by Peter Scherer

Saturday will be the first time Hitchin Town will have visited the Don Amott Arena, but it’s time to turn the tables on the Hertfordshire side as they have become a bit of a jinx side for us.

Having been knocked out of the FA Trophy by them a couple of seasons back, we went down 1-4 in November’s League visit, in probably Sports worst performance of the season.

With five points from the last five games, we have now slipped out of the play-off positions down to eighth place, with our visitors ninth, level on points, having played one game more.

Mason Warren will be available again after his suspension, but James Butler is due to start his. It remains to be seen if Andy Dales, Jake Scott and Mitch Rose are fit to play and if Elliott Reeves is available too.

Lets take a look at who we are up against. Their win last Saturday, broke a run of three defeats, all away from home.

Goalkeeper Charlie Horlock has been at Top Field for three years, since signing from Hastings Utd. He started his junior football at Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage and was loaned to Hendon and Harrow, before coming to Hitchin on loan too in November 2014. He then made a permanent move to our visitors a year later, before moving to Eastbourne. He captained the side too in last Saturday’s victory against Bromsgrove.

Reserve keeper Tiernan Parker is a former Northern Ireland Under 15, 16 and 17 International. He started out at Luton Town and was a loanee at Hitchin in 2019 and 2020, before joining Haringey. He returned again last July from Colney Heath and deputised for Horlock in the pre-Christmas defeat at Rushall.

Full back Stan Georgiou is a home- grown talent who has been a regular starter since the second half of last season. He captained the clubs Youth Cup team and also had a loan spell at Letchworth Garden City Eagles, before securing his place as a regular first choice.

Kye Tearle is a defender or midfielder who came from the Pro Direct Academy in Baldock. He is in his third season with the first team squad.

Irish midfielder Stephen Gleeson was spotted by Wolves when he was playing junior football for Chery Orchard FC. He spent a few years on loan at Stockport County before a permanent move to Mk Dons. He then moved on to Birmingham City, Ipswich and Aberdeen, before coming back to England with Solihull Moors. He came to Hitchin in November 2020 after four months at Hemel.

He was capped by the Republic of Ireland at full, Under 17, 18, 19 and 21 levels and has played over 40 league games in the Championship, League One & Two and Scottish Premiership, scoring 27 goals. He is also the first team coach.

Lewis Barker arrived at the start of the 2019/20 season, after five years at Baldock Town and Dempsey Thomas is a young defender having recently broken into the first team squad.

Defender or midfielder Malaki Black arrived from MK Dons in July 2020, while fellow midfielder Bradley Bell came back for his second spell last season, from Barton Rovers. He had initially left to join Biggleswade in 2020 and has also played for Royston and Cambridge City, having started at MK Dons.

Striker Diogo Freitas-Gouveia originally came to Hitchin on loan from Colchester Utd in 2019/20. He was also loaned to Brightlingsea and Maldon & Tiptree, but then made his move to our visitors, making his move permanent following his release during the summer. He is a regular goal scorer. games.

Rio Da Silva is a midfielder who has been at Hitchin for three years, since arriving from Dunstable. He previously played in Luton Town’s Academy, followed by four years in Chelsea’s youth team.

Striker Ashley Hay is a former Luton Junior too. He moved from Baldock Town to Biggleswade at the start of this season and came to Hitchin last September.

Steve Cawley is a striker in his third spell at Top Field, having started out at Chesham. Spells at Bishop Stortford, Concord Rangers and Hemel followed, before he came to Hitchin on loan for eight months in September 2019. He then returned permanently in July 2020, before a two-month spell at Stotfold at the beginning of last season, preceded his current stay.

Jack Snelus came from Rushden & Diamonds last September. He is another ex Luton Junior and has also played for Hemel and St.Ives Town.

Toby Syme is s full back in his second spell with the club. He came from one Canaries team to another, after leaving Norwich City in 2017. He moved on to Kings Langley a year later, before spells at Leverstock, Tring Athletic and Harpenden, were followed by his return to Top Field last August.

Centre back Ciaren Jones is an ex Luton Town and Norwich Norwich City Junior too. He started this season at Brackley, having joined them from Gloucester City in July. He also played for South Shields and spent a week at Hitchin in 2020, before his move to Gloucester.

Josh Coldicott-Stevens is another player who’s been at the club for three years. He is a midfielder, who started at Boreham Wood, before arriving at Hitchin from Kings Langley in December 2019.

Midfielder Leon Chambers-Parillon spent most of career so far with Oxford Utd. He had loans at Biggleswade, Havant & Waterloovile, Gloucester City and Slough, joining Hitchin on his release in August last year.

Defender Alfie Warman was a new signing from Baldock Town last August too. He has also played for Welwyn, Codicote and Potton Utd.

Callum Kane is another summer arrival from Baldock. A full back, he is a product of the Pro-Direct Academy.

