by Peter Scherer

It’s FA Cup time again on Saturday, when Mickleover travel to Stourbridge for their third qualifying round fixture.

Seven years ago the Glass Boys knocked Mickleover out of the Cup, but Sports are now aiming to reach the fourth qualifying round for the first time in their history.

It’s been a mixed start to the season for our hosts, who knocked out Matlock in the last FA Cup round 2-0 and are currently mid table in the league

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

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

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

Goalkeeper Charlie Price is in his second spell at the club, having left to join Alvechurch in June 2016, before returning three years later. Price was sent off in last weekends league defeat at Stamford.

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

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. He also looks after the clubs Academy.

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.

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. He s currently club captain.

Midfielder Harry Lewis made his first team debut in 21/22  season, after coming through the clubs academy. He has also had a few games for Team Dudley.

Norwegian 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 in 2022 with Truro City and had two months at Hednesford, before coming to Stourbridge last December

Alex Prosser is another ex Aston Villa Junior. A midfielder, he was loaned to Brackley before a permanent move to Kidderminster. He started last season at Leamington, before joining the Glassboys on loan for the majority of 22/23. His move became permanent in July.

Midfielder Dexter Walters started at Romulus, he then moved on to Tamworth, and returned there after a short spell at Coventry City.

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

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, staying eight years before moving to Rushall. He moved onto Worcester but had time out with an injury and has been back at Stourbridge since March 2021, having made over 350 appearances.

Joel Sambrook is a young right back, who arrived on a three month loan from Solihull Moors at the start of the season.

Centre back Harvey Portman started off at the War Memorial Ground, before leaving our hosts for Hednesford at the beginning of last year. After a few weeks at Bromsgrove he returned to Hednesford, but had planned to start this season at Stratford, until his return to Stourbridge came off.

Jessy Bavanganga is another centre back who came in pre-season from Leek Town.

Winger Nial Flint started his career at Shrewsbury Town, before going  to Telford on his release. After stays at Scarborough and Matlock he spent the next few years in the Welsh League, firstly at Newtown and latterly at Cefn Druids and Aberystwyth, from where he joined our hosts pre-season.

Midfielder Brendon Daniels is an experienced midfielder who started out at the Academies of Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.

His next club was Chester, moving on to Tamworth, Harrogate, Fylde and Alfreton, before being spotted by Port Vale. He was loaned to Altrincham and Telford, before a permanent move to the latter. He came to the Glassboys in August and has seven League One appearances on his CV.

Striker Luke Benbow has spent most of his career in the West Midlands, starting out at Solihull. After a spell at Redditch he made his first stop at Stourbridge in 2012 and stayed three years before moving to Hednesford.

A year later he came back for one season, before returning to Solihull, who loaned him back to Stourbridge. He came back permanently in July 2018, before a year at Nuneaton preceded his latest return to our hosts.

Originally a Walsall Junior, Midfielder Aaron Forde at Stourbridge for the second time in pre-season. He joined Romulus after his Walsall release, moving on to Bedworth, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield and Rushall, before joining the Glassboys in 2017.

After three years he moved to Nuneaton, being loaned to Sutton Coldfield, before his Stourbridge return.

Midfielder Jack Fletcher arrived in June from Tividale, after just one impressive season in senior football.

It’s an all ticket match, with the usual 3pm kick off. Mickleover will ne hoping that Andy Dales will be fit after missing the last two games, but Rhys Dolan and Will Trueman are still on the injury list.

by Peter Scherer

Two goals from Oliver Greaves secured another three points for Mickleover, as they kept their 100 per cent record, with a 2-1 win at Barwell last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Joe Bateman 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Ben Sault 8-Dan Bradley 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Callum Chettle, Jim Pollard, Sam Tomlinson, Andre Wright, Brandon Ferron.

Barwell were first on the attack with Mann heading away the opening corner of the game. But after six minutes Barnes made a break down the right, finding Greaves in the centre, but his shot was blocked.

