by Peter Scherer

Mickleover retained their 100 per cent record, with another strong performance on their visit to Leamington FC, returning home 1-0 victors after a late second half winner from Stuart Beavon.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Finn Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales  8-Dan Bradley 9-Andre Wright 10-Ben Sault 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Rhys Dolan, Jim Pollard, George Nunn, Stuart Beavon Oli Greaves.

Sault created Sports first chance of the game after four minutes, but he was forced wide by Jack Lane after reaching the penalty area and fired his shot over the roof of the clubhouse.

But only two minutes later a left wing cross had flashed across the six yard box, Bennett was quickest to the loose ball, and swung it back to the far post where Wright dived to head well over the bar.

Barnes then came very close too when he latched onto a high ball forward, chipping Callum Smith, but the Brakes keeper had done enough to put him off after racing off his line, and the ball dropped just wide.

Leamington managed an immediate counter-attack and Adam Walker’s stabbed cross-shot was pushed away by Bosworth for a corner, from which Tyrone Barnett connected well with a low half volley on the edge of the box which Bosworth saved.

The back four of Bennett, Delap, Mann and Wilson were controlling the line well and seemed to be taking any Leamington efforts comfortably in their stride, aiding Atkinson, Bradley, Sault and Dales to push forward. But the hosts were coping with Sports strikes too as we reached the half hour.

Edwards headed well over from another corner when it looked like Barnett was possibly better placed to try for goal, before Barnett exchanged passes with Cally Stewart who sent a powerful volley whistling past the post.

Leamington began to up the tempo a little before half time, and Stewart came close with two minutes left in the first half, his powerful shot from a yard or so out, found Sports defenders on the goal line, but Mickleover were able to clear. The young striker then rose above everybody in a packed penalty area to head a right-wing corner over the bar, as it remained 0-0 at half time,

Greaves came on for Bradley as the second half got underway and it was a strong and attacking start for Mickleover. Benett and Wilson continued to push down the wings, and having had a couple of shots just off target up to the hour mark, Beavon came on for Wright after 68 minutes. He was just inches from immediate success, after Edwards misjudged a header and allowed the Beavon a chance to lift the ball over keeper Smith, but unfortunately it dropped onto the roof of the net.

Mickleover were pushing hard to break the deadlock and came closer still when they pressed dangerously, Beavon forcing a save from the legs of Smith, before Andrew Dales curled the loose ball against the crossbar and over. Dales then miscued another effort wide, but the pressure continued.

Leamington were struggling to get out of their own half at times, and the ball kept coming back at them as Mickleover probed for the opening goal and Sports decided to bring on Nunn for Dales for the last 11 minutes.

Barnes headed over at the far post from Beavon’s left wing cross, before Greaves’ attempted a cross that was palmed onto the bar by Smith after 82 minutes. But when the ball was played back in it was touched back towards goal by Beavon, whose strike finally broke through and it was 1-0.

There was brief late retaliation from Leamington as Henry Landers forced a right corner, but it came to nothing, with several players left in a heap in the box.

In the seven minutes of additional time Landers had another shot deflected behind for a corner, but the Mickleover were relatively untroubled other than a brief penalty shout and eased their way to a deserved three points and a three-point lead at the top of the table.

by Peter Scherer

With three successive wins to start the season, Mickleover have managed to take a two-point lead in the Southern Premier League Central Division.

This weekends hosts Leamington FC were relegated last season from the National League North.

The Brakes started this season with an opening 2-1 win at home to Long Eaton, before going down 2-5 at Coalville, and drawing 0-0 at Halesowen on Tuesday night, leaving them13th in the table.

Manager Paul Holleran will have been in charge for 14 years this November. A former Birmingham City player, he also played for Alvechurch and Solihull before turning to management. He has also been in charge at Solihull, Halesowen and Rushall.

With a squad of almost 20, only six are new signings and they had fielded the same starting team in the first two league games, but made two changes on Tuesday, with Quayer and Stewart in for Edwards and Usher-Shipway

First choice keeper is Callum Smith, recently signed from Walsall Wood, having also been at Nuneaton and Wolverhampton Sporting. Luke Slater is the deputy a young home-grown talent.

