by Peter Scherer

After last Tuesday’s massive win over league leaders Macclesfield, it’s back on the road this Saturday as we visit FC United of Manchester.

Hopefully everyone came through unscathed from Tuesday’s game, plus Cieron Keane should be fit again too.

From promotion hopefuls of a few years ago to league strugglers, like Mickleover it’s been a difficult start for our hosts FC United of Manchester.

Currently 21st in the table, after finishing 14^th last season, they changed manager too at the end of September. Ex Warrington boss Mark Beesley is now in charge, but with just three wins so far and all away from home, they are still seeking their first three pointer at Broadhurst Park this season.

They drew 2-2 with Workington in their last home game, when their visitors equalised with a late penalty, sound familiar?

After last Saturday’s 0-1 defeat at Stockton, their first team squad played a Fenix Trophy match in Prague on Monday evening, beating Raptors 3-0.

The Fenix Trophy is an International tournament with 16 clubs from 14 countries and FC United now face either Brera Calcio in Italy or Fans United from Montenegro in the next round.

Like a number of clubs this season, including ourselves, FC United have had a large turnover of players. 

Ollie Byrne started the season as first choice keeper. An ex Manchester Utd youngster, he also played junior football at Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers, with a loan spell at Chorley in between.

After another loan at Bamber Bridge he moved to Stevenage and Atherton Collieries, before moving to the Welsh League, firstly with Connah’s Quay, who loaned him to Airbus UK.

The next stop was Altrincham, who loaned him to Cork City and he finished last season at Macclesfield, before joining our hosts pre-season, but is currently out injured. He has also played in the Europa League.

Holding the first-choice spot is newcomer Conor O’Keefe, signed from Ashton Utd last month. He started out at Macclesfield, and after a spell at Barwell went to Spain with Fuenlabrada, returning one year later to Loughborough University.

He then spent a year in Gibraltar with Europa Point and Bruno’s Magpies, before moving to Sweden with Pitea IF and Vasalunds IF. He was at Macclesfield too last season, before starting this season at Ashton.

The current second choice keeper is Charlie Casper, a Burnley Academy player on a 28 day loan, while their own Academy graduate Josh Brookes has also been in the squad.

Right Back Joe Ferguson started out at Blackburn Rovers. After a loan at Witton Albion he joined Matlock Town on his release, but a month later he moved to Marine, from where our hosts signed him last February.

Central midfielder Charlie Munro came from Southport in July last year. He started out at Ashton Athletic and has also played for Warrington.

Sometimes captain, centre back Dec Evans came from Southport too at the start of this season. A former Rochdale Junior he was at Chorley, before a four year stay at Mossley. He then joined Southport in 2022 but was loaned back to Mossley for a brief spell, before his move to our hosts.

Charlie Oliver is another centre back who has captained the side too and he also came from Southport in July last year. He started at Manchester City and was loaned to Fleetwood and Brentford, before joining Southport following his release in 2019.

Jan Palinkas is also a centre back. He started at Wythenshawe and came to our hosts in July 2022.

Defensive midfielder Hayden Lindley was another former Manchester City youngster, before moving onto Aston Villa. He was loaned to Newport County before his release, moving on to Golcar Utd. He soon moved on again to Darlington, where he completed last season, before moving to FC United pre-season.

Callum Gribbin was tipped as a future star in his Manchester Utd Academy days. He had a spell at Sheffield Utd too, before joining Barrow on his release. But injury has plagued the attacking midfielder, and after at spell at Radcliffe he joined FC United in August 2022, but is out long term with a knee injury.

Striker Adam La Fondre was another pre-season season, bringing in vast experience with over 500 appearances in the Championship, Leagues One and Two, scoring over 160 goals, plus a varied international career.

He started at Stockport County, before moving to Rochdale. Rotherham, Reading and Cardiff City were his next stops, before loans at Bolton, Wolves and Wigan, followed by a permanent move to Bolton in 2017.

