by Peter Scherer

Although Mickleover spent the last day of the season at the already relegated Bedford Town, many eyes were focused on Rushall Olympic’s game at Alvechurch who had edged us out of the final play-off place.

With no goals scored in the last 10 games, Bedford weren’t expected to cause Sports defence a lot of problems and an Elliott Reeves double helped Mickleover finish 3-0 winners.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Ethan Mann 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitch Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Mason Warren 11-Will Trueman. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Rhys Dolan, Marcus Marshall, Oli Greaves, Callum Chettle.

With Mickleover on top from the start, Reeves controlled a long ball over the defence, and fired just over after seven minutes.

But Bedford responded a couple of minutes later, with an effort just wide, from the edge of the box. But Sports had control with Warren, Rose, Mann and Trueman looking strong in the middle and Bennett, Butler, Watt and Wilson soild at the back.

Dales was next to try his luck for Sports, with a shot just wide of the left-hand post, before Trueman twisted to outfox his marker, but his attempt was just over the bar too.

Home keeper Duffy saved another Sports effort after 25 minutes, but the home side managed to respond with Lyon latching onto a break, but again the shot was just over the bar.

Just after the half hour Trueman was down injured and had to be replaced by Greaves. He had only been on the pitch for two minutes, when Reeves jinked past a defender and crossed to find him unmarked in the centre. Greaves responded with an easy tap in and it was 1-0 with 33 minutes gone.

Bedford did get the ball in the net three minutes later, but were ruled offside and then Duffy had to make another diving save from Dales.

But Bedford hadn’t given up and Furlong earned a corner after a good run had ended with save for Bosworth from his final shot.

So it was 1-0 at half time and could have been more, but there was another 45 minutes, which started with Dolan coming on for Rose.

Duffy made another save for our hosts after 51 minutes, when Butler had latched onto a corner at the far post, but a few minutes later there was more success for Sports with another corner.

Butler headed into the centre, where Reeves connected and put cleanly past the beaten keeper, 2-0 and 54 minutes down.

Lyon found Tomlinson for Bedford, but his angled shot was over the bar and then a free kick ended with a weak shot from Butterworth.

With nine minutes left Chettle replaced Greaves, but into injury time Reeves got Mickleover’s third and his second, after a telling run down the left to fire home in the bottom corner, 3-0.

It finished on a high for Mickleover, but with Rushall losing at Alvechurch we had secured sixth in the table, but missed a play-off place by just one point.

We will hopefully see you all in August and start all over again.

by Peter Scherer

When he played Bedford Town back in November, Gary Setchell was the manager and they were 10^th in the league. We won 2-0 but at the end of the same month, Setchell left and Paul Davis was appointed, but resigned after only three games.

They have lost every game since and haven’t taken a point since drawing 0-0 at Hitchin on January 23^rd and have failed to score in their last 10 games.

Division One Central Champions last year, but they are now in 20^th place and heading back down again.

Graeme Tomlinson is the current manager, he joined the coaching staff in the summer of 2020, after an excellent playing career, starting at Bradford City earned him a move to Manchester United playing alongside Eric Cantona and the class of ’92.

He had four loan spells while with the Red Devils at Wimbledon, Luton, AFC Bournemouth & Millwall. After leaving United, he played for Macclesfield Town, Exeter City, Stevenage, Kingstonian, St. Albans City, Stotfold, Dunstable Town and a spell with Bedford Town in 2003.

Lewis Elsom and Elliott Duffy have been sharing the goalkeeping duties of late. Elsom is an ex Peterborough Utd Junior, who played for Deeping Rangers and Arlesey Town, before joining Peterborough Sports. He has currently been  on a dual registration from Peterborough since November, having had a similar arrangement with Spalding earlier in the season.

Duffy is a home grown talent, who had his first full contract in July 2021.

Jack Keeble was a summer signing, a centre back who began his career at Grimsby Town. He moved on to Stamford and St Neots and spent a year at Wisbech before joining our hosts.

Sam Dreyer originally came on loan in December 2021 from Stevenage, but the centre back’s stay became permanent last September. He also had loan spells at Biggleswade and Hendon, but then left our hosts to join Peterborough Utd in January, but came back on loan again the following day.

Centre back Ben Tompkins is on loan too from Luton Town, having started off at Barnet.

Junior Gyamfi is a midfielder who is another loanee from MK Dons, which is where fellow midfielder Connor Furlong started his career. He was loaned to Oxford City and Aylesbury Utd before coming to Bedford on his release in 2018.

