by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover’s hopes of an upset at promotion pushing Worksop Town, were soon dashed, when the hosts scored their first of six goals without response, after 20 minutes.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Kwaku Donkor 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Michael Hollingsworth 7-Marcus Barnes 8-Gabby Adebambo 9-Tyreace Palmer 10-Andy Dales 11-Josh Maskall. Subs: Cieron Keane, Stuart Beavon, Brandon Ferron, Jake Bennett, Chris O’Grady.

Worksop were straight into attacking mode creating two chances in the first seven minutes. Starcenko headed just wide after three minutes after a ball from Martin and four minutes later Wilde put a dangerous ball into the box, but Martin’s header was straight at keeper Mersin.

10 minutes later though Mickleover came close to opening the scoring, with what proved to be their only real chance of the game. Dales cut inside from the wing and let fly with a dipping shot towards the far corner, tipped away by home keeper Taylor.

But the immediate response from the hosts was Redford attacking down the wing, setting up Martin who had an unchallenged run on goal. Despite Mersin’s attempts to narrow the angle it was 0-1.

Five minutes later it was 0-2, with Martin again causing havoc, the ball fell loose to Starcenko and he curled a left foot shot into the roof of the net.

But their another blow for Mickleover when they lost skipper dales after 26 minutes and he was replaced by sub Keane.

Redford was soon looking for number three but his shot was straight at Mersin, but it wasn’t long before it was 0-3. Starcenko picked out the approaching O’Malley at the far post, and again almost unchallenged squared the ball to Burrow, who tapped into the empty net.

The rout continued when a further four minutes in, Atkinson had fouled Hutchinson. From the free kick Leesley sent the ball into the box, when it was deflected out of Mersin’s reach by the unfortunate Palmer, as it went from 0-0 to 0-4 in just 15 minutes.

Mersin then stopped a possible fifth after 43 minutes, after Hutchinson had found O’Malley, who shot straight at the keeper.

Sports continued to be frustrated in possession and after 55 minutes it was Mersin to the rescue again, after Starcenko burst through the defence.

O’Grady had come on for Maskall at half time, but little had changed for Sports, as they managed to regroup for the next 15 minutes or so.

But 70 minutes in Redford made it 0-5, picking up the rebound after Starcenko had hit the bar.

Keane fouled Starcenko a couple of minutes later and both were yellow carded, but Mersin was soon the hero yet again, with a great stop after Starcenko and Martin had combined again.

Ferron replaced Palmer for the final 10 minutes, but there was still more to come. Redford hit his second and Worksop’s sixth, after latching onto a breakaway, with the whistle finally blowing at 0-6, with Mickleover soundly beaten in all departments barring keeper Mersin.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover face the first of two tough away weekends this Saturday, when they visit second in the table Worksop Town.

With five consecutive wins under their belt, our hosts will be keen to consolidate their end of season play-of place.

Manager Craig Parry earned his side promotion last season and are still looking probable play-off contenders this term too.

In his playing days Parry was a goalkeeper at Barnsley and previously managed Pontefract.

Tommy Taylor is currently first choice goalkeeper. He was a junior at Sheffield Wednesday, before joining Garforth on his release. Spells at Halifax, Brighouse, Scarborough and Buxton, before he came to Worksop pre-season, after three seasons at Darlington.

His deputy is Seb Malkowski, a former Poland International who started his career with Wisla Tczew, before moving to Olimpia Sztum, Lechia Gdansk, Bytovia Bytow and Zawisza.

He first came to the UK with Frickley in 2015, before taking a two-year break. He then signed for Boston Utd, before spells at Belper Town and Pontefract, before coming to Worksop in July 2020.

Centre back and captain Hamza Bencherif is an Algerian Under 20 International. He came to Nottingham Forest as youngster from EA Guincamp and was loaned to Lincoln City, before joining Macclesfield on his release.

He returned to Nottingham with Notts County, moving on two years later to Plymouth Argyle. JS Kabylie in Algeria was his next stop, before rejoining Lincoln on his UK return. Spells at Halifax, Wrexham and York City followed, before a three-year stay at Guiseley preceded his July 2022 move to our hosts, with over 100 appearances made in league one and two.

Fellow centre back Luke Shiels was a pre-season arrival from Buxton, having previously spent four years with Boston Utd. He has also played for Alfreton Town and Harrogate Town.