Right back Dan Meredith is a former Scottish Under 17 International, that started out at West Bromwich Albion. He was loaned to Maidstone and then to Leamington, before his stay was made permanent in September 2020.

Jack Lane is a centre back who has been with our hosts for five years. He started at Macclesfield Town and was loaned out to Newcastle Town and Stockport Sports, before a permanent move to Hinckley Utd.

Ben Usher-Shipway has spent most of his career with Solihull. The young right back was loaned to Alvechurch, Sutton Coldfield and Stourbridge, joining Leamington a year ago following his release.

Junior English is another right back who has been with the Brakes for six years, since arriving from Worcester City. He had previously spent almost 12 years with Solihull.

Left back Jiah Medrano is a pre-season signing from Shepshed Dynamo and was previously with Kirby Muxloe after starting off as a Yeovil Junior.

He spent just over a year in the US with Ventura County and Sacramento, then joined Ilkeston on his UK return. He then moved to Nuneaton and Tamworth, before arriving at Alfreton in July 2018, but only stayed a month before his move to Leamington.

Central midfielder Joe Clarke has been with the Brakes for six years since arriving from Tamworth. He started with Redditch, but has played for Solihull, Darlington, Wrexham Kidderminster and Brackley too.

Ex Rams centre back Theo Streete was loaned to Doncaster Rovers, before joining Rotherham on his release. He moved onto Solihull Moors, Alfreton and Nuneaton, before returning to Solihull in 2015. After being out of the game for a couple of seasons, he signed for Telford, moving to Leamington in July 2022 after four years service.

Midfielder Jack Edwards has spent almost nine years with our hosts, only leaving for a brief three-month spell at Solihull in 2017. He was originally at Studley, moving on to Coventry Sphinx and Barwell, joining Leamington in July 2014.

Captain and central midfielder Adam Walker started as a Coventry City Junior. He was initially loaned to Nuneaton, before a permanent move and has played at Solihull and Brackley, before a 2 ½ year stay spell at Telford preceded his Leamington arrival in January 2022.

Devon Kelly-Evans is a right sided midfielder, and Coventry City Academy graduate. He played 14 first team games for the Sky Blues, scoring one goal and was also loaned out to Nuneaton, before making his move there permanent and has been at Leamington two years.

Left sided midfielder Josh Quayer is a recent arrival from Halesowen, having previously been at Cheltenham, Redditch, Stourbridge, Coleshill and Bromsgrove.

Toby Nicholl has also come into the squad more recently, having been a home-produced midfielder.

Experienced striker Tyrone Barnett started his career at West Bromwich Albion, moving on via Rushall Olympic, Telford, Willenhall, Hednesford, Macclesfield and Crawley.

He then joined Peterborough Utd in June 2012, and was also loaned to Ipswich Town, Crawley, Bristol City and Oxford Utd, before a move to Shrewsbury. AFC Wimbledon, Port Vale and Cheltenham were his next stops, before three years at Eastleigh. He spent least season at Hereford before joining the Brakes last month. He has scored 70 goals in 329 appearances through the football league and FA Cup.

Fellow striker Henry Landers was another new arrival last month from Banbury, where he spent the last three years. He previously played for North Leigh and Maidenhead.

Connor Taylor was a striker with Coventry Spinx until Aston Villa picked him up. After a move to Walsall he went to Nuneaton and Tamworth, before joining Leamington in July 2018. Three years later he moved to Bromsgrove, before returning to Leamington in March last year.

Callum Stewart is another pre-season signing, arriving from Coventry Spinx.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have gone two points clear at the top of the Southern Premier League Central Division, after a third successive win, 4-2 against Alvechurch.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Sault 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: George Nunn, Jim Pollard, Rhys Dolan, Andre Wright, Dan Bradley.

It was a fairly even start to the game at the Don Amott Arena. But Alvechurch showed they had pace on the breaks, when Mann lost possession in the third minute, but Delap had it covered, but gave away the first free kick.

