by Peter Scherer

Following Tuesday night’s disappointing defeat at Coalville, Mickleover will be looking to add to the points tally. Alvechurch is our next stop on Saturday afternoon, where Jimmy Fry’s side have been struggling of late.

We were 4-2 winners when ‘church visited back in August. But former Birmingham City junior Fry took over in late September and has made a number of changes in the squad.

Three out the last five games have been at home, with just the one win against Stourbridge and four defeats, leaving them 14th in the table.

First choice keeper at the moment is West Bromwich loanee Ronnie Hollinshead, who had previously been loaned to Hednesford, before coming to Lye Meadow on New Year’s Day. He has been capped by Wales at Under 15,16,18,19 and 21 levels.

Reserve keeper Harvey Randle was at Birmingham City and Derby County, before coming to Alvechurch July last year. He has also been on loan at Coventry Utd.

16 year old Spike Whitehouse is another home-grown keeper, who has come through the clubs junior ranks.

Right back Ben Cassidy is a home produced player, debuting in 20/21 season and now a regular first team member.

Former Northern Ireland Under 19 centre back Ethan Patterson, was a former Aston Villa Junior. He had spell in Iceland with Throttur Vogum and on his UK return joined our hosts for 15th months, before moving on to Worcester Raiders. He started last year at Hednesford and returned to Alvechurch pre-season.

Right back Josh Dugmore played his junior football at Everton and Birmingham City. On his release he went to Bromsgrove and Telford, before spending four months at Banbury prior to his Alvechurch arrival in January 2023. He has captained the side for most of the season.

Striker Jaanai Gordon started out at Peterborough Utd, before being spotted by West Ham Utd. He was then loaned to Chelmsford, Nuneaton and Sligo Rovers in Ireland and after a further loan at Newport County he was released.

He then signed for Cheltenham and his career moved on via Tamworth, Banbury, Oxford City, Stratford, Hereford, Brackley and Boston Utd, from where he joined our hosts pre-season, after a loan at Nuneaton.

Midfielder Jack Hallahan is an Alvechurch returnee. He arrived in November 2021 and left in February to join Evesham, before returning at the start of this season. He started at Burton Albion and was loaned to Belper Town and has played for Coalville, Hednesford and Bromsgrove too, as well as being capped by Northern Ireland at Under 19 level.

Left sided midfielder Nicky Clayton-Phillips is in his second Alvechurch stay. He was at West Bromwich Albion, who loaned him out to Braintree, Kidderminster and Solihull Moors, before going to Stourbridge on his release.

Only a few weeks later he joined Alvechurch in September 2021, going to Kidderminster a month later, before returning to Alvechurch in December the same year.

Former Port Vale full back Ammar Dyer was another pre-season signing, from Bromsgrove. He has also played for Leek Town.

Centre back Yaw Ofosu arrived at the start of this season toofrom Cambridge City, where he made over 100 appearances since joining them from Newport Pagnell Town. He captained the side at Kettering last weekend, with Dugmore on the bench.

Dylan Allen-Hadley is another young striker having returned to Alvechurch. He was a West Bromwich Albion Junior and was with our hosts before spells at Redditch and Romulus.

Midfield Richard Batchelor is on the coaching staff too, having arrived from Sporting Khalsa last September. He started out with Romulus, moving on via Chasetown, Leamington, Hednesford, Brackley, Worcester City, Stafford Rangers, Stourbridge, Highgate and Redditch, before spending three months at Mickleover in 2019. He then spent four years at Rushall Olympic, before joining Khalsa last July.

Kartell Dawkins came in from Gloucester City just before Christmas. A former Leicester City Junior midfielder, he was loaned to Rushden & Diamonds, before joining Bromsgrove on his release in January last year. He joined Gloucester last October, but was loaned back to Bromsgrove until his release.

Striker Leo Brown scored seven goals in 26 games last year but hasn’t been a regular in the squad this season.

Fellow striker DJ Sturridge is the son of former Rams striker Dean. DJ came from Solihull Moors in January, having joined them on his release from Aston Villa.

Ethan McLeod is loanee, a young winger from Wolves. As is Dylan Mitchell, a midfielder, currently loaned by Aston Villa.

Young striker Daniele Reka and defender Archie Crowther have also been part of the squad since New Year.

Kick off is 3pm as usual.

by Peter Scherer

Not one but two penalty appeal rejection’s cost Mickleover dearly, as they went down 0-1 to Coalville Town.

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

Mickleover earned a corner in the opening minute and made a lively start as the light rain began to increase. But Coalville were on the attack too, with Mersin the first keeper in action, making an easy stop from Ndukwu.