Venturing overseas he spent 2 1/2 years in Australia with Sydney FC, including a loan to Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. After joining Hibernian on his UK return, he spent last season in Scotland.

Winger Jay Fitzmartin scored two of the goals in their win in Prague on Monday night. A former Bolton youngster, he was loaned to Stalybridge, before moving to Atherton Collieries following his release. He came to our hosts at the beginning of last season, but spent much of the year out injured.

Striker Jordan Buckley came from Warrington last November. He started off at FC United, before his first spell at Warrington.  After a year he moved for a short spell at Flint Town in the Welsh League, before returning to Warrington in July 2021.

Charlie Ennis is club captain and began his career with Stockport County. A striker, he was loaned to Salford City before a permanent move to Stalybridge. He spent time in the Welsh League too with Bala Town, before onto Droylsden, Witton Albion and Northwich Victoria.

After a spell back in Wales with Colwyn Bay, he was at Guiseley before returning to Stalybridge. Hednesford, and Curzon Ashton followed before returning to Stalybridge again. He then joined Southport after a second spell at Curzon Ashton and then spent just under a year with Ashton Utd, before joining our hosts in July 2019.

Matt Grivosti is another striker, but only arrived a month ago from Warrington. He had started his career at Warrington, before moving to Bolton Wanderers. Loans at Yeovil and Radcliffe followed, before he rejoined Warrington again at the start of last season.

Another striker, another recent signing and another former Warrington player, Gez Sithole began his career at Gillingham. He then moved to Bolton too, who loaned him to Altrincham and Chorley, before his started this season at Warrington following his release.

Fellow striker Jordan Preston has played in League One and Scotland and was another pre-season arrival. He started out with Blackburn Rovers and had loan spells at Ayr Utd before a permanent move to Guiseley. Gateshead, Halifax, Boston Utd and Spennymoor followed, before moving to Bradford Park Avenue at the start of last season. 

Right back or central midfielder Dec McLoughlin arrived from Skelmersdale at the beginning of last season. He has also played for Bootle and Ashton Utd.

Luca Navarro came from Radcliffe in October on loan. He is a free scoring midfielder, who started out at Hull City. After joining Bolton he was loaned to Bamber Bridge, before moving on to Buxton and Stafford Rangers. He joined Radcliffe in November 2021.

Left back Guy Hall was last years players player of the year and is now in his third season with the club.

Strikers Sam Dunstan and Dallas Omoruyi, midfielders Alfie Henstock and Charlie Cowin, defender Dominic Doyle and another keeper Flynn Proctor have also been in the squad.

Kick off at Broadhurst Park is 3pm and let’s see if we can continue where we left off on Tuesday night?

by Peter Scherer

Top of the table, unbeaten all season, the task ahead last night at the Don Amott Arena couldn’t be under estimated as Macclesfield came to visit.

But what followed was a night to remember and a reward for Gareth Holmes, Mick Galloway and the whole team.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Danny Benson 6-Will Atkinson 7-Jamie Soule 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Tyreace Palmer 10-Toby Smith 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Curtis Weston, Stuart Beavon, Marcus Barnes, Callum Moore, Dylan Edwards.

Macclesfield started with pace, determination and remarkable accuracy, forcing Mersin into a save with his feet after just two minutes. 

Two minutes later it was another shot and another save, before the rebound went over the bar, as the home defence continued to come under pressure.

Rooney had another wild strike well off target after seven minutes, and Macclesfield then won a corner, but that came to nought.

Mickleover had their first break 11 minutes in, but Palmer’s chase was deemed just offside. It was a turning point though, when having sustained the early barrage, Sports began to believe in themselves and started to break out to put pressure on our visitors.

Bennett sent in a cross from the right, which went just beyond the left hand post, but after 13 minutes Ferron and Dales combined on the left, Dales first shot was saved by Dearnley, but his parry fell to Palmer who neatly slotted it home, 1-0.

