by Peter Scherer

Mickleover continued their climb up the table with a comfortable 4-1 over the visiting Bromsgrove Sporting, with two goals in each half.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4/15-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oliver Greaves. Subs: Laken Osideko, George Nunn, Joe Bateman, Pablo Mills, Mason Warren.

After a brisk end to end start Mickleover earned their first corner after eight minutes, when a Reeves cross saw a Dales header deflected for another corner.

But as the game gained momentum in Mickleover’s favour, both Yeomans and Dolan began to push forward, both becoming threats on their respective wings.

After 15 minutes though Reeves had a shot, with Dales following up. Keeper Armstrong did well to keep Dales effort out, but the ball fell to Greaves who lofted it into the back of the net 1-0.

Dolan almost broke through the defence a few minutes later, before the danger was cleared and then Greaves found Beavon in the box, who had the ball taken off his toe as he was about to shoot.

But Bromsgrove then had the first real chance, when a good cross into the box, just failed to connect with Forsyth.

It was Mickleover continuing to push forward though, with Reeves going close. After cutting in from the left, his shot had the keeper beaten, but was inches wide of the far post too.

Reeves was through again after 23 minutes, one on one with the keeper. This time he tried to chip rather than take it around the keeper, but it was deflected away, just out of reach for anyone following up.

Bromsgrove attempted to push forward again, but seemed to hit a wall before they were in the box, with Butler and Mann outstanding in the middle of the Mickleover defence.

After earning a free kick, Edmunds put it straight out of play for Bromsgrove.

Dales had one of his customary long runs on the half hour, but was stopped in his tracks just before shooting.

Only five minutes later Rose picked up the ball well out, took his time, picked his spot and planted a  superb and powerful shot into the roof of the visitors net, giving Armstrong no chance whatsoever, 2-0.

There was increasing bickering among the Bromsgrove defence, particularly from player/manager McGrath, singling out the keeper on occasions and the female Refs assistant.

But it was Armstrong that came to the rescue again after 35 minutes, when Dales broke through, to see his fizzing shot well saved by the keeper.

Hedge had to make a rare save two minutes later, before Mickleover went close again. Reeves and Dales had combined, before Armstrong tipped the final effort over the bar.

Beavon had his shot blocked from the following corner, before Dolan charged back in his defensive role to cut off a Bromsgrove break.

The combination of Wilson with newcomers Greaves and Rose had seen Sports dominate midfield, but almost on half time Bromsgrove had their first real shot of the half, over the bar.

The visitors started the second half with a flourish though, which saw Hedge in action and the defence pegged back for a while.

Taylor had a shot after 49 minutes, but it was straight at Hedge and for a while they were back in the game.

Dales was soon on the break again though, and after a lovely one two with Beavon, his shot was fired over. 

Only six minutes later the same pair went close again. Greaves had been upended, but a corner was awarded, then Beavon layed it off for Dales, whose shot was deflected over again.

The pressure was beginning to build again in Mickleover’s favour and there was a succession of free kicks and corners, with Wilson repeatedly feeding the strike force with balls into the box.

61 minutes and it was another Wilson cross from the left, met by Beavon’s head, despite him going away from goal there was enough power to make it 3-0.

There was another short spell of pressure from Bromsgrove after they had begun to make changes, but Dales had another run to earn a corner, before Nunn came on for Reeves.

It was almost number four after 74 minutes, as Beavon beat a defender and cross for Dales, but it was deflected for yet another corner.

Bateman came on for Rose, but Mickleover were down to 10 men. McGrath had kicked Nunn in an off the ball incident, in clear view of the refs assistant. Nunn foolishly retaliated to the player/manager’s game long aggression and pushed him. 

The ref gave Nunn a straight red card, while the instigator failed to receive either card or warning!

Taylor pulled on back for Bromsgrove and had a couple more half chances which Hedge coped with.

Warren came on as a late sub, but deep into injury time and with the last kick of the match Dales made it four with a fine solo effort, final score 4-1.

No game this Saturday, it’s back to the Don Amott Arena next Tuesday, when we host Basford Utd.

by Peter Scherer

It’s another Tuesday evening matchday with Bromsgrove Sporting visiting the Don Amott Arena. With gaffer John McGrath getting the Mickleover squad up to ninth in the Southern Premier League Central, he is unlikely to make many changes, while his namesake Michael McGrath is trying to stop a run of four straight defeats, having only taken over last week, following the departure of Thomas Baillie.

