Author: Square Peg

Academy Kick Off With A Win

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC’s first year Academy squad opened their ESPFA Midlands Division season with a 2-1 win over Belper Town, thanks to two goals from Reece Perry.

Although Belper went straight into the attack from the kick off, the opening minutes were fairly even.

Lennon Higgins had a random shot which was well over the Belper bar, before the wing back sent a sixth minute through ball which Devon Smith just failed to connect with.

Belper kept coming back in surges and Berhard Koecher cleared the first real effort from the visitors, playing the ball nicely out of his own area.

Smith led another attack for Sports after 12 minutes, but weak ball into the area came to nothing. It was only two minutes later that Perry found the top right hand corner from outside the box, after a gradual multi-player build up to make it 1-0.

Belper had a fairly good chance to equalise four minutes later, with the Mickleover defence failing to intercept on a couple of occasions, but the Belper number eight’s shot was high and wide.

Mickleover keeper Fin Bowen had little of the ball as most of Belper’s attempts were very wide of the mark, whereas Mickleover went more for the gradual build up.

After 23 minutes Emilio De Abreu was in the clear, but the Belper keeper managed to block his shot and send it out for a corner.

On the half hour a Sports free kick was sent back into the box by Lennon, the ball bobbed around without either side collecting it, until Belper made another break which failed to reach its destination.

Smith though he had made it 2-0 after 32 minutes, but was flagged offside, but De Abreu the pout a good shot in from outside the area, just wide.

Perry and Smith the combined to put an effort just wide following a corner, before Belper’s number 11 managed to rebound his own first effort, only to shoot well wide again.

Smith was on the attack again with seven minutes left in the first half, his back header fell to Perry, who put in a weak shot which trickled to the Belper keeper.

There was one more slight chance for the visitors too, before half time, easily dealt with by Bowen.

There had been continuous substitutions from both sides, but it was Mickleover again, getting the first shot on goal in the second half, but Smith’s attempt was blocked.

But Belper’s number 11 was in space again, but failed to actually get a shot in, before Tom Griffiths put a god ball in the Belper box, just short of connecting with Lennon and Smith.

The visitors had a fierce shot blocked after 55 minutes, before Ethan Mann got clear, but his attempt was well wide of the target.

Smith broke through the Belper defence three minutes later, but fell at the final hurdle before getting his shot in and then Sam Allsopp had a shot saved.

But Perry made it 2-0 on the 20 minute mark, after Smith was chasing the ball and the Belper keeper went down injured.

Another fractional offside robbed Smith of another goal, but into the last 10 minutes Belper began to show more urgency and put the Mickleover defence under pressure.

Bowen had to palm away a close range shot, before Dylan Sanghera found Smith in the box for Sports, but his shot was saved. But Belper pulled one back when their number five beat Bowen on his near post with a header.

There were few more threats to the Sports defence before the final whistle went, but overall a good solid performance and a well earned three points.

The first years Black team play the return game at Belper next Thursday, and at the Don Amott Arena it’s the second years Reds v Stafford Rangers.

Mickleover Push Saints To Absolute Limit: St. Albans City (A)

by Peter Scherer

Pride in defeat was definitely the summing up of Mickleover’s magnificent performance in the FA Cup 3rd round qualifier at St Albans City.

The main change in John McGrath’s line-up was Curacao international midfielder Kemy Agustien starting in midfield.

The full starting team was 1-Joe Slinn 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Mason Warren 8-Andrew Wright 9-Declan Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-George Milner. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ricky Ravenhill, Jordan Walshaw, Pablo Mills, Paddy Webb, Will Monteiro.

Despite the dampness of the evening, Mickleover showed no fears of their National League South hosts, and were straight on the attack.

Wright’s through ball after two minutes was aiming for Beavon, but as it bogged down it failed to reach its destination.

Only a minute later Milner picked up on some casual defending and earned Sports first corner.

But St Albans showed how dangerous they could be on the break, when after five minutes Bennett was forced to race back to make a critical interception.

Milner was soon in the action again, he halted a Saints attack, only for Shaun Jeffers to fire the free kick well over the bar.

St Albans began to get more into the game and Slinn was called into action when Devante Stanley put a curling free kick in, tipped out for a corner by the Mickleover keeper.

