by Peter Scherer

Mickleover start their Easter weekend at home to Leek Town on Friday evening. Our visitors were promoted to the NPL Premier Division last season and had a tough start to this seasons campaign.

Back in August Sports were 3-1 winners at Leek, as Josh Brehaut’s team spent their early months trying to escape the relegation zone.

We also knocked them out of the FA Cup in October, when we visited again and Dylan Edwards scored the only goal of the game.

With Mickleover’s fate sealed with a 1-1 draw at Hebburn last weekend. But our visitors have gradually climbed the table and are unbeaten in their last five games to lie mid table in 12th, having won their last two games both at home, against Bamber Bridge and Workington.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 7.45.

Easter Monday is our final away game of the season, travelling to play off hopefuls Ashton Utd. Steve Cunningham’s team have spent all season in the top half.

When they visited us on Boxing Day the first attempt was abandoned due to fog when they led 0-3, but the return trip in late January ended in another defeat 1-3.

They had a slip themselves last month, losing three games out of five before bouncing back with a 5-1 win over Hebburn Town,

Our hosts are currently fifth in the table, holding onto the final play-off place, but went down 0-2 at home to Gainsborough last Saturday. So they need a win to too to secure their place.

Currently 21st in the table, Sports will be making the most of their final away game in the Premier Division for now, needing all the points they can muster before the end of the season, to stand any chance of taking a lifeline to remain in the NPL top flight.

Kick off at Ashton is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

It was need to win match for Mickleover as they travelled to Hebburn Town for their penultimate away game of the season. They came away with a 1-1 draw, which confirms relegation to one of the regional NPL Division One Leagues.

Starting line-up: 1- Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Tom Senior 7-Andy Dales 8-Curtis Weston 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Gaby Adebambo 11-Kwaku Donkor. Subs: Brandon Ferron, Cieron Keane, Bernard Nsiah, Marcus Barnes, Michael Hollingsworth.

It was a difficult start for Mickleover, as they were almost immediately under attack from their hosts. It was only nine minutes into the game when Posthill’s cross was slotted home at point blank range by Gomes, to make it 0-1.

But just seven minutes later a reckless challenge from Thompson on Atkinson earned him a straight red card, from when Sports responded to chase for the equaliser.

19 minutes gone and Adebambo made a break and went close, but a minute later the midfielder went clear again, placing his effort neatly past keeper Cameron to make it 1-1.

Cameron denied Mickleover again after 24 minutes, before Adebambo went close after 37 minutes, this time just wide of the left-hand post, before a following shot was blocked by Elsdon, before Cameron picked up the rebound.

Barnes replaced Adebambo for the second half, but it was Beavon next to test the home keeper. He forced a 52nd minute save from Cameron, just after Keane had come on for Atkinson.

But Hebburn had chances too, when Murray sent a long shot sailing past the left-hand post after 63 minutes.

Nsiah then replaced Donkor a couple of minutes later, but it was Hebburn following up with another missed opportunity. Mersin saved from Turner and just three minutes later he came out on top again when Murray lost out in a one on one.

Ferron was late sub for Beavon but it remained 1-1 and consigned Mickleover to relegation from the NPL Premier Division.

by Peter Scherer

It’s back to the North East this weekend as Mickleover face their penultimate away game of the season at Hebburn.

Earlier in the season our hosts looked like play-off contenders, but it’s now seven games without a win following their 2-1 home defeat to Ilkeston last Saturday, leaving team in 14th place.

For Mickleover it’s a must win to stay in the Premier Division mathematically.

It’s player/manager Daniel Moore’s third season in charge of the Hornets, having previously led Shildon to the Eastern Division play-offs.
A former Mansfield Junior, he captained the Spennymoor side that won the FA Vase, despite missing the Wembley final, before returning to Shildon as captain again too. He is still registered as a player.
Kieran Hunter is one of three goalkeepers used recently. He came from the Sunderland Academy, had three years at Gateshead and spent time at Chester Le Street on a dual registration too, after arriving at Hebburn.

