by Peter Scherer

Mickleover continue their pre-season build up with a Tuesday evening visit to Matlock Town.

Our hosts have played four games so far, all at home, with draws against Belper Town and last Saturday hosting Rotherham, and have lost to Barnsley and Quorn.

Ryan Cresswell is the Gladiators manager, assisted by former Sports player and assistant manager Ricky Ravenhill.

In our last meeting we lost 2-0 at home last season at home in the FA Cup, having both been relegated from the Northern Premier League in 24/25. Our last league meetings were a 2-0 win at home and a 0-2 defeat in the return game.

Matlock were pushing hard for promotion back to the NPL Premier last season, they finished second in the East Division but lost out in the play-offs.

Goalkeeper Alfie Roberts recently arrived from Ilkeston Town, having previously spent two years with Belper Utd. He was a youngster at both Nottingham Forest and Derby County, during which time he was loaned to Barwell and Newcastle Town.

Centre back Jo Cummings is a new signing from Halifax, where he spent the last three years, including a three-month loan at Alfreton last season. He started out at Sheffield Utd before heading south with Charlton Athletic. After a loan at Guiseley he joined Scunthorpe and has also played for Radcliffe, Sheffield FC, Spennymoor and Boston Utd too.

Pierce Bird is a centre back too with League Two experience. Notts County originally signed him from Dunkirk, during this time he had loans at Leek Town, Alfreton and Grantham, before joining Eastleigh on his release. After a loan at Boston Utd his next stop was Kings Lynn, followed by a loan at Halifax before moving to Fylde. He’s played for Buxton and Eastbourne too and spent last season at Kidderminster.

Left back Jeremie Milambo was a Bradford City youngster, who went to Farsley Celtic following his release. After a loan at Ossett Utd he played for Albion Sports and Whyteleafe, before going to the Republic of Ireland with Waterford. Since returning to England he has played for Bowers & Pitsea and Ossett and came to Matlock in November 2024 after 10 months at Liversedge.

Joe Leesley is a midfielder or left back too and returned to Causeway Lane a few weeks ago after leaving for Alfreton 11 ½ years ago. He then moved to Harrogate and was loaned to Stockport, Stevenage and Boston Utd, who he then joined on a permanent basis. He moved on to Darlington, Kidderminster, Scunthorpe and Worksop, where he spent the whole of last season.

Defensive midfielder Fouad Bachirou came to our hosts in October 2024, with masses of international experience. From a youngster with Paris St.Germain, he played for Morton in Scotland, Ostersund and Malmo in Sweden and then had a year with Nottingham Forest before going to Cyprus with Omonia Nicosia. He is also a full international having played 41 times for Comoros.

Declan Eratt-Thomspon can play centre back or central midfield. He arrived from Ilkeston at the of last season, having played his junior football at Sheffield Wednesday and Stocksbridge.

Defender Tom Senior is graduate of Barnsley’s Academy. He previously had loans at Guiseley and Grantham and also had a spell at Mickleover.

Central midfielder Jed Abbey started out in the Wolves Academy, before joining Telford following his release. Alvechurch and South Shields followed before an 18 month stay at Alfreton. He started this year at Marine and came to Matlock a couple of weeks ago.

Midfielder Ben Sault is well-remembered at Mickleover as one of our 23/24 play off team members. He came to us from Kettering, having previously been at Boston Utd, Oadby and Lincoln City and joined the Gladiators at the start of last season, after a year at Buxton.

Brandon Bradbury has recently arrived from Hallam, where he spent the last six years after leaving Chesterfield.

Left sided midfielder Tom Elliott came from Buxton at the start of last season. He started at Worksop and has also played for Nuneaton, Darlington and Hednesford.

Experienced midfielder Josh Waldram has recently arrived too from Brighouse Town, where he had been captain during his two-year stay.

Ryan McLean is a winger recently arrived from Buxton. From Shrewsbury Town’s youth team he moved to Newcastle Town and Hereford, before joining AFC Wimbledon, where he played in league two. He was loaned to Kidderminster and Yeovil before going to Buxton at the start of last season and has also been loaned to Harborough Town.