Delsin Ackom is another young defender, signed in 2021 after his release from MK Dons two years earlier. In between he played for Potton Utd, MK Gallacticos, Buckingham Athletic and Desborough, as well as having a spell in Spain with Almunecar.

Midfielder Daniel Idiakhoa was a Luton Town Junior, who joined Newport Pagnell on his release. He is a recent signing for Hitchin and now a regular starter.

Midfielder Finley Wilkinson was a summer signing from Histon, after coming through their Youth Scheme.

Striker Johnny Allotey signed pro-forms for our hosts towards the end of last season.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm, the bar will be open and before kick off you can also visit the Rams Heritage Trust, which will be on site from 11am.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover came to Royston seeking their first away points since Barwell in October, but on a wet evening it proved to be a tough encounter.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Ethan Mann 3-Rhys Dolan 15-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Will Trueman 8-Joe Bateman 9-Marcus Marshall 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oliver Greaves. Subs: Pablo Mills, Oliver Bosworth, John McGrath, Fin Ryder, Lekan Osideko.

It was light rain and a swirling wind that greeted kick-off, but the grass pitch had passed it’s afternoon inspection and it was game on.

Beavon had an early lob towards goal, but straight into keeper Chadwick’s hands, before Hedge go this first touch collected a cross from Furlong.

The first 10 minutes were end to end and fairly scrappy, but Chadwick made a couple of week clearance’s which Mickleover failed to maximise.

Wilson had a shot blocked after 14 minutes as he tried to pick a spot through a crowded box and a following corner was then headed away by the home defence.

Dolan managed to get a shot in after 25 minutes, following another corner, but again it was blocked, but it was Mickleover in the ascendancy.

Royston got a break though, but Dolan headed away the cross with no one waiting to receive. But another good build up had the defence on the run, before Marshall found Greaves, who slotted home in the bottom right hand corner 1-0 after 28 minutes.

Sports were showing a bit more controlled aggression and determination than of late as they began to push forward, seeking to add to their tally.

Marshall was yellow carded for a foul on skipper Adam Murray and only a couple of minutes the favour was returned with Murray in the book. Wilson stepped up for the free kick, but it was comfortably over the bar.

Beavon almost beat the keeper to the ball after a chase as half time approached and then Marshall looked clear to, but was pulled back with a late offside flag.

Overall Mickleover just about deserved their half time lead, having gradually gained the upperhand.

The rain had stopped as the teams re-appeared and Furlong was quick to get an early cross in, but well off the mark. But Royston had come back out with all guns blazing.

Watt, Butler and Mann had looked aerially strong in the first half, which had allowed Dolan to virtually join Wilson and Bateman in midfield, as Greaves and Trueman seemed to have more of a roaming role.

Trueman battled through on the right to find Beavon, and his pass to Marshall in the box brought Chadwick racing off his line to save. Royston then had a good spell with  a number of shots fired in, but fortunately none on target.

Greaves chased hard to catch a clearance from one of the hosts attacks, but was just short as the ball sped away on the wet pitch.

Osideko then came on for Trueman, but Sports were having difficulty breaking out of their own half, as Royston kept firing in shots, mostly blocked. We were still holding on as the hour mark passed, but an equaliser was beginning to look more and more likely.

Mills was on for Beavon after 70 minutes and then Greaves found Osideko whose shot was blocked but earned another corner. It was initially cleared but a toe poke from Watt went just past the post.

Harness then headed a Da Silva cross just wide after 75 minutes and then Murray put his attempt just wide of the mark too.

The rain had just started again as there was just five minutes left for Sports to hold out. 85 minutes and an initial Royston corner was cleared, but only as far as Matt Bateman who made it level from close range 1-1.

From a hopeful three points we were now looking to hold onto one, as Royston continued to push forward strongly, and Mickleover failed to clear their lines.

Hedge made a good save from Tshikuna in the 88^th minute and Williams put another effort just over. But then the ref announced four minutes add on.

Nakatani-Brown’s run ended with a good catch from Hedge and then on a final break Marshall found Osideko, but his shot was over.

With whistle poised Royston went close to snatching winner, when a Harness effort was cleared off the line, before Henry’s final header went over the bar.

Having led for 85 minutes it was a disappointing finale, but on the second half performance Royston more than deserved their point.

by Peter Scherer

Our hosts on Tuesday night are one of the few teams left in the Southern Premier League Central, that we haven’t met so far this year.

They are currently 13^th in the table, four points behind Mickleover, but had recently come into some form, with only one defeat in the last six games, including consecutive wins at home to Bedford and away to St.Ives.

But last Saturday they were trounced 5-1 away to Stourbridge, as Mickleover lost out too at St.Ives.

Manager Steve Castle was a midfielder who started as a Tottenham junior, but also played for Leyton Orient, Birmingham and Plymouth among others, before retiring in 2004. He has been in charge at Garden Walk since 2013 and previously managed Takeley and St Albans and was assistant at Cambridge Utd.

