by Peter Scherer

Mickleover played Leek three times last season and came out on top in all three games. But it was our hosts who survived in the NPL to finally finish 15th, winning a hard fought battle for survival.

It’s the last chance for Sports gaffer Gareth Holmes to try out trialists, as well as defining his starting his starting line-up for the following weeks league opener.

Most of Josh Brehaut’s squad at Leek have been retained for this season. They recently lost 0-3 to Clitheroe in a friendly and last Saturday played both Nantwich Town, winning 2-1 and Kidsgrove Athletic, losing 0-1.

South African Dean Visser is first choice goalkeeper, signed from Hereford in late 2023. He’s played for Port Vale, Crewe and Exeter City too, having spent his earlier career at home in South Africa.

Visser’s deputy is Xander Parke, a former Stoke City and Shrewsbury Junior who also arrived in late ’23.

Centre back Liam Edwards came from Chester at the start of last season. He started out at Stoke City, before joining Bolton Wanderers. After a loan at Southport he joined Chester on his release in August 2022.

Liam Buckley came from 1874 Northwich at the start of the 23/24 season. Primarily a right back he has also played for Cefn Druids after starting out at Chester City.

Tom Curl is right back too and spent most of his career with Stoke City. He had a loan spell with Hanley Town, but joined our hosts at the start of last season.

Billy Reeves is an experienced midfielder, who came through Port Vale’s youth scheme, making 12 League One appearances. He was loaned to Witton Albion and Hyde Utd, before joining Stafford Rangers after an initial loan.

He then spent almost five years at Leek before moving to Bootle in July 2023, but returned at the start of last season after a spell at Bury.

Central midfielder Adam Porter is a product of the Stoke City Academy. Back in 2019 he was loaned to Leek and also had a spell at Altrincham before joining Salford City on his release. He played for Truro City and Ashton Utd too, before returning to Leek in August last year.

Ollie Shenton came via the Stoke Academy too and is another central midfielder. After loans at Wrexham and Kidderminster he joined Chorley and had another loan at Warrington Rylands before joining our hosts at the start of last season.

Lucas Weir favours central midfield too and joined our hosts in January last year from 1874 Northwich. He played his youth football at Northwich Victoria, Chester City and Wigan Athletic, but has spent much of his career at 1874 Northwich. He had a spell in the US with Evansville Purple Aces and has also played for Marine.

Left winger Alex Hurst has League Two experience. He started out at Crewe Alexandra, before a short spell at Matlock. Bradford Park Avenue was his next stop, before joining Port Vale. He has also played for York City and came to our hosts from Macclesfield at the start of last season.

Striker Louis Potts came from Preston North End’s youth scheme. He played for Workington and Glossop North End too, before his first spell with Avro. Mossley and Ashton Utd are also on his CV, along with return trips to Avro. He joined Leek last December from Clitheroe.

Tyreece Onyeka is another striker who arrived from Stafford at the start of last season. He was previously a Crewe junior.

Hayden Campbell is a striker too. He started out at Port Vale and Salford City and was loaned to Stalybridge and Altrincham before joining Marine on his release. He has played for Curzon Ashton and Macclesfield to before coming to Leek last October from Rushall Olympic.

Centre back Matty Fenton is a new arrival from 1874 Northwich after a four year stint with the club. He is a former Crewe Junior.

Ollie Heywood has just arrived too following his release from Chester. He has previously had two loan spells at Leek, along with 1874 Northwich and Hanley Town.

Striker Connor Heath completes the three new signings, after a short spell at Hyde Utd. He is another former Crewe Junior, who was loaned to Witton Albion and Colwyn Bay, before going to Nantwich on his release. He has played for Farsley Celtic, Nantwich, Southport and Stafford too.

Kick off as usual is 7.45 pm.

by Peter Scherer (Photos: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover went down 1-4 to Barnsley’s Under 21’s, in their final home game of the pre-season campaign.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Josh Carter 3-Liam Carter 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ashton Offler 6-GeorgeWilkinson 7-Ryan Wilson 8-Harry Wood 9-Trialist A 10-Andy dales 11-Trialist B. Subs: Paddy Webb, Jake Bennett & Trialists C,D & E.

It was end to end from the kick-off, with Wood having the first shot for Mickleover just wide after three minutes. Two minutes later Barnsley got a break, and despite being pursued by Wilkinson,their shot was wide too.

Just after another Mickleover effort was blocked on the left, Liam Carter earned the first corner of the game, after he forced the visitors keeper into a good save, having picked up a telling pass from Wood.

Another Barnsley break fizzled out after nine minutes, but could have had another chance 10 minutes later, following a corner in a crowded home box. The combination of Wilkinson and Offler cleared the threat, but it continued to be end to end. Trialist B put a nice long ball through for Liam Carter to chase after 26 minutes, his cross was collected by Atkinson, but the final effort was blocked. Just a minute later Trialist B was in the action again, but his shot sailed well over the bar. Mickleover were unlucky not to take the lead on the half hour, after Trialist A spotted the Barnsley keeper well off his line. The following lob looked set for the right-hand top corner, but somehow the keeper managed to race back and get a fingertip touch for a corner.

