By Peter Scherer

Mickleover youngsters marched into the next round of the FA Youth Cup in fine style at Birstall Utd, with Zak Sandhu hitting a hattrick in a 6-1 victory.

Starting line-up: 1-Tom Bill 2-Jack Leighton 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Harry Atwal 5-Ronnie Bonser 6-Charlie Rock 7-Owen Parr 8-Ben Horleston 9-Declan Brown 10-Jack Tucker 11-Zak Sandhu.

It was barely into the second minute of the game when Sandhu made it 1-0 from a Horleston cross, as Mickleover bombarded the hosts from first whistle.

Birstall managed a rare shot after seven minutes which was easily taken by Bill. Tucker then created space for himself in the box and fired in a good shot, well taken by the host keeper.

Mickleover were able to take their time in being creative, as the home side seemed reluctant to push forward. They wasted a 13th minute free kick which was well wide, before Sports went close again four minutes later.

Atwal had found Leighton on the right wing, and his telling ball created a scramble in the Birstall box beforethe danger was eventually cleared.

It was Leighton causing havoc again down the right, finding Sandhu after 23 minutes. He held the ball, turned, and fired in to earn a corner, from which Rock followed up with a shot over the bar.

Four minutes later Ferron shot over too after collecting from a corner, as the emphasis switched to the left side.

Ferron put in another cross just after the half hour, just failing to connect with Brown. But the home defence was taking a pounding, as Parr found Brown again, he turned and fired a cracking shot onto the woodwork, after 34 minutes.

Ferron then crossed into the box for Brown to head over, as the young striker was managing to do everything but score.

39 minutes and Sandhu cut in from the left, but his pass came across the face of the goal, before Ferron’s shot went over the bar.

Sandhu then had another shot straight at the keeper before Parr’s cross found Horleston with a great chance in front of goal. But the young skipper failed to get his shot in as the half time whistle arrived.

Just like the first half they had barely kicked off and Sandhu was in space, heading for goal and it was 2-0,with Brown soon trying his luck again, winning the ball midway into the half and shooting just wide.

Ferron set up Brown again for a shot just over, but some good and precise build ups came to nought, with too many passes and no shot.

Mickleover went close again after a 68th minute free kick, when a blast from Rock was well saved.

Suddenly things changed following a Birstall corner when they fired in a cracking shot from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 after 70 minutes.

There were soon signs that the Birstall team were beginning to tire, some going down with cramp.

Tucker found Brown who wanted too much time and found his way blocked, just before Atwal struck from long range after 74 minutes, just over the bar.

It was Atwal on the attack again two minutes later after a nice Sandhu flick, but he just failed to connect. But then a cross from the right found Sandhu and he completed his hattrick at 3-1.

Birstall gave Bill a test after 77 minutes, but the young keeper was untroubled, as Bonser and Rock continuedto look a much stronger partnership in the middle of defence, than they had against Harborough in the last round.

Sub Dean Ironmonger had only been on a few minutes after coming on for Brown but made it 4-1 after 78 minutes from a Horleston set up.

The closing minutes became almost target practice forMickleover, with Leighton having a shot saved, before Horleston and sub Louis Barradell both found the net in the final four minutes for a convincing 6-1 victory.

We now await the draw for the First Round Qualifying, with games due to be played w/c September 12th.

by Peter Scherer

It was a trip down the M1 last night for Mickleover’s youngsters, as they faced Harborough Town in the FA Youth Cup.

Starting line-up: 1-Tom Bill 2-Jack Leighton 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Harry Atwal 5-Ronnie Bonser 6-Charlie Rock 7-Owen Parr 8-Ben Horleston 9-Dean Ironmonger 10-Declan Brown 11-Fin Ryder. Subs: Josh Maher, Oliver Potts, Ryan McKeever-Atkins, Danny Owalibi, Ezekiel Appoah, Louis Barradell.

It could barely have started worse for Mickleover as some poor defending led to the opening goal just over a minute into the game. Leighton had lost out on the right and with no one backing him up, it was a free shot for the Harborough striker 0-1.

Mickleover were soon retaliating and only three minutes later Ferron had his first of many telling runs down the left, sent his cross into a crowded box and Brown made it 1-1.

Ferron tried another run and had also broken through the Harborough ranks before his run was intercepted.

After eight minutes it was Ferron causing havoc yet again, when his own shot hit the bar. Brown was quick to head in a rebound, but the keeper had it covered.

Both Leighton and Ferron continued to cause problems on the wings, with Bonser and Rock holding back as Mickleover’s last line of defence.

