by Peter Scherer

Mickleover travelled to National League North neighbours Alfreton Town for the their final pre-season friendly.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Dan Bradley 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Oli Greaves 8-Will Trueman 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andre Wright 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Ben Sault, Fin Ryder, Harry Atwal, Jim Pollard.

In an even first half hour, neither side created many goal scoring opportunities, until Lewis Salmon hit the post and the hosts began to take control.

But the Sports defence of Bennett, Bradley, Wilson and Dolan stayed solid at the back and made sure the sides went in at half-time even at 0-0.

Day put a header just over the bar for Alfreton after 49 minutes, but a minute Jim Oliver gave them the lead, after picking up a loose ball and burying it in the roof of the net. 0-1.

Bosworth was in action again after 55 minutes, saving from one of Alfreton’s subs, before tipping a shot from Dec Howe round the post, only five minutes later.

Just after the hour mark Dwayne Wiley made it two for Alfreton, heading past Bosworth, after collecting from a corner, 0-2.

With the score remaining the same, both sides brought on their sub goalkeppers as outfield players, Jake Askew for the last 19 minutes and Sports Pollard for the final 15.

So it remained 0-2, but gaffer John McGrath said, “it was a good work out for the lads though,” as they prepared for the start of the league season next Saturday.

(Images: Steve Ingers)

by Peter Scherer

Dan Bradley is the latest signing for Mickleover manager John McGrath.

A former Aston Villa junior, the midfielder started last season with Ilkeston Town, before moving to Matlock in February. He previously had a couple of spells at Tamworth, Alfreton and Kidderminster, as well as playing for Barnet, Fylde and Nuneaton.

“I’m delighted to be signing for Mickleover. The gaffer is someone I know personally having played with him, and someone I have a huge amount of respect for and the way he treats people.

I’m at a stage in my career where I’ve experienced some good times and good clubs with good people and also some not so good. That, along with the way he wants to play football, meant it was no brainier for me, having spoken to the gaffer to come here.

I can’t wait to get my teeth into it and get started and try my upmost  to help improve on what was a very successful season for Mickleover last year,” he said.

“Delighted to get Dan to join us here at Mickleover FC. He’s a player I know personally and he brings with him a wealth of experience, to match his skill and talent. He’s a natural leader and will be a huge positive influence in our squad,” added McGrath.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover continued their pre-season build-up with a visit to Ilkeston Town last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Jim Pollard 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Andre Wright 10-Oil Greaves 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: George Atwal, Fin Ryder, Zac Sandhu, Dan Bradley.

Mickleover were quick out of the blocks and were soon into a passing flow, with Barnes fouled after two minutes following a run by Wilson. Dales was soon into the action too, before Ilkeston responded with a telling cross, headed away by Wilson.

Bennett managed to find an excess of space down the right after seven minutes, cutting inside to have his half shot blocked. Despite being on the ground, he was up and picked up his own rebound before the danger was cleared.

Ilkeston then had a free kick which went straight out of play, before Eratt-Thompson fired in a shot straight at Pollard.

Sports were flowing well, with Mann and Wilson at the back, choosing between Atkinson in central midfield and the free running Greaves, Trueman and Dales.

Dales put a cross in from the left after 11 minutes, it tested keeper Yates, but was too close to the far post. Barnes fired a shot over the bar after collected a Dales pass and another charge straight down the middle of the pitch.

It was Wright and Barnes combining that almost broke the deadlock at 16 minutes. Wright went through first before Yates blocked him, then Barnes shot just over again.

Ilkeston started to break out a little more constructively, forcing Pollard into a save on the edge of his area and only a minute later the Mickleover keeper safely collected a shot from outside the box.

Sports struggled to clear a 20^th minute corner as the hosts tried a couple of random shots in a crowded box, but Dales, Dolan and Greaves then combined to send Barnes on his way, but it came to nought.

Eratt-Thompson had another attempt on the Mickleover goal, but was high and wide, before Dales upped the pace again. Atkinson and Greaves had an interchange, but the final shot was blocked again.

Greaves had a shot saved by Yates on the half hour, after creating his own space, but Ilkeston came straight back with Pollard saving a header, after a cross from the left.

Wright then spotted Bennett in space on the right, but as he ran in, the oncoming defender intercepted. Greaves then missed out by just inches, as his angled shot was just the wrong side of the far post after 36 minutes.

Dales managed to disposess the Ilkeston number five Young with two minutes left of the first half, but as he ran head on for goal, keeper Yates guessed the right side and it remained 0-0 as the whistle went.

