By Peter Scherer

In a break from their Southern Premier League Central campaign, Mickleover visit Long Eaton United’s Grange Park on Tuesday evening, for a Derbyshire Senior Cup tie.

It could be a changed side for Sports following a few knocks in the match against Leiston last Saturday and an opportunity for some fringe players to get a start.

Long Eaton are currently eighth in the Northern Premier League Division One East, one step below Mickleover, following a 2-1 win at Stockton last Saturday.

Manager Ian Deakin is a former Forest and Mansfield goalkeeper, who is also Mansfield Town’s commercial manager. He played for Eastwood, Retford, Hinckley, Buxton and Heanor too.

They are undefeated in their last four games, and beat Pontefract Collieries 2-1 in their last home game.

Goalkeeper Sam Wilson is a former Mansfield Town Academy player, who is also the clubs goalkeeping coach. He has played for Wisbech too and has a reputation as a penalty saver.

Full back Larell King is well known to Mickleover after starting last season at the Don Amott Arena, captaining the reserves side. He was previously at Mansfield too, having started out at the Burton Albion Academy.

Sam Parker is a left back that began his career as a Derby County Junior. He was signed from Kimberley MW at the start of last season.

Midfielder Tom Marshall is in his second spell at the club. He left to join Ilkeston during the 2016/17 season. In three seasons he made over 100 appearances, before returning to Long Eaton early in 20/21.

Keiran Walker is a centre back in his third season at Grange Park, having learned his craft at Carlton Town. He recently made his 100^th appearance.

Fellow centre back Luke Cox was a Sheffield Wednesday graduate, who joined Redditch on his release. He moved on to Chasetown in March this year and is one of the more recent signings. He has scored three goals in his 13 appearances so far.

Canadian born striker Micah Jebbison arrived prior to the 21/22 season. He was on trial at Sheffield Utd before joining Ilkeston and Quorn. His younger brothers are both footballers too,  Daniel plays for Sheffield Utd and Jonathan has played for Quorn and Heanor. He has scored four goals this season.

Striker Ben Hutchinson is probably one of the clubs most experienced player. His football league career started at Middlesbrough, after he joined them from Arnold Town. He then joined Celtic and was sent out on loan to Swindon Town, Dundee and Lincoln City before a permanent move to Kilmarnock.

He came back to the Midlands in 2012 with Mansfield, moving on to Nuneaton, Basford, Belper Town, Carlton, Newark and Eastwood, before joining our hosts at the start of last season and has played in the English and Scottish Premiership and the Champions League.

Tom Cursons is a recent signing from Gainsborough Trinity. A talented striker who has already scored four goals in four games and was a regular scorer at Gainsborough too.

Midfielder Jamie Walker came from Basford in 2020, back for a second spell at the club. He was a regular goalscorer during a spell at Ilkeston and has played at Eastwood and Carlton too. He scored 20 goals last season and already has six to his name this term.

Defensive midfielder Danny Gordon is another former Mickleover player. He came from Belper for the start of 20/21 season. As well as Sports, he has also played for Ilkeston and Heanor.

Tyreece Robinson is a former Rams junior who was at Mickleover until January 2020 when he moved to Gresley Rovers.  After six months he moved to Belper Town for a year and was then at Frickley before his arrival at Grange Park in June. He also had a short spell at Loughborough Dynamo.

Midfielder Jamie McGuire was a team mate of Jamie Vardy’s at Fleetwood Town. He started as a Junior with Tranmere Rovers and was loaned to Northwich, before joining Cammell on his release. He played for Droylsden before joining Fleetwood in 2009 and four years later moved to Mansfield Town, making over 130 league appearances.

Boston Utd and AFC Mansfield followed before to coming to Long Eaton last season.

 Jack Rogers is another former Rams Academy player. A striker with six goals so far this season. He joined Ilkeston last August following his release and completed the season on an extended loan at Shepshed, before moving to Grange Park.

There is yet another Ex Mickleover player with Ben Gowing having recently arrived at our hosts. He came to Mickleover at the start of the 2020/21 season, having previously played for our junior side.