Coalville Tyrell Pennant’s pace started to cause problems for Mickleover’s defence and he had his first shot after four minutes, with Mersin pushing his effort away from his near post for a corner.

McManus went close from the following header, before Sports broke out and charged up the field again. They earned another corner and there were some good technical build-ups, but the final ball seemed to be lacking.

After 10 minutes a loose ball in midfield was picked up by Coalville, but Pennant’s shot was high and wide of the target.

But four minutes later Mersin made a great save again from Pennant, after he had been set up from a McGlinchey break.

There was another Coalville shot blocked after 16 minutes, before Sault split the defence with a cross field ball from the right. Greaves picked it up and cut inside, but his cross was into the side netting.

The home side were quick to retaliate but blazed another shot well off target from just outside the box. They had started to keep Mickleover pegged back in their own area, with a barrage of shots following.

McGlinchey’s effort was over the bar again and fortunately for Mickleover accuracy was missing from almost every attempt.

Sault’s determination sent him on a long run but was tackled before he could shoot and then Greaves, Wilson and Fitzhugh combined, before the final shot was blocked.

Rowley managed to find Greaves, but his shot was blocked again too, but it was 32 minutes before Sports had a shot on target. Sault had almost broken through again, but his final effort lacked pace and was straight at White in the home goal.

Waite had a shot saved after 35 minutes and was briefly on the deck two minutes later, after colliding with White after a corner.

But 38 minutes in and Sault had out paced his defender on the right, head down and heading for goal, he was pulled back by his shirt and shoulder and fouled. It was a clear-cut penalty as both offences were in the box, but neither the referee nor his assistant seemed to see it.

Coalville were ahead possession wise and had more shots, albeit mostly well off target. But after 41 minutes McGlinchey took a corner on the Mickleover left, McManus met it and headed home to Mersin’s left, 0-1.

A disappointing first half with Mickleover often struggling to break out of defence. The attack looked toothless and midfield crowded and disorganised, but the penalty rejection still weighed heavy as the half time whistle went.

There were no immediate changes as the second half got underway, but the defence were soon being challenged again by our hosts. Pennant ran at them after 50 minutes, set up Hart, who shot straight at Mersin and then McManus collected and his shot blocked.

Almost on the hour Mickleover had fought back and were bombarding the Coalville goal. The ball came out to Atkinson, who shot was clearly patted down by a Coalville defender. It was a clear penalty again with hand to ball, rather than vice versa, but as in the first half neither the ref nor assistant reacted positively, despite vociferous appeals.

But Mickleover continued to just give the ball away repeatedly, but despite their possession and pace, Coalville failed to make it count fortunately.

Fitzhugh had a shot after a gradual build-up and earned a corner, but Coalville were still getting the breaks and still shooting over the bar.

Barnes came on for Fitzhugh after 66 minutes and almost immediately earned a corner. Then Greaves cut in from the left, but the ball was just deflected for another  corner before it reached Barnes.

A minute later the ball landed at Greaves feet, but in the wet mud his effort was blocked by White after 72 minutes, before his next effort was deflected for a corner two minutes later.

Coalville made another break as Mickleover tried to push forward, but McGlinchey’s effort was once again over the bar.

Beavon replaced Atkinson for the final 11 minutes, which turned into one way traffic as Mickleover bombarded the home goal.

Sault shot over after 83 minutes, but two minutes later there was a double corner, going close on both occasions. Rowley had come up and his effort landed on the top of the net, but at the second time of asking White collected.

Time was running out and despite a right hand cut in from Bennett earning a late corner, there was to be no equaliser and Mickleover, despite a great improvement in final 30 minutes, returned home empty handed.

 

By Peter Scherer

Seven games to go and Mickleover sit proudly in second place in the table, heading the quartet of play-off positions.

Hopefully Marcus Barnes will be fit to rejoin the squad after taking a knock last time out, and there are choices to be made for both centre back and goalkeeper, with loanees Will Tamen and Lewis Ridd challenging to rejoin the starting line-up.

Tuesday’s visit to Coalville will be the third attempt to play the game, having been called off firstly because of our hosts Cup run and secondly due to a waterlogged pitch. It is of particular importance as only six days later, the fixture is reversed when they make the trip to the Don Amott Arena on Easter Monday.

They have only played two home games since our visit was postponed on February 6th, beating Hitchin 1-0 and sharing a 1-1 draw with Stratford.

Last Saturday’s defeat when they visited Halesowen, currently leaves them11th in the table.

