by Peter Scherer
Mickleover have made two late loan signings on the eve of the their opening Southern Premier League Central Division game at St.Ives on Saturday.
Derby County striker George Nunn returns for a third spell, having scored three goals for the club last season.
He is joined by Burton Albion’s Finn Delap, son of Republic of Ireland International Rory and brother of Hull City’s Liam.
Delap can play centre of wing back and had a spell on loan at Ilkeston last season too.
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover FC have named Ryan Wilson as the sides captain for this season’s Southern Premier League Central Division campaign.
One of last years pre-season signings, Wilson proved his worth in defence and midfield, as well as scoring six goals.
“Having had a fantastic 2022-23 campaign, Willo was one of our best and most consistent performers last season and I am looking forward to see the positive impact he has on the squad and in games once again,” said Sports manager John McGrath.
Ethan Mann will be vice-captain, following his successful transition from Academy and Reserves, to a regular first teamer.
by Dave Mackenzie
Hot on the heels of the enthralling encounter with AFC Mackworth, we welcomed Stapleford Town to the Don Amott Arena.
Against Mackworth the lads showed great tenacity, high skill levels and courage to overcome Derby’s top Sunday League outfit by the odd goal in eleven!
Stapleford play their football in the Nottinghamshire Senior Premier Division and they topped their table, losing only two games during the season.
To give a measure of their success they finished 31 points clear of Borrowash Vics and 14 points ahead of Keyworth Utd in second place.
Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Will Coffen 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Tony Smith 5-Silas Donker 6-Harry Atwal 7-Sam Tomlinson 8 – Fin Ryder 9-Luis Mas-Hall 10- Josh Powell 11-Mason Tudgay. Subs: Owen Slater, Hamza Konane, Liam Carter, Sam Johnson, Josh Maher.
The conditions couldn’t have been more contrasting. Gone were the monsoon rains of Wednesday evening, being replaced by intermittent cloud and sunny spells.
Holidays meant there were three changes, with Will Coffen, Silas Donker and Luis Mas-Hall starting. Stapleford had a nucleus of experience and from the start you could see they would provide a stern test for the young reserve side.
It was however Mickleover that started well with strong defending from Silas and Toby aided by good work in midfield from Fin R and Josh P.
Sam Tomlinson was showing well and from a powerful run he beat the full back and he got away his shot before the keeper could set himself. 1-0.
Stapleford got themselves back in the game when a good cross found a Stapleford player unmarked at the back post. The goal was well taken with a calm side foot back across the keeper. 1-1.
What followed was a goal of great quality. The ball was played down the left to Mason Tugay who spotted Brandon Ferron moving forwards down the left. Although the pass was good Brandon still had work to do, cutting inside taking out two defenders. The ball was then on his standing foot, but Brandon didn’t panic as he stroked the ball into the corner of the net. 2-1.
That ended the scoring as Stapleford gave away a gilt-edged opportunity by skying a penalty high and not very handsome.
The half time interval gave Leigh Parr the chance to explain the importance of some of the players’ positions in maintaining a good shape to the team and moving across the pitch in relation to an attack.
The Gaffer was also able to highlight a couple of areas where the team could improve out of possession.
The team reacted well to the half time coaching and put in a controlled second half that saw them restrict Stapleford to long balls, which the defence, including the introduction of Owen Slater dealt with well.
The third goal showed the effectiveness of a long pass. After some interchanges between Toby S and Fin R, Fin hit a lovely diagonal which found Liam Carter running into the box on the angle. Liam’s first touch took out the defender and his second placed the ball under the advancing keeper to seal the game. Great goal.3-1.
Overall another very positive performance against a competitive Stapleford team. The lads have shown that they are taking on board instruction and benefitting from the structure and coaching provided by Leigh Parr and Steve Powell.
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover travelled to National League North neighbours Alfreton Town for the their final pre-season friendly.
Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Dan Bradley 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Oli Greaves 8-Will Trueman 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andre Wright 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Ben Sault, Fin Ryder, Harry Atwal, Jim Pollard.
