by Peter Scherer

After two home defeats Mickleover secured their first home point of the season in a fairly dour goalless draw against Lancaster City.

Starting line-up: 1-Usuf Mersin 2-Callum Moore 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Will Atkinson 6-Charlie Hickingbottom 7-Gabby Adebambo 8-Toby Smith 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Dylan Edwards. Subs: Brandon Webster, Brandon Ferron, Marcus Barnes, Luke Cox, Dylan Scott.

Mickleover took the kick off and could have taken the lead in the opening minute, when Dales picked up a high ball and fired it at keeper McClenaghan, who need both hands to make the save, as the visitors looked for offside.

Then Lawson led a Lancaster attack just a minute later, his cross was met by Dagnall who headed over. The visitors then won the first corner, but that was headed clear by the home defence.

Moore was then pulled up for a foul on the right, but although the free kick was wasted, the pressure continued to be on the home defence.

Seven minutes in and Lancaster had another chance, when Kilifin crossed from the left, only for Bennett to shoot wide, after failing to get a proper connection on the ball.

Lancaster skipper Charlie Bailey then tried his luck from just out of the box, but a diving save from Mersin kept it out, as Sports were struggling to break out of their own half.

There was danger again after 13 minutes, when Smith managed to clear a Lawson cross on the left, but after Weston fouled Lawson, Lancaster’s Bennett wasted the free kick, by sending it well over.

Atkinson was the kingpin of the defence and was also trying to play the ball out to be creative, but in midfield the possession continued to be lost and a Bennett shot was just wide.

Lancaster had another effort blocked after 23 minutes, but two minutes later Smith had a speculative shot easily saved by the keeper.

When Mickleover played on the ground they started to show promise, but after 39 minutes Kilifin created space for his own shot, which was fired straight at Mersin.

Dales then had his first real run at the visitors defence, but a hard tackle from Beeden stopped hm and gave Sports a corner. Atkinson managed to get a foot to the ball, but was unable to direct it.

After two minutes of added time were completed, the whistle went for half time and it remained 0-0.

From the kick off of the second the pressure was on the home defence again. Bennett picked up a short corner in the 51^st minute, but a Lawson flick just missed the waiting Allington. Ikpakwu then sent Lawson on a run, Weston challenged, but it was a corner.

Approaching the hour mark Adebambo and Dales combined, before a ball over the top found Moore, but his shot was blocked.

Mickleover then brought Barnes on for Beavon and Ferron for Smith, but Dales led the next attack, but by the time he was able to shoot, his effort had been tamed.

But Sports had started to play again and work themselves forward positively, with Ferron starting to run at the defence too.

Scott then replaced Edwards, but 75 minutes in and Lancaster had the ball in the net, but play was brought back for a free kick.

Weston continued to have a busy game roaming the midfield, with Adebambo looking much more effective than in the first half. But Fleming sent a cross in from the right, which Mersin had to get a hand to clear the danger three minutes later.

Fleming then caught out Moore on the right but with the goal directly ahead, he fired his chance over the bar. 81 minutes and it was close again, but Evangelinos’ cross just missed Coulton, and the ball rolled just passed Mersin’s left hand post.

Adebambo was replaced by Webster after taking a knock with four minutes on the clock and then a  corner by Bailey found Evanagelinos, who fired another shot over the bar.

Right on the 90 minute mark, Barnes found Ferron but his cross went out and three minutes later Barnes shot over the bar, after dispossessing Moonan.

Lawson then had a header saved after a goalmouth scramble, but it then fell to Byrne who headed over, so it was five draws out of six for Lancaster at 0-0 and a home point for Mickleover.

 

by Peter Scherer

Today we welcome Lancaster to the Don Amott Arena, as Mickleover their first home points of the season. There may be a change or two in the line-up too, following knocks in the 2-2 draw at Prescot Cables last Saturday.

Our visitors are unbeaten so far this season, after Saturday’s 1-1 at home to Matlock, with four draws from five matches.

They are currently 10^th in the table, after finishing ninth last term. Manager Chris Willcock took charge in January, having previously managed Stalybridge Celtic, Ramsbottom Utd and Workington.

