by Peter Scherer

It’s all getting tight at the top as we start to look at the run into the end of the season. Four points off second place at present with a better goal difference than Redditch, despite last weeks Royston defeat,  and we pay Redditch a visit too in a week on Saturday fortnight.

Skipper Ryan Wilson successfully came through his comeback game and is poised as he rejoined the squad, while Joe Bateman is still about two weeks away.

We welcome Kettering Town on Saturday, where Jim La Masurier had been in charge at Latimer Park since November, but in the last week he has now become assistant with Tom Cherry, while former assistant Richard Lavery now takes charge.

It’s been a difficult season both on and off the field for the Poppies, since their relegation from the National League North. Currently 18^th in the league with two wins in the last 10 games, they have been on the end of some heavy defeats. Despite their problems they were still 2-0 winners when we paid them a visit in November. 

Last weekend they drew 0-0 at home to our fellow promotion hopefuls Leamington.

First choice goalkeeper Dan Jezeph came from Nuneaton four weeks ago. He was at Alvechurch last season, where he had spent two seasons since arriving from Worcester City. He is a former Walsall youth player and has also played for Tamworth.

Until Jezeph’s arrival Bill Johnson had been first choice, having arrived from Braintree pre-season. A former Norwich City Junior, he was loaned to Lowestoft and Braintree, before a permanent move to Stevenage on his release. He has returned to Braintree on numerous occasions, after spells at Gloucester City and Leiston too.

Skipper Lewis White is a centre back that started with Shepshed Dynamo. He then spent almost two years at Corby before joining our visitors for the start of last season. He had a spell with Coventry City as a youngster and also played for Oadby Owls.

Kelvin Langmead was a pre-season arrival, but brought with him vast experience of 400 mainly league two appearances. Initially a Junior at Preston North End, he had loan spells at Tamworth, Carlisle and Kidderminster, before signing for Shrewsbury on his release. Peterborough, Northampton and Ebbsfleet followed, before a loan back at Kidderminster preceded a move to Nuneaton.

After two season he spent a year each at Harrogate and Brackley, before becoming a Poppy after three years with Banbury. He is also assistant manager.

Central midfielder Harry Reilly started his career in the US with Rio Red Storm, being loaned to Mississippi too. He returned to the UK with Stratford Town in August 2020, moving on to Daventry, before a year at Banbury preceded his arrival at Kettering in August 2022.

Dan Jarvis is a central midfielder too, having started off as a Stoke City Junior. He went to Wrexham on his release, before joining Gateshead in July 2022. He was loaned to Hereford too, before arriving at Kettering pre-season

Fellow striker Tyrone Lewthwaite is a former Northern Ireland Under 19 International. He started his career with Watford and Rotherham, before going to Hampton & Richmond. He then moved on to Chesham, Beaconsfield and Aylesbury Utd, before joining Kettering in October 2022 after three months at Bedford.

Left back Ben Toseland was a Northampton Town Junior. He went to Peterborough Sports on his release, before spending 2 ½ years at St.Ives prior to his Kettering move in July 2022.

Rhys Sharpe is a left back and former Northern Ireland Under 21 International, with League Two experience. He was a former Rams Academy player, but after a loan at Shrewsbury Town, he joined Notts County. He then had a short spell at Swindon, before going to Matlock Town, Tamworth and Nuneaton. He came to Kettering in November 2020 after a month at Stratford.

Centre back Lathaniel Rowe-Turner is an ex-League One and Two player who started at Leicester City. He was loaned to Cheltenham, Redditch and Kings Lynn before a permanent move to Torquay. Two years later he moved to Luton and after an initial loan, moved on to Alfreton Town.

He then joined Kidderminster and was loaned to Nuneaton in January 2016. A return spell at Torquay was followed by spells at Chester, Kettering and Tamworth, before spending a year at Stourbridge prior to returning to Nuneaton in July 2022. He came to Kettering last month along with team mate Jezeph.