After a year with our hosts, St Ives, Barton Rovers, Biggleswade and Rushden were his next stops, before returning to Bedford last month, after five months at Royston.

Midfielder George Thorne is well known locally after his spell with the Rams. His career started at West Bromwich Albion and was loaned to Portsmouth, Peterborough and Watford, before joining Derby in 2014.

He was loaned to Luton again and joined Oxford again after another loan. But injuries ended his full-time career and he came to Bedford in September 2022 after two years out. He was capped for England at Under 16,17,18,19 and 20 level.

Will Summerfield is a central midfielder and former MK Dons Junior. He was at Hemel, Kempston Rovers and Berkhamsted, before joining Bedford in July 2020.

Drew Richardson is another central midfielder who arrived in July 2020 too, from Biggleswade. He was a former Luton Town Junior.

Connor Tomlinson is a young striker who had scored quite a few goals earlier in the season. A former Luton Town Junior, he came to Bedford in July 2019.

Joe Butterworth is a central midfielder in his second season at Bedford, after arriving from Stamford last November, following almost five years at Yaxley.

Defender Kai Phelan was a pre-season signing from Barton Rovers. He also played for Hitchin and YIK in Sweden, after playing as a Luton Town Junior.

Experienced midfielder Callum Donnelly first joined Bedford for the 2017/18 season but had brief spells away at Shefford Town & Campton and Biggleswade. He played much of his career at Hitchin and has also been at Stotfold, Barton Rovers, Cambridge City and Baldock. He is also assistant manager.

Midfielder Josh Page is home produced player, but has also played in Australia with Perth Scorchers and been loaned to Dunstable Town and Eynesbury Rovers, since returning to our hosts in December 2020.

Striker Rene Howe started out at Bedford in 2006, before being picked up by Peterborough Utd. His league career carried on via Rochdale, Lincoln, Morecambe, Gillingham, Rushden and Bristol Rovers, all on loan.

He was finally released by Peterborough and joined Torquay in 2011, before moving to Burton Albion and Newport, having played over 250 League games, with over 60 goals.

After a short spell at Kettering he was out of football for three years, before rejoining Hendon. He has since played for Kings Langley, Walton Casuals and Farnborough, returning to Bedford in August 2020. He left for Ware after two years, but returned to Bedford again last December.

Former MK Dons defender Joe Steele was signed from Dunstable in November 2018 and has also played for Arlesey, but has been out with a knee injury for the last year or more.

Carlos Lyon is another well-travelled striker. A former Brentford Junior, he left them for Billericay, where Southend Utd picked him up. He was loaned to Hayes & Yeading before joining Alloa Athletic, who then loaned him to Brechin City and Stirling Albion, before rejoining Billericay on his release in 2017.

After a spell at Grays Athletic he went back to Scotland, with Brechin, Stranraer, Dumbarton, Peterhead and Cowdenbeath, before returning to England with Cheshunt in January. After another loan at FC Romania, he came to Bedford in February.

Right back Rio Da Silva had spells with Luton and Chelsea before joining Dunstable in 2018. He moved on to Hitchin a year later and came to Bedford last month.

Nathaniel Sheriff and Kyle Jozwiak are both home grown talent. Sheriff is a young centre back and came into the squad in February. Jozwiak is a midfielder, who got his contract one month earlier.

Midfielder Lucas Kirkpatrick also arrived last month, for his second spell with the club. He started out at Hitchin and was loaned to Langford, but racked up over 200 games, before moving to Braintree and Berkhamsted Biggleswade. He then came to Bedford for the 2018/19 season, before moving on Braintree, Berkhamsted, Dunstable and Crawley Green, before his arrival at Bedford.

D’Sean Theobalds is another recent arrival. He started at West Ham and moved swiftly via Leatherhead, Concord Rangers and Tonbridge before venturing to Korona Kielce in Poland.

He came back to the UK with Tonbridge, before returning to Poland with Unia Tarnow. He then joined Dartford, moving to Welling, Kingstonian and Concord Rangers and came to Bedford in February.

With Rushall having beaten Rushden last night, our outside chance of a play-off is over, but now guaranteed sixth place in the league, it’s been a successful season without doubt. Kick off is 3pm as usual.

by Peter Scherer

Character and heroism came to the fore at Stourbridge last night, when having faced the whole second half a man down, a stunning Reeves winner clinched the points for Mickleover.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Marcus Marshall 10-Elliott Reeves 11-Will Trueman. Subs: Oliver Bosworth, Rhys Dolan, Mitch Rose, Stuart Beavon, Pablo Mills.

