by Peter Scherer

Mickleover came away from their second local Derby of the Easter weekend with a 1-0 win at Basford, thanks to a late second half strike from James Butler.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ben Radcliffe 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Liam Ravenhill 8-George Milner 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andrew Wright. Subs: Shaquille McDonald, Kai Moore, Kemy Agustien, Andy Dales, Ethan Mann.

Basford earned the first corner after six minutes and a Thornhill ball into the box found Carr’s head, before Hearn flicked wide.

Walker made good use of the overlap for Sports to put a cross into the box after eight minutes, but it was too deep. Davidson-Miller soon followed up though with a low drive tipped away by home keeper Preston.

Milner drove forward and had a shot just off target 13 mins in, but Basford proved dangerous again from a Thornhill corner. With Hedge committed the danger was soon cleared, only for Hedge to make another save from Grantham’s effort.

Walker was on the attack again after 20 mins and his belting strike must have stung Preston’s hands as he tipped it away.

The Mickleover defence of Walker, Butler, Watt and Dolan survived a series of dangerous free kicks, before Davidson-Miller had another chance in the 27^th minute. He picked the ball up and was never fully in control and the chance was gone.

Mickleover then had a free kick after 35 mins after Helliwell tripped Ravenhill, Walker’s shot was on target again and pushed away by Preston.

But only two minutes later it was 1-0 to Mickleover, when Butler found the back of the net, so it stayed at 1-0 into the half time break, despite Hedge making a save with his feet from Grantham’s shot, one minute before the whistle.

Davidson-Miller continued to look dangerous, but luck wasn’t on his side. Roma blocked his 50^th minute run and then Hearn flicked an attempt wide for the hosts from a Betts cross.

On the hour Davidson-Miller was in the action again with a one on one, before keeper Preston intercepted.

Mickleover brought Moore on for Wright and Agustien for Milner, followed a few minutes later by McDonald for Davidson-Miller.

Dunn had a powerful shot for the visitors after 79 mins saved by Hedge and in the 90^th minute Ravenhill had the final shot of the game just wide.

Following the defeats at home to Basford in both the NPL and FA Cup, it was a just reward for Mickleover to end their season on the road, with just the home game against Lancaster on Saturday to complete a character building season.

by Peter Scherer

There were plenty of goals to keep the 700+ crowd entertained at the Don Amott Arena, with Mickleover holding aspiring champion neighbours Buxton to a 3-3 draw.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ethan Mann 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Ben Radcliffe 8-Liam Ravenhill 9-Andy Dales 10-Stuart Beavon 11-George Milner, Subs Kai Moore, Andrew Wright, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Joe Bateman, James Butler.

After a fairly quiet opening few minutes Curley had the first shot for Buxton after eight minutes, which failed to trouble Hedge in the Mickleover goal.

But far from being overcome by the title contenders, Mickleover started to create their own chances, with Dolan receiving a 21st minute Radcliffe pass but his volley was straight into Buxton keeper Richardson’s arms.

Only two minutes later Radcliffe got a header in too from a Dales chip.

Buxton’s top scorer Di Girolamo was then on the end of a break, but Newton’s header was straight at Hedge as it remained 0-0.

But the deadlock was soon broken when Ravenhill picked his spot from well out and left Richardson well beaten 1-0.

As Buxton pushed for the equaliser, Watt and Mann looked solid at the heart of the Mickleover defence, but with five minutes left in the first half, Hedge made a brilliant diving save low to his right, to keep a Clarke effort out.

The following corner did catch the defence out however and allowed Chambers to fire it home for the equaliser 1-1 after 41 mins.

Buxton went close again after chaos in the defence following another corner, but almost on half time Radcliffe struck with another long shot to send Mickleover in at half time 2-1 up.

The visitors started the second half strongly and after 52 mins had made it 2-2, with Clarke completing a gradual build up on the left, to beat Hedge in his far corner.

Clarke nearly had a second after 67 mins, with his long shot barely inches away from the top corner, but two minutes later Buxton had the lead for the first time 2-3, after a Walker push gave away a penalty for Di Girolamo to convert.

It was still far from over though, when after going close with a header from a Dolan cross after 84 mins, Beavon cut inside from the left and fired it passed Richardson on his near post only three minutes later 3-3.

Butler came on for Dales in closing minutes, but Mickleover once again proved themselves a match for any of the top teams in the NPL.

by Peter Scherer

With their Northern Premier League future looking assured, Mickleover go into their penultimate weekend of league action with two games.

On Saturday its top of the table Buxton visiting the Don Amott Arena, before we travel to 20^th placed Basford on Easter Monday.

Buxton have only conceded one goal in the last seven games, against Witton on March 8th and have scored 16 to put them two points clear at the top.