Sports were having more attacking possession, but Barnsley continued to look dangerous on the breaks. Another corner came to nought for Mickleover, before Trialist B and Liam Carter combined well on the left. Trialist B then cut in again from the left, hitting the far post, after a deflection put the ball out for a corner.
Bosworth then made a save with his feet as Barnsley threatened, but just a minute later the visitors opened the scoring, when a rebound off the post fell nicely to make it 0-1. Right on half time Barnsley hit a second, but the long ball over the defence looked borderline offside. But it was enough to send Sports off for half time 0-2 down, with not even enough time to restart.

More Trialists came off the subs bench for the second half, but Barnsley immediately looked hungry to add to their goal tally, with a 47th minute shot over the bar.
Mickleover had another shot saved after 52 minutes, before Bennett came on for Offler. But after some good work by Trialist B, another Trialist striker had a good chance to pull a goal back, but failed to get a shot in. Webb replaced Dales after 61 minutes and was soon taking on the visiting defence. He sent over a cross from the right seven minutes later, but Trlalist B shot into the side netting.

Bosworth then made a save close range, before Wood pulled a goal back. Following a corner, Webb had possession, and fired another cross into the box, finding Wood to strike it home, 1-3. Only two minutes had gone since the Mickleover goal and Barnsley restored their two three goal lead. Wilkinson pulled a striker down in the box, and the visitors made no mistake from the spot 1-4. Wood put another 79th minute shot over, before Sport s won a free kick, which went straight into keepers waiting arms.

Webb had another strike straight at the keeper, before his strong running on the right set up Wood again, earning a late corner from a deflection. Mickleover finished strongly but had to accept the 1-4 defeat, even though it may have flattered our visitors a little.

 

By Peter Scherer 

For the second successive year, Mickleover overcame the challenge from Burton Albion, to comfortably retain the KC Trophy with a 5-0 victory

Starting line-up: 1- Jack McDowell 2-Liam Carter 3-Josh Carter 4-Danny Benson 5-Ashton Offler 6-George Wilkinson 7-Andy Dales 8-Harry Wood 9-Paddy Webb 10-Archie White 11-Steven Johnson-Fikula. Subs: Ryan Wilson, Jake Bennett, Brandon Ferron, Stuart Beavon, Frase Corden, Trialist.

The Burton youngsters certainly started with plenty of pace and vigour, but their first attack was repelled when Offler headed away after three minutes.

Just a minute later Mickleover retaliated when Dales charged down the left. His cross was picked up by Josh Carter, before a positive tackle by the visitors cleared the danger.

Burton quickly responded with a break down the right, with the final shot just wide of the left hand post.

Our visitors were back on the attack again earning a seventh minute free kick after a Wood foul, but the triple centre backs of Benson, Wilkinson and Offler easily had things under control.

Josh Carter led another Mickleover break 11 minutes in, but his final shot was wide before White almost got around the back of the Burton defence six minutes later.

The Carter twins both continued to pile the pressure on the visitors and after 18 minutes Josh’s corner earned a corner on the left . Dales then succeeded in outpacing the defence, before cutting inside on the right. His cross once again found a Carter, but this time it was Liam, whose shot was blocked.

Although Burton continued to have a fair share of possession, their threat to the home defence was already beginning to ebb.

Josh Carter shot just wide again after 24 minutes, before Burton made a break, but once again there was no direction to their final effort.

Sports had to make an early substitution, Wilson for Benson. “I just felt my hamstring starting to tighten, so it was a precaution,” said Benson.

But Mickleover were soon in front, when Dales placed a free kick well out of reach of the Burton keeper, to give them lead after 39 minutes 1-0.

Just a minute later Burton’s defence was in turmoil, with ball running loose to Dales. Sports skipper whipped the ball into the box where White just needed one chance and smashed it home to make it 2-0.

Five more minutes it was 3-0 after Webb was brought down in the box, he got to his feet and took the kick himself with the Burton keeper well beaten, as the half time whistle followed.

There were two changes at half time with the Carter twins going off, to be replaced by Bennett and a Trialist striker.

Sports were soon seeking number four, and after another strong attack after 54 minutes, Dales earned a corner, which was initially cleared, before winning a second.

With the hour mark approaching Mickleover hit number four. The ball was fired in from the right wing and as Wood challenged, the final touch went to a Burton defender, but it was still 4-0.

Corden and Beavon were the next subs on, with Webb and White coming off. Having only been on the pitch two minutes, Corden made it 5-0 on the hour, with a powerful strike from just outside the box.

McDowell had a rare touch, when Burton fired a shot straight into his hands three minutes later, just before Ferron came on.

