by Peter Scherer

Having returned to winning ways Mickleover will be looking for another three points to secure their safety as the NPL season conclusion approaches.

Stalybridge Celtic our hosts tomorrow night are currently one point and one place behind Mickleover in 19^th place, having played the same number of games.

While Mickleover picked up three points from the home win over Matlock last Saturday, Stalybridge had a 0-0 draw at bottom club Grantham.

With only one win in the last seven games and one goal in the last four, they are desperate to succeed on home turf, so a tough game awaits us.

Northern Ireland Under 21 International goalkeeper Liam Hughes had been first choice, but having returned from Injury Grant Shenton has recently claimed the place. 

Having been part of Portadown’s first team squad from the age of 15, Hughes joined Glasgow Celtic in 2018, moving  to England in February last year with Liverpool.

He arrived at Stalybridge in January and is on loan from the Reds until the end of the season.

Shenton arrived from Buxton in July 2021, having spent two years there after arriving from Chester. He also played for Trafford and Ramsbottom, having started out at FC United. He had a previous spell at Stalybridge five years ago too.

Matthew Liptrott is primarily a midfielder, who can also play in defence. He is on loan from Blackpool, having previously been loaned out to Prescot Cables.

Left back Ashley Smith-Brown was capped by England at Under 16, 17,18,19 and 20, during his time in Manchester City’s Academy, which spanned 17 years.

He was loaned out NAC Breda, Hearts and Oxford Utd, before joining Plymouth Argyle on his release in July 2018.

After a loan spell at Oldham he was released at Plymouth, having played 36 senior games for the Pilgrims.

He arrived at Stalybridge in August 2021, after spells at South Shields and Farsley.

Our hosts  captain is Sam Wedgbury, a central midfielder who started out at Worcester City, before being picked up by Sheffield Utd. After a loan spell at Mansfield, he had a year in Hungary with Ferencvaros, before the Blades released him in July 2010.

He then moved on to Macclesfield, Altrincham, Stevenage, Forest Green, Wrexham and Chesterfield, before arriving at Stalybridge from Buxton in July last year.

Centre back Connor O’Grady is a Republic of Ireland Under 21 International. He was a Sheffield Wednesday Junior until July 2019, when he joined Buxton. He is now in his second season at Stalybridge. But has recently been out injured.

Defender or midfielder Keenan Quansah was another player that arrived at Stalybridge in July 2021. He started his career at Accrington Stanley, before moving to Burscough in 2016.

He soon moved on again spending a year at Mossley, returning after three months with Hyde, finally coming to our hosts after almost three years with Glossop.

Callum Harris is an experienced midfielder, who played in Manchester City and Blackburn’s Academy, before a spell in the Nike Academy at St Georges Park.

He then joined Wolves, before venturing abroad, firstly with Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, returning to the Belgian third tier club again in March 2018 after two months in Trinidad with Central FC.

He came to Stalybridge in September 2020, after a year in Spain with Real Burgos.

Dougie Nyaupembe originally came to Stalybridge on loan from Bury in 2019. After a loan at Hyde he was released from Bury and joined Atherton. He was at Radcliffe before his recent return to Stalybridge.

Defender or midfielder Stephen Brogan was a Rotherham Junior, during which time he was loaned to Stalybridge in 2005, plus Alfreton and then joined our hosts permanently in 2011.

His further moves have taken him to Guiseley, Forest Green, Southport, Gainsborough, North Ferriby, Boston and Spennymoor, before arriving at Stalybridge from Buxton in July last year. 

Centre back  Derek Ubah only arrived at Stalybridge a couple of weeks ago from Bedford Town. He started out at Boston Utd, before a move to the Netherlands with SC Grevenmacher.  After a spell with Maldon & Tiptree he went to IFK Mora in Sweden for six months. 

He has also had spells at Belper Town between his time at Bedford.

Charley Doyle is another centre back who can play midfield. He came straight to Stalybridge in September 2020 from the Blackburn Academy.

Josh Edwards is a defender who made his debut in last Saturday’s game at Grantham and Khalid Kharufa is defender just moved into the first team squad from the Academy.

Danny Adigun is another defender new to the first team squad, similarly striker Connor Falls on loan from Huddersfield, goalkeeper Connor Leach

Angolan born Raul Correia is our hosts top striker. Starting out in local football, he moved on to Cheadle Heath Nomads and Radcliffe, before stepping up with Chorley.

His next move was Trafford, before a return to Radcliffe. He was at Blackpool for a year, after they signed him from Radcliffe, but after loans at Guiseley and York City, he made a permanent move to Barrow in July 2018, having made one senior appearance for the seasiders.

After another year he moved to Southport and then into the Welsh League with Bala Town, before signing for Stalybridge only four weeks ago from Aberystwyth.

