by Peter Scherer

Over the last two aborted seasons Grantham Town have been under the threat of relegation and are currently bottom of the NPL.

They have only taken two points at home, ironically one was from our visit earlier this season, but have had three away victories.

With turmoil both on and off the pitch, they have had a rapid turnover of players and have only recently announced Dennis Greene as their new manager. He has previously managed Telford and also ran Charlton Athletic’s Academy.

Goalkeeper Jim Pollard came to Grantham in July 2020 from Maltby, having previously had a season at Barrow.

James Williamson is an experienced defender and the club captain, who lists Tadcaster, Matlock and North Ferriby among his previous clubs.

Defender Thierry Latty-Fairweather is on loan from Burton Albion, he’s an ex Nottingham Forest youth player too.

Henry Eze came to the club at the beginning of the season. The centre back has played at Rushall Olympic, Romulus, Kings Lynn, Kettering, Solihull Borough, Quorn, Barwell and Stamford before arriving at Grantham.

Midfielder Finley Shrimpton is on loan from Scunthorpe until January, he has previously been loaned to Frickley Athletic too.

Ali Aydemir is primarily a winger, a long serving player who was previously at East Hull and Goole.

Midfielder Harvey Grice is on loan from Alfreton Town. The ex Nottingham Forest Academy player has come through Alfreton’s own youth scheme.

Ex Mickleover player striker Nathan Modest started his career at Sheffield Wednesday, making four first team appearances. 

After six years with the Owls and a loan at Darlington, he joined Sheffield FC. He moved on to Worksop, Rainworth MW, Lincoln Utd, Gloucester, Hednesford, Telford, Evesham and Goole before Bridlington Town preceded his move to Mickleover in 2019. 

He then moved to Barton Town and finally Pontefract, before coming to Grantham this summer.

Central midfielder Shane Clarke came at the beginning of the season from Spalding Utd. A former Lincoln City Academy player, he was briefly at Gateshead following his release, before his first spell at Boston Utd.

He then moved on to Gainsborough, Worksop and Tamworth, before returning to Boston in 2016. A second stay at Gainsborough preceded his move to Spalding in August 2020.

Another of this seasons signings is Jake Wright, a young midfielder who has arrived from Ilkeston, having previously played for Quorn.

Lee Shaw came at the start of the season too from Alfreton. The striker was previously at Grantham in 2018, before moving to Chesterfield. A loan at Guiseley preceded his move to Alfreton just over a year ago.

Michael Williams is a central midfielder, who came to Grantham from Alfreton. He was at Ilkeston for five years, before moving on to Matlock Town, Gainsborough and Sheffield FC.

Joe Parkin is another young midfielder stepping up from Handsworth Paramore, while Sisa Tuntulwana has also been a regular squad member this season.

Jonathan Wafula is a striking midfielder signed in September. He started off at Chesterfield, and has played at Worksop, Shaw Lane, Gainsborough, Boston Utd and Guiseley, before joining Matlock Town for the start of this season.

Striker Gregg Smith is another new arrival on loan from Spalding Utd. He has played for Grantham on two previous occasions, as well as Corby, Kings Lynn, Stamford, Boston Utd, Stamford, Tamworth and Gainsborough.

AJ Adelekan is a defender who started out at Redbridge. He is in his second spell at Grantham, and has played at Walthamstow, Stamford, Rushall Olympic and Alfreton.

Rod Orlando-Young is an attacking midfielder who has travelled widely since he started out as a Norwich City junior. Bishop Stortford, Welling Utd, Grays, Ware, Sheffield FC, Newcastle Town, Ilkeston, Buxton and Gainsborough are all on his list of past clubs, before coming to Grantham from Radcliffe last month.

Josh Render is a young goalkeeper currently on loan from Sheffield Wednesday for a month and similarly Thomas Hoyle is also on loan from Fleetwood Town’s Junior’s and former West Bromwich Albion junior’s defender Ryan Grant, on loan from Blackpool,

Winger or midfielder Ify Ofoegbu was signed last month too from Worksop. He started as a Huddersfield junior, before moving onto Chesterfield and Tadcaster.

The final two new signings are Jeremie Bellune and Mathieu Racine, both yet to make their debuts, following the postponement of last Saturdays game at Scarborough.

