by Peter Scherer

After last weekends FA Cup success it’s back to NPL action on Saturday, when we host Matlock Town at the Don Amott Arena.

Sports boss Gareth Holmes is hopeful of having a full squad to select from, following a few knocks in recent matches.

“We have kept a clean sheet in the last two matches, but I want us to dictate the games more, but it’s coming,” he said.

Mickleover, currently 15^th in the table, following the win at Leek and the point at home to Lancaster, our visitors are currently rock bottom, with just two points away from home from their opening six games.

Only a few days ago the Gladiators parted company with manager Nicky Law, who took over in May and brought with him vast experiences both a player and a manager, more recently having been head of recruitment at Burnley.

Matlock were in action too on Tuesday night, when they lost 0-1 in their FA Cup replay at home to Spalding, with captain Shaun Brisley and Under 21 coach James Holmes in charge.

Teenaged goalkeeper Rogan Ravenhill is currently on loan from Barnsley. He is also the clubs joint leading scorer, after heading home the equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Lancaster.

Centre back Shaun Brisley arrived from Alfreton in the summer. He has over 400 senior league appearances under his belt in the Championship, leagues one and two, having started out at Macclesfield. He then moved to Peterborough after a short loan, but was then loaned back to Macclesfield, as well Scunthorpe, Northampton and Leyton Orient.

His next stop was Carlisle Utd, before moving on via Notts County, Port Vale, Wrexham and Buxton. He spent the whole of last season at Alfreton and is currently Matlock team captain.

Connor O’Grady is another pre-season signing and a former Republic of Ireland Under 21 International. A centre back, he began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, before joining Buxton on his release. He joined Stalybridge in July 2021, but spent the following season at Worksop, before returning to Stalybridge last term. He has also captained the side this season.

Another centre back, another ex Sheffield Wednesday junior and another pre-season signing, Joshua Ashman has arrived from Guiseley, where he spent last season.

Danny Benson is a centre back too and started as a Barnsley Junior. He went out on loan to Bradford Park Avenue in February last year and his stay was extended until January 2024, before his release from the Tykes brought him to Causeway Lane pre-season.

Left back Joe West is another former Sheffield Wednesday Junior, who joined Farsley on his release. He moved on to Frickley Athletic and Gainsborough Trinity, spending a year at each, before coming to Matlock at the beginning of last season.

Right or centre back Keenan Ferguson started out at Sheffield Utd, before spending a year with Tottenham Hotspur. Following his release he joined Boston Utd, before moving to Spennymoor Utd at the beginning of last season. He had a loan spell at Bury too before joining the pre-season new signings at Matlock.

Midfielder Jay Glover is yet another ex Sheffield Wednesday player and pre-season arrival. He had loans Belper Town, Gainsborough Trinity and Spennymoor, heading to Matlock following his release.

Sam Essien is a central midfielder that started out at Halifax. After a loan at Golcar Utd, he joined Boston Utd at the start of last season. He is another of the pre-season signings.

Curtis Durose is a midfielder too. Coming from Rotherham in pre-season, he was loaned to Gainsborough and Scarborough, before coming to Matlock at the end of last season. He then made his move permanent, following his release.

Striker Liam Hardy spent seven years at Harrogate Town, after joining them from Armthorpe. Stops at Buxton, Grantham, Hyde Utd, Worksop, Shirebrook and Gainsborough followed. He joined Liversedge last October and came to Matlock at the end of March.

James Morris is a striker that started out at Doncaster Rovers. After a loan at Tamworth he headed for the US and spent 4 ½ years with Seattle Redhawks College team, before returning to the UK with Matlock in pre-season.

Defender Charlie Oglesby came from Stocksbridge in pre-season, having previously played for Staveley MW.

Mason Booth is a midfielder or defender who has come through Rotherham Utd ‘s Juniors. He arrived pre-season too, following his release.

Brothers Charlie and Harry Wood are both midfielders and have both come through Matlock’s home youth scheme. Charlie became part of the first team squad at the end of last season, whereas Harry has returned for his second spell at the club. He’s had a spell in Malta with Lija Athletic and FC Mgarr Utd, but came back to the UK with Grantham in early 2022. He came back to Causeway Lane from Stamford last October, from Stamford.