Bonser had a push forward after 11 minutes, finding Ryder who shot wide and then a long ball found Leighton on the right, who was tripped on the edge of the box.

Atwal’s free kick was blocked and Harborough made a break, prompting Bill to charge off his line to clear the danger.

20 minutes in and Harborough caught the Mickleover defence napping again, after their own initial attack. With Bill beaten it was the underside of the bar that saved us.

Only a minute later Bonser pushed one of the host strikers to the floor in the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot. But Bill made a diving save to his right to keep it at 1-1.

Brown then went close for Mickleover, he took the ball around the advancing keeper, but was unlucky when his shot hit a defender.

It was end to end though as when Horleston lost possession in the middle, another Harborough break brought Bill off his line to save.

Leighton was then fouled again on the halfway line, before Rock came upfield and was just wide with a header from an Atwal corner.

But after 39 minutes the Mickleover defence was split down the middle and the home striker headed straight for goal, leaving Bill no chance, 1-2.

There was another shambolic mix up after a poor clearance, but Bill was able to make the save again with his legs.

In the final minutes of the first half, Parr tried a long shot which went out for corner, but then Ironmonger went down injured and had to be replaced by Sandu.

Mickleover started the second half strongly and continued to use both wings positively, but the home defence continued to look fairly solid.

Rock was then beaten for pace and the ball was sent goalwards, before another poor clearance fell kindly for Harborough to make it 1-3 after 52 minutes.

Mickleover replied again two minutes later when Horleston got on the end of an Atwal free kick 2-3.

As Sports started to push for the equaliser Ryder had a shot wide, while Ferron continued to cause grief for the Harborough right back.

But the hosts continued to be quick on the break and had another long range shot over the bar after 65 minutes.

 McKeever-Atkins then came on for Brown, before Ferron had another shot just wide.

With 11 minutes on the clock Ferron had made it to the left hand line to put a cross into the middle, right at McKeever-Atkins feet, but the young sub failed to get a shot in.

With Potts on for Ryder Mickleover earned a corner, but as the ball was crossed everyone missed it.

It was virtually the final minute of the game when Ferron again got a fine across into the box. For a moment the keeper looked as if he was about to collect it, but after a fumble he allowed McKeever-Atkins to connect and it was 3-3.

With the final whistle soon following, it was straight into a penalty shoot out with Harborough to go first. 

The last time we had penalties in a Youth Cup tie was at Basford two years ago and we missed every one!

Although Bill was sent the wrong way for the first kick, it was wide of the post and with the young keeper making a great save from the second kick, it was going Mickleover’s way with Atwal and Bonser both netting.

But Horleston’s kick was then saved and although Harborough scored with their remaining kicks, Sandhu had scored for Mickleover before Leighton sealed the victory.

We now play Birstall Utd away in week commencing August 29^th.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC’s juniors have been drawn away to Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Harborough Town in the extra preliminary round of this years FA Youth Cup, with games to be played week commencing August 18^th.

Mickleover beat Quorn and Lincoln Utd in last years competition before going out.

The winners of the tie will play United Counties League Division One side Birstall away week commencing August 29^th.

by Peter Scherer

Following Bobby Battisson’s recent move to Gibraltar, two more of the Mickleover FC students have caught the eye of Football League Clubs.

Reserves keeper Fin Bowen has spent a week with Derby County, while team mate and fellow keeper Tom Bill is heading for Port Vale.

Tom is only a first year student, but it’s another amazing job by all at our football club and more good news for our academy.

said manager John McGrath.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover travelled to Boston Utd on Wednesday night for their latest tie in the FA Youth Cup.

After going behind to a sixth minute goal from Zane Millar, Sports were back level after 35 minutes when Fin Barker equalised.

Owen Sheriff made sure the hosts went in at half time however, with their lead restored, after made it 2-1 to Boston in the 42^nd minute.

As the Sports Juniors gave their all for an equaliser, Sheriff scored his second after 81 minutes, as Boston secured the win 3-1.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s budding stars march on into the second qualifying of the FA Youth Cup, with a massive 10-1 win over Quorn.

Starting line-up: 1-Fin Bowen 2-Zach Robertson 3-Jake Edge-Lucas 4-George Atwal 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ben Horleston 7-Bobby Battisson 8-Freddie Murphy 9-Kai Moore 10-Fin Barker 11-Declan Brown. Subs: Jack Tucker, Tom Bell.

In the opening seconds Mickleover had two half chances, ending with Battisson’s attempt being blocked by the Quorn keeper.

Two minutes later a cross from the left was turned into the middle by Moore, almost putting Brown in the clear.

