by Peter Scherer

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottinghamshire rivals Basford Utd, hopes of a revenge win and points to escape the NPL relegation area were high.

But sadly a second half goal in a fairly even game, resulted in all three points going back across the border.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Ben Radcliffe 3-Rhys Doran 4-Phil Watt 5-Pablo Mills 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Joe Bateman 8-George Milner 9-Andy Dales 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Mason Warren. Subs: Bobby Battisson, Roger Lee, Ethan Mann, Andrew Wright, Jahvan Davidson-Miller.

After the initial sort out from kick off, Basford had a free kick after five minutes, followed by a corner, from where Terry Hawkridge smashed the ball against the post in a lucky escape for Sports.

Gradually Mickleover began to pick up the pace and Dales had his first shot blocked after nine minutes.

It continued fairly even, but 14 minutes in and some good interplay between Milner, Dales and Beavon, ended with a shot blocked for a corner.

Some good build ups followed over the next few minutes, with the danger finally headed away when Sports struggled to get the space for a final shot.

Both Bateman and Warren managed to get shots in eventually, before Ryan Wilson cleared further danger for another corner.

As Basford starting to come out too, there was another break but Beavon was just a few feet short of collecting the final ball.

Warren was the instigator again after 20 minutes, when his telling cross was taking away from Dales head by some brave Basford defending.

The same duo combined again a minute later, but Dales was deemed fractionally offside.

Basford tried a speculative lob just after the half hour mark, it was close but failed to trouble Hedge, Mickleover’s debutant keeper.

Both Dolan and Radcliffe began to attack more on the wings, with Watt and Mills looking fairly solid at the back.

Agustien was spraying the ball around in central midfield, but Milner was having a rather subdued game as Warren and Bateman tended to make the play.

Dolan put in a cross tight to the Basford goal, but it was comfortably taken by Jordan Pierrepoint, before Bradley Gascoigne cleared.

Bateman’s 38^th minute cross was just short of Dales, before Dolan burst out of defence again to find Beavon, who twisted and turned but couldn’t create the space as his final shot was blocked.

But Basford were on the break too, but the cross from the left found no one to collect in the middle.

Milner finally managed to get a run with five minutes left in the first half. He was in full flight after collecting a loose ball, heading for goal, when Owen Betts tripped him and was yellow carded.

Warren picked the ball up again after the free kick and floated in a nicely weighted ball that almost caught out the visitors defence.

42 minutes gone and another free kick was taken by Agustien. Mickleover skipper Watt then dared to challenge keeper Pierrepoint. They both ended up on the ground, from where Pierrepoint pushed Watt down again before the referee intervened.

Watt then received a lecture for having the audacity to challenge the keeper, and a free kick was awarded, even though the keeper did not have control of the ball at the time of the challenge.

So it was still 0-0 at half time with relatively few true chances created by either side. Neither side elected to make immediate changes, but at the least the first half rain had relented.

Only two minutes into the second half and Mickleover went close to breaking the deadlock, when Warren saw the keeper off his line, before seeing his opportune lob bounce off the Basford bar.

Watt was then booked after catching Marcus Marshall, but it was still stalemate.

Warren managed to create some space again and fired his shot over as we passed the hour mark and Dales put a ball through for Beavon to chase. Both he and the defender stretched for ball, but Beavon took a knock to the face and was booked for dissent too.

Hedge was looking fairly confident in the Mickleover goal and was quick of his line to intercept a Basford attack after 67 minutes.

But only a minute a later Agustien wanted too much time on the ball and the following challenge resulted in a corner for the visitors. 

As the ball came in Gascoigne was relatively unchallenged as he placed his header, wide of Hedge and just inside the far post 0-1.

Only three minutes later Basford sub Kieran Wells had a shot tipped over by Hedge and Betts put in a low drive, which Kane Richards could have collected.

75 minutes and Davidson-Miller came on for Warren, as Mickleover tried to strike for the hope of an equaliser.

Milner was on the end of another good ball from Doran, but there was no one to finish. As Milner the chased for another ball, the defender was already going before any challenge was made. 

With the referee fooled by the gamesmanship, Milner was booked too for highlighting it!