Bradley came on for Dales as the second half got underway, allowing Wilson to move forward. He had a shot just over in the 49^th minute, but the first goal finally came two minutes later.

Barnes had powered through on the right, got his cross in to perfection and with Yates committed, Wright slid in to score his first goal for the club. 1-0.

Sports continued to control most of the play up to the hour mark, but then Lita broke through, had his shot blocked, but earned a corner.

Atwal came on for Atkinson after 62 minutes, but Ilkeston had started to break out again, looking much stronger in attack as Sports sat back and let then hosts run at them.

Ryder was the next sub on and quickly found Atwal in space, who was then fouled. Ryder then sent Dolan on a run which was blocked, before Sandhu was the final sub to come on for Wright.

Ilkeston sub Zottas had looked fast and dangerous from the moment he came on, and after an 80^th minute effort after a cross from the right, he fired in a terrific lofted shot from the left and had Pollard beaten, 1-1.

Ilkeston had the scent for victory and two minutes later Tolley charged through the Mickleover defence, before Pollard made a diving save.

A fairly strong all round performance from Mickleover in game which they probably just had the edge overall, now it’s onto Alfreton Town on Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover faced their toughest pre-season try out so far, when they faced former Northern Premier League Champions Buxton, now firmly established in the National League North.

Starting line-up: 1-Jim Pollard 2-jake Benett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Will Trueman 8-George Atwal 9-Andre Wright 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Oli Greaves, Zak Sandhu, Fin Ryder.

Buxton started the game with confidence and after only five minutes keeper Pollard was forced into a diving save from an Elliott strike, destined for the bottom corner.

As Buxton continued to push forward Jordan Burrow opened the scoring after 10 minutes, getting on the end of a Connor Kirby cross. 0-1.

As Mickleover started to get into the game more Kirby made it 0-2 for the hosts after 14 minutes, before Trueman went close, with his effort blocked by Josh Granite a couple of minutes later.

But Sports got their reward when Wilson pulled a goal a back in the 18^th minute, with a superb long shot from at least 20 yards out, 1-2.

It continued to be a testing time for Mickleover against their stronger opposition, but hopes of an equaliser were dashed when Buxton were awarded a 24^th minute penalty, which was converted by McCourt, 1-3.

Pollard had to make another diving save after 34 minutes from a Burrow header, but it remained 1-3 as the half time whistle blew.

It was nine minutes into the second half when Buxton added their fourth and Kirby’s second. He had picked up a loose ball, but Pollard managed to save the first attempt, only to be beaten from the rebound, 1-4.

Burrow made it 1-5 two minutes later with his second, after a number of substitutions had been made. But Barnes was close to Mickleover’s second after 74 minutes, after he tested  home keeper Dearnley.

Di Girolamo tried a curling shot two minutes later, but Pollard had it covered, before Max Hunt made it six for Buxton, heading in from a corner after 77 minutes, 1-6.

“A great work out for us against an excellent side, who play in the division above us and have some excellent individual players. We were missing five key players, but it was a great opportunity for the lads to get more minutes in their legs as we prepare for our season start on August 5^th,” said Sports gaffer John McGrath.

It’s now off to Ilkeston on tomorrow evening for our fourth pre-season game 7.30pm kick off.

by Peter Scherer

New signing Marcus Barnes made it six goals from three games, as he hit four against Belper Utd at the Don Amott Arena last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Dan Bradley 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Atkinson 9-Will Trueman 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Ben Sault. Subs: George Atwal, Zac Sandhu, Oli Greaves, Fin Ryder, Marcus Barnes, Andrew Wright.

Apart from a ninth minute attack when Dales found Beavon, whose final ball was too long for Sault to chase, it was a very scrappy first 15 minutes, with little creativity from either side.

From there Sports went up a gear, with Beavon on another run, after Sault had gone end to end. But the final shot from the left earned a corner.

18 minutes in and Atkinson almost sent Dales clear, before the lose ball fell to Beavon, whose shot was just over. But there was an early change for Mickleover when Barnes came on for Bradley. “It was a slight pull on my thigh, so it was precautionary,” said Bradley.

For the next 15 minutes it was all on attack from the home side. Dales had a good run down the left after 20 minutes, his cross failed to connect, but Bennett kept it in play until the Belper defence cleared the danger.

Only a minute later Dales found Dolan in space on the left, but his cross or shot found the side netting. There was no respite for Belper though as Beavon then fought hard to retain possession, layed it back to Barnes, who cut inside to have his shot saved.

