Category: First Team

Sports Go Down to Odd Goal in Seven

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover opened their pre-season account with a 3-4 home defeat against Stoke City Under 21’s, but there were encouraging signs from Sports new line-up throughout the game.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Brandon Ferron 3-Toby Smith 4-Ashton Offler 5-George Wilkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Steven Johnson-Fikula 8-Harry Wood 9-Paddy Webb 10-Andy Dales 11-Bernard Nsiah. Subs: Jake Bennett, Will Atkinson, Fin Ryder, Stuart Beavon, Ryan Wilson, JoshCarter and Trialists A,B,C,D & E.

Only nine minutes into the game Mickleover were on the other end of penalty decision, which was duly converted to make it 0-1 to our visitors.

Sports pushed for an equaliser and 11 minutes later, Dales picked up a rebound from a Nsiah effort, curling his shot past the keeper into the bottom right-hand corner. 1-1.

After another five minutes, Dales had the chance to give Mickleover the lead, but this time his shot was straight at the keeper.

Wood managed a run from midfield on the half hour. He got his cross into the box, but there was no one to receive.

It had been fairly end to end but into the final two minutes of the first half, Stoke made it 1-2, but Mickleover were quick to respond, when Benson saw the keeper off his line, and sent in a perfect lob to make it 2-2 as the half time whistle soon followed, after continued his run through from defence with a quick one two.

Trialist C was one of the second half subs and soon made an impact. Just eight minutes into the second half he found himself put clear through on goal, making no mistake as he placed it nicely beyond the advancing keeper to gives Sports 3-2 lead.

Just after the hour mark a telling cross almost found Trialist C again, but he just missed out in connecting and the chance went begging.

Stoke pulled it back to 3-3 after 80 minutes, and before the final whistle hit the winner too, to make it 3-4.

A promising for Mickleover who now face Belper Utd at home again on Tuesday evening.

Sports are Back in Action

by Peter Scherer

It’s our first pre-season game of the season on Friday, as we welcome Stoke City Under 21’s to the Don Amott Arena for their first outing too.

The Potters have a fairly large junior squad, including midfielder Josh Maskall who spent the latter part of last season on loan with us.

Returnees Oliver Bosworth and Paddy Webb will be in action for Mickleover along with new signings James Matthews, Harry Wood, Ashton Offler and Steven Johnson-Fikula, not forgetting our back-bone retained from last season, led by skipper Andy Dales and probably some trialists too.

As well as Maskall, Stoke have a number of promising players, including three keepers. Tommy Simkin has played for England at Under 18,19,20 & 21 and was on loan at Walsall for part of last season.

Alfie Brooks was at West Brom before joining Stoke and has been on loan at Colwyn Bay, while Jamaican born Noah Brooks was previously with Arsenal.

Centre back Jaden Dixon came from Tottenham’s Academy, while Luke Badley-Morgan started at Chelsea and spent part of last season in Scotland with Airdrie and is capped by England at Under 17and Jamaica at under 20.

Raphael Pijus Otegbayo and Jake Griffin are centre backs too, Otegbayo was previously with Stockport, while Ireland Under 19 international Griffin has come through our visitors own youth scheme and had a spell on loan at Brackley last season.

Josh Bickerton and Francis Gyimah are both left backs. Ghanaian born Gyimah came from Liverpool’s Academy.

At right back they have Jaden Mears and Sydney Agina, and both Gabriel Kelly and William Smith are defensive midfielders. Kelly came from Manchester City and has represented Ireland at Under 16 & 17.

They have the choice of Wiktor Gromek, Darius Lipsiuc and Ruben Curley in central midfield. Gromek has played for Leicester, Burnley and Lecce in Italy and is capped by Poland at Under 16, 18 and 19.

Lipsiuc started in St Patricks Athletic Academy and was on loan at Walsall for part of last season and has represented Ireland as an under 17,18.19 and 21, while Curley arrived from Manchester Utd last February.

Jack Griffiths is an attacking midfielder, plus they have eight wingers including Maskall. Favour Fawunmi, Chinoso Chibueze and Kieron Willox favour the right like Maskall. Fawunmi came from West Ham, Chibueze from Chelsea and Willox from Glasgow Rangers.

On the left they have the choice of Edwin Andersson, Japhet Matondo and Adriel Walker. Andersson is a Swedish International at Under 15,16, 17,18 and 19, signed from Chelsea, while Matondo came from Cardiff and is a Welsh International at Under 16,17,18 and 19 and Walker came from West Brom.

Looking for goals is down to strikers Keke Jeffers, Ruben McIntosh and Adam Watson. Jeffers had some time with Ashton Utd last season, having arrived at Stoke from Bradford City, while Watson was with Hanley Town last season.

It’s kick 7.30 on Friday, with all the usual catering facilities and bar, £5 admission or £10 for a family ticket plus free parking.

Sports Sign Johnson-Fikula

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover boss Gareth Holmes has added centre back or defensive midfielder Steven Johnson-Fikula to his squad for the forthcoming season.

A former junior at Nottingham Forest, Stoke, Mansfield and Oxford Utd, Johnson-Fikula has spent the last few seasons playing US College football.

After coming through the ranks in the UK I wanted a different taste for football, I wanted a smile back on my face so visited the US and it was a good time

he said.

I had pre-season trials for the MLS with Atlanta and St.Louis and had offers, but I decided I wanted to come back and succeed in the UK as I had unfinished business and now had the energy, talent and age to pursue that.

Mickleover were recommended to me by George Taft and I can’t speak high enough for the club, the environment, it’s a great club. I spoke to the gaffer about his plans and so it was an attractive option for me.