A former Dunkirk and Belper Town and Utd player, he came to us from Eastwood and left early last season. His first spell at Long Eaton was when he signed from Quorn in 2017 and he arrived back recently, after another spell at Quorn and Anstey Nomads.

Striker Alex Marshall is Tom’s elder brother and in his second spell at Long Eaton too. He left in 2017 to join Ilkeston and returned in February 2020, continuing his reputation as a prolific goalscorer. He once scored a 16 minute hattrick for Ilkeston at Loughborough.

When Rod Orlando-Young was signed in August, the attacking midfielder brought a vast career of experience with him. A former Exeter and Norwich City youngster, he was loaned to Bishop Stortford, before joining Welling Utd on his release.

He was then loaned to Grays, before a permanent move to Ware, but then headed north to Sheffield FC two years later. Newcastle Town, Ilkeston, Buxton, Gainsborough, Radcliffe and Grantham followed, before going to Frickley in January.

Jermaine Hollis is another experienced player, a former Jamaica Under 20 International, he spent much of his early career at Kidderminster, including a loan at Alvechurch, after being picked up from Eastwood.

He joined Hucknall Town following his release but rapidly moved on to Gresley Rovers, Rainworth, Eastwood, Carlton, Shepshed and Basford, before his first spell at Long Eaton in 2014/15.

Belper, Grantham, Coalville, Hednesford, Ilkeston, Newark Flowserve and Eastwood followed, before he came back to Long Eaton this year.

Brad Wilson is a full back who arrived pre-season 2019/20 and James Taylor is a midfielder, who has come through the clubs own youth scheme.

Riley Phillips has recently broken into the first team squad from the youth team, while Riece Bertram is the clubs newest signing. He has come from Basford, but has played for Matlock, Belper, Ilkeston and Carlton too.

Kick off is 7.45pm.

by Peter Scherer

Following two consecutive 1-4 defeats, Mickleover were keen to add to their points tally to stay in contention for a play-off place. But no one could have anticipated how the game against title challengers Leiston would start.

Line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Jake Scott 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Mitchell Rose 5-Ethan Mann 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Ollie Greaves. Subs: Lekan Osideko, James Butler, Lucas Yeomans, John McGrath.

Only 20 seconds on the clock and a long ball over the Leiston defence, found Dales on the right, whose chip had the beating of keeper Donkin, 1-0. Three minutes in, and against the best defence in the league, it was 2-0 with Beavon firing home.

The visitors then showed their grit when George Quantrell pulled one back after a cross from Ollie Saunders. So it was 2-1 and still only four minutes into the game.

There was another slight chance for Mickleover after 11 minutes when the keeper came well out of his goal, the ball was past him with Reeves chasing, but just too much pace on it to follow through.

Then two minutes later it was the visitors on the attack, with a ball from Mickleover’s right. The first shot from Joe Marsden was well saved by Hedge, before he then had to block the follow up from Seb Dunbar.

Leiston had started to gain the upperhand and were putting Mann and Watt under pressure in the middle of the Mickleover defence. Hedge made a fine diving save to his right to fend off a shot from Finlay Barnes after 16 minutes, before a Beavon cross was just out of Reeves’ reach at the other end.

But Hedge was soon busy again, with a great save from a Ben Fowkes effort 22 minutes in, before Barnes’ rebound shot was blocked and the danger cleared.

The home defence was finally breached again one minute later, when Quantrell set up Fowkes after Sports lost midfield possession, firing past Hedge, 2-2.

The equaliser triggered more activity from the Mickleover midfield, as Warren and Rose began to push forward, with Greaves and Dales starting to take the defence on.

Greaves tried his luck after 29 minutes, but his curling shot was held by Donkin, then Dales crossed from the left two minutes later, Beavon miskicked as Saunders tried to block him and Warren’s follow up shot was blocked.

Reeves then went close with a cross cum shot from the left, which almost rolled along the goal line, with no one there to put it home. Wilson then collected and sent a powerful shot just over the bar, earning a corner after a slight deflection.

Scott then put a dangerous cross in from the right after 39 minutes. Beavon managed to connect just, but he was unable to direct the ball and it went just over.