Palmer was almost through again two minutes later, but Dearnley just managed to intercept. Macclesfield then got a break and a cross from the right found Mellor, whose header was tipped over by Mersin.

It was real end to end stuff as Bennett triggered another move down the right, from which Dales shot was just wide of the left hand post.

But 21 minutes gone and it was almost number two, after Dales layed it off to Smith in front of goal. But the teenager’s shot was pulled slightly left  and it almost skimmed the post.

But Macclesfield were keen for an equaliser to and when Mersin slid out and missed the ball, Bennett came to the rescue and cleared it after a deflection.

24 minutes and the visitors hit the post with an Edmondson free kick, but Sports were not just holding on, they continued to push forward.

Dales was almost clear after 27 minutes, until Pemberton was yellow carded for hacking him down. Then Bennett and Dales combined again, before Dales sent a fizzing shot forcing Dearnley into a low save to his left.

Five more minutes and Dales had another shot blocked, with Smith’s rebound just wide. The Macclesfield defence were looking the more vulnerable and after Soule was fouled, Mickleover went close again after Wilson’s free kick bounced around, before Soule’s effort was cleared off the line, following Ferron’s initial shot.

Bennett was almost through again too as half time approached, but Dearnley just got their first after another positive build up down the left. 

Macclesfield finished the first half with a wasted free kick, but against al the odds the half time whistle blew with Mickleover still a goal ahead.

The second half got off to a pacey start again from the visitors, when after 50 minutes they earned a corner, from which Mersin pulled off a magnificent save onto the bar, from what looked a certain equaliser.

But it was Mickleover in the ascendance again, as Ferron charged through the middle. He was looking to pass when Dales shouted encouragement for the teenager to continue. He then found Soule on the edge of the box, who celebrated his 24^th birthday with a fine shot to make it 2-0.

Only three minutes later there was confusion in the home defence, when a possible back pass wasn’t cleared. Macclesfield intercepted and it wasn’t clear who got the last touch, but the goal was credited to sub Sean Etaluku and the pressure was now back on Mickleover with 30 minutes still to go. 2-1.

Macclesfield put a free kick wide and then Benson headed away another effort, but the pressure was on as the composure seemed to have returned to their play.

Wilson drove in a free kick after Smith was fouled and Soule found the side netting after 63 minutes, from a Palmer cross, before shooting straight at the keeper two minutes later.

Dales and Ferron made progress again on the left before an interception and then Mersin saved another Macclesfield effort with his feet.

Mickleover’s second change came on 68 minutes with Barnes on for Soule and he had a shot blocked by the keeper as he cut in from the right after 75 minutes.

Edwards then came on for Palmer, but Macclesfield went close again. Their 82^nd minute strike hit the bar, but Benson had any chance of a rebound blocked, as he cleared off the line.

As Macclesfield pushed all 11 players forward, Mickleover got another break after 84 minutes, with Barnes going clear on the left. His cross was perfect, but as Edwards slid in, he just failed to connect and the chance was gone.

But Macclesfield hit the post again a minute later, before Sport made their final change with Weston replacing Smith.

Hickingbottom hit a speculative shot over the bar as the clock ran down, while Dales and Barnes combined in another nice move, but adjudged offside.

For probably the fist time this season, Spors looked like a full team, from the heroics of Mersin in goal, through the solid defence of Atkinson and Benson and the positive drive from midfield and attack.

At the end of normal time Dales and Ferron set up Barnes again, but the keeper saved. With six minutes added on the pressure continued and even as the final whistle went, Dales was about to break again, but a fine 2-1 win on an amazing night of football.

by Peter Scherer

Looking to end a run of six straight league defeats, Mickleover have to face top of the table Macclesfield at the Don Amott Arena on Tuesday, rearranged after last weeks snowy postponement.

Apart from draws at home to Hyde Utd and away at Ilkeston, Macclesfield have won every other league game and come to us fresh from their FA Trophy penalty shootout a week last Saturday at Curzon Ashton, and last weekends 6-0 home win against bottom of the table Blyth Spartans.