Only a couple of minutes later Barnes burst through again and almost made it into the box, before his path was blocked too.

Mickleover settled quickly and began to push forward, with Sault earning a corner after 10 minutes.

As the home defence started to be pegged back, Barnes again outpaced his chaser on the right to fire in another cross, which was met by the advancing Greaves, who scored from a tightening angle, 1-0.

Despite Barwell earning a couple of corners in the following minutes, they came to nought with Bosworth in the Mickleover untroubled.

Sports were oozing with confidence and were able to slow the game down to walking pace at times. Greaves was almost clear on another run after 18 minutes, but Bateman’s long ball proved a little too long.

Barwell continued to work hard to push forward, but found the presence of Bradley and Atkinson in front of Bateman, Delap, Mann and Wilson a solid unit to try and pierce

Rowe had the first real shot for Barwell after 21 minutes, just wide of the left-hand post and then Delap tripped Holman, but the following free kick was well off target.

Greaves pace continued to trouble the home defence on the left, ably supported by the overlapping Wilson, which also allowed Atkinson a break, firing over the bar after 26 minutes.

Sault was working hard to progress too, creating space for his own shot after 29 minutes, held firmly by keeper Griffiths.

Despite Mickleover’s dominance, they were no nearer to a second goal, but another Bateman run on the right found Beavon in the middle. His lay-off found Sault but the final shot was too high.

Greaves then managed to beat three defenders before running into trouble, but Barwell were still pushing for the equaliser, and although dangerous on the break, they seemed to lack a finish.

Both Delap and Mann made a number of interceptions with their heads and their feet, but a nice cross field ball from Delap after 41 minutes, found Beavon. His shot was just wide, but the ball went free across the box and needed a follow up.

Bradley was booked for a foul on Enoru, but Kerr’s free kick was wide of the mark and Bosworth had it covered, as it remained 1-0 at half time.

It was a far more even start to the second half, but after 52 minutes Barnes got clear on the right again, but his cross went out.

For a few minutes it looked liked Mickleover were turning the screw again, but Bosworth was in action after a half-hearted Barwell attack.

As the hour mark approached, the hosts had grown in stature and most of the play was in the Mickleover half, with Barwell now controlling midfield.

Bateman was yellow carded when he appeared to fall over a defender, but the following Barwell shot was blocked. Enoru then went solo, but ran into a crowded box, where his shot was blocked.

Sports had gone off the boil and Barwell seemed to be looking ever closer to an equaliser. But again they lacked someone who could finish some promising moves.

Cursons put a header wide for Barwell after 72 minutes, and Mickleover then made their first change with Chettle on for Barnes.

Rowe then tugged Greaves back as he attempted a rare second half charge, but the ref let it go, but shortly afterwards Wilson was booked.

Wright then came on for Beavon as Mickleover started to push forward again with 20 minutes left.

A long ball out of Sports defence sent Sault on a chase, but Griffiths was off his line and got there first. Then Barwell had a golden chance when after 86 minutes the fell threateningly into the box, with no one to receive it.

A minute later Mann charged down the field but lost control  before he could pass, but five minutes were being added on.

There had been few chances for Mickleover in the second half, but after 91 minutes Chettle started a move on the right and as the ball came over Greaves was there again to make it 2-0.

Barwell responded with a shot high and wide, but after 93 minutes they pulled one back with Kamara heading home a Kerr free kick. 2-1.

The final few minutes were full on attack from Barwell with appeals for a penalty waved away. The whistle finally went and it was another three points, in a definite game of two halves.

There is no league action now until October 14^th when we face Royston at home, as next week it’s FA Cup at Stourbridge followed by return to Barwell in the FA Trophy a week later.

by Peter Scherer

Saturday’s 5-0 win over AFC Sudbury made it nine out nine wins and made it an eight point gap. But Mickleover are in action again tonight when we visit 12^th in the table Barwell.

They drew 0-0 at Hitchin last Saturday, but have won three out four of their home games so far this season , but went down 0-2 when Leamington visited two weeks ago.