Three minutes later our visitors broke again down their right- hand side, the shot was on target and Bosworth made a diving save to his right.

Mickleover had their first shot after eight minutes, when Bennett found Beavon who held the ball well, as Dales came in to have his shot saved by Eve in the Alvechurch goal.

Only a minute later Dales fired in another shot straight at the keeper and after patiently waiting for a gap in 13^th minute, he found Sault, but the keeper had his final shot covered.

It was a close call three minutes later, as Barnes went up for a cross from Beavon, he was challenging the keeper in the air and the ball broke loose, but the defence managed to scramble it away.

It continued to be fairly end to end and after 20 minutes Greaves was fouled on the edge of the box after a telling run down the right. Wilson’s free kick was straight at the keeper, but Mickleover were passing with confidence, while still looking vulnerable to an Alvechurch break.

After some good work down the right from Greaves, Bennett floated in a cross in the 23^rd minute, Beavon just missed out as keeper Eve beat him to the ball.

But two minutes later Alvechurch won a corner, the ball fell nicely to Ethan Patterson, who connected to send his header just inside the right-hand post and out of Bosworth’s reach, 0-1.

Janaai Gordon managed to outrun Delap on the half hour, but Bosworth saved both his initial shot and the rebound. But having gone 0-1 down Sports passing had started to go awry and even when Sault was upended on the touchline, the free kick came to nought.

But six minutes later Wilson showed his captains quality, finding himself unmarked, he called to Greaves who had progressed down the right. The cross was made with precision and with time on the ball, Wilson smashed home the equaliser, 1-1.

There could have been another goal barely a minute later after an interchange between Beavon and Dales, brought a cross that just missed Barnes head.

Mickleover were pressing hard and the previous breaks for Alvechurch had become a thing of the past. Dales beat Dyer on the left, cut in but shot straight at the keeper and Atkinson went on a run, found Barnes in the box, who was then pushed down, but no penalty.

The last five minutes of the first half were all Mickleover as Sault almost got Barnes through and then Dales cross from the left just missed connecting with Barnes too.

On the 45 Barnes went through again but shot over, before Sault had a shot blocked, Barnes hit the rebound, but with the keeper beaten it was cleared off the line, with the ball at least a third over.

With the whistle poised Beavon was then brough down right on the line as he headed for the box, penalties appeals were waved away, but it was mighty close.

It was a positive start to the second half too, with Barnes just missing out on a one on one with the keeper two minutes into the half.

Greaves was taunting the big the Alvechurch defenders and when he cut in from the right five minutes later, his shot was saved by Eve.

But two more minutes and the pressure was rewarded as Dales’ pace left the defence wanting, he fired the ball cross and found Barnes sliding in to make in 2-1 after 54 minutes.

As the hour mark approached ‘Church made two substitutions, followed by a tentative shot through a crowded goal mouth, which Bosworth had covered.

Mickleover were hungry for more and when Barnes pulled a ball back from the left corner, Dales placed it into the middle for Beavon, but the contact was inches short.

Alvechurch sub Adan George was almost through on Sports goal however, but his shot was blocked to earn a 69^th minute corner..

But it was Sports on the up still and after 72 minutes it was 3-1, when yet another Dales charge into the middle, was met by Beavon who fired it home.

Dales tried a long shot which was tipped away by the keeper, but it was number four for sports after 83 minutes, when Greaves had a fine solo effort, running diagonally across the box before chipping the keeper, 4-1.

With five minutes of normal time left Bosworth had to make a point- blank reflex save, before Mickleover made two late substitutions, Nunn for Greaves and Dolan for Dales.

But in time added on Bosworth had tipped an effort over, but George got hold from the following corner and made it 4-2 in a goalmouth scramble.

Three out of three so far, now its Leamington next up away on Saturday. Fin Delap was declared man of the match, after some sterling work in the middle of Sports defence with Mann.

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover look forward to hosting Alvechurch on Tuesday night, as we go into the match top of the table, with two wins and not a goal conceded.

