by Peter Scherer

This Saturday’s visitors Barwell Town are currently ninth in the league table, but one of the form teams.

It remains to be seen if Jonathan Hedge, Mitch Rose and Joe Bateman are fit to rejoin the squad.

While Mickleover are looking for their sixth successive win, Barwell are looking for their fifth too.

Barwell’s last away defeat was at 2-3 at Coalville on December 27^th and the only defeats at home in 2023 have been 0-2 against Tamworth and 2-3 to Leiston. In their last two games they have scored five goals without reply too, against Redditch and Basford.

Back in October when we visited Kirkby Road, we came home 5-2 winners.

Ian King has been in charge since May 2022 having previously been assistant at Bromsgrove.

First choice goalkeeper Andy Wycherley started his career with New Saints and Guilsfield in Wales, before moving on to Telford Utd. He has also played for Solihull Moors, Hednesford, Nantwich and Halesowen and was at Rushall for one month before arriving at Barwell in July 2022.

Derby born Micah Edwards started off as a Rams Junior, before the young midfielder had spells at Ilkeston and Gresley Rovers. He has been at Barwell since July 2019.

Centre back Kyle Rowley arrived from Stourbridge pre-season. He was a Walsall Junior and after a loan at Sutton Coldfield, he joined Rugby following his release. Moves to Alvechurch, Walsall Wood and Hednesford followed, before his seven months stay at Stourbridge.

Brady Hickey is the club captain and central midfielder, who came from Nuneaton in January 2018, having moved in the opposite direction only seven months earlier.

Beck-Ray Onoru is a young winger or striker signed pre-season, has pace and a flair for goal having scored 10 this season.

Striker Tiago Nassunculo was a pre-season signing from Redditch, having previously played for Peterborough Sports.

Defender George Ward is on a dual registration with Weymouth during his time at Loughborough University. He had played for the University side too, as well as Bromsgrove, before joining Barwell last September.

Albanian born Melis Bushaj is a young left back who started out with Solihull Moors. He was loaned to Leamington, before being released to join Barwell pre-season.

Dominic Brown-Hill is a midfielder who first came to Barwell in 2018 after his release from Notts County. After 18 months he moved to Alvechurch, but returned in July 2021.

A former Aston Villa and Walsall Junior, striker Connor Taylor joined Nuneaton on his release, before a long spell at Tamworth. He is currently on loan from Leamington.

Right back Josh Flanagan is a former Northampton Town Junior, who has arrived from Brackley after a recent loan. He was previously on loan at Kettering Town and has played for Corby, St Ives at Wellingborough too.

Yet to make his debut is former Leicester City City midfielder Layton Ndukwu. He spent time on loan at Southend Utd and has more recently been in Albania with  Albanian Kategoria Superiore side FK Kukësi. He is capped at Under 16 and 17 by England too.

Lincoln City youngster Julian Donnery is currently on loan. He is an aatacking midfielder.

Striker Michael Harding hails from Washington DC, but started his career at Northampton Town. After a loan at Kettering he joined St Ives Town, before moving to Beaconsfield November 2021. He was another pre-season signing for Barwell.

Sid Kerr is a defensive midfielder and was an early season arrival from Loughborough Students. He has also been on the books at Everton, Chelsea and Brighton.

Deen Master is another midfielder too. He attends Nottingham Trent University and has also played for Leicester Nirvana.

Midfielder Shaquille Master has previously been at Nuneaton, Rushall and Hednesford

Centre back Elliot Percival came to Barwell from Sheffield Wednesday in August 2017, having joined them a year earlier from Leicester City.

Jake Pemberton was summer 2022 signing from Wantage. He started at Reading and was at Loughborough University for two years, before moving to Wantage.

Midfielder William Warren is in his second season at the club, while defender Callum Stewart and striker James Pye have been on the bench, but yet to make a start.

Finally Jahvan Davidson-Miller needs no introduction having started the season at Mickleover. A former Rams Junior, he was at Barwell before coming to the Don Amott Arena.

Kick off as usual is 3pm.

By Peter Scherer

(UPDATE: SINCE PUBLISHING THIS MATCH HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED)

Back in November Stourbridge paid us a visit, we were then fourth in the table, and on a run of five successive wins, but drew 1-1.

Coincidently we now visit Stourbridge on Monday evening and once again are on a run of five wins, as we continue to keep out outside chance of a play-off place alive.

