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.

by Peter Scherer

There was another disappointing one goal defeat for Mickleover as they travelled to Stratford Town.

Manager John McGrath made a number of changes to the side that lost to Alvechurch last Tuesday.

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

Stratford were straight into attack mode as the game kicked off, with both Callum Ebanks and Jamie Molyneux testing the Mickleover defence.

The pressure final told after 13 minutes when Dan Lafferty found Molyneux on the Mickleover left. He rounded the defence to find Kyle Bennett in the middle, who fired home the opening goal at his second attempt 0-1.

Sports were forced to make an early change when Dales came on for Dolan after 28 minutes. But Mickleover’s game of trying to play out from the back was frustrated by the home strike force, keeping most of the play in the Mickleover half.

Mickleover’s one real chance came after 36 minutes when Trueman fired over, while both Lafferty and Molyneux put shots over the bar for our hosts too.

The second half continued in a similar vain, but apart from a Charlie Williams shot wide for the hosts, neither keeper were troubled.

56 minutes in and Mickleover finally tested keeper Liam O’Brien, but it was slack defending four minutes later that allowed Greaves to break clear and hit the equaliser, 1-1.

Warren had replaced Beavon after 70 minutes, but the hosts continued to push forward, with Bennett having a shot cleared off the line.

Lafferty went close too with a header, which he followed up with another shot, before Ebanks connected with him again and this time it was the winning goal after 80 minutes. 1-2.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover face the Bards of Stratford Town this Saturday, hoping for better fortunes than they had at Alvechurch on Tuesday night.

Our hosts are still not safe from relegation, currently 16^th and five points above the drop zone.

This will be their third successive home game, having beaten Redditch 2-0 on Tuesday after drawing 1-1 with Barwell last Saturday. They are also unbeaten in the last five home games.

Ex Forest Junior midfielder and Bromsgrove manager Gavin Hurren has been in sole charge since September last year, when co-manager and former Rams player and assistant manager Dean Holdsworth left the club.

Having starting the season using well over 30 players before Christmas, there has been little early stability in our hosts starting line-up. Liam O’Brien, loanee Luke Bell, Leon Phillips and Louis Beresford have all started in goal.

O’Brien has now become the regular number one, he is a former England Under 19 International, who made 62 League Two appearances. QPR signed him as junior from Ruislip, before he moved on to Portsmouth. After a loan at Eastbourne, he joined Barnet on his release, and after another loan at Eastbourne signed for Brentford.

He moved on to Dagenham & Redbridge, before going back to Portsmouth. Stays at Coventry City and Yeovil followed, before coming to Stratford in November 2020, while Beresford has come through the Bards own youth scheme,

Signed in August 2021, midfielder Dan Lafferty is a former Northern Ireland Under 17 International, who came through the ranks at Coventry City.

Sam Wilding is a defensive midfielder who was a junior at both West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland. After a loan at Leamington, he joined Hednesford on his release, joining Stratford last October.

Will Grocott is another midfielder and he started his career at Aston Villa. After spells at Tamworth and Loughborough he went to Canada, playing for Kitchener-Waterloo Utd and Toronto Lynx. He returned to the UK with Rugby and Tamworth before his first spell at Stratford. After a year at Stourbridge, he came back to our hosts in 2020 and has been club captain.

Centre back and current captain Paul McCone was a pre-season arrival from Halesowen. He started at Wolves and has also played for Stourbridge, Leamington, Hednesford, Telford and back to Stourbridge.

They have recently added the experienced defender Lee Vaughan to their squad. An ex Birmingham City and Portsmouth Junior, he was at Chelmsley before Walsall signed him. Then a loan at Willenhall preceded a move to Telford, moving onto Kidderminster, Cheltenham, Tranmere, Solihull and Barnet.  He came to Stratford after 18 months at Stourbridge.

