by Peter Scherer

It’s cup tie time again as Mickleover welcome Kevin Wilkin’s Telford to the Don Amott Arena, in the isuzu FA Trophy.

Most of the Telford line-up featured in last seasons Southern Premier League Central defeat and currently lie eighth in the table, after going down 3-1 at Redditch last Saturday. In the last FA Trophy round our visitors were taken to penalties at home to Cleethorpes Town, finally taking the tie 5-4. Club Manager Kevin Wilkin was a striker with Cambridge City, Northampton Town, Nuneaton and Grantham, before becoming Nuneaton’s manager in 2006. Wilkin has been in charge at Telford since October last year.

First choice keeper Brandon Hall started out at Charlton Athletic, before spending seven months at the Nike Academy. His next move was up to Scotland with St.Mirren, but returned south with Hayes & Yeading. Ebbsfleet, Lewes, Woking, Kidderminster and Hereford were his next stops, with a loan spell at Banbury. He came to our visitors at the beginning of last season, after a year with Gloucester City and is an England C International too.

George Scott is Hall’s deputy, having returned to the club last December, after a year without a club and came into the side a few years ago, while Hall was injured. Centre back Fraser Kerr started his career at Motherwell before moving South with Birmingham City. He spent two years with the Blues, before an initial loan back to Motherwell became permanent. He moved on to Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir too, before going to Gateshead, with 54 Scottish Premiership appearances and 45 in League One, plus Europa League Qualifiers too. Stops at Hartlepool, Torquay and Chesterfield followed, before spending last season at York City. He has represented Scotland at Under 16, 17,19 and arrived at Telford at the start of last season.

Jordan Piggott is another centre back. He started out at West Bromwich Albion before heading for Scotland too. He played for Dundee and East Fife, before heading to North Wales with Bangor City. Halesowen was his next stop, moving to Solihull Moors after a year, spending another year before a move to Gloucester City on loan. He spent four months at Telford at the beginning of last year and then returned to our visitors permanently.

Orrin Pendley is a centre back too that also arrived at the start of last season from Hereford. He started at Highgate before joining Redditch. He soon moved on to Kettering and Rushall Olympic, before spending a year at Tamworth. Nathan Fox is a left back who spent his junior career at both Notts County and Derby County. Following his Rams release he joined Corby Town, moving to Rugby Town after a four year stay. Only a month later he moved again, with a very short stay at Coalville, he briefly went back to Corby, before joining Sutton Coldfield.

Redditch, Hednesford, Kings Lynn and Alfreton Town followed by a year at Buxton, preceded starting last season at Peterborough Sports. He was another of Telford’s pre-season signings last year. Jared Hodgkiss played his early football at Wolves and West Bromwich Albion. Right back by choice, he was loaned to Aberdeen and played seven games in the Scottish Premiership. After a further loan at Northampton, he joined Forest Green Rovers on his release, staying almost five years, before spending another two years at Kidderminster, who also loaned him to Torquay. His next move was Macclesfield, before a four year-spell at Hereford preceded his summer 2023 move to Telford.

Right back Ellis Myles is another right back that came from Kettering at the start of last season. He started off at Leicester City. He moved to Brackley Town on his release, before going to Rugby, Stamford, Corby and Boston Utd. He went back to Brackley in 2016 and stayed six years, before moving to Boston Utd and had eight months at Kettering before his Telford move.

Midfielder Remi Walker continues the list of signings having arrived pre-season, following his release from Birmingham City. He spent the last few months of last season on loan at Alvechurch Right midfielder Byron Moore is one of the select retained players from last season, having joined Telford from Torquay February last year. He has over 400 league appearances to his name in Leagues One and Two, having started out at Crewe. He was loaned to Kidsgrove Athletic but joined Port Vale on his release. After two years he moved on to Bristol Rovers and Bury, before spending two years at Plymouth.

