by Peter Scherer

It’s time for another break from our NPL Midlands Division campaign, as we host Basford Utd at the Don Amott Arena in the FA Trophy.

Basford, who were relegated from the NPL with Mickleover last season, currently lie fifth in the table, with a game in hand and are so far undefeated.

Following last weekends home draw against Lichfield, Sports manager Gareth Holmes will hopefully have a full squad to choose from.

Last Saturday our visitors were in FA Cup action, going down 1-3 at Hednesford. But on Wednesday eve they bounced back to beat Wellingborough 2-1.

Manager Willis Francis has been in charge at Greenwich Avenue since January. He managed Long Eaton a few years ago and started his playing career as a midfielder at Notts County. He played for the first team 12 times and finished his playing career at Basford in 2015.

First choice goalkeeper is Matt Yates arrived pre-season from Ilkeston. He spent last season at Ilkeston after joining them from Gainsborough, where he had spent the previous two years. He was a Derby County Junior and was loaned to Gloucester City, Hereford and Telford Utd prior to his release.

Yates’ understudy is the vastly experienced Saul Deeney. He started his career at Notts County, and after loan spells at Gresley Rovers, Ilkeston and Hull City, he made a permanent move to Burton Albion in 2005.

He then returned to Notts County, for a year, before a short stay at Hucknall Town preceded a return to Burton too. 4 ½ years at Derby County followed, before his first spell at Basford in 2015. Moving on to Coalville and Ilkeston, he joined Matlock in January 2023, before returning to Basford at the beginning of last season.

Louis Nicholson is a left sided defender signed from Grantham Town last season. He has also played US College football and was previously in Basford’s own academy.

Centre back Ethan Stewart was signed at the beginning of last season from Stafford Rangers. He started his career with Nottingham Forest, who loaned him to Billericay and Alfreton, before joining Nuneaton on his release. He then returned to Alfreton, before moving to Stafford Rangers in October 2021.

Left back or centre back captain Henri Wilder has just started his third season with the club, since signing from Ilkeston in November 2023.He played his youth football at Brighton and Mansfield and was loaned out to Lewes. Following his Stags release he went to Tamworth and played for Alfreton too, before a year at Ilkeston.

David Chapman was signed near the end of last season. Another defender he was at Shepshed Dynamo for most of last season and has played at Nottingham University, Kettering, Quorn and Clifton All Whites and is a former Nottingham Forest Junior.

Defender Cormac Maher is currently on loan from Mansfield Town.

Right back Osa Soloman came from Grantham in pre-season. He is an ex Nottingham Forest Junior, who was also loaned to Redditch. He joined Grantham following his release in summer 2023.

Lynden Joyce is another defender who returned to the club after starting off in their youth scheme. He started the season with Shepshed Dynamo and has also played for Sherwood Colliery and Eastwood.

Ryan Ebanks is a pre- season arrival. He plays on the right side of the defence and lists Grantham, Newark Flowserve, Newark & Sherwood Utd and Coalville on his CV after playing junior football at Notts County.

Eli Christie is a former Derby County Academy centre back. He joined Ilkeston following his release and played for Grantham to before joining our visitors from Gresley Rovers in pre-season.

Jordy Hallam is an attacking midfielder, who has spent most his career at Sheffield Utd. With 28 EFL appearances under his belt, he had loans at Southport, Viking Stavanger and Chesterfield, before joining Scunthorpe following is release. His next stop was Ilkeston after an initial loan, but after three months he moved to Basford in October 2023.

Lewis Reah spent the latter part of last season on loan from Chesterfield. A midfielder he is now back and dual registered with both clubs.

Fin Armond is another pre-season arrival after spending two years at Matlock. A midfielder, he started out at Boston Utd, before spending a year in the US with Queens College’s Queens Knights

Connor Dimaio is another experienced midfielder. He has League One and Two experience after starting at Sheffield Utd. Chesterfield was his next stop, followed by Stockport, Boston Utd, Curzon Ashton, Matlock and Bradford Park Avenue, from where joined our visitors in pre-season.

Callum Cocks came from Long Eaton in the summer. A right back or midfielder he was previously with Loughborough Dynamo and has played for the Army and Royal Artillery.

