by Peter Scherer

Two second half goals from Manni Norkett made sure all three points came back to Mickleover, after our 2-1 win at Coventry Utd.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Darryl Powell 3-Sam Sanders 4-Will Atkinson 5-Josh Ashman 6-George Wilkinson 7-Theo Rowe; 8-Cieron Keane 9-Harvey Smith 10-Jude Taylor 11-Kane Richards. Subs: Manni Norkett; Josh Carter; Brad Lathall; Yerim Zoko.

It was another lively start from Mickleover, with Taylor making a second minute interception only for his cross to miss Smith’s head by inches. Skipper Atkinson then charged forward only to be blocked on the edge of the box.

A minute later Richards and Smith combined only for the final strike to be blocked again.

Coventry then made their first break, a first test for the revised back four of Powell, Ashman, Wilkinson and Sanders. The cross came in but there was no one on the receiving end and it was easily cleared.

Smith tried his luck again after 12 minutes, but it was a routine catch for the home keeper.

After the initial pressure from Mickleover, the game began to even out more. But despite some positive build up’s neither keeper was seriously tested. McDowell made a comfortable save after 15 minutes and then Rowe outpaced the defence again on the left, but his cross was just out of reach of both Richards and Smith.

Our hosts had their first real shot after 20 minutes, but that was blocked and then cleared. But Coventry then tried a random shot, easily caught by McDowell.

Richards went close in the 24th minute, beating the defence on the right, despite being pulled back by his shirt and arm. He cut inside and tried to place his shot, only for the keeper to save with his feet.

Keane tested the keeper again after 34 minutes, but his long range effort was palmed away as Mickleover were finishing the first half positively.

Richards went close again with four minutes left, dispossessing the defence, he shot just wide of the left-hand post. But the first period ended 0-0 after a lengthy build-up ended with another Keane longshot as the whistle was poised.

There were no changes at half time but it didn’t go well for Sports following the restart. Just two minutes had gone when the ball came into the Mickleover box from the right, falling nicely for Cobourne, who beat McDowell from close range 0-1.

The goal seemed momentarily to upset the balance in defence and Coventry went close again two minutes later.

After earning a 52 minute free kick, Keane curled the kick crossfield to find Taylor, whose strike was just wide.

McDowell made another comfortable save three minutes later, before Rowe was sent on a long run deep into the box, but it proved too long and his path was blocked before he could shoot.

Just before the hour mark the first change was made with Norkett on for Richards. But it was Rowe testing the home defence again, his cross from the left finding Taylor again, who was unable to target his shot this time.

Taylor was beginning to run at the defence more and was fouled again as he charged through the middle on the hour. Keane once again curled in the free kick, but it was straight out of play.

Two more changes were made as Carter and Lathall came on for Powell and Taylor and within a minute Carter had made his presence felt. He took on the defence down the right, sending his cross into crowded box. Norkett was quickest to respond and sent his toe poke just wide of the keeper to make it 1-1.

Norkett almost got his second a minute later after Sanders put him through on the left. Cutting inside from the wing in a solo effort, his shot bounced off the top of the bar and out for goal kick.

Mickleover continued to press forward and when Rowe fired in a cross from the left, it not only beat the defence but our strike force too, as it rolled across the face of the goal.

But Coventry missed a golden chance for their second after 70 minutes and tested McDowell again four minutes later, who saved comfortably.

Norkett’s pace continued to torment the home defence, and he was hacked down just outside the box after 76 minutes. The free kick was headed away for a corner, which preceded a scramble in the box before Keane found Lathall, whose shot was blocked.

With just two minutes left Norkett attacked again on the left. An initial cross was cleared, but it fell to Carter on the right. His precision cross then found Norkett’s head on the left of the box, it was his and Mickleover’s second and sealed a 2-1 victory.

We take a short break from league action, as we travel to Grantham for our FA Trophy tie on Saturday and then welcome Loughborough Students to the Vibrant Doors Arena on Monday.

 

by Peter Scherer

Having got through the two preliminary rounds, Mickleover have been drawn away to Southern League Premier Division Stamford on September 5th.

Our hosts are currently bottom of the table, after four defeats, including last Saturday’s 0-1 loss at Worcester City.

What are manager Gareth Holmes’ views on the draw?

We’ve had a really positive start to the season. The lads are really buying into who we are and what we want to become. We will do our homework and prepare well. It’s a great game for us to look forward too.