Striker Ricardo Dinanga started out at Cork City, before Coventry City brought him across the Irish Sea. He had loans at Hereford and Nuneaton last season, but came to Telford following his release last July. Reece Styche is both an England C and current Gibraltarian International, having scored three goals in 27 games for the latter. He came from Telford in October from Matlock Town, having played for a huge raft of clubs in his 14 year career, including Buxton, Alfreton, Darlington, Macclesfield and Wycombe, having started out at Hednesford.

Centre back Sam Whittall came from Rushall in October. He is an ex Wolves Junior and played at Cambridge Utd and Brackley, before his seven year spell at Rushall. Fellow centre back George Burroughs was a Coventry City Junior, first loaned to our visitors in September 2022. He joined Altrincham on his release and has played for Redditch and Stafford too, before joining Telford in August. Alex Gudger is another centre back on loan from Brackley. He’s also played for Bedworth Utd, Rugby Town, Worcester City and Solihull Moors. Centre back Steffan Jones came from Cefn Druids in July 2023 and has also played for Bala Town.

Rhys Hilton was a Birmingham City youngster who had been playing for Copeswood FC. A right sided midfielder, he was signed from Stamford and has played for Bedworth, Sutton Coldfield, Redditch, Colesill and Halesowen. Midfielder Ellis Brown just after Christmas, having been without a club for a while, after a year in Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He started out at Boreham Wood.

Striker Matty Stenson came from Nuneaton at the end of January. He started out at Hinckley Utd and after spells at Leicester Road and Barwell, signed for Leamington in 2018. He then moved to Solihull Moors, from where he came on loan to Telford for six months. His next stop was Halifax, who also loaned him out to Tamworth and Kidderminster, before his 18 month spell at Nuneaton.

Kyle Storer is an experienced midfielder who managed Nuneaton until they dropped out of the league in late January. He was a Leicester City Junior, who joined Bedworth following his release. Twariq Yusuf came from Brackley early last season and can play as a striker or midfielder. He has also played for FC Kidlington. Also Billy West captained our visitors under 18 side, following his release from Shrewsbury Town and in his fourth season with the first team too.

Finally striker Harvey Solley made his debut earlier last season, having come through the clubs youth scheme.

Kick off is 3pm BE THERE

by Peter Scherer

An early goal from the hosts and two more before half time left the points settled in Stockton’s favour.

Starting line-up: 1 Yusuf Mersin 2 Jake Bennett 3 Brandon Ferron 4 Curtis Weston 5 Danny Benson 6 George Taft 7 Ryan Wilson 8 Will Atkinson 9 Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10 Andy Dales 11 Ceiron Keane. Subs: Charlie Hickingbottom, Louis Carter, Callum Moore, Dylan Edwards, Josh Carter.

With Stockton straight on the attack from the kick off, Josh Scott’s pressure forced Taft into a mistake after seven minutes. The ball fell straight to Michael Sweet’s feet, who buried in the top left corner from close range. 0-1.

Three minutes later Tom Coulthard had a header deflected away by Benson, following a Stockton free kick.

There soon followed a sequence of corners for the hosts, after Atkinson had cleared the original, before finally going for a goal kick.
14 minutes in and Sports were forced to swap Taft for Hickingbottom as the Stockton onslaught continued.
Only four minutes later the hosts went close again when a Roberts header bounced off the bar.
Mersin then made a tremendous save, palming away King’s low drive for a corner.
Mickleover finally managed an attack after 23 minutes, when Dales put a ball over the defence, only to find Davidson-Miller offside.
But King then put in a great cross for Stockton before Sweet’ s
header landed safely in Mersin ‘s hands.
But 28 minutes and it was 0-2, when Mersin saved Nicholson’s header on the line, before Coulthard tapped home the rebound.
Nine minutes later Stockton hit their third, when Roberts headed home from a perfect Butterworth corner 0-3.
A poor clearance from Mersin was then intercepted by Thompson, but fortunately his spectacular shot went wide.
An injury time rally from Mickleover was the first time keeper Harker was tested, Dales cut inside before his effort was well saved. So it remained 0-3 at half time.
There were no immediate changes at half time, but Hickingbottom then put a header just wide of the right hand post from a Wilson header, after 51 minutes.