With two minutes left on the clock before half time Barnes had another shot saved by Hedge. Rose almost put Greaves in the clear too before Donkin intercepted and then Dales had the ball in the net but was deemed offside.

Osideko started the second half in place of Reeves, but Mickleover had come out positively and after 50 minutes Marsden had to clear off the line, before Greaves saw his header bounce off the cross bar.

After Hedge had easily dealt with a Marsden free kick, the Mickleover keeper was busy again, after saving Will Davies’ shot from a cross by Dunbar.

Just after the hour mark Dales got a cross in from the left, Osideko’s effort was just wide, with Beavon trying to connect too.

Warren had started to struggle after going over on his ankle and after 70 minutes he was replaced by Butler, and Wilson was pushed forward into midfield.

Leiston were pressing again however and four minutes later a Barnes cross put over the bar by the Mickleover defence, before Hedge punched the resulting corner clear.

Hutchings then headed wide from a Quantrell corner for the visitors, before Rose was tripped on the edge of the box. Wilson stepped up to take the free kick, beat the wall but his shot hit the bar with a slight deflection.

Adam Mills fired a late free kick straight at Hedge, but then there was one last chance for Mickleover. Greaves had a shot following a corner, then Wilson came in with the keeper intercepting with just inches to spare.

Despite having led, it was a good solid point against a strong team and now we look forward to Tuesday night’s Derbyshire Senior Cup game at Long Eaton, before we face Kings Langley at the Don Amott Arena next Saturday.

By Peter Scherer

Looking to get back to winning ways after two defeats on the road, Mickleover host title contenders Leiston on Saturday afternoon.

Currently second in the table, one point from top and with two games in hand, Darren Eadie and Chris Wigger’s side beat Sports 1-3 back in August.

They lost at home to Kings Langley on August 29^th and at Basford two days previous, but have been undefeated ever since, having beat Redditch 2-1 at home last Saturday.

Mickleover’s defence will have to tighten up considerably too, having conceded 11 goals in the last three matches, with the visitors strike force the most successful in the league.

Joint Manager Eadie is a former Norwich City, Leicester City and England Under 21 midfielder and has been in joint charge with Wigger since March 2020.

Goalkeeper Sam Donkin was signed from Biggleswade in November 2019, having previously played for Whitehawk and Stamford. He has recently made his 100^th appearance for our visitors.

Full back Wyatt Hill was a pre-season arrival, having come from Wroxham in June following a spell in US College football.

Captain and left back Seb Dunbar came from Stowmarket in July 2021. He was an Ipswich Town Junior and also played for Maldon/Tiptree, Bishop Stortford and Bury Town. It’s his third spell at Leiston.

Centre back Adam Bailey-Dennis has 12 years experience under his belt. He started at Aveley, before moving to Bury Town. His path then took him via  Bromley, Bishop Stortford, Hemel and Chelmsford, before joining our visitors in October 2020.

Fellow centre back Jake Hutchings has travelled far and wide since starting out at as a junior with Leyton and Torquay. 

Grays, Weymouth and Frome preceded a spell at Hearts, returning south of the border with Enfield. He then moved on again before arriving at Leiston for his first spell in 2016. He left after a year but came back in December 2019, from Braintree and finally came back again for the third time from Kingstonian in May 2021.

Midfielder Rossi Jarvis was capped at under 18 and under 19 by England and was a Norwich City junior. He was loaned to Torquay and Rotherham, before joining Luton Town on his release and netted almost 100 appearances as a league player.

Spells at Barnet, Cambridge Utd and Lowestoft followed, before joining Leiston from Dereham Town pre-season.

Brother Ryan has England caps as an under 16, 17 and 19. He started at Norwich City too and was loaned to Colchester, Leyton Orient, Kilmarnock and Notts County, before joining Orient on his release.

After many more moves he settled back in East Anglia with Lowestoft in 2015. Then after a move to Kings Lynn he returned to Lowestoft, from where Leiston signed him in July. He played in every division of the football league and the Scottish Premier, with well over 300 appearances.

