Author: Square Peg

Mills Hat-Trick As Reserves Hit Seven …Again!

by Peter Scherer

Another convincing win for Mickleover Reserves, took them back to the top of the Central Midlands League Premier Division South table, beating South Normanton Athletic 7-1.

Starting line-up: 1-Fin Bowen 11-Zach Robertson 3-Rhys Dolan 4-John McGrath 5-Pablo Mills 6-Ethan Mann 7-George Milner 8-Roger Lee 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Ash Elliott. Subs: Lopes Massampo, Emilio De Abreu, Devon Smith, Jude Ayetine, George Atwal.

After finding their feet in the opening minutes, Mickleover were straight on the attack after four minutes, with Jahvan Davidson-Miller crossing from the byline after a defender failed block, but there was no one to receive it.

Elliott then tried a shot three minutes later, after a good run down the left by debutant Dolan, but overall it was fairly even in the middle, with Mickleover keeper Bowen yet to get a touch.

With the experience of Milner, McGrath and Lee pushing forward from midfield, Mills played a perfect through ball to find Jahvan-Miller in the clear. He came in closer, picked his spot and fired neatly beyond the visiting keeper after 14 minutes, 1-0.

McGrath then sent Dolan on another run a couple of minutes later, but the keeper just beat him to the ball.

A second goal was looking imminent, with South Normanton unable to retain possession. Milner fired well over after 22 minutes and three minutes later Jahvan-Miller was tripped on the edge of the box.

Mills took the free kick and it beat both the wall and the keeper to find the top corner, 2-0.

Another Mills led attack soon followed with a shot fired well over, but both wing backs Robertson and Dolan were both causing havoc to the visitors defence.

On the half hour Dolan had another long run right in the box. He was pushed down, but penalty appeals were waved away.

Davidson-Miller’s pace and power saw him on the end of a clinical build up again after 35 minutes, his finish was just as accurate as his first, 3-0.

With five minutes left of the first half it could easily have been a hattrick for Davidson-Miller, after Milner had picked up a loose ball. But the final touch was only half a connection and the keeper had it covered.

South Normanton finally had a chance after 41 minutes, but the cross into the box had no one left to collect, while Mills ended the second half with another powerful shot over the bar from long range.

Mickleover made one change at half time, with Massampo on for Mann, which dropped Elliott back to centre back alongside Anthony.

The second half had barely kicked off and Milner had a great chance. He beat the keeper, but his effort also beat the far post by inches.

There was another shot wide from South Normanton after 49 minutes, but Mills then picked it up and had another shot just off target.

The visitors earned a free kick in sight of the Mickleover goal, but it came to nought and then in the 57th minute Davidson-Miller had a shot across the goal, but the angle had proven too tight to threaten.

A couple of minutes of sustained attack followed, with Mills on the receiving end for his second to make it 4-0.

Mickleover made their second change when De Abreu came on for Milner, but play had moved to the Mickleover end, and after the defence seemed to freeze, South Normanton took their chance well, to make it 4-1 on the hour.

Lee then put in a telling cross for Dolan to shoot over, but 68 minutes down and Mills completed his hattrick to make it 5-1, chasing onto a long through ball cutting straight through the middle of the visitors defence.

Mills made his departure to make way for Smith, but the visitors continued to try and play and had another shot just wide of the mark.

De Abreu had a shot straight at the keeper after 75 minutes and Elliott then headed clear any danger from a South Normanton free kick.

But it was total chaos in the visitors defence a few minutes later, when the keeper came out to try and rescue his defence. But he lost out too and De Abreu fired it into the net with 78 minutes gone for 6-1.

Bowen had to make his first real save three minutes later, when he tipped over for a corner. A goal mouth scramble followed, before the danger was cleared again.

83 minutes and it was 7-1, when Smith made a nice turn under pressure and fired in as the defence tried to block him.

The South Normanton keeper was busy right up to the final whistle, making one good save, before a Davidson-Miller effort was saved and Dolan put the rebound wide.

Davidson-Miller was still trying for his hattrick and his final chance came in the 43rd minute, but his shot was saved and it remained 7-1 and took Mickleover back to the top.

Young Stag Joins Sports Line-Up

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC have  made their third  loan signing in the last week, after Arlo Doherty and Ben Radcliffe with Mansfield striker Josh Scott arriving at the Don Amott Arena on a one month loan.

Scott came to Mansfield from Hartlepool last summer and also had a loan spell with Kettering Town.

After returning to the Stags he was loaned out again at the beginning of this season to Mickleover’s own NPL rivals Basford Utd, and scored one goal from his nine appearances.

Winter Blues For Sports Away: FC United of Manchester (A)

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s hopes of escaping the danger zone in the NPL were dashed with a 2-0 defeat at FC United.