Charlie Winfield is a young left back who was signed in pre-season, after his release from Barnsley. During his time at Oakwell he was also loaned to Esbjerg in Denmark, Alfreton and Darlington.

Ben Grist is centre back on loan from Leicester City. He started out with Grimsby Town.

Josh Wilde is a left back too, having just started his third season at the club since signing from Alfreton. He started out at Sheffield Wednesday, before spending two years at Buxton after his release. Gainsborough and North Ferriby were his next stops. He then had two years at Halifax, before a four year stay at Alfreton.

Right back Regan Hutchinson is another longer serving player, having come from Farsley Celtic in August 2022. He was initially at Rotherham, before a two-year stay with Chesterfield, during which time he was loaned out to Sheffield FC, before a permanent move to Guiseley.

Attacking midfielder Liam Hughes has played in League Two and the Scottish Premiership, after starting his career at Scunthorpe. His first move was to Cambridge Utd, before spending five months with Inverness Caledonian.

He came back to England with Barrow, and has played for Guiseley, Billericay, Darlington, Gainsborough, Stratford, Bradford Park Avenue, Frickley, Matlock and on loan at Kettering. He came to Worksop from Causeway Lane in July 2022.

Attacking midfielder Luke Hall played for England as an Under 15. He was a junior with Sheffield Wednesday, before going to Sheffield FC on his release. He was loaned out to Guiseley and Matlock, before leaving permanently to join Worksop in July 2022.

Player coach Ben Tomlinson is Worksop through and through, having started his career as a young striker in their junior sides. He moved on to Macclesfield, Alfreton, Lincoln City and Barnet, before being loaned out to Tranmere and Barrow.

His next stop was Carlisle Utd, followed by Halifax and a return to Alfreton. He has been back at Worksop almost four years, following a short stop at Frickley and made over 30 appearances in League Two.

Fellow striker Jordan Burrow came from Buxton in December 2023 and has League One and Two experience, after starting out at Chesterfield. He joined Morecambe after a loan spell at Boston Utd, before spending a season each at Stevenage, Lincon City and Halifax.

Gateshead and York City followed, before returning to Boston Utd, moving to Buxton three years later.

Sam Wedgbury if a former England C International, with experience in Leagues One and Two. Sheffield Utd signed him from Worcester City back in 2006 and he was loaned out to Mansfield Town and Ferencvaros in Hungary, before going to Macclesfield on his release.

After a loan at Altrincham he moved on via Stevenage, Forest Green, Wrexham, Chesterfield and Buxton and spent a year at Stalybridge before joining Worksop in July 2022.

Latvian midfielder Aleks Starcenko came to Worksop in October 2020. He has played for Frickley, Pontefract and Guisley too.

Fellow midfielder Vaughan Redford followed the management team from Pontefract to Worksop back in early 2022.

Defender Deegan Atherton arrived in 2018 following his release from Rotherham, while young striker Max Eastwood is a product of Worksop’s own youth scheme.

Joe Leesley is a more recent loan signing. A former England C International left back, he started out at Matlock and Alfreton, before spending six years at Harrogate. He was loaned to Stockport, Stevenage and Boston Utd, before the latter became a permanent stay.

After a further loan at Darlington he joined Kidderminster, before a brief stay at Scunthorpe preceded a return to Darlington. He is currently on loan to the end of January.

Mason O’Malley is another left back, who came from Bradford Park Avenue in September. Having started his career at Huddersfield, he then spent four years with Scunthorpe, which included loans a loan spell at Ilkeston, before moving to Bradford PA at the start of last season. A Republic of Ireland Under 19 International, he made 54 League Two appearances.

Striker Aaron Martin came from South Shields at the start of this season. He was a youngster at Sheffield Utd and Barnsley, before moving to Staveley MW, Worksop Parramore and Goole.

After five years with Sheffield FC he moved on to Brighouse and Guiseley, before spending a couple of season at Harrogate. They loaned him to Halifax, before he moved on to Gateshead, moving to South Shields for the start of this term.

Charlie Winfield is a young left back who was signed in pre-season, after his release from Barnsley. During his time at Oakwell he was also loaned to Esbjerg in Denmark, Alfreton and Darlington.

Dan Bramall is a right sided midfielder, who was at Chesterfield, before Everton picked him up. He went to Matlock too following his release, but then joined Barnsley after a short spell at Buxton.

