by Peter Scherer

A second half strike from Ben Sault gave Mickleover a 1-0 victory at strugglers Berkhamsted, and keeps them on top of the table in alphabetical order from Needham Market.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Matty Bowman 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Sault 9-Leon Clarke 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Will Truman, Dan Bradley, Stuart Beavon, Jake Bennett, Fin Ryder.

It was a fairly enthusiastic start from both sides on a sunny but chilly afternoon, with Berkhamsted earning the first corner after three minutes.

But Mickleover were soon piling the pressure on the home defence, with Bowman and Greaves causing havoc on the right wing.

Clarke went close with a header after six minutes and two minutes later a weak back pass from Lawal was almost intercepted by Greaves, before keeper Head managed to clear the danger.

Barnes then saw his ninth minute effort bounce off the top of the bar after another Greaves set up, before Ridd was called into action to collect a Lawal cross or shot after a counter attack.

Mickleover were on top for possession and kept the home side well back in their own half, but again luck wasn’t on Sports side, when a Dales chip after 15 minutes had the keeper beaten, only for Dan Newton to clear off the line at the far post.

Skipper Bateman had a shot saved by Ridd after 18 minutes and became the driving force for the hosts as they attempted to break from their own half.

Sault had been playing a deeper midfield role than his norm, but he left fly with a shot just wide on the left after 20 minutes, after a slow but precise build up.

Dales and Clarke both had shots blocked on the edge of the box, before Clarke almost set Greaves free. But Dolan began to work more on the left-hand overlap, sending in a precision cross, met by Greaves with a glancing header.

Barnes was pulled back on the edge of the box to earn a free kick, but that came to nought and Dales cut inside from the left 39 minutes in to try his luck, but was just off target.

Delap went in the book for a clumsy challenge on Bateman, before the first half was completed with another Mickleover corner as it remained 0-0.

No sooner was the second half underway and Mickleover went close to opening the scoring again. Dales effort was saved, but as Barnes went for the rebound, the ball took a nasty bobble and he failed to connect with the goal at his mercy.

After the hosts had managed to put a free kick into the adjoining woodland, they began to grow in confidence and gave Mann and Delap more action in the centre of the Sports defence, as the pushed forward.

After 51 minutes a nice lay off from Clarke set up Sault, who’s blast was palmed away by Head for a corner. A free kick soon followed, but Greaves’ effort found platform one of the adjoining station.

With Greaves and Sault both pushing forward more with Atkinson in support, Berkhamsted had a couple of dangerous looking breaks, but just before the hour mark the deadlock was finally broken. There had been some close passing in the box, before the ball came back to Sault from Clarke, his strike burst into the top right-hand corner and at last it was 1-0.

Trueman was the first sub to come on for Barnes, but Dales was able to snatch the ball from Lackey after 63 minutes, only to have his shot blocked by Massingham.

Another Clarke lay off a couple of minutes later saw Greaves shot well over the bar, before Clarke then came off to make way for Beavon.

Far from demoralised, the hosts continued to push forward and went close themselves when Ridd had to make a diving save from Newton after 79 minutes.

Bradley came on for Greaves for the last six minutes and Trueman went close in the final minute of normal time. Bateman had the final shot of the game though in time added on, but a solid performance from the hosts belied their lowly position in the table.

It’s cup football again on Tuesday as we visit Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, before returning to league action at home to St.Ives on Saturday.

 

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday we visit newcomers Berkhamsted, who like our neighbours Long Eaton Utd, have struggled this season after promotion into the Southern Premier League Central Division.

Mickleover are back at the top of the league, only just, and will be looking to maximise their points tally against one of the struggling teams.

Manager Steve Heath and his backroom team have recently left the club and they have started the New Year with Chris Devane back in the hot seat. Having secured promotion with a league and cup double for the Comrades last season.

 They ended 2023 with a 3-1 win at Hitchin Town, only their second win of the season so far, the first being the opening day of the season at home to Nuneaton.

They visited the Don Amott Arena back in August and went down 0-4, with Marcus Barnes and Ben Sault each scoring twice and currently lie 21^st in the table.

Goalkeeper Jamie Head has spent much of his career at Dunstable Town, having started out in 2012. Stops at Cambridge City, Hemel Hempstead and Biggleswade preceded his second spell at Dunstable, before another spell at Cambridge City. Bedford was his next stop for almost three years, before playing at Dunstable again in 21/22.

He joined Berkhamsted pre-season and was captain until recently.

Centre back Sam McClelland started with Crawley Green, before moving to Dunstable Town where he had spent the last three years. He was another pre-season signing.

Midfielder Aaron Austin was the next of the players to follow  Steve Heath from Dunstable in pre-season. He was originally with St.Albans City, before going to Dunstable in August ’21. He joined  Biggleswade a year later, before returning to Dunstable last season.

