by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s fight to stay in touch with the NPL Midlands Division play-offs positions takes them to table toppers Carlton Town on Saturday.

Back in November the equivalent match at the Don Amott Arena ended in a 2-3 defeat for Sports.

Mark Harvey and Andy Clerke have been joint managers since the start of this season, having finished seventh in the NPL East last season.

Having gone a very long unbeaten run, our hosts have now lost two of their last three games, going down 1-2 to strugglers Bedworth Utd at home last Saturday. Due to postponements and re-arranged games, they have played seven of their last 10 games at home and have made only two team changes in the last five.

Goalkeeper Felix Annan joined our hosts in August 2023, after a season in the US with Maryland Bobcats. Ghanaian born, he started his career in his homeland, with Asanate Kotoko SC and spent time at the West African Football Academy.

Dean Freeman is a central defender, who joined Carlton at the start of the 22/23 season after a spell at Newark. He also made over 100 appearances for Coalville and has played for Sherwood Colliery, Belper Town, Loughborough Dynamo and Rainworth MW after starting his youth career at Barnsley.

Left back Lewis Durow is in his fourth season at Carlton. He’s played for Ilkeston Town, Holbrook Sports and Mickleover RBL too. he will probably be absent this weekend, following a red card last Saturday.

Right back Liam Bateman is another defender who started his career at Aston Villa, before three years at Kettering following his release. He’s also played for Basford, St. Ives, Tamworth and Worksop and joined Carlton in 2023.

Defender Shea Thompson-Harris joined our hosts following his release from Notts County in 2023.

Alex Howes is a central midfielder and another former Notts County junior. After a loan spell at Coalville and Tamworth, he joined Basford on his release. He initially came to Carlton on loan, before his move became permanent in February 2022.

Centre back Dan Brown is one of the longest serving players, having made his 20th appearance last season.

Attacking midfielder Jason Law arrived last October from Stamford. A graduate of Carlton’s own Academy after spells with Derby and Burton, Law went to Mansfield Town as a 16 year old. After loans at Sutton Coldfield, Gresley Rovers, Hednesford, Leek Town and Kettering, he moved to Scunthorpe last March after 10 years with the Stags. He was also loaned to Spalding Utd, before starting this season at Stamford.

Niall Davie can play midfield or striker. A home-grown player who came through the clubs own academy.

Niall Hylton is another midfielder, who joined our hosts from local club Gedling MW. He has played for Basford too.

Khyle Sargent is a midfielder who returned to the club in 21/22.

Ewan Robson is another midfielder signed in pre-season from Sherwood Colliery.

Midfielder or striker Lamin Manneh came from Dunkirk in 2022.,

Ollie Clark left Carlton in January 2021 to join Basford, but came back in October 2024 initially on loan from Stamford. He is also a midfielder.

Striker Ash Chambers was a pre-season signing from Barwell. He played over 140 games in League Two, scoring 17 goals, having started out at Leicester City. After loans at Wycombe and Grimsby Town, he joined York City, moving on to Cambridge Utd three years later. He’s also played for Dagenham & Redbridge, Nuneaton, Kidderminster, Brackley, Buxton, Coalville and Basford.

Striker Nat Watson is a long serving player. He returned to the club in 21/22 from Basford and has also played for Coalville,

Midfielder Huw Dawson arrived from Rushden & Diamonds last November. He started out at St.Albans City, before joining Kettering. He’s also played for Shepshed Dynamo and Bedford Town.

Logan Dimmock-Fox is the most recent signing, a young striker from Eastwood, who has also played for Alfreton Town and Radford.

Kick off at the is 3pm and your support would be more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

HOPES of returning to winning ways were dashed when former Sports striker Tyrell Waite scored the only goal of the game after 32 minutes, to give Rugby Borough all three points.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Danny Benson 3-Danny Gordon 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-George Wilkinson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Cieron Keane  9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Manni Norkett. Subs:  Paddy Webb, Fraser Corden, Louis Bonser, Josh Ashman, Josiah Dyer.

It was a  fairly lively start with Norkett almost getting on the end of an early half chance after two minutes. Three minutes later Dales and Dube sent Norkett through again, but he lost his footing just inside the box.

