by Peter Scherer

Mickleover opened their Southern Premier League Central campaign in the best possible way, keeping a clean sheet and taking a 2-0 win thanks to a Marcus Barnes double.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Ben Sault 3-Jake Bennett 4-Will Atkinson 5-Fin Delap 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Dan Bradley 9-Andre Wright 10-Oli Greaves 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Stuart Beavon, James Pollard, George Nunn, George Atwal, Brandon Ferron.

Sports earned their first free kick in the opening minute, after Sault was brought down in his own half. But overall it was a fairly even started to the afternoon.

Sault was the first to have an attempt on goal seven minutes in, when his long-range effort tested the home defence, earning a corner after keeper Brearey saved.

As the ball came into the box Dales followed up, earning another corner as Mickleover’s pressure began to rattle the St.Ives back line.

Both Sault and Bennett were pushing forward and it was Bennett that floated a telling ball into box after 10 minutes, Wright collected but the keeper saved and only a minute later Barnes had him at full stretch too to keep the ball out.

St.Ives had their first real attempt on goal after 16 minutes, falling nicely just outside the box, with the following shot well over the bar.

Andoh then had the ball for the hosts, cutting inside to make his cross, to find no one to receive. But with the pressure off, Ives started to push forward again, and skipper Richens tested Bosworth with a shot from just outside the box after 22 minutes.

Greaves and Dales were finding their familiar runs cut off early, but 26 minutes in, Wright almost managed to set up Greaves. It was virtually a one on one, but on this occasion Brearey won.

With Ryan Wilson missing due to suspension, Mann was captain and proved his worth, as he held off a St.Ives strike until Bosworth arrived to collect.

Mickleover were still looking the more composed on the ball, but on the half hour St.Ives managed to put in a series of crosses, the first leaving their strike force somewhat surprised and the danger disappeared.

But after 38 minutes the deadlock was broken when Dales broke free down the left. As he starting to cut inside Brearey left his line, prompting a pass from Dales to find Barnes waiting to receive and it was 1-0.

Three minutes later Brearey had to pull off a save from a deflected Dales shot, before St.Ives got a break and fired a shot very high over the fence.

Sports came close to a second in time added on, when Greaves brough the ball forward, leaving Wright to cut inside until his shot was blocked, then it was Wright’s turn to send Dales on a run, but the keeper read it well, sprinting out to save the day as the half time whistle blew.

The home side started the second half with a flourish, when Hottor jinked through the defence only to shoot wide. But as Ives pushed forward, Dales and Greaves began to find more freedom and 48 minutes in it was a Dales piling in a great cross from the right, missing both Barnes and Wright by inches.

But Ives were still looking for the equaliser and Baker tried his luck after creating his own space, but Bosworth had it covered with a diving save again.

It was Greaves turn to lead the next Mickleover push, his cross had the defence beaten and Barnes calmly tapped it home for his and Mickleover’s second after 56 minutes, 2-0.

Three minutes later it was almost a replay, when Greaves attacked down the right, crossed, but Barnes shot was kept out this time by a diving save from Brearey.

The hosts began to make changes and continued to push forward, but with Mann and Delap totally in control in the middle of defence, both Atkinson and Bradley showed their experience as holding midfielders.

Baker received a yellow card for diving in the Mickleover box, before Delap started a move to send Dales clear. He took the end shot himself on this occasion, but it well over the bar.

Beavon came on for Wright for the last 15 minutes, as Sports sought a third goal, while Dales and Greaves combined to feed Barnes, he earned a corner as it bounced off a defender, but the assistant saw it otherwise.

Nine minutes left and Beavon led a charge, which set up Barnes. It was a good shot but Brearey comfortably saved, much to our strikers clear disappointment.

Ives centre back Williams put in a weak header, taken easily by Bosworth and Beavon had a late effort saved from a Dales pass.

Nunn then came on for Barnes for the final three minutes, but as the whistle went Mickleover were able to celebrate their winning start to the season.

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday Mickleover FC will start their Southern Premier League campaign, with a visit to St. Ives in Cambridgeshire.

After a 3-2 win over our hosts at the Don Amott Arena last August Bank Holiday, we went down 0-2 in the return fixture in January, which saw the Ives finish 16^th in the table.

There will be a whole host of new signings on show for Sports and will give the fans a first sight of new loanees Finn Delap from Burton Albion and the returning George Nunn from Derby County.

St.Ives manager Ricky Marheineke has been in charge at Westwood Road for nine years.