Striker Andre Wright arrived in October last year from Kettering. As a West Bromwich Albion Junior, he was loaned out to Kidderminster, Torquay and Coventry, before a permanent move to Kidderminster. He moved to Nuneaton, back to Torquay, Gloucester and Halesowen, before going to the Republic of Ireland with Bohemians.

After spells at Ayr Utd and Sligo Rovers, he joined Telford in January, followed by a spell at Hereford before joining Kettering at the start of the season.

Former West Bromwich Albion Junior left back Taylor Morrison arrived from Littleton in August 2022. He first joined Stratford in 2018, having gone to Alvechurch following his West Brom release. He returned to Alvechurch after a couple of months, before moving on via Evesham, Redditch, Worcester City and another Alvechurch return, then a five-month spell at Littleton followed a short stop at Tamworth.

Josh Hawker is a central midfielder and former Birmingham City Junior. He was signed from Halesowen in July last year and played for Redditch too.

Former Brentford Junior midfielder Jesse Akubuine spent much of his career in Scotland. From Brentford he joined Queen of the South, who loaned him to Dalbeattie Star and Broomhill Glasgow, before moving to Cumbernauld. On his return to England, he joined Rushden & Diamonds, from where Stratford signed him last October.

Teenaged midfielder Felix Miles arrived last October. A former Cheltenham Junior, he was loaned to Tuffley Rovers and Evesham before joining the Bards on his release. He is on the fringe of the first team and is currently on loan at Cinderford.

Right back Patrick Zito arrived last August on his release from Aston Villa, but hasn’t broken into the first team.

Lewis Ison is a defender signed from Hednesford earlier this season. He was picked up by Bristol Rovers from Coventry Utd, but then moved to Nuneaton before returning to Coventry.

Kieron Dawes is another right back, signed from Bromsgrove at the beginning of the year. While he was at Birmingham City he had loans at Sutton Coldfield and Hednesford, before joining Coleshill on release. He was then at Redditch before his six month stay at Bromsgrove.

Dan Vann is a centre back too, having been at the club for three years since arriving from Walsall. He was also loaned to Stafford, Matlock and Chasetown during his time with the Saddlers.

James Mace is another centre back signed last November, from Leamington. He started at Hinckley Utd before joining Leamington, who also loaned him out to Bromsgrove.

Former West Brom and Walsall Junior Striker Jamie Molyneux arrived from Bromsgrove in May 2023, having previously played for Halesowen, Redditch, Hereford, Highgate and Westfields.

Centre back Jack Turner was Bristol City Junior, signed from Kettering part way through last season. He has recently returned from a loan spell at Corby.

Right back Aksum White came from Coleshill last August. Another former West Brom Junior, he has played for Tamworth, Khalsa and Worcester Raiders too.

Striker Callum Ebanks is currently on loan from Cheltenham and over the last two years he has also been loaned to Evesham, Bromsgrove, Eastleigh and Bath City.

Winger Kyle Bennett was signed from Hednesford on Valentine’s Day this year. He started out at Wolves, before moving on to Bury on Doncaster, from where he was loaned to Crawley Town.

After another loan at Bradford he joined Portsmouth, but continued his travel via Bristol Rovers, Swindon, Grimsby and Telford, before a year at Hednesford. He has well over 300 league games under his belt.

Midfielder Charlie Williams was signed last month after being released by Burton Albion. He was previously loaned to Leamington, Banbury and Redditch.

Josh Waite is a striker who came to the club in February, he had previously been at Telford for six months, following his release from Stoke City.

Kick off as usual is 3pm if you are making the trip.

by Peter Scherer

With two minutes left on the clock Mickleover had a 1-0 lead, but a stunning double blow from Alvechurch into injury time, left them returning home pointless.

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-Stuart Beavon 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Pablo Mills, George Atwal, Jonathan Hedge, Rhys Dolan, Will Trueman.

Greaves led Mickleover’s first attack in the opening minute to earn a corner, before Dales found Warren who sent in a curling lob to stretch home keeper Dan Jezeph a minute later.

