Author: Square Peg

Introducing Larell King

by Peter Scherer

For those of you who haven’t got along to any of the Central Midlands League South matches with Mickleover Reserves, the name Larrel King might not be familiar?

The Derby born defender is one of the success stories of manager John McGrath’s summer trials and is now a regular member of the successful reserve team.

After five years at Burton Albion’s Academy, he had spent the last two years as part of Mansfield Town’s under 18 side.

Mansfield then disbanded the team following the first Lockdown,

I can’t say that was the main decision why I left them, but it didn’t help.

said Larell.

So at 19 years of age he was left with his football aspirations on hold.

I had spoken to someone I knew from Mansfield, who was now at Long Eaton Utd, but apart from that I hadn’t made any moves to stay in football until I saw the Mickleover trials advert.

Larell didn’t know that John and his colleagues Stuart Beavon and Pablo Mills weren’t aware of his background.

I was nervous before I arrived, but convinced myself that I was going there to prove my ability. I stayed positively minded and it worked me as I was selected.

he added.

His strong overlapping runs from right back has been one of the highlights of the reserves season so far.

I think I have been playing well, but my aim is the first team, as I wanted to try and go higher and set myself targets.

Seeing himself in the same style of play as England’s Kyle Walker, his main aim at present is keeping fit during the further Lockdown.

I am going for runs, doing solo skills training and have some gym equipment at home too.

So let’s hope we can all watch Larell’s career progress in the red and black of Mickleover, in the not too distant future.

Trial And Trial Again

by Peter Scherer

With Covid restrictions and Lockdown’s having forced an early cessation last season, Mickleover boss John McGrath had to consider future recruitment in a different way to his normal plans.

It was my idea to run trials, based on my own experience 10 years ago. I was playing at Burton and was invited to coach for a day at Halifax, for trialists to win a contract and I think we found them two players from it.

he explained.

Usually the talent scouting had been by watching other matches, but with no games from March onwards, John decided to use the same trial system himself.

I had to adjust the policy and decided to have the trials, with Stuart Beavon and Pablo Mills helping me run it.

There were over 40 players who signed up for the two day evaluation sessions.

We looked at each player physically, how they coped with pressure of football, had small games and scenarios and some technical stuff too, before a full game on the Sunday.

But was the weekend a success?

I was optimistic that we would find someone, who maybe could make it at the level we needed and the standard was good. We knew nothing about their backgrounds before they arrived and ages varied from young teenagers to players with experience in their 30’s. It was a great success and that’s why we are looking to repeat it this summer too

he concluded.

16 year olds Bobby Battisson and Louis Pennington both came from the trials and as well as studying at the clubs Academy, have become regular reserve team players and have made first team debut’s too, after playing successfully as part of the first team squad in pre-season.

Also from the trials has come right back Larell King, Derby born, but after six years at Burton Albion’s Academy, he was previously at Mansfield Town last season and is now a member of Mickleover’s successful reserve side.

Look out for an interview with Larell coming soon …

Just For Interest

by Peter Scherer

Back in March the 2019/20 was abandoned with South Shields 12 points clear at the top and Mickleover down in 15th.

With not even a quarter of this season’s games played, it is already beginning to look as if for the second successive year, the season will be abandoned unless there is a miracle solution.

With Mickleover riding high at the top of the NPL at present, it’s easy to sympathise with our North Eastern rivals, but if we add last season’s completed fixtures to the ones played this season so far, it makes interesting reading.

