Category: First Team

A Message To All Blyth Spartans Fans!

We look forward to welcoming you all to Mickleover Sports Club bar before our match, this Saturday at 3.00pm.

We remember your previous visits fondly and your humour!

We would like to get you in our fine club house early as some of you have done before. We will have Liverpool v Swansea live on TV for you, starting at 12.30 and would like to make you this special offer! If you pre register and are in the club for the start of the live match at 12.30 we will offer you free nibbles and sandwiches during the game.

Our bar will have fine real ales on offer (Betty Stoggs, Old Speckled Hen, Ruddles) and PLENTY of Newcastle Brown!

You have drank as dry of this before but not this time!!!

So, come on Spartans – see you on Saturday!

Controversial Decisions Thwart Sports

Workington AFC 4-1 Mickleover Sports


By Tony Shaw


Workington: Taylor, Simpson, Rowntree, May, Calvert, Earl, Symington (Wright 75), Wilson, Ryan, Allison (Douglas 82), Tinnion. Other subs Smith, Waterston, Fowler


Sports: Green, Gilhooly (Lansdown 57), Ptak, Mcgrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott, Belgrave, Dickinson (Thomas 70), Broadhead


Referee: Lindsey Robinson


Att 448


With Sports 1-0 in front at half time the game took a dramatic twist straight after kick off as the Referee took centre stage.


Sports had taken a 20th minute lead when John Mcgrath’s in-swinging free kick was headed into the corner of the net by Tom Burgin. They almost doubled the lead when a pass from Andy Dales saw youngster, Jake Dickinson run through and his low shot beat Taylor but came back off the post. From this the home team broke quickly to create their best chance as Scott Allinson shot past Jamie Green only for it to hit the post.


The officials were loudly booed off the pitch and also received a grilling in the changing room area from the Home team management and this must have unsettled them. In the 48th minute ,out of the blue, the referee awarded the first of three penalties in an eight minute spell. In a challenge by young full back Jordan Gilhooly the ball came out of the tackle and hit his arm on the edge of the area. David Symington fired in the spot kick. In the 50th minute Lewis Belgrave was clearly fouled out wide but the referee waived play and when the cross came Symington volleyed in superbly. 2 minutes later came a second penalty and for a third time Sports were justifiably upset as Tom Burgins tackle was deemed a foul by the linesman, though he clearly played the ball out for a corner. Jamie Green, making a strange debut in goal for Sports, produced a fine save to deny Symington a hat-trick.


Sports were now rocking and conceded again on 54 minutes when a poor headed clearance was spectacularly volleyed in from 20 yards by Rob Wilson. Even worse followed on 56 minutes when a third penalty was awarded – again clearly not a penalty. A long punt through the middle was headed back by Pablo Mills and the centre forward, who had continually jumped into him, did so again. With Sports expecting a foul on the whistle the referee warded a penalty!!
With the damage done Sports could not get back into the game though Jack Broadhead and Lewis Belgrave both went close.

 

*Image courtesy: http://onion-bag.blogspot.co.uk

Sports Sign Experienced Goalkeeper

John McGrath has dipped into the transfer market once more and secured the services of goalkeeper Jamie Green to replace Jake Eastwood who has now returned to Sheffield United.

Green is an experienced goalkeeper who is joining from our league rivals Frickley Athletic. Before that he was with Brigg Town, Sheffield FC, Goole AFC and Shaw Lane Aquaforce who he helped to win promotion from the Toolstation NCFL Division One.

One claim to fame is the fact that in 2013 he actually scored for AFC Emley as a goalkeeper.

 

Coach Travel Available: Workington (A)

Travel with the team to Workington!

We are pleased to confirm that there are spaces available on the (luxury) supporters coach for this Saturday’s trip to Workington in the NPL Premier Division.

The contest promises to be an intriguing one, with Workington sitting 7th in the division.

The coach leaves at 8.45am for a 3.00pm kick off at a fare of £15 (return).

Please contact Tony Shaw at tonys@mickleoversportsfc.com to book your place.

Come on Sports!

Match Report: Nantwich Town (H)

SPORTS 0-1 NANTWICH TOWN

By Phil Mathews

Sports :- Eastwood, Scott, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Schofield, Morrison (Dickinson 54), Baskerville (Ptak 45), Broadhead.

Subs:- Lansdown, Belgrave, Norcross

Nantwich:- Gyollai, Stair, Touray, Harrison, Sam Jones, Hall, Hancock, Riley (Abadaki 61), Brooke (Bailey-Nicholls 82), Bell, Madley( Steve Jones 51)

Subs:- Mwasile, Finney.

Referee L Watson

Attn 242.

 

The margin of victory was only the one goal, but could easily have been more but for Jake Eastwood in the home goal.

The two teams went into the fixture locked together on 37 points although visitors Nantwich had games in hand.

The early stages of the game were tight although it was the visiting teams who appeared to be enjoying the bulk of the attacking play, with the best early chance falling to Danny Schofield whose curling shot in the 14th minute was off target. It wasn’t until the 37th minute that Sports went that close again with Clinton Morrison firing over after good approach play.

