by Peter Scherer

Mickleover made it two wins in succession, but it was a tough duel with fellow strugglers Witton Albion.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Joe Bateman 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Phil Watt 5-Pablo Mills 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Ben Radcliffe 8-Mason Warren 9-Shaquille McDonald 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Andrew Wright; Jahvan Davidson-Miller; James Butler; Callum Niven; Bobby Battisson.

Without a game since their New Years Day win at Hyde, Mickleover started much the stronger of the two teams.

After only a couple of minutes a Warren free kick showed promise, before eventually trickling through a busy area to Witton keeper Hall.

It was Warren again on the end of a curling shot three minutes later, but it was safely into Hall’s hands again.

Playing on the right of midfield, Radcliffe had been finding plenty of space and sent a challenging cross in for Beavon, whose shot was tipped away by a diving Hall to his right, 10 minutes in.

Witton had hardly been into the Mickleover half, but two minutes later they had their first chance, blocked for a corner after Mickleover had failed to clear their lines.

McDonald’s pace was a concern for the visitors and he managed to put Dales through after 13 minutes, but his effort was wide of the left hand post.

Another McDonald run resulted in a free kick after he was fouled as he collected a ball from the right. He took the free kick himself but fired wide.

Both Dolan and Bateman had caused problems for the visitors defence on the overlap, and after 20 minutes Dolan’s cross just missed from connecting with Dales.

Two minutes later however McDonald picked up the ball just outside the box and fired past Hall 1-0. Only two minutes later McDonald was through again, finding Beavon as he squared it, but the final shot was easily taken by the keeper again.

Witton wasted a 24^th minute free kick, before Dales picked up a loose ball before charging towards the Witton goal, only to be fouled in full flight.

Beavon got his head to Dales free kick, but the effort was just wide again.

In the last 15 minutes of the second half Witton began to get into the game more, aided by Mickleover’s willingness to sit back in their own half and try to absorb the pressure.

The visitors had a shot wide after 37 minutes, but Mickleover still had chances too with Dolan’s challenging run and following cross just too high as a deflection took it out of Beavon’s reach for a corner.

Dales short corner came to nought, before Witton broke again only to shoot well wide.

Warren was given a yellow card just before half time. Once again Witton wasted their free kick, before Dales broke clear again. He was fouled again but the referee didn’t give it.

There was one more chance before the half time whistle, when some good play from Beavon found Bateman, whose cross managed to find Dales’ head, but the effort lacked pace and failed to trouble the keeper, so it remained 1-0.

Both sides remained unchanged as the second half got underway, and unfortunately there was little sign of the early flourish from Mickleover that faded during the first 45.

Witton were straight on the attack as they sought the equaliser, with a shot from Ferguson on the right just fractionally wide of the left hand post.

But it was almost a second for Mickleover when McDonald smashed a shot against the bar after 50 minutes. Beavon put the rebound in, but it was disallowed for an alleged offside.

Watt and Mills had managed to thwart the Witton attacks so far, but as the midfield began to make less and less progress, they came under pressure too.

But Mickleover went close again when Bateman’s header from a free kick was tipped over by Hall after 52 minutes.

Dales then connected with a weak effort at the end of a long build up, before another close call for the Witton defence after 55 minutes, when McDonald went close following up a corner.

 There were chances at both ends and Witton had two in a five minutes spell, but the inevitable finally happened in the 64^th minute.

A cross from left found Rob Hopley in the box, where his strikers had failed, he slotted home to make it 1-1.

There still seemed to be more fight from Witton, but after a hand ball Warren’s kick was on target but failed to trouble Hall.

Watt blocked a powerful Witton strike after 71 minutes and shortly afterwards Warren was replaced by Wright.

It was fairly even for the next 10 minutes, with a Bateman cross finding both Beavon and Wright trying to get a shot in.

Dolan then found McDonald’s head with a cross from the left, but it was just wide after 76 minutes. But only two minutes later it was McDonald’s turn to set up Beavon, but the golden chance went begging and his shot was wide.

