by Peter Scherer

Following Saturday’s first home defeat in the league, Mickleover will be looking to get straight back into the points, when Stourbridge visit the Don Amott Arena on Tuesday night.

We haven’t played Stourbridge in the league so far this season, but the Glassboys ended Mickleover’s FA Cup run with a two- goal victory back in September.

Where Mickleover have been flying high at the top, our visitors have struggled and are currently 17^th in the table. With three successive defeats 0-1 defeats, they will keen to points some points on the board.

Our visitors Joint managers Leon Broadhurst and Stuart Pierpoint have been in charge since October 2021 and are both still registered to play.

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

Pierpoint was 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 The Glassboys.

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 at the start of last season from Bromsgrove.

Darryl Knights is a former Ipswich Junior, who 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. He also looks after the clubs Academy.

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.

Midfielder Reece King arrived from Buxton in July 2021. 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. He is currently club captain.

Alex Prosser is another ex Aston Villa Junior. A midfielder, he was loaned to Brackley before a permanent move to Kidderminster. He started last season at Leamington, before joining the Glassboys on loan for the majority of 22/23. His move became permanent in July.

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, staying eight years before moving to Rushall. He moved onto Worcester but had time out with an injury and has been back at Stourbridge since March 2021, having made over 350 appearances.

Centre back Harvey Portman started off at the War Memorial Ground, before leaving our hosts for Hednesford at the beginning of last year. After a few weeks at Bromsgrove he returned to Hednesford, but had planned to start this season at Stratford, until his return to Stourbridge came off.

Jessy Bavanganga is another centre back who came in pre-season from Leek Town. A former Stoke City Junior, he also had spell on loan at Abbey Hulton Utd.

Winger Nial Flint started his career at Shrewsbury Town, before going  to Telford on his release. After stays at Scarborough and Matlock he spent the next few years in the Welsh League, firstly at Newtown and latterly at Cefn Druids and Aberystwyth, from where he joined our hosts pre-season.

Midfielder Brendon Daniels is an experienced midfielder who started out at the Academies of Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.

His next club was Chester, moving on to Tamworth, Harrogate, Fylde and Alfreton, before being spotted by Port Vale. He was loaned to Altrincham and Telford, preceded a permanent move to the latter. He came to the Glassboys in August and has seven League One appearances on his CV.

Originally a Walsall Junior, Midfielder Aaron Forde at Stourbridge for the second time in pre-season. He joined Romulus after his Walsall release, moving on to Bedworth, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield and Rushall, before joining the Glassboys in 2017.

After three years he moved to Nuneaton, being loaned to Sutton Coldfield, before his Stourbridge return.

Midfielder Jack Fletcher arrived in June from Tividale, after just one impressive season in senior football.

Norwegian born winger Stanley Anaebonam started out with IK Start Youth, before moving to the UK to join Wolverhampton Casuals in 2016. He then spent two years with Solihull Moors, before moving to Redditch, then returned to Solihull before a spell in Ireland with Shelbourne.

He returned to England in 2022 with Truro City and had two months at Hednesford, before coming to Stourbridge last December 

Midfielder Dexter Walters started at Romulus, he then moved on to Tamworth, and returned there after a short spell at Coventry City.

During his time at Tamworth he was loaned to Mickleover, but had three months at Stratford last year before arriving at Stourbridge in November.

Striker Luke Benbow has spent most of his career in the West Midlands, starting out at Solihull. After a spell at Redditch he made his first stop at Stourbridge in 2012 and stayed three years before moving to Hednesford.

A year later he came back for one season, before returning to Solihull, who loaned him back to Stourbridge. He came back permanently in July 2018, before a year at Nuneaton preceded his latest return to our hosts. But he is currently out injured with a spinal stress fracture.

Left back Brad Bood is currently on loan from Telford Utd, having come through the Shropshire clubs youth scheme. West Bromwich Albion midfielder Matt Richards has also arrived recently on loan too.

Striker Ethan Freemantle is on loan too from Kidderminster. He has also been loaned to Gloucester City and Hereford and is a former Walsall Junior.

Midfielder Connor Stanley is a new arrival too. The ex Birmingham City and Manchester Utd junior arrived two weeks ago from Hereford. During his early career he was also loaned to Atlanta Utd in the US, before joining Bolton Wanderers on his release from Man Utd. 

He was then loaned to Bamber Bridge and FC United, before joining Hereford at the start of this season.

Charlie Dowd is another midfielder signed from Stratford in September. He started out at Burton Albion, before joining Bromsgrove on his release. He has also played for Alvechurch and Nuneaton.

Alfie Steward is a young striker recently graduated from the clubs own youth scheme.

