by Peter Scherer

Mickleover made the long journey to Morpeth to face one of the current form teams in the league, as they hoped to return to winning ways and climb the NPL table.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Brandon Ferron 3-Jake Bennett 4-Curtis Weston 5-Nathan James 6-Danny Benson 7-Will Atkinson 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Ceiron Keane, Jamie Soule, Dan Bradley, Dylan Edwards, Bernard Nsiah.

It had been a fairly even first half, with the Mickleover holding their own against occasional attacking flurries from the hosts.

Morpeth had a couple of attempts on goal blocked in the first 15 minutes, before Hickingbottom was booked for a trip on Barlow.

The hosts had a shot from Gibson-Booth blocked again after 18 minutes, after Bollado’s initial attempt went across the goal face.

Bollado had another shot on goal on the half hour, but failed to test Mersin in the Sports goal. James found Marshall too, and although the final shot was blocked again, they earned a corner which came to nought.

The Mickleover back four of Ferron, James, Benson and Bennett and another excellent performance from Mersin, had managed to fend off the pressure from Morpeth and with half time approaching had their own best chance of the game, when Hickingbottom hit a distance shot and with the home keeper Langley beaten, it struck the post but set up a breakaway for the hosts.

James managed to meet the cross as it came into the centre, but Mersin was on top form with a terrific save to keep it level pegging.

But in the second minute of time added on, Morpeth got the break they had been seeking, with a precise cross from King, as Marshall made it 0-1, shortly followed by the half time whistle.

The hosts were on the attack again as the second half got underway, but fortunately their moves tended to lack finishing. 

Edwards and Soule came on for Beavon and Bennett just before the hour mark and Mersin made another great save to keep out an effort from James.

But two goals in five minutes ended any hopes Mickleover had of a comeback, with Barlow netting after 72 minutes and Dowling in the 77^th, both long range, while Foalle had gone close too, seeing his shot whistle past the post.

Nsiah came on for Barnes, who had also been yellow carded and with five minutes on the clock Bradley replaced Weston. Soale became the third yellow card for Mickleover too.

So it ended with a disappointing 0-3 defeat and a long trip home, with Sports still seeking their first win since the Blyth Spartans victory in late September and their first league point in four games.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

A goal in each half from Ricardo Dinanga ended Mickleover’s hopes of advancing in the FA Trophy, going down 1-2 to AFC Telford Utd.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Will Atkinson 3-Jake Bennett 4-Curtis Weston 5-Nathan James  6-Danny Benson 7-Brandon Ferron 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Justin Iwobi 10-Andy Dales 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Cieron Keane, Ryan Wilson, Stuart Beavon, Dylan Edwards, Bernard Nsiah.

Mickleover won a corner in just the second minute, but Whittall managed to beat Barnes in the air, before it was deflected for another corner and eventually cleared.

Bennett was back on the attack though a minute later, testing the Telford defence, who managed to intercept on this occasion.

The visitors then had their first corner after five minutes, before Mersin saved a shot from Moore, following a deflection from another corner.

Keeper Hall saved a long range shot from Mickleover after seven minutes, before Dinanga went on a charge for Telford, well intercepted by Benson, who tapped it back to Mersin.

Dinanga had a shot wide 10 minutes in, after two more successive corners, before another Bennett charge for Sports was stopped by the visiting defence.

Hall made another easy save a minute later, before Piggott tried his luck for Telford, only to find his shot blocked.

Dales latched on to a free kick after 14 minutes when Barnes was fouled, but after cutting inside he failed to test Hall too.

The deadlock was finally broken after 18 minutes, when Dinanga collected and let fly hard and low with his left foot, after evading the Mickleover defence, 0-1. Sports tried to fight back and Weston brought the ball out after 25 minutes, he found Iwobi who was then outpaced by Myles, before the Sports striker then fouled his challenger.

Weston then tried to shoot through a crowd before Piggott cleared, before Sports won a free kick to test the defence again, but the final ball was easily taken by Hall.

Iwobi’s effort to progress on the half hour ended with a challenge from Gudger and then Barnes similarly, after he was stopped by Dinanga and Piggott, before the ball was cleared again.

A 35^th minute free kick from Mickleover again failed to test keeper Hall, who was in action two minutes later, comfortably collecting a Dales effort.

Telford then broke out before Storer was stopped, the same player then fouled by Weston, but that free kick was easily cleared too.

Weston continued to try and play the ball forward, but his 43^rd minute attempt was taken and fed back to Hall again.

But Telford continued to press too and Mersin had to save again from Walker and Piggott before the half time whistle went and so it remained 0-1.