After a loan at Barrow, he went to Ireland with Ballymena Utd, returning to England with Scarborough a year later. Caroline Springs George Cross in Australia was his next port of call, before joining Worksop pre-season.

Jay Rollins is another striker who came from Boston Utd in July 2022, where he had been for seven years. He started at Askern and has played for Armthorpe too.

Young Ukrainian winger Rostlav Yaramenko was signed in July 2023 from Korona in Poland. He previously played for a number of junior clubs in his native Ukraine.

Liam Jessop is a left winger on loan from Chesterfield. I Gibraltarian International, he played youth football in Spain, before coming to the UK with Fleetwood Town. Loans at Kendal Town and Anhorsholme followed, before retiring to Gibraltar with Bruno’s Magpies. He joined Chesterfield in September 2023.

Right winger Jacob Grattan was a Rotherham youngster, who has also played for Guiseley, Farsley, Belper Town and Whitby. He joined our hosts last September from Belper.

Kick off is 3pm at the Windsor Foodservice Stadium.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Despite going out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup to Alfreton Town last night, Mickleover leave with heads held high after a strong second half performance.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Gaby Adebambo 5-Michael Hollingsworth 6-Dany Benson 7-Brandon Ferron 8-Will Atkinson 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Tyreace Palmer 11-Josh Maskall. Subs: Cieron Keane, Liam Carter, Toby Smith, Finn Flanagan, Chris O’Grady.

The opening five minutes were fairly end to end, with Lund lofting a dangerous ball to Salmon for the visitors, bringing out the first save of the night from home keeper Mersin.

But only seven minutes in and Mickleover were forced to make a change when Benson was injured and replaced by Keane.

Alfreton had been pressing and earned a succession of corners 12 minutes in. Osborne had headed on, but Waldock’s final effort was blocked by the home defence.

Maskall was causing problems for the visitors defence though, with his pace on the wing. Two minutes later he sprinted clear and fired in a strong cross to Beavon, but with the ball returned to whence it came, it then came to nought.

Carson almost latched onto a half chance for Alfreton after 16 minutes, but four minutes later the visiting keeper Robson was tested by Maskall, after another sprint down the wing.

Waldock headed out of the Alfreton defence after Matheson had been beaten, but on the half hour Francis broke through after picking up a Solademi pass, but his final shot was wide.

Waldock forced another save out of Mersin 34 minutes in, but a minute later Sports keeper was caught out by a long shot from Carson and it was 0-1.

Alfreton went close again five minutes later, when Mersin saved again from Osborne and almost on half time Keane went in the book for a foul on Francis, as it remained 0-1.

Just a few minutes into the second half Francis made another break out of the visitors half, he found Matheson but the cross was overhit and went for a goal kick. Three minutes later it was Francis again, picking up a ball from Cantrill, before his shot on the turn went over the bar.

But as the hour mark approached Mickleover had more and more possession, but the Alfreton defence stayed firm and Mersin had to make another save after a 62nd minutes, when Waldock got on the end of a telling break.

Maskall had continued to impress for Mickleover and earned another corner, before Sports made a 65th minute double substitution with Bennett and Palmer making way for Carter and Smith.

Sports had one of their better chances after 68 minutes, when Hollingsworth headed across the face of the goal, but there was no one to take advantage.

O’Grady then came on for Beavon, before Alfreton sub Day almost scored, when his effort cannoned off Salmon’s head.

Ferron went close for Sports with a powerful strike after 88 minutes, well saved by keeper Burton, but in time added Waldock made it 0-2 for our visitors and it was game over.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s Mickleover’s last chance of cup success on tonight, when we welcome Alfreton Town to the Don Amott Arena, for the Derbyshire Senior Cup Semi-Final.

The teams last played each other in a pre-season friendly at Mickleover, a couple of seasons back, but this term it’s been difficult for both sides.

Alfreton are currently 15th in the National League North, having ended a run of four successive defeats with a 2-2 draw at home to Warrington last Saturday.

Billy Heath’s first choice goalkeeper is Jake Askew, a former Rotherham Utd Junior, signed from Frickley Athletic in July 2022. He has also played for Little Rock Rangers in the US.

