by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Two second half goals following corner kicks made sure all three points came to Mickleover last night.

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

Right from the first whistle Mickleover were on the attack and ready to test the visitors defence. In the first minute a dangerous cross into the Boldmere box, could have been productive, but no one was able to get a shot in.

But only four minutes later Dales got a break down the left and as he started to cut inside he fired a shot just wide of the right-hand post.

As the game started to settle, the Sports midfield began to push forward with Atkinson leading the way. After 13 minutes he broke clear and sent Smith on a chase, but keeper Harrison just managed to intercept and conceded a corner.

Two minutes later a similar move tested the Boldmere defence again, but this time it was Carter’s cross from the right, desperately close to connecting with Smith again.

It was 20 minutes into the game before the visitors showed any real attempt to push forward and for a while both defences were challenged. But with Wilkinson, Bencherif, Hickingbottom and Sanders forming a solid back line for Sports, it was looking like a quiet night for Chapman in the Mickleover goal.

Dales had another shot blocked after 21 minutes and Carter then went close on the half hour, just missing the connection in the box after Rowe had fed the ball in from the left.

For the final minutes of the first half Mickleover pushed forward to try and break the deadlock with Carter on another run, finding Smith with his cross, only to be blocked, before Atkinson’s follow up was blocked and Dales finally shot wide.

Smith had another header just wide, but it remained 0-0 at the break.

Just as in the first half Sports started strongly with Smith earning another corner four minutes into the restart. Just a minute later he was on the receiving end of a Rowe corner on the right, and the deadlock was finally broken 1-0.

There still seemed to be little attacking creativity from Boldmere in response and on the hour Rowe, Dales and Smith combined to threaten the visitors again.

While Wilkinson and Sanders both pushed forward on the wings, Ashman and Hickingbottom alternated between centre back and defensive midfield, which seemed more than effective in thwarting any threat.

63 minutes in and Dales almost put Smith clear again, but keeper Harrison was quick off his line again, as his defence put him under more pressure with some risky passes.

Boldmere had their first real shot after 66 minutes, from the break on the right, the shot was wide of the right-hand post. The visitors defence also began to show more aggression, with Carter taken out on a right wing charge. Dales’ free kick then bounced around in the box before being finally cleared.

Mickleover’s first change came after 73 minutes with Richards on for Rowe. There soon followed a succession of corners, before Richards put the ball precisely into the box, finding Hickingbottom’s head and it was 2-0.

Taylor was the second sub to be used, but with six minutes left, Chapman raced off his line to intercept a rare Boldmere attack. A couple of minutes later Smith was clattered from behind by a defender who had no intention of playing the ball. For a while the referee lost control, failing to show a deserved yellow card, before Mickleover skipper Bencherif took charge.

Richards was then yellow carded for a legitimate tackle, before the game ended with Taylor on a great run, until a final interception, but a well-deserved win for Mickleover.

 

by Peter Scherer

With a victory looking likely at Shepshed last Saturday until the injury time equaliser, Mickleover need to strike some home form and gets points on the board to climb the table.

It’s been a strong start to the season for our visitors, with only one defeat so far, at Belper Town 0-1 back in August, which sees them fourth in the table at present. They are currently fifth in the table after Saturday’s draw at Corby Town, six points clear of Mickleover with the same games played.

Ben Roberts has been in charge since February last year, having first taken on the job on a temporary basis.

Goalkeeper Adam Harrison is one of a number of new arrivals. He’s a former Leicester City youngster, who joined Bedworth following his release. He then moved on to Tividale, Redditch, Bedford, Rushden & Diamonds and Bromsgrove, before ending last season at Quorn. He came to our visitors in July, after a very brief stop at Stamford.

Centre back Kye Bilton is in his second season at the club, having come straight from his release at Burton Albion in July last year.

Jack Lynch is another of the pre-season arrivals. A right back and former Aston Villa and Walsall junior, he joined Coleshill following his release. Spalding and Shepshed were his next stops, before a two year stay at Sutton Coldfield preceded his latest move.

