by Peter Scherer

As the 23/24 season comes to a conclusion, Mickleover make the trip to newly crowned Champions Needham Market on Saturday, the last way trip of this term.

Our hosts had been unbeaten at home until Stamford came away 3-0 winners a week last Tuesday. They had already sealed the title when they hosted Royston though, with Jamie McGrath scoring all three goals in their 3-0 win.

We can look back at our time at the top of the table with pride and that we are still in with a shout for promotion, having secured the valuable play-off place, pending our appeal lodged with the league (see official statement below).

Following a hearing on 17th April 2024 the club have received a deduction of 12 points as a result of playing an ineligible player on more than one occasion. The club are in the process of putting together as strong an appeal as we can. 

But with a number of players on the injured list too of late, it’s been a tough few weeks for manager John McGrath.

Former Northern Ireland International midfielder Kevin Horlock has been in charge at Needham Market since February 2020, having stepped up from a coaching role. He previously managed Chatham, Colchester Under 21’s and the Northern Ireland Under 21’s, having finished his playing career at Needham too. He also played for West Ham, Swindon, Manchester City, Ipswich, Doncaster, and Scunthorpe.

First choice keeper Marcus Garnham is in his fifth season at Bloomfields, having signed from Leiston, but his whole career has been spent in East Anglia, having played for Leiston, AFC Sudbury, Lowestoft and Bury Town.

Right back Kyle Hammond came from Leiston in July 2020, after starting out as an Ipswich Town Junior, during which time he was loaned to Maldon & Tiptree.

Dan and Keiran Morphew are twins and both play at centre back. Dan was at Haverhill Rovers and Thetford Town, before joining our visitors from Dereham in 2018. Keiran was the first graduate from their own Academy and made the first of his 250 plus appearances in 2013.

Winger Jacob Lay was a summer 2022 signing from Ipswich Wanderers in the Eastern Counties League, having scored 13 goals for them the previous season as they won the Division One title. He started out at Ipswich Town and has played for Brantham Athletic, Sudbury Town, Braintree, Whitton Utd, Felixstowe & Walton and Dereham, as well as a short spell at Preston North End.

Jamie McGrath was another summer 2022 signing too. He was initially on a dual registration last year with Brantham Athletic and East Bergholt, with a reputation as a prolific scorer, with 56 goals in 34 games in 21/22.  He has been a prolific scorer again this this season.

Teenager Hugh Cullum is another defender to come from the clubs Academy, he debuted in the first team during 21/22 and is an England Under 18 Schoolboy International.

Seth Chambers made his first team debut in February 2022 having come through the clubs Academy too. This is his second full season in the squad and he has found the net on a number of occasions. 

Luke Ingram is the longest serving player, a midfielder in his 11t^h season having signed from Bury Town, having previously been at AFC Sudbury.

Left midfielder Dylan Williams arrived from St Ives in January 2023. He was a Cambridge Utd Junior, joining St Neots after his release. He moved on to Biggleswade and Lowestoft, before a two and a half year spell at St Ives.

Reece Harris is a midfielder too, he arrived pre-season from Sudbury, having previously been at Welling Utd and East Thurrock.

Attacking midfielder Tevan Allen was signed from Brightlingsea Regent. He started out at Yeovil and has also played for Bury Town, AFC Sudbury and Stowmarket.

Former Ipswich Town junior Tommy Smith was another pre-season arrival. The young full back was at Stowmarket Town last season.

Former Ipswich Town midfielder Byron Lawrence has recently returned to action after more than two years out with a broken leg. He came from Leiston in July 2020, having played for Colchester Utd, Billericay, Dulwich Hamlet and Braintree too.

Fellow midfielder Adam Mills is in his fourth spell at our hosts, having arrived back from Sudbury in January. He has also played for Maldon & Tiptree, Braintree, Leiston and Chelmsford City.

Ollie Fraser is another Academy graduate, a left winger, he has made  couple of recent starts, as well as being selected for England Schools.