Former Sunderland Junior midfielder Tom Scott was on loan from the Black Cats last season. He briefly joined Banbury at the start of this season, but soon made his move to Latimer Park.

Gedeon Okito is a left-back who came through the MK Dons U18’s Academy. He has played for Dunstable Town, Stratford Town and AFC Dunstable, before signing from Banbury pre-season.

Midfielder Huw Dawson was another pre-season signing from St.Albans.

Winger Bruno Andrade was a QPR Junior, who was loaned to Aldershot, Wycombe and Stevenage, before joining Woking on his release. Boreham Wood, Lincoln City and Maidenhead are also former clubs, before he joined Chesham last September. He signed for Kettering on Boxing Day.

Jack Degruchy is an attacking midfielder on loan from Doncaster Rovers. He started off at York City, but during his time at Doncaster, he had made one first team appearance and been loaned out to FC United and Marske Utd.

Luca Miller is a young striker that came through the clubs own Academy. He has also played for Desborough Town and Harborough.

Northern Ireland Under 19 International right back Phoenix Scholtz is on loan from MK Dons, similarly Neo Dobson, a young Northampton Town striker and George Forsyth a midfielder from Telford.

Forsyth has been captaining the side and started out at Kidderminster Harriers. After loans at Halesowen and Gloucester City, he joined Worcester City. He has also played for Stourbridge, Hereford and Bromsgrove, before joining Kettering on loan in November 2022. His move became permanent in February last year, before going to Telford at the start of this season, only to return in July on a season long loan.

Midfielder Kobe Chong has just arrived on loan from Kings Lynn. He was previously at and was a  West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster, before moving to Cagliari in Sicily.

Finally midfielder Michael Reindorf-Junior is a new signing too. A former Norwich City Junior je started out at Leyton Orient.

Kick off at usual at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm, with all the usual bar & catering facilities.

by Peter Scherer

Despite a consolation Andy Dales goal in the second half, Mickleover were soundly beaten on their visit to Royston Town, after three defensive blunders.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Dan Bradley 5-Will Tamen 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Tyrell Waite 10-Wil Bapaga 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Oli Greaves, Stuart Beavon, Kyle Rowley, Brendon Daniels, Will Atkinson.

Mickleover were first to get a shot in when Dales had a second minute attempt blocked on the edge of the box.

But play soon switched to the other end, with a Bennett clearance giving Royston the first corner of the game. As the ball came in from the right, the defence were left flat footed and Ridd failed to move off his line, seeing the ball almost roll into the goal on his inside post from Johnson’s effort and it was 0-1 after just three minutes.

Over the next 10 to 15 minutes Mickleover continued to look vulnerable to any attack, as they struggled to break out of their own half.

Ridd handed Royston another chance when a poor free kick to Trueman put the midfielder under immediate pressure, but fortunately they weren’t able to capitalise on the opportunity.

Mickleover had one good move led by Bennett after 14 minutes. Having reached the edge of the box, a sequence of excessive passing lost the chance and the ball was cleared. 

Barnes did manage to create some space and did have a shot a minute later, just wide of the left-hand post. Bennett then attacked again down the right, set up Bapaga for the cross, which was cleared for a corner.

Wilson put his corner close into the keeper, causing Chadwick to punch the ball away under pressure.

The referee seemed to be giving an excess of free kicks, with the majority against Mickleover, but fortunately the hosts failed to create much from them. There was also a penalty shout when Esan dived into the box.

After 28 minutes there was another shot just over the bar for our hosts after Bapaga lost out in midfield. But Royston were shooting on sight, unlike Mickleover who had a more skilful build up, but failed to get a shot in on most occasions.

Apart from the sloppy early goal the back four of Bennett, Mann, Tamen and Wilson had coped with any forays into their territory, with both Bennett and Wilson trying to build the attacks down the wings.

