by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Saturday’s final league game of the season at home to Stamford made sure of fifth place in the final league table and with it a play-off place too.

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

Mickleover keeper Mersin was soon in action as play got underway, making a diving save to his left  after Duffy fired goalwards following a run in the second minute.

Only five minutes later the ball was firmly back in Sports court, as Bradley set up Barnes on the edge of the box, he turned his defender to make space and fired home a cracking 15 yarder to make it 1-0.

Barnes tested the defence again after 15 minutes, his telling charge almost put Waite in the clear, but keeper Duggan came racing off his line and just managed to intercept.

Duggan and Waite went head-to-head again in the 24^th minute. The Mickleover striker had rounded the Stamford keeper, but was fouled on the edge of the box. Duggan was yellow carded, but lucky not to see red.

With Rowley and Tamen solid in the middle of the Sports defence, Mann had extra freedom to attack from right back. His 33^rd minute cross from the right, was met, before the final strike went over the bar.

With Bradley and Atkinson on more defensive midfield duties. The pace of Sault and Trueman continued to test the visitors defence.

41 minutes in and Sault battled through to find Waite in the box, but his shot was just wide gain, but Stamford went close too with two minutes of the second half left, after a low cross was deflected onto the post, before earning a corner.

Stamford started the second half on the attack and a Duffy flick allowed Chitiza to send in a volley, well saved  by Mersin after a scramble in the Mickleover box.

Mersin was on form again with a great save after 53 minutes, before play went straight to the other end, as Mann tested Duggan too.

As the hour mark approached, Dolan replaced Bradley, but barely had play restarted when a Sault cross was flicked on by Waite, to find Trueman unmarked to make it 2-0.

The attacks continued to flow and it was only nine minutes before Sports added a third. With Dolan out wide on wing, he played the ball into the path of another Sault charge, to leave little chance for Duggan, making it 3-0.

Fitzhugh and Beavon came on for Trueman and Barnes in the last 15 minutes and with seven minutes left, Fitzhugh shot just wide and so it remained a fairly comfortable 3-0 victory.

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday’s home game against Stamford is the culmination of the teams final push for promotion. It’s our last match and it’s at home, and with the result of the appeal against the 12 point deduction levied by the league rejected today, it’s crucial.

But a win would see us into the play-offs still but playing away from home.

Stamford will still have their eye on the play-offs too and Graham Drury’s side have only lost three of their last 10 games, but all three away from home.

First choice goalkeeper Michael Duggan was signed from Spalding Utd in September, after spending more than 10 years with the “Tulips.” 

Dan Wallis had been first choice, but has had back injury problems. He was a Junior at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, before moving to Matlock and Gainsborough. He same to Stamford in August 2021, but returned to Matlock a few months later. Then after a short stay at Macclesfield, he came to our visitors in March 2022.

Centre back Ashton Offler started at Matlock Town, before joining Sheffield Utd. After a loan at Guiseley he returned to Matlock two years later, but moved again to Sheffield FC after three months. His next stop was Grantham, spending six months with the Gingerbreads, before signing for Stamford pre-season.

Midfielder Harry Vince is in his fifth season with the club, having come from Matlock in July 2019. He started at Boston Utd and was loaned to Matlock and Grantham before his permanent move to the Gladiators in 2018.

Fellow midfielder Will Glennon came from Rushden & Diamonds in October. He has also played for AFC Hackleton and Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Centre back James Blunden arrived during pre-season 2019/20, having previously been at Lincoln Utd, CGB Humbertherm and Grimsby.

Michael Armstrong is a defender too, he was signed from Belper Town for the 2017/18 season and played his Junior football at Long Eaton.

43 year old Jon Challinor has a vast amount of experience, having been with the “Dannies” since May 2014. He started out Stamford before joining Cambridge City in 2001. St.Albans, Aldershot, Rushden & Diamonds, Cambridge Utd, Forest Green, Mansfield Town, Newport, Kettering and York City followed, before returning to Stamford in August 2013.

He left to join Halifax six months later, before rejoining our hosts for the third time. He has played in League Two of the EFL too.