Rugby took a little longer to get up to pace, but 11 minutes in Grocott tried a shot from just outside the box, but it was an easy catch for McDowell in the Mickleover goal.

It was the hosts that earned the first corner, but that came to nought and then a clearance was blocked by Rowe who kept McDowell on his toes with another save after 15 minutes.

Norkett was fouled on another run, but Keane’s free kick failed to connect and went for a goal kick. But Norkett was unlucky not to open the scoring in the 26th minute. Beavon had battled for possession in the middle and found the advancing Norkett on his left. He shrugged off the first challenge but was fouled by keeper Bald. He managed to keep his footing and continued goalwards, with a shot just wide of the right- hand post, which drew no response from the referee to pull play back for the foul or the possible red card.

Five minutes later Wilkinson lost possession to Waite after a push which left the striker with a clear run on goal, firing into the far corner to make it 0-1, with McDowell given little chance.

Norkett then layed the ball off for Beavon to shoot a couple of minutes later, but his effort was just over.

Mickleover were ahead on possession and Dube and Dales both won consecutive corners as they pressed for the equaliser, but neither created any real chance.

Gordon tried a shot on the overlap with two-minute left before half time after Dales broke through, but it was just wide of the right-hand post and then Beavon and Gordon combined, before Dales tried his luck but that went over the bar.

There were  no half time changes, but despite being a goal down Mickleover started the half on the backfoot. Wilkinson managed to test the keeper after 56 minutes following a Keane free kick, just before Beavon and Keane were replaced by Dyer and Ashman.

It was still Rugby forcing the pace however, with Waite taking on Benson on the right. He managed to get a shot in but Benson had done enough and it was into the side netting.

64 minutes in and Bonser and Webb came on for Benson and Dube, but despite some interpassing around the halfway line, Sports were failing to create any real chances and were losing out in the final third.

Waite had another shot into the side netting after breaking through the defence. Grocott then had a shot bounce off the bar after 76 minutes as an equaliser for Mickleover was looking increasingly unlikely.

Webb was fouled as he tried to cut into the box and Gascoigne almost connected with Gordon’s free kick.

Corden was the final sub for Norkett and immediately took on the home defence. Despite two fouls on him being ignored, he found Webb on the left, but his cross was far too close to the keeper.

Collins put another chance over the bar for Rugby after 83 minutes, as Mickleover tried to make a final push. Gordon earned a corner and then Dales broke through, but took one stride too many before trying to shoot and any chance had gone.

So it remained 0-1 and Mickleover can look back at  reasonable first half, but a second that saw so no real fight.

 

by Peter Scherer

Following Tuesday nights disappointing exit from the Derbyshire Senior Cup, Mickleover will hopefully be returning to the form that saw us beat Basford Utd last weekend, as we visit Rugby Borough.

Unfortunately Jake Bennett took another nasty knock at Glossop, which sees him with another spell on the sidelines, but defender Danny Gordon just signed from Anstey Nomads, will be available.

While Mickleover remain just outside the play-off’s in sixth place, our hosts are now 13th following a 2-0 win at Long Eaton on Tuesday night. Now unbeaten in their last four games, since three successive defeats in the New Year, manager Dave Stringer has recently added to is squad.

Stringer has been in charge since May 2024 and when he brought his team to the Don Amott Arena back in October, it was a 2-2 draw, with Josiah Dyer and Paddy Webb scoring.

Rugby’s current first choice keeper is Marcus Bald, signed from rivals Rugby Town earlier this month. A former Northampton Town Junior, he also had spells at Harborough Town and Newport Pagnell before his release.

Prior to Bald’s arrival Ex Barnsley and Aston Villa youngster Sam Lomax had the shirt. He started at Nuneaton and played for Bedworth too, before spending two years at Racing Club Warwick before departing at Christmas.

Right back and captain Ellis Myles was a Leicester City youth player, that joined Brackley on his release. After spells at Rugby Town, Stamford and Corby he returned to Brackley and has also played for Boston Utd, Kettering and Telford Utd and had a month at Bedford at the start of this season, before joining our hosts.