Seven of their current line-up have been ever present over the last couple of months, which has seen them look virtually unbeatable.

First choice goalkeeper Theo Richardson is an ex Manchester Utd junior who joined Grantham in August 2018. He soon moved on to Cleethorpes, before going to Kings Lynn a couple of years later. He has been at Buxton since July last year.

Matt Curley signed in February in a ‘swap’ deal with Hednesford Town and made an immediate impact with a goal on debut against Gainsborough Trinity. Primarily as a right-back, he is a versatile player and has played in various positions for Romulus and Sutton Coldfield, before joining Tamworth in 2017 and then Hednesford Town.

Skipper and a powerful defender signed from Barrow last summer, Josh Granite started his career at Woodley Sports and played for Sheffield and Hallam Universities before signing for Mossley. He then joined Trafford, before moving on to Ashton United and then Barrow, where he was made was club captain as they regained their league status in 2020 as winners of the Conference.

Right back Dan Cowan started out at Macclesfield, moving to Stockport after a loan at Chorley. Further stops at Guiseley and Curzon Ashton took him to Chester last summer, from where Buxton signed him in January.

Sean Newton is a left back on loan from York City. He is a well-travelled player having started out at Chester, with loans at Southport and Droylsden before joining Barrow. He has played at Telford, Stockport, Lincoln and Wrexham and has been at York for five years.

Former Wales under 21 international Chris Dawson was a Leeds United Academy product, making a number of first team appearances, before joining Rotherham United in 2016. He went on loan to Viking FK in Norway, but following serious injury he signed for Scarborough, helping them win promotion to the Northern Premier League before spending the 2018/19 season at Bradford Park Avenue. He was then loaned to Grantham Town, before returning to Scarborough and was one of three players to make the move from ‘Borough to Buxton in July 2020.

Ben Turner is a centre back from the Coventry Academy. After loans at Peterborough and Oldham, he moved on to Cardiff. Further moves took him to Burton, Mansfield and Notts County before joining Buxton at the start of this season.

Defender Nathan Fox played his youth football at both Notts County and Derby County. He has also played for Corby, Rugby Town, Coalville, Sutton Coldfield, Redditch, Hednesford and Kings Lynn. He came to Buxton last summer after a year at Alfreton.

Ryan Taylor has just come back from injury. He is a right back signed from Colne in January, after having time out in his career. A former England Under 21 International, he started at Tranmere, but has made over 500 senior appearances with Wigan, Newcastle, Hull City and Port Vale, plus spells in India with ATK and at Fleetwood.

Young midfielder signed September last year, Warren Clarke was a Sheffield Wednesday youth product, signing pro with the Owls in 2017, where he stayed for two seasons. 

Tom Elliot is another midfielder signed from Hednesford Town in early December 2019. He started at Worksop Town before signing for Nuneatonin 2016, moving to Darlington where he made over 40 appearances for ‘The Quakers’ before signing for Hednesford in the summer of 2019. He was the first signing made by Gary Hayward when he joined the Bucks as manager.

Winger Lindon Miekle was picked up by Eastwood Town as a youngster from Vernon Colts. He then spent three years with Mansfield Town, before moving to York City, Macclesfield, Alfreton, Barrow, Southport, Kettering and Tamworth, from where he came to Buxton last summer.

Mackenzie Heaney is a midfielder on loan from York City. He started as a Newcastle Junior and has played for Benfield, West Auckland, Whitby and Grindavik in Iceland before signing for York last July. He has been capped as a Junior International by both England and Scotland.

Striker Diego Girolamo is a former Italian Under 18s, Under 19s and Under 20s international and Sheffield United junior who came to Buxton in July 2018. 

After several first team matches for the Blades, his career at Bramall Lane was hindered by an injury picked up on Under 18 International, which ruled him out for nine months in 2013. 

He was loaned to York City before returning to Sheffield where he scored his first goal for the Blades in a FA Cup tie against Preston North End. Two further loans at York and Northampton Town preceded a move to Bristol City in 2016.

 He was loaned again to Cheltenham in January 2017, scoring a hat-trick in the EFL Trophy against Leicester City Under 23’s. Then loaned to Chesterfield and Macclesfield Town, where his prolific goal scoring became the highlight of his game and he is one of the top NPL goalscorers.

Ash Chambers is another experienced striker wo came through the Leicester City Academy. He had loans at Wycombe and Grimsby, before joining York in 2011. 

After moves to Dagenham & Redbridge and Cambridge Utd he returned to Grimsby, before spells at Nuneaton, Kidderminster and Brackley preceded his arrival at Buxton last summer. He has also been capped by England at Under 16,17,18, 19 levels.

Jason Gilchrist is another experienced striker and former Manchester City and Burnley Youth player. He had loans at Droylsden, Accrington and Chester before joining FC United in 2016.

