by Peter Scherer

Mickleover host Anstey Nomads on Tuesday evening, with Sports looking for revenge after last seasons FA Cup defeat to the Leicestershire side.

Following last Saturday’s defeat at Coleshill, Sports will be hoping to add to their points tally and climb into the top half of the table, having slipped to 18th.

Currently 9th in the table Tony Blanchard is the Nomads manager and they are on top form having beaten Stourbridge 3-2 in the FA Trophy last Saturday.

Up until recently his regular first choice keeper was Conrad Logan who has lots of experience. A former Republic of Ireland Under 17 International, he joined Leicester City from Swilly Rovers and was loaned out to Boston Utd, Stockport, Luton Town, Bristol Rovers, Rotherham and Rochdale before heading to Scotland with Hibernian following his release in 2016.

He then rejoined Rochdale, before a move to Mansfield Town and was loaned to Forest Green Rovers before being released again. His first spell at Anstey followed, before moving to Stamford, but after six months away, he returned to our visitors In July 2021. He has over 300 league appearances under his belt, and was a Scottish FA Cup winner with Hibs. He is also the clubs vice chairman.

Logan has been on the bench for the last three matches though, as Mansfield loanee and Dominican Republic International Anthony Nunez has been preferred. He was at Basford and Notts County before joining the Stags and has been out on loan at Shepshed Dynamo too.

Centre back Lewis Gibbens started out at Mansfield too. He moved onto Boston Utd after an initial loan, but came to Anstey from Worksop Town after one season, in July 2022.

Kyle Tomlin is another centre back and another former Mansfield Junior, after joining them from Burton Albion. He joined Coalville Town following his release, and played for Carlton Town and Eastwood before joining Anstey in February 2024.

Left back Oscar Tonge was signed from Coleshill in August 2024, where he had spent the previous season after being released by Peterborough Utd.

Tristan Thomas is a left back too. A pre-season arrival following his release by Leicester City.

Ben Humphrey’s is a defender signed in pre-season from Hinckley Leicester Road.

Centre back Jordan Annable came from AFC Mansfield in August 2021, after spending seven seasons with the Nottinghamshire club. He is the club captain.

Luke Redfern is a centre back, a pre-season arrival from Stamford. He started at Burton Albion and was loaned to Nuneaton and Sutton Coldfield before joining Stoke City. He had another loan spell at Hednesford before going to Halesowen on his release. He spent the whole of last season at Stamford.

Defender Danny Gordon came from Corby Town in pre season, where he had played for the last three seasons. He has also played for Belper Town and Loughborough Dynamo

Henry Bestwick is a midfielder and a home grown talent, having joined Anstey as a 16 year old. He had a few seasons away at Long Eaton Utd before returning to our visitors.

Former Leicester City junior Rubyn Gill is a defensive midfielder who went to the US after a spell at Solihull Moors. Starting with UCAS Bears, he played for Belmont Bruins and Brown Ballers before returning to the UK.

Central midfielder Tobias Liversidge arrived earlier this month from Stamford. He started out at Lincoln City and has also played for Spalding Utd and Lincoln Utd.

Attacking midfielder Josh Burniston came from Stamford in pre-season. He had been on a dual registration with Lincoln Utd, but started off at Nottingham Forest. He’s had spells at Cambridge Utd and Gresley Rovers too.

Cosmos Matwasa started his career at Anstey before moving onto Stamford, Brackley and Hereford. A winger, he has recently returned to our visitors from Kirby Muxloe.

Jacob Fenton is a striker signed from Spalding in December 2023.

Fellow striker Nyle Blake spent much of last season out injured. He started out at Mansfield Town and had a spell at Alfreton before going to Frickley after an initial loan. He moved on to Belper Town, Carlton, Hyde Utd and Gainsborough before returning to Frickley in November 2021. Further moves to Stamford, Newark & Sherwood preceded his move to our visitors in 2023.