Kick off is 7.45pm and WEE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover went into Saturday’s game at home to Telford Utd, top of the table on goal difference, but an early goal saw them fall to their first home defeat of the season.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8- Dan Bradley 9-Styart Beavon 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Will Trueman, Ben Sault, Leon Clarke, Matty Bowman, Fin Ryder.

Both sides showed their attacking intentions from the kick-off  and after strong build up down the right between Bennett and Greaves, Dales put a shot just wide of the left hand post after eight minutes.

Telford then made their first real attack, with Bennett heading out Ellis Myles’ cross for a corner. As the ball came in from the right, Mickleover failed to clear and then ball fell to the visitors captain and centre back, who had opened the scoring when his effort went in off the far post. Ridd looked unprepared for the strike and stayed rooted to the centre of his goal, while the far post had been left undefended, 0-1 after 10 minutes.

Two minutes later it could have been a second for Telford, when Montel Gibson’s cross got past Ridd and the keeper then had to block a low shot from Nathan Fox.

Both Dolan and Bennett were doing their best to attack down the wings, but Mickleover were losing possession in midfield and after 18 minutes Telford went close again. Fox crossed from the right and Reece Styche’s shot struck the bar from the edge of the box.

But only a minute later Dales had a chance to equalise. Beavon had sent him clear, as he outpaced the defence and with keeper Brandon Hall out of position too, his shot was put well wide of the right-hand post.

Telford continued to make dangerous breaks, but on the whole Delap and Mann had them covered. But Dales tried his luck again after 22 minutes, having latched onto Bennett’s cross, his header lacked any power and was an easy catch for Hall.

Mann put a header over the bar from a Greaves free kick and then Dales, Bennett and Beavon combined to earn a corner. But with Mickleover continuing to play out from the back, Telford went for the longer ball and the break.

Greaves had a shot blocked just after the half hour mark and then a long ball from Mann saw Barnes latch on to it. He created space for a shot but his effort was over the bar again.

Styche then got a break at the other end, but the advancing Ridd forced him to shoot early and that was over the bar too.

But after 34 minutes there was another golden chance for Sports to equalise. Dales had brought the ball forward and as he cut inside he found Barnes and only a fingertip save at full stretch from Hall denied the equaliser.

For the final 10 minutes of the half, Mickleover were full on attack, with Dales firing an effort over the bar again from a 36^th minute corner. Sam Whittall got a shot in for the visitors after Sports lost possession in midfield, he earned a corner and Kerr had another shot palmed away by Ridd.

The half ended with a cross or shot from Barnes which failed to trouble Hall, so it remained 0-1 as the whistle went.

Mickleover replaced Bradley with Sault for the second and there seemed to be immediate upsurge in pace from the home midfield. 46 minutes and Dales crossed from the left, but Greaves shot was blocked and then Sault ran down the middle, his shot was blocked too, but he earned a corner.

It led to a strong possession dominating spell from Mickleover, but with Telford’s defence and midfield well drilled, they remained solid.

Hall had to palm away a Dales curling shot after 53 minutes and Sports won a succession of corners. He tried again on the hour after a good build up, but the Telford defence continued to fend away the growing pressure from Mickleover.

Clarke replaced Beavon after 63 minutes, but Ellis Brown then made a break, fortunately Sault hunted him down and cleared the danger. But Ridd was then in action again, after Bennet lost out to Walker, tipping over the follow up header for a corner.

Greaves and Sault had started to push the midfield further forward for Sports, with Atkinson in support, but it was still the overlaps from Bennett and Dolan that looked the most dangerous.

In the 71^st minute Bennett outpaced the defence on the right, placed a prefect cross to the far post but Clarke couldn’t put it in.

Delap then played a nice long ball, allowing Dales to collect and cut inside from the left again, but his shot was over as he came under challenge from a defender.

Shortly afterwards Sault tried his luck with a distance shot and then Dales broke through again after 77 minutes. He found Clarke, but the striker couldn’t make it count, after Whittall managed to block.

It was almost a 10-man defence by Telford, but time was running out for Mickleover, and despite the continuing advantage in possession, they couldn’t make it count.

Sault had a cross in the box after 82 minutes cleared and both Greaves and Dolan had more efforts blocked too, but Hall had one scare when defender Orrin Pendley almost deflected into his own net but the keeper came to his rescue.

Gibson had a chance to seal it for the visitors, but his rushed 86^th minute effort sailed over the bar.

Ryder came on for Barnes for the closing minutes, and immediately impressed with his holding capabilities. Dales had another shot blocked two minutes later and in time added on Hall was able to catch another Dales strike, despite its deflection.

Kerr put another shot over the bar, but with Delap trying to stride out of defence too, Mickleover kept pushing right to the final whistle. 

