by Harry Day (Images: Steve Ingers)

A late strike from Kane Richards ensured Mickleover’s FA Cup journey lived in a much-improved performance after Monday’s grounding defeat against Loughborough Students

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders 4-Will Atkinson 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Dwayne Wiley 7-Andy Dales 8-Josh Ashman 9-Manni Norkett 10-Jude Taylor 11-Theo Rowe Subs: Kane Richards, Jack McDowell, Darryl Powell, Yerim Zoko, Stuart Beavon.

It was fair to say that the Sports got on top of possession from the first whistle, as they had their first opportunity just five minutes in through Andy Dales. The ball fell invitingly on the edge of the box for the winger to strike first time, his effort curling away from the goal and drifting narrowly wide of the top right corner.

Stamford were struggling to create anything of note in the opening stages as any long ball was dealt with by a tall Mickleover backline, boosted by the return of Dwayne Wiley, who slotted back into the starting lineup nicely after a period on the sidelines.

A lot of Mickleover’s attacking play in the first half came down the left side of the pitch as Andy Dales continued to be at the heart of the offence. Stamford were allowing him to cut inside at will in the early stages.

The winger came particularly close to opening the scoring in the 17th minute, cutting inside and curling an effort from the edge of the box towards the bottom right corner. It certainly had John Swales in the Stamford goal concerned, but it bounced just past the far post.

The momentum was certainly in the Sports’ favour come the half-hour mark as their opponents had generated very little of any threat and the deeper midfield duo of Will Atkinson and Josh Ashman were putting in a solid display in the central areas.

Five minutes before the break, Mickleover had their best chance of the game so far once again falling in the path of Andy Dales. Having spent much of the opening 45 minutes in Stamford’s half, Mickleover were camped in the final third.

George Wilkinson floated an inviting cross from the right over towards the back post where Dales was lurking. The winger was gifted some space due to some poor marking from Stamford but could not guide his headed effort on target.

It had been a good half from the Sports, a much improved performance from Bank Holiday Monday, but ultimately, the teams would enter the break level as the deadlock remained to be broken.

Whilst Stamford began the second half with a bit more of a spring in their step, the Sports’ defence remained solid. The full-backs were quick to dispose of any threat whilst Wiley remained switched on and always seemed to be in the right areas.

Another man experiencing a much more enjoyable afternoon was Josh Ashman, back in midfield having filled in at the backline throughout the absences of Wiley and Bencherif. He looked comfortable on the ball and added a strong presence in the centre of the pitch.

Just prior to the hour mark, the Sports introduced their first change of the afternoon as Manni Norkett made way for Stuart Beavon as Mickleover continued to hunt for the opening goal of the afternoon.

Beavon did cause some issues going forward, throwing himself into every aerial duel with that relentlessness that serves him so well, winning the ball on multiple occasions in advanced areas.

Sam Sanders came close in the 65th minute as the ball fell to him following a scramble in the box. It was a tough effort for the left-back, who had to strike the ball on the swivel; the effort rose over the bar.

Cieron Keane was the next substitute to be introduced for Mickleover as Will Atkinson made way.

Some neat passes were being played and very nearly led to the first goal of the afternoon as Dales and Beavon linked up wonderfully before the ball was eventually played across to Jude Taylor, who could not guide the ball towards the goal.

The Sports did ride their luck at times in the game, none more so than when Aaron Chapman failed to clear the ball after coming off his line, leaving Stamford with an open goal to fire at; the effort was off target as Mickleover were off the hook.

Kane Richards came on for Jude Taylor with fifteen minutes left to play and very nearly scored the opener five minutes later. Keane fired a low free kick into the box; Richards stretched to get to it, but his effort went over the bar.

This game looked to be heading for a replay, but Richards was determined to leave his mark on this tie. In the 88th minute, a long ball over the top caused issues as the substitute snuck in front of his defender and remained strong before confidently slotting into the bottom left corner to give his side a late lead.

It was enough to secure Mickleover a place in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup as the Sports will now prepare for an FA Trophy clash against Sutton Coldfield.

 

by Peter Scherer

Having already beaten Winsford Town and Barwell in this years FA Cup campaign, Mickleover travel to Southern Premier league Stamford on Saturday for their next encounter.

