by Peter Scherer

Tuesday night we face probably our toughest opposition in the league this season, when we visit Wellingborough Town, who had won every league game this season, until their 0-0 draw at Carlton last Saturday.

They currently lie second in the table, three points behind Sutton Coldfield with three games in hand.

Saturday was also an important win for Sports with the 2-0 victory over Long Eaton Utd. It was good to see Dwayne Wiley back from injury and also to see top scorer Manni Norkett in the starting line-up too, scoring the first goal after just eight minutes.

Mickleover are currently 12th in the table with games in hand over most of the clubs above them, of which they will be hoping to add to their victory tally and climb he table.

Jake Stone has been in charge of our hosts since May 2019 and took them to ninth in the table last season. We lost both of our encounters to them last year, 2-4 away and 1-2 at home, so certainly have a score to settle.

Goalkeeper Dean Snedker arrived early into last 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.

His current deputy is Jay Alexander, who spent the latter part of last at Mickleover on a dual registration with Kettering. Having started his career at Chesterfield and the Synergy Sports Academy, Jay spent three years in goal for Boston Utd. He then moved onto Loughborough Dynamo, where he spent four years before joining Corby Town.

He first joined Kettering in September 2024, but moved to Matlock Town after sixth months and made his return in August 2024.

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

Defender Rhys Kelly returned to our hosts in pre-season from Quorn. He was previously at Corby Town and originally left Wellingborough to join Harborough Town

Glenn Walker was also signed at the beginning of last season. A left back, he started out at Banbury and has played for Corby Town, Hednesford and Brackley and came to our hosts 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.

Defender Charlie Green rejoined our visitors at the start of last season, having left to join Rushden & Diamonds exactly a year earlier.

Kiantay Licorish-Mullins is a former Northampton Town Junior. After a loan spell at Wellingborough, he joined Sileby Rangers following his release. He was previously at Rushden & Diamonds.

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 10th season.

Midfielder Matty Slinn was signed from Corby Town last December. Another former Northampton Town Junior, he joined Rushden & Diamonds on his release and spent three years with Corby before joining our hosts.

Nathan Hicks is another central midfielder. The former Leicester City youngster arrived in pre-season and has played for Rushden & Diamonds, Histon, Leamington, Alfreton, Nuneaton, Corby, Kettering, Biggleswade and St.Ives too.

Midfielder Aidan Webster came to the Dog & Duck in pre-season too, after two years at Rushden & Diamonds. He was previously with Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Danny Draper is a right sided midfielder, signed from Spalding in September 2024.

Attacking midfielder Corvell Pickering came to out hosts in pre-season. An ex MK Dons Academy player, he has also played for Newport Pagnell.

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

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.

Zayn Hakeem is another striker signed in pre-season from Barwell. He started out at Nottingham Forest, before spending five years at Mansfield Town. After loans at Corby and Coalville he moved to Bradford Park Avenue, before two spells at Barwell were divided by a four month stay at Coleshill. He’s also played for Ansty Nomads, Worksop, Stamford, Shepshed, Basford and Long Eaton.

Neo Richard-Noel is a striker signed from St.Neots in pre-season. He started out at Cambridge Utd and had a year at Kettering before joining our hosts originally back in July 2023 and after two years made his move to St.Neots.

Striker George Ball is a pre-season signing too, from Banbury Utd, where he had spent the last two seasons. He was previously at Loughborough Dynamo.

Defender George Barnell arrived originally on loan from Northampton Town last December, while midfielder Ben Edwards has graduated to the first team squad, from our hosts own youth scheme.

Attacking midfielder Kai Fifield is on loan from Kettering, who he joined from our hosts in July 2024. At the age of seven he had a trial with Barcelona, but then played for Beaconsfield, St.Ives, Wellingborough Whitworth, Cogenhoe and Wantage too.

Striker Isaac Redding came through the ranks at Rushden & Diamonds. He had a spell on loan at Bugbrooke St.Michaels and has played for Wellingborough Whitworth and Daventry Town before having a spell in US College football at Eastern Florida.

Kick off at the Dog & Duck Stadium is 7.45 and the more support the better.

by Harry Day (Images: Peter Scherer)

Mickleover forged the perfect response to Tuesday night’s defeat to Sutton Coldfield on Saturday afternoon, as a 470-strong crowd watched the Sports defeat Long Eaton United 2-0 at the Vibrant Doors Arena.