Another former Norwich junior is midfielder George Quantrill. He arrived at Leiston in May 2021, after spells at Dereham and Stowmarket.

Another midfielder and another former Norwich junior, Zach Dronfield came from Hampton & Richmond in July. He had previously been at Wealdstone.

Fellow midfielder Finley Barnes has followed a similar path too, but he came straight to Leiston in July 2020 on his release from Norwich.

Striker Will Davies is a prolific goal scorer, having arrived at Leiston in 2018. He has played well over 100 games since his arrival, scoring 50 goals, 19 of which were last season! He has already scored 12 goals this season and is the leagues second highest scorer.

Joe Marsden is mainly an attacking midfielder who is in his second season with our visitors, since arriving from Needham Market. He was previously at Lowestoft Town and came back to Leiston in June last year after three years away, recently making his 100^th club appearance.

Another midfielder, Adam Mills was signed in July last year from Needham Market. He has also played for Maldon/Tiptree and Sudbury Town.

Left back Ollie Saunders came from Braintree in November 2019. He started as a Norwich junior too, before moving on to Grimsby Town.

Just for a change midfielder Nya Mesuria started out at Ipswich Town. He was released in July last year and came to Leiston in December, after a short spell at Billericay.

Another former Norwich youngster, striker Jamie Eaton-Collins came from Sudbury in July 2020 and has played for Concord Rangers too.

Oliver Godbold is a young midfielder that came through their own youth. He is currently recovering from a knee operation.

Ben Fowkes was signed initially on loan from Braintree in September and has quickly become another prolific scorer. A talented striker who was previously at Needham Market too

Centre back Josh Okopolkpo arrived in September too. His yet to make his first start and was previously a Huddersfield Town junior.

Midfielder Jake Spooner was a pre-season arrival from Harleston Town and has played for Beccles Town too.

Reserve keeper Sonny Wright is a former Rushden & Diamonds player and finally Iuri Mendes-Fernandes is a midfielder who has been at Leiston for a couple of season.

Kick off 12:30pm at the Don Amott Arena, so there’s plenty of time to get from the Pride Park early kick off.

By Peter Scherer

Two more signed goalkeeper shirts were donated to the Fin Bowen tribute auction over the last week.

Coalville skipper handed the first to Mickleover’s Phil Watt on Saturday. Hitchin’s Charlie Horlock not only handed the signed shirt to Mickleover’s Jonathan Hedge, but a framed signed shirt from former England keeper Joe Hart.

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover hadn’t played Hitchin Town in a league match before last Saturday’s encounter, but on our last visit to Top Field we went down 0-3 in the FA Trophy.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10 Stuart Beavon 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Jake Scott, Lekan Osideko, Phil Watt, Mason Warren, Pablo Mills.

It couldn’t have started worse for Mickleover when barely into the second minute Hedge seemed to be wanting to pass out from the back, but the defence failed to pick up on the intention and Diogo Freitas Gouveia intercepted and gave Hitchin a very early lead, 0-1.

A couple of minutes later Rose put in a strong shot for Sports just wide of the post, but as they tried to push forward, the hosts defence kept any threat at bay.

13 minutes in and it was another defensive error, when Dolan lost possession close in on the left and Steve Cawley fired the ball home, 0-2.

Beavon and Reeves were having to come deep to try and pick up the ball, which saw Mickleover struggle to break out of their own half.

A free kick after 14 minutes came to nought after Beavon was fouled on the edge of the box and it was Beavon again eight minutes getting a shot on the break, but failed to trouble keeper Charlie Horlock, who saved easily.

It was soon getting worse when Mann was at fault , against losing the ball as the last man, after a cross from Ashley Hay. Cawley picked it up for his second and Hitchin’s third, after 24 minutes, 0-3.

Every attack from Hitchin was beginning to look like a serious threat on goal, as the Mickleover defence lacked cohesion and struggled to relieve the continuous pressure.

Dales managed to get a rare run down the left, but his shot was easily saved and after 27 minutes Dales broke again heading for a one on one with the advancing keeper, who got there fractionally earlier than the Mickleover player.

Cawley had another shot over the bar on the half hour, before Rio Da Silva put another effort just past the left-hand post.