Fellow Academy keeper Harrison Podd has also been in the squad of late.

Kick off is the usual 3pm and with Telford at home to Berkhamsted, before visiting Coalville next week, regaining second place is still on the cards.

by Peter Scherer

In the penultimate home league game of the season, Mickleover welcomed Stratford Town to the Don Amott Arena, in what could be repeated on May 1^st on the play-off semi-finals.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Dan Bradley 5-Will Tamen 6-Ethan Mann 7-Ethan Fitzhugh 8-WillTrueman 9- Tyrell Waite 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oil Greaves. Subs: Rhys Dolan, Fin Ryder, Kyle Rowley, Sam Tomlinson, Pablo Mills.

Barely had the game kicked off before Trueman required treatment for an early knock. But Sports started with pace and determination, trying to get Greaves behind the defence.

But after 11 minutes Landell had a header on target, it failed to trouble Mersin in the Mickleover goal, before Fitzhugh shot just wide after a Mickleover break. 

It had become an end-to-end duel but Landell led the visitors charge, rounding Mersin before his attempt on goal was thwarted by Mann.

Stratford were close to opening the scoring when Storer hit the post 21 minutes in, after speculative distance effort.

Mickleover had their chances too, when a Wilson strike from a free kick was deflected, before being flagged offside.

Beavon headed just wide after 35 minutes, following a Bennett cross and a minute later, a moment of Greaves trickery won Sports a corner.

Waite rose positively to head the corner just over and with the half time whistle poised, Greaves had another shot comfortably held by Stratford keeper Smith.

There were appeals for a penalty from Mickleover early in the second half, when Fitzhugh went down in the box after 49 minutes.

The deadlock was finally broken though when Greaves latched onto a Mickleover break after 63 minutes and made no mistake as he placed it well out of Smith’s reach to give Sports the lead, 1-0.

Stratford worked hard to fightback and Hamilton hit the equaliser just eight minutes later with a header just wide of Mersin’s left, after a challenge from Bennett.

For much of the second half Mickleover had been ahead possession wise, but only six minutes after the equaliser, Hamilton put another shot into the side netting, before Mersin made another save from Lafferty.

With 11 minutes of normal time left Sports were on the attack again, and after a great technical build-up, Fitzhugh fired goalwards, but Smith did well to save at a very tight angle.

Mickleover made two late changes, with young strikers Ryder and Tomlinson coming on for Beavon and Fitzhugh, but the score remained the same.

The draw may have seen Sports slip to third in the table, but it was enough to make sure of a home advantage in the Play-off semi-final.

by Peter Scherer

Following last Saturday’s defeat at Stourbridge, Mickleover now need to dig deep to retain second place in the table. Telford are now just one point behind and it’s still mathematically possible for both Stratford Town and Leamington to catch us too.

Stratford are this weekends visitors to the Don Amott Arena and are currently fourth in the table, nine points behind, but have had a few slips too in the last few weeks. They have had four defeats in the last 10, including last Saturday’s home defeat to Redditch.

Ex Forest Junior midfielder and Bromsgrove manager Gavin Hurren has been in charge at Stratford since September 2022 and took them to 14th place last season.

First choice keeper Callum Smith only arrived in January from Boldmere St.Michaels, having started the season at Leamington. He has also played for Walsall Wood and Nuneaton.

His current deputy is Max Clutterbuck, who has come from the Bards own youth scheme.

Signed in August 2021, midfielder Dan Lafferty is a former Northern Ireland Under 17 International, who came through the ranks at Coventry City.

Centre back and current captain Paul McCone was a summer 2022 arrival from Halesowen. He started at Wolves and has also played for Stourbridge, Leamington, Hednesford, Telford and back to Stourbridge.

Lewis Ison is a defender signed from Hednesford in February 2023. He was picked up by Bristol Rovers from Coventry Utd, but then moved to Nuneaton before returning to Coventry.