Sports will be determined to get back to winning ways after Monday’s home defeat to Loughborough Students. But it’s been a terrible start for our hosts who have played six, lost six and only scored one goal, leaving them at the bottom of the table.

It was good to see Hamza Bencherif back in action last Monday and Dwayne Wiley is also now fit to resume. Harvey Smith will be out for a couple of weeks after concussion following our win at Grantham. AaronChapman is back in training too and hopefully Andy Dales will be OK, despite being kicked on the head and in the face in the last two games.

Callum Minkley is getting closer to making his return too, while we still await debuts for Charlie Hickingbottom and Luca Alonzi.

We last faced Stamford back in 23/24, losing 0-4 away and 3-0 at home in our play-off conclusion to our stay in the Southern Premier League.

Ant Fenton has been our hosts manager since May, when Graham Drury stepped down after 12 years of service. But so far this season they have lost every game and scored just the one goal in the 1-2 home defeat to Racing Club Warwick.

Current first choice goalkeeper James Goff came from St.Neots in pre-season. He was a Northampton Town youngster and went on loan to Banbury before a permanent move to Wisbech. He played for Spalding, Lincoln Utd and St.Ives, before spending the last three years at St.Neots.

Jamie Morrison kept goal in the opening matches, a Northampton Town Academy player, who started off at Rugby Borough.

Left back Kieran Wallace has made over 100 appearances in Leagues One and Two. He was a Nottingham Forest junior, who had a spell at Ilkeston following his release, before joining Sheffield Utd. After a loan at Fleetwood he joined Matlock, moving on to Burton Albion, York City, Mansfield Town and Hartlepool. Further loans at Tamworth and Peterborough Sports followed, before joining Alfreton last December, he came to Stamford in pre-season.

Right back Ellis Perry-Burdett came from Newark & Sherwood in pre-season. He was in Boston Utd’s Academy and played for Wisbech and Lincoln Utd too.

Ethan Young is a centre back and another pre-season arrival from Peterborough Sports. He started off at Scunthorpe and made appearances in League Two. After a loan at Yaxley, he joined Warrington Rylands following his release. He then joined Alvechurch which preceded his first spell at Stamford in July 2024. But after two months he made his move to Peterborough at the beginning of last season and was also loaned to Quorn.

Left or centre back Sam Warburton is loanee from Boston Utd.

Aaron Addy is another defender, who started off at Raunds Town. North Leigh, Stotfold, Kempston and Dunstable followed.

Defender Ryan Thomas played in both Cambridge Utd and Peterborough Utd Academies, before moving to St.Neots and Kings Lynn. He’s had a spell in the US too with Florida and came to our hosts in pre-season on his UK return.

Aaron Cashmore is another pre-season signing and another centre back. He’s come from Doncaster Rovers Academy and spent the end of last season on loan to our hosts.

Kobe Sundar-Linton has played at both Northampton Town and MK Dons Academies. He plays right of centre back.

Central midfielder Sam Bayly has been captaining the side since his arrival from Peterborough Sports in pre-season. He’s previously spent the whole of his career in the US, with Eastern Florida State Titans, CSU Pueblo Thunderwolves, Mars Hill Lions and Appalachian FC.

Midfielder Cameron Steiner had come through the ranks at Stamford, but been in the first team squad for the last three years.

Jon Challinor is an attacking midfielder who started his career at Stamford 25 years ago. Cambridge City, St.Albans City, Aldershot, Exeter City, Rushden & Diamonds and Cambridge Utd then followed, before being loaned to Forest Green.

He made a permanent move to Mansfield in 2010, but soon moved on again to Newport County, Kettering and York City. After returning to Stamford in 2013, he has stayed ever since, apart from a brief loan at Halifax.

Another pre-season signing and attacking midfielder is Giovanni Loureiro, who came from VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands. He was a junior at both Backburn Rovers and Leicester City before joining Bolton Wanderers. He also had a short spell with Nantwich Town before going to the Netherlands.

Striker Trey Charles came to our hosts in pre-season too. From youth football at Luton Town he moved on to St.Albans City, Arlesey Town, Bedford Town, Colney Heath and Leverstock. Hitchin Town, Northwood, Braintree, Hendon, Biggleswade, Berkhamsted, Kempston Rovers, Barwell, Cambridge City, Rugby Town and Wellingborough followed, before ending last season at St.Neots.