Promotion candidates last season, it’s not been easy for Coalville this term. Adam Stevens had been in charge since May 2018, but with his team in mid-table this season, he was dismissed in early February.

Ian King is now in charge, who has previously been at Barwell, Stratford, Daventry, Worcester City and Birmingham City Academy, as well as assisting at Bromsgrove and Leamington.

Their league form has suffered due to their run in the FA Trophy, finally going out to Macclesfield Town in the quarter finals earlier this month.

Let’s take a look at Coalville’s squad. Keeper Paul White came from Peterborough Sports in July 2022, having started out with Cork City in his native Ireland.

His first English club was Forest Green, who also loaned him to Gloucester, before joining Boreham Wood following his release. He has also played for Accrington, Kettering, Hereford and St Ives.

Second choice keeper Jake Laban was a pre-season 22/23 signing too, having arrived from Burton Albion. But fellow keeper Callum Underwood has also been on the bench too.

Former Grimsby junior midfielder Andi Thanoj was also a July ’22 signing, from Boston Utd. He has also played for Alfreton, Harrogate and Redditch.

Striker Ash Chambers was a Leicester City youth player, with over 200 league appearances under his belt, with the likes of Wycombe, Grimsby, York, Cambridge Utd, Dagenham & Redbridge, before non-league spells at Nuneaton, Kidderminster and Brackley.

He came to Coalville at the start of 22/23 season too, after a year at Buxton and was on the scoresheet against scored their goal against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup 1st round defeat last season and is capped by England at Under16,17,18 & 19 levels.

Skipper Joe Doyle-Charles has been Coalville for five years. The midfielder started out as a Burton Albion Youth player and joined Ilkeston on his release in 2015. He has also played for Alfreton and came to Coalville from Matlock Town.

Midfield partner Tom McGlinchey can go one better, as he arrived from Leicester Road over six years ago. He had previously been at Kriby Muxloe.

His nephew Roddy also joined the club in December on loan from Peterborough Utd. A midfielder, he has also been loaned to Rushden & Diamonds and Peterborough Sports.

Striker Tim Berridge is another longer serving player, since arriving from Dunkirk in 2018 and has scored over 60 goals since his arrival.

Elliott Putman is a left back and came in from Barwell in September 2021.  He started out at Leicester City and has also played for Stamford and Oadby.

Right back Alex Dean is the longest serving of all the squadthough, having rejoined our visitors for the second time in 2014. He came back from Solihull Moors, but has also played at Nuneaton Town alongside his twin brother and Bedworth Utd.

Centre back Scott McManus only arrived in January from Nuneaton. He was a Manchester Utd Junior, before going to Curzon Ashton. He then moved to Crewe and made six appearances in league one, before spending a year in Scotland at Stranraer.

He returned to England with FC United and then spent seven years at Halifax, before his first arrival at Coalville in July 2018, staying two years.

Fellow centre back Ash Carter was a pre-season signing from Alvechurch. He started as a junior at Wolves and was loaned to Chesterfield and Tamworth, before joining Kidderminster on his release.

He made a couple of league appearances and then moved on via Alvechurch, Nuneaton, Stourbridge and Halesowen, before spending the last two seasons back at Alvechurch.

Luke Shaw is another midfielder who favours the wing. He was signed from Grantham in 2018. He had previously played for Ilkeston and Belper Town.

The oldest player in the squad at 38 is central midfielder Steve Towers, now in his eighth year with the club since signing from Brackley. He started at Corby and has played for Rothwell, Stamford and Grantham too. He is also the teams coach.

Former St Etienne Junior centre back Herve Pepe-Ngomareturned to the club in November 2022, having left in September 2021 year to join Barwell. He played junior football at Leicester City too and has also played for Nuneaton, Boston Utd and Kettering.

Wes York is a right-side midfielder and a pre-season signing from Brackley. He started his career with Nuneaton, before spending two years at Wrexham. He has also played for Gateshead and York City, spending two years at each.

Striker Terrell Pennant is a former England Under 15 and 16 International. He was a Leicester City Junior, where his brother Kian still plays. He joined Coalville pre-season following his release from Leicester.

Fellow striker Kieran Cook was another pre-season signing from Rushall Olympic. He started at Alvechurch and has had spells at Stourbridge and Leamington too.

Ben Hart was a pre-season signing too, but has recently returned from a broken ankle. A former Burton Albion Junior, he was loaned to Kidsgrove, Tamworth and Redditch, before going to Tamworth on his release. He was then loaned to Barwell, before finally leaving Tamworth to join our hosts.