It became end to end for a while, with Wright firing across the face of the goal with no one to receive, while good build from Saints left Josh Bennett’s attempt going out for a corner.

Mickleover were on the break 17 minutes in, but after Agustien’s accuracy had pinpointed Beavon, the strikers run was halted by the linesman’s flag.

The pressure began to build on the Sports defence and after Jeffers had a close range shot tipped over, he followed up with another blocked shot into the crowded box, from the resultant corner.

The deadlock was broken on 24 minutes though when after another corner from the right for St Albans met defender James Kaloczi’s head and it was 1-0 to the hosts.

After a magnificent charge from his own area, Wright put Milner through on goal, but his final touch was easily collected by Michael Johnson in the Saints goal. 

Mickleover’s best chance of an equaliser came after 34 minutes when Bacon was played through on goal, but his effort finished in the side netting.

St Albans were straight back into the attack and only a minute later Kyran Wiltshire put in a low shot, which was deflected out for another corner.

Stanley then had another positive run into the Sports box, but his shot was blocked by Butler, before Zane Banton put a cross inside and the follow up was fired high and wide.

Saints fire power kept the Sports defence under attack until the half time whistle, with another run from Banton being blocked, before Tom Bender shot well wide of the target. Slinn was having to pull out all the stops to keep it at 0-1.

It was another positive start to the second half for Mickleover too, after an early corner for Saints. Beavon had cut inside after collecting the ball to his left, but his cross bounced around on various heads before going wide.

After 51 minutes it finally came, another crowded box saw the ball bouncing around, before it just fell right for Bacon, who hit home at close range for 1-1.

Shortly after the equaliser Webb came on for Wright, but as the hour approached the speedy Banton led another break for the home side, but his shot was well held by Slinn low to his right.

Just after Bacon was booked for a late challenge, Beavon sent him on another run to the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected away by a St Albans defender.

The home side were obviously aware of the time running out and began to up their pace again. Munashe Sundrie’s shot was well held by Slinn, before the Mickleover keeper was in action again, palming away Stanley’s long range effort, before diving onto the loose ball.

St Albans sub Michael Weiss then started to cause trouble for the Sports defence, his 74th minute cross from the left was cleared for a corner, before he went one on one with Slinn a couple of minutes later, firing over the bar.

Into the final 15 minutes Sports subbed Bacon for Walshaw and the striker was soon in the action, after Warren created space in the middle and sent him on a run, only to be flagged marginally offside.

Sports were still looking for the break that could be decisive, as Sports backline of Bennett, Morris, Butler and Watt, fended off the barrage.

A Kaloczi header was cleared off the line with four minutes on the clock, before three minutes of stoppage time was announced.

Sports held on for magnificent 1-1 draw, which in normal circumstances would have meant a replay back at the Don Amott Arena.

But it was down to a penalty shootout with the home side going first. St Albans scored their first four, before Slinn saved Wiltshire’s effort. Agustien had put Mickleover’s first effort over the bar, before Warren, Milner and Webb all found the back of the net. 

Beavon needed to score to take it into sudden death, but unfortunately Johnson guessed right and the shot was saved, with St Albans taking the win 4-3.

The Sports team did Mickleover proud in a well drilled and positive performance that bodes well for the rest of the Northern Premier League season.

Late Set Back Costs Reserves Three Points

by Dave Mackenzie
Mickleover FC
Reserves Manager

The reserves made the shortish trip across to Robin Hood country on Saturday and took part in an exciting and enthralling game against Blidworth Welfare. 

Blidworth’s pitch looked a picture from the high vantage point of the changing rooms (there are 43 steps down to the pitch). It is a good sized pitch with a lovely lush surface albeit the grass could be doing with a trim.

There was an enforced change before kick off when Bobby Battison pulled up with a groin strain during the warm up. This allowed us to start Mat Fuetardo an ex Chesterfield Academy player as a direct replacement.

The first half was fairly even although we suffered another blow when Elliot Murray landed badly and ‘popped’ his knee. Luckily the team Captain, Gus Williamson was on the bench having himself come back from an ankle injury.

We had the ball in the net twice in the first half but the linesmen deemed players to be offside although the ball had come off the defender in one instance and it would be churlish to claim that it was definitely deliberate.

