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.

by Peter Scherer

On a wet fairly miserable night, there was no shortage of action as Mickleover hosted Bamber Bridge in the NPL. But it was to end in disappointment, when the visitors scored the decisive goal with only three minutes to go.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ben Lewin 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, Alex Morris, Roger Lee, Andrew Wright, Bobby Battisson.

The visitors were straight into attack, with Watt having to clear the danger in the opening minutes, before a further cross into the box after five minutes came to nought.

As Sports started to settle they began to attack more too, with Holmes forcing a save from Keeper Hewelt, from the narrowest of angles on the right.

After Bamber had a shot over the bar following a ninth minute corner, Dales got clear on the left and put in a cross to Ravenhill on the right but his shot was easily collected.

It was back to defence though almost immediately, when Hawkins pushed a way a powerful shot from outside the box.

Breaks for both teams continued to provide the end to end action, as the rain continued to fall. But after 19 minutes Bamber were through again, but despite finding space, the finish was both high and wide.

A short corner from Warren two minutes later found Holmes, whose shot was blocked, but Bamber broke clear yet again putting the ball across the face of the Mickleover goal with no one on the receiving end.

Dales had another good try 23 minutes in, when Beavon found him on the left, he twisted and turned before shooting just wide. Holmes was almost through a couple of minutes later after a good build up.

Butler and Watt were coping with the Bamber barrage, which continued mainly on the break, but neither Bennett nor Lewin were finding the opportunities to overlap.

While Warren and Ravenhill were feeding the ball through, both Holmes and Dales fond their space on the wings restricted, leaving Bacon and Beavon isolated up front.

Ravenhill had another shot on target after 31 minutes, picking up the ball after Bacon held it in the box, but was unable to turn.

Hawkins had to be on his guard when Bamber tried a cheeky back heeler after a cross from the right, but the Mickleover keeper had it covered. Holmes then brokeway to find Ravenhill again, whose shot was put out for a corner.

There was a hold up when Watt had cleared the danger, but received a cut to his head. When play restarted there was just five minutes left of a very even first half.

Just before the whistle Warren broke down the left, picking up Dales and his shot from a tight angle was just wide again.

Bamber weren’t finished either as Hawkins had to save a powerful long shot with his feet to keep it 0-0.

Both Beavon and Lewin had been yellow carded in the first half and as they re-appeared for the second, Morris was on for Lewin.

 

It was a positive start to the second half for Mickleover, with Dales almost able to deliver in the first minute after Bacon held the ball well in the box.  Skipper Warren then put in a deep cross towards goal from the right. It had the keeper beaten, but came back off the far post.

After the initial threat for the visitors they were back threatening too, going close after 50 minutes, before missing one of the best chances of the game. Unchallenged on the by line, the cross went across the face of the Mickleover goal, missing everyone.

Bennett finally managed to make a break and got right through the defence before his shot was blocked, but then after 55 minutes Dales smashed a shot against the underneath of the bar. It appeared to have moved the netting and as it bounced out Butler put it in the back of the net. 

It looked like the opening goal, but the referee had given offside against the Butler goal and failed to acknowledge Dales’ attempt.

With Battisson on for Ravenhill, Mickleover started to build the pressure on the visitors for a while. 65 minutes and Bacon had an excellent chance, with the inviting goal beckoning only yards in front of him, but the shot was wide.

Holmes then cracked in a shot from outside the box, punched over by Hewelt for a corner. But then it was the visitors chance to take the lead again, only for their effort to go sky high over the bar.

Beavon had the keeper at full stretch after 71 mins and two minutes later he was on the receiving end of a good cross from Battisson, earning another corner. Wright then came on for Holmes but it was still 0-0, with both sides failing to put away the chances. 

Bennett then came charging through again, but was hacked down on the edge of the box, but no free kick given to Mickleover, but it was to the visitors strangely.

As the game looked to be heading for 0-0, Rob Apter broke the deadlock with a goal for the visitors, after the defence failed the clear their lines, from what barely looked a threat initially.

With only three minutes to try and salvage a point, the downtrodden Sports team pushed everything forward. There were a couple of corners and goal mouth scrambles, but unlike our visitors, luck had deserted us and it remained 0-1.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC welcome fifth in the NPL table Bamber Bridge to the Don Amott Arena tomorrow night.

Our visitors recovered from a 3-0 defeat at Buxton on the opening day of the season, taking four successive wins, before drawing with Warrington at the end of August.