Winger Justin Johnson started his career in his native Netherlands, with three years at the Sparta Rotterdam Academy, before coming to the UK with Manchester Utd.

After moving onto FC United, he then moved to Scotland with Dundee Utd, but was released in 2017 after a loan at York City.

He played for Othellos Athienou and Akritas Chlorakas in Cyprus, but then returned to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals, after scoring 24 goals in 37 appearances in Cyprus. He came to Stalybridge last September from Morton.

Ethan Padden is a midfielder who came to Stalybridge from Buxton last summer. A former Chesterfield youth team player who has played for Glossop North End too.

Defender Shane Killock started out at Ossett before joining Huddersfield Town. He made one first team appearance for the Terriers, before being loaned to Hyde and Harrogate. He then had another loan at Oxford Utd, before a permanent move in 2009.

Moving onto Telford Utd, where he made over 130 appearances he also captained the side. Loans at Harrogate Guiseley followed before moves to Hyde, Bradford PA and Boston Utd. He then had a season at Alfreton before joining Buxton, arriving at Stalybridge in June last year. 

Midfielder Gedeao Varela has recently arrived from Kendal Town, he also played at St Helens and Glossop.

Young winger Aaron Grewal is another new arrival, coming from West Didsbury and Chorlton. He has also played for Curzon Ashton.

Midfielder Matty Jones is a product of their own youth scheme and made his first team debut in October.

Jay Fitzmartin is a young winger on loan from Bolton Wanderers. It’s his second spell at Stalybridge his first having been cut short by injury.

Midfielder Sam McLintock is another loanee, from Halifax. He has spent most of his career with Alvechurch and was loaned back to them after joining the Shaymen.

Assistant to manager Simon Haworth, Republic of Ireland International Stephen O’Halloran is massively experienced. He started at Aston Villa, and played for Wycombe, Southampton, Leeds, Swansea, Coventry and Carlisle until moving into non-league with Nuneaton in 2012.

He also played for Stockport, Salford and FC United, before coming to Stalybridge in July 2019.

Kick off at Bower Fold is at 7.45pm and John McGrath and the team would be delighted to see as many Mickleover fans as possible.

by Lewis Radbourne, Junior Journo

After only one point from the last three matches Mickleover got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over promotion-chasing local rivals Matlock Town at the Don Amott arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Radcliffe 9-Shaquille McDonald 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Goerge Milner. Subs: George Atwal, Andrew Wright, Pablo Mills, Callum Niven, Kai Moore.

Matlock had the first chance of the game within the first three minutes, when their young keeper Joe Young threw a ball quickly down the left-hand side, falling to Ross Hannah, who picked it up on the half-turn, but his shot was deflected wide. 

Sports then started getting a foothold in the game, when  McDonald blazed a chance high and wide after some good work down the right-hand side.

The home side then had some great build up play down the left wing, with left-back Dolan skipping past three Matlock players with ease, before putting in a low cross for McDonald, only for his mishit shot falling for Radcliffe, who shot wide. 

Despite Sports growing in the half, Matlock were not without their chances. Hannah yet again with another chance, this time a half-volley from the left-hand side of the box, but it went straight into the hands of Sports keeper Hedge. 

One minute later and Mickleover penalty shouts were waved away after it appeared to the players that McDonald had been fouled inside the box, but a free-kick was given instead, which McDonald took himself, but it flashed just wide of the post. 

Two minutes later and Sports took the lead through veteran striker Beavon, when he put in a rebound from close range after Dales’ shot was initially blocked. 1-0.

It was a fairly quiet end to the first half, with Matlock having one chance after the goal, with some neat play down the right from Marcus Marshall and Alex Byrne, before a cross was put to the back post for Reece Kendall to head just wide. 

Mickleover took the 1-0 lead into half-time, but were on the back foot at the start of the second half, when the visitors almost equalised, when Ryan Qualter rose highest from a free-kick, only for his header to force an excellent reflex save from Hedge. 

Like the first-half Mickleover then again started to get a foothold in the second half, and on the hour mark almost made it two, when McDonald hit the post after a fantastic counter-attack from Sports, when Dales squared it for McDonald from the right-hand side, only for the striker to miss a near open goal.  

Matlock were not out of it though, and nearly bounced back themselves just minutes afterwards, when Kendall struck again, when the ball fell to him inside the box, only for his shot to sting the hands of Hedge in the Sports net. 

Mickleover then went down the other end and got their two-goal lead through loanee Radcliffe, who got on the end of a McDonald cross and headed the ball right into the top-left corner to double Sports’ lead. 2-0.

The away side were quick to respond however, pegging Mickleover back just four minutes later, when a goalmouth scramble ended up in Ioan Evans managing to score to half the deficit. 2-1.