Former England Under 16 and 17 International midfielder Layton Ndukwu was a Leicester City Junior and was loaned out to Southend Utd, before joining Albanian  side FK Kukesi on his release.

After six months he came back to the UK with Barwell, but was soon on the move again to Akademisk Boldklub in Denmark., before arriving at Coalville last month.

Kick off as usual is 7.45 and YOUR SUPPORT WOULD BE WELCOMED.

by Peter Scherer

It was single goal from Ethan Mann in the 66th minute that secured another three points for Mickleover, their fourth successive victory.

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

It was all out attack from Mickleover from the first whistle, with a Dales cross from the left, beating everyone waiting in the middle.

Reece Michell and Ryan Wynter both had to make clearances from in the middle too, before Halesowen had their first strike on goal after eight minutes, when JakHickman crossed from the right before Kieren Donnelly headed wide.

The visitors were playing the ball well out of their own half, and proving a match for Mickleover. Mitchell managed another cross from the left, before Miracle Okafor headed just wide after 12 minutes.

Wilson then tried a distance shot which was just over the visitors bar, before a Dales run after 13 minutes, earned a corner, but sent him into the perimeter fence, damaging his right hand.

As the corner came in Rowley headed over, but three minutes later Okafor had a great chance, in the clear only to shoot into the side netting, with Mersin unchallenged.

It was proving to very tight in midfield, with little give or take from either side.

Dales earned another corner after 34 minutes, but that came to nought and then Halesowen earned a free kick for a foul on keeper Platt.

Despite his hand injury, Dales was still getting stuck in and outran Luke Redfern after 26 minutes, before his cross cleared everyone in the box.

Bennett headed away a dangerous cross from the left, before Donnelly picked up the ball from a Mitchell throw, shooting just wide of the left– hand post as the half hour mark approached.

Greaves then forced Platt into a save 31 minutes in, creating his own space he cut in from the right and fired the shot in, saved by the keeper with Dales just inches away from connecting for a rebound effort.

Mersin had little to do but had to earn his keep, saving a shot from Caine Elliot, which had taken a slight deflection.

Trueman had been busy both attacking and defending and after 35 minutes, his long run, just failed to reach Waite.

With 20 minutes on the clock until half time, a cross from the right wing by Bennett fell nicely in the centre of the box. But Greaves was already on his knees and couldn’t respond to the pass, as the ball rolled away.

For a while it looked as if Halesowen had broken the deadlock, when after 41 minutes a free kick was met by Okafor and had Mersin beaten on his left side. But the referee ruled it was offside and play continued.

The disallowed goal seemed to spur the visitors on and after 42 minutes Elliott shot wide again after Mitchell and Ryan Boothe had set him up.

But the pressure was building again on the Halesowen goaland with a minute left before half time, Wilson sprinted down the left and put in a cross for Greaves, meeting it first time to force Platt into another great save.

The half time whistle was primed, when Sault charged forward, was had his heel clipped by a defender, but thereferee failed to respond to penalty appeals.

With Sports kicking off the second half in attack mode again, Dales made space on the left, cutting inside to have a shot saved after 55 minutes.

Only a minute later Dales tried again, picking the ball up from a Waite lay off, only for his strike to rebound off a defenders leg.

Hickman then got a cross into the Mickleover box, which caused some unease, before a break by Sault almost broke the deadlock. As he charged down the field, he had outpaced the defence and managed to chip the advancing keeper, only to see his shot bounce off the bar on the hour.

It had built up to be Sports most intense spell of pressure, with the visiting defence pegged back in their own half.Dales and Wilson combined before Wilson’s cross from the left just missed Greaves’ head. But Halesowen had packed their defence and were holding out.

Dales was clearly in discomfort and was replaced by Fitzhugh after 64 minutes, but shortly afterwards the deadlock was finally broken. Greaves floated a corner in from the left and Mann charged in to fire the ball homeinside the left–hand post, 1-0 after 66 minutes.

Only a couple of minutes later Greaves tested the keeper again, when his cross from the left had to be punched clear by Platt from just under his bar.

There was a series of corners for Mickleover too, with Mitchell heading the first one clear, before Rowley tried a toe poke just wide of the left–hand post.

But 78 minutes in and there was another scramble in the Mickleover box, but the combined forces of Rowley and Mann in the middle held firm and cleared the danger.

Beavon became the second sub when he came on for Waite with seven minutes to go, just before another corner earned by Wilson, saw Mann head just wide.

There were a couple of late breaks which could have given Mickleover a second, but some over zealous flagging by the assistant seemed to anticipate off side, before it actually happened.