It was a fairly scrappy start to the game with passes from both sides going awry. Dales had an early shot blocked and Stourbridge failed to make anything from the first corner of the game.

Prosser then a wild shot for the hosts after 10 minutes, before Wilson got on the end of a Mickleover attack, duelling with two players on the edge of the box.

White and Lyttle worked well for our hosts down the right wing, but there was no one on the end of Lyttle’s cross. Watt cleared for Mickleover but Lyttle sent another cross in, once more to no avail.

Wilson was then chasing down a Stourbridge break and caught the heal of his quarry. The referee obviously saw more malice in the incident than anyone else and reached for his yellow card.

The following free kick was way off target, but led to a Trueman run at the home defence. The breakdown prompted a break down the Stourbridge left with Anaebonam outpacing his pursuers to slot the past Hedge into the far corner, 0-1 after 16 minutes.

Sports started to break out a little more with Marshall, Dales and Warren setting up a positive move three minutes later, with Warren earning a corner.

21 minutes in and Anaebonam had another chance, but completely missed connecting with Lyttle’s dangerous cross into the box.

The ball then ran loose and Kettle decided to have a crack at goal, seeing his effort sent out for another corner, headed clear by Butler.

Dales then launched on his first real run after 24 minutes, but was hacked down by Jack Wilson. He went in the book too, as Ryan Wilson lined up the free kick.

The game had opened up more with Mickleover in the ascendanacy. After some Trueman trickery on the edge of the box after 26 minutes, he set up Reeves for a run into the box.

A clumsy challenge from centre back Knight, saw Reeves hit the ground and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Warren stepped up and fired straight down the middle, with keeper Price well beaten 1-1.

Mickleover were on the attack again a couple of minutes later, with Wilson just connecting to get a half effort blocked, but Lyttle again proved to be dangerous on the break for our hosts. He beat the defence, but there was no one to receive the final ball.

Dales had a chase after 34 minutes but the keeper beat him to it and a couple of minutes later Trueman made good progress to find Wilson, but his curling cross from the left had no one to receive at the far post.

White then failed to maximise a chance for our hosts, when he put a clear opportunity well wide of Hedge’s right-hand post.

The referee then made his presence known again, when Wilson was alleged to have put in a high tackle on White. Having already given the Sports player a totally unnecessary yellow card earlier, he was almost pressed into a second yellow and subsequent red, by the aggression shown by a couple of the Stourbridge players.

Mickleover were down to 10 men but made a quick change with Dolan coming on to replace Marshall for the final five minutes of the half.

There was an expected barrage from Stourbridge at the start of the second half, with Watt, Butler, Bennett, Dolan and Mann defending heroicly, but struggling to break out of their own half.

There was a lot of short passing from Stourbridge, without any positivity, until Prosser fired a long range shot in for Hedge to tip over.

Home skipper King seemed to be getting more vociferous in the refs’s ear, and when Kettle forcibly held back Reeves in a 52^nd minute break, he was one of a number of players who made sure the assistant ignored the confrontation.

Prosser then received a yellow which he had probably deserved earlier, but the frustration was beginning to show for Stourbridge, both on the pitch and in the crowd.

Dales and Dolan worked together to get away after 65 minutes, they earned a corner, but that led to White making a break for Stourbridge, earning a corner from Hedge’s save.

Mickleover had grown in confidence again mainly due to our hosts lack of success, and Dales cut in from the left but was off balance as he shot over the bar.

There were appeals for a penalty after 74 minutes after White fell over in the box. At least on this occasion the ref ignored the Stourbridge pleas.

But a moment of magic soon followed when a positive break in the 76^th minute saw Mickleover charging goalwards. Reeves was head down and taking route one, firing past Price into the waiting net, 2-1.

A few minutes later Reeves came off after a slight knock to be replaced by Beavon, but there was surprisingly no real urgency from the home side. They made a couple of changes, but failed to trouble the Mickleover defence in the final minutes and with Mills subbing for Trueman the whistle blew and all three points were safe for Mickleover.

by Peter Scherer

Our twice postponed visit to Stourbridge finally takes place tonight at 7.45, with Mickleover only four points behind Rushall Olympic and the final place in the end of season play-offs, with six points still on the table.

