by Peter Scherer

Having beaten near neighbours Basford Utd 2-1 back in November, Mickleover will be looking to do the double when we visit them on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Mark Clifford’s side have had a mixed season and currently lie 13^th in the league table. They are seven points behind Mickleover with two games in hand.

They have had three wins in the last 10 games and drew 1-1 at home in their last match against Bromsgrove, having won away at Stourbridge the previous week.

Mickleover will still be without Jonathan Hedge and Mitch Rose, but Oli Greaves may be fit to rejoin the squad.

Let take a look at our hosts.

Goalkeeper Kieran Preston is a former Scotland Under 19 International, whose been at Basford since December 2019. He played his junior football at Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers.

Second choice keeper Gianni Musson was in goal for Basford when they beat Mickleover in the FA Youth Cup in a penalty shootout, having previously been at Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Notts County.

Brad McGowan is a centre back signed from Peterborough Sports in July 2022. He started out at Notts County, before joining Grantham on his release. He then joined Alfreton and was loaned out to Boston Utd before his stay became permanent. He then moved on to Frickley and back to Boston, before a two-year stay at Peterborough.

Josh Barnes was a pre-season arrival. A former Nottingham Forest junior, the young defensive midfielder had two loans at Truro City, before coming to Basford following his release from Forest.

Right back Dom Roma has sometimes captained the side. He has a long and well-travelled career that started at Sheffield Utd. Loans at Boston and Tamworth were followed by a move to Hinckley Utd, moving on to Alfreton, Harrogate, Gainsborough and Scarborough.

He first came to Basford in July 2017, but after almost two years he returned to Scarborough, only to return to Basford four months later.

Midfielder Adam Chapman was another pre-season signing. A former Northern Ireland Under 19 and 21 International, he started off at Sheffield Utd. Having moved onto Oxford Utd, loans at Newport and Mansfield followed, before a permanent move to Newport, preceded a return to Mansfield. He made over 150 League Two appearances, before going non-league with Gainsborough, Boston Utd, Sheffield, Handsworth and Grantham. Then he had nine months at Ilkeston before signing for Basford.

Ben Starkie is a central midfielder and capped by Tanzania at full, under 17 and under 20 levels. He started at Rugby Town before going to Germany with Wilhelmshaven. On returning to the UK he joined Shepshed Dynamo, and had eight months at Spalding Utd before joining Basford last summer.

Midfielder Matt Thornhill had captained the side for part of this season. Another former Forest Junior, he was loaned to Brighton and Cheltenham, before joining Hibernian in December 2012. 

With 80 league games under his belt, he then joined Buxton, moving on to Shaw Lane and Gainsborough, from where he came to Basford in March 2017.

Striker Anthony Dwyer was another summer 2022  signing. He was a Mansfield Town Junior and has been regularly on the move. Stafford, Matlock, Telford, Hednesford, Altrincham, Leamington, Barwell, Tamworth, Glebe, Stourbridge and Alvechurch, before spending nine months at Nuneaton prior to his Basford signing.

Fellow striker Gregg Smith is well-travelled too, since starting off at Corby. Much of his career has been spent in Lincolnshire with Grantham, Stamford, Gainsborough and Boston Utd, with brief stops at Kings Lynn and Tamworth. He arrived last summer too after his second spell at Spalding and currently captains the side.

Centre back Declan Dunn has been at Basford since August 2020, following his release from Notts County. He also had a loan spell at Grantham.

Lewis Carr is another central defender, who came from Grantham in 2016. He played for Stamford and Quorn too, after a spell at Cambridge Utd.

Midfield or wing suits Harvey Grice, another former Forest youngster who joined Alfreton on his release. He had a months loan at Basford back in February 2022, before making it permanent in the July.

Defender Stern Irvine was another Notts County Junior. He came do Basford in May 2022 after spending the last season at Ilkeston.

Striker Kevin Da Silva Bastos only arrived last month from Loughborough Dynamo. An ex Forest Junior, he moved on to Ilkeston and Tamworth, before joining Loughborough. 

Kameron Campbell is a dual registered player with Long Eaton Utd. He came to Basford in December and has made a couple of starts so far.

Yet another ex Notts Junior is Owen Betts, who arrived in 2020 after loans at Dover Athletic and Worksop.

Riece Bertram was another summer 2022 arrival from Belper Town. He was at Basford in 2016 too, but has also played for Carlton, Matlock and Ilkeston.