Manager Ian King has been in charge since May 2022 and his team this season, retains the majority of players from 22/23.

First choice keeper Harry Griffiths was picked up by Crystal Place, after being spotted at Horsham. He then moved on to AFC Wimbledon, who loaned him to Burgess Hill, before a permanent move to Nottingham Forest in July. He is currently on loan from Forest for the rest of this year.

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 for the start of last 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 at the beginning of last season, has pace and a flair for goal.

Defender George Ward was 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 in September 2022.

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.

Right back Josh Flanagan is a former Northampton Town Junior, who has arrived from Brackley last March after a loan spell at Kettering.

Sid Kerr is a defensive midfielder and arrived from Loughborough Students at the beginning of last season. He has also been on the books at Everton, Chelsea and Brighton.

Deen Master is a midfielder who attends Nottingham Trent University and has also played for Leicester Nirvana.

Jahvan Davidson-Miller needs no introduction having started last season at Mickleover. A former Rams Junior, he was at Barwell before coming to Mickleover too.

Striker Dan Holman is a vastly experienced player.His junior football was in Northampton and with Moulton Magpies and Long Buckby, before joining Cogenhoe Utd.

A return to Long Buckby was followed by Oxford City, Histon and Braintree, before joining Colchester Utd, who loaned him to Wrexham, Aldershot, Dover Athletic and Woking.

He went to Cheltenham after his release and further loaned to Boreham Wood and Leyton Orient, joining Aldershot again on his release. Kettering, Brackley and Torquay followed before a year out preceded his pre-season arrival at Barwell.

Miguel Ngwa is another pre-season signing. A midfielder, he is a former Northampton Town Junior,and was at Rushden & Diamonds and Rushall Olympic before his release in July.

Striker Tom Cursons came from Long Eaton in August. He began with the Metropolitan Police and was loaned to Badshot Lea. He moved to Hartley Whitney in December 2021 and to Gainsborough only a month later. A further move to Long Eaton in December 2022 preceded his arrival at Barwell.

Defender Ruben Freeman came in from Highgate Utd last season and fellow defender MJ Kamara is a former Lincoln City Academy player.

We won 5-2 at Barwell last year, but lost 2-3 at home and will be looking to add to our successes this season. Kick off is 7.45 and your support would be welcomed as it’s only 35 miles away!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover continued their unbeaten run with another dominating performance against newly promoted AFC Sudbury.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Oli Greaves 8-Dan Bradley 9-Andre Wright 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Be Sault. Subs: Marcus Barnes, James Pollard, Joe Bateman, Sam Tomlinson, Brandon Ferron.

Mickleover were straight on the pace from the word go, seeking their ninth successive league win. But Sudbury’s defence held tight until a careless push in the box from Dickens after seven minutes gave Sports a penalty.

Wright duly stepped up to open the scoring, giving Mickleover the extra push to add further to their 1-0 tally.

The visitors managed to hit the bar and Dickens almost made amends with a good effort following a corner.

Visiting keeper Bradbrook pulled off a good save but after 25 minutes there was another penalty for Mickleover, after Romario handled in the box. Wright stepped up again and it was 2-0.

But Sudbury continued to seek out opportunities again and Oli was unlucky when he hit the bar, before Romario’s rebound effort hit the side netting.

Mickleover were on the attack too though with Bradbrook kept busy up to the half time whistle.

The visitors hit the bar again early in the second half, but with the solid back four of Bennett, Delap, Mann and Wilson the chances were becoming more restricted.

On the hour Sault hit home to make it 3-0, before Bosworth was in action again for Sports.

Mickleover were hungry for more and after 81 minutes Wright was gifted a free header to make it 4-0.

There was still more to come after Bradbrook seemingly had the ball under control initially, but Mann’s effort still crossed the line to make it a resounding 5-0 victory.

