by Peter Scherer

After their recent home defeats Mickleover came out fighting against Stafford Rangers, and earned a valuable point in a 0-0 draw.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Jordan Gough 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 20-Pablo Mills 7-Liam Ravenhill 8-Andrew Wright 9-Andy Dales 15-Kemy Agustien 11-Lee Holmes. Subs: Bobby Battisson, Dec Bacon, Josh Satchwell, Ben Lewin, Mason Warren.

From the kick off Mickleover were straight on the attack and within the first five minutes Dales earned a free kick and the resulting shot was just over from Mills.

 Holmes then showed his skills and created his own space to put his effort just wide of the left hand post after a through ball from Dales.

Bennett then earned a free kick after 10 minutes when he was obstructed on a positive run down the wing.

A minute later Hawkins made a comfortable save from a Stafford effort, before Mickleover went on the attack again, with new signing Gough finding Dales, whose effort was intercepted.

Stafford earned consecutive corners in the 16^th minute, but both were dealt with by Butler and Mills, before a dangerous break from the visitors was comfortably dealt with by Bateman.

Stafford went close again when a 21^st minute cross was cleared for a corner by Mills.

But Stafford defender James O’Neill was lucky to get away with stamping on Dales leg after a tackle, as neither the referee nor his assistant saw the incident.

The visitors had another half chance which went wide but Mickleover were forced to make a change when Holmes limped off and was replaced by Battisson.

Stafford began to push forward and put a telling cross over the face of the goal, before following up with a shot over the bar from outside the box.

Captain Wright was doing his best to inspire, ably assisted by the hard running Dales, mixed with a blend of Agustien’s calmness and Ravenhill’s enthusiasm.

After 27 minutes Bennett came so close to scoring, when Wright put him through for a run on goal, colliding heavily with defender Ben Woods and keeper Luke Pilling, earning a corner.

Agustien’s foresight resulted in a great pass from the left, leaving Battisson to collect on the right, but his run was then blocked.

It was still end to end, with Stafford having another shot over the bar, before Navarro had a chance to open the scoring for Stafford, but it was well saved by Hawkins. 

With half time approaching another Stafford effort was fired well over, but in time added on Mickleover went close too. Dales flashed in a telling cross, but as Wright went for it, Pilling got a hand there first and punched it away, so it remained 0-0.

It was the visitors that were on the ascendancy as the second half got underway. 47 minutes and a low cross just missed the head of a diving Stafford striker and two more attacks, with a shot over, preceded a low shot to Hawkins left, which was saved by the Mickleover keeper.

Gradually Sports came back into the game and Dales shot was only just wide after connecting with a Battisson cross after 51 minutes.

Bennett then found Battisson, whose dangerous cross was cleared, but the teenage midfielder fired it back in again only for it to be cleared on the left.

Mickleover were entering their best spell of the game and started to pile the pressure on the Stafford defence. 

Just after the hour Dales tried a lob that almost caught Pilling out and a minute later he broke through the ranks to go one on one with visitor’s keeper. His shot came off Pilling’s leg but in the melee one of the defenders almost put it in the net.

Dales was looking for another one on one three minutes later, but the keeper had it covered.

For the final push Mickleover brought on Bacon for Wright.

Hawkins had another save low to his right in the last five minutes and a Sports corner from Agustien in time added on, was punched clear of danger.

The 0-0 draw gave Mickleover a valuable point, but more important was the fight shown to succeed as we now look forward to Saturday’s visit to Atherton Collieries.

by Peter Scherer

For the last two unfinished seasons, Stafford Rangers have spent most of their time fighting against relegation, but this year’s its all change.

They started with a 3-1 home win over Morpeth and have had mixed form with five wins and four draws from their 14 games, plus they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Rushall Olympic after a replay.

Last weekend they went down 0-1 at home against Scarborough, and currently are ninth in the NPL table.

First choice goalkeeper Luke Pilling started out as a Tranmere youth team player, making seven first appearances and spending a loan period at Ashton before joining Notts County in September 2020. He came to Stafford during pre-season and is capped by Wales at Under 20 and Under 21 levels.