Back in 23/24 we played Stamford in the league, going down 0-4 away, before returning the favour 3-0 at home at the end of our play-off season.

by Peter Scherer

Following last Saturday’s FA Cup win at Barwell, it’s back to league action on Wednesday night, when we visit fourth in the table Coventry Utd.

Our newly promoted hosts share Coventry RFC’s ground and have been managed for the last 10 years by Terry Anderson, who was previously first team coach. He’s assisted by Luke Morton and since coming from the United Counties League, they are off to a flying start.

A 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season at home to Grantham, has been followed by 1-0 wins away to Belper Town and Long Eaton and they were 3-1 FA Cup winners too last Saturday, at Whitchurch Alport.

Goalkeeper Dan Moore came from Worcester City at the start of last season. He’s a former Burton Albion Junior, who was loaned to Belper Town until a permanent move to Leamington. He played for Boldmere St.Michaels too, before returning to Belper and joined Worcester at the end of last season.

Right back Harry Sawyer came back to Coventry on a dual registration from Rugby Borough last September. He had previously spent four years with our hosts before moving to Hinckley AFC and Sutton Coldfield.

Fellow full back Adam Barber is a pre-season signing from Atherstone Town. He’s also had four years at Hinckley AFC and played for Nuneaton Griff and Shepshed Dynamo too.

Left back Jimmy Richardson made his debut at the end of last season and was previously at Redditch.

Chris Cox is the team captain. A right back he started his career with our hosts before moving on to Tamworth. He’s played for Nuneaton and Halesowen too, before returning to Coventry in January last year from Bedworth.

Defender Shay Palmer arrived from Worcester City in January 2025 and was previously captain at Highgate Utd.

Centre back Adam Miles returned to the club in September last year from Racing Club Warwick. He’s played for Rugby Borough, North Leigh and Newport Pagnall too.

Central midfielder Charlie Shaw was a junior at Mansfield Town. He’s had three spells at Tamworth and played for Walsall Wood and Lichfield, followed by Bromsgrove Sporting and Highgate Utd. He came to Coventry at the start of last season, after two years at Highgate.

A former Leicester City Junior Luke Downes is a midfielder who was at Coventry Sphinx before joining our hosts almost eight years ago. After spells away, he came back at the start of last season from Rugby Borough.

Experienced midfielder Reece Blackmore was signed in pre-season from Racing Club Warwick, having previously spent a number of years at Bedworth.

George Dunkley is the newest arrival. A midfielder, he came from Bedworth at the end of last month.

Cody Mullan s another midfielder who arrived last December. He has played for Nuneaton Town and Coleshill, and previously for Wolverhampton Sporting, Coton Green, Chelmsley Town, Knowle and Tividale.

Attacking midfielder or striker, Leo Stone came from Rugby Borough at the start of last season. He was previously with Coventry Sphinx and Bedworth.

Cameron Dunn came from Lichfield in June 2024, after coming through the Bedworth youth team.

Charlie Faulkner started in Stratford’s youth scheme. An attacking midfielder, he played for our hosts a few years back and has been at Rugby Town and played for Knowle and Coventry Sphinx too, before making his return.

Simeon Cobourne is one of the new signings, having come from Quorn in pre-season. He started off at Coleshill, before moving on to Heather St.John, Romulus, Halesowen and Rushall. He then returned to Coleshill, before a return trip to Halesowen, followed by Racing Club Warwick and Khalsa.

Striker Kyle Carey had six seasons with our hosts before returning in pre-season, after spell at Wellingborough. He played for Mickleover back in 2018 after coming through Coventry Sphinx’s youth scheme.

Winger Benji Adomako left our hosts last November to join Rugby Borough, but has returned for this season.

Kick off at the Nick Newbold Stadium is 7.45.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

TWO blistering second half free kicks from Cieron Keane made sure that its Mickleover in the hat for the next round of the FA Cup, after a 2-1 win at Barwell.

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

After a fairly stop start opening few minutes, Keane sent in a telling cross to find Sanders in the middle, but his 10th minute header was just wide of the post.

Sports continued to defend well with Wilkinson, Ashman, Wiley and Sanders looking solid, as Atkinson and Keane led by example to keep midfield advancing.

It was Keane that made a 20th minute interception and fired a shot goalwards from distance, but just over the bar.

Mickleover kept trying to push forwards and when Dales cut back after 28 minutes, he set up Rowe with a sight of goal, but keeper Brown saved the initial effort and collected it at his second attempt.