Stourbridge are currently 9th in Southern Premier League Central table, and our game on Monday will be their fifth consecutive home game, having won two. Saturday theyhosted St Ives  and snatched a late point with a 2-2 draw, thanks to an injury time goal from Joe Hull.

Joe Bateman was a casualty from our game at Rushden and remains a doubt, while Mitchell Rose and Jonathan Hedge are still on the road to recovery, but otherwise the whole squad should be available for selection.

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 returningthree 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, beforejoining 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.

Lee Vaughan is a right back and a former academy player at Birmingham City and Portsmouth, before joining Chelmsley, from where he was spotted by Walsall.

He played over 45 first team games and was loaned to Willenhall, before joining Telford on his release. Moving onto Cheltenham, Tranmere and back to Kidderminster, he came to Stourbridge in July 2021 from Barnet, after a spell at Solihull and a return trip to Telford.

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.

Reece Stryche is both an England C and current Gibralatarian International, having scored three goals in 27 games for the latter.

He came from Hednesford in September 2021, having played for a huge raft of clubs in his 14 year career, including Buxton, Alfreton, Darlington, Macclesfield and Wycombe, having started out at Hednesford.

Defender Alex Worley is an ex Walsall Junior, who was at Haverfordwest last season. He was another pre-season signingfor 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 a couple of weeks ago. 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

On form Mickleover put bottom of the table Rushden & Diamonds through a punishing second half, hitting three goals after going into half time all square.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Rhys Dolan 3-Ryan Wilson 4-James Butler 15-Joe Bateman 6 Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Stuart Beavon 10-George Nunn 11-Will Trueman. Subs: Pablo Mills, Marcus Marshall, Elliott Reeves, George Atwal, Oli Greaves.

It was only a great save from home keeper Dean Snedker that stopped Mickleover from opening the scoring in the first minute, tipping over Dales’ effort.

But we didn’t have to wait long as Dales picked up a rebound from Beavon’s blocked shot, firing from 12 yards through a crowded box to make it 1-0 after only five minutes.

Rushden came back with a positive response though, but Corden had a half chance which he put just wide.

As the hosts began to gain in confidence, they started to make more progress towards the Mickleover goal. Marian put a cross in after 15 minutes, but it was whipped off Burnside’s toe before he could shoot.

Two minutes later a good run from White was intercepted by the Mickleover defence, giving our hosts corner.

The defence of Dolan, Butler, Mann and Wilson was holding firm however, but there was a blow for Sports after 20 minutes , when Bateman went off injured and was replaced by Mills.

But Snedker’s goal was under pressure again as the half hour mark approached, saving again low to his near post.

Rushden had their chances too, with Joyces’s 33^rd minute free kick placed into the box. Marian took a swing at it, but his left foot shot was well wide of the target.

Joyce was in action at the other end some six minutes later, after cutting out a first time ball from defence  to send Dales on a run.

Almost on half time Snedker kept the hosts in the game again, pushing another effort away low to his near side post, as Mickleover pounded the defence at every opportunity.

Into injury time Anker found Burnside, but his shot was cleared, only to fall to Marian who hit the rebound beyond Bosworth’s reach. 1-1.

It was good to see Mickleover come out fighting for the second half, and only two minutes into the second period Beavon jinked through the home defence, only to be intercepted by the advancing Snedker.

But there was soon another goal for Mickleover, when a penalty was awarded, Warren duly stepped up and it was 2-1 after 52 minutes.

Six minutes later Dales punished a defensive error to make it 3-1, before Joyce finished off a good Rushden build up, firing his final shot just over the bar.

Our hosts were punished further, when after 64 minutes Mills made it 4-1. The ball had bounced around the area, before finding Mills, who smashed home from short range, in a still crowded box.

Once the hour mark was passed, gaffer John McGrath made two changes, as Greaves came on for Dales and Reeves for Nunn.

Mickleover were pressing hard still for a fifth goal, but with 10 minutes on the clock, Snedker made another reaction save from a close header.

Reeves then sent in a curling effort just wide after a long run into the box, before Snedker denied Sports yet again, with his umpteenth great save.

There’s a well-deserved break now until we face Stourbridge away on March 13^th.

by Peter Scherer

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Alvechurch earlier this season, Saturday’s injury time winner from Oli Greaves proved to be adequate revenge.

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

After a delay due to an issue with one of the goals, Mickleover were soon attacking the Alvechurch goal, when Dales shot from the edge of the box kept the keeper on his toes as he pushed it away.

