by Peter Scherer (Images by Steve Ingers)

For the second time this season Mickleover left Leek Town as winners, this time in the FA Trophy.

Starting line-up: 1.Yusuf Mersin 2.Jake Bennett 3.Ryan Wilson 4.Curtis Weston 5.Danny Benson 6.Will Atkinson 7.Dylan Edwards 8.Charlie Hickinbottom 9.Stuart Beavon 10.Ceiron Keane 11.Marcus Barnes. Subs: Fin Ryder, Callum Moore, Brandon Ferron, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, George Taft.

Only two minutes in and Beavon went close to opening the scoring for Mickleover, with a close range shot just wide of the left hand post. 10 minutes later Barnes went close too, collecting a long through ball from Beavon, his looping shot was just wide of the left hand post. Sports were looking far more dominant than in their August visit and continued to keep the hosts on the defensive.

A Wilson free kick was comfortably collected by keeper Visser as it rebounded off the wall after 14 minutes, but Mickleover were forced to make an early change. Beavon had taken an earlier knock and was replaced by Davidson-Miller after 28 minutes.

Visser was in action again with a 31st minute tip over, following an excellent distance shot from Keane. Bennett then found Wilson, but his fairly tame shot was easily taken by Visser.

Mickleover were continuing to dominate and Keane’s charge down the left found Edwards in space after 35 minutes, but his effort failed to trouble Visser too and was cleared.

Barnes tried to test the keeper again three minutes later, but the final effort was straight at him and it remained 0-0 as the half time whistle went.
The second half started in a similar vain after Edwards sent Barnes on a run into the box 55 minutes in. His effort was blocked though but earned a corner.
Mickleover finally got the break two minutes later, when Edwards was brought down in the box his namesake Liam. The penalty was buried in the bottom corner well out if Visser’s reach 1-0.

Davidson-Miller then led a break down the left, finding Edwards as he cut inside, but the final shot was saved again. Onyeka led a rare attack for Leek after 67 minutes, but his shot was well held by Mersin.

Ferron and Taft came on for Davidson-Miller and Weston, before Barnes almost snatched a second for Mickleover. He had run on to a long ball over the top, beat the centre back but fired just wide of the right hand post.

Mersin made a decisive block from a late Leek attack, but the 1-0 win was secure as we look forward to the FA Trophy first round proper draw.

by Peter Scherer

For the second time this season, Mickleover will be visiting Leek Town on Saturday, but this time in the FA Trophy.

Memories of last years victory at Spennymoor and penalty shoot out defeat come flooding back, as Sports to make similar progress in this years competition.

Since our victory at Leek back in August, our hosts have only had one league victory, 2-1 at Matlock and, until they beat Lancaster City 2-0 last Tuesday’s, leaving them 18thin the table.

Mickleover have been close to two recent away wins andare currently sixth, following Tuesday’s draw at Warrington Rylands.

Manager Josh Brehaut took over at Leek at the beginning of last season, having previously been joint assistant. He has worked in Stoke City and Port Vale’s Academies and been assistant manager at Kidsgrove.

First choice goalkeeper Dino Visser started his career in his native South Africa, with Platinum Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, Back Leopards, Polokwane City, Santos and Cape Umoya, before coming to the UK with Exeter City in 2019 at the age of 30.

He quickly moved on via Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale, before joining Hereford in September 2022 and came to Leek last November.

His deputy is Xander Parke, a St.Kitts & Nevis International, who started out at Stoke City’s Academy. He joined Shrewsbury Town on his release and came to our hosts last October.

Conor Robson is a keeper too, a pre-signing Tranmere Rovers. He was a Stoke Junior and has also played for Trafford and Cammell

Right back Liam Buckley was signed from 1874 Northwich at the beginning of last season. Originally a Chester Junior, he has also played for Welsh Premiership side Cefn Druids.