Striker Tyler Dacres is a young striker that came through the clubs own Academy and is now a regular in the first team squad.

Fellow striker Jack Goodman has spent most of his career with Doncaster Rovers. He made 14 league two appearances and was loaned to Stamford, Gainsborough, Matlock, Peterborough Sports and Bradford Park Avenue. He spent the latter part of last season on loan at Basford too, before the move became permanent re-season.

Tyreace Palmer is well known to Mickleover fans, as he was a Sports player until returning to Basford last March. A striker or attacking midfielder, he’s an ex Notts County youngster and has played for Melton Town and Loughborough Dynamo too.

Kieran Cummings is a striker signed pre-season from Newark & Sherwood where he was last seasons top scorer. He was a Notts County junior and has also played for Shepshed, Newark Town and Bourne Town.

Wayde Hines is another product of the Basford Academy. A debutant five years ago, he also spent some time with Nottingham Forest and has played for Clifton All Whites and Grantham too.

Dameer Rose and Taylor Ceviris both made their first team debuts last weekend in Basford’s FA Cup defeat, having come through the clubs youth scheme.

Kick of as usual is 3pm, be there!!

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

There were chances for both sides in a fairly dour encounter, which made sure it remained 0-0 throughout. But a valuable point against a form side.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Ali Mohiuddin 3-Louis Bonser 4-Danny Benson 5-Ashton Offler 6-George Wilkinson 7-Steven Fikula 8-Will Atkinson 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Archie White 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Paddy Webb, Michael Hollingsworth, Fraser Corden, Toby Smith, Josh Carter.

Both sides had a chance to open the scoring in the opening minutes. Three minutes in and Dales was played through before Josh Mansell came through with a last ditch saving tackle. But then Tom Brown picked out Jude Taylor for the visitors and his effort was cleared off the line.
Beavon’s hard work after 12 minutes created enough space for another shot, but he was just the wrong side of the left-hand post with his final effort.

Two minutes later Dales went down in the box, but penalty appeals were waved away, before the Mickleover skipper put a free kick just wide a minute later. Beavon again was the creator after 17 minutes, with an excellent ball played through for Bonser, but the wing back couldn’t quite get his shot in.

Lichfield were having their attacks too, with Jamie Spiers firing in a tempting cross from the right, before the Sports defence cleared it. Both Brown and Jack Edwards put crosses into the box for the visitors, but the home defence continued to cope comfortably. White had a shot over the bar for Sports after 22 minutes, but Lichfield then got clear until Mohiuddin saved the day with a great recovery tackle.

Mohiuddin was then on the attack and found Fikula, but his shot was just wide too.
But the visitors went close again when Spiers struck the bar after 44 minutes, before Shearsby met a Wilcock cross, shooting just wide of the near post and so it remained 0-0 as the half-time whistle blew.

It was end to end again into the second half, with Sports making their first change as Hollingsworth came on for Fikula after 53 minutes. Hollingsworth had only been on the pitch two minutes when the ball fell to him, but his shot was just over the bar too.

Webb then replaced White after 66 minutes, but Lichfield were still looking dangerous and won a succession of corners, comfortably cleared by Benson, Wilkinson and Offler at the back.
Webb was so close to opening the scoring after 71 minutes, but Mansell was on the line again to clear.

It had been a fairly quiet game for Bosworth in the Mickleover goal, but he proved his worth three minutes later, diving low to make a great save from Dan Lomas, after some good work on the left from Taylor.

Bosworth again had Haines free kick covered, before Mickleover made a double substitution, with Cater and Smith on for Beavon and Atkinson.

Dales had another shot just wide with 10 minutes left, but overall a draw was a fair result, with the defence looking fairly strong, but despite chances that weren’t taken, there was still a lack of creativity to make it decisive.

 

by Peter Scherer

This weekend Mickleover face one of the form teams of the NPL Midlands Division.

Lichfield City are currently sixth in the table having been unbeaten in their last four games, following a home defeat to Anstey Nomads on the first day of the season.

