It was back to NPL duty for Mickleover with a visit to Grantham Town.

Starting line-up. 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Roger Lee 5-James Butler 6-Joe Bateman 7-Andy Dales 15-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Josh Satchwell. Subs: Ben Gowing, Ethan Mann, Ben Lewin, George Atwal, Phil Watt.

In the opening minutes Bennett was pushed from behind, no foul was given, but it was only four minutes in when Grantham went ahead with opportunistic opening goal.

Michael Williams managed to dispossess Butler wide to the right and had a player in the clear to his right. But rather than make the pass, he spotted Hawkins off his line and lobbed the ball over the Mickleover keepers head for 0-1.

Mickleover were quick to try and retaliate, with Dales finding Beavon who earned a corner, but it came to nought.

Bacon almost made it through the home defence with a long run after eight minutes, which was then turned into a Grantham break with Hawkins saving.

Bateman was starting to play the ball out nicely from defence, with some creativity from Lee and Agustien trying to feed the strikefore.

Mickleover had two good tries on goal consecutively, as Satchwell had his attempt blocked, similarly Dales too after a pass from Beavon.

A minute later Dales crossed to find Bacon in the middle, who was fouled by Finley Shrimpton. No free kick was given, but they did win another corner.

While Mickleover’s build up was precise and gradual, Grantham were more on the break, but when Nathan Modest had a chance for the hosts after 17 minutes, he fired his shot straight at Hawkins.

 

Bennett was finding the overlap route he often favours blocked on the right, but Morris had more freedom down the left and put in a nice 20^th minute cross, just out of reach of Bacon.

Lee’s attempt to start a run was thwarted by a heavily mistimed tackle, which did earn a free kick, but the hosts again had it covered.

Shrimpton was then booked for a late tackle on Agustien, before another gradual build up started by Lee, was blocked and became yet another Grantham break.

Dales then crossed from a corner after 28 minutes and found Butler, who headed just wide, but he then ran almost half of the field before being intercepted, with Morris tying to follow up being blocked too.

Into the last 15 minutes of the first half it was still fairly even, despite Grantham’s lead. 33 minutes and another Dales run was blocked, but two minutes later and there was success.

Dales put the ball out onto the wing for Morris, whose cross found Beavon in the middle and there was no mistake on this occasion, 1-1.

Three minutes later Beavon created his own space outside the box, turned and fired just over the bar. He had another half chance too before the half time whistle, when a Morris cross just missed connecting.

Grantham started the second half with an immediate attack too, but Williams shot was well over and from the goal kick Dales cross found Agustien, but his shot was blocked and earned another corner.

Agustien sized himself for a shot on goal from a free kick after Shrimpton fouled Dales again. The shot was easily saved by James Pollard in the Grantham goal though.

While Butler and Bateman were coping with the Grantham breaks, Agustien was yellow carded after 52 minutes after he appeared to have been obstructed.

Dales and Bacon then combined positively, before Dales attempt was just wide of the post. Beavon then spotted Pollard slightly off his line and tried his luck too.

The Mickleover strike force were starting to look more threatening and after 56 minutes, Satchwell, Beavon and Bacon combined to give Dales an opening, but again his path was blocked.

Grantham broke after the Mickleover charge was blocked, but Shrimpton’s attempt on goal managed to clear the boundary fence.

Probably the best chance of the second half came just before the hour, when Beavon’s cross met with Dales, whose shot was tipped over by Pollard.

Gowing then came on for Satchwell and Hawkins was called into action again, when a scramble in the Sports area ended when he safely gathered the ball.

There were various heads trying to connect from a telling ball from Dales into the area after 69 minutes and then Grantham sub Many Kianga earned a free kick and a yellow card for Bacon, after a theatrical conclusion to the strikers tackle.

Gowing had a shot over from a Lee pass after 79 minutes and then Butler went in the book too.

Mickleover went for a final push, but still wary of a Grantham break. Beavon shot wide after collecting from a short corner and with two minutes on the clock, Bacon was fouled right on the edge of the Grantham box. 

