by Peter Scherer (Image: Steve Ingers)

In a game where Mickleover should have had had three points sewn up before half time, it all came down to a last-minute free kick and deciding goal. But we’re off the mark goal wise and points wise and our season is up and running.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Steven Fikula 3-Toby Smith 4-George Wilkinson 5-Ashton Offler 6-Danny Benson 7-Ali Mohiuddin 8-Harry Wood 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Archie White. Subs: Will Atkinson, Michael Hollingsworth, Fraser Corden, Louis Bonser, Liam Carter.

Mickleover took the kick off which went straight out of play for a throw, before Boldmere went on the first attack. But Bosworth was quick off his line to kick the ball clear.

Only two minutes in and Sports were unlucky not to go ahead, when White struck the bar following a corner. Dales then followed up with his first shot just wide.

Five minutes later Dales had another shot blocked after a poor throw from our hosts. It was all Mickleover though with Dales then putting in a challenging ball from the left, before White’s effort ran just wide of the right-hand post. Dales shot again a few minutes later, but that was well off target.

For a while the game calmed down, but Mickleover still had the majority of possession, but on the 18 minute mark they went close again, with another cut in from the left by Dales, before Wood’s shot went just wide of the right-hand post again.

Sports had been pushing well forward when a minute later Boldmere got a break against the run of play. The defence couldn’t get back and despite Bosworth’s attempts to close it down, Ealing opened the scoring and it was 0-1 to our hosts.

Mohiuddin, White and Wood had been particularly creative in midfield, aiding the runs of Dales from the left. 21 minutes in and Mohiuddin set up Beavon who shot just wide, but five minutes later the same combination succeeded.

Mohiuddin floated in a lovely cross from the left and Beavon rose to head home in the top right-hand corner, with keeper Rinaldo at full stretch, 1-1.

Just a minute later Beavon set up a possible second for Mickleover, sending Smith on a clear run for goal. But his shot was straight at the keeper and the chance was gone.

Sports continued to push hard for a second and Fikula robbed the defence, Beavon then forced the home keeper into another save.

Beavon and Dales were showing more and more of their class, combining again on the half hour. Beavon broke on the left this time, but Dales effort was wide of the right-hand post.

Despite dominating the half, Sports were creating chances but failing to hit the target. 36 minutes Dales earned a corner, which Rinaldo punched clear, as the pressure continued.

Two more minutes later and a Dales free kick was cleared from a crowded box, sending the hosts on another break. But Lock’s effort landed on the roof of the net, with the defence once again losing out.

As half time approached White boke down the left again, but with no one in support, he tried his luck from a tight angle but it went for a goal kick.

The defence were caught out again with one minute left, as Lock went on a one on one chase to the Mickleover goal. Bosworth was quick to respond and his challenge went for a late corner.

Boldmere had one more chance before the whistle, but sent a free kick well over the bar. So it remained 1-1, when Mickleover should have been well ahead, having dominated the half, but on three occasions the defence were caught too far forward, which proved costly.

There was no immediate change for the second half, until Wood came off with a bruised foot after 53 minutes and was replaced by Atkinson.

There was a lucky escape just before the hour mark, when s hot from the right bounced off the Mickleover bar.

Unlike the first half, the second was becoming more scrappy and end to end. So after 67 minutes Corden and Hollingsworth came on for Mohiuddin and White and three minutes later Bonser replaced Smith.

Fikula had a great chance to take the lead after 68 minutes, but clear through on goal his shot failed to test the keeper.

Boldmere then came back with an effort from Cunningham, he was through and clear to shoot but failed to trouble Bosworth too.

At the back Wilkinson, Offler and Benson had things seemingly under control, while Corden and Dales combined for a strong run before running out of pitch.

There had been a lack on consistency from the referee throughout the match, which resulted in yellow cards for Wood, Mohiuddin and Atkinson and three Boldmere players too.