Centre back Max Hunt played his Junior football locally too. Starting at Nottingham Forest, he moved on to Derby County. After a loan at Aldershot, he joined Carlisle following his release, before moves to Yeovil Town and Buxton. He came to Alfreton at the start of this season.

Adam Anson is another centre back that came from Southport in pre-season. His was at Wigan Athletic’s Academy, who loaned him to Macclesfield. He joined Chorley on his release, who also loaned him to Lancaster City. He also spent six months with Witton Albion.

Adam Lund s another centre back too, now in his fifth season with our visitors, since arriving from Staveley MW. He started out at Barnsley and played for Goole AFC and Pickering too.

Continuing the centre back theme, Dwayne Wiley is another long serving player. He came from Matlock back in July 2020, having joined the Gladiators from Mickleover four years earlier.

Josh Clackstone is a right back signed from Hull City in July 2018, following his release from the Tigers. He has spells on loan at Notts County and Halifax Town too.

Left back Matty Carson is currently on loan from Grimsby Town. Having started at the Liverpool Academy, he moved onto Burnley, who loaned him to Nelson and Padiham, before a permanent move to Accrington Stanley.

He then went on loan to Carrick Rangers in Northern Ireland, Telford and Stalybridge, before being released again. He then spent 18 months at Reading, before starting this season at Grimsby.

Luke Matheson is right back and another loanee, from Bolton Wanderers. Wolves signed him from the Rochdale Academy, but loaned him back, as well as sending him to Ipswich Town, Hamilton Academical and Scunthorpe. He joined Bolton at the beginning of last season after his release and also had a spell at Bohemians in the Republic of Ireland.

Left back Nathan Newall came from Buxton in September 2023. He started at Guiseley before joining the Sunderland Academy, who loaned him to Darlington, before starting last season at Buxton.

Midfielder Sam Osborne only arrived two weeks ago from Boston Utd. He started at Dunkirk Colts before joining Notts County, who loaned him to Basford, Shaw Lane and Grantham, before going to Leamington on his release. He played for Fylde and Buxton too, before starting this season at Boston.

Striker Lewis Salmon came from Nottingham Forest in July 2023. He started out in non league with Trafford and also played for Stalybridge and Altrincham before going to Forest in July 2021. He was also loaned to Alfreton and Telford before joining our visitors.

Central midfielder Liam Waldeck was a Sheffield Wednesday youngster, who joined Gainsbrough on his release, after an initial loan. He joined Alfreton in July 2023.

Gerry McDonagh is another Ex Forest Academy striker, who spent nine years with the Reds. He had loan spells at Wrexham, Cambridge Utd, Tranmere and Barnsley, before joining Aldershot following his release.

Tamworth, Halifax and Kettering were his next stops, before a spell in Scotland with Cove Rangers. He came back to England with Scunthorpe, Eastleigh and Kidderminster, before arriving at Alfreton in January 2024 on loan. He started this season with Rushall Olympic, before joining our visitors on Christmas Eve.

Right sided midfielder Billy Whitehouse spent his early career at Doncaster Rovers. But after a loan at Halifax, he signed for Leeds Utd. After a further loan at Guiseley he came to Alfreton for the first time in August 2017, but after just a few weeks moved onto Shaw Lane.

After a spell at Tadcaster he went into the Welsh League with The New Saints, who also loaned him to Spennymoor and Buxton. He came to our visitors again at the start of this season, after three years at Chorley.

Midfielder Jed Abbey was a pre-season signing too, from South Shields. He started off at Wolves and has played for Telford and Alvechurch too.

George Cantrill is a central midfielder, out of the Sheffield Utd Academy. He joined Guiseley on his release after a loan spell, and came from there to our visitors in July 2022.

Former Rotherham striker Akeel Francis is the newest arrival, just over a week ago, from Brighouse Town. He was loaned to North Ferriby before his release from Rotherham, quickly moving on to Accrington, Wrexham, Rochdale, Farsley, Guiseley and Grantham, before a year in Scotland with Falkirk.

Spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Warrington Rylands followed, before returning to Scotland with Stirling Albion. He’s played for Sleaford and starting this season at Hyde, before a stay at Wakefield preceded his Brighouse move.