Our visitors lost out to Marine in the play-offs last season after finishing as runners-up. Michael Clegg departed as manager in June after only four months, and since then Robbie Savage has been in charge.

It’s been a tough season so far for Mickleover and last weekends unlucky home defeat to Workington, after dominating the game, still leaves then in 19^th place and the threat of relegation, but hopefully the tide will turn as we have five games to play before Christmas.

One of the highlights of last Saturday’s defeat was the goal from debutant Tyreace Palmer, a second half sub who must now be in line for a start.

Goalkeeper Max Dearnley was a pre-season signing from Buxton. He started out at Penistone and after a season at Ossett Utd, moved on to Huddersfield Town. His next stop was Farsley Celtic, before joining Buxton at the start of last season, ending it on loan at Chorley.

Centre back Sam Heathcote is in his second season with our visitors, since arriving from Runcorn Linnets. He started out at Altrincham and then spent a year each at Ramsbottom and Hyde Utd, before making the return trip in July 2019. Before moving to Runcorn, he spent 2 ½ years with West Didsbury.

Right back Lewis Fensome is a former Preston North End Junior, who spent 3 ½ years at Lancaster City, before signing for Macclesfield in January 2022.

Dontai Gabidon is a midfielder that came from FC United n September. He started at Altrincham too and also had two years at West Didsbury.

Danny Whitehead plays in central midfield and is another pre-season signing from Fylde. He has league two experience and started his career with Stockport County, before a move to West Ham Utd. Following his release and a short stay at Accrington, he joined Macclesfield for the first time in July 2015, but moved to Wigan after six months.

He was loaned back to Macclesfield, along with Cheltenham, before a permanent return to our visitors. Next stop was Salford City, with another loan back at Macclesfield preceding a move to Port Vale. He was then loaned to Altrincham, before joining Fylde in January 2022.

Justin Johnson is a right sided midfielder. His career started at Sparta Rotterdam and Manchester Utd, before a spell at FC United. He then headed north to Dundee Utd, who loaned hm to York City. Cyprus was his next port of call, spending two years at Othellos Athienou, including a loan at Akritas Chlorakas, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He moved on again via Morton, Stalybridge Celtic and had two years at Fylde before joining our visitors pre-season.

Tre Pemberton favours the right side of midfield. A youngster with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, he joined FC United on his release. He was loaned to Longridge before a move to Stafford Rangers, where he spent nine months before arriving at Macclesfield in July 2022.

Luke Duffy is a right midfielder too. He came from Warrington at the beginning of last season after a three year spell and was previously at Lower Breck FC.

John Rooney is the brother of Wayne and is an attacking midfielder who started his career at Macclesfield back in 2008. He moved to the United States with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, before returning to the UK with Barnsley.

Next stop was Bury, who loaned him to Chester, before the move became permanent. Wrexham was next, followed by Guiseley, Barrow and Stockport County. He came back to Macclesfield in August 2023, after a year at Oldham.

Alex Curran is another midfielder and was the two goal hero in last Saturday’s FA Trophy win over his former club Curzon Ashton. A Former Blackburn Rovers junior, he joined Colne on his release, before moving to Stockport County. Loans at FC United and Curzon Ashton followed, before the latter became permanent, spending a year with them before joining our visitors.

Winger Sean Etaluku started out at Burnley, before joining Mossley on his release. He moved to Barrow in July last year, who loaned him to Buxton and Matlock, before coming to Macclesfield two weeks ago.

D’Mani Mellor is a former Manchester Utd junior striker, with experience in Leagues One, Two and the Europa League. He was loaned to Salford before making a permanent move to Wycombe Wanderers. Further loans at Rochdale and Sutton Utd followed, before joining Gateshead at the start of this season. After just two weeks in the North East he signed for Macclesfield, and scored a hattrick in last Saturday win over Blyth.