Another player to arrive pre-season from Dunstable is striker Max Bustamente, in his second spell at Berkhamsted. He made a couple appearances in 20/21 during his time with Kings Langley, then had brief stops at Biggleswade and Bedford. He started last season at Royston, before going to Beaconsfield and ended the season with a move to Dunstable last February. 

Louie Collier is a striker or midfielder. He started at Kings Langley before coming to our hosts in 2018/19. But after a spell back at Kings Langley he was at Tring and Leighton Town, before starting last season at Dunstable and ending it back at Leighton.

The last of the six pre-season signings from Dunstable is midfielder Jordan Frederick, he first arrived at Berkhamsted in March 2012 from Leverstock Green and stayed for three years before a move to Aylesbury. Then after a short spell at Dunstable he returned to Berkhamsted in January 2016.

As well as a return trip to Aylesbury, he had also played for Egham Town and had spent four years at Leighton Town, plus two more spells with Berkhamsted in 2018 and 2021. He spent the whole of last season at Dunstable again.

Right back Anthony Ball arrived from Aylesbury Vale Dynamo in August. He was at Berkhamsted in 2018 too and has also played for Luton Town Cedars and Aylesbury FC.

Adam Martin is a midfielder and early season signing from Potters Bar. He started at Watford and was loaned to Slough Town before joining AFC Wimbledon on his release. Further moves have taken him to St.Albans, Bohemians in Ireland, Wealdstone, Cambridge City, Chesham, Enfield, Farnborough and Beaconsfield, before joining Potters Bar last September.

Striker Sam Meakes started with St.Albans City, before moving on via Hitchin and Dunstable, arriving at our hosts pre-season from Frome Town.

Dan Newton was another early season signing, a centre back from Biggleswade, who was at Barton Rovers and Northwood, before a two-year spell with Hitchin Town. He joined Biggleswade last November.

Former Watford Junior striker Edu Toiny-Pendred came from Hertford last  summer. He had previous spell at Berkhamsted and has played for Kings Langley and in the US with St.Mary’s Rattlers. 

After spells at London Colney and Chesham, midfielder Mark Riddick spent a couple of seasons with Tring Athletic, before staying over three years at Aylesbury. He was another pre-season signing for our hosts.

Another former Watford Junior striker is Kyal Williams. He spent last season at Gosport and has played at Northwood and Kings Langley too.

Midfielder or defender Connor Toomey is one of the few players remaining from last season. He started at Berkhamsted in 2012 and has played at Kings Langley, Hemel, Hayes & Yeading, Chesham and Leighton. He is now in his fourth spell with the club.

Former Berkhamsted winger Tom Silford returned to the club in August 2022 from Dunstable. He has had numerous spells at Dunstable before, and has also played for Bedford, London Colney, Welwyn, Leighton Town, Leverstock, Crawley Green and Totternhoe.

Charlie Smith was an MK Dons Junior and had a spell on loan with Biggleswade. He made his move to our hosts in the summer.

Centre back Luke Massingham came from Rushden & Diamonds in October. He started off at Wealdstone and has played for Rayners Lane, Kempston Rovers and Thame Utd too.

Sami Bessadi was an October arrival too, a midfielder from Enfield Town. After starting off at Haringey, he moved on via Maldon/Tiptree, Braintree and Weymouth.

Winger Lewis Johnson is an ex Aston Villa youngster, who arrived pre-season after being released by MK Dons. He had loan spells at Banbury and Concorde Rangers too, during his time with the Dons.

Striker Matt Bateman is in his second spell at the club and was recently made captain. Having left originally in 2019 to join Royston, he had a spell at Hemel, before returning to Royston in August 2021. He rejoined our hosts in November.

Right back or right winger Lynford Sackey has recently arrived following his release from Bolton Wanderers. He was previously at Reading and had a brief stay recently at Sholing FC.

Lesley Duru is a left back and another new arrival. Fulham signed him from Whyteleafe, but after less than a year he was released to join Glebe FC. Chesham, Sevenoaks, Maldon/Tiptree and Hungerford were his next stops, before starting this season with Corinthian Casuals.

Hamilton Bunga is a well-travelled centre back who started out Kingstonian. Staines, Arlesey Town, Thurrock, Royston, Northwood and Bedford Sports followed, before moving to Leiston in October 2019.

Basildon, Three Bridges, Hemel and Marlow followed in close succession, before arriving at Rushden & Diamonds. Stratford and Harrow Borough were his next visits, before spending a couple of months with Basingstoke prior to his recent arrival at Berkhamsted.

Striker Nathan Frater scored both goals in the win over Hitchin, he has spent most of his career in and out of the Dunstable squad over the last 14 years, having arrived at our hosts again pre-season. In between he has had short spells with Barton Rovers, Royston and St.Neots, having started at Arlesey Town.

