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.

By Peter Scherer

It’s FA Cup time again when Mickleover host Southern Premier League rivals Alvechurch at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

Having beaten Leek Town away last season, Mickleover were knocked out in the following round 1-3 at home to Basford.

Mickleover have to make a couple of changes to the squad with both Elliott Reeves and Jordan Fankwe suspended and Callum Chettle with a back injury.

Our visitors are currently two places below us in the league in 16th, with just one draw away from home, along with two defeats. They started the season with a 3-0 home win over Stourbridge and followed up with a 2-0 over Rushden & Diamonds, but lost their last game 1-3 against Tamworth.

Manager Ian Long came back to the club in February 2020, having previously been there for four years, before joining Stourbridge.

So far they have used two goalkeepers, Dan Jezeph and Leon Phillips. Jezeph was a Walsall Junior, who was atTamworth and Worcester City before joining Alvechurch in July last year.

Phillips was a Nottingham Forest youth player, after turning down Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. After his release he had a year at Kidderminster, before joining our hosts in August 2021.

Skipper Ashley Carter is a centre back that came from Halesowen in May 2021. He was a Wolves Academy player and was loaned to Chesterfield and Tamworth before joining Kidderminster on his release.

He then came to Alvechurch in July 2017, joining Nuneaton a year later. November 2018 he was back at Alvechurch, before moves to Stourbridge and Halesowen preceded his third and current spell with our visitors.

Left back Ethan Sephton is one of the ever-present players this season. He was picked up by Derby County from Solihull and had eight months with the Rams Under 23’s before coming to Alvechurch in October 2020.

Peter Taylor has played every game so far too, he is a defensive midfielder, who started out at West Bromwich Albion. He was loaned to Stourbridge before coming on loan to Alvechurch in March 2020. But after four months back with the Baggies, he returned on a permanent basis.

Ex Aston Villa Junior right back Brad Burton has made one start this season, after joining our visitors last October.

Defender Jamie Willetts is a long serving player who made his name initially with Stourport Swifts. After a spell at Hereford he then tasted success with Alvechurch for three years, before moving to Stourbridge. He then returned to our visitors in March 2020 and has sometimes captained the side too.

Jed Abbey can play midfield or right back and started his career with Wolves. He went to Telford after his release and came to Alvechurch pre-season. He is another ever-present.

Midfielder Tom Edge was a pre-season signing too. He played junior football at Telford and Walsall before heading for the US, where he had four years at Campbellsville University in Kentucky.

Jack Concannon was another one of the pre-season signings. An ex Birmingham City Junior, he was loaned to Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth, before going toTamworth on his release.

Striker Leo Brown arrived in July too. He was picked up by Birmingham City from Crusaders FC, before returning to Northern Ireland with Ballymena and Ardsafter three years. He came back to England with Sutton Coldfield in September 2021.

Winger Stanley Asomugha is a winger who arrived from West Bromwich Albion’s Academy in February, but he is yet to make a start this season.

Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton is a young striker in his thirdspell at the club. After a spell at Birmingham City, he had two years with Bournemouth, which included loans at Salisbury and Gosport.

He came to Alvechurch in July 2020 after his Bournemouth release, moving to Telford after a year. He was then loaned back to Alvechurch, before making his stay permanent earlier this year.

Former West Bromwich Albion defender Ben Cassidy holds the record of being the youngest Alvechurch debutant, when he first appeared for the first team in 2018 aged 16.

Striker Danny Waldron arrived from Leamington in July last year and he’s also played for Rushall Olympic.

Ellis Jones is yet to make a start this season, but is a central midfielder.

Former Coventry Academy defender of midfielder Jamie Spiers is their newest signing. He moved to Stratford Town at 14 and was at Shrewsbury until the end of last season.

Defender Maxwell Ngbeken and midfielder Rory Regan are yet to start this season too, but defender Harry Williams and Jack Hallahan both hit the headlines after being hospitalised following a clash of heads in the opening game of the season.

Hallahan is a former Irish Under 19 midfielder, who was at West Bromwich Albion, Hednesford and Bromsgrove, also having  had a spell in Cyprus too.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm as usual.

By Peter Scherer

Having barely had chance to draw breath after last Saturday’s home win over St Ives, it was off to Ilkeston Town’s new Manor Ground for the Bank Holiday Derby match.

There was just one change in the starting 11, with Ryan Wilson back in for Jordan Fankwe.

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-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Elliott Walker, Fin Bowen, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Marcus Marshall, Ben Horleston.

The opening minutes were fairly even, with Hedge making a save from Montel Gibson in the first minute, before a Dolan cross was headed out for the first corner. Warren’s kick found Wilson, but the midfielder miscued his shot

Dales had a shot over the bar following a sixth minute corner and six minutes later Beavon won the ball to send Dales on a run, with Warren just failing to connect.

