Author: Square Peg

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.

Walters Double Wins Hard Fought Home Point: Warrington (H)

by Peter Scherer

It’s been said a number of times already this season, but Saturday’s home game against Warrington proved to be another game of two distinct halves.

Starting line-up: 1 Callum Hawkins 2 Jake Bennett 3 Jordan Gough 4 James Butler 5 Phil Watt 6 Kemy Agustien 7 Joe Bateman 8 Mason Warren 9 Dempsey Arlott-John 10 Stuart Beavon 11 Dexter Walters. Subs: Andy dales, Ethan Mann, Pablo Mills, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Roger Lee.

The game started strongly for Mickleover with Arlott-John threatening in the box after only three minutes before Dan Atherton in the visitors goal cleared for a throw.

Two minutes later Bennett had dropped a telling ball into the box, from which Beavon half connected with a shot at the keeper again.

From the clearance Warrington had their first attack, with Mols crossing to find Grivosti who headed over the bar.

Mickleover had the edge in midfield, with Warren in command, ably supported by Agustien and Bateman,

Beavon was looking to go on a run after seven minutes, but was fouled on the halfway line, but only two minutes later it was 1-0 to Sports, Warren had found Arlott-John again, he turned and shot but his initial attempt was blocked, before Baillie cleared an attempt from Beavon off the line.

The ball then found Walters lurking just outside the area and the on loan striker smashed a crisp and firm shot into the top right hand corner, with keeper Atherton well beaten.

As Warrington started to push forward to seek the equaliser, Hawkins covered a half chance, before Butler blocked a 16th minute shot.

The pressure was on and over a three minute period, Grivosti shot straight at Hawkins, Baillie fired over from long range and Reid created his own space before putting in a weak final effort.

But Mickleover came fighting back with more determination than has been seen of late, as Bateman put a nice ball through to Beavon, whose shot was blocked again, but earned a corner.

Agustien’s kick found skipper Watt, who turned to fire a strong shot just over the bar after 22 minutes.

Watt was in particularly good form backed up well by Butler, while both Bennett and Gough played more of a defensive wing back role than pushing forward.

Warren tried a random shot from well out after half an hour, which was well over the bar, but Warrington were still pressing and began to look vulnerable in defence themselves.

Baillie tried another long shot for the visitors which was well over, but in the 36th minute Duggan failed to clear his lines and Arlott-John intercepted.

Atherton was quickly out of his goal, but Arlott-John took the ball around him and squared it back from the by line. There were defenders on the line, but Walters smashed in his second of the match, 2-0.

Grivosti went for his Oscar though after a challenge with Watt as half time approached, but Hawkins had to make one more save before the whistle, tipping over from a Williams shot.

The second half was barely underway when appeals for a penalty were rejected when Arlott-John was upended.

Gough then had a positive attack down the left, feeding Beavon, whose header was just over, while after five minutes Arlott-John had another strong run and was close to breaking through the Warrington defence again and all inside a five minute opening spell.

But the tide then turned with Grivosti’s initial effort punched out by Hawkins, only to find Williams, who fed Duffy to make it 2-1.

It was still fairly even still and Arlott-John went close again after 58 minutes with a spectacular overhead kick.

Mols then got over ambitious and lost possession for Warrington, only for Grivosti to intercept again and shoot over the bar.

Gough headed clear after the visitors had a dangerous free kick and Arlott-John was taken down again in the 63rd minute, but Agustien’s free kick went wide.

Warrington were almost on equal terms when they got a break after a Bateman shot was blocked. Hawkins had to come racing out to go one on one with Reid, but despite putting it around the keeper, Watt was on hand to clear.

Only a minute later it was 2-2 after Williams’ kick pierced the Mickleover lines.

Mickleover made their first change when Dales came on for Arlott-John, but Warrington had started to take control in midfield and left the Mickleover’s defence looking vulnerable.

Walters had another half chance but fired well wide, before Williams tried a lob for Warrington equally wide of the mark.