Our hosts tonight beat Rushall 2-0 at home last Saturday, but lost to Rushden by the same score in their previous home game.

Our hosts Joint managers Leon Broadhurst and Stuart Pierpoint have been in charge since October 2021 and are both still registered to play.

Centre back Broadhurst is the clubs record appearance holder on 780, spending 10 years at the club before moving to Bromsgrove.

Pierpoint is also a centre back who has also played for Oldbury Utd, Sutton Coldfield, Halesowen, Stafford, Nuneaton, Solihull, Leamington and Brackley before a four-year stay at Stourbridge from July 2015. He was at Coalville before returning to our hosts.

Goalkeeper Charlie Price is in his second spell at the club, having left to join Alvechurch in June 2016, before returning three years later.

Defender Joel Kettle is in his second spell at the club too. He started out with Sutton Coldfield before joining Stourbridge in August 2014. His career then took him to Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, Rushall, Solihull, Tamworth and Nuneaton, before joining our hosts pre-season from Bromsgrove.

Striker Darryl Knights is a former Ipswich Junior, who was capped by England at Under 16 and 17 and was loaned to Yeovil, before joining Kidderminster on his release.

Solihull was his next stop, then Newport and Solihull before returning to Kidderminster. After a spell at Tamworth, he had two years at Telford, before coming to Stourbridge in July 2020.

Full back Jack Wilson was another signing from Bromsgrove back in September 2021. He had made 200 appearances before his move and had a brief loan spell at Lichfield City too.

Jason Cowley is a striker who came from Bromsgrove too in July 2021. He started out at Redditch, before a first spell at Bromsgrove preceded a move to Stevenage. He was loaned to Solihull and on release he had a month at Macclesfield, before rejoining Bromsgrove.

Midfielder Reece King arrived from Buxton in July 2021. He started his career at Malvern Town, before moving on to Gloucester City and Hednesford. After a spell at Leamington, he rejoined Hednesford, before going to Buxton in February 2020.

Joe Hull is another returnee having arrived for his second spell from Alvechurch in December 2021. He started out at Kidderminster, before moving to Redditch in 2010. Further moves took him to Hinckley Utd and Stourport Swifts, before returning to Redditch.

He first came to Stourbridge in February 2016 after just over three years at Halesowen. But after eight months and a loan at Tividale, he moved to Rushall Olympic, Bromsgrove and finally Alvechurch.

Midfielder Callum Gittings came from Leamington in pre-season. After starting at Alvechurch, he also played for Kidderminster, Solihull and Telford.

Former Walsall Academy midfielder Alex Moore joined Wolverhampton Casuals and Shifnal Town after his release, before stepping back up the ladder to Bromsgrove and Rushall Olympic. He had three years at Rushall before joining Stourbridge pre-season.

Midfielder Harry Lewis made his first team debut last season, after coming through the clubs academy. He has also had a few games for Team Dudley.

Centre Back Chris Knight is in his third spell at Stourbridge. He first joined them in July 2012 from Dudley, moved onto Lye Town but returned in July 2017. After going back to Lye and latterly Wulfrunians, before re-signing for our hosts again in pre-season.

Defender Alex Worley is an ex Walsall Junior, who was at Haverfordwest last season. He was another pre-season signing for out hosts.

Tyler Lyttle was an autumn 2022 signing, and is a former Wolves and Bristol Rovers Junior is the son of ex Forest defender Des. He made three first team starts at Bristol and was loaned to Nuneaton and Truro, before joining Hednesford on his release. He was at Sutton Coldfield prior to joining Rushall, where he spent the last four years.

Defender Callum Rowe came from Hereford last month. He is an ex Aston Villa Junior, and had a loan spell at Hereford, before signing for Exeter City on his release. He was then loaned to Chippenham and Bath City, before moving on permanently to Yeovil where he stayed for three months before going to Hereford.

Welsh under 15 and 16 International right back Ethan Vaughan is currently on loan from Solihull Moors, but he started out as Cardiff City Junior.

Left back Demico Burton is on loan too, in his second spell from Derby County. He started out Stourbridge, before joining the Rams last year.

Norewegian born winger Stanley Anaebonam started out with IK Start Youth, before moving to the UK to join Wolverhampton Casuals in 2016. He then spent two years with Solihull Moors, before moving to Redditch, then returned to Solihull before a spell in Ireland with Shelbourne.