They were 2-1 winners at home to Sutton Coldfield last Monday, despite having played 85 minutes with an outfield player in goal, after keeper Brendon Bunn went off injured.

After two good wins for Mickleover it was back to the classroom last Monday, going down 0-1 to Loughborough Students in a very poor game.

Midfielder Harry Wood should be fit again for this weekend after a foot injury, but Jake Benett’s calf strain still keeps him out.

Ivor Green has been in charge at Lichfield since March 2020, with his assistant Wayne Chapman there for the duration too. Last season they took the team to the Midland League Premiership title and have retained most of their title winning team.

Goalkeeper Brendon Bunn came in at the end of last season from Studley. He has also played for Highgate Utd, Gresley Rovers, Coventry Utd, Halesowen and Worcester City.

After a return trip to Studley, he joined Stratford on a dual registration with Darlaston last season too. He may well be absent on Saturday though, after picking up a groin strain after five minutes in their last match.

Right back James Wilcock started out at Tamworth, but has spent much of his career with Highgate Utd. He has played for Alvechurch and Coton Green too, and came to our visitors in July last year after his second spell at Highgate.

Jordan Clement is a central midfielder who came out of Wolves Academy. He joined Romulus on his release, before moving on to Coleshill. Tamworth was his next stop, but after a loan at Stratford he moved to Alvechurch, before spending the next three years alternating between Redditch and Tamworth. He came to Lichfield in August 2023 from Redditch.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Spiers was signed from Atherstone at the beginning of last season. He started off at Shrewsbury, before joining Alvechurch on his release. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Boldmere, Bedworth and Hednesford too.

Defender Josh Mansell returned to Lichfield for a second spell at the start of last season from Walsall Wood. He’s also played for Alvechurch and Chasetown.

Joe Haines is one of the longest serving members of the squad, having returned to the club in June 2021, making his 250th appearance last season. A left back, he’s had spells with Walsall Wood and Gresley Rovers.

Centre back Leighton McMeneny is another long server, having just started his fifth season with the club, after signing in June 2021.

Luke Childs and Dan Lomas are both long servers too. Childs made his 200th appearance last season and played in gOal for 85 minutes last Monday, rather than his usual striker role. Lomas is club captain and a holding midfielder, he made his 150th start for the club last season.

Midfielder John Mills was signed in January this year, while striker Jack Edwards is another long server, having arrived in July 2021. He is he club top scorer too.

Jude Taylor is one of the younger members of the squad, a talented striker who has come through the clubs own youth scheme.

Sonny Sheasby is another young striker, signed from Ellistown last season.

Tom Brown Harry Eden, Kev Hemajou and Jack Bostock have also made starts this season.

Kick off usual is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Our hosts were awarded a penalty and Mickleover weren’t, and that decided an otherwise fairly poor encounter at Loughborough University Stadium.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Ali Mohiuddin 3-Louis Bonser 4-Danny Benson 5-Ashton Offler 6-George Wilkinson 7-Steven Fikula 8-Will Atkinson 9-Paddy Webb 10-Archie White 11-Andy Dales, Subs: Liam Carter, Toby Smith, Pedro Nzau, Josh Carter, Stuart Beavon.

Just five minutes into the game and Offler was penalised for a foul in the box, despite having clearly played the ball in the tackle for a corner. But the referee pointed to the spot with no input from his assistant, and Shortland stepped up to give our hosts a 0-1 lead.

Four minutes later Gilpin had a positive run for Loughborough too, but his tame shot failed to challenge Bosworth who collected his effort easily.

Atkinson took an 11th minute free kick which was headed clear, but while Mickleover were trying to play a more precise passing game, Loughborough seemed to be relying on the break.

Fielding managed to create space for himself and then shot wide for our hosts, but most of the play was around the middle of the field, with Loughborough hustling Sports in midfield and leaving them little time to settle on the ball.

Issa was next to go on a run for Loughborough, but his tame shot was straight at Bosworth.

23 minutes in and White put Webb through, only for a late interception from the home defence to deny him before he could make contact.

It was just after the hour mark that Sports had their first real shot, with White firing over the bar after a long build up down the right.