But Stockton continued to threaten, with a Gallacher shot after 58 minutes just wide, followed by a Purewal header from a free kick, which bounced before Mersin collected.
Baggs then charged down the left before cutting inside, firing his 63rd minute effort just over.
Edwards replaced Wilson after 65 minutes as Sports defence continued to fend off the home attack.
Painter put another effort just wide of the right hand post from a 69th minute corner, but two minutes later Mickleover went close again. A lob over the top had Harker beaten, only for Coulthard to clear off the line with a spectacular overhead kick.
Scott and Birtles both had shots saved by Mersin in the last 15 minutes, during which time twins Josh and Louis Carter came on for Keane and Dales, making their first team debuts.
With 12 minutes on the clock Mickleover should have opened their account. Ferron showed his pace with a terrific run down the left, fed it into Davidson-Miller only for his shot to go skywards.

So another disapointing result 0-3 after a slightly improved second half.

by Peter Scherer

Back on the road again after last weekends home defeat to Hyde Utd, Mickleover face high scoring form team Stockton Town.

Our hosts are currently seventh in the table, following Tuesday nights 5-1 win at Bamber Bridge, following up on a 3-1 win at Warrington Rylands last Saturday too.

In the NPL their last win prior to the current run was back on August Bank Holiday, beating Whitby Town 2-0 at home.

Manager Michael Dunwell has been in charge since the summer of 2014, having previously been a player coach at the club and at Billingham Town.

Hopefully Sports are nearing the end of their injury list and will have close to a full squad to choose from, as they face the Stockton strike force, who have scored 10 goals in their last three matches, conceding two. Sports currently are 12^th.

First choice goalkeeper Nathan Harker was a junior at Newcastle Utd and was loaned to Blyth Spartans, before joining Scarborough on his release.

He played for Bedlington Terriers and Whickham too, before joining our hosts last January, after 10 months with Marske Utd.

His deputy is Elliott Stephenson is a former Sunderland youngster. A pre-season signing he has also played for Hartlepool and South Shields.

Right back Josh Baggs is another former Sunderland junior. He joined Seaham Star following his release and was also loaned out to Consett, before joining our hosts last January.

Centre back Tom Coulthard has been at Stockton for 12 years, having come through their own youth scheme. He made his first team debut at 17 and has a long standing defensive partnership with skipper Adam Nicholson.

6ft 5in Nicholson has been at the club even longer, having started his 15^th year. He came from local junior football and made his first team debut at 16. 

Lewis King is another defender and former Hartlepool junior, who was then picked up by Burnley. Following his release he moved to Spennymoor and came to Stockton in July 2019.

Midfielder Glen Butterworth was signed from Marske Utd in October 2022, after 10 years service.

Midfielder Shane Henry is in his fifth season with the club, since arriving from Spennymoor in July 2020.

Cam Painter is a defensive midfielder, signed from Blyth Spartans in July 2022. He was originally a youngster with Grimsby and went to Blyth on his release. He also had a short loan spell at Billingham Town.

Defender Arjun Purewal was a pre-season signing from Consett, where he had spent the last seven years, six as club captain. He was previously at Jarrow Roofing and has also played for Darlington, Durham City, Blyth Spartans, Whitby Town and Bishop Auckland.

Central midfielder Lewis Leech was another pre-season arrival from Whickham. He started out with Gateshead and was loaned to Benfield, before a permanent move to Marske Utd, where he started last season, before going to Whickham in February.

Owen Gallacher is striker capped by Scotland at Under 19 and 16 levels. He played Junior football with Newcastle City, Swallwell Swifts, Sunderland and Ryton Blacks, before joining Newcastle Utd. He quickly moved on to Nottingham Forest, who loaned him to Harrogate, before joining Burton Albion on his release. 

