by Peter Scherer

Following last weekends outstanding Cup Tie at Oldham, it’s back to league action at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday, when we face third in the table Leamington.

We are now one point off table toppers Needham Market in second place, with a three-point cushion over Leamington and three games in hand.

Leon Clarke and Matty Bowman will both be back after missing last weekend being cup tied. But there are a few other concerns too. “Marcus Barnes is away for a few days and Ben Sault picked up a slight calf strain, but should be fit,” said gaffer John McGrath.

“Longer term we will be without Andre Wright for the rest of the season and both Ryan Wilson and Joe Bateman need operations and will be out for three months and six weeks each,” he added.

The Brakes were relegated from the National League North last season and have only suffered one defeat in their last 10 matches, going down 1-2 at Needham Market in the last away trip. They drew at home with Barwell last weekend.

Manager Paul Holleran has been in charge for 14 years. An ex Birmingham City Junior, he also played for Alvechurch and Solihull Borough and was manager for Kings Norton Town and Rushall Olympic before joining our visitors.

Goalkeeper Callum Hawkins is well known to Mickleover fans after two lengthy loan spells at the Don Amott Arena, during his time with Burton Albion.

He was also loaned to Gresley Rovers before his first spell at Mickleover in 2018. He returned in August 2021 and was initially loaned to Leamington too, but picked up an ACL injury and was out of action for the second half of last season.

Following his recovery he made a permanent move to the Brakes and has been first choice since his arrival.

Deputy keeper Luke Slater is a product of the clubs own youth scheme.

Right back Dan Meredith is in his fourth season with Leamington since arriving from West Bromwich Albion in September 2020. He was initially on loan at the end of the 2019/20 season and also had a loan spell at Maidstone.

Midfielder Josh Quaynor was a pre-season signing from Halesowen. He started out at Cheltenham and moved onto Stourbridge and Coleshill Town, before a five year stay at Bromsgrove. He spent all last season at Halesowen.

Theo Streete is an ex Derby County centre back. During his time with the Rams he was loaned to Doncaster Rovers, before joining Rotherham on his release. Solihull, Alfreton and Nuneaton were his next stops and he came to Leamington in July 2022 after four years at Telford. He could well be missing this weekend, as he serves a red card suspension.

Jack Lane is another centre back, who started out at Macclesfield Town. After loans at Newcastle Town and Stockport Sports, he went to Hinckley Utd, before crossing the Atlantic to play for Ventura County and Sacramento FC in the US. 

Having returned to the UK with Ilkeston in 2014, he moved on to Nuneaton, before a two-year spell at Tamworth and a month at Alfreton preceding his Leamington arrival in August 2018.

Left back Jiah Medrano came from Shepshed Dynamo pre-season. He was previously at Yeovil and Kirby Muxloe. 

Junior English is another right back who started out as a  youngster with Moor Green, Walsall and Coventry City. Then after more than 12 years at Solihull, he spent a further three with Worcester City and has just started his seventh season with Leamington.

Central midfielder Adam Walker was a Coventry City youngster, who joined Nuneaton after his release, following an earlier loan spell. Solihull and Brackley were his next stops, before a 2 ½ year stint with Telford preceded his January 2022 move to the Brakes.

Captain Joe Clarke is another long serving player, having arrived from Tamworth in July 2017. He started at Redditch, but soon moved on via Solihull and Darlington, before a four-year spell at Wrexham. Next stop was Kidderminster, who also loaned him to Brackley, before spending a year at Tamworth prior to his Leamington move.

Jack Edwards is yet another long server, in his second spell with the club. Having started out at Studley, he played for Coventry Sphinx and Barwell before his first arrival at Leamington in July 2014. Three years later he moved to Solihull, but after just two months he was back with the Brakes.

Will Shorrock is a former Walsall Junior midfielder, who was only signed in October from Rushall Olympic. He had four years at Bromsgrove prior to his Rushall move.

Striker Tyrone Barnet has over 300 league appearances and nearly a 100 goals under his belt, in a long and well-travelled career. He started at West Bromwich Albion and joined Rushall on his release, back in 2003.

Telford, Willenhall, Hednesford, Macclesfield, Crawley Town and Peterborough Utd were his next stops, with loans at  Ipswich Town,  Bristol City and Oxford Utd, before going to Shrewsbury on his release.