1-Aaron Chapman 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders 4-Josh Ashman 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Dwayne Wiley 7-Theo Rowe 8-Cieron Keane 9-Harvey Smith 10-Manni Norkett 11-Kane Richards

Subs: Powell, Onabirekhanlen, J. Carter, Atkinson, Taylor

Mickleover came out with intent as they looked to ensure no repeats of Tuesday evening were on the cards. With the duo of Smith and Norkett leading the line, the Sports had plenty of threat going forward.

It did not take long for the home side to land the first blow of the afternoon. It was Manni Norkett on his return to the starting eleven, who found the back of the net from a corner that was initially fired towards Ashman.

His touch set up a first-time strike from Smith, who forced an instinctive save out of Lewis King in the Long Eaton goal. However, Norkett pounced on the rebound, firing the ball into the bottom left corner to give Mickleover the lead with eight minutes on the clock.

It was a perfect start from the hosts, who had looked dangerous in behind from the first whistle. Balls over the top from the likes of Bencherif and Wiley in the backline were being received by Smith, who was working well with his strike partner.

The early goal, as expected, did spark some life into Long Eaton United, who began to slowly grow into the game, having their first real opportunity on the 16th minute mark. A long-range effort that was struck with venom by Callum Cocks, flew just wide of the top corner.

The visitors had responded well to going behind, forcing a brilliant piece of defensive work from Sports captain Bencherif, who made an instinctive block to preserve his side’s lead.

Seven minutes later, Mickleover came within inches of doubling their advantage. Kane Richards played a perfectly weighted ball through to Norkett. The goal scorer managed to get around King before firing his off-balance effort over the bar, sparing the visitors’ blushes.

After a short stoppage due to a player from both teams requiring treatment, Long Eaton had one more opportunity to threaten before half-time. Harry Eden rifled an attempt towards the top corner, but Aaron Chapman was there to deny the equaliser.

It was the Sports who led going into the half-time interval, but a second goal was certainly needed to ease the nerves around the Vibrant Doors Arena.

As they did in the first half, Mickleover came out with intent, looking to strike early once more; they got their reward for doing so as their advantage doubled less than two minutes into the second half.

Jude Taylor, brought on following the break, made an instant impact as he broke down the right wing with the ball before fizzing an inviting ball into the box. It was Josh Ashman who got on the end of it just inside the area and found the back of the net, scoring for the first time in Mickleover colours.

But the Sports did not slow down as they got straight back on the front foot in pursuit of a third to put them well out of sight. Despite their response in the first half, Long Eaton United looked flattened by Ashman’s goal as the home side looked the more likely.

A few minutes after the goal, Josh Carter was introduced in place of Harvey Smith, who had enjoyed a strong outing. The winger very nearly had his influence on proceedings within a minute of coming on after squaring the ball to Theo Rowe, whose effort forced a strong save out of King once again.

The 70-minute mark saw the introduction of Marvellous Onabirekhanlen, who came on to replace Norkett, who received warm applause for his efforts.

Rowe was causing plenty of issues down the left wing, having the beating of his man on almost every occasion in the second half. Despite this, he was just unable to find the back of the net as King and the Long Eaton were doing everything they could to deny him.

The visitors caused Mickleover very few problems following Ashman’s goal, as the hosts were now cruising to victory in this one. Despite their best efforts to add to their tally for the afternoon, the game would end 2-0 with the Sports claiming all three points.

It was a particularly important win for Mickleover, who had responded well to Tuesday’s defeat. The victory also means they will head into a tough test at Wellingborough on Tuesday night off the back of three points and a strong overall performance all over the pitch.

 

 

by Peter Scherer

Sports will be keen to overcome their disappointing defeat at Sutton Coldfield on Tuesday night and get back to winning ways, with six consecutive league games before we face Alfreton Town in the FA Trophy.

Our visitors took their first win of the season on Tuesday, beating Boston Town 4-1 to lift them off the bottom of the table, having previously had just two points.

Player manager Bradley Munn started his career in the Mansfield Town Academy, before joining Burton Albion. He has played for Bedworth, Coalville and Loughborough Dynamo too.

He started his managerial career at Loughborough, but after five years at the club he came to Long Eaton initially as joint manager in August 2023, taking full charge three months later.

Goalkeeper Lewis King is the first of the ex Mickleover players in the Long Eaton line-up. He came through the youth scheme at Derby County and Sunderland, before joining Stockport County on his release.

