By Peter Scherer

Following the disappointment of last Saturday’s late defeat at Redditch and Tuesday’s postponement at Alvechurch for the second time, Mickleover will be looking to get back to winning ways this Saturday.

Stratford Town are the visitors, who are currently 17^th, drew 1-1 at Coalville in their last league match, but haven’t had a win in their last eight. They are still seeking their first league win on the road, having drawn three times. Their last win was on October 22^nd 4-2 against Needham Market.

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

Having already used well over 30 players this season, there has been little stability in the starting line-up. Liam O’Brien, Luke Bell, Leon Phillips and Louis Beresford have all started in goal.

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

He moved on to Dagenham & Redbridge, before going back to Portsmouth. Stays at Coventry City and Yeovil followed, before coming to Stratford in November 2020.

Luke Bell is on loan from Coventry City and was previously part of the Wolves Academy. Phillips arrived from Alvechurch in September. He started at Nottingham Forest, moving on to Mansfield, Cheltenham and Kidderminster.

Beresford has come through the Bards own youth scheme, but they also have also signed Nial Maher from Banbury. He was a Tividale Junior before joining Morecambe. After a loan at Halesowen, he returned to Tividale, moving on to Stourbridge, West Super Mare, Gloucester City, then another spell at Tividale, before joining Banbury.

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

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

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

Ashley Sammons is another midfielder too, who started out at Birmingham City. He has had a long and varied career that has taken him via Hereford, Worcester, Redditch, Corby, Hednesford, Solihull, Rushall and Halesowen, before joining the Bards in August last year.

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

Fellow centre back James O’Neill started off at Telford before joining Welsh League Newtown. He returned to Newtown a second time after a spell at Chasetown and came to the Bards pre-season after a year at Stafford Rangers.

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

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

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

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

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

Teenaged midfielder Felix Miles only arrived last month too. A former Cheltenham Junior, he was loaned to Tuffley Rovers and Evesham before joining the Bards on his release and is yet to make a start.

Right back Patrick Zito arrived in August on his release from Aston Villa, he is yet to make a start too.

Centre back Martin Riley came from Hednesford at the beginning of this month. He was a Wolves Junior, before moving to Kidderminster, Cheltenham, Mansfield, Wrexham, Halifax, Alfreton, Hereford, Stourbridge and Tamworth.

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

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

Centre back Jack Turner was Bristol City Junior, signed from Kettering part way through last season. 

Striker Mikey Taylor made his debut in the last game after signing from Bromsgrove. It’s his fourth spell with the Bards, having joined originally from Worcester in 2017. He has also played for Leamington, Stourbridge, Tamworth and Halesowen, and found the net on his recent visit to the Don Amott Arena with Bromsgrove.

Defender Carl Dickinson is the most recent signing, yet to make his league debut. A former Derby Youth player with 500 League games under his belt, he came through Stoke City’s Academy too, being loaned out to Vikingur in Iceland, Blackpool, Leeds, Barnsley and Portsmouth, before joining Watford permanently.

He was loaned to Portsmouth again and Coventry, before joining Port Vale. Further moves took him to Notts County and Yeovil, and he has been at Hanley Town for the past year.

Right back Aksum White is a recent arrival from Coleshill. Another former West Brom Junior, he has played for Tamworth, Khalsa and Worcester Raiders too.

Former Darlaston striker Cameron Philp is a squad player, and prolific scorer for our visitor’s reserve side, while Sacha Everard, Christian Isechei, Paddy McGrory and Callum Monaghan have also come through the ranks too.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm as usual and the bar will be open.

by Peter Scherer

Having already suffered an FA Cup defeat at Alvechurch’s hands earlier this season, it’s time for revenge as we face them in the League for the first time this year.

After their FA Cup first round victory at Cheltenham last week, it’s time for them to focus on the League again. Last Saturday they were at Hitchin and  went down 1-2, which them down in 2oth place.

They still have four games in hand and Tuesday’s game will be their first home league match since a 3-3 draw with Leiston on September 24^th, hence their false league position towards the bottom of the table.

Out of their five home games they have won three, drawn one and lost 1-3 to Tamworth.

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

So far they have used two goalkeepers, Dan Jezeph and Leon Phillips. Jezeph is currently first choice, a Walsall Junior, who was at Tamworth and Worcester City before joining Alvechurch in July last year.

Phillips was a Nottingham Forest youth player, after turning down Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. After his release he had a year at Kidderminster, before joining our hosts in August 2021.

James Behan is currently second choice keeper, a former Birmingham City Junior, he’s played for Cheltenham, Maldon & Tiptree, Stratford, Racing Club Warwick and Darlaston. 