Dan Cameron is a keeper on loan from Sunderland, while Callum Dobson came from South Shields in pre-season, and had previously been loaned to Newcastle Blue Star.
Centre back Matty Elsdon was a junior at both Sunderland and Middlesbrough. After a loan at Inverness he joined Barrow following his release and was then loaned to Whitby and FC Utd, before a permanent move to Blyth Spartans. He then returned to Scotland with Clyde, before returning to Blyth in July 22, where he spent one year before joining the Hornets.
Jack Donaghy is a homegrown talent, who came through the clubs youth set up to make his first team debut in 2017. Another centre back primarily, he has been a mainstay at the club for the last seven years.

Liam Noble is a central midfielder with over 250 league appearances under his belt, since Sunderland picked up from Cramlington Boys Club. After a couple of loans at Carlisle he moved permanently and then signed for Notts County in July 2014. His next stop was Forest Green, before returning to Notts County, from where he moved on to Hartlepool. He then 4 ½ years with Morpeth, but came to Hebburn in pre-season after ending last season on loan.
Aaron Thompson plays central or defensive midfield. A former South Shields player, he came to Hebburn from West Auckland in September 2022.
Robbie Spence is a midfielder who became a Hornet back in 2018. A former Scunthorpe junior, he also played for Team Northumbria in the Northern League and was on loan at Heaton Stannington earlier this season.
Liam Murray is a midfielder that has come through our hosts own youth scheme, having joined at the age of four. He had some time at the Newcastle Utd Academy and has played for Jarrow too.
Another midfielder is Paul Van Zandvliet, signed from Ashington in September. He has played for North Shields too and is currently dual registered with Newcastle Blue Star.
Striker Olly Martin was a Junior at both Newcastle and Sunderland, before moving on to Gateshead, Jarrow Roofing and Whitley Bay. He signed for Hebburn in June 2019 and scored the winner for them in the 2020 FA Vase Final at Wembley.
Amar Purewal is a striker who arrived from West Auckland in June 2020. A Punjab International, he started out at Newcastle Utd, before moving on to Newcastle Benfield and Bishop Aukland. He was then Durham City’s leading scorer before joining Darlington, before joining West Auckland in 2016.
Fellow strikers Joao Pedro Gomes Carrington and Dan Savage are loanees from South Shields. They also had loan spells at Blyth Spartans earlier this season.
Winger Joe Walton was manager Moore’s second signing for the club, after the pair played together at Spennymoor. He started at Sunderland RCA and has played at Washington and Morpeth too.
Defender Michael Turner arrived from Morpeth at the beginning of this season, while Joe Posthill is a striker who arrived pre-season, after being Shildon’s top scorer last term. Posthill started out at Hartlepool and played for Stockton before his move to Shildon.
Gildo Da Silva and Harry Richardson have also been on the bench this, having come through the Academy and reserve side.
Kick off as usual is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

A second half penalty robbed Mickleover of victory against FC United of Manchester, after Dylan Edawards had given them a first half lead.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Tom Senior 7-Brandon Ferron 8-Curtis Weston 9-Andy Dales 10-Dylan Edwards 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Cieron Keane, Stuart Beavon, Gabby Adebambo, Josh Maskall, Toby Smith.

The was little separate the teams for the first 20 minutes, before Mickleover had their first real chance when Edwards crossed from the right, found Barnes’ head, but his effort was too high to challenge keeper O’Keefe.

But just after the half hour mark it was Sports that broke the deadlock, when Edwards chested the ball past O’Keefe into the bottom right hand corner, to make it 1-0 after 33 minutes.

Mickleover finished the half the stronger too, highlighted by some telling runs on the wings by Ferron and Dales, while Bennett, Wilkinson, Senior and Wilson held firm in defence.

But there was a late scare when a 42nd minute free kick from the visitors caught Mersin at his best, with a brilliant save from a deflected effort.

