Category: First Team

October 14, 2023October 13, 2023

Today’s Match Programme: Royston Town

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October 12, 2023

Back To The League As We Welcome Royston Town

by Peter Scherer

After two weeks of Cup Ties, it’s back to league action this weekend for Mickleover, as Royston FC, currently sixth in the table, visit the Don Amott Arena.

Our visitors started the season with a 0-3 and 0-4 defeat, before taking their first win at Long Eaton. They have since suffered only one further defeat, 0-1 at Nuneaton.

Royston manager Steve Castle was a midfielder who started as a Tottenham junior, but also played for Leyton Orient, Birmingham and Plymouth among others, before retiring in 2004. He has been in charge at Garden Walk since 2013 and previously managed Talkeley and St Albans and was assistant at Cambridge Utd.

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

But Noah Phillips made his debut in goal last Saturday, in their FA Trophy defeat. He is currently on loan from Leyton Orient and was previously loaned to Bishop Stortford and Hornhurch too.

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 visitors 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 hundred 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.

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.

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

Tom Newman is a striker or midfielder who has also spent time at Soham on a dual registration, during his five year stay at Royston.

Striker Matt Bateman is in his second spell at Garden Walk. He arrived originally from Berkhamsted in 2019, but moved onto Hemel after one year, before making the return trip again in August ’21.

Striker Flo Tsaguim was a pre-season arrival from Corby Town. He started at Kings Lynn and was loaned to St.Neots and Wisbech, before spending a year at Corby.

Fellow striker Samson Esan came in pre-season too, 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.

Right back Greg Sandiford is on loan from Cambridge Utd. He also had a spell on loan at Biggleswade at the end of last season.

Striker Joe Boachie only arrived two weeks ago, on a dual registration with Tonbridge. He started out at Concord Rangers and has played for Potters Bar, Braintree and Hungerford too.

Australian born Ben De Lacy-Turner is another new signing. A left winger he was at AFC Wimbledon before a move to Aldershot. He then joined Basingstoke after loans at Harrow Borough, Beaconsfield and Kings Langley and started this season at Redbridge. He played for England at Under 17 level too.

Midfielder Cain Keller arrived from Kings Langley at the start of this season. He was previously at Biggleswade and Hendon.

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.

Striker Juwon Akintunde came from Northwood at the beginning of August. He started as a Junior at Queens Park Rangers, Brentford and Barnet. But after a spell at Maidenhead he went across the Atlantic, playing for Cincinnati State College, West Virginia Wesleyan and GPS Portland Phoenix. He has also played for East Grinstead, Harrow Borough, Chalfont St.Peter and Aylesbury Utd.

Defender Ange Djadja came in pre-season too from Farnham Town, having previously been at Walton & Hersham.

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.

Defender Harry Beckett is on loan from Cambridge Utd and has also had spells out on loan at Concord Rangers and St.Neots too.

Goalkeeper Ethan Gannon, Midfielder Franco Ciuffa and defender Lewis Williams have also been on the bench recently, having come through Royston’s own youth scheme.

Kick off 3pm at the Don Amott as usual, as Sports try and make it 11 straight league wins this season and to consolidate the top spot in the table.

October 9, 2023October 9, 2023

Penalty Shoot Out Drama But Mickleover Go Through

by Peter Scherer (Images by Steve Ingers)

An injury time equaliser from Barwell, following two earlier goals by Stuart Beavon, led to a dramatic penalty shoot out and 4-2 win!

Starting line-up: 1 Jim Pollard 2 Jake Bennett 3 Rhys Dolan 4 Will Atkinson 5 Fin Delap 6 Ethan Mann 7 Callum Chettle 8 Joe Bateman 9 Andre Wright 10 Stuart Beavon 11 Oliver Greaves. Subs: Dan Bradley, Oliver Bosworth, Ben Sault, Fin Ryder, Zac Sandhu, Ryan Wilson.

Barwell were first on the attack when Flanagan fired over the bar after picking up a second minute corner, before Hill shot wide seven minutes later.

But only 15 minutes in Ward put his own keeper Griffiths under pressure, with a short back pass. Beavon managed to intercept and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper, 1-0.

Both sides had a fairly even amount of possession, but as the half hour mark approached Hill put a low cross for the hosts and Hickey fired home the equaliser, 1-1.