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

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

Left back Ethan Sephton was was picked up by Derby County from Solihull and had eight months with the Rams Under 23’s before coming to Alvechurch in October 2020.

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

Ex Aston Villa Junior right back Brad Burton has now become a regular first choice, after joining our hosts in October 2021.

Defender Jamie Willetts is a long serving player who made his name initially with Stourport Swifts. After a spell at Hereford he then tasted success with Alvechurch for three years, before moving to Stourbridge. He then returned to our visitors in March 2020 and currently captains the side too.

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

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

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

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

Winger Stanley Asomugha is a winger who arrived from West Bromwich Albion’s Academy in February, but he is yet to make a start this season.

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

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

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

Midfielder Aurio Neto-Texeira is a recent arrival from West Bromwich Albion

Striker Danny Waldron arrived from Leamington in July last year and he’s also played for Rushall Olympic. He was the two goal hero in the FA Cup victory over League One Cheltenham.

Ellis Jones is yet to make a start this season, but is a central midfielder.

Former Coventry Academy defender of midfielder Jamie Spiers is their newest signing. He moved to Stratford Town at 14 and was at Shrewsbury until the end of last season.

Defender Maxwell Ngbeken and midfielder Rory Regan are yet to start this season too, but defender Harry Williams and Jack Hallahan both hit the headlines after being hospitalised following a clash of heads in the opening game of the season. Fortunately both have made a full recovery.

Hallahan is a former Irish Under 19 midfielder, who was at West Bromwich Albion, Hednesford and Bromsgrove, also having had a spell in Cyprus too.

Finally defender Max Anglelides and midfielder Keegan Woolley have also been part of the squad.

Kick off is 7.45  and it’s only 56 miles away!

By Peter Scherer

Unbeaten in the last six league games, but having led for over 70 minutes, Mickleover finally went down 1-2 at Redditch in their Southern Premier League Central visit to the Trico Stadium.

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

Mickleover had two players on yellow cards in the first 10 minutes with Dolan and Watt both in the book for fouls on Mensah, who went off injured seven minutes later.

Redditch went close after 24 minutes when debutant Sambu’s crossed for Hudson, whose final shot was deflected wide. Then after a series of corners Sheaf headed over for the hosts.

With Redditch’s early attacks failing to penetrate the Mickleover defence, a ball had cleared the home defence, fallen to Greaves, who then spotted keeper Boucher off his line and lobbed into the empty net, 1-0.

Hedge had to make a save from a Redditch effort  after 34 minutes, before Sports went close too with a header just passed the post following a corner.

But Hedge was in action thee minutes later, with a save from King, before Boothe’s final effort of the half was blocked and it remained 1-0.

Boothe and King combined again early into the second half, but Hedge came to the rescue after the defence was flat footed.

But Redditch were continuing to threaten, and after 51 minutes Flanagan put a ball over the defence for King to chase. Hedge came out but failed to collect and the defence then cleared the danger.

Yeomans was next in the referee’s book, before Redditch had another chance.  Boothe went one on one with Hedge, but the Mickleover keeper came out on top, before Boucher then saved at the other end from a Reeves shot.

Butler came on for Wilson after 71 minutes, but despite the continuing attacks from the hosts, the Mickleover defence continued to repel the danger.

Greaves then became Mickleover’s fourth yellow card, but the defence was finally breached after 79 minutes when Sheaf scored from the edge of the box. 1-1.

Scott then came on Dales after 80 minutes, just before Redditch sent a free kick just over the bar.

Disaster then struck for Mickleover, with a minute of normal time on the clock, Flanagan met the ball on the bounce and sent a 30 yard half volley to Hedge’s right 1-2.

Osideko came on for Beavon in injury time, but all three points went to Redditch, as they now move to fourth in the table and Mickleover drop to fifth. 

by Peter Scherer

After five successive home games, Mickleover are back on the road again this weekend, when they visit Redditch Utd.

Our hosts are one place behind Mickleover in fifth, two points apart, and drew 0-0 at league leaders Tamworth last Saturday.

Redditch have lost four games so far this season and all have been at home. In their last home match, they hosted Basford, taking a 2-1 victory, with both goals coming from penalties.

Sports made three changes for Tuesday’s draw at home to Stourbridge, but struggled in midfield, particularly in the second half.

Matt Clarke has been in charge at the Trico Stadium since September 2020 and is a former player for the club. He also played for Wolves, West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster during his playing career.

Captain Jack Byrne is a midfielder and has been with the club since November last year, when he came from Telford. 

It’s his second spell with the club having previously arrived in January 2009 from Stratford. He also played for Kidderminster, Solihull, Brackley and Nuneaton.