Early into the second half Senior pulled off last ditch saving tackle to keep Sports ahead, but the game had become more end to end, with FC United shooting just wide of the left-hand post after 50 minutes.

But two minutes later Mersin was penalised for a challenge on Donohue, and Le Fondre stepped up to convert the penalty 1-1.

On the hour mark Maskall and Beavon replaced Barnes and Ferron, but two minutes later Edwards nearly restored the advantage in Mickleover’s favour, only for Palinkas to make a goal like clearance and keep it level pegging.

Sport made their final changes after 76 minutes when the had working Weston and Atkinson were replaced by Keane and Adebambo.

But the score remained 1-1 and sports now look forward to their trip to Hebburn on Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed Huddersfield keeper Oliver Riva on loan to the end of the season, as back-up for Yusuf Mersin.

The 6ft 5in 18 year old joined the Terriers at the start of this season from Accrington Stanley and recently spent a month on loan at Sheffield FC.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

The weather conditions proved a challenge for both sides as Mickleover made the long trek to Workington, only to come away with another disappointing defeat.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Kwaku Donkor 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Tom Senior 7-Dylan Edwards 8-Gabby Adebambo 9-Andy Dales 10-Cieron Keane 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Jake Bennett, Michael Hollingsworth, Curtis Weston, Stuart Beavon, Josh Maskall.

In the first half Mickleover played with the strong wind, which was to prove a problem for both keepers trying long kicks.

Neither side had been able to create much in the conditions, but Workington did manage a couple of shots at the Mickleover goal, both wide of the post, failing to test Mersin.

But 35 minutes in a cross from Josh Galloway found Tom Stephenson in the middle, he slid the ball past the Mickleover keeper to make it 0-1.

The hosts kept their advantage to half time, when Sports boss Gareth Holmes opted for a three-way substitution. Weston, Bennett and Hollingsworth came to replace Ferron, Keane and Donkor.

As Mickleover played into the wind, seeking an equaliser was proving difficult and Workington nearly made it two, striking the post after 55 minutes. 66 minutes gone and the final substitutions were made, as Maskall and Beavon came on for Barnes and Edwards.

Eight minutes later though the hosts were awarded a penalty, and David Symington stepped up to make it 0-2. Connor Pani headed home a third for Workington after 80 minutes and Sports faced the long journey home pointless and goalless.

by Peter Scherer

Following last Saturday’s win at home to Whitby Town last Saturday, Mickleover head out on their longest road trip of the season on Saturday, to Workington.

Currently 16th in the table, Mark Fell’s side have had a difficult season, with their win at home to Blyth their only success in the last five, after going down 1-2 to Basford last weekend. They are currently four points above relegation.

As well as the valuable three points, Sports win saw their first goals in five games too.

“It’s an important game for us, but the squad are confident after better performances over the last couple of weeks. We’ve had a few bad results, but last week showed what we can do,” said skipper Andy Dales.

Manager Fell has been in charge of our hosts since March 2024, when he took over from Danny Grainger, having previously been at Lancaster City for five years.

Keeper Alex Mitchell started his career at Carlisle, before a move to Scotland with Gretna. He was loaned to Queen of the South, before joining Annan Athletic. He first came to Workington in July 2015 and alternated between our hosts and Annan for the next six years, before moving to Blyth Spartans in July 2021. He came to Workington pre-season and has made over 150 League Two appearances.

Currently wearing the number one shirt though is Blackburn Rovers loanee Jack Barrett. He started out at Everton where he spent 13 years, but after a loan spell in Canada with Cavalry FC he started this season with Blackburn.

Danny Eccles had been Mitchell’s deputy, another former Carlisle youngster. He joined Barrow following his release, moving on via Bradford Park Avenue, Kendal Town, Congleton Town, Chorley, Ramsbottom and Ashton Utd. He joined our hosts in August 2021 from FC Squires Gate.

Aran Fitzpatrick is a young defender on his third second loan spell at Workington. He initially arrived last September for a three month stay on three month stay.