Crawley Town was his next stop, with a further loan at Gateshead, before moving to Grimsby, Spennymoor and finally Stockton in pre-season and has league one and two experience.

Fellow striker Stephen Thompson started his career at Middlesbrough, before joining Port Vale. After a loan at Telford he joined Durham City, before moving to Spennymoor, who loaned him to Marske, before arriving at Stockton in July 2022.

Michael Fowler is a striker too, having started his career with Sunderland and Burnley. He then moved on to Fleetwood Town, who loaned him to Guiseley, Bamber Bridge and FC Utd.

Striker Mikey Roberts arrived in July 2018 and has been North East based for the whole of his career. He has played for Guisborough Town, Spennymoor, Whitby Town and Marske Utd before joining our hosts.

He then crossed the Atlantic with Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, a US college team before returning to the UK six months later with Dunston UTS. He finally came to Stockton at the beginning of last season.

Josh Scott may be remembered by Mickleover fans, after a short loan spell from Mansfield back in 2021. He started his career at Hartlepool, before moving to Mansfield. As well as Mickleover, he was loaned to Basford and Frickley Athletic, before a permanent move to Morpeth. 

He only arrived at our visitors last week, from West Auckland, and has also played for Blyth Spartans and Marske Utd.

Michael Sweet is another striker, who has spent his whole career in the North East. From starting out at Gateshead, he was loaned to Darlington, before joining Billingham Synthonia. He has played for Consett and Blyth too, before a three-year spell at Shildon preceded his Stockton arrival in July 2023.

Elliott Beddow is another striker, signed from Thornaby in August 2022. He began his career at Billingham Town.

Striker Jack Spears came through or hosts own junior set-up and made his first team debut last November.

Thomas Birtles is another home-grown talent. A midfielder, he made his first team debut last November too.

Academy graduate Jacob Johnson signed his first contract during the summer. A midfielder, he is also dual registered with Guisborough Town.

Strikers Joe Kennedy and Sonni Coleman have also graduated via the clubs own youth scheme, Coleman having represented England Schools Under 18’s too.

Kick off as usual as 3pm and Anchors radio provide live commentary via https://anchors-radio.mixlr.com/

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

After Mickleover had battled back to level terms following a first half goal from Hyde Utd, they once again succumbed to a late goal.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Curtis Weston 5-Will Atkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Dylan Edwards 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Cieron Keane 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Andy Dales, Callum Moore, Brandon Ferron, George Taft, Stuart Beavon.

The visitors were quickly on the attack from the start, when Drew Baker led an attack in the first minute. Jack Redshaw then sent debutant Ewan Bange through a couple of minutes later, but Mersin made a great stop, charging off his line to spread his frame on the edge of the box.

Mersin was forced to make another save after 10 minutes, when Kershaw cracked a shot in following a corner, but even the Mickleover’s keepers heroics couldn’t stop Bange in the 14th minute. Harry Ditchfield had sent a ball Crossfield to Redshaw, who found Bange in the box for an easy tap in, 0-1.

It wasn’t long before Mersin was busy again, holding a long shot from Matt Fearnley, but 23 minutes in and it was Mickleover’s turn to go close, when Barnes’ effort went just wide of the right-hand post.

But Hyde continued to be strong in attack and Mersin was forced to punch another effort from Redshaw over the bar four minutes later, soon followed by a shot just wide from Baker, as Sports struggled to clear their lines.

But Mickleover went close again on the half hour, when Hickingbottom headed over from a Wilson free kick. 10 minutes later Hickingbottom was on the end of another Wilson free kick, but his shot went over from close range.

So 0-1 it was at half time but Sports made two changes, with Dales and Taft on for Davidson-Miller and Keane.

Early into the second half Dales’ pace started to challenge the visitors defence, he had a shot wide after 51 minutes and three minutes later another effort was deflected out.