Bellune is a defensive midfielder, coming to the UK for the first time. He played in France for Chamois Niort, before moving to FC Schengen in Luxembourg.  He then returned to France with Stade Bordelais in July 2020 and is also capped at under 20 level by Martinique.

Racine is also from Martinique and started playing with Lamentin FC. He played US Rungis in France and has been in the UK since 2019 with Haringey Borough.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s hopes of escaping the danger zone in the NPL were dashed with a 2-0 defeat at FC United.

Sports made three changes from the winning side against Atherton, with Arlo Doherty debuting in goal, Pablo Mills in for Phil Watt and Andy Dales back in for Joe Bateman.

Starting line-up: 1-Arlo Doherty 2-Jake Bennett 3-Jordan Gough 4-James Butler 15-Pablo Mills 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Andy Dales 8-Mason Warren 9-Dempsey Arlott-John 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dexter Walters. Subs: Roger Lee, Ben Radcliffe, Phil Watt, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, George Milner.

It was blue sky but a biting wind as Mickleover took the kick off. 

It started fairly positively for Mickleover, with a corner taken by Agustien after only three minutes. Warren was able to get a shot in, but it was straight into keeper Lavercombe’s hands.

The hosts came straight back with a left foot shot from Hayes, which was blocked by Mills.

Warren was then almost on the end of a good through ball, before a tackle and another corner, with Walters and Beavon being unmarked in the box.

Gough started to push forward down the left, but back in defence Dales cut out a dangerous ball after a long FC United build up, ending with a corner.

As the corner came in it was too long for Ennis to connect on the far post.

But after nine minutes Waddecar almost gave the hosts the lead, after Linney put the ball through for the striker to hit the post with Doherty beaten.

Hayes was then fouled, before an Ennis cross gave Baker a header, deflected out by the Mickleover defence for another corner.

The pressure was building from the FC United attack, but Walters got a break after 14 minutes, but his shot was weak.

Beavon then forced his way through the defence, found Walters whose progress was thwarted by Smith’s tackle.

There was another half chance for Beavon after 16 minutes, but Baker intercepted.

Three minutes later Agustien placed a perfect ball at Arlott-John’s feet but was deemed to be just offside, before Linney responded for the hosts, with an effort well saved by Doherty.

FC were ahead on chances but the Mickleover defence held firm. Holmes put a telling cross into the box to find Waddecar, but his 21^st minute effort failed to trouble Doherty.

Only a minute later Waddecar’s left foot shot was just over after another Holmes cross.

Dales then managed to connect with an Agustien corner after 24 minutes, but his shot was wide.

Hayes found himself in a good position, but held on to long and was tackled, while Linney did connect with an effort nearer the back of the stand than the back of the net.

Mills tried his luck with a long shot, but Lavercombe had it covered despite it dipping in the strong wind.

Sports were lucky to hold on when there was confusion in the defence. A poor clearance from Doherty was intercepted by Holmes and Waddecar’s final shot was again just over.

Mickleover’s attacks were on the decline and were too regularly caught offside, but pressure was building from the hosts.

Butler came up for a 40^th minute corner but his effort was cleared by Lavercombe, but then Mickleover had their best chance of the match. Mills had cleared the danger from an FC attack and sent Arlott-John one on one with the keeper. 

Lavercombe was at full stretch to keep out the strikers shot and it remained 0-0.

After Hayes had another shot well over the bar, it looked as if the sides would be going in level at half time, until Doherty mishandled the ball after a free kick from Holmes in the final seconds. Morris managed to poke the ball home and the whistle went 0-1.

The second half started with a corner for the hosts, but Warren then put in a nice cross into the box, but it beat everyone.

Doherty then had to come to the rescue after a Mills miskick had almost let Hayes in after 50 minutes.

But Mickleover were pressing for the equaliser, just after Arlott-John had a shot just wide, Beavon was close to collecting a Bennett cross but was ruled offside.

Arlott-John’s pace continued to keep the FC defence on its toes, and he sent Dales on a run after 53 minutes, until a strong tackle stopped him.

But Doherty looked vulnerable again a minute later when Waddecar shot and the young keeper saved initially, before dropping the ball again, but this time he recovered.

There were problems for the hosts keeper too, when he came to collect a long ball and flattened Arlott-John. He received a yellow card, but it could have been a red.

Walters and Arlott-John kept the attacks going and Butler had another shot over the bar in the 59^th minute from a Warren free kick.