Centre back Efie Ambrose is vastly experienced, having played in the Scottish Premiership, Championship and League One, plus the Israeli Premiership and both the Champions and Europa Leagues.

His career started in his native Nigeria with Kaduna Utd and Bayelsa, before moving to Israel with FC Ashdod. He then came to the UK with Glasgow Celtic, who loaned him to Hibernian, before a permanent move preceded a move to Derby County in February 2019.

After a few months he returned to Scotland with Livingston, St.Johnstone, Dunfermline, Morton and a return to Queen of the South. He spent last season at Bury and was a pre-season signing for our hosts.

Steve Swinglehurst is another experienced centre back, having made over 250 League Two appearances. He started at Carlisle too and joined Annan Athletic after an initial loan. After 12 years with the Scottish Club he came to Workington pre-season too.

Right back David Symington has League One and Two experience. Another former Carlisle youngster, he first came to Workington in February 2015 on loan. After a permanent move to Barrow, he returned to our hosts in July 2018, after a two-year break from football.

Charlie Barnes is another right back, signed in January from Annan Athletic. Another former Carlisle junior, he was loaned to Kendal Town before his release and has also played for Lancaster City, where he started this season’s campaign.

Left back Connor Pani is on loan from Gateshead. He had previously been out on loan to Morpeth and Blyth, as well as a previous pre-Christmas spell at Workington.

Joseph Abrahart is a defender signed in the New Year from Blyth Spartans. He has also played for both North and south Shields and spent time in the US and Canadian leagues.

Kai Nugent is a midfielder and like so many of his team mates, an ex Carlisle Junior. He was loaned to Workington at the beginning of 2023 and was released after a further spell at Annan Athletic, joining our hosts permanently pre-season. He made 25 League One appearances and scored two goals.

Midfielder Matty Clarke came from Clitheroe in November. He had started at Penrith and first came to Workington in 2019, after a short spell at Bradford Park Avenue. He played for Lancaster too before his nine month stay at Clitheroe.

Jake Allan is a midfielder too, on an extended loan Carlisle Utd.

Fellow midfielder Bruce Strachan played for Ayr Utd and Finn Harps before joining our hosts last month.

Right sided midfielder Jamie Allen arrived pre-season from Curzon Ashton, where he spent the whole of last season. A former Fleetwood Town youngster, he was loaned to Barrow, Fylde, Stalybridge and Southport, before joining Dover Athletic. He then had three years at Halifax, before a year at Telford preceded his move to Curzon Ashton.

Josh Galloway is a right winger with League One, Two and Scottish Premiership experience. He started out at Carlisle too, but then spent three years with Leeds Utd. He had a loan spell at FC United, but made a permanent move to Annan Athletic in July 2022, before joining Workington at the start of this season. If the name is familiar, it should be, as he is the son of our assistant manager Mick.

Steven Rigg is another player with League Two and Scottish Championship experience. A striker, he played for Keswick and Penrith before joining Carlisle. He then spent two seasons at Queen of the South, before returning to Carlisle.

His next stop was Chorley, who loaned him to Workington in March 2018, before spells at Gateshead and Dover Athletic preceded his return to our hosts in July 2021.

Midfielder Ruben Grewal arrived last November after being released by Wigan Athletic., along with Lucas Wane, a former Burnley defensive midfielder, who has had a short spell at Longridge.

Sam Christian is a midfielder who has graduated from Workington’s own youth scheme, along with striker Alfie McDonough and midfielder Jayden Fulton.

Winger Tom Stephenson came through pre-season trials to earn a contract. He started in the Blackpool Academy and has also played for Holker Old Boys.

Defender Jordan Little came to Workington part way through last season. Initially he was moving to Carlisle City at the start of the season, but was persuaded to return.

Cieran Casson is a community coach and former Carlisle Academy player. A midfielder he has been at Workington since 2019.

Kick off at Borough Park is at 3pm as usual.