by Peter Scherer

The FA Cup and FA Trophy may have come to end for Mickleover this season, but on tomorrow night we host United Counties League Division One side South Normanton Athletic in the opening round of our Derbyshire Senior Cup campaign.

There are likely to be a number of changes in the line-up, which may include a couple of players from our Under 23 team too.

Last season Mickleover reached the semi final’s before going 0-1 at Glossop North End.

Ant Lynam is our visitors manager, having taken over firstly on an interim basis in September 2025. His step six team are currently third in the table, having won their last  three games, all at home against Pinchbeck Utd, Sleaford and Swallowsnest, but were without a game last Saturday.

Goalkeeper and captain Ross Etheridge has League Two experience. He started out with Derby County and went out on loan to Daventry, Leek Town, Crewe Alexandra and Stalybridge, before joining Accrington Stanley on his release. His next stop was Doncaster Rovers, who also loaned him to Alfreton and Lincoln City, before a permanent move to Nuneaton. He’s also played for Nuneaton, Glapwell and Stratford, before joining our visitors in July 2023.

Sam Linford also played in goal a few weeks ago, he’s on loan from AFC Normanton. He’s also played for Holbrook Sports and Oakham Utd, while a third keeper Will Sherwood has also been on the bench.

Leo Preskey is a new signing following his release from Chesterfield, he’s a pacey young wing back.

Centre back Ash Radmore is in his fourth season with the Shiners. He’s previously played for Nuneaton Town and FC United of Bolsover.

Fellow centre back Adam Yates was signed in September 2025, after captaining Retford. He was previously at Matlock Town where he made over 550 appearances.

Another new signing is Jordan Lemon. A full back or midfielder, he’s played for Stocksbridge, Matlock, Lincoln Utd and Worksop too.

Former Chesterfield Academy player Dan Fields plays left back or midfield and played a big part in last seasons successes.

Albie White is also a defender or midfielder, signed at the beginning of last season.

Leo Marshall is a midfielder and former Notts County junior. He had a spell at Quorn on loan, before joining Pinxton on his release. He joined our visitors back in October 2024.

Former Mickleover Academy midfielders Josh Powell and Luis Hall are recent arrivals at our visitors. Powell started this season at Belper Utd and has played for Grantham too.

Attacking midfielder Josh Devereux left the club to join Retford Utd last year, but returned on a dual registration at the start of the season.

Fellow midfielder’s Jordan Macaskill and George Greenwood were part of last seasons squad, Macaskill was previously at Teversal and Rainworth MW.

George Morris is a another attacking midfielder in his third season with the club. He was last years supporters player of the year.

AJ Wortley is a midfielder too, that was signed during pre-season, while winger Oliver Townsend has also played for Dronfield, Shirebrook and Stocksbridge.

Striker Charlie Dawes started out at Sheffield Wednesday and  and Chesterfield, before being loaned to Matlock Town and Stalybridge Celtic. He came to Mickleover in July 2025 following his release, stayed five months and then moved to Matlock. Sheffield FC, Worksop, Handsworth, Rainworth, Belper Town and Clipstone are among his former clubs, and he joined the Shiners in March, after five years at Retford.

Billy Whitehead is an ex Clipstone and Clay Cross striker and has been a prolific scorer since joining our visitors two years ago.

Another experienced striker is Scott Ruthven, he’s had spells at Handsworth, Rossington Main and Stocksbridge too, and is a renowned non-league goalscorer.

Graduates from the clubs own youth scheme, strikers Lucas Owen and Liam Morris have recently got into the first team squad, following Finley Jones’s progress at the end of last season.

Kick off at the vibrant Doors Arena is 7.45 as usual, but it’s JUST £5 admission

by Oscar Kennedy

My first visit to Mickleover FC would be a local rivalry where Mickleover would entertain Alfreton Town FC at the Vibrant Doors Arena in the middle of Storm Boelo.