Striker Tyreece Palmer came on loan from Notts County in January 2022, before making his stay permanent. He also had spell at Melton Town.

Midfielder Courey Grantham has been with the club for seven years, since coming from Heanor Town. He has also played for Ilkeston and was loaned to Hednesford last season.

Ollie Clark is another midfielder, signed from Carlton in January 2021, but has been out of action for much of his time with the club due to injury.

Defender Jordan Haywood has come through the Academies at both Scunthorpe and Mansfield before joining Basford, but has also been loaned to Newark, Heanor and Eastwood Community. 

Nathaniel Peters was also at Mansfield and both played a major part in our hosts FA Youth Cup run last year.

Striker Wayde Hines was a Forest Junior, who arrived at Basford last season. He also had a loan spell at Grantham.

Mitchell Tait is a young left back signed from Ilkeston in December 2021.

Midfielder Lynden Joyce has also come through Basford’s junior ranks, along with strikers Lui Bull and Tyler Dacres.

Striker Lewis Rourke and defender Louis Nicholson are both more recent additions to the squad, having graduated from the clubs own Academy in December.

Kick off is at 3pm and we hope to see as many Mickleover supporters as possible making the short journey down the A52.

by Peter Scherer

After last weekend’s home win against play-off hopefuls Rushall Olympic, it was off to relegation threatened Hednesford Town last night.

There were a couple of changes in the attack from last weeks team, with Stuart Beavon and Will Trueman back in for Elliott Reeves and Marcus Marshall.

Line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Ethan Mann 3-Rhys Dolan 15-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Stuart Beavon 10-George Nunn 11-Will Trueman. Subs: Pablo Mills, Marcus Marshall, Elliott Reeves, George Atwal, Ryan Wilson.

With Mickleover hitting the bar in the first five minutes, hopes were high of an early goal. The early pressure was intense, and after eight minutes Dolan instigated a positive move, which split the home defence. Both Dales and Nunn tried to get a shot in, but both had their paths blocked.

Only a minute later there was a telling ball into the Pitmen’s box again, Nunn turned to find Beavon, whose slightly deflected shot proved out of reach for home keeper Luke Jackson, 1-0.

Hednesford kept their heads up and Todd Parker had a good shot palmed away by Bosworth to his right. They continued to create half chances, but struggled to follow them up. 

A free kick on the edge of the box was fired straight at the wall by Max Brogan and then Jordan Graham had a great chance to equalise, but wanted too much time and fired his shot over the bar.

It should have been a second for Mickleover after eight minutes, when Dales curled the ball into the box from the right. Nunn collected it perfectly, but with the almost clear goal beckoning, he hit the bar, before Beavon put the rebound wide. Nunn then peeled away using his shirt to hide his shamed face.

Dales was having so much freedom on the left, but the Mickleover midfield fail to maximise. But he did find Trueman , whose first shot was blocked, and his follow up went just over.

Having the occasionally lapse in their supremacy, Sports started to attack again. Butler started come forward and being unchallenged he continued to find Beavon, but he failed to get any power behind his shot.

Dales again showed a clean pair of heels to Mark Derricott  after 27 minutes and cut inside himself, before letting fly with a shot aiming for just under the bar until Jackson tipped it over.

But a slip in defence gave Graham another chance to equalise, but a diving save from Bosworth saved the day again, five minutes before half time.

Hednesford really pressed hard to get back into the game and Bosworth rose to the challenge again with a save from Asomugha, before Parker’s rebound shot was blocked.

Almost on the half time whistle the hosts did have the ball in the net, but only after fouling Bosworth.

Hednesford were quickly on the attack as the second half got underway, with keeper Bosworth in action early again. For about 15 minutes though Mickleover struggled to break out of their own half.

Brogan had a shot blocked, but gradually Sports began to move out and the threat from our hosts began to diminish.

Bateman headed wide after a free kick was given for a foul on Dales on 56 minutes, shortly afterwards Wilson then replaced Trueman.

Almost on the hour though Warren burst through down the centre and fired a shot at the keeper, and as the rebound opportunity fell to him too, in it went for 2-0.

Wilson then fired a free kick just wide of the post after Dolan was fouled and then after 69 minutes Jackson tipped another goal bound effort over the bar, this time from Nunn.

Both Mann and Dolan had started to push forward more  and Mickleover were actively seeking a third goal, but a 70^th minute goal mouth scramble failed to provide the chance of a clear shot.