After another loan at Southend, he joined AFC Wimbledon, with moves to Port Vale, Cheltenham and Eastleigh following, before spending last season with Hereford Utd, moving to Leamington pre-season. He also coaches the clubs under 18’s.

Striker Henry Landers was another pre-season signing from Banbury, having been there for three years. He also played for North Leigh and Maidenhead Utd.

Connor Taylor is a striker too. Aston Villa picked him up from Coventry Spinx and loaned him to Tamworth, before he joined Walsall on his release. 

After a loan at Nuneaton, he made a permanent move to Tamworth, but after four years made his first move to Leamington in July 2018. After three years he left for Bromsgrove, but came back in March 2022.

Striker Cally Stewart was a summer signing from Coventry Sphinx, having scored 40 goals in the United Counties League for Sphinx last season.

Ewan Williams is a midfielder, signed from Coleshill Town a couple of weeks ago. He previously had a spell at Atherstone.

Midfielders Dan Baldwin, Zac Taylor and Toby Nicholl have also become part of the first team squad, after graduating through the Brakes own Youth Scheme and Reserve team.

LET’S HAVE THE SAME SUPPORT AS WE HAD AT OLDHAM LAST WEEK, KICK OFF 3PM AT THE DON AMOTT ARENA.

by Peter Scherer

It was a true old style cup tie at Oldham Athletic’s Boundary Park, with underdogs Mickleover the dominant force for the majority of the 90 minutes. Heroic performances from the whole team, just falling short in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Ben Sault 3-Jake Bennett 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Dan Bradley 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Will Trueman 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Rhys Dolan, Sam Tomlinson, Toby Smith, Harry Atwal, Zac Sandhu, Brandon Ferron.

Mickleover were quick out of the blocks and soon had the home defence on the back foot. Dales went close in the first minute following a free kick, keeper Hudson made a diving save, before Dales’ follow up was blocked.

Two minutes later it was Bennett bursting through on the left, Greaves got a shot in, but again it was blocked as the Latics were struggling to break out of their own half.

Seven minutes in and Bradley tried a long shot, tipped over by Hudson as it headed goalwards, before Oldham finally made a break, with Norwood’s cross finding no one waiting to receive.

It had been all in Mickleover’s favour until the 13^th minute, when totally against the run of play, Kitching managed to get clear on the Mickleover right, his cross found Fondop’s head  and it was 0-1 after the hosts first real effort.

The goal gave Oldham the confidence to move out more and Hope had a shot well wide after 16 minutes, after a Fondop handball wasn’t given.

But Mickleover continued to fight back and a lovely crossfield ball from Mann found Bennett on the left. He cut inside and piled in a great shot, palmed away by the keeper, before Beavon’s follow up earned a corner.

Sault had looked unsettled a couple of times at right back and was beaten by Hope after 24 minutes. The shot was heading for the top corner, but with Bosworth at full stretch, he pulled off another magnificent save.

The home keeper almost gifted Dales a shot, with a poor clearance. But the defence managed to rally and block his progress, before Trueman charged forward a couple of minutes later and shot just wide of the left-hand post.

Just after the half hour Bosworth had to perform heroics again, when Fondop appeared to be offside by was allowed to continue unchallenged.

Into the final 10 minutes of the first half Dales and Bennett combined on the left and got a cross in, but no one was able to connect. But Mickleover were bombarding the home defence again as they sought an equaliser.

After a couple of corners, it finally came in the 43^rd minute. Greaves had picked the ball up on the left and although the defence were back, there was scramble as Hudson edged towards his near post. Greaves continued and chipped the keeper, but with a defender on the line he appeared to be in position to clear. But the ball rolled into the net and it was a well-deserved 1-1.

Sports pressure continued to the half-time whistle, with Greaves sending in a cracking shot just wide, before a Sault attack earned a late corner, but it remained 1-1.

Bosworth was straight into action from the kick off of the second half, after Hope had broken through the ranks. But Beavon was almost one on one with Hudson at the other end, as the pace of the game picked up again.

50 minutes gone though and Oldham got the break again. Sports defence lost out on the left and sub Willoughby met the cross with a powerful shot out of Bosworth’s reach, 1-2.

Sports were still not down, but the hosts went close again with a 55^th minute header just over, before Sault and Dales combined again to earn a corner.