Bromsgrove went down 1-3 at Ilkeston last Saturday, but the week prior took a 1-7 home hammering from the visiting Leiston. Their last win was on October 1^st 5-2 at Kings Langley.

With Michael McGrath becoming player/manager he has handed over his captaincy to Tom Taylor. Centre back McGrath arrived in March, having been without a club since leave Kettering in June 2021.

He has along list of former clubs from a long career, including Redditch, Kidderminster, Worcester, Sligo Rovers and Galway Utd, plus lengthier stays in the Midlands with Rushall, Stratford and Hereford. His first spell at Bromsgrove was 2018, for three months, before moving on again to Redditch, Stourbridge and Evesham.

Taylor is a former striker who became a defender. An ex Shrewsbury junior, he has played much of his football in Wales, with Porthmadog, Caernarfon Town, Pentraeth, Glantraeth, Holyhead Hotspur and Llangefni Town. 

He left Bromsgrove in April last year, but returned in December and as well as being the new skipper, he is ever present this season.

Liam Armstrong has recently taken over Ollie Taylor in goal. An ex Bristol Rovers Junior, Armstrong is currently on loan from Gloucester City.

Taylor was signed from Alvechurch last December and has also played for Redditch, while goalkeeping coach Ryan Pratt has also been on the bench.

Jack Byrne is a centre back on loan from Fylde, he has also had loan spells at Barnoldswick and Lancaster City.

Defensive midfielder George Forsyth arrived from Stourbridge pre-season. He started at Kidderminster before moving on to Halesowen, Gloucester, Worcester, Stourbridge and Hereford.

Jack Newell is a defensive midfielder too, a former Northampton Town Junior, he moved on to Barwell, before Bromsgrove signed him in July last year.

Central midfield is Joe Curtis’ favourite position. He started out at Southampton, before joining Brackley on his release. Daventry, Spalding, Rushden & Diamonds, Stratford and St Ives were his next stops, before 10 months at Corby prior to joining our visitors pre-season.

Charlie Shaw was a pre-season signing too and is another central midfielder. He started as a Mansfield Town Junior, before joining Tamworth. He returned to Tamworth after a spell at Walsall Wood and was at Lichfield before Bromsgrove picked him up.

Harvey Gregson is the second of the loanees from Fylde. He’s a midfielder and has been loaned out to Bamber Bridge and Prescot Cables too.

Callum King-Harmes is a former Wales Under 21 midfielder, who started off at Bolton Wanderers. He had a loan at Bamber Bridge before singing for Hednesford on his release and came to Bromsgrove from Sutton Coldfield in August.

Striker Matthew Barnes-Homer is an ex England C International striker, who came from Stourbridge in March. His 18 year career started at Aldershot and had his first spell at Bromsgrove in 2006. His other clubs include Rochdale, Luton Town, Ostersund in Sweden, Macclesfield and Cambridge Utd. He had seven months at Mickleover too back in 2018.

Mikey Taylor was another one of the pre-season signings, returning for a second spell at Bromsgrove. Having started at Worcester, he played for Tamworth, Leamington, Stratford, Stourbridge before his first stay in 2019. After 10 months he left for Tamworth, and after spells at Stratford and Halesowen he made his return.

Dan Sweeney is another striker with a long career behind him. Kidderminster, Halesowen, Stourport, Rushall, Solihull, Hednesford, Leamington, Bradford PA all featured on his journey, before joining Bromsgrove from Redditch in July.

Right back James Fry arrived in the summer too from Stratford. He was a Birmingham City Junior, before being loaned to Kidderminster. He moved onto Leamington, Stretford, Tamworth, before a two-year return to Stratford, prior to his Bromsgrove arrival.

Ryan Edmunds is a midfielder that arrived from Redditch, having joined them in January from Nuneaton, where he spent over four years, since signing from Coleshill Town.

Striker Zidan Sutherland was at Stratford last season and was previously on West Bromwich Albion’s books. He hails from St Vincent & Grenadines and is currently on loan from Colchester.

Defender Ammar Dyer is an ex Port Vale Junior who was released in July last year and is a regular in the Bromsgrove starting line-up.

Miro Pais is a young winger and has been at Bromsgrove for two years.

