by Peter Scherer

After the disappointment of the early exit from the FA Cup, hopes were high of success as Mickleover visited Isthmian League North side Stowmarket Town, for the FA Trophy tie.

Stating line-up: 1- Jonathan Hedge 2- Ethan Mann 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Jordan Fankwe 8-George Milner 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Mason Warren. Subs: Jahvan Davidson-Miller, George Atwal, Ben Horleston.

The hosts had the ball in the net after only two minutes following a free kick, but it was given offside.

Beavon then had the first Mickleover shot on goal a minute later, with his effort just wide of the left-hand post. But Reeves went close six minutes in, when his strike forced keeper James Bradbrook into a diving save, after a good build up between Mann and Beavon.

Stowmarket had a couple of corners that came to nought and a 13^th minute cross from Chris Casement, was straight into Hedge’s waiting hands.

The play had been fairly even, but Reeves had another header just over the bar after 17 minutes, following a Warren free kick after Beavon was fouled.

Five minutes later Beavon found Reeves on the left, but his shot was deflected out for a corner. Then a telling cross from the Stowmarket left after 26 minutes, almost found Jack Ainsley, but it was just a couple of inches too high.

Neither side looked particularly decisive in midfield, and neither Mann nor Dolan were having the usual cutting runs on the wings.

Beavon found Reeves again after 39 minutes, but his powerful shot was straight at the keeper and then Ainsley wasted a chance for the hosts, wanting too much time before shooting, as the danger was cleared.

With the whistle poised for half time, Mann, Beavon and Reeves combined, but the final ball rolled out of play, just beyond the left-hand post and it remained 0-0.

From the start of the second half Mickleover had more drive and it was only three minutes in when the ball fell nicely for Beavon in space, who set up Reeves for a run, outpacing the defender and slotting it past Bradbrook 1-0.

It could so easily have been level again only two minutes later, when Hedge parried an initial shot, which fell at Evan Collard’s feet, but the Stowmarket midfielder sent his shot high over the bar.

There hadn’t been a lot of creativity from the Mickleover midfield, despite Milner and Warren’s pace and enhthusiam. But after 53 minutes Fankwe had a weak shot wide of the left hand post, with Warren then spotting the keeper off his line, trying a chip just wide gain.

Tev Allen broke through the Mickleover defence and earned a corner after his shot was blocked, but the follow up was just wide.

As the hour mark approached Mickleover just about had the edge, but it was decided to make the first change with Davidson-Miller on for Fankwe.

It was close again for the hosts after 63 minutes, when Butler lost possession on the edge of the box and gave away a free kick, which fortunately caused no problem.

But Davidson-Miller was unlucky not to hit a second for Sports, when he held the ball well and cut in from the right, seeing his shot hit the right-hand post.

Beavon had a 72nd minute break, before Warren’s shot was blocked, but at this point it was just about going Mickleover’s way still.

Allen had another shot across goal after 78 minutes, which Hedge had covered and with four minutes on the clock Horleston came on for his first team debut, replacing Milner.

Reeves teed up Beavon who shot over on the 90minute mark, but then disaster struck. With some of the home fans accepting defeat, Mickleover lost possession and with the ball in the box the defence froze.

Allen was first to react and fired in the equaliser past Hedge from close range, 1-1.

The full-time whistle soon followed and with no extra time, it was straight into penalties. Stowmarket’s first was in, before Warren saw his attempt saved. After the hosts had made it two, Reeves shot was saved too! 

Hedge managed to keep Stowmarket’s third shot out, before Wilson stepped up. His attempt was nearer the parallel A14 than the goal and it was all over for Mickleover, apart from the long journey home.

by Peter Scherer

This weekend Mickleover head over to East Anglia again to face Stowmarket Town in the Third Qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

Paul Musgrave’s side are currently seventh in the Isthmian League North and have already knocked out Bury Town and Chatham Town in the FA Trophy.

He has been in charge since November 2020, having previously been assistant since 2017.

They started their season with a 4-1 home win again Hullbridge Sports and have also beaten Hashtag Utd, Wroxham and Basildon, suffering one defeat away to Lowestoft.

Keeper James Bradbrook came from Brightlingsea Regent in June 2019, having previously been on loan during 2017/18 from Needham Market. He has also played for Bury Town.

Central defenders Tom Bullard and Joe Jefford were a double signing from Leiston in June 2019, where Bullard was captain and played over 220 games, after coming from Bury Town in 2014.