Both Bradley and Atkinson had continued to push forward from midfield and the pressure began to build and build again in Mickleover’s favour. A terrific run by Greaves down the right found Dales in the middle, but the keeper tipped his shot just wide and out for a corner.

Dales battled through again to shoot just wide after 63 minutes, with Greaves then having another try. 

Oldham had a 10 man defence as the runs and shots continued, but after 67 minutes they finally cracked, Bennett battled through on the left again and his precise cross was met with an instinctive flick from Beavon and it was 2-2.

Barely had the game kicked off again when Oldham got a break. The defence seemed to freeze and Hope was left with time to spare, picking his spot to beat Bosworth at close range. 2-3.

Dolan then came on for Sault, which allowed Bennett to return to his more familiar right back position.

Mann and Delap were pushing forward more too, as it was almost becoming a 10 man strike force for Mickleover.

Dolan had a strong run down the left after 75 minutes, cut in but his shot was blocked and then Dales shot just wide after having the defence well beaten.

There were seven minutes of normal time left when Bennett, now on the right, outpaced the defence yet again, and found Beavon. There was no hesitation as he fired in his second and it was back level pegging at 3-3.

Oldham had a rare shot again but almost hit the stand roof, before Beavon came off and was replaced by Ryder, with the referee indicating seven minutes to add on.

“I thought my days of scoring goals at this level were over, but had that great understanding with “Benno” again, similar to what “Dalesy” and I have. One of the best cup ties I have ever played in,” said two goal Beavon.

Dales was fouled on a 94^th minute run goalwards, but the pressure from Sports continued right to the full-time whistle.

3-3 still at the end of normal time and being the FA Trophy, there is no extra time or replay, so it was straight to penalties.

Oldham went first and scored, before Greaves made it level. Oldham scored their second and Mann made it level again, But after it had gone 2-3 in the Latics favour, Dales shot was saved.

Bosworth got his hand to Oldham’s fourth, but couldn’t stop it, but fate was finally sealed when Atkinson’s shot was saved too and the dream was over.

Absolutely brilliant, we were the better team and deserved the victory. We are now setting standards for where we are as a team. We beat Spennymoor and outplayed Oldham, both from leagues above us. The support too, was just fantastic

said Sports gaffer John McGrath.

Well over 200 travelling supporters made the trip and the reward was one of the most outstanding performances from a Mickleover team, against a team two leagues higher, who for much of the game were made to luck very much second best.

Let’s have the same support at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday, when we face Leamington and get us back on the top of the table.

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday will be the biggest match in Mickleover history, when we visit Oldham Athletic in the third round of the FA Trophy at Boundary Park.

The Latics were Division Two Champions in 1990/91 and founder members of the Premiership, before being relegated in 1992.

FA Cup semi finalists in 89/80 and 93/94 and League Cup runners-up 1989/90, they than slipped through the divisions and finally out of the league in 2018.

Mickleover will still be without captain Ryan Wilson, striker Andre Wright and full back Rhys Dolan, but new signing Leon Clarke will also be unavailable, as he is cup tied after playing for Kettering.

Currently 10^th in the National League, Micky Mellon’s side have had a mixed season, losing their last home game 1-4 to Ebbsfleet, having won at Barnet in the previous game by the same score.

They didn’t play last Saturday, as their home game against Boreham Wood postponed due to a frozen pitch. Mellon has been in charge for just over a month, having previously been manager at Tranmere, Dundee Utd, Shrewsbury and Barnsley.

Matthew Hudson is their first-choice goalkeeper, a former Preston North End Junior, signed from Buxton in in December 2022. He was also loaned to Bury and Bamber Bridge before joining Buxton on his release.

Magnus Norman and Dan Langley are their other keepers. Norman is a former Fulham Junior and England C International. He came from Carlisle in July 2022 and had previously been loaned to Farnborough, Hayes & Yeading, Southport and Rochdale.

Langley is a more recent arrival, from Blyth Spartans just over a month ago. He had been loaned to Gateshead and Spennymoor too.

Captain Liam Hogan is a centre back, who was spotted by Stockport County when he played for Woodley Sports. He then spent three years at Halifax, before joining Fleetwood, who also loaned him to Macclesfield. 