KICK OFF 7.45 at the Don Amott Arena.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Despite outplaying visitors Morpeth Town for much of the second half, Mickleover came away goalless and pointless in a dour encounter.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Kwaku Donkor 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Michael Hollingsworth 5-George Wilkinson 6-Will Atkinson 7-Andy Dales 8-Gabby Adebambo 9-Chris O’Grady 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dylan Edwards. Subs: Tyreace Palmer, Finn Flanagan, Brandon Ferron, Cieron Keane, Josh Maskall.

The visitors tried an early run at the home defence from the kick off, before Donkor went on his first run down the right wing, ending with a goal kick.

Wilkinson made a couple of solid headed clearances out of defence, playing alongside Atkinson as Benson was missing.

Hollingsworth was playing defensive midfield in Atkinson’s more recent place, but as he tried to push the play forward he struggled to find his targets.

Mersin sent a long kick down the pitch after five minutes, headed straight back by Buddle, but a minute later O’Grady, Edwards and Beavon made some nice moves, before Robson cleared for a corner.

As the kick came in, O’Grady collected and fired a powerful strike at keeper Langley, earning another corner headed over by Wilkinson.

Hickey’s attempt to pass out of the Morpeth defence 11 minutes in went straight to Adebambo. He found Dales, before Morpeth skipper Robson cleared the danger.

Morpeth earned their first corner two minutes later, but Dowling’s cross was cleared by Adebambo, sending Dales on another break.

Both Dales and Donkor had started to press the visitors defence, before Buddle intercepted, only for Atkinson to pump it straight back into the Morpeth box.

Suddenly the game took a surprising U-turn, when Hodgson outpaced the Mickleover defence, firing low in the bottom corner of Mersin’s net, 0-1 after 15 minutes and Morpeth’s first shot of the game.

A couple more tentative attacks from the visitors fell short at the final pass, before Dales went close to picking up another long ball from defence after 20 minutes, having it whipped off his toes and the critical moment.

Morpeth followed up with a brace of corners after James’ initial cross, but after 25 minutes Mickleover were close to the elusive equaliser. Dales found Edwards following a corner, Edwards managed to turn but his shot was just off target.

A minute later it was Dales and Edwards again, but the final effort was deflected for a goal kick. On the half hour they went close again, after an Edwards and O’Grady one-two. Edwards let fly with pace from outside the box, and it was the closest yet.

Morpeth had given away quite a few free kicks, but Mickleover failed to make them pay on most occasions. Wilson then took a corner, probably aiming for O’Grady’s head, but it was straight out of play again.

Dales then picked up a weak clearance from King, but Langley in the Morpeth goal was quick to react and the danger was cleared again.

With half time approaching rapidly Sports had the advantage in possession, with Wilson firing a powerful low strike from outside the box, saved by Langley, while Edwards closed in for any possible rebound.

Bollardo managed a shot after nudging Donkor off the ball, but Mersin saved with ease, but the home defence seemed to go into panic mode after 35 minutes, when it took numerous attempts to clear. Fortunately the Morpeth attack were in similar disarray and failed to maximise the situation.

Donkor sent Adebambo on a late break but he was fouled, but with three minutes on the clock Morpeth made a weak appeal for a penalty, after O’Grady and Buddle clashed in the box.

Very few chances for either side in the first half, but Morpeth took one of their’s and that’s all that split them at half time 0-1.

Sports had an early attack in the second half when Dales took the ball inside to Edwards, he then put the ball across the box, but there was no one to receive.

For a while Mickleover seemed to struggle to clear from defence, but after 56 minutes the first changes were made, with Palmer and debutant Maskall on for Beavon and Edwards.

Morpeth’s Buddle then went in the book for hacking down Dales, but a poor free kick was easily cleared. Adebambo then had space on the hour, but his through ball went for a throw in.

O’Grady had seemed the likeliest to succeed for Sports and when he turned nicely in the box, his shot was blocked by Langley.

The subs had rejuvenated the attack a little, and Dales’ pace began to show again, when he cut inside on the left after 61 minutes, firing goalwards before Langley pushed it away.

Wilson and Dales had started to work together well and with the visitors visibly flagging, there was an air of optimism about a fightback from Sports.

Palmer and Maskall combined too and became to threaten. The Morpeth defence was beginning to show cracks, but Mickleover still lacked the finish.

70 minutes and another corner came to nought for Sports, which was followed by a random and well off target effort from our visitors.