Left back Luke Rowe was signed in pre-season too. Capped by New Zealand at full and under 20 levels, he was a Birmingham City junior, before returning to New Zealand with Wellington and Team Wellington. He came back to the UK with Hinckley Utd in July 2013, moving onto Eastwood, before an 11 year stay at Bedworth.

Amarvir Sandhu is also a left back, who began at Hinckley. Most of his career has been spent in Leicestershire, with Leicester Road, Barwell, Quorn and Shepshed Dynamo, before going to Coleshill in 2018. He then moved on to Harborough Town and Corby, before starting this season back at Barwell. He came to our hosts last September.

Right back Gary Stohrer came from Corby Town last December. His career started at Shaw Lane and Frickley, before spending seven years with Kettering Town, during which time he was loaned to Daventry Town.

Oran Jackson is a centre back that started out at MK Dons. After loans at Hemel and Brackley he went to Iceland and spent four months with IBV Vestmannaeyjar, before returning to the UK with Billericay.
His next stop was St.Ives Town, before seven months in Northern Ireland with Portadown. He’s played for Leighton Town and Daventry Town too and joined our hosts pre-season.

Fellow centre back Lathaniel Turner-Rowe came from Racing Club Warwick at the beginning of this month. He has league one and two experience and started his career at Leicester City. After loans at Cheltenham, Kings Lynn and Redditch, he moved on to Torquay and Luton, before a loan spell preceded a move to Alfreton.

He’s also played for Kidderminster, Nuneaton, Chester, Kettering, Tamworth, Stourbridge and Barwell and moved to RC Warwick last September.

Rich Black came from Dereham Town in pre-season. Another centre back, he has also played for Cambridge City, Grantham and Aylestone Park.

Lindon Meikle is a central midfielder and England C International. He played his youth football at Vernon Colts and Eastwood, before a three year stay at Mansfield Town, making 113 appearances in league two. He’s played for York City, Macclesfield, Alfreton, Barrow, Southport, Kettering, Tamworth, Buxton and Ilkeston and started this season at Barwell, before coming to Rugby Borough last September.

Central midfielder Jake Duffy came from Rushden & Diamonds in August, after a brief stay following his pe-season move from Aylestone Park. He started out with Oadby Town, and has also played for Holbeach, Stamford, Corby Town and Harborough Town.

Will Grocott is another central midfielder. He started off at Rugby Town, before moving to Kettering. Three years at Stratford followed, before a season at Stourbridge preceded his return. He came to Rugby Borough in February after 18 months with Bedworth.

Fellow midfielder Cameron Collins was signed from Sutton Coldfield in pre-season, where he had been a regular starter for the last few seasons.

Ex Bedworth and Coventry Sphinx midfielder Leo Stone arrived in pre-season too.

Antonio Cristofaro also plays in midfield. He started out at Walsall and had played for Market Drayton Town and Coventry Sphinx.

Cyprian Mtenga is on loan from Burton Albion, a midfielder, he’s also had a couple of spells at Shepshed Dynamo.

Derby born striker Kane Richards is another recent arrival, signed from Barwell two weeks ago, after a year with the Leicestershire club. An ex Derby County graduate, he was loaned to Matlock before a permanent move to Ilkeston. Chester, Gainsborough, Dover Athletic, Kidderminster, Basford, Nuneaton and Kettering followed, before returning to Basford in February ’24.

Striker Tyrell Waite spent part of the 23/24 season with Mickleover. He started out at Notts County and was loaned to Nuneaton and Ilkeston before a move to Lincoln City. He then went to Sweden for a year with Skelleftea FF, before returning to the UK with Nuneaton.

Kidderminster, Boston Utd, Matlock, Tamworth, Coalville were next and he came to Mickleover in February 2024 after six months at Ilkeston. He started last season at Basford and spent a year with Barwell, before joining our hosts a couple of weeks ago.