 

“We’ve been talking to Steven throughout off season. He’s played over in the States for a couple of years, playing in some impressive programs and trialling with a few big clubs. He’s looking to hit the ground running and I’m sure he will start to impress people quickly.” Sports boss Gareth Holmes added.

Ryder Re-Signs on Dual Registration

by Peter Scherer

Having broken into the Mickleover first team squad at the beginning of last season, Fin scored his first goal too, before spending much of his season on loan at Basford and Kimberley Miners Welfare.

The young striker has been dual registered for this season, so will be playing at Kimberley again, as he gains more experience.

It’s a good chance for me to get a full 90 minutes and a chance to prove myself to the Gaffer and Mickleover. My priority is definitely to play as hard as I can

Ryder said.

Six in a Row for Bennett

by Peter Scherer

Jake Bennett has signed up for a sixth successive season with Mickleover, having rejoined Sports for his second spell at the club in summer 2020.

A first choice right back for most of his stay, Jake has been on the receiving end of some long-term injuries in his career, but his determination has seen him fight his way back to be as competitive as ever.

“Its great to have Benno back with us this season. His experience will be key and I expect him to set and drive standards in the group and be an integral part in our push for promotion. We all know what he can bring to the team in 1v1 situations and how dynamic he is going forward. I want to give him more of a licence to attack this season,” said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

Offler Joins Sports

Centre back Ashton Offler is the latest addition to the Mickleover squad for this season.

I jumped at the chance to sign when I knew the Gaffer was interested. I knew Mickleover were a strong club from my days at Stamford and I wanted to join a team more local to me

he explained.

After starting his career at Matlock Town, he had a spell at the Sheffield Utd Academy, before returning to the Gladiators following his release.

He has also played for Guiseley and Stamford, before starting last season Rushall Olympic, but then returned to Stamford to complete the season.

Ashton joins us with a really strong pedigree, having played most of his career at steps 2&3. He brings leadership, physicality, and dominance in the air. He also has the ability to find a pass and already knows some of the new lads, which makes him a great fit all round

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

Beavon’s Ready For Season Ahead

by Peter Scherer

Stuart Beavon is preparing for his sixth full season at Mickleover, having originally signed from Nuneaton back in February 2020.

A regular goal scorer and mentor to some of the younger players, he is already looking forward to the challenge of getting Sports back in the Premier Division of the NPL.

I want to play much as I can still, but obviously my coaching job is important to the team and to me too. I am still learning from the Gaffer and Gallers. This season we want to be right up there from the start, we need to aim high to get straight back up again, but I think we can do it

he said.

 

What can I say about Bev. Firstly, he’s a really good friend and a very good footballer. He does both his roles really well. Him and Gallers are like a double act and his performances definitely defy his age. He leads the line so well, but was to isolated last year, that won’t happen this year

Sports boss Gareth Holmes added.

Bosworth’s Back In Town

by Peter Scherer

After a year away Mickleover welcome goalkeeper Oliver Bosworth to the fold for this season.

The former Leicester City Junior and England Under 18 international came to the Don Amott Arena in December 2022 after a spell with Almumecar City in Spain.

He was originally signed as cover for Jonathan Hedge, but earned himself a place in the regular starting line-up to see out 22/23 and was first choice the following year until injury put him out of action.

Unable to displace Yusuf Mersin to earn his place back, Ollie started last season at Bedford, before joining Barwell, finishing the season on a dual registration with Shepshed Dynamo.

“I know there will be lots of happy faces around the club with the arrival of Boz. After speaking to him I can see why. He’s a great laugh but also really driven. When he came into sign the first thing he did was give Dalesy some banter and I thought you’ll do for me. He’s an excellent shot stopper, really good with his feet and a strong communicator. He fits in really well and I hear his families please he’s back as well, a great addition,” said Mickleover manager Gareth Holmes.

“When the chance to come back was offered, it didn’t take much thinking about, it was what I really wanted, as I never really wanted to leave, but I needed to be playing,” Bosworth replied.

“I always felt I would be back and my goal is to play every match in the forthcoming season and avoid injury. I would like to play Anstey Nomads away first, then I can walk to their ground, plus we owe them one for knocking us out of the FA Cup last season,” he added.

Important Cup Dates for the Upcoming Season

We will enter The FA Cup in the Preliminary Round on Saturday 16th August 2025 – We are exempt from the Extra Preliminary Round. So our friendly with Leek Town on Friday 1st August can continue as planned.

We join in The FA Trophy in The Preliminary Round on Saturday 23rd August 2025.

Finally we will enter The FA Youth Cup in the Preliminary Round where the game will be played the week commencing Monday 1st September 2025.

The draws for all three competitions will be released on Friday 4 July 2025.

Webb Returns

By Peter Scherer

After four years away, striker Paddy Webb is returning to Mickleover this season. The former Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Mansfield Town youngster, came to Sports initially in 2019 after an impressive scoring record for Eastwood CFC.

He scored on his debut, but his time at the Don Amott Arena was interrupted by the covid lockdowns. After moving onto Ilkeston and Basford in 2021, he joined Quorn, spending three seasons with the Leicestershire side, taking the NPL Midlands Division title last season and scoring 83 goals.

“I’m delighted to be back at Mickleover. I loved my time here a few years ago and had some of my most memorable footballing moments. The club is run brilliantly and the environment is something that i am looking forward to coming back into. The season is only round the corner and I’m hoping we get off to a flyer and get the club back to the level it should be,” he said.

“I’m so pleased to have Paddy on board, and he’s genuinely pleased to be back. It was important that we strengthened in the attacking areas of the pitch, and i feel Paddy definitely does that. His goal record at this level speaks for itself, and it’s another statement of our intent this year,” Mickleover boss Gareth Holmes replied.