Tendai Chitiza is a striker that started off at Leicester Nirvana. He then had a short spell with Gresley Rovers before going to Serbia with CSK Celarevo and TSC Backa Topola. On his return to the UK he joined Stamford, but after three years he moved on to Coalville. Returning to Stamford again in August 2023 he was there until joining Anstey at the start of this season.

Striker Liam Murphy was another pre-season signing, having played at Bedworth and Boldmere St.Michael’s last season.

Another pre-signing is Freddie Robinson, a striker from Harborough Town.

Courey Grantham is a striker too, signed from Quorn in pre-season. He spent four years with Basford and as played for Heanor Town and Hednesford too.

Kick off is 7.45.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover return to action this weekend for the first time in two weeks, when we visit Coleshill Town.

We played our hosts last season in the FA Cup and ran out 5-0 winners and it’s been a difficult start to this season too, recording just two wins so far and sitting in 20th place, three points behind our 14th place position.

Oliver Bosworth will be back in goal and Jake Bennett could be back in the Mickleover squad too, along with new signings centre back Brad Gascoigne and loanee striker Josiah Dyer from Peterborough Sports.

Manager Harry Harris took over at Coleshill at the start of this season, having previously been in charge at Walsall Wood and briefly at Hednesford.

They were away to Rugby Borough last Saturday and went down 1-2, as they attempted to recover to a 0-7 FA Cup defeat at home to Hednesford, and played gain last Tuesday night losing 1-2 at Anstey Nomads.

Goalkeeper Cameron Belford is vastly experienced, having played over 200 Leagues One and Two in England and Scotland. He started at Coventry City and was loaned to Tamworth before moving to Bury. He was then loaned to Worcester City, Southend Utd and Accrington, before returning to Tamworth in July 2013.

Mansfield, Swindon, Stranraer and Forest Green are among his later stays and three years at Stafford Rangers before joining our hosts in pre-season.

Jack Higgs is the number two keeper, an ex Wolverhampton Sporting and Romulus stopper.

Right back Ben Usher-Shipway arrived from Boldmere St.Michael’s at the start of last season. He started at Boldmere before a spell at Solihull Moors, who then loaned him to Alvechurch, Sutton Coldfield and Stourbridge. He returned to Boldmere September 2023 after a year at Leamington.

Defender Taylor Carter-Byrne is the club captain in his second spell with the club. He left to join Hednesford in June 2022, but returned after a few months.

Fellow defender Harry Craven arrived from Boldmere in September last year. He previously had a loan spell at Rushall Olympic.

Defender Dan Brookes arrived at the beginning of last season from Lye Town and he took the Players Player of the Year, supporters and managers player of the season awards last season.

Pre-season signing Tyreace Brown started as defender in the Northampton Academy. He moved on to play for Rushden & Diamonds, Alvechurch, Barwell, Highgate Utd, Lye Town, Romulus, Atherstone, Walsall Wood and Worcester City.

Harry Sweeney is a defender that became part of our hosts squad last season.

Jack Hallahan is a central midfielder, signed from Walsall Wood last October. He’s previously played for Alvechurch and Evesham.

Lukmar Darbue is a central midfielder too, signed in pre-season from Welsh Club Llansantffraid. Having started in a West Bromwich College, he has played for Bilston Town and AD Torpedo in Spain too.

Theo Rowe is a right sided midfielder and former Stoke City junior, who arrived pre-season. After his Potters release he joined Banbury and first arrived at Coleshill in July 2023 from Redditch. After three months he moved to Alvechurch, followed by Boldmere and Anstey Nomads.

Cody Mullan is another midfielder, signed in pre-season after a successful 24/25 at Nuneaton Town. He’s played for Wolverhampton Sporting, Coton Green, Chelmsley Town, Knowle and Tividale too.

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.

Joe Fitzpatrick is a midfielder, pre-season arrival and ex Wolves youngster. He joined Mansfield Town on his release, where he made three first team appearances and was loaned to Sutton Coldfield. He then moved on to Worcester City, Telford, Boston Utd, Hednesford, Halesowen and Walsall Wood and spent last season at Cradley Town.

