad Burton came from Alvechurch pre-season, after starting his career at Aston Villa.

Jamie Melbourne is a left back. A former Stoke City youngster, he came from Alvechurch pre-season too. At the start of this season.

Gift Mussa is a central midfielder and another pre-season signing from Tamworth. He started out at Coventry Utd, before moving onto Leamington. He has had spells at Bromsgrove and Nuneaton too.

Aran Soleman is another midfielder and ex West Bromwich Albion Junior. He went to Solihull Moors on his release, before moving on to Coventry Utd, Rushall Olympic, Guiseley, Bromsgrove, Tamworth, Matlock and Hednesford. He has been with our hosts since December 2021.

Experienced midfielder AJ George started his career at Oxford Utd and Mansfield and spent a month on loan at Mickleover back in 2017.

After further loans at Hednesford and North Ferriby he joined Chippenham, before spells at Oxford City, Rushden & Diamonds and Tamworth, and ended last season with North Leigh. He is also an Antigua & Barbuda international.

Striker Alex Cameron is in his third spell at Redditch. He started out at Stourbridge and was at Dudley Town and Tividale before joining Redditch in July 2020.

After one year he moved to Sporting Khalsa, but returned to Redditch three months later for another nine months. He was at Rushall last season and before returning again pre-season.

Danny King is yet another striker who spent some time with our hosts last season, on loan from Gloucester City, before making his move permanent in November 2022.

Johnny Johnston is a striker too, ex Blackpool youngster, he came from Gloucester pre-season.

Midfielder Musa Ceesay was a pre-season addition, having previously trialled for the club a year earlier. He is now a regular starter and was previously at Lye Town and Wolverhampton Casuals.

Callum Rowe is a midfielder on a dual registration with Rushall. He was an Aston Villa Junior and loaned to Hereford, before moving to Exeter City. He made eight appearances for the Grecians in League Two before being loaned to Chippenham and Bath City.

He then joined Yeovil and quickly moved on to Salisbury and Hereford, before joining Stourbridge earlier this year and started this season at Rushall.

Jordan Cranston is a left back on loan from Hereford Utd until the end of the season. He’s Welsh Under 19 International who started out at Wolves. After a loan at Nuneaton, he signed for Hednesford on his release, before returning to Nuneaton on permanent basis.

He quickly moved on to Notts County and was loaned to Lincoln City, before moving on to Gateshead. Cheltenham, Morecambe, Solihull Moors and Fylde were his next stops, before joining Hereford in January.

Striker Jaiden White was a junior at both Wolves and Coventry City. He moved on to Kidderminster, who loaned him to Stafford Rangers, before that move became permanent. He started this season at Stourbridge, before coming to Redditch last September.

Former Birmingham City Junior midfielder Jack Concannon is a recent arrival on loan from Alvechurch. He was loaned to Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth, before joining the permanently on his release. He then moved to Alvechurch at he start of last season.

Striker Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton arrived just before Christmas, from Rushall Olympic on a dual registration. He started out as a Junior with both Birmingham City and Bournemouth and was loaned out to Salisbury,  and Gosport Borough, before going to Alvechurch on his release. He then joined Telford Utd but was loaned back to Alvechurch, before going back again permanently.

He started this season at Banbury but moved on to Rushall only two months later.

Centre back Matt Fulloway arrived from Sporting Khalsa in early February, where he spent the previous four season, since joining the from Stourport Swifts.

Isaiah Bazeley arrived in February too from Harborough Town. An ex Aston Villa Junior he also had a loan spell at Bradford Park Avenue, before joining Barwell on his release. He soon moved to Peterborough Sports and was loaned out to Yaxley, before starting this season at Harborough.

Academy graduates Henry Smith and Taysian Douglas-Lewis have both been on the bench too recently.

Kick off in this dual for second in the table is at 3pm and YOUR SUPPORT WOULD BE WELCOMED!!

Sports Strike Gold In East Anglia

by Peter Scherer

Straight off the back of last Saturday’s home win over Kettering, Mickleover were back in promotion form with a comfortable win over last years play-off finalists Leiston.

Gaffer John McGrath not surprisingly went for an unchanged side, 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4- Will Atkinson 5-Will Tamen 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Tyrell Waite 10-Ben Sault 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Dan Bradley, Kyle Rowley, Rhys Dolan, Ethan Fitzhugh.

From the opening whistle Mickleover were on the attack, when Greaves got clear down the left and crossed for Dales, whose shot from just outside the box was just over the bar after two minutes.

Home keeper Johnson had to make his first save only four minutes later, from a Sports header, before Greaves fired in another cross headed away by Jackson.