Dan Vann is a centre back, having been at the club since July 2019 since arriving from Walsall. He was also loaned to Stafford, Matlock and Chasetown during his time with the Saddlers.

Striker Callum Ebanks ended last season on loan from Cheltenham and over the last two years he has also been loaned to Evesham, Bromsgrove, Eastleigh and Bath City. He returned to Stratford for the start of this season on a permanent basis and is a prolific goalscorer.

Alex Worley is a centre back that started out at Walsall. He was sent out on loan to Welsh Premier League side Haverfordwest, before joining Stourbridge on his release, where he spent last season. He came to Stratford at the start of this term.

Left back Chris Hussey has league two experience, but started out at Woking. AFC Wimbledon was his next stop, with a loan at Windsor & Eton, before joining Coventry City.

After another loan at Crewe Alexandra, he returned to AFC Wimbledon, but after six months came to Burton Albion. Bury, Sheffield Utd, Swindon, Cheltenham, Port Vale and Stockport all followed, before arriving at Walsall at the beginning of this season. He then came to Stratford inSeptember.

Defensive midfielder Dylan Barkers arrived from Hereford last October. After starting out at Solihull Moors, he moved on to Guiseley, Alvechurch and Cheltenham. He was then loaned back to Alvechurch, along with spells at Leamington, Gloucester and Maidstone. He started this season at Hereford before his move to our visitors.

Jack Storer is an experienced striker or midfielder. He played his junior football with Birmingham City, Shirley Town, Wolves, Paget Rangers and Stevenage, before a full time spell at Birmingham.

Loans at Yeovil, Gloucester City and Solihull Moors followed, before a permanent move to Patrick Thistle. After a spell at Redditch he came to Mickleover for a year, before moving onto Leamington.

Telford, Redditch, Gresley Rovers, Highgate and Stourport followed, before arriving at Stratford in November 2021. After eight months he returned to Highgate, but spent the early part of last year with Bruno’s Magpies in Gibraltar. He came back to Stratford pre-season.

Centre back Liam Daly arrived from Rushall Olympic last July, but most of his experience has been at National League level. Starting out at Evesham, he played for Corby, Redditch, Solihull, Halesowen, Leamington and Barwell, before returning to Solihull for a five-year spell.

Gloucester, Barnet, Stourbridge, Nuneaton, Kettering and Ilkeston followed, before his move to Rushall.

Striker Andre Landell was signed from Rushall last month, where he had been since August 2022. Originally a Wolves Junior, Bath City and Rushall were his first stops following his release. He then spent four years in the US with Tiffin Dragons and Michigan Bucks, before joining Rushall again on his return.

Stops at Alvechurch, Stourbridge, Bromsgrove and Hednesford followed, before his third spell at Rushall.

Josh Hawker is a central midfielder and ex Birmingham City youngster. He joined Leamington on his release and had three years at Halesowen before coming to Stratford for the first time. He went back to Halesowen for the start of this season, but returned to the Bards again after four months.

Midfielder Charlie Williams was signed in March 2023 after being released by Burton Albion. He was previously loaned to Leamington, Banbury and Redditch.

Fellow midfielder Callum Coyle is on loan from Rushall Olympic. He started out at Solihull Moors and was loaned to Sutton Coldfield, Romulus, Nuneaton, Halesowen and Grantham, before joining Stafford Rangers on his release. He then moved to Rushall in August 2021.

Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton is a striker that played his junior football with Birmingham City and AFC Bournemouth. He was loaned to Salisbury and Gosport Borough, before joining Alvechurch on his release. He then joined Telford but was loaned back to Alvechurch. He started this season at Alvechurch, but quickly moved on to  Banbury,  Rushall and Redditch, before joining our visitors last month.

Striker or winger Troy Smikle-Jones came to our visitors last month, after being released by Everton.