They beat Hendon in their final pre-season friendly, having lost 0-4 to Peterborough Utd Under 21’s, also winning 3-0 against Ware and 3-1 versus Harborough, plus a 2-2 draw with Hornchurch.

Goalkeeper Kacper Kurylowicz was with Tottenham Hotspur until September last year, during which time he was loaned to Potters Bar and Braintree, before joining Yaxley on his release.

Eddie Brearey is a young keeper on loan from Oxford Utd. He has previously been loaned to Ives, as well as North Leigh, Thame and Evesham.

Johnny Herd is an experienced left back who joined our hosts from Peterborough Sports in July last year. He started off at Southend Utd, making 26 League One appearances. He had also played for Ebbsfleet, Bishop Stortford and St Neots.

Centre back Charlie Johnson was a Cambridge Utd Junior, who first joined St.Ives on his release in July 2019. After six months he moved to Yaxley, before returning last November, after spells at St Neots and Bury Town.

Fellow Centre back Jordan Williams is another ex Cambridge Utd  Junior. He joined Brackley following his release in July 2017, and was at Cambridge City, Stratford and Stourbridge, before returning to Stratford for the 20/21 season, from where St.Ives signed him for the start of last season.

Defender Patrick Casey started out at Northampton Town. He arrived part way through last season from Harborough Town, but has also played for Rushden & Diamonds, Cogenhoe Utd and Bugbrooke St.Michaels.

Centre back or defensive midfielder Murphy Culkin is a recent signing from Redditch, having previously been at Barton Rovers, Eynesbury Rovers and Biggleswade.

Michael Richens is a midfielder who started out at Peterborough Utd. During his Posh spell he was loaned to Histon, Nuneaton, Whitehawk, Bishop Stortford, Stevenage, and Farnborough, before a permanent move to Stevenage on his release in 2015, after making two first team appearances at London Road.

After another loan at Farnborough, he moved to Hemel, Bishop Stortford and Biggleswade, before a four year stay at Kettering preceded his St.Ives move in July 2021.

Midfielder Fernando Bell-Toxtle is a  pre-season signing from Royston. He was a Cambridge Utd Junior, who was loaned to St.Neots, before a permanent move to Rushden & Diamonds. After stops at Basford and Grantham he returned to Rushden for two years, before going to Royston last September.

Enoch Andoh is another midfielder who started out at FC Porto. After a two- year spell in Cyprus with Limassol he moved to the UK with Port Vale, making 12 appearances before a move to Whitehawk.

Nuneaton, Macclesfield, Hednesford and Stratford followed, before starting last year at Biggleswade, arriving at St.Ives in August 2022.

Edmund Hottor is a midfielder that has spent most of his career in Italy. AC Milan signed him from Triestina for £1.2 million and loaned him to Virtus Lanciano, ASG Nocerina and Unione Venezia, before his release in 2015.

His next stop was Inter Milan, who loaned him to Atletico CP  in Portugal, Olibia in Italy and Fafe in Portugal, before a permanent move to Maltese club Sliema Wanderers. He first arrived in the UK with Kettering and was at Banbury before coming to St. Ives in December 2019.

Striker Jonny Edwards has been with our hosts since the beginning of last season. As a Peterborough Utd Junior he was loaned to Bishop Stortford and St. Albans, before a permanent move to Hull City.

Further loans at Accrington and Woking were followed by a move to Halifax, moving on via Maidstone, Biggleswade, Royston and FC Romania.

Greg Kaziboni is a midfielder who came from Nuneaton at the start of last season. A former Northampton Town youngster, he has played for Corby, Brackley, Banbury, Tamworth, Rushden and Stratford too.

Tiago Nassunculo is a new signing from Barwell. He started with Grantham and was also loaned to Boston Utd, before joining Peterborough Sports in 2019. He has also played for Wisbech, Redditch and Spalding.

Defender Aaron Smith is a new arrival too, from St.Neots. He started out at Peterborough Utd too and also had a spell at Mildenhall.

Winger or midfielder Tyrone Baker came from Basildon in November 2021, having previously played for Bowers & Pitsea and Heybridge Swifts.

Midfielders Luke Harris and Myles Cowling spent the second half of last season on loan, Harris from Peterborough Utd, and Cowling from Cambridge Utd, both have now made their moves permanent.

Ives also have Brandon Njoku and Dan Barton on loan from Cambridge Utd. Njoku is a former West Ham Utd Junior too, and has been loaned to St. Neots, Cheshunt and Braintree too.

Striker Barton has also been loaned out previously at Dereham and St. Neots.