Tranmere was his next stop, before spells at Gateshead and Salford, preceded a 2 ½ year stay back at Stockport. He came to Oldham in July 2022.

Fellow centre back Harison McGahey is in his third season with the club, having come from Scunthorpe in July 2021. He started at Blackpool, before joining Sheffield Utd in 2015. After a loan at Tranmere he moved on to Rochdale a year later, before spending 2 ½ years at Scunthorpe.

Charlie Raglan is a centre back, who started his junior career overseas with UD Guargacho, Juan Migue and CD Marino, before joining Port Vale in 2011. He was loaned at Hinckley Utd and Chasetown before making his stay at Hinckley permanent.

Next stops were Nantwich and FC United, before a three-year spell at Chesterfield. He then joined Oxford Utd after an initial loan, but they loaned him out to Port Vale and Cheltenham, joining the latter permanently. But after four years at Cheltenham he came to Boundary Park pre-season.

 Shaun Hobson is yet another centre back and former Burnley and Bournemouth Junior. He was loaned to Eastbourne, Chester, Eastleigh and Weymouth, before joining Southend on his release. He was another pre-season arrival.

Left back Mark Kitching spent most of his career at Middlesbrough. He was loaned to York City, before a permanent move to Rochdale following an initial loan. He then went to Hartlepool, before coming to Oldham after two years at Stockport County.

Kieron Freeman is a former Welsh International at full, Under 17, 19 and 21 levels. Initially a Nottingham Forest Junior, he was loaned out to Mansfield and Notts County, before signing for Derby in 2013.

He was loaned back to Notts County, along with Sheffield Utd and Mansfield, before a permanent move to the Blades. But after another loan Portsmouth, he was released and moved on via Swindon and Swansea, with a two-year spell back at Portsmouth preceding his pre-season move to Oldham.

Defensive midfielder Nathan Sheron started out at Liverpool’s Academy. He moved onto Fleetwood and was loaned to Chorley, Chester, Southport, Walsall and St.Mirren, before a permanent move to Harrogate in 2021. He came to Oldham in July last year.

Dan Gardner is a central midfielder whose career began at Celtic.  Crewe Alexandra then picked him up from Flixton, but he soon moved on to Droylsden, Halifax and Chesterfield. Loans at Tranmere and Bury followed, before he first came to Oldham in July 2017.

After two years he joined Salford, moving on again to Wigan, before starting 21/22 season at Doncaster. He came back to Oldham at the start of last season.

Josh Lundstrom is a former England C International midfielder, who has spent most of his career at Crewe Alexandra. He had loans at Nuneaton, Kidsgrove, Altrincham and Solihull Moors, before moving permanently to Altrincham in July 2022. He was another pre-season arrival at Boundary Park.

Dan Ward is a midfielder too, having been in Newcastle Utd’s Academy, after starting out at South Shields and Seaham Red Star. Following his release he spent a year at Middlesbrough and six months at Spennymoor, before joining St.Patricks Athletic in the Republic of Ireland. He came to Oldham pre-season, after almost three years at Gateshead.

Midfielder Mark Shelton started out at Burton Albion and after a loan at Loughborough, moved onto Ilkeston. Alfreton and Salford were his next stops, before being loaned out to Woking and Hartlepool, joining the latter permanently. He joined the Latics in January, after 2 ½ years at Hartlepool.

Winger Devarn Green started at Burton too, before a three-year spell at Blackburn Rovers. Hednesford, Stourbridge, Tranmere, Southport and Scunthorpe all followed, before he came to Oldham in February, after a year at Telford.

Striker Hallam Hope is a full international with Barbados, having previous represented England at Under, 16,17 and 18 and 19 levels. He’s a former Manchester City and Everton Academy player and was loaned to Northampton, Bury and Sheffield Wednesday, before making a full time move to Bury on his release.

He moved to Carlisle after an initial loan and was at Swindon for 18 months, before joining Oldham in July 2021.

Striker James Norwood is another former England C International, who was signed pre-season. He played his junior football at Old Town Boys, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Eastbourne, before joining Exeter City in 2009.

He was loaned back to Eastbourne and then joined Forest Green after an initial loan. After four years at Tranmere, he had another three with Ipswich Town and spent last season with Barnsley.