Left back Frankie Ealing came from Welsh League Aberystwyth in February 2025. He was previously at Aston Villa up to under 23 level.

Nathan Allison is former England Under 18’s international and is dual registered with Smethwick Rangers.

Captain Aris Christophorou is a centre back, signed from Sutton Coldfield in August 2022. He started out at Walsall and has played for Nuneaton Borough, Stourbridge and Rushall Olympic as well as playing for Cyprus at Under 19 level.

Centre back Pedro Lima joined our visitors last December. He started last season at Rushall Olympic, has played for Sutton Coldfield and previously attended a West Bromwich Albion College programme.

Connor Armstrong is a midfielder who arrived in September 2025 from Rushall Olympic. He was last seasons player of the year.

In his second spell at the club Jack Burgess is another midfielder. He returned to the club in late 2025 2025 from Rushall Olympic, having signed originally in 2022 from Sutton Coldfield. He’s also played for Stratford, Stafford Rangers, Walsall Wood and Rugby Borough.

Former Chasetown captain Danny O’Callaghan was signed in June 2025. He’s another midfielder and has played for Rushall, Sutton Coldfield and Castle Vale too.

Fraser Doyle is another midfielder and yet another ex Sutton Coldfield player. He’s played for Walsall Wood too.

Midfielder Max Ngbeken-Itota came from Bedford Town in pre-season. He’s also played for Bedworth and Rushden & Diamonds.

Kyle Byrne is a winger signed from Shifnal Town in December 2025. It’s his second spell at the club, but has spent much of his career with Sutton Coldfield.

Striker Jaiy Leydon is another former Walsall youth player. He had a loan spell at Redditch, before joining Coventry Sphinx following his release last January.

Tolani Omotola is a well travelled striker who started his career at Tranmere Rovers. Coalville, Buxton, Corby, Barwell and Hyde were his other early clubs, before moving on to Alvechurch, Carlton, Stafford, Atherton Collieries and Burscough.

He then stayed at Anstey Nomads for two years, after a return trip to Barwell. Moving on again to Coventry Sphinx, Racing Club Warwick and Long Eaton, starting last season at Rushden & Diamonds. He joined our visitors in November last year, after three months at Bedworth.

James O’Neill is another pre-season signing, a former Stafford Rangers striker. He started off at Telford and Chasetown, before going to Wales with Newtown. After spell back in England with Stafford, he had a short say at Stratford, before returning four months later.

Winger John Atherton came from Stafford in pre-season too. He rejoined Stafford in June 2024 for his second stint from Chasetown.

Another pre-season arrival was Daniele Reka. A striker from Racing Club Warwick. He was previously at Coventry Sphinx, Rugby Town, Worcester Raiders and Alvechurch.

Taylor Townsend is another striker signed in pre-season. He’s an ex Gornal Athletic, Sporting Khalsa and Worcester City player.

Kick off at the Vibrant Doors Arena i3 74.45, with al the usual bar and catering facilities available.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover looked to have three points sewn up, after Harvey Smith had scored in the 80th minute. He then hit the post too, before Shepshed equalised in time added on, with their first real shot of the game.

Starting line-up: 1-Aaron Chapman; 2-George Wilkinson; 3-Sam Sanders; 4-Will Atkinson 5-Hamza Bencherif; 6-Charlie Hickingbottom; 7-Theo Rowe; 8-Josh Ashman; 9-Harvey Smith; 10-Manni Norkett; 11-Jude Taylor. Subs: Kane Richards; Darryl Powell; Josh Carter; Charlie Knowles; Stuart Beavon.

From the kick off Sports were playing into a strong wind, which restricted Chapman’s kicking capabilities. But most of the first 15 minutes were even, with neither side able to create any real chances.

Then Rowe crossed from the left, Smith miscued his shot, but it fell to Ashman, who powered his shot goalwards, only for keeper Williams to tip it around the post for a corner.

The keeper was in action again after the corner came in, making a double save from Hickingbottom after his first effort hit the post. Norkett then piled in too as the ball was loose, before it went out for another corner.