Fellow striker Danny Elliott was a pre-season arrival too. A youth player at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, he moved to the US in 2014 with Hofstra Pride, a University side.

He was loaned to Carolina Dynamo and Long Island Rough Riders, before his four-year stay ended, with a move to Spain with San Cristobal. Three months later he was back in the UK with Port Vale, and has played for Chester, Alfreton, Hartlepool, Boston Utd, Boreham Wood and Gateshead, before joining Scunthorpe in February last year, spending five months with the Irons before becoming a Silkman. He scored two of the goals against Blyth last Saturday.

Neil Kengni is another striker signed from Marine in July 2022. He started off at Rochdale and has played for Stalybridge too.

French midfielder Laurent Mendy was signed in June 2021 from IFK Amal in Sweden and was the first player to make 100 appearances for the reformed Macclesfield FC.

Paul Dawson is a midfielder too. Signed from Bamber Bridge in May last year, he has also played for Lancaster City

Former England C International Elliott Whitehouse is a central midfielder, with League One and Two experience. As a Sheffield Utd youngster, he was loaned to York City, before moving to Notts County. He then went on loan to Nuneaton, before a permanent move to Halifax, preceded a return to Nuneaton.

Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Forest Green and Scunthorpe followed, with a loan at Spennymoor followed by Chester, from where he joined Macclesfield pre-season.

Winger Edy Maieco came from Bradford Park Avenue in September on a return trip. Having previously been at Macclesfield.

Midfielder Basit Yusuff has recently stepped up from the clubs Academy and also plays in the reserve side.

Left back Brandon Lee s one of the longer serving players, having come from Longridge in September 2021. He started at Bolton Wanderers and has also played for Chorley.

Tony Clare also arrived in 2021, a striker from Pontefract. He started off at Barnsley and Bradford City, before joining Boston Utd after an initial loan. He then had spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Buxton, before joining Pontefract in September 2020.

Central midfielder James Edmondson is currently on loan from Blackburn Rovers. 

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 7.45 and the forecast is dry and 4 degrees.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

It was touch and go that the match would even take place, but some sterling work behind the scenes had the snow cleared, as we welcomed Workington to the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1- Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Will Atkinson 5-Nathan James 6-Danny Benson 7-Tony Smith 8-Curtis Weston 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Jamie Soule. Subs: Fin Ryder, Tyreace Palmer, Justin Iwobi, Edimond Oppong, Dylan Edwards.

It was fairly even opening few minutes, with Workington testing Mersin with an easy save five minutes in. But two minutes later Smith picked his spot, with a great shot from outside the box, tipped over the bar by keeper Mitchell for the first corner of the game.

Dales then put the ball across the face of the goal, but there was no one there to connect. Workington then got a break and an amount of confusion in the home defence followed, as Mersin came out but didn’t claim the ball, before Atkinson cleared the initial danger.

But the ball was fired straight back in and Smith tapped a visiting strikers ankle, who went down heavily, with the referee pointing straight to the penalty spot.

Rigg duly dispatched the penalty to make it 0-1. Although Sports kept pushing forward, the goal had given our visitors extra confidence to push on too, making the home defence work harder.

Bennett and Ferron were working on the overlaps, with Atkinson, Benson and James in the middle. But Mickleover went close again 15 minutes in, when some good work from Weston on the left found Beavon. His shot was deflected just wide though.

Two minutes later James gave away a careless free kick just outside the box, but fortunately the free kick delivery was poor and the danger had gone.

Approaching the half hour mark Smith had made some space on the right, he managed to pick out Soule, but again his attempt was blocked.

But Mickleover were still pressing for the equaliser and after 34 minutes a Dales corner found Beavon again, but his header was just wide of the right-hand post.

Ferron then ran almost half of the pitch, before he managed to shoot from a tight angle on the left, and with the keeper making a fumbled save, it was another corner.