Olly Harrison is a burly defender who started out at Crewe Alexandra. He went to Sweden with IKF Ostersund an first came to Leek in 2019.

Midfielder Tom Scully unusually played for both Liverpool and Everton at youth level, before a two year stay at Norwich City.  He then moved to Accrington, before crossing the Irish sea on loan at Carrick Rangers. Following his release from Accrington he joined Nantwich, before switching to Leek at the start of last season.

Winger Alex Hurst started at Crewe Alexandra too, and joined Matlock Town following his release. He moved on to Bradford Park Avenue and Port Vale, before loaned back to Bradford. Next stop was York City, before ending last season at Macclesfield. He has league two experience and came to Leek pre-season.

Midfielder Brendon Daniels s a former England C player, who has played in leagues one and two. He was another player to start out at Crewe, before playing at Under 21 level with both Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.

He was to Chester following his release, moving on to Tamworth, Harrogate Town, Fylde, Alfreton and Port Vale, with loans at Altrincham and Telford before joining Stourbridge on his release. He had a brief loan at Mickleover last season and was a pre-season signing for Leek.

Midfielder Nathan Okome is fairly new arrival. He started at Knutsford, before moving to 1874 Northwich, Hanley Town and Chorley, followed by loans at Witton Albion, Matlock and Glossop, before starting last season at Nantwich.

Fellow midfielder Ty Webster came from Crewe too, he played for Telford last season and was another pre-season arrival for our hosts.

Central midfielder Adam Porter is another Stoke City Junior, who arrived at the end of August from Truro City. He was on loan at Leek back in 2019 and Altrincham, before going to Salford City following his release. He was then loaned to Truro City and Ashton, before a permanent move to Truro, where he spent the whole of last season.

Lucas Weir is another midfielder. His junior football was spent at Chester and Wigan before going to 1874 Northwich. He spent some time in the US with Evansville Purple Aces, before returning to Northwich. After spending 22/23 at Marine, he returned to Northwich for a third time last season, and was another pre-season arrival at Leek.

Central midfielder Ollie Shenton is a former Stoke City Junior. He was loaned to Wrexham and Kidderminster before going to Chorley on his release. He was then loaned to Warrington Rylands, before joining the pre-season newcomers at Leek.

Defender Liam Edwards is another pre-season signing. A former Stoke City youngster, he moved to Bolton on his release and captained their Under 21 side. He was then loaned to Southport and made six first team appearances at Bolton, before going to Chester after his release.

Midfielder Billy Reeves returned to our hosts for a second time, when he signed pre-season from Bury. A former Port Vale youngster, he originally came from Stafford Rangers in September 2018, but moved to Bootle last summer, before making the move to Bury.

Striker Tim Grice came from Stoke City’s Academy, before joining Wolstanton Utd and Alsager Town. He is the clubs longest serving player have signed from Eccleshall in 2011.

Striker Joe Woolley came in pre-season from Kidsgrove Athletic. He had joined them at the start of last season after eight seasons at 1874 Northwich and has also played for Bootle.

Tyreece Onyeka is another new arrival, from Stafford Rangers. Another Crewe Junior, he was loaned to Matlock and Stalybridge, before going to Staford on his release.

Tom Curl is a right back and another former Stoke City Junior. A fairly new arrival, who has become established in the starting line-up.

Defender Taylor McMahon is on a dual registration with Irlam Town. He started off at Stoke City and moved on to Stafford Rangers, before joining Stockport County. He also had a loan spell at Staybridge last season.

Left back Ollie Heywood has recently returned to Leek on loan from Chester. He has spent most of his career at Chester and came to our hosts on loan last December, after an earlier loan at Northwich, but started this season on loan at Hanley Town.

Striker Dara McGuinness is a Republic of Ireland Under 16, 18 and 19 International, currently on loan from Stoke City. He started out with St.Patrick’s Athletic, before a two year spell at Shamrock Rovers.