18 minutes in Smith put Norkett through again, only to be hacked down. But despite charging passed a defender, he was flagged offside and the free kick went to Shepshed.

Samples then had a chance for Shepshed’s first shot of the game, after Medrano picked up a loose clearance, but his effort was well off target.

It was Mickleover looking strong though, continually driven forward by Atkinson and Ashman in midfield, with both Taylor and Rowe attacking on the wings.

It was another Rowe charge down the left after 28 minutes that found Norkett, his low shot was saved again by keeper Williams.

Sanders was working with Rowe on the overlap too and they almost broke through a few minutes later, before the keeper made another timely interception. It was Rowe again testing Williams 37 minutes in, after a good build up down the left his shot was saved as he cut inside.

With five minutes of the second half left, Bencherif was yellow carded, but Shepshed’s free kick in what could have been a dangerous place, was totally wasted.

Smith tried a distance shot too, caught by the keeper before Norkett was fouled as he tried to turn on the edge of the box, only for Rowe’s free kick to cannon off the wall.

With the whistle poised Smith got his head to another corner, but it came to nought and the half ended goalless.

It was Mickleover that started the second half the liveliest of the two sides again, with Atkinson close to putting Smith through, until the keeper intercepted.

After another lull in the pace of the game Norkett got a break down the right after 55 minutes, only to be flattened by the final Shepshed defender. A red card wouldn’t have been unreasonable, but the referee thought otherwise, only for Atkinson’s free kick to go straight into the wall before being cleared.

Sports first substitution came o the hour with Carter on for Taylor. He was soon in action with his 65th minute cross finding Norkett, but his shot was blocked again.

Richards then came on for Norkett, before the ball fell kindly for Shepshed sub Wyse on the right, but his feeble effort barely reached the goal leaving Chapman unchallenged.

Carter picked the ball up on the right and with head down headed for the goal after 77 minutes, but once again the keeper charged off his line and had it covered. Richards then sent in a telling cross from the right too, earning another corner.

Finally in the 80th minute a crossfield ball found Carter on the right again, he slotted the cross in perfectly for the oncoming Smith, who slotted neatly passed the oncoming keeper for his first Mickleover goal, 1-0.

Three minutes later Bencherif sent another crossfield ball to find Rowe, he cut inside but miscued his shot and it went wide.

With just two minutes left Shepshed had their first shot on target from Samples, it earned a corner then Chapman intercepted from the following half chance.

Carter almost got through on goal before the keeper got their first and on then on time Smith was clear through the middle. He placed his shot passed the oncoming keeper, but it hit the post, before it was signalled that four more minutes had been added.

Mickleover had dominated the game and were unlucky not to be at least two goals up, but then debutant Tague picked up a ball from Peart on the left for Shepshed, hitting the top corner from close range to make it 1-1.

There was one last chance for Sports when Knowles battled through on the left, but Williams beat Richards to the cross by inches and it ended 1-1.

 

by Peter Scherer

After two consecutive away defeats, Mickleover will be looking to get back to winning ways with the visit to Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday.

Both Dwayne Wiley and Sam Sanders both had to come off during Tuesday’s defeat at Wellingborough, so there could changes in Sports back four.

Mickleover are currently 14th in the table, with our hosts in 10th following their 2-2 draw at Coventry Utd on Wednesday night. There is just one point between us though.

Gary Drake has been in charge at Shepshed since October 2024, having previously been assistant and has also managed Rugby Town and coached in the US, Canada and the UK.

Jake Williams is first choice keeper at the moment, he was signed from Quorn in pre-season. Australian born, he’s played for Harborough Town and Leicester Nirvana too. But with a red card on Wednesday night he could be missing too.

Previously first choice between the sticks Dan Wallis came from Stamford in July 2024. He’s a former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest junior, who went to Norway with FK Valdres following his release. He came to Matlock Town on his UK return, and has played for Gainsborough, Macclesfield and Corby Town too. He’s currently out of action with a broken ankle.

Right or centre back Ben Bayliss arrived in July 2025 from Anstey Nomads, where he had spent the last five years. He previously played in the Leicester City and Mansfield Town Academies.