Mersin was soon action again, as just one minute into the second half he saved a close range shot from Dinanga.

There was almost a second for Telford though, when after 49 minutes Bennett cleared off the line after Gudger won the ball from a corner.

Two minutes later though Sports were back on equal terms, when Piggott was caught out and Hickingbottom collected, firing in the equaliser from close range 1-1.

Dales then hit a volley just wide after 54 minutes, before Ferron led a Mickleover press. He was initially closed down, but persevered and broke through, before Hall collected a tame effort.

Edwards came for Iwobi just after the hour mark and found Bennett, whose cross just missed finding Barnes on the near post.

Sports made their second change when Keane replaced Atkinson, but with 71 minutes gone Dinanga made it 2-1 to Telford, after he collected Brown’s cross, took it around the back of the defence and scored from close range.

Sports were unlucky not be level again just three minutes later, when Pendley headed a Benson attempt off the line.

Brown then tried to stop Ferron’s run five minutes later, the teenager broke through again, but his final effort was blocked again.

Mersin did well to block a Telford effort in a crowded box after 81 minutes, before Gudger almost retrieved the rebound.

Both Dinanga and Armson then made late breaks, but it was Mersin again to the rescue, before the final changes saw Weston and Dales, replaced by Wilson and debutant Nsiah, 

The equaliser was almost there after 82 minutes, with a header from the far post after a Ferron cross, but it wasn’t to be.

Wilson had a late shot wide, but time ran out for Mickleover as their last chance of cup glory disappeared with a 1-2 defeat.

by Peter Scherer

It’s cup tie time again as Mickleover welcome Kevin Wilkin’s Telford to the Don Amott Arena, in the isuzu FA Trophy.

Most of the Telford line-up featured in last seasons Southern Premier League Central defeat and currently lie eighth in the table, after going down 3-1 at Redditch last Saturday. In the last FA Trophy round our visitors were taken to penalties at home to Cleethorpes Town, finally taking the tie 5-4. Club Manager Kevin Wilkin was a striker with Cambridge City, Northampton Town, Nuneaton and Grantham, before becoming Nuneaton’s manager in 2006. Wilkin has been in charge at Telford since October last year.

First choice keeper Brandon Hall started out at Charlton Athletic, before spending seven months at the Nike Academy. His next move was up to Scotland with St.Mirren, but returned south with Hayes & Yeading. Ebbsfleet, Lewes, Woking, Kidderminster and Hereford were his next stops, with a loan spell at Banbury. He came to our visitors at the beginning of last season, after a year with Gloucester City and is an England C International too.

George Scott is Hall’s deputy, having returned to the club last December, after a year without a club and came into the side a few years ago, while Hall was injured. Centre back Fraser Kerr started his career at Motherwell before moving South with Birmingham City. He spent two years with the Blues, before an initial loan back to Motherwell became permanent. He moved on to Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir too, before going to Gateshead, with 54 Scottish Premiership appearances and 45 in League One, plus Europa League Qualifiers too. Stops at Hartlepool, Torquay and Chesterfield followed, before spending last season at York City. He has represented Scotland at Under 16, 17,19 and arrived at Telford at the start of last season.

Jordan Piggott is another centre back. He started out at West Bromwich Albion before heading for Scotland too. He played for Dundee and East Fife, before heading to North Wales with Bangor City. Halesowen was his next stop, moving to Solihull Moors after a year, spending another year before a move to Gloucester City on loan. He spent four months at Telford at the beginning of last year and then returned to our visitors permanently.

Orrin Pendley is a centre back too that also arrived at the start of last season from Hereford. He started at Highgate before joining Redditch. He soon moved on to Kettering and Rushall Olympic, before spending a year at Tamworth. Nathan Fox is a left back who spent his junior career at both Notts County and Derby County. Following his Rams release he joined Corby Town, moving to Rugby Town after a four year stay. Only a month later he moved again, with a very short stay at Coalville, he briefly went back to Corby, before joining Sutton Coldfield.

Redditch, Hednesford, Kings Lynn and Alfreton Town followed by a year at Buxton, preceded starting last season at Peterborough Sports. He was another of Telford’s pre-season signings last year. Jared Hodgkiss played his early football at Wolves and West Bromwich Albion. Right back by choice, he was loaned to Aberdeen and played seven games in the Scottish Premiership. After a further loan at Northampton, he joined Forest Green Rovers on his release, staying almost five years, before spending another two years at Kidderminster, who also loaned him to Torquay. His next move was Macclesfield, before a four year-spell at Hereford preceded his summer 2023 move to Telford.