Kick off is at 3pm and we will try to keep you updated via the clubs Facebook page, with live updates.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have made two late loan signings on the eve of the their opening Southern Premier League Central Division game at St.Ives on Saturday.

Derby County striker George Nunn returns for a third spell, having scored three goals for the club last season.

He is joined by Burton Albion’s Finn Delap, son of Republic of Ireland International Rory and brother of Hull City’s Liam.

Delap can play centre of wing back and had a spell on loan at Ilkeston last season too.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC have named Ryan Wilson as the sides captain for this season’s Southern Premier League Central Division campaign.

One of last years pre-season signings, Wilson proved his worth in defence and midfield, as well as scoring six goals.

“Having had a fantastic 2022-23 campaign, Willo was one of our best and most consistent performers last season and I am looking forward to see the positive impact he has on the squad and in games once again,” said Sports manager John McGrath.

Ethan Mann will be vice-captain, following his successful transition from Academy and Reserves, to a regular first teamer.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover travelled to National League North neighbours Alfreton Town for the their final pre-season friendly.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Dan Bradley 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Oli Greaves 8-Will Trueman 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andre Wright 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Ben Sault, Fin Ryder, Harry Atwal, Jim Pollard.

In an even first half hour, neither side created many goal scoring opportunities, until Lewis Salmon hit the post and the hosts began to take control.

But the Sports defence of Bennett, Bradley, Wilson and Dolan stayed solid at the back and made sure the sides went in at half-time even at 0-0.

Day put a header just over the bar for Alfreton after 49 minutes, but a minute Jim Oliver gave them the lead, after picking up a loose ball and burying it in the roof of the net. 0-1.

Bosworth was in action again after 55 minutes, saving from one of Alfreton’s subs, before tipping a shot from Dec Howe round the post, only five minutes later.

Just after the hour mark Dwayne Wiley made it two for Alfreton, heading past Bosworth, after collecting from a corner, 0-2.

With the score remaining the same, both sides brought on their sub goalkeppers as outfield players, Jake Askew for the last 19 minutes and Sports Pollard for the final 15.

So it remained 0-2, but gaffer John McGrath said, “it was a good work out for the lads though,” as they prepared for the start of the league season next Saturday.

(Images: Steve Ingers)

by Peter Scherer

Dan Bradley is the latest signing for Mickleover manager John McGrath.

A former Aston Villa junior, the midfielder started last season with Ilkeston Town, before moving to Matlock in February. He previously had a couple of spells at Tamworth, Alfreton and Kidderminster, as well as playing for Barnet, Fylde and Nuneaton.

“I’m delighted to be signing for Mickleover. The gaffer is someone I know personally having played with him, and someone I have a huge amount of respect for and the way he treats people.

I’m at a stage in my career where I’ve experienced some good times and good clubs with good people and also some not so good. That, along with the way he wants to play football, meant it was no brainier for me, having spoken to the gaffer to come here.

I can’t wait to get my teeth into it and get started and try my upmost  to help improve on what was a very successful season for Mickleover last year,” he said.

“Delighted to get Dan to join us here at Mickleover FC. He’s a player I know personally and he brings with him a wealth of experience, to match his skill and talent. He’s a natural leader and will be a huge positive influence in our squad,” added McGrath.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover continued their pre-season build-up with a visit to Ilkeston Town last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Jim Pollard 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Trueman 9-Andre Wright 10-Oil Greaves 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: George Atwal, Fin Ryder, Zac Sandhu, Dan Bradley.

Mickleover were quick out of the blocks and were soon into a passing flow, with Barnes fouled after two minutes following a run by Wilson. Dales was soon into the action too, before Ilkeston responded with a telling cross, headed away by Wilson.

Bennett managed to find an excess of space down the right after seven minutes, cutting inside to have his half shot blocked. Despite being on the ground, he was up and picked up his own rebound before the danger was cleared.

Ilkeston then had a free kick which went straight out of play, before Eratt-Thompson fired in a shot straight at Pollard.

Sports were flowing well, with Mann and Wilson at the back, choosing between Atkinson in central midfield and the free running Greaves, Trueman and Dales.

Dales put a cross in from the left after 11 minutes, it tested keeper Yates, but was too close to the far post. Barnes fired a shot over the bar after collected a Dales pass and another charge straight down the middle of the pitch.

It was Wright and Barnes combining that almost broke the deadlock at 16 minutes. Wright went through first before Yates blocked him, then Barnes shot just over again.

Ilkeston started to break out a little more constructively, forcing Pollard into a save on the edge of his area and only a minute later the Mickleover keeper safely collected a shot from outside the box.