In the sixth minute of injury time Ricardo Dinanga wasted Telford’s final chance with a poor effort well wide, but time was up and it was a first home defeat of the season for Mickleover.

“We lost out to a bit f a freak early goal. We had the possession and dominated the second half, but just couldn’t score,” said Sports manager John McGrath.

“We should have put the game to bed after that early goal, but Mickleover play an open game and they had chances. We would have liked to have pressed more ourselves in the second half,” replied Telford boss Kevin Wilkin. 

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s another tough game for Mickleover this Saturday at the Don Amott Arena, when we face fifth in the table AFC Telford Utd, our first game of the New Year.

 Currently four points adrift of Mickleover, Needham Market and Redditch level on points at the top, Telford are unbeaten in their last 13 league matches.

Sports were 2-1 winners when we visited Telford in September and apart from Needham Market’s visit later in the same month, they are undefeated.

Manager Kevin Wilkin was a striker with Cambridge City, Northampton Town, Nuneaton and Grantham, before becoming Nuneaton’s manager in 2006.

After eight seasons he moved onto Wrexham, but after 18 months of his two-year contract he moved to Brackley Town, winning the 2018 FA Trophy. He has been in charge at Telford since October last year.

First choice keeper Brandon Hall started out at Charlton Athletic, before spending seven months at the Nike Academy. His next move was up to Scotland with St.Mirren, but returned south with Hayes & Yeading.

Ebbsfleet, Lewes, Woking, Kidderminster and Hereford were his next stops, with a loan spell at Banbury. He came to our visitors pre-season, after a year with Gloucester City and is an England C International too.

George Scott is Hall’s deputy, having returned to the club last month, after a year without a club.

Centre back Fraser Kerr started his career at Motherwell before moving South with Birmingham City. He spent two years with the Blues, before an initial loan back to Motherwell became permanent.

He moved on to Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir too, before going to Gateshead, with 54 Scottish Premiership appearances and 45 in League One, plus Europa League Qualifiers too.

Stops at Hartlepool, Torquay and Chesterfield followed, before spending last season at York City. He has represented Scotland at Under 16, 17,19 and 21 levels and was another pre-season arrival at Telford.

Jordan Piggott is another centre back. He started out at West Bromwich Albion before heading for Scotland too. He played for Dundee and East Fife, before heading to North Wales with Bangor City.

Halesowen was his next stop, moving to Solihull Moors after a year, spending another year before a move to Gloucester City on loan. He spent four months at Telford at the beginning of last year and then returned to our visitors permanently for the start of last season.

Pre-season signing Orrin Pendley is a centre back too. He started at Highgate before joining Redditch. He soon moved on to Kettering and Rushall Olympic, before spending a year at Tamworth and spent last season at Hereford.

Welsh teenager Steffan Jones is another centre back and pre-season signing too, having come through Bala Town’s youth scheme.

Nathan Fox is a left back who spent his junior career at both Notts County and Derby County. Following his Rams release he joined Corby Town, moving to Rugby Town after a four year stay. Only a month later he moved again, with a very short stay at Coalville, he briefly went back to Corby, before joining Sutton Coldfield.

Redditch, Hednesford, Kings Lynn and Alfreton Town followed by a year at Buxton, preceded starting last season at Peterborough Sports. He is another of Telford’s pre-season signings.

Club skipper Jared Hodgkiss played his early football at Wolves and West Bromwich Albion. Right back by choice, he was loaned to Aberdeen and played seven games in the Scottish Premiership. 

After a further loan at Northampton, he joined Forest Green Rovers on his release, staying almost five years, before spending another two years at Kidderminster, who also loaned him to Torquay. His next move was Macclesfield, before a four year-spell at Hereford preceded his pre-season move to Telford.

Right back Ellis Myles is another right back and pre-season signing from Kettering, who started off at Leicester City. He moved to Brackley Town on his release, before going to Rugby, Stamford, Corby and Boston Utd.

 He went back to Brackley in 2016 and stayed six years, before moving to Boston Utd and had eight months at Kettering before his Telford move.

Midfielder James McQuilkin is a Northern Ireland at Under 17, 19 and 21, but began his career in the Czech Republic, with Zlin B and Tescoma Zlin, before returning to the UK with Hereford in 2009.

He joined Walsall in July 2013 and after a year moved onto Hednesford. But he was soon on the move again to Torquay, before a stay at Kidderminster, preceded his first spell at Telford for the start of the 2017/18 season.

After just over two years he returned to Hereford, before stops at Stourbridge and Hednesford were followed by his Telford return in July.

Central midfielder George Forsyth has spent almost his whole career in the West Midlands. Having started at Kidderminster, he was loaned to Halesowen before joining Gloucester City.