Bapaga had started well but faded and despite Trueman’s hard work the midfield were struggling to progress.

After 30 minutes Dales put in a good cross from the left and Waite’s follow up shot was blocked, before the following corner was easily cleared.

Five minutes later a long ball out of defence by Tamen found Barnes, he tried a shot on target, but it failed to trouble Chadwick again.

For the last 10 minutes of the first half their seemed more urgency from Sports and after some nice interplay on the left between Wilson and Dales, the ball fell to Bradley, but an awkward bounce at the critical moment saw his effort go wide of the right-hand post.

Bennett and Waite both fired in shots that were blocked and then a late free kick was headed clear by Royston skipper Murray.

In time added on Waite came closest to grabbing an equaliser, when another Dales cross from the left was met beautifully by the strikers head. But Chadwick had the measure of it and tipped it over the bar, so it remained 0-1 as the whistle went.

There were no changes in the Mickleover team for the second half, but there was a flurry of attacking activity before falling back into a similar pattern to the first half.

Dales shouted for a penalty after going down in the box to a fair tackle and both Trueman and Bennett tried to battle through before their paths were blocked.

Royston had another effort just over the bar from a 56^th minute corner and almost on the hour a hardworking Barnes got clear on the right. His cross came in but was straight through the box, with no one making contact.

Greaves then came on for Bapaga and was straight into the action, but his cross from the right was cleared by the defence.

A few minutes later Dales sent a crossfield ball to Bennett. His right-wing cross was met by Barnes’ head, but straight at the keeper.

Mickleover’s efforts for the equaliser were dashed after 63 minutes though, when another corner gave away another soft goal. There seemed no one taking charge in the box and Coldicott-Stevens was almost surprised that his effort struck goal. 0-2.

Barnes tried a long shot but was well wide, just before striking partner Waite was replaced by Beavon.

Despite Mickleover’s lack of cohesion, it was only two defence blunders that separated the teams and after 73 minutes they finally pulled a goal back. Greaves outran the defence on the right and his cross was met by Dales’ head at close range 1-2.

Into the final 15 minutes and there was a glimpse of the determination we have been used to and maybe a chance to get something out of the game. But the extra push forward left the back vulnerable, and after Trueman lost out in midfield, Harness was clear for Royston but shot well over the bar.

Bradley put a cross in from the right but Beavon just missed connecting after 80 minutes. Eight minutes later it was hard to see how the ball didn’t find the net for a Mickleover equaliser, after a huge scramble in the hosts goal mouth. There were players on the ground and shots reigning in, but luck was definitely on Royston’s side as Murray finally cleared Bennett shot.

From a near equaliser it was game over as Coldicott-Stevens scored his second and another easy dead ball situation goal which the defence failed to deal with, 1-3.

With eight minutes added on it was to get worse, as Williams got a break and fired home number four. Barnes tried his luck again in the final minutes and Ridd made a late diving save, but 1-4 it was.

A point looked more than achievable against a side that found success with a more basic style play. The three goal winning margin probably flattered them too, but three defensive blunders was to prove decisive as Mickleover’s fire never got beyond the smouldering stage.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s another trip down the M1 and A14 for Mickleover this Saturday, when we face ninth in the table Royston.

Mickleover go into the game a point off Redditch in third place, but with a superior goal difference. Having come through Tuesday’s reserve match, club captain Ryan Wilson could be back in the squad and with fellow injury returnee Joe Bateman about two weeks off full fitness, there is plenty f choice for the starting line-up.

Chris Watters team have had an up and down season, when after a run of five games undefeated, they have only managed one point in the last three, having lost 1-3 at Leamington last week.

Having ended last season on loan from Cambridge Utd, goalkeeper Louis Chadwick is back on a season long loan. He has also been loaned to St.Neots, Cambridge City and Brentwood.

Left back James Brighton is an ex Birmingham City Junior. He joined Cambridge Utd on his release and was loaned to Hemel and Cambridge City before a permanent move to the latter. He joined our hosts in November 2019 after four years at Kettering.

