by Peter Scherer
MICKLEOVER have re-signed former Sheffield Wednesday Under 23 captain Josh Ashman on a further months loan from Bradford Park Avenue, and he goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s game at Anstey Nomads.
As well as his earlier spell at Mickleover, he has previously been loaned to Guiseley and spent three months at Matlock Town last season.
by Peter Scherer
We travel to Lichfield City on Wednesday night for the rearranged fixture, following it’s postponement on January 10th.
Since the original date, Mickleover have won one game, drawn one and lost one, leaving us eighth in the table and just one point outside the play-offs.
Our hosts are without a single point since their 1-0 home win over Corby Town a week before Christmas and have slipped to 15th place.
Following their dominant win over Corby Town last Saturday, Sports will be looking for another three points, before the tough trip to Anstey Nomads next Saturday.
Ivor Green has been in charge at Lichfield since March 2020, with his assistant Wayne Chapman there for the duration too. Last season they took the team to the Midland League Premiership title and have retained most of their title winning team. Our visit will be the pairs 250th game at the helm.
Goalkeeper Brendon Bunn came in at the end of last season from Studley. He has also played for Highgate Utd, Gresley Rovers, Coventry Utd, Halesowen and Worcester City. After a return trip to Studley, he joined Stratford on a dual registration with Darlaston last season too.
Jordan Clement is a central midfielder who came out of Wolves Academy. He joined Romulus on his release, before moving on to Coleshill. Tamworth was his next stop, but after a loan at Stratford he moved to Alvechurch, before spending the next three years alternating between Redditch and Tamworth. He came to Lichfield in August 2023 from Redditch.
Defender Josh Mansell returned to Lichfield for a second spell at the start of last season from Walsall Wood. He’s also played for Alvechurch and Chasetown and has been captain for much of this season.
Joe Haines is one of the longest serving members of the squad, having returned to the club in June 2021, making his 250th appearance last season. A left back, he’s had spells with Walsall Wood and Gresley Rovers.
Defender Tom Brown has also played over a 100 games for our hosts.
Harry Eden is a left back too signed early into the season from Redditch. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Solihull Utd, Studley, Sutton Coldfield and Rugby Town too.
Centre back Leighton McMeneny is another long server, having just started his fifth season with the club, after signing in June 2021.
Luke Childs, Dan Lomas and Jimmy Elkes are all long servers too. Childs made his 200th appearance last season and played in goal for 85 minutes earlier in the season, rather than his usual striker role. Lomas is club captain and a holding midfielder, he made his 150th start for the club last season, while centre back Elkes has been a mainstay of the defence for a number of years.
Midfielder John Mills was signed in January last year, while striker Jack Edwards is another long server, having arrived in July 2021. He is he club top scorer too.
Attacking midfielder Jamie Spiers was signed from Atherstone at the beginning of last season. He started off at Shrewsbury, before joining Alvechurch on his release. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Boldmere, Bedworth and Hednesford too.
Lewi Burnside is another midfielder, who has recently returned to the club from Chasetown, after long term injury.
Hishan Chiha is another midfielder on loan from Leamington. He started at West Bromwich Albion’s Academy, before joining Peterborough Utd. He was loaned to Yaxley, before joining Boldmere on his release, where he spent most of last season.
Connor Okereke came through Burton Albion’s Community Trust. A midfielder he joined our hosts pre-season, after a spell in the US with Genessee CL.
Luca Taylor was signed three weeks ago after a stay in the US. A former Sutton Coldfield midfielder and England Schools Under 18 international.
Striker Keiran Francis is another long server, while Jude Taylor is one of the younger members of the squad, a talented striker who has come through the clubs own youth scheme.
Harvey Smith is a striker too, recently arrived from Coventry Sphinx, who he had joined from Studley back in November 2020.
Winger Elliott Hartley has just arrived on a dual registration with Worcester City, where he is the clubs longest serving player, while young striker Charlie Footes is currently on loan from Solihull Moors.