Bradley replaced Sault for the final four minutes, after an excellent performance linking with Atkinson, Trueman and Greaves in the main.

Donnelly had a late shot just wide for Halesowen and they had a corner just wide.

Another dubious offside decision saw Beavon in the book, after the referee took offence to him shooting after thewhistle.

So three points and a fourth successive win consolidates second place and a play-off place. “Job done, it was like eight cup finals in a row for us and after today now it’s seven, A great cross for the goal and a great strike from “Manny,” brilliant,” said gaffer John McGrath.

“Disappointed, but I think we were outstanding in the first half and had more chances. We knew we were up against the best footballing team in the league and respected that. Mickleover defended very well too, but I was disappointedto concede a goal from a corner, “ Halesowen manager Russ Penn replied.

There’s another break now, before facing Coalville away on the 26th before we face them again at home only six days later, with a visit to Alvechurch in between.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s back on home turf for Mickleover on Saturday, when they welcome Halesowen Town to the Don Amott Arena.

Sports beat the Yeltz 2-1 back in December and they currently lie eighth in the table.

Mickleover will hopefully have a full squad to choose from having not played last weekend, but manager John McGrath may have to choose between a returning Will Tamen and the impressive Kyle Rowley to partner Ethan Mann in the middle of the defence.

Joe Bateman and Lewis Cunningham both came through their return games in the reserves 13-4 victory on Tuesday, where Stuart Beavon and Ethan Fitzhugh both hit hattricks.

Our visitors have recently replaced manager Paul Smith, who gained them promotion last season, with former Kidderminster Harriers boss Russ Penn. A former England C International, Penn played league football with Scunthorpe, Burton Albion, Cheltenham, York City and Carlisle Utd.

They have won their last two away games at Royston and Alvechurch without conceding a goal, after a run of six game without victory.

Dan Platt is their current goalkeeper, now in his third season with the club, after signing from Bromsgrove. He started out at Crewe Alexandra, before moving on to Telford, Nantwich, Stourport and Evesham. He then had three years with Oxford City, before making his first stop at Halesowen in 2015.

Four years later he had a brief spell at Hednesford, before two seasons at Bromsgrove preceded his current stay. He recently made his 100^th consecutive appearance for the club, having made well over 250 in total, and is also the club captain.

Right back Jak Hickman was a Coventry City Junior. He was loaned out to Ashton Utd, Hereford and Bromsgrove, before joining Bolton Wanderers on his release. 

After a further loan at Kings Lynn he went to Ireland with St.Patrick’s Athletic, before returning to England with Stourbridge at the beginning of last year. He then returned to Lynn, before a move to Banbury at the beginning of last season. He came to Halesowen on loan in March, making his stay permanent pre-season.

Left back Reece Mitchell was a pre-season signing from Rushall Olympic, where he had spent four years since arriving from Boldmere. He started at Leamington and has also played for Barwell, Highgate Utd and Sutton Coldfield.

Todd Parker is a young midfielder who came out of the Wolves Academy. He had two years at Hednesford following his release and came to our visitors pre-season.

Centre or right back Luke Redfern came straight from Stoke City’s Under 21’s in pre-season. He had previously been with Burton Albion, who had loaned him to Nuneaton and Sutton Coldfield. During his time with the Potters he also went out on loan to Hednesford.

Experienced centre back Tom Taylor came from Bromsgrove in January, where he had captained the side. A former striker who became a defender, Taylor is an ex Shrewsbury junior, but has played much of his football in Wales, with Porthmadog, Caernarfon Town, Pentraeth, Glantraeth, Holyhead Hotspur and Llangefni Town. He left Bromsgrove in April 2021 after his first spell to join Stourbridge, but returned in the December.

Fellow centre back Victor Nirennold only signed for Halesowen at the end of January from Nuneaton. French born, he started his career at Stade Rennais, before going to the US with Miami City.

His first English Club was Fleetwood back in 2015, who also loaned him to Guiseley, before a permanent move to FK Senica in Slovakia.

He then had a year in Vietnam with Da Nang FC, before a two year spell in Malaysia with Uitm FC. After short stop at Motherwell he played for Gloucester City too, before starting this season with Nuneaton. 

Caine Elliott was out on loan at Rugby Town earlier this season, from where he was signed in July.  A young central midfielder. He had previously spent two years at Stratford.

Midfielder Nathan Hayward is in his second season as a Yeltz player, having arrived from Bromsgrove. He started at Kidderminster, before moving on to Malvern and Worcester City. He first joined Bromsgrove in July 2018, but started the following season at Stourbridge. Two years later he returned to Bromsgrove and came to Halesowen in July last year.