Lewis Wilson is a well-travelled wing back who started his career at Rushden & Diamonds.  Northampton Town then signed him after a spell at Newport Pagnell and he made eight League Two appearances, as well as being loaned to Kettering and Bishops Stortford.

Whitehawk, Oxford City, Arlesey Town, Rushden, St.Neots and Cambridge City followed before he came to Stratford in August 2018. He then joined Banbury before rejoining Stratford, and was then loaned to Macclesfield.

Kettering, Nuneaton and Hendon were next before a third stopat Stratford in 2021. He started this season at Newport Pagnell again, before his fourth return to Stratford.

Finally Troy-Mackenzie-Lamb is a young defender, on loan from Peterborough Utd.

Kick off is t 3pm and your support is more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover’s hopes of retaining second place in the Southern Premier League Central table took a huge blow, when they went down 1-3 at Stourbridge last Saturday.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Dan Bradley 5-Kyle Rowley 6-Ethan Mann 7-Ethan Fitzhugh 8-Will Trueman 9-Tyrell Waite 10-Ben Sault 11-Olie Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Marcus Barnes, Will Tamen, Joe Bateman, Sam Tomlinson.

Stourbridge were off to a flying start and earned two early free kicks. The first after two minutes was headed over by Portman and five minutes later Daniels effort was well off target.

But the first real blow came only nine minutes in, when a cross from Bood found Daniels head, and the former Sports loanee placed it past Mersin to give the hosts an early lead 0-1.

There was an early substitution when Beavon replaced Bradley, Mickleover tried to fightback and saw a 13th minute effort over the bar after a one on one with the keeper. But the long ball out of defence was being affected by the strong winds and failed to trouble the home defence.

As the half hour approached Forde and Daniels had a neat on two as they took on the Mickleover defence and Forde managed to chip Mersin and made it 0-2 after 28 minutes.

Bateman had come on for the injured Sault, but Price made a great save to deny Mickleover 10 minutes later. After the follow up corner, Fitzhugh was on hand to pull one back 1-2.

There was a chance of an equaliser too with the half timewhistle poised, Greaves managed to latch on but his effort was over the bar and it remained 1-2.

There was another change in the line-up for the second half with Tamen on for Bateman, but although Mickleover tried to break into attack mode, Stourbridge continued to be in control.

Price held a 47th free kick, but then Mersin was in action at the other end, punching clear a Prosser effort following Forde’s free kick.

Greaves and Fitzhugh continued to busy themselves, but Bavananga managed to block a tentative 52 minute break, before the hosts made a break for fired over the bar again.

Mersin pulled off another save from Fletcher after 64 minutes, but then Daniels and Ryley combined to set up Shambrook, who made it 1-3 for Stourbridge.

Daniels had another shot over the bar after 76 minutes, before Rowley needed attention after a collision with a Stourbridge striker,

Mersin was kept busy with further saves in the final minutes, but there was to be no fight back on this occasion.

The defeat leaves Mickleover just one point clear of Telford in second place, so it’s time to dig deep with two tough games over the next two weeks against fellow promotional hopefuls Stratford Town at home and Champions Needham Market away.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s off to Stourbridge on Saturday, as Mickleover face their penultimate away match of the season. But we have already faced the Glassboys twice this season, having lost 0-2 away in the FA Cup in September, before taking three points when they visited the Don Amott Arena in January.

The pressure is somewhat off for Mickleover having achieved a play-off place, but points to retain second place and guarantee a home advantage are still vital.

Our hosts have recent had a change of manager, with Darryl Knights and assistant Lewis Solly taking charge from last week.

They are currently 14^th in the table and took their second win in the last 10 games last Saturday, beating Redditch 1-0 away from home.

Manager Knights is a former Ipswich Junior, who was capped by England at Under 16 and 17 and was loaned to Yeovil, before joining Kidderminster on his release.

Solihull was his next stop, then Newport and Solihull before returning to Kidderminster. After a spell at Tamworth, he had two years at Telford, before coming to Stourbridge in July 2020. He had been looking after the clubs Academy until his recent promotion.