Eastwood Town, Boston Utd, Stalybridge and Matlock Town followed, before coming to Mickleover in July 2016 from FC United. He stayed for three years before a move to Stafford and a return trip to FC United. He joined our visitors at the start of 2024/25, after spells at Gresley Rovers and Loughborough Dynamo.

Full back Luke Williamson first joined Long Eaton on a dual registration with Sandiacre Town at the end of last season. He’s played for Newark & Sherwood too and made his first team debut earlier this season.

Harry Eden is a left back signed from Lichfield at the beginning of the season. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Solihull Utd, Studley, Sutton Coldfield, Rugby Town and Redditch too.

Gianluca Bucci is a centre back who came through Lincoln City’s Academy. He then spent a year each at Gainsborough, Spalding and Loughborough, before joining Long Eaton in September 2024, after two months with Coleshill.

Teenaged Russian defender Artem Maslenikov spent part of last season training with out visitors, after a spell at Dallas Academy. He has also spent time with Lancaster City.

Defender Jayden Cotterill was signed at the beginning of 24/25. A former Burton Albion graduate, he has also played for Hanley Town, Barwell, Gresley Rovers and Belper Town.

Courtney Nyakuhwa played his junior football at Mansfield and Notts County. He moved to Tamworth following his release and was loaned to Nuneaton. He is dual registered with our visitors.

Jamie Hanson played Championship and League One football, racking up well over 100 appearances, during his time at Derby County, Wigan and Oxford Utd. His non-league career started at Ilkeston in July 2023, before a loan to Long Eaton in May 2024, became permanent two months later.

James Taylor is a central midfielder, who came through Long Eaton’s own Academy. He made his first team debut in 2020. After a move to Heanor Town in July 2023, he rejoined our visitors at the start of 24/25.

Connor Pace is a central midfielder too, a former Burton Albion Junior. He arrived at Grange Park during 24/25 having previously been loaned to Gresley Rovers.

Callum Cocks is another midfielder who returned to our visitors in March from Eastwood. He had previously left Grange Park after a couple of seasons to join Basford and has also played for Loughborough Dynamo.

Midfielder Alex Howes came from Carlton in pre-season. A former Notts County Junior, he has was loaned to Tamworth, before going to Basford on his release. He joined Carlton in February 2022, after an initial loan.

Casey Johnson is a home-grown talent that’s come through our visitors own Academy. A midfielder he moved onto Ilkeston Town in September 2024, before going to the US with Lionsbridge FC. He is the son of ex Rams star Seth Johnson and has only recently returned to Grange Park.

Former Sheffield Utd junior midfielder Riley McLachlan is currently on a months loan from Mansfield Town, along with defender Jacob Stubbs.

Right sided midfielder Curtis Durose came from Basford in July. A former Rotherham youngster, he was loaned to Gainsborough and Scarborough before joining Matlock following his release. He then returned to Gainsborough before making the move to Basford in September last year.

Jahvan Davidson-Miller is a former Sports player too. He was a Derby County striker before joining Barwell on his release. Coming to Mickleover in November 2021, he struggled to hold down a starting role and returned to Barwell 11 months later. He then came back to Mickleover for a very short spell in September 2024, before going to Redditch and Rugby Town and finally joining our visitors in July last year,

Midfielder George Atwal, is a graduate of our own Academy and spent the 23/24 season at Long Eaton, before moving on to Redditch and Bromsgrove. He came back to Grange Park at the beginning of last season.

Kieran Francis is an attacking midfielder too, arriving from Lichfield City in early September, after a number of years at the club.

Striker Evan Garnett is another ex Mickleover player. He started with Burton Albion and moved to Worksop after a loan spell with Hucknall Town. Belper Town, Ilkeston and Kidderminster followed, before he came to Sports in July 2017, after a year at Alfreton.

After two years at Mickleover he moved to Stafford, and has played for Loughborough Dynamo too, before arriving at Long Eaton at the start of 24/25.

Assistant manager to Munn is ex Derby County Junior Aaron Cole, another ex Mickleover player in the Long Eaton squad. Eastwood, Stockport, Barrow, Hinckley Utd, Rocester, Worksop and Belper Town were all his ex clubs before arriving at the Don Amott Arena in 2017.