Workington’s defence were somehow surviving the battering, and after some nice interplay between Bennett, Soule and Smith, it ended with another Beavon shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Only a minute later Beavon was in there again with a header just over, after Soule and Ferron’s build-up, but desperately close.

It could easily have been a second for Workington though, when after 40 minutes the whole defence froze, giving Nugent a free shot, totally unchallenged, which fortunately hit the bar.

Sports then got a break and Smith crossed again from the right as he tried to seek out Dales, but the ball was intercepted, just before he was able to connect.

Into time added on Dales got a break, he beat the defence and faced the advancing Mitchell as he raced off his line. But the shot lacked direction and finished well wide of the target and so it remained 0-1 as the half time whistle blew.

Barely had the second half got underway and Soule was brought down in the box, but appeals were waved away, despite it looking a more legitimate claim than the one awarded to Workington, that split the sides.

Dales broke through the defence again after 52 minutes, but his close range shot was blocked by Mitchell, as the light rain became heavier as it drifted across the pitch.

It was close again for Mickleover again two minutes later, after another precise cross from Ferron on the left. Soule made a perfect turn but his effort struck the upright again, with the rebound blocked.

Ambrose was then booked for a solid challenge on Beavon, but Dales’ free kick failed to trouble the keeper.

Mickleover then made their first change after 63 minutes, with Palmer replacing Soule. The debutant Palmer quickly made an impact, when Dales sent a cross field ball from the left to find him with acres of space. With patience and accuracy he picked his spot, beating Mitchell on his far post to finally make it 1-1.

Two minutes later Dales found Palmer again, he was through on the right but his cross was cut out, as the visitors defence were pegged back in their own box.

There was another corner with a repeat after Beavon’s header was blocked, but Atkinson fired over the bar. It was all Mickleover as they were now chasing for a winning goal and made another change with Edwards on for Beavon.

Dales put a ball into the box but the defence managed to clear it, but then 77 minutes gone and it turned again. Workington hadn’t really tested the home defence in the second half, but they won a corner on the right after a break. Once again no one took charge and it fell to Jake Allan who gratefully accepted the chance and made it 1-2.  

From a possible win after a totally dominant second half, Mickleover were heading for another defeat. They swapped Oppong for Smith in the closing minutes and had one last chance when Dales was fouled on the edge of the box. His free kick came off the wall, before the corner came to nought.

But four minutes into time added on Workington were awarded another innocuous penalty, which Rigg scored to seal a flattering 1-3 win for Workington, leaving Mickleover with a six consecutive defeat. 

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday we welcome Workington to the Don Amott Arena, with Mickleover aiming for points get them out of the relegation zone, after last weekends defeat at Whitby.

Our visitors are currently 15th in the NPL table, four places and two points ahead of Mickleover, having played the same number of games.

There were some strong performances at Whitby, despite the somewhat flattering result, so manager Gareth Holmes will be looking for a continuing improvement in form, to see them climb the table.

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

They drew 2-2 at our fellow strugglers FGC United last Saturday, but have only had three wins in the last 10 games, at home to Worksop, Ilkeston and Whitby, having lost their last five games on the road.

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 visitors 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.

Mitchell’s deputy is Danny Eccles, 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 joinedour visitors in August 2021 from FC Squires Gate.

Aran Fitzpatrick is a young defender on his second loan spell at Workington. He arrived in September for a 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 another pre-season signing for our visitors.

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.

Unlike Ambrose and Swinglehurst, Tom Wilkinson is at the opposite end of his career. A teenaged centre back, he arrived pre-season too after being released by Preston North End.

Theo Farquharson is another centre back and only arrived last two weeks ago, from Warrington. He was previously at SC Espinho in Portugal and FC United.

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

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 last year and was released after a further spell at Annan Athletic, joining our visitors permanently pre-season. He made 25 League One appearances and scored two goals.

Midfielder Matty Clarke came from Clitheroe earlier this month. 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.

