Category: First Team

Transfer News: Draper In, Thomas Out

It’s been a busy week at the club with first-team player-manager John McGrath making two important player changes.

Firstly, we see striker Zeph Thomas go to Shaw Lane Aquaforce on a permanent deal. Zeph had a strong goal scoring record at Sports, but with Adam Baskerville now back from injury, there is cover up front. This is in addition to Tyler Blake, a recent acquisition from Mansfield Town.

In addition, Sports have clinched the signing of Nick Draper (pictured), an experienced goalkeeper from Worcester City to replace the outgoing Green on a season-long loan.

John McGrath had the following to say about Green:

I am delighted to get the services of Nick. He is a goalkeeper I have long admired and I really look forward to working with him. He will add great experience and competition to our squad.

Come to the Don Amott Arena tomorrow to see the lads play against Workington FC in the NPL Premier Division (3pm).

 

Image credit: Worcester News

FIRST LOOK: Trentbarton Partner With MSFC With ‘Bus-Stop Dugout’

We are delighted to announce our partnership with trentbarton, the ‘really good bus company’.

The first step of this partnership is the provision of quite possibly the best dugout in football – the bus-stop dugout! We have pleasure in releasing this early image of the dugout in production at the trentbarton engineering depot.

This forward-thinking attitude has seen trentbarton grow into one of the most recognisable, best respected bus companies in the UK.

We look forward to announcing the next step – the dugout being installed and ready at the Don Amott Arena. We will try not to keep you waiting!

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.