Join us at the F.Ball Community Stadium, kick off 3.00pm

YOUR SUPPORT WOULD BE WELCOMED to see Sports in the hat for the next round.

by Peter Scherer (Photo: John Hopkins)

Despite being two goals up at Warrington Rylands last night, Mickleover came away with a 2-2 draw.

Starting line-up: 1.Yusuf Mersin 2.Jake Bennett 3.Ryan Wilson 4.Charlie Hickinbottom 5.Danny Benson 6.George Taft 7.Dylan Edwards 8.Will Atkinson 9.Stuart Beavon 10.Andy Dales 11.Marcus Barnes. Subs. Justin Iwobi, Fin Ryder, Brandon Ferron, Jahvan Davidson-Miller.

Mersin hada busy night in the Mickleover goal, starting after just six minutes, with a save from Hardcastle, before Smith’s rebound was just wide of the left hand post.

But three minutes later Sports went 1-0 up, with Beavon latching on to a long ball over the top, to lob keeper Hurst into the left hand top corner.

It got even better when Dales cut inside to bury goal number two into the bottom right corner at close range. 2-0.
But from the 20 minute mark the hosts began a forceful fightback, with Mersin saving from Hardcastle again, following a corner.

It was Hardcastle threatening again after 26 minutes. His powerful strike from the right was held by Mersin at the second attempt.

The pressure continued to build when Daniel cut inside five minutes later, but his clear chance went high and wide.
Daniel fired another shot over the bar, before Mersin’s diving save after 35 minutes, kept out Hardcastle’s long range effort.

Mersin saved again from Hardcastle after 43 minutes, before Adeokya finally netted for Rylands 2-1.
There were appeals for a Mickleover penalty in time added on, after Edwards went down. These were ignored and so it stayed 2-1 at half time.

Sports made changes with Ferron and Davidson-Miller on for Edwards and Beavon, but Mersin was soon busy again.
He had already made multiple saves before Daniel went close again after 54 minutes.

Ryder came on for Taft and Wilson had a random shot after 63 minutes, well off target.

The equaliser finally came from Lonsdale after 66 minutes, but the hosts went close again with two minutes of normal time left, when Adekoya’s shot was deflected for a corner.

A solid away point, but for the second successive game it could have been three.

 

by Peter Scherer

Following the disappointment of last Saturday’s draw at Bamber Bridge, Mickleover will be hoping to add to their away successes when they visit struggling Warrington Rylands on Tuesday night. 

With just one win so far away at Morpeth back in August, they recently parted company with manager Mark Duffy and have appointed ex FC United boss Neil Reynolds.

Fresh from their FA Cup defeat at home to Scarborough last Saturday, our hosts will be looking to add to the solitary home point gained so far this season, in a 1-1 draw with FC United.

Goalkeeper Luke Pilling has played for Wales at Under 17,19,20 and 21 and arrived from Telford in January 2023. He started out at Tranmere, who loaned him to Ashton Utd, before going to Notts County on his release. His next stop was Stafford Rangers, before spending a year at Telford.

Centre back and captain James Neild started off at Curzon Ashton, before moving on to Hyde Utd and New Mills. He came to Rylands in January 2022, after 16 months at Trafford.

Fellow centre back Matty Regan played for England at Under 16,17& 18 levels. A former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest youngster, he joined Tamworth on his release, who loaned him to Hednesford and Worcester City before he moved on to Stalybridge.

Next stop was Curzon Ashton, followed by Ashton Utd, Farsley Celtic and Warrington. He then spent a year at Ashton Utd, before joining our hosts at the start of last season.

Left back Dylan Dwyer was a pre-season signing, following his release from Wigan Athletic. He also played for Fleetwood, The New Saints and Tranmere, before joining Wigan in August 2022.

Clive Smith is a right back capped at under 17 & 19 levels for Wales. He started at Preston North, who loaned him to St.Johnstone, before a permanent move to Southport. Droylsden, Atherton and FC United followed, he returned to Atherton in September 2022. He has been with our hosts since July last year.