Into the final 10 minutes and Dales almost got Davidson-Miller through, but it was just out of reach and then Wright came on for Dales as Mickleover’s second sub.

Beavon tried a shot from Bateman’s pass, but the keeper took it comfortably and Basford then broke again, with Hedge saving.

Two minutes of normal time were left and Wells split Mills and Watt but his effort was wide, before Radcliffe responded with a tentative shot well wide as time was running out for Mickleover.

Wright had the final effort in injury time, but his long range effort failed to trouble Pierrepoint and it remained 0-1 as the hunt for points continues unrewarded.

by Peter Scherer

For the second time this season Mickleover will be hosting Basford Utd on Christmas Monday, having been knocked out of the FA Cup by the Nottingham team 1-3 back in September.

Although 10^th in the NPL, Basford haven’t been in the best of form of late, having only taken their first win in eight matches last Saturday, 2-0 victors at home to Atherton.

They have managed eight wins in total, four at home and four away, but unlike Mickleover’s injury ravaged squad, manager Steve Chettle has managed to field a fairly consistent line-up.

Former Heanor Town player Jordan Pierrepoint is now the first choice goalkeeper, following the recent retirement of the experienced Adam Collin. He was signed back in May 2020, with Youth team keeper Gianni Musson now his understudy.

Defender Owen Betts came in from Notts County last season, but had a loan spell at Spalding Utd.

Left back Ryan Wilson is the son of former Rams player Kevin. He started out at Ilkeston and after a move to Gateshead, played for a number of clubs in the East Midlands region, notably Alfreton, Coalville and Matlock. He came to Basford in May 2019 after spell at Telford.

Defender Dominic Roma started his professional career at Sheffield United. After loans at Boston Utd, Hinckley and Tamworth, he joined Hinckley on a permanent move. He’s played at Alfreton, Harrogate and Gainsborough, before coming to Basford in 2017.

Centre back Brad Gascoigne was a Birmingham City junior, but since his release in 2012 has travelled widely through the non league world. Having played for 17 clubs over his career he came to Basford in 2019 from Barwell.

Declan Dunn is a former Notts County junior. The young Centre Back also had a spell on loan at Grantham before joining Basford last season.

Winger Terry Hawkridge played junior football at Barnsley and Tranmere, before returning to Nottinghamshire with Carlton Town. Spells at Hucknall and Gainsboroough followed before he joined Scunthorpe Utd. Three seasons with the Irons preceded loans at Mansfield and Lincoln, before a permanent move to Lincoln. Stays at Notts County, Solihull and Boston Utd followed before arriving at Basford this season.

Skipper Matt Thornhill is an attacking midfielder and ex Nottingham Forest junior. He went on loan to Brighton and Cheltenham, making 70 first team appearances, before a spell with Hibernian.

He returned to England with Buxton in 2012, and has also played for Shaw Lane and Gainsborough before signing for Basford in March 2017.

Striker Kane Richards is Derby born and a former Rams Junior. He had a loan spell at Matlock before his release, seeing him move on to Ilkeston, Chester, Gainsborough, Dover and Telford, before arriving at Basford from Kidderminster July last year.

Rev James is a midfielder who started out as a Rotherham and Oxford Junior. He was on loan at Basford in 2018, but came on a permanent from Tamworth in November 2019.

Striker Kieran Wells is a new signing, having only made his debut last Saturday, after coming from Stalybridge. It’s his second spell at Basford, having originally arrived from Handsworth in 2016. He has since played at Stamford, Ilkeston and Hednesford twice and Basford are his third club already this season.

Former Birmingham City central midfielder Sean Devlin is another newcomer who debuted last Saturday. He has recently been playing for Sutton Coldfield.

Marcus Marshall is a winger that started out at Blackburn Rovers. He made one senior appearance, as well as gaining experience with loans at League Two Rotherham and Macclesfield.

He then joined Bury in League One, but was loaned out to Grimsby Town, before moving on to Morecambe, Lincoln City, Boston Utd, Coalville, Alfreton and Hyde, from where he joined Basford in early 2020.

Attacking midfielder Niall Towle was a May 2020 signing from Long Eaton Utd. He has also played for Hucknall Town and has recently returned from a loan at Corby.

