by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

The weather conditions proved a challenge for both sides as Mickleover made the long trek to Workington, only to come away with another disappointing defeat.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Kwaku Donkor 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Tom Senior 7-Dylan Edwards 8-Gabby Adebambo 9-Andy Dales 10-Cieron Keane 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Jake Bennett, Michael Hollingsworth, Curtis Weston, Stuart Beavon, Josh Maskall.

In the first half Mickleover played with the strong wind, which was to prove a problem for both keepers trying long kicks.

Neither side had been able to create much in the conditions, but Workington did manage a couple of shots at the Mickleover goal, both wide of the post, failing to test Mersin.

But 35 minutes in a cross from Josh Galloway found Tom Stephenson in the middle, he slid the ball past the Mickleover keeper to make it 0-1.

The hosts kept their advantage to half time, when Sports boss Gareth Holmes opted for a three-way substitution. Weston, Bennett and Hollingsworth came to replace Ferron, Keane and Donkor.

As Mickleover played into the wind, seeking an equaliser was proving difficult and Workington nearly made it two, striking the post after 55 minutes. 66 minutes gone and the final substitutions were made, as Maskall and Beavon came on for Barnes and Edwards.

Eight minutes later though the hosts were awarded a penalty, and David Symington stepped up to make it 0-2. Connor Pani headed home a third for Workington after 80 minutes and Sports faced the long journey home pointless and goalless.

 

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.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover took their first win in five against Whitby Town, but it was far from plain sailing against the Seasiders.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Kwaku Donkor 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Tom Senir 7-Dylan Edwards 8-Cieron Keane 9-Andy Dales 10-Josh Carter 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Jake Bennett, Gaby Adebambo, Josh Maskell, Michael Hollingsworth, Marcus Etherington.

It was a fairly even start, but after five minutes Keane chipped the defence and almost sent Carter clear on goal, but keeper Bland just managed to intercept.

Just a minute later Barnes burst through the middle and fired a distance shot over the bar, before Whitby broke back to win the first corner of the game.

The visitors had started to break more from their own half, and 11 minutes in they had a run down the Mickleover right, but Donkor cleared any danger.

Whitby then earned a corner on the left, but as Watts cross came in, there was a player unmarked on the far post, he then found skipper Sukar, who placed it into the bottom corner, 0-1.

The visitors were straight back on the attack again after Donkor was outpaced on the right, but then Watts shot was comfortably saved by Mersin.

Mickleover were finding themselves hustled out of possession in midfield, keeping Wilkinson and debutant Senior busy in the middle of the defence, ably supported by Atkinson.

Mersin had to race out of his goal after 27 minutes to block a half chance for Whitby, but on the half hour, Keane put a nice ball through the middle to Dales, who took it past keeper Bland before slotting home at close range to make it 1-1.

Watts put a spectacular overhead kick over the bar a minute later, but after Mickleover won a corner, it was taken short to Keane, who put the ball into the middle to find Wilkinson, sliding in to make it 2-1 with 34 minutes gone.

Mersin had to charge off his line again to whip the ball off Woods toes and then another Mickleover corner threatened the visiting defence. Barnes and Dales started the build up to win the corner, it was taken short again, but the defence managed to clear.

But with two minutes of the second half left, Dales again made himself known, laying off a lovely ball to Edwards on his left. He had both time and space to place it neatly past Bland, ending the first half with sports 3-1 up.

Only seven minutes into the second half Whitby managed to pull one back, when Collins floated in a

cross finding Tymon with acres of space to head home and pull it back to 3-2.

But Mickleover were still pushing forward and two minutes later Carter found Ferron, who played Dales through. He then found Edwards but the shot was blocked and it went for a corner.

Barnes headed away a Whitby corner, just before Maskall became the first Mickleover sub, replacing Carter.

As play resumed Dales had a shot blocked after a Maskall pass and then Tymon charged through after a ball out of the Whitby defence went straight down the middle, only to be flagged offside.

Barnes and Dales threatened again as the hour approached, they couldn’t get a shot in, but Edwards finally struck sending Bland low to make the save.