Experienced defender and captain Adam Murray had played for Cambridge City before arriving at Royston, but well over 200 appearances later he is still a main stay of the side.

Ronnie Henry was a Tottenham youth team player, who was loaned to Southend before making a permanent move to Dublin City in 2004.He then spent seven years at Stevenage, before joining Luton Town, only to return again two years later. Another five years on he joined Billericay, from where Royston signed him in May ’21. He is also Grandson of ex Tottenham double winning defender Ron Henry.

Centre back Mackye Townsend-West was on loan from Stevenage, having previously been loaned to St.Albans. He made the permanent move in July.

Striker Samson Esan came in pre-season from Maidenhead. He started out at Enfield and signed for Maidenhead July 2022, after a spell at Potters Bar. He was also loaned to Chelmsford and back to Potters Bar before his release. 

Josh Coldicott-Stevens was at Hitchin for over three years, before coming to our visitors at the start of the season. Another midfielder, he has also played for Boreham Wood and Kings Langley.

Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite is a young defender who started out at Tottenham Hotspur, before moving to Luton. He has played for Potton Utd, Carshalton, Potters Bar, Welling and Maldon & Tiptree too.

Sam Mvemba is a left back signed from Canvey Island in November. He started at Bishops Stortford and has played for Brightlingsea and Carshalton Athletic too.

Right back Ed Asafu-Adjaye is in his fifth season at Garden Walk. Originally a Luton Town Junior, he had loans at Salisbury and Histon before joining Forest Green on his release in 2012.

He then had three years at Hemel before coming to Royston, then after a year he joined Hayes & Yeading, he came back to our hosts exactly a year later.

Midfielder Alfie Williams was on loan from Stevenage until the end of last season, before making his stay permanent in July. He started at Tottenham’s Academy Under 12’s but since joining Stevenage he was loaned to Biggleswade, Kings Langley, Hemel and Hayes & Yeading too.

Kian Harness is a young striker who ahs come through the clubs own youth scheme. He has already scored five goals in 11 appearances this season.

Similarly Fabio Virciglio is another product of the youth scheme, having broken into the first team squad this season.

Attacking midfielder Demaray Anyadike was a pre-Christmas arrival from Walthamstow Avenue. A former Southend Utd junior, he played for Harlow Town and Hullbridge Sports too.

Charlie Johnson is a centre back, who returned to his home town club from St.Ives in November. A former Cambridge Utd youngster, he has also played for Yaxley, St.Neots and Bury Town.

The most recent signing is Andronicus Georgiou from Braintree earlier this month. He started at Stevenage and was loaned to Kings Langley, St.Albans and Hendon, before joining Wycombe on his release. 

He moved on to Haringey and after return spells at both Kings Langley and St.Albans, he was at Braintree for a month before coming to our hosts.

Kick off at Garden Walk is 3pm and your SUPPORT WOULD BE WELCOMED.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

For the second successive week it was an injury time winner that secured the three points for Mickleover, but this time it was skipper Ethan Mann on target AGAINST Bromsgrove Sporting.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Will Tamen 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Dan Bradley 9-Tyrell Waite 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Marcus Barnes, Brendon Daniels, Blaine Rowe, Will Trueman, Will Bapaga.

After a pacey start it was Mickleover first to test the keeper, when Dales cut in from the left after four minutes, to fire in a close range shot, well saved by Bromsgrove keeper Ollie Taylor.

Cooper then tried his luck for the visitors, but his attempt was blocked four minutes later. But Cooper was tending lead the Bromsgrove attacks, and 13 minutes in his deflected cross was safely taken by Ridd in the Mickleover goal.

Both sides were continuing to try and push forward and Greaves tested Taylor again from a tight angle after 15 minutes, but once again the keeper had it covered.

White and Shaw combined to challenge the home defence again, but Shaw’s final effort was just over the bar with 20 minutes gone.