Towards the end of the half things got a bit tousy and we were on the receiving end of three bookings. The first Surafel Tefera was impeded going passed a player, which meant that the ball ran away and he overstretched, fouling a player. 

The second booking was for stupidly running across the ball as a free-kick was being taken, and the third could have been a straight red!!! 

Having said that we were on the receiving end of two rash tackles early on that went unbooked!

Tom Smith had to look lively on an occasion to save a header, but apart from that was untroubled. 

There wasn’t much goalmouth action at the other end as we were too short with balls over their high backline, or when we did get it right we found their goalkeeper in good form with a couple of really good anticipated clearances.

We were much improved in the second half and had most of the play resulting only in a series of corners and a number of shots that were high or wide and not handsome.

The breakthrough came when a Blidworth defender tried to stop a mazy run by Jude Ayetine, only for the attempted tackle to place the ball neatly to the right of the keeper and just inside the post. 

With maybe 12 minutes remaining this should have been the motivation to shut up shop, but unfortunately we lost some of the composure that enabled us to take the lead. 

After several attempts to clear failed, Blidworth’s Paul Revuelta took his chance well with a low shot. Worse was to follow as after we failed to clear our lines from a corner and Scott Taylor made a good connection firing the ball low into the right-hand side of our goal. 

Blidworth should be congratulated for turning around a game that looked to be out of their grasp after the first goal. 

However they may have been helped when the referee stopped a very promising attack to bring back the play to book a player who committed a foul after the pass was made. 

Mat received the pass and was unmarked at the left edge of their penalty box).

After the game, the referee said he had to stop the game or he couldn’t book the player – not true. He could have let the move continue and booked the player when the ball next went out of play. We may or may not have scored if advantage had been played but it certainly disadvantaged us!

Next up, we welcome what we hope are a healthy Nottingham side to the Don Amott next Saturday with a 3pm kick off.

St Albans City (A): FA Cup Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

On Tuesday evening John McGrath and his team will be hoping to make history, after they take on National League South team St Albans City in the Third Qualifying round of the FA Cup.

If Sports are successful in their visit to Clarence Park, it will put them into the hat for the Fourth Qualifying round, for the first time in the clubs history.

St Albans have only had three competitive this season, after a string of friendlies. They beat Hampton & Richmond Borough in the League 1-0 and knocked out Hitchin Town in the previous FA Cup round 5-0 at home, before a 1-1 draw with Concord Rangers in the League last Saturday.

In charge since February 2016 manager Ian Allinson played over 300 league games as a player for Colchester United in two spells, and played over 100 games in all competitions for Arsenal. He was also at Stoke City and Luton Town.

During his managerial career, he has managed a number of non-league teams, including Baldock Town, Barton Rovers twice, Harlow Town, Stotfold twice and Boreham Wood twice too, including promotion to the National League in 2014/2015.

Goalkeeper Michael Johnson made 184 appearances for Hitchin Town before signing for Braintree Town at the start of the 2019/2020 campaign. He joined the Canaries from Stotfold in 2014 and signed for the Saints in July 2020.

Defender Devante Stanley previously played for the club during the 2019/2020 pre-season but was unfortunately injured in a friendly at Biggleswade Town.

He came through the Luton Town youth system before becoming a key player at Bedford Town, St Neots Town and Royston prior to joining Biggleswade.

James Kaloczi made his first-team debut in December 2012 during a county cup win over Watford and settled as a midfield player.

Has played for the City Youth and Reserve teams last season and was previously with Harvesters (St Albans) and Boreham Wood Youth.

Having left the Saints in the summer of 2015 to join Dunstable Town as a centre-back, he quickly settled and soon became captain. In March 2016, he re-joined the Saints on dual-registration, and has been back at the Saints since March 2019.

Joy Mukena started his career with Tottenham Hotspur, before moving to Watford in 2017, where he turned professional. The young defender was named on the bench for the senior team’s 4–1 win over Chelsea on 5 February 2018, but was ultimately an unused sub. After his release from Watford in 2019 and signed for Bracknell Town and became a Saints player in August 2020.

Primarily a left back Luke Warner Eley has played at  Dartford, Harrow Borough, Chesham United, St Ives Town, Uxbridge, Royston Town and Leverstock Green before joining St Albans.