He then played at Southport and Stockport before joining South Shields in 2019. He came to Buxton from York City last December.

Former Northern Ireland international and ex Derby and Nottingham Forest winger Jamie Ward has played a major part in Buxton’s success too. 

He joined them at the start of the season after training with Mickleover. Starting out at Aston Villa, he played for Stockport, Torquay and Chesterfield before making his name at Sheffield Utd.

He arrived at Derby initially on loan in February 2011 and stayed for four and a half years before joining Forest. He was loaned out to Burton, Cardiff and Charlton before being released in 2019, from where he came to Buxton via Scunthorpe and Solihull Moors.

Ryan Hardy and Johnny Saltmer are both recent loan signings. Hardy is an England C International midfielder from Chester, who started in the Manchester City Academy. He has played at Halifax, Fylde, Walsall, Telford and Altrincham too.

 Goalkeeper Saltmer is from Bradford Park Avenue. A former Hull City junior who has played at Barrow and Darlington too.

OUR FINAL away game of the season is the trip to Basford on Easter Monday. Our hosts have struggled since New Year and haven’t scored a goal in the last four games.

Goalkeeper Kieran Preston is a Scottish Under 19 International who has been at Basford since December 2019 and is a former Bristol Rovers Junior.

Owen Betts is a young defender who started with Notts County. He had been at Basford for two seasons and had brief loans at Worksop and Spalding.

Lewis Carr came from Grantham back in 2016. He is a defender with experience at Stamford and Quorn as well as a spell at Cambridge Utd.

Well-travelled defender Dom Roma has spent the last five years between Basford and Scarborough, having originally joined our hosts in 2017.

Having started at Sheffield Utd, he played for Boston Utd, Tamworth, Hinckley, Alfreton, Harrogate and Gainsborough. He also had a spell as Gainsborough’s player manager.

Left back Ryan Wilson is the son of former Rams player Kevin. He started out at Ilkeston and after a move to Gateshead, played for a number of clubs in the East Midlands region, notably Alfreton, Coalville and Matlock. He came to Basford in May 2019 after spell at Telford.

Callum Frogson had progressed from the Basford Youth Team and is now regular starter in our hosts defence.

Centre back Brad Gascoigne was a Birmingham City junior, but since his release in 2012 has travelled widely through the non-league world. Having played for 17 clubs over his career he came to Basford in 2019 from Barwell.

Declan Dunn is a former Notts County junior. The young Centre Back also had a spell on loan at Grantham before joining Basford last season.

Skipper Matt Thornhill is an attacking midfielder and ex Nottingham Forest junior. He went on loan to Brighton and Cheltenham, making 70 first team appearances, before a spell with Hibernian.

He returned to England with Buxton in 2012, and has also played for Shaw Lane and Gainsborough before signing for Basford in March 2017.

Defender Callum Chettle is the son of former manager and Forest defender Steve. He had football league experience with Peterborough, after starting out at Ilkeston and Nuneaton.

He went out on loan to Fylde, before joining Alfreton and has also played for Boston and Matlock before joining Basford from Alfreton in July 2019.

Striker Kane Richards is Derby born and a former Rams Junior. He had a loan spell at Matlock before his release, seeing him move on to Ilkeston, Chester, Gainsborough, Dover and Telford, before arriving at Basford from Kidderminster July last year.

Signed from Quorn in January Liam Hearn is in his second spell at Basford. Another much travelled player who started at Hucknall, before moving onto Eastwood, Chasetown, Quorn, Alfreton, Grimsby, Mansfield, Lincoln, Barrow, Harrogate, Ilkeston and Alfreton, from where he joined Basford in ion July 2017.

He was loaned to Tamworth and then returned to Hucknall in March 2020, returning to Basford after his second spell at Quorn. He is also part of the coaching staff.

Courey Grantham is a midfielder signed from Heanor Town in 2015, he has also played for Ilkeston and Loughborough Dynamo and had a loan spell at Hednesford.

Lewis Rourke is another young striker and product of Basford’s youth scheme, along with keeper Gianni Musson.

Midfielder Lirak Hasani is a midfielder on loan from Doncaster. He has also been loaned out to Gateshead and Matlock over the last 18 months.

Jordan Helliwell is another loanee from Barnsley, a centre back or midfielder he has had loans at Stalybridge and Esbjerg in Denmark too. He is joined fellow Barnsley loanee midfielder Harrison Nejman.

Tyreace Palmer had been out on loan at Melton since singing last May, but the young striker is now back as part of the first team squad. 

Charlie Marzano was also signed from Ilkeston on deadline day but is yet to make his debut.

by Peter Scherer

A 76^th minute penalty finally ended Mickleover’s hopes of salvaging a point from their trip to Gainsborough Trinity.