Striker Joe Nuttall was at Manchester City initially, before heading north to Aberdeen. He was loaned to Stranraer and Dumbarton, before returning to England with Blackburn Rovers. He was then at Blackpool, but moved to Scunthorpe after a loan at Northampton and became a Latic in December 2022.

Kurt Willoughby was signed from Chester in pre-season. Another former England C International, he was previously at Clitheroe, Fylde and York City.

Fellow striker Mike Fondop came from Hartlepool in January 2022. He started at Stanway Rovers, before moving to Billericay, Margate and Oxford City.

His first move north was to Guiseley, with Wrexham and Maidenhead soon following, before he arrived at Chesterfield in 2019. Aldershot and Burton Albion were next, before he went to Hartlepool in September 2021.

Alex Reid is another well-travelled striker, after starting at Manchester City. He moved to Walsall, Solihull, Rushall and Fleetwood, before loan spells with Wrexham and Solihull. 

Stevenage was his next stop and they loaned him to Fylde, Ebbsfleet and Dagenham & Redbridge, before a permanent move to Stockport. After another loan at Solihull, he left Stockport to come to Boundary Park in November 2022.

Midfielder Brennan Dickenson came from Carlisle pre-season.  He started with Dorchester, before a move to Brighton and was then loaned to Chesterfield, AFC Wimbledon and Northampton. Gillingham came next, followed by Colchester, MK Dons and Exeter, before spending three years at Carlisle before his move to Oldham.

Defender Will Sutton is one of the few home- grown squad members. After coming through the ranks, he has been loaned out to Witton Albion and Farsley Celtic.

Kick off at Boundary Park is 3pm and we hope to see as much Mickleover support as we can muster. 

by Peter Scherer

Tuesday night we welcome neighbours Belper Town to the Don Amott Arena in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, with some familiar faces in their squad.

Mickleover will be hoping to bounce back from their disappointing visit to Halesowen last Saturday and it will be the first chance for home supporters to see new signing Leon Clarke in action.

The Nailers are currently in the Northern Premier League East, having been relegated from the Northern Premier after just one season.

Lee Attenborough has been manager since January, having previously been at Corby Town and Loughborough Dynamo. In his playing career he was also at Loughborough, along with Leek Town and Coalville.

Coach Matt Wain also came from Corby with Attenborough.

They have recently suffered three successive league defeats, including a 1-7 result at Stockton, but still lie fifth in the table after a good start to the season.

Jonathan Hedge and former skippers Phil Watt and Mason Warren all moved from Mickleover to Belper in pre-season.

Hedge was first choice keeper, but they have recently signed Jason Alexander from Basford, following Hedge’s departure. A former Chesterfield Junior, he played Boston Utd, Clipstone, Worksop, Loughborough Dynamo and Corby Town too, but is yet to make his debut.

Watt has scored five goals for the Nailers this season and is team captain, while Warren has two as well.

Centre back Declan Dunn was another pre-season arrival, from Basford. A former Notts County Junior, he was also loaned to Grantham before Magpies release.

Cam Johnson started his career with Doncaster Rovers, before going to Rossington Main on his release.  Matlock, Deeping, Boston Utd and Tamworth followed, before the striker went back to Deeping in January 2019.

Peterborough Sports, Spalding and Stamford followed, before an 18-month spell at Gainsborough preceded his pre-season arrival at Belper.

Midfielder Rev James was another pre-season arrival from Basford. An ex Rotherham Junior, he was loaned to Basford prior to joining Oxford Utd on his release in 2019.

His next stop was Tamworth, before a second spell at Basford, during which he was loaned to Nuneaton. That stay became permanent, until he returned to Basford again last February.

Defender Ben Algar was a Sheffield United and Chesterfield Junior and made 15 league appearances for the Spireites before being released and then short periods with Burton Albion and Mansfield Town followed, before joining Matlock Town. 

He moved to the US in 2011, playing for FC New York and following his UK return has played for has played at Frickley Athletic, AFC Mansfield and Maltby Main.

Sidik Atcha is a central defender or midfielder, signed from from Shepshed Dynamo in 2019. He previously played under the Nailers manager, Lee Attenborough at Corby Town and at Loughborough Dynamo but has also appeared for Harborough Town, AFC Rushden & Diamonds, St Ives Town, Soham Town Rangers and Daventry Town.