But Edwards then got a break and charged down the right. He crossed to find Maskall in the middle, and it was 4-2 with a precise and crisp strike down the centre.

Edwards then found himself in space again after 64 minutes, but didn’t maximise the chance and Whitby broke back, with Smith forcing Mersin into another diving save.

Adebambo replaced Keane after 65 minutes and Bennett followed eight minutes later for Maskall, which moved Ferron into midfield.

77 minutes in and Ferron had a shot blocked, with Edwards and Barnes poised for a rebound. But Whitby were pushing everything forward to try and salvage a point.

Edwads was fouled on the edge of the box after 82 minutes, but the free kick came to nothing, and six minutes later Edwards found Dales, before Barnes came through and sent a good chance way over the bar.

Hollingsworth replaced Edwards for the final minutes and almost on the 90 minute mark a telling left hand overlap from Ferron found Hollingsworth, but he was timely tackled before shooting.

It still wasn’t over though as with one minute of the five added on, Woods made it 4-3, but the three points were finally secure in Mickleover’s favour.

 

by Peter Scherer

Our visitors this Saturday are Whitby Town, currently 18th in the league and battling for their own survival, but still mathematically in reach in Mickleover.

They have won three of their last 10 games, beating Basford 1-0 last weekend, after a winless run of four games.

Manager Gary Liddle and his assistant Jason Kennedy are both still registered players and are often on the subs bench. Liddle was signed as a player from Spennymoor pre-season, but took over the managership too when Nathan Haslam left last October.

A centre back he started his career at Middlesbrough, before joining Hartlepool on his release. After six years he moved to Notts County, followed by spells at Bradford City, Chesterfield and Carlisle, before joining Walsall in 2006. He then returned to Hartlepool and was at South Shields before his Spennymoor move at the end of last season. He has made 572 league appearances in Leagues One and Two and scored 28 goals.

Kennedy came from Marske Utd last October to join Liddle. A midfielder, he started out at Middlesbrough too and was loaned out to Boston Utd, Bury and Livingston, before joining Darlington on his release.

A year later he joined Rochdale and then moved to Bradford City, who loaned him back to Rochdale, before another permanent move to Carlisle in 2015. His next stops were Hartlepool and Spennymoor, before a two years spell at Marske and has 390 League One and Two appearances under his belt with 38 goals.

First choice goalkeeper Shane Bland was another Middlesbrough youngster. He first came to Whitby in 2013 following his release, but after just over four years moved onto Spennymoor. His next move was West Auckland after an initial loan and is now in his sixth season at Whitby.

His deputy is Nick Cranston, was signed from Billingham in October 2021. He has also played for Wolviston, after starting his career at Darlington.

Jassem Sukar is a centre back and usually captains the side. He started out at Sunderland before heading further north with Dundee Utd. He was loaned to Peterhead, Brechin City and Arbroath, playing in Scottish League’s One and Two, before signing for York City on his release.

He came to Whitby in April 2018, but moved to Darlington four years later. After a loan at Scarborough he came to our visitors pre-season.

Fellow centre back Frankie Whelan and left back Sam Collins are pre-season signings too, following their release from Middlesbrough.

Left back Nathan McGinley came from Spennymoor at the end of last month. He was a Middlesbrough junior, loaned to Wycombe Wanderers and Forest Green, before a permanent move t the latter. He then played for Motherwell, Patrick Thistle and Ayr Utd in Scotland, before starting this season at Spennymoor.

Kasper Williams another centre back, currently on loan from Doncaster Rovers, where he has made two EFL Trophy appearances.

Teenaged defender Alfie Jackson was signed last September, after showing his talent in pre-season trials.

Callum Wilson is another young defender and a product of the clubs own youth scheme.

Central midfielder Alfie Doherty is another ex Middlesbrough junior too, who came straight to Whitby when he was released in August last year.

Connor Smith is a right sided midfielder, who began his career at Hartlepool. He was loaned to York and to Whitby in 2017, before a move to Frickley Athletic. He then moved onto Marske Utd and was loaned to our visitors again in September 2023, but the move became permanent in the November.