Bateman lost possession on the left which allowed Warrington sub McDonald a run. But he failed to maximise his opportunity and shot straight at Hawkins.

Into the last 15 minutes and Beavon was blocked as he prepared to shoot, but it was the visitors that were looking more dangerous.

Agustien had a pot shot well wide, before Davidson-Miller came on for Walters.

Warrington continued to seek the winner and after 84 minutes they had a shot cleared off the line, before Watt was outpaced by Mackreth, but there was no one to receive his cross.

Hawkins had to pull off another acrobatic save from a Duggan shot, before Mickleover almost got a break too with two minutes on the clock. But Davidson-Miller’s charge was stopped with Atherton charging from his goal.

Watt made a final headed clearance to retain the hard fought point, but Warrington’s second half fight back had proven just too strong for the battling Mickleover side.

Sports v Warrington This Weekend!

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday Mickleover FC have a tough home game, with Warrington Town the visitors. 

Currently sixth in the NPL, Warrington have won nine of their 17 games so far, including wins on the road at Ashton, Lancaster, Stafford and Grantham.

Following last Saturday’s victory over Atherton, Mickleover are back up to 18th in the table, but with teams around them having games in hand, points particularly at home are critical to escape the drop zone.

Warrington are captained by 6ft+ defender Mark Roberts, who started his career at Crewe Alexandra. He made seven first team appearances at Gresty Road and also had loans at Leek, Vauxhall Motors, Southport, Chester and Halifax, before joining Northwich after another initial loan.

In 2007 he joined league two Accrington Stanley and played 37 games before moving on again. After a brief return to Northwich, he was back to the Football League action with Stevenage, Fleetwood, Cambridge Utd and Forest Green Rovers, making almost 350 appearances and is now in his fourth season at Warrington.

Goalkeeper Daniel Atherton was signed during the summer. A former Liverpool junior, he also had a spell on loan at Marine last year and spent some time at Warrington last year too, before a brief foray in the US. 

James Baillie is a right back and another former Crewe Junior. He had a loan at Nantwich before being released, from where he moved onto Curzon Ashton. He joined Warrington in September last year.

Central midfielder Jay Harris was a summer signing. Starting out at Everton, he had a couple of seasons at Accrington, before moving onto Chester City. He then spent five years at Wrexham, scoring 20 goals in over 200 appearances.

He was with Tranmere Rovers when they regained their league status and then had a season at Macclesfield before rejoining Wrexham in January 2020.

Mitch Duggan is a defensive midfielder. A Tranmere Junior he had loans at Marine and Warrington, before joining our visitors permanently in July 2018. He has been out on loan at Flint and Southport, but is now back at Warrington and part of their first team squad.

Left back Eddie Clarke is another former Tranmere junior, but is currently on the injured list. He joined Fleetwood in July 2018, and after loans at Macclesfield and Stockport, was released to join Warrington in November last year. Like Duggan he also had a loan spell at Flint earlier this year too.

Winger Jack Mackreth came from Bala Town in the summer. He is yet another former Tranmere junior. He had a brief spell at Hyde, before longer spells at Barrow, Macclesfield and Grimsby. Then return trips to Tranmere and Macclesfield followed, with a short stay at Bury and he spent most 0f 2017/18 at Wrexham, before coming to Warrington in 2018. He went to Bala in February and was back at Warrington to start this season.

Striker Jordan Buckley was another one of a number of Warrington players who spent the early months of this year in Welsh football. Previously at Irlam, he signed from FC United in January 2020, and then went to Flint in February before heading back to Warrington in July.

Bohan Dixon is a midfielder who started out in the Welsh League with Connah’s Quay. He quickly moved on to Buckley Town, before dropping back into local football in Liverpool.

He was then signed by Hednesford Town in August 2011, moving to Burscough before dropping back to local league level. But a year later he was spotted by Accrington and his career was on the rise again.