He moved on to Market Drayton, Belper, Stafford and Gresley Rovers and has been assistant player/manager at Long Eaton since November 2023.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have been in the transfer market again during the last couple of weeks, making two signings.

Striker Marvellous Onanbirekhanlen is a former Walsall junior that comes to us on a dual registration from Rushall Olympic, while midfielder Charlie Knowles has come on a similar arrangement from Redditch, after he was released by Huddersfield Town during the summer.

“Having spoken to the gaffer I liked the environment here at Mickleover and felt there could be more opportunity to further my career,” said Onanbirekhanlen.

“I am local from Little Eaton and trained here in pre-season. It suits me and hope it helps in my career too,” Knowles added.

Both players made their debuts as second half substitutes last Saturday in the FA Trophy win over Malvern Town.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s hopes of victory on their return to league action, were dashed by a deflected second half goal for the hosts, and chances in front of goal wasted by Sports.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2-Darryl Powell; 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Will Atkinson; 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6-George Wilkinson; 7-Theo Rowe; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith; 10-Jude Taylor; 11-Kane Richards. Subs: Manni Norkett, Marvellous Onabirekhanlen, Andy Dales, Charlie Knowles.

It wasn’t the best of starts for Mickleover when after just four minutes Sutton attacked down the left and Jayden Campbell was able to tap in the rebound, after Chapman had saved the initial shot, 0-1.

Sports response was fairly swift and after Rowe went on a charge down the left, he won a corner two minutes later, from which Ashman hit the rebound, but a strange bounce took the sting out of it and it was an easy catch for keeper Wren.

Taylor then shot just wide from close range, before he combined with Richards and Smith to create a half chance, which was comfortably dealt with by the home defence.

Sutton were quick on the break and Campbell had another telling run after 18 minutes, but Powell chased back to intercept.

Two minutes later Birch had to make a timely interception to stop Smith connecting, with an almost open goal at his mercy and seven minutes later another crossfield ball from Smith was met by Rowe, but his shot was over the bar.

But the equaliser finally came on the half hour. Ashman had been hacked down on the halfway line, but after the initial free kick had broken down, Richards made an interception and timely pass met by Taylor who tapped it home 1-1.

Just minutes later Chapman was forced into a reflex save from a header at close range, but on the whole Powell, Bencherif, Wilkinson and Sanders continued to look strong at the back for Sports.

With five minutes left Campbell tried a random shot from distance on he right, just wide of the left-hand post, but it remained 1-1 as the half time whistle went.

Our hosts made a pacey start to the second half, but once again Sports soon responded, with Smith sending Taylor on a run which earned a corner.

The pressure began to build on the home defence as Mickleover began to push forward more, with Atkinson and Ashman orchestrating midfield.

55 minutes in and Rowe charged down the left, cutting into to shot from the edge of the box, but it was just over the bar again. Three minutes later Smith sent the ball into box but Richards’ final shot was blocked.

Wren had to react quickly too to block Richards on the hour, before a 66th minute break from Sutton saw Chapman’s response.

The first change for Mickleover came after 66 minutes when Onabirekhanlen replaced Smith and within five minutes he had a half chance, which was cleared before he could shoot.

Rowe then made an outstanding run to cut in from the left. His pass landed right at Onabirekhanlen’s feet, but the striker managed to lift his shot over the bar in Sports best chance of the half.

Just a minute later the ball fell to Onabirekhanlen again, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

Another break for Sutton followed and it proved to be the decider. After a tame initial shot came back to McGrady, whose effort was deflected by Wilkinson and out of Chapman’s reach 1-2.

With just over five minutes left, Norkett came on for Rowe and was immediately in the thick of it, almost taking on the home defence single handed on one run.

With Carter on for Taylor and Knowles for Atkinson, Sports continued to push to the final whistle, which included over seven minutes of added time.

Chapman had to make a couple more saves and Richards set up Onabirekhanlen who headed wide, before he hit the bar himself following a corner, before it ended 1-2.

 

by Peter Scherer

Tomorrow night we are back in league action, visiting top of the table Sutton Coldfield Town. It’s less than a month since we knocked our hosts out of the FA Trophy, but they have remained unbeaten since that date.

With almost the whole Mickleover squad now injury free, Gareth and Billy will have plenty to choose from as we seek to claw back the points from our games in hand.

Last Saturday they visited Carlton ad came away 2-1 winners, having beaten Coleshill 2-0 the previous Tuesday.