Midfielder Jack Duffy came from Quorn in summer 2020. He previously had a spell at Long Eaton and represented English Universities, during his time at Nottingham Trent.

Striker Ollie Brown-Hill is in his third spell with the club, after returning from Ilkeston pre-season. He left initially to join Rushden & Diamonds in 2017, then had sixth months at Corby before returning in January 2018. 

He then went to Ilkeston, but returned on loan, before making it permanent last July.

Tendai Chitiza arrived last August, after spending last season at Coalville. A striker, he started at Leicester Nirvana, before a spell at Gresley Rovers preceded a move to Serbia, with CSK Pivara Celarevo and TSC Backa Topola.

On his UK return he joined Stamford in July 2019, before moving on to Coalville three years later.

Lee Shaw is another striker who was signed pre-season from Grantham. He started at Grantham, but has also played for Guiseley, Chesterfield and Alfreton.

Ex Kings Lynn, Grantham and Sleaford striker Tom Siddons, returned to Stamford last summer, having been in and out of the squad for the last five years.

Flo Tsagium is a striker too, signed from Royston in January. He started out at Kings Lynn, and has played for Wisbech, St.Neots and Corby too.

Striker Michael Frew came from Holbeach in September 2021. He was at Nuneaton initially, before moving on to Cambridge City, Histon, Corby, Lowestoft and Wisbech.

Midfielder Callum Chettle is well known to Mickleover fans, having spent last season at the Don Amott Arena. He started his youth career at Nottingham Forest, following in the footsteps of Father Steve.

Moving onto Ilkeston Town and made his league debut at the age of 15, but after three years moved on to Nuneaton.

He then joined Peterborough Utd, where he made 22 appearances for the League One side, before joining Alfreton, after a brief loan at Fylde.

Further loans at Boston Utd and Matlock preceded a three year stay at Basford, re-united with manager and Father Steve. Injuries restricted his appearances last season though, and he started this season at Nuneaton, but returned to Mickleover on a months loan, before joining Stamford in February.

Midfielder Rhys Hilton arrived in March, after a short stay at Halesowen. A former Birmingham City Junior, he was loaned to Redditch before joining Sutton Coldfield. He has also been loaned to Bedworth and Coleshill.

Fellow Midfielder Rob Morgan first signed for our vistors in 2017/18. After a brief spell at Barwell he returned in 2019 and has been captain this season. He played for Corby Town too earlier in his career.

Striker Tom Siddons is in his sixth season with the club. A former top scorer, he has played for Kings Lynn, Grantham and Sleaford too.

It’s a 3pm kick off and from half time it’s only £5 to come along for the second half too, straight from Pride Park!

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover came away from newly crowned Champions Needham Market with heads held high, after a 2-0 win. Regardless of the pending points penalty deduction, if Sports win at home on Saturday, they will be assured of a play-off place. 

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

After a fairly even start it was Mickleover that snatched the initiative, when Sault opened the scoring with a 13^th minute chip over keeper Garnham, as he charged off his goal line to try and intercept, 1-0.

After Needham had penalty appeals waved away a minute later, Ingram went close from a McGrath cross for our hosts after 21 minutes.

Needham were pushing for an equaliser, but Bennett, Tamen, Mann and Wilson were looking a solid back four, but after 29 minutes Mersin punched away a header by Mills, following corner.

There were more chances as McGrath had a shot blocked, before Mills fired the rebound over the bar, but it was still Mickleover ahead as the half time whistle blew.

Needham continued to push forward as the second half got underway, but a number of attempts on goal followed, but few on target.

Mickleover made their first change when Dales came on for Atkinson after 69 minutes, but two minutes later there was a penalty award in Sports favour and Greaves stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way, and it was 2-0.

Beavon came on for Waite after 75 minutes, before Mersin made another save to keep his clean sheet.

Sault, Trueman and Greaves had run themselves ragged to earn the valuable three points, with Bradley the stability in defensive midfield, but the Champions were forced to surrender.

Dolan was a late sub for Bennett, but it was a well deserved 2-0 win and now we look forward to the visit of Stamford at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

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.