But Mersin had been forced to make yet another save from Redshaw on is near post, before a spectacular overhead kick from Bange, rattled the Mickleover bar after 58 minutes.

Sports perseverance finally paid off though, when Benson got on the end of an Atkinson cross to force the equaliser in the 68th minute. 1-1.

Hyde continued to look dangerous as Mickleover sought to look after the valuable home point, but Jones-Griffiths had a shot blocked too.

Hickingbottom was yellow carded after 74 minutes and shortly afterwards replaced by Ferron. Hyde still had their eye on three points though and Mersin was forced to tip over again from an 83rd Connor Heath free kick.

A minute later though a long throw from Ditchfield was headed back in by Heath, finding Baker who fired home the winner into the bottom corner, 1-2.

Moore was a late sub for Edwards, but it was virtually all over with a disappointing home defeat. With another late goal proving costly. The last three games having lost a possible five points, which would have had Sports fourth in the table

Mickleover now drop to 11th in the table, with a trip to 12th place Stockton next Saturday.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s back to NPL league action for Mickleover on Saturday, when we face a repeat of our opening game of the season against Hyde Utd.

After that 1-1 draw back in August, Nick Spooner’s side had four successive league wins, but apart from an FA Cup win against FC United, haven’t won since.

Currently ninth in the table, they have a game in hand over Sports and are one point behind.

Our vistors were sixth last season, just missing out on the play-off’s. Manager Spooner has been charge since February 2022, having previously coached at Halifax and Bolton Wanderers. 

First choice keeper Callum Hiddleston was a Sheffield Utd Junior. He joined Ossett in February following his release and was one of the pre-season arrivals at Hyde.

Centre back Harry Ditchfield is in his fourth season at the club, since his release from Salford City.  He has missed a number of recent games though through injury.

He is joined in the centre by pre-season signing Drew Baker. A former Manchester City, Crewe and Oldham youngster, Baker joined FC United on his release, but soon moved onto Fleetwood Town and has been loaned to Bohemians and Waterford in the Republic of Ireland. 

He has played in League One and the League of Ireland, and following his release from Fleetwood, he finished last season at Macclesfield.

Left back Lewis Thompson is a former Northern Ireland International at Under 16 and 21, having started his career at Manchester Utd. He moved on to Blackburn Rovers and made a number of league two appearances. He was also loaned to FC Utd and Fylde, before joining Scunthorpe on his release.

He has also played for Spennymoor and Bamber Bridge, before joining Atherton Collieries at the start of this season. He came to Hyde at the end of last month.

Midfielder Jordan Scanlon was a pre-season arrival from Atherton Collieries. He started at Rochdale, but after loans at Ashton Utd and Ramsbottom, he started last season at Atherton following his release.

English born midfielder Matt Fearnley has spent most of his recent past in the USA, where he played for Flint City Bucks and Georgia State Panthers. He joined our visitors in January last year on his return to the UK.

Sonny Whittingham is a midfielder and a product of the Huddersfield Town Academy, after they picked him up from Bradford City. He had already been loaned to Bury, when he first came to Hyde as a loanee in October 2022. He returned permanently at the start of last season.

Winger, striker or midfielder Harry Bunn is vastly experienced with over 200 league games under his belt, through the Championship, leagues one and two and the Scottish Premiership.

He started off with Manchester City and was loaned out to Rochdale, Preston, Oldham, Crewe, Sheffield Utd and Huddersfield, before being sold to Bury in 2017. After a loan at Southend he was released and headed  to Scotland with Kilmarnock, before moving on via York City, Scunthorpe, Buxton and Ashton Utd, moving to Hyde at the start of last season. 

Striker Jack Redshaw is another long server, having come from Ashton Utd in July 2022. He is another ex Manchester City youngster, who made a successful career through leagues one and two. His first move was Rochdale, followed by stays at Salford, Altrincham and Morecambe, and then Blackpool, who loaned him back to Rochdale.