Another winger is Jesurun Uchegbulam. He played youth football at AC Milan, before starting his UK career with Stockport Town. He first came to Matlock in July 2021 from Mossley and moved on a year later to Chesterfield. Rochdale, Oldham, Eastleigh and Eastbourne followed before moving to Chelmsford City in November 2025. After a loan at Buxton he joined The New Saints in Wales at the beginning of this month, but never played a game, before quickly moving to our hosts.

Striker Keke Jeffers is another new arrival. Stoke City signed him from Bradford City and loaned him to Torquay and Ashton Utd, before he went to Carrick Rangers in Northern Ireland following his release.

Fellow striker Conor Washington came from Derby County at the beginning of last season. He has made over 350 senior appearances before gong non-league, scoring over 70 goals. After starting at St.Ives Town, his CV reads Newport County, Peterborough, QPR, Sheffield Utd, Heart of Midlothian, Charlton Athletic and Rotherham, before his two year stay at Pride Park.

Kick off is at 7.45 and remember it’s street parking with restrictions.

by Gareth Holmes (Images courtesy of Retford FC taken by Jon Knight)

It was an excellent day for football as Mickleover FC travelled to take on Retford FC on a superb playing surface. Fresh from their successful promotion campaign last season, Retford arrived full of confidence, having already tested themselves against the likes of Worksop Town and Heanor Town during pre-season. The contest promised to be a strong examination for both sides, and it certainly delivered.

Starting line-up: Aaron Chapman; George Wilkinson; Sam Sanders; Hamza Bencherif; Callum Minkley; Will Atkinson; Josh Ashman; Kane Richards; Jude Taylor; Andy Dales; Manni Norkett.

Second half subs: Jack McDowell; Liam Carter; Dwayne Wiley; Archie White; Trialist A, Cieron Keane; Theo Rowe; Tyrell Waite; Trialist B; Josh Carter.

The opening exchanges were competitive, with neither team willing to give an inch as they battled to earn the right to play. Both sides approached the game with intensity and purpose, making for an entertaining start.

After 10 to 15 minutes, Mickleover began to find their rhythm. Dales, Taylor and Norkett looked particularly dangerous in attacking areas, combining well and causing problems for the Retford back line. A composed piece of play from Atkinson released Dales down the left flank, and after cutting inside onto his right foot, he produced the first meaningful effort of the game, forcing a smart save from the Retford goalkeeper.

Despite Mickleover’s growing influence, it was Retford who struck first. A ball played over the top was chased aggressively by Nsiah, whose determination and bravery drew a foul on the edge of the Mickleover penalty area. From the resulting free-kick, Retford produced a moment of real quality, expertly curling the ball into the goalkeeper’s top-right corner to take an early lead. 0-1.

Mickleover’s response was immediate and impressive. A corner delivered from the right-hand side caused problems in the Retford box, and after Mickleover won the initial contact, Taylor reacted quickest to produce an outstanding overhead kick which flew into the bottom-right corner. It was a goal worthy of any occasion and brought Mickleover level. 1-1.

The equaliser injected confidence into the visitors, who began to control the game with greater authority. Dales continued to be a constant threat down the left-wing, using his pace and trickery to repeatedly get the better of his marker. One such run resulted in a superb low cross into the six-yard area, where Richards arrived perfectly to convert and score his second goal of pre-season, giving Mickleover a deserved 2-1 lead.

With several new faces within the squad, pre-season provides an important opportunity for players to develop relationships and understanding on the pitch. It was therefore particularly pleasing to see Mickleover’s work rate, togetherness and team spirit on display throughout the first half. At the back, Bencherif and Callum Minkley provided a commanding presence, helping to establish a solid defensive foundation from which the team could build.
Mickleover went into the break leading 2-1.

Mickleover started the second half exactly as they had finished the first, continuing to work hard, play with purpose and look forward whenever opportunities arose. As is often the case in pre-season, several changes were made at the interval, with Wiley, Keane and Rowe among those introduced, but the intensity and commitment remained unchanged as players looked to make their mark.