In his second spell at the club defender Michael Clark originally joined the Saints from Concord Rangers in December of 2018, making 22 appearances throughout the rest of the season. He left the Saints to re-join Braintree Town for a second spell in August of this year before coming back to the Saints fold in December 2019.

Thomas Joseph “Tom” Bender graduated from Colchester United’s Academy and spent 4 years there before moving to Millwall. He then moved on to Dartford FC for the 2014/2015 season (following a loan spell at Welling United) and Forest Green Rovers, making 10 appearances, before joining the Saints on loan in November 2015.  He came back to the Saints during the 2017/2018 season.

The defender has also represented Wales at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels.

Michael Oluwadara Dada (“Dara Dada”) is a central midfielder who joined Staines Town in June 2019, having previously played for Chalfont St Peter, Hertford Town and Berkhamsted. He signed for the Saints in August 2020 following a spell at Isthmian League South Central side Barking FC.

Originated from French-speaking Senegal in West Africa.  Dave Diedhiou ( pronounced “Deejoo”) joined Hendon in 2008, developing into an integral piece of the side that suffered play-off final heartbreak against Dulwich Hamlet at the end of the 2017/2018 season.

The midfielder made almost four hundred appearances during his time with the North London club, scoring 43 goals in the process, before singing for Saints in June 2018.

Creative midfielder David Noble and club captain joined the club in August 2016 as a free agent having been released by Exeter City that summer, with over 300 football league appearances to his name, bringing an abundance of experience and quality to the side.

He began his career began as a trainee at Arsenal winning the FA Youth Cup in 2000 in a man of the match performance. A brief spell at West Ham United and Boston United followed before he moved to Bristol City for £80,000 in January 2006 after enjoying a successful loan spell there. 

On 13 February 2007, he scored against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay. But his most important strikes were the two goals he scored against Rotherham on 5 May 2007 which took Bristol City back into the Championship. Noble also scored in the Championship play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace, when his stoppage-time strike from 30 yards gave Bristol City the advantage going into the second leg.

Following his exploits at Ashton Gate he continued his journey west, joining Yeovil Town on loan in March 2009 before he signed for League One side Exeter City in the following January but was released after the Grecians were relegated in 2012.

He spent two years at Rotherham United before returning to his former club Exeter City in January 2015, having previously made 12 appearances for the Grecians  on-loan with the club for the first half of the 2014-15 season. His contract at St James Park expired in the summer of 2016 making him a free agent.

Kyran Wiltshire joined the Saints in June 2020. The former MK Dons midfielder was ever-present in the Oxford City side in the previous season, with 34 appearances for the Hoops.

He previously experienced success at this level as part of the title-winning Maidenhead United side in 2017.

Munashe Sundire is a versatile and energetic player who can play either full-back or midfield. He has played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Kempston Rovers, Kettering Town and St Ives Town.

Romeo Akinola is an attacking midfielder and was previously part of the Haringey Borough team that made a blistering start to life in the Isthmian Premier 2019/2020 campaign.

He started with five years in the QPR youth teams, thriving under the watchful eye of former City striker Paul Furlong, before going abroad with IFK Ostersund in the Swedish fourth division as part of the highly-regarded ‘League Football Education programme’.

Solomon Nwabuokei is a utility player who signed for the Saints after an impressive season at Biggleswade, which won him the young player of the year award.

Striker Chid Onokwai signed for the Saints from Haringey Borough, having previously played for FC Romania, Kempston Rovers, Aylesbury FC, Aylesbury United, Bowers & Pitsea, and Eton Manor.

Fellow striker Joseph Chidyausiku is an attacking player who has previously played for Chelmsford City, Bradford Park Avenue and Havant & Waterlooville.

Mitchell Weiss played at Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead Town before joining Saints in August 2020. The forward was an integral part of the King’s Langley squad, scoring 41 goals in all competitions.

Having signed for Saints during the summer Shaun Jeffers had come through the youth ranks of Coventry City, before lining-up for a number of Football League sides including Peterborough United, Newport County and Yeovil Town prior to joining Chelmsford City in the summer of 2016. He helped fire the Clarets to the play-offs with 21 goals in 39 games.