In an even first half hour, neither side created many goal scoring opportunities, until Lewis Salmon hit the post and the hosts began to take control.
But the Sports defence of Bennett, Bradley, Wilson and Dolan stayed solid at the back and made sure the sides went in at half-time even at 0-0.
Day put a header just over the bar for Alfreton after 49 minutes, but a minute Jim Oliver gave them the lead, after picking up a loose ball and burying it in the roof of the net. 0-1.
Bosworth was in action again after 55 minutes, saving from one of Alfreton’s subs, before tipping a shot from Dec Howe round the post, only five minutes later.
Just after the hour mark Dwayne Wiley made it two for Alfreton, heading past Bosworth, after collecting from a corner, 0-2.
With the score remaining the same, both sides brought on their sub goalkeppers as outfield players, Jake Askew for the last 19 minutes and Sports Pollard for the final 15.
So it remained 0-2, but gaffer John McGrath said, “it was a good work out for the lads though,” as they prepared for the start of the league season next Saturday.
(Images: Steve Ingers)
by Peter Scherer
There was no shortage of goals as Mickleover Reserves visited AFC Mackworth for a pre-season friendly last night. Sports youngsters finally ran out 6-5 victors with Sam Tomlinson hitting TWO.
Starting line-up: 1-Josh Bull 2-Mason Hoult 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Toby Smith 5-Zac Sandhu 6-Harry Atwal 7-Sam Tomlinson 8-Fin Ryder 9-Dean Ironmonger 10-Josh Powell 11-Mason Tudgay. Subs: Josh Maher, Luis Mas-Hall, Will Coffen, Owen Slater, Liam Carter, Silas Donker.
It was wet and miserable as the game kicked off, but Mickleover almost scored from the kick off, with Powell and Tudgay combining to earn a corner.
The opening goal came after seven minutes when Powell fed Tomlinson, who sent a belting shot into the back of the net, 1-0. Only two minutes Tomlinson tested the keeper again, but his chip was taken fairly easily.
Ferron and Hoult were starting to attack down the wings and after 10 minutes it was a long run from Ferron with a crossfield ball, that was just too long for the chasing Tomlinson.
Mackworth’s first chance came when Sandhu slipped on the wet grass, the hosts number nine collected but Bull saved his effort initially, before a rebound made it 1-1, 11 minutes in.
Ironmonger had a chance three minutes later from a Tomlinson cross, before another Tomlinson cross set up Ryder, whose shot was blocked.
Bull had to palm away another Mackworth strike, before Ferron’s attempt on a charge ended with a crude foul. It was Sports on top though and 23 minutes down and it was 2-1, after Tomlinson again cut in front the right, giving Tudgay a tap in.
Atwal was controlling the central midfield, with the eagerness of Powell and Tudgay strong on the left and Tomlinson dominating the right wing, but Tomlinson nearly hit a second, firing just over on the half hour.
But Mackworth were proving determined opposition and when Bull was spotted off his line, a speculative lob made it 2-2. They went close again a minute later with a long shot just off target.
Both sides were trying random long shots, but with two minutes of the first half to go, Tomlinson jinked through the defence with a fine solo effort to make it 3-2 and then went close again with the whistle poised.
A number of subs came on for the second half, with rain still falling heavily. Ryder had the first shot of the second half, before Ironmonger made it 4-2 following a 48th minute corner.
Tomlinson continued to cause havoc, but after 55 minutes it was 4-3, after Bull failed to hold the slippery ball.
Sandhu then joined the scorers as the ball fell nicely from at Atwal free kick 5-3. But the two goal only lasted for six minutes, after chaos in defence made it 5-4.
It was another slip from keeper Bull that made it 5-5 with 15 minutes left, which seemed to spur on Mackworth for the final push.
But with two minutes left Mickleover sub Slater sealed it at 6-5 with a solo run down the middle.
by Peter Scherer
Dan Bradley is the latest signing for Mickleover manager John McGrath.