After a loan at Marine he joined Lincoln City, but quickly moved on via Northwich, Salford City, Stalybridge Celtic, AFC Fylde, Halifax, Stockport and Ashton, before finally arriving at Warrington in September 2018.

Striker Dom Reid is a returnee, after played for Warrington a couple of seasons ago. An ex Rochdale youth player, he has also played for Bootle, AFC Fylde, Prescot Cables and Marine before coming to Warrington in 2018. He then moved to City of Liverpool and made his return pre-season.

Josh Amis is yet another Warrington player who had a spell in the Welsh League with Flint, before returning in the summer. Originally a Preston junior, he had loans at Stockport and Northwich, before the latter became permanent. 

The young striker then returned to Stockport and after spells at Altrincham and Marine signed initially for Warrington in July 2018.

Midfielder Ben Hough was picked up from Oldham Athletic in the summer, after signed for Latics as a 10 year old from Runcorn Linnets.

Matty Regan is an ex England under 16, 17 and 18 international who started out at Liverpool’s Academy. He then joined Nottingham Forest, before going to Tamworth on his release.

The centre back had more loans at Hednesford and Worcester City, before joining Stalybridge in 2014. Further moves to Colwyn Bay, Curzon Ashton and Farsley Celtic, preceded his arrival at Warrington. He is however, currently out injured.

Spanish midfielder Stefan Mols had only just been signed, having been released by Blackburn Rovers in July.

Luke Duffy is another attacking midfielder, who was signed in September 2020 from Lower Breck FC, he has also been part of Salford City’s development side.

Matt Grivosti was another young striker found in local football, before being signed up pre-season.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena will be 3pm as usual, the bar will be open and the forecast is dry but overcast.

Sports Sign New Striker

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover gave a second half debut to new signing Jahvan Davidson-Miller in the home win against Atherton.

The former Derby County Junior striker has spent time at Belper Town and Kettering before joining Barwell in late 2018.

Back To Winning Ways: Atherton Collieries (H)

by Peter Scherer

Not only did Mickleover returning to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Atherton Collieries, it was their first double of the season, having beaten the Greater Manchester team away a few weeks ago.

Starting line-up 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Jordan Gough 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Joe Bateman 8-Mason Warren 9-Andy Dales 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dexter Walters. Subs: Dempsey Arlott-John, Adam Haw, Pablo Mills, Jahvan Davidson. Ethan Mann.

It took a while for both teams to get up to pace, but Mickleover had their first chance after 16 minutes. Andy Dales led a counter attack from his own half, and having outpaced the defence, his cross went across the face of the goal with no one able to connect.

Seven minutes later a good positive build up from Warren out wide found Dales again, but his shot was blocked and went out for a corner.

It was still 0-0 when the visitors had their chance to open the scoring, but Elliot Rokka’s powerful close range shot was straight at Hawkins, who saved confidently.

Mickleover began to take charge towards the end of the first half, which was to bode well in the second.

Only three minutes back in action and it was 1-0 to Mickleover. A cross from Dales found Warren, who buried a powerful shot from 18 yards out into the bottom corner, with Atherton keeper Luke Hutchinson well beaten.

Six minutes later Warren was on the mark again, after a telling crossed had found Dales in the box, he was fouled in a melee of legs and the penalty was awarded.

Warren’s kick sent Hutchinson the wrong way, deep into the left corner 2-0.

Atherton continued to try and push forward and Marcus Cusani managed a shot in the 64th minute, but it was just over the bar.

Mickleover made their first change when Arlott-John came on for Walters after 65 minutes. But only a few minutes later it was so nearly a third for Sports. 

Agustien’s free kick was initially saved by Hutchinson before he pulled off an excellent reflex save from the rebound too.

Davidson came on for his debut replacing Beavon after 77 minutes, but the points were secure and just as importantly the Mickleover defence kept a clean sheet.

Mickleover Seek To Repeat Atherton Victory

by Peter Scherer

This weekend Mickleover face Atherton Collieries at the Don Amott Arena, in a game brought forward from January 29th. 