Starting line-up: 1-JonathanHedge 2-Elliot Walker 3-Will Robinson 4-Ethan Mann 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Ben Radcliffe 8-Liam Ravenhill 9-Shaquille Macdonald 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: George Milner, George Atwal, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Callum Niven, Andrew Wright.

After a bright start from both sides Sports had their first attempt on goal when Dales sent in a cracking 20 yarder, after a feed by Beavon, well saved by home keeper Yates after 10 minutes.

Gainsborough did have the ball in the net a minute but it was deemed offside.

Mickleover were forced to make an early change too, with Ravenhill coming off for Wright.

But with Walker starting some strong runs down the right, Mickleover began to pile the pressure on the hosts.

Dales had picked up the ball from a Walker run on the right, but the cross was met by Beavon whose header was just wide.

But Walker came close himself, with another floating ball in from the right. It was a lucky escape for Gainsborough as it caught Yates out, only for the ball to bounce off the bar and back into play.

Cussons then had a shot saved by Hedge’s legs, but after 32 minutes Gainsborough got the break, with Hornshaw netting from a Johnson cross.

Sports kept attacking up to the half time whistle, with Beavon and Dales both forcing saves from Yates, before Mann found Radcliffe after the hosts failed to clear an Agustien free kick, but his shot was just over.

Mickleover were unlucky not to go in for the half time break on level terms, but it was the home side with the advantage.

 As the second half got under way the Gainsborough defence began to keep the Mickleover attack at a distance and take any opportunity of a break themselves.

Radcliffe had gone in the book, but Cussons went close again for Gainsborough, before Niven replaced Macdonald on the hour.

But after 76 minutes Robinson was deemed to have fouled Wollerton in the box, a penalty was given and Gibson made it 0-2 in the hosts favour.

Walker had another distance shot easily taken by Yates and Makama put a header straight at Hedge for the visitors.

Atwal came on for the final minutes to replace Agustien and Gainsborough appealed for a second late penalty after Hedge rushed from his goal to deny Wollerton.

The 0-2 scoreline probably flattered the home side, as Mickleover now look forward to hosting top of the table Buxton at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

It’s been a difficult season for Gainsborough Trinity and the 11 starters from our home win against them back in August, shows little resemblance to their current line-up.

They have only suffered two home defeats however, but are without a win since they beat Lancaster at home 3-1 in February. Currently 19^th in the NPL they are still desperate for points to secured their survival, having drawn 1-1 at home last time out against  South Shields, 

Goalkeeper Matt Yates was released by Derby County and after loan spells at Gloucester, Hereford and Telford, joined Gainsborough last summer.

Lewis Carr is an experienced defender signed at the beginning of the season from Basford, but he’s played at Grantham too. 

Teenaged student Prosper Keto is a young full back recently signed from Clifton FC. Since his arrival at Gainsborough in February, he has been a regular first choice.

Cieron Keane is an Irish Under 19 international left back who had League One experience during his graduation at Notts County. After leaving the Magpies he has played for Nuneaton, Worcester, Kidderminster, Alfreton, Boston Utd and Leamington and was at Basford last season.

Centre back Stefan Galinski started his career at Derby County, but then joined Stoke City after a brief loan at Corby. He was released six months later to join Boston Utd initially. Further moves have taken him to Stalybridge, Alfreton, Grantham and Hednesford, before joining Gainsborough from Basford in February.

Isaac Rice is another centre back that arrived from Newark Flowserve at the start of the season. He has previously been part of the Sheffield Wednesday Academy.

Charlie Jemson, son of Forest legend Nigel, is another central defender, a pre-season signing from Worksop. He had a spell on Forest’s books and also played for Ilkeston, Tamworth and Peterborough Sports.

Derby County’s Academy was the starting point for central defender Callum Minkley, while wing back Joe Wilson, recently back from an injury spell, started out at Reading. He was signed from Ilkeston early season, but has played for Hayes & Yeading and Fleet Town too.

Experience in coaching and playing make Neal Bishop a valuable member of the Gainsborough squad. A former Middlesbrough Academy player, he made his league debut for Barnet in League two. The reliable midfielder had already played at Billingham, Spennymoor, Whitby, Scarborough and York, before making 95 appearances for Barnet.

168 games at Notts County and a spell with Blackpool in the Premiership followed, before another four years at Scunthorpe. His league career ended at Mansfield and he was at Scarborough last season, before joining Gainsborough as player coach.

Midfielder Alex Wollerton was  another summer signing. The ex Manchester Utd and Leeds junior also had a spell at the Barnsley Academy, before joining York City in September 2020.

Midfielder Joe Parkin is an ex Grantham player, who started out Handsworth FC. He has been part of the first team squad since signing in December.