Olu Lawal was signed from St.Albans City in October. He started out with Drogheda Utd and Shelbourne in Ireland, before moving to England with Chippenham. An attacking midfielder he then joined Scottish League Falkirk in August 2022.

Callum Ismail came from London Colney and has made one substitute appearance so far.

Defender James Towell is another returnee, having left the club originally to join Leighton Town. He came back for the 2018/19 season and went back to Leighton again, until starting this season at Bedford Town. But after three games he made his third move to the Comrades.

Midfielder Danny Green came from Walthamstow in December. After starting out at Harpenden, he went to St.Albans, with stops at Hertford, Potters Bar and Hitchin following before a return to St.Albans.

Dunstable and Chesham, before a four-year stay at Royston. He has played for Arlesey Town too.

Defender Luke Warner-Ely is yet another well-travelled player. From starting out at Leverstock Green, he played for Potters Bar, Hemel, Royston, Barton Rovers, Uxbridge, St.Ives, Chesham, Dartford, Harow, St.Albans, Billericay, Peterborough Sports, Cheshunt and Concord Rangers, before coming to Berkhamsted in December from Hayes/Yeading.

Alex Stelmach is a young striker who has come through the clubs youth scheme and recently joined the first team and finally another returnee is attacking midfielder Josh Chamberlain. He has spent most of his career at our hosts making well over 300 appearances, scoring 135 goals.

He had a spell at Hayes & Yeading in between and went to Tring Athletic in December 2022, before returning again almost exactly a year later.

Kick off will be 3pm as usual, your support would be more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer

After a fairly scrappy first half at the Don Amott Arena, Mickleover took charge in the second half with two goals, returning them to top of the table, on alphabetical order!

It was revenge time for Mickleover, as the Glassboys from Stourbridge knocked them out of the FA Cup earlier this season.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Matty Bowman 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Sault 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Dan Bradley, Will Trueman, Leon Clarke, Jake Bennet, Fin Ryder.

Stourbridge managed to earn a free kick in the first minute, but it came to nought. But it was Mickleover that went closest first, when a 10^th minute cross from the right by Barnes, just missed connecting with an unmarked Beavon.

It was a fairly scrappy start to the game, with both sides sending passes awry. A through ball from Atkinson almost found Barnes after 15 minutes, but that was intercepted, while two minutes later Mann lost possession and the ball fell free to Brendon Daniels. His shot was straight at Ridd, who palmed it away for a corner.

Beavon went close to opening the scoring after 21 minutes, but his powerful long-range shot was tipped over by keeper Charlie Price.

Bowman and Dolan were doing their best to push forward down the wings, but Greaves and Sault were failing to make their usual impression as the game continued to ebb and flow.

Barnes crossed from the left 29 minutes in, but a combination of deflection and saving tackle on Dales left the Stourbridge defence intact still.

Beavon was wrestled to ground after 36 minutes, it was in the box, and although penalties have been given for less, play carried on.

But three minutes later and Sports had the ball in the net, after Dales broke free and chipped the advancing keeper. It was given offside, despite the visitors Brad Bood appearing to play him onside.

As half time approached Stourbridge had a series of corner, but failed to create anything as a consequence and then Dales dispossessed Joel Kettle, only for Barnes’ following chase to be intercepted.

With the whistle poised on the 45-minute mark another Dales and Barnes combination saw the ball come in from the right. The keeper and defence were beaten, but the ball ran agonisingly across the face of the goal, with no contact as it rolled clear and it remained 0-0.

Mickleover started the second half with verve and determination and only four minutes in to the second period, a good break down the left from Greaves, saw Dales cut in and force a good save from Price.

The pressure was on and the visitors were pegged back in their own half, with Greaves forcing another finger tip save from Price after 53 minutes.

It was just as the hour mark was approaching that the deadlock was finally broken, when Beavon received the ball in the box, made a lovely swift turn and fired it home to make it 1-0 after 59 minutes.

Daniels tried a wild long distance shot for the visitors shortly afterwards, before Mickleover came surging forward again. Dales was almost through but his shot was deflected out and then Beavon went down in the box after a goal mouth scramble, but looks for a penalty were ignored.

The push for a second goal continued, with Mann and Delap joining in too from the back. But it finally came after 67 minutes, after a positive run down the left from Dolan. As the ball came in, Beavon stepped aside and Barnes hit it firmly into the back of the net, 2-0.

Atkinson and Greaves then combined as the barrage continued and although Beavon was ready to receive in the box again, his path was blocked.

Stourbridge managed to make the occasional break but rarely challenged Ridd in the Sports goal. New signing Kobe Arthur managed to earn them a corner after 73 minutes, but that was easily cleared.

Dales, Greaves, Sault and Dolan were all teasing the defence with direct jinking runs and after 79 minutes it was a Dales and Dolan move earning another corner.

