by Peter Scherer (photo: Leek Town)

For the second successive year Mickleover were drawn away to Leek Town in the FA Cup, but on this occasion it was played Buxton’s Silverlands ground, with Leek’s new pitch not available yet.

Starting line-up 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Roger Lee 5-James Butler 6-Joe Bateman 7-Andy Dales 8-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dempsey Arlott-John. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ethan Mann, Ben Gowing, Bobby Battisson, Ben Lewin.

Within seconds of the kick off it could easily have been 1-0 when Beavon hit the woodwork . But Leek were straight on the attack and Trickett-Smith, Saxon and Clarke all went close too.

A Leek corner after 28 minutes pulled out a fine save from Hawkins, from a Chadwick header. Before a later header hit the woodwork again, but amazingly and despite the chances to both sides, it remained 0-0 at half time.

Just as in the first half Sports had their first chance of the second half within the first minute, but this time Dales put it home, for 1-0 after 46 minutes.

Clarke then had a good run for Leek but was unable to get a shot in and it came to nought. 

Sports skipper Butler was yellow carded after 68 minutes and the first substitution was made after 76 minutes, with Battisson on for Arlott-John. Gowing followed shortly afterwards for Agustien, which was soon followed by Sports second goal, when Bacon made it 2-0 from close range after 86 minutes.

The scorer then came off to make way for Satchwell and the final minutes were played out with Mickleover safely into the second qualifying round draw, with games due to be played  on September 18^th.

by Peter Scherer

For the second successive season it’s Leek Town away in Mickleover’s first FA Cup foray of the season. 

Last season goals from Stuart Beavon and Dec Bacon secured a 2-1 victory for Mickleover.

This year’s match will be played at Buxton, due to Leek’s 3G pitch installation being delayed.

They haven’t had the best of starts to the season and currently lie 14^th in the NPL West, with four points from four games.

Their first win came at Market Drayton last Monday, when despite being reduced to 10 men when Zack Clarke received a straight red, they were 1-0 victors thanks to a Will Saxon goal.

On Tuesday it’s back to NPL League action as we visit Grantham Town.

They have a difficult start to the season again, having struggled over the last two seasons, currently 20th. 

They beat Radcliffe 2-1 away on the first day of the season, but apart from a 1-1 draw at home to Basford on Bank Holiday Monday, they have lost their other four games, including a 7-2 defeat at home to Lancaster.

Their new manager ex England International Carlton Palmer, has just signed two loanees from Alfreton Town before Saturdays FA Cup tie at Nantwich. Striker Harvey Grice, ex Nottingham Forest Academy and winger Rio Molyneaux, a former Mansfield players.

Mickleover have a few injury concerns though, with leading scorer Andy Dales hoping to be fit after taking an ankle knock against Hyde Utd. George Milner is still recovering from his ankle injury and skipper Mason Warren is out for a couple of weeks still with a broken collarbone, but centre back Phil Watt is also a doubt with a tight hamstring.

It might be too early for Vice Captain Andrew Wright to return to the first team though, despite coming through a successful 45 minutes return against Coventry City last night.

by Peter Scherer

Coventry City brought a strong under 23 based line-up to the Don Amott Arena for last nights friendly match, with Sports going down 1-0 to a first half goal.

Starting line-up: 1-Tom Smith 2-Larrel King 3-Alex Morris 4-Roger Lee 5-Pablo Mills 6-Ethan Mann 7-Bobby Battisson 8-Ben Gowing 9-Dec Bacon 10-Josh Satchwell 11-Andrew Wright. Subs: Fin Bowen, Jake Edge-Lucas, Zach Robertson, Luca Moncho, “Trialist.”

Coventry’s pace and skill was evident from the opening minute, firing in their first shot.

But Mickleover were trying to play their normal game and a nice move from Bacon left Battisson’s shot blocked after four minutes.

Mann was having problems with the pacey Fabio Tavares, and having outrun the young Sports defender, he earned the visitors first corner after five minutes, but the following header landed safely in Smith’s hands.

It was end to end for a while, with Battisson firing a chance shot straight at keeper Tyler, before Coventry made another charge downfield with a header just over.

As the visitors piled the pressure on they had another telling cross into the box from the left, but the following shot was again just off target.