Jemiah Richards has been in charge since last October, having previously been at Sporting Khalsa and after drawing 2-2 at home to them last season in the league, we went down 0-4 in the return.

James Wren is first choice goalkeeper and assistant manager. He started out with Walsall, before joining Burton Albion following his release. He then moved on to Tamworth, who also loaned him to Redditch, before visiting Barwell, Nuneaton and Stafford Rangers.

He first joined our visitors in 2025, moving to Hednesford two years later. Stourbridge, Walsall Wood and Rushall followed, before returning to Sutton in July 2024 from Chasetown.

Wren has two deputies, teenager Joe Bisseker, who has comes through the clubs own youth scheme and Brandon Ganley. Ganley isa former Coventry City and Walsall junior, who spent six years at Shepshed Dynamo after his release. He’s played for Sporting Khalsa, Wellingborough and came to our hosts in August last year from Rugby Borough.

Right back Tom Hurley came through Sutton’s own youth scheme. He made his first team debut at 16 and also had a spell at Wolverhampton Casuals before rejoining our hosts.

Ayo Lekuti also plays left back or midfield. He was signed at the start of last season from Rugby Town after starting his career at Northampton Town. He’s also played for Bromsgrove Sporting and Lye Town.

Captain and centre back James Beresford is another home produced and long serving player. He has been with the club for 10 years.

Luke McGinnell is a defender who arrived in July 2024 from Chasetown. He has also played for Loughborough Dynamo.

Centre back Archie Duerden had recently returned to the club from Worcester after impressing at the end of last season on a dual registration from Bromsgrove. He’s a former Aston Villa Junior.

Zak Kourouyianni is a centre back too, signed from Sporting Khalsa in pre-season.

Left back Matthew Jackson was signed from Droitwich Spa after impressing in pre-season trials.

Remie Birch is a midfielder signed initially in August 2023. He also had a spell at Romulus before returning to our hosts.

Midfielder Romehl Critchlow was signed in November 2025. He stated out at Hednesford, where he came through their academy and has played for Solihull Moors and Bromsgrove too.

Jayden Campbell is a right sided midfielder who started out at Walsall. He joined Rushall following his release, before spending two years at Chasetown. He joined our hosts in July 2025 after spending the previous season with Sporting Khalsa.

Ryan Edmunds came from Bromsgrove in February 2023. Another midfielder, he started at Alvechurch and played for Rushall, Boldmere and Stafford before joining Sutton initially July 2015. After two seasons he moved to Coleshill, followed by Nuneaton, Redditch and Bromsgrove, preceded his return to Sutton.

Reece Gibson is an experienced and long serving midfielder and has captained the side too. James McGrady is another midfielder, previously at Sporting Khalsa.

Midfielder James McQuilkin was signed at the start of this season. A former West Bromwich Albion youngster, capped by Northern Ireland at Under 11, 19 and 21, he played for FC Zlin in Croatia, before returning to the UK with Hereford.

He’s played for Walsall, Hednesford, Torquay, Kidderminster, Telford and Stourbridge too and spent the last two seasons at Stafford Rangers.

Courtney Richards is a midfielder recently signed from Bewdley Town. A former Coventry City and Brighton junior, he spent three years at Torquay following his release, before moving on to Macclesfield, Solihull, Nuneaton, Braintree, Wulfruninans and Alvechurch. Stratford, Bromsgrove, Hednesford and Worcester followed, and finally a three-year say at Bewdley.

Winger Luca Taylor made his debut last season, before leaving on US Scholarship. However he has now returned to our hosts.He’s the brother of Mickleover’s Jude Taylor, sons of former Aston Villa legend Ian.

Aaron Cameron is one of the new signings, arriving pre-season from Highgate Utd, he’s a midfielder too.

Striker Kory Burke started last season with Sutton, before leaving for Boldmere St.Michaels. He returned last month. He’s played for Bedworth too.

Bakar Moussa is a young winger who had come through the clubs youth scheme. He’s had time with Stafford Town too.

Kick of is at 7.45pm, hope to see as many fans as possible make the journey down the A38.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

From 0-1 down at half time, Mickleover secured a second half equaliser through Kane Richards to make it 1-1 at full time. But with no extra time in the FA Trophy it was straight to penalties and with Aaron Chapman making two saves and one shot wide, Hamza Bencherif stepped up to make it 4-3 and guarantee Mickleover a place in the first round proper.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders 4-Will Atkinson 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Josh Ashman 7-Andy Dales 8-Charlie Knowles 9-Harvey Smith 10-Jude Taylor 11-Josh Carter. Subs: Kane Richards, Marvellous Onabirekhanlen, Manni Norkett, Darryl Powell.