Jack Ainsley is a former Ipswich Junior, who was signed from Felixstowe in June 2019. He had loans at Rushden & Diamonds, Histon and Chelmsford before joining Lowestoft on his release from Ipswich. He had a spell at Leiston too before joining Felixstowe in 2018.

Chris Casement is a Northern Ireland International at Under 17,19,20, 21 and full. A very experienced defender he played for Ipswich in the Championship, and was loaned to Millwall, Hamilton Academicals and Wycombe, before a permanent move to Dundee.

He then moved back to Ireland with Linfield and Portadown, before arriving at Stowmarket in September 2020.

Left back Tommy Smith is another former Ipswich Junior, who only arrived at our hosts this summer, following his release.

Craig Parker is an experienced striker that came from Needham Market in September 2020. He started at Needham but has also played for Chelmsford City, Sudbury and Kings Lynn.

Tevan Allen is a defensive midfielder, signed in October 2021 from Coggeshall Town and has also played for Bury Town. He scored in the first league game of the season and in last week’s win at Basildon.

Fellow midfielder Luke Hipkin was a summer signing from Sudbury Town, having come through their academy.

Defender or midfielder Josh Curry came back to Stowmarket for a second time in May 2021, after spending three years at Lowestoft. He also played for Walsham-Le-Willows, Ely City and Diss Town.

Natty Stewart was another summer signing, from Mildenhall Town. A former Kings Lynn, Norwich Utd and Wroxham striker, he scored 10 goals in 24 games last season.

Left back Jack Wilkinson also arrived during the summer. He was at Sudbury Town, before moving on via Mildenhall. Lowestoft and Cambridge City.

Ed Upson started out at Ipswich too as a young midfielder. He has played over 400 games, the majority in league one and had loans at Stevenage and Barnet, before joining Yeovil in 2010.

Stops at Millwall, MK Dons, Bristol Rovers and Newport County followed, and had spent six months at Stevenage before joining our host’s pre-season. He scored a hattrick on his league debut too.

Midfielder Dylan Logan is a recent singing from Heybridge Swifts, having previously been at Biggleswade, Stotfold, St Neots and Baldock Utd. He has played two games so far and has scored in both!

Bermudan International midfielder Reggie Lambe has scored three goals so far this season. He was a junior at Ipswich Town too, along with a number of teammates. 

He was loaned to Bristol Rovers before trying his luck abroad, with Toronto FC in the US MLS and Nykoping in Sweden, before returning to the UK with Mansfield Town. He was then at Carlisle and Cambridge Utd, before coming to Stowmarket in December 2020.

Both striker Shaun Brammant and winger Jacek Zielonka came from Dereham pre-season. Brammant scored 11 goals in 39 games last season and had a spell at Lowestoft too before making a return trip to Dereham.

Zielonka spent his early career in Poland, with Pomezania Malbork, Concordia Elblag, 1920 Mosina and Lubonski 1943, before arriving at Lowestoft in 2014. He has played for Kings Lynn, Lowestoft and Dereham too.

Defender Kane Munday was previously at AFC Sudbury and Barking, having started in Colchester Utd’s Academy. 

Ryan Capon is the second-choice keeper. A product of their own youth scheme is currently dual registered with Debenhams FC to gain experience.

Kick off at Greens Meadow is 3pm and its only 154 miles away, so depending on the A14 it could take 2 ½ hrs or it could take a lot longer.

by Peter Scherer

First half mistakes in defence proved decisive as Southern Premier League Central Division leaders Tamworth came to the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up. 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-George Milner 8-Mason Warren 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Ethan Mann, Marcus Marshall, Jordan Fankwe, Ryan Wilson.

Gaffer John McGrath made two changes to the side that lost at Needham Market, with Milner in for Wilson and Reeves replacing Davidson-Miller to lead the attack.

The opening pace of the game was rapid, but after only five minutes Alex Bradley’s run sent Kyle Finn through. His shot from outside the box was parried by Hedge, but only as far as Ty Deacon who scored from close range. 0-1.

Five minutes later a long and patient build up from Mickleover led to a shot from Dolan, deflected out for our first corner, before Butler headed just over from the following kick.

The home defence easily dealt with a Bradley free kick, before Milner managed to get a shot in that failed to trouble visitors keeper Jas Singh.

But Tamworth were quick on the break and league top scorer Dan Creaney broke through the middle of the defence to fire just over.

The visitors had outpaced Mickleover, but 15 minutes in the tide turned, when a looping pass found Reeves, who easily outran Liam Dolman, before chipping the advancing keeper 1-1.