The anticipated FA Trophy fixture was expecting crowds of about 1000 people however, Storm Boelo had other plans soaking everyone with huge gusts of wind really dampening the day, the crowd and the atmosphere.

Regardless of the weather the loyal supporters still braved the conditions creating a typical non-league no filter atmosphere with the players really playing into it.

My matchday experience started in the soaking rain with gusts of wind that were ready to take me away as I met up with Peter Scherer and Harry Day who have been showing me the ropes to what goes on with the media at Mickleover.

Mickleover FC put on a family friendly display with live music and the managers taking pictures with the next generation off footballers something you would not see in the higher leagues of English football.

As the rain kept pouring and the temperature kept dropping the supporters continued to flow in as we approached kick off, we found shelter under the Fin Bowen stand as the game kicked off.

The game perfectly showed why football fans love non-league so much as each player left their heart on the pitch through passion and pride.

The tackles went flying in from the first whistle with players going into barriers and tensions almost reaching boiling point as the crowd livened up as the game went on and as tensions got higher.

Mickleover came out on top in the first half creating the better chances and leading 1-0 at half-time after a Kane Richards penalty in the 35^th minute to put the hosts ahead.

However, the game would get flipped on its head in the second half as Alfreton managed to overturn the 1-0 deficit winning the cup tie 2-1 sending the visitors into the next round of the FA Trophy.

Mickleover FC has taught me that non-league football is much more than the results and the big stars on the pitch, non-league football is all about the community of the football club which keeps each and every club going.

From the volunteers to the supporters every single person knows each other and their back stories creating the family which is Mickleover FC.

 

 

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Two first half goals from Andy Dales and Harvey Smith made sure Mickleover returned home with three points secured, as 2-1 victors.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2-George Wilkinson; 3-Sam Snders; 4-Will Atkinson; 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6-Dwayne Wiley; 7-Kane Richards; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith; 10-Manni Norkett; 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Jude Taylor; Joe Stacey; Jayden Cotterill; Stuart Beavon; Charlie Hickingbottom.

The first positive sign of Smith and Norkett together upfront came after just four minutes. Smith found his striking partner with a deft flick from the left, but the final shot was just over.

Basford then got a break, but Goodman’s final effort was straight at Chapman, who took a relatively easy catch, as the first 15 minutes proved to be fairly even.

18 minutes in and the ball fell nicely for Basford defender Thistleton, but once again it failed to trouble Chapman as his shot was well over the bar.

Sports were starting to show real pace on the breaks and when a Smith header put Dales through the middle after 20 minutes, he was in the clear with only Yates’ diving save to his right denying him.

Thompson-Matthews then fired in a cross from the left for our hosts, but it was Mickleover finding acres of space on the break. A 25th minute lob from Sanders just missed connecting with Norkett.

But Sports pressure finally told two minutes later, when Dales latched onto a break down the left. He left the defence

standing and curved the ball goalwards out of Yates’ reach and into the net, 1-0.

Three minutes later it was number two, with the defence once again left wanting. Atkinson put a wonderful ball straight through the middle for Smith to chase, slotting it neatly past the oncoming Yates, 2-0.

Dales led another charge with Richards just three minutes later, a corner was conceded but the home defence regrouped and cleared the danger.

Basford then won a corner after 37 minutes, but Bencherif not only cleared, but layed the ball through the middle and once again split the home defence. Norkett collected but his shot was blocked, before Smith’s attempt from the rebound was saved by Yates.

Dales went close again a minute later after a midfield interception, but his shot was just over, before Blake found Thompson-Matthews who shot well wide of the target again after another Basford break.

It was a dominant half for Mickleover going into the break 2-1 up, but with shots on target it could well have been double the margin.

Just two minutes into the restart it should have been a third goal, after Richards outpaced the defence on the right. Norkett connected with an almost open goal, but put his header over the bar.