There was a corner for Mickleover in the opening minute, but that came to nought as it was turned into a break in Malvern’s favour. Fortunately keeper Chapman was quick off his line to allay any danger.

Two minutes later the action was in the Malvern box. Following a scramble in defence, the ball was half cleared but only as far as Ashman. But he couldn’t quite get a full connection with the ball and his shot failed to trouble Kilroy in the visitors goal.

It was end to end and after nine minutes and after a Johnson throw, a Malvern striker tried his luck through a crowded box, shooting just wide of the left-hand post.

A minute later Dales cut in from the left and his cross was met by Taylor, whose header was just wide of the left-hand post too.

Chong then got another break for our visitors, he got through the defence, but once again Chapman was quick to react and blocked with his feet.

Taylor was then on the end of another Dales cross after 13 minutes, but his header was just over, before Malshankyj and Chong combined again for Malvern, with the final shot just wide.

Smith almost sent Carter on a clear run after 22 minutes and a few minutes later Carter managed to hold the ball to set up Dales, but his shot continued to rise as it headed goalwards and was well over the bar.

Debutant Knowles was next to have a crack on goal, with a powerful shot from outside the box tipped over for a corner by Kilroy on the half hour.

It continued to be fairly even until Malvern broke the deadlock after 36 mins. Malshankyj’s initial shot was blocked, but Tumelty was on hand to pick up the rebound, beating Chapman at close range 0-1.

Mickleover continued to push hard for an equaliser and after a good build up between Dales and Taylor, it became one pass too many and any chance was lost, after Bencherif had set the move in motion.

Carter had looked particular dangerous on the break for Mickleover and with three minutes left on the clock, he let loose with a tremendous shot from distance, beat the keeper and rattled the woodwork, with Kilroy just reacting to snatch the ball as Dales ran in to try and intercept.

Despite being a goal down at half time there were no immediate changes, but Dales almost grabbed the equaliser jus five minutes into the second half, only to watch his effort roll agonisingly wide of the right-hand post.

Malshankskyj had another shot just wide for our visitors after 53 minutes, before a charging run from Taylor saw him break into the box before being intercepted for a corner.

Around the hour mark Mickleover began to make changes, with Keane on for Knowles, Richards for Dales and Onabirekhanlen for Carter.

Chapman had to react quickly to a short back pass as Samuels closed in though, just before Smith made way for Norkett.

79 minutes and we were finally level again when Richards picked up the ball in another goalmouth melee and scored from close range 1-1.

Suddenly it was all Mickleover and 83 minutes in Norkett was chasing a long ball. He had outrun the defence but Kilroy raced well outside his box to foul the Mickleover striker. The visiting keeper was lucky to escape a yellow card or worse.

Powell came on for Taylor for the last few minutes, but with just two minutes left Onabirekhanlen had a double effort saved by Kilroy, finally tipping the rebound over the bar.

Right on the 90 minute mark Sanders headed against the post from a Keane corner and then Onabirekhanlen and Norkett forced Kilroy into another double save.

At 1-1 it was into the penalty shootout, with Chapman saving Malvern’s first effort, only for Kilroy to save Norkett’s shot too.

Both Malvern and Mickleover scored their second and third, with Keane and Richards success, but Malvern’s fourth was wide and then Onabirekhanlen’s effort was saved.

Penalty five was successful for both, Atkinson obliging for Mickleover and so it was sudden death. Chapman again pulled off a great save and so Bencherif stepped to score the clincher, so Mickleover go through 4-3. That was a cup tie!!

 

by Peter Scherer

Following last weekends FA Cup exit, we now focus on the third and final qualifying round of this years FA Trophy, where we host Southern Premier League South Malvern Town.

Our visitors were promoted last season via the play-offs, but it’s not been a good start for them at Step 3. They had been bottom of the table with two points from their first seven games and having gone out of the FA Cup at the first attempt, 0-4 to Redditch after a replay. So Lee Hooper’s side were still seeking their first win of the season, until Tuesday night. A fighting second half comeback against fellow strugglers Gloucester City gave them a 5-2 win and lifted them off the bottom.