Mickleover had the ball in the net after 35 minutes, when White put Webb though again and he slotted home. But a late offside flag was up and it remained unchanged.

Bonser stated to become more effective on the left wing, matching Mohiuddin’s efforts on the right. But with five minutes left in the first half, a long clearance from Bosworth found Webb’s head, but he had no one in support and the ball ran loose.

After a rare 40th minute corner for Loughborough, Webb was on the move again, but intercepted by the defence to earn another corner, which was headed just wide by Offler.

Shortland then got clear and around the back of Sports defence, before the ball broke for Gilpin, bringing an excellent close range save from Bosworth, and so it remained 0-1.

Beavon replaced Fikula for the start of the second half and immediately made a difference, but Loughborough continued to look strong on the break

49 minutes gone and Dales put Beavon through from the left, cutting inside and forcing Webster in the home goal to parry the ball away for a corner.

Dales overhit the corner and it missed everyone, but four minutes later he took on the defence again on the left, cut back inside to find Webb but his shot was wide of the right- hand post.

Loughborough managed to get a final shot at Bosworth after a 55th minute corner, but it was another easy stop, and then White won a corner for Sports which came to nought.

Dales was through again just over the hour mark , but a poor shot followed, and then Webb picked it up and shot wide again.

Benson, Offler and Wilkinson had looked fairly second in the second half, but 65 minutes and Offler had to make a critical bloc., as Gilpin was on the attack.

Josh Carter and Smith came on for Webb and Offler and injected some more pace. But despite more possession and more attempts on goal, Mickleover were still no closer to the equaliser.

White continued to try the long run, but was tending to hold on to it too long and was losing possession. Carter was tripped on a run just outside the box after 72 minutes, just before being joined by brother Liam who came on for White.

Dales was then put through by Beavon, he managed to shoot at close range, but keeper Webster made a good reflex save to deny the Mickleover skipper.

A couple of minutes later Dales had another shot well saved after Beavon had crossed from the right, but in the 76th minute appeals for a Sports penalty were waved away. Loughborough defender Salsby clearly handled the ball in the box after an attack from Carter down the right. The referee had the chance to put right the dubious sixth minute award that provided the only goal, and with no input again from his assistant, he ignored the appeals.

Loughborough put a random shot well wide after 83 minutes, but Mickleover were still trying for that elusive equaliser.

Nzau came on for Dales to see out the game and it was close again for Sports after an 89th minute scramble in the box after a corner. Despite eight minutes being added on, it was defeat number three rather than win number three, 0-1.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s a trip to Loughborough University Students for Mickleover on Bank Holiday Monday. But with two successive wins over the last week, confidence has grown rapidly as we face the bottom of the table team.

Our hosts started the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Wellingborough, but have lost all three matches since.

Had coach Jamie Clapham was previously assistant manager at Leeds Utd, Barnsley, Coventry and Middlesbrough after a long and successful playing career started at Tottenham.

Goalkeeper Leo Webster was previously at Winchester City and had time in Spain with the Malaga Sporting Academy, while captain and defender back Jonty Bouch stated out in Mansfield Town’s Academy.

Centre back Harry Twite has previously played for Kings Lynn and Wisbech and is capped as a full international and under 20 by Bermuda.

Ben Royall is another defender who has played for Worthing, while left back Oliver Downs started at AFC Wimbledon, before moving on to Bognor and Fleet.

Winger Alex Spiteri is a Malta under 18 and 19 international and started his career with Sliema Wanderers, before a spell at Reading preceded his arrival at Loughborough.

Josh Roddy previously played for Corsham Town and Welton Rovers, while fellow midfielder Marcus Gilpin started his career with Bradfield College.

Striker Connor Keene, was previously at the Crystal Palace Academy, while his fellow forwards Gafar Abari and Max Prickett-Reed were at Sunnybank FC in Scotland, Northampton ON Chenecks and Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Other players who have so far been in the squad this season are Matt Rennie, Will Dean, Hussein Issa, Sam Fielding, Sid Hollywood-Martin, Ashden Shortland and Henry Russ.