Miracle Okafor was another pre-season signing, a striker who came from Scunthorpe’s youth team. He was loaned to Frickley Athletic, before joining Alvechurch on his release. Guiseley and Stourbridge were his next stops, with sixth months at Sporting Khalsa preceding his move to our visitors.

Right back Josh Ezewele is a former West Bromwich Albion Junior. He went to Yeovil Town following his release and was initially loaned to Kidderminster, before making it permanent. He was at Fylde, Alvechurch, Stourbridge and Bromsgrove, before returning to Alvechurch in July 2021 and has been at Halesowen since February 2022.

Ryan Wynter came from Chasetown pre-season, after a three year stay, having made over 250 appearances. Now a centre back he started off as a striker with Stafford Rangers.

Striker Richard Gregory is one of the longer serving players, having come from Bromsgrove in July 2020. He started at Boldmere and has also played for Rugby Town, Stratford, Leamington and Stafford Rangers.

Defender Kieren Donnelly was signed from Redditch in October last 2022. A former Aston Villa Academy player, he has also played for Nuneaton Borough.

Midfielder Jack Holmes started at Burton Albion, before coming to Halesowen. He joined Hereford in September last year on a dual registration, but returned to our visitors last April.

Ryan Boothe was another pre-season signing too, a striker from Anstey Nomads. He has played for Rushall Olympic, Sutton Coldfield and Lye Town and had been at Anstey since September 2020.

Macauley Manning is an attacking midfielder who firstly came from Coventry Utd in November 2019. He has also played for Highgate Utd, Redditch and Alvechurch and returned to Halesowen in March last year, after a spell in New Zealand.

Midfielder Rhys Hilton came from Sutton Coldfield Town in January. An ex Birmingham City youngster, he was loaned to Redditch, before going to Sutton Coldfield on his release in October 2020. He moved on after a year to Bedworth Utd and Coleshill Town, before returning to Sutton Coldfield ’22.

Striker Luke Postle has also been in the squad recently after coming through the clubs own Academy.

Kick off at usual is 3pm, with all catering and bar facilities available.

by Peter Scherer

It was a typical top of the table duel, as second placed Mickleover faced third placed Redditch at the Valley Stadium. But after a superb all round team performance, it was super sub Marcus Barnes with two late goals that cliched al three points for Mickleover.

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

The opening 10 minutes were fairly even in bitterly cold conditions, but it was Mickleover that had the first real shot. Wilson picked up the ball after Bennett and Trueman had exchanged on the right, following his own free kick after 12 minutes when Waite had been fouled.

Redditch then shouted for a penalty when Johnston went down, but the pleas were rightly ignored.

But it was Mickleover continuing to apply most of the pressure, with Rowley and Mann looking supreme in the centre of defence.

Mickleover earned a 17th minute free kick when Dales was tripped, Flanagan was booked for the offence and as Bennett prepared to take the kick, he was barged by Cameron who also went into the referee’s book.

Wilson eventually took the kick which fell to Rowley, who shot wide.

Ridd had to palm away a cross come shot from the right a couple of minutes later, before Trueman tried his look from a Sault pass on the left, but he fired wide of the left-hand post.

Sports went so close to opening the scoring when a 24^th minute corner saw the home keeper completely miss a punch. Sault picked up the loose ball and fired at goal, but Fulloway managed to head his effort away off the line, so it remained 0-0.

The pressure continued to build on the hosts, but Ridd had to receive treatment after a knock following a Redditch free kick.

Despite the pressure from Mickleover, Redditch were still dangerous on the break and after 32 minutes Ridd blocked an effort from Soleman and followed up with a save from Concannon before the ball was cleared.

Dales had a shot blocked after 38 minutes following a powerful run and cross from the right from Waite, but as the ball went loose Greaves took a knock from the home keeper.

The chances and possession had both favoured Mickleover, but it was still stalemate as the half time whistle blew.

Redditch started the second half with increased pace and briefly pegged back Mickleover in their own half.  Ridd saved a low shot from Concannon after 46 minutes and two minutes later Cranston put a cross into the box, which missed everyone.

Sault had another powerful shot blocked after 51 minutes to earn a corner, but the initial flourish from Redditch had past and it was back to stalemate.

Atkinson had been a strong force in both defence and attack and both Bennett and Wilson seemed to be cutting inside, rather than playing their more familiar overlapping wing back role.

Barnes was the first sub on the hour, coming on for Sault and after 68 minutes both he and Waite had shots blocked, before Trueman collected the rebound and tried his luck again.