He returned to England last year with Truro City and had two months at Hednesford, before coming to Stourbridge in December.

Winger Jaiden White is a fairly recent arrival from Stafford Rangers, where he had initially been loaned, after spending most of his career at Kidderminster.

Alex Prosser is another ex Aston Villa Junior. A midfielder, he was loaned to Brackley before a permanent move to Kidderminster. He started this season at Leamington.

Midfielder Dexter Walters is a fairly recent arrival too. Having started at Romulus, he moved on to Tamworth, to where he returned after a shot spell at Coventry City.

During his time at Tamworth he loaned to Mickleover, but had three months at Stratford last year before arriving at Stourbridge in  November.

Striker Fin Holmes had also been on the bench recently, having come through the clubs own youth scheme.

Lewis Solly is both reserve goalkeeper and coach. An ex Wolves and Bury player, he played for Welshpool and Aberystwyth, before moving back to the midlands with Stafford Rangers.  He was then at Telford and Redditch and first came to Stourbridge in 2005 from Hednesford, and stayed eight years before moving to Rushall. He moved onto Worcester but had time out with an injury and has been back at Stourbridge since the end of last season, having made over 350 appearances.

7.45pm kick off as usual, your support would be welcomed.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover finished off their home league campaign last Saturday with a 2-1 win over Redditch Utd, leaving them with an outside chance of a play-off position.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitch Rose 9-Marcus Marshall 10-Mason Warren 11-Will Trueman 15-Ethan Mann. Subs: Fin Ryder, Jonathan Hedge, Pablo Mills, Elliott Reeves, Rhys Dolan.

Both sides kicked off with attack in mind. Only four minutes gone and Warren put a telling cross into the Redditch box, with Wilson sending a flying header just wide.

But three minutes later our visitors had a penalty appeal waved away, after a Hudson pass found Flanagan but the tackle was seen as fair.

They went close again when Sheaf fired a shot in, which was deflected over the bar for a corner.

It was Redditch that opened the scoring however, when after 15 minutes Flanagan broke through the defence, finding Mensah whose cross was hit home by Barry King, 0-1.

Only a minute after the opening goal it was level again, when Dales went on a run, cut inside and fired it into the top corner, 1-1.

Redditch continued to push forward and managed to keep the home defence busy, with Bosworth having to save low down from another King shot after 24 minutes, following a good build up from Mensah and Sheaf to earn another corner.

King broke through again after 37 minutes, but Bosworth made the save with his feet, before a Hudson follow up was blocked. But Sports were quick on a break that followed, with Dales charging down the left, before Warren’s shot was blocked.

Mann earned a corner when his shot was blocked, but Redditch went close again after another Flanagan pass split the defence, before Mensah pulled his shot wide  as half time approached.

There was late drama though for Mickleover, when Warren was injured and replaced by Dolan, but as the whistle went it was still 1-1.

It continued to be fairly even, but Mensah had the first chance of the second half, heading wide after 53 minutes, following a positive build up.

Redditch keeper Harrison then made a good save from Wilson’s free kick, following a foul on Rose, but the following corner came to nought.

The hour mark had gone and then Marshall held the ball well and was able to feed the ball through the following Dolan, sending a rocket shot into the top corner from the edge of the box, 2-1 after 65 minutes.

Hudson tried to set up another Redditch attack, but his lay off on the edge of the box found no one waiting.

Reeves came on for Rose after 75 minutes and was soon in action, being brought down in the box to earn a penalty. The striker stepped up to take the kick himself and Harrison dived to his right and made a well-timed save.

With time running out Riley headed a Flanagan free kick across the box, before Redditch skipper Byrne fired over and then eight minutes from time, Harrison had to save again from a powerful Sports strike.

Final score at 2-1 brings Mickleover within just four points of a play-off place with two games to play,

by Peter Scherer

Redditch Utd our visitors for the final home game of the season have had a similar season to us, and are currently just two points behind in eighth place.

They have one more game after Saturday, whereas Sports head for Stourbridge on Monday evening and Bedford on the final day. Redditch have won five of their last six games, having beaten Alvechurch 1-0 at home on Easter Monday

Matt Clarke has been in charge at the Trico Stadium since September 2020 and is a former player for the club. He also played for Wolves, West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster during his playing career.

First choice goalkeeper Adam Harrison signed from Worcester in December, having joined them during the previous season from Tividale.

He was a Leicester City junior and also played for Bedworth Utd.