Gibson had another speculative long shot for the hosts but was well wide, and then after 14 minutes Dolan charged through and sent a shot whistling just inches past the post.

As Ilkeston had some random and off target shooting, Mickleover were becoming more and more dominant and after 22 minutes Warren crossed and Reeves was on the end of it for a 1-0 lead.

Only two minutes later another telling run down the left from Dolan, saw Reeves’ header just over the bar.

Reeves did get the ball in the net again on the half hour, after a Warren free kick had found Beavon, whose deft touch set up Reeves who was flagged offside.

The pressure on the home defence continued to build, with little creativity in return. Dales was fouled a couple of times as he attempted to start his runs and after 38 minutes Mann made the first of a couple of threatening crosses into the box. They were initially cleared, before a Wilson blast was deflected for a corner.

With little threat from a lethargic Ilkeston attack, Butler and Watt had things covered at the back, allowing Mann and Dolan more freedom on the wings, with Bateman going defensive in midfield.

A Dolan cross on the left found Reeves’ head in the 40thminute, but his effort was just over the bar and a couple of minutes later Deeney in the Ilkeston goal had to make a double save, from Dolan and Reeves’ rebound.

But with a minute to go to half-time Reeves made it 2-0 with a fine solo run, to confirm Mickleover’s first half dominance.

There were no immediate second half changes, but Reeves was soon in action with a fairly tame shot after 46 minutes.

But five minutes later Wilson’s cross from the left just missed Beavon’s head.

Sports were still well in control and on the hour Dolan made it 3-0 after Beavon’s skilful touch set him for his fourth goal in the last four games.

Ilkeston began to use their subs and appeared to restructure their whole challenge, which soon started to turn the tide.

Gibson almost broke through after 70 minutes, before Dolan’s last-ditch tackle stopped him and then skipper Fenton had a shot blocked after a corner.

Another header from Gibson went close after 73 minutes, but only a minute later an Ilkeston free kick into a crowded box found Gibson and it was 3-1.

Hedge made a save from a Willock header after 79 minutes, but it was only another three minutes when Gibson planted his shot from the edge of the box into Hedge’s top right-handcorner 3-2.

Marshall came on for Beavon and although time was beginning to run out for the hosts, it became almost a cup tie ending, with Ilkeston throwing everything at the Mickleover defence.

There was an 87th minute scramble in the Mickleover defence and almost an equaliser, but it finally resulted with a foul on Hedge.

Dales came off to make way for Walker, but the referee had added on a massive six minutes. It was pressure all the way to the final whistle, but it remained 3-2, a first away win of the season and second successive victory.

The local rivalry will peak tomorrow, when Mickleover travel to Ilkeston Town.

We had been expecting to play newly promoted Ilkeston in the Northern Premier League, but both have been moved to the Southern Premier League Central.

Whereas Mickleover succeeded in taking their first win last Saturday, Ilkeston are still seeking their first win and currently are 18th with Mickleover 17th in the table. Our hosts have had four draws and one defeat so far.

Former Aston Villa, Stoke, Peterborough, Southend and Scunthorpe striker Martin Carruthers has been in charge since 2019, having spent a couple of years on the playing staff too.

Former Derby County and Burton goalkeeper Saul Deeney came to the club from Coalville in March. He is now 39 years old and a former Republic of Ireland Under 21 International.

Right back Kalern Thomas was another one of the many pre-season signings, arriving from Coalville, having also played for Quorn, Loughborough, Corby, Boston Utd, Solihull Moors, Halesowen, Kettering and Kings Lynn.

Ben O’Hanlon is a former Wolves Junior. A left back he has been at Corby, Harrogate, Darlington and Hednesford, before coming from Stourbridge last month.

Midfielder Alex Troke was a Notts County youth player. He was at Eastwood, Grantham, Carlton and Coalville and came to Ilkeston from Bedworth in July 2020.

Centre back Liam Daley is another new arrival. He started out at Evesham and has played for a host of clubs, including Solihull Moors and Barnet, finally coming to Ilkeston from Kettering.

Skipper Kieran Fenton is a former England Under 19 International, who started his career with Nottingham Forest. He was loaned to Tamworth before joining Worksop, moving on to join Coalville, before signing for Ilkeston from Quorn in November 2019.

Jamie Ward is another well known player, who was signed from Buxton in the summer. The Northern Ireland international has over 400 league appearances under his belt scoring over 100 goals.

Apart from his time at Derby, Burton and Forest, he has played for Sheffield Utd, Charlton, Cardiff, Scunthorpe among other teams.

Midfielder Jack Thomas came from Tamworth in March. He was a Mansfield junior and has played for Hednesford, Boston Utd and Basford. It’s his second spell at the club, having left in July last year.

Striker Zak Goodson is a former Derby Academy player, who joined the club in May 2020, from Basford. He played for Newark Flowserve and Long Eaton too.