Leiston managed to break out of their half when Manly won the ball in midfield. He sent Crane on a run but his final effort was just wide of the post.

But it was Mickleover creating more of the chances and after 11 minutes Waite forced Johnson into another diving save, with Casement clearing both the original shot and the rebound.

Sports opened the scoring after 17 minutes, when Johnson managed to save Dales original shot, but Sault fired in the rebound and it was 1-0.

It wasn’t all Mickleover as Leiston tried to fight back, when Lavin picked up the ball in midfield, ran forward  until he was intercepted on the edge of the box, leaving Ridd to collect the loose ball.

Ridd was in action again after 28 minutes, diving to push a Dunbar effort over the bar, from Crane’s free kick.

Dunbar then blocked another Mickleover effort five minutes later from the edge of the box and then intercepted a cross from Loza before it reached its target.

There were three minutes added on before the half time whistle went and Leiston were awarded a penalty. Loza’s effort hit the bar and sent Mickleover straight into attack, with Waite shooting just wide of Johnson’s right-hand post, in the final kick of the half.

The Sports back four of Bennett, Tamen, Mann and Wilson had looked solid in the first half and were able to help midfield take control again early into the second half. 

Greaves had another shot blocked after 52 minutes, and Dunbar tried his luck for our hosts, before Johnson saved again from close range six minutes later.

But 70 minutes in and it was 2-0 to Mickleover when a Greaves cross on the left found Bennett on the back post, who scored number two from close range.

Six minutes more and it was 3-0, when Waite struck the foot of the post and Greaves had side footed in. 

Far from surrendering, Leiston had a couple of late chances. Ridd punched away after Crane corner and saved a 30 yard strike from Lavin.

But Sports almost got a fourth too, as Dales hit the post after 87 minutes and sub Fitzhugh shot just over in time added on.

The points were invaluable as they take Mickleover back into second place, two points ahead of Redditch Utd, but they have a game in hand. Who do we play on Saturday, Redditch!!

Lack Lustre Reserves Go Down At Home

by Peter Scherer

It was a poor all round performance from Mickleover Reserves, as they went down 0-2 to mid-table Cromford & Wirksworth at the Don Amott Arena last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Maher 2-Zac Sandhu 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Jred Cholerton 5-Will Robinson 6-Harry Atwal 7-Josh Carter 8-Chris Palmer 9-Sam Tomlinson 10-Bobby Battisson 11-Josh Powell. Subs: Toby Smith, Dean Ironmonger, Sam Johnson, Mason Tudgay, Mason Hoult.

In a scrappy start it was the visitors first into the attack, earning a corner after two minutes. Only eight minutes later Maher had to race off his line too, when a visiting striker tried to chase down a loose ball.

Sports earned a free kick when Powell was hacked down in full flight on the left, but that came to nought. While a few minutes later Ferron put a cross in from the same wing, with Tomlinson just failing to connect.

Mickleover went close after 16 minutes when Palmer’s free kick was saved by the visitors keeper diving to his left, after Battisson had been fouled on the edge of the box.

From the following corner Battisson almost scored, but the keeper managed to tip the ball over for another corner.

For a while Mickleover looked to be taking control, as Battisson fired over the bar after a nice build up on the left, but as the half hour mark approached Cromford tested Maher too, but it was a relatively easy save.

Up front for Mickleover Tomlinson was virtually on his own, with most of the team crowding midfield. There was plenty of build up but no final result, but Battisson managed another shot after 32 minutes, following a Ferron cross, but that was blocked.

Cromford had a header just wide, but Mickleover were struggling trying to play the ball out from the back and were giving the ball away, handing more and more opportunities to the visitors to strike.

The inevitable came after 42 minutes, when more passes had gone awry and Robinson lost possession to striker Declan Jenkins. He was clear and unchallenged and placed it neatly beyond Maher’s right hand into the far corner 0-1.

Just before half time Cholerton went off injured, he was replaced by Smith and Sandhu moved into the middle of defence with Robinson.

Tudgay came on for Carter in the second half and only a few minutes in he was hacked down by a Cromford defender on the right wing. Last man, it should have been a straight red card, but the referee saw yellow.

The visitors had another good chance, but fired well off target after 55 minutes and then a 59th minute free kick was sent straight into Maher’s hands.

Battisson found Tomlinson on the hour, but his close range shot was wide and he was the replaced by Ironmonger.

Maher had to pull off another save after 67 minutes, from which Battisson made a positive break, but was brought down yet again.

Johnson came on for Palmer and into the final 15 minutes Battisson was on the receiving end of yet another foul, but Atwal’s free kick was over the bar.