Worcester and Stourbridge were followed by a return to Halesowen and Hereford followed by another return visit to Stourbridge and Bromsgrove, who loaned him to Kettering, from where he joined Telford pre-season. He is currently back at Kettering again on loan.

Midfielder Remi Walker continues the list of new pre-season signings, having arrived following his release from Birmingham City. He spent the last few months of last season on loan at Alvechurch.

Ty Webster is a midfielder too, who arrived in August, after being released by Crewe Alexandra.

Right midfielder Byron Moore is one of the select retained players, having joined Telford from Torquay February last year. He has over 400 league appearances to his name in Leagues One and Two, having started out at Crewe.

He was loaned to Kidsgrove Athletic but joined Port Vale on his release. After two years he moved on to Bristol Rovers and Bury, before spending two years at Plymouth Argyle.

Striker Montel Gibson has been a regular goalscorer since his pre-season arrival from Ilkeston. He was a Notts County Junior and was loaned out to Romulus, Barwell, Hednesford and Sutton Coldfield, before going to Ilkeston after his release in 2017, having made 24 League Two appearances, scoring two goals.

Spells at Redditch, Bedworth and Halesowen followed, before joining Grimsby Town. He was the loaned to Altrincham, before a permanent move to Stourbridge, but started 2022 back at Ilkeston. He spent six months on loan at Telford at the end of last season and returned again on a permanent basis pre-season.

Striker Ricardo Dinanga started out at Cork City, before Coventry City brought him across the Irish Sea. He had loans at Hereford and Nuneaton last season, but came to Telford following his release in July.

Tre Mitford is another early seasonigning, having come from Boston Utd. The striker started off at Aylesbury Utd, and has played at Bedford, Kettering, Brackley and Gloucester City too.

Twariq Yusuf came from Brackley earlier this season and can play as a striker or midfielder. He has also played for FC Kidlington and Ardley Utd.

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

He came from Telford in October from Matlock Town, 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.

Centre back Sam Whittall came from Rushall in October. He is an ex Wolves Junior and played at Cambridge Utd and Brackley, before his seven year spell at Rushall.

Having graduated through Telford’s own youth scheme, left back Brad Blood is now in his third season with the first team squad. Also Billy West captained our visitors under 18 side, following his release from Shrewsbury Town and in his third season with the first team too.

Midfielder James McQuilkin is a Northern Ireland at Under 17, 19 and 21, but began his career in the Czech Republic, with Zlin B and Tescoma Zlin, before returning to the UK with Hereford in 2009.

He joined Walsall in July 2013 and after a year moved onto Hednesford. But he was soon on the move again to Torquay, before a stay at Kidderminster, preceded his first spell at Telford for the start of the 2017/18 season.

After just over two years he returned to Hereford, before stops at Stourbridge and Hednesford were followed by his Telford return in July.

Midfielder Ellis Brown was signed a couple of weeks ago. He has been without a club for a while, after a year in Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He started out at Boreham Wood.

Striker Harvey Solley made his debut earlier this season, having come through the clubs youth scheme.

Kick off is 3pm as usual, SHOW YOUR SUPPORT & BE THERE!!

by Peter Scherer

It may not have started well for Mickleover, going a goal down to bottom of the table Long Eaton Utd. But a second half goal surge secured a 5-1 win and takes them back to the top of of the Southern Premier League Central Division.

Starting line-up: 1-Lewis Ridd 2-Ben Sault 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Finn Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Leon Clarke 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Matty Bowman, Dan Bradley, Jake Bennett, Fin Ryder.

Dales and Delap were back in the starting line-up and there was a debut for Derby County Under 21 goalkeeper Lewis Ridd, with his loan deal only completed a couple of hours before kick-off.

It was a lively start for Mickleover, when a Barnes cross after two minutes, found Dales who jinked clear, setting up Greaves whose shot was just over the bar.

Dales had another shot a minute later, straight at keeper Ross Durrant, before Ridd was called into action for the first time. It was good positive run by Jack Rogers down the left, but Ridd had it covered and conceded the first corner.

There was a foul on Dales after six minutes, but the free kick came to nought and then Greaves had an attempt just wide of the post after a telling run down the right from Sault.

Durrant saved a low shot from Barnes after nine minutes, but the keeper’s kicks were tending to go awry and put his own defence under pressure.

Although Mickleover were dominating possession, the final pass was sometimes missing and Durrant wasn’t being really tested in the Long Eaton goal.

12 minutes in and there was a long build up, before Trueman fired over. Delap then put a positive ball into the box, with both Dales and Clarke challenging, but Durrant’s hands kept the threat away.