Salford, Halifax and York City followed, before he arrived at Ashton Utd. He was then loaned to Chester before joining our visitors.

Fellow striker Connor Heath arrived pre-season from Southport. After starting at Crewe, he had loans at Witton Albion and Colwyn Bay, before joining Nantwich on his release. After a  loan at Farsley he joined Southport in October 2022 and was loaned back to Nantwich and Stafford Rangers too, where he ended last season.

Joe Amado is a defender who came from Atherton at the start of last season. He played for Warrington, Trafford and Irlam too.

Midfielder Jake Maltby was another new arrival this season, having spent last season at Silsden. He was previously at Bradford Park Avenue.

Ben Kershaw is a midfielder too and former Stoke City Junior, who started out in Rochdale’s Academy.

Midfielder Ayo Quadri was at Hyde on a dual registration with Halifax at the end of last season and has now made the move permanent.

Fellow midfielder Shakeel Jones-Griffiths was on a dual registration too last season with Prestwich Heys. An ex Bolton Junior, he has played for Glossop North, Congleton and Bury.

Jay Glover only arrived from Matlock at the end of last month. Another midfielder, he started out at Sheffield Wednesday and was loaned to Belper Town, Gainsborough and Spennymoor, before starting this season at Matlock following his release.

Former Oldham Athletic junior striker Collins Kagame was only signed last week, following his release.

Experienced striker Ewan Bange has arrived only his week, on loan from Radcliffe. The former Blackpool Junior had loans at Bamber Bridge, Telford, FC United and Queen of the South, before going to Radcliffe in January 2023 following his release.

Finally defenders Joe Ashton and Joe O’Toole are also recent arrivals, on loan from Burnley and Bolton Wanderers respectively.

Kick off is 3pm at the Don Amott Arena and remember, “WHEN THE RAMS ARE AWAY…………”

by Peter Scherer (Images by Steve Ingers)

For the second time this season Mickleover left Leek Town as winners, this time in the FA Trophy.

Starting line-up: 1.Yusuf Mersin 2.Jake Bennett 3.Ryan Wilson 4.Curtis Weston 5.Danny Benson 6.Will Atkinson 7.Dylan Edwards 8.Charlie Hickinbottom 9.Stuart Beavon 10.Ceiron Keane 11.Marcus Barnes. Subs: Fin Ryder, Callum Moore, Brandon Ferron, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, George Taft.

Only two minutes in and Beavon went close to opening the scoring for Mickleover, with a close range shot just wide of the left hand post. 10 minutes later Barnes went close too, collecting a long through ball from Beavon, his looping shot was just wide of the left hand post. Sports were looking far more dominant than in their August visit and continued to keep the hosts on the defensive.

A Wilson free kick was comfortably collected by keeper Visser as it rebounded off the wall after 14 minutes, but Mickleover were forced to make an early change. Beavon had taken an earlier knock and was replaced by Davidson-Miller after 28 minutes.

Visser was in action again with a 31st minute tip over, following an excellent distance shot from Keane. Bennett then found Wilson, but his fairly tame shot was easily taken by Visser.

Mickleover were continuing to dominate and Keane’s charge down the left found Edwards in space after 35 minutes, but his effort failed to trouble Visser too and was cleared.

Barnes tried to test the keeper again three minutes later, but the final effort was straight at him and it remained 0-0 as the half time whistle went.
The second half started in a similar vain after Edwards sent Barnes on a run into the box 55 minutes in. His effort was blocked though but earned a corner.
Mickleover finally got the break two minutes later, when Edwards was brought down in the box his namesake Liam. The penalty was buried in the bottom corner well out if Visser’s reach 1-0.

Davidson-Miller then led a break down the left, finding Edwards as he cut inside, but the final shot was saved again. Onyeka led a rare attack for Leek after 67 minutes, but his shot was well held by Mersin.

Ferron and Taft came on for Davidson-Miller and Weston, before Barnes almost snatched a second for Mickleover. He had run on to a long ball over the top, beat the centre back but fired just wide of the right hand post.