His goal scoring exploits helped earn him a transfer to Hertfordshire neighbours Boreham Wood where he made over twenty-appearances in the National League during the 2017-18 campaign. He went on to play forHampton & Richmond Borough on loan, where he notched 6 in 13, and Brackley Town.

He made his mark again after rejoining Chelmsford, with fourteen goals in thirty-two games, including an effort against the St Albans at Clarence Park in November 2019.

Zane Banton completes their line-up, an exciting winger who made four first-team appearances for Luton Town during the 2016/2017 season.

He moved to Clarence Park in March 2017, his third loan in non-league football, having spent time at Evo-Stik League Southern Premier side Biggleswade Town and Hemel Hempstead Town.

He was recalled by Luton prior to the Saints final game of the 2016/2017 season, then released by Luton at the end of their season, before signing a permanent deal for the Saints in June 2017.

Unfortunately the game is behind closed doors, but is due to feature on livestream.

Sports Topple League Leaders In Epic Battle: Warrington Town (H)

by Peter Scherer
(Photos by Sarah Middleton)

Before arriving at the Don Amott Arena, Warrington had not only won every game, but hadn’t conceded a goal in their Northern Premier League campaign.

The Mickleover line-up was 1-Joe Slinn 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Mason Warren 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-George Milner 8-Andrew Wright 9-Paddy Webb 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Declan Bacon. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ricky Ravenhill. Pablo Mills, Jordan Walshaw, Callum Hawkins.

Warrington started the stronger and went close in the seventh minute when a Josh Amis header from a Michael Rose cross bounced off Slinn before Morris cleared the danger.

Three minutes later Amis had another shot blocked following a Warrington corner, before it was third time lucky for the striker making it 1-0 to the visitors from a Charlie Munro corner, headed down across the goal for Amis to finish, 12 minutes in.

A 15th minute free kick was from skipper Mark Roberts tried to catch Slinn off his line, but he dealt with it comfortably, before a following shot outside the box from Jack Mackreth was well over.

As Sports were still struggling to get into the game, Slinn was busy again when Warrington’s second corner came in tight from Rose.

The domination continued and Bohan Dixon was next to try his luck, his shot was close to the right hand corner from way out.

With 10 minutes left in the first half, Warrington’s keeper Charlie Albinson had to make his first real save. Bennett and Milner interpassed and it was Bennett’s final header that had the keeper diving at full stretch.

A minute later Mickleover were back on equal terms when Watt connected with a corner, placing his header wide of the keeper 1-1.

But further drama followed when both Warren and Warrington’s Scott Brown were shown red cards after 38 minutes, following a mass brawl.

Both sides had another chance before the half time whistle though, Rose put Jack Dunn through for Warrington who shot just over and Webb had almost broken through for Sports, before Roberts stopped him with a last ditch tackle.

Initially the second half started off in a similar vain to the first, with a Mackreth cross providing attempts for Warrington from both Dunn and Dixon, before Watt was forced to make a goal line clearance after 50 minutes, deflecting a Rose cross away from Amis.

But Mickleover started to come into the game more and after creating his own space, Beavon had a good attempt saved by Albinson.

Four minutes later Webb had a shot deflected away for a corner by Matt Regan.

The attacks continued to flow and after a piercing ball through the middle split the Warrington defence, a series of headers weren’t dealt with and the ball fell to Bacon with just the keeper to beat, which he did admirably with a shot into the left hand corner for 2-1 on the hour.

Ravenhill came on for Webb and Beavon set Bacon up for another chance, saved this time by Albinson.

Amis tried a chip with Slinn out of his goal but failed to challenge the Mickleover keeper, but with 10 minutes on the clock it became 3-1 to Sports when Beavon caught out the Warrington keeper with a classy chip.

It could easily have been 4-1 when Bacon was next to try and chip Albinson, after a Regan mistake left the keeper vulnerable. The chip succeeded but the ball hit the post.

Walshaw came on for Beavon for the last 10 minutes but in injury time Jordan Buckley managed to pull one back for Warrington.

An outstanding result for Sports and sends them into tomorrow nights FA Cup tie at St Albans on a high.

Penalty Shoot Out Drama Ends Juniors’ Hopes: FA Youth Cup

by Peter Scherer

After two wins so far in this years FA Youth Cup, Mickleover faced local rivals Basford Utd in the second qualifying round, but came away disappointed on the wrong end of a penalty shout-out.