Atherton were the victims of Mickleover’s only away so far this season, so while we look to try and take three points to ease relegation fears, our visitors will be seeking revenge.

They were in 11th in the NPL before our visit, but have only taken one point since, in a home draw against South Shields. They went down 2-0 at Buxton on Tuesday night, and are now 16th.

Sharing goal keeping duties in recent matches have been Bolton loanee Luke Hutchinson and Elliott Wynne.

Wynne started out with Oldham Athletic and Rochdale, before joining AFC Fylde. He has also played for Fleetwood and Lancaster City, Glossop North and Abbey Hey, before joining Altrincham, prior to his move to Atherton.

Clive Smith is a right back who started out at Preston North End. He had loans at Bamber Bridge and St.Johnstone, but never made the Preston first team and was released in December 2017. After six months at Southport he joined Droylsden and has been at Atherton since December 2018. But after being carried off in Tuesday nights game at Buxton, he’s a doubtful starter this weekend.

Wing back Gareth Peet is an Atherton legend, having joined the club back in 2010. He has also played at Ashton, Skelmersdale and Nelson.

US born Luca De Freitas-Hansen was a pre-season signing from Ashton. The young centre back played for Weston Academy and Portland Pilots in the States, before joining Ashton Athletic in August 2018.His brother plays for Swansea City.

Centre back and skipper Danny Lafferty is another long serving player, having joined Atherton 13 years ago. He has also played for Oldham Borough and Radcliffe Borough. 

Joel Amado came from Trafford FC at the end of last season. The young defender has also played at Curzon Ashton and Irlam and represented England Universities.

Attacking midfielder Ben Conway has returned to Atherton in July 2018 after playing in the US with IW Cardinals, OKC Energy and Corpus Christi.

Danny Lambert is another long serving player. The winger started out at Wigan, before moving on to Darlington and is now in his fifth year at Atherton. He has also played at Ashton, Radcliffe and Trafford.

Another player in his second spell with our hosts is striker Marcus Cusani. He came back to Atherton last season after a spell at Warrington and has also played for Ashton.

Central midfielder Jack Lenehan is a former Rochdale junior. He was loaned to Prescott Cables before joining Chorley and came to Atherton last year after a season with FC United.

Scott Sephton started out with Leigh Genesis. Prior to joining Atherton in May, the midfielder was captain of Stalybridge Celtic. He has also played for Matlock, Warrington, Buxton, Ashton, Trafford, Porthmadog and Prescott Cables.

Striker Elliot Rokka has come from the Tranmere Academy. He arrived at Atherton in March last year from Radcliffe.

Young defender Niall Battersby was spotted playing in the local Manchester League and signed for Atherton. While Luke Hutchinson is second choice keeper and is on loan until January from Bolton Wanderers.

Lewis Doyle is another young midfielder, who was signed from Accrington in July last year. He was previously at Southport, having started out in the Preston North End Academy.

Ethan Kershaw was a Burnley junior before joining Longridge. He moved to Mossley in July last year and came to Atherton pre-season.

Matty Gillam was another new pre-season signing. The young striker was with Rochdale until August last year and had loan spells at Stalybridge and Cork City, before joining Guiseley on his release.

Aaron Smith was signed a week before our visit to Atherton and made his debut this week with a goal in the 2-1 win at Bamber Bridge. He started as a Nottingham Forest junior, before spending a year in Scotland with Hamilton Academicals.  From there he moved to Ashton Utd, before joining Northwich 1874. He went back to Ashton and then moved to Curzon Ashton, before his return to Northwich preceded his arrival at Atherton. 

Former Blackpool midfielder Rowan Roache is a recent new signing from Workington. During his time at Blackpool he had loans at Southport, FC United, Derby County and Lancaster, before his loan at Bamber Bridge became permanent. He then moved on to Altrincham in November last year, before joining Workington at the beginning of this season.

Kick off as usual is 3pm and Sports can do with all the support they can muster.