Keeper James McClenaghan is one of a number of pre-season singings, having previously been at Newcastle Town, Ashton Town and Vauxhall Motors.

Centre back Jamie Mellen came from Holker Old Boys in July last year, after starting his career in Everton’s Academy. He has also played for Workington.

Captain and midfielder Sam Bailey was a Bolton Wanderers Junior. He joined Kendal on his release, staying three years and has now started his eighth season at Lancaster.

Midfielder Christian Sloan is another longer server. He started his career at Barrow and spent a year at Kendal after his release. He came to Lancaster in September 2020.

Dylan Moonan is another midfielder who started out at as a Burnley Junior. He joined Accrington on his release and was loaned to Stalybridge, before starting last season at Atherton Collieries. He was another pre-season arrival at Lancaster.

Long serving Charlie Bailey is a midfielder too, who has spent most of his early career at Morecambe. After a number of loans at Kendal Town, he joined then permanently following his release, but after one further year he came to our visitors at the start of 2016/17.

Striker Nic Evangelinos was signed from Workington in July 2022. He started out at Rugby Town, but in a well-travelled career he has played for  Banbury, Rushden & Diamonds, West Didsbury, Ashton Utd, Ramsbottom and Stalybridge.

Fellow striker Chris Dagnall has played in very division of the football league bar the premiership, with over 600 games and 120 goals under his belt.

From a Junior at Tranmere, he was loaned to Rochdale, before joining Scunthorpe. Next stop Barnsley who also loaned him to Bradford City and Coventry and then a permanent move to Leyton Orient.

He the ventured overseas to Kerala Blasters in India and returned to the UK with Hibernian, and after spells at Crewe and Bury, he returned to Tranmere in 2019.

Yeovil Town, Ashton Utd, Hanley Town and Stalybridge followed, before coming to Lancaster pre-season.

Defender Harrison Beeden is a pre-season signing from Whitby Town, where he spent the last two seasons. He came from Rotherham’s Academy and also played for Brighouse.

Former Scotland Under 16, 17 and 19 International Lewis Coulton started out at Preston North End. He was loaned to Bamber Bridge, Warrington, Chester and Bradford Park Avenue, before joining FC United on his release at the start of last season. he has also played for Atherton Collieries and Widnes and came to Lancaster pre-season.

Centre back Pat Allington came from Holker Old Boys in October 2022 and spent some time at Kendal Town last season, on a dual registration.

Ed Ipakwu is defensive midfielder that started out at Manchester City. He then moved on to Stoke City and Leicester City, before his first arrival at Lancaster in October 2020. After one year he moved to Hyde Utd, but 10 months later he returned to our visitors. His next stop was Colne before returning for a third spell in early 2023.

Jacob Holland-Wilkinson is an attacking midfielder that also started at Preston. He was loaned to Fylde and Bamber Bridge, before a move to Stoke City in August 2022.

He came to Lancaster at the start of last season, but after five months moved on to Bury. He initially signed for Chorley, but has opted to return to Lancaster again.

Dom Lawson is a striker singed from Thornton Cleveleys for the start of 22/23 and became a regular starter last season and was their top scorer.

Noah Alabi is a wide midfielder, who has recently arrived after being released by Aston Villa.

Winger Ryan Rogers started off at Gretna in Scotland, before heading South to Glossop North End. Stops Macclesfield, Northwich and Sandbach followed, before joining Welsh League Bala Town, where he spent last season.

Aaron Fleming is a winger too, having signed pre-season from Irlam. He started out at Blackpool and played at Fylde, Ramsbottom and Padiham, before going to Gibraltar with Europa Point in January 2020.

Nine months later he returned to the UK with Prescot Cables and has played for Macclesfield, Barnoldswick, City of Liverpool and Wythenshawe too.

Wales Under 15, 16 and 19 International midfielder Aaron Bennett has joined our visitors within the last week. He started at Preston and was loaned to Altrincham, before joining Warrington on his release and was at FC United from last December.

