by Peter Scherer

Following their excellent away win at Stalybridge on Tuesday night, Mickleover face FC United this weekend at the Don Amott Arena.

By their own usually high standards FC United have had a poor season, currently eighth in the NPL with only one win in the last six and their last game an away defeat at Basford.

First choice goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe played his youth football with Exeter City and Torquay United. He joined Wigan Athletic in January 2016, but was loaned back to Torquay for a couple of spells, as well as Welsh League Club Rhyl.

He was released by Wigan in the summer of 2019 and joined Fylde, from where FC United signed him in September 2020.

Michael Donohue is a defensive midfielder, who started out at Everton’s Academy. After a loan at Barrow he joined Fleetwood, but was sent out on loan again to Tamworth. In September 2018 he was loaned to FC United, before the move became permanent the following January.

Luke Griffiths is a central midfielder who came back to FC United in October from Warrington, having only left a few months earlier. He was another Bolton Wanderers junior and has also played for Runcorn Linnets, Marine and Prescot Cables.

Playing either centre back or defensive midfield, Curtis Jones is well travelled. From Stockport County’s Youth Team, he joined Glasgow Celtic and Bristol City, before his first senior transfer to Livingstone.

His spell back in Scotland was shortlived and he joined Welsh League’s The New Saints. Quickly moving on again he had a year at Nantwich and then played for Southport and Ashton Athletic, before coming to FC United in July 2019.

Aaron Morris is another centre back who started out at St Helens Town. He came to FC United in summer 2020 from Runcorn Linnet’s, where he played for three years, and has tended to play at right back.

Centre back Jorge Sikora came to FC in February, after being released by Bradford City. He also had a loan spell at Spennymoor at the end of last year.

A midfielder with mainly League Two and National League experience, Jonathan Smith was signed during last summer. He was a youth player at Morecambe.

After loans at Fleetwood and Bamber Bridge, he signed for Forest Green Rovers in 2010, and spent three years there pre their league status.

A spell at York City followed before joining Swindon Town, where he played 48 games and scored three goals, before returning to League Two rivals York.

Moving onto Luton Town where he played 150 games, he was at Stevenage too, before a couple of seasons at Chesterfield preceded his current move.

Paul Ennis is an experienced midfielder with a long list of clubs throughout a lengthy career. After starting at Stockport County, he had a loan at Salford City, then quickly moved on to Stalybridge Celtic, Bala Town, Witton Albion, Northwich Victoria, Colwyn Bay and Guiseley, before a two year stay on a return trip to Stalybridge.

Curzon Ashton, Matlock, Shaw Lane, Buxton, Skelmersdale, Southport and Ashton Utd also joined his long list of travels, before arriving at FC United in May 2019.

Regan Linney is a striker who was signed from Bamber Bridge in July 2019, having developed through their own Academy.

Midfielder or left back Adam Dodd was a Blackpool junior, who made the first team bench but didn’t get to play. He had loans at Altrincham and Scottish First Division’s Ayr Utd, before joining Chorley on his release. He then had just over three years at Bamber Bridge before being signed in May 2019.

Ali Waddecar moved to FC United after an 11 year spell at Bamber Bridge having made over 450 appearances. The striker had joined Bamber from local football, having previously been at Preston North End.

On loan from Leeds United, winger or midfielder Josh Galloway went to Elland Road from Carlisle in August 2019.

Ewan Bange is a young striker on loan from Blackpool until the end of the season. He has also bee loaned out to Bamber bridge and Telford Utd.

Toby Humphries is a product of FC United’s own youth scheme. The young midfielder has only recently become part of the first team squad.

Mike Potts is another midfielder who started out with Manchester United. After he was released he was at Blackburn Rovers for year, before signing for York City. 

Midfielder Chris Taylor started his career at Oldham Athletic. After spells at Millwall, Blackburn and Bolton he was loaned back to Oldham, before signing for Blackpool in 2018.

Further moves have taken him to Bradford and Barrow before he arrived at FC United from Radcliffe last month. He has made over 500 football league appearances and scored 50+ goals.

He has moved on each season spending time with Guiseley, AFC Fylde, Stalybridge on loan, Bradford Park Avenue, Shaw Lane on loan and Curzon Ashton. He was signed from Bamber Bridge in October 2018 and the club captain.