Chad Timson came from Loughborough Dynamo in June 2024.. A defender, he has also played for Leicester Nirvana, Hinckley AFC, Kettering Town and Corby Town.

Left back Jack Samples was signed in September last year on a dual registration with Quorn, but made it permanent in pre-season. He started out at playing junior football with Heather St.John’s, Ravenstone and, Aylestone Park, before joining Oadby Town. He’s played for Coalville Town, Ashby Ivanhoe and Anstey Nomads too.

Left back Kelly Fombad is a former Lincoln City junior, signed from Harrowby Utd in pre-season. He’s also played for Lincoln Utd and Melton Town.

Dec Peart is a centre back who started his career with Oxford City. He played for Kidlington and North Leigh before moving to Racing Club Warwick in July 2024. He joined our hosts in November 2024.

Home grown teenaged talent Harry Harrison is another defender who has come through the ranks at Shepshed to join the first team squad.

Ethan Baynham is another pre-season signing from Coventry Copeswood. He started out at Mansfield Town, but has also played for Anstey Nomads, Bedworth, Coventry Utd, Lutterworth Town and Hinckley AFC.

Central midfielder Kyle Dixon is in his fourth season at Shepshed, since arriving from Carlton Town. He started at Notts County and was loaned to Boston Utd, and Telford before going back to Boston following his release. He’s played for Basford, North Ferriby, Coalville, Newark Flowserve, Gainsborough and Belper Town too.

Josh Burniston is a midfielder too, who came from Anstey Nomads last May. He started out with Nottingham Forest and Cambridge Utd, before moving on to Hinckley AFC and Lincoln Utd.

Ben Britton, Josh Halliday and Reece Massey are also midfielders. Britton was signed in pre-season after a spell in the US with Mississippi Brilla and St.Charles, while Halliday came from FCV Grace Dieu and Massey came from Hinckley AFC.

Lucas Brown and Taylor Wyse are both on loan from Tamworth. Brown is a right sided midfielder, and Wyse is a striker.

Striker Jack Butterfill joined our hosts in pre-season from West Coast Rangers in New Zealand. He was previously at Lincoln Utd having played for Barnsley and Leicester City at under 18 and 21 levels.

Jiah Medrano is a winger and a former Burton Albion youngster. He returned to our hosts in July from Alvechurch, having previously spent two years with the club up to 2023. He played for Yeovil under 18’s Kirby Muxloe, Leamington, St.Ives and Barwell too.

John McHugh is a winger too, who came from Uttoxeter Town in pre-season. A former Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday youngster, he’s played for Rushden & Diamonds, Boldmere, Belper Utd and Hucknall Town.

Striker Josh Allen came from Barrow Town in July 2025. He started this season at Leicester Nirvana but has recently returned to our hosts.

Reuben Wyatt came from Stratford Town on a dual registration at the end of August, after starting the season with Rugby Borough. He’s a former Northampton Town youngster and had a loan spell at St Albans, before joining Tamworth on his release, who also loaned him to Barwell and St.Ives.

Kick off at the Dovecote Stadium is 3pm

by Peter Scherer

After a fairly even first half, it was Wellingborough that struck with an early goal to seal all three points.

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

Mickleover were forced to make one change before kick off when Cieron Keane pulled up in the warm-up and was replaced on the bench by Stuart Beavon.

The first 10 minutes were fairly scrappy, with Mickleover relying on the long ball out of defence, but neither keeper were tested.

Sports had their first real attack after 13 minutes, when a good build up down the left found Dales, who sent Sanders on the overlap, before his curling shot was easily collected by keeper Snedker.

Two minutes later Dales was hacked down on the halfway line, which brought the first of seven yellow cards for our hosts midfielder Buckby.

The following free kick came to nought, but Mickleover continued to push forward, with Taylor outpacing the defence on the right, only for his cross to go behind Smith on the edge of the box.

Just before the half hour mark the tide turned in Wellingborough’s favour and Ashman had to clear off the line, for what looked to be a certain opening goal.