Naturally left footed defender or midfielder Mitchell Tait has recently arrived from Ilkeston Town, having previously played for Nottingham FC.

Lewis Rourke is one of the players to come out of Basford’s successful FA Youth Cup team, along with. midfielder Nat Peters, defender Jordan Haywood and Rory Harrison.

Haywood has been on loan at Newark FC too and spent time previously in the Mansfield and Scunthorpe Academies, with Peters a former Mansfield junior too. Harrison spent six years in the Rotherham Academy.

Kick off as usual is 3pm at the Don Amott Arena, with the bar open and hot food available too.

by Peter Scherer

It was another disappointing day for the Mickleover FC team, going down to fellow relegation threatened Ashton Utd by three second half goals.

Starting line-up: 1-Tom Smith 2-Ben Radcliffe 3-James Butler 4-Phil Watt 5-Pablo Mills 6-Kemy Agustien 7-George Milner 8-Rhys Dolan 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dexter Walters. Subs: Ethan Mann, Bobby Battisson, Roger Lee, Dempsey Arlott-John, Josh Scott.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes, Sports had the first chance when Mills struck a long range free kick just wide of the target after 13 minutes.

But it was the hosts who upped the pace, with a number of first half opportunities, which were fortunately off target.

Ben Hardcastle tried a right foot shot from outside the box after 16 minutes, just over the bar as Mickleover’s debutant keeper Smith had it covered.

Four minutes later it was Hardcastle again cutting in from the right to fire a left foot shot over the bar again.

Osebi Abadaki was next to try and break through the Mickleover defence after collecting a loose ball, but Butler made sure his threat was blocked. 

Agustien was booked after 37 minutes and the resulting Sam Sheridan free kick was punched clear by Smith.

Mickleover had posed little threat to the Ashton goal and their last chance of the first half came from a 39^th minute Hardcastle corner, with Coates just failing to connect, so it remained 0-0.

Both sides were initially unchanged for the second half, with Abadaki causing more problems with a 48^th minute cross into the box, but there was no one to collect.

Sheridan then hit a shot on the bouncing half volley four minutes later, whistling past Smith post.

As the hour mark approached Hardcastle was just wide with another left foot attempt, after he picked up the loose ball when Florian Yonsian was challenged.

Mickleover made their first change when Arlott-John replaced Walters after 62 minutes and shortly afterwards Ashton had a penalty shout rejected when Hardcastle went down.

Mickleover had their first best chance of the game when Davidson-Miller was one on one with keeper Greg Hartley. Unfortunately the keeper won the challenge and remained 0-0.

Hardcastle had probably been the biggest threat from Ashton and it was his cross from the right that was met by Liam Tomsett’s head making it was 0-1 to the hosts after 68 minutes.

Radcliffe was so close to securing the equaliser within three minutes, when his long distance strike bounced off the bar, but in the 73^rd minute the penalty appeals for Ashton proved decisive, after Smith had brought down Yonsian. He took the kick himself and it was 0-2.

Battisson came on for Davidson-Miller, but with five minutes of normal time left Tomsett was down in the box and Yonsian made it 0-3 from the following penalty.

With only a few minutes to go Scott replaced Agustien, but it was another game with no points on the board, as the gap to safety in the NPL continues to widen.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover are back on the road again for the second successive week, as they head to Ashton Utd on Saturday.

Our hosts are also struggling this season and are currently level on points with Sports, but lie 18^th due to superior goal difference and also have four games in hand.

When Ashton visited the Don Amott Arena earlier this season, Mickleover were 2-0 winners and they have also lost two of their seven NPL home games.

They have only played one league match in December, going down 0-2 at Buxton.

First choice goalkeeper is the vastly experienced Greg Hartley. He progressed through the Manchester City Academy, winning the FA Youth Cup, while playing alongside Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart during his time at City. 

He spent ten years at City before moving to the US where he plied his trade at Georgia Gwinnett and Chattanooga. Following a seven-year stint in the US, he moved back to England, joining Oldham Athletic in 2017 where he worked with the academy and as a goalkeeping coach. 

During his coaching Hartley also played for Tadcaster Albion and Atherton where he worked under Ashton United manager, Michael Clegg for the first time.