A former Aston Villa junior, the midfielder started last season with Ilkeston Town, before moving to Matlock in February. He previously had a couple of spells at Tamworth, Alfreton and Kidderminster, as well as playing for Barnet, Fylde and Nuneaton.
“I’m delighted to be signing for Mickleover. The gaffer is someone I know personally having played with him, and someone I have a huge amount of respect for and the way he treats people.
I’m at a stage in my career where I’ve experienced some good times and good clubs with good people and also some not so good. That, along with the way he wants to play football, meant it was no brainier for me, having spoken to the gaffer to come here.
I can’t wait to get my teeth into it and get started and try my upmost to help improve on what was a very successful season for Mickleover last year,” he said.
“Delighted to get Dan to join us here at Mickleover FC. He’s a player I know personally and he brings with him a wealth of experience, to match his skill and talent. He’s a natural leader and will be a huge positive influence in our squad,” added McGrath.
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover continued their pre-season build-up with a visit to Ilkeston Town last night.
Starting line-up: 1-Jim Pollard 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Andre Wright 10-Oil Greaves 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: George Atwal, Fin Ryder, Zac Sandhu, Dan Bradley.
Mickleover were quick out of the blocks and were soon into a passing flow, with Barnes fouled after two minutes following a run by Wilson. Dales was soon into the action too, before Ilkeston responded with a telling cross, headed away by Wilson.
Bennett managed to find an excess of space down the right after seven minutes, cutting inside to have his half shot blocked. Despite being on the ground, he was up and picked up his own rebound before the danger was cleared.
Ilkeston then had a free kick which went straight out of play, before Eratt-Thompson fired in a shot straight at Pollard.
Sports were flowing well, with Mann and Wilson at the back, choosing between Atkinson in central midfield and the free running Greaves, Trueman and Dales.
Dales put a cross in from the left after 11 minutes, it tested keeper Yates, but was too close to the far post. Barnes fired a shot over the bar after collected a Dales pass and another charge straight down the middle of the pitch.
It was Wright and Barnes combining that almost broke the deadlock at 16 minutes. Wright went through first before Yates blocked him, then Barnes shot just over again.
Ilkeston started to break out a little more constructively, forcing Pollard into a save on the edge of his area and only a minute later the Mickleover keeper safely collected a shot from outside the box.
Sports struggled to clear a 20th minute corner as the hosts tried a couple of random shots in a crowded box, but Dales, Dolan and Greaves then combined to send Barnes on his way, but it came to nought.
Eratt-Thompson had another attempt on the Mickleover goal, but was high and wide, before Dales upped the pace again. Atkinson and Greaves had an interchange, but the final shot was blocked again.
Greaves had a shot saved by Yates on the half hour, after creating his own space, but Ilkeston came straight back with Pollard saving a header, after a cross from the left.
Wright then spotted Bennett in space on the right, but as he ran in, the oncoming defender intercepted. Greaves then missed out by just inches, as his angled shot was just the wrong side of the far post after 36 minutes.
Dales managed to disposess the Ilkeston number five Young with two minutes left of the first half, but as he ran head on for goal, keeper Yates guessed the right side and it remained 0-0 as the whistle went.
Bradley came on for Dales as the second half got underway, allowing Wilson to move forward. He had a shot just over in the 49th minute, but the first goal finally came two minutes later.
Barnes had powered through on the right, got his cross in to perfection and with Yates committed, Wright slid in to score his first goal for the club. 1-0.
Sports continued to control most of the play up to the hour mark, but then Lita broke through, had his shot blocked, but earned a corner.
Atwal came on for Atkinson after 62 minutes, but Ilkeston had started to break out again, looking much stronger in attack as Sports sat back and let then hosts run at them.
Ryder was the next sub on and quickly found Atwal in space, who was then fouled. Ryder then sent Dolan on a run which was blocked, before Sandhu was the final sub to come on for Wright.
Ilkeston sub Zottas had looked fast and dangerous from the moment he came on, and after an 80th minute effort after a cross from the right, he fired in a terrific lofted shot from the left and had Pollard beaten, 1-1.