Hollingsworth and O’Grady made way for Flanagan and Keane for the last 15 minutes, before Sports went close again, with a Palmer, Dales move finishing in the side netting.

It was all Mickleover as the clock ran down, but they still needed to score. After Donkor was fouled, Wilson’s free kick was deflected fractionally past the post, to earn a corner, easily collected by Langley.

Dales was still trying to push his men forward, but Morpeth had another break 78 minutes in, but Mersin had James’ shot well- covered again.

Mersin saved again from Dowling after 82 minutes, but pressure was virtually all on Morpeth. Maskall pumped in crosses, but nothing came from them.

Donkor’s 90th minute overlap was cut out and James’ had another wild blast way off target for the visitors. Everyone was up for a final corner, but that went straight out too and the final breath could have been another goal for the visitors when sub Foalle had a break.

So a 0-1 defeat when it should have been at least a draw, but on the second half alone, three points were in reach.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover welcome Morpeth Town FC to the Don Amott Arena tomorrow. Currently ninth in the table, their quest is to reach the play-off’s continues, with three games undefeated since their home loss to Worksop at the beginning of the month and only two defeats in the last seven.

Back in November Sports went down 0-3 on the visit to Morpeth, but hope to make it three undefeated too.

Craig Lynch has been in charge at Craik Park since October 2021. He previously managed Seaham Red Star and his playing career took him to Sunderland, Rochdale, Hartlepool, Spennymoor Town and Blyth Spartans.

Goalkeeper Dan Langley arrived pre-season, he was originally spotted by Newcastle Utd, while playing for St.Benet Biscop Catholic Academy. After loans at Gateshead and Spennymoor, he joined Blyth Spartans on his release.

After a couple of months he moved to Oldham Athletic, who loaned him back to Blyth and Scunthorpe, before joining our visitors.

His deputy is Academy Graduate Mason Brown.

Rhys Evans is a right back who started out with Wallsend Boys. But after a spell in Scotland with St.Johnstone and Queen of the South, he came back to England with Benfield. He came to Morpeth pre-season too, after five years at Blyth Spartans.

Josh Robson is primarily a right back too. The former Sunderland junior spent time on loan in Norway with Notodden, before a permanent move to Bryne. He returned to the UK two years later with Blyth Spartans and is in his third season at Morpeth and is currently captaining the side.

Attacking midfielder Will Dowling started out with East Northumberland & Berwick Schools, before signing for Sunderland. He then had a year at Stoke City before joining our visitors last March.

Centre back and club captain Jeff Henderson played his junior football at Newcastle Utd. He was loaned to Gateshead, before moving to the League of Ireland with Sligo Rovers, where he played in Champions and Europa League qualifiers.

He returned to England with Stobswood after a three years in Ireland and is now in his seventh year at Craik Park.

Josh King is a centre back too, in his third season with the club, since coming from York City. He started out at Park View Academy.

Left winger Danny Barlow is another former Blyth Spartans player, that was signed in July 2023.

Fellow striker Luke James has played over 250 matches in leagues one and two, scoring 24 goals. He started out at Hartlepool before moving to Peterborough Utd. He was loaned to Bradford City, back to Hartlepool and Bristol Rovers, before a permanent move to Forest Green Rovers.

After a third spell at Hartlepool, he has also played for Barrow, York City and South Shields, from where he is currently on a season long loan, having finished last season on loan at Blyth. He is also an England C International.

Striker Jack Foalle came from Whitley Bay way back in 2018 and scored on his home debut.

Ryan Wombwell is a right back and another former Sunderland youngster. He had a year at Gateshead after his release and came to Morpeth from Spennymoor in August 2023.

Striker Nic Bollado started off with Carlisle Utd, before a spell at Stockport County. He joined our vistors last December, after a loan at FC United.

Jordan Hickey is a central midfielder and another former Sunderland Junior, who then had three years at Hull City. He is another former Blyth player too, who arrived pre-season.

Striker Sam Hodgson is on loan from Blyth Spartans until the end of the season. He was previously at South Shields.

Nathan Buddle is another pre-season signing from Ashington. A centre back, he was another former Hartlepool youngster, who has played for Blyth, Carlisle, Gateshead and Spennymoor too.

York City youngsters striker Billy Marshall and midfielder Leon Gibson-Booth are both on youth loans too, having both previously been loaned to Ossett Utd.