Wilson then put a cross in following a corner, missing Barnes’ head by a whisker.

Belper had been struggling to break out of their own half, but they made it after 29 minutes, but a dangerous cross from the right failed to connect.

Dales continued to torment and was fouled in mid flight on the half hour. The kick was dead centre a yard or two outside the box, but Wilson’s kick failed to trouble the keeper on this occasion.

Dolan was becoming more and more effective on the left, but his 33^rd minute cross was a fraction too high for Barnes and Beavon.

But a goal was almost inevitable and after a good all team build up with numerous exchanges, Dolan was caught out with an awkward bounce and Belper were able to draw breath.

The goal finally came after 39 minutes, when Sault found Barnes in space, as he cut in and headed goalwards, there was just the keeper to beat, which he did with consummate ease, 1-0.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 after another good build up down the right saw Barnes slide in for his second, ending the first half on a high.

There were two changes for the second half as Atkinson and Sault made way for Sandhu and Wright.

Bosworth tasted his first real action after 47 minutes, but from his save there was a Mickleover break and Barnes was on the receiving end again, 3-0.

Belper were still sticking to their game and making Mickleover work for it, but after 55 minutes it was goal number four. Dales broke free to score off the post, as Wright was available in support, 4-0.

Dolan tried his luck a minute later following a corner, but he was just wide of the top corner. Skipper Wilson then made way for Atwal on the hour, after a commanding role at the back with Mann.

It was close to another goal when Wright had the ball after a free kick, he managed to set up Beavon but his final shot was blocked by a defenders leg.

The fifth goal came from another break, with the visiting defence flat footed. As the ball ran clear Barnes latched on again and smashed home his fourth of the game, 5-0 after 62 minutes.

Barnes tried a random long shot well wide of the target, before Beavon and Dales went off, making way for Ryder and Greaves.

Belper had a half chance when the ball breached the home defence initially, before Bennett cleared for a corner, but any danger had soon gone.

Greaves was soon showing his skills with a series of long runs, linking up with Dolan after 70 minutes, they set up Wright whose shot was deflected away.

Bosworth made another save, but the effort was flagged offside and then 75 minutes in Mann was encouraged to try his luck. His shot started a new page in the record book, as he managed to clear the club house, the safety net and half of the car park, before the ball landed somewhere near Tesco’s.

Belper had an 80^th minute corner headed away by Bennett and Greaves had another classy solo run, before his shot was straight at the keeper.

Wright was so close to scoring when he fired into the side netting after 83 minutes, following up with a save from the keeper in a crowded box.

Trueman the put a cross in, which was just deflected away from Wright, then he put a header in the back of the net, but was flagged offside.

Our four goal striker Marcus Barnes gave his view after the match. “ I just needed to get into the game when I got the first, as I hadn’t been on long, then it just became automatic. The second goal was my favourite though, I love my tap ins.”

It ‘s off to Buxton now for the next pre-season friendly, Saturday afternoon 3pm kick off.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have added former Southampton striker Marcus Barnes to their squad, after he scored two goals in the clubs opening pre-season friendly at Borrowash Victoria.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying my football and joining a group players and a club with the ambition of wanting to achieve success this year, and hopefully throughout I can contribute towards that,” he said.

Barnes also has League Two experience with Yeovil Town and Oldham Athletic, and had a loan spell with Eastleigh too. He spent the end of last year with Northern Colorado based Hailstorm FC in the USL League One.

“Marcus is a player who will add great athleticism and speed to our front line. He’s an exceptionally talented footballer who we believe has the ability to play higher up the football divisions,” added gaffer John McGrath.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s first home pre-season friendly ended in a 0-1 defeat against a strong Burton line-up.

Starters: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Ben Sault 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Dan Bradley 7-Andy Dales 8-Ryan Wilson 9-Marcus Barnes 10-Andre Wright 11-Will Trueman. Subs: Jim Pollard, Stuart Beavon, Louis Pennington, Fin Ryder, George Atwal, Zac Sandhu, Oli Greaves.

It was a fairly even opening five minutes, before Dales made his first long run of the night, beating four Brewers defenders, before being intercepted.

The visitors were soon beginning to push forward, with Mann and Bradley shepherding the home defence, until Bradley lost possession on the edge of the box. Charlie Lakin fired home with Bosworth given little chance, diving at full stretch to his right. 0-1.

Over the next 10 minutes it continued to be even, with the majority of the play around centre field.

Trueman got on the end of a nice one two after 20 minutes, before the defence blocked his path and only two minutes later Sault went close on the right to earn a corner.