Barwell kept pushing in their quest to go in at half time with a lead, but 37 minutes in and Enoru beat the defence, but his cross found Hickey whose effort was blocked on the line.

Pollard saved another Hickey effort after 40 minutes, before Edwards found Holman whose shot was just over the bar, so it remained 1-1 as the half time whistle went.

Barwell made a pacy start to the second half, but Holman’s long range attempt after 47 minutes was well off target. Having withstood the initial barrage Mickleover began to hold firm and after Hickey went close for our hosts after 69 minutes, Beavon made it 2-1 a couple of minutes later.

With Mickleover continuing to defend well, the game was five minutes into injury time when Holman was in space and fired into the roof of the net to make it 2-2, so time ran out and it was down penalties.

Memories of Stowmarket last year must have come flooding back, but as Hickey stepped up for the first penalty, his shot missed the target.

Wright put Mickleover’s in before Brown-Hill scored for Barwell. Greaves then hit the back of the net before Pollard managed to save Holman’s effort.

Atkinson made it 3-2 for Mickleover before Master scored for Barwell. So it came down to Bradley’s kick to deserve the tie, which he duly put away 4-2, with Mickleover safely into the next round draw.

October 5, 2023

FA Trophy Starts Here

by Peter Scherer

Less than two weeks since we visited Barwell for a 2-1 league win, Mickleover revisit the Leicestershire side for their FA Trophy tie.

There are still a few injury niggles for Sports following last weeks FA Cup defeat, but hopefully the majority of the squad will be fit to return to winning ways.

Barwell are currently 17^th in the table, having played only one league game since our recent win. They went down 2-3 at home to Leiston, having led 2-1 at Half time, before both Rowe and Kamara were sent off in the second half.

Manager Ian King has been in charge since May 2022 and his team this season, retains the majority of players from 22/23.

First choice keeper Harry Griffiths was picked up by Crystal Place, after being spotted at Horsham. He then moved on to AFC Wimbledon, who loaned him to Burgess Hill, before a permanent move to Nottingham Forest in July. He is currently on loan from Forest for the rest of this year.

Derby born Micah Edwards started off as a Rams Junior, before the young midfielder had spells at Ilkeston and Gresley Rovers. He has been at Barwell since July 2019.

Centre back Kyle Rowley arrived from Stourbridge for the start of last season. He was a Walsall Junior and after a loan at Sutton Coldfield, he joined Rugby following his release. Moves to Alvechurch, Walsall Wood and Hednesford followed, before his seven months stay at Stourbridge.

Brady Hickey is the club captain and central midfielder, who came from Nuneaton in January 2018, having moved in the opposite direction only seven months earlier.

Beck-Ray Onoru is a young winger or striker signed at the beginning of last season, has pace and a flair for goal.

Defender George Ward was on a dual registration with Weymouth during his time at Loughborough University. He had played for the University side too, as well as Bromsgrove, before joining Barwell in September 2022.

Dominic Brown-Hill is a midfielder who first came to Barwell in 2018 after his release from Notts County. After 18 months he moved to Alvechurch, but returned in July 2021.

Right back Josh Flanagan is a former Northampton Town Junior, who has arrived from Brackley last March after a loan spell at Kettering.

Sid Kerr is a defensive midfielder and arrived from Loughborough Students at the beginning of last season. He has also been on the books at Everton, Chelsea and Brighton.

Deen Master is a midfielder who attends Nottingham Trent University and has also played for Leicester Nirvana.

Jahvan Davidson-Miller needs no introduction having started last season at Mickleover. A former Rams Junior, he was at Barwell before coming to Mickleover too.

Striker Dan Holman is a vastly experienced player. His junior football was in Northampton and with Moulton Magpies and Long Buckby, before joining Cogenhoe Utd.

A return to Long Buckby was followed by Oxford City, Histon and Braintree, before joining Colchester Utd, who loaned him to Wrexham, Aldershot, Dover Athletic and Woking.

He went to Cheltenham after his release and further loaned to Boreham Wood and Leyton Orient, joining Aldershot again on his release. Kettering, Brackley and Torquay followed before a year out preceded his pre-season arrival at Barwell.

Miguel Ngwa is another pre-season signing. A midfielder, he is a former Northampton Town Junior,and was at Rushden & Diamonds and Rushall Olympic before his release in July.