Bacon had a final attempt almost on time, but was blocked and a final Grantham effort went across the face of the goal, but wasn’t collected.

So it was a first away point earned in a tough match, with Grantham managing to stifle some of the Mickleover style, while relying on positive and often dangerous breaks themselves. 

by Peter Scherer (photo: Leek Town)

For the second successive year Mickleover were drawn away to Leek Town in the FA Cup, but on this occasion it was played Buxton’s Silverlands ground, with Leek’s new pitch not available yet.

Starting line-up 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Roger Lee 5-James Butler 6-Joe Bateman 7-Andy Dales 8-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dempsey Arlott-John. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ethan Mann, Ben Gowing, Bobby Battisson, Ben Lewin.

Within seconds of the kick off it could easily have been 1-0 when Beavon hit the woodwork . But Leek were straight on the attack and Trickett-Smith, Saxon and Clarke all went close too.

A Leek corner after 28 minutes pulled out a fine save from Hawkins, from a Chadwick header. Before a later header hit the woodwork again, but amazingly and despite the chances to both sides, it remained 0-0 at half time.

Just as in the first half Sports had their first chance of the second half within the first minute, but this time Dales put it home, for 1-0 after 46 minutes.

Clarke then had a good run for Leek but was unable to get a shot in and it came to nought. 

Sports skipper Butler was yellow carded after 68 minutes and the first substitution was made after 76 minutes, with Battisson on for Arlott-John. Gowing followed shortly afterwards for Agustien, which was soon followed by Sports second goal, when Bacon made it 2-0 from close range after 86 minutes.

The scorer then came off to make way for Satchwell and the final minutes were played out with Mickleover safely into the second qualifying round draw, with games due to be played  on September 18^th.

by Peter Scherer

For the second successive season it’s Leek Town away in Mickleover’s first FA Cup foray of the season. 

Last season goals from Stuart Beavon and Dec Bacon secured a 2-1 victory for Mickleover.

This year’s match will be played at Buxton, due to Leek’s 3G pitch installation being delayed.

They haven’t had the best of starts to the season and currently lie 14^th in the NPL West, with four points from four games.

Their first win came at Market Drayton last Monday, when despite being reduced to 10 men when Zack Clarke received a straight red, they were 1-0 victors thanks to a Will Saxon goal.

On Tuesday it’s back to NPL League action as we visit Grantham Town.

They have a difficult start to the season again, having struggled over the last two seasons, currently 20th. 

They beat Radcliffe 2-1 away on the first day of the season, but apart from a 1-1 draw at home to Basford on Bank Holiday Monday, they have lost their other four games, including a 7-2 defeat at home to Lancaster.

Their new manager ex England International Carlton Palmer, has just signed two loanees from Alfreton Town before Saturdays FA Cup tie at Nantwich. Striker Harvey Grice, ex Nottingham Forest Academy and winger Rio Molyneaux, a former Mansfield players.

Mickleover have a few injury concerns though, with leading scorer Andy Dales hoping to be fit after taking an ankle knock against Hyde Utd. George Milner is still recovering from his ankle injury and skipper Mason Warren is out for a couple of weeks still with a broken collarbone, but centre back Phil Watt is also a doubt with a tight hamstring.

It might be too early for Vice Captain Andrew Wright to return to the first team though, despite coming through a successful 45 minutes return against Coventry City last night.

by Peter Scherer

Coventry City brought a strong under 23 based line-up to the Don Amott Arena for last nights friendly match, with Sports going down 1-0 to a first half goal.

Starting line-up: 1-Tom Smith 2-Larrel King 3-Alex Morris 4-Roger Lee 5-Pablo Mills 6-Ethan Mann 7-Bobby Battisson 8-Ben Gowing 9-Dec Bacon 10-Josh Satchwell 11-Andrew Wright. Subs: Fin Bowen, Jake Edge-Lucas, Zach Robertson, Luca Moncho, “Trialist.”

