by Peter Scherer
This Saturday’s visitors Barwell Town are currently ninth in the league table, but one of the form teams.
It remains to be seen if Jonathan Hedge, Mitch Rose and Joe Bateman are fit to rejoin the squad.
While Mickleover are looking for their sixth successive win, Barwell are looking for their fifth too.
Barwell’s last away defeat was at 2-3 at Coalville on December 27th and the only defeats at home in 2023 have been 0-2 against Tamworth and 2-3 to Leiston. In their last two games they have scored five goals without reply too, against Redditch and Basford.
Back in October when we visited Kirkby Road, we came home 5-2 winners.
Ian King has been in charge since May 2022 having previously been assistant at Bromsgrove.
First choice goalkeeper Andy Wycherley started his career with New Saints and Guilsfield in Wales, before moving on to Telford Utd. He has also played for Solihull Moors, Hednesford, Nantwich and Halesowen and was at Rushall for one month before arriving at Barwell in July 2022.
Derby born Micah Edwards started off as a Rams Junior, before the young midfielder had spells at Ilkeston and Gresley Rovers. He has been at Barwell since July 2019.
Centre back Kyle Rowley arrived from Stourbridge pre-season. He was a Walsall Junior and after a loan at Sutton Coldfield, he joined Rugby following his release. Moves to Alvechurch, Walsall Wood and Hednesford followed, before his seven months stay at Stourbridge.
Brady Hickey is the club captain and central midfielder, who came from Nuneaton in January 2018, having moved in the opposite direction only seven months earlier.
Beck-Ray Onoru is a young winger or striker signed pre-season, has pace and a flair for goal having scored 10 this season.
Striker Tiago Nassunculo was a pre-season signing from Redditch, having previously played for Peterborough Sports.
Defender George Ward is on a dual registration with Weymouth during his time at Loughborough University. He had played for the University side too, as well as Bromsgrove, before joining Barwell last September.
Albanian born Melis Bushaj is a young left back who started out with Solihull Moors. He was loaned to Leamington, before being released to join Barwell pre-season.
Dominic Brown-Hill is a midfielder who first came to Barwell in 2018 after his release from Notts County. After 18 months he moved to Alvechurch, but returned in July 2021.
A former Aston Villa and Walsall Junior, striker Connor Taylor joined Nuneaton on his release, before a long spell at Tamworth. He is currently on loan from Leamington.
Right back Josh Flanagan is a former Northampton Town Junior, who has arrived from Brackley after a recent loan. He was previously on loan at Kettering Town and has played for Corby, St Ives at Wellingborough too.
Yet to make his debut is former Leicester City City midfielder Layton Ndukwu. He spent time on loan at Southend Utd and has more recently been in Albania with Albanian Kategoria Superiore side FK Kukësi. He is capped at Under 16 and 17 by England too.
Lincoln City youngster Julian Donnery is currently on loan. He is an aatacking midfielder.
Striker Michael Harding hails from Washington DC, but started his career at Northampton Town. After a loan at Kettering he joined St Ives Town, before moving to Beaconsfield November 2021. He was another pre-season signing for Barwell.
Sid Kerr is a defensive midfielder and was an early season arrival from Loughborough Students. He has also been on the books at Everton, Chelsea and Brighton.
Deen Master is another midfielder too. He attends Nottingham Trent University and has also played for Leicester Nirvana.
Midfielder Shaquille Master has previously been at Nuneaton, Rushall and Hednesford
Centre back Elliot Percival came to Barwell from Sheffield Wednesday in August 2017, having joined them a year earlier from Leicester City.
Jake Pemberton was summer 2022 signing from Wantage. He started at Reading and was at Loughborough University for two years, before moving to Wantage.
Midfielder William Warren is in his second season at the club, while defender Callum Stewart and striker James Pye have been on the bench, but yet to make a start.
Finally Jahvan Davidson-Miller needs no introduction having started the season at Mickleover. A former Rams Junior, he was at Barwell before coming to the Don Amott Arena.
Kick off as usual is 3pm.