It was even closer five minutes in when Bennett was fouled and the free kick fell to Watt, after an attempted clearance by Jezeph. But Harry Williams was on the line and came between Mickleover and an opening goal.

It was all Mickleover at this stage as Bennett went on another run, found Wilson and his pass was picked up by Beavon in the box again. Not only was his shot blocked, but Marshall’s rebound too.

The hosts had their first telling shot nine minutes in, when Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton’s effort was blocked. Mickleover were soon breaking again though with a Dales cross after Warren and Wilson had advanced, but there was no one in the middle to receive.

Jed Abbey then forced a save from Bosworth in the Mickleover goal, diving to his left as the game became much more even.

Mann had worked himself into space down the right, and sent a Crossfield ball to Dales. His curling cross was tight into the keeper, but Jezeph managed to hold it under pressure from Greaves on the 15 minute mark.

Wilson then sent in a long ball, which Jezeph appeared to handle outside the area, but the referee failed to react to the appeals.

But Alvechurch were quick to break again and after a series passes, Abbey tried a long range shot well over the bar. The hosts continued to push forward, with slow but gradual build up’s very much like Mickleover’s own approach.

Sports kept coming back though as the defence stayed strong and Bennett fed Dales down the right after 23 minutes, only to find Beavon’s path blocked in the box.

Danny Waldron then had a shot blocked for the hosts, earning another corner, from which Mickleover went on another charge.

Dales, Warren and Marshal combined, with a nice lay-off aiming for Dales, which was just short of its target.

With both sides trying to break the deadlock, Alvechurch went left to right, before a cross on the half hour, saw Skeen-Hamilton’s effort just wide.

Waldron had another good chance for our hosts after 39 minutes, when his charge upfield, saw his final shot just inches wide of Bosworth’s left hand post.

With two minutes left in the first half Abbey had a great chance again, following a cross from his left, but the shot  was blocked and earned a corner, which came to nothing.

Dales ended the half with a tame shot straight at the keeper, to send the teams in level, which was probably a fair score.

Both teams were playing a similar style, which saw the second half kick off in a similar vain to the first.

Mickleover had an early free kick cleared and then after 54 minutes Warren put a strong long ball through the middle for Marshall chase, but the home keeper was just off his line in time to intercept.

Alvechurch had a free kick on the hour after Waldron was fouled, but Mickleover made  break from the interception, sending Greaves on a long run. He was pursued by the Alvechurch number six, who pushed him to the ground and the referee had hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Warren stepped up and calmy hit the back of the net, to finally break the deadlock, 1-0 after 62 minutes.

Marshall then became the second Sports player in the ref’s book after Butler was cautioned earlier, but his clash Carter looked more as if he was the victim.

Trueman then came on for Beavon as Mickleover started to take control for a while, with Greaves on another charge in the 70^th minute, crossing from the right  and almost finding Marshall.

A few minutes later Marshall charged through the defence to send Dales clear, before Warren was fouled on the edge of the box.

There was no messing from the home defence, as they booted Wilson’s free kick out of the ground to earn a corner.

Wilson then sent a crossfield ball to Bennett and layed on a lovely ball for Marshall, but the striker lost his footing at the critical moment.

Mickleover were still on top but Alvechurch continued to look very dangerous on the break, and Waldron got on the end of  one, before Watt and Bosworth combined to block the shot.

Bosworth was then added to the refs yellow card collection, before Greaves was on the end of another attack, with  a shot just wide on 78 minutes.

Trueman then split the defence and was heading for goal two minutes later, before a critical tackle from Remi Walker cleared the danger.

Watt was next in the ref’s book, but time was running out, and despite a number of substitutions by the hosts, Mickleover were starting to look home and dry.

With one minute on the clock, there was a cross from the Alvechurch left into a crowded box, the defence was packed tight but no one connected to hoof it clear, and Skeen-Hamilton fired it home at close range, 1-1.

Greaves almost responded from the kick off, but Jezeph bravely dived at his feet to intercept.