                             P    W    D    L   PTS  GD    19/20     20/21 

                                                                         Position   Pos

 1 South Shields 42  25    9    8   84   +34        1           6

 2 Basford           41  22    8   11  74   +16        4           2

 3 Warrington    41  21    8   12  71   +18        3           4

 4 FC United       39  18   13   8   67   +14        2          13

 5 Whitby           40  18   10  12  64   +13        7           7

 6 Lancaster       41  17   12  12  63   +14        5          12

 7 Nantwich       37  17   10  10  61   +25        6          15

 8 Scarborough 43  17   10  16  61    –  4        8           11

 9 Mickleover    39  18     6  15  60    + 2       15           1

10 Morpeth      34  16      9    9   57   +10         9         16

11 Gainsboro   40   15     9   16  54   +  4        11        10

12 Witton         38   15     9   14  54   +  3        14          5

13 Hyde            39   13    10  16  53   +  6        10        17

14 Buxton        40   13     13 14  52   +  7         18         3

15 Stalybridge 42   13      9  20  48   –   2        12         18

16 Radcliffe     41   14      6   21 48    -24         16        14

17 Bamber Br  42   15     5   24  44   -22         13         20

18 Matlock      34   12     6   16  42   –   1         20          8

19 Atherton    36   12     5   17  41    –  8         21          9

20 Ashton       36    11    9   16   41   – 13        17         19

21 Grantham 40      7   12   21  33   – 42        19          21

22 Stafford     41     4    12   25  24   – 36       22           22

Reserves Take Victory After Early Red Card + Mack’s Mutterings

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves fought back from an early red card, to take a hard earned three points away from their Central Midlands League South Division visit to Hilton Harriers.

Starting line-up: 1-Tom Smith 2-Larrel King 3-Tom Eccleshall 4-Marcus Calderone 5-Gus Williamson 6-Lopes Massampo 7-Louis Pennington 8-Surf Tefera 9-Jude Ayetine 10-Will Monteiro 11-Bobby Battisson.

It was a soft by playable pitch at the Mease and it was the home side that started the stronger, with Mickleover keeper Smith forced to save from a powerful early shot inside the opening minute.

Battisson then earned a free kick just outside the box, which was easily cleared by the Hilton defence, but the attacking prowess of Monteiro, Ayetine, Tefera and Battisson came to the fore.

Hilton however continued to look dangerous on the breaks, but Monteiro was almost on the end of a good move between Ayetine, Battisson and Tefera, just losing out in a one on one with Hilton keeper Wood.

But an attack from Hilton after nine minutes was to cost Mickleover dearly, when Calderone fouled a home striker just outside the box and was straight red carded.

Mickleover continued to push forward, despite being down to 10 men with a through ball from Battisson reaching Monteiro, who was inches offside.

It was to be Monteiro’s last active part in the game, as he was forced to make way for Matt Fuertado who slotted into the centre of the defence alongside skipper Williamson.

While Mickleover started to get used to their new shape, Hilton piled on the pressure, with a 16th minute shot following up from a corner, just wide for another corner, before a foul on Williamson broke up their attack.

Two minutes later a Hilton header was just wide, but the Mickleover defence was looking strong and wing backs King and Eccleshall were both able to start threatening runs.

The deadlock was broken however in the 24th minute when a good build up saw the ball switched from right to wide left, before Battisson was picked up in the centre for a decisive and clear shot into the Hilton net 1-0.

It was still end to end however and only a minute later Smith was beaten at full stretch from a cross, but there was no one on the receiving end and the danger was soon cleared.

Tefera managed to find Battisson again after 28 minutes, but the tricky teenager couldn’t find the space for a shot, as the Mickleover pressure continued.

As the half time whistle edged closer, it was Ayetine’s chance to go close, after he was clear facing the Hilton keeper, who easily collected the shot straight at him.

So despite being down to 10 men, Mickleover reached half time with both optimism and a one nil lead.

There were no changes for the second half but it started badly, with a poor clearance from Williamson putting Eccleshall under pressure, losing out to Hilton who shot just wide.

But 49 minutes in and a strong shot by the hosts hit the post before the rebound had Smith beaten 1-1.

The equaliser seemed to wake the Mickleover side up as almost from the kick off, Battisson was charging forward again, only to be tripped just outside the box.

Mickleover had earned another corner in the 50th minute, and the kick was well centred into the goal mouth, where Williamson climbed dominantly to head home for 2-1.

The attacks seemed to have more purpose as Sports began to look to secure the three points, and only a minute after the second goal Massampo had held the ball well only to be fouled on the edge of the box, but no free kick this time.

Both Massampo and Battisson had shots from outside the box saved, but keeping Hilton keeper Wood on his toes.

But it was so nearly a third when King’s run helped him get a cracking shot in from outside the box again, but with the keeper beaten it hit his left hand post.