Trueman then had a run from the left, Greaves got on the end of it, but the shot was over again. Then totally against the run of play, the defence was split down the middle, leaving Rogers clear, who beat Ridd from distance to make it 0-1 after 16 minutes.

Dolan began to attack more down the Mickleover left, but his 22^nd minute shot was straight at the keeper, before his cross two minutes later found Dales. But he wasn’t able to turn enough to get any accuracy on his shot.

Greaves set up the overlapping Sault who cut in and shot just over the bar after a deflection, before Barnes put another shot over, from the following corner.

Long Eaton still looked dangerous on the occasional break, but after 31 minutes Mickleover finally got the equaliser, with Mann heading home after some nice interplay on the wing between Barnes and Dales.

For the rest of the first half it was all Mickleover, with a nice combination on the right setting up Trueman, who shot just wide of the right hand post after 34 minutes. Three minutes later Dales cut in to shoot over the bar again and then Barnes slid in and almost connected with a low cross from the left.

Durrant had to save a 42nd minutes power shot from Barnes after a Sault cross from the right and with the half time whistle poised, Mann headed just wide from a corner, so it remained 1-1.

It took a while for Mickleover to get up to pace again as the second half got underway. Barnes almost latched on to a long ball from Delap, but Durrant beat him to it and then Nyahema had a promising run down the right for the visitors, but his cross was straight out for a goal kick.

56 minutes in and a Greaves corner was the start of a resurgence from Sports. Both Delap and Mann began to push forward more along with the overlapping Sault and Dolan, while Atkinson seemed to be marshalling midfield with consummate ease.

Mickleover had taken control and after 59 minutes Barnes received on the left and fired home to make it 2-1. Barnes pace was causing problems for the flagging Long Eaton defence and his attack down the right, forced another good save from Durrant and a corner.

Former Mickleover player Lewis Belgrave then fouled Barnes in the box and Greaves stepped up to take the penalty. Durrant saved it initially, but Greaves was quick off the mark and tapped in the rebound, 3-1 after 62 minutes.

Beavon was the first sub to come on, as Clarke made way, before Durrant’s legs stopped Greaves from adding a fourth goal.

Sault then hit the post after 68 minutes after another long build up and final pass from Greaves.

Two minutes later though it was 4-1, when Barnes hit his second after a lay-off from Beavon, creating his own space with the keeper well beaten.

Bradley, Bowman and Ryder all came on as subs too, but 76 minutes and it was goal number five with Mann heading home again, 5-1.

Bradley had a long shot just wide, but it continued to be all Mickleover until the final whistle, with the 5-1 taking us back to the top of the league.

Going a goal down wasn’t part of our plan, but we knew we would be on top and create the chances, which we did. There were some strong performances from our players

said Mickleover manager John McGrath.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s a local Derby for our Boxing Day football, as we face Long Eaton Utd at the Don Amott Arena.

Both Fin Delap and Andy Dales were missing from last Saturday’s draw at Hitchin, more now keeper Oliver Bosworth joins the list, with a second half thigh injury. With former deputy Jim Pollard having left the club, Academy players Josh Maher and Josh Bull are the only keepers at the club, so watch this space.

Newly promoted Long Eaton have had a tough time, with only two wins to their credit so far, as they sit firmly at the bottom of the table.

They beat Berkhamsted at home earlier this month, which ended a run of nine successive defeat. Earlier this season Mickleover hit five goals without reply at Grange Park. But they went down again last Saturday 1-2 at home to Halesown.

Manager Brad Munn took over as the season was about to start and has got through a huge number of players in their starting line-up. Initially he was co-manager with Lewis McGugan, who has recently left the club, but it now solo.

Munn was a midfielder, starting off at Burton Albion, before playing for Bedworth and Coalville and starting his partnership with McGugan at Loughborough.

Keeper Ross Durrant started out at Nottingham Forest and was loaned to Ilkeston, before spending a month at Mickleover in 2016.  He made a permanent move to Ilkeston on his release, before moving to Boston Utd, North Ferriby, Alfreton, Matlock and Belper. He came to Long Eaton in March.

Ed Cook is a centre back who arrived from Loughborough in pre-season. He started off at Burnley, before joining Hampton & Richmond. He was loaned to Farnborough, then joined Loughborough for his first spell. Kettering, Stamford and Grantham followed, spending a year with the Gingerbreads before returning to Loughborough at the beginning of last season.

Left back Cieron Keane is capped at Under 16 & 19 by the Republic of Ireland. He is an ex Wolves Junior and had a year at Notts Couty, making two first team appearances. He then moved on to Nuneaton, Worcester, Kidderminster, Alfreton, Boston Utd, Basford, Leamington, Bradford Park Avenue and Stafford, before spending two years at Gainsborough and was a pre-season arrival with our visitors.