Coventry’s pace and skill was evident from the opening minute, firing in their first shot.

But Mickleover were trying to play their normal game and a nice move from Bacon left Battisson’s shot blocked after four minutes.

Mann was having problems with the pacey Fabio Tavares, and having outrun the young Sports defender, he earned the visitors first corner after five minutes, but the following header landed safely in Smith’s hands.

It was end to end for a while, with Battisson firing a chance shot straight at keeper Tyler, before Coventry made another charge downfield with a header just over.

As the visitors piled the pressure on they had another telling cross into the box from the left, but the following shot was again just off target.

As Lee and Gowing played deeper midfield roles, Battisson and Wright continued to be the ones to make the breaks and after 11 minutes Battisson found Bacon, whose forward pass was a fraction short for Satchwell.

Only a minute later Tavares was on the receiving end when the defence was split. He was left with a long run in, and despite Smith charging off his line, he rounded the keeper and it was 0-1.

Five minutes later and Coventry went close again, with Mann losing out to the fiery Tavares. A couple of attempts were blocked, and even a fancy back heel failed to get through.

Mickleover pushed hard to try and come back and Bacon was making progress earning a corner 19minutes in.

Tavares broke free again after 25 minutes though, but as Smith came out to narrow the angle he shot wide.

As half time approached Sports had a positive but long build up through King, Bacon and Battisson, which was initially blocked, before Satchwell collected but just couldn’t create the space to shoot.

Mills came up for the corner just before the stroke of half time, but his header was taken safely by Tyler and it remained 0-1.

Having successfully come through his comeback 45 minutes, Wright was replaced by Edge-Lucas for the second half.

It was even for the first 10 minutes again, but Mickleover were pushing harder and earned a couple of corners, with Mills heading just wide of the post from the second.

One of the Coventry Players was booked for a foul on Battisson, but as Satchwell and Bacon piled in from the free kick, the visitors had to clear off the line.

Both sides continued with quick breaks from defence, through midfield, with Edge-Lucas playing a positive role.

On the hour Moncho came on for Bacon, but it Coventry going closer again with some random shots.

As Morris started to push forward more in the second half, Sports added a new dimension to their attack and after 65 minutes he earned a corner, with Mann’s header just wide.

Mills came off after 20 minutes to make way for Robertson, after a solid if unexpected performance. Morris was then subbed to make way for a trialist.

A few minutes later and Mickleover were unlucky not to be on level terms. Gowing started the move and put Battisson clear down the right. He was away but his shot just glanced the right hand post, with Keeper Tyler well beaten.

Moncho then started to settle down and with eight minutes on the clock he ran through, found Satchwell on the right, but his attempts to cut inside were blocked.

Two minutes later there was a penalty appeal waved away after Battisson was tripped, and the young midfielder went on a late charge too, after picking up a long defensive clearance. Head down he was going for it, but the keeper made the critical interception.

Although  a one goal defeat it was a good performance against a strong, well drilled Coventry team and bodes well for the future.

by Peter Scherer

The opening round of the FA Youth Cup can always throw up an upset of two, but despite some aggressive tackling and dubious officialdom, Mickleover won through as 2-0 winners over Lincoln United.

Starting line-up: 1-Fin Bowen 2-Jake Edge-Lucas 3-Will Robinson 4-George Atwal 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ronnie Bonser 7-Bobby Battisson 8-Ben Horleston 9- Kai Moore 10-Freddie Murphy 11-Fin Barker. Subs: Luca Moncha, Jack Tucker, Zach Robertson, Declan Brown.

Lincoln pushed forward from the start and gave Bowen an early touch with a weak header

The visitors had a good chance too after eight minutes, but the visiting striker placed his shot straight at Bowen.

Mickleover’s first real attack came a couple of minutes later, with Barker and Moore combining down the right, before Barker was fouled on the edge of the box.

The initial free kick was blocked, before Battisson picked up the rebound and shot just over.

