by Peter Scherer

Still top of the table Mickleover will be keen to return to winning ways and hope to have skipper Ryan Wilson back in the squad this weekend, while Stuart Beavon will hopefully have shaken off a knock he took at Kettering last Tuesday.

Joe Bateman is also due back after suspension, while Matty Bowman should make his home debut.

Our visitors this Saturday are Nuneaton Borough, who have had a traumatic stat to the season. Due to financial problems they have been playing home matches at Stratford Town, but only this week have had their future secured in a successful takeover.

Currently seventh in the table, they have fought back from a disastrous start to the season, which included a 7-0 defeat at Telford. They have now had five straight league victories, the last a 3-2 home won over Alvechurch.

Manager and now former director Jimmy Ginnelly has retained the core of last years side, that just missed out on promotion, but added a number of new faces too.

First choice goalkeeper Dan Jezeph came from Alvechurch pre-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.

Reserve keeper Liam Castle came in July last year from Barwell, where he spent almost 10 years since arriving from Basingstoke.

Centre back Scott McManus is the current club captain. He was at Curzon Ashton initially, before joining Crewe Alexandra and making a handful of league appearances. He then had a year at Stranraer, before joining FC United and had seven years at Halifax Town. He came to Nuneaton in December 2020, after a couple of seasons at Coalville.

Victor Nirennold is another centre back, with League One and Scottish Premiership experience. He started his youth career with Stade Rennais in France, before heading to the US with Miami City, before coming to the UK with Fleetwood in 2015. After a loan at Guiseley he headed to FK Senica in Slovakia, 

Next stop was Da Nag FC in Vietnam for a year, before going to UiTM FC in Malaysia for two years. Back in the UK his first stop was Motherwell and before coming to Nuneaton pre-season, he had a short spell with Gloucester City.

Kane Richards is a Derby born striker, who came from the Derby County Academy. After a loan at Ilkeston, he signed for Matlock on his release, moving onto Chester, with a loan at Gainsborough, before joining Dover Athletic, who loaned him to Telford. Then a permanent move to Kidderminster, before he then spent three-years at Basford before coming to Nuneaton in July 2022.

Italian born midfielder Prince Mancinelli arrived from Belper Town in June 2022. He has also played for Long Eaton Utd, Radford, Basford and Tamworth.

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 his Nuneaton signing in July 2022.

Isaiah Osbourne was an England Under 16 International, who played his junior football with Derby County, until Aston Villa spotted him. The midfielder made 30 starts mostly in the Premiership and was also loaned to Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday. He moved to the Scottish Premiership in 2011 with Hibernian, but after 30 appearances he headed south to Blackpool.

Scunthorpe, Walsall and Forest Green followed, but after almost 300 senior games, he went non-league for the first time with Nuneaton in October 2021.

Former Coventry City junior striker Matty Stenson joined Barwell on his release from the Sky Blues. He moved on fairly quickly to Leamington, before spending a year with Solihull Moors. He was loaned to Telford before a permanent move to Halifax, but was loaned again to Tamworth and Kidderminster, before joining Nuneaton at the beginning of last season after spending two years on Halifax’s books.

Left back Jaden Charles was a Derby County Junior before moving to Mansfield Town. He had loans at York City, Hereford and Nuneaton, before making a permanent move to our visitors in July 2022. He is also a Republic of Ireland Under 18 International.

Midfielder Kyle Storer came from Solihull Moors in January. He was a Leicester City Junior, who has also played for Bedworth, Tamworth, Atherstone and Hinckley Utd, before arriving at Nuneaton in 2009.

After just over two years he went to Kidderminster, moving on to Wrexham and Cheltenham, before a five-year spell at Solihull. He is also the clubs assistant manager.

Right back Camron McWilliams started out at Northampton Town. He then had a spell at Cardiff City, before joining St Ives and then Nuneaton in December 2021. After a loan at Sutton Coldfield he returned to Nuneaton in May 2022.