For the following few minutes the Mickleover defence was under pressure, with Bencherif blocking a shot from the right and after Sanders lost out on the left, Wilkinson made the clearance.

Jones then had a great chance for our hosts but fired well over the bar, but in the final throws of the first half it was Sports threatening again. Dales had a shot well saved by Snedker, while Higginbottom fired in the rebound, just over the bar and so it remained goalless.

Mickleover were forced to make a change for the second half, with Powell on for Sanders, which meant a reshuffle on the backline.

Just two minutes into the half Wellingborough attacked down the left, Wiley pulled up in challenge allowing Jones to find Fifield, whose shot was parried by Chapman, but fell to Ball who made the rebound count, 0-1.

Wiley then had to come off too and was replaced by Carter, who moved into the left back position, with Powell on the right and Wilkinson in the middle with Bencherif.

Seeking to expose more vulnerability in the defensive changes, Wellingborough tried a number of quick breaks, but overall any threat was dealt with admirably.

But Sports weren’t able to create anything going forward, which prompted more changes just before the hour mark, as Smith and Dales came off, to be replaced by Norkett and Rowe.

A goal mouth scramble after 65 minutes could easily have brought an equaliser. Norkett had the ball but with his back to goal and couldn’t turn, the ball was played back out, before Carter fired it in again and the home defence finally cleared it.

Rowe managed to get a break on the left, with Richards free on the right yelling for the ball. But he continued his run a step too far and lost possession.

78 minutes gone and Beavon replaced Richards, but as Mickleover tried to go for a final push, Wellingborough went close again. After an 82nd minute shot went over the bar, Green tried his luck three minutes later but it was an easy catch for Chapman.

Time had almost run out when Sports won a sequence of corners, which brought keeper Chapman into the attack too. The final chance fell to Beavon in time added on, but he sliced it wide of the right-hand post and the whistle went with a second successive defeat on the road, as we now look to our visit to Shepshed on Saturday.

 

by Peter Scherer

Tuesday night we face probably our toughest opposition in the league this season, when we visit Wellingborough Town, who had won every league game this season, until their 0-0 draw at Carlton last Saturday.

They currently lie second in the table, three points behind Sutton Coldfield with three games in hand.

Saturday was also an important win for Sports with the 2-0 victory over Long Eaton Utd. It was good to see Dwayne Wiley back from injury and also to see top scorer Manni Norkett in the starting line-up too, scoring the first goal after just eight minutes.

Mickleover are currently 12th in the table with games in hand over most of the clubs above them, of which they will be hoping to add to their victory tally and climb he table.

Jake Stone has been in charge of our hosts since May 2019 and took them to ninth in the table last season. We lost both of our encounters to them last year, 2-4 away and 1-2 at home, so certainly have a score to settle.

Goalkeeper Dean Snedker arrived early into last season. A former England Under 19 international, he started out at Northampton Town. He joined Brackley after his release, quickly moving on to Kidderminster, Nuneaton, Kettering, Cambridge City, St.Albans, Hemel and Rushden and more recently with Coalville.

His current deputy is Jay Alexander, who spent the latter part of last at Mickleover on a dual registration with Kettering. Having started his career at Chesterfield and the Synergy Sports Academy, Jay spent three years in goal for Boston Utd. He then moved onto Loughborough Dynamo, where he spent four years before joining Corby Town.

He first joined Kettering in September 2024, but moved to Matlock Town after sixth months and made his return in August 2024.

Captain and centre back Jack O’Connor is in his seventh season at the club, since signing from Kettering in July 2020.

Defender Rhys Kelly returned to our hosts in pre-season from Quorn. He was previously at Corby Town and originally left Wellingborough to join Harborough Town

Glenn Walker was also signed at the beginning of last season. A left back, he started out at Banbury and has played for Corby Town, Hednesford and Brackley and came to our hosts after a two-year spell with Spalding.

Sam Warburton is a left back too and a former Northampton Town youngster. He joined Rugby Town following his release, before moving to Nuneaton who loaned him to Kings Lynn before a permanent move. Corby, Rushden & Diamonds and Bedford were his next stops, before coming to Wellingborough from Spalding in November 2024.