Goalkeeper Kieren Boucher is an ex-Aston Villa Junior. After a spell at Kidderminster, he came to Redditch in October 2019, moved on to Stratford in July 2020, but returned after only two months.

Centre back Ryan Wollacott started out at Stourport, before spending just over three years in the Welsh Premier League with Aberystwyth. He then moved to Alvechurch, before returning to Stourport, from where Redditch signed him in July last year.

Left back Calum Flanagan is another ex-Villa Junior. After a loan at Kettering he joined Hinckley on his release, before making his first stop at Redditch in 2015, when he came from Worcester.

Further moves to Hednesford, Solihull, Rushall and Halesowen, with a couple of career breaks in between, preceded his return to Redditch in January.

He isn’t the only Flanagan in the squad though, as brother Reece is a midfielder and former Walsall Junior.

He joined Leamington after his release and had spells at Rushall and Stratford, before Redditch signed him from Hednesford pre-season.

Ukrainian born Yan Osadychi is a right back, who had 11 years experience in his homeland before coming to our hosts in July. He played for Metalurg, ETM Kharkiv, Solli Plyus, Agrobiznes TSK and Alyans.

Midfielder Max Sheaf has spent most of his career with Hull City, making 19 League Two appearances. He had loans at Cheltenham and Torquay, before going to Gloucester following his release. After a loan at Hungerford, he made his move to Redditch in August.

Winger Bernard Mensah was a pre-season signing. He started off at Watford, being loaned out to Braintree and Barnet, before a permanent move to Aldershot. 

He has also played for Bristol Rovers, Lincoln City and Maidenhead, before joining Gloucester in January 2020. He was initially loaned to Redditch in February, before making it permanent in the summer.

Midfielder Robbie Bunn came through Redditch’s own youth scheme to make his first team debut, but joined Bromsgrove in 2016, moving on to Halesowen and then Studley last October. He then returned to Redditch in November on a dual registration.

Full back Lewis Hudson came from Coventry Utd in July 2021 and played for Rugby Town, Coventry Sphinx and Racing Club Warwick too.

Midfielder Danny King is currently on a months loan from Gloucester City.

Striker Ryan Boothe signed in January from Halesowen. He has played for Racing Club Warwick, Rushall, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Barwell, Bilston, Lye Town, Anstey Nomads, Walsall Wood and Highgate Utd too.

Striker Jerell Sellars is the newest signing. Aston Villa signed him from Lincoln City and loaned him to Wycombe., before a permanent move to Cheltenham. 

 He played 39 games in League Two scoring two goals, but moved to Sweden after his release, spending nearly three-years at Ostersund, before returning to the UK.

Midfielder Murphy Culkin was a new singing for this season, from Barton Rovers. He was previously at Eynesbury Rovers, Potton Utd and Biggleswade.

Sam Rowbottom is the second-choice goalkeeper and has come through our hosts own Academy, into the first team squad, along with Henry Smith, Adam Hanson and Josh Clews.

Kick 3pm as usual and it’s only 58 miles away.

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover went into last nights home game against Stourbridge off the back of five straight wins in the Southern Premier League Central, but thoughts weren’t entirely on the game in hand as the whole of the Mickleover FC family paid tribute to the passing of goalkeeper Finn Bowen.

Captain for the night Ethan Mann led the teams out, before a minutes silence preceded kick off.

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

It was five minutes into the game when Mickleover had their first shot on goal, with Beavon finding Warren, whose shot was deflected for a corner, from which Greaves shot was saved by keeper Charlie Price.

Greaves was in again three minutes later, after a good build up down the left. His shot was saved and earned another corner, with Watt heading over.

Yeomans and Greaves were linking up well down the right wing, but the amount of possession was fairly even. Mickleover were creating the chances, as Stourbridge relied on the break.

12 minutes in and the visitors had their first real attempt on goal, but when the final cross came in, Mann headed clear.

Reeves and Wilson earned another corner five minutes later, but despite some effective passing, the final ball was just lacking.

Dolan then found himself with a chance to shoot inside the box, but his proximity to the keeper saw it blocked, and another corner.

Stourbridge finally cleared the danger after a couple of minutes of intense attack and had a couple of breaks themselves on goal.

The ball fell nicely for Jason Cowley, but Watt was quick to respond and whipped the ball away again after 24 minutes. Shortly afterwards the deadlock was broken, as Warren had the ball around the half-way line, saw the keeper off his line, and lobbed a perfect shot over the keeper into the welcoming net, 1-0.

All the Sports players then headed to the bench in celebration, waving Bowen’s shirt proudly in another fitting tribute.