Right back Ellis Myles is another right back that came from Kettering at the start of last season. He started off at Leicester City. He moved to Brackley Town on his release, before going to Rugby, Stamford, Corby and Boston Utd. He went back to Brackley in 2016 and stayed six years, before moving to Boston Utd and had eight months at Kettering before his Telford move.

Midfielder Remi Walker continues the list of signings having arrived pre-season, following his release from Birmingham City. He spent the last few months of last season on loan at Alvechurch Right midfielder Byron Moore is one of the select retained players from last season, having joined Telford from Torquay February last year. He has over 400 league appearances to his name in Leagues One and Two, having started out at Crewe. He was loaned to Kidsgrove Athletic but joined Port Vale on his release. After two years he moved on to Bristol Rovers and Bury, before spending two years at Plymouth.

Striker Ricardo Dinanga started out at Cork City, before Coventry City brought him across the Irish Sea. He had loans at Hereford and Nuneaton last season, but came to Telford following his release last July. Reece Styche is both an England C and current Gibraltarian International, having scored three goals in 27 games for the latter. He came from Telford in October from Matlock Town, having played for a huge raft of clubs in his 14 year career, including Buxton, Alfreton, Darlington, Macclesfield and Wycombe, having started out at Hednesford.

Centre back Sam Whittall came from Rushall in October. He is an ex Wolves Junior and played at Cambridge Utd and Brackley, before his seven year spell at Rushall. Fellow centre back George Burroughs was a Coventry City Junior, first loaned to our visitors in September 2022. He joined Altrincham on his release and has played for Redditch and Stafford too, before joining Telford in August. Alex Gudger is another centre back on loan from Brackley. He’s also played for Bedworth Utd, Rugby Town, Worcester City and Solihull Moors. Centre back Steffan Jones came from Cefn Druids in July 2023 and has also played for Bala Town.

Rhys Hilton was a Birmingham City youngster who had been playing for Copeswood FC. A right sided midfielder, he was signed from Stamford and has played for Bedworth, Sutton Coldfield, Redditch, Colesill and Halesowen. Midfielder Ellis Brown just after Christmas, having been without a club for a while, after a year in Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He started out at Boreham Wood.

Striker Matty Stenson came from Nuneaton at the end of January. He started out at Hinckley Utd and after spells at Leicester Road and Barwell, signed for Leamington in 2018. He then moved to Solihull Moors, from where he came on loan to Telford for six months. His next stop was Halifax, who also loaned him out to Tamworth and Kidderminster, before his 18 month spell at Nuneaton.

Kyle Storer is an experienced midfielder who managed Nuneaton until they dropped out of the league in late January. He was a Leicester City Junior, who joined Bedworth following his release. Twariq Yusuf came from Brackley early last season and can play as a striker or midfielder. He has also played for FC Kidlington. Also Billy West captained our visitors under 18 side, following his release from Shrewsbury Town and in his fourth season with the first team too.

Finally striker Harvey Solley made his debut earlier last season, having come through the clubs youth scheme.

Kick off is 3pm BE THERE

by Peter Scherer

An early goal from the hosts and two more before half time left the points settled in Stockton’s favour.

Starting line-up: 1 Yusuf Mersin 2 Jake Bennett 3 Brandon Ferron 4 Curtis Weston 5 Danny Benson 6 George Taft 7 Ryan Wilson 8 Will Atkinson 9 Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10 Andy Dales 11 Ceiron Keane. Subs: Charlie Hickingbottom, Louis Carter, Callum Moore, Dylan Edwards, Josh Carter.

With Stockton straight on the attack from the kick off, Josh Scott’s pressure forced Taft into a mistake after seven minutes. The ball fell straight to Michael Sweet’s feet, who buried in the top left corner from close range. 0-1.

Three minutes later Tom Coulthard had a header deflected away by Benson, following a Stockton free kick.

There soon followed a sequence of corners for the hosts, after Atkinson had cleared the original, before finally going for a goal kick.
14 minutes in and Sports were forced to swap Taft for Hickingbottom as the Stockton onslaught continued.
Only four minutes later the hosts went close again when a Roberts header bounced off the bar.
Mersin then made a tremendous save, palming away King’s low drive for a corner.
Mickleover finally managed an attack after 23 minutes, when Dales put a ball over the defence, only to find Davidson-Miller offside.
But King then put in a great cross for Stockton before Sweet’ s
header landed safely in Mersin ‘s hands.
But 28 minutes and it was 0-2, when Mersin saved Nicholson’s header on the line, before Coulthard tapped home the rebound.
Nine minutes later Stockton hit their third, when Roberts headed home from a perfect Butterworth corner 0-3.
A poor clearance from Mersin was then intercepted by Thompson, but fortunately his spectacular shot went wide.
An injury time rally from Mickleover was the first time keeper Harker was tested, Dales cut inside before his effort was well saved. So it remained 0-3 at half time.
There were no immediate changes at half time, but Hickingbottom then put a header just wide of the right hand post from a Wilson header, after 51 minutes.