Sports made three changes from the winning side against Atherton, with Arlo Doherty debuting in goal, Pablo Mills in for Phil Watt and Andy Dales back in for Joe Bateman.

Starting line-up: 1-Arlo Doherty 2-Jake Bennett 3-Jordan Gough 4-James Butler 15-Pablo Mills 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Dempsey Arlott-John 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dexter Walters. Subs: Roger Lee, Ben Radcliffe, Phil Watt, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, George Milner.

It was blue sky but a biting wind as Mickleover took the kick off. 

It started fairly positively for Mickleover, with a corner taken by Agustien after only three minutes. Warren was able to get a shot in, but it was straight into keeper Lavercombe’s hands.

The hosts came straight back with a left foot shot from Hayes, which was blocked by Mills.

Warren was then almost on the end of a good through ball, before a tackle and another corner, with Walters and Beavon being unmarked in the box.

Gough started to push forward down the left, but back in defence Dales cut out a dangerous ball after a long FC United build up, ending with a corner.

As the corner came in it was too long for Ennis to connect on the far post.

But after nine minutes Waddecar almost gave the hosts the lead, after Linney put the ball through for the striker to hit the post with Doherty beaten.

Hayes was then fouled, before an Ennis cross gave Baker a header, deflected out by the Mickleover defence for another corner.

The pressure was building from the FC United attack, but Walters got a break after 14 minutes, but his shot was weak.

Beavon then forced his way through the defence, found Walters whose progress was thwarted by Smith’s tackle.

There was another half chance for Beavon after 16 minutes, but Baker intercepted.

Three minutes later Agustien placed a perfect ball at Arlott-John’s feet but was deemed to be just offside, before Linney responded for the hosts, with an effort well saved by Doherty.

FC were ahead on chances but the Mickleover defence held firm. Holmes put a telling cross into the box to find Waddecar, but his 21st minute effort failed to trouble Doherty.

Only a minute later Waddecar’s left foot shot was just over after another Holmes cross.

Dales then managed to connect with an Agustien corner after 24 minutes, but his shot was wide.

Hayes found himself in a good position, but held on to long and was tackled, while Linney did connect with an effort nearer the back of the stand than the back of the net.

Mills tried his luck with a long shot, but Lavercombe had it covered despite it dipping in the strong wind.

Sports were lucky to hold on when there was confusion in the defence. A poor clearance from Doherty was intercepted by Holmes and Waddecar’s final shot was again just over.

Mickleover’s attacks were on the decline and were too regularly caught offside, but pressure was building from the hosts.

Butler came up for a 40th minute corner but his effort was cleared by Lavercombe, but then Mickleover had their best chance of the match. Mills had cleared the danger from an FC attack and sent Arlott-John one on one with the keeper. 

Lavercombe was at full stretch to keep out the strikers shot and it remained 0-0.

After Hayes had another shot well over the bar, it looked as if the sides would be going in level at half time, until Doherty mishandled the ball after a free kick from Holmes in the final seconds. Morris managed to poke the ball home and the whistle went 0-1.

The second half started with a corner for the hosts, but Warren then put in a nice cross into the box, but it beat everyone.

Doherty then had to come to the rescue after a Mills miskick had almost let Hayes in after 50 minutes.

But Mickleover were pressing for the equaliser, just after Arlott-John had a shot just wide, Beavon was close to collecting a Bennett cross but was ruled offside.

Arlott-John’s pace continued to keep the FC defence on its toes, and he sent Dales on a run after 53 minutes, until a strong tackle stopped him.

But Doherty looked vulnerable again a minute later when Waddecar shot and the young keeper saved initially, before dropping the ball again, but this time he recovered.

There were problems for the hosts keeper too, when he came to collect a long ball and flattened Arlott-John. He received a yellow card, but it could have been a red.

Walters and Arlott-John kept the attacks going and Butler had another shot over the bar in the 59th minute from a Warren free kick.

As the home supporters looked for a second goal to seal the win, Mickleover continued to push forward, with another run from Arlott-John putting Walters through until Lavercombe collected.

Hayes’ 67th minute shot was then deflected by Mills and cleared and Linney managed to get a shot in, but the angle was too tight.

After long and cautious build up Warren had another shot just off target, but Arlott-John was in space and unmarked.

Mickleover made their for change when Milner came on for Walters, before Sports went close with an Agustien free kick, after Dales and Bennett had combined, before Bennett was felled.

Warren shot again with the unmarked Arlott-John unseen and from the resultant corner, Butler’s header lacked power.

FC sub Duckworth forced Doherty into another save, but time was running out and after 80 minutes it was effectively all over, after Waddecar collected on the volley and Hayes hit home number two for FC, 0-2.

Davidson came on for Arlott-John for the last few minutes and in injury time Warren was red carded for a high tackle.