Reeves came on for Nunn and soon had a chance himself. Dolan had gone on another charge, cut inside and fired the ball across the goal face, but Reeves only needed a toe poke for the third goal, but stayed rooted.

With four minutes left the third goal finally arrived. Again Dolan had carved through the defence after being set up by Dales, he found Reeves whose effort hit the bar, but Warren followed up to hit the rebound home again, 3-0.

Marshall replaced Dales for the final minutes, but there was still one more chance, when Beavon found Reeves in the box. The striker had Warren to his left in space, but tried himself and fired over.

So it was three more points for Mickleover and back into the top six, against a side who are not only fighting against relegation, but for their survival too.

by Peter Scherer

Following the postponement back in December, we are now off to Hednesford Town on Tuesday, where hopefully the game will go ahead!

The Pitmen had been in management turmoil from the start of the season, with various comings and goings until Danny Glover was announced as player manager in December.

They have had four successive defeats in their last four matches, which included 1-9 at Tamworth.

Their last home win was 10 games back, 2-0 against Stratford and are currently  21^st in the league, after going down 1-3 at home to Coalville last Saturday.

Luke Jackson is the current first choice goalkeeper, recently arrived on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, following the return of another loanee Ronnie Hollingshead to West Bromwich Albion.

Left back Stephan Morley arrived from Kettering in January. He started off at Hinckley Utd and has also played for Corby, Brackley, Tamworth, Telford and Leamington.

Ben Kaninda is a centre back on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, but has also played for Shrewsbury Town and West Bromwich Albion.

Midfielder Tom Thorley was a Stoke City Junior, who had loans at Stafford Rangers and Burscough, before a permanent move to Stafford on his release. After a spell at Worcester he came to Hednesford for the first time in November 2013, but five years later returned to Stafford.

A further two years at Rushall then preceded his Hednesford return a week before Christmas.

Aaron Clayton is second choice keeper, a former Birmingham City Junior, who came from Bromsgrove in September.

Rhys Williams is also a goalkeeper and has made one first appearance. He is a product of our hosts own Academy.

Midfielder James McQuilkin is a former Northern Ireland Under 17,19 and 21 International. After playing for Zlin in the Czech Republic, he joined Hereford Utd in 2009. After a following spell at Walsall he first joined our hosts in 2014, but moved to Torquay after a couple of months.

Kidderminster, Telford and a return trip to Hereford followed, before spending a year at Stourbridge, prior to rejoining the Pitmen in September.

Jordan Graham is a striker on loan from Kettering. He was a Leicester City Junior, before joining Oxford Utd, who loaned him to Didcot Town and Farnborough. He then moved to Mansfield Town where he made 14 first team appearances, before being loaned to Hednesford for most of the 2017/18 season.

Further moves to Tamworth and Rushden & Diamonds preceded his move to Kettering last June.

Harvey Portman is young defender, preferably centre back, he came from Stourbridge in February 2021, having come through their youth scheme.

Former Wolves Academy player Todd Parker is a midfielder who arrived in May ’21 after a year out following his Molineux release.

Another former Wolves junior is winger Kyle Bennett. His league career has seen him make over 400 appearances with 30+ goals, for clubs such as Bristol Rovers, Grimsby, Swindon, Portsmouth and Doncaster. He came to Hednesford in January 2022 and is also an England Under 18 international.

Among the more recent signings is former Mickleover midfielder Kemy Agustien. Former Netherlands   Under 19,20 & 21 International and a full International for Curacao, who played Premiership football for Swansea City.

He started his career in the Netherlands, making his name with AZ Alkmaar, before coming to the UK for the first time with Birmingham City. A year later he joined Swansea and also played for Crystal Palace and Brighton, before spells in Denmark and at Hamilton Academicals, preceded a return to the Netherlands with Dordrehct.

Global Cebu in the Philippines  followed by Tec in the Netherlands, came before he went non-league in the UK, firstly with Nuneaton, then Barrow, Wrexham and Bradford Park Avenue, before coming to Mickleover in January 2020, until the end of last season. He joined Kettering last November, and moved to Hednesford in December.

Former Shrewsbury Town Junior right back Zac Hartley was signed in early October from Bromsgrove. He had also played for Frickley Athletic and was at Truro City last season.

As well as leading the team off the field, Danny Glover leads the attack too. A former Port Vale Junior, he played for them in Leagues One and two, with 43 appearances and four goals.