As the home supporters looked for a second goal to seal the win, Mickleover continued to push forward, with another run from Arlott-John putting Walters through until Lavercombe collected.

Hayes’ 67^th minute shot was then deflected by Mills and cleared and Linney managed to get a shot in, but the angle was too tight.

After long and cautious build up Warren had another shot just off target, but Arlott-John was in space and unmarked.

Mickleover made their for change when Milner came on for Walters, before Sports went close with an Agustien free kick, after Dales and Bennett had combined, before Bennett was felled.

Warren shot again with the unmarked Arlott-John unseen and from the resultant corner, Butler’s header lacked power.

FC sub Duckworth forced Doherty into another save, but time was running out and after 80 minutes it was effectively all over, after Waddecar collected on the volley and Hayes hit home number two for FC, 0-2.

Davidson came on for Arlott-John for the last few minutes and in injury time Warren was red carded for a high tackle.

It was hard fought game and Mickleover held their own for much of it, but they still had to return home pointless and heading desperately close to the wrong end of the table.

by Peter Scherer

After collecting a hard fought point from Warrington last weekend, Mickleover are off to a struggling FC United of Manchester on Saturday.

United have had a run of three defeats, away at Atherton and Whitby in the NPL and at Marske in the FA Trophy. There last win was on November 6^th at home to Gainsborough.

Currently 14^th in the league and only three points ahead of Mickleover, they have five wins and two draws from their 19 games so far.

For Mickleover the main decision will be over goalkeeping duties, with Callum Hawkins having returned to Burton Albion. 

The choices being another on loan keeper, or a league debut for reserve keeper Fin Bowen, so watch this space.

The FC United has a mixture of experience and youth, with some loan players in the squad too

First choice goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe played his youth football with Exeter City and Torquay United. He joined Wigan Athletic in January 2016, but was loaned back to Torquay for a couple of spells, as well as Welsh League Club Rhyl.

He was released by Wigan in the summer of 2019 and joined Fylde, from where FC United signed him in September 2020.

Michael Donohue is a defensive midfielder, who started out at Everton’s Academy. After a loan at Barrow he joined Fleetwood, but was sent out on loan again to Tamworth. In September 2018 he was loaned to FC United, before the move became permanent the following January.

Joe White is a left back who started out at Bolton Wanderers. He made four first team appearances before being released to join Lower Breck and FC United on a dual registration. He has continued on a dual registration again this year between FC United and Ashton Athletic.

Luke Griffiths is a central midfielder who came back to FC United in October from Warrington, having only left a few months earlier. He was another Bolton Wanderers junior and has also played for Runcorn Linnets, Marine and Prescot Cables.

Playing either centre back or defensive midfield, Curtis Jones is well travelled. From Stockport County’s Youth Team, he joined Glasgow Celtic and Bristol City, before his first senior transfer to Livingstone.

His spell back in Scotland was shortlived and he joined Welsh League’s The New Saints. Quickly moving on again he had a year at Nantwich and then played for Southport and Ashton Athletic, before coming to FC United in July 2019.

Centre back Drew Baker arrived at FC United in the summer from the Oldham Athletic Academy.

Aaron Morris is another centre back who started out at St Helens Town. He came to FC United in summer 2020 from Runcorn Linnet’s, where he played for three years, and has tended to play at right back.

Cian Hayes is a striker currently on loan from Fleetwood Town and is a Republic of Ireland Under 19 International. He has made one first team appearance for Fleetwood and is due to return to the club this month.

A midfielder with mainly League Two and National League experience, Jonathan Smith was signed during the summer. He was a youth player at Morecambe.

After loans at Fleetwood and Bamber Bridge, he signed for Forest Green Rovers in 2010, and spent three years there pre their league status.

A spell at York City followed before joining Swindon Town, where he played 48 games and scored three goals, before returning to League Two rivals York.

Moving onto Luton Town where he played 150 games, he was at Stevenage too, before a couple of seasons at Chesterfield preceded his current move.

Brad Holmes is a young midfielder who started at Bolton Wanderers, before moving to Blackpool. He is currently part way through a three month loan at FC United.

Paul Ennis is an experienced midfielder with a long list of clubs throughout a lengthy career. After starting at Stockport County, he had a loan at Salford City, then quickly moved on to Stalybridge Celtic, Bala Town, Witton Albion, Northwich Victoria, Colwyn Bay and Guiseley, before a two year stay on a return trip to Stalybridge.