As Lee and Gowing played deeper midfield roles, Battisson and Wright continued to be the ones to make the breaks and after 11 minutes Battisson found Bacon, whose forward pass was a fraction short for Satchwell.

Only a minute later Tavares was on the receiving end when the defence was split. He was left with a long run in, and despite Smith charging off his line, he rounded the keeper and it was 0-1.

Five minutes later and Coventry went close again, with Mann losing out to the fiery Tavares. A couple of attempts were blocked, and even a fancy back heel failed to get through.

Mickleover pushed hard to try and come back and Bacon was making progress earning a corner 19minutes in.

Tavares broke free again after 25 minutes though, but as Smith came out to narrow the angle he shot wide.

As half time approached Sports had a positive but long build up through King, Bacon and Battisson, which was initially blocked, before Satchwell collected but just couldn’t create the space to shoot.

Mills came up for the corner just before the stroke of half time, but his header was taken safely by Tyler and it remained 0-1.

Having successfully come through his comeback 45 minutes, Wright was replaced by Edge-Lucas for the second half.

It was even for the first 10 minutes again, but Mickleover were pushing harder and earned a couple of corners, with Mills heading just wide of the post from the second.

One of the Coventry Players was booked for a foul on Battisson, but as Satchwell and Bacon piled in from the free kick, the visitors had to clear off the line.

Both sides continued with quick breaks from defence, through midfield, with Edge-Lucas playing a positive role.

On the hour Moncho came on for Bacon, but it Coventry going closer again with some random shots.

As Morris started to push forward more in the second half, Sports added a new dimension to their attack and after 65 minutes he earned a corner, with Mann’s header just wide.

Mills came off after 20 minutes to make way for Robertson, after a solid if unexpected performance. Morris was then subbed to make way for a trialist.

A few minutes later and Mickleover were unlucky not to be on level terms. Gowing started the move and put Battisson clear down the right. He was away but his shot just glanced the right hand post, with Keeper Tyler well beaten.

Moncho then started to settle down and with eight minutes on the clock he ran through, found Satchwell on the right, but his attempts to cut inside were blocked.

Two minutes later there was a penalty appeal waved away after Battisson was tripped, and the young midfielder went on a late charge too, after picking up a long defensive clearance. Head down he was going for it, but the keeper made the critical interception.

Although  a one goal defeat it was a good performance against a strong, well drilled Coventry team and bodes well for the future.

by Peter Scherer

The opening round of the FA Youth Cup can always throw up an upset of two, but despite some aggressive tackling and dubious officialdom, Mickleover won through as 2-0 winners over Lincoln United.

Starting line-up: 1-Fin Bowen 2-Jake Edge-Lucas 3-Will Robinson 4-George Atwal 5-Ethan Mann 6-Ronnie Bonser 7-Bobby Battisson 8-Ben Horleston 9- Kai Moore 10-Freddie Murphy 11-Fin Barker. Subs: Luca Moncha, Jack Tucker, Zach Robertson, Declan Brown.

Lincoln pushed forward from the start and gave Bowen an early touch with a weak header

The visitors had a good chance too after eight minutes, but the visiting striker placed his shot straight at Bowen.

Mickleover’s first real attack came a couple of minutes later, with Barker and Moore combining down the right, before Barker was fouled on the edge of the box.

The initial free kick was blocked, before Battisson picked up the rebound and shot just over.

Sports began to push forward, with short interpassing moves, Edge-Lucas and Robinson were on the overlap, but the final ball either wasn’t happening, or was blocked.

Barker charged through the defence after 18 minutes, with a good shot just wide of the post and two minutes he was brought down by the visiting keeper as he headed for goal. 

The penalty was awarded, but not even a yellow card for the offending keeper, who then celebrated after Atwal penalty went wide of the left hand post.

Lincoln got through for another shot after 27 minutes, again straight at Bowen, before Battisson put one wide  at the opposite end a couple of minutes later.

Mickleover had taken charge and Barker had another shot just wide on the half hour, before Robinson charge down the left just before time, found no one in the box to receive his cross.

Lincoln appealed for a penalty too in the final minute of the first half, before a scramble in their goal mouth after a charge down field, provided a half chance, but it remained 0-0.