There was a blow though for Mickleover though when Dolan went off injured after 23 minutes, replaced by Daniels, who was making his debut for the club.

Mann and Tamen had things covered at the back for Mickleover, but with 10 minutes of the first half left, Shaw managed to close down a promising Mickleover attack.

Newall had a volley blocked just before half time for the visitors and Beavon had a header just off target, so as the half time whistle went it remained 0-0.

Barnes came on for Dales as they re-appeared for the second half and only seven minutes into the half debutant Bapaga came on for Atkinson too.

Daniels managed to test keeper Taylor again with a free kick after 55 minutes, but he palmed it away, before the action moved to the other end, as Shaw had a shot just wide, before trying narrow angled shot after 67 minutes, but Ridd had it covered too.

Both sides had continued to have chances, but nothing was manging to find the net. Waite latched onto a cross after 74 minutes, but headed wide, and another header went over the bar five minutes later.

Time was running out, but with the customary add on, the deadlock was finally broken. Daniels free kick on the left came into the box, and Mann had a clear run in from the right to fire it past Taylor, and after 93 minutes it was 1-0. 

Rowe had one last shot for Bromsgrove, but it was game over and another valuable three points for Mickleover.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s back on home turf for Mickleover this weekend, when they face strugglers Bromsgrove Sporting at the Don Amott Arena.

Fresh from our postponed visit to Coalville on Tuesday night, Sports manager has a number of options in his starting line-up, with both players due back from injury and five new signings over the last two weeks.

Our visitors are currently 17^th in the table with only two wins in their last 12 matches, which led to the dismissal of manager Michael McGrath following last Saturday’s defeat at home to Leamington.

Bromsgrove’s first choice goalkeeper Ollie Taylor was signed from Alvechurch in December 2021 and has also played for Redditch. He is the son of former Birmingham City keeper Maik.

Midfielder Tristan Dunkley started in the Birmingham City Youth team, before joining Loughborough in 2014. He joined Hednesford two years later and then Worcester City, before being loaned to Halesowen, and a permanent move to Solihull Moors.

Stops at Rushall, Tamworth, Alvechurch, Barwell and Corby followed, before Bromsgrove signed him from Bedworth Utd towards the end of last season.

Midfielder Conor Tee was signed from Rushden in February 2023. He is an ex Leicester City Junior, who joined Brackley Town following his release. He then spent a year at South Shields before moving to Rushden at the beginning of last season.

Miro Pais is a young winger and has been at Bromsgrove for a couple of years, having come through their own youth scheme, to get his break in the first team squad.

Defender or midfielder Ayo Lekuti came on loan from Northampton in January 2023 and returned to our visitors again in September.

Right back Aksum White was one of the pre-season signings. He was a West Bromwich Albion Junior before joining Tamworth in 2021. After a loan to Sporting Khalsa, he moved to Worcester Raiders, and he also played for Coleshill Town, before spending last season at Stratford.

Luke Rowe is a central midfielder and another pre-season acquisition. He started last season at Hednesford, after a move from Redditch, but spent the second half at Telford. He is also the club captain,

Midfielder Jack Newell is a former Northampton Junior, who joined Barwell on his release. He then came to Bromsgrove in July 2021, but was loaned out to Highgate Utd, before becoming a regular first team member.

Midfielder Callum King-Harmes is a former Wales under 15 International, who started his career with Bolton Wanderers. He made five League One starts and was also loaned out to Bamber Bridge, before going to Hednesford on his release. 

He spent most of 20/21 at Sutton Coldfield and came to Bromsgrove at the beginning of last season.

Defender Aaron Roberts returned to Bromsgrove pre-season. The club appearance record holder left in 2019 to join Worcester City, who he captained last season.