Scott Cashmore and Sam Rowbottom are the clubs deputy keepers, having come through the clubs own scheme.

Captain Jack Byrne is a midfielder and has been with the club since November 2021, when he came from Telford.

It’s his second spell with the club having previously arrived in January 2009 from Stratford. He also played for Kidderminster, Solihull, Brackley and Nuneaton.

Centre back Ryan Wollacott started out at Stourport, before spending just over three years in the Welsh Premier League with Aberystwyth. He then moved to Alvechurch, before returning to Stourport, from where Redditch signed him in July 2021.

Left back Calum Flanagan is another ex-Villa Junior. After a loan at Kettering he joined Hinckley on his release, before making his first stop at Redditch in 2015, when he came from Worcester.

Further moves to Hednesford, Solihull, Rushall and Halesowen, with a couple of career breaks in between, preceded his return to Redditch in January.

He isn’t the only Flanagan in the squad though, as brother Reece is a midfielder and former Walsall Junior.

He joined Leamington after his release and had spells at Rushall and Stratford, before Redditch signed him from Hednesford pre-season.

Ioan Richards is another centre back and is in his second with our visitors. He first arrived from Gloucester in July 2020, before going to Taunton a year later. He then moved to Yate Town for another year, before returning to Redditch last month.

Martin Riley is another centre back with vast experience. After starting as a youth player at Wolves, his career has taken him to Kidderminster, Cheltenham, Mansfield, Wrexham, Tranmere, Halifax, Alfreton, Hereford, Stourbridge, Tamworth and Hednesford, before arriving at Redditch in January, after two months at Stratford, with over 100 league two games under his belt

Midfielder Max Sheaf had spent most of his career with Hull City, making 19 League Two appearances. He had loans at Cheltenham and Torquay, before going to Gloucester following his release. After a loan at Hungerford, he made his move to Redditch in August 2022.

Harvey Gregson is another midfielder who has come through Fylde’s youth scheme. He has spent most of the last couple of years out on loan at Bamber Bridge, Prescot Cables and Bromsgrove, before coming to Redditch last December. After a brief return to his home club, he returned to see the season out from March.

Winger Bernard Mensah was a pre-season signing. He started off at Watford, being loaned out to Braintree and Barnet, before a permanent move to Aldershot.

He has also played for Bristol Rovers, Lincoln City and Maidenhead, before joining Gloucester in January 2020. He was initially loaned to Redditch in February last year, before making it permanent in the summer.

Full back Lewis Hudson came from Coventry Utd in July 2021 and played for Rugby Town, Coventry Sphinx and Racing Club Warwick too.

Midfielder Danny King was initially on loan from Gloucester City, but his stay became permanent at the end November.

Aram Soleman is a midfielder and former West Brom Junior. He went to Solihull Moors after his release, but soon moved on to Coventry Utd. His carer continued to move on quickly to Rushall, Guiseley, Bromsgrove, Tamworth and Matlock, before a return trip to Guiseley.

He then had a few weeks at Hednesford, before coming to Redditch last December.

Striker Ryan Boothe signed in January 2022 from Halesowen. He has played for Racing Club Warwick, Rushall, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Barwell, Bilston, Lye Town, Anstey Nomads, Walsall Wood and Highgate Utd too.

Striker Jerell Sellars was signed in early November. Aston Villa had signed him from Lincoln City and loaned him to Wycombe, before a permanent move to Cheltenham.

He played 39 games in League Two scoring two goals, but moved to Sweden after his release, spending nearly three-years at Ostersund, before returning to the UK.

Riley O’Sullivan was a junior with Mansfield Town. The striker then joined Coventry Utd on his release, before a 14 month stay at Hednesford, preceded his Redditch move in February.

Worcester Raiders captain Joe Billingham is a recent arrival on a dual registration. He is a midfielder with a goal scoring touch.

Midfielder Harry Reilly came from Kettering in February. He has also played for Banbury, Daventry and Stratford and had a speel in the US with Red Storm.

Midfielder Murphy Culkin was a pre-season signing for this season, from Barton Rovers. He was previously at Eynesbury Rovers, Potton Utd and Biggleswade.

Henry Smith, Adam Hanson and Josh Clews have also been on the bench a number of times, having come through the Redditch youth programme.