Finally Morpeth juniors Josh Follin and Ryan Cater joined the first team squad too at the beginning of this season, having both been selected for England Schools.

Kick of 3pm COYS!!!!

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

90 minutes of grit and determination were rewarded for Mickleover with a well-deserved away point at Gainsborough Trinity.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Kwaku Donkor 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Marcus Barnes 8-Gabby Adebambo 9-Chris O’Grady 10-Andy Dales 11-Dylan Edwards, Subs: Samson Hewett, Stuart Beavon, Brandon Ferron, Finn Flanagan, Cieron Keane.

Although Mickleover took the kick off, there was an immediate free-kick against them. But Edwards, Barnes and Wilson all tried to create early moves for Sports, with no serious threat to the home defence.

Barnes had another run after seven minutes, but was intercepted early-on, before Benson cut off the first threat from Howe fairly easily.

The pitch had been heavily sanded and after the first 10 minutes it was clear that Gainsborough were trying to adjust their style to suit the pitch. 

Adebambo tried to pressurise Lancaster in the home defence, but lost out as the ball was cleared again, but Sports were limitingthe home attacks and kept them pegged back in their own half.

Wilkinson and Wilson both made clearances again for Sports, before O’Grady tried an opportunistic strike, well over the Gainsborough bar, but the first real shot of the game 14 minutes in.

But just a minute late it was the hosts that almost opened the scoring. Lancaster and Jackson had sent the ball up the middle for Butroid to earn the first corner. Preston then found Butroid on the edge of the box, and his effort came off Mersin’s post.

Mickleover came straight back, but Wilson’s 18^th minute free kick was dealt with by Coghill. Donkor was working well on the right- wing overlap, before O’Grady tried another speculative shot four minutes later.

Dales was trying to drive Sports forward and clearly doing his best to seek out O’Grady, but overall the play had become fairly even again.

28 minutes and Gainsborough were appealing for penalty after Helliwell went down, but the referee gave a free kick against the striker and gave a yellow card!

Trinity had started to look more dangerous, but Conway managed to get a dangerous cross into Sports’ box, but fortunately found no one waiting.

Wilkinson was yellow carded after fouling Helliwell and just before half-time Dales beat two defenders before being grounded and so it remained 0-0.

Gainsborough started the second half with a long ball easily cut out by Donkor, but Wilson then put Barnes through, to find Donkor again, but his final ball was out of O’Grady’s reach.

Lancaster had intercepted a long ball, before Adebambo, Atkinson, Barnes and Edwards all had spells, seeking out moves spread the home defence.

It was now Mickleover looking the more dangerous, pegging the home defence back again until a Coghill clearance gave them some respite.

Loanee Flanagan was the first change, coming on for Edwards, but three minutes later O’Grady tried his luck again, twisting before firing over again.

Howe and Preston then led a chase, but Donker got back to allay any danger. Two minutes later Howe  earned Gainsborough’s second corner, when Donker intercepted again.

64 minutes in and skipper Coghill challenged Mersin with a weak header, before Howe tried cut inside before his run was stopped.

Home keeper Wharton made his feel real save after 71 minutes from Flanagan, but then a rare miskick from Mersin found striker Preston, who had been successfully challenged before he could do anything.

With 15 minutes to go there was a feeling that either side could still snatch three points, it had been fairly dour throughout but points are critical.

Wilson and Adebambo made some nice moves before the ball was cleared. Johnson was yellow carded for fouling Dales after 84 minutes, but Wilson’s free kick was wasted, only for Dales to be clattered to the ground again on the 90 minutes mark.

Beavon and Ferron were late subs, for Barnes and O’Grady, but with five minutes add on Donkor and Ferron were encouraged to use their pace on the wings.

Gainsborough had a couple of late chances over the bar, but it remained 0-0.

 

by Peter Scherer

Our hosts this weekend are Gainsborough Trinity, a side who have suffered for NPL League form, as a consequence of the financial benefits of successful runs in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

We hosted Trinity in December and went down 1-2, in a game lost to careless defending in almost the final kick of the match.

Since that date Mickleover have picked up seven points, to out hosts 13, seven on which came from the last three games, beating Blyth 5-1 on their last home game.

Russ Wilcox has been in charge at Gainsborough since September2023, having previously been at Farsley Celtic, Scunthorpe and York City and had an unchanged side for the last four games.