Dimitrios Kyriatzis had been first choice keeper, until he picked up an injury. He was with Brentford after they picked him up at Henley Utd. But after a loan at Stevenage, he joined Inter Leipzig in Germany on his release. After almost two years he returned to the UK with Bedfont Sports and came to Royston in November 2021.

Following Kyriatzis’s injury, Louis Chadwick has taken over the number one spot. He is a loanee from Cambridge Utd, who has also been loaned out to St.Neots, Cambridge City and Brentwood.

Right back Cole Da Silva has represented Wales at every level from Under 16 to Under 21. Originally a Luton Town junior, he passed through Chelsea, Brentford and Leicester City’s youth scheme’s too, before going to Croatia with HNK Sibenik. He returned to the UK after six months and played for Oxford City and Hemel, before coming to Royston in September.

Ronnie Henry was a Tottenham youth team player, who was loaned to Southend before making a permanent move to Dublin City in 2004.He then spent seven years at Stevenage, before joining Luton Town, only to return again two years later. Another five years on he joined Billericay, from where Royston signed him in May ’21. He is also Grandson of ex Tottenham double winning defender Ron Henry.

Striker Matt Bateman in his second spell at Garden Walk. He arrived originally from Berkhamsted in 2019, but moved onto Hemel after one year, before making the return trip again in August ’21.

Midfielder Connor Furlong only arrived from Rushden & Diamonds in October. He was an MK Dons Junior, loaned to Oxford City and Aylesbury Utd, before moving to Bedford. He then moved on via St.Ives, Barton Rovers and Biggleswade, before joining Rushden in August ’21.

Striker Fredrik Hinds arrived just before Christmas, after spending a year at Wingate. He had League Two and Championship experience, after starting off at Luton Town. He then joined Bristol City, who also loaned him to Cheltenham, Wrexham and Colchester and a three-month spell at Hemel before joining Wingate.

Right back Shaun Keane came to the club pre-season, from Peterborough Sports. He was previously at Bedford, having started out with Peterborough Utd.

Left back Joel Nakatani-Brown was a pre-season arrival too, from Westfield. He has also played for Hillingdon, Cockfosters and FC Romania.

Former Cambridge Utd midfielder Fernando Bell-Toxtle was signed in September from Rushden & Diamonds. He was loaned to St.Neots and joined Rushden following his release, but moved to Basford while studying in Nottingham, before returning to Rushden.

Midfielder Alfie Williams is on loan from Stevenage until the end of the season. He started at Tottenham’s Academy Under 12’s but since joining Stevenage he has been loaned to Biggleswade, Kings Langley, Hemel and Hayes & Yeading.

Pre-season signing Nathan Shikuna is an attacking midfielder too who started out at MK Dons. His path took him on to Aylesbury, New Bradwell St Peter, Buckingham, Bedford, Kempston Rovers, MK Gallacticos, Barton Rovers and was at Rushden last season.

Home produced striker Kian Harness came into the first team squad last season, but scored a hattrick earlier this season in the home win over Hitchin Town.

Midfielder Spyros Mentis has spent most of his career at Royston. He first arrived from Takeley in 2014, having previously been at St Albans. He has had spells at Soham and Hayes & Yeading too, but has been back at Royston for the last three years.

Young defender Will Hall was signed in October. He’s an ex Watford junior and had a loan spell at Kings Langley last season too.

Experienced defender and captain Adam Murray had played for Cambridge City before arriving at Royston, but well over 200 hundred appearances later he is still a main stay of the side.

6ft 6in striker Shomari Barnwell arrived in November from Hanwell Town. He started out with Bowers & Pitsea before joining Dagenham & Redbridge. A loan at Bishop Stortford followed, before he moved to Solihull Moors. After a further loan at Lewes he joined Barking, moving on again to Brentwood, Grays, Great Wakering Rovers, Bishop Stortford again, Maldon & Tiptree and started this season at Hanwell.

Centre back Mackye Townsend-West has recently arrived on loan too from Stevenage, having previously been to St.Albans.

Matthew Crowther, Freddie Brown and Archie Cane have also been in the squad this season, having come through the clubs own junior scheme.

Mickleover will be hoping firstly for an efficient referee, while concerns over Mitch Rose and Jake Scott’s injuries, plus Mason Warren’s suspension, Elliott Reeves unavailability and less than fit Andy Dales, are all concerns for gaffer John McGrath and his team.

Kick off is 7.45, but with more rain forecast and a grass pitch, keep an eye on Social Media.

by Peter Scherer

For the third successive Mickleover match, the standard of refereeing dominated the proceedings at St.Ives, with both of the hosts goals coming off the back of questionable decisions.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Ethan Mann 3-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 15-Jake Scott 7-Joe Bateman 12-Rhys Dolan 9-Marcus Marshall 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Will Trueman. Subs: Pablo Mills, Mitch Rose, Oliver Bosworth, Oliver Greaves, Andy Dales.