With 20 minutes left on the clock. Mickleover really began to turn the screw, with continuous bombardment of the home defence.

Dales cut inside to shoot again after 75 minutes, but it was blocked again and led to a Redditch break, again well intercepted by the defence.

But 80 minutes in and Barnes charged out of defence, ran and ran before cutting in from the right, firing in a rocket shot beyond the keepers left hand, to finally give Sports a well deserved lead. 1-0.

Fitzhugh had come on Dales and with six minutes left Beavon came on for Waite. With three minutes to go Beavon headed just wide from a Greaves cross and Redditch had a corner right on the 90 minute mark.

The hosts had to push forward in time added on, but Beavon collected to find Barnes again, who split the defence wide open and charged forward to another superb strike 2-0.

The final whistle soon followed and it was all three points coming back to Mickleover, a third successive win and consolidation of second in the table.

 

 

by Peter Scherer

You could call it a “Six-pointer”, as Mickleover visit Redditch Utd on Saturday in a duel for play-off places. 

It was a 2-2 draw when they visited the Don Amott Arena back in October. Our hosts haven’t played since February 17^th, when they beat Berkhamsted at home 1-0. Six wins out of the last 10 games and only two defeats, it wont be easy.

But two wins in succession with a three goal margin, Sports have hopefully hit form at the right time for the final run in.

Matt Clarke has been in charge at the Trico Stadium since September 2020 and is a former player for the club. He also played for Wolves, West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster during his playing career.

Centre back Ryan Wollacott started out at Stourport, before spending just over three years in the Welsh Premier League with Aberystwyth. He then moved to Alvechurch, before returning to Stourport, from where Redditch signed him in July 2021.

Left back Calum Flanagan is another ex-Villa Junior. After a loan at Kettering he joined Hinckley on his release, before making his first stop at Redditch in 2015, when he came from Worcester.

Further moves to Hednesford, Solihull, Rushall and Halesowen, with a couple of career breaks in between, preceded his return to Redditch in January 2022.

He isn’t the only Flanagan in the squad though, as brother Reece is a midfielder and former Walsall Junior.

He joined Leamington after his release and had spells at Rushall and Stratford, before Redditch signed him from Hednesford in July 2022.

First choice goalkeeper Adam Harrison was signed in December 2022 from Worcester City. He is a former Leicester City Junior, who has also played for Bedworth Utd and Tividale.

Jack Price and Charlie McNamara are his deputies and both have been on the bench recently. Price was a pre-season signing and is dual registered with Dudley Sports.

Right back Brad Burton came from Alvechurch pre-season, after starting his career at Aston Villa.

Jamie Melbourne is a left back. A former Stoke City youngster, he came from Alvechurch pre-season too. At the start of this season.

Gift Mussa is a central midfielder and another pre-season signing from Tamworth. He started out at Coventry Utd, before moving onto Leamington. He has had spells at Bromsgrove and Nuneaton too.

Aran Soleman is another midfielder and ex West Bromwich Albion Junior. He went to Solihull Moors on his release, before moving on to Coventry Utd, Rushall Olympic, Guiseley, Bromsgrove, Tamworth, Matlock and Hednesford. He has been with our hosts since December 2021.

Experienced midfielder AJ George started his career at Oxford Utd and Mansfield and spent a month on loan at Mickleover back in 2017.

After further loans at Hednesford and North Ferriby he joined Chippenham, before spells at Oxford City, Rushden & Diamonds and Tamworth, and ended last season with North Leigh. He is also an Antigua & Barbuda international.

Striker Alex Cameron is in his third spell at Redditch. He started out at Stourbridge and was at Dudley Town and Tividale before joining Redditch in July 2020.

After one year he moved to Sporting Khalsa, but returned to Redditch three months later for another nine months. He was at Rushall last season and before returning again pre-season.

Danny King is yet another striker who spent some time with our hosts last season, on loan from Gloucester City, before making his move permanent in November 2022.

Johnny Johnston is a striker too, ex Blackpool youngster, he came from Gloucester pre-season.

Midfielder Musa Ceesay was a pre-season addition, having previously trialled for the club a year earlier. He is now a regular starter and was previously at Lye Town and Wolverhampton Casuals.

Callum Rowe is a midfielder on a dual registration with Rushall. He was an Aston Villa Junior and loaned to Hereford, before moving to Exeter City. He made eight appearances for the Grecians in League Two before being loaned to Chippenham and Bath City.

He then joined Yeovil and quickly moved on to Salisbury and Hereford, before joining Stourbridge earlier this year and started this season at Rushall.