Theo Hudson is a striker too and a pre-season arrival from Bourne Town. He previously played for Kings Lynn, Wisbech and Sudbury.

Cheyenne Loureiro is another striker currently on loan from Tamworth. He started at Leicester City with brother Giovanni and then followed him to VVV-Vento after a spell at Nantwich. He returned to the UK pre-season to join Tamworth.

Former Peterborough Utd striker Tyler Winters came to our hosts in pre-season too from Rushden & Diamonds. He’s played for Spalding, Peterborough Sports, Bedford Town and Wellingborough too.

Pa Sulley Njie returned to Stamford about a year ago. The former Worcester City and Halesowen striker is also a Gambian Under 20 International. He started in the Stoke and Coventry City Academies and has also played for Stratford, Kettering, Corby and Alvechurch.

Striker Jake Walton and midfielders Maksymilian Jarzabeck and Maxwell Wilkins have also been in the squad this season.

Kick off at the Zeeco Stadium is 3pm and as much travelling support as possible is wanted and there’s a supporters bus available.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

It’s been a brilliant start to the season in both league and cups, but a defeat was bound to come at some time and today was the day.

With three goals in each half it was a comfortable first win of the season for Loughborough Students, 0-6.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Will Atkison 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6 Josh Ashman; 7-Andy Dales; 8-Cieron Keane; 9-Manni Norkett; 10-Theo Rowe; 11-Kane Richards. Subs: Jude Taylor; Yerim Zoko; Dwayne Wiley; Stuart Beavon; Darryl Powell.

It took the first 10 minutes for both teams to settle down in blustery conditions, but Sports went close in the 11th minute when Dales sent a through ball down the middle for Norkett to chase, but keeper James managed to intercept with a fraction to spare.

Three minutes later Richards sprinted past the left back, cut inside and was heading goalwards only to have his left foot taken from under him. A clear-cut penalty, but the referee looked for confirmation to his assistant who failed to communicate and it was play-on.

The pressure was continuing to build on the visitors defence, but the tide turned after 20 minutes, when a cross from the right found Ikewuonu who fired home

the opening goal, Loughborough’s first shot of the game. 0-1.

Three minutes later Richards had broken through again, straight down the middle and into the box, before being hauled back by a defender, with more penalty appeals waved away.

Cracks had started to show in both defence and midfield for Mickleover and in the 27th minute possession was lost in midfield, the defence were outpaced and as McDowell came out to try and narrow the angle, Kasukumya slotted in number two for the visitors, 0-2.

Mickleover still weren’t out of it and after a throw from Wilkinson, a Keane cross found Norkett. But he was unable to get any power behind his effort and it was an easy stop for James.

Richards had another dangerous cross cleared on the half hour and few minutes later Norkett fired a shot into the side netting on the left, after a ball from Dales.

Apart from the two goals Loughborough had also lacked creativity and failed to have any other shots on goal.

Dales received treatment after a being kicked on the head for second consecutive game, but Keane’s following free kick came to nought.

The home defence had become to look evermore vulnerable and none more so than in the 44th minute.

Wilkinson was out of position on the right and as the left winger was left with a clear run, Ashman tried to charge from the middle to intercept. But it was too late, the cross came in and Ikegwuono scored his second and Loughborough’s third, 0-3 as the half time whistle soon followed.

Mickleover made three changes for the second half, with Beavon, Taylor and Powell on for Richards, Dales and Rowe.

The back four was now Powell, Wilkinson, Bencherif and Sanders, but they were soon tested again. Almost from the kick off Bencherif had a header cleared off the line, but Roddy was then given a free header on the right of the box for the visitors, which fortunately he put wide.

57 minutes in and Powell raced back to intercept another break from Loughborough.

Although there was more creativity from Sports at the start of the second half, Loughborough were still controlling the pace of the game. But Mickleover won a corner on the left after 62 minutes and Keane curler fell to Bencherif, whose shot was straight into the keepers hands.

Instead of playing into wind as they did in the first half, Sports were now with it, and another long ball out of defence a minute later from Keane, proved too long for Norkett to catch.