Anthony Mackie is a defender who originally signed for our visitors in January 2019 from Sheffield FC. He is primarily a right full back and started his career at Barnsley, followed by spells at Maltby Main, Goole, Ossett Town and Sheffield FC, with a second spell at Belper preceding a move to Handsworth. He came back to Belper again in the summer.

Ben Rhodes is an attacking right back, signed from Worksop Town in summer 2020. He can play anywhere in the back four. He has also played for at Stocksbridge Park Steels on a dual registration spell with Penistone Church. He also won the Manager’s Player of the Season award in 2022/23.

Fellow defender Danny South originally joined the Nailers during summer 2018, having played at Sheffield FC, Frickley Athletic, Ossett Town and Ossett Albion.

He was part of the promotion team to the NPL Premier Division in 2022/23, but moved to Ossett United in October 2022, before returning pre-season.

Keiran Walker is a defender too, and was previously at Long Eaton Utd, Boston Utd, Rainworth MW, Hucknall and Carlton Town.

Midfielder Lewis Austin is a product of the Nailers own Academy. He made his first team debut against Ashbourne Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, in December 2022 and scored.

Adam Bessadi is a midfielder too, signed pre-season from Kirby Muxloe. He started his career at  Aylesbury Town and Wantage Town and is currently a student in Leicester. 

Curtis Burrows is a midfielder, who began at his youth football with Burton Albion. He then went to Ilkeston Town,  making his first team debut in April 2013. After a loan spell at Grantham, he joined  Coalville Town, before a move to Loughborough Dynamo in March 2019. He was at Corby with manager Attenborough and arrived at Belper in February 2023.

An experienced midfielder, James Cadman came from Ossett Utd in the summer. He was at Scarborough Athletic too, where he played a big role in their promotion to the National League North in 2021/22. Originally a Rotherham United academy player, he has played for Harrogate Town, Stalybridge Celtic, Hyde United and Mickleover too.

Luke Martin is a holding midfielder who had impressed manager Lee Attenborough at Loughborough Students. Another pre-season signing, who can play almost anywhere.

Striker Kevin Bastos arrived pre-season too from Loughborough Dynamo, where he scored 16 goals with 17 assists for last season. He was previously at Tamworth, Basford, Spalding, Ilkeston Town and Grantham. 

Fellow striker Brodie Litchfield was another pre-season signing, but a returnee. A former Sheffield United youngster, Brodie he went to Bracken Moor on his release, before a move to FC United of Manchester. His stay with the FC United was brief and he soon moved to Gainsborough.

He had a spell at Mickleover too, before moving to Ossett United and joined the Nailers just before the season curtailment in March 2020. He then left at the end of the 2022/23 season to join Basford United but rejoined last month.

Toby Gregory is a young attacking midfielder, signed from Worksop. He has played for Sheffield FC too.

Josh Ashman is the newest signing. A former Sheffield Wednesday junior centre back, he has just arrived from Guiseley initially on a months loan.

Kick off at the Don Amott is 7.45!!

by Peter Scherer

Following last weekends home win over Nuneaton, Mickleover were looking to make it two in a row as they visited Halesowen Town. But with a goal in each half from the hosts, it proved to be a second successive away defeat.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Matty Bowman 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: Stuart Beavon, Kian Riley, Dan Bradley, Fin Ryder, Will Trueman.

Despite the sub-zero temperatures, the Halesowen ground staff had done a remarkable job to get the game on.

It was the hosts who were first on the attack, with a first minute effort just past the right-hand post. Six minutes later there was another break with Miracle Okafor chasing, but Bosworth was quick off his line to intercept.

Barnes had a slight chance 11 minutes in, but managed to earn a corner, but possession was fairly even, with both sides seeking to push forward.

Mickleover’s first real chance came after 17 minutes, when keeper Dan Platt was still out of his goal following an earlier save, when Dales tried to lob the ball over the keeper. Unfortunately it was over the bar too.

For a moment it looked like Mickleover had the lead, when after 20 minutes Greaves dispossessed a defender on the right, crossed to find Clarke who tucked it cleanly away, only to be flagged offside.

Sault then burst through from midfield and almost found Barnes in space on the right, before Barnes was in the thick of it again, shooting well off target after a nice turn.

Both Bennett and Bowman were finding their overlaps well marked, but both Greaves and Sault were trying to progress, but lack of success provided little contact with the twin strikers.