Former England Under 21 striker Leroy Lita came from Ilkeston in pre-season. He 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 coming to Nuneaton for the first time in July 2020. After two years he left for Stratford and has been at Hednesford and Ilkeston before making his return pre-season.

Milan Butterfield is a Bermudan international midfielder, capped at full, under 20 and under 17 levels. He started his career with Robin Hood in Bermuda, before coming to the UK with Walsall.

After a loan at Rushall Olympic he signed for Kidderminster on his release, moving on to Chesterfield and Guiseley. He had two years at Alfreton before coming to Nuneaton pre-season.

Callum Chettle is well known to Sports fans, having spent most of the last year on Mickleover’s books. He started his youth career at Nottingham Forest, following in the footsteps of Father Steve.

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

His next stop was at Peterborough Utd, where he made 22 appearances for the League One side, before joining Alfreton, after a brief loan at Fylde.

Further loans at Boston Utd and Matlock preceded a three year stay at Basford, re-united with manager and Father Steve.

A strong running midfielder he came to Mickleover at the start of last year season, but injuries restricted his appearances and he started this season at Nuneaton. After a month back at Mickleover recently, he has now returned to Nuneaton.

Left back Alex Lafleur was another pre-season signing from Kings Langley, where had played for two seasons. Most of his career has been spent in the South, starting out at Wealdstone. He has played for Edgware, Chalfont St.Peter, Gosport Borough, Salisbury, Moneyfields and Beaconsfield too.

Elwalid Elhaghany is another defender and pre-season signing, having come from Coventry Utd.

Owen Oseni is a young striker on loan from Derby County, having joined the Rams in February from League of Ireland side Waterford.

Young midfielders Beau Friel and Luke Curtlin have recently joined the first team squad after coming through the clubs own Academy.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm, full bar and catering, SO BE THERE!!

by Peter Scherer

Without a win in the last four league games, hopes were high of three points on the visit to managerless Kettering Town. But two second half goals for the hosts sent Mickleover home pointless, on a disappointing evening.

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-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Fin Ryder, Kian Ryley, Dan Bradley, Will Trueman, Brandon Ferron.

Mickleover made a bright start and in the opening minute a Dales cross from the left was just a whisker away from connecting with Barnes head.

Six minutes later and some good work from Dales again on the left, saw his path blocked, before the ball ran free to Bennett who had his shot saved by keeper Johnson.

After Mickleover had dominated the opening 10 minutes, Kettering started to look for opportunities to break out of their own half, but with Bowman overlapping on the right, Dales put a header just wide after 12 minutes.

Beavon was then fouled just outside the box, with Greaves’ free kick beating the wall and the keeper before hitting the bar.

15 minutes in and Greaves was almost through again, but was caught out by the bounce and shot just wide, as Mickleover continued to dominate possession.

Bennett tried his look a couple of minutes later, with his effort landing on top of the net, before Dales earned a sequence of corners. Sault picked up on one corner, but his chip was well over the bar. 

The ball was in for Mickleover after 20 minutes after a defensive error, but the offside flag was waving, then Atkinson burst forward after 26 minutes, found Dales, then Sault, before Beavon’s shot on the rebound was saved.

Beavon had taken a knock when his shot was blocked and was replaced by Ryder, but the action briefly moved to the other end of the pitch just after the half hour mark.

Kettering had a corner on the left, it was initially cleared, but Bosworth had to dive to his left to keep out the follow up shot and there was another corner.

As we went into the final 10 minutes of the first half, Kettering pressed more and went close again with a 36^th minute free kick.

But Sports went close again too after 37 minutes, when Dales shot, the keeper failed to hold the ball and it almost fell to Bennett who was following up.

Dales jinked through again in time added on, but his cross found no one waiting and despite Mickleover dominating the possession, it remained 0-0.

Only two minutes into the second half the hosts broke the deadlock, when play down the Mickleover left, saw the ball sent over, meeting Huw Dawson’s head and it was 0-1.