Midfielder Tomas Pole is in his second spell too, having returned from Stocksbridge pre-season. He has also played for Staveley MW.

Benni Ndlovu is a striker and yet another pre-season arrival, after coming from Sheffield FC.

Fellow striker Harrison Poulter came from Scunthorpe in pre-season. He was also loaned out to Spalding, Gainsborough, Sheffield and Cleethorpes before his release.

Finally George Milner needs no introduction to Mickleover supports, having spent a couple of seasons at the Don Amott Arena. A fierce competitive midfielder with an eye for goal, he was a Chesterfield Junior.

He had a spell in Norway with Valdres and played for Frickley and Belper Town before coming to Mickleover. He moved on to Ashton Utd and played for Stafford and Nantwich too, before joining the pre-season influx at Matlock.

Kick off is 3pm as Mickleover go for the second successive home win of the season and a third successive clean sheet.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover started their FA Cup campaign in fine style with a 5-0 win over Northern Premier Midlands Division Coleshill Town, at the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Calum Moore 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Will Atkinson 6-Charlie Hickingbottom 7-Andy Dales 8-Cieron Keane 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Dylan Edwards. Subs: George Taft, Brandon Ferron, Fin Ryder, Luke Cox, Dan Bradley.

Just 1m4secs into the game and a long clearance from Mersin found Edwards clear on the right. He found Beavon, who layed it off to his left, allowing Keane to fire  it home and crown a sensational debut 1-0.

But the visitors had a half chance only a minute later when a Josh Hesson effort, went across the face of Mersin’s goal and out for a goal kick.

Mickleover were looking exceptionally strong in attack in attack, but just before the 10 minute mark, a couple of casual giveaways in defence, were ably recovered.

Sports were straight back on the attack when a positive break from Dales, was layed off to Beavon again. He then found Edwards before the path was blocked.

Joe Palmer battled his way through a minute later for the visitors before his shot was blocked and then Dales floated in an 11th minute cross from the left, but it was straight into keeper Ben Newey’s hands.

Moore then charged down the right on the overlap, he found Beavon who earned a corner. But there was an early sub for Mickleover when Barnes was replaced by Ryder after 17 minutes. “I had tweaked my hamstring, so safer to come off,” said Barnes.

Mickleover were playing with style and confidence and after 20 minutes Keane set up Ryder. His initial shot was saved, before Edwards hit the rebound just over the bar.

With Moore and Edwards working down the right, Weston in the middle and Wilson with Dales on the left, Keane was playing more of roaming midfield role, sharing time in attack and defence.

Keane won a 21^st minute corner but it came to nought and then Nathan Kabeya managed a shot just inside the box, after a Coleshill free kick, but failed to trouble Mersin again.

Dales almost set up Edwards on the half hour, but a last ditch tackle spared the Coleshill defence. Just two minutes later it was Dales again, this time setting up Ryder, whose shot was blocked.

Hesson put in a random distance shot for the visitors but was well wide, but shortly afterwards Ben Usher-Shipway and Demico Brown combined, but wanted too much time and failed to get a shot in.

Wilson then tried his luck from distance after a cross field ball from Moore, but it was an easy save for Newey. It triggered another late half onslaught from Mickleover however.

36 minutes in and Edwads crossed from the right, Beavon shot and then Ryder struck the rebound, but it was a double save from Newey.

One minute on and it was 2-0, with another positive build up down the right finding Ryder, who beat the keeper with a fine close range strike.

Sports earned a free kick when Beavon was pushed over and then Edwards looked set for number three with four minutes left, but his shot was just outside the left-hand post.

Wilson sent Dales on another run down the left, but the cross went out and Sports finished a fine opening half with a corner.

There were no changes in the Mickleover line-up for the second half, but it was another amazing start. Just 24 seconds had gone when Dales latched onto a break, he ran in and rounded the keeper to make it 3-0.

The Sports attacks were coming thick and fast, with Coleshill’s response more random and blocked, as they started to look demoralised.