Striker Michael Tait is an ex Aston Villa junior. He joined Tamworth following his release and after a loan spell at Stafford Rangers, joined Boldmere St.Michael’s. He joined our hosts pre-season after a spell at Walsall Wood.

Fellow striker Adam McGurk is a former Northern Ireland Under 21 international, with over 200 League One and Two appearances under his belt. Another ex Aston Villa youngster, he went to Hednesford after his release, but quickly moved on to Tranmere Rovers.

After two years at Burton Albion he joined Portsmouth, moving on to Cambridge Utd and Morecambe, before returning to non-league with Nuneaton, Chorley, Coalville, Stratford and Walsall Wood. He joined our hosts in pre-season too.

Alex McSkeane is a striker signed from Sutton Coldfield last September. He started out at Walsall and has also played for Boldmere.

Joe Morley is a pre-season signing from Stafford Rangers and another striker or midfielder. He’s played for Hednesford and Chasetown too.

Daniel Gyasi is a former Stourbridge and Redditch striker in his second season at Coleshill. He has also played for Boldmere and Sutton Coldfield.

Kick off us usual is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

Former Leicester City Junior Thabang Dube is the latest addition to the Mickleover squad. The central midfielder and attacker has been signed from Rugby Borough and has also played in Spain with San Jorge Spurs, Farsley, Ilkeston, Quorn, Shirebrook and Melton Town too having started last season at Shepshed Dynamo.

by Peter Scherer

Belper Utd have taken three of the Mickleover first team squad on a dual registration. Teenager’s Toby Smith, Josh and Liam Carter have moved to our step 5 neighbours to gain some match practice.

All three were in the Belper squad for their 4-1 at Sherwood Colliery last week.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed pacey winger Johnson Gyamfi on a dual registration with St.Ives Town.

A Leicester City Junior from the age of 11, Johnson also played for Peterborough Utd, during which time he was loaned to Boston Utd and Peterborough Sports.

Following his release, he spent a season with Harborough Town, before joining Barwell at the start of last season and has been at St.Ives since September last year.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

After a fairly strong first half showing, poor defending saw Wellingborough score twice and leave Sports to return home pointless again.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Ali Mohiuddin 3-Louis Bonser 4-Danny Benson 5-Ashton Offler 6-George Wilkinson 7-Will Atkinson 8-Harry Wood 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Stephen Fikula, Archie White, Johnson Gyamfi, Thomas Wood, Thabang Dube.

It couldn’t have started better for Mickleover, when only three minutes in Beavon, Webb and Dales found themselves in acres of space. Dales hit the first shot which came back off keeper Dean Snedker, before Webb hit it home 1-0. But four minutes later it was Sports keeper McDowell called into action, diving to his right to keep a Taylor Franklin shot out.

Beavon and Dales got another break after nine minutes too, with Beavon’s final shot from the left hitting the side netting. Mickleover were well on top possession wise and looked close to getting a second on a few occasions, but after Mohiuddin and Webb had combined to win a corner, Wellingborough got a break and Franklin managed to get around the back of Wilkinson on the right. As he shot McDowell had his near post covered, there was no one on the far post however, and it was 1-1 with 20 minutes gone.

Mickleover continued to dominate the play and after a 25th minute corner came to nought, Mohiuddin struck a lovely ball in from the right, which Bonser met with a first-time strike, just over the bar. Sports were back ahead though 35 minutes in, when Bonser and Dales worked a move on the left. As the ball came over Dales headed low past Snedker and it was 2-1.

Our lead didn’t last long as just three minutes later Will Jones fired home in a crowded box after a corner on the Mickleover right, reacting way quicker than a static Sports defence, 2-2. Dales found Bonser who had another shot blocked after 21 minutes and with a minute left on the clock in the first half, a Mohiuddin cross was beautifully met by Beavon’s head, forcing a spectacular save from Snedker.