Curzon Ashton, Matlock, Shaw Lane, Buxton, Skelmersdale, Southport and Ashton Utd also joined his long list of travels, before arriving at FC United in May 2019.

Regan Linney is a striker who was signed from Bamber Bridge in July 2019, having developed through their own Academy.

Midfielder or left Back Adam Dodd was a Blackpool junior, who made the first team bench but didn’t get to play. He had loans at Altrincham and Scottish First Division’s Ayr Utd, before joining Chorley on his release. He then had just over three years at Bamber Bridge before being signed in May 2019.

Winger Jayden Major was a Liverpool Junior before moving to Burnley. He also had a loan at Clitheroe before his release, from where he joined Spanish club UP Plasencia until lockdown. He joined Stockport in July this year and came to FC United in October.

Ex Leeds Academy winger Omar Sanyang has been at Bradford City, Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Darlington, before joining Tadcaster Albion. He then moved to Bradford Park Avenue in November last year, before joining the FC United squad.

Ali Waddecar moved to FC United after an 11 year spell at Bamber Bridge having made over 450 appearances. The striker had joined Bamber from local football, having previously been at Preston North End.

Toby Humphries is a product of FC United’s own youth scheme. The young midfielder has only recently become part of the first team squad.

Mike Potts is another midfielder who started out with Manchester United. After he was released he was at Blackburn Rovers for year, before signing for York City. 

He has moved on each season spending time with Guiseley, AFC Fylde, Stalybridge on loan, Bradford Park Avenue, Shaw Lane on loan and Curzon Ashton. He was signed from Bamber Bridge in October 2018.

Vani Da Silva has recently joined our hosts on loan from Oldham Athletic, described as a “lightning striker.”

The kick off at Broadhurst Park is 3pm.

by Peter Scherer

It’s been said a number of times already this season, but Saturday’s home game against Warrington proved to be another game of two distinct halves.

Starting line-up: 1 Callum Hawkins 2 Jake Bennett 3 Jordan Gough 4 James Butler 5 Phil Watt 6 Kemy Agustien 7 Joe Bateman 8 Mason Warren 9 Dempsey Arlott-John 10 Stuart Beavon 11 Dexter Walters. Subs: Andy dales, Ethan Mann, Pablo Mills, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Roger Lee.

The game started strongly for Mickleover with Arlott-John threatening in the box after only three minutes before Dan Atherton in the visitors goal cleared for a throw.

Two minutes later Bennett had dropped a telling ball into the box, from which Beavon half connected with a shot at the keeper again.

From the clearance Warrington had their first attack, with Mols crossing to find Grivosti who headed over the bar.

Mickleover had the edge in midfield, with Warren in command, ably supported by Agustien and Bateman,

Beavon was looking to go on a run after seven minutes, but was fouled on the halfway line, but only two minutes later it was 1-0 to Sports, Warren had found Arlott-John again, he turned and shot but his initial attempt was blocked, before Baillie cleared an attempt from Beavon off the line.

The ball then found Walters lurking just outside the area and the on loan striker smashed a crisp and firm shot into the top right hand corner, with keeper Atherton well beaten.

As Warrington started to push forward to seek the equaliser, Hawkins covered a half chance, before Butler blocked a 16^th minute shot.

The pressure was on and over a three minute period, Grivosti shot straight at Hawkins, Baillie fired over from long range and Reid created his own space before putting in a weak final effort.

But Mickleover came fighting back with more determination than has been seen of late, as Bateman put a nice ball through to Beavon, whose shot was blocked again, but earned a corner.

Agustien’s kick found skipper Watt, who turned to fire a strong shot just over the bar after 22 minutes.

Watt was in particularly good form backed up well by Butler, while both Bennett and Gough played more of a defensive wing back role than pushing forward.

Warren tried a random shot from well out after half an hour, which was well over the bar, but Warrington were still pressing and began to look vulnerable in defence themselves.

Baillie tried another long shot for the visitors which was well over, but in the 36^th minute Duggan failed to clear his lines and Arlott-John intercepted.

Atherton was quickly out of his goal, but Arlott-John took the ball around him and squared it back from the by line. There were defenders on the line, but Walters smashed in his second of the match, 2-0.

Grivosti went for his Oscar though after a challenge with Watt as half time approached, but Hawkins had to make one more save before the whistle, tipping over from a Williams shot.