Time was beginning to run out and two of the crucial three points were looking lost.

McDonald managed to head a Bateman cross just wide again and Dales shot from outside the box after a Dolan cross, was blocked.

With five minutes left on the clock Niven came on for his debut replacing McDonald and attempting to turn for his first shot was pushed to the ground. Penalty appeals failed, but two minutes later he completed a dream debut by firing a shot hard and low passed Hall for 2-1.

Butler came on for Beavon for the last couple of minutes and Witton failed in two consecutive penalty appeals, so it remained 2-1 and Mickleover took all three points, but only just!

by Peter Scherer

Burton Albion Academy striker Callum Niven is another new addition to the Mickleover for this weekends game at home to Witton Albion.

The 17 year old has played mainly in Burton’s Under 18’s, but had a loan spell with Redditch before Christmas and has just returned from a month at Sutton Coldfield Town.

by Peter Scherer

This weekend’s visitors Witton Albion have been short on games recently, with a number of postponements.

Currently 21^st in the NPL table, one point behind Mickleover, they have identical goal difference, but four games in hand.

They have only played three league games in the last two months, with a 0-1 defeat at Matlock last Saturday, a 1-1 at home to Gainsborough and a 1-4 defeat at home to Warrington. Their last win being on October 26^th at home to Atherton.

First choice goalkeeper Greg Hall returned to the club at the start of this season, having left two years earlier for local rivals Nantwich.

He started out at Glossop North End, moving on via Ramsbottom, 1874 Northwich and Ashton Utd, before his first stop at Witton in July 2019.

Full back Isaac Baldwin is a former Huddersfield Junior who arrived from Farsley Celtic in 2017 initially on loan, he previously played for Spennymoor, Ossett, Halifax and Brighouse Town.

Josh Wardle is a central defender who started at Lancaster City, before making his first move to Kendal Town. He captained Liverpool John Moores University and after a year at Skelmersdale, arrived at Witton for the 2018/19 season and is currently team captain.

Joe Ferguson is a right back currently on an extended loan from Blackburn Rovers, where he has been playing in their Under 23 side.

Central midfielder Ben Pleavin had been at Manchester Utd’s youth set up before moving to Blackburn Rovers, where he spent a year before joining Accrington. He is currently on loan until next month.

Midfield or striker Rob Hopley was initially a youth team player at Macclesfield, before moving on to Winsford and Leek.

He then had a long spell at Colwyn Bay, spending almost eight years at the club, with only a brief spell away at Chester, before coming to Witton in 2015.

He is one of Witton’s top scorers in the clubs history, having netted 85 times up to the end of last season. Currently dual registered with Winsford, he has recently recovered from a serious leg injury and has been the club captain.

Wing back or midfielder Tom Owens started out at Preston North End. He played at Marine and had a short spell at Witton before venturing overseas to the US and Australia. He came back to Witton in September 2017 from Brunswick City.

Midfielder James Foley is one of Witton’s long serving players, having been signed from Marine in 2017. He started at AFC Liverpool before joining Macclesfield Town juniors. He moved on to Buckley Town and Camell Laird, before his three year spell at Marine. He is the Witton penalty taker.

Jawad Jebrin is another attacking midfielder and former Warrington Town junior. He has also played for St Helens.

Cesaire Lingoube played junior football at Morecambe and Stalybridge, before moving on to Droylsden and Northwich in 2017. The striker or midfielder had his first spell at Witton in October 2020 before joining Matlock Town. 

Former Bolton Wanderers Junior midfielder Danny McKenna originally had a dual registration with Witton and Runcorn, but has been full time at Witton since September 2017.

Striker Will Jones came from Colwyn Bay in 2017, having spent most of his career in the North West with Bootle, South Sefton, AFC Liverpool, Burscough, Nantwich, Marine and Warrington. 

Callum Saunders was new signing at the beginning of the season from Nantwich. Son of Welsh International and former Rams star Dean, Callum is a Welsh under 19 and 21 international himself.  He came through the Crewe Academy and has played at Notts County and Curzon Ashton too.