Kick off is 7.45pm and as always your support will be welcomed.
by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)
After a disastrous own goal, Mickleover bounced back to dominate Corby Town, sealing victory with a Paddy Webb double and Manni Norkett’s third in four games for a 3-1 victory.
Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Louis Bonser 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-Danny Benson 7-Archie White 8-Ross Derham 9-Manni Norkett 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Harry Wood, Fraser Corden, Josiah Dyer, George Wilkinson, Thabang Dube.
It was strong start from Mickleover, straight into attack mode and putting the Corby defence under early pressure.
Sports were close to taking the lead after 10 minutes, when a Dales and Norkett one two, saw Norkett strike the post from close range.
Just a minute later there was a free kick to Sports too, which Dales sent curling towards the top corner, but it went out for a corner.
It had been all Mickleover until a bizarre misunderstanding gave Corby the lead. Benson made a back pass, but McDowell clearly wasn’t expecting it, and the ball rolled into an empty net, to give the visitors a 0-1 lead after 18 minutes.
Rather than dropping their heads, there was an immediate and positive fight back from Mickleover, with keeper Avery saving a Webb strike after 21 minutes.
It was all Sports again, with Atkinson, White and Derham dominating midfield to feed Dales, Norkett and Webb up front., while Bennett and Bonser were effective on the overlaps.
The equaliser came from an intercepted cross field ball from Jones. Webb got on the end of it and made it 1-1 25 minutes in.
Just three minutes later Webb sent another great cross over, but Norkett couldn’t quite connect, before the pace slowed for the remaining minutes of the first half, after a dominant Mickleover performance.
Norkett tested Avery again in the first minute of the restart, but Corby were trying to fight back too.
Mickleover made their first change when Dube replaced White after 54 minutes. Three minutes later it was 2-1 to Sports, when Webb brought the ball forward to find Dales, who put Norkett through to seal the chance.
Dyer and Wilkinson then came on for Norkett and Gascoigne, with Sports totally dominant again, which soon led to goal number three. It was Dales making the initial move, after picking up the ball following a Corby corner. The visitors defence was totally outpaced, allowing Webb to score his second of the game and make it 3-1 after 78 minutes.
Dube and Dyer both went close too in the final minutes, before Wood replaced Derham and Mickleover made it a winning double, having won at Corby back in October.
We had a few chances early doors, then conceded a haphazard goal. But the lads dug in and we got what we deserved. We played from the middle and controlled the game from early on and I was particularly pleased for Paddy getting the two goals he deserved.
said Sports manager Gareth Holmes.
by Peter Scherer
After ending their four-game unbeaten run at Sutton Coldfield last Saturday, Mickleover will hoping to return to winning ways, as Corby Town visit the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.
Back in October we were 1-0 victor at Corby, with Josiah Dyer scoring the winner, his first goal for the club.
Apart from Jake Bennett, everyone else came through last weekends game unscathed, so manager Gareth Holmes will hopefully have a full squad to chose from.
Currently ninth in the table, with Mickleover 11th, Corby have had four wins from their last 10 games, but all away from home, including a 2-1 win over Belper Town two weeks ago.
Leon Mettam took over as manager in December following Gary Setchell’s resignation. He was previously player manager at Wisbech Town a couple of years ago.
Northampton Town loanee Theo Avery has been in goal for the last two games. He was previously at Mansfield Town and Nottingham Forest.
Former Nottingham Forest youngster Nykah Liburd-Hines has also played in goal. After spells at Hereford, Chippenham, Lincoln Utd, Carlton, Rugby Town, Aylestone Park and Newark & Sherwood, he joined Stamford at the start of this season. He has also been loaned back to Carlton and Harrowby Utd’
Kalern Thomas is a right back and one of the longest serving players, signed from Ilkeston in July 2023, having previously been on loan. He started out at Quorn, and has played for Loughborough Dynamo, Boston Utd, Solihull Moors, Halesowen, Kettering, Kings Lynn and Coalville too.
Jack Keeble is a centre back who started out at Grimsby Town. He joined St.Neots following his release, before moving on to Stamford and Wisbech. He came to our visitors in July 2023 from Bedford.