Australian born defender Stavros Tserpes joined Ashton during the 2019/20 season from Droylsden, but has also spent time at Altrincham, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Clitheroe.

Defender Harry Spratt was a pre-season signing from York City. He was a Manchester Utd junior and then moved onto Huddersfield, before joining York and was also on loan at Scarborough last season.

Also in defence is player coach Michael Raynes. He joined Ashton United in July 2020 after a two-season spell with National League side Hartlepool United. As a journeyman of professional football Michael came to Ashton with a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as talent.  He played almost 500 league matches at Stockport, Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Oxford, Carlisle and Crewe before joining Hartlepool. Standing at 6”4 Michael is the monster amongst the Robin’s back line.

Centre back Harry Coates was another new signing for this season, having arrived from Scarborough. He started his career at York City, before moving on to Harrogate, Tadcaster, and Bradford PA.

Michael Brewster is a midfielder in his third season at the club. After leaving Oldham as a junior, he moved on via FC United, St Mirren, Colwyn, Skelmersdale, Southport, Shaw Lane, Marine and Droylsden, before coming to Ashton from Atherton Collieries. 

Ben Hardcastle is a striker who made his way through Morecambe’s youth ranks before signing for Ashton manager Michael Clegg at Pennington, then following him to Atherton LR before signing for Atherton Collieries

He played over 250 games for Atherton and was an essential player for the Colliers, especially in their promotion winning season from Division One West. He was the first player manager Clegg, signed after taking over at Ashton.

Striker Tom Bentham was one of the scorers in their win over Matlock on the opening day of the season. He was a summer 2020 signing, rejoining manager Clegg having tasted success with him at Atherton Collieries. He’s a strong centre forward, having also played at Hyde and Stalybridge.

Liam Thomsett is one of the longest serving players, having signed for Ashton in 2017. An ex Blackpool youth player, he made one first team start in the FA Cup, before moving on to Altrincham, Ayr Utd and Hyde on loan.  After a year at Fylde, he was at Curzon Ashton for another two, before his current spell at Ashton.

Harvey McAdam was a former Burnley junior, who joined the Ashton in February 2019 from Nelson FC. After his release from Burnley the young midfielder joined AFC Fylde’s under 18s before moving again to Northwich Victoria. 

Another new signing for this season is midfielder Tom Warren. He was an Everton junior until September 2019, from when he joined Warrington, prior to joining Ashton.

Experienced midfielder Sam Sheridan has been at Ashton since January 2018. He started out as a Bolton Wanders Junior, with a loan at Altrincham before joining Stockport County. A further loan at Southport, preceded spells at Barrow, Chorley, FC United and finally Altrincham again from where he joined our hosts.

Ivory Coast born striker Florian Yonsian came to Ashton last month and soon became a regular in the side. He was a Junior at both Rochdale and Salford City, before being loaned to Stafford and Marine. He then moved onto Trafford and spent last season with Stalybridge Celtic.

Osebi Abdaki is a Nigerian striker, with a vast amount of experience mainly in the North East. He was at Ashton in 2010 after spells at Altrincham and Stalybridge, but moved on again to Salford, Halifax, Nantwich (two spells), Ramsbottom, Buxton (two spells), Stafford, Hednesford, Matlock and Barwell, before arriving for his second Ashton spell in October from Stourbridge.

Midfielder Liam Loughlan is currently on a months loan from Salford City. He started at Leicester City, having also had a spell at Farsley Celtic.  

Veteran centre back Nicky Hunt was signed in July this year, from Darlington. He was a Bolton junior player, loaned to Birmingham and Derby, before joining Bristol City on his release in 2011. Spells at Preston, Rotherham, Accrington, Mansfield, Orient, Notts County and Crewe preceded his move to Darlington in July last year, with 500 league appearances under his belt.

He is also the first team coach and an ex England Under 21 International.

Oliver Martin is currently second choice keeper, signed from Ramsbottom in September. From Fleetwood’s Academy originally, he has also played for Stalybridge, Ange IF in Sweden, New Mills, Mossley and Radcliffe.