Norkett was tripped on the edge of the box after 65 minutes, and Keane’s free kick was palmed away for corner as it was heading for the top right-hand corner.

Zoko replaced Atkinson after 68 minutes as Mickleover went for more fire power, but the next chance fell to Loughborough again, but the shot was miles off target.

A third penalty appeal in the 72nd minute went the way of the other two, after Norkett was flattened.

Loughborough then earned a free kick after 75 minutes, which Kasukumya fired to the right of the wall and straight into the top left-hand corner. 0-4.

Four minutes later it was 0-5 with Kasukumya catching out a flat-footed defence to secure his hattrick, before hitting his fourth to make it 0-6 in the 83rd minute.

With two minutes of normal time left Beavon put through Norkett through again, but James was quickly out of his goal to snatch it from the strikers boot.

Beavon had a header from a Keane cross almost on time, but after their brilliant start to the season, Mickleover were soundly beaten by the better team on the day.

We now press the reset button as we head to Stamford in the FA Cup next Saturday, before resuming league action next Tuesday at the top of the table Wellingborough.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s back on home turf this Bank Holiday for league action, when we host Loughborough Students at the Vibrant Doors Arena on Monday.

It’s been a great start in both league and cup so far, with some strong performances both home and way. It’s also been a test of the new squad assembled by Gareth and Billy, as a few knocks and injuries have already seen most players play their part.

Striker Harvey Smith should be making his home debut, along with Brad Lathall, both debuting at Coventry last Tuesday. Hopefully some of our casualties will be on the road to recovery too.

Our visitors haven’t got into their stride yet, still seeking their first win after three defeats and one draw, going down 2-4 at home to Grantham Town last Tuesday.

Manager Jamie Clapham has been in charge since May 2021, following coaching roles at Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Barnsley and Leeds Utd, after making over 500 appearances in his playing career. He played in the Premiership for Tottenham Hotspur, Ipswich Town, Birmingham City, Wolves, Leicester City, Leeds Utd and Notts County, before retiring in 2011.

Henry Upsell is currently the first- choice goalkeeper. He started out at Fulham and Southampton’s Academy, before moving to Slough Town. He’s had loan spells at Langley FC, Risborough, Hayes & Yeading and Flackwell Heath, before arriving at Loughborough in pre-season.

Second choice keeper Dan James is a former Crystal Palace junior and an England Futsal international.

Rob March is a defender who’s returned to Loughborough in pre-season, after two years with Al Jazira.

Right back Joe Akinsanmi arrived in pre-season, He has also played for Concorder Rangers and Frenford among other teams.

A former Woking defender, Stanley Kyle had loan spells at Sandhurst Town and Camberley before joining our visitors.

Matty Bowman needs no introduction to Mickleover fans, after joining us from Basford in 23/24. A former Repton School pupil, he was junior at Middlesborough and Hull City, before joining Scarborough following his release. He’s played for Dunfermline Athletic too and since leaving Sports, he’s been at Bridlington, Pickering and Coventry Sphinx. He came to our visitors in pre-season from Belper Town as player coach.

Nat Salsby is another ex Repton School pupil. He’s centre back and has also captained the side.

Jozef Baxter was signed in pre-season. He’s a defender and was previously at Northampton Town.

Midfielder Josh Roddy started out at Reading and Bristol Rovers, before joining Bradford Town on his release. He’s also played for Corsham Town and Hartpury and is in his second season at Loughborough.

Defensive midfielder Alfie Lee started out at Harrogate, before moving to the US for a couple of years with LSU Alexandria Generals. He’s another pre-season arrival for our visitors.

Fellow midfielder Alfie Lee was at Coventry Utd before spending five years in the US. After playing for Indiana Tech Warriors and Lubbock Matadors, he joined AFC Hinckley on his UK return, where he spent two years before joining Loughborough.

Marcus Gilpin is a midfielder that started his journey in his native Zambia. He also spent time at the Barcelona Academy and played for Bradfield College before coming to Loughborough three years ago.

Striker Sonny Albert was at Florida Southern College and Alabama Huntsville in the US before coming to our visitors on his UK return. He has has also played for Dorking Town.

Matt Rennie is a striker signed last season. He’s an England IFSA Under 18 international and was a versatile sportsman at Repton School.