Tamworth had another free kick headed away by Butler, before Beavon went close again after 20 minutes. His initial shot was blocked by the keepers leg, before his rebound bounced off a defender.

The play had become much more even but Butler miss timed his header from a Tamworth clearance, sending Creaney clear. He cut to his left, fired the shot at Hedge, who failed to hold onto the ball and it was 1-2 after 27 minutes.

The defence failed to settle again following the goal and a general mix up only four minutes later saw Deacon fouled in the box, with Creaney stepping up to take the spot kick, 1-3.

Sports tried to fight back with Beavon seeking out Bennett, but a defender intercepted for a corner. Dales rebound shot from the corner was blocked and the visitors cleared their ranks.

Dolan started to find his pace on the left, but a saving tackle arrived as his shot was straight at the keeper. 

But a poor clearance from Hedge put himself under pressure after 37 minutes, from which his charge off the line rescued the situation.

Tamworth had a couple more chances but failed to maximise, with Hedge saving again from a Luke Fairlamb effort in a goalmouth melee, handing the visitors another corner.

Bennett got a cross into the box after 43 minutes, but it was to close to the keeper. Right on half time though Warren found space on the left and from a tight angle and smashed his shot off the post.

Early into the second half Hedge held a cross from Dolman, but after 49 minutes Dales was down in the box and penalty appeals were waved away.

Mickleover had come out with far more determination, and after Dales had a 54^th minute shot blocked, Beavon found Reeves five minutes later, but his shot was wide.

Just after the hour mark Dolan was fouled right on the edge of the box, but the free kick came to nought. Soon afterwards Bennett’s run on the right was halted when Fairlamb brought him down and a penalty was awarded.

Warren stepped up and smashed the ball into the roof of Singh’s net and it was game on again, 2-3.

Although Mickleover were on top, Tamworth were still dangerous on the break and a Fairlamb cross beat Hedge, but Watt was on hand to clear from goal.

The referee then missed a clear hand ball in the Tamworth box, but Sports had the Lambs on the run and continued to press forward.

Dolan put a nice ball inside for Dales after 81 minutes, but the shot was wide and then the first substitution was made with Wilson on for Milner.

Tamworth had begun to delay the proceedings excessively into the final 10 minutes, the questioning of every ball, feigning injury, kicking the ball away, but ironically it appeared that Hedge was yellow carded.

Dolan cut inside and fired another shot just over, but the middle was well blocked by the Tamworth defence. Hedge had to deal with a random long shot almost on time, but the referee added five minutes on due to Tamworth’s time wasting.

Finn was booked after appearing to push the ref away as he attempted to speak to him too.

In time added on Butler had a shot blocked from a corner and Dolan had two consecutive crosses easily taken by Singh, who had rapidly recovered from apparent cramp a couple of minutes earlier.

A strong second half performance and probably deserved a point, but the defensive errors proved decisive in the end and it remained 2-3.

by Peter Scherer

After the disappointing defeat at Needham Market last Saturday, Mickleover will be hoping to bounce straight back for the visit of top of the table Tamworth on Tuesday evening.

Our visitors have won five of their eight games, including an 8-1 victory at Bedford. Their only defeat was 1-4 at home to Coalville Town and last Saturday they beat Kings Langley at home 3-0.

Elliot Reeves’ fire power will be back to Sports squad too for this match, after serving his two-match suspension.

Tamworth Manager Andy Peaks has been in charge since February, having moved from Rusden & Diamonds. He started as a player at Northampton, before playing for Rushden, Raunds, Wealdstone and Stamford. After being assistant manager at Long Buckby and Daventry, his took charge at Northampton Spencer before moving back to Rushden.

Goalkeeper Jas Singh is one of six ever present players this season. He arrived from Telford in July 2018, having started his career at Shrewsbury Town. He has also played for Kidderminster, Solihull Moors and Gloucester City.

Matt Curley is a right back who came from Buxton in July. His career kicked off at Romulus, before moves to Chasetown, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth and Hednesford preceded 2 ½ years at Buxton.

Midfielder Gift Mussa has spent his whole career in the West Midlands, after starting out at Coventry Utd. After a short spell at Leamington, he spent almost two years at Bromsgrove, before a further year at Nuneaton prior to his arrival at Tamworth in February.

Alex Collard is a centre back and club captain, having arrived from Rushden during the summer. He’s also played for Aylesbury, Chichester City and Kempton Rovers.