Mickleover came out fighting for the second half and Atwal had a good try in the opening minute.

Barker then got through, but couldn’t get space for his shot initially, before his second attempt went wide.

50 minutes in Lincoln had a chance right in front of goal, but failed to deliver.

The deadlock began to seem never ending despite Mickleover’s domination, with Mann and Bonser strong at the back Horleston and Murphy working had in the middle

After 53 minutes Edge-Lucas came charging down the wing , to feed Barker, who shot just over.

Finally it was 56 minutes gone when Atwal set off a move to Barker, who found Robinson charging in from defence again, firing past the Lincoln keeper to open the scoring, 1-0.

It was so nearly a second goal when another Robinson move came across the Lincoln goal, Moore slid in and missed connecting by inches.

Moore had a header just over from a Barker cross, but they both had a part to play in the second goal. Barker had put the ball in and Moore followed up, but in the melee, Lincoln’s centre back managed to out it passed his own keeper, 2-0.

Moore was somehow given a yellow card when the Lincoln keeper challenged him head first, one a number of strange refereeing decisions. 

Mickleover continued to push forward and Barker found the busy Murphy in space, his shot wasn’t far off too.

The Lincoln side began to show more aggression as they lost out to the skilful approach from Mickleover. Moore broke out of a mistimed tackle to shoot just over after 82 minutes.

 

The referee’s inconsistency was highlighted when he gave Bonser a straight red card, for a challenge no worse than those from the visitors minutes earlier, which escaped without a word.

Robertson came on for Moore and Moncho for Murphy, but Lincoln had a late free kick, which brought the best out of Bowen as he made a diving save.

Almost on time the Lincoln keeper was lucky to stay on the pitch, after he charged off his line and clattered Battisson to the ground, but the referee didn’t appear to see it. Battisson went close again in the excessive amount of time added on.

Overall it was a strong performance from the Mickleover boys, against their excessively aggressive visitors. To say the refereeing was poor would be an understatement, and it was odd that Mickleover finished with 10 men, yet Lincoln’s keeper alone could have been red carded twice!!

by Peter Scherer

There’s a bonus match for Mickleover fans this week, when they face Coventry City in a friendly match at the Don Amott Arena on Thursday evening September 2^nd.

There has always been a link between Sports and the Sky Blues, which became enhanced when gaffer John McGrath’s son Jay joined Mark Robins squad.

Coventy currently lie seventh in the EFL Championship, but went down to QPR away last weekend. There could well be some Coventy first teamers having run out too, as they don’t have a league match this weekend, there next game due at home to Middlesbrough on the 11^th.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover returned to winning ways at the Don Amott Arena with a 3-2 over Hyde United.

Starting line-up 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 15-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dempsey Arlott-John. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Roger Lee, Ben Gowing, Bobby Battisson, Ben Lewin.

Mickleover were first on the attack with a Dales and Beavon build up and a final shot from Bacon just past the post.

Five minutes later Bateman supplied a nice long through ball,  just too long, before Dales had the first of many runs to find Arlott-John, with Beavon shooting just over from long range.

Hyde were pushing forward too and James Kingsley had a shot comfortably taken by Hawkins after 15 minutes.

But two minutes later Hyde burst down their right wing,  with both Morris and Agustien failing to stop Harry Benns. Liam Hardy was clear and he fired the visitors in a 0-1 lead.

Mickleover came straight back and Arlott-John crossed from the right, leaving Bacon with almost half a chance, as his 20^th minute effort was blocked.

Another Arlott-John run earned a free-kick three minutes later, but after an initial goal mouth scramble from Agustien’s kick, Beavon’s attack was foiled by Tongue and the ball was cleared.

Dales had a shot blocked from just outside the box after 27 minutes, before a break from Hyde forced Hawkins into another save.

It was almost 0-2 after 31 minutes when Butler cleared off the line with Hawkins under pressure, but Arlott-John was again causing problems for the Hyde defence.

After 34 minutes he got the ball into the box but no one collected and only a minute later he found Bennett in the box, just wide to the right for shooting, but his effort was blocked by Hyde skipper Tom Pratt and out for a corner.

As in previous games Bateman was looking strong both in and running out of defensive midfield. His piercing 37^th minute through ball split the Hyde defence wide open. With Bacon on the receiving end it was 1-1, despite Hyde keeper Joe Green getting one hand to it.