Winger, wing back or striker Alexandre Bertholen started his footballing journey in Singapore. He played for Balastier Khalsa and Tampines Rovers under 21’s before coming to the UK.

Kash Kasukumya was a junior at Bournemouth. He joined Bognor Regis following his release and ended last season at Littlehampton. Tobenna Ikegwuono is another striker, in his second year at Loughborough.

Archie Underwood is striker too, who came through Stowmarket Town’s junior sides, before making his first team debut.

Defender Munya Myogo and Brian McGovern have also been part of the squad this season.

Kick off is 3pm, but it’s also our Family Fun Day, it starts at 1pm and parking is free before 1pm.

be Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover made it six league and cup wins out of seven, after a comfortable 3-1 at Grantham Town in the FA Trophy.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Darryl Powell 3-Sam Sanders 4-Brad Lathall 5-Josh Ashman 6-George Wilkinson 7-Andy Dales 8-Cieron Keane 9-Harvey Smith 10-Manni Norkett 11-Kane Richards. Subs: Josh Carter; Yerim Zoko; Theo Rowe; Jude Taylor; Will Atkinson.

It was the hosts that had the first chance of the game, when McDowell had to race of his goal to save the strikers effort with his legs after five minutes.

But Mickleover soon settled and began to take charge, with Keane firing over the bar from distance, after Lathall had initiated the move a couple of minutes later.

11 minutes in and a McDowell clearance was headed on by Smith, for Norkett to shoot, but a deflection sent it wide for the first corner.

Richards had started to torment the left-hand side of the defence, cutting in from the right after 17 minutes, his shot was blocked and earned another corner.

But Sports were forced to make their first change following the resulting corner, when Smith took a knock and was replaced by Rowe.

It was Richards that opened the scoring too, chasing a ball from Dales in from the right, he chipped the keeper and the ball just rolled into net 1-0 after 20 minutes.

Just a minute later, he outpaced the defence again, but found his path blocked as he cut inside.

Grantham were opting for a long ball out of defence to chase, which hadn’t been looking too successful. But Shaw latched onto a clearance from keeper Steggles and forced McDowell into another save after 23 minutes.

Mickleover still had the majority of the possession and as on Wednesday night at Coventry, Powell, Ashman, Wilkinson and Sanders continued to look a solid back four, with Keane and Lathall directing from midfield.

Richards floated in another lovely 25th minute cross into the box again, but on this occasion the keeper just beat Norkett’s head to the ball.

Pressure was rewarded two minutes later though when Rowe’s trickery on the left saw him place a perfect cross onto Norkett’s head and it was 2-0.

Grantham hadn’t given up and continued with their original game plan, seeing Shaw test McDowell again close in and from a tight angle, but the Mickleover keeper took it with relative ease.

With Keane and Lathall in the centre of midfield, Dales appeared to have a more roaming role and 33 minutes gone and he earned a corner after his curling cross from the left was deflected.

Rowe and Dales then combined again on the left, but the final cross curled out for a goal kick.

Grantham went for a late push to try and get back into contention before half time, they successfully pegged Mickleover back in their own half, but failed to test the defence to any consequence.

It was Mickleover who had the final chance of the half though in time added on, when Norkett went solo and cut in from the right, to have his shot saved by the keepers feet, and so it remained 2-0 as the half time whistle blew.

Grantham started the livelier of the two sides initially as the second half got underway, when Langford had a shot blocked from the edge of the box just two minutes into the restart.

It didn’t take long for Mickleover to regain their momentum, but Norkett’s run down the left wing after 50 minutes came to an end when he was hacked down on touchline.

Rowe continued to outpace the defence on the left but his shot after receiving a cross-field ball from the right was covered by the keeper.

Further changes were made on the hour as Atkinson and Taylor came on for Rowe and Keane.

Sports had another half chance after 70 minutes when Norkett put a ball through for Taylor to chase. He got the shot in but it was still rising as it reached the goal and sailed well over the bar.

Only a minute later Grantham broke again, forcing McDowell to save with his knees, which triggered a succession of corners before the ball was finally cleared.

Carter then replaced Richards after 76 minutes, but a few minutes later Dales was kicked on the head, our hosts were down to 10 men and Zoko came on for Taylor for the final seven minutes.