Fellow centre back Liam Dolman came through the ranks at Northampton Town, making over 50 appearances for the Cobblers. He was loaned out to Aylesbury Utd and Kettering, before joining Kidderminster on his release. Corby, Banbury and Daventry then preceded eight years at Rushden & Diamonds, signing for Tamworth pre-season.

Striker Dan Creaney is the last of the ever-present players this season, and has been at Tamworth since signing from Coalville in July 2019.  He’s also played for Bedworth, and during his time Coalville was loaned to Basford and Stratford.

Left sided midfielder Kyle Finn came from Halesowen in July. The former Coventry City Junior had previously be loaned to Tamworth, along with Hereford and Rushall, before joining Halesowen on his release in July 2019.

Left back Callum Cockerill-Mollet is a former Republic of Ireland Under 18 and 19 International. He was a Walsall Junior loaned out to Telford and Chasetown, arriving at Tamworth in late 2019 following his release.

Luke Fairlamb is a midfielder signed from St Ives pre-season. After starting out at Corby he had five years in the US with St Peter’s University Peacocks. On his return to the UK he joined Rushden & Diamonds, moving on via Bedford, Sileby, Brackley and Banbury.

Central midfielder Jordan Clement started out at Wolves, joining Romulus after his release in 2016. After a spell at Coleshill he had his first stop at Tamworth in 2018 and was also loaned to Stratford, before moving to Alvechurch and finally Redditch, from where he was signed in August 2021.

Eoin McKeown is a well-travelled striker, who started off at Colchester Utd. After a loan at Maldon & Tiptree he was released and joined Kings Langley. Further moves have taken him to Wingate, Walton Casuals, Loughborough University and latterly Braintree, from where he was signed in February this years. He has made three starts and scored one goal so far this season.

Ty Deacon is a striker signed from Kettering in July. He has made two starts and has also played for Rushden & Diamonds.

Former West Bromwich Albion Junior midfielder George Cater has only started once this season. After joining Kidderminster, he went to Stafford, Hednesford and Chasetown, joining our visitors in July after a return trip to Hednesford.

Centre back James Hurst has had a long and varied career. Capped by England at Under 16, 17, 19 and 20 he reached as high as league one, having started as another West Brom Junior, being loaned to Portsmouth, IBV Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland, Blackpool, Shrewsbury, Chesterfield and Birmingham, before returning to Iceland with Valur Reykjavik in 2013.

He joined Crawley Town after returning to the UK where his changes in clubs took him the length and breadth of the country. After two years at Buxton he arrived at Tamworth in January.

Yet another ex West Brom Junior, midfielder Alex Bradley came from Yeovil in pre-season. He’s an ex Finnish Under 16,17 and 19 International. He left West Brom in 2019 after loans at Havant & Waterloovile, Burton Albion and Lincoln City. His stop at Lincoln became permanent, before he moved to Yeovil in January last year and he made seven appearances in League One.

Striker Alex Jones was signed last November and is another ex West Brom Junior. After a move to Birmingham City he was loaned to Grimsby and Port Vale, before a permanent move to Bradford City. After a loan at Cambridge Utd he joined Patrick Thistle and was at Northampton before joining our visitors. He made his seasonal debut last Saturday.

Ben Hart, Cameron Howkins, AJ George and Keelan Fallows have all been on the bench so far, yet to make a start.

Hart is a right back who came from Burton in July last year, having previously played at Tamworth during one of his loan spells from the Brewers.

Centre back Cameron Howkins was signed from Brocton in December 2019, having started at Kidderminster. He has since had two loan spells at Khalsa, but returned to Tamworth in March.

Midfielder AJ George is an Antigua & Barbuda International who was signed from Rushden in July. A former Oxford Utd Junior, he moved on to Mansfield during which time he had a short loan spell at Mickleover in 2017.

After further loans he joined Chippenham and Oxford City, before joining Rushden October last year.

Fallows is currently second choice goalkeeper recently loaned to Quorn. He was a Junior at Coventry and has also been loan to Daventry.

Kick off is at the Don Amott Arena 7.45.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Needham Market FC)

Mickleover’s hopes of a fourth successive Southern Premier League Central win came to end over the weekend, going down 0-2 on their visit to Needham Market.

Sports were unchanged from their win at Rushall last time out, 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Jake Bennett 3-RhysDolan 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Ryan Wilson 8-Mason Warren 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales, Subs: George Milner, Kai Moore, Ethan Mann, Jordan Fankwe.