The moment that undoubtedly changed the game in the 41st minute as Ben Turner slid in a tackle on Wayne Riley.  After consultation with his assistant (who appeared in a worse position than him) to pass judgement he showed Turner a straight red. Referee Watson had shown a seemingly cavalier approach to awarding free kicks, and bookings up to that point choosing to award or not at random.

The sending off may well have been valid, but due to his previous decision making left parts of the crowd confused.

Irrespective of this it meant Mickleover would have more than an entire half with a one man disadvantage.

Nantwich tried to make the most of their numerical superiority but it took them until the 79th minute to make their breakthrough – which in itself says a lot for Sports resolve.

Whatever controversy had come before there was no doubt about Ben Harrison’s strike from just outside the area that settled the tie.

The hosts tried to force their way back into the contest, with the introduction of the lively Jake Dickinson, and ultimately pushing Pablo Mills up front.

The visitors had a late chance to double their lead but the shot from Josh Hancock rattled the woodwork before flying clear.

 

Announcement: Mickleover Sports Third Kit Release

We are delighted to announce the new Mickleover Sports third kit.

The kit will be available for sale as usual at our commerce store, hosted by XBlades. You can visit our store here: http://www.xbladessports.com/your-club/mickleover-sports

Pricing is to be confirmed but will be very similar to the existing kits (home and away) available at the store.

Chairman Don Amott had the following to say:

“I am really pleased with our new third kit which I believe once again highlights the professional image that we are building at Mickleover Sports. We have decided to make this kit available for general sale through our valuable partnership with XBlades”.

Please check back for updates on the release date.

Jake Bennett Moves From Sports To Sheffield United

Mickleover Sports defender/midfielder Jake Bennett has agreed a move to League One club Sheffield United on a permanent, professional deal.

Jake has been a fantastic player for Sports and first-team manager John McGrath had the following to say:

“I was delighted that we at Mickleover Sports play a part in Jake fulfilling in ambition of getting the chance to play his football at a league club. Jake is now a full time pro and I am very excited about the potential he will reach whilst plying his trade at a great club like Sheffield United. He is a great kid and I wish him all the best with his move. Him and his family are always welcome back to the Don Amott Arena”.

McGrath will need to rearrange the defensive lineup for the next match which is on January 2nd, away at Buxton FC (3pm).

 

Match Report: Rushall Olympic (A)

Rushall Olympic 1-2 Mickleover Sports

(By Tony Shaw)

Rushall:

Veiga, Christoporou, Hull, Cooper, Bottomer (54), Smith, Forde, Whittall, Luckie (71), Reid, Dell (57). Subs – Eze, Fitzpatrick, Portodickromo (54), Mckenzie (71), Mugisha (57)

Sports:

Eastwood, Bennett, Turner, Mcgrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott, Hall, Baskerville, Broadhead. Subs – Norcross, Belgrave, Lansdowne, Slew, Morrison

Attendance 285

 

Sports followed up Saturday’s excellent win with arguably their best performance of the season against top of the table, Rushall Olympic.  Their unbeaten December run was halted as Sports showed initial flair and then determination in the closing minutes that included eight additional minutes to add to the drama.

Sports had an early scare as Jake Eastwood slipped on the surface and spilled a routine ball that saw Alex Reid strike just wide of the post. Sports settled quickly and began to take the game to the Home side. The opening goal came on 13 minutes when a good long pass was controlled by Connor Hall and as he went round the keeper he was brought down for a clear penalty. Hall got up to find the bottom corner from the spot.

Sports should have had a second penalty when Andy Dales played a one-two with Adam Baskerville to break clear on goal. The trailing defender could only push him down as he entered the penalty area but amazingly the only person on the ground not to see this as a clear penalty was the referee who waived play on. Sports were now well on top and Rushall could only resort to numerous cynical fouls. From one Andy dales saw his free kick brilliantly pushed away by Veiga who then repeated this by diving full length to deny John Mcgrath. Andy Dales was then denied again by Veiga who had kept his side in the game.

Things looked ominous for Sports after dominating most of the game but missing several good chances and they were grateful to a fine diving save by Jake Eastwood as he pushed away a free kick from Isaac Cooper. The all important second goal came on 43 minutes when a John Mcgrath corner was headedin from close range by Sports man of the match, Pablo Mills.

Sports expected Rushall to come out fighting in the second half but in truth it was only in the last 10 minutes did they come under pressure. Connor Hall, having another fine game, forced a good save from Veiga and Adam Baskerville just failed to connect with low crosses from Jake Bennett and Andy Dales. Andy Dales again broke clear after another 1-2 with Connor Hall but his 12 yard shot was parried by Veiga and scrambled clear.

With 7 minutes left in normal time, Rushall pulled a goal back as Eastwood was obstructed as he punched clear and when the ball was played back in was off his line as Joe Hull headed in from 6 yards out. Sports went on the attack again and a fine move ended with Hall squaring for Jack Broadhead but his 10 yard shot cleared the bar.

Sports had to suffer eight long minutes of overtime (should have been 4!!!) but with the defence in control and Jake Eastwood showing composure they held on to secure a fine victory and 3 important points.