In what was a noticeably quiet end to the match like it had been in the first half, but it meant that Mickleover held on for their first win in four games.

The result means Mickleover move up the table two places to 18^th, whilst Matlock’s promotion chances are damaged as they now fall seven points behind league leaders Buxton.

Sports are in action on Tuesday night when they visit Stalybridge Celtic , kick off 7.45pm.

by Peter Scherer

Matlock Town are currently third in the NPL and still have hopes of taking the title and gaining promotion.

But them form over the last month or so has been far from title winning. With only one win in the last eight games, they went down 0-1 at home to Atherton last Saturday.

When Mickleover visited Causeway Lane in October, they were unlucky to come away on the wrong end of 0-1 defeat. But three points critical for both sides, with Sports having only taken one point from the last three games.

Wolves loanee Joe Young has been first choice in goal for Matlock since arriving in January. The 20 year old also had a loan spell at Runcorn Linnets last year.

Former Shrewsbury Town Junior Shaun Rowley had been first choice keeper until he was injured. Now fit again he is on a dual registration with Wythenshawe. During his time at Shrewsbury , he had a few months on loan at Watford, as well as spells at Halesowen, Chorley and Tamworth. 

After seven years at Shrewsbury he was released in 2018 and then spent a year each at Halifax Town and Solihull Moors. After a couple of months at Kettering, he came to Matlock in September 2020.

Defender  Reece Kendall made history when he  was signed from Brighouse Town, as he was the first player the Yorkshire club had ever received a fee for. He played at Hyde and Silsden before going to Brighouse, having started out in their own under 21 side. He has recently been selected as part of the England C team too.

Adam  Yates  in his 13th full season with Matlock having joined them from Shirebrook Town in March 2009 following an impressive performance against Matlock in the 2008/09 Derbyshire Senior Cup semi final. With 500 appearances for the first team underlining his tremendous consistency, mainly as a central defender, he has also played as a full back or in midfield.

 He started out as a youth player with Chesterfield before joining Belper Town. He was voted fans player of the year in 2012/13, 2015/16, 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Former Welsh under 17 and under 19 international centre back or defensive midfielder  Ioan Evans  arrived from Stalybridge Celtic last summer. A former Newport Academy player he had a spell at Sheffield United and was loaned to Boston Utd, before joining Gainsborough Trinity. Moving on to Tadcaster, he spent one year with them before starting this season at Stalybridge. 

Centre Back Ryan Qualter came to Matlock in summer 2020 from Alfreton Town. He started his career at Ossett Town and then joined Bradford PA and had a loan spell at Scarborough, before spells at Shaw Lane and Boston Utd preceded his move to Alfreton.

Mark Lees is an experienced defender or midfielder. He had played for Hyde, Altrincham and Stalybridge, before moving on to Stockport County, Telford and Ashton Utd. He came to Matlock summer 2020 after a spell at Mossley.

Winger Alex Byrne has been at Matlock since March 2020. He began at Warrington, before moving to Buxton in Autumn 2019, having previously played for both Shaw Lane and Gainsborough Trinity. 

Alex Wiles started his career as a midfielder at Rotherham, before his release sent him to Stocksbridge Park Steels. His next stop was Tadcaster before joining Gainsborough, from where Matlock signed him in pre-season. 

Liam Hughes is a well travelled midfielder, having started as a junior at Scunthorpe and Cambridge Utd. After a short spell at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, he returned to England with Barrow and has since played at Guiseley, Billericay, Darlington, Gainsborough, Stratford Town, Bradford PA and Frickley, before arriving at Matlock last summer. He had a loan at Kettering but has been with Matlock full time again since February last year.

 Marcus Marshall is a winger that started out at Blackburn Rovers. He made one senior appearance, as well as gaining experience with loans at League Two Rotherham and Macclesfield.

He then joined Bury in League One, but was loaned out to Grimsby Town, before moving on to Morecambe, Lincoln City, Boston Utd, Coalville, Alfreton, Hyde and Basford, from where he joined Matlock in January this year.

Winger Terry Hawkridge played junior football at Barnsley and Tranmere, before returning to Nottinghamshire with Carlton Town. Spells at Hucknall and Gainsborough followed before he joined Scunthorpe Utd. Three seasons with the Irons preceded loans at Mansfield and Lincoln, before a permanent move to Lincoln. 

Stays at Notts County, Solihull and Boston Utd followed before arriving at Basford earlier this season. He came to Matlock in January in a double transfer with Marcus Marshall.

Callum Chippendale is another attacking midfielder who went to Bradford PA after his release from Barnsley Juniors. Moves to Boston, Gainsborough and Shaw Lane followed, before joining Buxton in early 2018. He came to Matlock July 2020, from Buxton. 