Striker James Lawrie is capped by Northern Ireland at full, B, under 21, 19 and17 levels, having started his career at Port Vale. 

After 30 games and two goals in Leagues One and Two and a loan at Kidderminster, he moved on to Telford Utd, before a lengthy stay at Altrincham, scoring 51 goals in 275 appearances.

Moving on to Hednesford in June 2017, he then joined Nantwich a year later, when he remained until signing for Witton last September.

Nick Ryan is a centre back who joined Witton from Stalybridge in 2017. After multiple leg fractures in 2018, he missed a whole season, before going out to Runcorn Linnets to regain his fitness and a return to Witton.

Josh Paterson is new to the first team squad, the midfielder having come through Witton’s own youth scheme.

Defender Josh Agbozo was a Shrewsbury Academy player, signed in November, having been at Chorley where he had a dual registration with Leek Town.

Second choice keeper Raj Gill is a former Leicester City Junior. After a spell at Kettering he played for Frederico Mayo in Spain and has had spells at Tamworth, Cirencester and Alvechurch, before arriving at Witton September last year.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm as usual with the bar and food available pre kick off.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC have added two strikers to their squad over the last week, both returning to the Don Amott Arena for second time.

Shaquille McDonald (top left) helped avoid relegation in 2018/2019 with a goal in the final game of the season, before moving to Bromsgrove and more recently Tamworth.

Kai Moore was part of Sports successful National and Regional Academy winning team from last season, who has played his football at Carlton and West Bridgford so far this season.

Both will be in the Mickleover squad for this weekends home game against Witton Albion.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover will be looking for their second successive win on the road this Saturday, when they visit Nantwich Town.

At present the Dabbers are one point behind Mickleover in 20^th place, following only their second home win of the season on Tuesday evening against Gainsborough.

Our hosts have still have three games in hand, so it’s another critical double pointer as we try to pull clear of the drop zone, so with Nantwich only an hour down the road travelling support would be more than welcomed by John McGrath and the boys.

Let’s take a look at our hosts.

Having used three goalkeepers this season, Matty Gould holds the number one shirt at present, on loan from Altrincham until later this month.

He started out in New Zealand with Hawke’s Bay and Maycenvale Utd, before coming to the UK with Cheltenham in 2014. He was loaned out to Bishop Cleeve before moving to Scotland with Livingston. 

Further loans at Stenhousemuir and Stourbridge followed, before he went to Spennymoor in 2018, moving on again to Altrincham after two years. He is the third generation of footballer, with father Jonathan an ex Celtic keeper, and Grandad Bobby the former Coventry City legend.

Andy Wycherley has kept goal in four of the last five games however. The Welshman started at the New Saints, before joining Telford Utd, after a short loan at Guilfield. In January last year he moved to Solihull Moors and then had just over a year at Hednesford before coming to Nantwich in October.

Troy Bourne is one of the main stays of the Nantwich defence, now in his seventh season at the club. A graduate from the Dabbers’ youth team, he spent much of the 16/17 campaign on loan at Alsager Town but did make a couple of first-team appearances for the Dabbers. Now a regular in the centre back position but can also play at right back when required.

Defender Josh Langley was a summer 2019 signing from Southport. He started out a Junior at Wigan Athletic, then had four years at Fylde before joining Southport. Loans at Altrincham and Guiseley followed before arriving at Nantwich. 

Matty Devine is a left back who switched Cheshire allegiances in the summer of 2019 as he joined the Dabbers from Witton Albion. An attacking full-back, he was previously at Marine and Burscough.

Joel Stair is another long serving player in his sixth season at the club. Primarily a right or centre back he was signed from Hanley Town in 2016.

Former Welsh under 15, 16 and 17 International Jacob Edwards is a right back, signed in September 2021 after serving his apprenticeship at Swansea.

Midfielder Caspar Hughes re-joined the Dabbers from AFC Fylde at the start of the 2017-18 season, before being named captain in January 2018 after the departure of Sam Hall. He started at Crewe Alexandra youth academy and had a loan at Chasetown before starting his long association with Nantwich, first as a loanee, before it was permanent from July 2012.