But one free kick couldn’t be denied when Beavon sent Dales on another run almost on time. The challenge was more akin to WWF than a football field, but Dales recovered to take the free kick. His shot hit the under side of the bar, bounced out and was hit goalwards by Benson, to secure a well-deserved opening league victory of the season 2-1.

by Peter Scherer

It’s our second away league match of the season as we visit Boldmere St.Michaels on Tuesday night, currently 10th in the table.

It’s been another difficult start for Mickleover, losing both league games 0-2 and going out of the FA Cup last Saturday by the same score.

Danny Benson was back from a hamstring strain last Saturday, but we will probably still be without Jake Bennett who injured his calf in the Coventry Sphinx defeat.

As well as seeking a settled side, Sports will also be looking for their first goal of the league season as well as their first points.

Australian born goalkeeper Ashton Rinaldo is currently on loan from Chesterfield, after making his senior debut for the Spireites last season.

Centre back and captain George Cleet is a pre-season signing from Highgate Utd. A former West Bromwich Albion junior, he was loaned to Worcester and Hednesford, before joining Halesowen. He also played for Sutton Coldfield before his three-year stay at Highgate.

Frankie Ealing is a right back who started out at Aston Villa, but following his release he spent last season in the Welsh League with Aberystwyth.

Left back Jordan Gough spent four months at Mickleover back in 2021. He started out at Gresley Rovers and has played for Solihull, Brackley, Telford, Chester, Boston Utd and Tamworth. He is a pre-season signing after spending two years at Quorn.

Zach Binns is a left back who has played for Sutton Coldfield and Smethwick Rangers and came to Boldmere last season. While currently on loan from Burton Albion is centre back Kye Bilton

Defensive midfielder Aaron Forde came in pre-season from Rushall. He started at Walsall, before joining Romulus on his release. Bedworth, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, Stourbridge, Tamworth and Nuneaton are also on his CV.

Harry Wakefield has scored two of our hosts three goals this season. The young striker was a junior at Basford, before moving on to Anstey Nomads and Matlock Town, and returning to Basford in October 2023. He has played for Shepshed Dynamo and Coventry Sphinx too.

Striker Kory Burke has also scored this season, a pre-season arrival from Sutton Coldfield, he’s also played for Bedworth.

Striker Charlie Manners came from Walsall Wood last November, having previously been at Coventry City.

Nathan Oyemade was previously at Shifnal Town and Willenhall Harriers. A midfielder, he was part of our hosts squad last season too.

Striker Alex Lock came from Coventry Sphinx, while Freddie Cockerell is another pre-season arrival from Coleshill. He’s also played for Sutton Utd.

Matt Greenway is an ex Kidderminster Harriers player and Kaireice Cunningham is another former Smethwick Rangers graduate.

Lewis Allison joins the players retained from last season too, while Danny O’Callaghan is a pre-season arrival from Chasetown, having been at Rushall and Sutton Coldfield.

Kick off is 7.45

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Any hopes of an FA Cup run came to an abrupt end at the Don Amott Arena, when two first half goals from Matlock Town proved decisive.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Archie White 3-George Wilkinson 4-Steven Fikula 5-Ashton Offler 6-Danny Benson 7-Ali Mohiuddin 8-Michael Hollingsworth 9-Stuart Beavon 10- Andy Dales 11-Harry Wood. Subs: Louis Bonser, Jack McDowell, James Matthews, Fraser Corden, Liam Carter, Toby Smith.

The visitors were quickly on the attack, with Bosworth forced to race off his line after 10 minutes, to intercept a long ball from ex Sports loanee Ravenhill.

Only a minute later Bosworth made another excellent save from Di Girolamo, as Mickleover had to fight to tray and gain possession.
But the defence was breached after 21 minutes when Gibson made it 0-1.