Striker Tomas Kilifin came back to the club last season, after a couple of years away at Bury.

Finally Jack Byrne is another very recent arrival too. A centre back, he started at AFC Fylde and after a loan at Barnoldswick, came to Lancaster on loan too in March 2022 for one month.

After further loans at Bromsgrove and Widnes, he made a permanent move to the latter, where he spent the whole of last season.

Kick off at the Don Amott is 3pm, your support would be welcomed, as Sports strive to secure their first home points of the season.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover kept their unbeaten away record intact, but it took two very late goals to peg back two first half goals from hosts Prescot Cables.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Callum Moore 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Will Atkinson 6-Charlie Hickingbottom 7-Gabby Adebambo 8-Jake Bennett 9-Dylan Scott 10-Andy Dales 11-Leojo Davidson, Subs: Luke Cox, Brandon Webster, Brandon Ferron, Stuart Beavon, Dylan Edwards.

Prescot were on the attack from the start earning a corner in the first minute., before Murphy shot just wide of the near post.

It was only some solid defending from Mickleover that kept out an 11^th minute free kick too, going over the bar as the hosts had started to dominate the possession.

Sports had a chance 15 minutes when the follow up to a Wilson free kick was headed out for a corner, but it was Prescot that dealt the first blow, when Wara got his head to the ball at the far post, following a corner, 0-1 after 22 minutes.

Mersin had to clear the danger again from a 28^th minute corner, but goal number two soon followed when Carberry made it 0-2 after 34 minutes, after being given too much time in the centre to set up his shot.

“We had gone from the fast slick 3G at Leek where we could play and it suited us, to an exceptionally dry grass pitch, which was fairly long. And it made it a slower game. We need to put them under pressure and we didn’t . We were playing too short, not getting hold of it and just not establishing ourselves, while they played well,” said manager Gareth Holmes.

The hosts had a another shot over from a corner three minutes later, before putting a free kick straight into the wall.

Mersin saved again from a 43rd minute header from Wara and Murphy headed over too following a free kick with the half time whistle poised.

But Mickleover had been forced to make a change too, when Beavon replaced Bennett.

“We made a few changes for the second half manpower and tactically, after losing Benno, we wanted to be more direct and create some chances,” said Holmes.

Scott had a 52 minute shot just wide from the edge of the box, but as the hour mark approached Mickleover had taken charge and were pushing forward far more., having brought on Ferron and Edwards for Scott and Davidson.

After Sports had a free kick cleared on the hour, Gilboy hit the bar for Prescot. But home keeper Mendes then made a full stretch save from a Mickleover strike after 62 minutes.

Three minutes later Mendes had to save again, as it was becoming one-way traffic, with another break after 66 minutes, following a Prescot free kick.

73 minutes in and Mendes made another save when a cross from the left was met by Beavon’s head, but time was running out. Cox then came on for Moore with nine minutes left, but was played as a striker. 

Finally Sports pulled one back after 81 minutes, when some great work on the left found Edwards in the middle, who managed to get his head to the ball to make it 1-2.

Cox was causing havoc in the home defence and won an 84^th minute free kick which was cleared. But three minutes Mersin was in action too after Prescot break.

“We changed formation three times in the second half to keep the pressure on,” Holmes explained.

Mendes had saved another free kick but as we went into time added on, there was another free kick, with Wilson securing the equaliser, with virtually the last kick of the match 2-2.

“We dominated the second half, but need to respond much quicker,” Holmes concluded. 

 

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday Mickleover visit Prescot Cables, who were promoted to the Northern Premier League, after finishing third in last years West Division.

Following Tuesday nights 3-1 win at Leek Town, Mickleover are now 14^th in the table, compared with Prescot in 21^st, after Tuesday’s home defeat to Workington.

Our hosts didn’t have the best of pre-seasons, when only a week or so before their first league fixture, manager Steven Daley and his assistant both resigned after a dispute, which was rectified a few days later. They were then reinstated after their replacement resigned.

After taking a point at home to Matlock Town in a 0-0 draw on the opening day of the season, they have lost each of their other three matches.