Mickleover lined-up 1.Tom Smith 2.Ben Lewin 3.Will Robinson 4.Louis Pennington 5.Cameron Anthony 6.Patrick Pugh 7.Lewis Benjamin 8.Jacon Edge-Lucas 9.Brodie Carter 10.Bobby Battison 20.Josh Satchwell. Subs: 12 Kyron Ward 14 Kai Moore 15.George Attwel 16.Fin Barker 17.Ted Stevenson 18.Jorrus Tsoumou GK.Findlay Bowe

The game had barely kicked off when Basford were awarded a penalty, after Pugh tripped one of the home strikers just inside the box.

Despite Smith’s best efforts he was soundly beaten and after six minutes they were 1-0 down.

The early goal seemed to upset Mickleover’s rhythm and after 11 minutes Basford had another shot just over the bar, repeating the effort six minutes later.

It was 20 minutes in before Basford’s keeper was called into action, but he was off the line quickly to clear any danger.

A minute later Sports had a break after a Basford free kick, Benjamin managed to put the ball into the area, but there was no one to receive it.

Lewin placed a free kick nicely into the Basford box too, causing a defensive scramble before it was cleared.

As the completion of the first hour approached, Mickleover began to put together some promising moves, mainly on the break. Satchwell had a good run through on 27 minutes and earned a corner.

But Smith was back in action again with a good diving save to his right, following a threatening shot in a crowded box.

Battison and Pennington began to link up and it was a good through ball from Battison that just failed to connect with Mickleover strikers Satchwell and Carter.

Satchwell was then fouled on the edge of the box, but Pennington’s free kick sailed high over the bar, before another good effort from Satchwell was just wide as the half time whistle followed.

Mickleover came for the second half and immediately looked more positive and creative. An early corner was cleared which triggered a Basford break, but the presence of Satchwell and Carter began to cause a few more problems in the Basford defence.

But on 54 minutes there was more danger after a poor clearance from Smith was intercepted. With Basford’s striker fouled on the edge of the box, they sent their free kick high and wide.

Carter was then brought down after 54 minutes, but after the free kick came to nought, a good cross from the right almost connected with the young strikers foot.

Mickleover were forced to make their first change just after the hour mark when Lewin went off injured.

Smith made two excellent saves in close succession, before another cross from Robinson was inches from connecting with Satchwell, as Sports continued to pursue an elusive equaliser.

There was a shot tipped over in the 70th minute, but chances at the other end had Smith forced to save again.

Two consecutive corners kept the pressure on the Basford goal, before Satchwell had a point blank attempt blocked by the keeper on 78 minutes, with Carter and Edge-Lucas desperately close to connecting with the rebound.

Into the final 10 minutes and the shots reigned in on the Basford goal, but mindful of a threatening break from Basford.

Four minutes into injury time and Satchwell was clipped just inside the box and he duly put the following penalty passed the Basford keeper 1-1.

The whistle followed almost immediate and it was straight into the best of five in a penalty shootout. Smith saved one of the Basford shots, but with Mickleover failing in the first three attempts, it was game over for Pablo Mills lads.

Warrington Town (H): Match Preview

SPORTS FACE LEAGUE LEADERS

by Peter Scherer

Paul Carden’s team have got off to the best possible start in this year’s Northern Premier League campaign, with four straight wins and not a goal conceded.

They beat Whitby 1-0 at home, before Atherton Collieries went down 2-0 at home too.  It was 3-0 against Gainsborough and 2-0 in last Saturday’s game at Basford. Josh Amis and Bohan Dixon have each scored twice, and both Matt Regan and Jack Dunn have been on the score sheet too, and not surprisingly they are currently top of the league.

They did have one competitive defeat, but only on penalties. Going out of the FA Cup against South Shields after 0-0 draw, they lost 6-5 on penalties.

Goalkeeper Charlie Albinson only joined the club last month. The ex Manchester City and Blackburn Junior had been loaned to Warrington previously. But after his release from Blackburn he spent last season at Southport.

Centre back Matt Regan played his academy football at Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, He then moved on to Tamworth, Hednesford, Worcester, Stalybridge, Northwich and Colwyn Bay.