Martin Tsvetkov is another right back or wide midfielder on loan from Harborough Town and defender Theo Braham has played for Wisbech and Histon too.
Full back Freddie Allen arrived from Stamford in November. He was loaned to Bourne to, having started his career at Doncaster Rovers.
On loan from Boston Utd, Sam Waburton made his debut on New Years Day. A former Northampton Town junior, he played for Rugby Town and Nuneaton before first joining Corby in 2017 from Kings Lynn. He’s also played for Wellingborough, Rushden & Diamond, Grantham, Spalding and Quorn too.
Alfie Wren left our visitors to join Wellingborough in the close season, but returned and debuted on New Years Day. Another midfielder, he’s played for Cambridge City, Biggleswade and Spalding too.
Former Peterborough Utd midfielder Ben Challinor joined Barwell on his release. He then spent six months at Peterborough Sports, before joining our visitors pre-season.
Jordan Crawford currently captains the side. A midfielder, signed from Harborough Town in October. He left Corby in 2021 to join Kettering and has since played for Boston Utd, Peterborough Sports and Brackley too.
Already known to Mickleover fans is midfielder James Matthews, as he started this season as a Sports player. A former Mansfield Town youngster, he’s also played for Carlton, Frickley, AFC Mansfield, Sherwood Colliery and Hallam too and joined our visitors three weeks ago. He is also a triathlete and International Ironman competitor.
Attacking midfielder Brad Gothard is a recent signing, having arrived from St.Neots a couple of weeks ago. He’s recently played for Bourne Town and Welwyn Garden City too.
Midfielder Abdul Koroma has recently returned to our visitors after a spell out of the game. He was previously at Shepshed, Spalding and Rushden & Diamonds.
Leon Johnson is a winger who started this season at Kettering Town and Desborough, before joining our visitors. Most of his career has been spent in the north west, with Altrincham, Chorley, Ashton Utd and Warrington.
Striker Connor Tomlinson was another pre-season signing. His career started with Luton Town and moved to Bedford after a loan spell with Hemel. His next stops were Bedford and Nuneaton, before a four- month loan at Corby in September 1993, which then became permanent. After a return trip to Bedford, he joined Spalding and latterly Berkhamsted.
Fran Obiagwu is a striker currently on loan from Northampton Town, where he has made two League One appearances.
Striker Matteo Perkins is another recent arrival. He was at Shepshed Dynamo last season and has also played for Eynesbury Rovers, St Neots Town, Wisbech Town, Yaxley, and Newark Town.
Dennis Halliday is another recent arrival from Welwyn. A striker, he was previously Wolverhampton Casuals, Market Drayton and Welsh League Newtown.
Defenders Jack Noble, Ben Smith, Ryan Martindalle and midfielder Harison Jones have also been in squad over the last 10 matches, which saw eight changes in the starting line-up for their visit to Rushden three weeks ago.
Kick off is 3pm as usual.
by Gavin Warren
We were back in league action this Sunday in a game where the priority was giving a few lads a well-earned rest and, more importantly, showing loyalty to those players who haven’t had much game time recently but continue to turn up in all weathers for training. It was a fixture I’d have liked a run out in myself, but it was only right to put others first.
We took the lead early on, with Mannion opening the scoring after 8 minutes with a clean strike, assisted by Palms. We continued to press, moving the ball well and trying to break down an Albert Village defence that had plenty of bodies behind the ball. Chances came, but efforts either went wide, over, or were saved.
On 20 minutes, Bailey went on one of his trademark driving runs through midfield, pulled the ball back for Mannion, who smashed a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 2–0 and give the keeper no chance. The pressure kept coming, with Ridgway going close with a header over the bar and another effort drifting wide.
We won one of many corners, and from Lilly’s delivery into the mixer, a bit of a scramble followed before Mannion nodded home to complete his hat-trick — just the confidence boost the lad needed. With minutes remaining in the half, Mannion turned provider, doing great work down the right, outpacing the full-back and delivering a perfectly weighted cross for Bailey to head home.
4–0 at half-time.
A few changes at the break saw Dom, Alton, Mannion and Lilly make way for Quig, Sav, rock and Jones.
