Author: Square Peg

Mickleover Reserves V Bakewell Town: Report

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves were at home for the first time in over six weeks, as they welcomed fellow strugglers Bakewell Town to the Don Amott Arena.

The visitors were soon testing the home defence and with just eight minutes gone, opened their account 0-1.

Further goals followed after 19 and 26 minutes to send the visitors in at half time three goals up.

Sports defence managed to hold tight for a while as the second half was underway, on the hour it was 0-4 and with 12 minutes left they made it 0-5, as the Mickleover youngsters suffered their ninth successive defeat, to leave them firmly rooted to the bottom of the Central Midlands Alliance Premier Division South.

MFC Vets: Sunday Showdown – Top of the Table Clash

Match Preview: Castle Donington vs Mickleover Vets

Big game this Sunday as our Mickleover Vets side hit the road to take on league leaders Castle Donington. It’s shaping up to be one of the standout fixtures of the season.

Castle Donington have started the campaign in blistering form, winning both of their opening games – a solid 3-0 win followed by an eye-catching 7-3 victory over Coalville Town. They’re full of confidence and finding the net with ease, so we know we’ll have to be at our very best.

We come into this one off the back of a strong performance and win against Ethan United, but there will be a few changes to the squad this weekend with a couple of lads carrying knocks and others unavailable.

That said, the spirit in the camp is high, and everyone’s up for the challenge. We know what we’re capable of when we turn up and play to our strengths. It’s a massive opportunity to close the gap at the top and bring home three vital points.

Should be a cracking game – let’s make sure we’re switched on from the first whistle and give it everything.

Come on Mickleover!

Coleshill Town v Mickleover: Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover return to action this weekend for the first time in two weeks, when we visit Coleshill Town.

We played our hosts last season in the FA Cup and ran out 5-0 winners and it’s been a difficult start to this season too, recording just two wins so far and sitting in 20th place, three points behind our 14th place position.

Oliver Bosworth will be back in goal and Jake Bennett could be back in the Mickleover squad too, along with new signings centre back Brad Gascoigne and loanee striker Josiah Dyer from Peterborough Sports.

Manager Harry Harris took over at Coleshill at the start of this season, having previously been in charge at Walsall Wood and briefly at Hednesford.

They were away to Rugby Borough last Saturday and went down 1-2, as they attempted to recover to a 0-7 FA Cup defeat at home to Hednesford, and played gain last Tuesday night losing 1-2 at Anstey Nomads.

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 hosts in pre-season.

Jack Higgs is the number two keeper, an ex Wolverhampton Sporting and Romulus stopper.

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 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.

Fellow defender Harry Craven arrived from Boldmere in September last year. He previously had a loan spell at Rushall Olympic.

Defender Dan Brookes arrived at the beginning of last season from Lye Town and he 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 hosts squad last season.

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

Lukmar Darbue is a central midfielder too, signed in pre-season from Welsh Club Llansantffraid. Having started in a West Bromwich College, he has played for Bilston Town and AD Torpedo in Spain too.

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.

Cody Mullan is another midfielder, signed in pre-season after a successful 24/25 at Nuneaton Town. He’s played for Wolverhampton Sporting, Coton Green, Chelmsley Town, Knowle and Tividale too.

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.

Striker Michael Tait is an ex Aston Villa junior. He joined Tamworth following his release and after a loan spell at Stafford Rangers, joined Boldmere St.Michael’s. He joined our hosts pre-season after a spell at Walsall Wood.

Fellow striker Adam McGurk is a former Northern Ireland Under 21 international, with over 200 League One and Two appearances under his belt. Another ex Aston Villa youngster, he went to Hednesford after his release, but quickly moved on to Tranmere Rovers.

After two years at Burton Albion he joined Portsmouth, moving on to Cambridge Utd and Morecambe, before returning to non-league with Nuneaton, Chorley, Coalville, Stratford and Walsall Wood. He joined our hosts in pre-season too.

Alex McSkeane is a striker signed from Sutton Coldfield last September. 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.

Kick off us usual is 3pm.

Gascoigne Signs Up

Experienced centre back or midfielder Brad Gascoigne has joined Mickleover and will be in the squad for Saturday’s visit to Coleshill Town, subject to league approval.

A former Birmingham City youngster, Gascoigne started last season at Sherwood before seeing it out at Basford.

He’s also played for Alfreton, Buxton, Ilkeston, Matlock Town and a number of other clubs.

Reserves Draw Another Blank

by Peter Scherer

Despite winning on the opening day of the season, Mickleover Reserves are still seeking to add to those three points. But three goals in a seven-minute period of the first half at Gresley Rovers made it seven successive defeats.

Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Mason Hoult 3-Efram Rolleston 4-Fin Riggott 5-Joe Moore 6-Michael Laskiewicz 7-Josh Powell 8-Mason Chadwick 9-Shujah Ali 10-George Cunningham 11-Mikey Mandimutsira. Subs: Jaydon Wilkes, Alfie Godfrey, Philip Etinosa, Mason Wright, Dylan Buckley-Moore.