Defender Will Hall is on loan from Altrincham. The former Salford City Junior has also been loaned out to Whitchurch and Ramsbottom.

Andreas Bianga is a midfielder who started out as a Burnley Junior. He has also played for Droylsden and Curzon Ashton.

Parabou Jenkins is a start of the clubs youth team and who has only recently graduated to the first team squad.

Young defender Scott Holding is anther loanee, from Stockport County.

Sam Baird came to Ashton in summer 2020, he’s previously played at Trafford and FC United.

Kick off at Hurst Cross is at 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

There were hopes of maybe a point from the visit to Whitby Town, but second half goals from James Butler and Rhys Dolan, plus a penalty save from Arlo Doherty , weren’t enough to outdo the home sides four goals.

Starting line-up 1-Arlo Doherty 2-Ben Radcliffe 3-Rhys Dolan 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-George Milner 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Josh Scott 11-Dexter Walters. Subs: Ethan Mann, Roger Lee, Pablo Mills, Stuart Beavon, Dempsey Arlott-John.

The hosts went close after just one minute when Macdonald fired over the bar from a free kick.

Six minutes later Hazel and Fewster then combined, before the latter’s final shot was easily held by Doherty. 

Agustien was trying to lead by example, when after 11 mins he cleared up another Whitby attack, before leading a Mickleover break.

But it was the hosts making all the running and Butler had to clear away more danger when Shepherd broke through after 13 mins.

Despite the sustained pressure, Milner was trying to push forward for Mickleover. Walters, Agustien and Scott combined before passing to Radcliffe. But the promising move broke down when Radcliffe’s pass was behind the advancing Dolan.

But it all went wrong after 19 mins, when an initial clearance was picked up by Gell, before Fewster swivelled and smashed the ball home from 20 yards, 0-1.

Unlike last weeks game, Sports midfield tried to stay composed and fight back, as Agustien played the ball out again to Radcliffe, but it ended up as a throw.

Hazel then intercepted and fired over, as Whitby continued to threaten.

24 mins in and Hazel tried another long distance well off target, before Fewster broke through to earn a corner.

There was another blow for Mickleover when Dales went down. He was only able to play on for another five minutes, before being replaced by Lee.

Hazel continued his random long range and fortunately off target long shots, before a slight chance for Sports came after 34 mins, when Walters found Radcliffe, whose chip was easily caught by Bland, skipper for the day to mark his 300^th club appearance.

Milner tried his luck with a chip too, but failed to trouble Bland again, only for Whitby to earn another free kick only a minute later.

Hazel’s kick from25 yards was straight through the defence, with Doherty well beaten, so 0-2 after 39 mins.

With just four minutes left in the first half, Agustien was fouled and took the free kick himself, Burn was booked, but it came to nought.

It was very nearly another goal for the hosts however, when Fewster latched onto a corner from Hackett. Doherty was at full stretch and finger tipped it onto the bar, before Agustien headed it away and Milner finally cleared the danger.

There no immediate Mickleover changes for the second half, but Agustien tried a long shot after 52 mins, which almost caught Bland off guard, and was Mickleover’s best attempt of the game.

But as the completion of the hour approached, Whitby had a corner. The ball came off a defender’s back and while Hawkins tried to set up his own shot, Burn fired it home for 0-3.

There was a double substation as Davidson-Miller and Scott came off after making little impression, to be replaced by Beavon and Arlott-John.

Beavon soon let go with a shot, but Bland had it covered, before Fergus earned a dubious penalty for Whitby, having taken to ground very easily.

Hazel stepped up to take the kick, but diving low to his left Doherty made an excellent save.

Mickleover began to press forward and after 68 mins Agustien found Dolan, but his ball into the box was comfortably claimed by Bland again.

Both Radcliffe and Beavon were in the refs book before Mickleover pulled one back, when Butler rose to head home a corner in the 74^th minute, 1-3.

Walters then fired a shot in, saved by Bland, before he was on another run a few minutes later, finding Dolan on the overlap.

Agustien and Radcliffe combined, but the threat though brief was soon dealt with. But Arlott-John had a promising shot in the 79^th minute, but Bland managed to block it.