Right back Callum Cocks came from Loughborough with the new management team. He has played for Royal Artillery and Army Reserve teams as well as Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Keiran Walker has been a key player in the Long Eaton defence, since his arrival in 2019 from Basford. He was previously at Boston Utd, Ilkeston, Matlock, Carlton and Rainworth MW.

Central defender or midfielder Riece Bertram was signed last December, having played for Basford, Belper Town, Carlton and Ilkeston.

Full back Larell King came from Mickleover early last season. He had previously been at Burton Albion and Mansfield Town.

Marley Fearon is a product of Long Eaton’s own youth scheme. A young centre back, he was loaned to Heanor Town last season too.

Cameron Philp played his early football at West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City, before moving onto Tamworth. Moves to Stratford and Stourport Swifts followed for the wide midfielder, before signing for Long Eaton pre-season.

Kameron Campbell is an experienced striker. He returned to Long Eaton in pre-season, after playing at Basford. He was also at Notts County and has played for Anstey Nomads and Carlton too. He is currently dual registered with Basford too.

Micah Jebbison is another striker, in his third season at the club, having also had spells at Altrincham, Ilkeston and Quorn.

Former Welsh Under 19 International James Spruce came from Gresley Rovers in September. He was a Bristol Rovers Junior, who has also played for Gloucester City, Heather St.John and Sutton Coldfield.

Currently another player on a dual registration with Basford, is ex England Under 19 International Nathan Tyson. He has played in every division of the football league, making over 500 appearances with almost 90 goals. He started out at Reading  and was loaned to Maidenhead, Swansea and Cheltenham, before a permanent move to Wycombe.

He then had six years at Nottingham Forest, before moving on via Derby County, Millwall, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Notts County,  Doncaster, Kilmarnock, Chesterfield and Grantham. He started this season at Ilkeston and signed for Long Eaton in September.

Left back Ryan Campbell-Gordon was another September signing. An ex Port Vale Junior, he was loaned to Ilkeston, Kidsgrove, Hednesford and Gainsborough, before joining Hanley Town on his release.

Tom Hewlett is on a season long loan from Burton Albion. He has previously had spells at Rushall, Belper, Leamington, Hednesford and Hereford.

Midfielder Morgan Worsfold-Greg has recently arrived on loan from Lincoln City. He also spent time at Rushall earlier in the year.

Jamie Hanson is a former England Under 20 International, with both League One and Championship experience. He was a Derby County Junior, loaned to Wigan Athletic and Oxford Utd, before going Ilkeston on his release. He came to Long Eaton on a season long loan last month.

Former Mickleover Junior Lewis Belgrave has recently arrived from Gresley Rovers. The midfielder has also played for Sherwood Colliery.

Ex Derby County Academy striker Jack Rogers arrived at Grange Park last season, having played for Ilkeston Town and Shepshed Dynamo.

Ex Burton Albion winger Joe Nyahwema was a pre-season signing, having spent much of last season at Belper Town. Ryley Reynolds is a midfielder, currently on loan from Notts County.

Mickleover’s George Atwal has been on loan for most of this season, having come through Sports own Academy to the first team squad.

Nicolas Aretzis is a recent signing, a centre back who has been playing Ireland with Larne and Bangor.

Midfielder Luke Martin has recently come in too, having made his debut at the beginning of last month. He has also ben playing for Belper Town.

Former Rams Academy player Aaron Cole has also been on the bench lately. He has played for Belper Town, Rochester and Worksop too and his manager Munn’s assistant. 

Prestyn Moore, Riley Phillips, Johnny Lees, Alfie Barker, Ben Bowers, Hugo Broughton, Ben Cassady, Breeyen Grainger,  Alans Voskresenskis and McKenzie have also been fringe players, with occasional substitute appearances, having come mainly from the clubs Academy. While fellow graduate Casey Johnson has made two recent starts.

Finally, former Mickleover vice-captain Andrew Wright has joined our visitors on a three-month loan. The powerful midfielder needs no introduction to the Sports faithful, having only let at the end of 21/22.

Kick off as usual 3pm, BE THERE!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover managed to break the run of four consecutive away defeats, with a tough 2-2 draw at Hitchin Town, having taken the lead twice.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Matt Bowman 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Wil Atkinson 5-Jake Bennett 6-Ethan Mann 7-Ben Sault 8-Will Trueman 9-Leon Clarke 10-Marcus Barnes 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Fin Ryder, Stuart Beavon, Sam Tomlinson, Zach Sandhu, Brandon Ferron.

In the opening seconds of the game Hitchin had a shot wide of the post, but Mickleover were soon responding. Barnes had a great run down the right and his cross was met my Clarke, after just two minutes, scoring his first goal for the club 1-0.