With 10 minutes on the clock Dales broke through again, but a last-minute tackle as he was about to shoot cleared the danger.

Clarke came on for Beavon and Trueman for Barnes, but  some late and dubious offside decisions went against the Mickleover strike force, after encouragement from and over vociferous Price in the Stourbridge goal.

With two minutes of normal time left there was a shoulder on shoulder challenge just inside the Mickleover box, but Connor Stanley went down as if hit by a sniper and the referee fell for his dramatics.

Daniels stepped up to score the penalty, 2-1 and in the final seconds Arthur had another chance which sailed over the bar.

“It’s been the same story, starting poorly, but we gave them a rollicking at half time,” said gaffer John McGrath, after a dominant second half show.

So with Needham Market’s game against Redditch postponed only minutes before kick off due, Mickleover are back on top, but equal on both points and goal difference.

We now look forward to visiting Berkhamsted on Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Following Saturday’s first home defeat in the league, Mickleover will be looking to get straight back into the points, when Stourbridge visit the Don Amott Arena on Tuesday night.

We haven’t played Stourbridge in the league so far this season, but the Glassboys ended Mickleover’s FA Cup run with a two- goal victory back in September.

Where Mickleover have been flying high at the top, our visitors have struggled and are currently 17^th in the table. With three successive defeats 0-1 defeats, they will keen to points some points on the board.

Our visitors Joint managers Leon Broadhurst and Stuart Pierpoint have been in charge since October 2021 and are both still registered to play.

Former Centre back Broadhurst is the clubs record appearance holder on 780, spending 10 years at the club before moving to Bromsgrove.

Pierpoint was also a centre back who has also played for Oldbury Utd, Sutton Coldfield, Halesowen, Stafford, Nuneaton, Solihull, Leamington and Brackley before a four-year stay at Stourbridge from July 2015. He was at Coalville before returning to The Glassboys.

Goalkeeper Charlie Price is in his second spell at the club, having left to join Alvechurch in June 2016, before returning three years later. 

Defender Joel Kettle is in his second spell at the club too. He started out with Sutton Coldfield before joining Stourbridge in August 2014. His career then took him to Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, Rushall, Solihull, Tamworth and Nuneaton, before joining our visitors at the start of last season from Bromsgrove.

Darryl Knights is a former Ipswich Junior, who was capped by England at Under 16 and 17 and was loaned to Yeovil, before joining Kidderminster on his release.

Solihull was his next stop, then Newport and Solihull before returning to Kidderminster. After a spell at Tamworth, he had two years at Telford, before coming to Stourbridge in July 2020. He also looks after the clubs Academy.

Full back Jack Wilson was another signing from Bromsgrove back in September 2021. He had made 200 appearances before his move and had a brief loan spell at Lichfield City too.

Midfielder Reece King arrived from Buxton in July 2021. He started his career at Malvern Town, before moving on to Gloucester City and Hednesford. After a spell at Leamington, he rejoined Hednesford, before going to Buxton in February 2020. He is currently club captain.

Alex Prosser is another ex Aston Villa Junior. A midfielder, he was loaned to Brackley before a permanent move to Kidderminster. He started last season at Leamington, before joining the Glassboys on loan for the majority of 22/23. His move became permanent in July.

Lewis Solly is both reserve goalkeeper and coach. An ex Wolves and Bury player, he played for Welshpool and Aberystwyth, before moving back to the Midlands with Stafford Rangers.

 He was then at Telford and Redditch and first came to Stourbridge in 2005 from Hednesford, staying eight years before moving to Rushall. He moved onto Worcester but had time out with an injury and has been back at Stourbridge since March 2021, having made over 350 appearances.

Centre back Harvey Portman started off at the War Memorial Ground, before leaving our hosts for Hednesford at the beginning of last year. After a few weeks at Bromsgrove he returned to Hednesford, but had planned to start this season at Stratford, until his return to Stourbridge came off.

Jessy Bavanganga is another centre back who came in pre-season from Leek Town. A former Stoke City Junior, he also had spell on loan at Abbey Hulton Utd.

Winger Nial Flint started his career at Shrewsbury Town, before going  to Telford on his release. After stays at Scarborough and Matlock he spent the next few years in the Welsh League, firstly at Newtown and latterly at Cefn Druids and Aberystwyth, from where he joined our hosts pre-season.

Midfielder Brendon Daniels is an experienced midfielder who started out at the Academies of Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.

His next club was Chester, moving on to Tamworth, Harrogate, Fylde and Alfreton, before being spotted by Port Vale. He was loaned to Altrincham and Telford, preceded a permanent move to the latter. He came to the Glassboys in August and has seven League One appearances on his CV.

Originally a Walsall Junior, Midfielder Aaron Forde at Stourbridge for the second time in pre-season. He joined Romulus after his Walsall release, moving on to Bedworth, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield and Rushall, before joining the Glassboys in 2017.