Time was already running out when after 84 minutes, Maher made a poor clearance, the defence couldn’t gain control and Jenkins fired his and Cromford’s second goal, 0-2.

Only a minute later the defence gave it away again, but this time Maher was the saviour, but we were still waiting for Mickleover to have a shot on target from open play.

Into time added on Tudgay almost got around the back of the defence from a free kick, and in the final minute Ferron cracked in a superb shot, saved again by the keeper as it remained 0-2.

 

It’s a Long Way to Leiston… on a Tuesday Night!

by Peter Scherer

Our hosts on Tuesday night were in the play-offs last season, but currently lie ninth in the table, after two successive wins had followed a 0-6 at Needham Market earlier this month. But last Saturday they drew 2-2 at home to Alvechurch.

It was a 5-0 win to Sports when they visited us in September, but both sides have had had erratic success since the New Year.

Following last Saturday’s 41- home win, Mickleover will be hoping to keep the form going into the final 10 games of the season and secure that valuable play-off place.

Darren Eadie and Chris Wigger are joint managers. Eadie was a former Leicester City and Norwich midfielder and has been in charge since March 2020.

Sam Donkin is first choice goalkeeper, he was signed from Biggleswade in November 2019, having previously played for Whitehawk and Stamford. He made his 100th appearance for our hosts last season.

But last Saturday Donkin’s run of 119 consecutive games ended due to injury and he was replaced by Billy Johnson, signed from Kettering a few days earlier.

Johnson went to Kettering Braintree pre-season. A former Norwich City Junior, he was loaned to Lowestoft and Braintree, before a permanent move to Stevenage on his release. He has returned to Braintree on numerous occasions, after spells at Gloucester City and this is his second spell at Leiston too.

Club Captain and left back Seb Dunbar came from Stowmarket in July 2021. He was an Ipswich Town Junior and also played for Maldon/Tiptree, Bishop Stortford and Bury Town. It’s his third spell at Leiston.

Centre back Adam Bailey-Dennis has 13 years experience under his belt. He started at Aveley, before moving to Bury Town. His path then took him via  Bromley, Bishop Stortford, Hemel and Chelmsford, before joining our visitors in October 2020.

Midfielder Ryan Jarvis has England caps as an under 16, 17 and 19. He started at Norwich City too and was loaned to Colchester, Leyton Orient, Kilmarnock and Notts County, before joining Orient on his release.

After many more moves he settled back in East Anglia with Lowestoft in 2015. Then after a move to Kings Lynn he returned to Lowestoft, from where Leiston signed him in July 2022. He played in every division of the football league and the Scottish Premier, with well over 300 appearances.

Another midfielder and another former Norwich junior, Zach Dronfield came from Hampton & Richmond in July 2022. He had previously been at Wealdstone.

Joe Marsden is mainly an attacking midfielder who is in his second season with our visitors, since arriving from Needham Market. He was previously at Lowestoft Town and came back to Leiston in June 2021 after three years away, and passed his 100th club appearance milestone last season too.

Jamaican International striker Jamar Loza is a former Norwich City youngster, he had loans at Coventry City, Orient, Southend, Yeovil Town and Stevenage, before being released in 2016, with 30 league appearances under his belt spread over all four divisions.

His next club was Maidstone, before being loaned to Woking. Billericay, Chelmsford, Kings Lynn, Barnet and Cheshunt followed, before he arrived at Leiston pre-season.

Centre back Chris Casement has represented Northern Ireland at Under 19,19,20,21 and Full International level. A massively experienced player who started at Ipswich and made 242 Premiership appearances and played in the Championship, League two and Champions League.

He was loaned to Millwall, Hamilton Academicals and Wycombe Wanderers, before a permanent move to Dundee. After a loan at Linfield in Northern Ireland, he joined them on a permanent basis. He also played for Portadown before returning to East Anglia with Stowmarket, from where he joined our hosts pre-season.

Midfielder Ross Crane played for Colchester Utd and AFC Sudbury, before being picked up by Ipswich Town. Loans at Concord Rangers and Bury Town followed, before a loan at Needham Market became permanent. He is another pre-season signing for Leiston.

Jack Manly, Michael Lavin and Ashley Boatswain are on loan from Ipswich, Manly is a young midfielder staying to the end of the season, while Boatswain is a striker on loan for a month, who has already found the back of the net. Lavin is a right back and due to see the season out with our hosts too.

Fellow midfielder Cameron Rayworth and striker Charlie Atkin are home produced players, who have come through the ranks a d joined the first team squad earlier this season.