Burton had shot well off target from outside the box 24 minutes in, before Dales charged through the middle three minutes later, but Wright’s final shot low to the left-hand post was saved by keeper Crocombe.

Crocombe was soon in action again, with Dales cutting in from the left again, palming away the shot to safety.

It was Bosworth’s turn to save after 33 minutes though, when Burton wasted time in creating the final shot, only for Wakelin’s effort to be easily dealt with by the Mickleover keeper.

Mickleover had their best chance of an equaliser just before half-time, when Dales had collected the ball from a free-kick after he had been fouled, setting up Trueman with time on his side, but the shot was wide of the left-hand post.

There was a slight hold-up too when Wakelin had to come off after hurting a previously damaged ankle, but as the half-time whistle finally went it remained 0-1.

Mickleover made their first change when Pollard came out in goal for the second half, having replaced Bosworth.

Trueman had a 49^th minute shot well saved after a positive build up down the left, then Sault appeared to have been brought down by the keeper in the box a minute later, but there was no penalty.

Atwal and Beavon came on for Sault and Barnes, and Beavon was straight into action, slotting the ball through to Dales, whose 54th minute shot was just wide again.

Pollard was almost caught out by an awkward bounce, following a cross from the right, but it was Sports looking the hungrier of the two sides in attack.

Just before the hour mark Dales made an interception, but was almost beaten by his own pace as he lost control, but then Burton responded with a powerful shot just wide of the post.

A short-free kick in the home defence almost gave the ball away to Burton, but Pollard reacted the quicker and charged off his line to intercept.

Atkinson and Wilson had looked strong and reliable in midfield and in the 65^th minute Atkinson almost got Beavon on a run. Wilson was then on the end of a Dales and Beavon build-up, with his shot earning a 69^th minute corner.

Wilson then put a dangerous cross into the Burton box, but it proved to be too high. Dolan and Trueman were subbed after 73 minutes, with Greaves and Sandhu on, soon followed by Ryder on for Wright,

With eight minutes on the clock Beavon sent through a long ball for Ryder to chase, but no sooner had the ball been grounded, the increased pace left it well out of reach.

Pennington was the final sub to come on for Atkinson, while six minutes before the whistle Dales had his final shot of the night saved, so victory and the annual Keith Calladine Trophy headed back down the A38 to Burton.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover kicked off their pre-season campaign with a visit to neighbours Borrowash Victoria last Saturday.

Sports opened the scoring after two minutes, and after further goals on 20 and 35 minutes, they reached half time 3-0 up.

Various substitutions followed with no further goals added, as we now look forward to the first home friendly match against a Burton Albion XI.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 7.30pm.

by Peter Scherer

There have been various rumours and speculation about the make-up of next seasons league structure, and Mickleover’s part in it.

Some sources suggested that along with Basford and Ilkeston, Mickleover could be heading back to the Northern Premier League, after just the one season in the Southern Premier League Central Division.

That particular rumour was possibly the closest, as Basford are returning to the Northern Premier League after just one season, along with Ilkeston, which loses two of our local Derby games, as Mickleover are remaining in the Southern section.

Mickleover are one of 14 clubs remaining in the Southern Premier Central, along with runner’s up Coalville Town and fellow play off losers Leiston and Nuneaton.

There will still be the trips to Hertfordshire to play Hitchin and Royston, along with St Ives in Cambridgeshire and Needham Market in Suffolk.

We still have the localish trip to Barwell Town too, along long with West Midlanders Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Stourbridge and Stratford.

Seven teams  are new to us though however, including another local Derby, with Long Eaton Utd, who came through the Northern Premier League Division One East play offs.

Halesowen followed a similar route to Long Eaton, but via the NPL Division One Midlands, whereas Berkhamsted means another trip to Hertfordshire, after they took the Southern League Division One title by a massive 19 points.

AFC Sudbury of Suffolk join us after being runners up in the Isthmian Division One North and winning the play-off, and Stamford earned their place after taking the NPL Division One title.

The remaining three teams have all arrived after being relegated from the National League North, with Kettering Town, Leamington and AFC Telford.

There will be more mileage next season though, with only three clubs within a 40 mile radius, compared with seven last season. Leiston is still the furthest at 184 miles, but AFC Sudbury, Berkhamsted, Hitchin, Needham Market, Royston and St Ives are all over 100 miles.

The total mileage to away league games will be approximately 1685 miles, compared to 1499 last season.

The question is can Sports improve on their sixth place?