The solidity of the Mickleover defence continued to look more vulnerable, with Delap and Mann under pressure, as Kettering gained confidence.

Dales continued to try and push forward, with a cross just out of play after 50 minutes, before he was fouled a minute later, with Greaves’ following free-kick straight into the keepers hands.

The pressure continued to be on the Sports defence and after another sequence of corners, which finally resulted in a second goal for our hosts after 54 minutes, as Ben Toseland headed home, 0-2.

Greaves then got onto the end of break, but a push in the back as he was about to shoot, saw his effort run wide.

Scott was looking for a Kettering third a few minutes later, but his powerful shot was palmed away by Bosworth. Then a cross from the right went across the face of the Mickleover goal, keeping Bosworth on his toes again.

Miller then had another shot saved by Bosworth, before Sports began to up their pace again and worked hard to move forward. Atkinson led one charge again and found Greaves in the box. His path was blocked however with some solid home defending.

Just past the hour mark Sault was close to breaking through, but stopped by a last ditch tackle, before he was substituted to make way for Trueman.

The last 20 minutes became a real dog fight, as Mickleover were back with the majority of the possession, but the Kettering defence seemed to take everything that was thrown at them.

Riley came on for Barnes for the last 15 minutes and went desperately close to pulling a goal back. His shot went through the keepers hands, but Langmead was stood behind him and cleared off the line.

A couple of minutes later Riley went close again with a header, but time finally ran out and Sports recorded their second league defeat of the season and are now without a win in the last five games. 

So now we look forward to Saturday, when Nuneaton visit the Don Amott Arena.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover return to their league campaign tomorrow night, with a visit to strugglers Kettering Town, following there giant killing FA Trophy at Spennymoor.

Hopefully any knocks picked up last Saturday will have cleared and gaffer John McGrath will have a full squad to choose from.

Relegated from the National League North, its been a tough start for the Poppies, who are currently managerless after Andy Leese was dismissed.

Ben Watts and Jim La Masurier are currently looking after team affairs, but have yet to take charge in a league game.

They went down 1-3 at Coalville in their last game, but were winners when Royston visited Latimer Park at the beginning of the month, their only home win this season.

First choice keeper Bill Johnson came 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.

His deputy is Nial Shackleton, signed pre-season from Wellingborough Whitworth, having previously played for Rugby Borough,

Right back Owen Cochrane is currently on loan from Stevenage. He also been loaned out to Potters Bar and has made one League Two appearance for his host team.

Skipper Lewis White is a centre back that started with Shepshed Dynamo. He then spent almost two years at Corby before joining our hosts 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.

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 o 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

Vastly experienced striker Leon Clarke arrived last month, having played over 500 senior games, across all four divisions of the football league, scoring 153 goals.

He was in and out of the Wolves Academy at the start of his career, along with spells at Kidderminster, QPR and Plymouth. Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham and Southend, before returning to QPR in 2010.

He was soon on the move again with a short spell at Preston before going back to QPR. Swindon, Chesterfield and Charlton followed, before being loaned to Crawley Town and Scunthorpe.

Following his release in 2013, he spent a year at Coventry, before going back to Wolves. But after a loan at Wigan he joined Bury, before a move to Sheffield Utd saw him loaned back to Wigan. Next it was Shrewsbury, Bristol Rovers, Hartlepool and Rushall Olympic, before his move to Latimer Park.

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.

Sam Bennett is another striker that arrived at the beginning of last season. He was a Cambridge Utd Junior, who was loaned to Mildenhall, before joining Yaxley Utd on his release in 2021. Soham was his next stop before a nine month stop at Wisbech, preceded his Poppies move.

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 too 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.

Right back and sometimes captain Gary Stohrer is the longest serving player, having arrived from Frickley Athletic in July 2017, having previously been at Shaw Lane.