The second half followed much the same pattern, with us dominating possession and continuing to create chances. We hit the post and crossbar, and their keeper pulled off a couple of cracking saves. Credit to Albert Village — they defended in numbers, stayed organised and never gave up.
They did break on the counter and were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after a foul. The strike took a slight deflection (so I’m told) and sneaked into the bottom left-hand corner to make it 4–1. Fair play to them.
We then switched to a back three, with Kris coming off, Clifton moving out left and Palms pushing into a more attacking role. We continued to press and had plenty of joy out wide, delivering dangerous crosses. Sav headed over, Palms had a good chance saved, and Ben fired straight at the keeper.
We eventually added a fifth when Palms whipped in another cross that fell to Carter, who smashed it home to cap off the performance.
Final score: MFC Vets 5–1 Albert Village
Three points secured. Full credit to Albert Village — they never gave up, defended in numbers, played in great spirit and are a top bunch of lads. We wish them all the best for the rest of the season.
Goals:
⚽ Mannion x3
⚽ Bailey x1
⚽ Carter x1
Man of the Match: 🏆 Mannion
In the interest of Safety for all involved spectators, staff and officials we would like to remind all visitors to the Don Amott Arena that the following policies are in place.
Proof of age may be requested at the Turnstile and the club reserve the right to refuse entry at the turnstiles.
Bag searches can be performed by the stewards on duty on entry to the ground.
It is Strictly prohibited to bring alcohol, weaponry, drones, pyrotechnics, and illegal drugs into the ground. If any of the above items are found they will be confiscated and the bearer may be refused entry to the ground.
Under the Football (offences) act 1991 it is a criminal offence “to enter the field of play or throw any object onto the pitch” Any individual breaching this rule will be ejected from the ground immediately and will face a club permanent ban and possible police prosecution.
The above policies are in place to ensure the safety of all visitors to our family friendly club. Breaches to the rules are taken seriously.
by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)
Three second half goals in 10 minutes put pay to Mickleover’s hopes of a fightback, going down 0-4 at Sutton Coldfield Town, the first defeat in five games.
Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Louis Bonser 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-George Wilkinson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Manni Norkett 10-Andy Dales 11-Fraser Corden. Subs: Danny Benson, Archie White, Paddy Webb, Josiah Dyer, Ross Derham.
In the opening minute Norkett had a break and outran the home defence, before shooting over. But Sutton defender Jack Lynch’s effort to thwart the attack saw him injured after colliding with the fence and had to be substituted.
For the first six minutes Mickleover pounded the home defence, culminating in a break from Corden, before his shot was well saved by keeper Wren’s feet.
Wood went in the book after nine minutes, his second yellow card since returning from suspension, but Sports continued to dominate possession.
Dales almost broke through, but Wren was quick off his line to intercept and then after 12 minutes Dube broke on the right, but his cross was overhit.
Norkett then set up a ball just outside box for Bonser to run on to, but his fizzing shot was tipped over by the keeper for the first corner of the game.
It looked as if Mickleover were set to open the scoring in the 18th minute, when Dales hit the bar. Norkett got his head to the rebound but it was just over. “It was an awkward bounce and I was too far under the ball when I headed it,” Norkett admitted.
But Sutton had their first shot a minute later, just wide of McDowell’s left-hand post, before Sports retaliated with some good work between Norkett, Dales and Wood earned another corner.
22 minutes in and Mickleover were still doing everything but score, with Dales sending Norkett on another run from the left and another corner.
Norkett had another shot blocked in the box after a Dales cross and then Bennett went on the attack with Dube. They set-up Norkett, but the striker was unable to turn in the box with his path blocked.
But totally against the run of play and in only their second real attack of the game, Mickleover failed to clear the ball from their own box, McDowell managed to save the first shot, but couldn’t stop Burke’s reply to make it 0-1 to our hosts after 37 minutes.
With the half time whistle poised a Sutton corner caused a scramble in the Mickleover box, before Wood cleared the danger. So in a half where Mickleover could easily have been 2-0 up, they went into break 0-1 down.