Kieron Dawes is a former Birmingham City defender. He was loaned to Sutton Coldfield and Hednesford, before joining Coleshill and had spells at Stafford and Redditch before joining Bromsgrove.

Fellow defender Lewis Wright also lists Redditch as a former club, along with Alvechurch and Halesowen.

Kick off as usual is 7.45 with the bar open too.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover are up to ninth in the Southern Premier League Central Division, following their home win against Rushden & Diamonds.

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

Mickleover started the game strongly against a struggling Rushden side and had a free kick blocked after only three minutes, before a cross from the left was put just wide of the post.

It was almost the opening goal on eight minutes, when Dolan broke into the area, rounded visiting keeper Snedker, only for his shot to hit the post.

Beavon had an effort just wide after a good build up four minutes later and Snedker was in action again in the 23^rd minute when Dales created his own space, fired in from just outside the box, with his shot tipped over by the keeper.

From the corner Hicks had to clear off the line for the visitors, from a Watt header, before Rushden had their first real break when Cooper tried a lob over Hedge, but it was just wide of the post.

The Rushden defence continued to be under almost constant pressure, with Reeves sending a header just wide after meeting a cross from the left on the half hour.

Greaves then hit the post after 36 minutes, the rebound shot was then wide, but deemed offside too.

Beavon had a header on target a few minutes later and with the half time whistle poised, a cross from the right just missed connecting with Reeves on the far post, with Snedker left flat footed, so it remained 0-0 as the whistle blew.

With the second half starting in a similar attacking vain for Mickleover, a shot off the post for a third time, was followed up with a power shot from Wilson just inside the near post to finally break the deadlock, 1-0 after 52 minutes.

Three minutes later Reeves almost got through from a Beavon flick into the box, before Hughes blocked twice for the visitors,and Snedker finally saved from Greaves shot, after an intense period of bombardment from the Sports attack.

Hughes was on hand to block again for the visitors, before Snedker parried away after 66 minutes, then six minutes later Dales cut in from the left to force another save from the busy Snedker.

Finally the second goal arrived in the 74^th minute, when Dales attacked from the left, cut inside and clipped his shot past the keeper, with Greaves there to in case the ball needed a helping hand, 2-0.

Two subs had been made with Rose and Nunn on for Reeves and Warren, but with four minutes left it was third sub Osideko who got the ball into the box, but no one was on hand to receive it. It still could have been a third goal though when Snedker tipped a Dales free kick over the bar.

Rushden had a rare chance though in time added on, when Hedge parried a powerful shot from Agemoh-Davies, which was almost collected by Hicks. 

So 2-0 was probably flattering as Mickleover could easily have had more, but three points were secured and we now look forward to the visit of Bromsgrove on Tuesday night.

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday at the Don Amott Arena Mickleover face Rushden & Diamonds, currently 21^st in the table.

Joe Bateman should be back from suspension and it will be a first chance for home supports to see our four new signings.

A change of manager to Richard Maxwell in the last week may prompt a change in form for Rushden, but with wins at home to Nuneaton and away at Cadwell , plus two draws they have only amassed eight points so far.

In last weeks home game against Redditch went down 0-2, but in their last two away games they have failed to score and had 12 scored against, 0-5 at Hednesford and 0-7 at Coalville.

Most of their squad are relatively new singings and currently includes five loanees.

Keeper Dean Snedker was a Northampton Town Junior, who moved onto Brackley after an initial loan. Kidderminster, Nuneaton, Kettering, Cambridge City and St Albans were his next ports of call, before a year at Hemel preceded his move to Rushden in August 2021. He was also an England Under 19 International.

Centre back Ryan Hughes started at Northampton too and after a loan at St Neots, he came to Rushden on loan too for three months until January 2020. Further loans at Banbury and Corby followed, before a permanent move to our visitors in August 2020.

Hamilton Bunga is a centre back who came from Yaxley a couple of weeks ago. He started at Kingstonian, and is well travelled via Staines, Arlesey, Thurrock, Royston, Norwood, Bedfont Sports, Leiston, Basildon, Three Bridges, Hemel and Marlow, before a three-week stay at Yaxley.

Central Midfielder Nathan Hicks was a pre-season signing. He was at Kettering, Histon and Leamington, before a six month stay at Alfreton. Moving back to Leamington, he then played for Nuneaton, Kettering and Biggleswade, before his first spell at Rushden  in July 2018. Two years later he went to St Ives, from where he returned this summer.