Alvechurch finished 11^th in the Southern Premier League Central Division last season, which probably wasn’t a true reflection on their form.

Having knocked Sports out of the FA Cup 2-3 at home, they went on to have a successful Cup Run, which left them way behind in games played in the league.

Mickleover won the home league game 1-0, but after numerous postponements, we lost the return 1-2.

But ‘Church were on the receiving end of a 0-2 defeat as they visited Hitchin Town on this season’s opening day, before facing newly promoted newly promoted AFC Sudbury last Saturday, taking a 1-0 win with a goal from debutant Kai George.

Manager Ian Long returned to the club in February 2020, having left eight months earlier to take charge at Stourbridge. He has also managed Tividale and played for Willenhall Town, Blakenhall, Oldbury Utd and Rushall Olympic.

First choice goalkeeper Dale Eve is a Bermudan International at Under 16, Under 17 and Full International. After playing for Dandy Town Hornets in his early teens, he had two years with Derby County, before moving on to Stoke City.

He was loaned to Fleetwood, Nuneaton, Newcastle Town, Congleton and Forest Green, but made his last stay permanent. He then returned to Dandy Town for six months, before signing for Ilkeston in 2017. Robin Hood FC in Bermuda was the next stop, before going to Spennymoor and arriving at Alvechurch in July, after nine months at Hereford.

Right back Ben Cassidy is a home produced player, debuting in 20/21 season and now a regular first team member.

Former Northern Ireland Under 19 centre back Ethan Patterson, was a former Aston Villa Junior. He had spell in Iceland with Throttur Vogum and on his UK return joined our visitors for 15^th months, before moving on to Worcester Raiders. He started this year at Hednesford and returned to Alvechurch pre-season.

Right back Josh Dugmore played his junior football at Everton and Birmingham City. On his release he went to Bromsgrove and Telford, before spending four months at Banbury prior to his Alvechurch arrival in January.

Kobe Chong is a midfielder who started at Kidderminster before signing for West Bromwich Albion. He then went to Italy with Cagliari for two years and returned to the UK with Solihull.

After spells at Banbury, Redditch and Sutton Coldfield, he joined Peterborough Utd and went on loan to Peterborough Sports. After release he went to Telford and started this year at Nuneaton, before joining Alvechurch pre-season.

Midfielder Jack Concannon came from Tamworth in July 2022. A former Birmingham City Youth player, he had loans at Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth too.

Mackenzie Lamb is a midfielder on loan from Peterborough Utd. He was previously with West Bromwich Albion.

Striker Jaanai Gordon started out at Peterborough Utd, before being spotted by West Ham Utd. He was then loaned to Chelmsford, Nuneaton and Sligo Rovers in Ireland and after a further loan at Newport County he was released.

He then signed for Cheltenham and his career moved on via Tamworth, Banbury, Oxford City, Stratford, Hereford, Brackley and Boston Utd, from where he joined our visitors pre-season, after a loan at Nuneaton.

Reserve keeper Harvey Randle was at Birmingham City and Derby County, before coming to Alvechurch July last year. He has also been on loan at Coventry Utd.

Midfielder Jack Hallahan is an Alvechurch returnee. He arrived in November 2021 and left in February to join Evesham, before returning last month. He started at Burton Albion and was loaned to Belper Town and has played for Coalville, Hednesford and Bromsgrove too, as well as being capped by Northern Ireland at Under 19 level.

Claudio Dias is another midfielder, who has been at Alvechurch almost two years. A former Northampton Town youngster, he was loaned to Corby and Banbury before going to Dunstable on his release. Bedford, Braintree, Potton Utd, Stratford, Tamworth, Banbury and Nuneaton followed, before a two month stay at Rushden & Diamonds preceded his stay at Alvechurch.

Left sided midfielder Nicky Clayton-Phillips is in his second Alvechurch stay. He was at West Bromwich Albion, who loaned him out to Braintree, Kidderminster and Solihull Moors, before going to Stourbridge on his release.

Only a few weeks later he joined Alvechurch in September 2021, going to Kidderminster a month later, before returning to Alvechurch in December the same year.