A full back or centre back, Andrew Burns was a junior at Bolton Wanderers. After moving on to Bradford City, he came to Stafford this summer via Redbridge and Barrow.

Ben Woods is a winger or wing back, a recent signing from Spanish club Lorca. He’s a former Burnley youth player and has NPL experience with Stalybridge.

Skipper and midfielder Alex-Ray Harvey started off at Burnley too and had loans at Fleetwood and Barrow, before making a permanent move to Barrow. After spells at Guiseley and Hednesford, he joined Stafford in July 2019.

Centre back Ethan Stewart was only signed from Alfreton just over a week ago. He was at the Nottingham Forest Academy until July last year, during which time he was loaned to Billericay and Alfreton. On release he joined Nuneaton, from where he joined Alfreton again in July this year.

Centre back or midfield James O’Neil came from Welsh League Newtown in July. He started out at Telford and had three years at Chasetown in between spells at Newtown.

Joe Kenton is joint leading scorer for Stafford with five. The attacking midfielder or striker started out with Wolves and Shrewsbury, and was another Welsh League player from Newtown. He had previously played for Tividale and came to Stafford July last year.

Tom Tonks is the other joint highest scorer, a summer signing from Tamworth. Having started at Tipton, he has had numerous spells at Stourbridge and has also played for Telford, Solihull Moors, and Alvechurch.

Former Huddersfield junior Jake Charles came to the Terriers from Garforth Villa and made one first team appearance during his spell at Huddersfield. A loan at Guiseley preceded a move to Barnsley, followed by a loan at York City, before signing for Stalybridge.

His first spell at Stafford was in October 2018, scoring on his debut. But after 55 games and 18 goals he joined Farsley Celtic, before returning to Stafford in June this year.

He has represented Wales at Under 16, 17, 19 and 21 levels and is the Grandson of the legendary John Charles.

Alex Fletcher is a central midfielder with more Welsh connections. After his release from Shrewsbury Town, he joined Tividale, before signing for Newtown in June 2016. He had a short spell at Southport before coming to Stafford in October 2017, but left after three months to rejoin Newtown. 

After a brief stay at Stourbridge he had a third spell at Newtown, before arriving at Stafford again in pre-season.

Striker Luca Navarro is another recent signing. The former Bolton junior had spells at Bamber Bridge and Hull City before coming to Stafford during the summer.

There are more Welsh connections with winger Theo Bailey-Jones. He started his career at Wrexham, with loans at Colwyn and Macclesfield, before a permanent move to Macclesfield. He moved on to play at Stalybridge and Altrincham, before coming to Stafford in July 2018. After two years he went to Hyde, before returning to Stafford last week.

Striker Joe Cuff is in his second spell at Stafford. Signed originally from Market Drayton for the 2018/19 season, he returned to Shropshire after one season, and has been back in the Stafford fold since pre-season.

Striker Max McCarthy is another brand new signing, on loan from Stoke City for a month initially.

Tolani Omotola is another striker recently signed from Hyde. He started out at Tranmere and made one first team appearance, before moving on to Witton and Burscough on loan. He then joined Altrincham and was loaned out to Ramsbottom and Loughborough Dynamo, before moves to Coalville, Buxton, Corby and Barwell.

After starting off at Solihull Moors, left back Josh Endall joined Coventry City for a couple of seasons. He was released and joined Stratford Town, moving to Redditch, Banbury and Alvechurch, before his move to Stafford in the summer.

Charlie Ten-Grotenhuis is another summer signing. The midfielder was a Bristol Rovers product, who was loaned to Gloucester City, before a permanent move to Hungerford. Further moves to Farnborough, Stratford, Paulton and Hednesford preceded his move to Stafford.

Midfielder Tre Pemberton only arrived at Stafford last week from CFC United. He played his junior football at Blackburn and Stoke City, before joining FC United. He has also had a loan spell at Longridge. 

Jon Moran started out at Crewe, with a loan at Nantwich which was made permanent. Forest Green, Halesowen, Chester and Bradford PA were his next stops, before coming to Stafford in November 2019.