After three years he moved to Nuneaton, being loaned to Sutton Coldfield, before his Stourbridge return.

Midfielder Jack Fletcher arrived in June from Tividale, after just one impressive season in senior football.

Norwegian born winger Stanley Anaebonam started out with IK Start Youth, before moving to the UK to join Wolverhampton Casuals in 2016. He then spent two years with Solihull Moors, before moving to Redditch, then returned to Solihull before a spell in Ireland with Shelbourne.

He returned to England in 2022 with Truro City and had two months at Hednesford, before coming to Stourbridge last December 

Midfielder Dexter Walters started at Romulus, he then moved on to Tamworth, and returned there after a short spell at Coventry City.

During his time at Tamworth he was loaned to Mickleover, but had three months at Stratford last year before arriving at Stourbridge in November.

Striker Luke Benbow has spent most of his career in the West Midlands, starting out at Solihull. After a spell at Redditch he made his first stop at Stourbridge in 2012 and stayed three years before moving to Hednesford.

A year later he came back for one season, before returning to Solihull, who loaned him back to Stourbridge. He came back permanently in July 2018, before a year at Nuneaton preceded his latest return to our hosts. But he is currently out injured with a spinal stress fracture.

Left back Brad Bood is currently on loan from Telford Utd, having come through the Shropshire clubs youth scheme. West Bromwich Albion midfielder Matt Richards has also arrived recently on loan too.

Striker Ethan Freemantle is on loan too from Kidderminster. He has also been loaned to Gloucester City and Hereford and is a former Walsall Junior.

Midfielder Connor Stanley is a new arrival too. The ex Birmingham City and Manchester Utd junior arrived two weeks ago from Hereford. During his early career he was also loaned to Atlanta Utd in the US, before joining Bolton Wanderers on his release from Man Utd. 

He was then loaned to Bamber Bridge and FC United, before joining Hereford at the start of this season.

Charlie Dowd is another midfielder signed from Stratford in September. He started out at Burton Albion, before joining Bromsgrove on his release. He has also played for Alvechurch and Nuneaton.

Alfie Steward is a young striker recently graduated from the clubs own youth scheme.

Kick off is 7.45pm and WEE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover went into Saturday’s game at home to Telford Utd, top of the table on goal difference, but an early goal saw them fall to their first home defeat of the season.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8- Dan Bradley 9-Styart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Will Trueman, Ben Sault, Leon Clarke, Matty Bowman, Fin Ryder.

Both sides showed their attacking intentions from the kick-off  and after strong build up down the right between Bennett and Greaves, Dales put a shot just wide of the left hand post after eight minutes.

Telford then made their first real attack, with Bennett heading out Ellis Myles’ cross for a corner. As the ball came in from the right, Mickleover failed to clear and then ball fell to the visitors captain and centre back, who had opened the scoring when his effort went in off the far post. Ridd looked unprepared for the strike and stayed rooted to the centre of his goal, while the far post had been left undefended, 0-1 after 10 minutes.

Two minutes later it could have been a second for Telford, when Montel Gibson’s cross got past Ridd and the keeper then had to block a low shot from Nathan Fox.

Both Dolan and Bennett were doing their best to attack down the wings, but Mickleover were losing possession in midfield and after 18 minutes Telford went close again. Fox crossed from the right and Reece Styche’s shot struck the bar from the edge of the box.

But only a minute later Dales had a chance to equalise. Beavon had sent him clear, as he outpaced the defence and with keeper Brandon Hall out of position too, his shot was put well wide of the right-hand post.

Telford continued to make dangerous breaks, but on the whole Delap and Mann had them covered. But Dales tried his luck again after 22 minutes, having latched onto Bennett’s cross, his header lacked any power and was an easy catch for Hall.

Mann put a header over the bar from a Greaves free kick and then Dales, Bennett and Beavon combined to earn a corner. But with Mickleover continuing to play out from the back, Telford went for the longer ball and the break.

Greaves had a shot blocked just after the half hour mark and then a long ball from Mann saw Barnes latch on to it. He created space for a shot but his effort was over the bar again.

Styche then got a break at the other end, but the advancing Ridd forced him to shoot early and that was over the bar too.

But after 34 minutes there was another golden chance for Sports to equalise. Dales had brought the ball forward and as he cut inside he found Barnes and only a fingertip save at full stretch from Hall denied the equaliser.

For the final 10 minutes of the half, Mickleover were full on attack, with Dales firing an effort over the bar again from a 36^th minute corner. Sam Whittall got a shot in for the visitors after Sports lost possession in midfield, he earned a corner and Kerr had another shot palmed away by Ridd.

The half ended with a cross or shot from Barnes which failed to trouble Hall, so it remained 0-1 as the whistle went.