Shaquile Master had a shot wide for Barwell 32 minutes in and 10 minutes later Deen Master started a move which gave Dowd a chance, but his shot was high and wide.

Powell replaced Wiley just before half time and slotted into the back four, but just as it had been in Tuesday’s league game, it remained 0-0 as the half time whistle blew.

It was a lively start from Sports in the second half, with Norkett laying the ball off to Dales two minutes into the restart, but his curling shot was just wide of the far post.

But a minute later McDowell pulled off a fine save to deny Barwell the opening goal, from another Deen Master strike.

Barwell skipper Hickey had the ball in the net after 51 minutes, but was given offside, just before Mickleover made their second change, with Richards on for Norkett.

65 minutes gone and Turner committed a foul, Keane stepped up for the free kick and his shot went over the wall and wide of keeper Brown to make it 1-0.

Further substitutions saw Beavon and Carter on for Dales and Taylor, but with 81 minutes gone, Hickey latched onto a Deen Master strike to make it 1-1.

Time was running out and a possible replay beckoned, when Barwell gave away another free kick close in and almost on full time. Keane stepped up again to blast it into the back of the net, as the final whistle soon followed, with Sports the victors 2-1.

 

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Just when it looked like we were heading for a 0-0 draw, an 86th minute goal for Barwell seemingly sealed it for the visitors. But Sports fought back and Andy Dales snatched a last gap equaliser for a well-deserved 1-1.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders; 4 Will Atkinson 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Dwayne Wiley; 7 Theo Rowe; 8-Josh Ashman 9-Manni Norkett 10-Jude Taylor 11-Kane Richards. Subs: Andy Dales; Daryl Powell; Terry Hawkridge; Yerim Zoko; Josh Carter.

It was a fairly scrappy start with neither side showing an early advantage. But after 13 minutes Rowe suddenly burst through the defence on the left, before his shot was blocked and the first corner of the game earned.

Taken short it was once again picked up by Rowe, he unleashed a powerful shot that skimmed the top of the bar, before going out for a goal kick.

Barwell had their first attack a couple of minutes later, but Bencherif cut it out and they earned their first corner too, which came to nought.

Rowe continued to be the thorn in the visiting defences side, firing in a dangerous 24th minute cross. It was already heading goalwards with Norkett about to connect, when former Sports defender Kyle Rowley cleared it off the line.

Rowe then put in another cross a couple of minutes later, but it was too high for Richards. Possession was starting to go in Mickleover’s favour, with Ashman particularly creative in midfield. He was the next to try his luck, shooting through a crowded box but comfortably taken by keeper Brown.

There was an early blow for Sports though when skipper Bencherif went down having tweaked his back. He was replaced by Hawkridge, going into midfield, while Ashman dropped into the back four alongside Wiley.

The change seemed to upset the rhythm that had started to build, but 36 minutes in Taylor and Richards combined to dispossess a defender, only for the final shot to be blocked.

Taylor was then fouled on the right, but the free kick wasn’t given and Richards continued before firing a shot just over the bar again. It was Richards again that created our last chance of the first half. He put a nice ball through on the right for Norkett to chase, but it was just too long and the final shot from a tightening angle was an easy save for Brown.

It was Barwell that came out for the second half with all guns blazing and Calver set up Willock whose shot forced a great diving save from Chapman just four minutes into the half.

But it was the visitors who continued to edge the advantage in possession and after 53 minutes Mickleover made their first change, with Dales on for Richards, followed on the hour by Zoko on for Norkett.

Barwell earned a 65th minute free kick but then went wide, as Chapman showed his judgement to leave the ball to perfection. Four minutes later they had another break and earned a corner, which could have gone anywhere before the defence cleared.

Powell came on for his debut replacing Taylor after 77 minutes, but Chapman was still the busier of the two keepers and had to push away an in swinging corner with eight minutes on the clock.

Four minutes later though the deadlock was broken, when a cross from the Mickleover right fell nicely for Master, who fired it into the bottom corner, 0-1.

Barwell skipper Hickey tested Chapman again with a header, but with five minutes added on there was a dramatic conclusion. Time was running out as Rowe made one last charge down the right, his cross found Dales whose first attempt came off a defenders shoulder for a final corner.

It was Dales again that got a touch in a busy box, but it was enough to poke home the equaliser, 1-1 with almost the last kick of the ball.

Dwayne Wiley was awarded the Man of the Match award.