From then Basford started to grow in confidence and took the game to Mickleover, keeping both the defence and midfield pegged back in their own half. They had a clear shot on goal after 51 minutes, but a weak effort was an easy stop again. Two minutes later another half chance went begging, followed

by another effort punched clear by Chapman, as Wilkinson, Bencherif, Wiley and Sanders stood firm in the Mickleover back four, after five minutes of sustained pressure.

Atkinson and Ashman had dominated midfield in the first half, but found it tough going in the second to try and fight back.

Mickleover finally broke out again after 66 minutes when Norkett led a break. He was too close to the goal line to shoot himself, so it was turned back to Smith. He crossed from the left and found Richards, who shot wide of the left-hand post. A minute later Dales was pushed down in the box, but his penalty appeal was quickly dismissed.

Two Basford free kicks then came to nought, before Stacey came on for his Mickleover debut after 51 minutes, replacing Dales and after 74 minutes Taylor came on for Norkett.

The efforts to absorb the Basford attacks finally told on Sports, when Thistleton slipped the ball through to Blake, who slid it past Chapman, 2-1, with 13 minutes to play.

Beavon was the third Mickleover sub replacing Smith, but what had looked to be a comfortable lead, was now looking threatened as Basford continued to push for the equaliser.

There was response though and after 83 minutes Atkinson led a fight back, Richards crossed but it was a whisker away from connecting with Taylor. Six minutes later another cross from the left was equally close to Taylor.

So it remained 2-1 with three points to Mickleover, but it had been a tough second half, with Cotterill make a cameo appearance in time added on, replacing Richards.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover will be hoping to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at Corby on Tuesday night, with a visit to Basford Utd on Saturday.

Sports are now 11th in the table, while our hosts are 14th, after a 4-2 win over Bourne Town last Tuesday.

Andy Dales must be a doubt for Saturday following the horrendous tackle made by Corby’s skipper that went unpunished, but Harvey Smith came through the latter part of the game as a sub, despite originally being a doubt.

In this fixture last season we won 2-1, with goals from Archie White and Stuart Beavon and won the return at Mickleover 3-1, thanks to White, Dan Benson and Jake Bennett.

Gary Setchell took over as manager for hosts in August, after spending 12 months as Director of Football at Harborough Town. He was previously manager of Corby, Wisbech and Kings Lynn.

For our visitors first choice goalkeeper and captain is Matt Yates who arrived at the beginning of last season from Ilkeston. He went to Ilkeston from Gainsborough in July 2023. Originally a Derby County Junior, he was loaned to Gloucester City, Hereford and Telford Utd prior to his release.

Amarvir Sandhu is a left back who came from Barwell in August after a very short stay with the Leicestershire club. Last season he was at Rugby Borough and Barwell too and has played for Harborough Town, Corby, Coleshill, Hinckley Leicester Road, Shepshed Dynamo and Quorn.

Defender Owen Betts started off at Notts County and played for Spalding and Worksop too, before going to Long Eaton from Basford in February 2024. He made his return in pre-season.

Brad Wilson is another experienced and versatile defender who came from Anstey in March. He was previously at Long Eaton and has also played for AFC Mansfield, Rainworth MW, and Worksop.

Centre back Ethan Stewart was signed in July 2024 from Stafford Rangers. He started his career with Nottingham Forest, who loaned him to Billericay and Alfreton, before joining Nuneaton on his release. He then returned to Alfreton, before moving to Stafford Rangers in October 2021.

Ryan Ebanks came to Greenwich Avenue at the start of last season. He plays on the right side of the defence and lists Grantham, Newark Flowserve, Newark & Sherwood Utd and Coalville on his CV after playing junior football at Notts County.

Signed just a couple of weeks from Anstey Nomads, Kyle Tomlin is another centre back. He played his youth football at Mansfield Town, and has played for Coalville, Carlton and Eastwood too.