Ross Hannah was a junior striker at both Sheffield Utd and Wednesday. He then joined Worksop Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels, with loans at Gainsborough and Belper Town, before a permanent move to Gainsborough. 

He was at Hednesford and Belper before his first spell at Matlock  from 2008 to 2011 during which time he won the NPL Golden Boot. Moving onto Bradford City where he played in League Two, then Halifax, Grimsby, Chester, Barrow and Southport , before returning to Gainsborough as player manager. After a spell at Cleethorpes he came back to Matlock in  November 2020.

Midfielder Luke Daly came to the Gladiators in November last year. He came out of Burnley’s Academy, before moving to Droylsden, South Shields and Curzon Ashton.

Striker Reece Webb-Foster is a graduate of Bradford City’s Academy. He was loaned to Bradford Park Avenue, Guiseley and Harrogate, before joining Colne following his release. After a spell at Lancaster he rejoined Colne, before arriving at Causeway Lane last month.

Riece Bertam is a recent arrival from Belper Town. He came to Belper after spells at Carlton,Ilkeston and Basford.

Jesurun  Uchegbulam is another midfielder who came to Matlock during the summer. He started in the junior teams at AC Milan, and has played for Mossley and Stockport and is a former Bolton Wanderers junior 

Kayde Coppin is a player coach at Matlock. The striker has played at Flixton, Trafford, Northwich Victoria, Rossendale United, Atherton LR, Bacup Borough and Glossop North End. He has reached the play-offs with Mossley, Ashton United and Buxton and has also managed Manchester Ladies between 2014 and 2016. He came to Matlock summer 2020

Jamie Sharman is a young centre back who came to Matlock last summer after his release from Chesterfield, and Finlay Phillips is another young defender on the fringe  of the first team.

Liam King is midfielder back at Matlock for a second time. He was at Rotherham as a junior, and had a loan spell at Altrincham before a permanent move to Matlock in July 2012. After four years service he joined North Ferriby and moved on to Halifax, Gainsborough, Frickley and Grantham. He managed Gainsborough for a while too, and came back to Matlock last summer.

Kick off is 3pm at the Don Amott Arena.

by Peter Scherer

Two goals in four minutes, spanning the half time break ended any hopes Mickleover had of returning home with any points from their trip to Morpeth.

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

Mickleover were straight into the attack from the kick off, with Dales shooting from long distance after only two minutes, but his effort was easily taken by keeper Lowson.

But the hosts proved to be just as keen with Noble’s effort over the bar on eight minutes and Andrew Johnson putting a curling ball just passed the post a minute later, after Dales had just failed to send Milner on a run.

Dales pace was causing problems for Morpeth captain Jeff Henderson and he was able to send in another shot, after picking up a long clearance from Hedge, earning another corner.

Agustien then fired in an angled shot which was well saved by Lowson and then attempted to send Beavon on a run, only to be flagged offside barely into the Morpeth half.

Mills tried a long shot after 15 minutes just over, before a Dales shot was blocked and Beavon’s attempt at the rebound sent a scuffed shot straight to Lowson.

Mickleover’s efforts goalwards were coming thick and fast, as Wright had a shot 18 minutes in, but once again failed trouble the keeper.

Although Morpeth were managing to progress, their final pass seemed to be missing any obvious target and as Mickleover’s midfield of Agustien, Radcliffe, Wright and Milner took control Dolan began to move further forward and Beavon had another shot just wide.

Johnson led a good attack for the hosts after 21 minutes, but had no support available, but a couple of minutes later Lowson was forced to charge off his line to clear, only to send it straight into Mickleover’s possession, before giving away a free kick.

Agustien’s kick failed to trouble the defence, but was followed by a good run from Ramsey, cutting inside after beating Dolan. The final shot was blocked before the danger was cleared

There was another chance for Dales after 27 minutes, when a build up from Wright to Beavon, found Dales head, but his effort was over the bar again.

It was Dales causing more troubleon the half hour, again outpacing Henderson, before his cross failed to find a Mickleover shirt.

There was a little skirmish between Mills and striker Liam Henderson, in which the latter seemed to fall to the ground twice, neither impressing the referee.

But Morpeth had started to push forward again and won a corner off Mills, which Noble took and was headed clear by Radcliffe.

Johnson had the ball in the net for Morpeth after 37 minutes but was flagged offside and then Noble tried from long range, but failed to trouble Hedge.

With five minutes left of the first half, a lob from Beavon cleared the perimeter wall, but with the whistle almost poised Johnson got the ball with acres of space the right, cut inside and fired a shot into the far corner beyond Hedge’s reach, 0-1 after 44 minutes.

Almost from the restart Donaldson broke again for Morpeth and fired a shot over the bar as he was relatively unchallenged.