Sports struggled to clear a 20^th minute corner as the hosts tried a couple of random shots in a crowded box, but Dales, Dolan and Greaves then combined to send Barnes on his way, but it came to nought.

Eratt-Thompson had another attempt on the Mickleover goal, but was high and wide, before Dales upped the pace again. Atkinson and Greaves had an interchange, but the final shot was blocked again.

Greaves had a shot saved by Yates on the half hour, after creating his own space, but Ilkeston came straight back with Pollard saving a header, after a cross from the left.

Wright then spotted Bennett in space on the right, but as he ran in, the oncoming defender intercepted. Greaves then missed out by just inches, as his angled shot was just the wrong side of the far post after 36 minutes.

Dales managed to disposess the Ilkeston number five Young with two minutes left of the first half, but as he ran head on for goal, keeper Yates guessed the right side and it remained 0-0 as the whistle went.

Bradley came on for Dales as the second half got underway, allowing Wilson to move forward. He had a shot just over in the 49^th minute, but the first goal finally came two minutes later.

Barnes had powered through on the right, got his cross in to perfection and with Yates committed, Wright slid in to score his first goal for the club. 1-0.

Sports continued to control most of the play up to the hour mark, but then Lita broke through, had his shot blocked, but earned a corner.

Atwal came on for Atkinson after 62 minutes, but Ilkeston had started to break out again, looking much stronger in attack as Sports sat back and let then hosts run at them.

Ryder was the next sub on and quickly found Atwal in space, who was then fouled. Ryder then sent Dolan on a run which was blocked, before Sandhu was the final sub to come on for Wright.

Ilkeston sub Zottas had looked fast and dangerous from the moment he came on, and after an 80^th minute effort after a cross from the right, he fired in a terrific lofted shot from the left and had Pollard beaten, 1-1.

Ilkeston had the scent for victory and two minutes later Tolley charged through the Mickleover defence, before Pollard made a diving save.

A fairly strong all round performance from Mickleover in game which they probably just had the edge overall, now it’s onto Alfreton Town on Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover faced their toughest pre-season try out so far, when they faced former Northern Premier League Champions Buxton, now firmly established in the National League North.

Starting line-up: 1-Jim Pollard 2-jake Benett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Will Atkinson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ryan Wilson 7-Will Trueman 8-George Atwal 9-Andre Wright 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Oli Greaves, Zak Sandhu, Fin Ryder.

Buxton started the game with confidence and after only five minutes keeper Pollard was forced into a diving save from an Elliott strike, destined for the bottom corner.

As Buxton continued to push forward Jordan Burrow opened the scoring after 10 minutes, getting on the end of a Connor Kirby cross. 0-1.

As Mickleover started to get into the game more Kirby made it 0-2 for the hosts after 14 minutes, before Trueman went close, with his effort blocked by Josh Granite a couple of minutes later.

But Sports got their reward when Wilson pulled a goal a back in the 18^th minute, with a superb long shot from at least 20 yards out, 1-2.

It continued to be a testing time for Mickleover against their stronger opposition, but hopes of an equaliser were dashed when Buxton were awarded a 24^th minute penalty, which was converted by McCourt, 1-3.

Pollard had to make another diving save after 34 minutes from a Burrow header, but it remained 1-3 as the half time whistle blew.

It was nine minutes into the second half when Buxton added their fourth and Kirby’s second. He had picked up a loose ball, but Pollard managed to save the first attempt, only to be beaten from the rebound, 1-4.

Burrow made it 1-5 two minutes later with his second, after a number of substitutions had been made. But Barnes was close to Mickleover’s second after 74 minutes, after he tested  home keeper Dearnley.

Di Girolamo tried a curling shot two minutes later, but Pollard had it covered, before Max Hunt made it six for Buxton, heading in from a corner after 77 minutes, 1-6.

“A great work out for us against an excellent side, who play in the division above us and have some excellent individual players. We were missing five key players, but it was a great opportunity for the lads to get more minutes in their legs as we prepare for our season start on August 5^th,” said Sports gaffer John McGrath.

It’s now off to Ilkeston on tomorrow evening for our fourth pre-season game 7.30pm kick off.

by Peter Scherer

New signing Marcus Barnes made it six goals from three games, as he hit four against Belper Utd at the Don Amott Arena last night.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Ethan Mann 6-Dan Bradley 7-Andy Dales 8-Will Atkinson 9-Will Trueman 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Ben Sault. Subs: George Atwal, Zac Sandhu, Oli Greaves, Fin Ryder, Marcus Barnes, Andrew Wright.