Danny Waldron earned the visitors their first corner a minute later, but it came to nought, before a last ditch tackle from Harry Williams thwarted another Mickleover attack to give a corner.

It was Dales again trying his luck after 14 minutes, cutting in behind the defence before sending his looping shot over the bar from a tight angle, with Jezeph racing out of his goal.

Only a minute later Dales was on another run when he was fouled, but Wilson’s free kick into the box was headed away by the visitors defence.

Beavon had his first crack at goal 19 minutes in, seeing his effort just wide of the post, before a rare header from Dales was only just wide after 23 minutes.

Another Waldron effort from outside the box proved an easy catch for Bosworth, but Nunn’s presence came to the fore just after the half hour mark, when he brought the ball down, finding Trueman with a low cross into the box. His effort was blocked but earned a corner.

As the corner came in, Jezeph, in the visitor’s goal, pulled off a great save from the following header, keeping the scores level.

Wilson had another free kick into the wall, but with five minutes left of the first half, an Alvechurch free kick from Tyrell Hamilton was only just over the bar.

Mickleover kept pushing for the opening goal as half time approached, with a Nunn shot blocked by Alabi after 42 minutes and Dales earning another corner after he slipped having rounded the rear of the Alvechurch defence.

Sports had the best of the first half, with the visitors pinned back into their own half for much of the game.

Dales continued to be the thorn in the side of the Alvechurch defence as the second half got underway, getting around the back of the defence yet again after 47 minutes, before Jezeph saved well again too.

Barely a minute later the keeper saved again from a Beavon shot and then Wilson put a free kick into the side netting. The attacks were gaining in intensity with Beavon looping a 51^st minute effort over the bar, before appeals for a penalty after Bateman was fouled, were waved away.

Alvechurch had another chance with a 55^th minute free kick. Teixeira played it to Carter who crossed, but Bosworth got a hand to it and pushed it away.

Waldron then had another chance a minute later, but his shot proved to be easy for Bosworth once more.

Trueman then made way for Greaves after 58 minutes, but after a nice one two between Warren and Beavon on the edge of the box , Warren final shot was well saved again after 65 minutes.

Dales had a shot headed over for a corner shortly afterwards and then Reeves came on for Beavon.

Time was beginning to run out, but with seven minutes left Bosworth had to pull off a magnificent save after a one on one with Alvechurch sub Prince Henry.

Marshall then replaced Nunn for the final minutes, but it was into time added on that the deadlock finally broke. Reeves initial shot was saved, but the rebound allowed Greaves to tap home into an empty net to make it four successive wins and five from six games.

It was a strong performance from the Mickleover team and without the heroics of visiting keeper Dan Jezeph it would have been sewn up earlier. Not surprisingly he was named Alvechurch man of the match.

by Peter Scherer

Although the season is coming to a close, three postponements have meant we are yet to play Alvechurch in a league match.

Having lost out 2-3 in the FA Cup, we have been due to visit ‘church three times in the league, all have been postponed, the last of which was only minutes before kick off!!

With a lot of other postponements our visitors are still playing catch up, and are currently 16^th with about five games in hand.

They lost 1-2 at home to Rushall Olympic on Tuesday night, but were 4-1 victors at St Ives last Saturday, with a Danny Waldron hattrick, their first win in six 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.

Reserve keeper Harvey Randle came from Derby County last July and has been out on loan at Coventry Utd too.

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. He is the current club captain.

Peter Taylor is a defensive midfielder, who started out at West Bromwich Albion. He was loaned to Stourbridge before coming on loan to our visitors in March 2020. But after four months back with the Baggies, he returned on a permanent basis.

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

Striker Leo Brown arrived in July last year too. He was picked up by Birmingham City from Crusaders FC, before returning to Northern Ireland with Ballymena and Ards after three years. He came back to England with Sutton Coldfield in September 2021.

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. He got a hattrick in their 4-1 win over St Ives last Saturday.

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.

Defender Harry Williams and midfielder Jack Hallahan both hit the headlines after being hospitalised following a clash of heads in the opening game of the season.

Both are former West Bromwich Albion Juniors. Williams then moved to Burnley for a year, before coming to Alvechurch last July.

Hallahan is a former Irish Under 19 midfielder, who who moved on to Hednesford and Bromsgrove, also having had a spell in Cyprus too.

