by Peter Scherer

There were a number of changes in the Mickleover line-up, following last weeks home defeat. But after going a goal down, it was a second half fightback that netted three points.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Dan Bradley 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Fin Ryder 10-Ben Sault 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Marcus Barnes, Stuart Beavon, Blaine Rowe, Matty Bowman, Tyrrell Waite.

It was Mickleover’s Ridd the first of the two keepers in action, making a low save from Enoru’s driving cross from the right after three minutes.

Barwell were on the attack again two minutes later, but after they lost possession, Dales charged down the right but his cross beat the defence and the strikers too.

Dolan then went on the attack and made space for a telling ninth minute cross, just missing the waiting Dales and Ryder in the box, before rolling out for a goal kick.

Barwell had been on the back foot, but had another attack down the Mickleover right. The cross came in and found Nunn, almost unmarked, leaving him plenty of time to pick his spot in the bottom corner 0-1 after 11 minutes.

Sault tried his luck from the restart but found his shot blocked, but it was the visitors beginning to take the upperhand, pushing forward, despite Mickleover having more of the possession. 

Dolan and Dales combined and almost put Ryder clear, but Barwell keeper Evans was quick off his line to intercept. After a good build up down the left again, Trueman forced another save from Evans, but Barwell continued to look dangerous on the break, as Mickleover tried to push forward.

Enoru and Hill both had shots off target for the visitors, but after 25 minutes Dales was tripped in the box and a penalty awarded. Greaves stepped up to take the kick, putting it to Evans’ right. The keeper guessed perfectly to make the save and it remained 0-1.

There was another half chance for Mickleover two minutes later, after a scramble in the box, it landed at Bradley’s feet, but proved impossible to control before Evans came out to collect.

It was noticeable that Barwell were far more physical and vociferous than Mickleover, with Evans in particular giving precise and clear advice to his defence.

Trueman created some space on the right and put a lovely precise cross into the box, Greaves connected with his head but not sufficiently to divert the ball goalwards and as it went over the bar.

Ryder went close with a minute left in the first half, following another Dolan cross, but chances had been few for Mickleover and never seriously tested the keeper, apart from the missed penalty.

Although Mickleover seemed almost overwhelming in midfield in their favour, the frustration continued to build as the second half got underway. Sault tried an early shot that was blocked, before Atkinson picked up a rebound and tried to lay the ball off, but that was intercepted. Dolan then beat the defence on the left, but there was no one in the middle to collect.

Mann and Bradley had looked composed in the middle of the Sports defence and on occasions both managed to move forward. Mann was close enough to try a shot himself after 56 minutes, but it was just wide of the left-hand post.

New signing Waite was the first sub to come on for Trueman, as Sports continued to push forward, seeking the elusive equaliser.

Just after the hour Dolan lost possession on the left and Barwell were quick to head for goal, until Sault intervened. Ryder had been playing well as a holding striker and after 63 minutes, he set up Greaves, but the final shot failed to test the keeper.

Barwell continued to look dangerous on the breaks and earned a couple of corners, which were despatched efficiently by the home defence.

70 minutes in and Bennett got a cross in from the right, but Evans again charged off his line to intercept at Ryder’s feet.

Barnes came on for Greaves and there was suddenly a surge forward from the Mickleover. Dales roasted the defence on the left, his cross bounced around a bit, before Bennett let fly, but his effort was blocked.

74 minutes and the ball was loose in the visitors box, but no one was on hand to get a shot in, never mind score. Finally 74 minutes and a strong attack from Barnes down the right, fired a cross in to find Bennett, who hammered home the equaliser, 1-1.

Beavon was then on for Ryder, but more importantly the Barwell goal was under siege. Only four minutes after the equaliser, Mickleover had the lead, after another positive build up down the right wing, Waite fired home a debut goal. “I had to score that one or I would have been in trouble and the winner too,” said Waite.

Barwell had a great chance to get back on levels terms, with nine minutes of normal time left. But with the goal at his mercy Onoru missed the target completely.

Waite and Barnes combined well and it was Waite that earned a free kick after 84 minutes, but the free kick came to nought.