Solly was both reserve goalkeeper and coach until he was made Knights assistant. An ex Wolves and Bury player, he played for Welshpool and Aberystwyth, before moving back to the Midlands with Stafford Rangers.

 He was then at Telford and Redditch and first came to Stourbridge in 2005 from Hednesford, staying eight years before moving to Rushall. He moved onto Worcester but had time out with an injury and has been back at Stourbridge since March 2021, having made over 350 appearances.

Goalkeeper Charlie Price is in his second spell at the club, having left to join Alvechurch in June 2016, before returning three years later. 

Defender Joel Kettle is in his second spell at the club too. He started out with Sutton Coldfield before joining Stourbridge in August 2014. His career then took him to Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, Rushall, Solihull, Tamworth and Nuneaton, before joining our hosts at the start of last season from Bromsgrove. He is club captain.

Full back Jack Wilson was another signing from Bromsgrove back in September 2021. He had made 200 appearances before his move and had a brief loan spell at Lichfield City too.

Alex Prosser is an ex Aston Villa Junior. A midfielder, he was loaned to Brackley before a permanent move to Kidderminster. He started last season at Leamington, before joining the Glassboys on loan for the majority of 22/23. His move became permanent in July.

Centre back Harvey Portman started off at the War Memorial Ground, before leaving our hosts for Hednesford at the beginning of last year. After a few weeks at Bromsgrove he returned to Hednesford, but had planned to start this season at Stratford, until his return to Stourbridge came off.

Jessy Bavanganga is another centre back who came in pre-season from Leek Town. A former Stoke City Junior, he also had spell on loan at Abbey Hulton Utd.

Winger Nial Flint started his career at Shrewsbury Town, before going to Telford on his release. After stays at Scarborough and Matlock he spent the next few years in the Welsh League, firstly at Newtown and latterly at Cefn Druids and Aberystwyth, from where he joined our hosts pre-season.

Midfielder Brendon Daniels is an experienced midfielder who started out at the Academies of Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.

His next club was Chester, moving on to Tamworth, Harrogate, Fylde and Alfreton, before being spotted by Port Vale. He was loaned to Altrincham and Telford, preceding a permanent move to the latter. He came to the Glassboys in August and has seven League One appearances on his CV. He also had a very short loan spell with Mickleover recently.

Originally a Walsall Junior, Midfielder Aaron Forde came to Stourbridge for the second time in pre-season. He joined Romulus after his Walsall release, moving on to Bedworth, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield and Rushall, before joining the Glassboys in 2017.

After three years he moved to Nuneaton, being loaned to Sutton Coldfield, before his Stourbridge return.

Midfielder Jack Fletcher arrived in June from Tividale, after just one impressive season in senior football.

Midfielder Dexter Walters started at Romulus, he then moved on to Tamworth, and returned there after a short spell at Coventry City.

During his time at Tamworth he was loaned to Mickleover, but had three months at Stratford last year before arriving at Stourbridge in November.

Striker Luke Benbow has spent most of his career in the West Midlands, starting out at Solihull. After a spell at Redditch he made his first stop at Stourbridge in 2012 and stayed three years before moving to Hednesford.

A year later he came back for one season, before returning to Solihull, who loaned him back to Stourbridge. He came back permanently in July 2018, before a year at Nuneaton preceded his latest return to our hosts. He missed a number pf matches this season with a spinal stress fracture.

Left back Brad Bood is currently on loan from Telford Utd, having come through the Shropshire clubs youth scheme. 

Striker Ethan Freemantle is on loan too from Kidderminster. He has also been loaned to Gloucester City and Hereford and is a former Walsall Junior.

Midfielder Connor Stanley was a Christmas arrival, an ex Birmingham City and Manchester Utd junior he came from  Hereford. During his early career he was also loaned to Atlanta Utd in the US, before joining Bolton Wanderers on his release from Man Utd. 