Robertson then had the first of many overlapping runs down the right. His cross went across the face of the goal, just out of Moore’s reach.

Quorn were having difficulty breaking out of their own half and an interception by Battisson sent him on a long run. His shot was saved, before Brown’s rebound was blocked.

The pressure on Quorn’s defence was becoming relentless and after eight minutes Battisson had another shot saved by the keeper’s feet.

Only a minute later another through ball from Battisson found Moore in space, placing safely into the bottom corner 1-0 after nine minutes.

Almost from the kick off Barker tried his luck from a wide angle and only just missed. Moore had another header just wide from a Robertson cross and after 14 minutes Barker made an in swinging cross which bounced off the bar, with the visitor’s keeper well beaten.

Robertson was continuing to cause havoc on the right and his 15^th minute cross led to goal number two and a second for Moore 2-0.

The roles were reversed a minute later when Moore found Robertson, but this time his cross was blocked.

Quorn were awarded a penalty after 17 minutes when Bowen had to come racing off his line and fouled the advancing striker.

The initial penalty was well saved by Bowen but the rebound was successful for the visitors 2-1.

Murphy was next on the attack, sending Edge-Lucas on a run, but the keeper came to Quorn’s rescue.

It was the breakdown of a rare Quorn attack that gave Barker a break in his own half. His full flight charge with a clear run on goal was thwarted by a crude tackle, it earned a yellow card after the initial advantage came to nought, but could easily have merited straight red.

Moore and Barker had some good interplay, which ended with Barker shooting well over, but after 32 minutes Mickleover were forced to make a change as Brown limped off to be replaced by Tucker.

Having only been on the field a couple of minutes Tucker made it 3-1, sliding in to collect deep cross.

Three minutes later and it was 4-1 with a Robertson solo effort from the right, beating the keeper on his near post.

There was a half chance for the visitors after 39 minutes but Mann and Horleston continued to be relatively untroubled in the heart of the home defence.

It could have been a fifth goal as half time approached, as a long kick from Bowen cleared the defence that froze assuming offside. Barker collected but was thwarted again by the keepers feet.

The second half began as the first had ended with Battisson firing a shot at the keeper in the first five minutes, before the ball went loose and Murphy had a shot blocked.

52 minutes and Barker’s pace sent him through again, but he fired his shot just wide.

We didn’t have to wait long for another goal though, when Battisson broke, waltzed passed the visitors keeper and slotted home 5-1 after 54 minutes.

Battisson whipped passed another defender only a minute later, but his shot was taken by the keeper, before Moore fired in a cross which just missed connecting with Tucker.

59 minutes and it was 6-1, this time Edge-Lucas got clear on a run, and took it around the hapless keeper with ease. Battisson then had another shot a minute later, as the Quorn defence floundered in their own half.

Murphy and Atwal were playing some long balls out of midfield, and after 65 minutes Murphy found Barker, but on this occasion he was intercepted.

A brief break out from Quorn resulted in a good cross which was blocked and left Robertson unchallenged on the right, making another successful solo run to make it 7-1 after 68 minutes.

Only two more minutes and it was 8-1 when Moore fired in to complete his hattrick, after Battisson’s initial shot was blocked.

But Quorn kept their heads up and continued to try and play their own game, which forced Bowen out of the Mickleover goal to save at the striker’s feet.

Barker had been limping for a while, but the dilemma was that the only other sub was reserve keeper Tom Bell, who then came on as a striker.

Battisson then made it 9-1 after 78 minutes, but Bowen was then forced into another from a Quorn break.

Mann headed just wide from a short corner in the last five minutes, but there was still time for another goal, with Battisson making 10-1 and completing his hattrick too.

Mickleover are due to play the next round w/c September 27^th, but have to wait for the outcome of two matches to know their opponents. West Bridgford have to play Boston Utd, after their original tie was abandoned after the tragic death of one of West Bridgford’s players. The winner of that tie play Dunkirk, who had a walkover in the preliminary round, and then Sports visit the eventual winners.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s successful National Championship winning Academy team continues to draw attention from football league sides.

A few weeks ago it was Josh Satchwell and Louis Pennington going on trial to Fleetwood Town and now 17 year old George Atwal has been invited to Stoke City.

Atwal recently made his first team debut in the Don Amott Spring Cup. A skilful midfielder, as well as being a regular goal scorer, George has also become a free kick expert with the successful Academy squad.

by Peter Scherer

With 16 goals scored and only one conceded during the ESPFA National Academy play-offs, Mickleover Reds Academy can rightfully be proud to call themselves NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

Having beaten Runcorn Linnets 8-0 at Rushall two weeks ago, only a point was needed against Chesham Utd to add the National title to their Midlands crown.