Mickleover replaced Bradley with Sault for the second and there seemed to be immediate upsurge in pace from the home midfield. 46 minutes and Dales crossed from the left, but Greaves shot was blocked and then Sault ran down the middle, his shot was blocked too, but he earned a corner.

It led to a strong possession dominating spell from Mickleover, but with Telford’s defence and midfield well drilled, they remained solid.

Hall had to palm away a Dales curling shot after 53 minutes and Sports won a succession of corners. He tried again on the hour after a good build up, but the Telford defence continued to fend away the growing pressure from Mickleover.

Clarke replaced Beavon after 63 minutes, but Ellis Brown then made a break, fortunately Sault hunted him down and cleared the danger. But Ridd was then in action again, after Bennet lost out to Walker, tipping over the follow up header for a corner.

Greaves and Sault had started to push the midfield further forward for Sports, with Atkinson in support, but it was still the overlaps from Bennett and Dolan that looked the most dangerous.

In the 71^st minute Bennett outpaced the defence on the right, placed a prefect cross to the far post but Clarke couldn’t put it in.

Delap then played a nice long ball, allowing Dales to collect and cut inside from the left again, but his shot was over as he came under challenge from a defender.

Shortly afterwards Sault tried his luck with a distance shot and then Dales broke through again after 77 minutes. He found Clarke, but the striker couldn’t make it count, after Whittall managed to block.

It was almost a 10-man defence by Telford, but time was running out for Mickleover, and despite the continuing advantage in possession, they couldn’t make it count.

Sault had a cross in the box after 82 minutes cleared and both Greaves and Dolan had more efforts blocked too, but Hall had one scare when defender Orrin Pendley almost deflected into his own net but the keeper came to his rescue.

Gibson had a chance to seal it for the visitors, but his rushed 86^th minute effort sailed over the bar.

Ryder came on for Barnes for the closing minutes, and immediately impressed with his holding capabilities. Dales had another shot blocked two minutes later and in time added on Hall was able to catch another Dales strike, despite its deflection.

Kerr put another shot over the bar, but with Delap trying to stride out of defence too, Mickleover kept pushing right to the final whistle. 

In the sixth minute of injury time Ricardo Dinanga wasted Telford’s final chance with a poor effort well wide, but time was up and it was a first home defeat of the season for Mickleover.

“We lost out to a bit f a freak early goal. We had the possession and dominated the second half, but just couldn’t score,” said Sports manager John McGrath.

“We should have put the game to bed after that early goal, but Mickleover play an open game and they had chances. We would have liked to have pressed more ourselves in the second half,” replied Telford boss Kevin Wilkin. 

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s another tough game for Mickleover this Saturday at the Don Amott Arena, when we face fifth in the table AFC Telford Utd, our first game of the New Year.

 Currently four points adrift of Mickleover, Needham Market and Redditch level on points at the top, Telford are unbeaten in their last 13 league matches.

Sports were 2-1 winners when we visited Telford in September and apart from Needham Market’s visit later in the same month, they are undefeated.

Manager Kevin Wilkin was a striker with Cambridge City, Northampton Town, Nuneaton and Grantham, before becoming Nuneaton’s manager in 2006.

After eight seasons he moved onto Wrexham, but after 18 months of his two-year contract he moved to Brackley Town, winning the 2018 FA Trophy. He has been in charge at Telford since October last year.

First choice keeper Brandon Hall started out at Charlton Athletic, before spending seven months at the Nike Academy. His next move was up to Scotland with St.Mirren, but returned south with Hayes & Yeading.

Ebbsfleet, Lewes, Woking, Kidderminster and Hereford were his next stops, with a loan spell at Banbury. He came to our visitors pre-season, after a year with Gloucester City and is an England C International too.

George Scott is Hall’s deputy, having returned to the club last month, after a year without a club.

Centre back Fraser Kerr started his career at Motherwell before moving South with Birmingham City. He spent two years with the Blues, before an initial loan back to Motherwell became permanent.

He moved on to Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir too, before going to Gateshead, with 54 Scottish Premiership appearances and 45 in League One, plus Europa League Qualifiers too.

Stops at Hartlepool, Torquay and Chesterfield followed, before spending last season at York City. He has represented Scotland at Under 16, 17,19 and 21 levels and was another pre-season arrival at Telford.

Jordan Piggott is another centre back. He started out at West Bromwich Albion before heading for Scotland too. He played for Dundee and East Fife, before heading to North Wales with Bangor City.

Halesowen was his next stop, moving to Solihull Moors after a year, spending another year before a move to Gloucester City on loan. He spent four months at Telford at the beginning of last year and then returned to our visitors permanently for the start of last season.

Pre-season signing Orrin Pendley is a centre back too. He started at Highgate before joining Redditch. He soon moved on to Kettering and Rushall Olympic, before spending a year at Tamworth and spent last season at Hereford.