Ex Nottingham Forest junior midfielder Elicha Ahui is currently one of a number of Lincoln City loanees along with striker Jovon Makama, who also spent time in Derby County’s Academy, ex Arsenal Academy midfielder Morgan Worsfold-Gregg and striker Freddie Draper, another ex Rams junior.

George Hornshaw made 12 first team appearances for Scunthorpe last season. He joined the Irons back in 2011 aged 12, making his first team in 2017. He had a loan spell at Farsley and came to Gainsborough initially in 2019, before joining permanently in July last year. He plays full back of midfield.

Striker Cameron Johnson was a New Year signing from Stamford. He started out with Rossington Main, before moving on to Boston Utd, Matlock, Deeping, Boston Town. Tamworth, Peterborough Sports and Spalding

Josh Hinds is another on loan striker from Hull City. He started out at West Ham before heading for Humberside and has also been loaned to Spalding.

Ex QPR and Fulham winger Toby Gould and former Chester Junior Jack Gibson have been on the sidelines of late, the latter coming in from Carlton in May last year.

Former Grimsby Town midfielder Jock Curran started at Doncaster Rovers and has also played at Spalding and Lincoln Utd, while striker Ben Morris started at Derby County, before coming to Gainsborough via Bedworth, Matlock and Ilkeston 

Gianluca Bucci is an ex Lincoln City Junior who is at home in defence or midfield. He has played at Spalding too, but has returned to Gainsborough after a spell at Frickley. 

Kick off as usual is at 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

It was three more points for Mickleover on the road last Saturday, when a late goalkeeping error handed Stuart Beavon an early Easter gift at Warrington.

Starting line-up: 1–Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Phil Watt 5-Ethan Mann 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Ben Radcliffe 8-Liam Ravenhill 9-Kai Moore 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Andrew Wright, Pablo Mills, Shaquille McDonald, George Milner.

The hosts were first on the attack with Hedge comfortably saving from, a Grivosti effort after six minutes.

Only three minutes later the same player took the first corner of the game, before Regan’s header found the side netting.

As in recent games Dales’ pace again troubled the Warrington defence and after 10 minutes he cut in from a run on the left, forcing keeper Atherton to make his first save.

Hedge was soon in action again too, pulling out all the stops to tip a Mols free kick over the bar, before Mickleover began to push forward again.

16 minutes in and Dales won the ball in midfield and found Moore in space. The young striker picked his spot but the final shot was deflected away by Duggan.

Although it remained 0-0 Mickleover were beginning to have more and more possession, but after 20 minutes there was another chance for Warrington, when Harris got his head to a Grivosti corner, but it was safely into Hedge’s hands.

The Mickleover back four of Walker, Watt, Mann and Dolan were looking pretty solid, and apart from a couple of long range efforts, Warrington had little shooting opportunity as time approachedand it remained 0-0.

The creative midfield combination of Ravenhill, Radcliffe and Agustien hadn’t managed to give Mickleover the edge, so after 58 minutes Milner came on for Radcliffe.

The next change was up front with McDonald replacing Moore after 69 minutes and four minutes later the deadlock was broken.

McDonald was in a dangerous attacking position which brough Atherton out of his goal to clear. But his clearance went straight to Beavon who was left with an unguarded goal to slot home for 1-0.

As Mickleover strengthened their defence for the final minutes, Mills came on for Ravenhill and as Warrington pushed forward to seek the equaliser, Atherton was forced to save again as McDonald latched onto a Mickleover counter attack.

So now were up to 13th in the NPL with four games left, starting with our penultimate away game of the season at Gainsborough on Saturday.

by Peter Scherer

Following our 2-2 draw at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday night, Mickleover are heading back up the M6 for Saturday afternoons game at Warrington.

Our Hosts on Saturday are just inside the play off’s , but currently lack consistency with two defeats in the last four games, before returning to winning way at Radcliffe last Saturday.

Warrington are captained by 6ft+ defender Mark Roberts, who started his career at Crewe Alexandra. He made seven first team appearances at Gresty Road and also had loans at Leek, Vauxhall Motors, Southport, Chester and Halifax, before joining Northwich after another initial loan.

In 2007 he joined league two Accrington Stanley and played 37 games before moving on again. After a brief return to Northwich, he was back to the Football League action with Stevenage, Fleetwood, Cambridge Utd and Forest Green Rovers, making almost 350 appearances and is now in his fourth season at Warrington.

Goalkeeper Daniel Atherton was signed during the summer. A former Liverpool junior, he also had a spell on loan at Marine last year and spent some time at Warrington last year too, before a brief foray in the US. 

James Baillie is a right back and another former Crewe Junior. He had a loan at Nantwich before being released, from where he moved onto Curzon Ashton. He joined Warrington in September last year.