Rose was originally in the starting line-up but had drop to the bench with a foot injury after the warm-up and was replaced by Dolan.

Tyrone Baker and Michael Richens made an early break for St.Ives but failed to get a final shot in. Four minutes later Kieran Higgs had a good run but was fouled just outside the box, but Richens free kick was well off target.

It had been a fairly even opening few minutes, but was clear that the hosts preferred the long ball and reliability on breaks, rather than Mickleover’s more strategic approach and clashes were inevitable.

Marshall was tripped on the edge of the box after 12 minutes and then Scott was the first yellow card, after a foul on Kellan Hickinson. But only a few minutes later Marshall was tripped again, after a Butler free kick had been crossed by Mann.

St. Ives then got a break, but the cross was initially headed away by Mann, before Richens came in with a shot over the bar again.

It was 24 minutes before either side had a shot on target, when Scott came down the right, found Beavon in the middle, but his shot was straight into keeper James Dadge’s hands.

Ed Hottor was the first of the hosts to go in the book for a foul on Beavon, but a few minutes later Beavon put a lovely ball across the box to Marshall, but the striker just couldn’t get enough space to turn and shoot. Higgs then led another St.Ives break but his effort was well wide again.

Watt was then adjudged to have fouled Hickinson on the edge of the box. Richens 32nd minute free kick was well saved by a diving Hedge, and was St.Ives first shot on target.

The resulting corner then gave Hottor a long rage shooting opportunity, through a crowded area, but Hedge had it covered.

Richens then joined the refs yellow card collection, with Scott needing treatment for the foul on him. Wilson’s free-kick found Beavon, but his header was off the mark.

It was in the closing eight minutes of the first half that Mickleover had their best chances, in an overall poor show. Trueman and Beavon had a nice one-two cutting in from the right, only for a late interception stopping Beavon in the box.

Trueman then cut through again from the right, pushed the ball across the face of the goal, with Marshall just a whisker away from connecting and a certain goal.

0-0 was probably a fair reflection on the first half, which was interrupted far too often by free kicks, which combined with the hosts kick and run style, stifled Mickleover’s attempts at creativity.

Despite being not fully fit, Dales replaced Scott as they came out for the second half.

St.Ives went straight on the attack and almost immediately earned a corner. Johnny Herd put the cross in but Jordan Williams’ header was over the bar.

As Dales attempted his first run he was brought down knee height by Paddy Casey, who joined the yellow carders for his efforts. But even a half fit Dales was causing problems, as he beat the defence with a 49^th minute run, only to shoot over the bar.

Following a string of corners for the hosts, Watt was then yellow carded for a totally innocuous challenge. Fortunately the free kick was wide again.

Baker led the next St.Ives break on the left, but his effort was into the side netting and although they continued to try random shots, none were on target.

Dales cut through the defence after 63 minutes, strolling past three defenders, before shooting straight at the keeper, but the poor standard of refereeing was soon to reach new heights.

“I was defending and the ball bounced and hit the my shoulder, but I don’t think the ref actually saw it himself,” said Butler. “For the purposes of determining handball offences, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit. IFAB

But the referee reacted to the appeals, gave a penalty and a red card, despite the more than justified appeals from the Mickleover players.

Jonny Edwards stepped up take the kick and planted it firmly to Hedge’s right, to give the hosts a totally undeserved 0-1 lead.

Dales broke through again but fired over after 74 minutes, following a Dolan pass, but there was worse to come when only people in black and white saw Watt foul Edwards. But again the referee gave the free kick which Toseland fired home 0-2 after 77 minutes.

The referee seemed to blowing his whistle at nearly every tackle as we entered the last 10 minutes and Sports pushed hard for a consolation. Dales looked to be free again, but having taken the ball on his chest and rounded a defender, he was then unbelievably given offside!

But with eight minutes on the clock Beavon broke in space and had Herd as the one defender to challenge him. He decided to hack Beavon’s legs from under him, but as the last defender before goal, it wasn’t the expected red car but a yellow?

So Mickleover returned home pointless, after a poor advert for football and even poorer one for refereeing. With the winners failing to have one shot on target from open play in the whole game.

by Peter Scherer

Manager Ricky Marheineke has been in charge at St Ives for nine years, but this season has been a struggle for our hosts, suffering their third successive defeat at Rushden on Bank Holiday Monday.

They went down 0-2 in their last home game again Royston and have only had two wins in the last 10 games, dropping them to 16^th in the table.

Sports will be without Andy Dales again due to his groin strain, and Mason Warren serves the second game in his three-match suspension, in addition to the long standing injuries.

Lets take a look at our hosts line-up. Keeper James Goff came from Lincoln Utd in October 2021, having started as a Northampton Town junior. He’s played for Banbury, Wisbech and Spalding too.