Kick off as usual is at 7.45pm, so come along and help Sports get some points on the board.

by Peter Scherer (Photo: Sarah Middleton)

Morpeth certainly lived up to their name of the Highwaymen, as they inflicted a crushing defeat on Mickleover last Saturday.

Starting line-up: 1 Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ben Lewin 4-Mason Warren 5-James Butler 6-Joe Bateman 7-Andy Dales 8-Liam Ravenhill 20-Pablo Mills 10 Dec Bacon 11-Lee Holmes. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ethan Mann, Kemy Agustien, Andrew Wright, Fin Barker.

The game had only been under way for five minutes when Morpeth scored their first goal, with Gary Johnson collecting at the edge of the box and firing it home 0-1.

Although Mickleover tried to fight back, Lewin was booked for a foul on the edge of the Mickleover box, from where the free kick hit the post.

19 minutes and it was 0-2 as Johnson scored again, with a header into the top corner.

Bacon though he had pulled one back for Sports, but although he put it in the back of the net, play was pulled back with Bacon adjudged to have pushed a defender.

The situation was compounded still further when 27 minutes in Ben Sayer had a shot saved by Hawkins, but he followed up with a rebound header, 0-3.

Warren came close too when his 33^rd minute free kick was only collected by the visitors keeper at the second attempt.

It could have been Johnson’s hattrick three minutes later, when he was  given a  free header  only just wide, but with Holmes then booked for a foul on a Morpeth striker, it remained 0-3 in Morpeth’s favour half time.

As Mickleover tried to bring some credibility to the scoreline, Wright came on for Mills, with Agustien and Barker on for Warren and Bacon, but the hour was up and it continued to look bleak.

Agustien had only been on the field a few minutes when he reacted badly to being fouled and was in the refs book too.

Johnson managed to get a cross in for the visitors after 67 minutes, but his attempt was high and wide from a tight angle, while Ravenhill managed to get a cross inside the visitors defence but there was no one to collect.

Morpeth’s Ben Sayer was then in the book too after he caught the ball in a Mickleover counter attack.

Holmes went near with an 83 rd minute free kick in the 83^rd minute, but was then sent off for second yellow card.

In the closing minutes Ramsey took a free kick for Morpeth, but it was well taken by Hawkins.

So it was another home defeat which now leaves then fourth from the bottom of the table and in dire need of points.

by Peter Scherer

Having come so close to holding the NPL table toppers Matlock Town away on Tuesday evening, its back to home advantage for the injury ravaged Mickleover FC.

Saturday’s match is against 19^th in the table Morpeth Town, with two wins under their belt, the second having come on Tuesday evening 3-1 away to Radcliffe. Only three days earlier they had also knocked Radcliffe out of the FA Cup by the same score at home.

They are currently three points behind Mickleover in the league with game in hand, on exactly the same goals difference.

Keeper Dan Lowson originally came to Morpeth on loan from Spennymoor, but made his move permanent from July 2018. He previously played Ilkeston, Blyth Spartans, Alfreton and Celtic Nation.

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

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

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

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

Centre back Callum Morris was another Newcastle Junior, who joined Blyth Spartans on his release. A short spell in Spain with Jerez Industrial preceded a season with Hayes & Yeading Utd. But his more recent career has been spent in Scotland, at Dunfermline, Dundee Utd and Aberdeen. He signed for Morpeth last summer after three years at Ross County and is capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under 19 and Under 21.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Striker Andrew Johnson is a former Ashington player, who came to Morpeth from Spennymoor in May 2020.

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

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

Ben Ramsey is a local talent, already attracting interest from League Clubs. The young defender made his first team debut in February and scored within seconds.

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

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

Kick off is 3pm as usual and the bar is open, SO BE THERE!!

by Peter Scherer

A third 1-0 defeat for Mickleover out of the last four games, but it was so nearly a late point at table topping Matlock.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Mason Warren 5-Joe Bateman 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Liam Ravenhill 9-Dec Bacon 10-Josh Satchwell 11-Lee Holmes. Subs: Kemy Agustien, Ben Lewin, Roger Lee, Fin Barker, Bobby Battisson.