Wilson and Rose tried to be creative, playing out to the wings from fairly deep. Both Yeomans and Dolan had their paths down the wings virtually cut off by the home defence, but Wilson finally got a ball through to Greaves on the left, who was then fouled.

Two consecutive free kicks failed to succeed, but then a creative build up on the right from Dales, found Beavon in the middle, with both time and space. A quick turn and it was in the back of the net, 1-3 after 44 minutes.

Only a minute later Reeves got a run into the box, the ball was handled as a defender raised his arm, but the referee awarded a corner, which Mann headed over. So it remained 1-3 as the half-time whistle blew, with hopes of a drastic recovery from Mickleover in the second-half.

Barely had the second half got underway when there was a handball in the Mickleover box, but fortunately the referee failed to see this either, which cancelled out the penalty he failed to give for Mickleover in the first half.

It was a more positive start from Mickleover, and for a while there was some optimism that they could salvage something from the game.

A Wilson free kick was fired into the wall and found Dolan on the left. Dales then picked up and Horlock made a diving save to give Mickleover a corner.

Greaves then hit the bar after 55 minutes and cracked in a another shot a few minutes later after a Dolan cross, before Beavon almost broke through on the hour, had the keeper beaten, but the shot was deflected.

Warren was on for Dolan, as Sports had another shot whistle past the left-hand post. Then after 70 minutes Warren sent Reeves on a run down the left, his shot brought a diving save from Horlock and another corner.

But a minute later Hitchin had their first real chance of the half, with Bradley Bell unmarked on the left, he made it 1-4 for the hosts.

Osideko was on for Reeves and Scott for Dales and although there were a few more Mickleover shots before the final whistle, they were mostly deflected and posed no real threat.

So it’s back down to sixth in the table, but with no midweek match, we now face high flying Leiston at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

By Peter Scherer

It’s back down the M1 again on Saturday as Mickleover take on Hitchin Town in the Southern Premier League Central Division.

Our last visit to Hitchin ended with an FA Trophy defeat a couple of years ago, but despite being in 11^th place in the table, Mark Burke’s side have only been beaten once at home, by title contenders Leiston.

A five gamel unbeaten run came to an end last Saturday though when they went down 2-4 at local rivals Royston, before taking all three points at home to Rushden & Diamonds on Monday night.

Mickleover will be hoping Stuart Beavon will be fit to rejoin the squad on Saturday, along with Joe Bateman, as we seek to hold onto our current play-off place.

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 hosts a year later, before moving to Eastbourne.

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.

Kye Tearle is a defender of 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 last year 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.

Defender or midfielder Malaki Black arrived from MK Dons in July last year, while fellow midfielder Bradley Bell arrived for his second spell during the summer, 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 made his move to our hosts became permanent following his release during the summer. He has scored four goals in his last four 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 in 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 is a more recent arrival, having come from Rushden & Diamonds in September. The striker scored both goals in the win against his former club last Monday.  He was 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 in August.

Josh Coldicott-Stevens is a 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.

Defender Alfie Warman was a new signing from Baldock Town in August. 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 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.

Midfielder George Joyce was only signed earlier this from Aylesbury Utd. He was previously at Boreham Wood and Kempton and is yet to make his first start.

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.

Kick off at Top Field is 3pm and we will hoping for dry spell between now and then, as the pitch is grass.

by Peter Scherer

We always knew it would be a tough night at promotion seeking Coalville Town, but for almost an hour a point was certainly a possibility.

Stating line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Lekan Osideko 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Ben Horleston, Pablo Mills, Ethan Mann, Mason Warren.

Mickleover made a late change to the starting 11 with Lekan Osideko making his first start in place of Stuart Beavon.

In the opening minutes it was fairly even, but Osideko looked quick, sharp and keen to impress.

Coalville’s Paul White was the first of the keepers to be tested, when Greaves fired a shot in from just outside the box. Sports seemed more fired up than the hosts and after a precise build up on the left between Dolan and Dales eight minutes in, Wilson fired in a curling shot. Initially White was going the wrong way, but managed to turn in the air to save, Osideko then put the rebound into the side netting.