Midfielder Adam Gell made his 300th appearance for Whitby earlier this season. Having arrived at Whitby from Guisborough in 2015, he spent nine years with the club before starting this season at Bishop Auckland. But he made the return trip after just two months.

Lewis Hawkins is currently captaining the side. A central midfielder, he was Hartlepool form10 years and played and made 75 appearances in leagues one and two. He was loaned to Whitby, Spennymoor and York City, before joining Blyth Spartans in August 2019, moving to our visitors a year later.

Michael Woods is another midfielder, who played his early football with Leeds Utd and Chelsea. He was capped by England at Under 16, 17, 19 and 20 and after a loan spell at Notts county, joined Yeovil following his release in 2012.

After spells at Doncaster and Harrogate he had four years with Hartlepool, before returning to Harrogate. Dover Athletic, York City and South Shields followed, before starting this season with Blyth Spartans. He came to Whitby last month, after two months at Scarborough.

Nathan Thomas is a traditional left winger with masses of experience, with over 200 appearances in leagues, one, two and the Scottish Leagues, scoring 34 goals.

He started out as youngster with Newcastle Utd and Sunderland, before joining Plymouth Argyle. He then moved to Scotland with Motherwell, before returning to England with Mansfield Town.

After a spell at Hartlepool he moved to Sheffield Utd, who loaned him to Shrewsbury Town, Notts County and Carlisle Utd, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. York City was his next stop, before a five month stay at Marske Utd, which preceded his move to Whitby in December 2023.

Aaron Haswell is a midfielder and former York City and Harrogate youngster. He was signed from Ossett Utd in May 2022.

Joseph Aungiers is an attacking midfielder too, signed on a dual registration with Hartlepool last month.

Fellow midfielder Layton Watts is another former Middlesbrough youngster. He came to Whitby in October 202p from Sunderland RCA and had a spell at Guisborough before returning to Sunderland. Easington and Benfield and Redcar Athletic were his next stops, before starting this season with West Aukland, returning to Whitby in November.

Striker Matty Tymon has spent his whole career in the North East, since starting out at Hartlepool. He first came to Whitby in 2011 after a year at West Auckland. Then after two years at Workington he returned again in July 2016.

Marske Utd, Stockton, Redcar and Guisborough were his next stops, before starting this season at Bishop Aukland. He joined our visitors in December.

Mitchell Curry is an experienced striker signed from Blyth Spartans last month. He played his junior football at Middlesbrough and was loaned to Harrogate, Inverness Caledonian and Gateshead, before a move to Sunderland.

Seven months later he moved to the US with Fort Lauderdale and also played for Hartford and Inter Miami, before returning to the UK with Darlington at the start of last season. He started this term at Blyth.

Kick off usual is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Despite an overall improvement from last weeks defeat at Worksop, promotion pushing Guiseley once again proved too much for a struggling Mickleover side.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2- Kwaku Donkor 3-Brandon Ferron 4- Gaby Adebambo 6-George Wilkinson 6-Will Atkinson 7-Marcus Barnes 8-Michael Hollingsworth 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Cieron Keane 11-Josh Maskall. Subs: Jake Bennett, Dylan Edwards, Bernard Nsiah, Josh Carter.

Mickleover took the kick off and there was an immediate free kick to Guiseley.

But two minutes in Ferron and Adebambo combined for the first attack, but that was easily cleared. Just a minute later a poor clearance from our hosts , then set up the first shot, which went well wide of the target.

Guiseley then had their first attack, but a strong interception by Sports defence then sent Barnes on a break, only for that to be intercepted too.

Atkinson made a couple of clearances as Guiseley continued to push forward and fired a half chance over the bar, before Adebambo returned the favour, setting up Beavon, who earned the first corner after six minutes, headed away by Brown.

Both sides had breaks and as Mickleover attempted to move forward again, Adebambo did his best to create some space in the middle.

Both Atkinson and Wilkinson played some nice balls out of defence, before Brown tried a similar long ball for Guiseley, which was easily intercepted again.