Welsh teenager Steffan Jones is another centre back and pre-season signing too, having come through Bala Town’s youth scheme.

Nathan Fox is a left back who spent his junior career at both Notts County and Derby County. Following his Rams release he joined Corby Town, moving to Rugby Town after a four year stay. Only a month later he moved again, with a very short stay at Coalville, he briefly went back to Corby, before joining Sutton Coldfield.

Redditch, Hednesford, Kings Lynn and Alfreton Town followed by a year at Buxton, preceded starting last season at Peterborough Sports. He is another of Telford’s pre-season signings.

Club skipper Jared Hodgkiss played his early football at Wolves and West Bromwich Albion. Right back by choice, he was loaned to Aberdeen and played seven games in the Scottish Premiership. 

After a further loan at Northampton, he joined Forest Green Rovers on his release, staying almost five years, before spending another two years at Kidderminster, who also loaned him to Torquay. His next move was Macclesfield, before a four year-spell at Hereford preceded his pre-season move to Telford.

Right back Ellis Myles is another right back and pre-season signing from Kettering, who started off at Leicester City. He moved to Brackley Town on his release, before going to Rugby, Stamford, Corby and Boston Utd.

 He went back to Brackley in 2016 and stayed six years, before moving to Boston Utd and had eight months at Kettering before his Telford move.

Midfielder James McQuilkin is a Northern Ireland at Under 17, 19 and 21, but began his career in the Czech Republic, with Zlin B and Tescoma Zlin, before returning to the UK with Hereford in 2009.

He joined Walsall in July 2013 and after a year moved onto Hednesford. But he was soon on the move again to Torquay, before a stay at Kidderminster, preceded his first spell at Telford for the start of the 2017/18 season.

After just over two years he returned to Hereford, before stops at Stourbridge and Hednesford were followed by his Telford return in July.

Central midfielder George Forsyth has spent almost his whole career in the West Midlands. Having started at Kidderminster, he was loaned to Halesowen before joining Gloucester City.

Worcester and Stourbridge were followed by a return to Halesowen and Hereford followed by another return visit to Stourbridge and Bromsgrove, who loaned him to Kettering, from where he joined Telford pre-season. He is currently back at Kettering again on loan.

Midfielder Remi Walker continues the list of new pre-season signings, having arrived following his release from Birmingham City. He spent the last few months of last season on loan at Alvechurch.

Ty Webster is a midfielder too, who arrived in August, after being released by Crewe Alexandra.

Right midfielder Byron Moore is one of the select retained players, having joined Telford from Torquay February last year. He has over 400 league appearances to his name in Leagues One and Two, having started out at Crewe.

He was loaned to Kidsgrove Athletic but joined Port Vale on his release. After two years he moved on to Bristol Rovers and Bury, before spending two years at Plymouth Argyle.

Striker Montel Gibson has been a regular goalscorer since his pre-season arrival from Ilkeston. He was a Notts County Junior and was loaned out to Romulus, Barwell, Hednesford and Sutton Coldfield, before going to Ilkeston after his release in 2017, having made 24 League Two appearances, scoring two goals.

Spells at Redditch, Bedworth and Halesowen followed, before joining Grimsby Town. He was the loaned to Altrincham, before a permanent move to Stourbridge, but started 2022 back at Ilkeston. He spent six months on loan at Telford at the end of last season and returned again on a permanent basis pre-season.

Striker Ricardo Dinanga started out at Cork City, before Coventry City brought him across the Irish Sea. He had loans at Hereford and Nuneaton last season, but came to Telford following his release in July.

Tre Mitford is another early seasonigning, having come from Boston Utd. The striker started off at Aylesbury Utd, and has played at Bedford, Kettering, Brackley and Gloucester City too.

Twariq Yusuf came from Brackley earlier this season and can play as a striker or midfielder. He has also played for FC Kidlington and Ardley Utd.

Reece Styche is both an England C and current Gibraltarian International, having scored three goals in 27 games for the latter.

He came from Telford in October from Matlock Town, having played for a huge raft of clubs in his 14 year career, including Buxton, Alfreton, Darlington, Macclesfield and Wycombe, having started out at Hednesford.

Centre back Sam Whittall came from Rushall in October. He is an ex Wolves Junior and played at Cambridge Utd and Brackley, before his seven year spell at Rushall.

Having graduated through Telford’s own youth scheme, left back Brad Blood is now in his third season with the first team squad. Also Billy West captained our visitors under 18 side, following his release from Shrewsbury Town and in his third season with the first team too.

Midfielder James McQuilkin is a Northern Ireland at Under 17, 19 and 21, but began his career in the Czech Republic, with Zlin B and Tescoma Zlin, before returning to the UK with Hereford in 2009.