The hosts opened the scoring after 21 minutes, when Daniel Morphew flicked on a corner, which was collected by Jacob Lay who scored from close range. 0-1.

Six minutes later Needham could have had a second, but having almost sent his initial touch goalwards, Butler cleared the danger, after Lay had sent Jake Dye on the overlap, firing in a low and dangerous cross.

But our hosts were down to 10 men after 34 minutes, when defender Kyle Hammond was sent off after two yellow cards in close succession.

There was little chance of Mickleover taking advantage, as only seven minutes Bateman followed  after a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Noah Collard.

With the half time whistle poised, Mickleover hit the bar, but fortunately for Needham, the rebound was straight into keeper Shorten’s waiting arms and it remained 0-1.

Early into the second half, Patrick Brothers had a shot wide for our hosts and on the hour he went close again with a curling shot just wide again.

But 76 minutes in and Lay scored his second, after Brothers found him in the box. Having beaten the defence he slotted it past the advancing Hedge and it was 0-2.

Despite Sports efforts to fight back, they were not able to add to the score sheet and returned home pointless and for the first time this season goalless too.

by Peter Scherer

It’s off to East Anglia again this weekend, when we visit Bloomfields, the home of Needham Market FC.

Mickleover will be looking for their fourth consecutive win to continue the climb up the table. Elliott Reeves is still unavailable following his red card, but otherwise gaffer John McGrath should have a full squad to choose from.

Currently 12^th in the Southern Premier League Central Division, one point behind Mickleover, our hosts have played five of their seven league games at home.

After a 0-0 draw at Rushden & Diamonds on the opening day of the season, they had their first defeat at home to Bromsgrove, before wins against St Ives and Stourbridge. 

After a 2-0 defeat to Rushall, they played their second away game at Hitchin, losing 0-1, but hit five without reply against Royston at home in their last match.

They are still in the FA Cup too, having knocked out Leiston and Sheringham at home and are at home again in the next round to Brightlingsea.

Former Northern Ireland International midfielder Kevin Horlock has been in charge for two years, having stepped up from a coaching role. He previously managed Chatham, Colchester Under 21’s and the Northern Ireland Under 21’s, having finished his playing career at Needham. He also played for West Ham, Swindon, Manchester City, Ipswich, Doncaster, and Scunthorpe.

Nathan Munson and Tom Rothery are both assistant managers. Former goalkeeper Munson has been at Needham for nine years in various roles, having played league football for Colchester, while Rothery came back to the club in 2019 from Brightlingsea.

First choice keeper Marcus Garnham is in his fourth season at Bloomfields, having signed from Leiston, but his whole career has been spent in East Anglia, having played for Leiston, AFC Sudbury, Lowestoft and Bury Town.

His deputy Finley Shorten is a product of their own Academy and is looking to get his break having been on the bench so far this season.

Right back Kyle Hammond came from Leiston in July last year, after starting out as an Ipswich Town Junior, during which time he was loaned to Maldon & Tiptree.

Dan and Keiran Morphew are twins and both play at centre back. Dan was at Haverhill Rovers and Thetford Town, before joining our hosts from Dereham in 2018. Keiran was the first graduate from their own Academy and made the first of his 250 plus appearances in 2013.

Christian Frimpong is another centre back. He joined Bristol City Academy from Chippenham Town, before moving on to Reading and Swindon. Following his release he played for Braintree, Lewes, Sudbury, and Chelmsford City, from where he joined Needham in August.

Teenager Hugh Cullum is another defender to come from the clubs Academy, he debuted last season and has had two starts this year and is an England Under 18 Schoolboy International.

Right back Jake Dye has come through the home Academy too. He debuted back in 2015 and expects to make his 200^th appearance for the club this season.

Winger Jacob Lay was a summer signing from Ipswich Wanderers in the Eastern Counties League, having scored 13 goals for them last season as they won the Division One title. He started out at Ipswich Town and has played for Brantham Athletic, Sudbury Town, Braintree, Whitton Utd, Felixstowe & Walton and Dereham, as well as a short spell at Preston North End.

Jamie McGrath is another summer signing too. He was on a dual registration last year with Brantham Athletic and East Bergholt, with a reputation as a prolific scorer, with 56 goals in 34 games last season. He scored his first for Needham in the home win against St Ives.

Midfielder Patrick Brothers came from Leiston in February, after 12 years at their Suffolk neighbours. He was previously at Brantham Athletic and is Needham’s top scorer this season with three goals.