Right back James Baillie played his junior football at Crewe Alexandra, who loaned to Nantwich, before joining Curzon Ashton. He has played for Warrington too and joined our hosts at the start of last season from Ashton Utd.

Midfielder Cameron Rooney was a pre-season signing, following his release from Morecambe. During his time with the Shrimps, he was loaned to Runcorn Linnets, Nantwich and Lower Breck.

Dean Furman has 55 caps for South Africa under his belt. A central midfielder, he started at Radlett before joining Chelsea. He was loaned to Glasgow Rangers, Bradford City, Oldham Athletic and Doncaster Rovers, before going back to South Africa with SuperSport Utd

After returning to the UK with Carlisle, he was at Altrincham, before joining Rylands in August 2022 and has well over 400 senior games under his belt.

Ben Hough is another central midfielder. He started at Oldham Athletic and played Warrington and Ashton too, before joining our hosts in July 2023.

Striker Ntumba Masanka was a pre-season arrival. He played junior football with both Manchester United and City, before a move to Burnley. Loans at York City, Morecambe, Wrexham, Dover Athletic and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium, before going to Chorley following his release.

He then moved to ASD Angelana in Italy, before joining South Shields on his UK return. More loans at Stalybridge, Boston Utd and Stafford followed, before he signed for Macclesfield. Six months with Digenis Akritas Morfou in Cyprus followed, before ending last season back at Stalybridge.

Striker Sam Burns came through Blackburn Rovers youth scheme. He made 15 league starts and was loaned to FC United and Scunthorpe, before joining Panachaiki GE in Greece. Back in the UK he was at Bootle and Bury, before coming to Rylands last March.

Midfielder Ben Hardcastle signed from Atherton Collieries in summer of 2023. He originally signed for Colls in 2014 from neighbours Atherton LR before joining Ashton United in December 2019. 

Centre back Aaron Pickles had league two experience. He started at Accrington and was loaned to Glossop a couple of season ago, before starting another with Rylands at the start of the season.

Striker Jake Daniels is on loan from Blackpool, and has also had spells at Bamber Bridge and Bradford Park Avenue.

Luke Porter, Liam Morris and Dana Amaral have also been starters recently.

Kick off 7.45.

by Peter Scherer (Photography: Steve Ingers)

Just as Mickleover looked to be cruising to a comfortable 2-0 win at Bamber Bridge, two late goals from Lucas Weaver salvaged a point for the hosts.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Charlie Hickingbottom 5-Danny Benson 6- George Taft 7-Dylan Edwards 8- Cieron Keane 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Fin Ryder, Kieren Flavell, Justin Iwobi, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Callum Moore.

It was flying start for the hosts, going close twice in the first five minutes. Firstly Baxter was left in space, but his shot struck the right hand post, before Potts shot wide after three minutes.

Then only two minutes later Weaver fired in a low shot after getting around the back of the defence, but his effort was just wide of the left-hand post.

Sports came into the game with Wilson having a crack after 13 minutes, closely followed Edwards firing over, after a through ball from Beavon.

Beavon then went close himself 25 minutes in, beating the offside trap, his shot was palmed away by keeper Pradic. Only a minute later Dales went 1 on 1, trying to chip the keeper, his shot was just beyond the right-hand post.

But Bamber Bridge came back fighting too, with Danny Edwards firing over the bar, before Barnes charged free and tried to lob Pradic. It was just wide to, but then Edwards fired inn another shot just over.

31 minutes and Potts looked set to open the scoring for the hosts after a great ball from Churchman, until a fumble left his tamer than expected effort firmly in Sports keeper Mersin’s hands.

Dales tried a long shot after 43 minutes, deflected for a corner by Grand and so the half time whistle blew and remained 0-0.

