by Harry Day (Images: Peter Scherer)
Mickleover forged the perfect response to Tuesday night’s defeat to Sutton Coldfield on Saturday afternoon, as a 470-strong crowd watched the Sports defeat Long Eaton United 2-0 at the Vibrant Doors Arena.
1-Aaron Chapman 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders 4-Josh Ashman 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Dwayne Wiley 7-Theo Rowe 8-Cieron Keane 9-Harvey Smith 10-Manni Norkett 11-Kane Richards
Subs: Powell, Onabirekhanlen, J. Carter, Atkinson, Taylor
Mickleover came out with intent as they looked to ensure no repeats of Tuesday evening were on the cards. With the duo of Smith and Norkett leading the line, the Sports had plenty of threat going forward.
It did not take long for the home side to land the first blow of the afternoon. It was Manni Norkett on his return to the starting eleven, who found the back of the net from a corner that was initially fired towards Ashman.
His touch set up a first-time strike from Smith, who forced an instinctive save out of Lewis King in the Long Eaton goal. However, Norkett pounced on the rebound, firing the ball into the bottom left corner to give Mickleover the lead with eight minutes on the clock.
It was a perfect start from the hosts, who had looked dangerous in behind from the first whistle. Balls over the top from the likes of Bencherif and Wiley in the backline were being received by Smith, who was working well with his strike partner.
The early goal, as expected, did spark some life into Long Eaton United, who began to slowly grow into the game, having their first real opportunity on the 16th minute mark. A long-range effort that was struck with venom by Callum Cocks, flew just wide of the top corner.
The visitors had responded well to going behind, forcing a brilliant piece of defensive work from Sports captain Bencherif, who made an instinctive block to preserve his side’s lead.
Seven minutes later, Mickleover came within inches of doubling their advantage. Kane Richards played a perfectly weighted ball through to Norkett. The goal scorer managed to get around King before firing his off-balance effort over the bar, sparing the visitors’ blushes.
After a short stoppage due to a player from both teams requiring treatment, Long Eaton had one more opportunity to threaten before half-time. Harry Eden rifled an attempt towards the top corner, but Aaron Chapman was there to deny the equaliser.
It was the Sports who led going into the half-time interval, but a second goal was certainly needed to ease the nerves around the Vibrant Doors Arena.
As they did in the first half, Mickleover came out with intent, looking to strike early once more; they got their reward for doing so as their advantage doubled less than two minutes into the second half.
Jude Taylor, brought on following the break, made an instant impact as he broke down the right wing with the ball before fizzing an inviting ball into the box. It was Josh Ashman who got on the end of it just inside the area and found the back of the net, scoring for the first time in Mickleover colours.
But the Sports did not slow down as they got straight back on the front foot in pursuit of a third to put them well out of sight. Despite their response in the first half, Long Eaton United looked flattened by Ashman’s goal as the home side looked the more likely.
A few minutes after the goal, Josh Carter was introduced in place of Harvey Smith, who had enjoyed a strong outing. The winger very nearly had his influence on proceedings within a minute of coming on after squaring the ball to Theo Rowe, whose effort forced a strong save out of King once again.
The 70-minute mark saw the introduction of Marvellous Onabirekhanlen, who came on to replace Norkett, who received warm applause for his efforts.
Rowe was causing plenty of issues down the left wing, having the beating of his man on almost every occasion in the second half. Despite this, he was just unable to find the back of the net as King and the Long Eaton were doing everything they could to deny him.
The visitors caused Mickleover very few problems following Ashman’s goal, as the hosts were now cruising to victory in this one. Despite their best efforts to add to their tally for the afternoon, the game would end 2-0 with the Sports claiming all three points.
It was a particularly important win for Mickleover, who had responded well to Tuesday’s defeat. The victory also means they will head into a tough test at Wellingborough on Tuesday night off the back of three points and a strong overall performance all over the pitch.