Radcliffe tried to respond with a long shot just passed the post, but they went in 0-1 down, which didn’t really reflect the half’s play.

Barely had the second half kicked off and Liam Henderson made it 0-2, with Sports defence wide open again on right, allowing a cut back and shot from close range.

Wright had a shot blocked as Mickleover tried to fight back, but Morpeth were much sharper than in the first half.

After Beavon had another attempt blocked, Ramsey got a break, but his final ball just missed the following strikers, but still earned a corner.

Agustien floated a ball goalwards onto the roof of the net and after 55 minutes Dolan started a move to Dales and Milner, before they back tracked and rebuilt from defence, with Radcliffe trying another long shot.

Just before the hour mark Hedge was tested by a free kick which was just over and then Butler had to clear the lines after another run from Ramsey.

Morpeth had started to look fairly comfortable, but with 63 minutes on the clock, Milner was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Keeper Lowson was booked for dissent before Wright stepped up to take the kick. The keeper got a hand to the ball but couldn’t stop it from crossing the line, 1-2.

Suddenly the pattern of the game had changed and it was Mickleover pushing for an equaliser.

Wright had a shot pushed over by Lowson after 66 minutes and with Milner in a more attacking role, things looked positive.

The tide soon turned again when Morpeth had a 75^th minute free kick. Johnson received the ball and put it across the face of the goal. Hedge got a hand to it but Henderson put it home 1-3.

Mickleover went for a double substitution with seven minutes left, bringing on Davidson-Miller and debutant Moore, for Dales and Beavon, before calls for a Morpeth penalty fell on deaf ears, with Mills clearing.

Atwal came on for Agustien for the final couple of minutes, but it was a disappointing result after some early promise and sees Sports back down to 20^th place, with local rivals Matlock Town next up at the Don Amott Arena.

After scoring late on against Stafford Rangers on Tuesday night, loanee midfielder Ben Radcliffe is looking ahead to Saturday as we face Morpeth Town at the Don Amott Arena.

Despite scoring, Radcliffe was disappointed not to come away with three points.

It was a tough game to be fair,

said Radcliffe.

I think we deserved the draw. Obviously, getting the goal was nice, my second one for Mickleover, but I was disappointed not to get all three points, to be honest. I feel like it’s a game we could have won, but it’s nice to get a goal.

After a training session on Thursday night in preparation for Saturday, Radcliffe described the training as “competitive”.

It’s been good every second to be fair, we’re flying. We are doing lots of bits for Saturday, hopefully going in with confidence off the back of Tuesday and hopefully, we will put in another good performance.

The 18-year-old is confident of getting back to winning ways on Saturday though, saying that previous performances they have shown this season show that the team can beat anyone in this division on their day.

You’ve seen it with the South Shields game, Scarborough as well which was a good performance, and I would say with Stafford as well. We’ve put good performances in against good teams, we are a good footballing team. I feel like we shouldn’t be where we should be, we should be higher up the league, but we will just go in and play our best game.

by Peter Scherer

Having secured a valuable point at Stafford on Tuesday evening, it’s long trip for Mickleover this weekend when they visit 10^th placed Morpeth Town in the NPL.

Craig Lynch’s side have had a very up and down season after a bad start, to sit mid table for much of the year.

They beat Warrington at home on Tuesday night 2-0 having gone down 2-3 at bottom of the table Grantham only three days earlier.

They have also had recent wins at home to title challengers South Shields and Buxton, but lost to Nantwich.

They have a fairly large squad with Keeper Dan Lowson, who originally came to Morpeth on loan from Spennymoor, but made his move permanent from July 2018. He previously played Ilkeston, Blyth Spartans, Alfreton and Celtic Nation.

Joe Walton is another ex Spennymoor player, having won the FA Vase with the club. A play anywhere versatile sort of player with a good eye for goal.

Long serving defender Michael Turner should reach the 200 appearances mark for the Highwaymen this season. He joined them from South Shields when they were Northern League Division One side.

Defensive midfielder or centre back, Ben Sayer has spent all of his career in the North East. Originally at Blyth Spartans, he came to Morpeth from Spennymoor in November 2014.

Skipper and solid defender Jeff Henderson was a Newcastle Utd youth player, before joining Gateshead in 2011. He then moved to Ireland with Sligo, where he stayed for three years. Back to England with Stobswood, from where he joined Morpeth in July 2018.

Centre back Callum Morris was another Newcastle Junior, who joined Blyth Spartans on his release. A short spell in Spain with Jerez Industrial preceded a season with Hayes & Yeading Utd. But his more recent career has been spent in Scotland, at Dunfermline, Dundee Utd and Aberdeen. 

He signed for Morpeth in summer 2020 after three years at Ross County and is capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under 19 and Under 21.