The game was effectively put beyond doubt after 75 minutes. Rowe picked up possession, drove infield and unleashed a superb strike from distance that gave the goalkeeper absolutely no chance, extending Mickleover’s lead to 3-1.

With confidence flowing, Mickleover continued to pose a threat in attacking areas, particularly through their pace out wide. In the 81st minute, Trialist B played an excellent pass to release Josh Carter, who sprinted clear before calmly slotting the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper to make it 4-1 and cap off an impressive performance.

Speaking after the game, Sports gaffer Gareth Holmes said:

Thank you to Retford FC for hosting the game. Today’s been an excellent test for the group and a chance for players to get to know each other a little bit more on the field.

I thought we looked more cohesive than we did on Tuesday night. The balance of the team looked good and it was a good step forward. It’s always nice to win because winning breeds confidence, but the most pleasing thing today was the performance.

There’s still an awful lot of things that we want to work on, but the players did well and implemented the things we had spoken about on Thursday in training. Thanks again to Retford FC and we would like to wish them all the very best for the coming season.

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover continue their pre-season build up with a visit to newly promoted Retford.

Formed in 2015 they were Central Midlands League North Champions in 2018/19 and just missed out on promotion in 24/25 after losing in the United Counties Division One Championship play-off final.

But last season they were crowned Champions by just two points over local rivals Retford Utd, who they used to ground share with.

Home for Retford FC is the Rail Stadium, it’s grass pitch aptly named as it’s parallel with the east coast railway line.

Manager Chris Woodhead is also one of clubs founders and they have already beaten Hucknall Town 2-0 at home, with goals from defender Liam Bennett and Harworth Colliery away 4-2, with Bennett on the scoresheet again, along with ex Sports striker Bernard Nsiah, but lost 3-0 at Worksop.

Mickleover used 17 players in Tuesday nights defeat to Belper Utd, including three trialists, as manager Gareth and Billy continue search for those telling combinations as the season start approaches.

Our hosts will now be in the same league as Pinxton, who we played last Saturday. Kick of is 3pm

by Peter Scherer

Sports first home game in pre-season pitched us against our ground sharing tenants Belper Utd. Belper were in their fourth pre-season game and took charge late into the first half to take a 2-1 victory.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman 2- Josh Ashman 3-Sam Sanders 4-Cieron Keane 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-George Wilkinson 7-Kane Richards 8-Andy Dales 9- Trialist A 10-Jude Taylor 11-Rheo Rowe, Subs: Jack McDowell; Trialist B; Callum Minkley; Archie White; Trialist C; Josh Carter; Manni Norkett; Liam Carter; Tyrell Waite.

It was a fairly lively start with Mickleover pushing forward at every opportunity. Dales cut in from the left after eight minutes, taking the ball almost to the line before keeper Fryatt intercepted.

Two minutes later Rowe cut in from the same side but his final shot was blocked. Belper then had a break but a rushed shot was well wide of Chapman’s goal.

Rowe continued to taunt the visitors defence and went close after 15 minutes, cutting in again from a tight angle, the keeper was forced into his first real save low to his right.

Trialist A then had a shot just wide, before he was replaced by Norkett, who became Mickleover’s target man.

After August had another shot wide for Belper, the game began to settle with possession more even between the two sides, after Mickleover’s hectic start.

After a 25th minute corner had come to nought Dales and Norkett combined after latching onto a Sanders clearance, but the Belper defence rallied and were able to stifle any chance of shooting.

A few minutes later Bencherif cut out a dangerous run from August, but the Mickleover defence were starting to be tested.

Just after the half hour Richards put a lovely cross into the box but Norkett couldn’t connect.It but what was now end went in Belper’s favour after 40 minutes. Chapman had already made a close range reflex save from August, but had no chance when Bruce fired in the opening goal 0-1.

Barely two minutes later Bruce nearly made it two for Belper, but his shot was blocked before Mickleover responded with another threatening cross from Richards. Norkett managed to collect, but was unable to get pace or direction on his shot.

With half time approaching Rowe went on another solo run until his path was blocked on the edge of the box, and with the whistle poised Dales fired in a low drive comfortably collected by Fryatt.