SO top of the table consolidated, nine points clear, a goal difference of +26 and another clean sheet.

by Peter Scherer

We welcome newly promoted AFC Sudbury to the Don Amott Arena on Saturday afternoon, as Mickleover return to league action following last weekends FA Cup success.

There are a couple of concerns for Mickleover boss John McGrath after last weeks match, “hopefully Marcus Barnes will be fit again, but Dalesy looks like a longer recovery, but we hope to have him fit for the next round of the FA Cup,” he said, after both were taken off last weekend.

Sudbury, the yellows or the Suds are currently 17^th in the table, with one win so far at Nuneaton on Bank Holiday weekend. They went out of the FA Cup last week to Hitchin Town too.

Manager Marc Abbott has been in charge since June and previously managed Haverhill Rovers and St.Neots Town and is currently Cambridge Utd’s Elite Scholarship manager too.

Goalkeeper James Bradbrook was the clubs first summer signing from Stowmarket Town. He started out at Needham Market, before joining Brightlingsea Regent. After a loan spell at Stowmarket his stay became permanent.

Right back Joe Tarpey is another new signing. A former Cambridge Utd Junior, he spent last season on loan with St.Neots Town.

Daniel Cousens is a right back too, and is a former Ipswich Junior, who arrived in July following his release.

Striker Joe Neal has scored most of the clubs goals so far this season, Another former Cambridge Utd Junior, he was loaned to Needham Market and St.Neots, before joining Biggleswade after a further loan spell. He moved to St.Albans in February last year, and was another pre-season arrival at Sudbury.

Winger Michael Bareck arrived during the summer too, he started out at Ipswich and had spent the last year at Bowers & Pitsea.

Former Manchester City Academy striker Romario Dunne has recently returned from a cruciate ligament injury after an 18 month absence. He was signed from Cheshunt in June 2021 and had a spell on loan at Braintree too, as well as playing for Brightlingsea Regent and Hadleigh Utd.

Centre back Tom Dickens continues the pre-season signing trend. Another ex Cambridge Utd Junior, he had loans at St.Neots and Chelmsford City before joining Welling Utd on his release. He quickly moved on to Cheshunt, who loaned him back to St.Neots, where he completed last season.

Midfielder Ben Hunter came through Sudbury’s own Academy, before moving to Leiston in June 2021. He came back to the club last season, but had a loan spell at Stowmarket too. He is one of the few Sudbury players remaining from last season.

Ola Bello is a former Ipswich Academy striker. He was loaned out to Lowestoft and joined Brentwood on his release. He has also played for Bowes & Pitsea and is another pre-season signing.

Centre back Josh Okpolokpo played his early football with Ipswich and Huddersfield, including a loan at Pontefract Collieries, before joining Leiston in September last year. He spent most of last season on loan at Gorleston on a dual registration.

Olumide Oluwatimilehin is a midfielder known as Olu, a summer signing from Haywards Heath. He started at Hoddesdon and has played for Whitehawk, Hornchurch, Wingate & Finchley, Braintree, Kingstonian and Lewes.

Right back Ollie Brown is one of last years team survivors. He came from Stowmarket in June last year.

Defender Reiss Oteng arrived in the summer from Biggleswade, he has played at Haverhill Rovers and West Wratting too.

Midfielder or defender Charlie Lewis arrived pre-season from St.Neots, having previously spent a couple of seasons at Histon. 

Andre Edionhon Silvera is the latest of the new arrivals, barely a week ago, the midfielder came from Stratford.

George Whitehall is the second choice keeper. An ex Cambridge Utd Junior, he was signed from St.Neots, but has played for Whitton Utd and Godmanchester Rovers too, before joining Sudbury’s influx of summer signings.

Central midfielder Reuben Swann is one of the recent Sudbury Academy players to break into the first team., scoring his first senior goal in the FA Cup tie at Mildenhall. Defender Jamie Everleigh, striker Jamie Bennett and midfielder Kaye Donohoe similarly are Academy products.