In the melee for the goal, home keeper and captain Charlie Horlock needed lengthy treatment after a knock on the head, before play eventually continued.

Bosworth made his first save in the Sports goal after 10 minutes, when a good build up down the left saw Finley Wilkinson’s tame effort easily collected.

But two minutes later and it was level, when a ball in from the right was initially cleared, but Layne Eadie’s cross back into the box hit the far post and bounced into the goal 1-1.

Barnes and Greaves combined to test the home defence 17 minutes in, but the pace of the ball just beat the chase and Horlock collected.

It was still very much an end-to-end game, with both sides attempting to push forward.

Sault had his first attempt on goal after 22 minutes, it was blocked but the defence failed to clear, before Barnes picked up the rebound and shot wide.

Jack Snelus then crossed to find Eadie, but the following shot was blocked by Dolan and a corner won by Hitchin.

Greaves, Trueman and Sault were busying themselves in midfield and creating more breaks and as the half hour mark approached, Greaves jinked through on the left, the ball was aiming for Sault, but he completely missed the ball on the bounce.

Hitchin then got a break and Arnold Matshazi  charged in with a shot from the right, saved by Bosworth’s feet. From the following corner, Daniel Emovon tried a loop shot but it was straight into Bosworth’s hands.

Sault had the ball in the net after 33 minutes, but it was pulled back for a free kick to Hitchin. Only a minute late there was almost a repeat of the Mickleover goal, with Barnes again beating the defence on the right. His cross was perfection, but Clarke was maybe half a stride from connecting, which would have been a certain a second goal.

Dolan earned a 36^th minute free kick after he was hauled back by his shirt, but Greaves’ free kick was comfortably taken by Horlock.

Mickleover had a final push to conclude the first half, with both Trueman and Sault having shots blocked, so as the whistle blew it remained level pegging.

Both sides went on the attack from the start of the second half, with Barnes firing over the bar after 48 minutes, before a Hitchin strike went out of the ground a minute later.

Atkinson had been busy linking midfield and defence, but picked up a Greaves cross and had space for a shot, but it was straight into Horlock’s safe hands.

Despite the makeshift back four of Bowman, Bennett, Mann and Dolan, in the absence of Fin Delap, they had looked fairly solid. Bosworth made a fairly easy save from another Hitchin effort after 51, but a minute later a great solo effort from Sault on the left, saw him cut inside and fire it wide of Horlock’s left hand to make it 2-1. “I was determined that one was going into the back of the net,” he said.

For the next few minutes Mickleover had the upperhand and forced the Hitchin defence back into their own half. Greaves had a shot saved by Horlock’s feet and the danger was cleared.

Hitchin went close again after 54 minutes, with an effort just wide of Bosworth’s left-hand post, as another player just missed connecting as he slid in.

It had been a strong 15 minute spell for Mickleover, but it soon changed as Hitchin started to push forward again. After an initial 68^th minute attack had been beaten away, Eadie collected the ball outside the box. His path was clear and he sent into a powerful shot into the far corner to make it 2-2.

Hitchin were showing more keenness to shoot on sight than Mickleover, but there was another lengthy delay when Bosworth had gone down with a thigh injury.

After play restarted Barnes had a break in the 81^st minute but it came to nought. But Bosworth was visibly struggling and unable to take his kicks.

Barnes, Clarke and Greaves combined with four minutes left, they won a corner, but that was cleared. Greaves won a free kick after being tripped, but on the 90 minute mark Clarke missed a header by a whisker from Sault’s corner.

With six minutes added on Matshazi had a shot over for Hitchin and Sault had another blocked. Beavon came on for Clarke for the final couple of minutes, but it remained 1-1 s we now look to Boxing Day at home to Long Eaton, with concerns over the goalkeeping situation.

 

by Peter Scherer

The first of Mickleover’s Christmas game sees us head south to face fourth in the table Hitchin Town. They were 2-1 victors at neighbours St.Ives last Saturday, but they are looking to get back on form at home, having had three successive defeats, at the hands of Leiston, Leamington and Stamford.

It will a tough challenge for Mickleover though, with a few injuries at this critical period, and coming after a run of four successive away defeats.

Manager Mark Burke has been in charge of the Canaries for over nine years and retained much of his squad from last year, which saw the Canaries do the double over Sports, 1-4 on our visit to Top Field last November and 1-2 on the return in January. But when they came to the Don Amott Arena in August, it was Sports the victors 2-1.

Goalkeeper and captain Charlie Horlock has been at Top Field for four years, since signing from Hastings Utd. He started his junior football at Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage and was loaned to Hendon and Harrow, before coming to Hitchin on loan too in November 2014. He then made a permanent move to our hosts a year later, before moving to Eastbourne. But after a three-year absence he was back at Hitchin.