Kick 3pm as usual and remember the end of season awards and entertainment after the match.

by Peter Scherer

A goal in each half from Mickleover leading scorer Andy Dales, secured all three points over promotion hopefuls Nuneaton Borough.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Marcus Marshall 10-Oli Greaves 11-Will Trueman 15-George Atwal. Subs: Pablo Mills, Fin Ryder, Jonathan Hedge, Ethan Mann, Mitch Rose.

There was a lively start to the game with both sides homing in on goal. Nuneaton keeper Breeden had to block a Dales effort after two minutes and the visitors had chance a minute later, when Waite found Gordon in the box.

Storer fired a Nuneaton free kick straight into Bosworth’s hands after a sixth minute foul on Dinanga, before Greaves had to go off injured and was replaced by Ryder, inside the first 15 minutes.

Ryder made a positive break but was caught offside, but Mickleover continued with some strong and positive attacks.

A 17^th minute corner came to nought, before Sports defence cleared a dangerous cross into the box five minutes later.

The strong breeze was having a noticeable effect and went in Mickleover’s favour, when the wind held a Trueman cross from the right, finding Dales on the far post to hammer it home 1-0.

Nuneaton continued to create their own chances, but a 35^th minute shot from Dowd managed to clear the boundary fence with wind assistance.

As half time approached, Nuneaton pushed hard for an equaliser, but after Bosworth saved a 41^st minute effort from Dowd, there was another clearance from the back post to make sure Sports went in for the break a goal up.

Nuneaton second half sub Luke Benbow was quick to make an impression, but his 53^rd minute free kick after Waite was fouled, was blocked by the Mickleover wall.

Storer nearly broke through for the visitors too after a good build up a few minutes later, but he was intercepted on the edge of the area.

Mickleover had just subbed Rose for Marshall when Trueman broke through the visiting defence, to poke the ball beyond Breeden’s reach, making it 2-0 after 58 minutes.

Nuneaton were still fighting though and Bosworth had to palm away a McWilliams effort 64 minutes in.

Hopes of another clean sheet for Bosworth were dashed however when Dowd was fouled and a penalty awarded. Benbow stepped up and buried it in the bottom corner, making if 1-2 with 14 minutes left.

Mann came on for Atwal to tighten up the defence, but with 10 minutes on the clock Dales scored a trademark goal, cutting in from the wing into Breeden’s bottom far corner, 3-1 and his 16^th goal of the season.

A good strong team performance to secure the three points against top opposition, restoring us in sixth place, with three games to play.

by Peter Scherer

Back on Boxing Day we went down 2-4 to Nuneaton Borough, who were still then hopeful of automatic promotion.

Their more recent form has left them 10 points off the top but still comfortably in line for the end of season play-offs, currently lying fourth in the table, three places above Mickleover.

Team manager Ginnelly has managed to keep changes in his line-up to the minimum and has been in charge at Liberty Way for the last four years, having previously managed Barwell and Atherstone.

Keeper Tony Breeden recently made his 100th appearance for the club, having arrived from Bromsgrove in November 2019. He’s previously played for Leamington, Kidderminster and Tamworth.

Ryan Beswick is a midfielder who started as a Leicester City Junior. After a loan at Redditch, he went to Kettering following his release, before moving to Solihull. He then came to Nuneaton in July 2017, but after one year moved to Tamworth, staying for four years until returning to Liberty Way pre-season.

Derby born Tyrell Waite is a striker that started out at Ilkeston. Notts County then picked him up in 2012, from when he had his first loan spell at Nuneaton, further loans back at Nuneaton and Ilkeston then preceded a permanent move to Lincoln City and he made nine league appearances before joining Skelleftea in Sweden.

He then came back to the UK with Nuneaton in January 2016, but moved on to Kidderminster, Boston Utd, Matlock and Tamworth, before his third spell at Nuneaton came in July, after eight months at Coalville.

Centre back Scott McManus is the current club captain. He was at Curzon Ashton initially, before joining Crewe Alexandra and making a handful of league appearances. He then had a year at Stranraer, before joining FC United and had seven years at Halifax Town. He came to Nuneaton in December 2020, after a couple of seasons at Coalville.

Luke Benbow is a long-serving striker who was signed from Stourbridge in July 2019. He started off at Solihull Moors and has spent most of his career alternating between Stourbridge and Solihull, interspersed with a short stay at Redditch and one season at Hednesford. 

Midfielder Charlie Dowd was a Burton Albion youngster. On his release he spent three-years at Bromsgrove, before joining Alvechurch in July last year. He signed for Nuneaton January and like Benbow, also scoring in the last two matches.