First choice goalkeeper is Andre Mendes, who started his career in his native Portugal with Benfica, after they had signed him from Marinhense. 

He then came to the UK in 2018 with Morecambe and spent five years with them, during which time he was loaned to Colne and Ashton Utd, before joining Lancaster City on his release. He then moved to Bury, joining our hosts pre-season, after spending last term with FC United.

His deputy is Danny Hamlett, a former Sandbach, Runcorn and Alsager player.

Centre back Scott Wara is a new signing too. A former Stoke City Junior, he joined Leek on his release in 2020. After two years he then moved to Ireland for a couple of months with Finn Harps, before returning to England with Stalybridge last September. He is a Fiji International too.

Julius Ndene is another centre back, another pre-season signing and another former Stoke Junior. He spent two years at Rocester after his release and came to Prescot after spending last season at Leek.

Left back Matty Devine has just started his third season at Prescot. He started out with Marine, before moving to Burscough and Witton Albion. He then had three years at Nantwich, before joining Prescot in July 2022.

Centre back Charley Doyle is currently on loan from Marine. He is a former Blackburn Rovers Junior and has also played for Stalybridge Celtic.

Owen Cushion is a central midfielder who came from Wrexham pre-season. He also had a spell on loan with Colwyn Bay earlier this year.

French defender Nelson Digbeu is a new arrival too, following a successful trial after leaving Skelmersdale. He started with Chauvigny and has also played for Prestwich Heys, Bradford Park Avenue, Ashton Utd, Leek Town and Widnes.

Midfielder Francis Smith made his debut in Prescot colours in March 2023 and has been a regular starter ever since.

Fellow midfielder Brandon Newell was another pre-season signing from Witton Albion. He was previously at Macclesfield and went on a dual registration to Wythenshawe Town, before starting last season with Stalybridge Celtic.

Finlay Heath is a midfielder too, on loan from Southport. He started at Buxton and was at AFC Liverpool before going to Southport in November 2022. He was loaned to South Liverpool and Nantwich too last season.

Captain and midfielder James Foley came from Witton Albion at the start of 22/23 and was previously at Marine for three years, Cammell Laird and Macclesfield.

Dominic Cain came from Tranmere Academy. A centre back he arrived from South Liverpool at the end of last season and had also played for Beeston Sports.

Left back Michael Carberry is another pre-season addition to the squad. He was a Doncaster Rovers Junior, who went to Burscough on his release. He then spent three years at Bootle, before moving on to Southport and Marine, then returned to Bootle last December to see out the season.

Lewis Gilboy is another newcomer. A pacey winger, he started out at Accrington, but was released after a loan at City of Liverpool and joined Bury. He spent the second half of last season at FC United.

Centre back Harry McVeigh was in Everton’s Academy, before moving to Wales with the New Saints on his release. He then spent time at Liverpool before returning to TNS. Skelmersdale was his next stop, before a brief spell at South Liverpool preceded his move to Prescot last February.

Striker John Murphy came from Ransbottom for the start of 22/23. He has been the clubs leading scorer for the last two seasons and has also played for Glossop North End.

Fellow striker Kyle Sambor has been a prolific scorer too since he arrived in March 2022. He has had a number of previous clubs, including Colne, Widnes, AFC Liverpool, Atherton Collieries, Witton Albion, Warrington Rylands, Cammell Laird 1907, Kendal Town, Ytterhogdals IK, Mansfield Town, Litherland and Vauxhall Motors.

Liam Hollett is a defender and club captain, who had numerous spells with our hosts. He has played for Cammel Laird, City of Liverpool, Marine, Burscough, Skelmersdale and Runcorn too.

Midfielder Tom Owens started out at Preston North End, before moving to US College football as a player and a coach. He returned to the UK in 2017 and set up his current UK coaching centre in Prescot.

Striker Ben Elliott is a new arrival from Didsbury & Chorlton.

Kick off as usual is 3pm.