Moving on to Fylde a year later, he helped them gain promotion from both the Northern Premier League and the National League North, before returning to Nantwich.

Midfielder David Vaughan came through the ranks at Crewe Alexandra, playing 209 matches and scoring 20 goals over eight seasons.

But in 2007 he ventured to Spain with Real Sociedad, scoring one goal in nine games before returning to the UK with Blackpool. He had three years at Bloomfield Road before moving to Sunderland for £1.8 million and then spent five years at Nottingham Forest, making over 100 appearances.

 He then crossed the Trent for a spell at Notts County, which brought an end to his league career of over 500 games. He turned to Crewe to coach the Academy and after two years out, started playing again at Nantwich last September.

 

Having already been capped by Wales at under 19 and 21 levels, he went on to play 42 games for the full Welsh side and was part of the successful 2016 Euros squad.

Sean Cooke is an attacking midfielder and is the son of manager Dave. He played with Caspar Hughes, at the AFC Fylde side that won promotion from the Northern Premier, but played his junior football at Crewe and Blackburn Rovers.

He first came to Nantwich in 2011, before moving to Fylde after five months.  Moving on to Telford Utd, where they loaned him back to Fylde and FC United, from where Nantwich signed him again in 2015.

Carlos “Thommy” Montefiori is a young Argentinian winger who was signed in February 2021 after turning 18. He has been a local resident with his family in Chester for the last couple of years and was spotted and invited to Nantwich and subsequently signed. He started at the famous All Boys FC in Buenos Aires.

Another midfielder Prince Haywood came from fellow NPL club Radcliffe in January 2020. Ghanaian born,
Prince previously played in Italy with Modenese and Virtus Pavullese, before coming to the UK with Stalybridge Celtic. After two seasons he moved to Colwyn Bay, then Witton Albion and Radcliffe before joining the Nantwich squad.

Joe Mwasile has spent recent games on the bench, but a midfielder or pacey winger he joined the club in October 2017. A former Morecambe Academy Graduate, he had loans at Workington, Altrincham and Barrow before being released in 2014.

He then joined Workington permanently, moving on via Salford City, Marine and Warrington, before arriving at Nantwich.

Striker Shaun Miller hasn’t been in the starting line-up of late. He started his career with Crewe Alexandra’s youth system, and he signed a professional contract with the club in July 2006. He made his first-team debut in November 2006.

After a loan at Witton he joined Sheffield Utd, after making 179 appearances and scoring 43 goals at Gresty Road.

After nine goals in 35 games for the Blades in League One and a loan Shrewsbury, he joined Coventry City, but was soon loaned out again to Crawley and York City.

Further moves to Morecambe and Carlisle preceded his return to Crewe in 2018. He then joined Bolton Wanderers in 2020, before coming to Nantwich at the beginning of this season and scored on his debut.

Striker Joe Malkin is the son of former Tranmere Rovers striker Chris. He joined the club at the beginning of the 2018-19 season from North-West Counties Football League side Cammell Laird 1907 and won the Northern Premier League Young Player of the Season. 

Connor Heath was a signing in the summer after being released from Crewe Alexandra, where he had impressed during his 2-year scholarship period with a number of goals, he signed a professional contract in the summer of 2019.

He had previously been loaned to Witton Albion and Colwyn Bay and is currently dual registered with Farsley Celtic.

Dan Cockerline came through the ranks as a Sheffield Utd junior. He had loans at Grantham. Marine, Matlock and Curzon Ashton before being released in July 2016 to join Northwich Vics.

Further moves to Barrow and Southport soon followed plus a loan at Stalybridge, before he had three months in Australia with Adelaide. 

On his UK return he joined AFC Liverpool, then FC United, Aberystwyth and back to Liverpool, finally coming to Nantwich September last year.

Joe Robbins is a central midfielder currently on loan from Crewe. He previously had a spell on loan at Altrincham too.