Harry McGee is a recent loan signing from Wigan., but he started his career with Tranmere Rovers.

Striker Joe Duckworth started out with Barnton Under 21’s before joining Winsford. He is a fairly recent signing from Northwich.

Both Lenny Fieldhouse and Josh Brooks are reserve keepers who have been on the bench mainly this season.

Kick off is 3pm so BE THERE!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC added another away win to their tally with a 1-0 win over an uncompromising Stalybridge Celtic last night, with a first half header from Stuart Beavon.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-George Milner 9-Shaquille McDonald 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andrew Wright. Subs: George Atwal, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Pablo Mills, Kai Moore, Callum Niven.

With the initial Stalybridge attacks repelled, Dolan led the first Mickleover foray with a good run strong run down the left.

After three minutes the hosts earned their first free kick after a foul by Milner, but it came to nought.

Hedge then made a long clearance which found Beavon in space on the right. His cross went across the face of the goal, but there was no one on the receiving end.

Mickleover won a free kick when Dales was tripped and after eight minutes he had the first shot, wide of the left-hand post.

But Stalybridge went close after 14 minutes with a combination from Killock and Quanseh, forcing Hedge to tip it away for a corner.

A couple of minutes later some nice play between Dales and Wright went one pass to far to prove positive, but Dales pace was causing problems for some cumbersome Stalybridge defending.

An unusually poor kick from Hedge found a Stalybridge striker after 20 minutes, but the keeper redeemed himself with a dive to the feet of the oncoming striker.

Dales then put a telling cross into the middle on the 25 minute mark, but it just missed connecting with the oncoming McDonald.

A minute later however it was 1-0 to Mickleover, after Dales held the ball well, before the final cross found Beavon’s head and the right corner of the Stalybridge net.

Two minutes later Dales fired in another shot after a one two with Wright, but it was an easy save for keeper Shenton. McDonald then had a shot blocked after a Beavon cross, earning a corner.

Mickleover were in the ascendancy but Stalybridge fought back with a cross from Brogan finding Doyle, whose shot was tipped over the bay by Hedge.

But Sports were soon back on the attack with a Beavon, McDonald build up sending Dales on a run, only to be fouled midway into the Stalybridge half.

Agustien took a short free kick to Dolan, who headed for goal but was fouled as he prepared to shoot. No free kick was given but the left back needed treatment.

With the half time whistle blown Mickleover had looked more of a team than the hosts, who managed to argue among themselves and lacked cohesion.

As the second half kicked off Stalybridge were far more positive, but the aerial superiority of Watt and Butler kept any danger under control.

Dales and Beavon led a strong attack after 52 minutes, but once again it was a step too far. But after Watt was pushed off the ball a minute later, Stalybridge got a good cross in from the right, across the face of Hedge’s goal and almost caught the keeper out.

Hosts sub McLintock had a chance after 66 minutes but pulled his shot wide to the left, before Mickleover made their first change with Niven on for Beavon.

McLintock had another chance after a long kick from Shenton, but that went and over and in the next few minutes both Correia and Brogan had shots from long range but failed to trouble Hedge.

Milner was moving forward more than in the first half and was on the receiving end of some good possession from Agustien, but after 73 minutes it was almost a second goal. 

Niven had a great run and found McDonald. The striker sent in a rocket shot which was well saved by the diving Shenton. The rebound found Niven but it was going away from goal.

Davidson-Miller then came on for McDonald for the last 15 minutes and was straight in the action. His holding play set up Wright, whose shot was blocked.

Shenton then made an easy save from a weak Davidson-Miller shot, before Agustien made way for Atwal.

Walker and Dolan both began to stay back more as the clocked ticked down, but after 79 minutes Hedge was in action as a shot from Doyle was just passed the post.

Dales was fouled on another charge with two minutes left, but as Mickleover tried to clear their lines, Stalybridge pushed everything forward including keeper Shenton.

They went close with a free kick which was saved by Hedge to earn a corner before another attempt settled on the roof of the Mickleover net.

In timing added on Ubah had a header cleared off the line, but it was another well-earned three points which moves them to 15^th in the table.

by Peter Scherer

Having returned to winning ways Mickleover will be looking for another three points to secure their safety as the NPL season conclusion approaches.