As a player he made over 700 league appearances, with Doncaster, Northampton, Hull City, Preston North End and Scunthorpe.

Goalkeeper Dylan Wharton was a pre-season arrival, having come straight from Sheffield Utd, after being on loan for most of last season. He started out at Chesterfield and after a loan at Heanor Town, made the move to Sheffield Utd in September 2022. 

Right back Sisa Tuntulwana came Grantham Town’s youth scheme and joined our hosts in pre-season. 

Aaron Simpson is another right back and former Love Island contestant that arrived pre-season. He was at Whitstable Town and Maidstone Utd at the start of his career before joining Wolves. 

He had loans at Portsmouth, Telford, Kilmarnock and FC Jumilla in Spain, before going to the League of Ireland with Waterford on his release. He soon returned to England with Dover Athletic and also played for Sutton Utd, Hemel and Chippenham, before spending last season at Salisbury.

George Hornshaw is a right back too and former Scunthorpe Junior. His first loan spell was at Farsley, before joining Gainsborough for a month in 2019. He came back again in July 2021 on a permanent basis, but after a year moved back to Farsley, only to return to our hosts again after just two months.

Left back Ashley Jackson started out at Ossett Town, before moving on to Boston Utd, where he spent two years before joining Scarborough. He came to our hosts on loan last September, before his move was made permanent two months later.

Lewis Butrod is another left back and another ex Scunthorpe Junior. He was loaned to Spennymoor and Hereford before coming to Gainsborough on his release in August 2021. Six months later he joined Farsley and made the return trip 17 months later.

Will Lancaster is a centre back signed from Bradford Park Avenue in pre-season. Having started out with Barnsley, he was loaned to Bradford initially, before making it permanent at the start of last season.

Captain Dylan Coghill is a centre back too. He was a junior at Huddersfield, after they picked him up from Gildersome Sports. He had a spell in Scotland with Clyde after an initial loan, before returning to England with Farsley Celtic. He came to Gainsborough in August 2022, after two seasons at Scarborough.

Jordan Helliwell was another pre-season signing. A central midfielder, he started out at Barnsley too, and was loaned to Stalybridge Celtic and Esbjerg in Denmark. He also played for AFC Totton and Brighouse, before ending last season with Wakefield AFC.

Striker Javelle Clarke is in his second season with the club, having arrived from Brighouse in July 2023. He started his career at Sheffield Utd’s Academy.

Fellow striker Dec Howe has become Gainsborough’s lead scorer since coming from Ilkeston in September 2023. He started with Staveley MW before a move to Cleethorpes. After a loan at Darlington he joined Alfreton at the start of last season, but moved to Ilkeston after a couple of months. 

Right sided midfielder Frazer Preston played his junior football at Sheffield Wednesday. He spent two years with Boston Utd after his release, followed by a short stay at Alfreton before coming to Gainsborough in November 2022.

Bobby Johnson plays in central midfield and came from Farsley Celtic at the start of last season. He started at Goole and then North Ferriby, before a four-year spell at Alfreton, which preceded his move to Farsley.

Left- sided midfielder Joe Stacey started with Belper Town, before moving on via Ossett Utd, Grantham and Guiseley. He then joined Alfreton November 2023, who loaned him to Gainsborough for three months at the end of last season, before the stay was made permanent.

Fellow midfielder Bailey Conway was a Sheffield Utd Junior, moving to Rossington Main and Alfreton before his first spell at Gainsborough in December 2022. After seven months he moved to Guiseley, only to return seven weeks later.

Danny Devine is a midfielder too, who began his career at Bradford City. After a loan at Harrogate he joined Carlisle Utd, moving on to Chester two years later. After a loan spell at Farsley, he left Chester and began last season at Guiseley, moving to our hosts after three months.

Curtis Durose is a right-sided midfielder that came from Matlock last December. A product of Rotherham Utd’s Academy, he spent most of the 22/23 season on loan at Gainsborough. He was then loaned to Scarborough and Matlock before the latter became permanent at the start of this season.

Striker Sam Fishburn has been on a months loan from Scunthorpe, which may have been extended. Scunthorpe signed from Fleetwood at thee start of the season, but he started out with Carlisle Utd.

He has loans at Lancaster, Blyth, Morpeth, York City and Spennymoor too.

Kick off as usual 3pm.