Midfielder Luis Pinto-Leite started his career in Portuguese Junior football, before a stay at Bloomfield College in New Jersey. He signed for Rushden in July, through a Scholarship programme with Moulton College.

Courtney Lashley is a left back who arrived at Rushden in July from Northampton Town.

Norwegian Centre back Matthew Fossen was another July arrival. A former Bradford City Junior, he played for Halifax before returning to Norway with SK Herd. CD Bupolsa in Spain was his next stop, before Nybersgund in Norway. He then had six months at Linkoping City in Sweden before arriving at Rushden.

Miguel Ngwa is an 18 year old midfielder on a five month loan from Northampton. Similarly Morgan Worsfold-Gregg is also a midfielder and loaned from Lincoln City, again for five months.

Centre Forward Jack Connor is the third loanee, like Ngwa he has come from Northampton too.

Conor Tee arrived from South Shields in August. Another midfielder who, started at Leicester City, before moving on to Brackley, prior to spending last season with South Shields.

Jesse Akubuine is a midfielder too, who has spent much of his career in Scotland. Initially at Queen of the South, he played for Dalbeattie Star on loan and Open Goal Broomhill, before a permanent move to Cumbernauld. He has been at Rushden since July 2019.

Striker Jenson Cooper was a summer signing from Shrewsbury Town’s Academy. Midfielder Fraser Corden has only recently broken into the first team, having graduated through the clubs own youth scheme.

Evangelis Empochontrif was a summer signing too from Canvey Island. A young defender he’s played for Walthamstow, Woodford Town, Newbury Forest and Hullbridge Sports.

Striker Charlie Black was signed last month from UD Poblense in Spain. A former Luton Town Junior, he has played for Dunstable. Arlesey and Biggleswade too and has played in Finland and the US.

Jordan Hines is another striker to join the club during September. He started out with Bradford City and Sheffield Utd, before moving on to Halifax, Harrogate, Dereham Town, Thackley and Knaresborough.

Right back Nehemiah Agemoh-Davies was signed in August from Cambridge City, he is another ex Northampton player, who’s played for Stratford and St Ives.

Both striker Dylan Surace and goalkeeper have both come through the clubs youth scheme and joined the first team squad this season, along with centre back Dante Grey.

Attacking midfielder Tyreese Sutherland is another fairly recent arrival, having played for London Tigers and Dorking.

Kartell Dawkins is a young striker and the fourth loanee from Leicester City and finally Neo Richard-Noel has recently arrived from Kettering as s fifth loanee for a month, he’s a former Cambridge Utd striker.

Kick off as usual is 3pm!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover made it three successive wins last Saturday, in a seven goal thriller at Barwell, with two goals for Ryan Wilson.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oliver Greaves. Subs: George Nunn, Pablo Mills, Olaleka Osideko, Ben Horleston.

Both sides had half chances in the opening minutes, but disaster struck for Mickleover in the seventh minute when Rowley headed home a Brogan free kick to give the hosts the lead, 0-1.

Brogan had a shot wide again a few minutes later, before Mickleover saw a glancing header just past the Barwell post after 14 minutes.

Another four minutes and Wilson hit the first of his two goals to bring it back to 1-1, before catching the home keeper off his line and chipping it home to make it 2-1 after 34 minutes.

Mickleover had deserved their half time lead and were soon on the attack again in the second half. But it a mix up between the home keeper and his defence that led to the third goal, missing a back pass to make it 3-1 after 51 minutes, credited as an own goal for Green.

10 minutes later and Beavon showed his experience and composure as the ball fell nicely in the box to make it 4-1 and Sports then made their first change, with loanee Nunn on for Reeves.

Hickey scored a consolation header for Barwell on the 90 minute mark 4-2, and with Horleston a late sub for Dales, Nunn crowned his debut with an injury time fifth goal.

The win now moves Mickleover back to 12^th in the table, with games in hand over most of the teams above them. 

by Peter Scherer

It’s back on the road for Mickleover this Saturday, with a short trip to Barwell as they resume their Southern League Premier Division Central campaign.

With Joe Bateman still suspended and George Milner having left the club this week, Sports will be hoping that Andy Dales, Marcus Marshall and Jake Bennett are fit for action.

Sports will looking for their third successive away win in the league, following success at Ilkeston and Rushall, as well as making up for the disappointing FA Trophy defeat at Stowmarket last weekend.