Bamber Bridge started the second half on the attack, with Potts finding Edwards. He picked out Baxter in space, who fed Weaver, but the result was a corner.

Finally the deadlock was broken after 54 minutes when a Beavon header came back off the bar, and Barnes was on hand to slot it home, 1-0.

Two minutes later Keane nearly made it two, but Pradic saved and set up a Bamber counter attack, which ended with Weaver overrunning the ball.

Churchman shot wide for the hosts after a 58th minute free kick, but on the hour Sports skipper Wilson made it 2-0, beating Pradic to fire home his free kick into the top left-hand corner.

Wilson went close again with another free kick only five minutes later, before Edwards’ follow up header went over. Hasler-Creg tried a shot easily taken by Mersin, just before Iwobi came on for Edwards after 74 minutes.

Mersin was in action again after 79 minutes with a terrific save from Potts’ close range effort and the Iwobi had a good chance of a Mickleover third, but shot over from close range.

Into the last 10 minutes Mickleover were on the defensive with Potts making a header only just off target after 88 minutes. 

Sports defence weren’t so fortunate at the end of the 90 minutes, when Weaver outpaced the defence and placed his shot over Mersin, 2-1.

Five minutes into time added on and it got worse, when a great cross from Broadbank found Weaver unmarked on the back post, and from 2-0 and was 2-2 with final whistle blowing. 

“They had the first 10 minutes and hit the post, but from then it was all us. I’m angry and frustrate, as we deserved a lot more. Then two sloppy errors costs us another win on the run,” said manager Gareth Holmes.

 

by Peter Scherer

This weekend Mickleover face another in form team, as we head up the M6 to Bamber Bridge.

Sports have a few injury niggles to sort out before the weekend, but should hopefully have virtually a full squad to choose from, as they go for a second successive win.

After a win at Whitby on the opening day of the season, our hosts went six games without a repeat, but have now won their last three, at home to Prescot and away to Workington and Warrington Rylands.

They also went out of the FA Cup to Newton Aycliffe after a replay and penalties.

Teenager Nicholas Michalski had been first choice goalkeeper for Jamie Milligan’s side, until the recent arrival of fellow teen James Pradic. 

Michalski is an Under 16 and 17 International on loan from Blackburn Rovers, whereas Pradic is a loanee too from Preston North End, and capped by Wales at Under 16,17,18 and 19 levels.

Pradic started out at Charlton Athletic and his current loan is his third with our hosts.

Simon Grand is a vastly experienced centre back, having played in Leagues One and Two. He started out with Rochdale, before moving on to Carlisle Utd, Grimsby Town, Morecambe, Northwich and Fleetwood.

After loans at Mansfield and Aldershot, he made a permanent move to Southport, but was soon on the move again via Telford, Barrow, Salford, Fylde, Chester and Charnock Richard. He started last season with Lancaster City and joined our hosts last January.

Centre back Will Squires was a pre-season arrival, having started his career with Blackpool. He spent part of last season on loan at Bamber Bridge, as well as spells with Southport and Hyde., before being released by the Seasiders in the summer.

Finlay Wallbank is another young centre back. He started at Preston, but spent last season with Workington, before joining the pre-season signings at Bamber Bridge.

Adam Dodd is a left back with experience in the Scottish League. He is another former Blackpool Junior who was loaned to Altrincham and Ayr Utd, before joining Chorley on his release. He first joined our hosts in January 2016, but after 3 ½ years moved onto FC United, but returned four years later to start last season.

Fellow left back Liam Brockbank was a pre-season signing from Altrincham. He was a junior at Carlisle, before joining Workington. Lancaster and Altrincham were his next stops, with loans at Gloucester City and Warrington Rylands.

Defensive midfielder Alex Kenyon made over 250 senior league two appearances, after starting his career with Everton. He joined Chorley following his release, before a three year stay with Stockport County. 