Right back Julien Saka was a pre-season signing from Soham Rangers, who was previously at Tooting & Mitcham.

Left back Johnny Herd is a former Southend Utd youth player, who moved on to Ebbsfleet, Bishops Stortford and St Neots and had a couple of seasons at Peterborough Sports before arriving at St Ives pre-season.

Michael Richens is a midfielder and team captain. He was originally at Peterborough Utd but spent much of his time out on loan. He made a couple of first team starts and joined Stevenage on his release. He then moved on via Farnborough, Hemel, Bishops Stortford and Biggleswade, before joining St Ives from Kettering in July 2021.

Jordan Williams plays centre back and began his career at Cambridge Utd. Moves to Brackley, Cambridge City, Stratford and Stourbridge followed, before a return trip to Stratford preceded his move to St Ives pre-season.

Defender Callum Milne is in his second season with our hosts, having arrived from Harborough Town. He started as an Aston Villa junior and has also played for Kettering, Wisbech, Eynesbury and Bedford.

Zimbabwean born midfielder Greg Kaziboni started out at Northampton Town. He’s played for Corby, Brackley, Tamworth, Rushden, Banbury and Stratford, before two years at Nuneaton, preceded  his St Ives arrival in July. 

Myles Cowling is a midfielder who has recently returned on another loan spell from Cambridge United. He has also been loaned to St Neots and Braintree.

Striker Jonny Edwards was another summer singing from FC Romania. He started at Peterborough but has had experience in Leagues One and Two during his various moves. He was loaned to Bishop Stortford and St Albans before moving to Hull City, where further loans at Accrington and Woking following, before a move to Halifax. 

He has since played for Maidstone, Biggleswade and Royston, before spending last season with Romania.

Dylan Williams is another midfielder who started out at Cambridge Utd. St Neots, Biggleswade and Lowestoft followed, before a return trip to Biggleswade preceded his St Ives move two years ago.

Midfielder Enoch Andoh is a Ghanian international at Under 17 and 20 levels. Much of his early career was spent abroad, with FC Porto and Limassol, before a spell with Port Vale, where he played in League One. He then played for Whitehawk, Nuneaton, Macclesfield, Hednesford and Stratford, arriving at St Ives in early August from Biggleswade.

Nabil Shariff is a striker who hit a hattrick against Stratford. He started at Rushden & Diamonds, moving to Banbury, Tamworth, Oxford City, Kettering, Banbury, Corby, Stamford, Alfreton, St Neots and Stratford. He came to our hosts in July 2020 after a third spell at Rushden.

Edmund Hottor is another Ghanaian midfielder. Most of his early football was spent in Italy, which included spells at both AC and Inter Milan. He came to the UK with Kettering in July 2018 from Sliema Wanderers in Malta and was at Banbury before coming to St Ives in December 2019.

Right back Kane Lewis was signed in early August. He was with Brentford and Liverpool, before playing in the Welsh League with The New Saints and Cefn Druids, where he gained Champions League and Europa League experience.

Ethan Johnston is a striker signed from Banbury in November 2020, after starting out at Northampton Town.

Midfielder Tyrone Baker arrived in November 2020 too from Basildon, having been at Bowers & Pitsea and Heybridge Swifts previously.

Centre back Charlie Johnson first played for St Ives during the aborted 2019/20 season.  He started out at Cambridge United featuring in their U18 team and has played for Yaxley and St Neots Town since his first spell with the Ives and re-signed at the beginning of this season from Bury Town. Division.

Defender Paddy Casey is a recent arrival, dual registered with Harborough Town. He has also played for Rushden & Diamonds.

Attacking midfielder Ravi Shamsi was signed earlier this season from Rushden & Diamonds. A former Fulham and Oxford Utd Junior, he has played Banbury, Chesham, Stratford and Nuneaton too, as well as in the National League with Maidenhead.

Winger Lewis Lembikisa was a pre-season signing from Chester Le Street. A former Wolves Junior, he has played for Harlow Town too.

Winger Kieran Higgs is a fairly new arrival. He’s a former Norwich City Junior, who was also loaned to Solihull Moors. On his release he joined Lowestoft, where he spent four years before his move to St Ives.

Kick off as usual is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

Having taken all three points on our visit to Ilkeston earlier this season, hopes were high of completing the double.

Mickleover were without Andy Dales with a groin strain and Mason Warren, serving the first of his three-match suspension.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Jake Scott 3-Rhys Dolan 5-Ethan Mann 6-Phil Wat 7-Will Trueman 8-Mitch Rose 15-Ryan Wilson 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oliver Greaves. Subs: Joe Bateman, Oliver Bosworth, Lekan Osideko, James Butler, Pablo Mills.

In the opening couple of minutes Trueman put a cross in from the right, just missing Reeves head, before Campbell had a shot deflected wide for the visitors after six minutes.

Scott then sent Reeves on a run down the right, but although the cross found Beavon, his attempt to move forward was thwarted.