55 minutes in and Edwards missed a good chance at the left hand post following a free kick, but the visitors made a break a couple of minutes later. Palmer failed to get a shot in again, but as he turned away from goal, he managed to earn a corner.

While Atkinson and Hickingbottom had looked solid at the back, Keane was having an outstanding debut, which ended prematurely after 67 minutes. “I headed the back of someone’s head,” he explained, as his eye began to swell rapidly.

With Taft on for Keane, Atkinson was able to move back into midfield, but it was all Mickleover again, with Ryder rounding the keeper again after 69 minutes, only for his shot to hit the right-hand post. The ball then rolled goalwards, before a goal line clearance appeared to be a possible hand ball.

Brown had a shot on target for the visitors after 76 minutes, safely gathered by Mersin by his right-hand post and then Mickleover made a double substitution, with Ferron on Beavon and Cox for Weston.

Just after Edwards had been fouled, Dales made it 4-0 after 80 minutes, after creating his own space in the middle and firing it in from just outside the box.

They hadn’t finished yet though and a Ferron cross from the left saw Newey make a point blank save from Ryder, before a similar cross from Ferron with two minutes left, was collected by Edwards who sealed the win at a convincing 5-0.

We now look forward to Monday’s FA Cup draw, before it’s back to NPL action next Saturday, with a visit to neighbours Matlock Town.

 

by Peter Scherer

The road to Wembley starts again this weekend, when Mickleover face Northern Premier Midlands Division side Coleshill Town.

Our visitors have already come through two rounds, having beaten Eastwood 3-1 away after a replay and the Brocton 1-0 away too. It will be the first time the two clubs have ever met too.

Currently 10^th in the table Coleshill have won both of their home games, but lost both away from home.

They are now managed by ex Lye Town boss Grant Joshua, who replaced Craig Nicholls in May, with Nicholls moving in the opposite direction.

Keeper Ben Newey is an ex Birmingham City and Burton Albion Junior. He has had experience in the US too and was previously at Leamington and had spells at Lye Town, Rugby Town and Rushall Olympic.

Centre back Niall Rowe returned from Bedworth last October, after only three months away. He started out at Cheltenham and after a loan at Cirencester, he went to Barwell in 2018.

Atherstone, Coventry Utd, Heather St.John, Romulus, Hinckley and Atherstone followed, before his first spell at Coleshill in July 2021. He stayed two years before his brief spell at Bedworth.

Gianluca Bucci is another centre back. A former Lincoln City Junior, he joined Spalding on his release, and after spending last year at Loughborough, he was a pre-season arrival at Coleshill.

Left back Demico Burton was a Derby County Junior, after they signed him from Stourbridge. He returned to his former club on loan, before joining Rugby Town last November on his release. He soon moved to Lye Town where he completed the season with manager Joshua, making the move with him to Coleshill pre-season.

Ben Usher-Shipway is a right back, who had spent his whole career in the West Midlands. From starting out at Boldmere, he joined Solihull Moors, who loaned him to Alvechurch, Sutton Coldfield and Stourbridge, before a permanent move to Leamington in July 2022. He returned to Boldmere last September and was another pre-season signing for our visitors.

Nathan Kabaya is a right back too and a former Wolves and Lincoln City Junior. He had a loan Bromsgrove, before joining Northwich on his release. He then joined Lye last September and is another player to follow manager Joseph pre-season.

Long serving centre back Harry Higginson has started his fifth season at Coleshil, since arriving from Kidderminster.

Current team captain Taylor Carter-Byrne is a defender too. He left the club in June 2022 to join Hednesford, but after just three months he made his return.

Mikkel Hirst is a left back and St.Kitts and Nevis International.  He started at Solihull Moors and moved to Atherstone after a loan with Romulus. He has played for Hinckley and Hednesford too, along with a number of spells back at Romulus. He was signed from Melton, where he spent the whole of last season.

Sam Fitzgerald is a midfielder signed from Sutton Coldfield last October. He started off at Atherstone and moved on via Walsall Wood, Rushall Olympic, Alvechurch and Lichfield, before a loan at Hereford. He started last season at Sutton.