Zoko had only been on the field just over a minute, when Steggles called for the ball to be left, only to miss it himself. Zoko was then on hand to stab the ball home and it was 3-0.

There was a consolation though for Grantham when they were awarded a very soft penalty. Former Mickleover midfielder Andrew Wright stepped up to make it 3-1 with virtually the last kick of the game, but it was another dominant performance that sees Sports go into the hat for the next round.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s another break from our league campaign on Saturday, when we visit Grantham Town in the FA Trophy following our great three pointer at Coventry on Tuesday night.

With the injury list growing, it was good to see debuts for Harvey Smith and Brad Lathall, but hopefully skipper Hamza Bencherif will be fit for to rejoin the squad.

Our hosts had their first league win of the season on Tuesday, beating our Bank Holiday opponents Loughborough Students 4-2 away.

Newly promoted via the United Counties League last season, Grantham were relegated from the Northern Premier League in 21/22. We drew 1-1 with them at the Meres, with a Stuart Beavon goal and then 2-2 in the return, with goals from Ben Radcliffe and George Milner.

But back in October 2021 we paid them a visit in the FA Trophy too and came away with a 0-1 defeat.

Mitch Griffiths has been their manager since May 2025. A former Lincoln Utd defender, he previously spent a year as manager of Newark Town.

Jack Steggles is currently in goal, he came from Lincoln Utd at the start of last season. He’s also played for Newark Town and Carlton Town.

Second choice keeper is Bermudan Under 17 international Ayleal Dill. He was signed a couple of weeks ago from Hucknall Town, having previously been at Ilkeston.

Osa Soloman is a right back in his fourth season at the club. He came from Nottingham Forest in July 2023 after five months on loan at Redditch.

Josh Doran is a young defender signed from Boston Utd part way through last season. He’s played for Sleaford, Sandiacre Town and West Bridgford and is currently out on dual registration with Hucknall Town. His father Gary is our hosts goalkeeping coach.

Fellow defender Kacper Rajter is another pre-season arrival, having come from AFC Mansfield.

Former Notts County youngster Abdu Saad is a full back, signed from Eastwood. He has played for Radford, Hucknall Town and Long Eaton Utd too.

Centre back and captain Michael Jacklin came from Grimsby Borough at the start of last season. He started out with Brigg Town and then spent three years at Lincoln Utd, before returning after a year at Gainsborough. Loughborough Dynamo and Corby Town were his next stops, before a brief return to Lincoln Utd preceded his move to Grimsby in July 2024.

Wing back Alex Roberts has come through the clubs reserve side and has become a regular goal scorer, after debuting last season.

Former Notts County youngster Connor Bartle returned to our hosts in pre-season from Stamford, having played for the Gingerbreads pre-covid. He’s also played for Basford, Carlton and Bourne Town.

Andrew Wright is well known to Mickleover fans, having spent almost three years with us. A no nonsense attacking midfielder, he started out at Lincoln City and had his first stop at Grantham in 2017. Coalville and Matlock were his next stops, before a short return to Grantham preceded his Mickleover arrival.

He then joined Gainsborough but started 23/24 back at Matlock. After an initial loan he then joined long Eaton Utd, before making his Grantham return last September.

Central midfield Will Langford is a pre-season signing from Boston Utd. He was previously on loan for much of last season.

Harry Wood is another central midfielder who came from Doncaster Rovers Academy. He first joined the Gingerbreads on loan in 2024 and also played for Boston Utd and Brighouse.

Bradley Munns plays in central midfield and returned to the club initially on a dual registration in October 2025, after leaving to join Belper Town seven months earlier. He’s also played for Stamford.

Louis Czerwak is a former Notts County junior. Playing attacking midfield, he was with Newark Town last season and has also been at Chesterfield, Alfreton, Eastwood and Carlton.

Dan Dougill is another midfielder signed from Holbeach at the start of last season. He has played for Deeping Rangers and Wisbech too.

Lee Shaw is a striker who started his career at Grantham, before joining Chesterfield. After a loan at Guiseley he moved on to Alfreton and then had two years back with our hosts again. He came back for a third time at the start of last season, after two years at Stamford.

Dylan Reason is currently on loan from Ilkeston Town. He previously played for Loughborough Students.