Sports began to push forward, with short interpassing moves, Edge-Lucas and Robinson were on the overlap, but the final ball either wasn’t happening, or was blocked.

Barker charged through the defence after 18 minutes, with a good shot just wide of the post and two minutes he was brought down by the visiting keeper as he headed for goal. 

The penalty was awarded, but not even a yellow card for the offending keeper, who then celebrated after Atwal penalty went wide of the left hand post.

Lincoln got through for another shot after 27 minutes, again straight at Bowen, before Battisson put one wide  at the opposite end a couple of minutes later.

Mickleover had taken charge and Barker had another shot just wide on the half hour, before Robinson charge down the left just before time, found no one in the box to receive his cross.

Lincoln appealed for a penalty too in the final minute of the first half, before a scramble in their goal mouth after a charge down field, provided a half chance, but it remained 0-0.

Mickleover came out fighting for the second half and Atwal had a good try in the opening minute.

Barker then got through, but couldn’t get space for his shot initially, before his second attempt went wide.

50 minutes in Lincoln had a chance right in front of goal, but failed to deliver.

The deadlock began to seem never ending despite Mickleover’s domination, with Mann and Bonser strong at the back Horleston and Murphy working had in the middle

After 53 minutes Edge-Lucas came charging down the wing , to feed Barker, who shot just over.

Finally it was 56 minutes gone when Atwal set off a move to Barker, who found Robinson charging in from defence again, firing past the Lincoln keeper to open the scoring, 1-0.

It was so nearly a second goal when another Robinson move came across the Lincoln goal, Moore slid in and missed connecting by inches.

Moore had a header just over from a Barker cross, but they both had a part to play in the second goal. Barker had put the ball in and Moore followed up, but in the melee, Lincoln’s centre back managed to out it passed his own keeper, 2-0.

Moore was somehow given a yellow card when the Lincoln keeper challenged him head first, one a number of strange refereeing decisions. 

Mickleover continued to push forward and Barker found the busy Murphy in space, his shot wasn’t far off too.

The Lincoln side began to show more aggression as they lost out to the skilful approach from Mickleover. Moore broke out of a mistimed tackle to shoot just over after 82 minutes.

 

The referee’s inconsistency was highlighted when he gave Bonser a straight red card, for a challenge no worse than those from the visitors minutes earlier, which escaped without a word.

Robertson came on for Moore and Moncho for Murphy, but Lincoln had a late free kick, which brought the best out of Bowen as he made a diving save.

Almost on time the Lincoln keeper was lucky to stay on the pitch, after he charged off his line and clattered Battisson to the ground, but the referee didn’t appear to see it. Battisson went close again in the excessive amount of time added on.

Overall it was a strong performance from the Mickleover boys, against their excessively aggressive visitors. To say the refereeing was poor would be an understatement, and it was odd that Mickleover finished with 10 men, yet Lincoln’s keeper alone could have been red carded twice!!

by Peter Scherer

There’s a bonus match for Mickleover fans this week, when they face Coventry City in a friendly match at the Don Amott Arena on Thursday evening September 2^nd.

There has always been a link between Sports and the Sky Blues, which became enhanced when gaffer John McGrath’s son Jay joined Mark Robins squad.

Coventy currently lie seventh in the EFL Championship, but went down to QPR away last weekend. There could well be some Coventy first teamers having run out too, as they don’t have a league match this weekend, there next game due at home to Middlesbrough on the 11^th.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover returned to winning ways at the Don Amott Arena with a 3-2 over Hyde United.

Starting line-up 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 15-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dempsey Arlott-John. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Roger Lee, Ben Gowing, Bobby Battisson, Ben Lewin.

Mickleover were first on the attack with a Dales and Beavon build up and a final shot from Bacon just past the post.

Five minutes later Bateman supplied a nice long through ball,  just too long, before Dales had the first of many runs to find Arlott-John, with Beavon shooting just over from long range.

Hyde were pushing forward too and James Kingsley had a shot comfortably taken by Hawkins after 15 minutes.