Kick off at the Loughborough University Stadium is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Following their first win of the season at Boldmere last Tuesday, Mickleover made it two in a row with a dominant 4-1 win over Rushden & Diamond’s at the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Steven Fikula 3-Gerge Wilkinson 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ashton Offler 6-Danny Benson 7-Archie White 8-Louis Bonser 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Ali Mohiuddin. Subs: Michael Hollingsworth, Paddy Webb, Toby Smith, Pedro Mzau, Fraser Corden.

Mickleover had to make a late change when Harry Wood was a casualty of the warm-up, which promoted Bonser to the starting 11 and Corden to the bench.

Sports started strongly testing keeper Lewis Elsom twice in the fourth minute, White had his shot saved, while Dales followed up for the rebound, shooting just wide.

Three minutes later Mohiuddin’s cross found Dales, but his path was impeded but failed to draw a foul from the referee.

But a short back pass from Wilkinson almost cost Mickleover dearly after 10 minutes, but Bosworth had it covered, forcing Bruno Andrade wide, saving the shot from a tight angle.

Two minutes later David Adegbola was penalised for a handball in the box, and White stepped up to bury the ball in the bottom left-hand corner, 1-0.

Rushden had a chance too after 15 minutes, but Tyler Winters was forced wide, allowing Bosworth to save the shot again.

White then picked up the ball and made a break, but his shot drifted just wide of the left-hand post.

Andrade had looked the more dangerous of the Rushden strike force, but Sports went close again with a spectacular overhead kick from Beavon 23 minutes in, unfortunately just over the bar.

Four more minutes and White had another strike form the edge of the box, Elsom saved it, but the rebound was heading for Dales until Huw Dawson intercepted.

Rushden had been pegged back in their own half for a while, as Mickleover sought another goal. White won a 35th minute free kick but that came to nought, with striker Winters back in defence to make the block.

With three minutes of the first half left, Sports finally got number two. The cross was floated in from the left wing and met by Dales, who volleyed it into he bottom left-hand corner 2-0.

The visitors made a couple of half-time changes to try to quell Sports’ domination. But only a minute into the second half it was 3-0, when White scored his second from a Dales’ cross, with a lucky hint of deflection.

Benson then got his head to a free kick a minute later, but this effort was just over. As the hour mark approached Elsom had to make a double save to deny Mickleover again.

Rushden pulled one back after 61 minutes, when Andrade went clear, placing his shot under the advancing Bosworth, 3-1.

Webb came on for Beavon and 10 minutes later Rushden were awarded a penalty when Jordan Graham was brought down. Graham then took the penalty, but hit the bar, so it remained 3-1.

Hollingsworth replaced Fikula after 73 minutes, but there was soon a fourth goal for Mickleover. White played Webb straight through the defence, and he made mistake in front of goal, 4-1.

Debutant Nzau replaced White for the last nine minutes but Rushden had one more chance, a free header which Ryan Hughes put well wide of the target.

So a first home league win of the season, and a second successive victory, our season has STARTED!!

 

by Peter Scherer

It hasn’t been the best of starts for our visitors AFC Rushden & Diamonds. The former league club played against Mickleover two seasons ago in the Southern Premier League when they were relegated.

They drew 1-1 in their first game of the season against Shepshed, a score they repeated when they visited Rugby Borough. But like Mickleover they too had their first win of the season, 1-0 at home to Bedworth and now stand seventh in the table

Sports will continue to be without Jake Bennett this weekend, as he recovers from a calf strain. But Paddy Webb hopes to be back in contention, having recovered from a knock against Long Eaton. Manager Gareth Holmes’ only other concern is Harry Wood’s bruised foot, which hopefully will be sorted too.

Our visitors manager Elliot Sandy is also a registered player, having joined pre-season from Sileby. A striker, he started his career at Brackley and played for Oxford City, Leamington, Dunstable and Kettering, before first coming to our Rushden in 2016. It was only a short stay before moving on to Stamford, Newport Pagnell, Sileby Rangers, Banbury, Corby and Spaldin., starting his managerial career with the latter too.

Lewis Elsom is their first choice goalkeeper, having arrived from Peterborough Sports pre-season. He started his career at Peterborough Utd and has also played for Deeping.