Two defensive errors made it 2-2 at half time in a game that could have seen Mickleover 3-0 up on possession, but at this point hopes were still high. Right from the start of the second half Mickleover were on the back foot. But the defence was holding until McDowell was tested to his left after 57 minutes. Gyamfi came on for Beavon just before the hour mark, but only a couple of minutes later, another corner found the Mickleover defence lacking, with Danny Draper making it 2-3 again virtually unchallenged. It was all Wellingborough at this stage, with Sports barely breaking into their hosts half and allowing them to attack at will. All the promise from the first half had gone and Mickleover looked vulnerable to every attack. 66 minutes and Jones scored his second with a super strike having outpaced the defence with a run through the middle, 2-4.

Dube then came on for White, but it was McDowell in action again, saving another Jones effort with his feet, to deny the home striker a hattrick. White then replaced Offler, but Dube was brought down on the edge of the box. Dales stepped up for the free kick, but it was well over the bar. Dube had an 82nd minute shot saved, probably Sports only shot of the second half. Four minutes later Webb got his head to a Dales cross, which failed to test Snedker. With a minute left Bonser lost possession, but McDowell saved the following shot. Sports keeper saved again a minute later as more lethargic defending let the ball run to the home strikers.

So with the first half promise totally outweighed by some dreadful second half defending, it proved to be a comfortable win for Wellingborough.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover are away from home this weekend after a succession of home games, as we visit Wellingborough Town.

Our hosts have an identical record to ours in the league so far this season, with three wins and a draw, but are one place behind in 12th on goal difference. They lost at home to Coventry Sphinx on Tuesday night too, which gives Sports a game n hand.

With Oliver Bosworth nursing a broken finger, Jack McDowell is expected to deputise again in goal, while updates are still awaited on Harry Wood and Jake Bennett.

Under Jake Stone’s managership, Wellingborough were promoted to the NPL Division One Midlands at the end of 23/24 and finished eighth in the league last season.

Goalkeeper Dean Snedker was signed a couple of weeks into the season. A former England Under 19 international, he started out at Northampton Town. He joined Brackley after his release , quickly moving on to Kidderminster, Nuneaton, Kettering, Cambridge City, St.Albans, Hemel and Rushden and more recently with Coalville.

Brandon Ganley started the season between the sticks. He is an ex Walsall and Coventry City junior who has played for Shepshed Dynamo, Racing Club Warwick and Khalsa.

Captain and centre back Jack O’Connor is in his sixth season at the club, since signing from Kettering in July 2020.

Glenn Walker is one of the pre-season signings. A left back, he started out at Banbury and has played for Corby Town, Hednesford and Brackley and came to our hosts after a two-year spell with Spalding.

Sam Warburton is a left back too and a former Northampton Town youngster. He joined Rugby Town following his release, before moving to Nuneaton who loaned him to Kings Lynn before a permanent move. Corby, Rushden & Diamonds and Bedford were his next stops, before coming to Wellingborough from Spalding in November 2024.

Centre back Callum Milne is a pre-season signing from Corby Town. He’s also played for Bedford Town, Eynesbury Rovers, Harborough Town, Kettering, St.Ives and Wisbech.

Joe Pursey plays wing back or winger and is another pre-season arrival from Coventry Sphinx, where he has spent the last few seasons.

It was a pre-season return to the Dog & Duck for defender Charlie Green. He left Wellingborough at the start of last season for Rushden & Diamonds.

Former Southampton junior Joe Curtis is a central midfielder. He moved to Brackley after being released, before his first spell with Spalding. He’s played for Rushden & Diamonds, Stratford, St.Ives, Corby and Bromsgrove, before returning to Spalding for the start of 23/24. He then came to Wellingborough for the start of last season.

Right sided midfielder Joe Draper came from Spalding too, arriving at the Dog & Duck Stadium last September.

Lloyd Buckby is the clubs longest serving player. A central midfielder, he joined the club in 2016 and has made over 200 appearances as he is now in his ninth season.