Midfielder Matt Bell came back to the club last month. The former Port Vale graduate moved onto Mansfield, and after loans at Stafford, Solihull Moors, Leek Town and Kidsgrove Athletic, he first came to Nantwich in May 2015.After 21 goals in 199 games in moved back to Leek in October 2019, before arriving back at Nantwich again.

He is also a full international too, having been caped twice by the British Virgin Islands in 2015.

Our match on Saturday against South Shields has been postponed due to a Covid outbreak in their squad.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC squad will need all the confidence gained in last weekends win at Hyde, when they face title contenders South Shields at the Don Amott Arena in the Keith Loring Memorial League Match.

Sports will have George Milner and James Butler available again, while Jahvan Davidson-Miller is also possible.

Our visitors are currently third in the NPL table, having only lost one away game all season, but having only played five games in the last two months, their home win against Gainsborough at the end of November was their only win in those five, having also lost to Hyde at home Pre Christmas.

Manager Graham Fenton has managed to keep a fairly stable starting eleven of late too, but having gone down 0-3 on the opening day of the season, Sports will be looking to turn the tables on our North Eastern visitors.

Myles Boney is their first choice goalkeeper, a former Blackpool Academy graduate. He made six first team appearances and was loaned to Nantwich and Solihull Moors, before a third loan spell brought him to South Shields in July 2019, then making the move permanent a year later. He was then loaned to Darlington for a month in early 2021, before becoming first choice for South Shields.

Midfielder Mitch Rose is the brother of former England player Danny. He started out in the Sheffield Wednesday youth team before a move to Rotherham in 2012, where he made five senior appearances. Loans at Stamford and Crawley Town preceded a move to Ilkeston, moving on to Mansfield Town in League Two where he made 52 appearances.

After a short spell at Newport County, he had a couple of seasons each at Grimsby Town and Notts County, before going non-league again with Boston United. He came to South Shields in December, after three months at Yeovil.

Left back Blair Adams is the visitors captain, having started his career as a junior at Sunderland. He didn’t make their first team, but gained league experience during loans at Brentford, Northampton and Coventry, before joining the Sky Blues permanently in 2013.

After 64 games in a Coventry shirt he moved on to Notts County, making another 55 first team appearances, plus being loaned to Mansfield. Further stops at Cambridge Utd, Hamilton Academicals and Hartlepool followed, before arriving at South Shields in July 2018. He had a month loans at Gateshead early last year, but is now first choice on the team sheet and is s former England Under 20’s capped player.

Midfielder Callum Ross started out at Cramlington Juniors before being spotted by Sunderland, where he spent three years before returning to Cramlington again. He then tried his luck in the US, spending three years at Wingate Bulldogs, a University team. He then moved up to the US Pro Soccer League with Charlotte Independence and Oklahoma City Energy, before returning to the UK with South Shields in January 2020.

Former Carlisle Utd Junior centre back Dillon Morse has spent all of his career in the North. After his release from Carlisle, he joined Benfield, before spending a year each at Gateshead and Blyth Spartans. He came to South Shields in July 2016, but was briefly loaned back to Gateshead for a month, early last year.

Welshman Jack Bodenham started out at Cardiff City, but was released in August last year after loans at The New Saints and Hereford. Capped by his country at Under 19 level, he came straight to South Shields and was quickly established in their starting 11 this season.

Ghanaian born Striker Darius Osei started out at Stalybridge Celtic, before being picked up by Oldham Athletic. In 27 games he scored three goals for the League One side, before a short stop at Maidstone preceded his return to Stalybridge. He came to South Shields in February 2020.

Nathan Lowe is a midfielder who started out as a Burnley Junior, he joined FC United after being released in 2016. Moving on to Southport he was then loaned to Spennymoor, before joining South Shields in July 2019. Like a number of his team mates, he was loaned to Darlington for a month in early 2021.

Striker JJ Hooper started off at Cray Wanderers Academy before moving north to Newcastle Utd. He was then loaned out to Darlington and Workington before a permanent move to Northampton, where he made five starts for the League Two side.