Ilkeston’s threat began to grow and Campbell managed to find Ward, who then unsuccessfully tried to chip Hedge. But Tomlin managed to jink his way through to the edge of the box, before he was stopped.

Mickleover had a free kick after 12 minutes and the ball seemed to bounce around the Ilkeston area for a while. There were lots of slight touches, but no one managed to get a shot in.

Ward then earned a free kick for the visitors after an ankle tap almost sent him into orbit. It came to nought but it was all Ilkeston. Scott was yellow carded for fouling Arlott-John, and fouled the same player immediately from the free kick.

Only a minute later Tomlin followed up an Ilkeston corner, but his header was headed way from goal by Wilson for another corner

Tomlin had a 23^rd minute shot blocked by Mann, before Mickleover got a break to earn a corner too. The short kick found Wilson, but his cross had too much pace for the chasing strikers.

Despite Ilkeston’s growing dominance it was still goalless on the half hour, but Dolan at last broke free on the left, cut inside and fired a shot just over the bar from range. But the visitors responded and Mann managed to clear a challenging cross from Delap.

Reeves went close after 32 minutes, as he cut in from the right past skipper Fenton, he got closer and closer relatively unchallenged, until Battersby in the Ilkeston goal, ran out to make a last-minute interception for a corner. Watt came up for the kick, but his header was off target. 

Rose was yellow carded for an innocuous challenge and then became the victim himself. As he hit the ground after being felled in the box, the referee allowed play to continue and Ward chased through to score a heavily disputed goal for Ilkeston 0-1.

Only minutes later Scott was fouled on the touchline, already yellow carded Scott was showing red, until the ref’s assistant made her presence felt. Not only was the card rescinded, it was a free kick to Mickleover, with this time protestations from Ilkeston, led mainly by the visitors player manager Ward, who seemed to spend most of the game bending the ref’s ear.

Finally play continued and Reeves almost picked up a long ball, then Campbell latched onto a good cross, but Hedge flew off his line to save at the strikers feet.

Arlott-John then found Campbell again on the Mickleover right, but his shot was just over, before a Sports counter saw Reeves outpace the defence, swing the ball in tight, but as Greaves went for a header, both he and the defender required treatment. The first half finished with Wilson creating space for a weak finish.

Bateman was on for Greaves as they re-appeared for the second half and apart from a 47^th minute run from Trueman and Reeves, with keeper Battersby saving, Mickleover began to struggle to break out of their own half.

Bello got free down the right after 55 minutes, but his cross was pushed away by Hedge. The pressure continued with O’Grady finding Arlott-John, but Hedge had it covered gain.

Possession was still in Ilkeston’s favour, but they too struggled to make progress, which allowed Mickleover to finally get back into the game.

Reeves hit the post following corner and the rebound attempt went close too, and after 77 minutes Battersby saved with his feet from another Reeves effort.

Dolan had started to find space on the left apart from an off target header from Fenton, suddenly it was all Mickleover. Arlott-John did manage to beat Scott on a late run, but shot wide, and with five minutes of normal time left, Butler came on for Scott.

Dolan in particular was finishing strongly, having had a run of almost half the pitch before being intercepted on the edge of the box with five minutes left.

It was Dolan again a minute later that crossed from the left. To find an unmarked Bateman, who eagerly smashed home the equaliser,1-1.

Ilkeston had a couple of late corners and a free kick in the five minutes added on, but it was a well-earned point in the end, from what had begun to look a lost cause.

by Peter Scherer

For the first game of 2023 Mickleover we will be hosting local rivals Ilkeston Town. Our visitors are just one point behind us now in seventh place, following their 1-1 draw at home to Basford on Boxing Day.

Five out of the last six games have been at home for Ilkeston, suffering the one defeat 0-2 to Tamworth, having previously had a run of three successive victories.

Their last away game was a 4-1 win at Redditch, having previously lost 0-2 to Nuneaton on November 12^th.

Having come into the league on promotion, it was a difficult start to the season, and on our earlier season visit to the Manor Ground we came away 3-2 winners after an Elliott Reeves double and a goal from Rhys Dolan.

Former Rams and more recently Buxton player Jamie Ward is now in charge and has guided them from the edge of relegation to the edge of the play-offs.

There have been a lot of line-up changes with 18 players starting in the last five matches and only two starting them all.

Ollie Battersby currently has the goalkeeper’s shirt, but has been alternating with Saul Deeney. Battersby is currently on loan from Grimsby Town and is a former Sheffield Utd Junior. He played one game for Mickleover back in 2020, playing the whole game with a broken hand. He has also been loaned to Lincoln Utd, Gateshead and Belper Town.

Former Derby County and Burton goalkeeper Saul Deeney came to the club from Coalville in March 2022. He is now 39 years old and a former Republic of Ireland Under 21 International and started out at Notts County, with Hull City and Burton Albion among his former clubs. He was previously loaned to Ilkeston 20 years ago!