Now in his forties, midfielder David Norris is vastly experienced, with almost 500 appearances throughout the Championship, Leagues One and Two under his belt, scoring 60 goals, after starting his career at Boston Utd.

He joined Bolton Wanderers in 2000 and was loaned back to Boston and after a further loan Hull City he moved onto Plymouth Argyle. Ipswich, Portsmouth and Leeds Utd were his next stops, before moving to Peterborough in 2015.

Blackpool, Leatherhead and Salford City followed, before returning to Boston from Shaw Lane in 2018. He then spent five years at Lancaster, before joining our visitors in September.

Jake Allan is a midfielder too, partly into a three-month loan period from Carlisle Utd. He is joined my team mate Sam Herrington, a striker currently on a two-month loan.

Kaedyn Kamara is another loanee from Preston, but he had started out with Burnley.

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 toCurzon 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 assistantmanager 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 visitors in July 2021.

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

Amadou Doumbouya is a vert recent arrival on a dual registration with Chorley. A midfielder, he started out at Bury, before moving to Chorley. He also had a loan spell at Bamber Bridge last season.

Young striker Ben McCarron played for Cleator Moor Celtic and Parkside before joining our visitors pre-season.

Sam Christian is a midfielder who has graduated from their own youth scheme, along with striker Alfie McDonough and Owen Johnston.

Tyler Beck was previously at Macclesfield, a defender, he has also become part of the first team squad after a pre-season trial. He has played for Garstang and Padiham too.

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.

Striker Brad Hubbold has spent most of his career at Workington. He had a spell at Lancaster City in 22/23, but is now in his third season back with our visitors.

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. He is currently out injured.

Aidan Howarth and Cieran Casson are both community coaches and former Carlisle Academy players. Casson is a midfielder who has been at Workington since 2019, while 16 year old defender Howarth made his first team debutearlier this season.

It‘s forecast to be wet and windy for Saturday’s 3pm kick off, but come and bring your support and lets get THREE POINTS!!

by Peter Scherer

Looking to end a run of five straight league defeats, Mickleover have to face top of the table Macclesfield at the Don Amott Arena tomorrow night.

Apart from draws at home to Hyde Utd and away at Ilkeston, Macclesfield have won every other league game and come to us fresh from their FA Trophy win last Saturday at Curzon Ashton, following a penalty shootout.

Our visitors lost out to Marine in the play-offs last season after finishing as runners-up. Michael Clegg departed as manager in June after only four months, and since then Robbie Savage has been in charge.

It’s been a tough season so far for Mickleover and last weekends defeat at Whitby leaves then in 19^th place and the threat of relegation, but hopefully the tide will turn as we have six games to play before Christmas.

Goalkeeper Max Dearnley was a pre-season signing from Buxton. He started out at Penistone and after a season at Ossett Utd, moved on to Huddersfield Town. His next stop was Farsley Celtic, before joining Buxton at the start of last season, ending it on loan at Chorley.

Centre back Sam Heathcote is in his second season with our visitors, since arriving from Runcorn Linnets. He started out at Altrincham and then spent a year each at Ramsbottom and Hyde Utd, before making the return trip in July 2019. Before moving to Runcorn, he spent 2 ½ years with West Didsbury.

Right back Lewis Fensome is a former Preston North End Junior, who spent 3 ½ years at Lancaster City, before signing for Macclesfield in January 2022.

Dontai Gabidon is a midfielder that came from FC United n September. He started at Altrincham too and also had two years at West Didsbury.

Danny Whitehead plays in central midfield and is another pre-season signing from Fylde. He has league two experience and started his career with Stockport County, before a move to West Ham Utd. Following his release and a short stay at Accrington, he joined Macclesfield for the first time in July 2015, but moved to Wigan after six months.

He was loaned back to Macclesfield, along with Cheltenham, before a permanent return to our visitors. Next stop was Salford City, with another loan back at Macclesfield preceding a move to Port Vale. He was then loaned to Altrincham, before joining Fylde in January 2022.