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

Striker Manny Olakoko arrived last 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 Remi Walker is currently on loan until the end of March from Birmingham City. Similarly centre back Abel Alabi has been loaned by Coventry City, who signed him from Waterford in January 2022. He had a spell at Tamworth too at the end of last year.

Ben Beresford is another loanee, a striker from Birmingham City.

Finally Jamie Soule was signed only a couple of weeks 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 at the Don Amott as usual is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover made it two wins in a week and three in succession with victory at Basford Utd on Saturday.

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

Mickleover were straight into the attack from the start and after some tidy work on the left from Dales, the ball came to Beavon in the middle, who turned and fired home after three minutes, 1-0.

Nunn almost broke through a few minutes later, but his final pass went awry. But Mickleover had early control of midfield, through Warren, Wilson and Bateman.

It was so nearly a second for Mickleover after 12 minutes, when Warren worked through on the right , crossing to find Beavon. His strike hit the left-hand post, before Wilson’s rebound shot went wide.

Basford won a free kick though on the Mickleover right after Gregg Smith hit the deck, and Matt Thornhill’s free kick found Courey Graham, who set up a Brad McGowan header for a 16^th minute equaliser. 1-1.

The goal began to turn the game, with Basford starting to take the upperhand. Bosworth palmed away another Thornhill free kick after 17 minutes and only a few later yet another Thornhill free kick came close. It had fallen for Courey Grantham, whose pass just missed connecting with Smith.

Josh Barnes had a cross or shot the roll wide, but the hosts were continuing to keep Mickleover pinned in their own half.

Dales managed to get clear, earning a corner, after Owen Betts had cleared his attempt on goal. Watt then tried his luck, but saw his effort just over.

Dolan had to cut out the threat from a following Basford break, and shortly afterwards Watt lost possession on the left, but Kameron Campbell couldn’t maximise his chance on goal.

As Warren broke out, he was fouled on the half way line, but shortly afterwards he was having a shot at goal too. There had been a good build up on the right, but no clear shooting opportunity. Dales tried and was blocked, then Warren fired his follow up just over the bar.

As half time approached Mickleover had begun to break out again, with Dales getting into box, before being called for a foul when his challenging defender just fell over.

Nunn was then pushed down for another free kick, as the half came to a scrappy end, with far too many whistles, and although a Basford header went just over with the whistle poised, it remained 1-1.

Watt had taken a knock in the first half and failed to reappear, so Mann moved into the middle of defence with Dolan swapping to the right and Wilson on the left, as Trueman came on in midfield.

It was a strong start to the half by Mickleover though, with Trueman shooting just wide at the second attempt. But only five minutes into the half Dales limped off and was replaced by Greaves.

Smith then won a free kick for Basford after backing into Mann and Basford soon had another free kick after Dolan was booked for a trip on Da Silva Bastos just outside the area.

Bosworth made a fantastic save as Thornhill’s kick glanced the bar and then penalty appeals were waved away, when Bastos went down, shortly after his effort hit the post.

Mickleover came out with avengeance though and a good cross from Trueman just missed connecting with Beavon, and earned a corner,

But just before the hour mark Dolan had come screaming through the middle, evading challenge to find Nunn, who made no mistake in making it 2-1.

As the hosts made changes to try and equalise again, Mickleover began to push forward, but Barnes almost broke through the defence after 73 minutes, before Butler cleared the lines.

Smith had a good chance for Basford a minute later, but put his header wide to the left and then Butler was almost caught out, before Bosworth charged out to clear.

Reeves came on for Nunn for the last 10 minutes and found himself in the book, after the referee took offence to the words he received after awarding a dubious free kick.

Warren tried an exploratory lob after seeing keeper Preston off his line and Lewis Carr put a strong header just wide for the hosts.

As Mickleover played the holding game in the final minutes, a frustrated Basford side gave away a couple of free kicks and after four minutes were added on, the final whistle went with the 2-1 win and three more pints secured.

by Peter Scherer

Having beaten near neighbours Basford Utd 2-1 back in November, Mickleover will be looking to do the double when we visit them on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Mark Clifford’s side have had a mixed season and currently lie 13^th in the league table. They are seven points behind Mickleover with two games in hand.

They have had three wins in the last 10 games and drew 1-1 at home in their last match against Bromsgrove, having won away at Stourbridge the previous week.

Mickleover will still be without Jonathan Hedge and Mitch Rose, but Oli Greaves may be fit to rejoin the squad.

Let take a look at our hosts.

Goalkeeper Kieran Preston is a former Scotland Under 19 International, whose been at Basford since December 2019. He played his junior football at Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers.