But Stockton continued to threaten, with a Gallacher shot after 58 minutes just wide, followed by a Purewal header from a free kick, which bounced before Mersin collected.
Baggs then charged down the left before cutting inside, firing his 63rd minute effort just over.
Edwards replaced Wilson after 65 minutes as Sports defence continued to fend off the home attack.
Painter put another effort just wide of the right hand post from a 69th minute corner, but two minutes later Mickleover went close again. A lob over the top had Harker beaten, only for Coulthard to clear off the line with a spectacular overhead kick.
Scott and Birtles both had shots saved by Mersin in the last 15 minutes, during which time twins Josh and Louis Carter came on for Keane and Dales, making their first team debuts.
With 12 minutes on the clock Mickleover should have opened their account. Ferron showed his pace with a terrific run down the left, fed it into Davidson-Miller only for his shot to go skywards.

So another disapointing result 0-3 after a slightly improved second half.

by Peter Scherer

Back on the road again after last weekends home defeat to Hyde Utd, Mickleover face high scoring form team Stockton Town.

Our hosts are currently seventh in the table, following Tuesday nights 5-1 win at Bamber Bridge, following up on a 3-1 win at Warrington Rylands last Saturday too.

In the NPL their last win prior to the current run was back on August Bank Holiday, beating Whitby Town 2-0 at home.

Manager Michael Dunwell has been in charge since the summer of 2014, having previously been a player coach at the club and at Billingham Town.

Hopefully Sports are nearing the end of their injury list and will have close to a full squad to choose from, as they face the Stockton strike force, who have scored 10 goals in their last three matches, conceding two. Sports currently are 12^th.

First choice goalkeeper Nathan Harker was a junior at Newcastle Utd and was loaned to Blyth Spartans, before joining Scarborough on his release.

He played for Bedlington Terriers and Whickham too, before joining our hosts last January, after 10 months with Marske Utd.

His deputy is Elliott Stephenson is a former Sunderland youngster. A pre-season signing he has also played for Hartlepool and South Shields.

Right back Josh Baggs is another former Sunderland junior. He joined Seaham Star following his release and was also loaned out to Consett, before joining our hosts last January.

Centre back Tom Coulthard has been at Stockton for 12 years, having come through their own youth scheme. He made his first team debut at 17 and has a long standing defensive partnership with skipper Adam Nicholson.

6ft 5in Nicholson has been at the club even longer, having started his 15^th year. He came from local junior football and made his first team debut at 16. 

Lewis King is another defender and former Hartlepool junior, who was then picked up by Burnley. Following his release he moved to Spennymoor and came to Stockton in July 2019.

Midfielder Glen Butterworth was signed from Marske Utd in October 2022, after 10 years service.

Midfielder Shane Henry is in his fifth season with the club, since arriving from Spennymoor in July 2020.

Cam Painter is a defensive midfielder, signed from Blyth Spartans in July 2022. He was originally a youngster with Grimsby and went to Blyth on his release. He also had a short loan spell at Billingham Town.

Defender Arjun Purewal was a pre-season signing from Consett, where he had spent the last seven years, six as club captain. He was previously at Jarrow Roofing and has also played for Darlington, Durham City, Blyth Spartans, Whitby Town and Bishop Auckland.

Central midfielder Lewis Leech was another pre-season arrival from Whickham. He started out with Gateshead and was loaned to Benfield, before a permanent move to Marske Utd, where he started last season, before going to Whickham in February.

Owen Gallacher is striker capped by Scotland at Under 19 and 16 levels. He played Junior football with Newcastle City, Swallwell Swifts, Sunderland and Ryton Blacks, before joining Newcastle Utd. He quickly moved on to Nottingham Forest, who loaned him to Harrogate, before joining Burton Albion on his release. 

Crawley Town was his next stop, with a further loan at Gateshead, before moving to Grimsby, Spennymoor and finally Stockton in pre-season and has league one and two experience.

