by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Despite an overall improvement from last weeks defeat at Worksop, promotion pushing Guiseley once again proved too much for a struggling Mickleover side.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2- Kwaku Donkor 3-Brandon Ferron 4- Gaby Adebambo 6-George Wilkinson 6-Will Atkinson 7-Marcus Barnes 8-Michael Hollingsworth 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Cieron Keane 11-Josh Maskall. Subs: Jake Bennett, Dylan Edwards, Bernard Nsiah, Josh Carter.

Mickleover took the kick off and there was an immediate free kick to Guiseley.

But two minutes in Ferron and Adebambo combined for the first attack, but that was easily cleared. Just a minute later a poor clearance from our hosts , then set up the first shot, which went well wide of the target.

Guiseley then had their first attack, but a strong interception by Sports defence then sent Barnes on a break, only for that to be intercepted too.

Atkinson made a couple of clearances as Guiseley continued to push forward and fired a half chance over the bar, before Adebambo returned the favour, setting up Beavon, who earned the first corner after six minutes, headed away by Brown.

Both sides had breaks and as Mickleover attempted to move forward again, Adebambo did his best to create some space in the middle.

Both Atkinson and Wilkinson played some nice balls out of defence, before Brown tried a similar long ball for Guiseley, which was easily intercepted again.

Although Sports defence were coping, each ball cleared was coming straight back, with fairly sustained attacks from the hosts.

Atkinson made a half clearance after 10 minutes, but it came straight back again with Ible going close. The ball then fell to Lawlor, but his ball for Emmett was too long and Mersin collected.

Two minutes later Barnes put a powerful shot just wide, before Guiseley tried another long ball, to which Mickleover’s response was positive.

Barnes had the ball in the net after 13 minutes, but was deemed offside and then Donkor had a couple of useful runs down the right, but each resulted in another Guiseley break.

Ferron then brought out the ball from the next attack, but his progress was thwarted. Guiseley then won a free kick, but despite it failing to trouble Sports defence, the pressure continued.

19 minutes and Mickleover’s defence was finally breached, when Ekpolo put the ball inside for Emmett, who took his time to place it past Mersin, 0-1.

But Sports still tried to push forward, with Hollingsworth trying a couple of moves, without success. Keeper Cracknell then made a 24th minute save from Barnes, which was eventually cleared and started another break, ending with Mbeke and Mersin colliding with a free kick to Mickleover.

Emmett and Mbeke combined effectively again, with the former’s cross earning a corner. As that curled in Ridehalgh put his effort just wide.

Mickleover were still looking for the breaks too and when Ekpolo gave the ball away after 28 minutes, Barnes had a run until that was stopped in its tracks.

Witham had a half chance for the hosts on the half hour, but despite having space, he failed to maximise the opportunity. Then another curling cross into a crowded box found Moke, but his attempt was straight into Mersin hands.

Another Emmett cross nearly found Mbeke, before Atkinson intercepted, but the pressure was all on Sports again. Lawlor then went close after being put through by Moke, before Mersin finally claimed it after an Ekpolo shot.

Mickleover finally broke again when Keane picked up a loose ball, but his final shot failed to trouble to Cracknell.

As Mbeke and Witham continued to cause trouble, Ferron managed a break to find Beavon, but that came to nought, while Donkor had a couple of useful runs, before his cross to Beavon failed to connect.

Ible shot wide again after 38 minutes, and with two minutes of the first half left, Beavon found Maskall , only for Ible to intercept again. His long ball was stopped by Donkor, but then Emmett had another distance shot blocked.

Barnes had another run on goal but Ible blocked, before Keane floated in a cross for Maskall, which Cracknell collected.

Sports won a late free kick after Adebambo was fouled, but the curling kick aimed for Beavon was cleared and so it remained 0-1 as the whistle went.

Barnes took an early knock as the second half got underway with a fairly even restart. Sports defence was still looking reasonably strong, but creativity was still lacking further forward.

Mersin made another save after 50 minutes after a Brown build up found Witham and then Keane picked up a loose ball with Maskall earning a corner. Barnes was unmarked but as the corner curled in, it was half cleared. Ferron and Adebambo combined to find Beavon , but Emmett managed to get the ball away again.

Barnes earned another corner, which went straight out of play, but fortunately Guiseley weren’t maximising their possession after some positive build ups.

Ferron showed his pace with a run to the edge of the box after 56 minutes, until Brown stopped him, but the hosts retaliated with Witham breaking, before a Ridehalgh, Witham combination was cleared.

But almost on the hour Mbeke made it 0-2 with a powerful header after a corner, before a triple substitution brought Bennett, Edwards and Nsiah on for Adebambo, Maskall and Beavon.

Both Donkor and Ferron began to use the wings more as Mickleover continued to show some fighting spirit, despite between two goals down.

65 minutes and Mbeke was one on one with Mersin, with Sports keeper fortunately coming out on top. But just a minute later there was a third for Guiseley when Emmett was pushed lightly from behind by Keane and the referee pointed to the spot. Mersin chose the right way for Mbeke’s kick, but the power made it 0-3.

Carter and Nsiah were late subs for Mickleover, Mersin made a few more saves in the final 15 minutes and almost at the death Barnes had a shot saved after a pass from Bennett.

 

by Peter Scherer

Following last Saturday’s heavy defeat at Worksop, Mickleover are back on the road again this weekend with an equally tough task ahead.