Harry Twite is another centre back who started out at the Warwick Academy in Bermuda. He then joined Kings Lynn who also loaned him to Wisbech, before he started with Loughborough Students in October 2024. He came to our visitors in pre-season.

Bodi Thistleton is a defender or midfielder on loan from Burton Albion. He’s also had loan spells at Kettering and Rugby Town.

Former Sports Centre back Brad Gascoigne has recently joined our hosts too, after starting the season at Eastwood. A Birmingham City junior, his non-league journey began in 2014 with Ilkeston Town. This is his third spell at Basford, going back to 2019, among many more mainly East Midlands clubs.

Right sided midfielder Nyle Blake arrived from Eastwood in February. He is a former Mansfield Town junior, who joined Alfreton following his release. He’s played for Frickley, Belper Town, Carlton, Hyde, Gainsborough, Stamford, Newark & Sherwood and Anstey too before joining Eastwood last November.

Nat Peters is a midfielder that came through Basford’s own scheme, before moving onto Kimberley MW. He returned to our hosts last November.

Cain Noble is a midfielder who came from Shepshed in August. He was a junior at Tranmere and Chester, before joining Loughborough Students in 2020. He moved on to Nuneaton, Shepshed and Corby, before spending the last three years at Quorn.

Charlie Gill is a young striker who was signed from Notts County in pre-season. He spent much of last season on loan at Alfreton.

Signed back in August Tristan Thompson-Matthews is a striker too, who came from Belper Town. He was previously at Long Eaton, Corby Town and Loughborough Dynamo.

Jack Goodman is currently on loan from Mansfield Town. As a Doncaster Rovers junior striker he was loaned to Stamford, Gainsborough, Matlock, Peterborough Sports and Bradford Park Avenue, before joining Basford on his release at the start of last season. After moving to Mansfield he was then loaned back to our hosts, plus spells at Kings Lynn and Alfreton, before returning on loan again at the start of this season.

Tyreace Palmer is well-known to Sports after his spell at Mickleover couple of seasons back. A striker from the Notts County Academy, he was loaned to Melton Town, Basford and Loughborough Dynamo, before coming to Mickleover in November 2024. He returned to our hosts in March 2025.

A number of home-grown talents have recently made their debuts too, including Academy captain and midfielder Lewis Brown, Taylor Dean Alijah Mignott and Jenson Brooks.

Striker Dameer Rose and midfielder Luca Burton also came through the Academy and broke through to make their first team debuts last season. Burton is also dual registered with Hucknall Town.

Finally striker Luis Rose made his debut last Tuesday, having just signed from Anstey Nomads. It was his second spell at Nomads, having originally joined them from Harborough in 2023. He also played for Leamington last season, before returning to Anstey in March.

Kick off at Greenwich Avenue is 3pm, your support would be most welcome, as Sports look to getting back to winning ways.

by Peter Scherer

A harsh red card for Charlie Hickingbottom left Mickleover on the back foot last night at Corby Town. Despite holding out for 70 minutes they finally succumbed to a 0-2 defeat.

Starting line-up: 1- Jack McDowell; 2-Darryl Powell; 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Will Atkinson; 5-Charlie Hickingbottom; 6-George Wilkinson; 7-Kane Richards; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Manni Norkett; 10-Andy Dales; 11-Josh Carter. Subs: Luca Alonzi; Jude Taylor; Dwayne Wiley; Theo Rowe; Harvey Smith.

Kick off was delayed by 15 minutes at Steel Park due to power issues, which was very poorly communicated by the home officials. It was barely 30 minutes before kick off that the game was finally confirmed as on.

Straight from the kick off Mickleover were on the attack, with Carter charging down the left wing to win the first corner after two minutes. Dales then got through on the left a minute later, but his cross missed Norkett by a whisker.

Corby’s first attack earned a corner too after seven minutes, Wilkinson cleared, before a follow up shot was blocked. McDowell then had to punch away another effort before the rebound went wide.