Not only did James Baillie come through Crewe Alexandra’s youth scheme, he played 18 games for them in league one. The defender has also been at Nantwich and Curzon Ashton following his release.

In Michael Rose they have a very experienced midfielder, with over 680 League appearances and 53 goals under his belt. He’s an England C International and started out at Manchester Utd.

After spells at Chester and Hereford, he was picked up by Yeovil and played in league’s one and two, gaining a league championship medal with the Somerset side. He also played league football for Cheltenham, Southport, Stockport, Norwich, Swindon, Colchester, Rochdale, Morecambe and Macclesfield, winning another league two title at Rochdale.

Centre back Callum Grogan is a recent signing, from Radcliffe. He started out at Shrewsbury Town and played for Skelmersdale before joining Radcliffe.

Captain Mark Roberts is another experienced defender with league two experience. After graduating at Crewe, he made seven first team appearances, plus various loan spells before joining Northwich.

He returned to league two with Accrington and sampled both leagues one and two with Stevenage, Fleetwood and Cambridge Utd, before joining Warrington from Forest Green in August 2018. He reached the league two play offs with Stevenage and Fleetwood and was an FA Trophy runner-up with Stevenage, as well as acting as caretaker manager for a while.

Jack Mackreth came to Warrington in 2018 too. The midfielder or winger started as a Tranmere Junior, but had spells at Hyde, Barrow, Macclesfield, Grimsby, Bury and Wrexham.

Defender Mitch Duggan was at Tranmere too, but unlike Mackreth he made 16 starts in the league before his release in 2018 brought him to Warrington, after a loan at Marine.

Preston North End was the start for striker Josh Amis, he was loaned out to Stockport, before Northwich signed him after an initial loan. He had another spell at Stockport and came to Warrington via Altrincham and Marine. 

Winger Jack Dunn came out of the Liverpool Academy. He made his league two debut on loan to Cheltenham and added more experience to his cv at Burton, Morecambe and Tranmere, before joining Warrington in 2018. He was also an England player at under 17, 18 and 19 levels.

Bohan Dixon has had a varied career since starting out at Kingsley Utd. Spells with Welsh Clubs Connah’s Quay and Buckley Town. The midfielder then moved on to Hednesford, Burscough and Accrington, before joining Lincoln City. Further travels have taken him to Northwich, Stockport, Salford City, Stalybridge, Halifax and Ashton, before arriving at Warrington in September 2018.

Midfielder Charlie Munro is a more recent acquisition from Ashton, while youngster Luke Duffy has been brought in from North West Counties side Lower Breck.

Defender’s Joel Amado and Matthew Taylor are also newcomers. Amado was signed from Trafford, having previously played at Irlam and Curzon Ashton, while Taylor was a Wigan and Derby youth player, who has arrived from Harrogate.

Midfielders Craig Carney and Irwyah Gooden are new too. Carney is ex FC Utd, Lancaster, Stockport and Marine, while Gooden has come from Ramsbottom Utd.

Currently on loan from Harrogate is experienced defender Scott Brown. The former Everton youth played for England at under 15, 17, 18 and 19’s and made 63 league appearances for Bristol City.

He joined Harrogate in 2o19, having been at Cheltenham, Port Vale, Morecambe, Fleetwood, York, Macclesfield, Chester, Southport, Grimsby and Accrington.

Among his honours are Youth Cup runner up with Everton, League one runner-up with Bristol City, Conference North Champion with Chester and League two winner with Accrington.

They have six other squad members yet to make the first team this season. Striker Jawad Jebrin is a youth player from their own scheme, experienced striker Jordan Buckley was signed from FC Utd in January, Evan Gumbs came straight from his release as a Tranmere junior this summer, defender Tom Warren is an ex Everton junior who joined from Witton last season, defender Adam Carden came in 2016 and midfielder Lewis Sharp completes the squad.

Blidworth Welfare (A): Reserves Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves return to Central Midlands League Premier South Division action on Saturday, when they visit Blidworth Welfare FC for a 3pm kick off.

Blidworth are currently second in the table with four wins and one draw, having played two games more than Mickleover.

They started the season with a 1-0 win at home to Teversal Reserves, with a goal from Paul Revuelta.

Next up was a visit to Underwood Villa, where they returned home 3-1 victors, with returning ex captain Luke Bacon opening the scoring, followed by Wilson and Topliss.