Midfielder Gio Dainty is a Coleshill stalwart. He started at Coventry Sphinx and played for Alvis, Atherstone and Bedworth before joining our visitors. He made his debut for the club back in August 2015.

Striker Josh Hesson is another pre-season arrival and another ex Wolves Junior. After a spell at Hull City, he went to the US with Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens, a University side, returning to the UK with Lye Town three years later. He spent last season with Shifnal Town.

Fellow striker Ben Billingham has followed manager Joshua from Lye too, after spending the last two seasons their. He started out at Stourbridge and has played for Littleton too.

Joe Palmer is another striker to come from Lye Town pre-season, as are midfielders Max Ngbeken and Sam Tye and defender Dan Brookes. Ngebeken  also played for Alvechurch. 

Bassit Mandey, Freddie Cockerell and Laim Ceesay have also been in the squad this season.

Kick off of course is 3pm, BE THERE!!

by Peter Scherer

After two home defeats Mickleover secured their first home point of the season in a fairly dour goalless draw against Lancaster City.

Starting line-up: 1-Usuf Mersin 2-Callum Moore 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Will Atkinson 6-Charlie Hickingbottom 7-Gabby Adebambo 8-Toby Smith 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Dylan Edwards. Subs: Brandon Webster, Brandon Ferron, Marcus Barnes, Luke Cox, Dylan Scott.

Mickleover took the kick off and could have taken the lead in the opening minute, when Dales picked up a high ball and fired it at keeper McClenaghan, who need both hands to make the save, as the visitors looked for offside.

Then Lawson led a Lancaster attack just a minute later, his cross was met by Dagnall who headed over. The visitors then won the first corner, but that was headed clear by the home defence.

Moore was then pulled up for a foul on the right, but although the free kick was wasted, the pressure continued to be on the home defence.

Seven minutes in and Lancaster had another chance, when Kilifin crossed from the left, only for Bennett to shoot wide, after failing to get a proper connection on the ball.

Lancaster skipper Charlie Bailey then tried his luck from just out of the box, but a diving save from Mersin kept it out, as Sports were struggling to break out of their own half.

There was danger again after 13 minutes, when Smith managed to clear a Lawson cross on the left, but after Weston fouled Lawson, Lancaster’s Bennett wasted the free kick, by sending it well over.

Atkinson was the kingpin of the defence and was also trying to play the ball out to be creative, but in midfield the possession continued to be lost and a Bennett shot was just wide.

Lancaster had another effort blocked after 23 minutes, but two minutes later Smith had a speculative shot easily saved by the keeper.

When Mickleover played on the ground they started to show promise, but after 39 minutes Kilifin created space for his own shot, which was fired straight at Mersin.

Dales then had his first real run at the visitors defence, but a hard tackle from Beeden stopped hm and gave Sports a corner. Atkinson managed to get a foot to the ball, but was unable to direct it.

After two minutes of added time were completed, the whistle went for half time and it remained 0-0.

From the kick off of the second the pressure was on the home defence again. Bennett picked up a short corner in the 51^st minute, but a Lawson flick just missed the waiting Allington. Ikpakwu then sent Lawson on a run, Weston challenged, but it was a corner.

Approaching the hour mark Adebambo and Dales combined, before a ball over the top found Moore, but his shot was blocked.

Mickleover then brought Barnes on for Beavon and Ferron for Smith, but Dales led the next attack, but by the time he was able to shoot, his effort had been tamed.

But Sports had started to play again and work themselves forward positively, with Ferron starting to run at the defence too.

Scott then replaced Edwards, but 75 minutes in and Lancaster had the ball in the net, but play was brought back for a free kick.

Weston continued to have a busy game roaming the midfield, with Adebambo looking much more effective than in the first half. But Fleming sent a cross in from the right, which Mersin had to get a hand to clear the danger three minutes later.

Fleming then caught out Moore on the right but with the goal directly ahead, he fired his chance over the bar. 81 minutes and it was close again, but Evangelinos’ cross just missed Coulton, and the ball rolled just passed Mersin’s left hand post.

Adebambo was replaced by Webster after taking a knock with four minutes on the clock and then a  corner by Bailey found Evanagelinos, who fired another shot over the bar.