Right back Curtis Hartley is another one of numerous pre-season signing’s. He’s played for Eynesbury, Oadby Town, Peterborough Sports, Daventry, Stamford, Real Bedford and Moulton too, after starting off at Corby.

David Adegbola is a right back too, signed from St.Ives Town last January. He’s also played for Buckingham Utd, Carlton Town and Radford.

Centre back and captain Gary Mulligan is another pre-season signing. A vastly experienced player, he played for Wolves after they picked him up from Belvedere. He was loaned to our visitors way back in 2005, before moving on to Sheffield Utd.

A further loan at Port Vale was followed by a move to Gillingham, followed by Northampton Town, Gateshead, Brackley, Kettering and Corby. He spent the last three years at Harborough and is a Republic of Ireland Under 21 International, with over 140 appearances in Leagues One and Two.

Ryan Hughes has just started his sixth season with Rushden, following his release from Northampton Town. Another centre back, he was loaned out to St.Neots, Banbury and Corby as well as a spell with our visitors back in 2019.

Tarik Dallas is a centre back too, brought in pre-season from Daventry Town. He’s played for Kempston Rovers, St.Neots and Arlesey Town too.

The only player in the squad from Rushden’s own youth scheme is defender Tejan Thomas.

Central midfielder Jake Duffy has also captained the side since arriving from Aylestone Park pre-season. After starting at Oadby Town, he’s played for Holbeach, Stamford, Corby and Harborough too.

Lewis Walker plays central midfield. He is another pre-season arrival following his release from Stoke City, having started his career with Leicester City.

Ross Oulton is another new arrival and midfielder, arriving last month for his third spell at the club. After arriving from Daventry in 2015, he stayed for three years before moving to Stratford Town. After a spell at Barwell and a return trip to Stratford, he came back to Rushden in 2020 for another year.

Then it was back to Barwell and Stratford, before stops at Berkhamsted, Harrow Borough followed, spending last season at Berkhamsted before his current move.

Joel Nketia is a midfielder too, and another new arrival from Newport Pagnell.

Aidan Webster plays in midfield and came to the club at the beginning of last season, from Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Bruno Andrade is dual registered with Bedford Town, a midfielder he started off at Queens Park Rangers and played for Wycombe Wanderers, Stevenage, Woking, Boreham Wood, Lincoln City, Salford City, Boreham Wood, Maidenhead, Chesham and Maidstone.

Midfielder Huw Dawson is also dual registered with Bedford Town. He’s played for St.Albans, Kettering and Shepshed too.

Tolani Omatola came from Long Eaton Utd in pre-season. He’s a striker that started out at Tranmere Rovers, before moving to Altrincham on his release. He has a vast CV of clubs, including Coalville, Buxton, Corby, Barwell, Hyde, Alvechurch, Carlton, Stafford, Atherton Collieries, Burscough, Anstey Nomads, Coventry Sphinx and Racing Club Warwick.

Tyler Winters is a former Peterborough Utd Academy striker. He then joined Spalding, before moving to Peterborough Sports, who also loaned him to Wellingborough before he joined our visitors in pre-season.

Fellow striker Ethan Johnston is in his third season with the club. Another ex Northampton Town youngster. He also had a loan spell at Kettering and a spell at Banbury, before joining Rushden from St.Ives Town in July 2023.

Jordan Graham is another striker, who came from Wellingborough pre-season. After starting out at Leicester City, he played for Oxford Utd and Mansfield, before moving to Tamworth. He joined Rushden in March 2022, but moved to Kettering four months later. He has also played for Hednesford and Spalding.

Yet another striker and new signing is Olly Brown-Hill. He first came to Rushden in 2017 from Stamford, but after six months moved on to Corby. Most of his career has been spent at Stamford, with spells at Ilkeston and Barwell in between.

Raymond Poku is another recently arrived striker from ON Chenecks.

Finally Will Mellors-Blair, another pre-season arrival, can play midfield or striker. He had a spell in the US with Detroit City, as well as playing for Hednesford, Kettering, Stamford, Kings Lynn and Solihull Moors after starting out at Walsall.