Hedge had to make a Lyttle on the half hour, before Cowley headed over again a few minutes later.

But it was still mainly Mickleover on the attack, with Beavon letting fly from long range, but his effort was blocked, before Reece Styche had a shot wide for the visitors.

It was close again after 35 minutes, when Beavon cut in from the right and Warren just missed connecting after he found space. Dolan then raced in from the left only for Joel Kettle to block and then Mann followed suit with a long and positive run, placing his shot just wide of the right-hand post with the keeper rooted.

As the half time whistle approached, a good build up down the right again, saw Warren shoot wide, before Reeves finished the half with a fine shot tipped away by keeper Price.

In the opening minutes of the second half Reeves broke and went close again, but Price was able to save. The game then changed direction with Alex Moore hitting the equaliser directly from a free kick on the Mickleover left. 1-1.

From having the upperhand Mickleover were now on the back foot. Mann cleared a dangerous ball in from the left, before Stourbridge had a succession of corners before the pressure relented.

Warren, Bateman, Wilson and Greaves in midfield found themselves with little space, as the visitors went close again after 56 minutes.

Lyttle hit a free kick straight into the Mickleover wall just after the hour mark and after 69 minutes Yeomans got a shot in well saved by the diving keeper.

It was certainly a game of two halves as Mickleover struggled to make progress. Dales and Osideko came on for Warren and Reeves, but they made little impact.

Beavon almost got Reeves through after 75 minutes, but the ball out paced him and ran to the keeper and in the 90^th minute Dales put a ball in from the left, but it was cleared for a corner, which was then headed wide.

So it remained 1-1 and we are still fourth in the table, but now face two away in the next week at Redditch and Alvechurch.

By Peter Scherer

Five successive wins and now fourth in the table, so are you coming to the Don Amott Arena for your Tuesday night feast of football as we take on Stourbridge?

Stourbridge are currently 14^th in the Southern Premier League Central table, but didn’t have a game last Saturday. They beat Ilkeston away 2-0 in their last game and are undefeated in their last four.

Joint manager Leon Broadhurst and Stuart Pierpoint have been in charge since October last 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 visitors.

Goalkeeper Charlie Price is in his second spell at the club, having left to join Alvechurch in June 2016, before returning three years later. 

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

Striker Darryl Knights is a  former Ipswich Junior he was capped by England at Under 16 and 17 and was loaned to Yeovil, before joining Kidderminster on his release.

Solihull was his next stop, then Newport and Solihull before returning to Kidderminster. After a spell at Tamworth, he had two years at Telford, before coming to Stourbridge in July 2020.

Full back Jack Wilson was another signing from Bromsgrove back in September 2021. He had made 200 appearances before his move and had a brief loan spell at Lichfield City too.

Jason Cowley is a striker who came from Bromsgrove too in July last year. He started out at Redditch, before a first spell at Bromsgrove preceded a move to Stevenage. He was loaned to Solihull and on release he had a month at Macclesfield, before rejoining Bromsgrove.

Midfielder Reece King arrived from Buxton in July last year. He started his career at Malvern Town, before moving on to Gloucester City and Hednesford. After a spell at Leamington, he rejoined Hednesford, before going to Buxton in February 2020.

Joe Hull is another returnee having arrived for his second spell from Alvechurch last December. He started out at Kidderminster, before moving to Redditch in 2010. Further moves took him to Hinckley Utd and Stourport Swifts, before returning to Redditch.

He first came to Stourbridge in February 2016 after just over three years at Halesowen. But after eight months and a loan at Tividale, he moved to Rushall Olympic, Bromsgrove and finally Alvechurch.

Lee Vaughan had been first choice right back but has recently lost his place to new signing Tyler Lyttle. Vaughan was an academy player at Birmingham City and Portsmouth, before joining Chelmsley, from where he was spotted by Walsall.

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

Midfielder Callum Gittings came from Leamington in pre-season. After starting at Alvechurch, he also played for Kidderminster, Solihull and Telford. 

Former Walsall Academy midfielder Alex Moore joined Wolverhampton Casuals and Shifnal Town after his release, before stepping back up the ladder to Bromsgrove and Rushall Olympic. He had three years at Rushall before joining Stourbridge pre-season.

Midfielder Harry Lewis made his first team debut last season, after coming through the clubs academy. He has also had a few games for Team Dudley and has started three of Stourbridges’s games this season.

Rackeem Reid is a striker that came from Rushall pre-season. He initially played for Chasetown and Paget Rangers before going to Nottingham University. He moved on to Belper Town and Long Eaton, before joining Quorn for 2019/20.