Central midfielder Jay Harris was a summer signing. Starting out at Everton, he had a couple of seasons at Accrington, before moving onto Chester City. He then spent five years at Wrexham, scoring 20 goals in over 200 appearances.

He was with Tranmere Rovers when they regained their league status and then had a season at Macclesfield before rejoining Wrexham in January 2020.

Mitch Duggan is a defensive midfielder. A Tranmere Junior he had loans at Marine and Warrington, before joining our hosts permanently in July 2018. 

He has been out on loan at Flint and Southport, but is now back at Warrington and part of their first team squad.

Left back Eddie Clarke is another former Tranmere junior, but is currently on the injured list. He joined Fleetwood in July 2018, and after loans at Macclesfield and Stockport, was released to join Warrington in November last year. Like Duggan he also had a loan spell at Flint earlier this year too.

On loan from Preston, young left back Lewis Coulton also had a loan spell at Bamber Bridge before coming to Warrington in January. He is also in the Scotland Under 19 squad.

Winger Jack Mackreth came from Bala Town in the summer. He is yet another former Tranmere junior. He had a brief spell at Hyde, before longer spells at Barrow, Macclesfield and Grimsby. 

Then return trips to Tranmere and Macclesfield followed, with a short stay at Bury and he spent most 0f 2017/18 at Wrexham, before coming to Warrington in 2018. He went to Bala in February and was back at Warrington to start this season.

Striker Jordan Buckley was another one of a number of Warrington players who spent the early months of last year in Welsh football. Previously at Irlam, he signed from FC United in January 2020, and then went to Flint in February before heading back to Warrington in July.

Bohan Dixon is a midfielder who started out in the Welsh League with Connah’s Quay. He quickly moved on to Buckley Town, before dropping back into local football in Liverpool.

He was then signed by Hednesford Town in August 2011, moving to Burscough before dropping back to local league level. But a year later he was spotted by Accrington and his career was on the rise again.

After a loan at Marine he joined Lincoln City, but quickly moved on via Northwich, Salford City, Stalybridge Celtic, AFC Fylde, Halifax, Stockport and Ashton, before finally arriving at Warrington in September 2018.

Striker Dom Reid is a returnee, after played for Warrington a couple of seasons ago. An ex Rochdale youth player, he has also played for Bootle, AFC Fylde, Prescot Cables and Marine before coming to Warrington in 2018. He then moved to City of Liverpool and made his return pre-season.

Josh Amis is yet another Warrington player who had a spell in the Welsh League with Flint, before returning in the summer. Originally a Preston junior, he had loans at Stockport and Northwich, before the latter became permanent. 

The young striker then returned to Stockport and after spells at Altrincham and Marine signed initially for Warrington in July 2018.

Midfielder Ben Hough was picked up from Oldham Athletic in the summer, after he had signed for the Latics as a 10 year old from Runcorn Linnets.

Sean Williams is a well-travelled and experienced midfielder who started out at Stockport County. Stops at Vauxhall Motors, Hyde, Colwyn Bay, Halifax, Altrincham, Hinckley, Hednesford and Telford preceded his first stop at Warrington in 2016. He then went back to Altrincham, before returning to Warrington last November.

Matty Regan is an ex England under 16, 17 and 18 international who started out at Liverpool’s Academy. He then joined Nottingham Forest, before going to Tamworth on his release.

The centre back had more loans at Hednesford and Worcester City, before joining Stalybridge in 2014. Further moves to Colwyn Bay, Curzon Ashton and Farsley Celtic, preceded his arrival at Warrington. He is however, currently out injured.

Evan Gumbs is another centre back who started out at Tranmere. He went to Bradford PA on loan and his first spell at Warrington was on loan too. After his release from Tranmere in August 2020, he had six more months at Warrington before joining Flint Town.

He was back again after a few months and after a loan at Runcorn, he has stayed at Warrington since November last year.

Spanish midfielder Stefan Mols was a new signing for this season, having been released by Blackburn Rovers in July.

Luke Duffy is another attacking midfielder, who was signed in September 2020 from Lower Breck FC, he has also been part of Salford City’s development side.

Striker or winger Isaac Buckley-Ricketts is currently on loan from Southport. An ex Manchester City Junior he was loaned to Oxford United and FC Twente in the Netherlands.

On his release he had a year with Peterborough United, before joining Southport last year after two years out of the game.

Matt Grivosti was another young striker found in local football, before being signed up pre-season. 

In the last week our hosts have signed goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw and striker Michael Howard.

Former Oldham Junior Ollerenshaw had loans at Mossley and Northwich before joining Colwyn Bay on his release.

Spells at Hyde, Altrincham, Ashton and Avro FC followed, before rejoining Ashton in January, from where Warrington have signed him.

