by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover’s hopes of retaining second place in the Southern Premier League Central table took a huge blow, when they went down 1-3 at Stourbridge last Saturday.

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

Stourbridge were off to a flying start and earned two early free kicks. The first after two minutes was headed over by Portman and five minutes later Daniels effort was well off target.

But the first real blow came only nine minutes in, when a cross from Bood found Daniels head, and the former Sports loanee placed it past Mersin to give the hosts an early lead 0-1.

There was an early substitution when Beavon replaced Bradley, Mickleover tried to fightback and saw a 13th minute effort over the bar after a one on one with the keeper. But the long ball out of defence was being affected by the strong winds and failed to trouble the home defence.

As the half hour approached Forde and Daniels had a neat on two as they took on the Mickleover defence and Forde managed to chip Mersin and made it 0-2 after 28 minutes.

Bateman had come on for the injured Sault, but Price made a great save to deny Mickleover 10 minutes later. After the follow up corner, Fitzhugh was on hand to pull one back 1-2.

There was a chance of an equaliser too with the half timewhistle poised, Greaves managed to latch on but his effort was over the bar and it remained 1-2.

There was another change in the line-up for the second half with Tamen on for Bateman, but although Mickleover tried to break into attack mode, Stourbridge continued to be in control.

Price held a 47th free kick, but then Mersin was in action at the other end, punching clear a Prosser effort following Forde’s free kick.

Greaves and Fitzhugh continued to busy themselves, but Bavananga managed to block a tentative 52 minute break, before the hosts made a break for fired over the bar again.

Mersin pulled off another save from Fletcher after 64 minutes, but then Daniels and Ryley combined to set up Shambrook, who made it 1-3 for Stourbridge.

Daniels had another shot over the bar after 76 minutes, before Rowley needed attention after a collision with a Stourbridge striker,

Mersin was kept busy with further saves in the final minutes, but there was to be no fight back on this occasion.

The defeat leaves Mickleover just one point clear of Telford in second place, so it’s time to dig deep with two tough games over the next two weeks against fellow promotional hopefuls Stratford Town at home and Champions Needham Market away.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s off to Stourbridge on Saturday, as Mickleover face their penultimate away match of the season. But we have already faced the Glassboys twice this season, having lost 0-2 away in the FA Cup in September, before taking three points when they visited the Don Amott Arena in January.

The pressure is somewhat off for Mickleover having achieved a play-off place, but points to retain second place and guarantee a home advantage are still vital.

Our hosts have recent had a change of manager, with Darryl Knights and assistant Lewis Solly taking charge from last week.

They are currently 14^th in the table and took their second win in the last 10 games last Saturday, beating Redditch 1-0 away from home.

Manager 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 had been looking after the clubs Academy until his recent promotion.

Solly was both reserve goalkeeper and coach until he was made Knights assistant. 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.

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 hosts at the start of last season from Bromsgrove. He is club captain.

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.

Alex Prosser is an 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.

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, preceding a permanent move to the latter. He came to the Glassboys in August and has seven League One appearances on his CV. He also had a very short loan spell with Mickleover recently.

Originally a Walsall Junior, Midfielder Aaron Forde came to 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.

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. He missed a number pf matches this season with a spinal stress fracture.

Left back Brad Bood is currently on loan from Telford Utd, having come through the Shropshire clubs youth scheme. 

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 was a Christmas arrival, an ex Birmingham City and Manchester Utd junior he came 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.

Bermudan international midfielder Milan Butterfield came from Robin Hood in his home country to join Walsall at the start of his career. After a loan at Rushall he joined Kidderminster on his release.

He then moved to Chesterfield, who loaned him to Guiseley, before a permanent move to Alfreton. After two years he moved to Nuneaton, where he started this season, before arriving at Stourbridge in January.

Attacking midfielder Koby Arthur was a Birmingham City Junior, after thy signed him from Woodford Utd. He was loaned to Lincoln City and Cheltenham before being released in 2017 to join Kidderminster.

He moved on to Dover Athletic, Maidenhead Utd and Hereford and was initially loaned to our hosts in January, before his stay became permanent.

Defender Joel Shambrook and midfielder Kian Ryley are both on loan from Solihull Moors. Ryley spent a month on loan at Mickleover earlier this season and has also had time at Hereford and Studley.

Striker Alfie Steward is a home grown who has recently made the first squad.

Kick off at the War Memorial Ground is 3pm, your ongoing support would be more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer

A Tyrell Waite goal almost on the hour made sure that Mickleover will be in the end of season play-offs for promotion to the National League North.

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

It was lively start again from Mickleover with McManus forced to make a saving tackle in the box, from Sports first real attack.

But Coalville came out fighting too, with Putnam leading a break, before Chambers cross was a little too long. McGlinchey then had a shot blocked as it headed goalwards.

Waite was proving to be particular sharp against one if his former clubs and off the back of his recent goal success. But after a collecting a poor clearance from White, the keeper redeemed himself as Waite closed in.

Chambers was heading the visitors attacks, but the defence were looking strong in the centre with Rowley and Tamen. When Putnam sent McGlinchey on a run he went one on one, but the Sports defence prevailed and the danger gone.