Skipper Kieran Fenton is a former England Under 19 International, who started his career with Nottingham Forest. He was loaned to Tamworth before joining Worksop, moving on to join Coalville, before signing for Ilkeston from Quorn in November 2019.

Player manager Jamie Ward is another well- known player, who was signed from Buxton in the summer. The Northern Ireland international has over 400 league appearances under his belt scoring over 100 goals.

Apart from his time at Derby, Burton and Forest, he has played for Sheffield Utd, Charlton, Cardiff, Scunthorpe among other teams.

Midfielder Jack Thomas came from Tamworth in March 2022. He was a Mansfield junior and has played for Hednesford, Boston Utd and Basford. It’s his second spell at the club, having left in July 2021.

Striker Remaye Campbell came from Grantham in July 2021, after a junior career at Notts County and is one of the first-choice players in the squad, with a goal scoring touch.

Declan Thompson is a newer arrival from Sheffield Wednesday. The young right back also had a spell at Stocksbridge, before arriving at the Manor Ground at the start of the season.

Striker Chris O’Grady is another vastly experienced player, having played well over 500 league games and scoring 110 goals. A Leicester City Academy player he joined Ilkeston in May, having been out of the game since leaving Bolton in July 2020.

He’s played for Oldham, Chesterfield, Brighton, Burton, Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, and both Sheffield United and Wednesday to name but a few. He has been at Ilkeston since May and is Campbell’s regular striking partner.

Left back Henri Wilder came from Alfreton a few weeks ago. He started at Brighton before joining Mansfield Town. After a loan at Lewes, he joined Tamworth in 2019, moving to Alfreton three years later.

Defender Fin Delap is currently on loan from Burton Albion and is the son if former Rams and Republic of Ireland International Rory and brother of Stoke City’s Liam.

Striker Lee Tomlin is a very recent arrival, following a short break after departing Doncaster Rovers. He started out at Leicester City, before joining Rushden & Diamonds. After a loan at Brackley he signed for Peterborough Utd and then moved on to Middlesbrough, Bournemouth, Bristol City and Cardiff, with further loans at Nottingham Forest and Peterborough again. He started this year at Walsall and went to Doncaster in October and has also played for England C.

Well known to Mickleover fans is striker Dempsey Arlott-John. A pacey young striker and Leicester City graduate, he joined Sports at the beginning of last season, but was unable to force his way into the starting line-up and moved to Shepshed in December 2021. He moved to Ilkeston in September and is a regular goal scorer.

Right back Joe Wilson was an early season signing, coming from Gainsborough in August. He started out at Reading and has progressed via Fleet, Hayes & Yeading and Staines Town.

Silvio Bello is a right back too, signed a few weeks ago after coming from the Nottingham Forest Academy.

Defender Tom Hilton is back in the first team squad after some time at Kimberley MW, he has also played for Heanor Town.

Midfielder Reco Fyfe rejoined our visitors from Long Eaton in October. He joined them towards the end of 20/21 from Basford and has also played for Gainsborough, Heanor and Carlton.

Tyree Wilson is a young winger or midfielder who came to the Manor Ground in November, following his release from the Rams Academy.

Dan Bradley is another recently arrived midfielder. He was an Aston Villa Junior, before moving to Tamworth. He’s moved on fairly rapidly via Kidderminster, Alfreton, Barnet, Fylde and Nuneaton, before a three-month stay back at Tamworth preceded his March 22 move to Ilkeston.

Third choice keeper is Harvey Woodward who helped out Kimberley MW earlier this season, while newest signing of all Thabang Dube, was on the bench for the first time against Basford, having come from Farsley Celtic. The young striker has also played for Shepshed Dynamo, Newark and Tamworth, having started with Leicester City.

We will be hoping for our biggest attendance of the season, kick off is 3pm at the Don Amott Arena, but be there early.

by Peter Scherer

It was always going to be a tough game as Mickleover faced title contenders Nuneaton Borough at Liberty Way on Boxing Day, but unfortunately some poor refereeing once again played a major part in the outcome.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Jake Scott 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Mitch Rose 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Will Trueman 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Rhys Dolan. Subs: Elliott Reeves, Ethan Mann. Lekan Osideko, Joe Bateman.

Barely had the game got underway when Scott had to have treatment for a right arm injury. But it was Mickleover on the attack first when Dolan got a break on the left, after a midfield interception, but Trueman’s weak shot failed to test Breeden in the host’s goal.

Nuneaton almost broke through the Mickleover defence after six minutes and four minutes later they had a free kick when Rose was alleged to have fouled. 

Hedge’s clearance then found Beavon, whose shot was saved, before Beavon was in the action again finding Trueman in the middle after 14 minutes, only for his shot to be deflected.