Second choice keeper Gianni Musson was in goal for Basford when they beat Mickleover in the FA Youth Cup in a penalty shootout, having previously been at Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Notts County.

Brad McGowan is a centre back signed from Peterborough Sports in July 2022. He started out at Notts County, before joining Grantham on his release. He then joined Alfreton and was loaned out to Boston Utd before his stay became permanent. He then moved on to Frickley and back to Boston, before a two-year stay at Peterborough.

Josh Barnes was a pre-season arrival. A former Nottingham Forest junior, the young defensive midfielder had two loans at Truro City, before coming to Basford following his release from Forest.

Right back Dom Roma has sometimes captained the side. He has a long and well-travelled career that started at Sheffield Utd. Loans at Boston and Tamworth were followed by a move to Hinckley Utd, moving on to Alfreton, Harrogate, Gainsborough and Scarborough.

He first came to Basford in July 2017, but after almost two years he returned to Scarborough, only to return to Basford four months later.

Midfielder Adam Chapman was another pre-season signing. A former Northern Ireland Under 19 and 21 International, he started off at Sheffield Utd. Having moved onto Oxford Utd, loans at Newport and Mansfield followed, before a permanent move to Newport, preceded a return to Mansfield. He made over 150 League Two appearances, before going non-league with Gainsborough, Boston Utd, Sheffield, Handsworth and Grantham. Then he had nine months at Ilkeston before signing for Basford.

Ben Starkie is a central midfielder and capped by Tanzania at full, under 17 and under 20 levels. He started at Rugby Town before going to Germany with Wilhelmshaven. On returning to the UK he joined Shepshed Dynamo, and had eight months at Spalding Utd before joining Basford last summer.

Midfielder Matt Thornhill had captained the side for part of this season. Another former Forest Junior, he was loaned to Brighton and Cheltenham, before joining Hibernian in December 2012. 

With 80 league games under his belt, he then joined Buxton, moving on to Shaw Lane and Gainsborough, from where he came to Basford in March 2017.

Striker Anthony Dwyer was another summer 2022  signing. He was a Mansfield Town Junior and has been regularly on the move. Stafford, Matlock, Telford, Hednesford, Altrincham, Leamington, Barwell, Tamworth, Glebe, Stourbridge and Alvechurch, before spending nine months at Nuneaton prior to his Basford signing.

Fellow striker Gregg Smith is well-travelled too, since starting off at Corby. Much of his career has been spent in Lincolnshire with Grantham, Stamford, Gainsborough and Boston Utd, with brief stops at Kings Lynn and Tamworth. He arrived last summer too after his second spell at Spalding and currently captains the side.

Centre back Declan Dunn has been at Basford since August 2020, following his release from Notts County. He also had a loan spell at Grantham.

Lewis Carr is another central defender, who came from Grantham in 2016. He played for Stamford and Quorn too, after a spell at Cambridge Utd.

Midfield or wing suits Harvey Grice, another former Forest youngster who joined Alfreton on his release. He had a months loan at Basford back in February 2022, before making it permanent in the July.

Defender Stern Irvine was another Notts County Junior. He came do Basford in May 2022 after spending the last season at Ilkeston.

Striker Kevin Da Silva Bastos only arrived last month from Loughborough Dynamo. An ex Forest Junior, he moved on to Ilkeston and Tamworth, before joining Loughborough. 

Kameron Campbell is a dual registered player with Long Eaton Utd. He came to Basford in December and has made a couple of starts so far.

Yet another ex Notts Junior is Owen Betts, who arrived in 2020 after loans at Dover Athletic and Worksop.

Riece Bertram was another summer 2022 arrival from Belper Town. He was at Basford in 2016 too, but has also played for Carlton, Matlock and Ilkeston.

Striker Tyreece Palmer came on loan from Notts County in January 2022, before making his stay permanent. He also had spell at Melton Town.

Midfielder Courey Grantham has been with the club for seven years, since coming from Heanor Town. He has also played for Ilkeston and was loaned to Hednesford last season.

Ollie Clark is another midfielder, signed from Carlton in January 2021, but has been out of action for much of his time with the club due to injury.

Defender Jordan Haywood has come through the Academies at both Scunthorpe and Mansfield before joining Basford, but has also been loaned to Newark, Heanor and Eastwood Community. 

Nathaniel Peters was also at Mansfield and both played a major part in our hosts FA Youth Cup run last year.

