by Peter Scherer
Home again this weekend, Mickleover face newly promoted Bourne Town, currently 18th in the table.
Sports will still be without Jake Bennett recovering from a calf injury, but hopefully Harry Wood’s bruised foot will have recovered, as we seek our third win of the season.
Our visitors were United Counties Division One Champions 23/24 and last year finished second in the Premier Division North, gaining promotion again via the play-offs.
Like Mickleover they went out of the FA Trophy 0-2 to Rushden & Diamonds last weekend and four days earlier lost 1-2 to Shepshed Dynamo in the FA Cup replay. In the league they have beaten Bedworth away 2-1 and took a point off Anstey Nomads at home.
Manager Michael Goode has been in charge since October 2023 and shares responsibilities with player/co manager Dan Flack.
Goode was previously manager at Deeping Rangers, where Flack played over 350 games before moving to Bourne in May 2023, as co-manager to Steve Wilson.
First choice goalkeeper is Will Lakin who arrived pre-season. A former Peterborough Utd youngster, he was loaned to Kettering Town before going to Dulwich Hamlet on his release. He started last season at Stamford, before moving to Wisbech.
Centre back Connor Peters is another pre-season arrival and another former Peterborough junior. After a loan at Yaxley, he went to St.Josephs in Gibraltar, before returning to the UK with Peterborough Sports. He then spent six months at Spalding, before returning to Gibraltar with Lions, where he spent most of last season.
Right back Eunis Lievins is dual registered with Royston Town, but spent last season at Bourne. He has played for Peterborough Sports and Melton Town too.
Richard Jones is another centre back signed in September 2023. After starting out at Peterborough Northern Star, he joined Corby Town, before a three-year spell with Stamford. He came to our visitors after seven years with Peterborough Sports.
Joshua Burrows is another former Peterborough Utd youngster. A defender, he came in pre-season from March Town.
Freddie Allen is a full back, currently on loan from Stamford. He was previously with Doncaster Rovers.
Defender Brad Marshall arrived at the start of last season from Corby Strip Mills. He was previously at Daventry Town.
Midfielder or striker Connor Furey is a pre-season signing from Shepshed Dynamo. He was previously at Loughborough Dynamo, Harborough Town, Corby Town and Stamford.
Henry Dunn is a midfielder in his second spell at the club. Another ex Peterborough Utd junior, he moved on to Peterborough Northern Star, before his first spell at Bourne. He also played for Melton Town and spent four years with manager Mike Goode at Deeping Rangers.
Midfielder Aaron Eyett came from Deeping Rangers last season. He’s also played at Boston Utd, Holbeach and Pinchbeck.
Jack Wilson is a midfielder too, signed from neighbours Blackstones in January 2024.
Striker Lewis Darlington is another pre-season arrival who started his career at Nottingham Forest. He moved on to Peterborough Utd, who loaned him to Corby Town, Cambridge City and Banbury, before going to Spalding following his release. He spent most of last season with Grantham Town.
Sidney Pereira is another striker, signed from Peterborough Sports in pre-season. He had previously been loaned to Grantham and St.Ives Town.
Striker Tom Siddons came to our visitors from Stamford at the start of last season. He has also played for Kings Lynn, Grantham and Sleaford Town.
Will Bird is another ex Deeping Rangers player. A striker he came to our visitors in June 2023.
Long serving strikers Robie Ellis and Zac Allen tend to share the captaincy. Ellis made his 100th appearance for the club at the end of last season.
Kick off as usual is 3pm, with full refreshment facilities.