Mersin made a decisive block from a late Leek attack, but the 1-0 win was secure as we look forward to the FA Trophy first round proper draw.

by Peter Scherer

For the second time this season, Mickleover will be visiting Leek Town on Saturday, but this time in the FA Trophy.

Memories of last years victory at Spennymoor and penalty shoot out defeat come flooding back, as Sports to make similar progress in this years competition.

Since our victory at Leek back in August, our hosts have only had one league victory, 2-1 at Matlock and, until they beat Lancaster City 2-0 last Tuesday’s, leaving them 18thin the table.

Mickleover have been close to two recent away wins andare currently sixth, following Tuesday’s draw at Warrington Rylands.

Manager Josh Brehaut took over at Leek at the beginning of last season, having previously been joint assistant. He has worked in Stoke City and Port Vale’s Academies and been assistant manager at Kidsgrove.

First choice goalkeeper Dino Visser started his career in his native South Africa, with Platinum Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, Back Leopards, Polokwane City, Santos and Cape Umoya, before coming to the UK with Exeter City in 2019 at the age of 30.

He quickly moved on via Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale, before joining Hereford in September 2022 and came to Leek last November.

His deputy is Xander Parke, a St.Kitts & Nevis International, who started out at Stoke City’s Academy. He joined Shrewsbury Town on his release and came to our hosts last October.

Conor Robson is a keeper too, a pre-signing Tranmere Rovers. He was a Stoke Junior and has also played for Trafford and Cammell

Right back Liam Buckley was signed from 1874 Northwich at the beginning of last season. Originally a Chester Junior, he has also played for Welsh Premiership side Cefn Druids.

Olly Harrison is a burly defender who started out at Crewe Alexandra. He went to Sweden with IKF Ostersund an first came to Leek in 2019.

Midfielder Tom Scully unusually played for both Liverpool and Everton at youth level, before a two year stay at Norwich City.  He then moved to Accrington, before crossing the Irish sea on loan at Carrick Rangers. Following his release from Accrington he joined Nantwich, before switching to Leek at the start of last season.

Winger Alex Hurst started at Crewe Alexandra too, and joined Matlock Town following his release. He moved on to Bradford Park Avenue and Port Vale, before loaned back to Bradford. Next stop was York City, before ending last season at Macclesfield. He has league two experience and came to Leek pre-season.

Midfielder Brendon Daniels s a former England C player, who has played in leagues one and two. He was another player to start out at Crewe, before playing at Under 21 level with both Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.

He was to Chester following his release, moving on to Tamworth, Harrogate Town, Fylde, Alfreton and Port Vale, with loans at Altrincham and Telford before joining Stourbridge on his release. He had a brief loan at Mickleover last season and was a pre-season signing for Leek.

Midfielder Nathan Okome is fairly new arrival. He started at Knutsford, before moving to 1874 Northwich, Hanley Town and Chorley, followed by loans at Witton Albion, Matlock and Glossop, before starting last season at Nantwich.

Fellow midfielder Ty Webster came from Crewe too, he played for Telford last season and was another pre-season arrival for our hosts.

Central midfielder Adam Porter is another Stoke City Junior, who arrived at the end of August from Truro City. He was on loan at Leek back in 2019 and Altrincham, before going to Salford City following his release. He was then loaned to Truro City and Ashton, before a permanent move to Truro, where he spent the whole of last season.

Lucas Weir is another midfielder. His junior football was spent at Chester and Wigan before going to 1874 Northwich. He spent some time in the US with Evansville Purple Aces, before returning to Northwich. After spending 22/23 at Marine, he returned to Northwich for a third time last season, and was another pre-season arrival at Leek.

Central midfielder Ollie Shenton is a former Stoke City Junior. He was loaned to Wrexham and Kidderminster before going to Chorley on his release. He was then loaned to Warrington Rylands, before joining the pre-season newcomers at Leek.