Right back Eddie Jackson is a former Norwich City Junior and another pre-season signing.

Albie Armin was an Ipswich junior centre back, who came Leiston after his release last July. He had previously been loaned to Braintree.

Midfielder George Quantrell returned from Braintree in November, having only left four months, after an initial two year stay. He’s an ex Norwich City Junior too and has also played for Dereham Town and Stowmarket.

Midfielder Mitchell Jackson, striker Joe McNeil, defender Ben Batho and goalkeeper Marcus Mehew have all come through Leiston’s own scheme to join the first team recently.

Kick off is at 7.45 and although it’s a four hour plus journey each way, any support would be much appreciated.

Ex Fox Joins Mickleover

by Peter Scherer

Central midfielder Ethan Fitzhugh has joined Mickleover until the end of the season, on a dual registration with National League Norths Banbury Utd.

Fitzhugh was previously at Leicester City and signed for Banbury following his release last month and made his Mickleover debut as a second half substitute in last Saturdays home win.

 

Back To Winning Ways… And How!

by Peter Scherer (Image: Steve Ingers)

It’s been a tough few weeks for both the Mickleover players and supporters. But after a suffering a defeat at Kettering back in November, it was the Poppies on the receiving end this weekend, with an Oli Greaves hattrick securing a 4-1 victory.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Will Tamen 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Tyrell Waite 10-Ben Sault 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Dan Bradley, Kyle Rowley, Rhys Dolan, Ethan Fitzhugh.

Sports were fired up from the start and this time there was no sign of the casual defending that gave way to early goals.

Kettering keeper Dan Jezeph had to save a seventh minute effort from Greaves, after he collected on the edge of the box, earning an early corner.

Five minutes later Bennet charged down the right wing, his cross found Greaves again, who couldn’t quite get purchase on the ball and fired just wide of the of the post from fairly close range.

Ridd was then called into action to save a shot from Kobe Chong. It earned the visitors a corner, before Rhys Sharpe’s effort went out of play. Only two minutes later Ridd was forced to make a diving save, with a ball destined for the top corner and suddenly it was Mickleover’s defence under pressure.

27 minutes in and it was Kettering that opened the scoring, catching Sports on the back foot, 0-1.

It prompted Mickleover to push forward again to seek an equaliser and just after the half hour mark, Dales cut inside from the wing, fired in his cross as Sault collected and shot just wide.

Atkinson then had a shot well saved by Jezeph, but it was in time added on as the half time whistle approached, that Greaves hit the back of the net, with the whistle finally blowing at 1-1.

Barely had the second half started and Waite almost got a second for Mickleover. He collected the cross and fired the ball goalwards, only to hit the bar. Dales had another shot saved a minute later, with Sault’s effort from the rebound blocked.

But Kettering got a break after 55 minutes and after good decisive build up, Ridd made another good save from Jarvis’ shot.

It was all about to change in Sports favour though, with Greaves making it 2-1 after 59 minutes. The attacks continued to flow, with the defence looking far more solid. 72 minutes gone and it was 3-1, after Dales cut in from the left wing again, firing home into far right hand corner.

Only three minutes further on and Sports were then awarded a penalty. Greaves strode forward to make it 4-1 and to secure his hattrick too.

Fitzhugh came for Sault after 77 minutes and Beavon for Waite after 80. But the score remained the same and keeps Mickleover in a solid third place and still in the play-off positions, as we now look forward to long visit to Leiston on Tuesday night.

 

We Welcome The Poppies On Saturday

by Peter Scherer

It’s all getting tight at the top as we start to look at the run into the end of the season. Four points off second place at present with a better goal difference than Redditch, despite last weeks Royston defeat,  and we pay Redditch a visit too in a week on Saturday fortnight.

Skipper Ryan Wilson successfully came through his comeback game and is poised as he rejoined the squad, while Joe Bateman is still about two weeks away.

We welcome Kettering Town on Saturday, where Jim La Masurier had been in charge at Latimer Park since November, but in the last week he has now become assistant with Tom Cherry, while former assistant Richard Lavery now takes charge.

It’s been a difficult season both on and off the field for the Poppies, since their relegation from the National League North. Currently 18th in the league with two wins in the last 10 games, they have been on the end of some heavy defeats. Despite their problems they were still 2-0 winners when we paid them a visit in November. 

Last weekend they drew 0-0 at home to our fellow promotion hopefuls Leamington.

First choice goalkeeper Dan Jezeph came from Nuneaton four weeks ago. He was at Alvechurch last season, where he had spent two seasons since arriving from Worcester City. He is a former Walsall youth player and has also played for Tamworth.