Fin Barker replaced Ayetine after 76 minutes, but both sides continued to press, with Hilton missing out in a one on one when the shot was pulled wide.

But the third goal did come with three minutes of normal time remaining. Eccleshall came from the half way line and just kept running and running down the left flank, before cutting in solo to fire a perfect shot into the roof of the Hilton net, 3-1.

A good all round performance with three well taken goals, which now moves Mickleover to up fourth in the table, with games in hand against all of the teams above.

 

_________________

 

MACK’S MUTTERINGS!!

by Dave Mackenzie, Reserves Manager

On a cold winter’s afternoon we took the short trip along the A416 to Hilton, unless you were coming from the Alvaston area and then it would have been the A50. Due to the Covid the dressing room areas were out of bounds and the players had to get changed in their cars. Large Gus obviously isn’t used to these primitive surroundings and forgot he had been wearing his best friends tights last night and was still wearing them when he went out to warm up. 

This was the return fixture from 2 weeks ago when we ran out 2- 0 victors in a close fought encounter.

There were a couple of changes in the line-up with Louis Pennington and Stanley Matthews lookalike Bobby Battisson coming into to the starting 11. But the starting 11 would soon become the starting 10.

The game started well with the team putting together some crisp passing moves with Bobby B looking sharp and lively. 

The game changer happened on the 10 minute mark when Marcus Calderone was turned by the experienced James Rushby (ex Sports 1st team). Marcus did put an arm on James but he went down rather easily.

The following should be taken into consideration by the referee when making a decision as to the severity of the crime.

The following must be considered:

  • distance between the offence and the goal
  • general direction of the play
  • likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
  • location and number of defenders

When I asked the referee at half time why Marcus was sent off he said and I quote “It was an easy decision because it matched the four criteria (above) The last two are the questionable ones – the ball was at least two yards away from the player so unlikely that he would gain control and Gus was behind and to the side so could have intervened.

Anyway he was sent off and we needed to make a change. Unfortunately for Will Monteiro who had started the game well, I decided that we should take him off as it would keep the team as a group more compact. Will’s pace is great at stretching teams and getting behind but given the length of time that we would have a man less I felt Jude would be the better option.

Despite the reduction in playing staff we took the lead with a well-constructed goal, finished with aplomb by Bobster Battisson( I call him Bobster as he is just like my daughters wee dug – never stops running and always wanting the ball) after shifting the ball to the side of a defender his crisply struck shot dipped like a Ronaldo free kick into the pokey!

At half time the message was to keep our shape and not leave gaps between the defence and midfield and allow them to play the ball out from their back four.

It worked really well for about six minutes when they got a foothold back in the game. A couple of sloppy passes let them get in what was a bit of a tame cross and after a stramash in the goalmouth it was all square.

Like any team with the man disadvantage, we were put under a lot of pressure but the back 8 dealt well with the pressure. At one point Gus Williamson even had the time to have a long distance chat with me!

We were still seemingly getting on the wrong end of refereeing decisions – apparently it’s okay to stamp on a players foot twice without getting a warning and then in the second half the same happened with the same player with the same result – he haw!

Sorry to use the F.A. Laws but the ref started it. There is misconception that if you get the ball it’s okay. 

“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”

No mention of getting the ball!

At the edge of the box we had a player who just had one player to beat and he was for want of a better description, ‘wiped out’ by a tackle from the side. It is beyond my understanding how the referee allowed the play to carry on. 

However the best was still to come.

One of the things we try and install in the players is that at set pieces, if we have a plan and the opposition don’t know it, it is a great advantage. Of course it depends on great delivery and the ball put in by Louis, at pace between the penalty spot and six yard box was sublime. What made it, was the leap and the perfect connection by Gus Williamson to rocket a header into the net. If it wasn’t for the net the ball would have walloped one off Don Amott’s caravans!

Then in another attack Larell King beat a couple of players and whacked a great shot off the keepers right hand upright, the ball rebounded back to Jude who was central and with speed of thought – rather than put the ball in the net where they can get it back quickly I’ll blooter it as far as possible over the bar and far away!