He had loans at Salisbury, Rochdale and Stafford, before a permanent move to Worcester. He then moved on via Nuneaton, Worcester, Halifax and Bradford Park Avenue, before his first spell at Hednesford in 2014.

Stockport and Telford then preceded a return to the Pitmen in January 2016. He then moved to Nantwich for a year before coming back for his third spell in 2019. Two years later he went to Rushall and started this season at Hanley Town, before returning yet again to our hosts.

Stanley Asomugha arrived from Worcester Raiders in January. The former West Bromwich Albion Junior also played for Alvechurch.

Winger Chay Tilt is another former West Brom youngster. He was loaned to Torquay before joining Queens Park Rangers on a permanent move. After his Loftus Road release he joined Stourbridge and has also played for Macclesfield and Tamworth, before joining the Pitmen in September 2021.

Striker Owen Watkins is another striker and a product of their own youth scheme. He has had a spell out on loan with Romulus too.

Attacking full back Akanni Akinwe is a another former West Bromwich Albion Junior, signed at the end of last year, having left Shrewsbury Town in the summer.

Jack Broome was another autumn signing. A full back too and Ex Wolves Junior, he moved on to Watford and is now making his way back after a long injury.

Midfielder Samir Nabi is duel registered with Sutton Coldfield. He started at Delhi Dynamo’s and is a Pakistan International. He has also played for Carlisle, Torquay, Halesowen, Kidderminster and Hereford.

Mark Derricott is another loanee, on an extended stay from Hereford, having come through the Bulls own Academy.

Centre back Ethan Patterson is the newest signing. An ex Aston Villa Junior, he made his debut for the Pitmen last Saturday, having signed from Worcester Raiders. He has also played for Alvechurch and Throttur Vogum in Norway.

Kick of is scheduled for 7.45pm, but keep a look out for pre-match updates on social media if there is any sign of frost, rain or a referee who can’t make his mind up.

by Peter Scherer

Following their success in the last home game against Rushall Olympic, Mickleover were winners again, keeping a clean sheet against Needham Market for a 2-0 victory.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Ethan Mann 3-Rhys Dolan 15-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-George Nunn 10-Elliott Reeves 11-Marcus Marshall. Subs: Pablo Mills, Will Trueman, Stuart Beavon, Ryan Wilson, George Atwal.

With three strikers up front, Mickleover were soon on the attack. 11 minutes in and Reeves was clear in space, firing in a close range shot to the near left hand post, well saved by keeper Marcus Garnham.

But Needham came back fighting and a couple of minutes later Patrick Brothers put in a powerful shot, well held by keeper Bosworth on his league debut.

The deadlock was soon broken though when a quick one two sent Dales down the wing, following an interception. He found Reeves with space again and he fired home a decisive shot into the far corner, 1-0.

Brothers again led the visitors response, with a shot from the edge of the box, beaten away by Bosworth for a corner. Although Jamie McGrath managed to connect with Dylan Williams kick, his header was over.

Reeves was almost through again after 27 minutes, chasing a long through ball, before Garnham tipped his final shot clear, as the visitors continued to keep Sports back four of Mann, Butler, Watt and Dolan on their toes too.

Luke Brown fired a shot just over Bosworth’s bar after 33 minutes and then had another effort kept out by a diving Sports keeper.

It remained 1-0 to Mickleover at half time, in a fairly even game, with a McGrath header hitting the Mickleover post as the whistle beckoned.

Needham came out fighting for the equaliser again as the second half got underway, with Williams’ first-time strike inches over the bar from a Brown cross.

The combination of Bateman, Warren and Dales in midfield kept Mickleover pushing forward, as the chances for the visitors began to diminish during the second half.

Brothers put a lovely ball into the Mickleover box, but there was no one to receive.

Mickleover then subbed Wilson for Dolan and then later a double change with Trueman and Beavon on for Marshall and Reeves.

Needham had another chance after 70 minutes when Williams sent in a free kick to find Noah Collard, but the defence held tight as it went for a corner.

Only a minute later however the game was sealed in Mickleover’s favour, following a break from a Needham corner. Dales outpaced the visitors defence, sent in a square ball to Nunn  in the centre, who chipped the advancing keeper to make it 2-0.

Sub Luke Ingram had chance to pull one back for the visitors but failed to connect, before Nunn found himself one on one again with keeper Garnham in the 81^st minute. He got his shot in but Garnham made an excellent save.