Two minutes later Coalville had their first chance when Luke Shaw’s cross found Billy Kee. Hedge saved the shot and from the following corner, before the rebound shot was well wide.

There was another attempt from our hosts four minutes later, again high and wide, but overall it was still fairly even.

But 18 minutes in and Mickleover were so close to the opening goal, when Jake Eggleton completely missed his clearance, it fell to Osideko and his shot came back off the post.

As Coalville cleared their lines and Shaw made a break, outpaced the defence and found Chambers, who fired home against the run of play, 0-1.

Eliot Putnam then tried his luck for the hosts, but that was well over too.

There were appeals for a Mickleover penalty after 26 minutes. Dolan, Osideko and Dales had linked up well on the left and earned a corner. As Dales cut inside he was tripped just inside the penalty area, but the referee saw otherwise.

Wilson’s free kick was easily cleared, but three minutes later Osideko broke clear on the right, but he was on his own and his cross into the middle went to waste.

Rose but a great ball down the right for Yeomans to chase, but the defence just got their first and shortly after the half hour Reeves managed to meet a Wilson cross, but was unable to direct his header.

There was a bit of s scramble after a 36^th Coalville free kick, but after that was cleared, Mickleover had one more chance before half time. After a long build up no one was having a crack at goal, then Dales tried to follow a Yeomans cross and was fouled.

Mickleover could count themselves as very unlucky to be a goal down as on the balance of play they had the upperhand over the 45 minutes.

Chitiza opened the second half with a header just wide for the hosts, before a strong run from Greaves sent Yeomans on a run, earning another corner.

Mickleover then finally got their break with Dales finding himself clear on the left. His curling shot had White beaten on his far post and it was in the top corner, 1-1.

For a while it was Sports in the ascendancy, with Yeomans on another run down the right, his cross beat the defence, but his team mates too.

But after 53 minutes the tide began to turn and the Mickleover defence starting to come under repeated attack from the hosts strike force. 

There had been one goal mouth scramble cleared, but then Chambers fired in his second, after a one two with Chitiza. Hedge got to the shot, but couldn’t keep it out as it squeezed in by the near post, 1-2.

Kee put in a dangerous cross just missing Chambers and then Chitiza forced a double save from Hedge after 62 minutes.

Four minutes later and it was 1-3, when George Wilson went straight through the defence and slotted it past the advancing Hedge.

Apart from on occasional break giving Sports defence a brief respite, they were virtually torn apart by the hosts for the rest of the match.

Warren came on for Rose after 70 minutes, but Coalville were managing to get around the back of the defence with relative ease, before taking some random shots on goal.

Shaw had a couple of shots wide, but after 76 minutes Chambers was on for a hattrick, jinking his way through the defence, with no one making a tackle, only to put his final shot wide. Two minutes later though Kee made it 1-4, after Shaw set him up.

Mills came on for Reeves and with eight minutes left Osideko had a shot saved and earned a corner. It was a late flurry by Mickleover and when Dales found Osideko in the box, the striker had his back to goal and failed to make the turn for a shot.

Mann came on for Yeomans for the final minutes, but it was more bombardment from Coalville to the final whistle, with one almost clear goal attempt missed by the hosts.

So Mickleover remain fourth in the table still, but were well beaten on the night and now look forward to our visit to Hitchin Town on Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Back into fourth in the table after Saturday’s win over Stratford, Mickleover will be seeking revenge over Coalville Town, following their 2-4 win at the Don Amott Arena.

Manager Adam Stevens has managed to keep a fairly stable sign over the last couple of months, which has seen their league position suffer, but brought FA Cup success.

Formerly top of the table, they are now five points behind Mickleover, with three games in hand, currently eighth in the table.

Their win against Notts County will go down in club history, after it earned them the first round proper tie at Charlton Athletic.

Without a game last Saturday, their last league outing was a 2-2 draw at Hitchin, after drawing 1-1 in their last home game against Stratford. October 24^th saw their last league victory  3-1 at home to Kings Langley.

Keeper Paul White came from Peterborough Sports in July, having started out with Cork City in his native Ireland.

