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.
by Peter Scherer
18 year old midfielder Ben Radcliffe has joined on a 28 day work experience loan from Burton Albion, where he is a regular member of the Brewers under 18 team.
He was on the Mickleover bench for the time in the away defeat at FC United.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