Flanagan then had a final chance for Barwell but sent his shot skywards after a nice lay off, but it could have been a third for Mickleover, when Barnes fired in a powerful shot from the right, just going wide after a deflection.

Three points still keeps Sports in touch at the top of the table, but on this occasion the hard work and perseverance finally overcame the frustrations to seal a valuable three points.

I had to give them a good talking to again at half-time and the second half was so much better.

added gaffer, John McGrath.

 

by Peter Scherer

Following last weekends humbling defeat at the hands of St.Ives, the Mickleover squad will be looking to rediscover the form that made them so dominant early season, when we face Barwell Town on Saturday.

We have already played this weekends visitors twice this season, once with a 2-1 win to Sports in late September, with two Oli Greaves goals and only a week later we knocked them out of the FA Cup, after a penalty shoot-out, following two goals from Stuart Beavon.

Both Ryan Wilson and Joe Bateman are back in light training after their operations, but Oliver Bosworth, Lewis Cunningham and Andre Wright continue to be out of action. Since last weeks home defeat against St.Ives, striker Leon Clarke has also left the club.

Now to our visitors, manager Ian King has been in charge since May 2022 and his team this season, retained a number of players from 22/23.

First choice keeper Harry Griffiths was picked up by Crystal Place, after being spotted at Horsham. He then moved on to AFC Wimbledon, who loaned him to Burgess Hill, before a permanent move to Nottingham Forest in July. He is currently on loan from Forest for the rest of this year.

Harry Evans has been in goal in recent matches. Like our own Lewis Ridd he is one of Derby County’s Under 21 keepers, on loan. He also went out on loan to Coalville earlier this season.

Jaden Bevan is another young keeper, signed in pre-season after his release from Shrewsbury Town. He also had a spell on loan with Glossop North End last season

Derby born Micah Edwards started off as a Rams Junior, before the young midfielder had spells at Ilkeston and Gresley Rovers. He has been at Barwell since July 2019.

Centre back Kyle Rowley arrived from Stourbridge for the start of last season. He was a Walsall Junior and after a loan at Sutton Coldfield, he joined Rugby following his release. Moves to Alvechurch, Walsall Wood and Hednesford followed, before his seven months stay at Stourbridge.

Brady Hickey is the club captain and central midfielder, who came from Nuneaton in January 2018, having moved in the opposite direction only seven months earlier. 

Beck-Ray Onoru is a young winger or striker signed at the beginning of last season, has pace and a flair for goal.

Defender George Ward was on a dual registration with Weymouth during his time at Loughborough University. He had played for the University side too, as well as Bromsgrove, before joining Barwell in September 2022.

Dominic Brown-Hill is a midfielder who first came to Barwell in 2018 after his release from Notts County. After 18 months he moved to Alvechurch, but returned in July 2021.

Right back Josh Flanagan is a former Northampton Town Junior, who arrived from Brackley last March after a loan spell at Kettering. 

Sid Kerr is a defensive midfielder and arrived from Loughborough Students at the beginning of last season. He has also been on the books at Everton, Chelsea and Brighton.

Midfielder Deen Master attends Nottingham Trent University and has also played for Leicester Nirvana.

Jahvan Davidson-Miller needs no introduction having started last season at Mickleover. A former Rams Junior, he was at Barwell before coming to Mickleover too.

Striker Dan Holman is a vastly experienced player. His junior football was in Northampton and with Moulton Magpies and Long Buckby, before joining Cogenhoe Utd.

 A return to Long Buckby was followed by Oxford City, Histon and Braintree, before joining Colchester Utd, who loaned him to Wrexham, Aldershot, Dover Athletic and Woking.

He went to Cheltenham after his release and further loaned to Boreham Wood and Leyton Orient, joining Aldershot again on his release. Kettering, Brackley and Torquay followed before a year out preceded his pre-season arrival at Barwell.

Miguel Ngwa is another pre-season signing. A midfielder, he is a former Northampton Town Junior, and was at Rushden & Diamonds and Rushall Olympic before his release in July.