Right on the 90 minute mark, Barnes found Ferron but his cross went out and three minutes later Barnes shot over the bar, after dispossessing Moonan.

Lawson then had a header saved after a goalmouth scramble, but it then fell to Byrne who headed over, so it was five draws out of six for Lancaster at 0-0 and a home point for Mickleover.

 

by Peter Scherer

Today we welcome Lancaster to the Don Amott Arena, as Mickleover their first home points of the season. There may be a change or two in the line-up too, following knocks in the 2-2 draw at Prescot Cables last Saturday.

Our visitors are unbeaten so far this season, after Saturday’s 1-1 at home to Matlock, with four draws from five matches.

They are currently 10^th in the table, after finishing ninth last term. Manager Chris Willcock took charge in January, having previously managed Stalybridge Celtic, Ramsbottom Utd and Workington.

Keeper James McClenaghan is one of a number of pre-season singings, having previously been at Newcastle Town, Ashton Town and Vauxhall Motors.

Centre back Jamie Mellen came from Holker Old Boys in July last year, after starting his career in Everton’s Academy. He has also played for Workington.

Captain and midfielder Sam Bailey was a Bolton Wanderers Junior. He joined Kendal on his release, staying three years and has now started his eighth season at Lancaster.

Midfielder Christian Sloan is another longer server. He started his career at Barrow and spent a year at Kendal after his release. He came to Lancaster in September 2020.

Dylan Moonan is another midfielder who started out at as a Burnley Junior. He joined Accrington on his release and was loaned to Stalybridge, before starting last season at Atherton Collieries. He was another pre-season arrival at Lancaster.

Long serving Charlie Bailey is a midfielder too, who has spent most of his early career at Morecambe. After a number of loans at Kendal Town, he joined then permanently following his release, but after one further year he came to our visitors at the start of 2016/17.

Striker Nic Evangelinos was signed from Workington in July 2022. He started out at Rugby Town, but in a well-travelled career he has played for  Banbury, Rushden & Diamonds, West Didsbury, Ashton Utd, Ramsbottom and Stalybridge.

Fellow striker Chris Dagnall has played in very division of the football league bar the premiership, with over 600 games and 120 goals under his belt.

From a Junior at Tranmere, he was loaned to Rochdale, before joining Scunthorpe. Next stop Barnsley who also loaned him to Bradford City and Coventry and then a permanent move to Leyton Orient.

He the ventured overseas to Kerala Blasters in India and returned to the UK with Hibernian, and after spells at Crewe and Bury, he returned to Tranmere in 2019.

Yeovil Town, Ashton Utd, Hanley Town and Stalybridge followed, before coming to Lancaster pre-season.

Defender Harrison Beeden is a pre-season signing from Whitby Town, where he spent the last two seasons. He came from Rotherham’s Academy and also played for Brighouse.

Former Scotland Under 16, 17 and 19 International Lewis Coulton started out at Preston North End. He was loaned to Bamber Bridge, Warrington, Chester and Bradford Park Avenue, before joining FC United on his release at the start of last season. he has also played for Atherton Collieries and Widnes and came to Lancaster pre-season.

Centre back Pat Allington came from Holker Old Boys in October 2022 and spent some time at Kendal Town last season, on a dual registration.

Ed Ipakwu is defensive midfielder that started out at Manchester City. He then moved on to Stoke City and Leicester City, before his first arrival at Lancaster in October 2020. After one year he moved to Hyde Utd, but 10 months later he returned to our visitors. His next stop was Colne before returning for a third spell in early 2023.

Jacob Holland-Wilkinson is an attacking midfielder that also started at Preston. He was loaned to Fylde and Bamber Bridge, before a move to Stoke City in August 2022.

He came to Lancaster at the start of last season, but after five months moved on to Bury. He initially signed for Chorley, but has opted to return to Lancaster again.

Dom Lawson is a striker singed from Thornton Cleveleys for the start of 22/23 and became a regular starter last season and was their top scorer.

Noah Alabi is a wide midfielder, who has recently arrived after being released by Aston Villa.