Sports attempts to test Boney in the Matlock goal had drawn a blank, until he collecting a telling cross into the box on the half hour. Bosworth was forced to make two more saves, but a 41st minute close range effort from Sports brough the best out f keeper Boney. With the half time whistle poised Di Girolamo made it 0-2 to the visitors, after is initial shot from a tight angle went in off the post. Mickleover made one change for the second half with Carter on for Hollingsworth, but five minutes into the half and Mickleover went close again only for Boney to save the point blank effort.

As the hour mark arrived Matlock were reduced to 10 men when skipper Ravenhill was red carded. Although Mickleover continued to try and push forward, bringing Corden and Matthews on for Wood and Beavon they were unable to take advantage of the 10 men. Into time added on a Sports free kick looked to be aiming for the top corner, but Boney saved again and so it remained 0-2, with Mickleover still goalless after three competitive matches.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s FA Cup time again as we welcome Matlock Town to the Don Amott Arena on Saturday, in the Preliminary round of this seasons Road to Wembley.

Like Sports, Matlock suffered the disappointment of relegation from the NPL Premier Division and now play their football in the NPL East Division.

There were huge changes at Causeway Lane over the close season though, with change of ownership and a raft of changes in both the management and playing staff.

Adam Clayton has been in charge since April 2025, but the season hasn’t started well. They drew 0-0 at home to Bradford Park Avenue on the opening day of the season and then lost 2-3 at Lincon Utd on Tuesday night.

Clayton was an England Under 20 International and played over 500 games in all four leagues from Premiership to League Two. He joined Matlock as a player in October 2024, and has CV includes Manchester City, Leeds Utd, Birmingham City, MK Dons, Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers. He is still a registered player.

First choice keeper is Myles Boney one of many pre-season signings, arriving after six years at South Shields. He started out at Blackpool and was loaned to Nantwich and Solihull Moors before going to South Shields on his release. He also had a loan spell at Darlington.

Harlain Mbayo is a DR Congo Under 19 International centre back, signed from Bedford Town last month. He had a well varied youth career with Mouscroun and Anderlecht in Belgium, Brentford, Aldershot, Tottenham, Oxford Utd and Aberdeen, before joining Truro City in 2019.

He went back to Scotland with Albion Rovers and Airdrie and played for Cobh Ramblers in the Republic of Ireland. He started last season at Kettering, having arrived from Gloucester City and ended it at Bedford.

Defensive midfielder Fouad Bachirou arrived last October after a spell in Cyprus with Omonia Nicosia. He was previously at Nottingham Forest, spent time in Sweden with Malmo and Ostersund and played Scottish Championship football over four years with Morton. He also played his youth football with US Clichy and Paris St.Germain.

Centre backs Dwayne Wiley and Josh Granite are both seasoned campaigners. Wiley first went to Matlock from Mickleover in 2016, then moved to Alfreton after a four year stay. He came back to the Gladiators last month after five years at Alfreton.

Granite was signed last September from Buxton, where he had spent the last four years since arriving from Barrow. He has played for Stockport County, Mossley, Trafford and Ashton Utd too.

Jeremie Milambo is a left back, an ex Wolves and Bradford City youngster. He has played in the Republic of Ireland Championship with Waterford and came to Matlock last November from Liversedge. He’s played for Farsley, Ossett, Albion Sports, Whyteleafe, Bowers & Pitsea too.

Central midfielder Declan Eratt-Tompson was a Sheffield Wednesday junior, who went to Ilkeston following his release in August 2022. He is another pre-season signing for the Gladiators.

Current team captain Liam Ravenhill is well known to Mickleover fans, son of former Sports player and assistant managed Ricky, and after two loan spells from Doncaster Rovers.

He was also loaned to Matlock, Telford, Blyth Spartans and Spennymoor, before joining Buxton on his release. He came to Causeway Lane last February and has also played for Northern Ireland Under 21’s.

Ben Sault is another ex Sports midfielder, having been part of our play-off team two years ago. A Lincoln City Academy player, he played for BostonUtd and Kettering before coming to the Don Amott Arena in July 2023, spent last season at Buxton and came to our visitors last month.