He was then loaned to Bamber Bridge and FC United, before joining Hereford at the start of this season.

Bermudan international midfielder Milan Butterfield came from Robin Hood in his home country to join Walsall at the start of his career. After a loan at Rushall he joined Kidderminster on his release.

He then moved to Chesterfield, who loaned him to Guiseley, before a permanent move to Alfreton. After two years he moved to Nuneaton, where he started this season, before arriving at Stourbridge in January.

Attacking midfielder Koby Arthur was a Birmingham City Junior, after thy signed him from Woodford Utd. He was loaned to Lincoln City and Cheltenham before being released in 2017 to join Kidderminster.

He moved on to Dover Athletic, Maidenhead Utd and Hereford and was initially loaned to our hosts in January, before his stay became permanent.

Defender Joel Shambrook and midfielder Kian Ryley are both on loan from Solihull Moors. Ryley spent a month on loan at Mickleover earlier this season and has also had time at Hereford and Studley.

Striker Alfie Steward is a home grown who has recently made the first squad.

Kick off at the War Memorial Ground is 3pm, your ongoing support would be more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer

A Tyrell Waite goal almost on the hour made sure that Mickleover will be in the end of season play-offs for promotion to the National League North.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Ethan Mann 3-Jake Bennett 4-Will Atkinson 5-Kyle Rowley 6-Will Tamen 7-Ethan Fitzhugh 8-Will Trueman 9-Tyrell Waite 10-Ben Sault 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Lewis Ridd, Dan Bradley, Ryan Wilson, Marcus Barnes.

It was lively start again from Mickleover with McManus forced to make a saving tackle in the box, from Sports first real attack.

But Coalville came out fighting too, with Putnam leading a break, before Chambers cross was a little too long. McGlinchey then had a shot blocked as it headed goalwards.

Waite was proving to be particular sharp against one if his former clubs and off the back of his recent goal success. But after a collecting a poor clearance from White, the keeper redeemed himself as Waite closed in.

Chambers was heading the visitors attacks, but the defence were looking strong in the centre with Rowley and Tamen. When Putnam sent McGlinchey on a run he went one on one, but the Sports defence prevailed and the danger gone.

Fitzhugh had a shot blocked, before Pepe-Ngoma responded similarly for the visitors, before Waite tried his

luck again, firstly with a shot well saved by White, before his next attempt struck the bar from close range.

But Coalville responded again too with a Chambers header going wide, before McManus’s effort was cleared off the line.

Pennant had a late shot deflected away, which triggered four consecutive corners for the Ravens, with McGlinchey shooting wide again, just before the half time whistle.

Wilson replaced Rowley in the Mickleover defence as the second half got underway, with Mann going back into the middle. But Coalville were on the attack again with Chambers finally crowded out in the box, after a run down the wing from York.

Mersin saved from McGlinchey, before Fitzhugh was on the end of a Mickleover break. After cutting inside his shot was straight at the keeper, who comfortably collected.

Pennant then went one on one with Bennet and lost out, before another run by the pacey winger, was deflected away as Chambers waited in the middle.

With Atkinson setting up some moves to set fellow midfielders Fitzhugh, Trueman, Greaves and Sault on their way, Waite collected the ball on a break, but White saved again, before Wilson sent a header over the bar.

Waite headed another charge as the hour mark approached, but this time it was the home striker coming out on top, beating the advancing keeper to give Sports a valuable 1-0 lead.

Shortly afterwards Atkinson had a header over the bar, before Chambers miscued from a Putnam free kick and failed to trouble Mersin.

Bradley came on for Atkinson, but Mickleover were looking dangerous as they sought a second goal. With 15 minutes on the clock White saved again from a Sault effort to the near post, before the midfielder then made way for Barnes.

Coalville had a late penalty appeal waved away as the foul was deemed out of the box, while White made a couple more saves before the final whistle.

It proved to be a critical win as Sports are now guaranteed a place in the play-offs.