Left winger Ross Crane came from Ipswich Town in August, where he was part of their Under 21’s. He started out at Colchester and Sudbury before joining Ipswich in July 2020 and was also loaned to Concord Rangers and Bury Town. 

Midfielder Evan Collard is a former Needham Market player currently on loan from Stowmarket. He played Academy football at both Ipswich Town and Needham and has also played for Witham Town, before joining Stowmarket in September 2020.

Evan isn’t the only Collard in the squad, as brother Noah is another to come from the club’s own youth scheme. Another midfielder who has worked his way into the first team squad over the last couple of seasons.

Seth Chambers made his first team debut in February having come through the clubs Academy. In his first full season he has already scored two goals in the win over Stourbridge.

Midfielders Tom Fitzgerald and George Exworth are yet to make a start this season, having worked their way through the Academy and reserve teams.

Taylor Clark is another young midfielder who was on trial with Aston Villa at the beginning of the year, before returning to our hosts Academy.

Finally, Ryan Viggars, a striker on loan from Charlton Athletic. He was previously at Sheffield Utd and is a Wales Under 17,18 & 19 International.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover made it three successive Southern League Premier wins, after a 3-1 victory on their trip to Rushall Olympic last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Ryan Wilson 8-Mason Warren 9-Jahvan Davidson Miller 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: George Milner, Elliott Walker, Marcus Marshall, Ethan Mann, Jordan Fankwe.

From the starting whistle Mickleover were on the attack and earned their first corner after four minutes, after Dales’ initial cross was put out.

Only a minute later Davidson-Miller had his first shot of the night blocked after another Dales cross.

Not surprisingly it was Dales causing problems for the home defence that brought the opening goal. As the winger cut in from the left he let fly with a cracking shot from a tightening angle beating keeper Weaver on his far post, even though he got a hand to it. 1-0.

Dolan put a dangerous cross in from the left a few minutes later, but the keeper held it, before Rushall had their first real attack 14 minutes in, following a corner.

Dales broke through again and was tripped on the edge of the box, but no foul given, while only a couple of minutes later it was 2-0 to Mickleover when Davidson-Miller battled through to find Warren, who fired it home after 16 minutes.

Rushall earned a free kick but Bateman easily cleared the danger, just before Rushall had their first real shot after 18 minutes.

There were a couple of free kicks given but our hosts failed to threaten from any and after 25 minutes Warren went close again, just wide of the right-hand post from long range, with another powerful drive.

As Dales had before, Dolan had a long run and was tripped on the edge of the box, but no foul, but Mickleover continued to threaten the home defence, with the occasional break their only respite.

Dales and Warren were playing their usual roaming roles, as Wilson and Bateman played more defensive midfield, and after 33 minutes Dales put a long ball through just out of Davidson-Miller’s reach.

Beavon had a cracking shot just over the bar after 35 minutes, before Rushall managed to break out of the own half and finish the first half strongly.

The hosts had a few more random and wide shots and Wilson cleared a more telling cross, before Hedge had to make his first save of the night with two minutes left.

Milner came on as sub to replace Wilson who had a heavy cold, but in time added on a nice interaction between Davidson-Miller and Beavon, saw the former’s final shot of the half blocked again.

Just as in the first half Mickleover came out with all guns blazing again, but after 49 minutes Hedge had to punch away a good Rushall effort on his right.

There was a whole series of corners for our hosts before it was finally cleared, but after another tremendous run down the left from Dolan, he squared the ball for Beavon, a quick turn and shot and it was 3-0.

For the next 15 minutes it was fairly even, before a more sustained period of attacking was triggered from a long throw, but ended with a blocked shot.

Rushall made a triple substitution, but a mistake by Whittall at the other end almost sent Davidson-Miller clear, before he fouled the Mickleover striker and then appealed for his own free kick, neither of which were given.

After a fairly quiet but solid comeback game, Bennett was replaced by Mann for the last 14 minutes, as Butler and Watt had to earn their crust with more home attacking.

A Mantom effort was cleared off the line, but after 80 minutes Whittall pulled one back for Rushall 3-1.

Mickleover were on the retreat but holding firm, Dales made way for Marshall into the last five minutes and Beavon had a shot blocked from a Warren corner.

Although Rushall hadn’t played badly, the game was won and lost in midfield, where Mickleover’s strength seemed to lie.