Stalybridge Celtic our hosts tomorrow night are currently one point and one place behind Mickleover in 19^th place, having played the same number of games.

While Mickleover picked up three points from the home win over Matlock last Saturday, Stalybridge had a 0-0 draw at bottom club Grantham.

With only one win in the last seven games and one goal in the last four, they are desperate to succeed on home turf, so a tough game awaits us.

Northern Ireland Under 21 International goalkeeper Liam Hughes had been first choice, but having returned from Injury Grant Shenton has recently claimed the place. 

Having been part of Portadown’s first team squad from the age of 15, Hughes joined Glasgow Celtic in 2018, moving  to England in February last year with Liverpool.

He arrived at Stalybridge in January and is on loan from the Reds until the end of the season.

Shenton arrived from Buxton in July 2021, having spent two years there after arriving from Chester. He also played for Trafford and Ramsbottom, having started out at FC United. He had a previous spell at Stalybridge five years ago too.

Matthew Liptrott is primarily a midfielder, who can also play in defence. He is on loan from Blackpool, having previously been loaned out to Prescot Cables.

Left back Ashley Smith-Brown was capped by England at Under 16, 17,18,19 and 20, during his time in Manchester City’s Academy, which spanned 17 years.

He was loaned out NAC Breda, Hearts and Oxford Utd, before joining Plymouth Argyle on his release in July 2018.

After a loan spell at Oldham he was released at Plymouth, having played 36 senior games for the Pilgrims.

He arrived at Stalybridge in August 2021, after spells at South Shields and Farsley.

Our hosts  captain is Sam Wedgbury, a central midfielder who started out at Worcester City, before being picked up by Sheffield Utd. After a loan spell at Mansfield, he had a year in Hungary with Ferencvaros, before the Blades released him in July 2010.

He then moved on to Macclesfield, Altrincham, Stevenage, Forest Green, Wrexham and Chesterfield, before arriving at Stalybridge from Buxton in July last year.

Centre back Connor O’Grady is a Republic of Ireland Under 21 International. He was a Sheffield Wednesday Junior until July 2019, when he joined Buxton. He is now in his second season at Stalybridge. But has recently been out injured.

Defender or midfielder Keenan Quansah was another player that arrived at Stalybridge in July 2021. He started his career at Accrington Stanley, before moving to Burscough in 2016.

He soon moved on again spending a year at Mossley, returning after three months with Hyde, finally coming to our hosts after almost three years with Glossop.

Callum Harris is an experienced midfielder, who played in Manchester City and Blackburn’s Academy, before a spell in the Nike Academy at St Georges Park.

He then joined Wolves, before venturing abroad, firstly with Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, returning to the Belgian third tier club again in March 2018 after two months in Trinidad with Central FC.

He came to Stalybridge in September 2020, after a year in Spain with Real Burgos.

Dougie Nyaupembe originally came to Stalybridge on loan from Bury in 2019. After a loan at Hyde he was released from Bury and joined Atherton. He was at Radcliffe before his recent return to Stalybridge.

Defender or midfielder Stephen Brogan was a Rotherham Junior, during which time he was loaned to Stalybridge in 2005, plus Alfreton and then joined our hosts permanently in 2011.

His further moves have taken him to Guiseley, Forest Green, Southport, Gainsborough, North Ferriby, Boston and Spennymoor, before arriving at Stalybridge from Buxton in July last year. 

Centre back  Derek Ubah only arrived at Stalybridge a couple of weeks ago from Bedford Town. He started out at Boston Utd, before a move to the Netherlands with SC Grevenmacher.  After a spell with Maldon & Tiptree he went to IFK Mora in Sweden for six months. 

He has also had spells at Belper Town between his time at Bedford.

Charley Doyle is another centre back who can play midfield. He came straight to Stalybridge in September 2020 from the Blackburn Academy.

Josh Edwards is a defender who made his debut in last Saturday’s game at Grantham and Khalid Kharufa is defender just moved into the first team squad from the Academy.