Kick off is at 3pm and your support is more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer (Image: Steve Ingers)

In a game where Mickleover should have had had three points sewn up before half time, it all came down to a last-minute free kick and deciding goal. But we’re off the mark goal wise and points wise and our season is up and running.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Steven Fikula 3-Toby Smith 4-George Wilkinson 5-Ashton Offler 6-Danny Benson 7-Ali Mohiuddin 8-Harry Wood 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Archie White. Subs: Will Atkinson, Michael Hollingsworth, Fraser Corden, Louis Bonser, Liam Carter.

Mickleover took the kick off which went straight out of play for a throw, before Boldmere went on the first attack. But Bosworth was quick off his line to kick the ball clear.

Only two minutes in and Sports were unlucky not to go ahead, when White struck the bar following a corner. Dales then followed up with his first shot just wide.

Five minutes later Dales had another shot blocked after a poor throw from our hosts. It was all Mickleover though with Dales then putting in a challenging ball from the left, before White’s effort ran just wide of the right-hand post. Dales shot again a few minutes later, but that was well off target.

For a while the game calmed down, but Mickleover still had the majority of possession, but on the 18 minute mark they went close again, with another cut in from the left by Dales, before Wood’s shot went just wide of the right-hand post again.

Sports had been pushing well forward when a minute later Boldmere got a break against the run of play. The defence couldn’t get back and despite Bosworth’s attempts to close it down, Ealing opened the scoring and it was 0-1 to our hosts.

Mohiuddin, White and Wood had been particularly creative in midfield, aiding the runs of Dales from the left. 21 minutes in and Mohiuddin set up Beavon who shot just wide, but five minutes later the same combination succeeded.

Mohiuddin floated in a lovely cross from the left and Beavon rose to head home in the top right-hand corner, with keeper Rinaldo at full stretch, 1-1.

Just a minute later Beavon set up a possible second for Mickleover, sending Smith on a clear run for goal. But his shot was straight at the keeper and the chance was gone.

Sports continued to push hard for a second and Fikula robbed the defence, Beavon then forced the home keeper into another save.

Beavon and Dales were showing more and more of their class, combining again on the half hour. Beavon broke on the left this time, but Dales effort was wide of the right-hand post.

Despite dominating the half, Sports were creating chances but failing to hit the target. 36 minutes Dales earned a corner, which Rinaldo punched clear, as the pressure continued.

Two more minutes later and a Dales free kick was cleared from a crowded box, sending the hosts on another break. But Lock’s effort landed on the roof of the net, with the defence once again losing out.

As half time approached White boke down the left again, but with no one in support, he tried his luck from a tight angle but it went for a goal kick.

The defence were caught out again with one minute left, as Lock went on a one on one chase to the Mickleover goal. Bosworth was quick to respond and his challenge went for a late corner.

Boldmere had one more chance before the whistle, but sent a free kick well over the bar. So it remained 1-1, when Mickleover should have been well ahead, having dominated the half, but on three occasions the defence were caught too far forward, which proved costly.

There was no immediate change for the second half, until Wood came off with a bruised foot after 53 minutes and was replaced by Atkinson.

There was a lucky escape just before the hour mark, when s hot from the right bounced off the Mickleover bar.

Unlike the first half, the second was becoming more scrappy and end to end. So after 67 minutes Corden and Hollingsworth came on for Mohiuddin and White and three minutes later Bonser replaced Smith.

Fikula had a great chance to take the lead after 68 minutes, but clear through on goal his shot failed to test the keeper.

Boldmere then came back with an effort from Cunningham, he was through and clear to shoot but failed to trouble Bosworth too.

At the back Wilkinson, Offler and Benson had things seemingly under control, while Corden and Dales combined for a strong run before running out of pitch.

There had been a lack on consistency from the referee throughout the match, which resulted in yellow cards for Wood, Mohiuddin and Atkinson and three Boldmere players too.

But one free kick couldn’t be denied when Beavon sent Dales on another run almost on time. The challenge was more akin to WWF than a football field, but Dales recovered to take the free kick. His shot hit the under side of the bar, bounced out and was hit goalwards by Benson, to secure a well-deserved opening league victory of the season 2-1.