by Peter Scherer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It was a tough game to be fair,

said Radcliffe.

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

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

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

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

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

by Peter Scherer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kick off as usual is 3pm

by Peter Scherer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Peter Scherer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Peter Scherer

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

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

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have added former Doncaster Rovers right back Elliot Walker to their squad and he will be available for the visit to Stafford Rangers next Tuesday.

The 20 year old came through the Doncaster Academy and has spent the last year with Stocksbridge Park Steels.

I am delighted to get Elliott to the club. He’s an attacking right back who ticks all the boxes of what I want from a modern day attacking full back.

Mickleover boss John McGrath.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover started their NPL match against Scarborough Athletic seeking a straight sixth successive victory, but an injury time penalty and red card brought the run to an end.

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

After an even opening five minutes, Sports won the first corner, but wind assisted it was too long and went straight out of play.

It continued to be end to end with the odd half chance until Hedge was called into action after ten minutes. Scarborough earned a free kick and the Mickleover keeper comfortably collected Gooda’s header.

Radcliffe almost got a shot in two minutes later, but his effort from a Milner throw was blocked.

As Agustien, Ravenhill and Warren began to push forward, Mickleover went desperately close to opening the scoring after 13 minutes. Wright had the ball on the left and as the angle narrowed, his shot was just just wide of the right hand post, with Davidson-Miller only inches from helping it on its way.

Davidson-Miller was almost one on one with Scarborough keeper Whiteley after 16 minutes after a long clearance from the Mickleover defence, but the following wind just edged the ball into the keepers favour.

Butler and Radcliffe had been fairly steady in the middle of Sports defence, but it was a loose ball from Butler that set up the visitors next chance. Wilson got his shot in from the left but once again Hedge had it covered. 

But Mickleover were soon pushing forward again and Radcliffe put a good ball into the box on the half hour but it was too long for Davidson-Miller.

Ravenhill was then tripped on the edge of the box, but Agustien’s free kick was over the bar.

38 minutes in and Beavon tapped the ball into Warren’s path, but the ball wouldn’t sit for the midfielder and his mishit shot rolled to the keeper.

With half time approaching both teams were seeking to break the deadlock and with Davidson -Miller running onto a long ball, his shot was blocked and similarly Wright’s rebound too.

But Scarborough had a chance too when Day was almost through on goal, only for Mickleover to attack again losing out in scramble in the visitors goal mouth.

0-0 was probably a fair half time score, with few real goal scoring opportunities and not the most attractive game of football seen at the Don Amott Arena this season.

There were no changes at half time but Mickleover began to push forward again from the restart. Both Milner and Dolan had started to press on the wings and Wright managed to fire in a 51^st minute shot following a free kick, but Whiteley was untroubled.

Five minutes later Beavon tried a shot from outside the box, but it was easily saved.

Former Sports player James Cadman had come on for Scarborough, and tried a shot from outside the box which was well off target.

Sports then swapped Davidson-Miller for McDonald after 64 minutes, before the tide turned. 

A long throw on the left found centre back Will Thornton and Hedge was beaten on his far post, 0-1.

McDonald soon made his presence felt, holding the ball well to find Warren. He was almost through but his final shot was blocked.

Milner then burst forward after 72 minutes and got a good cross into the box, but there was no one on the receiving end.

A couple of minutes later Dolan jinked his way into a promising position. He got his cross in but once again there was no one to collect.

Cadman had another wild and wide shot for the visitors, just before Sports made a second substitution with Dales on for Agustien.

Beavon had been sharp for the whole game and it was his shot after 80 minutes that earned a penalty for a hand ball, from which Warren placed it firmly in the back of the net for 1-1.

Scarborough continued on the breaks and Cadman almost made it through with six minutes of normal time left. But Sports immediately retaliated and Beavon went close, after a last minute block.

Dolan was then fouled on the left but Wright’s effort after the free kick went over, before a McDonald cross saw Warren’s shot blocked.

Mickleover had the upperhand and as the game went into injury time Whiteley was forced to tip a Dales shot around the post.

From the possibility of snatching a late victory, there was a final blow however. Dolan had lost out on a Scarborough break and as he fought back he was deemed to have fouled and a penalty was awarded in the 105^th minute, with the defender red carded too.

Colville made no mistake from the spot and the final whistle soon followed, with the 1-2 scoreline not really confirming the story of the game.

by Peter Scherer

Scarborough Athletic are the visitors to the Don Amott Arena on Saturday, currently fourth in the NPL, having won eight of their 16 away matches so far this season.