Kick off is 3pm as usual, visit the bar and the new club shop and help Mickleover FC consolidated their place at the top of the table, with nine straight league wins!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s march goes on as it now becomes 10 consecutive victories, after the 3-1 win against Spalding Utd in the FA Cup.

Starting line up: 1-James Pollard 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Sault 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oliver Greaves Subs: George Nunn, Oliver Bosworth, Andre Wright, Dan Bradley, Joe Bateman.

Both sides had chances early into the game, with Clifton missing out with a header from a Warburton cross for the visitors, after a challenge from Mickleover keeper PolLard.

But 13 minutes in and it was Dales opening the scoring for Mickleover, with a long range shot into the roof of the net, with keeper Breeden well beaten, 1-0.

Clifton had another shot wide for Spalding from a Walker cross, before Breeden came to their rescue, winning out in a one on one.

Breeden made a couple more saves to keep Spalding in the game, but Pollard was also on form, saving  shot from Graham and a header from Stainos.

But Mickleover were forced to make an early change after Barnes took a knock and was replaced by Wright.

Spalding went close again before half time, after the ball came off a Sports defenders headed and glanced the bar from a Walker cross, but as the whistle went it remained 1-0.

The Mickleover defence of Bennett, Delap, Mann and Wilson had continued to look solid and dependable, with the hardworking midfield of Atkinson, Sault, Greaves and Dales continuing with the upperhand over a difficult Spalding side, but after 46 minutes Bradley came on for Bennett.

it all changed after 51 minutes when the visitors were awarded a penalty with Graham netting to make it 1-1. Only four minutes later though Mickleover restored their lead when Dales maximised a defensive mix up to make it 2-1.

Nunn then came on for two goal Dales as the hour mark approached, but after a Hilliard shot was well saved by Pollard, Beavon struck again after 71 minutes to make it 3-1.

Spalding continued to try and push forward and created a couple of openings, but another solid team effort from Mickleover proved decisive again, as we now look forward to the draw for the next round.

By Peter Scherer

Following our league success, it’s now time to focus on the FA Cup, after our home success against Ilkeston.

Our visitors are Spalding Utd, from the Northern Premier Midlands League and they have had a similar start to Mickleover. In the league they have won all four games and currently lie second.

They have already ended Shepshed Dynamo’s FA Cup hopes after a replay and beat Stratford 2-1 in the last round. But last Saturday they went out of the FA Trophy at Sheffield FC, 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

They were in Cup action again too Tuesday night, travelling to Grantham Town for a win in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup.

Manager Elliott Sandy is still a registered player and has been on the bench for a number of games already this season. A striker, he started out at Brackley, but after a loan at Oxford City, he went to Dunstable.

Further moves have taken him to Kettering, Rushden & Diamonds, Stamford, Newport Pagnell, Sileby Rangers and Banbury, before a four-year spell at Corby preceded his arrival at Spalding in July 2022. He has been in charge since March this year.

Goalkeeper Tony Breeden was a pre-season signing from Nuneaton, where he had spent four years. He started at Leamington, before moving on to Kidderminster and Tamworth and then went back to Leamington in 2013 and stayed six years, before a move to Bromsgrove.

Stephen Morley is a pre-season signing too. After starting at Hinckley he had five years at Leamington, before playing for Corby, Brackley, Tamworth and Telford. He then returned to Leamington for another three years in September 2019, before spells at Kettering and Hednesford preceded his move to Spalding.

Centre back Nathan Stanfield has been with the Tulips since July 2021, his third spell with the club. Having started at Spalding he went to Boston Utd in 2011, who also loaned him to Hucknall Town.

He was back at Spalding at the start of the 2013/14 season, but after four years service moved onto Gainsborough, but was out of football for the 20/21 season, before heading back to our guests again.

Sam Cartwright is another centre back and an ex Peterborough Utd junior. He was loaned to Kings Lynn, Leatherhead, St.Ives, Grantham, Kettering, Woking and Oxford City, before joining St.Ives on his release in August last year, but only a week later came to Spalding.