By Peter Scherer

Two late strikes from Mickleover made sure we returned from Leek Town 3-1 winners, securing the first victory of this NPL season.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Callum More 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Charlie Hickingbottom 6-Will Atkinson 7-Gabiel Adebambo 8-Jake Bennett 9-Tin Ryder 10-Andy Dales 11-Dylan Scott. Subs: Luke Cox, Brandon Webster, Toby Smith, Stuart Beavon, Dylan Edwards,

Mickleover took the kick off on a sunny evening and made a promising start, but within five minutes rain started to fall, fortunately briefly.

It had been fairly even but just eight minutes in, Leek had possession on the Mickleover right and the ball fell to former Sports loanee Brandon Daniels, who fired it home from close range, just inside Mersin’s left-hand post, 0-1.

Five minutes later Leek captain Curl beat Wilson on the left, but Mersin comfortably held his cross. But for a while Mickleover were losing out in 50/50 challenges, until Weston set up Dales, whose run and following shot were blocked.

Confidence began to grow and with it possession too. Adebambo set up Scott after 20 minutes and the young strikers effort was only just wide, with Mickleover’s first real shot.

The hosts then retaliated and had a header just wide after 27 minutes, before Sports earned a free kick when Ryder was fouled. Wilson’s kick found Moore in the box, but his header was just wide.

Bennett was relishing his right-hand midfield role and his run on the half hour earned a corner. As the ball came in Dales snatched the equaliser with a rare header and it was all square again 1-1-.

Only a minute later Dales and Adebambo combined, beat the home defence, but there was no one in the box to receive.

With Mickleover continuing to push forward, Dales had another run, but as he reached the edge of the box, centre back Harrison blatantly pushed him over.

Wilson kick again found Moore, who was beaten by the bounce, but still managed to get a shot in.

Atkinson and Hickingbottom were playing well in the centre of Sports defence, forcing Leek to try random distance efforts. They made two attempts as the first half drew to a close, both well over the bar, before Moore tried to feed Dales as he ran through the middle, but the final pass was just short.

So as the whistle went it remained 1-1, but with plenty of promise for the second half.

Mickleover were unchanged as the second half kicked off and within a minute of the restart there was another close call for our hosts, when Ryder burst through to find Scott, whose deflected shot was only just off target.

Five minutes later Dales found Scott again, his path was blocked this time, but Sports were on top possession wise.

53 minutes and it was close again. From Bennett’s original pass, Ryder pulled it back from the line to cross into the box, but the ball was just fractionally behind Adebambo and Scott.

Ryder then set up another strike for Scott, keeper Visser pushed the initial shot away, before Dales fired over the bar.

Leek continued to play football and tested Mersin after 59 minutes, before hitting the back of the net two minutes later with a rebound after Mersin’s save, but it was ruled offside.

Bennett then hit the side netting and after 65 minutes and Dales had a distance shot saved, after a Ryder and Adebambo build up.

Weston was looking both calm and controlling in the centre of midfield and the confidence had spread throughout the team, but Leek remained dangerous on the break.

70 minutes in and Mersin had to punch away another effort, before Mickleover made their first change, with Beavon replacing Ryder. But Leek were on the attack and a 74^th minute cross from the right was headed just over after a deflection for a corner, followed by another corner.

Sports had briefly been pinned back in their own half, but came back strongly over the final 10 minutes, after Dales cut inside from the left to earn another corner.

Dales was fouled again on the halfway line before he had got into full flight, but the halt prompted another substitution as Edwards came on for Scott.

With two minutes of normal time left Beavon was on the end of a break, he held on for Dales to charge in, but he was then fouled in the box and Edwards stepped up to convert the penalty, 2-1.

There was time added on and it proved to be a positive addition for Mickleover. A sensational run down the wing from Dales saw in him continue to cut in, finding Beavon in the box who struck it first time and it was 3-1.

It could have been four in the final minute too, when another Beavon break saw Edwards hit the post.

It’s now off to Prescot Cables on Saturday, with the future starting to look brighter.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s back on the road for Mickleover, as we head to newly promoted Leek Town on Tuesday evening, seeking our first win of the season.

Last Saturday Sports lost out to table toppers Hebburn Town, conceding a second half penalty, after pushing for an equaliser to their first half strike.