He joined Walsall in July 2013 and after a year moved onto Hednesford. But he was soon on the move again to Torquay, before a stay at Kidderminster, preceded his first spell at Telford for the start of the 2017/18 season.

After just over two years he returned to Hereford, before stops at Stourbridge and Hednesford were followed by his Telford return in July.

Midfielder Ellis Brown was signed a couple of weeks ago. He has been without a club for a while, after a year in Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He started out at Boreham Wood.

Striker Harvey Solley made his debut earlier this season, having come through the clubs youth scheme.

Kick off is 3pm as usual, SHOW YOUR SUPPORT & BE THERE!!

by Peter Scherer

It may not have started well for Mickleover, going a goal down to bottom of the table Long Eaton Utd. But a second half goal surge secured a 5-1 win and takes them back to the top of of the Southern Premier League Central Division.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Ben Sault 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Finn Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Leon Clarke 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Matty Bowman, Dan Bradley, Jake Bennett, Fin Ryder.

Dales and Delap were back in the starting line-up and there was a debut for Derby County Under 21 goalkeeper Lewis Ridd, with his loan deal only completed a couple of hours before kick-off.

It was a lively start for Mickleover, when a Barnes cross after two minutes, found Dales who jinked clear, setting up Greaves whose shot was just over the bar.

Dales had another shot a minute later, straight at keeper Ross Durrant, before Ridd was called into action for the first time. It was good positive run by Jack Rogers down the left, but Ridd had it covered and conceded the first corner.

There was a foul on Dales after six minutes, but the free kick came to nought and then Greaves had an attempt just wide of the post after a telling run down the right from Sault.

Durrant saved a low shot from Barnes after nine minutes, but the keeper’s kicks were tending to go awry and put his own defence under pressure.

Although Mickleover were dominating possession, the final pass was sometimes missing and Durrant wasn’t being really tested in the Long Eaton goal.

12 minutes in and there was a long build up, before Trueman fired over. Delap then put a positive ball into the box, with both Dales and Clarke challenging, but Durrant’s hands kept the threat away.

Trueman then had a run from the left, Greaves got on the end of it, but the shot was over again. Then totally against the run of play, the defence was split down the middle, leaving Rogers clear, who beat Ridd from distance to make it 0-1 after 16 minutes.

Dolan began to attack more down the Mickleover left, but his 22^nd minute shot was straight at the keeper, before his cross two minutes later found Dales. But he wasn’t able to turn enough to get any accuracy on his shot.

Greaves set up the overlapping Sault who cut in and shot just over the bar after a deflection, before Barnes put another shot over, from the following corner.

Long Eaton still looked dangerous on the occasional break, but after 31 minutes Mickleover finally got the equaliser, with Mann heading home after some nice interplay on the wing between Barnes and Dales.

For the rest of the first half it was all Mickleover, with a nice combination on the right setting up Trueman, who shot just wide of the right hand post after 34 minutes. Three minutes later Dales cut in to shoot over the bar again and then Barnes slid in and almost connected with a low cross from the left.

Durrant had to save a 42nd minutes power shot from Barnes after a Sault cross from the right and with the half time whistle poised, Mann headed just wide from a corner, so it remained 1-1.

It took a while for Mickleover to get up to pace again as the second half got underway. Barnes almost latched on to a long ball from Delap, but Durrant beat him to it and then Nyahema had a promising run down the right for the visitors, but his cross was straight out for a goal kick.

56 minutes in and a Greaves corner was the start of a resurgence from Sports. Both Delap and Mann began to push forward more along with the overlapping Sault and Dolan, while Atkinson seemed to be marshalling midfield with consummate ease.

Mickleover had taken control and after 59 minutes Barnes received on the left and fired home to make it 2-1. Barnes pace was causing problems for the flagging Long Eaton defence and his attack down the right, forced another good save from Durrant and a corner.

Former Mickleover player Lewis Belgrave then fouled Barnes in the box and Greaves stepped up to take the penalty. Durrant saved it initially, but Greaves was quick off the mark and tapped in the rebound, 3-1 after 62 minutes.

Beavon was the first sub to come on, as Clarke made way, before Durrant’s legs stopped Greaves from adding a fourth goal.

Sault then hit the post after 68 minutes after another long build up and final pass from Greaves.

Two minutes later though it was 4-1, when Barnes hit his second after a lay-off from Beavon, creating his own space with the keeper well beaten.

Bradley, Bowman and Ryder all came on as subs too, but 76 minutes and it was goal number five with Mann heading home again, 5-1.

Bradley had a long shot just wide, but it continued to be all Mickleover until the final whistle, with the 5-1 taking us back to the top of the league.

Going a goal down wasn’t part of our plan, but we knew we would be on top and create the chances, which we did. There were some strong performances from our players

said Mickleover manager John McGrath.