Defender Charlie Green rejoined our visitors at the start of last season, having left to join Rushden & Diamonds exactly a year earlier.

Kiantay Licorish-Mullins is a former Northampton Town Junior. After a loan spell at Wellingborough, he joined Sileby Rangers following his release. He was previously at Rushden & Diamonds.

Lloyd Buckby is the clubs longest serving player. A central midfielder, he joined the club in 2016 and has made over 200 appearances as he is now in his 10th season.

Midfielder Matty Slinn was signed from Corby Town last December. Another former Northampton Town Junior, he joined Rushden & Diamonds on his release and spent three years with Corby before joining our hosts.

Nathan Hicks is another central midfielder. The former Leicester City youngster arrived in pre-season and has played for Rushden & Diamonds, Histon, Leamington, Alfreton, Nuneaton, Corby, Kettering, Biggleswade and St.Ives too.

Midfielder Aidan Webster came to the Dog & Duck in pre-season too, after two years at Rushden & Diamonds. He was previously with Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Danny Draper is a right sided midfielder, signed from Spalding in September 2024.

Attacking midfielder Corvell Pickering came to out hosts in pre-season. An ex MK Dons Academy player, he has also played for Newport Pagnell.

Ethan Johnston is a striker signed from Rushden & Diamonds last October. He started at Northampton Town, before a loan at Kettering preceded a move to Banbury. He spent two years with St.Ives, before his two-year spell at Rushden.

Fellow striker Will Jones first came to our hosts at the end of the 23/24 season dual registered with Cambridge City. He was previously at Sporting Khalsa.

Zayn Hakeem is another striker signed in pre-season from Barwell. He started out at Nottingham Forest, before spending five years at Mansfield Town. After loans at Corby and Coalville he moved to Bradford Park Avenue, before two spells at Barwell were divided by a four month stay at Coleshill. He’s also played for Ansty Nomads, Worksop, Stamford, Shepshed, Basford and Long Eaton.

Neo Richard-Noel is a striker signed from St.Neots in pre-season. He started out at Cambridge Utd and had a year at Kettering before joining our hosts originally back in July 2023 and after two years made his move to St.Neots.

Striker George Ball is a pre-season signing too, from Banbury Utd, where he had spent the last two seasons. He was previously at Loughborough Dynamo.

Defender George Barnell arrived originally on loan from Northampton Town last December, while midfielder Ben Edwards has graduated to the first team squad, from our hosts own youth scheme.

Attacking midfielder Kai Fifield is on loan from Kettering, who he joined from our hosts in July 2024. At the age of seven he had a trial with Barcelona, but then played for Beaconsfield, St.Ives, Wellingborough Whitworth, Cogenhoe and Wantage too.

Striker Isaac Redding came through the ranks at Rushden & Diamonds. He had a spell on loan at Bugbrooke St.Michaels and has played for Wellingborough Whitworth and Daventry Town before having a spell in US College football at Eastern Florida.

Kick off at the Dog & Duck Stadium is 7.45 and the more support the better.

by Harry Day (Images: Peter Scherer)

Mickleover forged the perfect response to Tuesday night’s defeat to Sutton Coldfield on Saturday afternoon, as a 470-strong crowd watched the Sports defeat Long Eaton United 2-0 at the Vibrant Doors Arena.

1-Aaron Chapman 2-George Wilkinson 3-Sam Sanders 4-Josh Ashman 5-Hamza Bencherif 6-Dwayne Wiley 7-Theo Rowe 8-Cieron Keane 9-Harvey Smith 10-Manni Norkett 11-Kane Richards

Subs: Powell, Onabirekhanlen, J. Carter, Atkinson, Taylor

Mickleover came out with intent as they looked to ensure no repeats of Tuesday evening were on the cards. With the duo of Smith and Norkett leading the line, the Sports had plenty of threat going forward.

It did not take long for the home side to land the first blow of the afternoon. It was Manni Norkett on his return to the starting eleven, who found the back of the net from a corner that was initially fired towards Ashman.