Cameron Wilson is a right sided midfielder who has spent most of his career at Scunthorpe Utd, after they signed him from Goole Town. He also played for Scarborough, from where Matlock signed him in pre-season.

Striker Conor Washington arrived from Derby County last month and has over 300 Championship and Leagues One and Two appearances under his belt, scoring over 70 goals. He started with St.Ives Town and played for Newport County, Peterborough Utd, QPR and Sheffield Utd, before a spell in Scotland with Hearts. He then played for Charlton and Rotherham before his two year stay at Pride Park.

Tom Elliott is another pre-season signing from Buxton. A midfielder, he’s played for Darlington and Hednesford too, and spent the last five years at Buxton.

Striker Jake Thompson came from Hyde Utd last October. Starting out at Halifax, he’s played for Ramsbottom, Bamber Bridge and Radcliffe too.

Fellow striker Montel Gibson made his name with Notts County. League Two experienced, he was loaned to Romulus, Barwell, Hednesford and Sutton Coldfield, before joining Ilkeston on his release I 2017.

Stays at Redditch, Bedworth, Halesowen, Grimsby, Altrincham and Stourbridge followed, before joining Matlock last October from Hereford.

Diego Di Girolamo is another striker, signed from Buxton last month. He spent his early career at Sheffield Utd and was loaned to York City and Northampton, before a move to Bristol City.

He has experience of Leagues One and Two and also played for Cheltenham and Chesterfield, before leaving Macclesfield for a seven year stay at Buxton.

Defender Charlie Oglesby came from Stocksbridge at the beginning of last season, and previously played for Staveley MW.

Midfielder James Murray has recently arrived following his release from Carlsie Utd.

Winger Kyalani Clayton-Morris is a recent arrival. He has played at Chesterfield, Hallam, Shirebrook and Wakefield AFC.

Defender Aidan Fry and midfielder Sam Giles complete the squad.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is at 3pm

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Following last Saturday’s defeat at Coventry Sphinx, it was hoped that Mickleover would rise to the occasion of a first home league game of the season and against local rivals Long Eaton Utd.

Despite a great improvement in the second half, two first half goals from our visitors left Sports both goalless and pointless again.

Starting line-up: 1- Jack McDowell 2-Louis Bonser 3-Toby Smith 4-Harry Wood 5-George Wilkinson 6-Ashton Offler 7-Josh Carter 8-James Matthews 9-Paddy Webb 10-Andy Dales 11-Archie White. Subs: Fraser Corden, Stephen Fikula, Liam Carter, Ali Mohiuddin, Stuart Beavon.

It was a fairly even start, but Long Eaton were first to try a shot, as Pace fired in from just outside the box, fortunately over McDowell’s bar after seven minutes.

Sports quickly responded after picking up the ball following a mistake in midfield by our visitors. White picked it up, rounded keeper King, only for Betts to get back and clear it off the line.

Wood then crossed from the right, but it was just a little too high for Webb, whose header went over the bar. But Long Eaton went close again 10 minutes in, when a cross from the right beat the defence and Thompson-Matthews’ shot ricocheted off the post and bar before going clear.

Mickleover were starting to get forced further and further back as they struggled for possession, but a wild 13th minute effort from our visitors failed to test McDowell.

Three minutes later former Mickleover loanee Dexter Walters opened the scoring for Long Eaton, after a long and sustained build-up. Sports had plenty of players back but lacked co-ordination, allowing Walters’ final strike to hit home after a quick one two with Garnett, 0-1.

Matthews was yellow carded after 18 minutes, before Bonser tried a speculative shot was just outside the book.

Long Eaton wasted another opportunity after Betts got around the back of the defence, only to put his cross straight into McDowell’s hands after 22 minutes.

Wood joined Matthews in the refs book but shortly afterwards Long Eaton made it 0-2. The defence was once again beaten on the left, as the first shot came in McDowell saved low, but the ball fell loose and with no response from the defence, Shaw fired it home, 0-2 after 26 minutes.