Richards went down in the box after 14 minutes, he looked for a penalty, but the appeals were understandably waved away.

Corby continued to push forward and created chances, but lack of accuracy made sure the Mickleover goal remained unthreatened. They earned a 17th minute corner, but that came to nought too.

Mickleover then broke forward a minute later, Carter carved through the middle and let loose a stinging shot, well saved by the home keeper, for another corner.

As it continued fairly even with both sides looking for a break, Dales was pushing forward, when Corby skipper Hobbins committed a horrendously late tackle, which instead of giving a straight red card or at least a yellow, the referee and his assistant totally ignored it and didn’t even give a free kick, even though he had previously yellow carded Hickingbottom and Wilkinson for much lesser offences. While Dales received lengthy treatment Hobbins stood over the scene to, apparently finding it funny.

Corby had another shot wildly over the bar on the half hour, before Carter led another break only to be fouled again.

McDowell saved a close range shot 24 minutes in and then Manning tried a 36th minute lob, again well wide of the target. Mickleover then won a free kick, which came to nothing.

With half time approaching Richards floated in a cross from the left, it found Carter on the right and he returned the favour before it was cleared.

But with a minute left on the clock Hickingbottom was alleged to have handled the ball, when it actually struck his hand from behind as he retreated in defence. “I didn’t even see the ball,” said Hickingbottom. The referee consulted with his assistant, who had already been swayed by Corby players and the home crowd, issued a second yellow card, followed by a red and Sports were down to 10 men, as they went into the half time break still 0-0.

Mickleover won a free kick at the beginning of the second half, from which Ashman blasted a shot at the keeper. Although

Dales had reappeared he soon had to surrender to the injured ankle from the appalling tackle earlier in the game and was replaced by Wiley.

The referee then realised he was also able to book Corby players too, as Craig’s name was taken after 49 minutes. Norkett was then fouled on the right wing, from which Richards’ free kick was blocked.

Atkinson and Ashman were both having outstanding games playing back and forth, as Powell, Wiley, Wilkinson and Sanders repelled any threats from the Corby attacks.

It was Atkinson who then led a 56th break down the right, cutting in to the edge of the box. Richards then fired a shot which was well saved by the keeper to concede a corner.

Alonzi replaced Norkett just after the hour, but seven minutes later Corby got a break down the Mickleover right, the ball was squared into the box and tapped home from close range, 0-1.

74 minutes in and both Richards and Carter came off to be replaced by Smith and Taylor.

While Corby had played down the middle, Mickleover’s lack of numbers made little difference, but by stretching the width, they were able to maximise their advantage.

McDowell made a great save from a deflected shot, but Sports were pushing everything forward for an equaliser. Taylor charged into the box after 86 minutes, but went down before he could shoot, and with four minutes of added time McDowell pulled off a magnificent double save as the ball bounced around the box.

Powell found Smith in the closing minutes, but his header went wide and then Corby broke for a second goal in the fifth minute of the supposed four minute add on, 0-2.

Despite the defeat it had been a strong team performance from Mickleover, but 10 men against 11 finally told.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s back to the league now for Mickleover after Saturday’s FA Trophy defeat, with a visit to Corby Town on Tuesday night.

Both Aaron Chapman and Harvey Smith are unlikely to make the trip due to injuries, as Sports try to make it three successive wins and four games unbeaten.

Our hosts are currently without a win in their last eight games and are currently 21st in the table, having lost 4-0 at Barwell last Saturday.

Manager Graham Drury only took over last month, having left Peterborough Sports. He’s also managed Stamford on three occasions, been at Corby before plus Boston Utd and a very brief 13 day reign at Matlock at the start of this season.

Goalkeeper Charlie Price has come from Stourbridge three weeks ago on a dual registration. He’s also played for Alvechurch and Bromsgrove.