Hooper was the club captain in his playing days, but has been manager for over eight years, reaching his 400th game in charge last April. He made his debut for the club as a 15 year old and spent most of his 17 year playing career with the club.

They have already used four goalkeepers this season, all loanees, with Jenson Kilroy making his debut from Walsall on Tuesday night. West Brom teenager Louis Brady had been first choice, he previously played for Sutton Utd and Rushall Olympic. Wolves Adam Harrison and Charlie Binns from Bristol Rovers have also played.

Young defender Ben Baxter was signed from Hartpury last season and soon earned his place in the promotion winning team.

Luke Payne is an experienced defender who joined our visitors in June 2022 from Cinderford Town. He spent part of his early career at Truro City and has also played for Tuffley Rovers, Slimbridge and Bishops Cleeve.

A Malvern legend, Lewis Platt is a defender and former Captain, who came through the junior ranks before making his first team debut. Apart from one year, he’s been at the club for 11 of the last 12 years.

Dennis Digie is a centre back who started his career with Kidderminster. Moves to Redditch, Yate Town, Cinderford, Lye Town and Wulfrunians soon followed, before a return trip to Redditch. He started last season at Quorn, before joining Coventry Sphinx in February, from where he moved pre-season to our visitors.

Matt Fulloway s another defender, he came from Sporting Khalsa at the start of last season. He’s also played for Stourport Swifts and Redditch.

Another long server is defender Charlie Johnson in his third season since arriving from Hartpury. He’s played for Cirencester, Evesham and Yate Town too

Central midfielder Levin Francis is in his fifth year at Malvern, since arriving from Slimbridge. He was a Swindon Town Junior, during which time he was loaned to Highworth and Chippenham.

Reece King is a central midfielder too. He started out at Buxton, moving on to Stourbridge before he first arrived at Malvern in March 2024. He started the following season at Bromsgrove, from where he joined our visitors last November.

Midfielder Joe Tumelty came off a two-year career break to join our visitors. He was previously at Swindon Supermarine, Yate Town, Hereford, Frome Town and Larkhall Athletic. He is currently team captain.

Matt McDonald is a midfielder in his fourth season with the club. He also spent time at Hereford Pegasus last season on a dual registration.

It was back in August 2020 that midfielder Joe Bullock came to Malvern. He was previously with Hereford Pegasus, but made his 200th Malvern appearance last season.

Attacking midfielder Jay Malshankyj came from Bishop Cleeve in pre-season. He’s played for Weston Super Mare, Yate Town, Melksham Town, Cirencester Town and Taunton Town too after starting out in the Forest Green Academy.

James Church is another midfielder, but he’s come through Malvern’s own junior ranks o get his first team break.

Winger Kobe Chong came from Stourbridge in pre-season. After starting at West Bromwich Albion, he spent two years in Italy with Cagliari, before returning to the UK with Solihull Moors. Banbury, Redditch and Sutton Coldfield were his next stops, before joining Peterborough Utd in 2021. After a loan at Peterborough Sports he moved onto Telford, Nuneaton, Alvechurch, Barwell, Kings Lynn, Kettering, St.Ives and Worcester before joining Stourbridge last November.

Striker Austin Samuels was a pre-season signing from Quorn. His career started when Wolves signed him from Newbridge Rangers. He was loaned to Kidderminster, Bradford City and Aberdeen before joining Inverness Caledonian Thistle following his release.

His next move was Morton before returning to England with Rushall. Spennymoor, Alfreton and Shifnal followed before spending joined Quorn in November last year. He has Championship, League Two and Europa League experience.

Fellow striker Ryan Brunt has played over 120 games in Leagues One and Two, scoring 20 goals. He started out at Bristol City and Stoke City, being loaned to Nantwich, Luton Town, Tranmere Rovers and Orient, before a permanent move to Bristol Rovers. Further loans at York City Stevenage and Plymouth Argyle followed, before moving onto Exeter City. He played for Bath City and Chippenham too, returning to action with Malvern January 2025 after a four-year career break.

Finally brothers Sam and Harry Clark complete the squad. Striker Sam came from Pershore Town in June 2024, where as winger Harry is a longer server, having made his 250th appearance last season. Harry has also played for Worcester Raiders and Worcester City.

Kick off is 3pm, all the usual catering facilities are available, so come down to the Vibrant Doors Arena and help make sure we are in the hat for Monday first round proper draw.