Wilson put in a lovely cross after 67 minutes, but found no one in the middle, before Burton followed up with another shot over the bar a minute later.

Ferron was soon showing his pace too, having whipped past the defence on the left, he fired in a shot at a tight angle, which was tipped over by the Burton keeper.

White has been substituted earlier but came back on for the final 17 minutes, as Sports were seeking goal number six.

Burton still had an amount of possession, but lacked creativity and finish. Corden fired another shot over the bar 76 minutes in, before Burton earned another corner which came to nought.

With six minutes on the clock White fired another attempt wide and with time almost up a scramble in the Burton box almost went in Mickleover’s favour.
Our Trialist striker had shown promise in a number of second half attacks and could have claimed a goal himself, with a clear one on one with the Burton keeper, but his shot was slightly premature and straight at the keeper.

McDowell had to make one late save, but it was a comfortable 5-0 win, with some impressive defending from the home defence and growing creativity from our midfield as they continue to gel.

 

by Peter Scherer

Burton Albion are the visitors to the Don Amott Arena on Saturday, playing for the annual pre-season KC Trophy.

In 2023 the Brewers won 0-1, but last year it was Sports that took the Trophy 3-1, with Dylan Edwards scoring twice.

As in other years our visitors will mainly be fielding their Under 21 side, but may have a few first team squad members in action too.

Mickleover will be fielding a strong side and hoping to build on the progress made so far in the games against Stoke City and Bepler Utd.

Oliver Bosworth will be absent again, so Jack McDowell will be deputising, but the ret of the squad should all be available.

Kick off is earlier than usual at 1pm, but once again it’s just £5 admission and free parking and both the bar and catering open.

by Peter Scherer 

Mickleover welcomed Belper Utd to the Don Amott Arena for their second pre-season match, on what turned out to be a very wet night.

Starting line-up: 1- Jack McDowell 2- Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Danny Benson 5-Ashton Offler 6-George Wilkinson 7- Andy Dales 8- Harry Wood 9- Paddy Webb 10- Stuart Beavon 11- Steven Johnson-Fikula. Subs: Josh Carter, Liam Carter, Archie White, Ryan Wilson, James Matthews, Toby Smith, Trialist A and Trialist B.

Mickleover were onto the attack from the start, with Beavon almost connecting with Webb in the box in the first five minutes, before a late interception by the Belper defence.

A few minutes later Ferron had the first of his runs down the left, his cross was intercepted however before Sports strikers could connect again.

Dales went close after 10 minutes and earned a corner, but Belper continued to try and push forward themselves, to aid the pressure on their defence.
It was another overlap down the left from Ferron that led to the first goal after 14 mins, when his cross was met by Webb who buried it into the far corner, 1-0.

Two minutes later Belper were on the attack, but McDowell had it covered, with a save at the strikers feet, followed a few minutes later by another shot over the bar.

20 minutes in and Mickleover won a free kick on the left. Dales’ kick found Beavon, but his effort was just wide. But Belper were still trying to challenge the home defence and had another shot deflected wide after 23 mins.

With Benson, Offler and Wilkinson looking strong at the back, Bennett and Ferron were able to use the wings positively, while both Wood and Fikula had plenty of possession in midfield.

Dales and Beavon headed another good build up after 27 minutes, before Wood placed a shot just wide. Beavon was close again 11 minutes later, when Dales put him through, forcing a good save from the Belper keeper.

It had been a strong all round performance from Mickleover in the first half who more than deserved their 1-0 lead.

There were no initial changes for the start of the second half and five minutes into the restart Sports went close again. Dales cut through on the left before firing in his cross, but Wood’s header was just wide again.

With the hour mark approaching the rain was getting heavier and heavier and it also prompted a mass substitution from Mickleover, bringing all eight subs on.

Liam Carter was soon in the action, firing over the bar from close range, before Belper earned a free kick, which sailed over the bar too.

Josh Carter had a 70th minute shot saved after cutting in from the left and two minutes later Sports went close again after a goalmouth scramble.
White fired in a telling cross from the right after 74 minutes, but found no one waiting before another shot was fired in but held by the visitors keeper.
Smith sent in a telling cross from the right after 84 minutes, but Josh Carter just missed connecting. But Carter was then fouled in the box and stepped up to convert the following penalty, sealing the 2-0 win.

 

 

By Peter Scherer

Following last Friday night’s narrow home defeat to Stoke City Under 21’s, Mickleover face United Counties League Premier Division North side Belper Utd at the Don Amott Arena.

Belper have already played three pre-season games, having gone down 0-1 at Uttoxeter and drawn 1-1- at home to Belper Town, before going down 0-5 to South Normanton last Saturday.

Ashton Offler, Steven Johnson-Fikula and Harry Wood all made their debuts for Mickleover last Friday, while it was a chance to welcome back Oliver Bosworth and Paddy Webb.

Kick off is7.45 and admission is £5, £3 for 12-16’s and free for both under 12’s and parking.