Since their fifth win at Scarborough on September 11^th, they have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Runcorn and lost top FC United and last Saturday went down 4-2 at Matlock.

Their current first choice goalkeeper is Mateusz Hewelt. He came through the Everton junior sides before being released in 2019. After a couple of years back in his native Poland with Miedz Legnica, he is a recent signing by manager Jamie Milligan.

Matty Flynn is the club captain having signed from Curzon Ashton last October. A central defender who started out at Warrington, before joining Macclesfield for a couple of seasons. Most of his career has been in the North West, with Ashton, Rochdale, Fleetwood, Altrincham, Barrow, Southport, Hyde and Chorley.

Right back Cameron Gourley has played for AFC Blackpool, Squires Gate and Longridge Town before he joined the Bamber Bridge squad.

Harvey Gregson is a central midfielder. A recent signing who made his name with AFC Fylde.

Former Blackpool junior left back Luke Higham made one first team appearance for the Seasiders. He had loans at Nuneaton and Telford before his release, after which he was at Fleetwood, with a further loan at FC United. He came to Bamber Bridge October last year from Lancaster.

 Rob Apter and Ewan Bange are both Blackpool Junior’s  on loan, each with one first team appearance for the Seasiders under their belt. Midfielder Apter is in his second season at Bamber,wheras striker Bange came in July this year.

Midfielder Craig Carney is another new signing, having recently arrived from Matlock. He started out at Lancaster, and has journeyed via Stockport, Marine, FC United and Warrington.

Irish born winger Mark Yeates has a wealth of experience behind him, since starting out at Tottenham Hotspur in 2002.

Four first team games for Spurs and loans at Brighton, Swindon, Colchester, Hull and Leicester, preceded his release in 2007 and a permanent move to Championship/League One Colchester, scoring 21 goals in 81 games.

He played in the Championship with Middlesbrough, Sheffield Utd and Watford, before moving to Bradford City, Oldham, Blackpool and Notts County, finally going non league with Eastleigh in 2017, after 500 senior appearances and over 50 goals. He came to Bamber from Fylde a year ago.

Left midfielder Isaac Sinclair is the son of well know ex Pro Trevor. He joined Bamber from Curzon Ashton last September, and has also played for AFC Blackpool, Squires Gate and Longridge.

Midfielder Dylan Boyle is another loanee from Fleetwood Town. He was on the bench for some of the Fleetwood pre-season games and has joined Bamber for one month.

Danny Forbes has been at Bamber since 2017, when the midfielder arrived from Kendal Town. He served his apprenticeship at Preston North End.

Winger Finley Sinclair-Smith is another Blackpool graduate. He had loan spells at Marine and Widnes before his release, moving on to Longridge Town. After almost two years at FC United, he has just signed for Bamber.

Matthew Dudley is a striker signed from Kendal Town in June 2017, having previously been at Fylde.

Right back Macauley Wilson was a junior at both Manchester Utd and Blackpool. He was first loaned to Bamber in 2016 and also to Fylde, until his release Jun 2017, when he became a permanent Bamber Bridge player. He has also captained the side.

Sheldon Green is a striker who has alternated between Bamber and Fylde over the last few seasons. But in August he became a permanent Bamber Bridge player.

Mickleover will hopefully be nearer full strength as player start to regain fitness from the early season traumas.

Kick off is 7.45 THEY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!!

by Peter Scherer (Photos: Karl Brooks Photography)

Mickleover travelled to Witton Albion with high hopes of taking a first away of the season, having so far only secured one point from Grantham from their games on the road.

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

The first half of the game was virtually a stalemate, with neither side managing to create any real chances, leaving keepers Hawkins and Greg Hall semi-redundant.

Witton had lost every home game this season and their only victory came at Morpeth, the only team below them in the league.

Having held things at 0-0 in the first half, Witton began to grow in confidence, but it was the substitution of Tom Owens for Danny McKenna just before the hour mark that turned the game.

He had barely had time to warm up when he gave the hosts the lead 0-1.

Mickleover stuck with their 11 starters until the 71^st minute, but having failed threaten the Witton goal, Bacon came on for Holmes.

The equalising goal still proved elusive and Sports brought Wright on for Battisson, but time ran out and it was a fourth away defeat which drops them 15^th in the table.

by Peter Scherer

It’s back on the road again this Saturday for Mickleover FC, when they visit next to bottom Witton Albion.