Left back Ben O’Hanlon was capped by England at Under 16,17 and 18 levels. A former Wolves Junior, he was loaned to Corby Town, before joining Harrogate. He then joined Darlington who loaned him to Hednesford, before a permanent move to Hednesford preceded a spell at Stourbridge. He spent last season at Ilkeston and came to Bromsgrove pre-season.

Midfielder Billy Shaw arrived at the beginning of this season too from Worcester City and has also played for Halesowen.

Midfielder Keanu Cooper is another pre-season signing and lists Shifnal Town, Westfields and Shawbury among his former clubs.

Striker Keiron Berry came from Gresley Rovers. He started out at West Brom and Walsall and has played for Rushall Olympic, Walsall Wood and Sporting Khalsa too.

Right back Kane Lewis came from Hemel at the start of the season. He started out at Brentford, but moved onto the Liverpool Academy. On his release in 2018 he moved to the Welsh Premier League with The New Saints and Cefn Druids and played in the Europa League. He had five months at St.Ives before starting last year at Hemel.

Kartell Dawkins is a midfielder on loan from Gloucester City. He started out as a Leicester City Junior and was loaned to Rushden & Diamonds, before coming to Bromsgrove on his release in January 2023. He moved to Gloucester at the start of this season, but was loaned back to our visitors in October.

Right sided midfielder Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham is the newest arrival, having signed part way through last month.

He was an ex Walsall Junior who then moved to Tividale. After three years at Market Drayton, he moved on via Corby, Romulus, Redditch, Rushall, Stratford, Tamworth and started last year at Evesham. After a month he moved to Gresley Rovers, where he completed the 22/23 season.

Striker Prince Henry is another new arrival, but a returnee, having only left Bromsgrove to join Redditch last September. He has spent most of his career at Bristol City, but had been loaned out to Hungerford, Yate Town, Tiverton and Bromsgrove, before making his last move permanent at the start of this season.

Former Bromsgrove Junior David Solademi returned this season from Tividale. The defender has been at the Future Pro Academy and had trials with Cardiff City and was last at our visitors in 2021.

Kick off as usual is 3pm with the all the usual bar and catering facilities available.

by Peter Scherer

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 12^th place this season, with only two wins in the last 12 games, who was dismissed after Saturday’s home defeat

With Mickleover not in the best of form, it should be a close encounter on Tuesday evening. But luck was with us at AFC Sudbury where the valuable three points leaves us just one point behind table topping Redditch.

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. Laban was in goal in last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat against Leiston.

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 squad though, 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 last month 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-Ngomi returned 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.

Former England Under 21 striker Leroy Lita has played in every division of the football league, making over 350 appearances and scoring over 100 goals. 

He started at Bristol City and was the sold to Reading. Loans at Charlton and Norwich followed, before he made a permanent move to Middlesbrough. Then a £2 million pound move took him to Swansea in 2011, but was loaned again to Brighton before a move to Barnsley. 

A loan at Notts County came next, before he headed AO Chania in Crete. He returned to the UK with Yeovil Town, before going to Sisaket FC in Thailand.

Margate, Haverhill, Salisbury and Chelmsford were his next stops, before going to Nuneaton for the first time in July 2020. After two years he left for Stratford and after a move to Hednesford, he finished last season at Ilkeston.

He came to Coalville last month, having started the season with Nuneaton.

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 singing too, but is out of action with 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.

Kick off as usual is 7.45 and YOUR SUPPORT WOULD BE WELCOMED.

by Peter Scherer

Having beaten AFC Sudbury 5-0 at home earlier this season, hopes of taking three points from the strugglers was fairly high, but right from the kick off it was another story.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhyas Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Will Tamen 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Dan Bradley 9-Fin Ryder 10-Tyrell Waite 11-Ben Sault. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Brendon Daniels, Kyle Rowley, Oli Greaves, Marcus Barnes.

It couldn’t have started much worse for Mickleover, with the hosts awarded a free kick following a Bradley foul. The defence failed to clear the ball and with Ridd routed to his line, Joe Neal fired into the bottom corner, 0-1 with just 40 seconds on the clock.