His first English club was Forest Green, who also loaned him to Gloucester, before joining Boreham Wood following his release. He has also played for Accrington, Kettering, Hereford and St Ives.

Former Grimsby junior midfielder Andi Thanoj was also a July signing, from Boston Utd. He has also played for Alfreton, Harrogate and Redditch.

Midfielder Tendai Chitiza is a newcomer too, he started at Leicester Nirvana, before moving onto Gresley Rovers, before a year in Serbia with CSK Celarevo and FK TSC. He returned to the UK with Stamford in July 2019, from where Coalville picked him up.

Striker Ash Chambers was a Leicester City youth player, with over 200 league appearances under his belt, with the likes of Wycombe, Grimsby, York, Cambridge Utd, Dagenham & Redbridge, before non-league spells at Nuneaton, Kidderminster and Brackley. He came to Coalville after a year at Buxton and was on the scoresheet against scored their goal against Charlton Athletic in the recent FA 1sr round defeat.

Midfielder George Wilson arrived in July too. A former Blackburn junior, he played for Loughborough University after his release and had a spell in Sweden with Ljungskile SK before arriving at Coalville. 

Second choice keeper Jake Laban was a pre-season signing, having arrived from Burton Albion.

Skipper Joe Doyle-Charles has been Coalville for four years. The midfielder started out as a Burton Albion Youth player and joined Ilkeston on his release in 2015. He has also played for Alfreton and came to Coalville from Matlock Town.

Midfield partner Tom McGlinchey can go one better, as he arrived from Leicester Road five years ago. 

Striker Tim Berridge is another longer serving player, since arriving from Dunkirk in 2018 and has scored 66 goals since his arrival, 22 of them last season.

Defender Elliott Putman came in from Barwell in September 2021.  He started out at Leicester City and has also played for Stamford and Oadby.

Alex Dean is the longest serving of al the squad, having rejoined our visitors for the second time in 2014. He back from Solihull Moors, but has also played at Nuneaton Town alongside his twin brother and Bedworth Utd.

Right back Jake Eggleton was a West Ham youth player, who joined Hendon on his release in 2018. After a short spell at Hampton & Richmond he went to Loughborough University, arriving at Coalville in August 2020.

Veteran centre back Chris Robertson has had a long and varied career, which kicked off as a Sheffield Utd Junior. After loans at Chester and Torquay he had 18 months at Preston North End, moving on via Port Vale, Ross County, AFC Wimbledon, Swindon, Havant & Waterlooville and Ilkeston. 

He came to Coalville in July 2020 after six months at Grantham and has played over 300 league games in his career with 16 goals.

Midfielder Connor Smith came from Loughborough University in 2020, after being a Nottingham Forest Youth team player.

Luke Shaw is another midfielder who favours the wing. He was signed from Grantham in 2018 and scored 12 goals last season.

The oldest player in the squad at 37 is midfielder Steve Towers, now starting his sixth year with the club since signing from Brackley. He started at Corby and has played for Rothwell, Stamford and Grantham too.

Striker Billy Kee came from Accrington in September 2020, but started his career at Leicester City. After a loan at Accrington he joined Torquay, before moving to Burton, Scunthorpe and Mansfield. He then spent five years at Accrington before his Coalville move.

Having started out at Coalville, defender Kian Taylor was picked up by Leicester City, before spending three years with Shrewsbury Town. During this period he came on loan back to Coalville, with the move becoming permanent in August 2020.

Striker Ronnie Morley is a product of Coalville’s own youth programme and has also had a loan spell at Anstey Nomad’s. He made his league debut with two appearances last season.

Prince Ogunmekan is another midfielder signed from Loughborough University and is yet to make his first team debut.

Former St Etienne Junior centre back Herve pepe-Ngomi has just returned to the club, having left in September last year to join Barwell. He played junior football at Leicester City too and also played for Nuneaton, Boston Utd and Kettering.