The kick off was delayed as Chesham were stuck on the motorway, but once the game kicked off there was more one-way traffic.

Jake Edge-Lucas had a shot in the second minute, saved by the Chesham keeper Hosier, but earned the first corner.

A few minutes later Josh Satchwell found Brodie Carter in the box, but his path was blocked.

Chesham still hadn’t made it into the Mickleover half when the first goal came. Bobby Battisson had found Carter on the left, who calmly fired the ball into the top left hand corner after eight minutes, 1-0.

Only two minutes later Battisson tried his luck, firing over the bar from outside the box as the Mickleover pressure continued,

It was 12 minutes in before Chesham had an attack, but their hopes were soon foiled as Tom Smith came off his line to kick clear.

Chesham had a free kick after Will Robinson pulled striker Wilkins shirt to hold him back. The free kick was wasted however, bouncing off the wall.

Mickleover were straight back into attack mode and a charge down the right wing from Edge-Lucas, fired in a low cross to find Fin Barker, 2-0 after 16 minutes.

Chesham started to push forward, but their attacks came to nought, with Cameron Anthony and Robinson solid in the middle of the defence, ably supported by wing backs Edge-Lucas and Ben Lewin.

Barker was through again after 20 minutes, but was blocked just before he was able to shoot. Then Carter was blocked similarly after a good build up with Barker and Ted Stevenson again.

Five minutes later and it was 3-0, when Carter picked the ball up on the edge of the area, saw Hosier only slightly off his line, but chipped a curling ball into his far right hand top corner.

They had barely kicked off again when the menacing Battisson’s trickery once again left the Chesham defence flat footed. He got his shot in but over the bar again.

Shots were reigning in on the Chesham goal from all angles and Battisson had another shot cleared off the line in the 27^th minute.

Both wing backs were on the attacks regularly, and Edge-Lucas was able to do his own bit of showboating, with a double spin to baffle the Chesham defence, before firing a shot as he cut in from the right.

Goal number four began to look imminent, but Battisson’s 34^th minute effort lacked any power to challenge Hosier. 

Robinson then charged half of the length of the field to get a telling cross in from the left, but after a rebound found Carter, his shot was just over.

Hosier had to charge off his line again in the 43^rd minute, narrowing the angle as Satchwell attacked, finding Barker whose shot was just over.

But Barker concluded the first half in fine style, with a great jinking solo run. Hosier again came out to try and intercept, but Barker put his shot wide, glancing the post initially, before turning back into the net, 4-0.

The second half had barely kicked off and it was goal number five, with Carter on the end of a great build up between Satchwell, Battisson and Barker, for his hattrick, 5-0.

Three minutes later it was 6-0 after Barker was tripped in the box. He stepped up to fire it home for his hattrick too, after Hosier managed to get a hand to it.

Two more minutes and another good build-up saw Satchwell’s shot just over, before Wilkins was on the attack for Chesham, forcing Smith to make his first save of the game after 54 minutes.

George Atwal had a quiet first half, but was finding more space for himself in the second. He had two shots within a couple of minutes, the second forcing Hosier to tip it over for a corner.

As the corner came in Satchwell collected and his header was cleared off the line, before Edge-Lucas followed up with a fierce effort just over.

Chesham had never lowered their heads despite the mauling they were receiving, but after 58 minutes they had their chance, after Robinson pushed the striker from behind, Wilkins hit the penalty home for 6-1.

Shortly afterwards Barker put a cross into the box, just behind Battisson, Edge-Lucas picked it up and his shot was blocked, before Barker put the rebound over the bar.

In the 68^th minute Battisson cut in from the left after a ball from Stevenson, before Barker’s shot was palmed away by Hosier.

From the resulting corner Carter’s attempt was cleared off the line.

Three minutes later it was finally Battisson’s turn to have the ball in the net, only to have it disallowed for allegedly being offside.

 They only had to wait another minute though and it was 7-1. Barker jinked his way through the Chesham defence with perfection and picked his spot for his fourth of the match.

Chesham then had an attack and called Smith into action.

But it was back on attack and Mickleover had another free kick when Battisson was tripped just outside the box. Atwal and Lewin deliberated over the free kick which was fired over the bar.

With 10 minutes left Carter was unlucky not to connect after a cross from Lewin on the left, just before Barker was left in the clear and shot just wide of the post.