Danny Adigun is another defender new to the first team squad, similarly striker Connor Falls on loan from Huddersfield, goalkeeper Connor Leach

Angolan born Raul Correia is our hosts top striker. Starting out in local football, he moved on to Cheadle Heath Nomads and Radcliffe, before stepping up with Chorley.

His next move was Trafford, before a return to Radcliffe. He was at Blackpool for a year, after they signed him from Radcliffe, but after loans at Guiseley and York City, he made a permanent move to Barrow in July 2018, having made one senior appearance for the seasiders.

After another year he moved to Southport and then into the Welsh League with Bala Town, before signing for Stalybridge only four weeks ago from Aberystwyth.

Winger Justin Johnson started his career in his native Netherlands, with three years at the Sparta Rotterdam Academy, before coming to the UK with Manchester Utd.

After moving onto FC United, he then moved to Scotland with Dundee Utd, but was released in 2017 after a loan at York City.

He played for Othellos Athienou and Akritas Chlorakas in Cyprus, but then returned to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals, after scoring 24 goals in 37 appearances in Cyprus. He came to Stalybridge last September from Morton.

Ethan Padden is a midfielder who came to Stalybridge from Buxton last summer. A former Chesterfield youth team player who has played for Glossop North End too.

Defender Shane Killock started out at Ossett before joining Huddersfield Town. He made one first team appearance for the Terriers, before being loaned to Hyde and Harrogate. He then had another loan at Oxford Utd, before a permanent move in 2009.

Moving onto Telford Utd, where he made over 130 appearances he also captained the side. Loans at Harrogate Guiseley followed before moves to Hyde, Bradford PA and Boston Utd. He then had a season at Alfreton before joining Buxton, arriving at Stalybridge in June last year. 

Midfielder Gedeao Varela has recently arrived from Kendal Town, he also played at St Helens and Glossop.

Young winger Aaron Grewal is another new arrival, coming from West Didsbury and Chorlton. He has also played for Curzon Ashton.

Midfielder Matty Jones is a product of their own youth scheme and made his first team debut in October.

Jay Fitzmartin is a young winger on loan from Bolton Wanderers. It’s his second spell at Stalybridge his first having been cut short by injury.

Midfielder Sam McLintock is another loanee, from Halifax. He has spent most of his career with Alvechurch and was loaned back to them after joining the Shaymen.

Assistant to manager Simon Haworth, Republic of Ireland International Stephen O’Halloran is massively experienced. He started at Aston Villa, and played for Wycombe, Southampton, Leeds, Swansea, Coventry and Carlisle until moving into non-league with Nuneaton in 2012.

He also played for Stockport, Salford and FC United, before coming to Stalybridge in July 2019.

Kick off at Bower Fold is at 7.45pm and John McGrath and the team would be delighted to see as many Mickleover fans as possible.

by Lewis Radbourne, Junior Journo

After only one point from the last three matches Mickleover got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over promotion-chasing local rivals Matlock Town at the Don Amott arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Radcliffe 9-Shaquille McDonald 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Goerge Milner. Subs: George Atwal, Andrew Wright, Pablo Mills, Callum Niven, Kai Moore.

Matlock had the first chance of the game within the first three minutes, when their young keeper Joe Young threw a ball quickly down the left-hand side, falling to Ross Hannah, who picked it up on the half-turn, but his shot was deflected wide. 

Sports then started getting a foothold in the game, when  McDonald blazed a chance high and wide after some good work down the right-hand side.

The home side then had some great build up play down the left wing, with left-back Dolan skipping past three Matlock players with ease, before putting in a low cross for McDonald, only for his mishit shot falling for Radcliffe, who shot wide. 

Despite Sports growing in the half, Matlock were not without their chances. Hannah yet again with another chance, this time a half-volley from the left-hand side of the box, but it went straight into the hands of Sports keeper Hedge. 

One minute later and Mickleover penalty shouts were waved away after it appeared to the players that McDonald had been fouled inside the box, but a free-kick was given instead, which McDonald took himself, but it flashed just wide of the post. 

Two minutes later and Sports took the lead through veteran striker Beavon, when he put in a rebound from close range after Dales’ shot was initially blocked. 1-0.

It was a fairly quiet end to the first half, with Matlock having one chance after the goal, with some neat play down the right from Marcus Marshall and Alex Byrne, before a cross was put to the back post for Reece Kendall to head just wide. 