It was hard fought game and Mickleover held their own for much of it, but they still had to return home pointless and heading desperately close to the wrong end of the table.

Sports Sign On Loan Keeper From Leicester City

by Peter Scherer

With Callum Hawkins having returned to Burton Albion, Mickleover have signed Leicester City’s Under 19’s goalkeeper Arlo Doherty, on loan.

18 year old Doherty has been at Leicester for two years, having previously been at Manchester City and Norwich City and is also capped at Under 19 level by the Republic of Ireland.

He will make his debut for  Mickleover in the weekends away visit to FC United.

Sports’ Youngsters Selected For English School’s FA Trial

Two of our young players have both been selected to trial for the U18’s ESFA (English Schools Football Association).
George Atwal who is a centre midfielder and Finn Bowen who is a GK.
They will represent our football club at trials on Sunday 28th November at Lilleshall National Sports Centre.
It’s a big achievement for the boys and a proud moment for us as a football club.
Good luck George and Finn!

Match Day Saturday: FC United Of Manchester (A)

by Peter Scherer

After collecting a hard fought point from Warrington last weekend, Mickleover are off to a struggling FC United of Manchester on Saturday.

United have had a run of three defeats, away at Atherton and Whitby in the NPL and at Marske in the FA Trophy. There last win was on November 6th at home to Gainsborough.

Currently 14th in the league and only three points ahead of Mickleover, they have five wins and two draws from their 19 games so far.

For Mickleover the main decision will be over goalkeeping duties, with Callum Hawkins having returned to Burton Albion. 

The choices being another on loan keeper, or a league debut for reserve keeper Fin Bowen, so watch this space.

The FC United has a mixture of experience and youth, with some loan players in the squad too

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.

Joe White is a left back who started out at Bolton Wanderers. He made four first team appearances before being released to join Lower Breck and FC United on a dual registration. He has continued on a dual registration again this year between FC United and Ashton Athletic.

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.

Centre back Drew Baker arrived at FC United in the summer from the Oldham Athletic Academy.

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.

Cian Hayes is a striker currently on loan from Fleetwood Town and is a Republic of Ireland Under 19 International. He has made one first team appearance for Fleetwood and is due to return to the club this month.

A midfielder with mainly League Two and National League experience, Jonathan Smith was signed during the 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.

Brad Holmes is a young midfielder who started at Bolton Wanderers, before moving to Blackpool. He is currently part way through a three month loan at FC United.

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.

Winger Jayden Major was a Liverpool Junior before moving to Burnley. He also had a loan at Clitheroe before his release, from where he joined Spanish club UP Plasencia until lockdown. He joined Stockport in July this year and came to FC United in October.

Ex Leeds Academy winger Omar Sanyang has been at Bradford City, Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Darlington, before joining Tadcaster Albion. He then moved to Bradford Park Avenue in November last year, before joining the FC United squad.

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.

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. 

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.

Vani Da Silva has recently joined our hosts on loan from Oldham Athletic, described as a “lightning striker.”

The kick off at Broadhurst Park is 3pm.

Reserves Hit Seven Without Reply

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves made it a winning double over Mansfield Hosiery Mills. Have won 2-0 away earlier in the season, it was already 3-0 by half time, before it had raised to seven by full time.

Starting line-up: Fin Bowen; Jake Edge-Lucas; Will Robinson; Cam Anthony; Ethan Mann; John McGrath; Roger Lee; George Milner; Ash Elliott; Pablo Mills; Fin Barker. Subs: George Atwal, Zac Robertson, Devon Smith.

Mickleover earned their first corner after four minutes and a minute later it was 1-0 after Edge-Lucas was fouled and Mills headed home from a McGrath free kick.

It was almost a second for Mickleover after 10 minutes, when Barker was in a challenge with the Mansfield keeper. The young striker held possession and layed it off to Milner, whose chip beat the keeper, only to find a defender on the goal line.

Milner had the keeper beaten again three minutes later, but it was Lee with the shot that was blocked again, before the ball went out with Mills chasing.

Mann then tried his luck with a random shot from well out, before a 17th minute cross from Edge-Lucas left Lee unable to control a bouncing ball, but he managed to find Mills who had similar problems.

Mansfield had their first corner after 20 minutes, but it came to nought, before Barker led another attack which ended with an uncollected cross passing the face of the goal.

After Milner was fouled on the edge of the box, the free kick failed to provide any initiative, but in the 26th minute Edge-Lucas’ perfectly weighted cross , found Mills head and set up Barker to make it 2-0.

Only a minute later Barker ran at the defence once more to fire a shot just over, but Mickleover were quick to threaten again when a Lee shot was cleared, only for Milner to collect. But his through ball was just too far ahead of Mills.