Johnson Gyamfi is a winger with recent Mickleover connections, having made a few appearances earlier this season on a dual registration with St.Ives Town. A Leicester City Junior from the age of 11, he also played for Peterborough Utd, during which time he was loaned to Boston Utd and Peterborough Sports.
Following his release, he spent a season with Harborough Town, before joining Barwell at the start of last season and had been at St.Ives since September 2024. He joined our hosts in December.
Striker Cyrus Bruce is currently on loan from Stratford Town, having arrived in December. He was previously at Daventry Town and Redditch, as well as a previous spell with our hosts.
Speedy winger Benji Adomako was signed from Coventry Utd in November.
Kick off is 3pm

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s hopes of reaching their first Derbyshire Senior Cup final for seven years were dashed, when a lack lustre performance saw Glossop secure a winning second half goal to finish 1-0 winners.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2- Josh Ashman 3-Jake Bennett 4-Will Atkinson 5-Danny Benson 6-George Wilkinson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Manni Norkett 10-Paddy Webb 11-Louis Bonser. Subs: Josiah Dyer, Fraser Corden, Stuart Beavon, Brad Gascoigne, Michel Iheidi.

On a fairly cold night Mickleover were first on the attack, winning a corner after two minutes, when a defensive mix up saw Atkinson have the first shot of the night deflected over the bar.

As the corner came in Webb got his headed to it, but keeper Oldham saved low to his right.

A free kick followed with Benson taking it from the half way line, but Igwewanne cleared it for our hosts.

Glossop started grow in confidence as Mickleover’s early attacks began to subside and after seven minutes they had their first chance, with Berry shooting wide from just outside the box after eight minutes.

Two minutes later Glossop earned their first corner, taken short and wasted, but pressure was starting to build on the Mickleover defence.

14 minutes in and McDowell tipped away a shot from Etia by his right post for another corner, but following the clearance our hosts earned another free kick

Gallagher had a shot over the bar two minutes later, but the pressure continued to build and left the Mickleover players starved of service from midfield.

Wood, Norkett and Atkinson started a nice build up after 18 minutes, until the ball was given away, leading to another Glossop break. Munoz, Etia ad Berry combined to earn a corner, with the final header from Hopkins easily held by McDowell.

Wilkinson headed away a dangerous cross, but despite the constant pressure from Glossop, the Mickleover defence was holding out.

Berry had another chance after 27 minutes, he split two defenders on the left, cut inside and then fired his shot into the side netting.

After Bonser was fouled by a combination of two defenders, it gave the Mickleover team a brief chance to regroup. It didn’t last however, as Glossop’s enthusiasm and drive was soon overcoming the undoubted skill advantage.

Just after the half hour mark Etia broke through again, but his shot was weak and easily taken by McDowell. But Mickleover then had to make their first change, with Bennett injured, Corden came on.

In time added on Dube finally outpaced his marker to cross from the right, but there was no one in the box and it ended 0-0, with Sports lucky to be on equal terms.

With no changes for the second half, it was Glossop on the attack again, with Bowker shooting over. But Sports got a rare shot in too after 50 minutes, when a defensive slip fell to Corden. He got his shot in through a crowded box, with little purchase, an easy stop for Oldham.

But 55 minutes it should have been 1-0 to Mickleover, when Dube’s solo run on the right saw him out pace the defence. With no one in the middle he drove on and fired it past Oldham in the Glossop goal. But the assistant reacted to some weak appeals from Glossop and raised his flag very late to deny a perfectly legitimate and well taken goal.

A goal would probably have been the turning point of the game, but it continued to go Glossop’s way with Gallagher’s random shot from distance over the bar on the hour.

Wood found Dube who then shot over the bar, but neither Norkett nor Webb were receiving any service still, despite Atkinson trying to lead by example.

65 minutes and the deadlock was broken when Schofield and Bardsley managed to run through the defence almost unchallenged, to find Etia who jinked inside to score 0-1.

Beavon then replaced Corden and there was just a glimmer that Mickleover might get back into the game. With 10 minutes on the clock Beavon’s cross on the left found Dube, but the shot lacked pace and was an easy stop.

Dyer and Gascoigne then came on for Dube and Bonser, but it was McDowell making a couple of saves. There were a couple of late corners for Mickleover and an 89th minute shot from Webb forcing the first diving save from the home keeper, but it was game over at 0-1, with the better team on the night heading for the Pride Park final.