A few minutes later Sports saw another shot glance the top of the bar and in the final minutes Brown responded and just missed connecting with a cross from Jake Dye.

To add to the visitors disappointment, Brothers was red carded, after picking up a second yellow almost on the final whistle.

Now in ninth place in the table, eight points away from the play-off’s, it’s now a trip to Hednesford on Tuesday night.

Images by Needham Market FC

by Peter Scherer

Following their victory against Rushall Olympic in their last home game, Mickleover will be looking to make it two in a row as they face Needham Market at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

Our visitors are currently 17^th in the table after four successive defeats, their last away win being back in September at Kings Langley. Ironically it was Kings Langley that inflicted their last defeat too, going down 1-2 at home last weekend.

Saturday will also see a league debut for goalkeeper Oliver Bosworth, covering for the injured Jonathan Hedge. Mitch Rose is out too, but hopefully Oliver Greaves will be back in the squad.

Former Northern Ireland International midfielder Kevin Horlock has been in charge at Needham Market 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 too. 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 2020, 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 visitors 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 last August.

Teenager Hugh Cullum is another defender to come from the clubs Academy, he debuted last season 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 has made 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 was another summer 2022 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 early season home win against St Ives.

Midfielder Patrick Brothers came from Leiston in February 2022, 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 last 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.

Noah Collard 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 2022 having come through the clubs Academy. This is his first full season and he has found the net on a number of occasions. Stourbridge.

Midfielder Tom Fitzgerald made his first team debut this season, having worked their way through the Academy and reserve teams.

Luke Ingram is the longest serving player, a midfielder in his 10^th season having signed from Bury Town, having previously been at AFC Sudbury.

Defensive midfielder George Exworth is yet another academy graduate, who has occasionally been in the first team squad.

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

Left midfielder Dylan Williams has recently arrived from St Ives. He was a Cambridge Utd Junior, joining St Neots after his release. He moved on to Biggleswade and Lowestoft, before a two and a half year spell at St Ives.

Left winger Taykaan Bennett is a more recent signing too. He has arrived initially on loan from Colchester Utd.

Both Oliver Fraser and Mahmoud Igwebuika have both come into the squad recently via the Academy

Centre back Harry Knights came from Lowestoft last August, having previously been at Leiston.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena, is 3pm as usual and remember the Ladies in Red free admission offer!

by Peter Scherer

Those supporters who made the trip to Alvechurch last night, will already know the circumstances regarding the late postponement.

Having already had a lot of games called off, Alvechurch understandably wanted this already re-arranged fixture to go ahead, and were willing to do all they could to fulfil that.

The match referee inspected he pitch at 5pm and passed it fit for to play and around that time the temperature was around 4 degrees with 0 and possible mist forecast prior to kick off.

So with the Mickleover team already on the road, supporters set off, with the assurance that the game was on.

With both teams involved in their on pitch pre-match warm-up, the same referee then decided that the pitch was unfit and called the match off, much to the disgust of all concerned.

The difficulty is now to re-arrange for the third time, when Alvechurch don’t have another free Tuesday before the end of the season.

Watch this space…………..

by Peter Scherer

Alvechurch are the only team we are yet to play this season in the league, but back in September we were on the wrong end of 2-3 FA Cup defeat at the Don Amott Arena.

Tuesday’s game has previously been postponed twice, as a combination of Cup runs and waterlogged or frozen pitches, have limited our hosts to only four league games since the start of September. So Sports will be only second visitors to Lye Meadows this season, after they lost 1-3 at home to Nuneaton last Saturday

Currently 19^th in the table, they have six games in hand and have won two of their last eight games.

Despite going down 1-3 to Championship leaders Tamworth last Saturday’s, a strong second half performance bodes well for  a result.

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

First choice goalkeeper Dan Jezeph was a Walsall Junior, who was at Tamworth and Worcester City before joining Alvechurch in July 2021.

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.

Peter Taylor 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 established himself in the starting line-up in the six months, after joining our hosts in October 2021.

Josh Dugmore is a young right back who was with the Walsall and Everton football Academies before joining Birmingham City on a scholarship. Following his release from the Blues he joined Bromsgrove for the start of last season and was a virtual ever present for them throughout the season, making a total of 47 appearances.

He then joined AFC Telford United last July, but moved to Banbury in September and signed for Alvechurch in January on a dual contract.