Hazel then picked up on another Whitby break, but his shot was nearer the corner flag than the goal. He soon made amends after Hawkins beat two defenders, before finding him again to make it 1-4.

It was into injury time that Mickleover managed a second goal too, after Dolan’s free kick managed to creep inside Bland’s near post to make the final score 2-4. 

by Peter Scherer

This weekend Mickleover are off to the seaside to try and seek their second away win of the season at Whitby Town.

The hosts were without a game last Saturday, as their trip to FC United was postponed.

Currently sixth in the NPL with three games in hand over Mickleover, they have won 10 of their 19 matches in the NPL, but have also suffered three home defeats.

In their last game they went down 0-1 to Nantwich in the FA Trophy, while in the NPL they had a 1-1 draw at Basford. 

Some of the Whitby squad are in their second spell with the club, including goalkeeper Shane Bland. The former Middlesbrough and Spennymoor player rejoined from West Auckland in July 2019.

Defender Jassem Sukar has been at the club since April 2018. He started as a Sunderland junior and then went to Scotland with Dundee United. He was loaned out to Peterhead, Brechin City and Arbroath, before joining York City on his release in 2017, prior to arriving at Whitby.

Captain Dan Rowe is a midfielder or defender, who came from the Rotherham Academy. After a loan at Stalybridge he then joined Wycombe Wanderers and played 47 games for the league Two side, but went out on loan again to Barrow. He was at York City and Frickley before signing for Whitby in July 2019.

Right back Nathan Dyer is a more recent arrival having come from Grantham this summer, having previously come through York City’s youth scheme.

Lewis Hawkins is a midfielder who has spent all of his career in the North East. He started out at Hartlepool and was loaned to Whitby, Spennymoor, York City, before a permanent move to Blyth Spartans in August 2019. He’s been at Whitby since August last year.

Centre back Jameed Ible was a Stockport County junior, before joining Salford City. He has had spells at York, Guiseley, Frickley, Scarborough and Pontefract, before arriving at Whitby in July last year. He is also a full International with St Kitts & Nevis.

Josh Macdonald is currently on loan from Hartlepool. The young midfielder started out at Marske Utd, before moving to Halifax Town. He is on a season long loan.

Former Sunderland graduate Jake Hackett was signed pre-season and plays central midfield.

Winger Jacob Hazel is a product of Chesterfield’s youth scheme. He had loans at Matlock, Workington, Sprint Jelay in Norway and Buxton, before signing for FC United and Ashton in 2014. He spent 10 months at Mickleover in 2015 and has since played for Frickley, Gainsborough, Farsley and Scarborough, joining Whitby in summer 2020 from Frickley.

Striker Bradley Fewster spent his early career at Middlesbrough and had loans at Preston, York and Hartlepool before his release in 2017. He then played for Spennymoor and Blyth, before joining Whitby in February2019.

Harry Green is another loanee, who plays left wing or midfield. He has been on Middleborough’s books since joining the under 10’s Academy.

Midfielder Coleby Shepherd is a midfielder and was signed in July last year, after being released from Hartlepool.

Marcus Giles is a young striker that came from Whitley Bay in June last year. He has also played for Ashington and Morpeth.

Centre back Jonathan Burn was a Middlesbrough Academy player, who had loans at Oldham and Kilmarnock before joining Bristol Rovers in 2017. A further loan at York preceded a move to Darlington, but came to Whitby from Whickham in July 2020.

Nick Cranston is the second choice goalkeeper who has only recently arrived from Darlington. 

Both Soni Fergus and Priestley Griffiths were pre-season signings. Right back Fergus came from Pickering Town and had previously been at the Newcastle Utd Academy, Garforth, Guisborough and Harrogate Town.

Griffiths is a midfielder who started at Middlesbrough, moving on via Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland, Marske and Blyth Spartans, plus a brief spell in Iceland.

Midfielder Adam Gell was originally signed from Guisborough in 2015. But having left to join Shildon, he returned in August 2018.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed former Barnsley full back Rhys Dolan.

Playing either attacking midfield or left back, Dolan made his name as part of the successful Ilkeston Town Under 18 squad, that had a run in the FA Youth Cup.

He was picked up by Barnsley in 2015, but since his release he has played at Long Eaton, Selston, Newark, Belper Town and Alfreton, and started this season at Anstey Nomads.