Jordan Cranston is a left back on loan from Hereford Utd until the end of the season. He’s Welsh Under 19 International who started out at Wolves. After a loan at Nuneaton, he signed for Hednesford on his release, before returning to Nuneaton on permanent basis.

He quickly moved on to Notts County and was loaned to Lincoln City, before moving on to Gateshead. Cheltenham, Morecambe, Solihull Moors and Fylde were his next stops, before joining Hereford in January.

Striker Jaiden White was a junior at both Wolves and Coventry City. He moved on to Kidderminster, who loaned him to Stafford Rangers, before that move became permanent. He started this season at Stourbridge, before coming to Redditch last September.

Former Birmingham City Junior midfielder Jack Concannon is a recent arrival on loan from Alvechurch. He was loaned to Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth, before joining the permanently on his release. He then moved to Alvechurch at he start of last season.

Striker Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton arrived just before Christmas, from Rushall Olympic on a dual registration. He started out as a Junior with both Birmingham City and Bournemouth and was loaned out to Salisbury,  and Gosport Borough, before going to Alvechurch on his release. He then joined Telford Utd but was loaned back to Alvechurch, before going back again permanently.

He started this season at Banbury but moved on to Rushall only two months later.

Centre back Matt Fulloway arrived from Sporting Khalsa in early February, where he spent the previous four season, since joining the from Stourport Swifts.

Isaiah Bazeley arrived in February too from Harborough Town. An ex Aston Villa Junior he also had a loan spell at Bradford Park Avenue, before joining Barwell on his release. He soon moved to Peterborough Sports and was loaned out to Yaxley, before starting this season at Harborough.

Academy graduates Henry Smith and Taysian Douglas-Lewis have both been on the bench too recently.

Kick off in this dual for second in the table is at 3pm and YOUR SUPPORT WOULD BE WELCOMED!!

by Peter Scherer

Straight off the back of last Saturday’s home win over Kettering, Mickleover were back in promotion form with a comfortable win over last years play-off finalists Leiston.

Gaffer John McGrath not surprisingly went for an unchanged side, 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4- Will Atkinson 5-Will Tamen 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Tyrell Waite 10-Ben Sault 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Dan Bradley, Kyle Rowley, Rhys Dolan, Ethan Fitzhugh.

From the opening whistle Mickleover were on the attack, when Greaves got clear down the left and crossed for Dales, whose shot from just outside the box was just over the bar after two minutes.

Home keeper Johnson had to make his first save only four minutes later, from a Sports header, before Greaves fired in another cross headed away by Jackson.

Leiston managed to break out of their half when Manly won the ball in midfield. He sent Crane on a run but his final effort was just wide of the post.

But it was Mickleover creating more of the chances and after 11 minutes Waite forced Johnson into another diving save, with Casement clearing both the original shot and the rebound.

Sports opened the scoring after 17 minutes, when Johnson managed to save Dales original shot, but Sault fired in the rebound and it was 1-0.

It wasn’t all Mickleover as Leiston tried to fight back, when Lavin picked up the ball in midfield, ran forward  until he was intercepted on the edge of the box, leaving Ridd to collect the loose ball.

Ridd was in action again after 28 minutes, diving to push a Dunbar effort over the bar, from Crane’s free kick.

Dunbar then blocked another Mickleover effort five minutes later from the edge of the box and then intercepted a cross from Loza before it reached its target.

There were three minutes added on before the half time whistle went and Leiston were awarded a penalty. Loza’s effort hit the bar and sent Mickleover straight into attack, with Waite shooting just wide of Johnson’s right-hand post, in the final kick of the half.

The Sports back four of Bennett, Tamen, Mann and Wilson had looked solid in the first half and were able to help midfield take control again early into the second half. 

Greaves had another shot blocked after 52 minutes, and Dunbar tried his luck for our hosts, before Johnson saved again from close range six minutes later.

But 70 minutes in and it was 2-0 to Mickleover when a Greaves cross on the left found Bennett on the back post, who scored number two from close range.

Six minutes more and it was 3-0, when Waite struck the foot of the post and Greaves had side footed in. 

Far from surrendering, Leiston had a couple of late chances. Ridd punched away after Crane corner and saved a 30 yard strike from Lavin.

But Sports almost got a fourth too, as Dales hit the post after 87 minutes and sub Fitzhugh shot just over in time added on.

The points were invaluable as they take Mickleover back into second place, two points ahead of Redditch Utd, but they have a game in hand. Who do we play on Saturday, Redditch!!