Striker Tom Cursons came from Long Eaton in August. He began with the Metropolitan Police and was loaned to Badshot Lea. He moved to Hartley Whitney in December 2021 and to Gainsborough only a month later. A further move to Long Eaton in December 2022 preceded his arrival at Barwell.

Midfielder Ethan Hill is a more recent arrival having signed from Ilkeston in October, after just three months with our neighbours. A former Nottingham Forest and Mansfield Town Junior, he has played for Kettering and Telford too.

Fellow midfielder Kobe Chong arrived in November. He was at West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster as a junior, before moving to Cagliari in Sicily.

On his UK return he joined Solihull, before moving on via Banbury, Redditch, Peterborough Utd and Sports, Telford, Nuneaton and Alvechurch.

Midfielder Tremayne Charles was a junior with Luton Town. He then joined St.Albans City, moving on to Arlesey Town, Bedford, Colney Heath, Leverstock, Hitchin, Northwood, Braintree, Hendon, Biggleswade, Berkhamsted, Kempston Rovers and Stamford, before coming to Barwell in December.

Striker George Nunn has recently arrived on loan from Derby County. Well known to Mickleover fans, as he had two loan spells at the Don Amott Arena last season. Originally Chelsea signed him from Crewe Alexandra, before coming to Derby in July 2022. As well as Mickleover, he has had loans at Cheshunt, Braintree and Hampton & Richmond.

Demi Akinwe is an attacking midfielder that started at West Bromwich Albion. He then moved to Shrewsbury, before joining Hednesford on his release. He then played for Bromsgrove and Alvechurch, before arriving at Barwell in December.

Right back Jesper Kutsheinza is a former Leicester City, defender Ruben Freeman came in from Highgate Utd last season and fellow defender MJ Kamara is a former Lincoln City Academy player. 

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

by Peter Scherer (Photos: Steve Ingers)

We have had the glory and the promise and now the disappointment, but after Saturday’s 0-5 home defeat to St.Ives, it’s time to dig deep on and off the field to return to winning ways.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2- Jake Bennett 3-Matty Bowman 4-Will Atkinson 5-Blaine Rowe 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Sault 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Dan Bradley, Will Trueman, Leon Clarke, Brandon Ferron, Fin Ryder.

It was a promising start for Mickleover when Barnes was almost on target after four minutes, only for deflection   from defender Casey to clear the danger.

But four minutes later a powerful shot from St.Ives’ Hottor was again on target until it received a deflection to from one his own team mates.

It had been fairly even with neither keeper really tested, but 19 minutes in Barton cut inside after collecting a Casey pass and hit the underside of the bar with Sports keeper Ridd beaten.

The pressure had started to build as Alexandrou got on the end of a patient build up down the left. He the sent Edwards clear who crossed back in for Alexandrou, but his header was just wide as Ridd raced across his goal to make sure.

Atkinson was the first Mickleover player in the book after 28 minutes, with Beavon following six minutes later. But Beavon was soon threatening the visitors goal, when his close range shot by the near post was blocked by Williams, after a telling run and cross from Bennett on the right.

St.Ives keeper Dadge then saved from a powerful Greaves effort, as Mickleover upped their pace and sought to break the deadlock.

But with two minutes left in he first half, Hottor picked up a clearance but was fouled by debutant Rowe. St.Ives skipper Richens then curled the ball into the top corner, out of Ridd’s reach and it was 0-1.

The visitors Josh Tomlinson made it three in the referee’s book as the half time whistle went, but they had the advantage after a fairly even first half.

Barely had the second half kicked off and it was 0-2, when Hottor won the ball, found Barton on the edge of the box’ He layed it off into Edwards’ path, who thumped it home from close range.

With Mickleover continuing to lose out possession wise, Barnes and Bowman made way for Trueman and Bradley after 55 minutes. It was the visitors that continued to push forward though, with little response from Sports.

Hottor was next to receive yellow card after 58 minutes, but there was soon a fourth goal for the visitors. Smith’s long throw missed everyone and bounced across the face of the Mickleover goal. Richens was first to react and put the ball back from the far post, from where it seemed to rebound off Edwards and into the net, 0-3 after 64 minutes.