Although Sports defence were coping, each ball cleared was coming straight back, with fairly sustained attacks from the hosts.

Atkinson made a half clearance after 10 minutes, but it came straight back again with Ible going close. The ball then fell to Lawlor, but his ball for Emmett was too long and Mersin collected.

Two minutes later Barnes put a powerful shot just wide, before Guiseley tried another long ball, to which Mickleover’s response was positive.

Barnes had the ball in the net after 13 minutes, but was deemed offside and then Donkor had a couple of useful runs down the right, but each resulted in another Guiseley break.

Ferron then brought out the ball from the next attack, but his progress was thwarted. Guiseley then won a free kick, but despite it failing to trouble Sports defence, the pressure continued.

19 minutes and Mickleover’s defence was finally breached, when Ekpolo put the ball inside for Emmett, who took his time to place it past Mersin, 0-1.

But Sports still tried to push forward, with Hollingsworth trying a couple of moves, without success. Keeper Cracknell then made a 24th minute save from Barnes, which was eventually cleared and started another break, ending with Mbeke and Mersin colliding with a free kick to Mickleover.

Emmett and Mbeke combined effectively again, with the former’s cross earning a corner. As that curled in Ridehalgh put his effort just wide.

Mickleover were still looking for the breaks too and when Ekpolo gave the ball away after 28 minutes, Barnes had a run until that was stopped in its tracks.

Witham had a half chance for the hosts on the half hour, but despite having space, he failed to maximise the opportunity. Then another curling cross into a crowded box found Moke, but his attempt was straight into Mersin hands.

Another Emmett cross nearly found Mbeke, before Atkinson intercepted, but the pressure was all on Sports again. Lawlor then went close after being put through by Moke, before Mersin finally claimed it after an Ekpolo shot.

Mickleover finally broke again when Keane picked up a loose ball, but his final shot failed to trouble to Cracknell.

As Mbeke and Witham continued to cause trouble, Ferron managed a break to find Beavon, but that came to nought, while Donkor had a couple of useful runs, before his cross to Beavon failed to connect.

Ible shot wide again after 38 minutes, and with two minutes of the first half left, Beavon found Maskall , only for Ible to intercept again. His long ball was stopped by Donkor, but then Emmett had another distance shot blocked.

Barnes had another run on goal but Ible blocked, before Keane floated in a cross for Maskall, which Cracknell collected.

Sports won a late free kick after Adebambo was fouled, but the curling kick aimed for Beavon was cleared and so it remained 0-1 as the whistle went.

Barnes took an early knock as the second half got underway with a fairly even restart. Sports defence was still looking reasonably strong, but creativity was still lacking further forward.

Mersin made another save after 50 minutes after a Brown build up found Witham and then Keane picked up a loose ball with Maskall earning a corner. Barnes was unmarked but as the corner curled in, it was half cleared. Ferron and Adebambo combined to find Beavon , but Emmett managed to get the ball away again.

Barnes earned another corner, which went straight out of play, but fortunately Guiseley weren’t maximising their possession after some positive build ups.

Ferron showed his pace with a run to the edge of the box after 56 minutes, until Brown stopped him, but the hosts retaliated with Witham breaking, before a Ridehalgh, Witham combination was cleared.

But almost on the hour Mbeke made it 0-2 with a powerful header after a corner, before a triple substitution brought Bennett, Edwards and Nsiah on for Adebambo, Maskall and Beavon.

Both Donkor and Ferron began to use the wings more as Mickleover continued to show some fighting spirit, despite between two goals down.

65 minutes and Mbeke was one on one with Mersin, with Sports keeper fortunately coming out on top. But just a minute later there was a third for Guiseley when Emmett was pushed lightly from behind by Keane and the referee pointed to the spot. Mersin chose the right way for Mbeke’s kick, but the power made it 0-3.

Carter and Nsiah were late subs for Mickleover, Mersin made a few more saves in the final 15 minutes and almost at the death Barnes had a shot saved after a pass from Bennett.