The referee had started to give a number of free kicks for legitimate challengers, but the hosts failed to maximise their bonus opportunities, with McManus’ wild shot finally ending a few minutes of pressure on the Mickleover goal, as Butler and Watt stood firm in the middle of the Mickleover defence.

Overall, the play remained fairly even, when the referee allowed the game to flow. But in the 21^st minute there was a chance for Dales. Dolan crossed from the left and it almost fell for a first-time volley from Dales. But a late bobble caused a miscue, and it was a goal kick.

Yet another free-kick soon followed but Beswick’s effort was well off target and then Dales was tripped on the edge of the box, but Wilson’s free-kick sailed over the bar.

After another Nuneaton free-kick the hosts fired in four different shots as they tried to batter the Mickleover defence, before Beswick’s final attempt was so wide it went out for a throw in.

Warren put a telling ball into the box on the half hour, but there was no one to receive, then Waite had a great chance for Nuneaton, in space, but his haste sent his shot well wide of the mark.

A 50/50 tackle just outside the box from Rose was then given in Nuneaton’s favour and brought the first yellow card. But it got worse when Benbow’s free kick that initially looked to be covered by Hedge, bounced and went just inside his left-hand post, 0-1 after 35 minutes.

The goal had come against the run of play but only three minutes later Dales went close having cut in from the right, to shoot just over.

Mickleover continued to push forward but had to be wary of the break. Dales again cut in from the right and almost found Trueman, but the keeper just managed to intercept. Then in time added on Dolan crossed from the left, but Rose’s chip then went out of play, so Sports were very unlucky to go into the break a goal down.

Reeves came on for Dales at the start of the second half, as the midfielder had only come through a late pre-match fitness test.

It was a strong start though and they continued to push for an equaliser, with Reeves making an immediate impact. Scott had crossed from the right to find the striker, but his shot rolled agonisingly just beyond the right-hand post with the keeper beaten and Dolan just inches away after 50 minutes.

Two minutes later Trueman had a shot down the middle which went just wide as Sports continued to dominate. Then another effort by the Sheffield Wednesday loanee was cleared off the line for a corner, with the keeper beaten again.

Warren tried his luck following the corner, but it was over the bar, before once again against the run of play, Dowd made a virtually unchallenged run across the Mickleover box from right to left, to fire home a second goal for the hosts, 0-2 after 58 minutes.

It wasn’t quite the killer blow to Mickleover’s hopes as seven minutes later Benbow scored his second and Nuneaton’s third, as the hosts took charge.

Trueman made a run down the right after 67 minutes and found Reeves again, but his attempt as before rolled out just beyond the left-hand post, but it was the referee’s decision a minute later that became the main talking point. 

There was a tussle between Lathaniel Rowe-Turner and Warren, where the Nuneaton player appeared to have hold of Warren around his neck. As a number of other players arrived on the scene, the referee decided to red card Warren, while his assailant was given a yellow!! 

The decision was reminiscent of George Nunn’s sending off against Bromsgrove, where the referee also failed to apportion fair and even punishment.

So, 22 minutes left and Mickleover were down tom10 men and Greaves came on for Dolan, just before Beavon had a shot over the bar.

But there was some light after 78 minutes, when Reeves broke free down the middle and chipped the keeper to make it 1-3. Bateman then came on for Trueman, but Richards restored the hosts three goal advantage in the 82^nd minute. 1-4.

Reeves then battled his way through for a second with pure determination, to make the final score 2-4, in a solid all-round performance in a game marred by poor officials.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC are in for a tough challenge as they end 2022, facing second in the Southern Premier League Table Nuneaton Borough at Liberty Way.

Unbeaten at home so far this season, Jimmy Ginnelly’s team beat Leiston at home last time out 2-1, but suffered one of only four league defeats at the beginning of December, 1-3 at Barwell Town.

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.

Aaron Forde is another midfielder, who started out at Walsall. He has spent his career based in the West Midlands, with Romulus, Bedworth, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, Rushall and Stourbridge before spending 2 ½ years at Tamworth, prior to joining Nuneaton in February.

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. He scored in both of their last two matches.

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.

Italian born midfielder Prince Mancinelli arrived from Belper Town in June. 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.

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.

Right back Chris Cox was a pre-season signing from Tamworth. He started at Coventry Utd, before moving to Stratford and Tamworth. But after a year break, he was briefly back at Coventry, before almost two years back at Tamworth too.

Midfielder Max Brogan had scored five goals for Barwell this season, before coming to Nuneaton at the end of October. He was previously at Coleshill Town last season and had a spell at Tamworth too.

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.

Midfielder Rev James is a former Oxford Utd junior, who was loaned to Basford, before joining Tamworth on his release. After three years he returned to Basford, but was initially loaned to Nuneaton in March, before a permanent move in July.

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.

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 a couple of weeks ago.

Hopefully the weather will be kind over Christmas, so the game goes ahead on the grass pitch. Kick-off at Liberty Way is 3pm.