After moves to Morecambe and Scunthorpe, he went to Scotland with Ayr Utd, returning to England with Chester. He was at Curzon Ashton last season, before his pre-season move to our hosts.

Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews is a young midfielder on loan from Blackburn Rovers, while central midfielder Alex-Ray Harvey was a pre-season signing from Stafford Rangers.

Harvey was a Burnley Junior who was loaned to Fleetwood, before a permanent move to Barrow following his release. He played for Guiseley and Hednesford too, before his five year stay at Stafford.

Central midfielder Jack Baxter has spent most of his career at Preston North End. He was loaned out to Clitheroe, Chorley, Stalybridge, Cork City and Radcliffe, before joining Stafford on his release in July 2022. He came to Bamber at the start of last season.

Michael Potts is an experienced central midfielder too, after starting out with Manchester Utd and Blackburn Rovers. Following his release he moved to York City and Guiseley, before a loan at Stalybridge.

Next stops were Bradford Park Avenue and Curzon Ashton, before his first spell at Bamber Bridge in 2016. After two years he moved to FC United and returned to our hosts at the beginning of last season.

Chris Churchman is a long serving central midfielder, having signed from Hyde Utd in July 2018. He started out at Stockport and was loaned to Buxton, before a permanent move to Macclesfield. The next stop was Welsh League side Connahs Quay, followed by a year at Clitheroe before he joined Hyde.

Midfielder Danny Edwards came from Fleetwood at the beginning of last season, having started his career at Preston North End. He also had loan spells at Kendal and Colne.

Lewis Hey is another midfielder who arrived from Bradford Park Avenue pre-season, having previously played for Guiseley. 

Right winger Lucas Weaver is on loan from Altrincham, who he joined pre-season from Colne. He previously played for Fulwood.

Striker Mark Cullen has played in the Premiership and all three EFL Divisions. He spent much of his career at Hull City during which time he was loaned to Bradford City, Bury and Stockport, before moving to Luton Town.

Two years at Kenilworth Road were followed by a move to Blackpool, who also loaned him to Carlisle, before a permanent move to Port Vale. His next stop was Hartlepool, before our hosts signed him from Fylde at the start of last season.

Striker Nathan Caine came from Atherton Collieries pre-season. He came through the youth ranks at Mansfield Town, with loans at Ilkeston and Sutton Coldfield, before going to Stafford Rangers. Stalybridge was his next stop, before spending last season at Atherton.

Olly Molloy was another pre-season signing, a striker from Runcorn Linnets. He previously played for Charnock Richard and Fulwood.

Right back Macauley Wilson has just rejoined our hosts from Bury, having only moved at the start of the season. He started off at Lytham before Manchester Utd signed him. He was also a junior at Blackpool and was first loaned to Bamber Bridge in 2016. After a loan at Fylde he came to Bamber permanently in July 2017, following his release from Blackpool and s a former club captain.

Attacking midfielder Billy Hasler-Creg arrived in pre-season from Colne. As a Rochdale Junior he was loaned to Droylsden, before going to Altrincham on his release. Stops at Stalybridge and Congleton followed, before joining Colne. He then had a short stay at Ramsbottom before returning Colne at the start of last season.

Midfielder Jarma Mohammed has come from Wigan Athletic, but has also played junior football at Liverpool, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers.

Jeff Adubofour is a midfielder too and has played Champions League Futsal for Manchester, while fellow midfielder Billy Bould is now a regular in the squad too.

Kick off as usual is 3pm, with easy access to the ground from the M6.

by Peter Scherer (Photography by Steve Ingers)

After a couple of recent disappointments, it was back to winning ways with a bang for Mickleover, as two goals in each half secured a 4-0 win over Blyth Spartans.

Starting line-up: 1-Kieren Flavell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Cieron Keane 4-Curtis Weston 5-Chrlie Hickingbottom 6-George Taft 7-Dylan Edwards 8- Dan Bradley 9-Styart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Callum Moore, Brandon Ferron, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Toby Smith, Justin Iwobi.