Striker Kai Adan George scored the winning goal against AFC Sudbury last Saturday on his debut. A former Birmingham City player, he made a couple of starts for Blues first team and had a spell on loan at Walsall, before coming to Alvechurch just over a week ago.

Shay Willock is another recently arrived striker, following his release from Walsall. He started out at Solihull Moors and also had a loan spell at Worcester Raiders last year.

Former Port vale full back Ammar Dyer is another new singing, from Bromsgrove. He has also played for Leek Town.

Centre back Abel Alabi has just returned to Alvechurch. He was at Southend and Waterford in Ireland, before joining Coventry City.  He was loaned to Tamworth and had two spells at Alvechurch, before his Sky Blues release earlier this month.

Centre back Yaw Ofosu is a new signing from Cambridge City, where he made over 100 appearances since joining them from Newport Pagnell Town.

Defender Nathan Kelly has recently arrived from Halesowen. He was a Birmingham City Junior and was loaned to Kidderminster, before joining Solihull, who loaned him to Redditch and Leamington. He also played for Sutton Coldfield, Leicester Road, Nuneaton, Worcester City and Coventry Utd.

Midfielder or wing back Demi Akinwe has been signed from Bromsgrove., who he joined in March from Hednesford Town, where he had been since November 2022. He had been on loan at Northern Premier League Division One Midlands outfit Gresley Rovers, playing four times in January 2023. He was at Shrewsbury Town during the summer of 2022 and is a product of the West Bromwich Albion youth academy. 

Jamie Spiers is another midfielder. He came to Alvechurch at the beginning of last season, following his release from Shrewsbury. He left to join Racing Club Warwick and has recently returned.

Striker Ross Evans came in from Solihull Moors a couple of weeks ago, having come through their youth scheme.

Dylan Allen-Hadley is another young striker having returned to Alvechurch. He was a West Bromwich Albion Junior and was with our visitors before going to Redditch and Romulus.

Striker Leo Brown scored seven goals in 26 games last year but hasn’t been in the squad so far. Ethan Hanson is a young centre back signed from Stourport Swifts and fellow defender Cory Cooper has also been in the squad.

Kick off as usual is 7.45pm at the Don Amott Arena.

SO RESIDENTS OF MICKLEOVER SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR A WINNING TEAM!!

by Peter Scherer (Images by Steve Ingers)

Not only did Mickleover make it a second consecutive victory, but the clean sheet places them top of the table after their home win against Berkhamsted.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Dan Bradley 9-Andrew Wright 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Jim Pollard, Geore Nunn, Joe Bateman, Ben Sault.

Sports made two changes from last weeks win at St.Ives, Jake Bennett was back in his more familiar right back, with skipper Ryan Wilson coming in on the left.

Ben Sault dropped to the bench, where he was joined by Joe Bateman back from injury.

It had been a strong start from Sports, with the defence of Bennett, Delap, Mann and Wilson looking solid throughout the first half.

But the opening goal of the game was proving elusive and half-time was approaching when Barnes finally broke the deadlock with his third goal of the season after 43 minutes, 1-0.

Into the second half and Mickleover were soon looking for a second and on the hour they got their wish when Barnes was on the mark again.

Five minutes later Sports made their first substitution when Beavon came on Wright, followed two minutes later with Sault on for Bradley.

It was the latter’s appearance that put the game beyond our visitors reach, with Sault making it 3-0, having only been on the pitch four minutes.

Nunn came on for Man of the Match Barnes for the final 15 minutes, but Sports weren’t finished yet, as Sault added a fourth after 78 minutes, securing not only another win, but another clean sheet for Bosworth too, putting Mickleover on top for the table.

 

by Peter Scherer

Following last weekends 2-0 win at St. Ives, Mickleover manager John McGrath has the luxury of skipper Ryan Wilson and Joe Bateman rejoining the squad for this weekend.

Wilson was serving a one match suspension, while Bateman has been nursing a shoulder injury. Left back Rhys Dolan remains on the casualty list.