They were one of the few teams to get a game last weekend, drawing 2-2 away to FC United and on a 10 game unbeaten run since their 0-1 defeat at South Shields on New Years day.

But following our sensational victory last time out against table toppers South Shields, hopes will be high of making it six consecutive victories.

Ryan Whitley is the first choice goalkeeper, on an extended loan rom York City. He has also had spells at Whitby and South Shields.

Assistant manager Michael Ingham is usually the number two keeper. A Northern Ireland International at both full and under 18 and  23 levels, he had six years at Sunderland, after they signed him from Cliftonville. His numerous loans included Carlisle, Coleraine, Stoke City, Stockport, Darlington, York City, Wrexham and Doncaster.

He went to Hereford following his release from Sunderland and has been at York and Tadcaster until moving to Scarborough this summer, with a host of league experience behind him.

Central Defender Bailey Gooda has returned to Scarborough after a spell at Hyde last season. He has also played at Frickley and Harrogate too and started this season at Matlock Town. He is an ex Barnsley Junior.

Left back or midfielder Ashley Jackson came to our hosts in August 2020, from Boston Utd, where he spent two years after joining them from Ossett Town.

Dylan Cogill can play centre or left back. The ex Huddersfield Academy player  had a loan spell at Clyde, before joining then permanently after his release by the Terriers. After a year in Scotland he joined Farsley Celtic, from where he joined the Sea Dogs last summer.

Will Thornton is another centre back who was signed from Guiseley, after they had sent him out on loan to Gainsborough Trinity. Similarly Kieran Weledji came to the club around the same time, after five years at Whitby. He came out of the Middlesbrough youth scheme.

Simon Heslop is a vastly experienced midfielder. He started out at Barnsley, making one first team appearance, but had loans at Kidderminster, Tamworth, Northwich, Halifax, Grimsby, Kettering and Luton.

He then made a permanent move to League two Oxford, making 102 appearances and scoring nine goals over three seasons. His next moves were League One Stevenage and League Two Mansfield, spending a season at each, making another 65 league appearances, before stepping into the National League with Torquay, Wrexham and York.

After a loan at Eastleigh he went to Boston Utd and came to Scarborough from Blyth Spartans last  summer.

Ryan Watson is another experienced midfielder, who started his career at Huddersfield and made the first team on three occasions. He joined Bradford PA for 2010/11, but soon moved on to Farsley Celtic, where he spent two seasons.

Next stop Curzon Ashton, but after four seasons he returned to Farsley, from where Scarborough signed him for the 2018/19 season.

Central or defensive midfielder, Kieran Glynn came to the Sea Dogs in July last year after an initial loan from Salford City. He started out with FC United before joining Salford in 2018. Loans at Chorley, Woking and Southport preceded his move to Scarborough.

Northern Ireland under 21 midfielder Lewis Maloney was a new signing last summer. He came through Middlesbrough’s Academy, before joining Gateshead on his release. He came to Scarborough after two years at Marske Utd.

James Cadman is an ex Mickleover midfielder. He started at the Rotherham Academy, before moving on to Stalybridge, Harrogate and Hyde. He came to Mickleover in June 2019 from Scarborough, before making his return a year later.

Striker Nick Hutton has previously been at Harrogate Town, but impressed manager Jonathan Greening in pre-season and his stay has become permanent.

Striker and coach Ryan Blott is the clubs record goal scorer having left for Pickering Town in 2017 with 250 goals under his belt. He returned to the club in January last year, initially as a junior coach.

Jake Day  rejoined the club in October, after spending last season at Alfreton Town. He joined the Reds from Tadcaster in August 2020 and was at Scarborough in 2017 on a dual registration with Bridlington Town.

Cameron Wilson is an attacking midfielder on loan from Scunthorpe, a product of the Irons own Academy.

Michael Coulson is an experienced striker who started his career at Scarborough and played 47 games in the Conference National League, before joining Championship side Barnsley. After 25 games and two goals, plus loans at Northwich and Grimsby, his stay at Grimsby became permanent, with 114 appearances and 24 goals before moving on again. 

Four years at League One York City, preceded a short stay in the Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone, arriving back at Scarborough in July 2017. He has scored in both of their last two league games. He is also an England C International.

Winger or attacking midfielder Luca Colville is another player to have ventured over the border. The former Huddersfield Junior had two years at Morton, before coming to Scarborough last October.

Defender Josh Barrett, midfielder Brad Plant and goalkeeper Matt Bancroft have also been members of the squad recently.