Left back Sam Warburton started out at Northampton Town, before signing for Rugby Town on his release. He quickly moved on to Nuneaton and Kings Lynn, before starting the 2017/18 season at Corby. Four years later he moved to Rushden & Diamonds and came to Spalding from Bedford in March this year.

Kyle Barker is a defensive midfielder, who has spent most of his career in Peterborough. Starting as a Junior at United, he was loaned to Lowestoft and Kings Lynn, but joined Peterborough Sports following his release in July 2022. Two months later he arrived at Spalding.

Lewis Hilliard is another defensive midfielder who started out at Rushden & Diamonds. He had loan spells at Ware, Hemel and Banbury, before being released to join St.Neots in 2010.

St.Albans, Boston Utd, St.Ives and Peterborough Sports followed, with a couple of loan spells at Yaxley. He came to Spalding last November.

Joe Curtis is a central midfielder and pre-season signing from Bromsgrove. He started off at Southampton and after a spell at Brackley, had his first spell at Spalding in 2015.

After one year he moved to Rushden & Diamonds, staying a further three years until he joined Stratford. He had a year each at Corby and Bromsgrove, before coming to Spalding.

James Clifton plays in midfield too and after starting his career with a two-year spell at Brackley, he moved onto Oxford City for another two-years. Nuneaton, Boston Utd, Alfreton, Corby and Basford followed before a return trip to Corby preceded his arrival at Spalding for the start of last season. He is assistant manager too.

Glen Walker’s a midfielder too, a pre-season signing from Brackley, where he had spent 12 years. He has also played for Banbury and Corby.

Portuguese born Wilson Carvalho can play right or left wing and started off at Fulham’s Academy. Loans at Stevenage and North Greenford followed, before a permanent move to Port Vale.

He was loaned out again to Hemel, Corby and Ilkeston, before making it permanent again at Corby. Kettering, Oxford City, Stratford, Accrington, Macclesfield, Hampton & Richmond, Hendon, Walton Casuals, Hayes & Yeading and Westfield were next in line, before going to Kings Langley September last year and arrived at Spalding in pre-season. During his time at Accrington he has made nine league appearances.

Striker Jordan Graham came through of the youth schemes at both Leicester City and Oxford Utd. After loans at Didcot and Farnborough he then spent three years at Mansfield Town where he made 10 starts, moving on to Tamworth, Rushden & Diamonds, Kettering and a loan spell at Hednesford, before signing for Spalding pre-season.

Midfielder Danny Draper came from Wisbech in mid 2022, having played for Bedford, Eynesbury Rovers and Corby Town.

Dan Sweeney is another well-travelled striker, who spent his early career at Kidderminster. He had loan spells at Halesowen, Stourport, Rushall Olympic and Sutton Coldfield, before a permanent move to Stourport.

He then joined Solihull Moors who loaned him to Hednesford, Leamington and Bradford Park Avenue, before going to Redditch. After further moves to Hednesford and Redditch came Bromsgrove and Macclesfield, from where he arrived at our visitors pre-season.

Defenders Stacey Freeman and  Connor Peters, striker Mike Taylor have also been in the squad this season.

Kick off as usual is 3pm at the Don Amott Arena, FA CUP ACTION ON YOUR DOORSTEP!!

by Peter Scherer

In what proved to be the toughest test so far this season, Mickleover came away from AFC Telford with another three points, to make it eight successive wins.

Goals in each half from Andy Dales and Andre Wright now gives Sports an eight–point lead at the top of the table.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Dan Bradley 9-Andre Wright 10-Oli Greaves 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: George Nunn, Jim Pollard, Ben Sault, Stuart Beavon, Joe Bateman.

The hosts earned a corner in the opening minute, which was safely headed away by Delap. But Mickleover soon began to settle on a drizzly night and Dales went on his first run, cutting inside from the right wing, but under pressure from Dinanga, his crossfield ball failed to make progress.