Luca Purse is a defender who was signed pre-season. He has previously played for Cogenhoe United, Barton Rovers, Biggleswade Town, AFC Rushden & Diamonds U18s and is the son of Darren Purse, who played for Birmingham City and Cardiff City.

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.

Striker Will Mellors-Blair started off as Manchester Utd youngster, before moving onto Walsall. He then tried his luck in the US with Detroit City, where he became a prolific goal scorer. After his return to the UK he played for Solihull Moors, Kings Lynn, Stamford and Loughborough Dynamo, and came to Kettering pre-season.

Kieron Dawes is a recent signing from Stratford. A defender, he started out at Birmingham City and was loaned to Sutton Coldfield and Hednesford, before joining Coleshill on his release.

A return trip to Hednesford followed, before stops at Stafford Rangers and Redditch. He then moved onto Bromsgrove, before going to Stratford last February.

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

Josh Drain and Luca Miler have both come through the clubs own youth scheme.

Finally Nigerian Under 17 World Cup winning defender Habib Makanjuola is the latest addition to the squad. He played at Chelsea and Leicester, before going to Scunthorpe Utd, where he was also loaned out to Ilkeston and Gainsborough.

Kick off as usual is 7.45.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover headed to the North East with high hopes of progression in the FA Trophy against National Legue North Spennymoor Town. Their aspirations proved successful with an Oli Greaves double securing Sports place in the third round draw.

Starting line-up: 1 Oli Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 9-Marcus Barnes 10-Ben Sault 11-Oli Greaves 15-Fin Ryder. Subs: Will Trueman, Stuart Beavon, Brandon Ferron, Sam Tomlinson.

It wasn’t the best of starts for Mickleover, when having lost Dan Bradley to a warm-up injury, they went a goal after just three minutes. Sports were beaten down the left and as the ball came to Ramshaw, he fired in from a narrowing angle, beating Bosworth on his far post, 0-1.

It acted as a wake-up call for Mickleover and they were soon pushing forward, with Sault on a good run after five minutes, before any threat fizzled out. But then Dales earned a corner, setting up Ryder, whose effort was just wide.

Two minutes later Dales put a tight cross in from the left, which went desperately close to getting between Roxburgh in the home goal and his cross bar, as the pressure continued.

Bennett then had a run through and forced Roxburgh into another save, tipping his right foot shot just around the post for another corner.

Although Mickleover were ahead possession wise, they had been unable to grab the equaliser, but things soon changed.

23 minutes in and Barnes was making a turn to leave him clear on goal, but Spennymoor skipper James Curtis was shown a straight red card for hauling him back.

Greaves free kick came to nought, but Sports were making every effort to maximise their player advantage, with Barnes forcing his way through after 32 minutes, before Dales tried a shot, which rebounded to Ryder, finding Sault who shot over.

Our hosts made a double substitution, but Sault managed to out run the defence again down the right, before the ball ran away from him.

With Delap player more of a sweeper role, Mann was able to move forward and found Greaves on the edge of the box. There were shouts for a handball, but the referee waved it away and the danger past.

Barnes then had a golden chance of an equaliser after 37 minutes. The keeper was committed but at full stretch his effort was just wide again.

But the equaliser finally came two minutes later, when Dales led another attack and after a one two with Wilson, they found Greaves in the middle, he made no mistake and it was 1-1.

Spennymoor had one more chance before half time when Anderson shot well over the bar from a Fielding cross, but it remained 1-1 as the half time whistle blew.

The first 10 minutes of the second half had been fairly even, with both sides looking to move forward, sticking to their passing style of play, bringing the ball out of defence.

After 55 minutes though Sault went close with another effort, before Atkinson came forward on the hour, setting up another Dales and Wilson move on the left. As Wilson put the ball in, Greaves was on the spot with a well placed header out of Roxburgh’s reach.  2-1.

Greaves had another shot eight minutes later, but it was straight at the keeper, before Sports made their first change with Ferron on for Wilson.

It was almost a hattrick for Greaves after 79 minutes, Dales set him up after beating the defence down the left, but at his second attempt his shot was blocked by Roxburgh.