The second half was barely underway when appeals for a penalty were rejected when Arlott-John was upended.

Gough then had a positive attack down the left, feeding Beavon, whose header was just over, while after five minutes Arlott-John had another strong run and was close to breaking through the Warrington defence again and all inside a five minute opening spell.

But the tide then turned with Grivosti’s initial effort punched out by Hawkins, only to find Williams, who fed Duffy to make it 2-1.

It was still fairly even still and Arlott-John went close again after 58 minutes with a spectacular overhead kick.

Mols then got over ambitious and lost possession for Warrington, only for Grivosti to intercept again and shoot over the bar.

Gough headed clear after the visitors had a dangerous free kick and Arlott-John was taken down again in the 63^rd minute, but Agustien’s free kick went wide.

Warrington were almost on equal terms when they got a break after a Bateman shot was blocked. Hawkins had to come racing out to go one on one with Reid, but despite putting it around the keeper, Watt was on hand to clear.

Only a minute later it was 2-2 after Williams’ kick pierced the Mickleover lines.

Mickleover made their first change when Dales came on for Arlott-John, but Warrington had started to take control in midfield and left the Mickleover’s defence looking vulnerable.

Walters had another half chance but fired well wide, before Williams tried a lob for Warrington equally wide of the mark.

Bateman lost possession on the left which allowed Warrington sub McDonald a run. But he failed to maximise his opportunity and shot straight at Hawkins.

Into the last 15 minutes and Beavon was blocked as he prepared to shoot, but it was the visitors that were looking more dangerous.

Agustien had a pot shot well wide, before Davidson-Miller came on for Walters.

Warrington continued to seek the winner and after 84 minutes they had a shot cleared off the line, before Watt was outpaced by Mackreth, but there was no one to receive his cross.

Hawkins had to pull off another acrobatic save from a Duggan shot, before Mickleover almost got a break too with two minutes on the clock. But Davidson-Miller’s charge was stopped with Atherton charging from his goal.

Watt made a final headed clearance to retain the hard fought point, but Warrington’s second half fight back had proven just too strong for the battling Mickleover side.

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday Mickleover FC have a tough home game, with Warrington Town the visitors. 

Currently sixth in the NPL, Warrington have won nine of their 17 games so far, including wins on the road at Ashton, Lancaster, Stafford and Grantham.

Following last Saturday’s victory over Atherton, Mickleover are back up to 18^th in the table, but with teams around them having games in hand, points particularly at home are critical to escape the drop zone.

Warrington are captained by 6ft+ defender Mark Roberts, who started his career at Crewe Alexandra. He made seven first team appearances at Gresty Road and also had loans at Leek, Vauxhall Motors, Southport, Chester and Halifax, before joining Northwich after another initial loan.

In 2007 he joined league two Accrington Stanley and played 37 games before moving on again. After a brief return to Northwich, he was back to the Football League action with Stevenage, Fleetwood, Cambridge Utd and Forest Green Rovers, making almost 350 appearances and is now in his fourth season at Warrington.

Goalkeeper Daniel Atherton was signed during the summer. A former Liverpool junior, he also had a spell on loan at Marine last year and spent some time at Warrington last year too, before a brief foray in the US. 

James Baillie is a right back and another former Crewe Junior. He had a loan at Nantwich before being released, from where he moved onto Curzon Ashton. He joined Warrington in September last year.

Central midfielder Jay Harris was a summer signing. Starting out at Everton, he had a couple of seasons at Accrington, before moving onto Chester City. He then spent five years at Wrexham, scoring 20 goals in over 200 appearances.

He was with Tranmere Rovers when they regained their league status and then had a season at Macclesfield before rejoining Wrexham in January 2020.

Mitch Duggan is a defensive midfielder. A Tranmere Junior he had loans at Marine and Warrington, before joining our visitors permanently in July 2018. He has been out on loan at Flint and Southport, but is now back at Warrington and part of their first team squad.

Left back Eddie Clarke is another former Tranmere junior, but is currently on the injured list. He joined Fleetwood in July 2018, and after loans at Macclesfield and Stockport, was released to join Warrington in November last year. Like Duggan he also had a loan spell at Flint earlier this year too.

Winger Jack Mackreth came from Bala Town in the summer. He is yet another former Tranmere junior. He had a brief spell at Hyde, before longer spells at Barrow, Macclesfield and Grimsby. Then return trips to Tranmere and Macclesfield followed, with a short stay at Bury and he spent most 0f 2017/18 at Wrexham, before coming to Warrington in 2018. He went to Bala in February and was back at Warrington to start this season.