There was one change for the second half with Minkley on for Rowe, taking over at right back as Ashman moved into midfield.

After Belper had wasted a 48th minute free kick, Dales got a break and crossed into the box but found no one to receive. A corner soon followed, Ashman got his head to it but it was out for a goal kick.

The change in formation had been looking more solid, but after 50 minutes the defence were caught out again, when a cross from the Belper right found Nassor almost unmarked. He slotted it past Chapman and it 0-2.

Trialist C then came on for Keane as Mickleover continued to push forward. Dales picked up a loose ball from the Belper defence, got his cross in to find Norkett, but again the defence blocked his turn and the chance was gone.

A succession of corner’s followed but after 58 minutes a ball. through the middle found Norkett. This time he got the shot in but it was agonisingly wide of the right-hand post.

A flurry of activity on the subs bench around the hour mark saw White on for Taylor and the Carter twins for Richards and Dales, which saw a sudden upsurge of pace from Mickleover.

Sanders had a header just wide after 65 minutes and then Trialist B replaced Bencherif and Waite came on for Sanders. Waite had become the new target man for Norkett to run on to, but he had barely been on the field more than a few minutes, when the referee gave him a yellow card for a tackle which to onlookers seemed OK. But as Waite questioned the decision he was shown a red, with the over officious referee refusing to restart play until the player was back in the changing room.

Mickleover had been down to 10 men for just four minutes when Josh Carter pulled a goal back with a fine solo run 1-2. Two minutes later he had outpaced the defence again, crossed and almost connected with brother Liam.

Josh’s pace on the left wing saw him whip in more crosses as an equaliser almost seemed imminent, chances continued to come and go, but Chapman was called into action again after 80 minutes, when Goddard got on the end of a Belper break, forcing a fine save.

Time was running out though, but with just two minutes left a long ball from Minkley found Josh Carter, he found Norkett who set up Liam, but his effort was just off target.

So 19 players got valuable game time, different strategies and game plans were tried, some worked, some didn’t. But that’s what pre-season is about as we now look to our visit to Retford on Saturday.

 

by Peter Scherer

Following our 4-1 win at Pinxton in last Saturday’s opening pre-season match, it’s time for or first home game. It’s hardly a welcome to Mickleover for Belper Utd on Tuesday evening, as they are our new tenants and have already lost 2-4 to Ilkeston and won 4-1 against Long Eaton at the Don Amott Arena.

Belper just lost out on promotion last season, after losing in the United Counties League Premier North Division play-offs. They are in step 5 and were promoted in 22/23.

Under Alex Steadman’s guidance they have improved year by year, from 13th in 23/24, to 8th in 24/25 and fourth last season.

They have retained many of the players from last years successful season, including goalkeeper Joe Fryatt. An ex Derby County junior, he’s played in the US for Boston Eagles, as well as Rushall Olympic, Lye Town, Gresley Rovers, Selston and Loughborough. He joined our visitors in January 2024 and was briefly loaned to Belper Town too.

Striker Diego Edwards is a full International for St.Kitts & Nevis. He arrived midway through last season from Belper Town, having started out Notts County and Mansfield, he has also played for Basford, Ossett, Nuneaton, Leek and Carlton.

Centre back Ben Price was last years players player of the year and rarely missed a match.

Central midfielder Micah Edwards started off at Derby County too. He began last season at Belper Town, before joining Utd, and has played for Ilkeston, Gresley Rovers, Barwell and Rugby Town too.

Keaton August is a winger who was signed from Belper Town. He was previously at Anstey Nomads, but spent his early career in the south with Chalfont St.Peter, Walton Casuals and Windsor & Eton.

Signed at the end of last season from Chasetown, Devante Ramsey is also a winger and has played for Derby University too.

Jade Ferron is striker and has Rushden & Diamonds, Littleton FC, Redditch and Worcester Raiders on his CV.

Defender Kyle Bryant was signed from Quorn at the beginning of last season, where he previously been captain. He also played for Coalville.

Midfielder Jay Bruce starts his second full season with the club since signing from Wellingborough.