Striker Wayde Hines was a Forest Junior, who arrived at Basford last season. He also had a loan spell at Grantham.

Mitchell Tait is a young left back signed from Ilkeston in December 2021.

Midfielder Lynden Joyce has also come through Basford’s junior ranks, along with strikers Lui Bull and Tyler Dacres.

Striker Lewis Rourke and defender Louis Nicholson are both more recent additions to the squad, having graduated from the clubs own Academy in December.

Kick off is at 3pm and we hope to see as many Mickleover supporters as possible making the short journey down the A52.

by Peter Scherer

After last weekend’s home win against play-off hopefuls Rushall Olympic, it was off to relegation threatened Hednesford Town last night.

There were a couple of changes in the attack from last weeks team, with Stuart Beavon and Will Trueman back in for Elliott Reeves and Marcus Marshall.

Line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Ethan Mann 3-Rhys Dolan 15-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Stuart Beavon 10-George Nunn 11-Will Trueman. Subs: Pablo Mills, Marcus Marshall, Elliott Reeves, George Atwal, Ryan Wilson.

With Mickleover hitting the bar in the first five minutes, hopes were high of an early goal. The early pressure was intense, and after eight minutes Dolan instigated a positive move, which split the home defence. Both Dales and Nunn tried to get a shot in, but both had their paths blocked.

Only a minute later there was a telling ball into the Pitmen’s box again, Nunn turned to find Beavon, whose slightly deflected shot proved out of reach for home keeper Luke Jackson, 1-0.

Hednesford kept their heads up and Todd Parker had a good shot palmed away by Bosworth to his right. They continued to create half chances, but struggled to follow them up. 

A free kick on the edge of the box was fired straight at the wall by Max Brogan and then Jordan Graham had a great chance to equalise, but wanted too much time and fired his shot over the bar.

It should have been a second for Mickleover after eight minutes, when Dales curled the ball into the box from the right. Nunn collected it perfectly, but with the almost clear goal beckoning, he hit the bar, before Beavon put the rebound wide. Nunn then peeled away using his shirt to hide his shamed face.

Dales was having so much freedom on the left, but the Mickleover midfield fail to maximise. But he did find Trueman , whose first shot was blocked, and his follow up went just over.

Having the occasionally lapse in their supremacy, Sports started to attack again. Butler started come forward and being unchallenged he continued to find Beavon, but he failed to get any power behind his shot.

Dales again showed a clean pair of heels to Mark Derricott  after 27 minutes and cut inside himself, before letting fly with a shot aiming for just under the bar until Jackson tipped it over.

But a slip in defence gave Graham another chance to equalise, but a diving save from Bosworth saved the day again, five minutes before half time.

Hednesford really pressed hard to get back into the game and Bosworth rose to the challenge again with a save from Asomugha, before Parker’s rebound shot was blocked.

Almost on the half time whistle the hosts did have the ball in the net, but only after fouling Bosworth.

Hednesford were quickly on the attack as the second half got underway, with keeper Bosworth in action early again. For about 15 minutes though Mickleover struggled to break out of their own half.

Brogan had a shot blocked, but gradually Sports began to move out and the threat from our hosts began to diminish.

Bateman headed wide after a free kick was given for a foul on Dales on 56 minutes, shortly afterwards Wilson then replaced Trueman.

Almost on the hour though Warren burst through down the centre and fired a shot at the keeper, and as the rebound opportunity fell to him too, in it went for 2-0.

Wilson then fired a free kick just wide of the post after Dolan was fouled and then after 69 minutes Jackson tipped another goal bound effort over the bar, this time from Nunn.

Both Mann and Dolan had started to push forward more  and Mickleover were actively seeking a third goal, but a 70^th minute goal mouth scramble failed to provide the chance of a clear shot.

Reeves came on for Nunn and soon had a chance himself. Dolan had gone on another charge, cut inside and fired the ball across the goal face, but Reeves only needed a toe poke for the third goal, but stayed rooted.

With four minutes left the third goal finally arrived. Again Dolan had carved through the defence after being set up by Dales, he found Reeves whose effort hit the bar, but Warren followed up to hit the rebound home again, 3-0.

Marshall replaced Dales for the final minutes, but there was still one more chance, when Beavon found Reeves in the box. The striker had Warren to his left in space, but tried himself and fired over.

So it was three more points for Mickleover and back into the top six, against a side who are not only fighting against relegation, but for their survival too.