Mickleover took the 1-0 lead into half-time, but were on the back foot at the start of the second half, when the visitors almost equalised, when Ryan Qualter rose highest from a free-kick, only for his header to force an excellent reflex save from Hedge. 

Like the first-half Mickleover then again started to get a foothold in the second half, and on the hour mark almost made it two, when McDonald hit the post after a fantastic counter-attack from Sports, when Dales squared it for McDonald from the right-hand side, only for the striker to miss a near open goal.  

Matlock were not out of it though, and nearly bounced back themselves just minutes afterwards, when Kendall struck again, when the ball fell to him inside the box, only for his shot to sting the hands of Hedge in the Sports net. 

Mickleover then went down the other end and got their two-goal lead through loanee Radcliffe, who got on the end of a McDonald cross and headed the ball right into the top-left corner to double Sports’ lead. 2-0.

The away side were quick to respond however, pegging Mickleover back just four minutes later, when a goalmouth scramble ended up in Ioan Evans managing to score to half the deficit. 2-1.

In what was a noticeably quiet end to the match like it had been in the first half, but it meant that Mickleover held on for their first win in four games.

The result means Mickleover move up the table two places to 18^th, whilst Matlock’s promotion chances are damaged as they now fall seven points behind league leaders Buxton.

Sports are in action on Tuesday night when they visit Stalybridge Celtic , kick off 7.45pm.

by Peter Scherer

Matlock Town are currently third in the NPL and still have hopes of taking the title and gaining promotion.

But them form over the last month or so has been far from title winning. With only one win in the last eight games, they went down 0-1 at home to Atherton last Saturday.

When Mickleover visited Causeway Lane in October, they were unlucky to come away on the wrong end of 0-1 defeat. But three points critical for both sides, with Sports having only taken one point from the last three games.

Wolves loanee Joe Young has been first choice in goal for Matlock since arriving in January. The 20 year old also had a loan spell at Runcorn Linnets last year.

Former Shrewsbury Town Junior Shaun Rowley had been first choice keeper until he was injured. Now fit again he is on a dual registration with Wythenshawe. During his time at Shrewsbury , he had a few months on loan at Watford, as well as spells at Halesowen, Chorley and Tamworth. 

After seven years at Shrewsbury he was released in 2018 and then spent a year each at Halifax Town and Solihull Moors. After a couple of months at Kettering, he came to Matlock in September 2020.

Defender  Reece Kendall made history when he  was signed from Brighouse Town, as he was the first player the Yorkshire club had ever received a fee for. He played at Hyde and Silsden before going to Brighouse, having started out in their own under 21 side. He has recently been selected as part of the England C team too.

Adam  Yates  in his 13th full season with Matlock having joined them from Shirebrook Town in March 2009 following an impressive performance against Matlock in the 2008/09 Derbyshire Senior Cup semi final. With 500 appearances for the first team underlining his tremendous consistency, mainly as a central defender, he has also played as a full back or in midfield.

 He started out as a youth player with Chesterfield before joining Belper Town. He was voted fans player of the year in 2012/13, 2015/16, 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Former Welsh under 17 and under 19 international centre back or defensive midfielder  Ioan Evans  arrived from Stalybridge Celtic last summer. A former Newport Academy player he had a spell at Sheffield United and was loaned to Boston Utd, before joining Gainsborough Trinity. Moving on to Tadcaster, he spent one year with them before starting this season at Stalybridge. 

Centre Back Ryan Qualter came to Matlock in summer 2020 from Alfreton Town. He started his career at Ossett Town and then joined Bradford PA and had a loan spell at Scarborough, before spells at Shaw Lane and Boston Utd preceded his move to Alfreton.

Mark Lees is an experienced defender or midfielder. He had played for Hyde, Altrincham and Stalybridge, before moving on to Stockport County, Telford and Ashton Utd. He came to Matlock summer 2020 after a spell at Mossley.

Winger Alex Byrne has been at Matlock since March 2020. He began at Warrington, before moving to Buxton in Autumn 2019, having previously played for both Shaw Lane and Gainsborough Trinity. 