It’s a visit to third in the table Guiseley. But unlike Worksop, our hosts haven’t been in the best of form recently themselves, with just the one win from the last seven games.

Manager Mark Bower is a former Bradford City defender, who returned to the club for a second spell in April 2024, having previously gained the club promotion to the National League during his previous stay. He left in 2016 and has also managed Bradford Park Avenue.

Goalkeeper Joe Cracknell was a pre-season signing from Scarborough, where he had spent two years since arriving from Harrogate. A former Hull City junior, he was loaned to Scarborough before going to Bradford City on his release, who then loaned him to neighbours Bradford Park Avenue.

Cracknell’s deputy is goalkeeping coach Danny King. He arrived in December 2023 from Bradford Park Avenue.

Ollie Brown is a centre back who started his career with our hosts. After a loan at Frickley, he joined Alfreton, where he stayed a year before returning to Guiseley in July 2023.

Right back Lucas Odunston came from Bradford Park Avenue in pre-season. He was previously in Leeds Utd and Hull City’s Academy.

Left back Liam Ridehalgh was signed in September last year, after starting the season with Bradford City. A Huddersfield youngster, he was loaned to Swindon Town, Chesterfield, and Rotherham, before joining Tranmere permanently following another loan spell and had been at Bradford City for three years. He has played over 300 games in leagues one and two.

Prince Ekpolo is a central midfielder that returned to our hosts in July 2023 for a second spell. He started his career with Gimnastic de Tarragona, Ploba de Mahumet, CE Morell and Reus in Spain, before coming to the UK with Glossop North End in 2017.

He first came to Guiseley in January 2020, staying 2 1/2 years before moving to Telford, making the return trip a year later.

Lebrun Mbeka is a centre back, signed in pre-season from Spennymoor. He started out at Tadcaster, before first arriving at Guiseley in September 2020. He moved to Boston Utd after two years, but came back on loan for a month, before a permanent move to Spennymoor in January last year.

Jake Lawlor is another experienced centre back signed in pre-season from Darlington. Having started out at Harrogate, he first joined our hosts in 2013. He stayed for 5 ½ years which included a loan spell at Fylde, before moving on to Salford.

A stop at Wrexham, and a return trip to Harrogate followed, before he signed for Hartlepool. After a loan at Darlington, he made that move permanent and spent 2 ½ years with the Quakers before returning to Guiseley.
Right back John Lufudu was another pre-season signing from South Shields. He started off at Sheffield FC, and played at Emley, Tadcaster and Ashton Utd, before joining Guiseley in November 2020.

Just under a year later he moved to Spennymoor and was loaned back to Ashton, before going to South Shields in July last year. However he spent the latter part of last season back on loan at Spennymoor too.
Adriano Moke is a midfielder and former Leeds Utd and Nottingham Forest junior. He spent a year in Spain with Jerez after his release, then returned to the UK with York City.

His next move was Cambridge Utd, who loaned him to Tamworth, before a permanent move to Stockport County. Macclesfield, Wrexham, Boreham Wood, a return to York City, Spennymoor and Darlington followed. He was loaned out again to Ashton, before finishing last season at Hednesford, arriving at our hosts at the start of the new term.

Centre back Jameel Ible is a St.Kitts and Nevis International in his third season at Guiseley. He started out with Stockport and played for Salford and York, before his first stop with our visitors in 2013.

After just over a year he moved to Frickley Athletic and has also played for Scarborough and Pontefract, before coming back to Guiseley from Whitby in July 2022. He now captains the side too.

Former Bradford City junior centre back Sam Bentley was signed in September last year, following his release. He also had a spell on loan at Ramsbottom last season.

Central midfielder Joe Ackroyd had spent most of his career at Barnsley. He was loaned to MFK Vyskov in the Czech Republic and spent three months at Guiseley in 2022. He was also loaned to Buxton before his release and returned to Guiseley pre-season.

Jack Emmett is another midfielder and another pre-season arrival, from Knaresborough. He has also played for Harrogate.

Will Longbottom is a striker that came through Doncaster Rovers Academy. He was loaned to Kidderminster and Halesowen before his release and then had a spell in the Republic of Ireland with Waterford. Since his return to England he has played for Bradford Park Avenue and Farsley Celtic, and was another pre-season signing.

Midfielders Sam Walters and Max Dickinson are both Academy products, Walters having previously been with Hull City.

Fellow striker Gabriel Johnson in his second season with the club and has previously played for Brighouse.
Jordan Thewis came from Alfreton in pre-season. Another striker he started out with Scunthorpe, before moving onto Corby and Gainsborough. He then joined Harrogate and has also played for Boston Utd and Spennymoor. He is in his second spell at Guiseley, having spent six months with the club in 21/22.

Harry Ibbitson is a young striker on loan from Bradford City, he also went to Kidderminster Harriers on loan at the end of last year.

Defensive midfielder Jamie Spencer played his youth football with Coventry and Birmingham City before joining Alvechurch. He’s played for Redditch, Kidderminster, Rushall and Stratford too, before coming to Guisley in July 2019 from Bradford Park Avenue.

A year later he moved to Spennymoor, but late returned to Bradford, before rejoining our hosts last month.
Winger Lewis Whitham came from Alfreton back in November 2022, and has played for Liversedge and Stocksbridge too.

Kick off as usual is 3pm.

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.