Striker Jack Foalle came to Morpeth from Whitley Bay in October 2018 where he was a prolific goal scorer.

Liam Noble is a midfielder with lots of experience. The former Sunderland youth player had a loan spell at Carlisle before making his move permanent in January 2012. After 99 appearances for the League One side, he joined Notts County in 2014. 

After a year at Forest Green Rovers he returned to Meadow Lane, before joining Hartlepool, from where he arrived at Morpeth last season, with over 250 League appearances under his belt.

Striker Liam Henderson is a former Hartlepool and Watford Academy player who played 21 times for Hornets, before loans at Wealdstone, Hartlepool, Colchester, Aldershot and Rotherham, racking up experience in Leagues One and two. 

Following his release he joined York City and moved on via Forest Green, Gainsborough and Gateshead and has been at Morpeth since June 2016.

Connor Oliver is a midfielder who started out at Sunderland, and was loaned out to Hartlepool before joining Blackpool on his release. He was then loaned to Morecambe before joining North Ferriby in 2016.

Further moves took him to Halifax and Blyth Spartans, before arriving at Morpeth from Gateshead in August 2020.

Winger or midfielder, Ryan Donaldson came out of the Newcastle Academy, where he captained the Magpies Youth Cup side. He gained League One experience with loans at Hartlepool and Tranmere, before spending the 2012/13 season at Gateshead.

Three years at Cambridge Utd and one at Plymouth Argyle gave him plenty of league experience, before he made his move to Hartlepool permanent. He was a summer signing for Morpeth and played for England at Under 17 and Under 19 levels.

Striker Andrew Johnson is a former Ashington player, who came to Morpeth from Spennymoor in May 2020. He’s scored seven goals for the club since New Year.

Carl Finnigan is another member of the strike force. He was a Newcastle Utd junior after they signed him from Jarrow, but moved onto Scottish football in 2007 for a six year spell.

Initially at Falkirk, he also played for St Johnstone and Dundee before a move to Chippa Utd in South Africa.

After a year at Gateshead he joined Township Rollers in Botswana, but returned to the UK with South Shields in 2016. He finally arrived at Morpeth in December 2019  from Whickham, before his loan became permanent.

 Wayne Phillips is vastly experienced winger and a double FA Vase winner, once with Spennymoor and once with South Shields. He started at Blyth Spartans and came to Morpeth from South Shields in June 2017.

Sean Taylor is another experienced midfielder with a long career behind him. He spent his early career at Sunderland and had a loan at Blackpool before taking the first of two career breaks ion 2006.

He then played for Ashington and Amble Utd, before arriving at Morpeth in 2012 after a three-year break.

Winger or defender Stephen Forster is an ex Carlisle Utd and Birmingham City player, who first went non-league with West Allotment Celtic and Hebburn Town, before coming to Morpeth in 2015 from Jarrow Roofing.

Defender Chris Reid is another long serving player having signed from Whitley Bay in 2015/16.

Ben Ramsey is a local talent, already attracting interest from League Clubs. The young defender made his first team debut in February 2020 and scored within seconds. He is and ex Park View Academy player now a regular first choice.

Currently on loan from Gateshead defender Ryan Wombwell is another ex Sunderland Academy player, who has also been on loan at Marske Utd.

Sam Hodgson is a midfielder who came from Shildon in 2018, after starting out at South Shields.

James Anderson is the second choice keeper that arrived from Whickham. He is another ex Park View Academy player.

Signed in November from Chester Le Street young striker Jackson Ward, was previously at Morpeth prior to joining Dunston in 2020.

Bailey Geliher and Noah Millington have only recently joined the first team squad, both products of their own youth set up.

Kick off as usual is 3pm

by Peter Scherer

Following the disappointing home defeat to the visiting Scarborough, Mickleover were action at eighth placed Stafford Rangers last night.

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

It was the hosts that started on the attack winning the first corner of the game after three minutes.

Hedge was in action a couple of minutes later collecting another Stafford attack with ease, before another ninth minute effort from Cuff went high and wide over the stand roof.

Mickleover had barely passed the halfway in the first 10 minutes, but suddenly sprung to life with Beavon firing his first effort at keeper Hewelt.

Three minutes later Beavon was chasing a long ball forcing Hewelt to intercept, with his clearance over the stadium wall for a corner.

There was a half chance for McDonald when one of the home defenders fell just outside the box, leaving the Mickleover striker to collect the loose ball. But he was tripped, the ball was cleared but no free kick was awarded.

Warren, Milner and Ravenhill began to get the ball out of midfield more in what had become a fairly scrappy game from both sides.

The general push forward brought another chance for McDonald, but his 19^th minute effort cleared the bar and was followed two minutes later by a similar Stafford effort.