Kick off as usual 7.45pm and it’s only about 20 miles down the road, so ALL the Red Army support will be more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover returned to fourth in the Southern Premier League Central table after a 4-3 win against Stratford Town at the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Ethan Mann 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy dales 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Brandon Ferron, Lekan Osideko, Pablo Mills, Jake Scott, Mason Warren.

A strong opening attack from Mickleover saw Beavon charge through the visiting defence, with keeper O’Brien just reaching the ball ahead of the chasing Dales.

Only three minutes in Dales was through again and the keeper saved his shot with one leg as he was heading the wrong way.

The early pressure continued and only one minute later Reeves outpaced Martin Riley and beat the keeper on his near post, 1-0.

Reeves was nearly in on goal again two minutes later, once again outpacing the defence, before firing his shot into the side netting.

Stratford hadn’t really been in the game until they got a free kick on the Mickleover right. The ball was sent into the edge of the box, where Riley’s header found the back of the net for the equaliser, 1-1 after 15 minutes.

For about 10 minutes the Mickleover defence seemed to have gone to sleep and were lucky not to concede again.

William Grocott was clean through, but his shot was fired over the bar after 17 minutes and there was a succession of corners, from which the visitors failed to capitalise.

Reeves was then booked for a foul on Sam Wilding, who carried on with a bandaged head after a lengthy stoppage, but the following free kick was wasted.

In midfield Rose was having a mixed game, solid and dependable at times and giving the ball away at times too. In the 31^st minute he lost possession and Andre Wright was clear. His initial shot was blocked, before Hedge made the save.

Dales then started a Mickleover attack, found Beavon, but the shot was blocked. Then Wilson combined with Dales down the left after 35 minutes, the ball was sent into the box, where Beavon’s effort was just wide again.

Sports were back in charge and looking strong, getting their reward in the 39^th minute. It was Wilson and Dales combining on the left again, but this time Beavon pivoted and fired the ball in to restore the Mickleover lead, 2-1.

The attacks continued to flow with Yeomans and Greaves becoming more effective on the right too. But in the 45^th minute Beavon was fouled on the edge of the box. A four-man wall was infiltrated by a grinning Greaves, but Wilson stepped up and fired his kick straight over the wall into the roof of the net, to send us into half time 3-1 up.

With Stratford having failed to win way this season and a two-goal lead, there was quite rightly an air of confidence, but that soon changed.

Hedge was called into action after 50 minutes, when Watt lost out in a chase. Hedge came out and half saved, but the rebound fell to Grocott and it was 3-2.

Reeves had taken a knock on his ankle in the first half and was replaced by Osideko, but Sports pushed forward but continued to look susceptible to the breaks.

As the hour mark approached, Hedge had to tip a Wilding effort over the bar, but Stratford continued to push for the equaliser again, which again left their defence vulnerable.

Dales sent a long ball over the defence, but it was too long for Osideko to catch and then Butler had a charge from defence and had his effort saved by O’Brien.

Stratford were still looking dangerous though and Jamie Molyneux crossed for a fellow striker, who fired over with the goal at his mercy.

Molyneaux then got through himself after pushing Wilson out of the way, he was clear on goal and put it wide though, as Mickleover had gone from comfortable looking winners, to holding.

73 minutes and Osideko was clear, after calls for offside were waved away, he chipped the advancing keeper, but his shot hit the far post and went out.

Hedge was then busy keeping the visitors out, with a 75^th minute save, followed by another string of corners.

Both sides were looking for points from the game and Beavon almost found Dales, but the ball was too long, before Warren was brought on for Greaves.

Beavon continued his tremendous work rate and with 10 minutes left sent Dales down the left, but his pinpoint pass missed Rose’s right foot by just inches.

86 minutes and Mikey Taylor broke through the defence and it was level again 3-3, so Mickleover swapped Scott for Rose for the battle to the final whistle.

There was time to be added on but in the final minute of normal time Osideko was clear again, but this time on the left. He was on side and had the keeper beaten from a tight angle, his first goal and Mickleover were back in front 4-3.

The three points were secure but it hard been a tough second half, with some woeful defending at times, as the absence of Dolan and the combination Butler, Watt and Mann at the back just didn’t seem to flow.

It’s now onto Coalville on Tuesday night.