It’s been a disastrous start for Witton who have so far lost all three of their home games against Lancaster City, South Shields and Nantwich, leaving them next to bottom in the NPL.

They have one win under their belt away at Morpeth and also came away from Basford and Gainsborough with a point. Their last match was a 3-1 defeat at Atherton in the FA Cup, but in their last league match at Matlock, they were on the receiving end of a 9-0 hammering.

Goalkeeper Greg Hall is in his second spell at Witton, having re-signed in July after a couple of seasons at Nantwich. He came to Witton originally from Northwich in 2018 and has also played for Ashton, Ramsbottom and Glossop NE.

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

Left back Isaac Baldwin joined from Farsley Celtic in October 2019, where he played since leaving Spennymoor two years earlier. He started out at Huddersfield and also played for Halifax, Brighouse and Ossett Albion.

Steve McNulty is a former Liverpool Junior, who played at Burscough, Vauxhall Motors, Barrow and Fleetwood, before joining Luton Town. He was with the Hatters that regained league status from the Conference to League Two in 2013/14. After 125 appearances at Luton he moved on to Tranmere Rovers and York City, before coming to Witton in August last year. 

Left back George Nugent progressed through Tranmere Rovers youth set up and was awarded a professional contract. He played in a couple of Rovers EFL Trophy matches as well as several times being on the first team bench.  He signed for Witton at the end of July and his brother Ollie is an England Paralympics international.

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

Will Sutton is another central defender, currently on loan from Oldham Athletic. He made one first team appearance for Oldham last season. He scored against Lancaster in August.

Josh Wardle played his early football at Lancaster and Kendal, before joining Skelmersdale in 2017. He captained the John Moores University side and came to Witton on October 2017. He has also been club captain.

 Crewe Alexandra U18 & U23 defender Nathan Woodthorpe is on a month’s loan. He suffered an injury earlier this year and is looking to gain valuable match time in his quest for a first team debut. He scored for Witton in their 1-1 draw at Gainsborough on the opening day of the season.

Midfielder James Foley is one of Witton’s long serving players, having been signed from Marine in 2017. He started at AFC Liverpool before joining Macclesfield Town juniors. He moved on to Buckley Town and Camell Laird, before his three year spell at Marine. He is the Witton penalty taker and scored one of the goals in Witton’s 2-2 draw at Basford.

Jawad Jebrin is another attacking midfielder and former Warrington Town junior. He has also played for St Helens. He has one goal under his belt this season in their FA Cup win at Scarborough,

Callum Leigh was a summer signing by manager Carl McCauley from The New Saints in Welsh League. The midfielder played in both Rochdale and Oldham Academies. He also had loans at Oswestry and Ellesmere Rangers and is playing himself back in after a serious leg break.

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

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

Wing back or midfielder Tom Owens started out at Preston North End. He played at Marine and had a short spell at Witton before venturing overseas to the US and Australia. He came back to Witton in September 2017 from Brunswick City. He scored one of the goals in 2-2 draw at Basford too.

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

Midfielder Ryan Rogers came from the Burnley Academy. He then went north of the border to Gretna, before joining Glossop last season. He is currently on loan from Macclesfield.

Billy Smart is another midfielder who played his youth football at Marine. He went to Burscough and Bootle before returning to Marine in 2016, then joined Warrington a year later. He came to Witton in summer 2018.

Striker James Hooper came through the ranks at Rochdale, making a couple of first team appearances. He had loans at FC United and Stockport before joining Carlisle Utd in League two. A return trip to FC United followed, plus stays at Radcliffe, Salford City, Chorley, West Didsbury & Chorlton and Altrincham. He has been at Witton since 2020 and is the joint top scorer this season, with two goals, against Lancaster and Scarborough.

Rob Hopley came through Macclesfield’s youth scheme. He moved on to Winsford, Leek Town and Colwyn Bay, becoming a prolific goal scorer. He scored the first goal for the newly formed Chester too, before coming to Witton in November 2015. He scored 85 goals in 177 games, but a serious injury kept him out for 2019/20. He scored the Witton goal in last weeks FA Cup defeat at Atherton.

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

Callum Saunders is a recent signing from Nantwich. Son of Welsh International and former Rams star Dean, Callum is a Welsh under 19 and 21 international himself.  He came through the Crewe Academy and has played at Notts County and Curzon Ashton too. He scored both goals in their only win so far this season at Morpeth.

Striker Liam Thomas is an ex Derby junior, who also spent time at Shrewsbury before arriving at Witton in the summer.