Josh Mollison is the second-choice keeper and Academy coach. A former Hitchin youth player he had loans at Biggleswade, Barton Rovers, Potton Utd and Eynesbury Rovers too.

Full back Stan Georgiou is a home- grown talent who has been a regular starter since the second half of 22/23 season. He captained the clubs Youth Cup team and also had a loan spell at Letchworth Garden City Eagles.

Kye Tearle is a defender or midfielder who came from the Pro Direct Academy in Baldock. He is in his fourth season with the first team squad. 

Fellow defender Lewis Barker arrived at the start of the 2019/20 season, after five years at Baldock Town.

Toby Syme is s full back in his second spell with the club. He came from one Canaries team to another, after leaving Norwich City in 2017. He moved on to Kings Langley a year later, before spells at Leverstock, Tring Athletic and Harpenden, were followed by his return to Top Field in August 2022.

Defender Layne Eadie came from Harlow Town. He started with Luton Town and Stevenage, moving on to Leighton, Barton Rovers and Biggleswade, before his first spell with St.Albans. In 2013 he joined Harlow and has played at Wingate too, before his first stop at Hitchin in 2019. He had further spells at St Albans and Harlow before coming back to Hitchin.

Irish midfielder Stephen Gleeson was spotted by Wolves when he was playing junior football for Cherry Orchard FC. He spent a few years on loan at Stockport County before a permanent move to Mk Dons. He then moved on to Birmingham City, Ipswich and Aberdeen, before coming back to England with Solihull Moors. He came to Hitchin in November 2021 after four months at Hemel.

He was capped by the Republic of Ireland at full, Under 17, 18, 19 and 21 levels and has played over 400 league games in the Championship, League One & Two and Scottish Premiership, scoring 27 goals.

Defender or midfielder Malaki Black came from MK Dons in July 2021, while fellow midfielder Bradley Bell arrived for his second spell in summer 2022, from Barton Rovers. He had initially left to join Biggleswade in 2020 and has also played for Royston and Cambridge City, having started at MK Dons.

Kavan Cotter is a defensive midfielder and a former Arsenal, QPR and Luton Town junior. He was loaned to Hitchin in 2017 and Oxford City, but after his release from the Hatters he joined Hemel. He moved on again after one season, joining Wealdstone for a two-year spell, arriving at our hosts in March from Wingate FC.

Left back Daniel Emovon was a pre-season signing, who came from Wingate. He had previously been at Hemel.

Isaac Galliford is another former Luton Town junior and England C International. He was loaned to St.Neots before his release, but then headed for the US, spending two years with Butler Bulldogs. On his return in 2018 he spent a year at Hitchin, before moving to Hemel, Royston, Hendon and Potters Bar. He came to our hosts pre-season from Kings Langley.

Pre-season signed centre back Ciaren Jones is an ex Luton Town and Norwich City Junior too. He started last season at Brackley, having joined them from Gloucester City in July 2022. He also played for South Shields and spent a week at Hitchin in 2020, before his move to Gloucester.

Striker Diogo Freitas-Gouveia originally came to Hitchin on loan from Colchester Utd in 2019/20. He was also loaned to Brightlingsea and Maldon & Tiptree, but made his move to Hitchin permanent following his release during summer 2022. 

Jack Snelus arrived from Rushden & Diamonds in September last year. A striker, he was another ex Luton Junior and has also played for Hemel and St.Ives Town.

Midfielder Finley Wilkinson was another summer2022 signing  from Histon, after coming through their Youth Scheme. 

Daniel Idiakhoa came to Hitchin on loan from Luton in  December 2022, having previously been at Newport Pagnell. The young midfielder has now returned permanenlty from the seasons start.

Striker Arnie Matshazi only arrived in October, having signed from Braintree. He was a Junior at MK Dons and Blackpool, before joining Wycombe Wanderers on his release. Loans at Slough and Hemel followed before he went to Braintree at the beginning of this season.

Midfielder John Freeman is another recent signing, coming from Cambridge City in October. He has spent most of his career at MK Dons, with loans at Kempston Rovers, Wantage, St.Neots, Woking and Chelmsford, before spending last season with Cambridge City.

Defender Dempsey Thomas, Harry Dollimore and striker George Devine have been sharing their time between Hitchin and Baldock Town, Dollimore had previously played for Letchworth Eagles too.

Joel Jolly, Chris Khoo and Harry Silver have all joined the squad this season too, as products of the Canaries own youth scheme.

Finally Jermiah Luwero is a striker who played for Woodford Town and Staines before joining Hitchin.

Kick off at Top Field is 3pm and it’s an all ticket match.