We are now up to ninth in the table and only a point outside the play-offs, but it’s now over a week until the next game, when we visit 11^th place Needham Market on the 24^th.

by Peter Scherer

Following last Saturday’s postponements, tomorrow evening it’s a short trip down the A38 for Mickleover FC as we visit Rushall Olympic.

Manager Liam McDonald has been in charge for five years, having previously managed Solihull Moors and Hednesford, after ending his playing career as a player coach with Redditch.

The season started badly with a 0-3 home defeat against Coalville and after drawing 0-0 at Hitchin, they got their first goal in a 1-3 defeat at Tamworth.

Wins at home to Bromsgrove and away to Needham Market, were followed by another draw, 1-1 at home to Barwell.

But like Mickleover their FA Cup hopes fell at the first hurdle, going down 1-4 at home to Redditch. They have an identical record to ours, but are one place ahead in the table in 13^th.

Goalkeeper Jake Weaver has been receiving excellent reviews this season. A former Birmingham City youth player, he was loaned to Hungerford, Kidderminster, Hednesford and Leamington, before a permanent move to Leamington in August 2020. He arrived at Rushall pre-season and is one of four ever-present players in the team.

Right back Kristian Green came from Stourbridge in July last year, having also played for Halesowen, Solihull Moors and Tamworth.

Sam Whittall is one of the long serving players. A midfielder, he started out as a Wolves Junior, before joining Cambridge Utd. He came to Rushall in July 2016 from Brackley.

Former England Under 17 International Sam Mantom is the leading scorer this season with three. Having started at Walsall, he spent most of his youth career at West Bromwich Albion, and was loaned out to Haukar in Iceland, Tranmere, Oldham and Walsall, before joining the Saddlers permanently in 2013, where he later became captain. He then moved on to Scunthorpe and Southend, before arriving at Rushall in October 2020, with over 250 league and FA Cup starts under his belt.

After only a month he moved to Hemel, before rejoining our hosts again in pre-season.

Left back Reece Mitchell came from Boldmere St Michaels in July 2019, having come through the youth team at Leamington.

Former Stoke City youngster Tom Thorley is an experienced midfielder. He was loaned to Stafford Rangers and Burscough, before a permanent move to Stafford in 2009.

He had three years at Worcester City and five at Hednesford, before returning to Stafford in 2018. He joined Rushall in October 2020.

Keith Lowe is a very experienced centre back, having played over 400 league games. Initially a Wolves Academy player, he was loaned to Burnley and QPR where he played in the Championship, before, Swansea, Brighton, Cheltenham and Port Vale, joining Kidderminster on his release in 2008.

After a spell at Hereford he joined Cheltenham Town and has also played for York City, Nuneaton, Macclesfield and Bradford PA in between three spells at Kidderminster, from where he joined our host pre-season.

Striker Johno Atherton arrived from Chasetown last month. He has also played for Uttoxeter, Walsall Wood and Alvechurch.

Andre Carvalho-Landell is another striker that arrived last month, scoring his first goal in the win over Needham Market. A former Wolves Junior, he moved to Bath City before joining Rushall in August 2012. After a year he moved to the US with Tiffin Dragons and Michigan Bucks, before returning to our hosts in September 2017.

He then moved on via Alvechurch, Stourbridge and Bromsgrove, before a year at Hednesford preceded his third spell with Rushall.

Midfielder Alex Fletcher is yet another pre-season signing. Starting out as a Shrewsbury Town Junior, he played for Telford and Tividale, before joining Welsh League Newtown. He also played form Southport and Stafford, returning to Newtown in between. He spent a year back at Stafford, before arriving at Rushall.

Midfielder Richard Batchelor is well known to Mickleover, as he was at the Don Amott Arena before joining Rushall in November 2019.

He started at Romulus, moving on to Chasetown, Leamington, Hednesford, Brackley, Worcester, Stafford, Stourbridge and Highgate, before coming to Mickleover from Redditch in July 2019.

Jayden Campbell came Walsall Academy in pre-season. He’s an attacking midfielder and scored his first goal in the home win against Bromsgrove.

Will Shorrock was another product of Walsall’s youth scheme. A midfielder, he went to Bromsgrove after his release in 2018 and came to Rushall pre-season too.

Another former Bromsgrove midfielder, Jordain Masidi arrived in November last year, he also played for Littleton.

Centre back Jordaan Brown has only made one start this season. He is a former AFC Wimbledon Junior, who then played for Staines, before trying his luck with VPS in Finland and Floy in Norway.