 

by Peter Scherer

On Tuesday evening, weather permitting, Mickleover will be striving to reach their second Derbyshire Senior Cup final, when they travel to Glossop North End.

Back in April 2019 Sports went down 1-2 against Alfreton Town at Pride Park, but success on Tuesday would leave them facing the winner of the other semi between Ilkeston Town and Belper Town.

Our hosts were a football league side between 1898 and 1915 and now play their football in the North West Counties League. They reached the semi-final with a penalty shootout victory over New Mills.

Lee Wilshaw has been the manager since November and they currently lie mid table with four wins from their last 10 games. They were without a game last Saturday and drew 2-2 at home to Burscough last Tuesday.

Joey Oldham is their first-choice goalkeeper, signed from Chadderton in December. He’s also played for New Mills.

Harry Allen is the second-choice keeper, signed in pre-season. He previously had a loan spell with the club during his time at Burnley, but started out at Manchester Utd. He’s played for Flint Town, Farsley Celtic, Colne and Prestwich Heys too.

Right back Joel Igwenwanne is dual registered with Avro. A former Sheffield Utd junior, he joined Hyde Utd on his release. He’s played for Abbey Hulton and Mossley too.

Defender Dylan McMahon came from Burscough in July 2024, having previously played for Ramsbottom.

Centre back Jordan Schofield was signed from Chadderton too, where he had spent most of his career, but he was a pre-season arrival.

Captain Olly Parker is in his third season at Glossop. Another centre back and former Chadderton player, he’s also played for Ashton Utd and New Mills.

Central midfielder Abdul Djalo started out at Manchester Utd, before moving to Crewe Alexandra. He joined FC Barnton following his release, before moving on to Warrington Rylands and Skelmersdale. He then spent two years at Macclesfield, including loans at City of Liverpool and Skelmersdale and came to our hosts in November 2023, after four months at St.Helens.

Fellow Midfielder Jack Hopkins arrived at Surrey Street from Clitheroe in July ’22, having previously been at Stockport County.

Aeron Bardsley plays in defence or midfield and came to our hosts in March 2024 from Curzon Ashton.

Full back Leo Cooper has come through the Hillmen’s own youth scheme.

Spanish born Gabby Money-Munoz started his career playing for CD Canillas in Madrid, before coming to the UK with Wythenshawe Town. Before joining our hosts the midfielder also played for Winsford Town, Northwich and Prestwich Heys.

James Purfield came from Chadderton in pre-season, he’s a midfielder.

Midfielder Alex Bowker was signed from Trafford a few months ago, after starting out at Stockport County.

Conal Gallagher is another midfielder who came from Pilkington in February 2024. He played for Ramsbottom and Skelmersdale too, was a junior at both Bolton and Blackburn and had spell in the US too with the University of Illinois. He is also a former England under 19 Futsal international.

Striker Jacques Etia is on loan from Stalybridge Celtic. A former Rotherham junior, he played for Sheffield FC and Ollerton after his release, but was loaned to Glossop in May 2023 after joining Ashton Utd.

Conor Berry returned to the club last month, after a brief appearance before Christmas. He’s another signing from Chadderton, having also been a prolific goal scorer at Moston Brook, Avro and Prestwich Heys.

Fellow striker Ethan Sutcliffe came from Chadderton too in pre-season and previously played for Avro.

Adem Oureghi is another young striker, while fellow striker Martijn “Junior” Smith arrived last month from Chowan University Hawks in the US, he’s an ex Doncaster Rovers junior.

Kick off is 7.45 and remember if you are travelling to the game via Ashbourne, it’s also Shrove Tuesday.

*** MONDAY’S WEATHER UPDATE FROM GLOSSOP, “light overnight snow soon cleared and not too bad overall.”

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

It was back to winning ways for Mickleover, as they came away from the Don Amott Arena 3-1 winners over second in the table Basford Utd.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Danny Benson 3-Jake Bennett 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-George Wlkinson 7-Archie White 8-Cieron Keane 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Manni Norkett. Subs: Paddy Webb, Ross Derham, Josiah Dyer, Josh Ashman, Thabang Dube.

From the kick off Mickleover starting to challenge the visitors and after five minutes White cut inside from the right for the first shot of the game, just over the bar.