There had been some sustained pressure on the Mickleover goal and after 33 mins Bosworth had saved a free kick but in the scramble to clear, Todd Parker scored from close range, with Bosworth already committed. 0-1.

Our hosts had another header over the bar four minutes later and they went close again just before half time, when Okafor beat Delap, but was closed down by Mann and shot well wide.

With the whistle poised Clarke made a nice flick left, and although Greaves and Barnes were in the box, it came to nought.

It was Halesowen on the attack again as the second half got underway, earning a corner one minute into the restart. But it was the 48^th minute that caught out the Sports defence. A cross from the right was headed back and Caine Elliott smashed the ball beyond Bosworth’s outstretched left hand into the top corner, 0-2.

The hosts went close again with a 50^th minute free kick, earning another corner from Bosworth’s save.

Trueman then came on for Sault, but Bosworth was forced to palm away another powerful shot from Donnelly, which was followed by a succession of corners.

Bennett managed to break free and pulled a telling cross into the box from the right, Greaves was almost on it but it was cleared for a corner. But as the hour mark was reached, Bosworth was again in action, with two excellent saves from distance shots.

It was another Bennett led attack that came close to pulling one back after 65 minutes, but the ball rolled agonisingly wide of the right-hand post.

Trueman almost found Clarke’s head from a 67^th minute corner and then Delap pushed forward, connected with Barnes, but the shot was wide.

Apart from a couple of first half errors the home defence were coping with anything Mickleover could throw at them, but they were still looking dangerous on the break. Donnelly went on a charge after 71 minutes, but fired wide of the right-hand post, and went close again from a corner two minutes later.

Bradley came on for Delap, before Dales managed to pull one back, with a nice tap in by the left-hand post after some dogged work down the right by Greaves. 1-2.

Halesowen continued to attack and despite hopes of an equaliser, Mickleover continued to lose out. Okafor had an easy chance in front of goal and missed completely, while Sports last chance came from a low driving cross from the left by Clarke, which missed Barnes and went straight to the keeper.

Unlike the defeats at Stratford and Kettering, Sports never really got going in this encounter and we now go back into Cup action, with Belper Town at home on Tuesday and our FA Trophy visit to Oldham Athletic next Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Following the 2-0 home win against Nuneaton Borough last weekend, it’s back on the road for Mickleover this weekend. 

With Andre Wright now out for the season and skipper Ryan Wilson still on the injured list, hopefully the rest of the  squad will be available.

We are visiting eighth placed Halesowen Town FC, managed by Paul Smith, with assistant Gary Whild and coach Martin Riley.

Smith took the team to promotion last season, having first taken charge in April 2019. He left in October 2022, but after only five months away was back at the helm again. He has also managed at Bromsgrove, Highgate and Redditch.

Whild worked at Kidderminster, Solihull Moors, Macclesfield, Barnet and Redditch, before joining our hosts in May.

Riley is still registered as a player too, a centre back and pre-season signing from Redditch. After starting as a youth player at Wolves, his career has taken him to Kidderminster, Cheltenham, Mansfield, Wrexham, Tranmere, Halifax, Alfreton, Hereford, Stourbridge, Tamworth and Hednesford, before arriving at Redditch in January 2023, after two months at Stratford, with over 100 league two games under his belt.

Our hosts were second in the table early on, before consecutive home defeats to Nuneaton and Hitchin. They have won all but one of their home games since then, and only lost away at Stourbridge and Needham Market. 

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

Four years later he had a brief spell at Hednesford, before two seasons at Bromsgrove preceded his current stay.

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

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

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

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

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

Caine Elliott has recently arrived back after a loan spell at Rugby Town, from where he was signed in July.  A young central midfielder. He had previously spent two years at Stratford.

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

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

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

Midfielder George Cater started out at West Brom too., before moving on to Kidderminster. His next move was Stafford Rangers, followed by Hednesford and Chasetown. He spent last season with Tamworth and was another pre-season arrival.

Josh Hawker is another pre-signing and another midfielder. He is an ex Birmingham City Junior, who played for Leamington and Redditch, before first arriving at Halesowen in July 2019. After three years he went to Stratford, where he spent last season.

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

Fellow striker Simon Cobourne is in his third spell at Halesowen. He started at Coleshill and moved on via Solihull Moors, Heather St.John and Romulus before his first stay with our hosts in November 2019. 