Leek are currently 13^th in the table, having won away at Basford and lost at home to Stockton, before last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Workington.

Manager Josh Brehaut took over at the beginning of last season, having previously been joint assistant. He has worked in Stoke City and Port Vale’s Academies and been assistant manager at Kidsgrove.

First choice goalkeeper Dino Visser started his career in his native South Africa, with Platinum Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, Back Leopards, Polokwane City, Santos and Cape Umoya, before coming to the UK with Exeter City in 2019 at the age of 30. 

He quickly moved on via Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale, before joining Hereford in September 2022 and came to Leek last November.

His deputy is Xander Parke, a St.Kitts & Nevis International, who started out at Stoke City’s Academy. He joined Shrewsbury Town on his release and came to our hosts last October.

Right back Liam Buckley was signed from 1874 Northwich at the beginning of last season. Originally a Chester Junior, he has also played for Welsh Premiership side Cefn Druids.

Olly Harrison is a burly defender who started out at Crewe Alexandra. He went to Sweden with IKF Ostersund an first came to Leek in 2019.

Fenton Green is a defensive midfielder, who came through Crewe Alexandra’s youth team. He joined Hyde Utd on his release, who then loaned him to Stockport County. His next stop was 1874 Northwich for 16 months, before moving to Leek in November last year.

Midfielder Tom Scully unusually played for both Liverpool and Everton at youth level, before a two year stay at Norwich City.  He then moved to Accrington, before crossing the Irish sea on loan at Carrick Rangers. Following his release from Accrington he joined Nantwich, before switching to Leek at the start of last season.

Winger Alex Hurst started at Crewe Alexandra too, and joined Matlock Town following his release. He moved on to Bradford Park Avenue and Port Vale, before loaned back to Bradford. Next stop was York City, before ending last season at Macclesfield. He has league two experience and came to Leek pre-season.

Midfielder Brendon Daniels s a former England C player, who has played in leagues one and two. He was another player to start out at Crewe, before playing at Under 21 level with both Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers. 

He was to Chester following his release, moving on to Tamworth, Harrogate Town, Fylde, Alfreton and Port Vale, with loans at Altrincham and Telford before joining Stourbridge on his release. He had a brief loan at Mickleover last season and was a pre-season signing for Leek.

Midfielder Nathan Okome is another new arrival. He started at Knutsford, before moving to 1874 Northwich, Hanley Town and Chorley, followed by loans at Witton Albion, Matlock and Glossop, before starting last season at Nantwich.

Fellow midfielder Ty Webster came from Crewe too, he played for Telford last season and was another pre-season arrival for our hosts.

Lucas Weir is another midfielder. His junior football was spent at Chester and Wigan before going to 1874 Northwich. He spent some time in the US with Evansville Purple Aces, before returning to Northwich. After spending 22/23 at Marine, he returned to Northwich for a third time last season, and was another pre-season arrival at Leek.

Central midfielder Ollie Shenton is a former Stoke City Junior. He was loaned to Wrexham and Kidderminster before going to Chorley on his release. He was then loaned to Warrington Rylands, before joining the pre-season newcomers at Leek.

Defender Liam Edwards is another pre-season signing. A former Stoke City youngster, he moved to Bolton on his release and captained their Under 21 side. He was then loaned to Southport and made six first team appearances at Bolton, before going to Chester after his release.

Midfielder Billy Reeves returned to our hosts for a second time, when he signed pre-season from Bury. A former Port Vale youngster, he originally came from Stafford Rangers in September 2018, but moved to Bootle last summer, before making the move to Bury.

Striker Tim Grice came from Stoke City’s Academy, before joining Wolstanton Utd and Alsager Town. He is the clubs longest serving player have signed from Eccleshall in 2011.

Striker Joe Woolley came in pre-season from Kidsgrove Athletic. He had joined them at the start of last season after eight seasons at 1874 Northwich and has also played for Bootle.

Tyreece Onyeka is another new arrival, from Stafford Rangers. Another Crewe Junior, he was loaned to Matlock and Stalybridge, before going to Staford on his release.