Where as the hosts were favouring long balls and a chase, Mickleover were trying to play their normal game, using debutant Walker and Dolan on the overlap.

Ravenhill was hacked down and needed treatment, he continued for a few minutes before being replaced by Agustien.

Dales was having a fairly quiet game, but his 29^th minute cross from the left found Beavon in the box, he stepped aside for the better positioned McDonald, only to be caught by surprise and failed to connect.

Beavon was then fouled again but Warren’s free kick was blocked, but another free kick soon followed  when Dales was taken down.

For a short while Mickleover were on top but when Butler lost possession after 33 minutes, Stafford had a chance which they failed to maximise.

As Dales runs became more active, he was only stopped in his quest for goal by Ethan Stewart in the 35^th minute, but came straight back to earn a corner after almost finding unmarked Milner.

Stafford began to come back with some random wild shooting from outside the box, before Beavon went down the right and crossed for Agustien, whose effort was blocked.

With half time approaching the hosts had a couple of attacks thwarted, earning a late corner which preceded another shot over the bar.

It wasn’t the most memorable first half, with both sides lacking accuracy and with it clear cut chances.

There were no immediate changes for the second half, but only two minutes in Agustien found Milner whose shot was over.

But Stafford seemed to have started the second half with more urgency and accuracy. With Butler failing to clear an attack after 48 minutes, Dolan managed to block the following barrage, but took a knock to his back and needed treatment.

Dales then got a break after another failed Stafford attack. He ran almost the length of the field before his final cross went straight to a defender.

Sports survived a succession of Stafford corners and when Agustien miskicked in front of the Mickleover goal, the hosts failed to capitalise as they missed it too.

But the 13^th minute of the second half proved unlucky for Mickleover, when after losing possession again on the halfway line, Joe Cuff charged goalwards down the left, beating Hedge on his far post. 0-1 after 58 minutes.

Kaiman Anderson had another long but random shot shot well off target, but after 66 minutes they collected a loose ball after Dolan was caught out, but the cross passed the goal face and any Stafford support.

Mickleover made a double substitution with Dales and McDonald making way for Wright and Davidson-Miller.

77 minutes and Wright had the ball on the edge of the box. His path was blocked, but a cheeky chip came so close to finding Dolan in the box.

Davidson-Miller had an effort saved by Hewelt a minute later, but then a miskick by the Stafford keeper after another Beavon run almost handed a chance to Milner, but the defence recovered just in time.

 Time was running out for the equaliser, and Davidson-Miller tried his luck again with three minutes left as Sports pushed everything forward.

Beavon was virtually through after 88 minutes. His shot was good, but Hewelt made a finger tip save to deny the equaliser.

But with only a minute to go Milner was tripped on the edge of the box and Warren’s free kick found Radcliffe on the left, who rose serenely to head home for 1-1.

Hedge had to make one more save to retain the point and in added time Beavon was almost through again as the final whistle went, 1-1.

by Peter Scherer

There was no game last Saturday for Mickleover but our hosts tomorrow night, Stafford Rangers, had a 1-1 home draw with title contenders South Shields, to continue their unbeaten record for 2022

Over the last two seasons Stafford Rangers have been struggling near the bottom of the NPL, but with neither campaign completed, a resurgence of form and some new additions to Matt Hill’s squad has seen them mid table for most of this season and are currently eighth.

Having had five consecutive wins from the New Year, it was particularly disappointing for Sports to go down to an injury time penalty against Scarborough in their last game.

The visit to Stafford has gained in importance with Mickleover back in 19^th, after rivals in the lower half of the table have accrued points, although there are games in hand over them.

First choice keeper at the moment is Mateusz Hewelt on loan until the end of the season from Tranmere Rovers. A former Shelbourne FC and Everton junior, he returned to his native Poland with Miedz Legnica following his release in 2019.

Two years later he returned to the UK with Bamber Bridge, signed for Tranmere this January and was loaned back Bamber prior to his move to Stafford.

Second choice goalkeeper Luke Pilling is a Welsh International at Under, 19 and 21 levels came to the club back in August 2021 from Notts County, having previously spent five years at Tranmere Rovers, making seven first team appearances. 

He also went on loan to Ashton during his spell on the Wirral.

Tyrell Belford is the third choice keeper, a former Coventry and Liverpool junior who joined Swindon Town in 2013.

After loan at Southport he moved on to Oxford City, Nuneaton, Hinckley and Swindon Supermarine, before  a six month career break in 2018.

He returned with a year at Romulus, before second spells at both Hinckley and Nuneaton. In July 2020 he moved to Stratford Town and a year later arrived at Stafford. He was also capped by England at Under 16 and 17 and Father Dale is the clubs assistant manager. 

Right back Andrew Burns came to Stafford from Bala Town in June last year, having started out at Bolton Wanderers.