Further loans at Alfreton and Farnborough followed, before another move to Havant and Waterlooville, preceding a spell at League One Port Vale, where he scored 10 goals in 54 appearances. After a loan back at Northampton, his path took him to Grimsby, Bromley, Wrexham and Barnet, before joining South Shields in November 2021.

Will McGowan was a summer signing who started out at Sunderland. The young midfielder has more recently been at Doncaster Rovers and has scored in each of South Shields last three home games.

Striker Cedric Main played his early football in the Netherlands. From the KFC Youth side he played for FC Groningen/Cambuur and Ajax Amateurs, before moving to Spain with CF La Nucia and Almagro CF. After joining FC United in January last year, he came to South Shields last October.

Striker Ntumba Massanka is well travelled, having started his career as a Burnley Junior. He had loans spells at York, Morecambe, Wrexham, Dover and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium, before joining Chorley on his release in 2019. He came to South Shields in July last year, after a spell in Italy with Angelana.

Jordan Hunter is a former Liverpool and Sunderland Academy player, who came to South Shields in July 2020, but is currently out injured.

Alex Kempster is a striker who came to South Shields from York City in August 2020, after a loan at Spennymoor. He started out at Whitley Bay.

Midfielder Robert Briggs has spent over six years at South Shields, having joined from Spennymoor in August 2015. With over 300 games under his belt for the club, he started off at Gateshead and has played for Blyth Spartans, Sunderland RCA, Shildon and West Auckland too.

Brandon Taylor is a loanee from Darlington, the young defender joined Sunderland from Birtley and went to Darlington in August 2021.

A summer 2021 signing Midfielder Conor Tee is a former Leicester City Junior, who was signed from Brackley

Sam Hodgson is a young striker from our visitors own Academy, similarly midfielder Will Jenkins and Goalkeeper Aaron Steavens, all more recent additions to the first team squad.

Although Jon Shaw runs the clubs Academy, the veteran striker is often on the bench for first team games too. He was a Sheffield Wednesday Junior, and played at York, Burton, Halifax, Rochdale, Crawley, Barrow, Mansfield, Luton and Gateshead, before arriving at South Shields back in 2016.

Kick off is at the Don Amott Arena at 3pm and a big crowd is expected!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC started 2022 with probably their best performance of the season so far, doing the double over Hyde Utd with a dominant 4-1 victory.

Having beaten our hosts at home back in August, hopes of completing the double were top of the agenda.

Injuries and Covid forced more changes to the starting line-up, which including former skipper Jake Scott for the first time since his return to the club.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Jake Scott 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Phil Watt 5-Pablo Mills 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Ben Radcliffe 8-Mason Warren 9-Andy Dales 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andrew Wright. Subs: Bobby Battisson, Ethan Mann, John McGrath, Roger Lee, Fin Barker.

Right from the opening minute of the game Mickleover began to threaten the hosts goal, when Dales led an attack, which firstly had a Wright shot blocked, before Beavon’s follow up was saved by keeper Craig Ellison.

Only a minute later a second wave of attacking brought a corner too, followed by another Beavon effort.

As Hyde began to slowly break out Mills intercepted a shot from Fogerty, after a break from Prifti. Tongue then found space to get a shot in, comfortably taken by Mickleover keeper Hedge.

But as Mickleover began to push forward again, the hosts defence struggled to deal with the long ball, but it was 17 minutes in before the next shot, when Radcliffe tried a tentative long range shot just wide, after collecting a loose ball from a free kick.

With Mills and Watt looking solid at the back and Hedge’s constructive narrative, Mickleover’s midfield took charge more and more, with Warren, Radcliffe and Wright’s tenacity, combining well with Agustien’s time on the ball.

Wright led another charge after 19 minutes, ending with another shot from Radcliffe blocked, but Prifti led Hyde’s positive retaliation until it was comfortably dealt with by the defence again.