Centre back Kade Craig is another new arrival too, three weeks ago. He’s dual registered with Rushall Olympic. He started out Birmingham City, before going to Shrewsbury following his release. After a loan at Telford he moved on to Solihull Moors, Brackley and Welsh League side The New Saints. He returned to Telford last February, before joining Rushall in pre-season.

Rob Evans is a centre back and came from Halesowen earlier this month. He started at Romulus and has also played for Coalville, Sutton Coldfield, Coleshill, Redditch and Leamington, before rejoining Halesowen for a second time last November.

Prad Bahrey is one the more experienced and longer serving players. A solid defender, he was previously at Wellingborough and he’s joined by fellow defender Eunis Lievins who was also at Steel Park last season.

Attacking wing back Amir Ward came from Wisbech in pre-season. He’s also played for Grantham Town

Fellow centre back Lewis White has followed manager Drury from Peterborough Sports a few weeks ago. After starting out with Shepshed Dynamo, he spent two years at Corby before moving to Kettering, where he has had two spells, similarly with Spalding.

Ben Williams also plays centre back too. He arrived back in August from Harborough Town.

Right back or centre back Theo Ezea came from Loughborough Students earlier this month. He was previously at Welsh League Newtown and Ellesmere Rangers.

Ollie Downs is a recent arrival from Loughborough Students too. A left back he started his career with Wimbledon, who loaned him to Bognor Regis and Fleet Town before he started at Loughborough at the beginning of last season.

Skipper George Hobbins is another new arrival, having followed manager Drury from Peterborough Sports a few weeks ago. He started in Cambridge Utd’s Academy and has also played for St.Neots, Bury Town, Real Bedford and Biggleswade.

Former Leicester City and Burnley junior Wiktor Gromek is a defensive midfielder. He then spent a year in Italy with Lecce before returning to the UK with Stoke City. After a loan with GKS Jastrzebie in Poland, he came to Corby in August following his release. He is also an under 16,18 and 19 international for Poland.

Midfielder Ben Challinor came from Peterborough Sports at the beginning of last season. He started out at Peterborough Utd and was at Barwell before his Sports move in February 2025.

McKauley Manning is an attacking midfielder who came to Corby a few weeks ago, after a short stay at Stratford. He had previously been at Halesowen for seven years and has played for Highgate Utd and Coventry Utd too.

Jordon Crawford is a midfielder signed from Wellingborough last October. He started his career at Corby before moving on to Kettering and Boston Utd. After a loan at Peterborough Sports he moved to Brackley and Harborough and was at Wellingborough for three months before joining our hosts.

Jamie Kennedy has also played in midfield too this season, mainly as a substitute.

Winger Lewis Wilson has League Two experience. He started off at Rushden & Diamonds and Newport Pagnell, before signing for Northampton Town. He was loaned to Kettering and Bishops Stortford, before a permanent move to Kettering. Whitehawk and Oxford City were next, before returning to Kettering. St.Neots, Stratford, Banbury, Macclesfield, Hendon and Nuneaton are also on his CV, before a sixth month spell at Rugby Borough preceded his arrival at Coventry Utd in October 2025. He finally joined our hosts in pre-season.

James Harding is yet another new signing, having come from Racing Club Warwick a few weeks ago. A striker, he’s played for Hungerford, Yate Town, Swindon Supermarine, and Bishops’ Cleave too.

Following his release from Northampton Town in August, striker Fran Obiagwu joined our hosts, having previously spent the end of last season on loan.

Fellow striker Ryan Boothe came from Rugby Town earlier this month. He was previously at Redditch, Sutton Coldfield, Lye Town, Rushall Olympic and Anstey Nomads.