Our visitors earned a couple of corners which were both wasted, but on the half hour Smith, Carter and Dales combined in a nice build up on the right, but Wood’s final shot lacked any pace to challenge the keeper.

Dales had a good run through after 35 minute, but Webb’s following shot was straight at King, before the visitors earned another corner which went to waste.

Smith had a good overlap on the right but lost possession when he hesitated and then White became the third Sports player in the refs book.

As we entered the closing minutes of the first half, there was a slight spark from Sports after an overall poor performance. They won a 39th minute corner and had another promising build up a minute later, with Wood firing in a shot at a tight angle to earn another corner.

White hit a great shot which King tipped away but couldn’t hold, but no one was on hand to pick up the pieces.

Webb then went down with appeals for a penalty, which clearly wasn’t. But in time added on Carter went in one on one with the keeper on a break. King’s burly stature saw him take out the teenaged winger, prompting an early sub as debutant Mohiuddin came on, as the half time whistle blew at 0-2.

Mickleover made two changes for the second half with Liam Carter and Fikula on for Bonser and Matthews.

It restarted with an attacking flourish from Mickleover and just three minutes into the half Webb just missed out with his effort hitting the side netting.

Wood then had a strong run down the right, firing in a powerful shot just wide, but a very promising effort as the visitors were pegged back in their own half.

But Long Eaton managed a break after 57 minutes, the danger was cleared though with Wilkinson’s saving tackle on Shaw.

Sports wasted a 67th minute free kick when White put his shot well over, and four minutes later our visitors reciprocated with an effort well over the Mickleover bar.

Dales had just won a corner after another good build up, when he then left the field to be replaced by Corden after 73 minutes.

Corden was straight into the action, but wasted the ball with a cross from the right, when a cut in from the right looked on the cards. He then tried to chase the ball but was physically dragged back by a defender, with the referee failing to respond.

Time was beginning to run out, which obviously hadn’t gone unnoticed by the visitors defence, who started to hurl themselves to the ground at the first opportunity, supported by the colourfully vociferous keeper and captain King.

82 minutes and Corden sent Carter on a good run, he crossed from the left but once again Webb found the side netting, but it was so close.

Carter had another late attempt just over and Webb was sent on a chase for a late long ball, but King got their first and hoofed it clear.

It was certainly a game of two halves, sadly the goals came in the first when Sports were at their worst and we remain without a point or goal in the league as we now look forward to FA Cup action.

 

by Peter Scherer

After the disappointing 0-2 defeat at Coventry Sphinx last Saturday, Mickleover will be hoping to bounce straight back and gets some points on the board, as they host Long Eaton Utd on Tuesday night.

It wasn’t the best of starts for our visitors either, as they went down 0-1 at home to Corby Town.

Long Eaton were fifth in the table last season, after being relegated from the Southern Premier League after one season.

Player manager Bradley Munn started his career in the MansfieldTown Academy, before joining Burton Albion. He has played for Bedworth, Coalville and Loughborough Dynamo too.

He started his managerial career at Loughborough, but after five years at the club he came to Long Eaton initially as joint manager in August 2023, taking full charge three months later.

Goalkeeper Lewis King is the first of the ex Mickleover players in the Long Eaton line-up. He came through the youth scheme at Derby County and Sunderland, before joining Stockport County on his release.

Eastwood Town, Boston Utd, Stalybridge and Matlock Town followed, before coming to Mickleover in July 2016 from FC United. He stayed for three years before a move to Stafford and a return trip to FC United. He joined our visitors at the start of last season, after spells at Gresley Rovers and Loughborough Dynamo.

Gianluca Bucci is a centre back who came through Lincoln City’s Academy. He then spent a year each at Gainsborough, Spalding and Loughborough, before joining Long Eaton last September, after two months with Coleshill.