Bennett had taken a knock in the first half and was replaced by Benson for the restart. It started much more even, with hosts confidence increased with their first half goal.
Four minutes into the second half Wren had to parry a shot from Corden and after 53 minutes Dube tried to put Norkett clear, but Wren was swiftly off his line to intercept.
Dales then had positive run in from the left, but went a yard too far and lost out.
Wilkinson was playing on the right of defence, alongside Gascoigne, Benson on Bonser, but in an unfamiliar role he was tending to drift over, leaving Lekuti in acres of space.
Sutton had a chance just after the hour mark but put it wide and Dube followed up with a good ball into the box from the right, with no one to collect.
The hosts continued to threaten on the breaks and after 64 minutes Sports made a double substitution, with Webb and White on for Corden and Dube.
Wood had a good strike from outside the box after a lengthy build-up and Atkinson had been doing his best to push us forward for an equaliser, finding Webb on the left, but Norkett was unable to connect with the final ball.
But the out of shape back line were forced to pay when Lekuti was left with time and space and only McDowell to beat, an easy goal for 0-2 after 70 minutes.
Dyer and Derham then came on for Atkinson and Dales, before Sports had a lucky escape when Lekuti was left unmarked again on the right. It happened again a couple of minutes, but McDowell managed to pull off a great save from Gibson.
Continuing to exploit the gap on the right, Wilkinson attempted a back pass, intercepted by Gibson who gave McDowell no chance, 0-3 after 77 minutes.
Three minutes and it was 0-4, when McGrady curved in a free kick to the far post.
Wren managed to snatch the ball after a goalmouth scramble followed an 80th minute corner and McDowell made another save six minutes later.
Almost on time Dyer shot just wide of the right-hand post and Webb had a close range shot well saved by the keeper.
The scoreline was maybe flattering to our hosts, but for Mickleover it was lesson on missed chances and the missing fluidity of the first half.
“We were just flat, yes we broke through a few times. But in the first half it looked almost inevitable we would win. But there has to be a ruthless edge to score and finish a game off and we didn’t have that today. Then mistakes cost us and they scored from nearly chance they had,” said Sports manager Gareth Holmes.
by Peter Scherer
CAN WE make it five games undefeated, when we visit Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday afternoon?
Back in early November our hosts snatched a point when they visited the Don Amott Arena, after Josiah Dyer and Paddy Webb had given us the lead.
Since that date Sutton Coldfield have had just the two wins, including a 1-0 home victory over Lichfield on New Years Day. However they had been unbeaten over five games until going down 0-2 at Rushden & Diamonds last Saturday.
Our hosts are currently 15th in the table, nine points below Sports in eighth. But after the impressive Derbyshire Senior Cup performance, Sports manager Gareth manager is confident that the team can continue their aim of a play-off place.
“It’s good to have competition for places, we have George, Danny and Brad competing for centre back and up front there’s Josiah and Manni, both different sorts of players, but equally effective,” he said.
Sutton Coldfield manager Jemiah Richards took charge in late October, having previously managed Sporting Khalsa, Bromsgrove Sporting, Hednesford and Racing Club Warwick.
James Wren has been first choice goalkeeper of late, but it was Lewis Landers between the sticks for the their 0-2 at Rushden last Saturday, with Wren on the bench. Wren started out with Walsall, before joining Burton Albion following his release. He then moved on to Tamworth, who also loaned him to Redditch, before visiting Barwell, Nuneaton and Stafford Rangers.
He first joined our hosts in 2015, moving to Hednesford two years later. Stourbridge, Walsall Wood and Rushall followed, before return to Sutton at the beginning of last season, after a year at Chasetown.
Landers is a recent signing who started out at Birmingham City and joined Cambridge City on his release. He’s played for Nuneaton, Bugbrooke, Worcester Peterborough Sports, Cradley Heath and Coton Green, and returned to Coton at the start of this season after two years at Coleshill.
Right back Tom Hurley came through Sutton’s own youth scheme. He made his first team debut at 16 and also had a spell at Wolverhampton Casuals before rejoining our hosts and has recently made his 100th appearance.