Telford were seeking out leading scorer Gibson at every opportunity, but a long ball after eight minutes then saw his cross cleared before reaching the target.

Dales then found himself with space down the right, cut in to outpace the defence, firing past keeper Hall’s left to make it 1-0. Only a minute later Dales was in the box again, but on this occasion his effort was headed away.

With confidence visibly growing for Mickleover, Wright went close after 13 minutes, with a deflected header just wide of the right hand upright, but no corner was given.

Gibson had a half chance for Telford a minute later, but he was successfully challenged before getting his shot in, butthen Walker managed to dispossess Bradley in the middle, passing to Mitford, whose cross earned a corner.

From the corner Telford seemed to work backwards, as Sports closed ranks with both defence and midfield pushing forward.

Bradley and Atkinson’s solidity in midfield was allowing both Greaves and Dales to make positive breaks, which the home defence seemed to struggle with. Greaves had a 20th minute effort from outside the box blocked and then Dales found Barnes on the right. He couldn’t get any space, but kept possession.

Wright then beat the defence down the left, but his cross just missed everyone’s heads.

Myles tried a long speculative shot for Telford after 22 minutes, but his effort was well wide of Bosworth’s left–hand post.

Barnes was then brought down on the edge of the box, but as Wilson and Greaves stood over the ball for the free kick, Dales had a crack, but straight at keeper Hall.

Wilson was then penalised for bringing down Myles, with Dinanga picking up the rebound from Myles’ initial shot, his effort just wide of Bosworth’s left–hand post.

Telford were trying to force Mickleover back, but it wasn’t working and Greaves got on the end of another break, but his effort was easily held by keeper Hall, as the hosts began to have more possession.

Myles put in a couple of good crosses as Telford pushed for the equaliser, but the best result proved to be a 38th minute header over the bar by Gibson.

Greaves then burst out for another charge. Wright put the ball into the middle and Barnes effort was cleared off the line after bouncing up and hitting the bar. “How did that ball bounce so high,” said Barnes.

Telford had another couple of attacks before half time, but with Delap and Mann showing aerial domination, they failed to trouble the Mickleover goal, but with two minutes left of the 45, Barnes cut in from the right, Greaves followed up and shot just wide of the left–hand post, so it remained 1-0 as the whistle went.

As the second half got underway Telford had an early shot, easily taken by Bosworth, but then a loose ball by the hosts defence was picked up by Dales, earning another corner.

But 50 minutes in and Delap was pulled up for a foul just outside the right–hand edge of the box, Mitford stepped up to blast home the equaliser into the far corner, giving Bosworth little chance.

It wasn’t level for long however, as a strong attack down the left saw the ball arrive into a crowded goal month, with Wright getting the decisive touch to make it 2-1.

Appeals for a penalty were waved away after Telford claimed the prone Bradley had handled, but followed up with another shot blocked by the Mickleover defence.

Barnes had another good effort blocked, but the hosts were throwing everything into attack as we approached the hour mark.

Hodgkiss and Dinanga both had shots blocked, but the Mickleover back four continued to look solid and repelled each attack, well supported by Atkinson and Bradley,

There was a bit of a scramble on the Mickleover line after 74 minutes which was eventually cleared and seemed to act as a wake–up call for the final 15 minutes.

Bosworth made a couple of saves, but despite the increase in possession, Telford weren’t creating many chances.

Sault, Beavon and Bateman came on as subs for Mickleover, with Barnes, Wright and Dales making way, as all 11 players closed ranks for a fight to the end of the game.

Gibson had a great chance in the final minutes, but his toe poke went over the bar, while a 94th minute corner even brought keeper Hall into the Mickleover box, where he joined the other 21 players!

But the ball was hooked out of defence, heading for the empty Telford goal, but just a couple of feet wide as the final whistle blew.

We now have a break from league action until AFC Sudbury at home on the 23rd, as its FA Cup time this weekend, welcoming Spalding Utd to the Don Amott Arena.