Not since Long Eaton away last year have I seen a more sweetly stuck shot that came off the left boot of one Tom Eccleshall – having marauded down the left assisted by Loopy and Surf he strode into the box and from 16.34 yards unleashed “the beast” There is not a goalkeeper on this planet that would have saved it.

After that we had a couple of scares as Hilton continued to press but we held on t the 3-1 scoreline.

And now here’s the rub – I thought Gus equalised and Tom scored the winner!

Good to see Don Amott the head of Mickleover in attendance and to be fair there was a decent crowd, which included Archie Gemmill who would have loved the sticky surface although a bit like the Baseball Ground on the first day of the season.

Also good to see quite a few players with Hilton who I enjoyed working with previously. I would like to thank Hilton for their hospitality and playing the games in a sporting way – they don’t make the decisions :-).

Reserves Post-Christmas Visit To Hilton

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC Reserves will hopefully be back in Central Midlands League South Division action on Bank Holiday Monday 28th, with the return match at Hilton Harriers.

Sports team haven’t had a match since beating Hilton 2-0 on the 12th at the Don Amott Arena, with goals from Surf Tefera and Will Monteiro, but now lie sixth in the table with four wins, a draw and two defeats from their seven games.

Hilton currently lie ninth, with three wins and a draw from their nine games. They have played once since losing on their visit to Mickleover, losing 2-1 at home to front runners Pinxton.

Kick-off is due at 2pm and at present there is a full programme of matches due on the same day.

Three More Points, But Not Classic Football Match!

by Peter Scherer

Table toppers Mickleover FC were finally back in NPL action after a six weeks gap, but despite the 4-1 win against Radcliffe, it was the referee that became the main talking point.

There were two changes from the team that went down to Hitchin in the FA Trophy, as Paddy Webb was back in to lead the attack and there was a start too for Ben Gowing, as captain Mason Warren was missing.

The full line-up was 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-George Milner 8-Andrew Wright 9-Paddy Webb 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Ben Gowing. Subs: Joe Slinn, Aman Verma, Pablo Mills, Ricky Ravenhill, Declan Bacon.

Radcliffe had the first attack of the game with Akpa-Akpo getting an early shot on goal, following up with another attempt just wide after three minutes, as Mickleover had some difficulty clearing their lines.

Milner had an early shot just over the bar, before Gowing found his header blocked after seven minutes, earning a corner.

There seemed to be an excessive amount of throws and free-kicks in Radcliffe’s favour, which kept the Mickleover defence busy.

But once the home side got a break they began to look increasingly dangerous and in the 16th minute a Milner run gave Webb a chance to break, resulting in a free kick after being elbowed aside by Radcliffe’s Thornley.

Beavon then latched onto a clearance from a failed Radcliffe attack too, outstripped the defenders and shot just wide.

The attacks were coming thick and fast and a long overlap from Bennett took him into the Radcliffe area, before his attempt to shoot was finally blocked.

A few minutes later Milner was first in the referee’s book after catching a Radcliffe player’s ankle from behind. 

But it was after a 27th minute free kick was earned when Beavon was hauled back just outside the box by Thornley. There was no booking from the inconsistent official, but Agustien’s free kick caused consternation in the Radcliffe box. The initial kick nearly found its way into the net, but as it came back out Watt was on hand to head it home 1-0. 

Beavon was next on the charge, but was taken down by Swaby-Neavin just outside the box, but Radcliffe had a chance of an equaliser after 35 minutes, when Navarro went close.

Lenighan was the first Radcliffe player in the book after taking Agustien’s legs in a horrendous two footed tackle from behind.

But it could easily have been two for Mickleover after 41 minutes, when some good interplay between Milner and Webb, saw the latter fire just over the bar.

So at half time it was 1-0 and one each in the referee’s book.

The second half started with some early pressure from the Sports attack. Beavon was fouled again just outside the box after 49 minutes, with Agustien’s free kick bouncing off the wall, before Gowing’s shot on the rebound was blocked.

But after 50 minutes the referee was probably the only person in the ground that thought that striker Owens hitting the deck unchallenged after running into Morris, actually deemed a penalty.

Owens put the penalty passed Hawkins, before the referee added to his Christmas list with more yellow cards.