The goal had given Sudbury extra confidence and they continued to try and push forward, but Sault had a shot blocked after three minutes, after both Ryder and Waite had tried too.

Gradually Mickleover began to fightback, with Sault again leading by example, until his 13^th minute run ended when he was fouled. Bradley’s free kick came to nought but progress was made.

Dales had the first of his runs four minutes later, he cut in from the left and let fly, with home keeper Bradbrook getting a touch on the ball to send it wide of the left-hand post.

Midfield were struggling though and the defence came under more pressure, with Ridd having to save again from a Hunter strike, after possession had been lost in the middle.

Ryder and Bennett combined well but their 26^th minute effort was blocked again, but on the half hour Waite should have scored the equaliser. Bradley was clear in the middle and found Waite in acres of space on the left. The striker cut in and shot, put his effort was wide of the right-hand post, with the keeper beaten.

Dales put in another cross from the left which was headed clear, before Neal had another chance for the hosts after 37 minutes, when he came out on top of a duel with Mann, but despite having a clear run on goal he shot wide.

Despite the growing flow of attacks, Mickleover were failing to create any clear-cut chances, but 39 minutes in and the game took a dramatic turn. Dales was clear on a break and keeper Bradbrook came charging off his line, wiping out Dales with a foot high in the air. It was a straight red card and with no sub keeper on the bench, Romario Dunne went in goal, having already had a yellow card himself a few minutes earlier.

Once play eventually resumed, Bradley’s free kick sailed high over the bar. Four minutes were added to the eight remaining, during which time Sports failed to test the sub keeper, so it remained 0-1 at half time.

Mickleover made two changes for the second half with Barnes and Greaves on for Bradley and Ryder.

It was Sudbury on the attack again however with Napa shooting just wide of the left-hand post, before Greaves hit the bar after 50 minutes, with Dunne beaten.

Barnes then ran clear on the left and fed the ball inside to Bennett, his shot hit the keepers leg bounced off the post and back into his hands.

Far too many yellow cards had been dished out to both sides, but Mickleover still hadn’t managed to really challenge the sub keeper and Sudbury continued to look dangerous on the breaks.

But debutant Tamen was looking more solid in the second half and forming a formidable centre back duo with Mann, while both Bennett and Dolan were trying to push forward.

Another Barnes cross from the right 69 minutes in found Waite in the middle, he placed the ball nicely into the back of the net but it was flagged offside.

Barnes was then tripped on the edge of the box but no foul given.

With 12 minutes on the clock Beavon came on for Sault, but is was proving hard work for Mickleover as their play just wasn’t gelling.

It was close again after 81 minutes, with a scramble in the crowded Sudbury goal mouth. Numerous attempts to shoot followed, before the defence cleared the danger.

Two minutes later Dolan was on a run from the left and brought down in the area. The penalty appeals weren’t that vociferous, but the referee pointed to the spot and Greaves duly converted, 1-1.

Barnes fired another attempt over the bar, before another Sudbury attack came close when Ridd missed a punch as he came off his line.

Into time added on Dales hit the far upright from a free kick after Dunne got a hand to it, but then in the 97^th minute Dales crossed from the left and Beavon poached the winner from close range 2-1.

It was a poor all round performance from Mickleover, but so many times look has turned against us, but this time it certainly didn’t. 

We are now just one point off top spot again in third, with Tuesday’s visit to Coalville on the horizon.

 

by Peter Scherer

After two consecutive league games of mixed fortunes, it’s back on the road when we visit AFC Sudbury on Saturday. Back in September we were 5-0 victors in the parallel fixture, thanks to an Andree Wright hattrick.

Marc Abott’s side and currently 19^th in the table, with three wins in the last 10 games, the last being a 1-0 victory over Needham Market.

Despite our own form problems, we are still in the play-off positions and with a number of players almost fit from injury, the future will be interesting.