Apart from a ninth minute attack when Dales found Beavon, whose final ball was too long for Sault to chase, it was a very scrappy first 15 minutes, with little creativity from either side.

From there Sports went up a gear, with Beavon on another run, after Sault had gone end to end. But the final shot from the left earned a corner.

18 minutes in and Atkinson almost sent Dales clear, before the lose ball fell to Beavon, whose shot was just over. But there was an early change for Mickleover when Barnes came on for Bradley. “It was a slight pull on my thigh, so it was precautionary,” said Bradley.

For the next 15 minutes it was all on attack from the home side. Dales had a good run down the left after 20 minutes, his cross failed to connect, but Bennett kept it in play until the Belper defence cleared the danger.

Only a minute later Dales found Dolan in space on the left, but his cross or shot found the side netting. There was no respite for Belper though as Beavon then fought hard to retain possession, layed it back to Barnes, who cut inside to have his shot saved.

Wilson then put a cross in following a corner, missing Barnes’ head by a whisker.

Belper had been struggling to break out of their own half, but they made it after 29 minutes, but a dangerous cross from the right failed to connect.

Dales continued to torment and was fouled in mid flight on the half hour. The kick was dead centre a yard or two outside the box, but Wilson’s kick failed to trouble the keeper on this occasion.

Dolan was becoming more and more effective on the left, but his 33^rd minute cross was a fraction too high for Barnes and Beavon.

But a goal was almost inevitable and after a good all team build up with numerous exchanges, Dolan was caught out with an awkward bounce and Belper were able to draw breath.

The goal finally came after 39 minutes, when Sault found Barnes in space, as he cut in and headed goalwards, there was just the keeper to beat, which he did with consummate ease, 1-0.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 after another good build up down the right saw Barnes slide in for his second, ending the first half on a high.

There were two changes for the second half as Atkinson and Sault made way for Sandhu and Wright.

Bosworth tasted his first real action after 47 minutes, but from his save there was a Mickleover break and Barnes was on the receiving end again, 3-0.

Belper were still sticking to their game and making Mickleover work for it, but after 55 minutes it was goal number four. Dales broke free to score off the post, as Wright was available in support, 4-0.

Dolan tried his luck a minute later following a corner, but he was just wide of the top corner. Skipper Wilson then made way for Atwal on the hour, after a commanding role at the back with Mann.

It was close to another goal when Wright had the ball after a free kick, he managed to set up Beavon but his final shot was blocked by a defenders leg.

The fifth goal came from another break, with the visiting defence flat footed. As the ball ran clear Barnes latched on again and smashed home his fourth of the game, 5-0 after 62 minutes.

Barnes tried a random long shot well wide of the target, before Beavon and Dales went off, making way for Ryder and Greaves.

Belper had a half chance when the ball breached the home defence initially, before Bennett cleared for a corner, but any danger had soon gone.

Greaves was soon showing his skills with a series of long runs, linking up with Dolan after 70 minutes, they set up Wright whose shot was deflected away.

Bosworth made another save, but the effort was flagged offside and then 75 minutes in Mann was encouraged to try his luck. His shot started a new page in the record book, as he managed to clear the club house, the safety net and half of the car park, before the ball landed somewhere near Tesco’s.

Belper had an 80^th minute corner headed away by Bennett and Greaves had another classy solo run, before his shot was straight at the keeper.

Wright was so close to scoring when he fired into the side netting after 83 minutes, following up with a save from the keeper in a crowded box.

Trueman the put a cross in, which was just deflected away from Wright, then he put a header in the back of the net, but was flagged offside.

Our four goal striker Marcus Barnes gave his view after the match. “ I just needed to get into the game when I got the first, as I hadn’t been on long, then it just became automatic. The second goal was my favourite though, I love my tap ins.”

It ‘s off to Buxton now for the next pre-season friendly, Saturday afternoon 3pm kick off.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have added former Southampton striker Marcus Barnes to their squad, after he scored two goals in the clubs opening pre-season friendly at Borrowash Victoria.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying my football and joining a group players and a club with the ambition of wanting to achieve success this year, and hopefully throughout I can contribute towards that,” he said.

Barnes also has League Two experience with Yeovil Town and Oldham Athletic, and had a loan spell with Eastleigh too. He spent the end of last year with Northern Colorado based Hailstorm FC in the USL League One.

“Marcus is a player who will add great athleticism and speed to our front line. He’s an exceptionally talented footballer who we believe has the ability to play higher up the football divisions,” added gaffer John McGrath.