The anger at such a ridiculous decision, which the ref’s assistant had seen clearly but refused to intervene, played with havoc with the Mickleover game plan, and for a while they were under serious threat.

But the book was out again when Hawkins, who was kicked on the back of his leg by a Radcliffe striker and found himself on the refs growing list too for protesting.

With an hour gone it was yellow cards eight and 1-1 on goals, a sad indictment on a scrappy game. When Beavon was fouled there was no free kick, minutes later Butler was in the book for a less aggressive tackle right in front of the same linesman, who had failed to intervene on the farcical penalty decision too.

Returnee Bacon came on for Webb and the game had briefly settled down until Lenighan picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Milner and was heading home early.

In the 75th minute Mickleover finally broke the deadlock, when Bacon collected the ball midway into the visitors half, picked his spot and fired a cracking shot into the bottom left hand corner, 2-1.

But having tired of yellow cards the ref added to his red collection, when Milner joined Lenighan in the dressing room, despite having clearly pulled out of the offending challenge.

With Verma on for Agustien, skipper Wright continued to drive his men forward and with Bennett and Morris still working well on the overlap and Butler and Watt solid in the middle.

It was one of Bennett’s run that took him into the area with three minutes of normal time left. He was tripped in the box and Wright safely tucked away the following penalty 3-1.

It was into time added on that Bacon then found himself with the ball in the box unmarked. Radcliffe keeper Belford tried to tackle him, but the resulting push and trip not only earned another penalty but sent Belford back to the dressing room too.

Owens donned the keeper’s shirt to face Bacon’s penalty, but it was 4-1 to Mickleover as the final whistle soon followed.

Although it was a good home win, nine yellow cards and two reds for our visitors and one red and a handful of yellows for Sports bore more of a reflection on the official’s incompetence than any real malice from either side. 

Academy First Years Go Down To League Leaders

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC Academy first year students travelled to league leaders Stafford Rangers for their final ESPFA Midlands Division game of the year.

Stafford had only dropped one point so far and had previously been 3-1 winners at the Don Amott Arena.

Once again it was Stafford with the upperhand throughout, taking a 2-0 victory.

We’re Back In Action!!

by Peter Scherer

Just when we thought there was to be no football until after Christmas, further changes in the Covid regulations now mean we are hosting Radcliffe FC at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

This will be Sports first league match since the thrilling 4-0 away win at Nantwich that took them to the top of the NPL.

Radcliffe, from Greater Manchester currently lie 15th in the NPL, with three wins and a draw from their eight games.

Of their five home games they have won against Gainsborough and Bamber Bridge, but their biggest scalp so far has been beating South Shields away in early October.

They are managed by ex Welsh under 21 midfielder Lee Fowler, who played league football with Coventry City and Huddersfield, as well as serving locally with Burton Albion and managing Ilkeston Town.

Fowler’s assistant is the former Liverpool and England under 21 midfielder David Thompson, who played over 230 league games in his career.

Experienced goalkeeper Cameron Belford started his career at Coventry City, before a spell at Bury followed a number of loans. He lists Wrexham and Stranraer among his former clubs and came to Radcliffe from FC United at the beginning of this season.

Belford’s deputy is academy graduate Joey Oldham, who is yet to make his first team debut.

Central defender Jo Cummings is another new signing. The former Sheffield United junior, made one first team appearance for Charlton in the EFL Cup before joining Scunthorpe.  He was loaned to Radcliffe last season, but made his move permanent in June.

Full back Raheem Hanley is well travelled. After junior football with Manchester United, Blackburn and Swansea, he joined Northampton and Halifax. In March last year he joined Welsh Club Connahs Quay and has since been at Chorley, Hereford and Mossley, before arriving at Radcliffe in January.

Similarly to Hanley, fellow full back Tom Miller has seen the football world, from League two to Scottish Division Two to the League of Ireland. He was a junior at Ipswich, Norwich and Glasgow Rangers, and during the last spell was loaned to Brechin City. He then played for Dundalk, Newport County, Lincoln City, Carlisle and Bury, before coming to Radcliffe in October from Fylde.