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.

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 to Tamworth on his release.

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

Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton is a young striker in his third spell at the club. After being 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 a year later. He was then loaned back to Alvechurch, before making his stay permanent earlier last 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 2021 and he’s also played for Rushall Olympic.

Former Coventry Academy defender or midfielder Jamie Spiers was signed at the end of last summer. He moved to Stratford Town at 14 and was at Shrewsbury Town until the end of last season.

Defender Harry Williams and midfielder Jack Hallahan both hit the headlines after being hospitalised following a clash of heads in the opening game of the season.

Both are former West Bromwich Albion Juniors. Williams then moved to Burnley for a year, before coming to Alvechurch last July.

Hallahan is a former Irish Under 19 midfielder, who who moved on to Hednesford and Bromsgrove, also having had a spell in Cyprus too.

Joining the plethora of ex West Brom Juniors is Angolan born midfielder Aurio Neto Teixeira. He joined our hosts last September, after a summer release from the Baggies.

Striker Manny Olakoko arrived in July from Leamington, but was almost immediately sent out on a three month loan to Heather St John.

Jeremy Abbey had made one appearance since his arrival. He has spent most of his career at Telford, with loans at Markey Drayton, Barwell and Rushall.

Left back Jamie Melbourne was a new year signing, after being released from Stoke City. He spent time at West Bromwich Albion too.

Midfielder Maxwell Ngbeken was a pre-season signing from Darlaston.

Finally Jamie Soule was signed only a couple of weeks ago from Dover Athletic. Yet another West Brom junior striker, he had loans at Barrow, Cheltenham and Lincoln before his release. He made his debut in the recent defeat at St Ives and is capped by England at Under 16 and 17 levels.

Kick off is 7.45pm.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover manager John McGrath had the rare privilege of being able to field an unchanged team for our visit to table toppers Tamworth.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Ethan Mann 3-Ryan Wilson 15-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Will Trueman. Subs: George Nunn, Oliver Bosworth, Pablo Mills, Rhys Dolan, Marcus Marshall.

In the opening few minutes the referee seemed to give a free kick for almost every Mickleover challenge. The first was when Watt was alleged to have fouled top scorer Dan Creaney, but Milnes shot was wide. Only two minutes later Watt was yellow carded for a challenge on Finn and Milnes kick from Sports right, found debutant Willetts head on the far post and it was 0-1.

Mickleover began to push forward and play their normal passing game and Trueman managed to work his way through the defence after being set up by Beavon, but his final shot failed to trouble the keeper.

12 minutes in and Dales had a positive run cutting in from the left after a good build up. He made it just inside the box before his path was blocked.

Reeves got his first shot in after 16 minutes, with a nice turn just inside the box, but his effort was blocked too. Dales then earned a corner, which Butler connected with after Beavon and Reeves combined, leaving Warren with the final shot comfortably taken by the keeper.

Finn then got on the end of a Tamworth break but his shot was well off target, but although Mickleover were getting plenty of possession, there were no chances forthcoming.

25 minutes gone and Milnes and Finn combined for another shot from the hosts, but the final effort was straight at Hedge, before Dales put a lovely centre field ball through for Reeves to chase, but the ball was cleared.

Butler was then penalised for a challenge on Mussa, but the free kick was well over the bar. But then Milnes had a perfect chance for Tamworth’s second, when the space just opened up for him in in front of goal, only to put his shot over the stand.

The pressure was back on Mickleover as they were pegged back into the first third. The defence managed to block Finn and Creaney, before a long throw found McKeown, who earned another corner.

Creaney then got his head to yet another corner on the half hour, but without positive direction, then Finn had his follow up effort blocked.

Bateman was penalised for high boot on Creaney after 37 minutes, but Finn’s free kick was wasted.

Sports came back with a flourish to complete the first half though and earned a free kick when Trueman was tripped by Mussa after a positive run. Willetts headed Warren’s free kick away, before Reeves hit the follow up wide.

Tamworth started strongly again in the second half, not the most skilful and technical of sides, but robust and uncompromising in their approach.

The back four of Mann, Butler, Watt and Wilson had coped well with the Tamworth attacks

Tamworth put a cross over the face of the Mickleover goal after 47 minutes, fortunately there was no one to receive. But Mickleover were still fighting and Trueman shot over after some groundwork from Reeves in the 49^th minute.