Striker Jordan Buckley was another one of a number of Warrington players who spent the early months of this year in Welsh football. Previously at Irlam, he signed from FC United in January 2020, and then went to Flint in February before heading back to Warrington in July.

Bohan Dixon is a midfielder who started out in the Welsh League with Connah’s Quay. He quickly moved on to Buckley Town, before dropping back into local football in Liverpool.

He was then signed by Hednesford Town in August 2011, moving to Burscough before dropping back to local league level. But a year later he was spotted by Accrington and his career was on the rise again.

After a loan at Marine he joined Lincoln City, but quickly moved on via Northwich, Salford City, Stalybridge Celtic, AFC Fylde, Halifax, Stockport and Ashton, before finally arriving at Warrington in September 2018.

Striker Dom Reid is a returnee, after played for Warrington a couple of seasons ago. An ex Rochdale youth player, he has also played for Bootle, AFC Fylde, Prescot Cables and Marine before coming to Warrington in 2018. He then moved to City of Liverpool and made his return pre-season.

Josh Amis is yet another Warrington player who had a spell in the Welsh League with Flint, before returning in the summer. Originally a Preston junior, he had loans at Stockport and Northwich, before the latter became permanent. 

The young striker then returned to Stockport and after spells at Altrincham and Marine signed initially for Warrington in July 2018.

Midfielder Ben Hough was picked up from Oldham Athletic in the summer, after signed for Latics as a 10 year old from Runcorn Linnets.

Matty Regan is an ex England under 16, 17 and 18 international who started out at Liverpool’s Academy. He then joined Nottingham Forest, before going to Tamworth on his release.

The centre back had more loans at Hednesford and Worcester City, before joining Stalybridge in 2014. Further moves to Colwyn Bay, Curzon Ashton and Farsley Celtic, preceded his arrival at Warrington. He is however, currently out injured.

Spanish midfielder Stefan Mols had only just been signed, having been released by Blackburn Rovers in July.

Luke Duffy is another attacking midfielder, who was signed in September 2020 from Lower Breck FC, he has also been part of Salford City’s development side.

Matt Grivosti was another young striker found in local football, before being signed up pre-season.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena will be 3pm as usual, the bar will be open and the forecast is dry but overcast.

by Peter Scherer

Not only did Mickleover returning to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Atherton Collieries, it was their first double of the season, having beaten the Greater Manchester team away a few weeks ago.

Starting line-up 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Jordan Gough 4-James Butler 5-Phil Watt 6-Kemy Agustien 7-Joe Bateman 8-Mason Warren 9-Andy Dales 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dexter Walters. Subs: Dempsey Arlott-John, Adam Haw, Pablo Mills, Jahvan Davidson. Ethan Mann.

It took a while for both teams to get up to pace, but Mickleover had their first chance after 16 minutes. Andy Dales led a counter attack from his own half, and having outpaced the defence, his cross went across the face of the goal with no one able to connect.

Seven minutes later a good positive build up from Warren out wide found Dales again, but his shot was blocked and went out for a corner.

It was still 0-0 when the visitors had their chance to open the scoring, but Elliot Rokka’s powerful close range shot was straight at Hawkins, who saved confidently.

Mickleover began to take charge towards the end of the first half, which was to bode well in the second.

Only three minutes back in action and it was 1-0 to Mickleover. A cross from Dales found Warren, who buried a powerful shot from 18 yards out into the bottom corner, with Atherton keeper Luke Hutchinson well beaten.

Six minutes later Warren was on the mark again, after a telling crossed had found Dales in the box, he was fouled in a melee of legs and the penalty was awarded.

Warren’s kick sent Hutchinson the wrong way, deep into the left corner 2-0.

Atherton continued to try and push forward and Marcus Cusani managed a shot in the 64^th minute, but it was just over the bar.

Mickleover made their first change when Arlott-John came on for Walters after 65 minutes. But only a few minutes later it was so nearly a third for Sports. 

Agustien’s free kick was initially saved by Hutchinson before he pulled off an excellent reflex save from the rebound too.

Davidson came on for his debut replacing Beavon after 77 minutes, but the points were secure and just as importantly the Mickleover defence kept a clean sheet.