His next stop was Bradford City, but after only five months and a loan at Harrogate, he joined Dagenham & Redbridge, who loaned him out to Harlow, Bishops Stortford and Margate, before being released in August 2013.

He was at Barrow for two years and Tamworth for three, before his move to the Welsh League.

Young centre back Joe Dunne came from Rochdale on loan, where he made four senior appearances. He first arrived in December for one month, but his loan has been extended to the end of the season.

Alex Ray-Harvey is a midfielder who started his career at Burnley. He had loans at Fleetwood and Barrow before joining Barrow for a permanent five year stay. After two years with Guiseley he joined Hednesford Town, but after six months made his move to Stafford in July 2019.

Ex Nottingham Forest Junior Centre back Ethan Stewart was loaned to Billericay and Alfreton before being released in July 2020. After nine months with Nuneaton he returned for a short stay at Alfreton, before coming to Stafford in October last year.

Defender or midfielder James O’Neill played his junior football at Telford, before moving into the Welsh League with Newtown. 

He left after one year and was out of the game until signing for Chasetown in July 2017, but returned to Newtown for a second spell in 2020, from where Stafford signed him July last year.

Michael Tait-Moran is an ex Aston Villa Junior striker, who joined Tamworth in September last year. He came to Stafford on loan in November and will be with them until of the season.

Tom Tonks is another midfielder with plenty of experience. Starting out at Tipton Town and Halesowen, he had the first of a number of spells with Stourbridge from July 2015.

He left after three months but was back again only three months later, after a spell at Telford. Further moves to Solihull Moors and Alvechurch were both interspersed with returns to Stourbridge, before arriving at Tamworth in March 2020, from where he joined Stafford July last year.

Striker Kaiman Anderson only arrived at the club a month ago, but is yet to open his scoring account. A former Shrewsbury Junior, he was loaned out to Telford, Halesowen and Oxford City, before joining Southport on his release. He was loaned to Nantwich before joining Stourbridge and spent 18 months there before a two and a half year stay at Leamington preceded his move to Stafford.

Midfielder Alex Fletcher is another ex Shrewsbury Junior in his second spell at Stafford. He had a year with Tividale following his release, before the first of two stays at Welsh League Newtown.

Southport then preceded his arrival at Stafford in October 2017, before a return trip to Newtown after three months.

Stourbridge was the next stop., before a third spell at Newtown in February was followed by his move to Stafford in July.

Joe Cuff was another returnee when he came back to Stafford in July 2020. A winger who originally came to our hosts from Market Drayton in 2018/19, he had a spell back with the Shropshire club before his latest move. He also played for Whitchurch Allport.

Winger Theo Bailey-Jones was at Wrexham as a junior. He was loaned out to Colwyn Bay and joined Macclesfield in 2015. Stays at Stalybridge and Altrincham followed, before his first stop at Stafford in July 2018.

After two years he left for Hyde, from where he returned last October. 

Tre Pemberton is a right sided play anywhere player who played his early football at Blackburn and Stoke. Moving onto FC United, he was loaned to Longridge before joining Stafford in October.

Midfielder Joe Kenton had been at Newtown for two and a half years before coming to Stafford in July 2020. He played his junior football at Wolves and Shrewsbury and also played for Tividale.

Jake Charles is the Grandson of Welsh legend John Charles and has been capped himself at Under 16, 17, 19 and 21 levels.

A left winger he was picked up by Huddersfield Town from Garforth Villa. After a loan at Guiseley, he joined Barnsley and was loaned out again to York City, before joining Stalybridge in 2017.

His first spell at Stafford was in July 2018, when after two years he left for Farsley, only to return a year later.

Defender Ben Woods is a left sided player, who was signed from Spanish side Lorca in August last year and has also played for Stalybridge Celtic.

French midfielder Louis Malandjou played most of his junior football in Switzerland, but had six months at Nottingham Forest.

He has played for Anagen Derynias and Akritas Chlorakas in Cyprus and Salgueiros and Sanjoanense in Portugal, before returning to the UK with Welsh League Bala Town.

 Further stops at Caernarfon and Tamworth followed, before he joined Stafford last November.

Midfielder Tom Carr arrived in July last year from Wythenshawe Amateurs and defender Luis Morrison is on a season long loan from Macclesfield, having previously played at Radcliffe, Nuneaton, Altrincham and Alfreton.

Kick off at Marston Road is at 7.45pm and with Stafford less than an hour down the road, your support would be more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer

Left back Rhys Dolan has signed for Mickleover on a two year contact, having been a regular member of the first team squad since his arriving from Anstey Nomads.

The former Barnsley Junior made his NPL debut in the home draw against Grantham and also scored in the away defeat at Whitby.