Midfielder Jordon Crawford started off at Corby Town. He has played for Kettering, Boston Utd, Peterborough Sports, Brackley and Harborough, from who he has been signed on a dual registration. He missed the whole of last season with an ACL injury.

Fellow midfielder Chris Clements has made over 200 league two appearances during his time at Mansfield Town, Grimsby and Forest Green. He started out at Crewe Alexandra and was loaned to Nantwich, Leigh Genesis, Stafford Rangers and IBV Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland, before joining Hednesford on his release.

He then spent almost five yeas at Mansfield, before moving on to Grimsby, Barrow, Forest Green, Cheltenham and Nuneaton. After a number of non league moves he has spent the last two yeas at Rugby Town, from where he joined our hosts pre-season.

Midfielder Elliot Simmons is on a dual registration with Bedford Town. An under 20 international for Canada, his junior career was spent at MK Dons, Dalkurd in Sweden, Mikkelin in Finland and Malaga in Spain.

He returned to Canada with HFX Wanderers, Cavalry FC and Vancouver, before coming to the UK with Wealdstone, moving to Bedford last January.

Romeo Ingman is an attacking midfielder who started the season with a brief stay at Rushden & Diamonds. He was previously at Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Tre Charles is an experienced well-travelled striker who started his career with St.Albans City. Wellingborough are his 16th club, having arrived from Rugby Town pre-season. He has had two spells at Bedford Town and lists Cambridge City, Hendon and Barwell among his former clubs.

Fellow striker Will Jones first came to our hosts at the end of the 23/24 season dual registered with Cambridge City. He was previously at Sporting Khalsa.

Kobi Bivens is another striker recently signed locally from Northampton Silbey Rangers, while Taylor Franklin and George Barnell both came through the ranks with our hosts.

Kick off is 3pm as usual.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

It was a dominant win for Mickleover against a struggling Bourne Town team, with goals from Ali Mohiuddin and Paddy Webb in the first half to set up a 3-1 win.

Starting line-up: 1- Jack McDowell 2-Ali Mohiuddin 3-Louis Bonsor 4-George Wilkinson 5-Danny Benson 6-Ashton Offler 7-Will Atkinson 8-Michael Hollingsworth 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Josh Carter, Fraser Corden, Steven Fikula, Johnson Gyamfi, Archie White.

Sports were straight on the attack from the kick off, with Webb earning a corner after four minutes. Six minutes later Beavon played a lovely ball though into the box to find Hollingsworth, but his shot was blocked.

It wasn’t long though before Mickleover opened the scoring when a Webb header fell nicely for Mohiuddin, who found himself with an empty net to tap the ball home after just 11 minutes,1-0.

Webb was proving particularly menacing to the visitors defence and had another half chance just before the half hour mark, but keeper Lakin was quick off his line to collect before Webb could get a shot in.

Lakin was kept busy when just a minute later he intercepted a header from Beavon which was well on target for Webb to connect again.

Bourne had their first real attack when O’Brien crossed into the box, only for Siddons to put it over the bar.

Penalty appeals from Mickleover were waved away when Webb went down in the 33rd minute, but Sports got their second with five minutes of the first half left. Webb was through again and caught the keeper off his line, he dribbled the ball around him and almost walked the ball into the empty net, 2-0.

The second half kicked off in a similar vain and just one minute into the half Lakin had to tip a Dales free kick over the bar.

But we only had to wait 10 minutes for goal number three. Dales split the defence to find Atkinson, he struck a first time shot giving Lakin little chance, 3-0.

Beavon found Webb with a great pass after 57 minutes, but the final effort went wide. It was Beavon parting shot though as he came off for Gyamfi to make his debut 15 minutes later.

Corden and White then came on for Dales and Bonser and in the final minutes Mohiuddin made room for Carter.

But in the final minute Marshall headed home a consolation goal for Bourne from a Allen corner and so it finished 3-1, with a vital three points confirmed.