Striker Tom Cursons came from Long Eaton in August. He began with the Metropolitan Police and was loaned to Badshot Lea. He moved to Hartley Whitney in December 2021 and to Gainsborough only a month later. A further move to Long Eaton in December 2022 preceded his arrival at Barwell.

Defender Ruben Freeman came in from Highgate Utd last season and fellow defender MJ Kamara is a former Lincoln City Academy player.

Blaine Rowe is another new signing, following his release from Coventry City. During his time with the Sky Blues he was also loaned to Ayr Utd and Falkirk, playing both the Championship and League One in Scotland.

We won 5-2 at Barwell last year, but lost 2-3 at home and made the journey the to our Leicestershire neighbours only a few days ago winning 2-1.

It’s another 3pm kick off, be there!

October 2, 2023

Glassboys Shine As Sports Falter

by Peter Scherer

It just wasn’t to be, a first half red card and a goal conceded in each half, brought an end to Mickleover’s FA Cup run. Starting line-up. 1-Jim Pollard 2-Joe Bateman 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Ben Sault 8-Dan Bradley 9-Andre Wright 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Oliver Bosworth. Fin Ryder, Sam Tomlinson, Zac Sandhu.

Stourbridge were straight into their game and were causing trouble from the start, when Prosser’s fourth minute free kick was initially cleared before Bavanga missed tbe rebound.

But Stan Anaebonam soon capitalised on a poor clearance out of the Mickleover defence and successfully chipped the advancing Pollard. 0-1.

Only a minute or so later Sports could have equalised, after a Stourbridge mistake in defence saw the ball flash across an open goal before being cleared.

Benbow was almost clean through chasing a long ball from Flint after nine minutes, but Mickleover replied with a shot from just outside the box, straight at keeper Flatt.

Pollard pulled off another save from Benbow 22 minutes on as the Mickleover defence continued to be the busier of the two.

Sports managed to push forward a little more either side of the half hour mark. A free kick deep into Stourbridge territory was cleared and a couple of corners were both cleared by Prosser, before Pollard pulled off another save from Benbow.

But it took a turn for the worse when Barnes was red carded after 37 minutes in believed to be an off the ball incident.

Another defensive mix up after 39 minutes almost gifted Benbow a second Stourbridge goal, until Pollard came to the rescue, so it remained 0-1 at half time.

Mickleover were being over run by Stourbridge, who had raised their game considerably from their league form.

Anaebonam and Prosser went close before a 49^th penalty appeal was waved away. Pollard performed heroics in the Mickleover goal bit around the hour mark came the inevitable, when Flint hit the roof of the net. 0-2.

Mickleover fought hard to try and get back into the game and got the ball in the net after 76 minutes only to be disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

So the run has ended and we now look forward to Tuesday night’s home game against Stamford in the FA Youth Cup and next Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at Barwell.

September 27, 2023

Stourbridge (A): Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

It’s FA Cup time again on Saturday, when Mickleover travel to Stourbridge for their third qualifying round fixture.

Seven years ago the Glass Boys knocked Mickleover out of the Cup, but Sports are now aiming to reach the fourth qualifying round for the first time in their history.

It’s been a mixed start to the season for our hosts, who knocked out Matlock in the last FA Cup round 2-0 and are currently mid table in the league

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

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

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

Goalkeeper Charlie Price is in his second spell at the club, having left to join Alvechurch in June 2016, before returning three years later. Price was sent off in last weekends league defeat at Stamford.

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

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

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

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

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

Midfielder Harry Lewis made his first team debut in 21/22 season, after coming through the clubs academy. He has also had a few games for Team Dudley.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joel Sambrook is a young right back, who arrived on a three month loan from Solihull Moors at the start of the season.

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

Jessy Bavanganga is another centre back who came in pre-season from Leek Town.

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

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

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

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

A year later he came back for one season, before returning to Solihull, who loaned him back to Stourbridge. He came back permanently in July 2018, before a year at Nuneaton preceded his latest return to our hosts.

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

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

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

It’s an all ticket match, with the usual 3pm kick off. Mickleover will ne hoping that Andy Dales will be fit after missing the last two games, but Rhys Dolan and Will Trueman are still on the injury list.

September 26, 2023

Greaves Double Make It 10 In A Row

by Peter Scherer

Two goals from Oliver Greaves secured another three points for Mickleover, as they kept their 100 per cent record, with a 2-1 win at Barwell last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Joe Bateman 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Ben Sault 8-Dan Bradley 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Callum Chettle, Jim Pollard, Sam Tomlinson, Andre Wright, Brandon Ferron.