It keeps us in third place in the table as we now look forward to facing Barwell again on Saturday, but this time in the FA Cup.

 

by Peter Scherer

After the outstanding start to the season, Mickleover enter a critical period for their future success, with two games against Barwell over four days.

On Tuesday night we are the hosts as we welcome them to the Vibrant Doors Arena and on Saturday we make the return trip to Kirkby Road in the FA Cup.

Following last Saturday’s 4-0 win over St Ives, Mickleover now top the table, with our visitors in 16th. Relegated from the Southern Premier League last season.

They lost at home 0-1 to Basford in their opening game and then had a 1-1 at home again with Rushden & Diamonds, before a 4-1 win at Sporting Inkberrow in the FA Trophy last Saturday.

Manager Damon Beckford-Quailey has been in charge since last March and now has Daryll Thomas assisting.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Brown was signed in pre-season. He started out at Boldmere and played for Rushall and Wulfrunians, before a three-year spell at Kidderminster. He was loaned to Yate Town, Bromsgrove and back to Rushall, before making a permanent move to Sutton Coldfield.

He’s played for Evesham, Stafford Rangers, Alvechurch and Hednesford too and had return trips to Bromsgrove before joining Sutton Coldfield again in 2022.

Centre back Herve Pepe Ngoma played youth football with St.Etienne before joining Leicester City. He joined Nuneaton following his release, quickly moving on to Corby, Kettering, Boston Utd and Coalville.

He had his first spell at Barwell in September 2021, then returned to Coalville for two years before coming back again in July 2024. His current stay started last March after eight months at Stamford.

Fellow centre back Kyle Rowley is known to Mickleover fans after a spell at Station Road back in 2024. His career began to at Walsall and after a loan at Sutton Coldfield, he joined Rugby Town on his release.

Alvechurch, Walsall Wood, Hednesford and Stourbridge followed, before he came to Mickleover from Barwell in February 2024. He since returned to Walsall Wood and played for Redditch and Stamford too, before rejoining our guests from Bromsgrove last month.

Left back Amarvir Singh Sandhu came from Rugby Borough in pre-season. After starting off at Hinckley and Leicester Road, he joined our visitors briefly in 2016 before returning to Leicester Road. Quorn, Shepshed Dynamo, Coleshill, Corby and Harborough are among his former clubs too.

Right back Macauley King has spent most of his career in the US. He played for Young Harris College, Mississippi Brilla, Charlotte Eagles, Sounders, Indy Eleven, El Paso Locomotive and Colorado Springs Switchbacks, before returning to the UK in January 2025 with Redditch. He came to Barwell last month from Pershore Town.

Spencer Edwards is another centre back signed from Corby Town in pre-season. He was previously at Hinckley LRFC.

Former Coventry City Junior Malakai Reeve is another new signing and another centre back. He went to Barrow following his release and had loans at FC United and Blyth Spartans before joining our visitors in October 2024.

Young defender Daniel Brown is a pre-season arrival from Carlton, where he has spent most of his career after joining them in 2018 from Southwell.

Midfielder Cole Turner is a recent singing too, having been released by Leicester City during the summer.

Central midfielder and captain Brady Hickey recently returned to the club after two years at Harborough. It’s his third spell at Kirkby Road and he’s also played for Nuneaton.

Charlie Dowd is another central midfielder and a former Burton Albion Junior. He joined Bromsgrove after his release, moving on to Alvechurch, Nuneaton, Stratford Town, Stourbridge and Sutton Coldfield, before coming to Barwell from Bedworth in July 2025. He left to join Birmingham OJM after eight months and returned in the summer.

Midfielder Ethan Hill was a youngster at Nottingham Forest and Mansfield before going to Kettering after his release. After spells at Telford and Ilkeston, he first came to Barwell in October 2023 and stayed almost two years before a move to Leamington, which preceded his pre-season return.

Midfielder or defender Deen Master was a Burton Albion youngster after they spotted him with Leicester Nirvana. He first went to Barwell after his release and stayed three years, before joining Quorn and has returned to the club in pre-season.

Saad Hamrad is another versatile defender of midfielder, who has arrived from Harborough Town on pre-season.

Central Midfielder Ryan Lee Calver is another new singing, after spending the last five years at Melton Town. He previously played for Humberstone Rangers, Leicester Nirvana, Lutterworth Town and Aylestone Park.