From there Sports were in the ascendancy and a few minutes later Norkett dispossessed two defenders to pass to Beavon, his shot was saved by keeper Yates, but it fell to White who struck if sweetly into the back of the net, 1-0.

Norkett was causing havoc and after nine minutes his hard work sent Dales on his first run. He created the space but his shot was well off target.

Basford tried to capitalise after a brief moment of uncertainty in the home defence, but the danger was soon cleared.

Keane and Norkett then combined to make good progress, but the Basford defence managed to thwart the advance.

There was more pressure from the visitors after a series of corners 17 minutes in. The ball was heading goalwards, but Wilkinson managed to head it off the line and keep the lead intact.

There was more sustained pressure from Mickleover with Keane, Atkinson, White and Dales blending well in midfield, provided a strong feed to Norkett and Beavon up front.

After 25 minutes Dales outpaced the defence on the left, but keeper Yates just made it to the ball before Norkett.

Three minutes later Basford had their best chance f the game, after Nyle Blake broke through, but McDowell was quickly off his line and blocked the striker with his feet.

Dales had another shot saved after 36 minutes, after Norkett’s resilience had paid dividends and two minutes Beavon almost put White in the clear again.

Mickleover had created more chances and had the greater of the possession in the first half, but with one minute left on the clock, Connor Dimaio picked up a corner on the edge of the box, and struck it into top left hand corner, to end the half on equal terms, 1-1.

Mickleover came out fighting in the second half and just three minutes in Dales was hacked down. Keane stepped up to take the free kick, floated in to find Benson on the right, who headed it home 2-1.

Four minutes later Jordy Hallam tried his luck for the visitors, his effort went across the face of the goal, but fortunately no one was on hand to connect.

Basford continued to look for the equaliser again, but Benson, Gascoigne, Wilkinson and Bennett had grown in confidence at the moment.

But just past the hour Blake broke through again, just about on side, but with just McDowell to beat he shot wide of the left-hand post.

Mickleover’s first change was Dyer for Beavon after 64 minutes, before Basford won a free kick just outside the box on the left, only to go to waste.

Keane dropped another free kick nicely into the box after 68 minutes, winning a corner that was cleared. But Basford then broke and with McDowell charging out his goal, the ball was somehow played past him, but Bennett intercepted.

Bennett had started to push forward more on the left and having got clear after 70 minutes, he cross was a little too close to Yates, who collected with ease.

After Webb had replaced Norkett on the 70 minute mark, McDowell had to make another save low down with his feet, as Basford continued to seek that elusive equaliser.

Dales almost connected with Webb after cross from the left, but the clock was counting down. Ashman replaced White for the final seven minutes, but ten victory was sealed, when Bennett’s hard work found Webb on the left. He cut back inside to find Bennett, who continued his run and fired home to make it 3-1 and secure all three points.

Derham and Dube were late subs to replace Keane and Dales, and McDowell had to make another late save from a long range shot, but it was Mickleover’s day, completing the double over our Nottinghamshire visitors.

 

By Peter Scherer

Having gone 10 days without a match following the postponement of our visit to Anstey Nomads, Mickleover are back in action on Saturday, as we welcome second placed Basford Utd to the Don Amott Arena.

Back in October we were 2-1 winners in the corresponding away game, with goals from Archie White and Stuart Beavon.
Since then our visitors have gone from strength to strength under Martin Carruthers’ leadership, only ending a fourteen game unbeaten run last Saturday, with a 0-1 defeat at home to Bedworth.