Tyrel Francis is in his third year at the club and plays in defence or defensive midfield.

Striker Kieran O’Connell is on of many former Mickleover players in the squad. He’s played for Gresley Rovers, Belper Town, Ilkeston, South Normanton Athletic and Ilkeston and is one of the longest serving players.

Fraser Corden and Brandon Ferron are both well known to Sports fans too. Midfielder Corden came from Rushden & Diamonds at the start of last season, before initially going on loan to Belper. He’s and England Futsal International too.

Left back Ferron had just started to break through in the first team at Mickleover, when he opted to take a step down.

Larrel King is another full back who came to Mickleover from Mansfield in 2021. He then moved on to Long Eaton Utd and Belper Town before his current stop.

Josh Powell is a midfielder who came through Academy at Mickleover. He had a speel at Granthan last season too, and is the son of former Sports reserve team manager Steve, who is also on the Belper coaching, Grandson of ex Rams Star Steve and Great Grandson of Tommy another ex Rams favourite.

Kick off as usual is 7.45 with all the usual facilities available.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover started their pre-season build up with a 4-1 win at Pinxton, highlighted by three second half goals.

Starting line-up: Aaron Chapman; Trialist A; Hamza Bencherif; George Wilkinson; Archie White; Callum Minkley; Cieron Keane; Josh Carter; Trialist B; Theo Rowe; Manni Norkett.

It was a lively start from Sports with Rowe earning a corner after three minutes. Despite having he majority of the possession though, clear cut chances were proving illusive in the hot and dry conditions.

But 12 minutes Mickleover scored the inevitable opening goal when Trialist B struck a great shot from the edge of the box, giving the Pinxton keeper little chance 0-1.

The chances continued to be few and far between despite the amount of possession. Keane put a 43rd minute free kick just wide of the post, but it remained 0-1 at half time.

There were wholesale changes as the players re-emerged for the second half and it was three of those changes that found the net. Firstly Kane Richards collected the ball on the edge of the box and chipped the keeper to make it 0-2 after 51 minutes.

Four minutes later, Jude Taylor another second half change, had a great shot just wide of the post. But Norkett had been causing havoc in the home defence and around the hour mark he had an effort cleared off the line and another just wide of the post.

But goal number three soon arrived with Dwayne Wiley heading home a Richards corner, 0-3. Andy Dales went close with a free kick too, before Pinxton pulled one back from a rebound shot 1-3.

Norkett rounded off the 1-4 scoreline though with a well-deserved fourth, and we now look forward to Tuesday night when we face Belper Utd.

 

by Peter Scherer

This is the final part of our six part series looking at teams new to the NPL Division One South.

Barwell have been well-known to us in recent years from our time in the Southern Premier League and in various cup ties.

Founded in 1992 originally as a merger of Barwell Athletic and Hinckley, they were founder members of the Midlands Alliance in 1994.

In 2009/10 they won promotion to the NPL Division One South and won that title too at their first attempt. They then moved into the Southern Premier League, but like Mickleover geographically, they have spent time in both the Northern and Southern Premier Leagues.

They reached the first round proper of the FA Cup in 2015/16 and their Kirkby Road ground has a capacity of 2,500.

They were eighth in the table the year Sports made the Southern Premier Midlands Division play-offs, but having struggled since, they were relegated last season having finished in 20th place.

Damian Beckford-Quailey is their current manager and he has made a number of new acquisitions for the coming season

In 23/24 we beat then 2-1 away and 2-0 at home in the league and won 4-2 on penalties in the FA Trophy too. In the previous year too we were 5-2 victors away, but lost the return 2-3.

Just to add to the interest, we are drawn against them again in this years FA Cup, provided we see off Winsford Town.

We look forward to welcoming players and officials of the club back to Mickleover in the coming season.

 

Honours

• Northern Premier League
• Division One South champions 2010–11

• Midland Alliance
• Champions 2009–10
• League Cup winners 2005–06

• Leicestershire and Rutland Senior Cup
• Winners 1996–97

• Leicestershire and Rutland Challenge Cup
• Winners 2016–17