Sports were straight on the attack from the kick off, and soon gained their reward with the opening goal after nine minutes. The ball had been played to Dales on the left, he crossed and found Beavon in the middle, who tucked the ball home to make it 1-0.

Mickleover were forced to make a change 20 minutes in though, when Bradley took a knock and was replaced by Ferron, who moved to left back, with Keane going into midfield.

There had been little threat from the visitors and after 38 minutes there was almost a second for Mickleover, when Barnes took the ball past a defender on the right, and fired goalwards, with keeper Bond’s save going off the post.

There was only another six minutes wait however before Edwards hit the second, after getting on the end

of a counter attack, 2-0, with a the half time whistle soon following.

The second half started as the first had finished and only three minutes in Barnes broke clear to make it 3-0 after 47 minutes.

Moore, Davidson-Miller and Iwobi had all come on as substitutes, as Blyth did get forward a little more, bringing Flavell into the game after being virtually redundant in the first half.

Smith was the final sub on for Keane, but there was still another goal to come. Beavon went down the right and made a telling chip to the far post, where Davidson-Miller was waiting and smashed the ball into the roof of the net, to make the final score 4-0, as winter came early with hail and very heavy rain.

“The lads followed my instructions from the start, on the front foot and keeping the pressure on continuously from start to finish. We have lost one game in eight to one of the best teams in the league, we got another clean sheet today and for now, we’ve finished with the Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday games. We’ve been under pressure for this first quarter of the season, but now we can look at things more in training and in eighth we’re only just outside the play-offs,” said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

 

by Peter Scherer

Both Mickleover and Blyth Spartans will be looking for three points as they meet at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

For Mickleover it’s crucial to return to winning ways after their 0-4 to Worksop last Tuesday ended a run of five games unbeaten, while Blyth took their first league just over a week ago, at home to Workington.

Sports expect to have Barnsley loanee Kieran Flavell in goal again, during Yusuf Mersin’s paternal break, and will still be without Gaby Adebambo, recovering from an ankle injury and possibly Will Atkinson, after his concussion in the Basford game.

Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper David Stockdale has recently taken over as Blyth manager, after previously being Nobby Solano’s assistant. They currently lie 21^st in the table with just the one win, and went out of the FA Cup last weekend 0-3 at home to Bury, and were relegated from the National League North last season.

Although manager Stockdale is still a registered player, first choice goalkeeper is currently Gateshead loanee Harrison Bond. A former Sunderland junior, Bond was loaned to Shildon, before joining Gateshead on his release in August 2023. He has also been loaned out to Whitley Bay.

Reserve keeper Michael Hogan is also on loan from Bedlington Terriers. After starting out at Newcastle Utd, he joined York City, before joining Blyth at the start of last season. But he spent most of last season on loan, firstly back at Bedlington and also Newcastle Blue Star.

Centre back Greg Halford is a former England Under 20 International, with well over 500 league appearances under his belt in every division, having played throughout England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

A recent signing, he started at Braintree, before joining Colchester Utd. After a spell at Reading he moved to Sunderland, who loaned him to Charlton Athletic and Sheffield Utd, before a move to Wolves in 2009.

Portsmouth was his next stop after an initial loan, before a move to Nottingham Forest in 2012. He spent three years at Forest, including a loan at Brighton, before moving onto Rotherham, Cardiff and Aberdeen.

Southend Utd and Waterford followed, before joining Billericay. It was then two years at Hashtag Utd, before starting this season at Bishop Stortford.

Fellow centre back Ben Milburn is another pre-season arrival, but it’s his second spell with our visitors. Chester Le Street and Carlisle Utd Park View were his junior clubs, before coming to Blyth in August 2021. 

After a loans at Whickham and North Shields he joined Consett in August 2022, before returning to Blyth.