Despite Sports lack of consistency their ninth place is only eight behinds behind Basford and still well in touch with the play-off positions, such is the closeness in the table.
Mickleover should be at full strength with strikers Manni Norkett and Josiah Dyer’s loans now confirmed to the end of the season.
For our visitors first choice goalkeeper is Matt Yates who arrived pre-season from Ilkeston. He spent last season at Ilkeston after joining them from Gainsborough, where he had spent the previous two years. He was a Derby County Junior and was loaned to Gloucester City, Hereford and Telford Utd prior to his release.
In our FA Trophy defeat back In September, he was the difference between us winning and losing and now also captains the side.
Yates’ understudy has been the vastly experienced Saul Deeney. He started his career at Notts County, and after loan spells at Gresley Rovers, Ilkeston and Hull City, he made a permanent move to Burton Albion in 2005.
He then returned to Notts County, for a year, before a short stay at Hucknall Town preceded a return to Burton too. 4 ½ years at Derby County followed, before his first spell at Basford in 2015. Moving on to Coalville and Ilkeston, he joined Matlock in January 2023, before returning to Basford at the beginning of last season.
Harvey Woodward has also been on the bench as sub keeper, a former Ilkeston Town player, who has also played for Gedling, Gresley Rovers and Kimberley MW’s.
Centre back Ethan Stewart was signed at the beginning of last season from Stafford Rangers. He started his career with Nottingham Forest, who loaned him to Billericay and Alfreton, before joining Nuneaton on his release. He then returned to Alfreton, before moving to Stafford Rangers in October 2021.
Left back or centre back captain Henri Wilder has just started his third season with the club, since signing from Ilkeston in November 2023.He played his youth football at Brighton and Mansfield and was loaned out to Lewes. Following his Stags release he went to Tamworth and played for Alfreton too, before a year at Ilkeston.
Right back Osa Soloman came from Grantham in pre-season. He is an ex Nottingham Forest Junior, who was also loaned to Redditch. He joined Grantham following his release in summer 2023.
Lynden Joyce is another defender who returned to the club after starting off in their youth scheme. He started the season with Shepshed Dynamo and has also played for Sherwood Colliery and Eastwood.
Ryan Ebanks was a pre- season arrival. He plays on the right side of the defence and lists Grantham, Newark Flowserve, Newark & Sherwood Utd and Coalville on his CV after playing junior football at Notts County.
Eli Christie is a former Derby County Academy centre back. He joined Ilkeston following his release and played for Grantham to before joining our visitors from Gresley Rovers in pre-season.
Jordy Hallam is an attacking midfielder, who has spent most his career at Sheffield Utd. With 28 EFL appearances under his belt, he had loans at Southport, Viking Stavanger and Chesterfield, before joining Scunthorpe following is release. His next stop was Ilkeston after an initial loan, but after three months he moved to Basford in October 2023.
Connor Dimaio is another experienced midfielder. He has League One and Two experience after starting at Sheffield Utd. Chesterfield was his next stop, followed by Stockport, Boston Utd, Curzon Ashton, Matlock and Bradford Park Avenue, from where joined our hosts in pre-season.
Callum Cocks came from Long Eaton in the summer. A right back or midfielder he was previously with Loughborough Dynamo and has played for the Army and Royal Artillery.
Right sided midfielder Nyle Blake arrived from Eastwood a couple of weeks ago. He is a former Mansfield Town junior, who joined Alfreton following his release. Frickley, Belper Town, Carlton, Hyde, Gainsborough, Stamford, Newark & Sherwood and Anstey are all on his cv before joining Eastwood last November.
Nat Peters is a midfielder that came through Basford’s own scheme, before moving onto Kimberley MW. He returned to our visitors in November.
Fellow midfielder Rev James in his fourth spell with our visitors. He started out at Rotherham and Oxford Utd, before a loan spell at Basford in 2018. After a spell at Tamworth he made his second visit in November 2019, moving on to Nuneaton who laned him back again, before that became permanent. He finally came back in December 2023, after four months oat Belper Town.
Jack Thomas arrived last month. He’s an ex Notts County and Mansfield youngster, who was loaned to Hednesford, Barrow, Boston Utd and Tamworth, before joining Basford at the start of 2018/19. After further spells at Ilkeston and Tamworth he returned to our visitors again in May ’23, moving onto Anstey, Rushall and Tamworth before his latest move.
Strikers Tyler Dacres, Luca Burton and Covarne Leon are three young strikers that have come through the clubs own Academy and is now a regular in the first team squad.
Curtis Durose was signed early into the season, a striker he is an ex Rotherham youngster and he had loans at Gainsborough, Scarborough and Matlock before a permanent move to Matlock at the start of last season, following his release. He came to our hosts after 10 months at Gainsborough.
Oli Wilson is another striker who came from Hednesford in November. He played his junior football at Mansfield Town and has also played for Carlton and Boston Utd.
Dameer Rose and Taylon Cevirir both made their first team debuts earlier this season, having come through the clubs youth scheme.
Kick off is at 3pm, with usual bar and refreshment facilities.

by Peter Scherer

Following Wednesday nights defeat at Lichfield, its back on the road again for Mickleover, as we travel to promotion chasers Anstey Nomads.