His touch set up a first-time strike from Smith, who forced an instinctive save out of Lewis King in the Long Eaton goal. However, Norkett pounced on the rebound, firing the ball into the bottom left corner to give Mickleover the lead with eight minutes on the clock.

It was a perfect start from the hosts, who had looked dangerous in behind from the first whistle. Balls over the top from the likes of Bencherif and Wiley in the backline were being received by Smith, who was working well with his strike partner.

The early goal, as expected, did spark some life into Long Eaton United, who began to slowly grow into the game, having their first real opportunity on the 16th minute mark. A long-range effort that was struck with venom by Callum Cocks, flew just wide of the top corner.

The visitors had responded well to going behind, forcing a brilliant piece of defensive work from Sports captain Bencherif, who made an instinctive block to preserve his side’s lead.

Seven minutes later, Mickleover came within inches of doubling their advantage. Kane Richards played a perfectly weighted ball through to Norkett. The goal scorer managed to get around King before firing his off-balance effort over the bar, sparing the visitors’ blushes.

After a short stoppage due to a player from both teams requiring treatment, Long Eaton had one more opportunity to threaten before half-time. Harry Eden rifled an attempt towards the top corner, but Aaron Chapman was there to deny the equaliser.

It was the Sports who led going into the half-time interval, but a second goal was certainly needed to ease the nerves around the Vibrant Doors Arena.

As they did in the first half, Mickleover came out with intent, looking to strike early once more; they got their reward for doing so as their advantage doubled less than two minutes into the second half.

Jude Taylor, brought on following the break, made an instant impact as he broke down the right wing with the ball before fizzing an inviting ball into the box. It was Josh Ashman who got on the end of it just inside the area and found the back of the net, scoring for the first time in Mickleover colours.

But the Sports did not slow down as they got straight back on the front foot in pursuit of a third to put them well out of sight. Despite their response in the first half, Long Eaton United looked flattened by Ashman’s goal as the home side looked the more likely.

A few minutes after the goal, Josh Carter was introduced in place of Harvey Smith, who had enjoyed a strong outing. The winger very nearly had his influence on proceedings within a minute of coming on after squaring the ball to Theo Rowe, whose effort forced a strong save out of King once again.

The 70-minute mark saw the introduction of Marvellous Onabirekhanlen, who came on to replace Norkett, who received warm applause for his efforts.

Rowe was causing plenty of issues down the left wing, having the beating of his man on almost every occasion in the second half. Despite this, he was just unable to find the back of the net as King and the Long Eaton were doing everything they could to deny him.

The visitors caused Mickleover very few problems following Ashman’s goal, as the hosts were now cruising to victory in this one. Despite their best efforts to add to their tally for the afternoon, the game would end 2-0 with the Sports claiming all three points.

It was a particularly important win for Mickleover, who had responded well to Tuesday’s defeat. The victory also means they will head into a tough test at Wellingborough on Tuesday night off the back of three points and a strong overall performance all over the pitch.

 

 

by Peter Scherer

Sports will be keen to overcome their disappointing defeat at Sutton Coldfield on Tuesday night and get back to winning ways, with six consecutive league games before we face Alfreton Town in the FA Trophy.

Our visitors took their first win of the season on Tuesday, beating Boston Town 4-1 to lift them off the bottom of the table, having previously had just two points.

Player manager Bradley Munn started his career in the Mansfield Town Academy, before joining Burton Albion. He has played for Bedworth, Coalville and Loughborough Dynamo too.

He started his managerial career at Loughborough, but after five years at the club he came to Long Eaton initially as joint manager in August 2023, taking full charge three months later.

Goalkeeper Lewis King is the first of the ex Mickleover players in the Long Eaton line-up. He came through the youth scheme at Derby County and Sunderland, before joining Stockport County on his release.

Eastwood Town, Boston Utd, Stalybridge and Matlock Town followed, before coming to Mickleover in July 2016 from FC United. He stayed for three years before a move to Stafford and a return trip to FC United. He joined our visitors at the start of 2024/25, after spells at Gresley Rovers and Loughborough Dynamo.