Time was almost up when another mass attack from the hosts bore fruit, with sub Ben Cassidy beating the whole of the defence to the ball, to hit home a close range winner 1-2 in the fifth minute of injury time!

There was barely time to kick off before the final whistle, but in those final minutes a secure three points turned to unbelievable defeat.

by Peter Scherer

Hopefully the thrice postponed match at Alvechurch will go ahead tonight, with Mickleover hoping to complete the double, following our 1-0 win at the Don Amott Arena in February.

Currently 12^th in the table, our hosts are finally catching up on their catalogue of postponed games, which suffered earlier in the season following their FA Cup success.

They beat Ilkeston Town 2-1 last Saturday and won five of their last eight games.

Alvechurch manager Ian Long came back to the club in February 2020, having previously been there for four years, before joining Stourbridge.

First choice goalkeeper Dan Jezeph was a Walsall Junior, who was at Tamworth and Worcester City before joining Alvechurch in July 2021.

Ashley Carter is a centre back that came from Halesowen in May 2021. He was a Wolves Academy player and was loaned to Chesterfield and Tamworth before joining Kidderminster on his release.

He then came to Alvechurch in July 2017, joining Nuneaton a year later. November 2018 he was back at Alvechurch, before moves to Stourbridge and Halesowen preceded his third and current spell with our visitors.

Ex Aston Villa Junior right back Brad Burton has established himself in the starting line-up in the six months, after joining our hosts in October 2021.

Josh Dugmore is a young right back who was with the Walsall and Everton football Academies before joining Birmingham City on a scholarship. Following his release from the Blues he joined Bromsgrove for the start of last season and was a virtual ever present for them throughout the season, making a total of 47 appearances.

He then joined AFC Telford United last July, but moved to Banbury in September and signed for Alvechurch in January on a dual contract.

Jed Abbey can play midfield or right back and started his career with Wolves. He went to Telford after his release and came to Alvechurch pre-season.

Midfielder Tom Edge was a pre-season signing too. He played junior football at Telford and Walsall before heading for the US, where he had four years at Campbellsville University in Kentucky.

Jack Concannon was another one of the pre-season signings. An ex Birmingham City Junior, he was loaned to Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth, before going to Tamworth on his release.

Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton is a young striker in his third spell at the club. After being at Birmingham City, he had two years with Bournemouth, which included loans at Salisbury and Gosport.

He came to Alvechurch in July 2020 after his Bournemouth release, moving to Telford a year later. He was then loaned back to Alvechurch, before making his stay permanent earlier last year.

Former West Bromwich Albion defender Ben Cassidy holds the record of being the youngest Alvechurch debutant, when he first appeared for the first team in 2018 aged 16.

Striker Danny Waldron arrived from Leamington in July last 2021 and he’s also played for Rushall Olympic.

Former Coventry Academy defender or midfielder Jamie Spiers was signed at the end of last summer. He moved to Stratford Town at 14 and was at Shrewsbury Town until the end of last season.

Joining the plethora of ex West Brom Juniors is Angolan born midfielder Aurio Neto Teixeira. He joined our hosts last September, after a summer release from the Baggies.

Striker Manny Olakoko arrived in July from Leamington, but was almost immediately sent out on a three month loan to Heather St John.

Jeremy Abbey had made one appearance since his arrival. He has spent most of his career at Telford, with loans at Markey Drayton, Barwell and Rushall.

Left back Jamie Melbourne was a new year signing, after being released from Stoke City. He spent time at West Bromwich Albion too.

Midfielder Maxwell Ngbeken was a pre-season signing from Darlaston.

Midfielder Aiden Finnegan is on loan from Coventry City, having started his career at Birmingham, while Remi Walker is another midfielder on loan from Birmingham.

Finally Jamie Soule was signed only about a month ago from Dover Athletic. Yet another West Brom junior striker, he had loans at Barrow, Cheltenham and Lincoln before his release. He made his debut in the recent defeat at St Ives and is capped by England at Under 16 and 17 levels.

Kick off is 7.45pm.