Striker Michael Howard started at Preston, with loans at Cork City, Hednesford and Stalybridge. Following his release he went to Morecambe, before moving on to Marine, Skelmersdale and finally Warrington.

Kick off as usual will be 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

It was back on the road for Mickleover following last following Saturday’s home draw, with a visit to Bamber Bridge.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ethan Mann 5-Phil Watt 6-George Atwal 7-Ben Radcliffe 8-George Milner 9-Shaquille McDonald 10-Callum Niven 11-Andrew Wright. Subs: Kai Moore, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Kemy Agustien, Andy Dales, Will Robinson.

As in last Saturday’s game Sports conceded an early goal when Nathan Pond headed, home following a free kick after Walker had fouled. 0-1.

Mickleover were favouring the long ball leaving McDonald and Niven to chase. But the home defence had it covered most of the time, until McDonald got a shot in after 10 minutes following a run from Radcliffe.

Radcliffe then had a shot himself from outside the box just wide.

The hosts were being given far too much time on the ball unchallenged, but alternatively harassed Mickleover whenever they had possession.

There was more pressure from Bamber but Atwal played the ball well out of defence, which sent McDonald on another run.

But keeper Hudson came out to intercept and there was a defensive mix-up, which almost handed the ball back to McDonald.

But Bamber were soon on the attack again with Spinelli firing a long shot well over the bar after 28 minutes.

Only a couple of minutes later Spinelli was on the ball again with far too much space. He picked his spot and buried the ball in Hedge’s right-hand corner, 0-2.

Bamber were in control and seeking to extend their lead further, with Pond heading just wide.

But after 36 minutes the fightback was on, McDonald ran onto a long ball from Wright, and placed his shot out of Hudson’s reach 1-2.

Martin had another try for Bamber but was well wide, before Sinclair’s cross found Strawn, whose shot found the side netting. So it remained 1-2 into the half-time break.

Mickleover made two changes for the second half, with Davidson-Miller and Moore on for McDonald and Niven.

Radcliffe had another strong run after 47 minutes, with a shot just wide again, after his charge from the halfway line.

Moore then joined Mann in referee’s book for an innocuous challenge, but was then able to fire in a cracking shot after a Dolan run, but it was straight at keeper Hudson.

Atwal began to bring the ball out more as his confidence grew, only for his progress to be thwarted by a trip.

But hosts were firing more random shots, which Watt and Mann were able to block, apart from one shot over the bar.

Dales came on for Milner on the hour, but after 61 minutes Yeates almost broke through the defence, before Watt came to the rescue.

Mickleover got close to equalising 72 minutes in, when a telling run from Davidson-Miller found Dales, whose shot was saved by Hudson, before Radcliffe’s rebound shot was saved too.

During the second half the referee became somewhat whistle happy as a couple of the hosts hit the deck somewhat easily, which resulted in Dolan being booked too.

Hedge made a great diving save after 65 minutes to keep Yeates shot out, before Dales got a break with Davidson-Miller on another positive run, but his cross from the right was blocked.

A minute later Spinelli shot straight at Hedge as it continued end to end, with Skinner next to try, before seeing his shot saved.

Dales was causing more and more problems for our hosts and on 76 minutes he was on the end of another clearance. His shot went across the face of the goal, before being deflected out, but the referee awarded a goal kick?

Only a minute later Dales was at it again, finding Radcliffe, whose shot was tipped away by Hudson.

Mickleover continued to build the pressure on the home defence, doing everything but score. But 80 minutes in and it finally came. 

Another Dales break found Wright, whose initial shot was blocked, before Radcliffe fired in the rebound and was deflected passed Hudson by Moore, for his first senior goal, 2-2.

With seven minutes left Dolan went into a tackle, which left the Bamber player seeking a late Oscar nomination. The referee fell for it and a second yellow card became a red, the second time in the last month that Dolan has been the victim of bad refereeing.

The final minutes were very scrappy as Bamber still sought the three points. But Mickleover stood firm and headed home down the M6 with their point secured.

by Peter Scherer

Tonight we visit Bamber Bridge in the previously postponed game. Our hosts are currently ninth in the table following their 1-0 victory at Basford last Saturday.

Back in September we went down 0-1 to Bamber when they visited the Don Amott Arena, so with the recent return to form and the point hard earned point against FC United last Saturday, hopes will be high for further success.

Our hosts at the Tom Finney Stadium started the season well but have dropped out of the play-off places during the second half of the season.

Unusually they have secured more points away from home than at home and have only secured eight points since New Year.

They have used over 20 players so far this season and have rarely fielded an unchanged team.

Let’s take a look at their squad.

Matthew Hudson is currently first choice goalkeeper, a loan signing from Preston North End. He has previously been loaned out to Bury and spent a month a Bamber Bridge back in 2020.