Last years Southern League Division One Central Champions Berkhamsted are the visitors to the Don Amott Arena on Saturday, fresh off the back of a 2-1 win at home Nuneaton Borough last weekend.

New boss Steve Heath only took over in May, after previously managing Dunstable Town, from where he has brought almost half of the team with him.

Goalkeeper Jamie Head has spent much of his career at Dunstable, having started out in 2012. Stops at Cambridge City, Hemel Hempstead and Biggleswade preceded his second spell at Dunstable, before another spell at Cambridge City. Bedford was his next stop for almost three years, before playing at Dunstable again in 21/22.

Centre back Sam McClelland started with Crawley Green, before moving to Dunstable Town where he had spent the last three years.

Midfielder Aaron Austin is the next of the players to follow the boss from Dunstable. He was originally with St.Albans City, before going to Dunstable in August ’21. He joined  Biggleswade a year later, before returning to Dunstable last season.

Striker Max Bustamente is in his second spell at Berkhamsted. He made a couple appearances in 20/21 during his time with Kings Langley, then had brief stops at Biggleswade and Bedford. He started last season at Royston, before going to Beaconsfield and ended the season with a move to Dunstable last February. He scored one the goals in last Saturday’s win too.

Louie Collier is a striker or midfielder. He started at Kings Langley before coming to our visitors in 2018/19. But after a spell back at Kings Langley he was at Tring and Leighton Town, before starting last season at Dunstable and ending it back at Leighton.

The last of the six pre-season signings from Dunstable is midfielder Jordan Frederick, he first arrived at Berkhamsted in March 2012 from Leverstock Green and stayed for three years before a move to Aylesbury. Then after a short spell at Dunstable he returned to Berkhamsted in January 2016.

As well as a return trip to Aylesbury, he had also played for Egham Town and had spent four years at Leighton Town, plus two more spells with Berkhamsted in 2018 and 2021. He spent the whole of last season at Dunstable again.

Right back Anthony Ball is a recent arrival from Aylesbury Vale Dynamo. He was at Berkhamsted in 2018 too and has also played for Luton Town Cedars and Aylesbury FC.

Adam Martin is a midfielder and recent signing from Potters Bar. He started at Watford and was loaned to Slough Town before joining AFC Wimbledon on his release. Further moves have taken him to St.Albans, Bohemians in Ireland, Wealdstone, Cambridge City, Chesham, Enfield, Farnborough and Beaconsfield, before joining Potters Bar last September.

Striker Sam Meakes started with St.Albans City, before moving on via Hitchin and Dunstable, arriving at our guests pre-season from Frome Town.

Sam Newton is another recent signing, a centre back from Biggleswade, who was at Barton Rovers and Northwood, before a two-year spell with Hitchin Town. He joined Biggleswade last November.

Former Watford Junior striker Edu Toiny-Pendred came from Hertford on the summer. He had previous spell at Berkhamsted and has played for Kings Langley and in the US with St.Mary’s Rattlers. He scored one of the goals in the win over Nuneaton last Saturday.

After spells at London Colney and Chesham, midfielder Mark Riddick spent a couple of seasons with Tring Athletic, before over three years at Aylesbury. He was another pre-season signing for our visitors.

Another former Watford Junior striker is Kyal Williams. He spent last season at Gosport and has played at Northwood and Kings Langley too.

Midfielder or defender Connor Toomey is one of the few players remaining from last season. He started at Berkhamsted in 2012 and has played at Kings Langley, Hemel, Hayes & Yeading, Chesham and Leighton. He is now in his fourth spell with the club.

Former Berkhamsted winger Tom Silford returned to the club in August 2022 from Dunstable. He has had numerous spells at Dunstable before, and has also played for Bedford, London Colney, Welwyn, Leighton Town, Leverstock, Crawley Green and Totternhoe.

Charlie Smith was an MK Dons Junior and had a spell on loan with Biggleswade. He made his move to our visitors a few weeks ago.

Finally defender David Salademi has arrived from Tividale.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm as usual, come and support sports and keep them unbeaten!