Matlock had two consecutive corners in the first two minutes, before Kendall fired his shot high over the bar.

Then four minutes later they were on the attack again but the cross was cleared by the Mickleover defence, only for the hosts to come straight back with Cooke setting up Byrne, whose shot was well wide.

The first real move into the Matlock box came when Hawkins found Morris clear on the left, but the wing backs through ball was too long for Satchwell.

The Mickleover defence were under attack when Bennett fouled on the edge of the box. Kendall fired in a challenging shot from the free kick, which Hawkins tipped out past the post.

Hawkins was in action again saving an Evans header, before Cooke had a shot blocked.

Mickleover had been having difficulty getting out of their own half, but after 17 minute Bennett made progress down the right, found Warren, who set Holmes up for a long range shot just past the post.

Matlock were soon attacking again and when skipper Hughes spotted Hawkins off his line, he tried a lob which was easily taken by the Sports keeper.

Rowley the home keeper was finally called into action after 22 minutes, Satchwell had been tripped just outside the box and Warren’s fizzing free kick was taken safely.

There was a corner for Mickleover shortly afterwards after another overlap from Bennett had earned a corner, but Dales final shot was over the bar.

Just after Kendall had put a cross over the face of the Mickleover goal, with no one to receive, he was substituted and Uchegbulam came on.

It was in the 26^th minute that Mickleover were lucky not to concede the opening goal. Bateman and Watt had taken everything thrown at them so far by the Matlock attack, but there was general chaos with both players on the ground and Hawkins out of his goal. The first clearance came back to Cooke who hit the post, the second hit Hawkins and rebounded just past the post.

Evans then had a close range shot saved by Hawkins, before Matlock defender Yates was booked for tripping Dales, after he had collected a good clearance from Hawkins.

Hawkins had to punch away another Matlock attempt, before Lees blocked a good attempt on goal from Bennett.

39 minutes and the Mickleover defence was finally breached, when Byrne beat Morris on the left before crossing into the box.

It was initially cleared by Hawkins, but not sufficiently and as it fell at Hughes feet, he fumbled it over the line, 0-1.

Two minutes later Uchegbulam fired in a shot from long range which fell wide.

It was close to second goal as the half time whistle beckoned. Watt was appealing for offside which wasn’t give, leaving Cooke with a clear shot which hit the post, before Hughes put the rebound wide.

During the final minutes of the first half, it was obvious Hawkins was suffering some discomfort on his left side, with no sub keeper on the bench he played on.

Mickleover brought on Lewin for Watt and began to try and push forward more, with Warren letting loose with a 20 yarder, well taken by keeper Rowley.

But Matlock started to take control again and forced any initiative back, despite Warren’s efforts to lead by example and burst free from defensive duties.

Uchegbulam found Cooke on the right, but his effort was blocked by Bateman, before Qualter reacted similarly as Mickleover had a shot blocked from Dales.

Matlock made another substitution with Onyeka on for Cooke, but it was Hughes having another try for the hosts, after a break down in the Mickleover defence. Fortunately the Matlock skippers shot was well wide of the goal.

Holmes had a header deflected out by Satchwell, after a positive build up on the hour, which involved nice work from Bacon and Dales, after an initial ball from Warren.

Mickleover came into their best spell of the match, when Warren and Ravenhill were able to push forward and in the 65th minute it was almost there.

Dales got the ball into the box, but Satchwell and Bennett both initially failed to connect. The ball fell back to Bennett again who just couldn’t get it under control to get a shot in.

Matlock appealed for handball a few minutes later, but their pleas were waved away and Soleman then came on for Lewis King as the hosts third sub.

The hunt for the equaliser continued at a pace, when the ball broke out of defence in the 70^th minute. Bacon crossed from the right hand byline, landing inches in front of Satchwell. But the young striker froze and no contact was made.

Bennett got a cross into the box but found no one there too, and 75 minutes in Bacon found Satchwell again in the box, but time elapsed before a shot was made, but with Lewin and Warren following up they earned a corner.