Kick off at Steel Park is 7.45pm and it’s a 3G pitch.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Despite taking a first half lead, Mickleover succumbed to two second half goals against Alfreton Town, ending their FA Trophy run after strong and determined performance on a stormy day.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell; 2 George Wilkinson; 3 Sam Sanders; 4-Charle Hickingbottom; 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6-Dwayne Wiley; 7-Kane Richards; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith; 10-Andy Dales; 11-Josh Carter. Subs: Darryl Powell; Theo Rowe; Manni Norkett; Jude Taylor; Will Atkinson.

There was no sign of the rain and wind relenting as the game kicked off, but Mickleover managed to get the first shot in when Hickingbottom shot over the bar after five minutes.

Overall it was fairly even opening 10 minutes though in the tricky conditions, but Siyabonga Ligendza then clattered Sanders into the perimeter fence and deservedly received a yellow card.

Alfreton then began to push forward and after 13 minutes Ligendza combined with Abudu on the left, Youmbi shot from a narrow angle and McDowell saved to concede a corner.

Mickleover then had a half chance when Roberts had to race off his line to intercept before Smith could connect, before Alfreton retaliated with a Ligendza strike. McDowell made a great save to deny him and it was another corner, which came to nought.

Youmbi was next to test McDowell, cutting through from the middle before shooting wide.

Wilkinson, Bencherif, Wiley and Sanders were being tested at the back for Mickleover, but had plenty of opportunities to prove their worth.

Abudu was then cautioned for Alfreton after hacking down Richards, but Dales’ free kick was straight into the wall, before bouncing around in a goal mouth scramble until, Bencherif sent a shot well over the bar.

Just before the half hour mark Alfreton won a succession of corners, the final one headed clear by Bencherif.

Ashman had looked strong in central midfield for Sports and with Carter and Richards pushing forward on the wings, Richards broke into the box where he was pushed down and the referee pointed straight to the penalty spot.

Richards stepped up to convert the spot kick himself, so with 35 minutes gone it was 1-0 to Mickleover. But Sports were forced to make an early change before the restart after Smith had taken a knock and was replaced by Norkett.

Ashman then went in the book for a foul on Ligdenza, giving a free kick in dangerous place, which Alfreton failed to maximise after another series of corners.

With half time approaching Dales had a shot blocked after another goal mouth scramble, before Bencherif headed wide after another Dales free kick.

So Mickleover went into break 1-0 and had done more than enough to hold their own, as the conditions continued to be an issue.

Alfreton were straight into attack as the second half got underway. Nadin got a cross in after a break down the right, but there was no one in the middle, Williams then had a shot deflected for a corner which McDowell punched away.

The equaliser came on the 50 minute mark, when McDowell managed to save the initial shot, but couldn’t hold onto the ball in the slippery conditions, leaving Odunaiya to score from close range, 1-1.

The defence continued to soak up the pressure and McLachlan tried another shot on the hour but was just wide. Robson then connected with a corner four minutes later, but Sanders had it covered.

Taylor replaced Richards after 64 minutes, before Alfreton earned another series of corner, but Taylor then went on a charge through the middle, before a timely interception from the visitors defence.

Alfreton then sealed the win with a 76th strike from Mansfield loanee Riley McLachlan on his debut. Bencherif had come out to block him on the right, but he curved the ball around and gave McDowell little chance, 1-2.

Rowe was the third Mickleover sub on for Carter, but despite a couple of late chases from Norkett and shots from Rowe and Hickingbottom, it remained 1-2.

Overall it was a strong team performance from Mickleover, but it brought an end to the successful cup runs thar has seen us advance through the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

 

  

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday is Mickleover was important home game for a number of years, as we welcome neighbours Alfreton Town to the Vibrant Doors Arena.