Defender Jake Finnerty was signed just in time to make his debut last Saturday, having spent the last few seasons at Loughborough Dynamo.

Ryan Campbell-Gordon is a left back signed from Hanley Town in September 2023. He started off at Port Vale and had loans at Ilkeston, Kidsgrove, Hednesford and Gainsborough, before returning to Hanley after his release.

Defender Jayden Cotterill was signed at the beginning of last season. A former Burton Albion graduate, he has also played for Hanley Town, Barwell, Gresley Rovers and Belper Town.

Jamie Hanson played Championship and League One football, racking up well over 100 appearances, during his time at Derby County, Wigan and Oxford Utd. His non-league career started at Ilkeston in July 2023, before a loan to Long Eaton in May last year, became permanent two months later.

Defender Owen Betts is club captain, recently recovered from a long term injury. He started off at Notts County and played for Spalding and Worksop too, before coming to Grange Park from Basford in February 2024.

James Taylor is a central midfielder, who came through Long Eaton’s own Academy. He made his first team debut in 2020. After a move to Heanor Town in July 2023, he rejoined our visitors at the start of last season

Connor Pace is a central midfielder too, a former Burton Albion Junior. He arrived at Grange Park last season having previously been loaned to Gresley Rovers.

Striker Evan Garnett is the second ex Mickleover player. He started with Burton Albion and moved to Worksop after a loan spell with Hucknall Town. Belper Town, Ilkeston and Kidderminster followed, before he came to Sports in July 2017, after a year at Alfreton.

After two years at Mickleover he moved to Stafford, and has played for Loughborough Dynamo too, before arriving at Long Eaton at the start of last season.

Dexter Walters is a left sided midfielder and the third ex Mickleover player. He joined the Coventry City youth scheme after starting out with Romulus and Tamworth. After a loan at Leamington, he rejoined Tamworth after his release and came from there to Mickleover in October 2021 on loan.

He moved to Long Eaton last March, after spells at Stratford, Stourbridge and Bedworth.

Jahvan Davidson-Miller is the fourth ex Sports player. He was a Derby County striker before joining Barwell on his release. Coming to Mickleover in November, he struggled to hold down a starting role and returned to Barwell 11 months later. He then came back to Mickleover for a very short spell last season, before gong to Redditch and Rugby Town and finally joining our visitors about a month ago.

And the fifth former Mickleover player is midfielder George Atwal, a graduate of our own Academy and spent the 23/24 season at Long Eaton, before moving on to Redditch and Bromsgrove. He came back to Grange Park pre-season.

Assistant manager to Munn is ex Derby County Junior Aaron Cole, a sixth ex Mickleover player in the Long Eaton squad. Eastwood, Stockport, Barrow, Hinckley Utd, Rocester, Worksop and Belper Town were all his ex clubs before arriving at the Don Amott Arena in 2017.

He moved on to Market Drayton, Belper, Stafford and Gresley Rovers and has been assistant player/managed at Long Eaton since November 2023.

Striker James Shaw started out with Burton Albion Community Trust. He is in his second spell at the club, after leaving in 2022 to join Kimberley MW, returning to Long Eaton last summer from Shepshed Dynamo.

Fellow striker Tristan Thompson-Matthews has spent most of his career with Corby Town, having moved from Loughborough Dynamo in 2022. He joined Lng Eaton last February.

Oscar Hugenholtz, Corey Gregory, Sam Calpin and Caleb Horsley are all products of the clubs own Academy. Defender Hugenholtz went to Shepshed at the beginning of last season, before to the club.

Calpin is now the number two keeper and has also played for Chesterfield Under 23’s.

Kick off as usual is 7.45pm.

by Peter Scherer

Mansfield Town left back Louis Bonser had come to the Don Amott Arena on a month’s loan. He will be available for selection for tonight’s game against Long Eaton Utd, subject to FA approval.

He also had loans at Carlton Town and Rushall Olympic last season, as well as playing in the Mansfield Under 21 side.