Nomads have only lost five games this season and one was back at the Don Amott Arena, when Michael Hollingsworth’s goal gave us a 1-0 win back in October.

It’s also been a successful season for out hosts in the FA Trophy, recently going out in the fourth round.
Tony Blanchard is the Nomads manager and they are currently in second place, with games in hand.

Mansfield Town loanee and Dominican Republic International Anthony Nunez is the first choice keeper. He was at Basford and Notts County before joining the Stags and has been out on loan at Shepshed Dynamo too.

Centre back Lewis Gibbens started out at Mansfield too. He moved onto Boston Utd after an initial loan, but came to Anstey from Worksop Town after one season, in July 2022.

Kyle Tomlin is another centre back and another former Mansfield Junior, after joining them from Burton Albion. He joined Coalville Town following his release and played for Carlton Town and Eastwood before joining Anstey in February 2024.

Left back Oscar Tonge was signed from Coleshill in August 2024, where he had spent the previous season after being released by Peterborough Utd.

Tristan Thomas is a left back too. A pre-season arrival following his release by Leicester City.
Ben Humphrey’s is a defender signed in pre-season from Hinckley Leicester Road.
Centre back Jordan Annable came from AFC Mansfield in August 2021, after spending seven seasons with the Nottinghamshire club. He is the club captain.

Luke Redfern is a centre back, a pre-season arrival from Stamford. He started at Burton Albion and was loaned to Nuneaton and Sutton Coldfield before joining Stoke City. He had another loan spell at Hednesford before going to Halesowen on his release. He spent the whole of last season at Stamford.
Defender Danny Gordon came from Corby Town in pre season, where he had played for the last three seasons. He has also played for Belper Town and Loughborough Dynamo
Henry Bestwick is a midfielder and a home-grown talent, having joined Anstey as a 16 year old. He had a few seasons away at Long Eaton Utd before returning to our hosts.

Former Leicester City junior Rubyn Gill is a defensive midfielder who went to the US after a spell at Solihull Moors. Starting with UCAS Bears, he played for Belmont Bruins and Brown Ballers before returning to the UK.
Central midfielder Tobias Liversidge arrived in October from Stamford. He started out at Lincoln City and has also played for Spalding Utd and Lincoln Utd.

Ronnie Kokkinos is a defensive midfielder, currently on loan from Mansfield Town.

Attacking midfielder Josh Burniston came from Stamford in pre-season. He had been on a dual registration with Lincoln Utd, but started off at Nottingham Forest. He’s had spells at Cambridge Utd and Gresley Rovers too.
Striker Nyle Blake spent much of last season out injured. He started out at Mansfield Town and had a spell at Alfreton before going to Frickley after an initial loan. He moved on to Belper Town, Carlton, Hyde Utd and Gainsborough before returning to Frickley in November 2021. Further moves to Stamford, Newark & Sherwood preceded his move to our hosts in 2023.

Tendai Chitiza is a striker that started off at Leicester Nirvana. He then had a short spell with Gresley Rovers before going to Serbia with CSK Celarevo and TSC Backa Topola. On his return to the UK he joined Stamford, but after three years he moved on to Coalville. Returning to Stamford again in August 2023 he was there until joining Anstey at the start of this season.

Striker Liam Murphy was another pre-season signing, having played at Bedworth and Boldmere St.Michael’s last season.

Courey Grantham is a striker too, signed from Quorn in pre-season. He spent four years with Basford and as played for Heanor Town and Hednesford too.
Also in our hosts squad are veteran strikers David Nugent and Martyn Waghorn, both ex Derby County players, but neither have seen much game time since their signings.
Kick off is 3pm and your support would be welcomed.