After two years he was back in the UK with Hayes & Yeading, before heading to the Midlands with Redditch, Stafford and Stourbridge. He came to Rushall in March from Tamworth.

Midfielder Owen Parry came in from Boldmere St Michaels in June 2021.

Striker Sam Moore was another pre-season capture. A fairly prolific scorer, he started out at Coalville, before moving to Quorn, Shepshed, Birstall, Barrow Town, Eastwood, Coleshill and Corby.

Sports would appreciate your support for the 7.45 kick off, it’s less than an hour away, just 31 miles!

by Peter Scherer

It was disappointing end after a promising start, as Mickleover went down 2-3 to Alvechurch in their FA Cup tie at the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Ethan Mann 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Ryan Wilson 8-Mason Warren 9-Marcus Marshall 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Elliott Walker, Fin Bowen, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Ben Horleston.

With Mickleover taking the kick off Warren soon put a long ball through just out of Marshall’s reach, but Alvechurch responded with Butler clearing.

Six minutes in and Dales led a good build up, but Marshall’s final shot failed to test visiting keeper Jezeph.

It was fairly end to end with a long Alvechurch build up coming to nought after 11 minutes, when the final pass saw the striker offside, but a following cross from the visitors drew a corner from a Dolan challenge, eventually cleared by Beavon.

Only a minute later Dales, Wilson and Marshall combined, before a ball out to Warren found Mann. He spotted the keeper fairly forward, and sent a chip over his head into the far corner for his first senior goal 1-0.

Both Dolan and Marshall were fouled in close succession, but neither free kick proved positive. In the 22^nd minute however Dales was fouled just outside the box and Wilson beat the four-man wall into the keeper’s top let hand corner, 2-0.

 Beavon was then brought down on the edge of the box after 26 minutes, but nothing was given. 

Hedge had to collect an Alvechurch cross from the right on the half hour, but Mickleover went close again after 33 minutes. A Warren corner was headed clear, before the ball fell to Wilson whose shot was only just over the bar.

Alvechurch went onto the attack with more effort in the final 10 minutes of the first half, Butler and Watt had most of it covered and Bateman was looking strong just in front of the two centre backs.

But the defence was breached after 37 minutes, prompting Hedge to charge off his line to intercept at the strikers feet.

Marshall then had a good solo run, cutting in from the right, before he was blocked and earned a corner.

Warren had pot from well out and was just wide of the mark, before Alvechurch followed similarly a minute later.

Then a Beavon turn sent Marshall through but his path was blocked again.

Alvechurch had three late chances to pull one back before the interval, one from a corner that missed everyone, the second was just over from long range and the third was wide from the left, while Warren almost put Beavon clear, but was just offside.

Although Alvechurch hadn’t played badly, Mickleover gave them little space in midfield and started the second half similarly.

Only two minutes after the restart Marshall had a great chance after Dales cut in from the right, but he gave the keeper an easy save.

Bateman was yellow carded a minute later, before Dales taunted the defence then crossed for Mann to go close again.

Dales was tearing the visitors right hand side apart as Mickleover looked even stronger than the first half, with Beavon inches from collecting a Dolan cross.

The home defence showed a sign of weakness as the hour mark approached, but the visitors failed to take their chance with a shot well over.

After Alvechurch made two substitutions, they earned a free kick after 56 minutes, Hamilton stepped up and fired high into Hedge’s left-hand corner 2-1.

Almost from the kick off Sports were beaten down the left, with the cross earning another corner. But they came back strongly with Marshall earning a free kick after being pulled back. Butler then came up for the kick and earned a corner, which was easily cleared.

In the 66^th minute the referee gave Alvechurch a most innocuous penalty, which Hedge saved with a dive to his right. But in the scramble that followed, sub Waldron collected the ball to make it 2-2.

Seven minutes later and Waldron was on the score-sheet again. A cross from the visitors left found Waldron by the far post and made it 2-3.

Davidson-Miller was on for Marshall as it was now Mickleover seeking the equaliser.

Alvechurch were now chasing every ball, just as Mickleover did for the first 66 minutes, but Davidson-Miller headed into the side netting from a Mann cross for Mickelover.

Sports were pushing everything into the visitors box, Mann had a cross or shot taken by the keeper on his line and Davidson-Miller was fouled after a good turn but nothing given.

Mann then headed wide from a late free kick and finally Dales shot wide into the side netting after a late foul on Mann.

So the 2-0 lead became a 2-3 defeat and the FA Cup dreams are over for another year at the first hurdle.