Kane Richards is another Derby born striker, who came from the Derby County Academy. After a loan at Ilkeston, he signed for Matlock on his release, moving onto Chester, with a loan at Gainsborough, before joining Dover Athletic, who loaned him to Telford, before a permanent move to Kidderminster. He then spent three-years at Basford before coming to Nuneaton in July last year.

Italian born midfielder Prince Mancinelli arrived from Belper Town in June 2022. He has also played for Long Eaton Utd, Radford, Basford and Tamworth.

Centre back Lathaniel Rowe-Turner is an ex-League One and Two player who started at Leicester City. He was loaned to Cheltenham, Redditch and Kings Lynn before a permanent move to Torquay. Two years later he moved to Luton and after an initial loan, moved on to Alfreton Town.

He then joined Kidderminster and was loaned to Nuneaton in January 2016. A return spell at Torquay was followed by spells at Chester, Kettering and Tamworth, before spending a year at Stourbridge prior to his Nuneaton signing in July 2022.

Isaiah Osbourne was an England Under 16 International, who played his junior football with Derby County, until Aston Villa spotted him. The midfielder made 30 starts mostly in the Premiership and was also loaned to Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday. He moved to the Scottish Premiership in 2011 with Hibernian, but after 30 appearances he headed south to Blackpool.

Scunthorpe, Walsall and Forest Green followed, but after almost 300 senior games, he went non-league for the first time with Nuneaton.

Former Coventry City junior striker Matty Stenson joined Barwell on his release. He moved on fairly quickly to Leamington, before spending a year with Solihull Moors. He was loaned to Telford before a permanent move to Halifax, but was loaned again to Tamworth and Kidderminster, before joining Nuneaton pre-season after spending two years on Halifax’s books.

Joe Magunda is another Leicester City graduate, who joined Woking on his release. A loan at Redditch followed before he went to Kings Lynn. He then spent two years at Brackley and six years at Leamington, before a three-year stop at Tamworth. Six months at Stratford preceded his move to Nuneaton.

Left back Jaden Charles was a Derby County Junior before moving to Mansfield Town. He had loans at York City, Hereford and Nuneaton, before making a permanent move to our hosts in July last year. He is also a Republic of Ireland Under 18 International.

Reserve keeper Liam Castle was another pre-season signing from Barwell, where he spent almost 10 years since arriving from Basingstoke.

Dan Edmonds has come through Boro’s own youth scheme and made his first team debut in the Birmingham Senior Cup earlier in the season.

Midfielder Kyle Storer came from Solihull Moors in January. He was a Leicester City Junior, who has also played for Bedworth, Tamworth, Atherstone and Hinckley Utd, before arriving at Nuneaton in 2009.

After over two years he went to Kidderminster, moving on to Wrexham and Cheltenham, before a five-year spell at Solihull.

Right back Camron McWilliams started out at Northampton Town. He then had a spell at Cardiff City, before joining St Ives and then Nuneaton in December 2021. After a loan at Sutton Coldfield he returned to Nuneaton in May last year and is now a regular first choice.

Midfielder Kobe Chong played his youth football at West Bromwich Albion, Kidderminster and Cagliari in Italy. He came back to the UK in 2018 with Solihull and has played for Banbury, Redditch, Sutton Coldfield, Peterborough Utd and Sports, before going to Telford in July last year. He joined Nuneaton in February.

Striker Jaanai Gordon is currently on loan from Boston Utd. He started in the youth teams at Luton and Peterborough Utd before joining West Ham. 

The Hammers loaned him out to Chelmsford, Nuneaton, Sligo Rovers and Newport County, before he joined Cheltenham after his release. Tamworth, Banbury, Oxford City, Stratford, Hereford and Brackley were his next stopping points, before joining Boston in July last year.

He was loaned to Banbury before making a similar move to our visitors last month.

Winger Ricardo Dinanga is another loanee from Coventry City. He was at Cork City before joining the Sky Blues and has also been loaned to Hereford.

Midfielder Bilal Yafai arrived last month too. He started at  Solihull and has moved rapidly  through a whole host of clubs.  Chasetown, Leamington and Hereford all preceded his first stay at Nuneaton in 2015. He moved on to Rushall after two months, followed by Bedford, Hinckley, Haverhill, Stourbridge, Tamworth and El Gaish in Egypt. After a spell at Tamworth, he has been in an out of the Nuneaton squad over the last 18 months.

Kick off as usual at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm.