By Peter Scherer

Unbeaten in the last six league games, but having led for over 70 minutes, Mickleover finally went down 1-2 at Redditch in their Southern Premier League Central visit to the Trico Stadium.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dals 8-Mason Warren 9-Elliottt Reeves 10-Styart Beavon 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: James Butler, Lekan Osideko, Pablo Mills, Jake Scott.

Mickleover had two players on yellow cards in the first 10 minutes with Dolan and Watt both in the book for fouls on Mensah, who went off injured seven minutes later.

Redditch went close after 24 minutes when debutant Sambu’s crossed for Hudson, whose final shot was deflected wide. Then after a series of corners Sheaf headed over for the hosts.

With Redditch’s early attacks failing to penetrate the Mickleover defence, a ball had cleared the home defence, fallen to Greaves, who then spotted keeper Boucher off his line and lobbed into the empty net, 1-0.

Hedge had to make a save from a Redditch effort  after 34 minutes, before Sports went close too with a header just passed the post following a corner.

But Hedge was in action thee minutes later, with a save from King, before Boothe’s final effort of the half was blocked and it remained 1-0.

Boothe and King combined again early into the second half, but Hedge came to the rescue after the defence was flat footed.

But Redditch were continuing to threaten, and after 51 minutes Flanagan put a ball over the defence for King to chase. Hedge came out but failed to collect and the defence then cleared the danger.

Yeomans was next in the referee’s book, before Redditch had another chance.  Boothe went one on one with Hedge, but the Mickleover keeper came out on top, before Boucher then saved at the other end from a Reeves shot.

Butler came on for Wilson after 71 minutes, but despite the continuing attacks from the hosts, the Mickleover defence continued to repel the danger.

Greaves then became Mickleover’s fourth yellow card, but the defence was finally breached after 79 minutes when Sheaf scored from the edge of the box. 1-1.

Scott then came on Dales after 80 minutes, just before Redditch sent a free kick just over the bar.

Disaster then struck for Mickleover, with a minute of normal time on the clock, Flanagan met the ball on the bounce and sent a 30 yard half volley to Hedge’s right 1-2.

Osideko came on for Beavon in injury time, but all three points went to Redditch, as they now move to fourth in the table and Mickleover drop to fifth. 

by Peter Scherer

After five successive home games, Mickleover are back on the road again this weekend, when they visit Redditch Utd.

Our hosts are one place behind Mickleover in fifth, two points apart, and drew 0-0 at league leaders Tamworth last Saturday.

Redditch have lost four games so far this season and all have been at home. In their last home match, they hosted Basford, taking a 2-1 victory, with both goals coming from penalties.

Sports made three changes for Tuesday’s draw at home to Stourbridge, but struggled in midfield, particularly in the second half.

Matt Clarke has been in charge at the Trico Stadium since September 2020 and is a former player for the club. He also played for Wolves, West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster during his playing career.

Captain Jack Byrne is a midfielder and has been with the club since November last year, when he came from Telford. 

It’s his second spell with the club having previously arrived in January 2009 from Stratford. He also played for Kidderminster, Solihull, Brackley and Nuneaton.

Goalkeeper Kieren Boucher is an ex-Aston Villa Junior. After a spell at Kidderminster, he came to Redditch in October 2019, moved on to Stratford in July 2020, but returned after only two months.

Centre back Ryan Wollacott started out at Stourport, before spending just over three years in the Welsh Premier League with Aberystwyth. He then moved to Alvechurch, before returning to Stourport, from where Redditch signed him in July last year.

Left back Calum Flanagan is another ex-Villa Junior. After a loan at Kettering he joined Hinckley on his release, before making his first stop at Redditch in 2015, when he came from Worcester.

Further moves to Hednesford, Solihull, Rushall and Halesowen, with a couple of career breaks in between, preceded his return to Redditch in January.

He isn’t the only Flanagan in the squad though, as brother Reece is a midfielder and former Walsall Junior.

He joined Leamington after his release and had spells at Rushall and Stratford, before Redditch signed him from Hednesford pre-season.

Ukrainian born Yan Osadychi is a right back, who had 11 years experience in his homeland before coming to our hosts in July. He played for Metalurg, ETM Kharkiv, Solli Plyus, Agrobiznes TSK and Alyans.

Midfielder Max Sheaf has spent most of his career with Hull City, making 19 League Two appearances. He had loans at Cheltenham and Torquay, before going to Gloucester following his release. After a loan at Hungerford, he made his move to Redditch in August.

Winger Bernard Mensah was a pre-season signing. He started off at Watford, being loaned out to Braintree and Barnet, before a permanent move to Aldershot. 

He has also played for Bristol Rovers, Lincoln City and Maidenhead, before joining Gloucester in January 2020. He was initially loaned to Redditch in February, before making it permanent in the summer.

Midfielder Robbie Bunn came through Redditch’s own youth scheme to make his first team debut, but joined Bromsgrove in 2016, moving on to Halesowen and then Studley last October. He then returned to Redditch in November on a dual registration.

Full back Lewis Hudson came from Coventry Utd in July 2021 and played for Rugby Town, Coventry Sphinx and Racing Club Warwick too.

Midfielder Danny King is currently on a months loan from Gloucester City.

Striker Ryan Boothe signed in January from Halesowen. He has played for Racing Club Warwick, Rushall, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Barwell, Bilston, Lye Town, Anstey Nomads, Walsall Wood and Highgate Utd too.

Striker Jerell Sellars is the newest signing. Aston Villa signed him from Lincoln City and loaned him to Wycombe., before a permanent move to Cheltenham. 

 He played 39 games in League Two scoring two goals, but moved to Sweden after his release, spending nearly three-years at Ostersund, before returning to the UK.

Midfielder Murphy Culkin was a new singing for this season, from Barton Rovers. He was previously at Eynesbury Rovers, Potton Utd and Biggleswade.

Sam Rowbottom is the second-choice goalkeeper and has come through our hosts own Academy, into the first team squad, along with Henry Smith, Adam Hanson and Josh Clews.

Kick 3pm as usual and it’s only 58 miles away.

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover went into last nights home game against Stourbridge off the back of five straight wins in the Southern Premier League Central, but thoughts weren’t entirely on the game in hand as the whole of the Mickleover FC family paid tribute to the passing of goalkeeper Finn Bowen.

Captain for the night Ethan Mann led the teams out, before a minutes silence preceded kick off.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Phil Watt 7-Mason Warren 8-Joe Bateman 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: James Butler, Lekan Osideko, Pablo Mills, Mitch Rose, Andy Dales.

It was five minutes into the game when Mickleover had their first shot on goal, with Beavon finding Warren, whose shot was deflected for a corner, from which Greaves shot was saved by keeper Charlie Price.

Greaves was in again three minutes later, after a good build up down the left. His shot was saved and earned another corner, with Watt heading over.

Yeomans and Greaves were linking up well down the right wing, but the amount of possession was fairly even. Mickleover were creating the chances, as Stourbridge relied on the break.

12 minutes in and the visitors had their first real attempt on goal, but when the final cross came in, Mann headed clear.

Reeves and Wilson earned another corner five minutes later, but despite some effective passing, the final ball was just lacking.

Dolan then found himself with a chance to shoot inside the box, but his proximity to the keeper saw it blocked, and another corner.

Stourbridge finally cleared the danger after a couple of minutes of intense attack and had a couple of breaks themselves on goal.

The ball fell nicely for Jason Cowley, but Watt was quick to respond and whipped the ball away again after 24 minutes. Shortly afterwards the deadlock was broken, as Warren had the ball around the half-way line, saw the keeper off his line, and lobbed a perfect shot over the keeper into the welcoming net, 1-0.

All the Sports players then headed to the bench in celebration, waving Bowen’s shirt proudly in another fitting tribute.

Hedge had to make a Lyttle on the half hour, before Cowley headed over again a few minutes later.

But it was still mainly Mickleover on the attack, with Beavon letting fly from long range, but his effort was blocked, before Reece Styche had a shot wide for the visitors.

It was close again after 35 minutes, when Beavon cut in from the right and Warren just missed connecting after he found space. Dolan then raced in from the left only for Joel Kettle to block and then Mann followed suit with a long and positive run, placing his shot just wide of the right-hand post with the keeper rooted.

As the half time whistle approached, a good build up down the right again, saw Warren shoot wide, before Reeves finished the half with a fine shot tipped away by keeper Price.

In the opening minutes of the second half Reeves broke and went close again, but Price was able to save. The game then changed direction with Alex Moore hitting the equaliser directly from a free kick on the Mickleover left. 1-1.

From having the upperhand Mickleover were now on the back foot. Mann cleared a dangerous ball in from the left, before Stourbridge had a succession of corners before the pressure relented.

Warren, Bateman, Wilson and Greaves in midfield found themselves with little space, as the visitors went close again after 56 minutes.

Lyttle hit a free kick straight into the Mickleover wall just after the hour mark and after 69 minutes Yeomans got a shot in well saved by the diving keeper.

It was certainly a game of two halves as Mickleover struggled to make progress. Dales and Osideko came on for Warren and Reeves, but they made little impact.

Beavon almost got Reeves through after 75 minutes, but the ball out paced him and ran to the keeper and in the 90^th minute Dales put a ball in from the left, but it was cleared for a corner, which was then headed wide.

So it remained 1-1 and we are still fourth in the table, but now face two away in the next week at Redditch and Alvechurch.

By Peter Scherer

Five successive wins and now fourth in the table, so are you coming to the Don Amott Arena for your Tuesday night feast of football as we take on Stourbridge?

Stourbridge are currently 14^th in the Southern Premier League Central table, but didn’t have a game last Saturday. They beat Ilkeston away 2-0 in their last game and are undefeated in their last four.

Joint manager Leon Broadhurst and Stuart Pierpoint have been in charge since October last and are both still registered to play.

Centre back Broadhurst is the clubs record appearance holder on 780, spending 10 years at the club before moving to Bromsgrove.

Pierpoint is also a centre back who has also played for Oldbury Utd, Sutton Coldfield, Halesowen, Stafford, Nuneaton, Solihull, Leamington and Brackley before a four-year stay at Stourbridge from July 2015. He was at Coalville before returning to our visitors.

Goalkeeper Charlie Price is in his second spell at the club, having left to join Alvechurch in June 2016, before returning three years later. 

Defender Joel Kettle is in his second spell at the club too. He started out with Sutton Coldfield before joining Stourbridge in August 2014. His career then took him to Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, Rushall, Solihull, Tamworth and Nuneaton, before joining our visitors pre-season from Bromsgrove.

Striker Darryl Knights is a  former Ipswich Junior he was capped by England at Under 16 and 17 and was loaned to Yeovil, before joining Kidderminster on his release.

Solihull was his next stop, then Newport and Solihull before returning to Kidderminster. After a spell at Tamworth, he had two years at Telford, before coming to Stourbridge in July 2020.

Full back Jack Wilson was another signing from Bromsgrove back in September 2021. He had made 200 appearances before his move and had a brief loan spell at Lichfield City too.

Jason Cowley is a striker who came from Bromsgrove too in July last year. He started out at Redditch, before a first spell at Bromsgrove preceded a move to Stevenage. He was loaned to Solihull and on release he had a month at Macclesfield, before rejoining Bromsgrove.

Midfielder Reece King arrived from Buxton in July last year. He started his career at Malvern Town, before moving on to Gloucester City and Hednesford. After a spell at Leamington, he rejoined Hednesford, before going to Buxton in February 2020.

Joe Hull is another returnee having arrived for his second spell from Alvechurch last December. He started out at Kidderminster, before moving to Redditch in 2010. Further moves took him to Hinckley Utd and Stourport Swifts, before returning to Redditch.

He first came to Stourbridge in February 2016 after just over three years at Halesowen. But after eight months and a loan at Tividale, he moved to Rushall Olympic, Bromsgrove and finally Alvechurch.

Lee Vaughan had been first choice right back but has recently lost his place to new signing Tyler Lyttle. Vaughan was an academy player at Birmingham City and Portsmouth, before joining Chelmsley, from where he was spotted by Walsall.

He played over 45 first team games and was loaned to Willenhall, before joining Telford on his release. Moving on to Cheltenham, Tranmere and back to Kidderminster, he came to Stourbridge in July last year from Barnet, after a spell at Solihull and a return trip to Telford.

Midfielder Callum Gittings came from Leamington in pre-season. After starting at Alvechurch, he also played for Kidderminster, Solihull and Telford. 

Former Walsall Academy midfielder Alex Moore joined Wolverhampton Casuals and Shifnal Town after his release, before stepping back up the ladder to Bromsgrove and Rushall Olympic. He had three years at Rushall before joining Stourbridge pre-season.

Midfielder Harry Lewis made his first team debut last season, after coming through the clubs academy. He has also had a few games for Team Dudley and has started three of Stourbridges’s games this season.

Rackeem Reid is a striker that came from Rushall pre-season. He initially played for Chasetown and Paget Rangers before going to Nottingham University. He moved on to Belper Town and Long Eaton, before joining Quorn for 2019/20.

Centre Back Chris Knight is in his third spell at Stourbridge. He first joined them in July 2012 from Dudley, moved onto Lye Town but returned in July 2017. After going back to Lye and latterly Wulfrunians, he signed for our visitors again in pre-season.

Reece Stryche is both an England C and current Gibralatarian International, having scored three goals in 27 games for the latter.

He came from Hednesford in September last year, having played for a huge raft of clubs in his 14 year career, including Buxton, Alfreton, Darlington, Macclesfield and Wycombe, having started out at Hednesford.

Moussa Koita is a midfielder. He was signed after an early pre-season trial, having previously played for Team Dudley.

Defender Alex Worley is an ex Walsall Junior, who was at Haverfordwest last season. He was another pre-season signing and has made one start so far.

Tyler Lyttle is the most recent signing. The former Wolves and Bristol Rovers Junior is the son of ex Forest defender Des.

He made three first team starts at Bristol and was loaned to Nuneaton and Truro, before joining Hednesford on his release. He was at Sutton Coldfield prior to joining Rushall, where he spent the last four years.

Striker Greg Mills was a former Rams Junior, and had loans at Solihull and Macclesfield and Telford, before making his Telford move permanent. Worcester, Boston Utd, Barrow, Kings Lynn, Corby, Tamworth, Nuneaton and Darlington are also on his CV, before he came to Stourbridge in 2018.

After just over a year he moved to Bromsgrove and returned to our visitors in July 2020. He has been on the bench this season, but is yet to make a start.

Ethan Moran is a young midfielder yet to start this season. He started out at Worcester City, before moving to Malvern Town. He has also had spells in Kidderminster’s Academy and at Lye Town and joined Stourbridge in August last year.

Lewis Solly is both reserve goalkeeper and coach. An ex Wolves and Bury player, he played for Welshpool and Aberystwyth, before moving back to the midlands with Stafford Rangers.  He was then at Telford and Redditch and first came to Stourbridge in 2005 from Hednesford, and stayed eight years before moving to Rushall. He moved onto Worcester but had time out with an injury and has been back at Stourbridge since the end of last season, having made over 350 appearances.

7.45pm kick off as usual, the bar will be open and the forecast is and 11 degrees. So BE THERE!!

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover made it five successive wins after their 2-0 success at home to Bedford Town, moving them into fourth place in the Southern Premier League Central Division.

Gaffer John McGrath was able to name the same starting line-up that beat Basford Utd last Tuesday, 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4- Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Phil Watt, Lekan Osideko, Pablo Mills, Joe Bateman, Mason Warren.

The game started with a fairly swift pace from Mickleover, with Reeves going clear after five minutes, but his fairly tame shot was easily taken by keeper Alex Street.

Five minutes later Charley Sanders hit the post with a header for the visitors, before Beavon collected a cross in the box, only for the Bedford defence to clear the danger.

Sports were moving forward with pace, as Yeomans and Dolan pushed down the wings and the midfield of Wilson, Rose and Greaves looked strong.

Reeves was almost through again after 13 minutes, but Sam Dreyer cleared, before Mickleover had two successive short corners before Bedford cleared their lines.

Connor Tomlinson met a Harriman cross after 17 minutes, but his final header was over Hedge’s bar, but Mickleover retaliated in the best possible way after Bedford failed to clear a long throw. Beavon was onto it, a quick turn and shot and was inside the right post 1-0.

Bedford fought back and Hedge had to punch the ball away from a difficult Harriman cross, but then Dales went on one of his trademark runs at the defence, but his shot was wide.

Sanders and Tomlinson combined again for the visitors after 26 minutes, forcing another save from Hedge and three minutes later it was Street’s turn to save, as Mickleover earned another corner.

Bedford were still seeking the equaliser and Jarvis managed to send Sanders clear after 32 minutes, he lobbed Hedge, but Butler was on the line to clear.

Wilson tried a long-range shot but was wide of the mark and a few minutes later Alban-Jones followed suit for Bedford with a similar conclusion.

Bedford had a late corner as the half time whistle was poised, but Mickleover went into the break with their lead well intact.

The second half couldn’t have started better for Mickleover, when in the 47^th minute Dales collected and lobbed the keeper successfully to make it 2-0.

The wind seemed to have gone from Bedford’s sails after the second goal and the play went fairly dormant. Mickleover made two changes just after the hour mark, with Watt on for Yeomans and Warren for Dales.

70 minutes in and Butterworth had a shot from outside the box, pushed wide around the post, followed up by a shot from Richardson again saved by the Mickleover keeper.

Reeves fired a shot across goal a couple of minutes later, just before Bateman came on for Rose.

Tomlinson had another shot blocked for Bedford, but after 79 minutes it was almost a third goal for Mickleover, but Street managed to save a diving header from Reeves.

But Mickleover collected all three points and now move into fourth place in the table, with Stourbridge next in line on Tuesday evening.

By Peter Scherer

Following their tough win over Basford on Tuesday night, Mickleover will be hoping to make it five wins in a row, as newly promoted Bedford Town visit the Don Amott Arena.

Currently 10^th in the table, it’s been a mixed season so far for Gary Setchell’s team, but they have won two of their last four games, drawing 0-0 at Needham Market last time out.

Setchell has been in charge since September 2020, having previously managed Wisbech and Kings Lynn. The former defender had a fairly lengthy playing career before turning to management, and is assisted by Darren Edey, who also served with him at Wisbech.

Keeper Alex Street started at Kings Lynn, but after a loan at Wisbech, went to Spalding, before making a permanent move to Kings Lynn. He was then loaned out again to Leiston, before coming to Bedford in October 2020.

Charley Sanders has spent most of his career in the Eastern side of the country, having started out at Boston Utd. He had loans at Grantham, Kings Lynn and Histon, rejoining Holbeach Utd in 2017 after a couple of years off. Two years at Yaxley then preceded his move to Bedford in October 2020.

Defender Luke Pennell arrived pre-season from Braintree, where he had spent exactly a year since arriving from Hemel. He started at Dunstable, and has also played for Dagenham & Redbridge, Maidstone and Gloucester City. He is currently on loan at Concord Rangers.

Jack Keeble was another summer signing, a centre back who began his career at Grimsby Town. He moved on to Stamford and St Neots and spent a year at Wisbech before joining our visitors.

Sam Dreyer originally came on loan last December from Stevenage, but the centre back’s stay became permanent in September. He also had loan spells at Biggleswade and Hendon.

Left back Sam Warburton was yet another summer signing. An ex-Northampton Town Junior, he started his non-league career at Rugby Town, moving on to Nuneaton, Kings Lynn, Corby and had year with Rushden & Diamonds before his move to Bedford.

Signed only a few weeks ago, right back Michael Harriman is a former Northern Ireland Under 19 and 21 International. He started off at QPR ands was loaned to Wycombe, Gillingham and Luton Town, before a permanent move to Wycombe in 2016. After a three-year lay-off he was at Northampton Town before joining our visitors and has made over 300 appearances during in spells in the Football League.

Midfielder George Thorne is well known locally after his spell with the Rams. His career started at West Bromwich Albion and was loaned to Portsmouth, Peterborough and Watford, before joining Derby in 2014.

He was loaned to Luton again and joined Oxford again after another loan. But injuries ended his full-time career and he came to Bedford in September after two years out. He was capped for England at Under 16,17,18,19 and 20 level.

Will Summerfield is a central midfielder and former MK Dons Junior. He was at Hemel, Kempston Rovers and Berkhamsted, before joining Bedford in July 2020.

Drew Richardson is another central midfielder who arrived in July 2020 too, from Biggleswade. He was a former Luton Town Junior.

Striker Craig Mackail-Smith has been with the club since September 2020. A full Scottish International, he started at St Albans City, moving on to Arlesey and Dagenham & Redbridge, before signing for Peterborough in 2007. After four years at London Road he moved to Brighton, but was loaned back to Peterborough, before joining Wycombe.

Further loans at Notts County and Stevenage followed before his move to Bedford. He played over 150 games in the Championship and over 500 in the football league, scoring 145 goals.

Connor Tomlinson is a young striker who has scored quite a few goals already this season. A former Luton Town Junior, he came to Bedford in July 2019.

Central midfielder Hugh Alban-Jones was a Peterborough Junior, before moving to Spain. During his two-year plus stay he played for Nolveda CF, Fundacion Benidorm, Lorca, Hercules and CD Llanes, joining Bedford on his UK return.

Afolahi Soyemi-Olalade is a striker signed a month ago from Hashtag Utd. He also played for Leatherhead, Romford, Westfield, Margate, Hayes & Yeading, Cheshunt, Grays and Park City Red Wolves in the US.

Diadier Camera is a midfielder on a dual registration with Peterborough Sports. He was at Tooting & Mitcham before moving to Italy with Santa Croce. Further moves to Gladiator and Budoni preceded his UK return.

Winger Kofi Halliday played for Bruno’s Magpies in Gibraltar before a move to Sweden with Stenungsund. He returned to the UK with the Pick Up Academy, moving on to Fleet, Godalming, Hungerford and Hemel, joining Bedford pre-season from Hartley Wintney.

Joe Butterworth is a central midfielder in his second season at Bedford, after arriving from Stamford last November, following almost five years at Yaxley. 

Defender Kai Phelan was a pre-season signing from Barton Rovers. He also played for Hitchin and YIK in Sweden, after playing as a Luton Town Junior.

Experienced midfielder Callum Donnelly first joined Bedford for the 2017/18 season but had brief spells away at Shefford Town & Campton and Biggleswade. He played much of his career at Hitchin and has also been at Stotfold, Barton Rovers, Cambridge City and Baldock. He is currently back at Stotfold on loan.

Previously at Kings Lynn, midfielder Danny Setchell in his third season at Bedford, while reserve keeper Elliott Duffy is a product of the club’s own youth scheme.

Midfielder Josh Page is another home produced player, but has also played in Australia with Perth Scorchers and been loaned to Dunstable Town and Eynesbury Rovers.

Former MK Dons defender Joe Steele was signed from Dunstable in November 2018 and has also played for Arlesey, while midfielder Dan Jarvis is currently on loan from Peterborough Sports. He’s an ex Yaxley, Barton Rovers and Biggleswade player too.

Kick off as usual is 3pm, BE THERE!!