A third goal looked almost certain, with Mansfield struggling to get into the final quarter.

Barker battled his way through almost the entire visitors defence after 32 minutes, before finding Elliott, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

McGrath put a telling ball into the box shortly afterwards, picked up by the overlapping Robinson, but the defence did enough to block his shot.

Mansfield managed to get a shot in too, but it was well wide of the mark, before Mickleover went close yet again. Milner swept it out wide on the right to Edge-Lucas. A corner was earned from the blocked shot, from which Mills just missed with another header.

The back four of Edge-Lucas, Anthony, Mann and Robinson had looked solid throughout, leaving Bowen with little to do.

But with four minutes left in the first half, another cross from Edge-Lucas found Mills, who headed on for McGrath to head home 3-0.

Mickleover made two changes for the second half, Atwal had come for Milner, who had successfully played his first 45 minutes after returning from injury, while Robertson was on for Edge-Lucas, who dislocated a finger.

Mickleover started the second half where they had left off, with Lee feeding Barker through, just losing out to the outcoming Mansfield keeper.

But after 50 minutes Robertson’s pacey overlap, provided a decisive cross and Barker hit his second to make it 4-0.

Mansfield started to come out of defence slightly and after a few minutes of attacking, it ended with another shot just wide of Bowen’s post.

On the hour Smith came on for Elliott and was straight into the action, when he collected a long ball from Mills, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

Barker had another half chance from an Atwal pass, but it was soon 5-0 when Smith took it around the keeper in the 71st minute after a McGrath pass had split the visitors defence.

With Sports in such attacking mood, more goals looked likely. Mills went close with an acrobatic overhead kick saved by the keeper, but with 15 minutes left another charge down the wing from Robertson, found Mills to hit his second and it was 6-0.

Only  a minute later Smith fired a shot inches past the post, before Mansfield made another rare break but still couldn’t find the target.

But in the closing minutes Mills tried a cheeky back healer which almost caught the keeper out, but allowed Smith to crack another shot just wide of the post again.

It ended 7-0 though after Robertson was left totally unmarked down the right. He hesitated briefly before squaring the ball to find Atwal running in to fire it home.

Another convincing win and now we look forward to the local “Derby” game against Mickleover RBL on Saturday at Poppyfields Drive, kick off 2pm.

Reserves Return To Action With A Win

by D.Mac, Mickleover F.C. Reserves Manager

Having had the ‘International break’ off the Reserves made the short trip along Brian Clough Way to Aspley and Melbourne Park, Nottingham. I actually went down to the A50 and across but it doesn’t sound so good)

A couple of forced changes saw us line up as follows – Bowen, Lucas-Edge, Anthony, Elliot and Robinson. The midfield quartet comprised of Massampo, Benjamin, Horleston and Ayetine with Barker and Satchwell leading the line.

The game started well with both sides on the offensive and whilst Mickleover created a couple of gilt-edged chances it was actually Nottingham that had the ball in the net a couple of times. 

The first disallowed for a foul on Benjamin and the second the winger was in splendid isolation and also offside.

Barker opened the scoring by completing a well-worked move by sidestepping the keeper and a defender clipping a crisp shot into the unguarded net.

Nottingham continued to press and had a dipping shot that hit the bar and a header from an unmarked header clipping the woodwork on the same spot.

A second goal was needed and it came after a superb tackle by Cam Anthony broke up a dangerous attack. The ball then was moved through the midfield and Ayetine was set up by a perfectly weighted through ball and finished with aplomb.

Having a 2-0 cushion is not the best score to have and the message was to get the 3rd goal and keep a clean sheet and the three points will be ours.

The third did come soon into the half and having played the ball out to Robinson , Will’s sweet left foot cross was met in the middle by the onrushing Benjamin and all he had to do was guide the ball towards the goal and the win was secured.

We look forward tonight to the start of a tough three  match run that will define the season. Mansfield who always give us a tough game, then it’s down into deepest Mickleover to face a resurgent RBL side followed by another trip down the BCW to Long Eaton.

Reserves Keep Title Chase On Target

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves kept their Central Midlands League Premier Division South title hopes on track, with another winning result away at Nottingham.

Starting line-up Fin Bowen – Jake Edge-Lucas – Cam Anthony – Ash Elliott – Will Robinson – Lewis Benjamin – Lopes Massampo – Ben Horleston – Jude Ayetine – Fin Barker – Josh Satchwell. Subs: Freddie Murphy, Emilio De Abreu, Devon Smith.

Goals from Barker, Benjamin and Ayetine gave Mickleover a 3-0 victory, which moves them back into second place in the table, with three games in hand.

They are at home again tomorrow night against Mansfield Hosiery Mills, before travelling a few minutes down the road to face third in the table Mickleover RBL on Saturday.