by Peter Scherer
Following last Saturday’s win at home to Whitby Town last Saturday, Mickleover head out on their longest road trip of the season on Saturday, to Workington.
Currently 16th in the table, Mark Fell’s side have had a difficult season, with their win at home to Blyth their only success in the last five, after going down 1-2 to Basford last weekend. They are currently four points above relegation.
As well as the valuable three points, Sports win saw their first goals in five games too.
“It’s an important game for us, but the squad are confident after better performances over the last couple of weeks. We’ve had a few bad results, but last week showed what we can do,” said skipper Andy Dales.
Manager Fell has been in charge of our hosts since March 2024, when he took over from Danny Grainger, having previously been at Lancaster City for five years.
Keeper Alex Mitchell started his career at Carlisle, before a move to Scotland with Gretna. He was loaned to Queen of the South, before joining Annan Athletic. He first came to Workington in July 2015 and alternated between our hosts and Annan for the next six years, before moving to Blyth Spartans in July 2021. He came to Workington pre-season and has made over 150 League Two appearances.
Currently wearing the number one shirt though is Blackburn Rovers loanee Jack Barrett. He started out at Everton where he spent 13 years, but after a loan spell in Canada with Cavalry FC he started this season with Blackburn.
Danny Eccles had been Mitchell’s deputy, another former Carlisle youngster. He joined Barrow following his release, moving on via Bradford Park Avenue, Kendal Town, Congleton Town, Chorley, Ramsbottom and Ashton Utd. He joined our hosts in August 2021 from FC Squires Gate.
Aran Fitzpatrick is a young defender on his third second loan spell at Workington. He initially arrived last September for a three month stay on three month stay.
Centre back Efie Ambrose is vastly experienced, having played in the Scottish Premiership, Championship and League One, plus the Israeli Premiership and both the Champions and Europa Leagues.
His career started in his native Nigeria with Kaduna Utd and Bayelsa, before moving to Israel with FC Ashdod. He then came to the UK with Glasgow Celtic, who loaned him to Hibernian, before a permanent move preceded a move to Derby County in February 2019.
After a few months he returned to Scotland with Livingston, St.Johnstone, Dunfermline, Morton and a return to Queen of the South. He spent last season at Bury and was a pre-season signing for our hosts.
Steve Swinglehurst is another experienced centre back, having made over 250 League Two appearances. He started at Carlisle too and joined Annan Athletic after an initial loan. After 12 years with the Scottish Club he came to Workington pre-season too.
Right back David Symington has League One and Two experience. Another former Carlisle youngster, he first came to Workington in February 2015 on loan. After a permanent move to Barrow, he returned to our hosts in July 2018, after a two-year break from football.
Charlie Barnes is another right back, signed in January from Annan Athletic. Another former Carlisle junior, he was loaned to Kendal Town before his release and has also played for Lancaster City, where he started this season’s campaign.
Left back Connor Pani is on loan from Gateshead. He had previously been out on loan to Morpeth and Blyth, as well as a previous pre-Christmas spell at Workington.
Joseph Abrahart is a defender signed in the New Year from Blyth Spartans. He has also played for both North and south Shields and spent time in the US and Canadian leagues.
Kai Nugent is a midfielder and like so many of his team mates, an ex Carlisle Junior. He was loaned to Workington at the beginning of 2023 and was released after a further spell at Annan Athletic, joining our hosts permanently pre-season. He made 25 League One appearances and scored two goals.
Midfielder Matty Clarke came from Clitheroe in November. He had started at Penrith and first came to Workington in 2019, after a short spell at Bradford Park Avenue. He played for Lancaster too before his nine month stay at Clitheroe.
Jake Allan is a midfielder too, on an extended loan Carlisle Utd.
Fellow midfielder Bruce Strachan played for Ayr Utd and Finn Harps before joining our hosts last month.
Right sided midfielder Jamie Allen arrived pre-season from Curzon Ashton, where he spent the whole of last season. A former Fleetwood Town youngster, he was loaned to Barrow, Fylde, Stalybridge and Southport, before joining Dover Athletic. He then had three years at Halifax, before a year at Telford preceded his move to Curzon Ashton.
Josh Galloway is a right winger with League One, Two and Scottish Premiership experience. He started out at Carlisle too, but then spent three years with Leeds Utd. He had a loan spell at FC United, but made a permanent move to Annan Athletic in July 2022, before joining Workington at the start of this season. If the name is familiar, it should be, as he is the son of our assistant manager Mick.
Steven Rigg is another player with League Two and Scottish Championship experience. A striker, he played for Keswick and Penrith before joining Carlisle. He then spent two seasons at Queen of the South, before returning to Carlisle.
His next stop was Chorley, who loaned him to Workington in March 2018, before spells at Gateshead and Dover Athletic preceded his return to our hosts in July 2021.
Midfielder Ruben Grewal arrived last November after being released by Wigan Athletic., along with Lucas Wane, a former Burnley defensive midfielder, who has had a short spell at Longridge.
Sam Christian is a midfielder who has graduated from Workington’s own youth scheme, along with striker Alfie McDonough and midfielder Jayden Fulton.
Winger Tom Stephenson came through pre-season trials to earn a contract. He started in the Blackpool Academy and has also played for Holker Old Boys.
Defender Jordan Little came to Workington part way through last season. Initially he was moving to Carlisle City at the start of the season, but was persuaded to return.
Cieran Casson is a community coach and former Carlisle Academy player. A midfielder he has been at Workington since 2019.
Kick off at Borough Park is at 3pm as usual.