Only two minutes later it was 2-1, after another Bateman, Arlott-John and Dales build up, finding Bennett clear in front of goal, placing his shot nicely wide of Green.

Pratt then saw an opening for Hyde and fired his effort high and wide, before a Bateman block handed Hyde a corner, which was easily cleared by Agustien.

Hawkins had another save to make before the half time whistle, before Arlott-John had his effort at the other end blocked.

So into half time with a 2-1 lead, and having taken charge after that early goal for the visitors.

Within the first minute of the second half Agustien let loose with a pile driver from just outside the area. It was wide, but very powerful.

Hyde were straight to the other end with a shot wide from Tongue too, as they continued to push forward again.

A  token effort from the visitors, was followed by a weak header, straight into Hawkins’ hands.

54 minutes gone and a lovely weighted cross from the left found Dales right in front of goal and he comfortably made it 3-1!

Dales came off straight after scoring, having taken a knock on his left ankle, with Bobby Battisson replacing.

The continuing push from Mickleover made the Hyde defence look rather fragile at times. Bennett found Battisson whose shot was just wide.

Just after Battisson had another try on goal, Hyde were awarded a penalty when Butler pushed Hardy in the back on the hour. 

Hardy stepped up to take the kick and it was 3-2 with Hawkins guessing the wrong way.

The lead was almost restored within a couple of minutes but defender Roscoe came to the rescue, with a last ditch tackle on the pacey Arlott-John, earning another corner.

The Mickleover attacks continued to flow with Battisson finding Arlott-John, whose centred for Bacon, but the striker hadn’t got room to turn.

Beavon then ran through the middle and fired his shot just wide of the left hand post after 65 minutes. A minute later he collected a long ball and attempted to find Bacon, but the initial pass was just too long, but Bacon still collected, though his shot suffered as a consequence.

Watt and Butler had been their usual solid looking duo at the back for Mickleover, but after Watt took a knock, Lee came on and Bateman dropped into the back line.

There were still more attacks to come from Mickleover, despite Hyde looking for an equaliser.

74 minutes and Arlott-John battled his way through again despite having been on the ground in mid run, but Beavon’s run was intercepted by keeper Green.

It was end to end and Bacon tried his luck from outside the box, with an effort high over the bar, while two minutes later Pratt’s attempt for Hyde was safely collected by Hawkins.

Satchwell came on for the last few minutes replacing Arlott-John and was almost through on goal after a timely interception from Agustien sent him on a long run. 

In almost the final kick of the game there was one final chance for Mickleover, when Battisson was barely inches away from intercepting a back pass from keeper Green.

So it was three points and a 100 per cent home record, as we look forward to two more games on the road. On Saturday it’s the FA Cup at Leek Town and next Tuesday Grantham Town in the NPL.

by Peter Scherer

It was disappointing trip to Lancaster City for the Mickleover boys, as they returned home still seeking their first away points of the season, after a devastating three goal surge in the first half from the hosts.

Mickleover made one change from the starting line-up at Buxton last Tuesday, with Kemy Agustien coming in for Ben Gowing, who moved to the bench.

Lancaster went close with a couple of early headers and it was only nine minutes in when Rhys Turner gave the hosts the lead. 

Sports then kept the strike force at bay until the first half hour was completed. Liam Brockbank made it 2-0, before Paul Dawson scored from a free kick to make it 3-0 to the hosts at half time.

In the second half Mickleover managed to subdue Lancaster’s further forays, but had few opportunities of their own. Four second half subs were used, with Bacon, Lee and Gowing on for Beavon, Edge-Lucas and Dales, but the score remained the same.

by Peter Scherer

With Lancaster City away and Hyde Utd at home, Mickleover have a busy Bank Holiday weekend ahead.

Lancaster started the season with a defeat at Whitby, but since then have had wins away at Witton and Grantham and home win against Stalybridge.

Striker Sam Fishburn and midfielder Paul Dawson both hit hattricks in the 7-2 win at Grantham, Fishburn’s tally now having reached six. Teenager Fishburn is currently on loan from Carlisle Utd

Dawson started at Morecambe Academy and came to Lancaster in January from Bamber Bridge.