A 4-3 win at home to Nottingham saw Revuelta hit two, along with single scores for Batty and S.Rogers, before Lindy went down 2-0 in their visit, with Kris Burrell and Wilson the scorers.

They dropped their first point last weekend, when a trip to Rowsley resulted in a 2-2 draw with goals from Burrell and Taylor.

With Sports scoring four goals in every league game so far, Blidworth keeper Adam Revuelta, will hopefully be in for a busy day.

Stalybridge Celtic (A): Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC will looking for their second Northern Premier League win of the season when they visit Stalybridge tomorrow evening (Tuesday).

Celtic have never beaten Mickleover in six previous meetings, with Sports winning five and drawing one, including last December’s 3-1 victory.

So far this season Stalybridge have taken one point in a 1-1 draw with Lancaster, having lost 3-0 to both Nantwich and Scarborough.

They went out of the FA Cup last Saturday losing 3-2 against Longridge, having previously knocked out Bishop Auckland 3-1 and Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-1.

They are currently 21st in the League and have been managed by former Welsh International striker Simon Haworth, since May 2018.

Tom Stewart is their first choice goalkeeper, a youth player at Halifax, Bradford Park Avenue and City and Brighouse, before joining Blackburn Rovers from Guiseley. He has had spells at Morecambe, AFC Liverpool, Harrogate, Buxton, Whyteleafe and Whitehawk, before joining Stalybridge from Ramsbottom in June.

Like most of the team defender Omar Sinclair is another new signing, but although Manchester born he has come in from Michigan Stars. He has also played for SVSU Cardinals and Detroit City.

Kallum Mantack is one of the few players in his second year. A former Oldham Athletic youth player, he played three times in their first team, before a loan at Alfreton, FC United and Stockport, saw him move onto Altrincham and Ashton before arriving at Stalybridge.

Midfieldfer Scott Sephton has recently moved from Matlock Town, where had had a short spell after leaving Warrington. He has also played for Buxton and Porthmadog among others.

Although Luke Barlow started as a Crewe Alexandra junior, he has spent his recent career with Kilmarnock, before heading back to England in August. 

Matty Makinson is their other centre back, he started with Everton and Blackburn, before moving to Cardiff. He returned to the North West with Warrington and Atherton, before becoming a Celtic player in August.

Although Krisel Prifti is another new signing, he may not be available due to injury. The Albanian midfielder has played for a number of teams in his home country over the last seven years and was signed from KF Apolonia Fier in June.

Damani Holness is a vastly experienced midfielder, and was signed in July. He has come back from US football where he played for Memphis 901, having previously been at New Mills, Morecambe, Stockport, Northwich and Macclesfield.

Callum Harris is well travelled too, having been a junior at Manchester City, Blackburn and Wolves, before moving to Germany with Patro Elsden. His next stop was Spain with Real Burgos and Burgos CF, before coming back to England last month.

Striker Jonathan (Berat) Ustabasi has international experience too. The Macedonian born striker has played mainly in the Turkish League, including Europa League appearances. He spent last season with FC Shkupi in Macedonia.

For Mike Burke it was a return home when he was signed in June. The striker was a Junior at Stalybridge, but has rejoined from Staveley MW, where he scored 21 goals in 21 games.

Also on the injured list are midfielder Charley Doyle, 13 years a Blackburn Youth player, defender Freddie Sass, ex Macclesfield and Egerton and striker Nic Evangelines, recently signed from Ramsbottom.

Their own youth product Reece Nuttall is the reserve goalkeeper and they also have ex Wigan and Fleetwood winger Keano Deacon.

Midfielder Harry Freedman started out at Nottingham Forest and Wolves before joining from Halifax and Stephen O’Halloran is a former Irish under 21 international defender, who has served Nuneaton, Stockport, Salford and FC United too.

Kyle Hawley is an ex Morecambe striker, while fellow striker Lewis Salmon is currently on loan from Altrincham.

Their squad is completed by former Sheffield Utd Academy defender Tom Wilson, ex Fleetwood midfielder Anthony Williams and former Northwich, Ramsbotton and Hyde defender Ben Woods.

Kick off is 7.45 and can be followed on Mickleover’s own twitter feed.