Undefeated in the last three league games, Mickleover’s confidence is growing as we hope to the run extended.
Alfreton are currently 10th in the Northern Premier League after being relegated from the National League North last season. They have had two wins in their last six league games and beat Shifnal Town 2-1 in the last round of the FA Trophy.
Former Derby County and Burton Albion defender is currently the manager, assisted by coach Ben Turner,
Alfie Roberts is currently the first choice goalkeeper. A former Derby County junior, he was loaned to Barwell and Newcastle Town before his release. He moved on to Belper Utd and has played for Matlock and Ilkeston too, before joining our visitors. He has also been dual registered with Shepshed and Heanor Town.
Second choice keeper is teenager James Wright who came to Alfreton visitors from Hong king football is January.
Ex Derby County youngster Josh Shattell is also on the goal keeping strength, having signed in pre-season. He’s also dual registered with Belper Utd. He’s played for Erith Town and had a loan spell Forest Green
Centre back Aaron O’Reilly was signed in pre-season from Buxton. He started out at St.Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland and has played for Aston Villa and Huddersfield Town’s Under 21’s too. He’s been capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under 15, 16 and 19 levels.
Kasper Williams is a centre back, on loan from Doncaster Rovers. He’s also had loan spells at Whitby, Bridlington and Stocksbridge.
Ziggy Kozluk came Barnsley in pre-season. He’s a right back who started out in the Derby County Academy and the son of ex Rams player Rob.
Dan Benson is well known to Mickleover fans after spending the last two seasons with us. Another versatile defender who started out at Barnsley. After loans at Bradford Park Avenue he joined Matlock on his release and it was from there he came to Mickleover in September 2024.
Centre back Ewan Robson came from Carlton after successful pre-season trial. He had previously made over 300 appearances for Sherwood Colliery.
Ex Notts County Junior Reco Fyfe was a pre-season arrival from Quorn, where he captained the side last season after nine years with the club.
Sam Parker is a versatile defender signed from Ilkeston in the summer. A former Derby County Junior, he also captained Long Eaton Utd during his time there.
Central midfielder Jay Abudu is on loan from Worksop Town. He started out at Chesterfield and went to Portugal with Nogueirense and Leixoes before returning to the UK with Worksop in July.
Connor Dixon is also a central midfielder and has been captaining the side of late. He started out at Derby County and was loaned to Ilkeston and Farsley, before moving to Ilkeston on his release. He joined our visitors in July.
Another midfielder who arrived in pre-season is Tom Solanke. An ex West Bromwich Albion junior, he joined Stourbridge on his release, before moving on to Weymouth, Alvechurch, Boston Utd, Ilkeston and Stratford. Before joining Alfreton he spent two years back at Stourbridge.
George Grumley came from Pontefract in pre-season. He’s a midfielder too, who started out at York City and has also played for Brighouse Town.
Fellow midfielder Jack Nadin was at Nottingham Forest, before joining Welsh League side The New Saints following his release in July 2025. He came to Alfreton in September.
Charlie Finney has spent most of his career at Coventry City. Another midfielder, he was loaned to Rushall Olympic and Weymouth, before joining our visitors in pre-season, following his release.
Jakub Kruszynski is a former Mansfield Town junior midfielder. He was loaned to Ilkeston, Telford, Gainsborough and Rushall, before joining Alfreton in July following his release.
Striker Dylan Youmbi came from Ilkeston last March. A Bradford City youngster, he was loaned to Stocksbridge, Farsley and Scunthorpe, before joining Farsley following his release. He started last season at Ilkeston.
Fellow striker Siyabonga Ligendza started out at Cardiff City. He moved to Fylde following his release and also played for Eastbourne, Bognor Regis and Hastings, before joining our visitors from Eastbourne in July 2025.
Winger Lewis Salmon is another loanee from Chorley. He played for Trafford, Altrincham and Stalybridge before joining Nottingham Forest in 2021. Loans at Alfreton and Telford followed, before he returned to Alfreton in July 2023 following his release. He started this season at Chorley but returned on loan last month.
Striker Daniel Odunaiya was signed from Ilkeston in pre-season, he was previously with Belper Utd.
Kick off as usual is 3pm with all the usual bar and catering facilities.