As the clock ran down Mickleover were totally in control, with Spennymoor hoping for a lucky break.

Trueman came on for Ryder after 86 minutes and was immediately into the action, with a lovely back heeler to Bennett, who shot just wide.

Into the final minute and there was another goal. Greaves effort was blocked again, but Dales was following up and made it 3-1, before he went one on one with the keeper in time added on, with Roxburgh just there first.

Tomlinson made a late appearance as sub for Sault, but it was a good solid performance from Mickleover, against a top four National League North side and we now wait for the third round draw.

by Peter Scherer

It’s off to Spennymoor Town on Saturday for our second round FA Trophy tie.

Our hosts had a fairly good start to their National League North season and currently lie in fourth place. So Sports will need to be in top form, as they look to start another winning streak. 

Tuesday night Spennymoor hosted local rivals South Shields, looking to restore their home form after a defeat to Curzon Ashton and a draw with Boston Utd earlier this month, but finished the night 2-5 down.

They have recently been without manager Lewis Dickman too, who is currently recovering from surgery. Dickman was previously Academy manager at Sunderland and has been at Spennymoor since August last year.  He was initially first team coach, but became assistant manager in August, before taking charge following Jamie Chandler’s departure in September. But during his recent absence, Andy Inness has been in charge.

Former Middlesbrough junior James Montgomery is their first choice keeper, he returned on Tuesday night after injury. A former England C International and following his ‘Boro release he went to Guiseley, before a spell at the Nike Academy.

Telford, Gateshead, Forest Green, Fylde, Southend Utd and Chesterfield followed, before returning to Gateshead for a third time in March last year. He came to Brewery Field pre-season.

Michael Roxburgh is his deputy, having returned from a loan spell at Liversedge. He spent time at Sunderland and Hartlepool before joining Huddersfield Town. He was released by the Terriers at the end of last season and signed for our hosts in July.

Centre back Reece Staunton was a Republic of Ireland Under 18 International. He started out at Bradford City and was loaned to Ossett Utd and Bradford Park Avenue, before joining the latter on his release.

He spent last season with Park Avenue before coming to ‘Moors pre-season.

Lebrun Mbeka is another centre back that arrived pre-season from Boston Utd. He started at Tadcaster, before joining Guiseley, moving to Boston in September last year. He was then loaned back to Guiseley for one month.

Their third centre back is Tranmere Rovers loanee Ben Hockenhull, while right back Keenan Ferguson is another pre-season signing from Boston Utd. He was at Tottenham and Sheffield Utd Academies, before joining Boston in 2021.

Josh Doherty is a left back and former Northern Ireland Under 18 International. He started his career with Ards, before joining Watford in 2012. He’s played for Leyton Orient, Crawley Town, Colchester and Barnet too, before returning to Ireland with Portadown. He spent last season at South Shields, before coming to Brewery Field pre-season.

James Curtis is the senior player and club cpatian, another centre back who came to Spennymoor in July 2016, after 13 years at Gateshead. He previously played for Washington. 

Michael Ledger is primarily a centre back too. Another former Sunderland Junior, he went on loan to Viking Stavanger and Hartlepool. On his release he returned to Norway with Notodden for two years, before playing in Scotland with Queen of the South and Morton. He’s been at Spennymoor since August last year.

Ben Pollock is yet another centre back or defensive midfielder, whose father Jamie is a former Spennymoor manager. He was a junior at Middlesbrough, Leeds Utd and Newcastle, before joining Hartlepool on his release. He then joined Dunston UTS and Billingham Synthonia, before moving onto Hereford and spent last season at Boston Utd before coming to our hosts pre-season.

Although born in the North East, midfielder Mark Anderson spent most of his early career in the United States. He played his youth football with Sunderland, but joined Barry Bucs in 2010. Three years at Fort Lauderdale Strikers and another year at RailHawks preceded his UK return with Spennymoor in January 2016.