But two minutes later Hyde burst down their right wing,  with both Morris and Agustien failing to stop Harry Benns. Liam Hardy was clear and he fired the visitors in a 0-1 lead.

Mickleover came straight back and Arlott-John crossed from the right, leaving Bacon with almost half a chance, as his 20^th minute effort was blocked.

Another Arlott-John run earned a free-kick three minutes later, but after an initial goal mouth scramble from Agustien’s kick, Beavon’s attack was foiled by Tongue and the ball was cleared.

Dales had a shot blocked from just outside the box after 27 minutes, before a break from Hyde forced Hawkins into another save.

It was almost 0-2 after 31 minutes when Butler cleared off the line with Hawkins under pressure, but Arlott-John was again causing problems for the Hyde defence.

After 34 minutes he got the ball into the box but no one collected and only a minute later he found Bennett in the box, just wide to the right for shooting, but his effort was blocked by Hyde skipper Tom Pratt and out for a corner.

As in previous games Bateman was looking strong both in and running out of defensive midfield. His piercing 37^th minute through ball split the Hyde defence wide open. With Bacon on the receiving end it was 1-1, despite Hyde keeper Joe Green getting one hand to it.

Only two minutes later it was 2-1, after another Bateman, Arlott-John and Dales build up, finding Bennett clear in front of goal, placing his shot nicely wide of Green.

Pratt then saw an opening for Hyde and fired his effort high and wide, before a Bateman block handed Hyde a corner, which was easily cleared by Agustien.

Hawkins had another save to make before the half time whistle, before Arlott-John had his effort at the other end blocked.

So into half time with a 2-1 lead, and having taken charge after that early goal for the visitors.

Within the first minute of the second half Agustien let loose with a pile driver from just outside the area. It was wide, but very powerful.

Hyde were straight to the other end with a shot wide from Tongue too, as they continued to push forward again.

A  token effort from the visitors, was followed by a weak header, straight into Hawkins’ hands.

54 minutes gone and a lovely weighted cross from the left found Dales right in front of goal and he comfortably made it 3-1!

Dales came off straight after scoring, having taken a knock on his left ankle, with Bobby Battisson replacing.

The continuing push from Mickleover made the Hyde defence look rather fragile at times. Bennett found Battisson whose shot was just wide.

Just after Battisson had another try on goal, Hyde were awarded a penalty when Butler pushed Hardy in the back on the hour. 

Hardy stepped up to take the kick and it was 3-2 with Hawkins guessing the wrong way.

The lead was almost restored within a couple of minutes but defender Roscoe came to the rescue, with a last ditch tackle on the pacey Arlott-John, earning another corner.

The Mickleover attacks continued to flow with Battisson finding Arlott-John, whose centred for Bacon, but the striker hadn’t got room to turn.

Beavon then ran through the middle and fired his shot just wide of the left hand post after 65 minutes. A minute later he collected a long ball and attempted to find Bacon, but the initial pass was just too long, but Bacon still collected, though his shot suffered as a consequence.

Watt and Butler had been their usual solid looking duo at the back for Mickleover, but after Watt took a knock, Lee came on and Bateman dropped into the back line.

There were still more attacks to come from Mickleover, despite Hyde looking for an equaliser.

74 minutes and Arlott-John battled his way through again despite having been on the ground in mid run, but Beavon’s run was intercepted by keeper Green.

It was end to end and Bacon tried his luck from outside the box, with an effort high over the bar, while two minutes later Pratt’s attempt for Hyde was safely collected by Hawkins.

Satchwell came on for the last few minutes replacing Arlott-John and was almost through on goal after a timely interception from Agustien sent him on a long run. 

In almost the final kick of the game there was one final chance for Mickleover, when Battisson was barely inches away from intercepting a back pass from keeper Green.

So it was three points and a 100 per cent home record, as we look forward to two more games on the road. On Saturday it’s the FA Cup at Leek Town and next Tuesday Grantham Town in the NPL.