Justin Johnson is a right sided midfielder. His career started at Sparta Rotterdam and Manchester Utd, before a spell at FC United. He then headed north to Dundee Utd, who loaned hm to York City. Cyprus was his next port of call, spending two years at Othellos Athienou, including a loan at Akritas Chlorakas, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He moved on again via Morton, Stalybridge Celtic and had two years at Fylde before joining our visitors pre-season.

Tre Pemberton favours the right side of midfield. A youngster with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, he joined FC United on his release. He was loaned to Longridge before a move to Stafford Rangers, where he spent nine months before arriving at Macclesfield in July 2022.

Luke Duffy is a right midfielder too. He came from Warrington at the beginning of last season after a three year spell and was previously at Lower Breck FC.

John Rooney is the brother of Wayne and is an attacking midfielder who started his career at Macclesfield back in 2008. He moved to the United States with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, before returning to the UK with Barnsley.

Next stop was Bury, who loaned him to Chester, before the move became permanent. Wrexham was next, followed by Guiseley, Barrow and Stockport County. He came back to Macclesfield in August 2023, after a year at Oldham.

Alex Curran is another midfielder and was the two goal hero in last Saturday’s FA Trophy win over his former club Curzon Ashton. A Former Blackburn Rovers junior, he joined Colne on his release, before moving to Stockport County. Loans at FC United and Curzon Ashton followed, before the latter became permanent, spending a year with them before joining our visitors.

Winger Sean Etaluku started out at Burnley, before joining Mossley on his release. He moved to Barrow in July last year, who loaned him to Buxton and Matlock, before coming to Macclesfield two weeks ago.

D’Mani Mellor is a former Manchester Utd junior striker, with experience in Leagues One, Two and the Europa League. He was loaned to Salford before making a permanent move to Wycombe Wanderers. Further loans at Rochdale and Sutton Utd followed, before joining Gateshead at the start of this season. After just two weeks in the North East he signed for Macclesfield.

Fellow striker Danny Elliott was a pre-season arrival too. A youth player at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, he moved to the US in 2014 with Hofstra Pride, a University side.

He was loaned to Carolina Dynamo and Long Island Rough Riders, before his four-year stay ended, with a move to Spain with San Cristobal. Three months later he was back in the UK with Port Vale, and has played for Chester, Alfreton, Hartlepool, Boston Utd, Boreham Wood and Gateshead, before joining Scunthorpe in February last year, spending five months with the Irons before becoming a Silkman.

Neil Kengni is another striker signed from Marine in July 2022. He started off at Rochdale and has played for Stalybridge too.

French midfielder Laurent Mendy was signed in June 2021 from IFK Amal in Sweden and was the first player to make 100 appearances for the reformed Macclesfield FC.

Paul Dawson is a midfielder too. Signed from Bamber Bridge in May last year, he has also played for Lancaster City

Former England C International Elliott Whitehouse is a central midfielder, with League One and Two experience. As a Sheffield Utd youngster, he was loaned to York City, before moving to Notts County. He then went on loan to Nuneaton, before a permanent move to Halifax, preceded a return to Nuneaton.

Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Forest Green and Scunthorpe followed, with a loan at Spennymoor followed by Chester, from where he joined Macclesfield pre-season.

Winger Edy Maieco came from Bradford Park Avenue in September on a return trip. Having previously been at Macclesfield.

Midfielder Basit Yusuff has recently stepped up from the clubs Academy and also plays in the reserve side.

Left back Brandon Lee s one of the longer serving players, having come from Longridge in September 2021. He started at Bolton Wanderers and has also played for Chorley.

Tony Clare also arrived in 2021, a striker from Pontefract. He started off at Barnsley and Bradford City, before joining Boston Utd after an initial loan. He then had spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Buxton, before joining Pontefract in September 2020.

Central midfielder James Edmondson is currently on loan from Blackburn Rovers. 

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 7.45 and t’s forecast to be a cold night.