He left to join Rushall 18 months later, but was back after three months. He then started this season back at Coleshill, but returned again after just seven weeks.

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

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

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

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

Defender Rob Evans only left the club in May to join Coleshill after four years and over well over 100 appearances, and has recently returned. 

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

Defender Owen Woodhouse came straight from his release at Forest Green in the summer, after an 11 year stay. He was previously at the Wolves and Walsall Academies.

Striker Luke Postle and defender Ethan Green have also come into the squad recently, both products of their own youth scheme.

Kick off is 3pm and hopefully the forecasted frosts won’t cause too many concerns with the grass pitch.

by Peter Scherer

Two first half goals returned Mickleover to winning ways, seeing off form team Nuneaton Borough to consolidate our top of the table position.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Lewis Cunningham 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Sault 9-Fin Ryder 10-Narcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Will Trueman, Stuart Beavon, Dan Bradley, Kian Riley, Matty Bowman.

It was a lively start to the game with Nuneaton earning a corner in the second minute, before Barnes got on the end of a Mickleover break, with a shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Sports were almost through again two minutes later, after a scramble in the Nuneaton box, was finally cleared.

Both Cunningham and Bennett were soon making progress on the overlaps and after a good build up down the right, the cross missed everyone, before Cunningham followed up  but shot well over.

Barely 15 minutes into his debut Cunningham was down injured and had to be replaced by Bowman, making his home debut.

The confidence was visibly building though with Atkinson in more of a playmaker role, setting Sault, Dales and Greaves on telling runs.

17 minutes in and Dales cut in from the left, let fly with a hard shot, saved by keeper Jezeph, before rebounding clear. Bowman then had a quick one two with Dales, but the final shot was over the bar.

As the completion of the first half hour approached, a lovely build up down the left again with Bowman and Dales found Greaves in the box. He managed to create a shooting opportunity, but it was straight at the keeper.

Ryder had been holding the ball well, but when he was fouled on the edge of the box, Greaves’ following free kick was straight at the wall.

The pressure on the visitors defence had continued to build and after 32 minutes, Jezeph had committed himself and both Dales and Greaves managed to get shots in, before the keeper recovered the situation.

Only a minute later Barnes had almost broken through. He still got shot in but it was just wide again, before Dales charged in to have another crack over the bar.

Finally the ball went in after 36 minutes, but it followed a another scramble in the Nuneaton box, before Bowman got his foot to the ball and it was 1-0.

Ryder had held the ball for Dales to have a 39^th minute shot, but it was over again, but goal number two followed in time added on, when a nice through ball found Barnes on the right, as he cut in and slotted it neatly past the advancing Jezeph 2-0.

“A nice half turn and slotted it in, great adrenaline rush after that and I need that to carry me into the next few games,” said Barnes.

Nuneaton had a late shot wide of the mark to conclude a first half, which had been a positive all- round performance from Mickleover.

Although Nuneaton seemed to up their pace at the start of the second half, Mickleover were soon on the attack again, and went close after 49 minutes.

After a few minutes of Nuneaton pressure had been capably dealt with my Mann, Delap, Bennett and Bowman in the Sports defence, Ryder latched onto a 52nd minute break, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

Barnes had another attempt high and wide, before Mann charged out of defence, but his long ball was just a bit too long for Ryder.

Into the final half hour both Sault and Greaves found themselves hacked down just outside the box. Greaves took both free kicks, the first was on target and well held by Jezeph, the second was layed off to Sault, whose powerful shot was palmed away by the keeper.

Mickleover continued to press for a third, but mindful of any breaks from the visitors. But each attempt Nuneaton had to break free, was dealt with by positively by Delap and Mann.

An 85^th minute cross from Bowman, just missed Ryder’s head and a minute later Sault had another shot saved. Greaves then put another free kick into the wall, but with one minute of normal time left, Nuneaton did get a break, crossed from the left, before Lita fired it well over the bar, leaving Bosworth untroubled.

Into injury time there was more chance for Mickleover, when a Bowman cross to Ryder, was nicely layed off for Barnes, but a unco-operative bounce caused the striker to miskick and the chance was gone.

Trueman played a short cameo role after subbing for Ryder, but the whistle went securing the 2-0 victory, leaving Sports five points clear still.