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover haven’t had the best of records against Basford Utd in recent years, but they were able to claim all three points last night in tough uncompromising slog at the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10- Stuart Beavon 11-Oliver Greaves. Subs: Phil Watt, Lekan Osideko, Pablo Mills, Joe Bateman, Mason Warren.

A bitterly cold breeze and drizzle in the air, contributed to a poor attendance, but there was plenty of action on the pitch.

After just three minutes Greg Smith put a header just wide of the post for Basford, but a minute later Mickleover’s first real attack paid dividends. A good strong build up saw a cross into the box, which was initially dropped by keeper Keiran Preston. Beavon had a shot blocked, before it fell to Wilson, who made no hesitation in planting it firmly into the roof of the net of his former team, 1-0.

Dales then went on a run and found Greaves, whose shot was saved, before Dolan attacked down the wing, but his cross was just too long.

Basford were on the attack too, but skipper Matt Thornhill’s eighth minute cross was to long too. They continued with some sustained attacking and when Adam Chapman crossed from Basford’s right, Smith was on the receiving end to fire past Hedge for the equaliser after 12 minutes, 1-1.

But it continued almost end to end and Reeves fed Dales, his shot was blocked, then the resulting corner created a goalmouth scramble before the danger was cleared.

14 minutes in and Reeves put a header just wide of the right- hand post from a Wilson free kick, before Smith retaliated with a volley tipped over the bar by Hedge, followed by another shot cleared by Wilson.

With Yeomans and Greaves combining well on the right, Mickleover earned two consecutive corners, before Beavon sent Reeves on a run, but the young striker was fractionally beaten to the ball by the advancing Preston.

The game continued very even with chances at both ends, and after another strong spell from Mickleover and both and Mann solid at the back, Dales charged into the box, but the defence had it covered before he was able to shoot, and then Hedge had to make another diving save, before saving the final header from the following corner.

The referee had give some strange decisions, particularly blatant errors over corners or goal kicks, but on the half-hour  Greaves had another charge down the right and almost broke through.

It preceded another strong period for the Mickleover strike force, with Reeves, Beavon and Dales combining after a Dolan run. Dales then had another attempt over the bar after 34 minutes and seven minutes later Smith put a shot just wide for the visitors. 

Almost on half time Butler came up for a corner, his header went up in the air, but the threat was cleared as the whistle was blown, and it remained level pegging.

The second half started just as lively, with Wilson finding Beavon, who set up Dales, but his shot was over again. But 51 minutes and Dales was interpassing with Greaves, but the latter’s shot didn’t trouble the keeper.

Basford then went on the attack, with Thornhill firing over the bar, before he came through again to force another diving save from Hedge, tipping over the bar.

Smith bundled the ball into the net from the following corner, but with Hedge battered by three Basford players, the goal was disallowed and a free kick given.

On the hour though it changed again, in what was to become the decisive moment in the game. It followed an attack down the right, the ball came into the box and there was another scramble, before Reeves connected and beat Preston from close range, 2-1.

Reeves had another shot blocked four minutes later, after a joint Beavon and Dales attack, but Basford were still threatening, particularly on the break, with Hedge holding on firmly to a shot from the right of the box.

It was close again for Mickleover too when Beavon’s initial 76^th minute effort was blocked, Wilson’s rebound was saved too, before Dales final shot was saved.

Just after Chapman had fired a shot over the bar for Basford, Mickleover made their first change, with Bateman on for Rose, who had struggled to make and impression on the night.

With three minutes on the clock Watt replaced Greaves to, as Basford pushed for a late equaliser.

Watt was penalised when the ref was tricked by Smith. The initial slap of contact from Smith could be heard by the crowd, but as the striker then fell to the ground the ref awarded a free kick. It was of little consequence though, as the kick was nearer the Langley Country Park Housing Estate than the back of Hedge’s net.

Warren made a few seconds cameo appearance to replace Dales, but the after four minutes add on, the whistle finally blew and three points were secured.