After playing in the reserves last week, he made his first team debut as a second half sub in the home draw against Grantham.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover went into their home game against Grantham Town in a must win situation, but after dominating the play, it was only two late goals that salvaged a draw after Grantham led 0-2.

Starting line-up: 1-Arlo Doherty 2-Ben Radcliffe 3-Jordie Gough 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-George Milner 9-Josh Scott 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dempsey Arlott-John. Subs: Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Roger Lee, Pablo Mills, Dexter Walters, Rhys Dolan.

Mickleover started with strength and commitment, with Arlott-John firing the first shot of the game just wide after two minutes.

Grantham managed a retaliatory attack but failed to get a shot in, before Butler had another shot just wide of the left hand post after good work from Arlott-John.

But another run from the Sports striker was thwarted on the halfway line, giving Grantham a chance, before Smith missed the ball and it rolled out of play.

Both Radcliffe and Gough were pushing forward on the wings, with Milner’s runs as Mickleover sought the opening goal.

After 14 minutes Dales twisted and turned on the right to fire in a cross, with Scott connecting but shooting just wide again after a deflection.

Arlott-John and Beavon battled hard in the box but couldn’t get a clear shot in, before Dales was taken down on the edge of the box after 16 minutes.

Dales recovered to take the free kick, bringing out a spectacular diving save from Grantham keeper James Pollard, earning another corner.

Grantham had a slight foray at the Mickleover end, but Butler headed clear and the Sports attack was on again.

The chances continued to flow for Mickleover, as Radcliffe dropped a teasing cross into the box after 21 minutes, with Gough’s header just wide, but the wing back had taken a knock to his head.

Only a minute later Dales had a long run intercepted, before Beavon’s shot hit the post. 

Beavon tried a chip from outside the box, saved by Pollard, before Grantham managed to take the lead against the run of play.

It started with a cross, which Doherty came out for but failed to collect. Miller put in a header just over, before sustained Grantham pressure saw Doherty make a partial save, before the ball was cleared off the line, only to fall at Smith’s feet who hit a powerful shot for 0-1 after 31 minutes.

Mickleover continued to try and push forward, but the midfield suddenly seem to collapse and left the defence looking very vulnerable.

Only three minutes after the opening goal, Gough was beaten on the left but the shot went high and wide.

The frustration was showing in attack as despite the dominance of play, Mickleover couldn’t find the net.

Arlott-John tried his luck again from outside the box, firing just wide to the right, but there was much worse to come.

Gough was beaten again and this time the low cross into the box, found Clark, who comfortably made it 0-2 as the first half came to a massively disappointing end.

Only minutes into the second half Milner had a shot just wide again, before Radcliffe’s cross found Dales unmarked, but his free header went over the bar.

The possession was still in Mickleover’s favour, with no real impact, but the capitulation of the midfield from the first half, had fortunately not re-occurred.

Dolan had come for his first team debut to replace Gough and Dales managed to put in a nice cross, but no one was in the box to receive it.

Two more substitutions followed just after the hour with Walters and Mills on for Arlott-John and Scott.

Dales then tried a long range shot which was over the bar and after 71 minutes he was on another run when he was hacked down on the left.

Walters free kick was well saved by Pollard, as the constant rain and wind intensified too.

Milner received a yellow car after pulling back a Grantham attack and despite the increasing push forward, there was still no sign of a goal for Mickleover.

Pollard’s confidence in the Grantham goal even saw him run well out of his area like an extra defender to thwart an attack. But with 10 minutes left on the clock his confidence was soon to be tested.

Walters fed in a tight corner after 81 minutes which the keeper managed to punch away, only for the visitors to make a break, before it was cleared following a scramble in the box.

Having impressed on his debut, Radcliffe was placed just right to volley between Pollard’s legs to make it 1-2 after 87 minutes, but there was more to come.

Straight from the kick off the next attack was on. It was headed away as the Grantham defence floundered and Milner found the ball at his feet and made no mistake in making it 2-2.

Grantham still scented a win, but the final attack of the game was comfortably cleared by Mickleover skipper Watt and it remained 2-2.