Midfielder Rob Ramshaw is another long serving player, having signed from Gateshead in July 2016. He also played for Darlington.

Danny Greenfield is a central midfielder, who had a spell at Manchester Utd before joining Barnsley in his junior days. He joined Gateshead on his release and had a loan spell at Matlock too. He joined Spennymoor in July last year, but spent part of last season on loan at Scarborough.

Left sided midfielder Corey McKeown arrived from Blyth Spartans in November 2022, after a four-year spell.

Central midfielder Callum Ross is another player to have sampled US soccer. Cramlington Juniors and Sunderland provided his early experience, before three years at Monkseaton preceded his move to Wingate Bulldog.

His US career was to last seven years, with Charlotte Independence and Oklahoma City, before joining South Shields on his UK return in January 2020. He has been at Brewery Field since January.

Connor Shanks moved between Huddersfield and Bradford City in his early career, before settling at Huddersfield. The midfielder was loaned to Nuneaton and Boston Utd before his release in January, from when he came straight to Spennymoor.

Central midfielder Sam Fielding started off at York City, before moving to Barnsley for three years. His next stop was Salford City, before returning to York. He joined our hosts in January from Bradford Park Avenue.

Sheffield Wednesday loanee Jay Glover is another midfielder, who had also been loaned out to Belper Town and Gainsborough Trinity.

With over 150 goals to his name since arriving from Ashington in 2015, Glen Taylor has become a Spennymoor legend. He had spells at Whitley Bay, Blyth Spartans and Ashington too, before arriving at Brewery Field. He scored 20 goals last season too.

Fellow striker Will Harris was on Burnley’s books after they signed him from Colne. He was then loaned back to his former club, as well as Warrington, before joining Sunderland on his release. He was then loaned to Barrow, before a permanent move to Gateshead, where he spent last season before his summer arrival at Spennymoor.

Owen Gallacher spent time with Newcastle City Juniors, Swallwell Swifts, Sunderland Academy, Ryton Blacks before joining Newcastle Utd. He moved on to Nottingham Forest, who loaned him to Harrogate, before joining Burton Albion on his release. 

Next stop was Crawley Town, who loaned him to Gateshead, before a five-month spell with Grimsby Town preceded his arrival at Brewery Field in July.

Riley Mouat is a young striker that has come through ‘Moors own youth scheme and recently made his first team debut. Similarly midfielder Dan Atkinson has recently joined the first team squad too.

Kick off at Brewery Field ais 3pm, it’s a long way but your support would be welcomed.

by Peter Scherer (Images by Steve Ingers)

It was a cruel blow, when having led from the ninth minute, Mickleover succumbed to a late penalty and had to share the points with rivals Needham Market.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Dan Bradley 9-Marcus Barnes 10-Ben Sault 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Kian Ryley, Stuart Beavon, Sam Tomlinson, Fin Ryder, Brandon Ferron.

With Delap back in defence after a one match suspension, Bradley moved into the defensive midfield position, as Mickleover faced Needham Market.

It was a positive start for both sides, as Needham’s Jacob Lay’s layed off a nice through ball, intercepted by the Mickleover defence, just before it reached Jamie McGrath.

Only nine minutes in and Bradley then  managed to get a clear run and set up Dales for the opener as Sports began to take charge, 1-0.

Visiting striker Dylan Williams tried his luck after 16 minutes when he thought he had caught keeper Bosworth off his line, but his lob was still comfortably collected by the Mickleover man.

The possession was going in Sports favour, but before the half hour mark there had been numerous chances. They hit the post after 23 minutes, had another shot blocked and then Barnes was just inches from planting the ball in the top corner.

Sault was brought down just outside the box, which earned the Needham defender a yellow card, but Greaves free kick then curled just wide.

Despite Mickleover’s dominance, they had been unable to add to the goal tally and it was Needham’s McGrath that had the final shot of the first half, again just wide.