Alex Wiles started his career as a midfielder at Rotherham, before his release sent him to Stocksbridge Park Steels. His next stop was Tadcaster before joining Gainsborough, from where Matlock signed him in pre-season. 

Liam Hughes is a well travelled midfielder, having started as a junior at Scunthorpe and Cambridge Utd. After a short spell at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, he returned to England with Barrow and has since played at Guiseley, Billericay, Darlington, Gainsborough, Stratford Town, Bradford PA and Frickley, before arriving at Matlock last summer. He had a loan at Kettering but has been with Matlock full time again since February last year.

 Marcus Marshall is a winger that started out at Blackburn Rovers. He made one senior appearance, as well as gaining experience with loans at League Two Rotherham and Macclesfield.

He then joined Bury in League One, but was loaned out to Grimsby Town, before moving on to Morecambe, Lincoln City, Boston Utd, Coalville, Alfreton, Hyde and Basford, from where he joined Matlock in January this year.

Winger Terry Hawkridge played junior football at Barnsley and Tranmere, before returning to Nottinghamshire with Carlton Town. Spells at Hucknall and Gainsborough followed before he joined Scunthorpe Utd. Three seasons with the Irons preceded loans at Mansfield and Lincoln, before a permanent move to Lincoln. 

Stays at Notts County, Solihull and Boston Utd followed before arriving at Basford earlier this season. He came to Matlock in January in a double transfer with Marcus Marshall.

Callum Chippendale is another attacking midfielder who went to Bradford PA after his release from Barnsley Juniors. Moves to Boston, Gainsborough and Shaw Lane followed, before joining Buxton in early 2018. He came to Matlock July 2020, from Buxton. 

Ross Hannah was a junior striker at both Sheffield Utd and Wednesday. He then joined Worksop Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels, with loans at Gainsborough and Belper Town, before a permanent move to Gainsborough. 

He was at Hednesford and Belper before his first spell at Matlock  from 2008 to 2011 during which time he won the NPL Golden Boot. Moving onto Bradford City where he played in League Two, then Halifax, Grimsby, Chester, Barrow and Southport , before returning to Gainsborough as player manager. After a spell at Cleethorpes he came back to Matlock in  November 2020.

Midfielder Luke Daly came to the Gladiators in November last year. He came out of Burnley’s Academy, before moving to Droylsden, South Shields and Curzon Ashton.

Striker Reece Webb-Foster is a graduate of Bradford City’s Academy. He was loaned to Bradford Park Avenue, Guiseley and Harrogate, before joining Colne following his release. After a spell at Lancaster he rejoined Colne, before arriving at Causeway Lane last month.

Riece Bertam is a recent arrival from Belper Town. He came to Belper after spells at Carlton,Ilkeston and Basford.

Jesurun  Uchegbulam is another midfielder who came to Matlock during the summer. He started in the junior teams at AC Milan, and has played for Mossley and Stockport and is a former Bolton Wanderers junior 

Kayde Coppin is a player coach at Matlock. The striker has played at Flixton, Trafford, Northwich Victoria, Rossendale United, Atherton LR, Bacup Borough and Glossop North End. He has reached the play-offs with Mossley, Ashton United and Buxton and has also managed Manchester Ladies between 2014 and 2016. He came to Matlock summer 2020

Jamie Sharman is a young centre back who came to Matlock last summer after his release from Chesterfield, and Finlay Phillips is another young defender on the fringe  of the first team.

Liam King is midfielder back at Matlock for a second time. He was at Rotherham as a junior, and had a loan spell at Altrincham before a permanent move to Matlock in July 2012. After four years service he joined North Ferriby and moved on to Halifax, Gainsborough, Frickley and Grantham. He managed Gainsborough for a while too, and came back to Matlock last summer.

Kick off is 3pm at the Don Amott Arena.

by Peter Scherer

Two goals in four minutes, spanning the half time break ended any hopes Mickleover had of returning home with any points from their trip to Morpeth.

Starting line-Up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-James Butler 5-Pablo Mills 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Ben Radcliffe 8-Andrew Wright 9-Andy Dales 10-Stuart Beavon 11-George Milner. Subs: George Atwal, Kai Moore, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Ethan Mann.