Ilkeston had the scent for victory and two minutes later Tolley charged through the Mickleover defence, before Pollard made a diving save.
A fairly strong all round performance from Mickleover in game which they probably just had the edge overall, now it’s onto Alfreton Town on Saturday.
by Peter Scherer
On Saturday 8th July Mickleover FC hosted an event to bring together the supporters of Derby County and Nottingham Forest.
The original idea for a match came from Adam Richardson, and was hosted at the Don Amott Arena as a charity match for the Colin Hunt Trophy. Colin was a great and loyal servant to the club and a well-known former local leagues footballer, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
The game which was played in good spirits throughout was to also to raise funds for Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates, victims of the recent Nottingham stabbings.
Former Rams striker Roger Davies managed the Rams side, while Forest were looked after by former Ram Steve Powell and his son Steve, one of the current Mickleover coaching staff.
The final score was 8-7 and the trophy was presented by legendary Scottish international Archie Gemmill, who played for both teams during his career, and is now a regular Mickleover supporter.
“I was overwhelmed by the support and turnout we had, from the players on the pitch, to the spectators and to everyone behind the scenes. I am honestly so grateful for everything, the day would not have been made possible without you guys.
We managed to deliver such a powerful message and raise a great amount of money for the cause.
Also want to give a massive shout out to Don Amott and the guys at Mickleover Sports FC, so grateful for the facilities you provided and the support shown leading up to and on the day of the game. An amazing club with so many great people behind the scenes!!
Such an amazing day with a lot of great people! Can’t wait to do it all again next year!” said organiser Adam Richardson.
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover faced their toughest pre-season try out so far, when they faced former Northern Premier League Champions Buxton, now firmly established in the National League North.
Starting line-up: 1-Jim Pollard 2-jake Benett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Will Trueman 8-George Atwal 9-Andre Wright 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Oli Greaves, Zak Sandhu, Fin Ryder.
Buxton started the game with confidence and after only five minutes keeper Pollard was forced into a diving save from an Elliott strike, destined for the bottom corner.
As Buxton continued to push forward Jordan Burrow opened the scoring after 10 minutes, getting on the end of a Connor Kirby cross. 0-1.
As Mickleover started to get into the game more Kirby made it 0-2 for the hosts after 14 minutes, before Trueman went close, with his effort blocked by Josh Granite a couple of minutes later.
But Sports got their reward when Wilson pulled a goal a back in the 18th minute, with a superb long shot from at least 20 yards out, 1-2.
It continued to be a testing time for Mickleover against their stronger opposition, but hopes of an equaliser were dashed when Buxton were awarded a 24th minute penalty, which was converted by McCourt, 1-3.
Pollard had to make another diving save after 34 minutes from a Burrow header, but it remained 1-3 as the half time whistle blew.
It was nine minutes into the second half when Buxton added their fourth and Kirby’s second. He had picked up a loose ball, but Pollard managed to save the first attempt, only to be beaten from the rebound, 1-4.
Burrow made it 1-5 two minutes later with his second, after a number of substitutions had been made. But Barnes was close to Mickleover’s second after 74 minutes, after he tested home keeper Dearnley.
Di Girolamo tried a curling shot two minutes later, but Pollard had it covered, before Max Hunt made it six for Buxton, heading in from a corner after 77 minutes, 1-6.
“A great work out for us against an excellent side, who play in the division above us and have some excellent individual players. We were missing five key players, but it was a great opportunity for the lads to get more minutes in their legs as we prepare for our season start on August 5th,” said Sports gaffer John McGrath.
It’s now off to Ilkeston on tomorrow evening for our fourth pre-season game 7.30pm kick off.
by Peter Scherer
New signing Marcus Barnes made it six goals from three games, as he hit four against Belper Utd at the Don Amott Arena last night.
Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Dan Bradley 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Atkinson 9-Will Trueman 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Ben Sault. Subs: George Atwal, Zac Sandhu, Oli Greaves, Fin Ryder, Marcus Barnes, Andrew Wright.