Joe Smith is an attacker too, a pre-season signing from Newark & Sherwood. He’s also played for Sleaford and Newark Town.

Centre back Joe Braithwaite is the latest signing from Skegness Town last week. He was at Newark Town last season.

Kick off is 3pm at South Kesteven Sports Stadium, known as the Meres.

by Peter Scherer

Two second half goals from Manni Norkett made sure all three points came back to Mickleover, after our 2-1 win at Coventry Utd.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Darryl Powell 3-Sam Sanders 4-Will Atkinson 5-Josh Ashman 6-George Wilkinson 7-Theo Rowe; 8-Cieron Keane 9-Harvey Smith 10-Jude Taylor 11-Kane Richards. Subs: Manni Norkett; Josh Carter; Brad Lathall; Yerim Zoko.

It was another lively start from Mickleover, with Taylor making a second minute interception only for his cross to miss Smith’s head by inches. Skipper Atkinson then charged forward only to be blocked on the edge of the box.

A minute later Richards and Smith combined only for the final strike to be blocked again.

Coventry then made their first break, a first test for the revised back four of Powell, Ashman, Wilkinson and Sanders. The cross came in but there was no one on the receiving end and it was easily cleared.

Smith tried his luck again after 12 minutes, but it was a routine catch for the home keeper.

After the initial pressure from Mickleover, the game began to even out more. But despite some positive build up’s neither keeper was seriously tested. McDowell made a comfortable save after 15 minutes and then Rowe outpaced the defence again on the left, but his cross was just out of reach of both Richards and Smith.

Our hosts had their first real shot after 20 minutes, but that was blocked and then cleared. But Coventry then tried a random shot, easily caught by McDowell.

Richards went close in the 24th minute, beating the defence on the right, despite being pulled back by his shirt and arm. He cut inside and tried to place his shot, only for the keeper to save with his feet.

Keane tested the keeper again after 34 minutes, but his long range effort was palmed away as Mickleover were finishing the first half positively.

Richards went close again with four minutes left, dispossessing the defence, he shot just wide of the left-hand post. But the first period ended 0-0 after a lengthy build-up ended with another Keane longshot as the whistle was poised.

There were no changes at half time but it didn’t go well for Sports following the restart. Just two minutes had gone when the ball came into the Mickleover box from the right, falling nicely for Cobourne, who beat McDowell from close range 0-1.

The goal seemed momentarily to upset the balance in defence and Coventry went close again two minutes later.

After earning a 52 minute free kick, Keane curled the kick crossfield to find Taylor, whose strike was just wide.

McDowell made another comfortable save three minutes later, before Rowe was sent on a long run deep into the box, but it proved too long and his path was blocked before he could shoot.

Just before the hour mark the first change was made with Norkett on for Richards. But it was Rowe testing the home defence again, his cross from the left finding Taylor again, who was unable to target his shot this time.

Taylor was beginning to run at the defence more and was fouled again as he charged through the middle on the hour. Keane once again curled in the free kick, but it was straight out of play.

Two more changes were made as Carter and Lathall came on for Powell and Taylor and within a minute Carter had made his presence felt. He took on the defence down the right, sending his cross into crowded box. Norkett was quickest to respond and sent his toe poke just wide of the keeper to make it 1-1.

Norkett almost got his second a minute later after Sanders put him through on the left. Cutting inside from the wing in a solo effort, his shot bounced off the top of the bar and out for goal kick.

Mickleover continued to press forward and when Rowe fired in a cross from the left, it not only beat the defence but our strike force too, as it rolled across the face of the goal.

But Coventry missed a golden chance for their second after 70 minutes and tested McDowell again four minutes later, who saved comfortably.

Norkett’s pace continued to torment the home defence, and he was hacked down just outside the box after 76 minutes. The free kick was headed away for a corner, which preceded a scramble in the box before Keane found Lathall, whose shot was blocked.

With just two minutes left Norkett attacked again on the left. An initial cross was cleared, but it fell to Carter on the right. His precision cross then found Norkett’s head on the left of the box, it was his and Mickleover’s second and sealed a 2-1 victory.

We take a short break from league action, as we travel to Grantham for our FA Trophy tie on Saturday and then welcome Loughborough Students to the Vibrant Doors Arena on Monday.