Barwell were first on the attack with Mann heading away the opening corner of the game. But after six minutes Barnes made a break down the right, finding Greaves in the centre, but his shot was blocked.

Only a couple of minutes later Barnes burst through again and almost made it into the box, before his path was blocked too.

Mickleover settled quickly and began to push forward, with Sault earning a corner after 10 minutes.

As the home defence started to be pegged back, Barnes again outpaced his chaser on the right to fire in another cross, which was met by the advancing Greaves, who scored from a tightening angle, 1-0.

Despite Barwell earning a couple of corners in the following minutes, they came to nought with Bosworth in the Mickleover untroubled.

Sports were oozing with confidence and were able to slow the game down to walking pace at times. Greaves was almost clear on another run after 18 minutes, but Bateman’s long ball proved a little too long.

Barwell continued to work hard to push forward, but found the presence of Bradley and Atkinson in front of Bateman, Delap, Mann and Wilson a solid unit to try and pierce

Rowe had the first real shot for Barwell after 21 minutes, just wide of the left-hand post and then Delap tripped Holman, but the following free kick was well off target.

Greaves pace continued to trouble the home defence on the left, ably supported by the overlapping Wilson, which also allowed Atkinson a break, firing over the bar after 26 minutes.

Sault was working hard to progress too, creating space for his own shot after 29 minutes, held firmly by keeper Griffiths.

Despite Mickleover’s dominance, they were no nearer to a second goal, but another Bateman run on the right found Beavon in the middle. His lay-off found Sault but the final shot was too high.

Greaves then managed to beat three defenders before running into trouble, but Barwell were still pushing for the equaliser, and although dangerous on the break, they seemed to lack a finish.

Both Delap and Mann made a number of interceptions with their heads and their feet, but a nice cross field ball from Delap after 41 minutes, found Beavon. His shot was just wide, but the ball went free across the box and needed a follow up.

Bradley was booked for a foul on Enoru, but Kerr’s free kick was wide of the mark and Bosworth had it covered, as it remained 1-0 at half time.

It was a far more even start to the second half, but after 52 minutes Barnes got clear on the right again, but his cross went out.

For a few minutes it looked liked Mickleover were turning the screw again, but Bosworth was in action after a half-hearted Barwell attack.

As the hour mark approached, the hosts had grown in stature and most of the play was in the Mickleover half, with Barwell now controlling midfield.

Bateman was yellow carded when he appeared to fall over a defender, but the following Barwell shot was blocked. Enoru then went solo, but ran into a crowded box, where his shot was blocked.

Sports had gone off the boil and Barwell seemed to be looking ever closer to an equaliser. But again they lacked someone who could finish some promising moves.

Cursons put a header wide for Barwell after 72 minutes, and Mickleover then made their first change with Chettle on for Barnes.

Rowe then tugged Greaves back as he attempted a rare second half charge, but the ref let it go, but shortly afterwards Wilson was booked.

Wright then came on for Beavon as Mickleover started to push forward again with 20 minutes left.

A long ball out of Sports defence sent Sault on a chase, but Griffiths was off his line and got there first. Then Barwell had a golden chance when after 86 minutes the fell threateningly into the box, with no one to receive it.

A minute later Mann charged down the field but lost control before he could pass, but five minutes were being added on.

There had been few chances for Mickleover in the second half, but after 91 minutes Chettle started a move on the right and as the ball came over Greaves was there again to make it 2-0.

Barwell responded with a shot high and wide, but after 93 minutes they pulled one back with Kamara heading home a Kerr free kick. 2-1.

The final few minutes were full on attack from Barwell with appeals for a penalty waved away. The whistle finally went and it was another three points, in a definite game of two halves.

There is no league action now until October 14^th when we face Royston at home, as next week it’s FA Cup at Stourbridge followed by return to Barwell in the FA Trophy a week later.

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023

Can Barwell Be Our 10/10?

by Peter Scherer

Saturday’s 5-0 win over AFC Sudbury made it nine out nine wins and made it an eight point gap. But Mickleover are in action again tonight when we visit 12^th in the table Barwell.

They drew 0-0 at Hitchin last Saturday, but have won three out four of their home games so far this season , but went down 0-2 when Leamington visited two weeks ago.