Sports resolve had all but disappeared and only three minutes later Mann got his head to a long clearance from keeper Dadge. It was heading for a corner but Ridd managed to keep it in play, but lost the ball to Alexandrou who was then fouled.

Ridd went in the book and a penalty awarded, from which Edwards secured his hattrick and made it 0-4.

Sault became the fourth Mickleover to receive a yellow card, before Ryder came to for Greaves for the final 15 minutes.

But soon after the home defence was torn apart again with Harris collecting a long ball from Cowling. But Alexandrou fumbled as the defence managed to regroup, but still managed roll the ball into Edwards path for his fourth goal and St.Ives’ fifth 0-5.

There was almost a sixth before the final whistle, when Alexandrou dispossessed Mann and sent in a powerful long range shot, with Ridd beaten again as it bounced off the bar and clear.

It’s a home game again this weekend, with a drastic shake-up needed to get back on track.

 

by Peter Scherer

Having beaten St.Ives on the opening day of the season, Mickleover will be looking to do the double in this Saturday’s return fixture at the Don Amott Arena.

Sports are looking for their third successive league win, but so are our visitors, having beaten Nuneaton and Leiston in their last two home matches, scoring eight goals without reply.

St.Ives are currently 14^th in the table with five wins in the last 10 matches, but lost 2-4 to Stamford in their last away game.

Manager Ricky Marheineke has been in charge at Westwood Road for nine years and apart from a number of changes of goalkeeper, has managed to keep a settle side of late.

Loanee Eddie Brearey had been first choice keeper, but has now returned to Oxford Utd. He has been replaced by another loanee, James Dadge from Northampton Town, who was with the club earlier in the year too, as well as having a spell at Harborough.

But last weekend it was debutant Arber Grosha between the sticks, ex Forest Park and Wolves junior player.

Right back Ben Mensah started out at Aston Villa, but came to St. Ives in November on loan, after just over two years with Peterborough Utd.

Fellow right back George Joyce came from Rushden & Diamonds. He was previously with Kempston, Boreham Wood, Aylesbury Utd , Hitchin Town and Leighton Town.

Centre back Jordan Williams is an ex Cambridge Utd  Junior. He joined Brackley following his release in July 2017, and was at Cambridge City, Stratford and Stourbridge, before returning to Stratford for the 20/21 season, from where St.Ives signed him for the start of last season.

Sam Tessler is a centre back too.  He grew up in the USA playing for LA Galaxy and Pateadores Academy and represented the USA in Israel’s Maccabi Games in 2022. He played for Yaxley against the Ives in last seasons Hunts FA Senior Cup Final and had been a regular with Northern Premier League East side Grantham Town this season before his move to our visitors in October.

Defender Paddy Casey started out at Northampton Town. He arrived at the Saints part way through last season from Harborough Town, but has also played for Rushden & Diamonds, Cogenhoe Utd and Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Captain Michael Richens is a midfielder who started out at Peterborough Utd. During his Posh spell he was loaned to Histon, Nuneaton, Whitehawk, Bishop Stortford, Stevenage, and Farnborough, before a permanent move to Stevenage on his release in 2015, after making two first team appearances at London Road.

After another loan at Farnborough, he moved to Hemel, Bishop Stortford and Biggleswade, before a four year stay at Kettering preceded his St.Ives move in July 2021.

Ed Hottor is a midfielder that has spent most of his career in Italy. AC Milan signed him from Triestina for £1.2 million and loaned him to Virtus Lanciano, ASG Nocerina and Unione Venezia, before his release in 2015.

His next stop was Inter Milan, who loaned him to Atletico CP in Portugal, Olibia in Italy and Fafe in Portugal, before a permanent move to Maltese club Sliema Wanderers. He first arrived in the UK with Kettering and was at Banbury before coming to St.Ives in December 2019.

Striker Jonny Edwards has been with our visitors since the beginning of last season. As a Peterborough Utd Junior he was loaned to Bishop Stortford and St.Albans, before a permanent move to Hull City.