James Cottam is second choice keeper, a former Preston North End junior too, who was signed from Barnoldswick last October.

Former Blackpool junior left back Luke Higham made one first team appearance for the Seasiders. He had loans at Nuneaton and Telford before his release, after which he was at Fleetwood, with a further loan at FC United. He came to Bamber Bridge October 2020 from Lancaster and has recently had a spell at Marine.

Nathan Pond is a vastly experienced central defender, whose career began at Lancaster City in 2003. He then had seven years at Fleetwood including loans at Kendal Town and Grimsby, before joining Salford City in 2018.

After two years he moved on to Fylde and joined our hosts from Telford last October.

 Midfielder Craig Carney was signed from Matlock in September. He started out at Lancaster, and has journeyed via Stockport, Marine, FC United and Warrington.

Chris Churchman is a midfielder who started out at Stockport. After a loan at Buxton he briefly joined Macclesfield, before stops at Connah’s Quay and Clitheroe and arrived at Bamber in July 2018 from Hyde.

Irish born winger Mark Yeates has a wealth of experience behind him, since starting out at Tottenham Hotspur in 2002.

Four first team games for Spurs and loans at Brighton, Swindon, Colchester, Hull and Leicester, preceded his release in 2007 and a permanent move to Championship/League One Colchester, scoring 21 goals in 81 games.

He played in the Championship with Middlesbrough, Sheffield Utd and Watford, before moving to Bradford City, Oldham, Blackpool and Notts County, finally going non league with Eastleigh in 2017, after 500 senior appearances and over 50 goals. He came to Bamber from Fylde in September 2020 and is also a Republic of Ireland Under 21 International.

Left midfielder Isaac Sinclair is the son of well know ex Pro Trevor. He joined Bamber from Curzon Ashton in September 2020, and has also played for AFC Blackpool, Squires Gate and Longridge.

Danny Forbes has been at Bamber since 2017, when the midfielder arrived from Kendal Town. He served his apprenticeship at Preston North End.

Winger Finley Sinclair-Smith is another Blackpool graduate. He had loan spells at Marine and Widnes before his release, moving on to Longridge Town. After almost two years at FC United, he signed for Bamber last September.

Defender Macauley Wilson was a junior at both Manchester Utd and Blackpool. He was first loaned to Bamber in 2016 and also to Fylde, until his release June 2017, when he became a permanent Bamber Bridge player. He also captains the side.

Right back Callum Spooner spent his earlier career with Bolton Wanderers. He was loaned to Stalybridge and joined Atherton on his release in in 2017 and has been with our hosts since October 2018.

Matty Thomson had five years at Chester before joining Bamber in October 2020. Primarily a right back, he started out at Tranmere.

Aaron Skinner arrived in November last year after a couple of years at Tottenham Hotspur. A centre back or midfielder he was also at Bury and Bolton Academies earlier in his career.

Sheldon Green is a striker who has alternated between Bamber and Fylde over the last few seasons. But last August he became a permanent Bamber Bridge player.

Jake Thompson is a recent signing from Ramsbottom. The striker started out at Huddersfield Town and has also played for Liversedge and scored on his Bamber Bridge.

Rhys Turner is a recent signing. He started out at Preston and Lancaster’s Academies before Oldham signed him from Stockport’s Academy and loaned him to York City, and Macclesfield, before he joined Morecambe on his release.

He was loaned to Stockport, moving on to Barrow and Stockport Town, before Bamber signed him from Lancaster. He scored six goals in his 66 appearances in leagues one and two.

Jacob Holland-Wilkinson is coming to the end of his loan from Preston North End. The young striker had also been loaned to Fylde.

Adam Dawson is a well-travelled winger who started at Bury, before moving to Wigan in 2012. He was loaned to Accrington and was with FC United and Barrow, before Leicester City signed him 2013.

After loans at Notts County, Nuneaton and Bristol Rovers, his release then found him at Kidderminster. Moving on to a loan at Tranmere, then Eastleigh and back to Tranmere. He was loaned to Darlington and then played at Telford and Macclesfield before a year in Cyprus with Achyronas Liopetriou. He then had a short stay at Radcliffe before arriving at Bamber Bridge in December.

Midfielder Paul Dawson arrived from Lancaster City in November, having previously been at Bamber Bridge a few years earlier after coming in from Kendal Town.

Dan Martin is another young loanee. The midfielder has been a regular starter during his time away from Accrington and has recently had his loan extended.

Sam Billington was a Liverpool, Junior before arriving at Bamber in 2020. 

Bamber Bridge have recently taken three loanees. Kevin Spinelli is from Accrington, who also has a pre-Christmas spell at Radcliffe and on deadline day they took winger Jake Daniels and midfielder Joe Strawn from Blackpool’s youth team squad.

Kick off is at 7.45pm.