It was the visitors that started the stronger in the second half, but after 51 minutes Greaves tried a long range effort, heading for the top left hand corner until Garnham saved at full stretch.

Only four minutes later a defensive error handed Mickleover another chance, forcing Garnham to tip the final shot over. The pressure was on again and when Barnes broke through the defence on the hour, Garnham raced off his line to narrow the angle sufficiently for the shot to go wide of his near post.

But the visitors were looking for the break and the equaliser, but Kieran Morphew’s shot was just wide of Bosworth’s left corner after 62 minutes, before McGrath put a ball inside with no one following.

Greaves then tried a long range shot after 70 minutes, but was just wide before Lay went close for the visitors, with a shot just wide of the right hand corner.

Mickleover had just bought on Ryley for his league debut in place of Sault, when Needham were awarded a penalty after McGrath was brought down. Luke Ingram stepped up and scored, but Bosworth was unlucky having got a hand to the shot, 1-1.

Ingram went close again two minutes later firing over the bar, but now it was Needham Market looking for a winner.

Beavon was a late sub for Barnes and in time added on Garnham still managed to beat out a Sports effort heading for his bottom left corner, before Morphew went close to for the visitors almost on time.

So it remained 1-1, the chances were there to take all three points, but we are still top of the league table by five points and have a game in hand over most other teams.

Next week it’s FA Trophy action again at Spennymoor, before we return to league action at Kettering on Tuesday 21^st.

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday’s game at home to Needham Market is probably the most important league game of the season so far, as top of the table Sports face second placed Needham Market at the Don Amott Arena.

Mickleover have now gone three league games without a win, and suffered their first defeat last Saturday 2-3 at Stratford.

But our visitors also lost last Saturday too, 0-2 at home to Nuneaton, before taking three points on Tuesday evening with a 3-0 win over Berkhamsted.

Last Saturday’s defeat was only Needham’s second of the season, having previously lost to Stratford too, 1-6 on the opening day of the season.

“Apart from Joe Bateman being suspended, I hope to have a full squad to choose from, as Fin Delap is back after his suspension. Either way it should be a good match,” said Mickleover boss John McGrath.

Needham are currently five points behind, but Mickleover have a superior goal difference, having scored 10 more!! They of course only just missed out on promotion last season.

Former Northern Ireland International midfielder Kevin Horlock has been in charge at Needham Market since February 2020, having stepped up from a coaching role. He previously managed Chatham, Colchester Under 21’s and the Northern Ireland Under 21’s, having finished his playing career at Needham too. He also played for West Ham, Swindon, Manchester City, Ipswich, Doncaster, and Scunthorpe.

First choice keeper Marcus Garnham is in his fifth season at Bloomfields, having signed from Leiston, but his whole career has been spent in East Anglia, having played for Leiston, AFC Sudbury, Lowestoft and Bury Town.

Right back Kyle Hammond came from Leiston in July 2020, after starting out as an Ipswich Town Junior, during which time he was loaned to Maldon & Tiptree.

Dan and Keiran Morphew are twins and both play at centre back. Dan was at Haverhill Rovers and Thetford Town, before joining our visitors from Dereham in 2018. Keiran was the first graduate from their own Academy and made the first of his 250 plus appearances in 2013.

Right back Jake Dye has come through the home Academy too. He debuted back in 2015 and made his 200^th appearance for the club last season.

Winger Jacob Lay was a summer 2022 from Ipswich Wanderers in the Eastern Counties League, having scored 13 goals for them the previous season as they won the Division One title. He started out at Ipswich Town and has played for Brantham Athletic, Sudbury Town, Braintree, Whitton Utd, Felixstowe & Walton and Dereham, as well as a short spell at Preston North End.

Jamie McGrath was another summer 2022 signing too. He was initially on a dual registration last year with Brantham Athletic and East Bergholt, with a reputation as a prolific scorer, with 56 goals in 34 games in 21/22.