Goalkeeper James Bradbrook was the clubs first summer signing from Stowmarket Town. He started out at Needham Market, before joining Brightlingsea Regent. After a loan spell at Stowmarket his stay became permanent.

Right back Joe Tarpey was another new pre-season signing. A former Cambridge Utd Junior, he spent last season on loan with St.Neots Town.

Daniel Cousens is a right back too, and is a former Ipswich Junior, who arrived last following his release.

Striker Joe Neal is one of the clubs main goal scorers. Another former Cambridge Utd Junior, he was loaned to Needham Market and St.Neots, before joining Biggleswade after a further loan spell. He moved to St.Albans in February last year, and was another pre-season arrival at Sudbury.

Former Manchester City Academy striker Romario Dunne returned at the start of the season from a cruciate ligament injury after an 18 month absence. He was signed from Cheshunt in June 2021 and had a spell on loan at Braintree too, as well as playing for Brightlingsea Regent and Hadleigh Utd.

Centre back Tom Dickens continued the pre-season signing trend. Another ex Cambridge Utd Junior, he had loans at St.Neots and Chelmsford City before joining Welling Utd on his release. He quickly moved on to Cheshunt, who loaned him back to St.Neots, where he completed last season.

Midfielder Ben Hunter came through Sudbury’s own Academy, before moving to Leiston in June 2021. He came back to the club last season, but had a loan spell at Stowmarket too. He is one of the few Sudbury players remaining from last season.

Centre back Josh Okpolokpo played his early football with Ipswich and Huddersfield, including a loan at Pontefract Collieries, before joining Leiston in September last year. He spent most of last season on loan at Gorleston on a dual registration.

Olumide Oluwatimilehin is a midfielder known as Olu, a summer signing from Haywards Heath. He started at Hoddesdon and has played for Whitehawk, Hornchurch, Wingate & Finchley, Braintree, Kingstonian and Lewes.

Right back Ollie Brown is one of last years team survivors. He came from Stowmarket in June last year.

Defender Reiss Oteng arrived in the summer from Biggleswade, he has played at Haverhill Rovers and West Wratting too.

George Whitehall is the second choice keeper. An ex Cambridge Utd Junior, he was signed from St.Neots, but has played for Whitton Utd and Godmanchester Rovers too, before joining Sudbury’s influx of summer signings.

Central midfielder Reuben Swann is one of the recent Sudbury Academy players to break into the first team., scoring his first senior goal in the FA Cup tie at Mildenhall.

Midfielder or defender Charlie Lewis arrived pre-season from St.Neots, having previously spent a couple of seasons at Histon. 

Malachi Napa has experience in both League One and Two. He is an attacking midfielder who started at Reading, before moving to Oxford Utd. he was loaned to North Leigh, Hampton & Richmond and Macclesfield, before joining Woking on his release.

Stops at Maldon & Tiptree, Wealdstone and Dartford following, before joining Billericay in July, from where he is currently on loan.

Central midfielder Jake Turner is in his third season with our hosts, since coming from Coggeshall. He started out at Braintree and has also played for Brightlingsea. It’s his second spell at Sudbury, having played for them for three months back in 2017.

Midfielder Philip Bampoe was signed in September from Canvey Island. He has played for Romford, Tilbury, Maldon & Tiptree, Barking, Bognor Regis and East Thurrock.

Jame Bennett is a striker that came from Brightlingsea Regent and was previously at Walthamstow. Ben Bradley was previously at St.Neots, while midfielders Alfie Lambert, Liam Pearce, Billy Walsh and Kaya Donohoe all came through the clubs own Academy.

Striker Reuben Marshall is currently on loan from Peterborough Utd.

Former Needham Market Academy and Ipswich Town striker Callum Page is the newest signing, he arrived just after Christmas.

Kick off is 3pm, and as usual, YOUR SUPPORT WOULD BE WELCOMED!