54 minutes and Tamworth were awarded a penalty for handball by Wilson. Creaney stepped up but his casual approach failed to beat Hedge, whose left knee saved the day as it remained 0-1.

Only two minutes later Watt had remained upfield after a corner and as he attempted to put the ball back into the box, Fairlamb handled and it was a Mickleover penalty.

Warren stepped up and his no nonsense approach brought it back to 1-1, with keeper Singh choosing the wrong way.

Mussa was yellow carded on the hour after going in hard on Beavon with his studs up, he carried on after treatment, but Sports decided to bring Dolan on for Wilson.

Creaney and Bradley combined to earn a 63^rd minute corner for the hosts, before Mickleover made a break and Beavon earned a corner too.

Marshall came on for Trueman for the last 20 minutes and immediately set up Reeves , whose effort was blocked again. Warren then charged through to cross from the left, but it was just short of connecting with Beavon.

Mickleover were still well in the game, but Hedge had to make a good save from another Creaney effort after 74 minutes, before Dales responded at the other end with a chip straight into Sigh’s hands.

Nunn was on for Reeves after 75 minutes, but two minutes later Sports defence was in turmoil after Hedge had initially caught Deacon’s shot, but it fell at the feet of Creaney, who made no mistake from close range 1-2.

Only a couple of minutes later Creaney went straight through the defence and although his shot was straight at Hedge and looked to be saved again initially. He had failed to hold it and it rolled home for 1-3 after 80 minutes.

Willetts had a far post header into the side netting from a Finn corner, but Beavon then had a shot blocked. Dolan then had a run down the left, but his cross failed to connect with Nunn by inches.

Tamworth keeper Singh then sat down and feigned injury as Mickleover had gained late momentum. He performed the same feat in the home game earlier in the year, but was allowed to get away with it again.

But Sports went close at the death when Warren hit a belting shot which the keeper managed to hold onto, after a nice build up between Nunn and Dales.

On the second half performance Mickleover should have come away with a point, but slips at the back proved costly again.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover will be hoping for a repeat performance of last Saturday’s excellent home win, when they visit table toppers Tamworth this weekend.

Both Ollie Greaves and Rhys Dolan were out injured last weekend, but will hopefully fit to rejoin the squad.

The Lambs have suffered only defeat in their last 11 games, when they went down 0-1 at title challengers Coalville, and their only home defeat this season was back on August Bank Holiday, going down 1-4 again to Coalville.

Their last home game was last Tuesday, when they beat St.Ives 2-1.

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, he took charge at Northampton Spencer before moving back to Rushden.

Goalkeeper Jas Singh arrived from Telford in July 2018, having started his career at Shrewsbury Town. He has also played for Kidderminster, Solihull Moors and Gloucester City.

Reserve keeper Matt Sargeant came from Leamington last October. His whole career has been based in the West Midlands, having started at Tipton, before moves to Halesowen, Alvechurch, Sporting Khalsa, Rushall and Nuneaton.

Matt Curley is a right back who came from Buxton last 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 too, 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 2022.

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.

Leading scorer Dan Creaney has been at Tamworth since signing from Coalville in July 2019 and recently made his 100^th appearance.  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 been 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.

Ben Milnes is another midfielder that arrived in July, after a year at Buxton. He was a Leicester City Junior before joining Boston Utd and had also played for Corby and Kettering, before joining Buxton in July 2021.

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 2020. Along with team mate Creaney, he is one of the leagues top scorers.

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

Right back Lucas Yeomans is well known to Sports fans having just returned to our hosts after a loan spell at the Don Amott Arena. Burton born Lucas was part of Derby County’s Academy before joining Tamworth in August 2020, making his first team in the FA Trophy at the age of 16.

Former West Bromwich Albion Junior midfielder George Cater is more of squad member, having spent most of the season the bench. After joining Kidderminster, he went to Stafford, Hednesford and Chasetown, joining our hosts 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 2022.

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 & Waterlooville, 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 in November 2021 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 hosts.

Ben Hart is a right back who came from Burton in July 2020, 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 Sporting Khalsa.

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.

Keelan Fallows is one of three reserve goalkeepers and was recently loaned to Quorn and Atherstone. He was a Junior at Coventry City and has also been loaned to Daventry.

Fellow keeper Jack Hitchman and midfielder Callum Griffin are recent additions to the squad, having come through the clubs own Academy.

It’s an earlier kick of too, with the game due to start at 2pm.