Keeper Matthew Alexander played League One football at Bolton, having started out at the Newcastle Academy. He is currently on loan from Bolton.

Midfielder Charlie Bailey was signed from Kendal Town after starting at Morecambe, while Bailey No2 Sam, was a product of Bolton Academy. A central midfielder or wing back, he came from Kendal too.

Christian Sloan is one of Lancaster’s new signings. A midfielder who has played at Barrow and Kendal. Similarly Ed Elewa-Ikpakwu is a new singing too, the midfielder having come from Leicester City.

Defender Liam Brockbank is a new signing too. He has come from Workington, having previously been at Carlisle for nine years.

Centre back Glenn Steel  is one of the longer serving players, he came from Bamber Bridge in 2017, having moved there for his second spell from Lancaster in 2014.he has also played for Fylde.

Lewis Fensome is a wing back who originally came to Lancaster on loan in 2018, before his move from Preston became permanent.

Also in central defence is Andrew Teague, a former Macclesfield junior in his second spell at Lancaster. He had loans at Tamworth and Hyde, joining Lancaster from Leigh Genesis in 2009. He moved on to Chorley before returning to Lancaster in January last year.

Striker Rhys Turner was a Preston junior, but played league football at Stockport, Oldham, York, Macclesfield and Morecambe and has come to Lancaster from Barrow.

Midfielder Simon Wills is probably the longest serving player, having signed from Kendal Town in 2012.

On Monday it’s the turn of the currently managerless Hyde Utd to visit the Don Amott Arena for our third home game of the season. 

They have had a tough start to the season, having taking their first points last Tuesday with a win against Grantham, after three straight defeats. They are due to play FC United before coming to Mickleover.

Goalkeeper Joe Green started out at Sheffield United, but then he had the opportunity to play for a college in New York for Monroe Mustangs.  On his return to the UK he had trials at Barnsley and Chesterfield and eventually signed for Newport County as cover for first choice Goalkeeper Joe Day, before finally moving to Guiseley, where he spent a couple of seasons playing in the Conference. He also had a loan spell at Gainsborough Trinity. Better known to the Mickleover fans as “shiny boots.”

Defender Bradley Roscoe started his youth career at Preston North End before moving to Fleetwood Town in 2015. He went on loan to AFC Fylde too, and had spells at Ramsbottom United and Glossop North End before joining Buxton, from where he came to Hyde in November 2019.

Kyle Brownhill has travelled in his football career but keeps coming back to Hyde. The defender started at Stockport, before Burnley spotted him. After a loan at Workington he first came to Hyde in 2014, then had various loans, which included returns to Hyde. He came back permanently in December 2017 from Ramsbottom.

Jordan Fagbole came from FC United for the 2018/19 season, having started out as a Rochdale Academy player. He’s played for Stockport, Colwyn Bay and Solihull Moors, but the tough defender missed last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

A former Port Vale youth player, defender Tom Morris spent most of his career around the Potteries, with Stafford Rangers and Kidsgrove, but isn’t a regular starter at present.

Cameron Fogarty is the latest of Hyde’s home grown talents. The midfielder has now become a first choice player for the starting 11.

Midfielder Liam Tongue is in his third season at Hyde. He came from Stockport Georgians, arriving via Cheadle, Marine and Stalybridge. He is a regular goal scorer too.

Kingsley James is another midfielder and a Sheffield Utd graduate. He made one first team appearance before playing in League Two with Port Vale. Further moves took him to Chasetown, Chester, Herford, Halifax, Macclesfield, Guiseley and Gainsborough, joining Hyde in June 2020 and was capped by England C.

Central midfielder Chinedu Uche was an Oldham Junior until October 2019 when he joined Glossop NE.  He arrived at Hyde for the start of last season.

Irish winger Jonan Mitchell played for Ards and the Annagh and Queens Universities before coming to England and is new to Hyde this season.

Leading the strike force is Liam Hardy, who came from Grantham last December. He started at Armthorpe before moving to Harrogate. He’s also played for Darlington and Buxton.

Captain Tom Pratt is another striker, originally a pro at Bury. He played at Mossley, Ashton and Trafford before joining Hyde in 2017/18. Now starting his fifth season at the club.