Winger Ryan Rogers started off at Gretna in Scotland, before heading South to Glossop North End. Stops Macclesfield, Northwich and Sandbach followed, before joining Welsh League Bala Town, where he spent last season.

Aaron Fleming is a winger too, having signed pre-season from Irlam. He started out at Blackpool and played at Fylde, Ramsbottom and Padiham, before going to Gibraltar with Europa Point in January 2020.

Nine months later he returned to the UK with Prescot Cables and has played for Macclesfield, Barnoldswick, City of Liverpool and Wythenshawe too.

Wales Under 15, 16 and 19 International midfielder Aaron Bennett has joined our visitors within the last week. He started at Preston and was loaned to Altrincham, before joining Warrington on his release and was at FC United from last December.

Striker Tomas Kilifin came back to the club last season, after a couple of years away at Bury.

Finally Jack Byrne is another very recent arrival too. A centre back, he started at AFC Fylde and after a loan at Barnoldswick, came to Lancaster on loan too in March 2022 for one month.

After further loans at Bromsgrove and Widnes, he made a permanent move to the latter, where he spent the whole of last season.

Kick off at the Don Amott is 3pm, your support would be welcomed, as Sports strive to secure their first home points of the season.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover kept their unbeaten away record intact, but it took two very late goals to peg back two first half goals from hosts Prescot Cables.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Callum Moore 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Will Atkinson 6-Charlie Hickingbottom 7-Gabby Adebambo 8-Jake Bennett 9-Dylan Scott 10-Andy Dales 11-Leojo Davidson, Subs: Luke Cox, Brandon Webster, Brandon Ferron, Stuart Beavon, Dylan Edwards.

Prescot were on the attack from the start earning a corner in the first minute., before Murphy shot just wide of the near post.

It was only some solid defending from Mickleover that kept out an 11^th minute free kick too, going over the bar as the hosts had started to dominate the possession.

Sports had a chance 15 minutes when the follow up to a Wilson free kick was headed out for a corner, but it was Prescot that dealt the first blow, when Wara got his head to the ball at the far post, following a corner, 0-1 after 22 minutes.

Mersin had to clear the danger again from a 28^th minute corner, but goal number two soon followed when Carberry made it 0-2 after 34 minutes, after being given too much time in the centre to set up his shot.

“We had gone from the fast slick 3G at Leek where we could play and it suited us, to an exceptionally dry grass pitch, which was fairly long. And it made it a slower game. We need to put them under pressure and we didn’t . We were playing too short, not getting hold of it and just not establishing ourselves, while they played well,” said manager Gareth Holmes.

The hosts had a another shot over from a corner three minutes later, before putting a free kick straight into the wall.

Mersin saved again from a 43rd minute header from Wara and Murphy headed over too following a free kick with the half time whistle poised.

But Mickleover had been forced to make a change too, when Beavon replaced Bennett.

“We made a few changes for the second half manpower and tactically, after losing Benno, we wanted to be more direct and create some chances,” said Holmes.

Scott had a 52 minute shot just wide from the edge of the box, but as the hour mark approached Mickleover had taken charge and were pushing forward far more., having brought on Ferron and Edwards for Scott and Davidson.

After Sports had a free kick cleared on the hour, Gilboy hit the bar for Prescot. But home keeper Mendes then made a full stretch save from a Mickleover strike after 62 minutes.

Three minutes later Mendes had to save again, as it was becoming one-way traffic, with another break after 66 minutes, following a Prescot free kick.

73 minutes in and Mendes made another save when a cross from the left was met by Beavon’s head, but time was running out. Cox then came on for Moore with nine minutes left, but was played as a striker. 

Finally Sports pulled one back after 81 minutes, when some great work on the left found Edwards in the middle, who managed to get his head to the ball to make it 1-2.

Cox was causing havoc in the home defence and won an 84^th minute free kick which was cleared. But three minutes Mersin was in action too after Prescot break.

“We changed formation three times in the second half to keep the pressure on,” Holmes explained.

Mendes had saved another free kick but as we went into time added on, there was another free kick, with Wilson securing the equaliser, with virtually the last kick of the match 2-2.

“We dominated the second half, but need to respond much quicker,” Holmes concluded.