Mickleover won the first corner after two minutes, from which Ali’s shot was blocked. But it was end to end at the start, as four minutes later Gresley tried their first shot, which went wide of the left-hand post.

Gresley started to take charge and only a minute later Hoult managed to make a saving tackle, after the centre of the defence totally capitulated.

But Sports youngsters were quick on the break and Cunningham sent Mandimutsira on a run, but he was intercepted before getting a shot in.

Gresley had a random shot over the bar seven minutes in, but the pressure was beginning to build on the fragile Mickleover defence.

In the 11th minute the ball fell nicely for the hosts central striker just inside the box, he was given time to fire his shot wide of Bull’s diving right hand, with the Sports keeper at full stretch. 0-1.

Mickleover responded with a good run down the right from Hoult, sending Mandimutsira on another run, before being given a very borderline offside.

16 minutes in and it was 0-2 after Laskiewicz was beaten and there was no back up, leaving a clear strike for goal.

Almost from the restart it was 0-3 when the only player in the Mickleover side to react to any threat was keeper Bull. He saved the first shot but with no support the rebound went in and with just 17 minutes gone they were three down.

Bull saved the day from another defensive blunder after 25 minutes, before Gresley finished the second half with another strike well over the bar.

A minute into the second half Powell was fouled on the edge of the box, but his free kick then sailed over the Gresley bar.

Bull had to save another close range effort four minutes later and then after 56 minutes he was forced to tip a free kick over the bar.

Godfrey was the first sub to be used on for Chadwick, but with the hour mark approaching there was another clear strike for our hosts to make it 0-4.

Mickleover managed to pull one back after 62 minutes when Ali was fouled in the box. He stepped up to score the penalty bringing it back to 1-4.

But Gresley were quickly back on the attack forcing another save from Bull, before Mandimutsira almost broke through the home defence, only to have the ball whipped off his toes by the home keeper.

Ali managed to get a shot in which was saved, before he was replaced by Wilkes. But on the 80 minute mark our hosts got their fifth, with Bull given no chance. 1-5.

Wright replaced Powell for the last few minutes, which weren’t able to pass without Bull being forced into more saves, without whom Gresley could easily have doubled their score.

Despite showing glimpses of skill, Mickleover were never really in the game after the first goal, and look to be yearning for an experienced hand to give them guidance on the pitch.

 

Mickleover Juniors v South Hobart FC

by Peter Scherer

Over the next week or so Mickleover play host to 42 players from the South Hobart FC in Tasmania.

There are three squads, under 17, 16 and 14 who will be staying in Derby and sharing the Mickleover training facilities.

Their UK Tour has been arranged by Mark Taylor’s PSC (Pro Soccer Consulting) and takes in a number of games for each squad, plus visits to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. “We normally arrange tours for senior Pro teams, so this is a little different for us too,” said Taylor.

Having arrived in the UK on Wednesday, the Under 17 squad went straight into action with a 5-1 win over a Stoke Development side.

Last night the younger Aussies were in action, playing the Mickleover Under 16 and 14’s teams. The 14’s were in action first, which was a challenging feat for the Mickleover lads, against a team who recently won their league by 20 points.

Their Aussie opponents had the edge from the start, with a clear advantage on size and familiarity, having only recently finished their home league.

Although Mickleover were soundly beaten, they played some nice football particularly in the second half, when Jamie Reekie and Spencer Evereatt-Elton scored consolation goals for Sports.

In the Under 16’s it was the visitors off to a flying start with an unfortunate own goal after two minutes. Mickleover created some chances and kept the visitors keeper on his toes, but it was another comfortable win for the Aussie lads despite some impressive saves from the Mickleover keeper.

At Mickleover we want to give an opportunity for people and be an important part of the community and give more to our junior teams in the future. We want various clubs to continue to use our facilities, from home and now abroad too, with our Australian visitors. It’s a great experience for all the lads and one we want to continue

said Mickleover manager Gareth Holmes.

 

Dube Joins Mickleover

by Peter Scherer

Former Leicester City Junior Thabang Dube is the latest addition to the Mickleover squad. The central midfielder and attacker has been signed from Rugby Borough and has also played in Spain with San Jorge Spurs, Farsley, Ilkeston, Quorn, Shirebrook and Melton Town too having started last season at Shepshed Dynamo.

Teen Trio Head To Belper

by Peter Scherer

Belper Utd have taken three of the Mickleover first team squad on a dual registration. Teenager’s Toby Smith, Josh and Liam Carter have moved to our step 5 neighbours to gain some match practice.

All three were in the Belper squad for their 4-1 at Sherwood Colliery last week.

Winger Joins Sports

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed pacey winger Johnson Gyamfi on a dual registration with St.Ives Town.

A Leicester City Junior from the age of 11, Johnson also played for Peterborough Utd, during which time he was loaned to Boston Utd and Peterborough Sports.

Following his release, he spent a season with Harborough Town, before joining Barwell at the start of last season and has been at St.Ives since September last year.