A rare mistake from Watt let the ball run to Ikpakwu, but his effort failed to trouble Hedge, but after 23 minutes it was 1-0, after a Warren free kick sought out Mills and Watt who had both come into the visitors box.  Mills got on the end of it in a crowded area, leaving Ellison beaten.

Almost from the restart Mickleover surged forward again to earn a corner. But with Ikpakwu down there was a halt in play, but from the drop ball Dolan flicked the ball in and Watt made it 2-0 with a diving header after 27 minutes.

Dales and Beavon continued to challenge the home defence. Beavon was then fouled just outside the box after 34 minutes, but Mills free kick was saved by Ellison.

Hyde won a free kick a couple of minutes later, but Tongue’s powerful and accurate shot was well held by Hedge.

Dales then went on one of his long runs, outstripping Roscoe, but his final shot was just over the bar.

Hyde had one more half chance before the half time whistle when Pratt and Prifti combined, before Dyche’s shot was blocked and Watt cleared the resulting corner.

It had been all Mickleover in the first half, and not surprisingly no changes were made for the second.

Only three minutes into the second half Beavon was sprinting down the right into the box, until he was pushed off the ball. After a brief consultation, the penalty was given and Warren smashed it home 3-0.

Hyde continued to try and push, but their attempts to use the wings lost out regularly to both Scott and Dolan and they had difficulty to find space for a clear shot.

But after 56 minutes Tongue did find space but his cracking shot was well saved again by a diving Hedge, followed by a shot from Benns just off target.

Just over the hour and Battisson came on for Wright, but Hyde were still looking for that elusive goal.

They managed to earn a corner, after Watt had cleared, but as the ball bobbed around in the box, none of the Hyde players on the line could get a touch and the danger was cleared by Mills.

Battisson gave away a free kick, but as Watt challenged to clear, he was grounded and Roscoe connected with a diving header and made it 3-1.

Only two minutes later the lead gap was restored though, when a corner was floated in from Warren and Watt rose to make it 4-1 with his second on the game, after Ellison’s appeal for a foul came to nought.

Lee then came on for Scott for the last 15 minutes, with Barker soon following for Dales.

Two of the subs worked well together, with Battisson’s trickery finding Barker, who shot wide, before the young striker had another shot with three minutes left.

Battisson then tried his luck but was just wide and so it remained 4-1, with a result and performance that the whole team could be proud of.

 

After the game we caught up with Skipper Phil Watt…

With centre back Phil Watt now established as the Mickleover skipper, he takes a look back at the weekends win at Hyde Utd, where he played a starring role at both ends of the field.

I have never headed so many balls in a game for ages, the performance just encouraged me to go forward.

He had scored goals before.

I scored a few last year but nothing this season until this match, but after the first one I got my head stood on, and for a minute thought I had broken my jaw. Today it just worked for me.

But it was the whole team performance that pleased him.

Yes it was a good all round team performance and everyone did their job. We had a great work rate and it just clicked. We knew we had the skills to do it, but this felt like the first game that we had played for the whole game and not made silly mistakes.

I felt so happy for the gaffer and the coaching staff too, as they work so hard to try and make it work for us,

Does he enjoy being club captain?

I just take it in my stride really, I am used to leading a team being a fitness trainer, so I just get on with it.

by Peter Scherer

After last weekend’s disappointing home defeat to Basford Utd, it’s back on the road for Mickleover FC, visiting Hyde Utd on New Year’s Day.

Having beaten our hosts at the Don Amott Arena earlier this year, hopes of a double are top of the agenda.

Hyde are currently six points ahead of us with two games in hand, holding 15th place in the NPL and unbeaten in their last five league games.

They have had 1-1’s at Stalybridge and Gainsborough over the last two weeks, after beating South Shields away earlier in December.

During the last couple of months seven of their squad have been ever present, which has aided their performance and seen them start to climb the table.

Goalkeeper Joe Green was a Sheffield United Junior, who headed for the US after his release and played College football for Monroe Mustangs in New York.