Left back Jack Lynch was signed from Shepshed Dynamo at the start of last season. An ex Aston Villa youth player, he has played for Walsall, Coleshill and Spalding Utd too.
Ayo Lekuti also plays left back or midfield. He was a pre-season signing from Rugby Town after starting his career at Northampton Town. He’s also played for Bromsgrove Sporting and Lye Town.
Captain and centre back James Beresford is another home produced and long serving player. He has been with the club for 10 years.
Sam Smith is a centre back signed pre-season. He’s played for Solihull Juniors, Darlaston and Studley.
Signed in December from Stourbridge, centre back Joe Hull started out at Bromsgrove. He started this season at Rushall, but has played for Redditch and Stourbridge too.
Also on his cv are Hinckley Utd, Stourport, Halesowen, Alvechurch and Boldmere, plus return trips to many of his previous clubs.
Luke McGinnell is a defender who arrived in July 2024 from Chasetown. He has also played for Loughborough Dynamo.
Remie Birch is a midfielder signed initially in August 2023. He also had a spell at Romulus before returning to our hosts.
Isai Marselia is a midfielder who began his career in the Netherlands with NEC Nijmegen and Go Ahead Deventer, before coming to Mickleover in 2018.
A November arrival Romehl Critchlow is another midfielder. He’s played for Hednesford, Solihull Moors and Bromsgrove too.
He soon moved on to Stamford and Halesowen before joining our hosts in September 2019. After a year he moved to Alvechurch and Boldmere, before returning to Sutton in July 2021. He’s played for Coleshill. Wolverhampton Casuals and Romulus too, spending last season with Sporting Khalsa, before returning to our hosts in pre-season for a third spell.
Another pre-season signing Ryan Shaw is in his second spell at Sutton Coldfield. He started out at Bishops Cleve, before moving on to Boldmere and Chasetown and his first spell with our hosts. He made his return after spending last season at Bedworth.
Jayden Campbell is a right sided midfielder who started out at Walsall. He joined Rushall following his release, before spending two years at Chasetown. He joined our visitors in pre-season after spending last season with Sporting Khalsa.
Ryan Edmunds came from Bromsgrove in February 2023. Another midfielder, he started at Alvechurch and played for Rushall, Boldmere and Stafford before joining Sutton initially July 2015. After two seasons he moved to Coleshill, followed by Nuneaton, Redditch and Bromsgrove, preceded his return to Sutton.
Striker Kory Burke played for our hosts last season, before leaving for Boldmere St.Michaels. He returned last month. He’s played for Bedworth too.
Reece Gibson is an experienced and long serving midfielder and often captains the side.
Zazi-Bope Zazi is a more recent signing. He’s played for Stourbridge, Rushall Olympic. Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Chasetown, OJM Black Country and Tividale.
James McGrady is another midfielder, previously at Sporting Khalsa as is Lewis Davis, a recent graduate from Sutton own youth scheme.
Kick off is 3pm as usual.
Don Amott has been Chairman of Mickleover FC for over 10 years and we are today announcing that Don has decided to step down as Chairman at the end of this season. Don is 77 this year and is hoping to spend more time with his wife Mary and the rest of the family.
Don became Chairman of Mickleover FC in October 2015 and has transformed the club on and off the pitch over the last decade. The Football Club now has very strong foundations to build on over the next 10 years including:
Mickleover FC want to thank Don Amott and his greater family who have been so fantastic for the club. Don has worked tirelessly to take this club forward and the whole of Mickleover FC and their supporters would like to wish Don a long and happy retirement!
Don wants to thank the many people who have supported him along the way. He would also like to thank the superb fans and sponsors for their fantastic support over the last 10 years and wish the club, and all involved with it, every success in the coming years.
Don will remain a supporter and has committed that the Don Amott Leisure Group of companies will remain the main sponsor of Mickleover FC for the following 3 seasons to help the new Chairman move forward seamlessly.
Mickleover FC have started a process to find a new Chairman or a syndicate of businesses to take over the running of the club with it’s huge potential for the coming years.
Mickleover FC