Mickleover were straight into the attack from the kick off, with Dales shooting from long distance after only two minutes, but his effort was easily taken by keeper Lowson.

But the hosts proved to be just as keen with Noble’s effort over the bar on eight minutes and Andrew Johnson putting a curling ball just passed the post a minute later, after Dales had just failed to send Milner on a run.

Dales pace was causing problems for Morpeth captain Jeff Henderson and he was able to send in another shot, after picking up a long clearance from Hedge, earning another corner.

Agustien then fired in an angled shot which was well saved by Lowson and then attempted to send Beavon on a run, only to be flagged offside barely into the Morpeth half.

Mills tried a long shot after 15 minutes just over, before a Dales shot was blocked and Beavon’s attempt at the rebound sent a scuffed shot straight to Lowson.

Mickleover’s efforts goalwards were coming thick and fast, as Wright had a shot 18 minutes in, but once again failed trouble the keeper.

Although Morpeth were managing to progress, their final pass seemed to be missing any obvious target and as Mickleover’s midfield of Agustien, Radcliffe, Wright and Milner took control Dolan began to move further forward and Beavon had another shot just wide.

Johnson led a good attack for the hosts after 21 minutes, but had no support available, but a couple of minutes later Lowson was forced to charge off his line to clear, only to send it straight into Mickleover’s possession, before giving away a free kick.

Agustien’s kick failed to trouble the defence, but was followed by a good run from Ramsey, cutting inside after beating Dolan. The final shot was blocked before the danger was cleared

There was another chance for Dales after 27 minutes, when a build up from Wright to Beavon, found Dales head, but his effort was over the bar again.

It was Dales causing more troubleon the half hour, again outpacing Henderson, before his cross failed to find a Mickleover shirt.

There was a little skirmish between Mills and striker Liam Henderson, in which the latter seemed to fall to the ground twice, neither impressing the referee.

But Morpeth had started to push forward again and won a corner off Mills, which Noble took and was headed clear by Radcliffe.

Johnson had the ball in the net for Morpeth after 37 minutes but was flagged offside and then Noble tried from long range, but failed to trouble Hedge.

With five minutes left of the first half, a lob from Beavon cleared the perimeter wall, but with the whistle almost poised Johnson got the ball with acres of space the right, cut inside and fired a shot into the far corner beyond Hedge’s reach, 0-1 after 44 minutes.

Almost from the restart Donaldson broke again for Morpeth and fired a shot over the bar as he was relatively unchallenged.

Radcliffe tried to respond with a long shot just passed the post, but they went in 0-1 down, which didn’t really reflect the half’s play.

Barely had the second half kicked off and Liam Henderson made it 0-2, with Sports defence wide open again on right, allowing a cut back and shot from close range.

Wright had a shot blocked as Mickleover tried to fight back, but Morpeth were much sharper than in the first half.

After Beavon had another attempt blocked, Ramsey got a break, but his final ball just missed the following strikers, but still earned a corner.

Agustien floated a ball goalwards onto the roof of the net and after 55 minutes Dolan started a move to Dales and Milner, before they back tracked and rebuilt from defence, with Radcliffe trying another long shot.

Just before the hour mark Hedge was tested by a free kick which was just over and then Butler had to clear the lines after another run from Ramsey.

Morpeth had started to look fairly comfortable, but with 63 minutes on the clock, Milner was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Keeper Lowson was booked for dissent before Wright stepped up to take the kick. The keeper got a hand to the ball but couldn’t stop it from crossing the line, 1-2.

Suddenly the pattern of the game had changed and it was Mickleover pushing for an equaliser.

Wright had a shot pushed over by Lowson after 66 minutes and with Milner in a more attacking role, things looked positive.

The tide soon turned again when Morpeth had a 75^th minute free kick. Johnson received the ball and put it across the face of the goal. Hedge got a hand to it but Henderson put it home 1-3.

Mickleover went for a double substitution with seven minutes left, bringing on Davidson-Miller and debutant Moore, for Dales and Beavon, before calls for a Morpeth penalty fell on deaf ears, with Mills clearing.

Atwal came on for Agustien for the final couple of minutes, but it was a disappointing result after some early promise and sees Sports back down to 20^th place, with local rivals Matlock Town next up at the Don Amott Arena.