Sports brought Agustien on for Holmes for the last 15 minutes, but the whole defence seemed to split wide open as centre back Qualter strode up field before shooting into Hawkins arms.

Hughes put a header just wide and Uchegbulam fired over as Matlock tried to make it safe.

After Satchwell found Dales who earned another corner, Byrne and Soleman had shots blocked, before Byrne fired over the bar.

Dales had been unable to find the freedom he revels in for most of the match, but in the 88^th minute he broke free, only to be scythed down. The free kick from Agustien was powerful and accurate but failed trouble Rowley.

Barker came on for Bacon for the last five minutes and could have made it a dream debut. He was clear on goal with the keeper already over committed, but with the open goal begging, his shot pulled wide just beyond the left hand post.

There was certainly no lack of effort on Mickleover’s part, but once again the chances missed proved decisive.

by Peter Scherer

Local rivalry, first in the table with 10 wins, just two of the reasons why Tuesday night’s visit to Matlock Town is going to be tough.

With six wins out of six at home in the NPL after a 1-0 defeat on the opening day of the season, Matlock have been challenging for honours from the start. Their only other league defeat was at Stafford, when they went down 1-0, but surprisingly had a 3-0 defeat at home to Belper Town in the FA Cup too.

Manager Paul Phillips has had a few ins and outs in his squad already this season, but the nucleus of his side have been ever present.

Former Shrewsbury Town Junior keeper Shaun Rowley has played every game in this seasons campaign. During his time at Shrewsbury , he had a few months on loan at Watford, as well as spells at Halesowen, Chorley and Tamworth. 

After seven years at Shrewsbury he was released in 2018 and then spent a year each at Halifax Town and Solihull Moors. After a couple of months at Kettering, he came to Matlock in September 2020.

Defender  Reece Kendall made history when he  was signed from Brighouse Town, as he was the first player the Yorkshire club had ever received a fee for. He played at Hyde and Silsden before going to Brighouse, having started out in their own under 21 side. He has also scored three goals in this seasons campaign.

Adam  Yates  in his 13th full season with Matlock having joined them from Shirebrook Town in March 2009 following an impressive performance against Matlock in the 2008/09 Derbyshire Senior Cup semi final. With 500 appearances for the  first team  underlining his tremendous consistency, mainly as a central defender,  he has also played as a full back or in midfield. He started out as a youth player with Chesterfield before joining Belper Town. He was voted fans player of the year in 2012/13, 2015/16, 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Former Welsh under 17 and under 19 international centre back or defensive midfielder  Ioan Evans has recently arrived from Stalybridge Celtic. A former Newport Academy player he had a spell at Sheffield United and was loaned to Boston Utd, before joining Gainsborough Trinity. Moving on to Tadcaster in July last year, he spent one year with them before starting this season at Stalybridge. He scored his first goal for the club in last Saturday’s home win again FC United. 

Centre Back Ryan Qualter came to Matlock last summer from Alfreton Town. He is another ever present this season, who started his career at Ossett Town. He then joined Bradford PA and had a loan spell at Scarborough, before spells at Shaw Lane and Boston Utd preceded his move to Alfreton in July 2019. He has also found the net on one occasion this season.

Mark Lees is an experienced defender or midfielder, ever present this season. He had played for Hyde, Altrincham and Stalybridge, before moving on to Stockport County, Telford and Ashton Utd. He came to Matlock last summer after a spell at Mossley.

Winger Alex Byrne has been at Matlock since March last year. He began that season at Warrington, before moving to Buxton in Autumn 2019, having previously played for both Shaw Lane and Gainsborough Trinity. Another ever present with four goals to his name this season.

Alex Wiles started his career as a midfielder at Rotherham, before his release sent him to Stocksbridge Park Steels. His next stop was Tadcaster before joining Gainsborough, from where Matlock signed him in pre-season. He has appeared in every game, one as sub.

Liam Hughes is a well travelled midfielder, having started as a junior at Scunthorpe and Cambridge Utd. After a short spell at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, he returned to England with Barrow and has since played at Guiseley, Billericay, Darlington, Gainsborough, Stratford Town, Bradford PA and Frickley, before arriving at Matlock last summer. He had a loan at Kettering but has been with Matlock full time again since February. He has played eight games this season, scoring four times.