Fitzhugh had a shot blocked, before Pepe-Ngoma responded similarly for the visitors, before Waite tried his

luck again, firstly with a shot well saved by White, before his next attempt struck the bar from close range.

But Coalville responded again too with a Chambers header going wide, before McManus’s effort was cleared off the line.

Pennant had a late shot deflected away, which triggered four consecutive corners for the Ravens, with McGlinchey shooting wide again, just before the half time whistle.

Wilson replaced Rowley in the Mickleover defence as the second half got underway, with Mann going back into the middle. But Coalville were on the attack again with Chambers finally crowded out in the box, after a run down the wing from York.

Mersin saved from McGlinchey, before Fitzhugh was on the end of a Mickleover break. After cutting inside his shot was straight at the keeper, who comfortably collected.

Pennant then went one on one with Bennet and lost out, before another run by the pacey winger, was deflected away as Chambers waited in the middle.

With Atkinson setting up some moves to set fellow midfielders Fitzhugh, Trueman, Greaves and Sault on their way, Waite collected the ball on a break, but White saved again, before Wilson sent a header over the bar.

Waite headed another charge as the hour mark approached, but this time it was the home striker coming out on top, beating the advancing keeper to give Sports a valuable 1-0 lead.

Shortly afterwards Atkinson had a header over the bar, before Chambers miscued from a Putnam free kick and failed to trouble Mersin.

Bradley came on for Atkinson, but Mickleover were looking dangerous as they sought a second goal. With 15 minutes on the clock White saved again from a Sault effort to the near post, before the midfielder then made way for Barnes.

Coalville had a late penalty appeal waved away as the foul was deemed out of the box, while White made a couple more saves before the final whistle.

It proved to be a critical win as Sports are now guaranteed a place in the play-offs.

 

by Peter Scherer

Less than a week since we went down 0-1 at Coalville, it’s time to welcome the Ravens to the Don Amott Arena for the Easter Monday extravaganza.

It was an unlucky defeat after Scott McManus’ single goal sealed it, but Sports were denied clear cut penalties in both halves.

While were at Alvechurch securing another three points, Coalville were at home to Bromsgrove, where they collected a 1-0 win thanks to Tom McGlinchey’s first half strike, which leaves them eighth in the table.

Andy Dales and Ryan Wilson were both absent from Saturday’s squad, but with just five games left, your support will be seriously welcomed.

Kick off at the Don Amott is 3pm

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s visit Alvechurch was looking like going to the final whistle 0-0, until subTyrell Waite found the net with two minutes left. He then got his second in time added on, before the hosts snatched a consolation.

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

Mickleover won their first corner after four minutes, but the early attempt on goal ended up in the side netting by the far post. A minute later Hadley escaped from Sports defence, but his shot was well over the bar.

Hadley had another effort blocked nine minutes in, but Mickleover also went close, when a 15^th minute flicked header from Beavon from just inside the box, was gathered by keeper Hollingshead just under his bar.

But it was continuing end to end as a minute later, Gordon collected a long through ball and managed to charge into the box, but his effort was once again wide of the far post.

Mann, Tamen, Rowley and Bennett were looking fairly solid at the back for Mickleover and despite some increased possession from Alvechurch, were able to clear their lines quickly and put the home defence under pressure, setting up breaks. 

Greaves delivered a dangerous 20^th minute corner into the box which rapped off the far post, before being cleared by the Church defence.

Clayton-Phillips then tried to punish the Mickleover defence with a looping free kick after 28 minutes. Crowther directed the follow up header on target forcing Mersin into a spectacular flying save to his right to turn the ball around the angle of the goal.

The pressure was still on the Mickleover goal though and the following corner from Ofosu connected with Hadley’s head at the back post, looping the ball back on target, and forcing Mersin into another outstanding save, tipping the ball over the bar for another corner.

Bradley, Fitzhugh, Sault, Trueman and Greaves, were all working hard in midfield, but Clayton-Phillips managed to avoid two challengers, before testing Mersin again, forcing a diving save low to his left.

The home side were still pushing forward to try and snatch a half time lead, and with the whistle poised Thorndike collected from Gordon, but firing on goal from just outside the box, his shot was well off target.

The hosts had failed to take their chances in the first half and it was Mickleover starting the second half the livelier. After two shots were blocked in the first eight minutes, Clayton-Phillips was on target again for Alvechurch, but Mersin tipped his effort around the post for another corner.

Trueman picked up a yellow card after 79 minutes and with time running out, Mickleover made their first change, with Waite replacing the hardworking Sault for the final nine minutes.

After 88 minutes Sports won a free kick from wide on the  left, which was lofted to the back post and headed back down to the feet of Waite. The striker made no mistake in lashing the ball in from a few yards past the exposed Hollingshead. 1-0

Six minutes were due to be added on which became more. But deep into stoppage time a speculative long ball from deep in the Mickleover half caught out the home defence.  They allowed it to bounce unchallenged in the 18 yard box, and Waite grabbed control to fire the ball across the face of Hollingshead’s goal into the far corner for his second of the game,  and to settle the  game in Mickleover’s favour. 2-0.

Nine minutes into stoppage time Gordon scored a consolation for the hosts, with a close range header from  Dugmore’s cross to the far post. But all three points were heading back to Mickleover and the fight to consolidate second in the table continues.

 

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.