Apart from a ninth minute attack when Dales found Beavon, whose final ball was too long for Sault to chase, it was a very scrappy first 15 minutes, with little creativity from either side.
From there Sports went up a gear, with Beavon on another run, after Sault had gone end to end. But the final shot from the left earned a corner.
18 minutes in and Atkinson almost sent Dales clear, before the lose ball fell to Beavon, whose shot was just over. But there was an early change for Mickleover when Barnes came on for Bradley. “It was a slight pull on my thigh, so it was precautionary,” said Bradley.
For the next 15 minutes it was all on attack from the home side. Dales had a good run down the left after 20 minutes, his cross failed to connect, but Bennett kept it in play until the Belper defence cleared the danger.
Only a minute later Dales found Dolan in space on the left, but his cross or shot found the side netting. There was no respite for Belper though as Beavon then fought hard to retain possession, layed it back to Barnes, who cut inside to have his shot saved.
Wilson then put a cross in following a corner, missing Barnes’ head by a whisker.
Belper had been struggling to break out of their own half, but they made it after 29 minutes, but a dangerous cross from the right failed to connect.
Dales continued to torment and was fouled in mid flight on the half hour. The kick was dead centre a yard or two outside the box, but Wilson’s kick failed to trouble the keeper on this occasion.
Dolan was becoming more and more effective on the left, but his 33rd minute cross was a fraction too high for Barnes and Beavon.
But a goal was almost inevitable and after a good all team build up with numerous exchanges, Dolan was caught out with an awkward bounce and Belper were able to draw breath.
The goal finally came after 39 minutes, when Sault found Barnes in space, as he cut in and headed goalwards, there was just the keeper to beat, which he did with consummate ease, 1-0.
Four minutes later it was 2-0 after another good build up down the right saw Barnes slide in for his second, ending the first half on a high.
There were two changes for the second half as Atkinson and Sault made way for Sandhu and Wright.
Bosworth tasted his first real action after 47 minutes, but from his save there was a Mickleover break and Barnes was on the receiving end again, 3-0.
Belper were still sticking to their game and making Mickleover work for it, but after 55 minutes it was goal number four. Dales broke free to score off the post, as Wright was available in support, 4-0.
Dolan tried his luck a minute later following a corner, but he was just wide of the top corner. Skipper Wilson then made way for Atwal on the hour, after a commanding role at the back with Mann.
It was close to another goal when Wright had the ball after a free kick, he managed to set up Beavon but his final shot was blocked by a defenders leg.
The fifth goal came from another break, with the visiting defence flat footed. As the ball ran clear Barnes latched on again and smashed home his fourth of the game, 5-0 after 62 minutes.
Barnes tried a random long shot well wide of the target, before Beavon and Dales went off, making way for Ryder and Greaves.
Belper had a half chance when the ball breached the home defence initially, before Bennett cleared for a corner, but any danger had soon gone.
Greaves was soon showing his skills with a series of long runs, linking up with Dolan after 70 minutes, they set up Wright whose shot was deflected away.
Bosworth made another save, but the effort was flagged offside and then 75 minutes in Mann was encouraged to try his luck. His shot started a new page in the record book, as he managed to clear the club house, the safety net and half of the car park, before the ball landed somewhere near Tesco’s.
Belper had an 80th minute corner headed away by Bennett and Greaves had another classy solo run, before his shot was straight at the keeper.
Wright was so close to scoring when he fired into the side netting after 83 minutes, following up with a save from the keeper in a crowded box.
Trueman the put a cross in, which was just deflected away from Wright, then he put a header in the back of the net, but was flagged offside.
Our four goal striker Marcus Barnes gave his view after the match. “ I just needed to get into the game when I got the first, as I hadn’t been on long, then it just became automatic. The second goal was my favourite though, I love my tap ins.”
It ‘s off to Buxton now for the next pre-season friendly, Saturday afternoon 3pm kick off.