Further loans at Accrington and Woking were followed by a move to Halifax, moving on via Maidstone, Biggleswade, Royston and FC Romania. 

Greg Kaziboni is a midfielder who came from Nuneaton at the start of last season. A former Northampton Town youngster, he has played for Corby, Brackley, Banbury, Tamworth, Rushden and Stratford too.

Defender Aaron Smith was a new arrival for this season  from St.Neots. He started out at Peterborough Utd and also had a spell at Mildenhall.

Striker Khris Oti arrived from Corby Town in November and has played for Whitehawk, Coggeshall Town, Brackley and Colchester Utd.

Midfielders Luke Harris and Myles Cowling spent the second half of last season on loan, Harris from Peterborough Utd, and Cowling from Cambridge Utd, both have now made their moves permanent.

Ives have Dan Barton on loan from Cambridge Utd too, a striker he had also been loaned out previously at Dereham and St.Neots.

Defender Josh Tomlinson and strikers Theo Alexandrou and Torin Ntege are all on loan. Ntege from Peterborough Utd, Alexandrou from Stevenage and Tomlinson from Northampton Town.

Kick off will be 3pm as usual, with all the regular bar and refreshments facilities available.

by Peter Scherer

We are off to Causeway Lane on Tuesday night, taking a break from the league campaign to visit Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Our hosts are currently 15^th in the Northern Premier League, following last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Atherton Collieries. But it’s been a mixed season so far for Martin Carruthers side, with four wins, one draw and five defeats from the last 10 games.

Former Derby County, Burton Albion and Notts County goalkeeper Saul Deeney is first choice goalkeeper, having arrived from Ilkeston in January last year. A former Republic of Ireland Under 21 International, he has also played for Gresley Rovers, Hull City, Hucknall and Basford.

His deputy is Alex Akers, a former Nottingham Forest Junior who signed for the club in October.

Long serving centre back Adam Yates has spent most of the last 15 years at Matlock, since singing from Shirebrook in 2009. Originally a Chesterfield Junior, he also had a spell at Belper Town.

Former Under 19 and Under 17 Welsh International centre back Ioan Evans came from Stalybridge back in September 2021. He started his career with Sheffield Utd and after a loan at Boston Utd, signing for Gainsborough on his release. He also had a season with Tadcaster before his Stalybridge move.

Left back Joe West was initially with Sheffield Wednesday, before joining Farsley Celtic on his release. Frickley was his next stop before arriving at Matlock pre-season, having spent last season at Gainsborough.

Right back Kornell McDonald started out in Derby Count’s Academy. He moved on to Kettering, before a short stop at Bedford Town preceded a spell at Redditch, where he ended last season. He started this season at Gloucester City and came to Matlock just before Christmas.

Midfielder Finlay Armond came through Boston Utd’s Juniors. He was one of Matlock’s pre-season signings, having spent last season with Queens Knights, a US College team.

Connor Dimiao is a central midfielder, capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under 17, 19 and 21 levels. From starting at Sheffield Utd, he joined Chesterfield and played 47 games in league one and two.

Stockport County, Boston Utd and Curzon Ashton were his next stops, before arriving at Causeway Lane last February.

Captain John Johnston plays on the right side of midfield. He started with Kidsgrove Athletic and is fairly well travelled. He joined Crewe Alexandra after a spell at Leek Town, and has played for Alfreton, Salford City, Nantwich, Altrincham and Chester, before coming to Matlock from Guiseley in October 2022.

Striker Anthony Dwyer came from Alfreton in October. He started as a Mansfield Town Junior and has been mainly Midlands based during his career. He previously played for Matlock in 2016 and spent last season at Basford.

Fellow Jonathan Margetts is another well-travelled player, after starting at Hull City. He had a few months on loan from Boston Utd in 2019, but came on a permanent move from Stamford in pre-season.

Winger Nathaniel Crofts is another pre-season signing from Guiseley, he also spent three years in the US and Canada College football.

Scott Boden has only recently arrived from Buxton and scored on his debut last Saturday. He is another very experienced striker, having also played locally for Chesterfield and Alfreton.