A former Northampton Town, Leicester Nirvana, Nuneaton, Rushall and Hednesford midfielder, Shaquille Master came to Barwell in October 2022 from Nuneaton. His next stop was Shepshed Dynamo and he returned to our guests in pre-season

Dannen Francis is an Antigua and Barbuda international who started out at Blackpool. After a loan spell at Workington he joined Fleetwood following his release and is another recent arrival.

Striker Aaron O’Connor has League Two experience. After starting at Grays Athletic, he played for Mansfield Town, Rushden and Luton Town, before moving on to Forest Green. He’s played for Stevenage, Kettering, Tamworth, Basford and Carlton, before returning to Barwell last month after three years at Eastwood.

Former Walsall Junior striker Shay Willock came from Bromsgrove last month. Following his Saddlers release he joined Alvechurch, after loan at Worcester Raiders. He’s also played for Coventry Sphinx, Stourbridge and Stafford.

Leke Shodunke is a striker signed in pre-season from Grantham. He previously spent three seasons with Shepshed Dynamo, after joining them from Quorn.

Striker Blake Kindred is one of the few players at the club from last season, despite having been out on a dual registration at Lutterworth Athletic. He previously played for Alvechurch and Bromsgrove Sporting.

Tuesday night’s kick off at the Vibrant Doors Arena is 7.45pm, with all the usual facilities and we want as many supporters as possible to be there and on Saturday at Kirkby Road too for the 3pm kick off.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover go to the top of the league after starting their home league campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over St.Ives.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders; 4- Will Atkinson 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6- Dwayne Wiley; 7- Kane Richards; 8- Josh Ashman; 9-Manni Norkett; 10-Jude Taylor; 11-Theo Rowe. Subs: Andy Dales, Charlie Hickingbotton; Terry Hawkridge; Yerim Zoko; Josh Carter.

Mickleover came straight out of the traps fighting and put the St.Ives defence under immediate and sustained bombardment.

Rowe earned the first corner after two minutes and a couple a minutes later he tested keeper Alex Fisher, who made a fingertip save following another corner.

It then came as no surprise that Norkett opened the scoring after five minutes, firing the ball home into the bottom right-hand corner and well out of Fisher’s reach 1-0.

With Wilkinson, Bencherif, Wiley and Sanders making a formidable line at the back for Sports, the visitors were struggling for put any sort of attack together, as Atkinson and Ashman kept midfield tight too.

Nine minutes in and St.Ives tried to catch Chapman off guard, but not only did it not test the Sports keeper, the shot was wide too.

But Chapman did have to make decisive clearance when the home defence failed to get the ball away, after a scramble in the Mickleover box after 16 minutes.

It continued to be all Mickleover though and just a minute later a great build-up of skill and determination saw Norkett seek out Taylor. He then layed it off for another strike from Rowe. But Fisher made a great save, as the ball curled in heading for the top right-hand corner.

Despite the constant pressure the visiting defence were still holding on, mainly thanks to keeper Fisher. He made another reflex save after 20 minutes, when Rowe picked the ball up from a St.Ives corner, before sprinting the length of the pitch. As he cut inside he unleashed a great curling shot again, only to see it tipped away from a tightening angle.

It came down to time added on in the first half for goal number two to finally arrive. Richards had broken free into the box and was brought down by the keeper. Norkett then stepped to successfully convert the spot kick and then the whistle went with Mickleover 2-0 up.

With no changes at half time Richards and Rowe were soon tormenting the visiting defence down the wings again. Just two minutes into the second half Rowe forced Fisher into another excellent save.

But just before the hour mark Norkett was wreaking havoc in the box. He was fouled and another penalty was awarded, which he duly converted, making it 3-0 after 55 minutes and completing his hattrick.

Dales was the first sub to be used coming on for Taylor and just six minutes later Fisher saved St.Ives yet again, tipping another Rowe strike over the bar.

Richards was next on the scoresheet, after 66 minutes, with a thundering strike from the edge of the box, straight into the top right-hand corner, which even Fisher’s heroics couldn’t stop. 4-0.

Hickingbottom and Carter then came on for Richards and Atkinson, and a few minutes later hattrick hero Norkett made way for Zoko.

Chapman had to make one more save in the 92nd minute to seal the clean sheet, but it was another dominant Sports victory, in charge for the whole 90 minutes, as we now look forward to the visit of Barwell to the Vibrant Doors Arena on Tuesday night, before the return fixture in the FA Cup just four days later.

After the match Manni Norkett was awarded the Man of the Match award sponsored by Mickleover Padel.