Theo Bailey-Jones is getting back into football after an ACL injury. He started out at Wrexham, moving to Colwyn, Macclesfield, Stalybridge, Altrincham and Stafford. He came to Hyde last summer.

Jack Sherratt was another summer 2020 signing. The midfielder was at Kidsgrove before joining Leyton Orient, then played at KW Utd in Canada, before joining Northwich and back to Kidsgrove. He came to Hyde from Stafford Rangers.

Midfielder Harry Benns early youth career was at Manchester City. He then moved to Port Vale and had loans at Kidsgrove and Stafford before joining Hyde in 2019.

Finally Nyle Blake, a striker came in from Frickley Athletic. He started out at Mansfield as a youth, and also played for Alfreton. 

by Peter Scherer

It all started so well at Silverlands, a goal up against second placed Buxton in the opening minutes, but it just wasn’t to be.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Edge-Lucas 3-Ben Lewin 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Gowing 9-Dempsey Arlott-John 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson. Subs: Dec Bacon, Josh Satchwell. Kemy Agustien, Roger Lee, Alex Morris.

The game was barely underway when Arlott-John fed the ball back to Dales on the left, he cut inside and fired in the opening goal after only three minutes, 1-0!!

Diego Di Girolamo then burst through the Mickleover defence a minute later, but his effort found the side netting.

Buxton wing back Curley put a good ball into the box, but it was headed away by Edge-Lucas as Buxton started to push forward.

But Mickleover were quick on the break and Arlott-John managed a run to the edge of the hosts box until he was intercepted.

Buxton had another chance after Watt had fouled Di Girolamo, the free kick eventually earning a corner.

Butler and Watt were comfortably soaking up the pressure from the Buxton attack, ably supported by Edge-Lucas and Lewin, but 15 minutes in and Hawkins was challenged by a De Girolamo shot, after a long run from wing back Curley.

Buxton’s Clarke was very late in the tackle as he felled Watt after 16 mins, but it was the hosts continuing to set the pace.

Jamie Ward shot wide on the left for Buxton after 20 minutes, before Beavon collected a long ball for Mickleover and worked well with Dales before a goal kick.

Five minutes later there was a half chance when Arlott-John was one on one in the air with Keeper Richardson, before a Beavon attempt was foiled and Gowing had a shot blocked.

Bateman was able to link defence with the Mickleover midfield and was finding the pacey Battisson, but it was Buxton’s persistence to the fore, just lacking that final ball still.

There was a scramble on the edge of the Sports box after 39 mins, which was cleared, but with five mins to go in the first half, Buxton fired a shot just over the bar, followed by an almost repeat move two mins later.

Ward then had a shot blocked by Edge-Lucas and Hawkins had to punch clear from a corner.

With the whistle poised Buxton were on the attack again, but unable to find the space for a shot.

So it remained 1-0 at half time but the pressure had been mostly from the hosts, as a tough second half lay ahead.

For the second half Morris, back from injury, was on for Lewin, but Sports started brightly, when Battisson intercepted from a Buxton attack, only for Beavon to be pushed down for a free kick.

Dales kick found Butler’s head, but it came to nought. But Sports went close again after 48 mins, when a loose ball was collected and the following shot was just wide of the advancing keeper.

Arlott-John had a couple of good runs, before another attempt left the ball on the top of the Buxton net after a mix up.

Dales and Arlott-John worked well together with fast and positive attacks, but their attempts were blocked.

But just before the hour was up, Edge-Lucas had blocked Ward again, but the ball was still on the edge of the box leaving Tom Elliott to make it 1-1.

Buxton’s pace suddenly picked up and only six minutes later it was 1-2 after a cross from the right found Chris Dawson with the Mickleover defence split wide open.

Lee then came on for Edge-Lucas, moving Bateman to right back, as Sports looked to push forward again. But four minutes later a cross from the left found Ward, who took his time to fire in number three, with Hawkins isolated and rooted to the spot. 1-3.

Bacon came on for Dales as Mickleover still tried to push forward. Beavon had a good shot after a Battisson pass and a nice ball from Arlott-John on the right found Beavon and earned a corner.

78 mins and Arlott-John was still running, but tripped on the half way line. 

Bacon shot over following a free kick after 85 mins and finally Watt had a header blocked from a Beavon free kick.