Currently on loan from Halifax Town, Striker/Midfielder Jamie Cooke has scored three times from two appearances. The ex Fleetwood Junior attacking midfielder has also played at Colne and had a loan at FC United.

Callum Chippendale is another attacking midfielder who went to Bradford PA after his release from Barnsley Juniors. Moves to Boston, Gainsborough and Shaw Lane followed, before joining Buxton in early 2018. He came to Matlock July last year, from Buxton. He has made 10 appearances this season, three as sub and scored two goals.

Ross Hannah was a junior striker at both Sheffield Utd and Wednesday. He then joined Worksop Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels, with loans at Gainsborough and Belper Town, before a permanent move to Gainsborough. 

He was at Hednesford and Belper before his first spell at Matlock  from 2008 to 2011 during which time he won the NPL Golden Boot. Moving onto Bradford City where he played in League Two, then Halifax, Grimsby, Chester, Barrow and Southport , before returning to Gainsborough as player manager.

After a spell at Cleethorpes he came back to Matlock last November. He has made six appearances this season and scored two goals.

Jesurun  Uchegbulam is another midfielder who came to Matlock during the summer. He started in the junior teams at AC Milan, and has played for Mossley and Stockport in the UK. He has appeared in all but one game this season, with five starts  and seven substitutions, scoring two goals.

A former Scottish Under 19 International striker, Craig King was a Leicester City graduate, who had loans at Hereford, Northampton, before joining Telford after his release.  Spells at Worksop, Buxton, Bradford PA, Salford, Scarborough, Gainsborough and Alfreton followed before coming to Matlock in October 2018.

He had a long spell out with a serious knee injury and moved to Frickley in July, but returned to Matlock after only one month. He is yet to make a start this season, but has been a sub four times.

Jerome Greaves is currently on  loan from Rotherham until January. The young striker has made three starts and scored two goals.

Former Bolton Wanders junior Kayde Coppin is a player coach at Matlock. The striker has played at Flixton, Trafford, Northwich Victoria, Rossendale United, Atherton LR, Bacup Borough and Glossop North End. He has reached the play-offs with Mossley, Ashton United and Buxton and has also managed Manchester Ladies between 2014 and 2016. He came to Matlock last summer and has made two substitute appearances this season.

Jamie Sharman is a young centre back who came to Matlock in the summer after his release from Chesterfield. He has had loans at Kidderminster and Blyth Spartans too and made eight starts this season.

Ashton Hall is another centre back who was released from Sheffield Utd Under 23’s this summer. He had started out at Matlock in 2019, and has also been loaned to Guiseley. He has made two starts and two sub appearances so far this season.

Midfielder Lirak Hasani is a loanee from Doncaster. He has made five appearances at Doncaster and made two starts for Matlock, with two more as a sub and scored one goal.

Aram Soleman is a brand new singing who made his debut against FC United last Saturday. The former West Bromwich Albion midfielder has played at Solihull Moors, Coventry Utd, Rushall, Guiseley and Bromsgrove before joining Tamworth last October, from where Matlock have signed him.

 Liam King is another midfielder back at Matlock for a second time. He was at Rotherham as a junior, and had a loan spell at Altrincham before a permanent move to Matlock in July 2012. After four years service he joined North Ferriby and moved on to Halifax, Gainsborough, Frickley and Grantham. He managed Gainsborough for a while too, and came back to Matlock this summer.

The kick off as usual is 7.45, be there!!

Words courtesy of the Scarborough News, with additional words by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s visit to Scarborough last Saturday came within in a whisker of a  first away win of the season.

There were two changes from the side that lost at home to Witton Albion, with Alex Morris back in for Ben Lewin at left back. Ben reverting to the bench, where he was joined by the returning Kemy Agustien, who replaced Bobby Battisson among the subs.

Starting line-up:  1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Mason Warren 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Liam Ravenhill 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Lee Holmes. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Roger Lee, Kemy Agustien, Ben Lewin, Andrew Wright.