 

by Peter Scherer

Less than a week since we went down 0-1 at Coalville, it’s time to welcome the Ravens to the Don Amott Arena for the Easter Monday extravaganza.

It was an unlucky defeat after Scott McManus’ single goal sealed it, but Sports were denied clear cut penalties in both halves.

While were at Alvechurch securing another three points, Coalville were at home to Bromsgrove, where they collected a 1-0 win thanks to Tom McGlinchey’s first half strike, which leaves them eighth in the table.

Andy Dales and Ryan Wilson were both absent from Saturday’s squad, but with just five games left, your support will be seriously welcomed.

Kick off at the Don Amott is 3pm

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s visit Alvechurch was looking like going to the final whistle 0-0, until subTyrell Waite found the net with two minutes left. He then got his second in time added on, before the hosts snatched a consolation.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Ethan Mann 3-Jake Bennett 4-Dan Bradley 5-Will Tamen 6-Kyle Rowley 7-Ethan Fitzhugh 8-Ben Sault 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Will Trueman 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Tyrell Waite, Lewis Ridd, Will Bapaga, Will Atkinson, Marcus Barnes. 

Mickleover won their first corner after four minutes, but the early attempt on goal ended up in the side netting by the far post. A minute later Hadley escaped from Sports defence, but his shot was well over the bar.

Hadley had another effort blocked nine minutes in, but Mickleover also went close, when a 15^th minute flicked header from Beavon from just inside the box, was gathered by keeper Hollingshead just under his bar.

But it was continuing end to end as a minute later, Gordon collected a long through ball and managed to charge into the box, but his effort was once again wide of the far post.

Mann, Tamen, Rowley and Bennett were looking fairly solid at the back for Mickleover and despite some increased possession from Alvechurch, were able to clear their lines quickly and put the home defence under pressure, setting up breaks. 

Greaves delivered a dangerous 20^th minute corner into the box which rapped off the far post, before being cleared by the Church defence.

Clayton-Phillips then tried to punish the Mickleover defence with a looping free kick after 28 minutes. Crowther directed the follow up header on target forcing Mersin into a spectacular flying save to his right to turn the ball around the angle of the goal.

The pressure was still on the Mickleover goal though and the following corner from Ofosu connected with Hadley’s head at the back post, looping the ball back on target, and forcing Mersin into another outstanding save, tipping the ball over the bar for another corner.

Bradley, Fitzhugh, Sault, Trueman and Greaves, were all working hard in midfield, but Clayton-Phillips managed to avoid two challengers, before testing Mersin again, forcing a diving save low to his left.

The home side were still pushing forward to try and snatch a half time lead, and with the whistle poised Thorndike collected from Gordon, but firing on goal from just outside the box, his shot was well off target.

The hosts had failed to take their chances in the first half and it was Mickleover starting the second half the livelier. After two shots were blocked in the first eight minutes, Clayton-Phillips was on target again for Alvechurch, but Mersin tipped his effort around the post for another corner.

Trueman picked up a yellow card after 79 minutes and with time running out, Mickleover made their first change, with Waite replacing the hardworking Sault for the final nine minutes.

After 88 minutes Sports won a free kick from wide on the  left, which was lofted to the back post and headed back down to the feet of Waite. The striker made no mistake in lashing the ball in from a few yards past the exposed Hollingshead. 1-0

Six minutes were due to be added on which became more. But deep into stoppage time a speculative long ball from deep in the Mickleover half caught out the home defence.  They allowed it to bounce unchallenged in the 18 yard box, and Waite grabbed control to fire the ball across the face of Hollingshead’s goal into the far corner for his second of the game,  and to settle the  game in Mickleover’s favour. 2-0.

Nine minutes into stoppage time Gordon scored a consolation for the hosts, with a close range header from  Dugmore’s cross to the far post. But all three points were heading back to Mickleover and the fight to consolidate second in the table continues.