Full back Luke Williamson first joined Long Eaton on a dual registration with Sandiacre Town at the end of last season. He’s played for Newark & Sherwood too and made his first team debut earlier this season.

Harry Eden is a left back signed from Lichfield at the beginning of the season. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Solihull Utd, Studley, Sutton Coldfield, Rugby Town and Redditch too.

Gianluca Bucci is a centre back who came through Lincoln City’s Academy. He then spent a year each at Gainsborough, Spalding and Loughborough, before joining Long Eaton in September 2024, after two months with Coleshill.

Teenaged Russian defender Artem Maslenikov spent part of last season training with out visitors, after a spell at Dallas Academy. He has also spent time with Lancaster City.

Defender Jayden Cotterill was signed at the beginning of 24/25. A former Burton Albion graduate, he has also played for Hanley Town, Barwell, Gresley Rovers and Belper Town.

Courtney Nyakuhwa played his junior football at Mansfield and Notts County. He moved to Tamworth following his release and was loaned to Nuneaton. He is dual registered with our visitors.

Jamie Hanson played Championship and League One football, racking up well over 100 appearances, during his time at Derby County, Wigan and Oxford Utd. His non-league career started at Ilkeston in July 2023, before a loan to Long Eaton in May 2024, became permanent two months later.

James Taylor is a central midfielder, who came through Long Eaton’s own Academy. He made his first team debut in 2020. After a move to Heanor Town in July 2023, he rejoined our visitors at the start of 24/25.

Connor Pace is a central midfielder too, a former Burton Albion Junior. He arrived at Grange Park during 24/25 having previously been loaned to Gresley Rovers.

Callum Cocks is another midfielder who returned to our visitors in March from Eastwood. He had previously left Grange Park after a couple of seasons to join Basford and has also played for Loughborough Dynamo.

Midfielder Alex Howes came from Carlton in pre-season. A former Notts County Junior, he has was loaned to Tamworth, before going to Basford on his release. He joined Carlton in February 2022, after an initial loan.

Casey Johnson is a home-grown talent that’s come through our visitors own Academy. A midfielder he moved onto Ilkeston Town in September 2024, before going to the US with Lionsbridge FC. He is the son of ex Rams star Seth Johnson and has only recently returned to Grange Park.

Former Sheffield Utd junior midfielder Riley McLachlan is currently on a months loan from Mansfield Town, along with defender Jacob Stubbs.

Right sided midfielder Curtis Durose came from Basford in July. A former Rotherham youngster, he was loaned to Gainsborough and Scarborough before joining Matlock following his release. He then returned to Gainsborough before making the move to Basford in September last year.

Jahvan Davidson-Miller is a former Sports player too. He was a Derby County striker before joining Barwell on his release. Coming to Mickleover in November 2021, he struggled to hold down a starting role and returned to Barwell 11 months later. He then came back to Mickleover for a very short spell in September 2024, before going to Redditch and Rugby Town and finally joining our visitors in July last year,

Midfielder George Atwal, is a graduate of our own Academy and spent the 23/24 season at Long Eaton, before moving on to Redditch and Bromsgrove. He came back to Grange Park at the beginning of last season.

Kieran Francis is an attacking midfielder too, arriving from Lichfield City in early September, after a number of years at the club.

Striker Evan Garnett is another ex Mickleover player. He started with Burton Albion and moved to Worksop after a loan spell with Hucknall Town. Belper Town, Ilkeston and Kidderminster followed, before he came to Sports in July 2017, after a year at Alfreton.

After two years at Mickleover he moved to Stafford, and has played for Loughborough Dynamo too, before arriving at Long Eaton at the start of 24/25.

Assistant manager to Munn is ex Derby County Junior Aaron Cole, another ex Mickleover player in the Long Eaton squad. Eastwood, Stockport, Barrow, Hinckley Utd, Rocester, Worksop and Belper Town were all his ex clubs before arriving at the Don Amott Arena in 2017.

He moved on to Market Drayton, Belper, Stafford and Gresley Rovers and has been assistant player/manager at Long Eaton since November 2023.