Fellow striker Stephen Thompson started his career at Middlesbrough, before joining Port Vale. After a loan at Telford he joined Durham City, before moving to Spennymoor, who loaned him to Marske, before arriving at Stockton in July 2022.

Michael Fowler is a striker too, having started his career with Sunderland and Burnley. He then moved on to Fleetwood Town, who loaned him to Guiseley, Bamber Bridge and FC Utd.

Striker Mikey Roberts arrived in July 2018 and has been North East based for the whole of his career. He has played for Guisborough Town, Spennymoor, Whitby Town and Marske Utd before joining our hosts.

He then crossed the Atlantic with Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, a US college team before returning to the UK six months later with Dunston UTS. He finally came to Stockton at the beginning of last season.

Josh Scott may be remembered by Mickleover fans, after a short loan spell from Mansfield back in 2021. He started his career at Hartlepool, before moving to Mansfield. As well as Mickleover, he was loaned to Basford and Frickley Athletic, before a permanent move to Morpeth. 

He only arrived at our visitors last week, from West Auckland, and has also played for Blyth Spartans and Marske Utd.

Michael Sweet is another striker, who has spent his whole career in the North East. From starting out at Gateshead, he was loaned to Darlington, before joining Billingham Synthonia. He has played for Consett and Blyth too, before a three-year spell at Shildon preceded his Stockton arrival in July 2023.

Elliott Beddow is another striker, signed from Thornaby in August 2022. He began his career at Billingham Town.

Striker Jack Spears came through or hosts own junior set-up and made his first team debut last November.

Thomas Birtles is another home-grown talent. A midfielder, he made his first team debut last November too.

Academy graduate Jacob Johnson signed his first contract during the summer. A midfielder, he is also dual registered with Guisborough Town.

Strikers Joe Kennedy and Sonni Coleman have also graduated via the clubs own youth scheme, Coleman having represented England Schools Under 18’s too.

Kick off as usual as 3pm and Anchors radio provide live commentary via https://anchors-radio.mixlr.com/

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

After Mickleover had battled back to level terms following a first half goal from Hyde Utd, they once again succumbed to a late goal.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Will Atkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Dylan Edwards 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Cieron Keane 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Andy Dales, Callum Moore, Brandon Ferron, George Taft, Stuart Beavon.

The visitors were quickly on the attack from the start, when Drew Baker led an attack in the first minute. Jack Redshaw then sent debutant Ewan Bange through a couple of minutes later, but Mersin made a great stop, charging off his line to spread his frame on the edge of the box.

Mersin was forced to make another save after 10 minutes, when Kershaw cracked a shot in following a corner, but even the Mickleover’s keepers heroics couldn’t stop Bange in the 14th minute. Harry Ditchfield had sent a ball Crossfield to Redshaw, who found Bange in the box for an easy tap in, 0-1.

It wasn’t long before Mersin was busy again, holding a long shot from Matt Fearnley, but 23 minutes in and it was Mickleover’s turn to go close, when Barnes’ effort went just wide of the right-hand post.

But Hyde continued to be strong in attack and Mersin was forced to punch another effort from Redshaw over the bar four minutes later, soon followed by a shot just wide from Baker, as Sports struggled to clear their lines.

But Mickleover went close again on the half hour, when Hickingbottom headed over from a Wilson free kick. 10 minutes later Hickingbottom was on the end of another Wilson free kick, but his shot went over from close range.

So 0-1 it was at half time but Sports made two changes, with Dales and Taft on for Davidson-Miller and Keane.

Early into the second half Dales’ pace started to challenge the visitors defence, he had a shot wide after 51 minutes and three minutes later another effort was deflected out.

But Mersin had been forced to make yet another save from Redshaw on is near post, before a spectacular overhead kick from Bange, rattled the Mickleover bar after 58 minutes.

Sports perseverance finally paid off though, when Benson got on the end of an Atkinson cross to force the equaliser in the 68th minute. 1-1.

Hyde continued to look dangerous as Mickleover sought to look after the valuable home point, but Jones-Griffiths had a shot blocked too.

Hickingbottom was yellow carded after 74 minutes and shortly afterwards replaced by Ferron. Hyde still had their eye on three points though and Mersin was forced to tip over again from an 83rd Connor Heath free kick.

A minute later though a long throw from Ditchfield was headed back in by Heath, finding Baker who fired home the winner into the bottom corner, 1-2.

Moore was a late sub for Edwards, but it was virtually all over with a disappointing home defeat. With another late goal proving costly. The last three games having lost a possible five points, which would have had Sports fourth in the table

Mickleover now drop to 11th in the table, with a trip to 12th place Stockton next Saturday.