Left back Connor Pani is another loanee from Gateshead. As well as loans at Morpeth and Workington, he was previously loaned to Blyth back in January 2023 for one month.

Former Middlesbrough and Rotherham Junior Joel Holvey made one league appearance before coming to our visitors pre-season. A left back he went out on loan to Gainsborough Trinity too last season.

Michael Woods is an experienced midfielder and former England Under 20 International. He was at both Leeds Utd and Chelsea in his early career, making almost 100 league one appearances.

After a loan at Notts County, he was released by Chelsea and joined Yeovil Town. Doncaster was his next stop, with a couple of spells at Harrogate Town split by a spell at Hartlepool.  

Three years at Dover Athletic, were then followed by two years at York and two more years at South Shields, before coming to Blyth pre-season.

Chester Le Street started Harrison Clark’s career, before he headed off to Scotland. His first move was Livingston, who then loaned him to Arbroath, Kelty Hearts and Stirling Albion, before returning to England with Gateshead February last year. A central midfielder, he was pre-season arrival last year.

Club captain Nicky Deverdics has just started his fourth season at the club, since arriving from Gateshead in July 2021. A central midfielder, he has played in League Two, Scotland and Europe, after starting out at Newcastle Utd.

He was at Bedlington Terriers before heading to Gretna and Barnet, before his first spell at Blyth in 2010. After nine months he went to Iceland, returning to the UK with Alfreton after two seasons.

He then moved to TB Tvoroyri in the Faroe Islands for a short stay, before moving back to the UK again with Tadcaster. Dover Athletic was his next stop, before going to Hartlepool, who loaned him to back to Dover, before a move to Wrexham, preceded his Gateshead stay.

Billy Gordon is a central midfielder too, having arrived from York City at the beginning of last season.

Ryan Donaldson s a right winger and former Newcastle Utd Junior, with experience in League’s One and Two. After loans at Hartlepool and Tranmere he signed for Gateshead on his release. After spells at Cambridge Utd and Plymouth Argyle he went back to Hartlepool, but a four-year stay at Morpeth preceded his pre-season move to Blyth.

Striker Mitch Curry came through the junior ranks at Middlesbrough. He had loans at Harrogate, Inverness Caledonian and Gateshead before moving to Sunderland.

He then went to the US in 2021, firstly with Fort Lauderdale, then Inter Miami and Hartford, before returning to the UK two years later with Darlington. He was another pre-season signing for our visitors.

Fellow striker Harry Gardiner started out at South Shields before moving to Sunderland. He was then loaned back to South Shields, before his loan spell at Blyth at the end last season, became permanent during pre-season.

Joao Gomes and Dan Savage are strikers too and currently on loan from South Shields for the whole season.

Striker Joseph Abrahart came from North Shields pre-season. He also played early youth football in Alberta, Canada and with Philadelphia Lone Stars in the US.

Marcello Benedetti is another striker that’s recently arrived. He was a Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday Junior and has played for Shelbourne in the League of Ireland and local clubs West Allotment Celtic, Seaton Delaval and Whitley Bay too. He was an England Under 17 International.

Midfielder Charlie Aitken is the son of goalkeeping coach Ian. He has come through the junior ranks and joined the first team squad at the start of last season and has spent time at Whickham on a dual registration too.

Zach Simpson is another home-grown talent. A midfielder too, he has played at New Hartley Juniors and Newcastle Blue Star.

Josh Norvell and strikers Ryan Ndewini and Bobby Small are also junior graduates. 

Blyth have also added loanee defender Louis Stephenson to their squad in the last day or two, from Hartlepool.

Kick off is 3pm, come and help Sports get those valuable three points!!

by Peter Scherer

Barnsley Under 21 goalkeeper Kieran Flavell has joined Mickleover on an emergency loan, covering for regular keeper Yusuf Mersin’s imminent fatherhood.

Flavell made his debut in the home defeat to high flying Worksop Town and also had a loan spell at Bradford Park Avenue last season.