Mickleover are now 16th in the league, with our hosts 20^th and still seeking their first home win of the season.

Ian King has been in charge since May and has kept a fairly stable line-up so far, but with just away wins at Ilkeston and Royston, they have taken a point off Alvechurch, Rushall and Kings Langley and also went out of the FA Trophy last week 1-3 to Gainsborough.

First choice goalkeeper Andy Wycherley started his career with New Saints and Guilsfield in Wales, before  moving on to Telford Utd. He has also played for Solihull Moors, Hednesford, Nantwich and Halesowen and was at Rushall for one month before arriving at Barwell in July.

With Wycherley give a straight red card last week, second choice Elliott Lawson will probably be between the posts.

Derby born Micah Edwards started off as a Rams Junior, before the young midfielder had spells at Ilkeston and Gresley Rovers. He has been at Barwell since July 2019.

Centre back Kyle Rowley arrived from Stourbridge pre-season. He was a Walsall Junior and after a loan at Sutton Coldfield, he joined Rugby following his release. Moves to Alvechurch, Walsall Wood and Hednesford followed, before his seven months stay at Stourbridge.

Herve Pepe-Ngomi joined Leicester City’s Academy from St Etienne. Another centre back he went to Nuneaton on his release, but after spells at Kettering and Boston Utd he had a career break. 

After three years out he joined Coalville in July 2021 and moved to Barwell two months later.

Midfielder Max Brogan has scored five goals this season. He was signed from Coleshill Town last season and previously had a spell at Tamworth.

Brady Hickey is the club captain and central midfielder, who came from Nuneaton in January 2018, having moved in the opposite direction only seven months earlier. Like Brogan he has scored five goals too this term.

Jack Deakin is a midfielder too, currently on loan from Mansfield Town, having previously been at Sheffield Wednesday. He scored in both of the last two league games too.

Beck-ray Onoru is a winger or striker signed pre-season. He has scored two goals and already been a “man of the match.”

Striker Tiago Nassunculo was a pre-season signing from Redditch, having previously played for Peterborough Sports.

George Ward is a defender on a dual registration with Weymouth during his time at Loughborough University. He had played for the University side too, as well as Bromsgrove, before joining Barwell last month.

Albanian born Melis Bushaj is a young left back who started out with Solihull Moors. He was loaned to Leamington, before being released to join Barwell pre-season.

Dominic Brown-Hill is a midfielder who first came to Barwell in 2018 after his release from Notts County. After 18 months he moved to Alvechurch, but returned in July 2021.

Striker Michael Heading hails from Washington DC, but started his career at Northampton Town. After a loan at Kettering he joined St Ives Town, before moving to Beaconsfield November last year. He was another pre-season signing for Barwell.

Cam Moore is another striker signed last month from Redditch, having only joined them two months earlier. He is a former Bolton Wanders Junior and has also played for Loughborough University, Prescot Cables and Stalybridge Celtic. 

Already well known to Mickleover is Bermudan International midfielder Roger Lee. He joined Barwell in July from Loughborough Dynamo, having joined them from Mickleover in January.

He has played for Kalev Talinn in Estonia, FK Jurnieks in Latvia, as well at Stafford, Corby, Basford, Stamford, Rugby and West Super Mare, after spending his early career at home in Bermuda.

Sid Kerr is a defensive midfielder, recently arrived from Loughborough Students. He made his debut in their last league match and has also been on the books at Everton, Chelsea and Brighton.

Deen Master is another midfielder too. He attends Nottingham Trent University and has also played for Leicester Nirvana.

Centre back Elliot Percival came to Barwell from Sheffield Wednesday in August  2017, having joined them a year earlier from Leicester City.

Jake Pemberton was summer signing from Wantage. He started at Reading and was at Loughborough University for two years, before moving to Wantage.

Tolani Omotola is a striker in his second spell at Barwell. A Tranmere Junior, he played for Altrincham, Buxton, Corby and Coalville, before arriving for the first time in Jul 2019. 

After just over a year he moved to Hyde and played for Alvechurch, Carlton, Stafford and Atherton, before arriving back at Barwell from Burscough in August.

Midfielder William Warren is in his second season at the club, while defender Callum Stewart and striker James Pye have been on the bench, but yet to make a start. 

Kick of as usual is 3pm and as it’s only about 40 miles, your support would be most welcome.