Defender Liam Edwards is another pre-season signing. A former Stoke City youngster, he moved to Bolton on his release and captained their Under 21 side. He was then loaned to Southport and made six first team appearances at Bolton, before going to Chester after his release.

Midfielder Billy Reeves returned to our hosts for a second time, when he signed pre-season from Bury. A former Port Vale youngster, he originally came from Stafford Rangers in September 2018, but moved to Bootle last summer, before making the move to Bury.

Striker Tim Grice came from Stoke City’s Academy, before joining Wolstanton Utd and Alsager Town. He is the clubs longest serving player have signed from Eccleshall in 2011.

Striker Joe Woolley came in pre-season from Kidsgrove Athletic. He had joined them at the start of last season after eight seasons at 1874 Northwich and has also played for Bootle.

Tyreece Onyeka is another new arrival, from Stafford Rangers. Another Crewe Junior, he was loaned to Matlock and Stalybridge, before going to Staford on his release.

Tom Curl is a right back and another former Stoke City Junior. A fairly new arrival, who has become established in the starting line-up.

Defender Taylor McMahon is on a dual registration with Irlam Town. He started off at Stoke City and moved on to Stafford Rangers, before joining Stockport County. He also had a loan spell at Staybridge last season.

Left back Ollie Heywood has recently returned to Leek on loan from Chester. He has spent most of his career at Chester and came to our hosts on loan last December, after an earlier loan at Northwich, but started this season on loan at Hanley Town.

Striker Dara McGuinness is a Republic of Ireland Under 16, 18 and 19 International, currently on loan from Stoke City. He started out with St.Patrick’s Athletic, before a two year spell at Shamrock Rovers.

Join us at the F.Ball Community Stadium, kick off 3.00pm

YOUR SUPPORT WOULD BE WELCOMED to see Sports in the hat for the next round.

by Peter Scherer (Photo: John Hopkins)

Despite being two goals up at Warrington Rylands last night, Mickleover came away with a 2-2 draw.

Starting line-up: 1.Yusuf Mersin 2.Jake Bennett 3.Ryan Wilson 4.Charlie Hickinbottom 5.Danny Benson 6.George Taft 7.Dylan Edwards 8.Will Atkinson 9.Stuart Beavon 10.Andy Dales 11.Marcus Barnes. Subs. Justin Iwobi, Fin Ryder, Brandon Ferron, Jahvan Davidson-Miller.

Mersin hada busy night in the Mickleover goal, starting after just six minutes, with a save from Hardcastle, before Smith’s rebound was just wide of the left hand post.

But three minutes later Sports went 1-0 up, with Beavon latching on to a long ball over the top, to lob keeper Hurst into the left hand top corner.

It got even better when Dales cut inside to bury goal number two into the bottom right corner at close range. 2-0.
But from the 20 minute mark the hosts began a forceful fightback, with Mersin saving from Hardcastle again, following a corner.

It was Hardcastle threatening again after 26 minutes. His powerful strike from the right was held by Mersin at the second attempt.

The pressure continued to build when Daniel cut inside five minutes later, but his clear chance went high and wide.
Daniel fired another shot over the bar, before Mersin’s diving save after 35 minutes, kept out Hardcastle’s long range effort.

Mersin saved again from Hardcastle after 43 minutes, before Adeokya finally netted for Rylands 2-1.
There were appeals for a Mickleover penalty in time added on, after Edwards went down. These were ignored and so it stayed 2-1 at half time.

Sports made changes with Ferron and Davidson-Miller on for Edwards and Beavon, but Mersin was soon busy again.
He had already made multiple saves before Daniel went close again after 54 minutes.

Ryder came on for Taft and Wilson had a random shot after 63 minutes, well off target.

The equaliser finally came from Lonsdale after 66 minutes, but the hosts went close again with two minutes of normal time left, when Adekoya’s shot was deflected for a corner.

A solid away point, but for the second successive game it could have been three.