Midfielder Nathan Whitehead returned to Matlock in October from Long Eaton. It’s his third spell at Causeway Lane and has also played for Spalding, Lincoln Utd, Leek, Frickley and Loughborough Dynamo.

Harry Wood was another October returnee, a midfielder who came through the clubs own youth scheme. He has played for Grantham and Stamford too as well as a spell in Malta.

Defender George Wilkinson and winger Alex Duhameau are both on loan from Chesterfield. Michael Williams is another returnee. He originally came from Ilkeston in 2016 and came back just before Christmas from Clay Cross.

Jamie Sharman is another defender and ex Chesterfield Junior and midfielder Ollie Clarke is a pre-season singing from Basford.

Kick as usual is 7.45pm and your support would be welcomed.

by Peter Scherer

A second half strike from Ben Sault gave Mickleover a 1-0 victory at strugglers Berkhamsted, and keeps them on top of the table in alphabetical order from Needham Market.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Matty Bowman 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Sault 9-Leon Clarke 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Will Truman, Dan Bradley, Stuart Beavon, Jake Bennett, Fin Ryder.

It was a fairly enthusiastic start from both sides on a sunny but chilly afternoon, with Berkhamsted earning the first corner after three minutes.

But Mickleover were soon piling the pressure on the home defence, with Bowman and Greaves causing havoc on the right wing.

Clarke went close with a header after six minutes and two minutes later a weak back pass from Lawal was almost intercepted by Greaves, before keeper Head managed to clear the danger.

Barnes then saw his ninth minute effort bounce off the top of the bar after another Greaves set up, before Ridd was called into action to collect a Lawal cross or shot after a counter attack.

Mickleover were on top for possession and kept the home side well back in their own half, but again luck wasn’t on Sports side, when a Dales chip after 15 minutes had the keeper beaten, only for Dan Newton to clear off the line at the far post.

Skipper Bateman had a shot saved by Ridd after 18 minutes and became the driving force for the hosts as they attempted to break from their own half.

Sault had been playing a deeper midfield role than his norm, but he left fly with a shot just wide on the left after 20 minutes, after a slow but precise build up.

Dales and Clarke both had shots blocked on the edge of the box, before Clarke almost set Greaves free. But Dolan began to work more on the left-hand overlap, sending in a precision cross, met by Greaves with a glancing header.

Barnes was pulled back on the edge of the box to earn a free kick, but that came to nought and Dales cut inside from the left 39 minutes in to try his luck, but was just off target.

Delap went in the book for a clumsy challenge on Bateman, before the first half was completed with another Mickleover corner as it remained 0-0.

No sooner was the second half underway and Mickleover went close to opening the scoring again. Dales effort was saved, but as Barnes went for the rebound, the ball took a nasty bobble and he failed to connect with the goal at his mercy.

After the hosts had managed to put a free kick into the adjoining woodland, they began to grow in confidence and gave Mann and Delap more action in the centre of the Sports defence, as the pushed forward.

After 51 minutes a nice lay off from Clarke set up Sault, who’s blast was palmed away by Head for a corner. A free kick soon followed, but Greaves’ effort found platform one of the adjoining station.

With Greaves and Sault both pushing forward more with Atkinson in support, Berkhamsted had a couple of dangerous looking breaks, but just before the hour mark the deadlock was finally broken. There had been some close passing in the box, before the ball came back to Sault from Clarke, his strike burst into the top right-hand corner and at last it was 1-0.

Trueman was the first sub to come on for Barnes, but Dales was able to snatch the ball from Lackey after 63 minutes, only to have his shot blocked by Massingham.

Another Clarke lay off a couple of minutes later saw Greaves shot well over the bar, before Clarke then came off to make way for Beavon.

Far from demoralised, the hosts continued to push forward and went close themselves when Ridd had to make a diving save from Newton after 79 minutes.

Bradley came on for Greaves for the last six minutes and Trueman went close in the final minute of normal time. Bateman had the final shot of the game though in time added on, but a solid performance from the hosts belied their lowly position in the table.

It’s cup football again on Tuesday as we visit Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, before returning to league action at home to St.Ives on Saturday.