Kai Moore was the first sub for Carter and shortly after it was goal number eight. Edge-Lucas and Battisson worked together to create the gap and Atwal made no mistake to make it 8-1.

Barker and Edge-Lucas then made way for Kyran Ward and Jovis Tsoumou, but their was little respite for the Chesham defence.

Reluctantly Hosier was replaced in the Chesham goal after his saves had kept the score down, but Chesham were still pushing hard and earned an 84^th minute corner.

The clearance however found Moore, who had his shot cleared off the line, before Chesham had a late chance which was wasted by poor finishing.

With two minutes to go Ward was within inches of making it nine, when he slotted the ball past the advancing keeper, only to be six inches wide of the far post.

Ward combined again with Moore as the whistle was poised, firing just over, before the celebrations started and Mickleover were crowned NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

It was tremendous, they have been a fantastic group to work with, hardworking and humble, they listened and learned. This was the final product and I am proud of them.

concluded coach Pablo Mills.

by Peter Scherer

Runcorn Linnets had already won the first of their ESPFA Play-off games, but it was all one-way traffic as they faced Mickleover Reds at Rushall.

Only 30 seconds into game and Bobby Battisson picked up on some slack defending, finding Fin Barker who slotted home 1-0.

Five minutes later Ben Lewin and Barker worked well on the overlap, but just ran out of pitch before a shot was taken.

We didn’t have to wait long for goal number two though, with George Atwal firing into the roof of the net, after a classy build-up between Brodie Carter and Josh Satchwell. 2-0.

Mickleover had a free kick 10 minutes in, when Ted Stevenson was tripped on the edge of the box, but Jacob Edge-Lucas’ kick was just wide.

With Runcorn barely getting out of their own half, they hit the post on their first real break.

Lewin then had a good try blocked after 15 minutes, before Battisson found Barker, whose close range shot was blocked by the keeper.

Lewin’s defensive duties were called upon after a Runcorn free kick was cut out, before Will Robinson burst from the defence to find Battisson in space, shooting wide of the post.

With both wing backs pushing forward, Cameron Anthony and Robinson were the only Mickleover players to stay back. There was a free kick after Battisson was fouled again, and a combined effort from the majority of the team set Barker free, earning another corner after 27 minutes.

Tom Smith had a rare touch of the ball when he raced from his line to kick well clear as the half hour mark approached, quickly followed by a charge down the wing from Edge-Lucas after he intercepted, almost putting Carter in the clear.

Carter was close to adding to the goal tally in the 33^rd minute when Anthony sent Lewin on a run, before his precise cross was inches from the strikers head.

Battisson had a try high and wide, then Atwal, Barker and Carter combined. As Barker had no space, Atwal collected and fired over the bar.

It was soon 3-0 though when Carter was on target after 41 minutes. Another Lewin cross had found Barker, whose pinpoint pass set Carter up.

From 3-0 at half time, Mickleover were straight back on the attack as the second half got underway. Barker put a shot across the face of the goal after 48 minutes and a minute later Barker’s attack left Atwal shooting over.

Battisson and Barker then combined with yet another chance, only to be denied by the keeper’s legs. It was another Barker and Battisson run than earned goal number four. After being tripped in the box, Barker made no mistake from the penalty spot. 4-0.

Runcorn had a random shot well over after 58 minutes, but there was only one team in the game.

Edge-Lucas hit the post after 68 minutes and four minutes later Stevenson had a fantastic run to set up Barker, who took it around the keeper and fired into the roof of the net for 5-0.

Only two minutes later Barker put Carter through but the keeper intercepted, then Stevenson came off to make way for Kai Moore.

It was soon 6-0 when Battisson was tripped in the box and recovered to take the penalty himself after 76 minutes. Lewin then fired just over from another free kick.

10 more minutes and it was goal number seven, after the Runcorn keeper lost the ball, Battisson picked it up and slotted home 7-0.

There was still more to come, with Niall Cole on for Carter, it was 8-0 with two minutes left. Edge-Lucas had burst down the wing and was also on the end of it, with a top corner shot 8-0!

Kyran Ward and Joris Yates were both late subs for Lewin and Edge-Lucas, leaving Mickleover to play possession football for the last few minutes.

Moore had a half chance late on and  Smith in the Mickleover goal had one brief threat to his clean sheet, but Moore played it back for him to clear confidently.

So the Midlands Division was sewn up last week, and   victory in the first play-off, leaves the Reds in good stead for the final game against Chesham Utd in two weeks.

“Job done, now one to go,” said Coach Pablo Mills, who was also celebrating his 37^th birthday.