New signing Tom Curl is a right back and another former Stoke City Junior.

Join us at the F.Ball Community Stadium, kick off 7.45pm.

by Peter Scherer (Photos: Steve Ingers)

After the disappointment at Tuesday’s home defeat to Ilkeston, Mickleover were hoping for better fortune as they faced table toppers Hebburn Town.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2- Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Dan Bradley 6-Luke Cox 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Atkinson 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Dylan Edwards 11- Nathan Opoko. Subs: Charlie Hickingbottom, Leojo Davidson, Dylan Scott, Toby Smith, Brandon Ferron.

The visitors won an early free kick which was headed away by the home defence, but after four minutes they were on the attack again, with Robinson’s shot blocked.

Mickleover had their first real chance on goal seven minutes in, when Edwards curling shot was just over. But with a fairly even start to the game, both defences were looking fairly solid, with Hebburn not having conceded a goal so far this season.

But there was another chance for Mickleover after 14 minutes, new signing Opoko turned defender Haywood, laying off to Beavon who earned a corner. Edwards won the ball as it came in to the box, but again it was just over.

The visitors defence had begun to be the busier of the two and after 19 minutes Opoko crossed for Beavon, he went down after a push in the back with appeals made, but nothing was give.

Hornets skipper Purewal was their top scorer last season, when they gained promotion as North Premier East Division Champions and he was the man to break the deadlock again.

Only two minutes after he had been flagged offside Purewal slid the ball past Mersin, after Noble had put the ball over the defence for him to run onto, 0-1.

Edwards then chased down a long ball out defence from Mickleover, but was caught offside, but Purewal wentdown as Hebburn attacked again, but like Mickleover’s earlier, the appeals were waved away.

But Sports were pushing hard to try and seek the equaliser, but attempts to break down the right were stopped went Walton managed to block.

Despite having gone down to the earlier goal, Mickleover were still standing firm and keeping Hebburn attacks at bay, as well as dominating the possesson.

Just after Sports had another penalty appeal waved away,when Dales was brought down, a counter attack by the visitors was intercepted again by some strong defending.

With half time approaching Mickleover earned another corner which came to nought, before play switched and the home defence dealt with another cross following a free kick.

With almost the last kick of the half, a long ball was played out of the Mickleover defence, but cleared by the visitors, only for a cross to be fired back in, with a follow up header just wide, and so it remained 0-1.

Mickleover had replaced Opoko with Davidson and  started the second half with passion and after just one minute there was as hot just wide of Hunter’s near post.

But after the initial flurry, Hebburn tried to press again with Noble’s effort just wide of the far post after a positive build up. But once again it was Mickleover in possession,with the final ball thwarting the quest for that elusive equaliser.

After another Hebburn cross had been headed away, Sports tested Hunter with a shot from just outside the box, after an initial parry, he caught the ball again.

Mickleover were still very much in the game, but Hebburn were also firing in some challenging crosses, Mickleover continued to source the equaliser and Hebburn tried to seal the points.

Just after Scott had replaced Beavon, Mersin caught another effort from Heywood after 69 minutes, but seven minutes later, Purewal went down in the box, the penalty was awarded and he stepped up to make it 0-2.

Wilson put a Mickleover free kick just wide of the far post after 79 minutes, but the ball just wasn’t breaking for Sports.

In the last 10 minutes Ferron and Hickingbottom replaced Edwards and Cox, but Hebburn pushed hard for a third. Blocks by the defence, a couple of saves from Mersin and a last minute clearance off the line by Hickingbottom, kept the score at 0-2 as we now go back on the road to Leek Town on Tuesday.

“I think one of our first half penalty appeals was legitimate and the decision on their’s could have gone either way. We had the majority of the possession in both halves, so that was frustrating,” said Sports managerGareth Holmes.

“Their first goal was against the run of play, but we needed to hurt their back line to. Although we were better in defence than the last game, we made mistakes and it cost us. We are still adjusting to this league, the style and the clubs, but we need to maximise our opportunities. But some positive performances on the field, which we need to carry into the next games,” he concluded.