He joined Newport County on his return to the UK, making a couple of first team appearances, before moving on to Handsworth Paramore and Hemsworth MW. A short stay at Scarborough preceded a three year spell at Guiseley, during which time he was loaned out to Gainsborough, who he then joined permanently. He’s been ay Hyde since August 2020 and is one of the ever present players this season.

Defender Harry Ditchfield can play anywhere across the back line. He only arrived at Hyde in October, having come through the Salford City Academy.

Left back Kyle Brownhill is a long serving player, who began his career as a Stockport Junior, before being picked up by Burnley. He was loaned to Workington before his release, from when he joined Hyde for the first time in 2014.

After further loans at Telford that became permanent, he arrived back at Hyde in August 2016. He soon moved on again to Altrincham and Ramsbottom, but came back to Hyde for the third time in December 2017.

Ed Elewa-Ipakwu is Nigerian born defensive midfielder who played for Leicester City Academy after a short earlier spell at Stoke. Following his release in October 2020 he spent a year at Lancaster City, before joining Hyde in 2021.

Jordan Fagbola is Nigerian born too. The centre back came from FC United in July 2018, having started out at Rochdale. His career has also taken him to Stockport, Colwyn Bay and Solihull Moors.

Centre back Bradley Roscoe a Preston Junior, who moved on to Fleetwood before settling at Buxton in 2016, where he spent three years before moving to Hyde. He has also scored two goals in the last month too.

Albanian midfielder Krisel Prifti came to the UK in 2019, having played six years in his homeland, for KF Viora, Himara, Bylish Ballsh, Luzi Utd and FK Apolonia in the Albanian Super League.

After arriving in the UK he joined Trafford, before moving to Stalybridge where he played last season, moving to Prestwich in July 2021, before coming to Hyde.

Teenager Cameron Fogerty is a product of the clubs own youth programme. He made his league debut earlier this season and is now an integral part of their line-up.

Jonah Mitchell has been on the score sheet in two of the last three games. The Irish winger was a junior with Ards, before moving to Annagh Utd. He played at Queens University in Belfast and came to Hyde last season.

Liam Tongue is in his third season at Hyde, having started out at Stockport Georgians. The striker has also played at Cheadle, Mossley, Stalybridge and Marine and has scored three goals in the last five matches.

Striker Tom Pratt started out as a Bury Junior. He’s played at Ashton, Mossley and Trafford and been at Hyde since July 2017. He is also our hosts captain.

Midfielder Harry Benns was a Port Vale Junior. He was loaned to Stafford Rangers and came to Hyde in July 2019 on his release.

Ciaran Summers can play left back or midfield. He has spent most of his career in his native Scotland, starting out with Stenhousemuir. After a spell at Queens Park he spent a year in the Netherlands with VV DOVO Veenendaal, before joining Stirling Albion in July 2021 and finally Hyde in October.

A former Leeds and Scunthorpe junior, striker Jack Dyche has played for a number of clubs. He was loaned to Ashton and Boston before being released by Scunthorpe in 2018.  After a year at Guiseley he first joined Hyde in July 2019, moving on to Ossett and Curzon Ashton before returning in October 2021.

Henry Carne is a young defender that has come through their own youth programme and joined the first team squad this season.

James Chew is another junior graduate, currently one of the reserve goalkeepers.

Fenton Green is one of the more recent signings, a young midfielder fresh out of Crewe’s Academy, he arrived in October 2021.

Carter Waters is another one for the future, the pacey winger has also come through Hyde’s own youth programme.

Midfielder Chinedu Uche is yet another Nigerian born player in the squad. He played his early UK football at Oldham, before moving to Glossop North End, from where Hyde signed him in August 2020.

Stalybridge, Curzon Ashton, Witton, Halifax, Garforth, Burscough  and Vauxhall Motors are among goalkeeper Craig Ellison’s previous clubs. He started as a junior at Altrincham before moving to Crewe.

He came back to Stalybridge after a lengthy injury, before joining Hyde and is also a successful goalkeeping coach at Burnley’s Academy.

Finally striker Jack Doherty is coming to the end of his months loan from Accrington Stanley.