Montel Gibson is another striker, signed from Stourbridge in January. His career started at Notts County and during his many moves was at Ilkeston in 2017/18 before moving to Redditch. He played 28 times for Notts first team scoring three goals.

Midfielder Charlie Wakefield came from Buxton in July last year, having previously been a junior at Chesterfield.

Former England C midfielder and Aston Villa youth player Dan Bradley has been with our hosts since March. Tamworth, Kidderminster, Alfreton, Barnet, Fylde and Nuneaton all feature on his cv, while he spent last season back at Tamworth.

Striker Remaye Campbell came from Grantham in July last year, after a junior career at Notts County.

Declan Thompson is a new arrival from Sheffield Wednesday. The young right back also had a spell at Stocksbridge.

Ollie Brown-Hill is another striker, who came from Stamford in July 2020. He had started at Stamford too, before moving on via Corby and Rushden & Diamonds.

Centre back Marshall Willock was another pre-season signing from Stamford. He was a junior as Solihull, Walsall and Chesterfield, having also played for Redditch, Peterborough Sports, Grantham and Kemi City in Finland. He has played for RC Warwick and Stourbridge too, since returning to the UK.

Midfielder Jared Bird was at Derby and Barnsley, and was loaned to Yeovil before joining Ilkeston in October last year.

Striker Chris O’Grady is another vastly experienced player, having played well over 500 league games and scoring 110 goals. A Leicester City Academy player he joined Ilkeston in May, having been out of the game since leaving Bolton in July 2020.

He’s played for Oldham, Chesterfield, Brighton, Burton, Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, and both Sheffield United and Wednesday to name but a few.

Centre back Ben Turner is yet another new signing from Buxton. He started out at Coventry and played over 300 league games, with the likes of Peterborough, Oldham, Cardiff, Burton, Mansfield and Notts County.

Billy Bennett is a defender or midfielder, who scores goals. He came back to the club in May 2020.

Reserve keeper Tomasz Bukowski came from Coalville with first choice keeper Deeney pre-season.

Kick off Ilkeston’s Manor Ground is at 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

Losing two players to red cars before half time would usually mean defeat in anyone’s eyes. But a tremendous effort from the Mickleover nine brought the most remarkable fight back, culminating in Rhys Dolan’s injury time winning strike.

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

The game didn’t start well as third in the table St Ives Town went ahead after three minutes. Jonny Edwards got the better of a tussle with Butler, and when the ball broke lose, Edwards got to the ball before the advancing Hedge and made it 0-1.

Four minutes later Hedge pulled off a great save to his left from another Edwards effort, with Butler clearing the danger before the striker followed up once more.

Fankwe was in the ref’s book after only nine minutes after a wild tackle on Cowling, as Mickleover were taking time to get into the game.

Warren sent the visitors keeper scurrying back to his line with a speculative long-range lob over the bar after 19 minutes, before Dolan joined Fankwe in the book three minutes later for taking down Saka.

There was worse to come when only 25 minutes into the game Reeves was given a straight red card after another wild tackle on Cowling.

The fact that they were down to 10 men seemed to galvanise Mickleover’s spirit and on the half hour Dales went close after a Beavon flick sent him on his trademark run.

It was another Dales and Beavon combination that brought a 36^th minute equaliser. Dales had managed to dispossess Cowling, found Beavon, whose left foot drive had Goff in the visitor’s goal beaten, 1-1.

Mickleover continued to push forward and as half time approached Mann’s telling cross almost found Dales, but St Ives skipper Richens came to their rescue just in time.

With two minutes left on the clock Fankwe made another wild challenge on Cowling. A second yellow card brought out the red, and Sports were down to nine men.

A drastic reform was called up for the second half and Sports opted to pack the defence, with Beavon the sole striker.

Beavon was playing a brilliant holding role and set up Dales in the 63^rd minute, but his shot was fired over from just inside the box. 

Not surprisingly St Ives had the majority of the possession, but their efforts were either blocked or off target from long range.

Edwards was close to his second after 72 minutes, when he just missed connecting with a Kaziboni cross to the far post.

But only six minutes later and the striker did make it 1-2 after a turn and shot from the edge of the box was just beyond Hedge’s reach and into the top corner.

Just before the goal Wilson had come on for Dales and with Warren having gone in the book too, he was replaced by Marshall after 82 minutes.

It was a defensive mix up from the visitors that kept Mickleover’s hopes alive, losing possessions down the right. Marshall quickly picked up the loose ball, cut inside and hammered it past Goff to make it 2-2.

Goff then had to make another save from Marshall to deny Mickleover a winner, but St Ives had a 90^th minute chance too, but Nabil Shariff managed to put it over Hedge, but over the bar too.

The tide turned again when the visitors gave away a needless free kick in injury time, when Callum Milne fouled Beavon.

Milne had then attempted to clear the following free kick, which dropped at Dolan’s feet and allowed him to smash the ball home from 10 yards out. 3-2, a first league win of the season and an unbelievable comeback.