For the hosts wing-back Josh Barrett made his first start of the season in place of the injured Bailey Gooda, and big striker Jake Day lined up alongside Nathan Cartman in attack, with Kieran Glynn playing just behind them.

Boro made a lively start, as Cartman played a ball across the box to Lewis Maloney who blazed his shot wide. Ryan Watson had a powerful shot blocked, then Jake Day had a strike deflected out for a corner, which was taken by Watson, and the ball dropped to Will Thornton, who stabbed his shot over the bar.

Lee Holmes fired wide in Mickleover’s first attack, then  Declan Bacon raced onto a through ball before lobbing Ryan Whitley, but wide of the far post.

Moments later Bacon blasted a shot wide, while at the other end Jake Day connected with an Ash Jackson cross, but headed straight at keeper Callum Hawkins, then Dylan Cogill had a shot blocked following a Watson corner.

Despite heavy rain, both sides contributed to an entertaining game, and Mickleover had a great chance to open the scoring on 35 minutes when the pacy Holmes burst down the left and cut inside before going down under a combined challenge from Weledji and Thornton.

Skipper Mason Warren fired the spot kick towards the bottom left corner, but Boro keeper Whitley dived to his right to pull off a super save.

The visitors ended the first half strongly, Bacon firing wide, then a shot from Holmes deflected off Cogill and against the post before being hacked clear. Just before the interval Boro’s Kieran Glynn headed a Jackson cross inches past the post.

The first half had been evenly fought and terrific to watch, but the second period was a big disappointment for the home fans, as Mickleover, with the wind and driving rain in their favour, dictated play throughout.

Thornton and Cogill were superb at the back, and Glynn showed touches of skill, but the visitors were well on top.

Whitley made a brilliant save to keep out a shot from Declan Bacon, although the offside flag had been raised, so a goal wouldn’t have counted, then James Butler had an effort deflected wide, and a lovely turn and shot from Holmes resulted in the ball fizzing narrowly over.

Whitley made a superb flying save from a strong James Butler header at a corner, but the home side couldn’t get any attacks going, but in a rare break forward, Day headed a Jackson cross into the arms of keeper Hawkins.

Jake Bennett accepted a pass from Holmes before firing just wide in another Mickleover attack, before they took the lead on 87 minutes when Stuart Beavon laid off to Holmes, who curled his shot into the net from the left edge of the area.

A fifth straight home defeat looked on the cards, but Boro capitalised on a disastrous error to snatch a last gasp equaliser, when Day did brilliantly to loft over a cross from the left into the goalmouth, keeper Hawkins fumbled the ball, and Cartman pounced to knock the loose ball into the net from close range.

So now its a short trip now the road to neighbours Matlock Town, now top of the NPL!

 

by Peter Scherer

Following our own disappointment of the home defeat to Bamber Bridge, Scarborough Athletic our hosts this Saturday, were on the receiving end of a 6-0 thrashing at FC United. 

They have four wins so far this year, but only one of them was at home, 2-0 against Warrington. This weeks defeat has dropped them to 12^th in the table, three points clear of Mickleover in 17^th, but they both have identical goal differences of -7.

Lets take a look at their side…………..

Ryan Whitley is the first choice goalkeeper, on loan from York City until January. He has also had loans spells at Whitby and South Shields.

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

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

They have also had US born keeper Thomas Brown on the bench, a teenager who has come to the UK to launch his career.

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

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

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

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

After six years at Tadcaster defender Josh Barrett made the move to Scarborough. He started as a striker in Leeds United Academy and also played for York City.

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

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

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

Theo Hudson is a very recent signing from Ashton Utd. The attacking midfielder was a Leeds Utd Academy player, before joining Darlington. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nathan Cartman began his career at a Leeds Utd junior and captained their Youth Team, before joining Harrogate Town, Liversedge and Brighouse. The striker hit scoring form at Harrogate RA and joined Darlington for 2014/15, where he started until moving on to Farsley in late 2018. He has been at Scarborough since June 2020.

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

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