Until Jezeph’s arrival Bill Johnson had been first choice, having arrived from Braintree pre-season. A former Norwich City Junior, he was loaned to Lowestoft and Braintree, before a permanent move to Stevenage on his release. He has returned to Braintree on numerous occasions, after spells at Gloucester City and Leiston too.

Skipper Lewis White is a centre back that started with Shepshed Dynamo. He then spent almost two years at Corby before joining our visitors for the start of last season. He had a spell with Coventry City as a youngster and also played for Oadby Owls.

Kelvin Langmead was a pre-season arrival, but brought with him vast experience of 400 mainly league two appearances. Initially a Junior at Preston North End, he had loan spells at Tamworth, Carlisle and Kidderminster, before signing for Shrewsbury on his release. Peterborough, Northampton and Ebbsfleet followed, before a loan back at Kidderminster preceded a move to Nuneaton.

After two season he spent a year each at Harrogate and Brackley, before becoming a Poppy after three years with Banbury. He is also assistant manager.

Central midfielder Harry Reilly started his career in the US with Rio Red Storm, being loaned to Mississippi too. He returned to the UK with Stratford Town in August 2020, moving on to Daventry, before a year at Banbury preceded his arrival at Kettering in August 2022.

Dan Jarvis is a central midfielder too, having started off as a Stoke City Junior. He went to Wrexham on his release, before joining Gateshead in July 2022. He was loaned to Hereford too, before arriving at Kettering pre-season

Fellow striker Tyrone Lewthwaite is a former Northern Ireland Under 19 International. He started his career with Watford and Rotherham, before going to Hampton & Richmond. He then moved on to Chesham, Beaconsfield and Aylesbury Utd, before joining Kettering in October 2022 after three months at Bedford.

Left back Ben Toseland was a Northampton Town Junior. He went to Peterborough Sports on his release, before spending 2 ½ years at St.Ives prior to his Kettering move in July 2022.

Rhys Sharpe is a left back and former Northern Ireland Under 21 International, with League Two experience. He was a former Rams Academy player, but after a loan at Shrewsbury Town, he joined Notts County. He then had a short spell at Swindon, before going to Matlock Town, Tamworth and Nuneaton. He came to Kettering in November 2020 after a month at Stratford.

Centre back Lathaniel Rowe-Turner is an ex-League One and Two player who started at Leicester City. He was loaned to Cheltenham, Redditch and Kings Lynn before a permanent move to Torquay. Two years later he moved to Luton and after an initial loan, moved on to Alfreton Town.

He then joined Kidderminster and was loaned to Nuneaton in January 2016. A return spell at Torquay was followed by spells at Chester, Kettering and Tamworth, before spending a year at Stourbridge prior to returning to Nuneaton in July 2022. He came to Kettering last month along with team mate Jezeph.

Former Sunderland Junior midfielder Tom Scott was on loan from the Black Cats last season. He briefly joined Banbury at the start of this season, but soon made his move to Latimer Park.

Gedeon Okito is a left-back who came through the MK Dons U18’s Academy. He has played for Dunstable Town, Stratford Town and AFC Dunstable, before signing from Banbury pre-season.

Midfielder Huw Dawson was another pre-season signing from St.Albans.

Winger Bruno Andrade was a QPR Junior, who was loaned to Aldershot, Wycombe and Stevenage, before joining Woking on his release. Boreham Wood, Lincoln City and Maidenhead are also former clubs, before he joined Chesham last September. He signed for Kettering on Boxing Day.

Jack Degruchy is an attacking midfielder on loan from Doncaster Rovers. He started off at York City, but during his time at Doncaster, he had made one first team appearance and been loaned out to FC United and Marske Utd.

Luca Miller is a young striker that came through the clubs own Academy. He has also played for Desborough Town and Harborough.

Northern Ireland Under 19 International right back Phoenix Scholtz is on loan from MK Dons, similarly Neo Dobson, a young Northampton Town striker and George Forsyth a midfielder from Telford.

Forsyth has been captaining the side and started out at Kidderminster Harriers. After loans at Halesowen and Gloucester City, he joined Worcester City. He has also played for Stourbridge, Hereford and Bromsgrove, before joining Kettering on loan in November 2022. His move became permanent in February last year, before going to Telford at the start of this season, only to return in July on a season long loan.

Midfielder Kobe Chong has just arrived on loan from Kings Lynn. He was previously at and was a  West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster, before moving to Cagliari in Sicily.

Finally midfielder Michael Reindorf-Junior is a new signing too. A former Norwich City Junior je started out at Leyton Orient.

Kick off at usual at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm, with all the usual bar & catering facilities.