Luis Morrison was born in Derbyshire, but the former Arsenal and Stevenage junior has travelled far and wide too. He has played in Sweden and Finland, as well as Maidenhead, Grays, Hereford, Canvey Island, Farnborough, Concorde Rangers, Altrincham and Alfreton, before playing at Nuneaton Borough last season. The central defender was a summer signing for Radcliffe and also appeared on the first series of Love Island.

Former England under 19 and C International Curtis Obeng is another new signing. He played in the FA Youth Cup Final for Manchester City, but after his release he spent three years at Wrexham. Having signed for Swansea in 2009, the full back was loaned to various clubs, before joining Macclesfield, and moving on via Altrincham, Solihull Moors and Nuneaton Borough.

Although British born central defender Jack Shiels has played most of his football in the US. He came to Radcliffe in July from Furman Paladins, a US University team, having also played for Greenville and University of West Alabama.

Defender Oliver Thornley has recently arrived from Curzon Ashton, where he had been a product of the clubs youth scheme.

Attacking midfielder Larnell Cole played for England under 19’s and 20’s during his spell with Manchester United Academy. He moved to Fulham in 2014 and made his Premiership debut, before being loaned to MK Dons, Shrewsbury Town and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He then came to Radcliffe recently after spells at Tranmere and FC United.

Matty Crothers is the team captain and longest serving player. The central midfielder is another ex Curzon Ashton player.

Another wide midfielder or winger Rhain Hellewell has spent most of his career in the North West. From Stockport Town and Chester, he has also played for Widnes, before joining FC United last year and then Radcliffe pre-season.

Simon Lenighan is an experienced midfielder who came from Buxton during the summer. The former Leeds United junior had numerous loans before being released in 2014, and has since played for Harrogate, Alfreton, Frickley, Rotherham, Warrington and many more, before spending last season at Buxton.

Irish midfielder Darren McKnight started his career as a Barnsley Junior. After a spell at Shrewsbury, he joined Morecambe in 2016, before moving on to Stalybridge, Bamber Bridge, Hyde, New Mills and then Radcliffe in January this year.

Luca Navarro is another midfielder. He started off at Bolton Wanderers, before spells with Hull City and Bamber Bridge. He was at Buxton before joining Radcliffe.

Another summer signing is Welsh midfielder Jonathan Royle. During his early career at Wrexham, he was loaned to Colwyn and Hednesford, before joining Southport in 2016. A further loan at Telford became permanent, but after three years in Shropshire he headed for Radcliffe.

Louis White came from Hyde in February, but the former Rochdale junior midfielder hasn’t appeared yet this season.

Striker Jean Louis Akpa-Apro started playing for his home team of Toulouse, before moving to Stade Brest and FC Brussel in Belgium. He came to England with Grimsby Town in 2008, moving on to Rochdale, Tranmere, Bury, Shrewsbury, Barnet and Yeovil. Then went to the UAE with Masfout in 2019. He came back to the UK with Oldham, before arriving at Radcliffe in March, he has already scored six goals this season.

Bermudan striker Kole Hall has also found the net four times this season. He played his youth football in Bermuda, before joining Tranmere Rovers and was signed pre-season.

Khius Metz is an Irish striker, signed in July after a spell in Burnley’s Academy. After a loan at Chorley he was released from Turf Moor and has spent the last two seasons at Irlam.

Former Liverpool Junior striker Andy Owens has joined from Welsh league side Airbus. He has scored four goals so far too and played with Stoke City and Stafford Rangers following his release. He has moved around the North West mainly, with Rhyl, Accrington, Mansfield, Southport, Telford, Barrow, Stockport, Marine, Stalybridge, Skelmersdale, Altrincham and Connah’s Quay. He also made two England C appearances in 2012.

Kick-off is at 7.45 with no away fans allowed. The crowd number is restricted to 300, so its first come first served. The clubhouse has to remain closed, but beer is available in the fanzone.

Radcliffe Game To Go Ahead!

This Saturday’s game against Radcliffe is going ahead!

Due to COVID restrictions there will be a maximum of 300 home fans only, with no Away fans.

Please get down early if you want to cheer on The Sports as it will be a first come, first serve basis.

#GetBehindTheSports