Centre Back Chris Knight is in his third spell at Stourbridge. He first joined them in July 2012 from Dudley, moved onto Lye Town but returned in July 2017. After going back to Lye and latterly Wulfrunians, he signed for our visitors again in pre-season.

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

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

Moussa Koita is a midfielder. He was signed after an early pre-season trial, having previously played for Team Dudley.

Defender Alex Worley is an ex Walsall Junior, who was at Haverfordwest last season. He was another pre-season signing and has made one start so far.

Tyler Lyttle is the most recent signing. The former Wolves and Bristol Rovers Junior is the son of ex Forest defender Des.

He made three first team starts at Bristol and was loaned to Nuneaton and Truro, before joining Hednesford on his release. He was at Sutton Coldfield prior to joining Rushall, where he spent the last four years.

Striker Greg Mills was a former Rams Junior, and had loans at Solihull and Macclesfield and Telford, before making his Telford move permanent. Worcester, Boston Utd, Barrow, Kings Lynn, Corby, Tamworth, Nuneaton and Darlington are also on his CV, before he came to Stourbridge in 2018.

After just over a year he moved to Bromsgrove and returned to our visitors in July 2020. He has been on the bench this season, but is yet to make a start.

Ethan Moran is a young midfielder yet to start this season. He started out at Worcester City, before moving to Malvern Town. He has also had spells in Kidderminster’s Academy and at Lye Town and joined Stourbridge in August last year.

Lewis Solly is both reserve goalkeeper and coach. An ex Wolves and Bury player, he played for Welshpool and Aberystwyth, before moving back to the midlands with Stafford Rangers.  He was then at Telford and Redditch and first came to Stourbridge in 2005 from Hednesford, and stayed eight years before moving to Rushall. He moved onto Worcester but had time out with an injury and has been back at Stourbridge since the end of last season, having made over 350 appearances.

7.45pm kick off as usual, the bar will be open and the forecast is and 11 degrees. So BE THERE!!

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover made it five successive wins after their 2-0 success at home to Bedford Town, moving them into fourth place in the Southern Premier League Central Division.

Gaffer John McGrath was able to name the same starting line-up that beat Basford Utd last Tuesday, 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: Phil Watt, Lekan Osideko, Pablo Mills, Joe Bateman, Mason Warren.

The game started with a fairly swift pace from Mickleover, with Reeves going clear after five minutes, but his fairly tame shot was easily taken by keeper Alex Street.

Five minutes later Charley Sanders hit the post with a header for the visitors, before Beavon collected a cross in the box, only for the Bedford defence to clear the danger.

Sports were moving forward with pace, as Yeomans and Dolan pushed down the wings and the midfield of Wilson, Rose and Greaves looked strong.

Reeves was almost through again after 13 minutes, but Sam Dreyer cleared, before Mickleover had two successive short corners before Bedford cleared their lines.

Connor Tomlinson met a Harriman cross after 17 minutes, but his final header was over Hedge’s bar, but Mickleover retaliated in the best possible way after Bedford failed to clear a long throw. Beavon was onto it, a quick turn and shot and was inside the right post 1-0.

Bedford fought back and Hedge had to punch the ball away from a difficult Harriman cross, but then Dales went on one of his trademark runs at the defence, but his shot was wide.

Sanders and Tomlinson combined again for the visitors after 26 minutes, forcing another save from Hedge and three minutes later it was Street’s turn to save, as Mickleover earned another corner.

Bedford were still seeking the equaliser and Jarvis managed to send Sanders clear after 32 minutes, he lobbed Hedge, but Butler was on the line to clear.

Wilson tried a long-range shot but was wide of the mark and a few minutes later Alban-Jones followed suit for Bedford with a similar conclusion.

Bedford had a late corner as the half time whistle was poised, but Mickleover went into the break with their lead well intact.

The second half couldn’t have started better for Mickleover, when in the 47^th minute Dales collected and lobbed the keeper successfully to make it 2-0.

The wind seemed to have gone from Bedford’s sails after the second goal and the play went fairly dormant. Mickleover made two changes just after the hour mark, with Watt on for Yeomans and Warren for Dales.

70 minutes in and Butterworth had a shot from outside the box, pushed wide around the post, followed up by a shot from Richardson again saved by the Mickleover keeper.

Reeves fired a shot across goal a couple of minutes later, just before Bateman came on for Rose.

Tomlinson had another shot blocked for Bedford, but after 79 minutes it was almost a third goal for Mickleover, but Street managed to save a diving header from Reeves.

But Mickleover collected all three points and now move into fourth place in the table, with Stourbridge next in line on Tuesday evening.