Teenager Hugh Cullum is another defender to come from the clubs Academy, he debuted in the first team during 21/22  and is an England Under 18 Schoolboy International.

Seth Chambers made his first team debut in February 2022 having come through the clubs Academy too. This is his second full season in the squad and he has found the net on a number of occasions.

Luke Ingram is the longest serving player, a midfielder in his 11t^h season having signed from Bury Town, having previously been at AFC Sudbury.

Midfielder Patrick Brothers came from Leiston in February 2022, after 12 years at their Suffolk neighbours. He was previously at Brantham Athletic.

Tom Fitzgerald is a midfielder too and made his first team debut last season, having worked their way through the Academy and reserve teams.

Left midfielder Dylan Williams arrived from St Ives in January. He was a Cambridge Utd Junior, joining St Neots after his release. He moved on to Biggleswade and Lowestoft, before a two and a half year spell at St Ives.

Reece Harris a midfielder too, he arrived pre-season from Sudbury, having previously been at Welling Utd and East Thurrock.

Attacking midfielder Tevan Allen was signed from Brightlingsea Regent. He started out at Yeovil and has also played for Bury Town, AFC Sudbury and Stowmarket.

Former Ipswich Town junior Tommy Smith was another pre-season arrival. The young full back was at Stowmarket Town last season.

Winger Callum Page came through our visitors Academy, before signing for Ipswich Town. He returned on loan in August 2021 and again last season, before making it permanent during the summer.

Former Ipswich Town midfielder Byron Lawrence has recently returned to action after more than two years out with a broken leg. He came from Leiston in July 2020, having played for Colchester Utd, Billericay, Dulwich Hamlet and Braintree too.

Academy graduates Ollie Fraser, James Letts, Flynn Crossthwaite and Archie Exworth have also been in the squad.

It’s a 3pm kick off as usual, so be there!

by Peter Scherer

Thirteen proved to be the unlucky number for Mickleover last Saturday, when aiming to make it fourteen games unbeaten, came the first defeat of the season to Stratford Town.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Dan Bradley 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Sault 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Joe Bateman, Sam Tomlinson, Fin Ryder, Brandon Ferron.

Mickleover took the kick off and were looking strong from the start, with a dangerous Greaves free kick being cleared over his own bar by Bards skipper McCone after just four minutes.

But five minutes later McCone tested Bosworth at the other end, after a series of corners had put the Mickleover defence under pressure.

With Fin Delap missing due to suspension, Mann had Bradley alongside in the middle of the defence, and as our hosts settled into the game, the pressure began to build.

14 minutes in and Ebanks picked up a Storer pass for the Bards, shooting just wide of the post. But three minutes later Barnes managed to round home keeper O’Brien, but the final shot went just inches past the post too.

It was Greaves that opened the scoring though after a 22^nd break saw Barnes charge towards goal, finding Greaves in space, who buried the ball into the bottom corner, 1-0.

Stratford came back fighting and Bosworth was tested again after 26 minutes, when an Ebanks header from Storer’s cross was cleared off the line.

Mickleover went close again when Dales jinked his way through the defence just before the half hour mark. He found Greaves in space again, but O’Brien kept this effort out.

So at half time Sports had the lead, but the hosts had looked dangerous on a number of occasions and only a minute into the second half they were level, after Ebanks rose above the defence to head home, 1-1.

10 minutes later it was Mickleover seeking an equaliser, after Ison made it 1-2 for Stratford. Sports were pushing forward and Sault set up Barnes for a 63^rd minute shot, but it was just wide.

With the push for an equaliser, the defence were caught out again, when Ison scored his second after a 67^th minute corner 1-3.

Storer then had another shot just wide, before Ryder came on for Beavon. Barnes was then fouled to earn Mickleover  a late penalty, duly dispatched by Greaves right down the middle, 2-3.

But sub Bateman was a late red card and time ran out, so the unbeaten record has finally gone and we look to next Saturday when we host third in the table Needham Market, who suffered only their second defeat last Saturday to.