by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

On a night when victory was almost expected against a struggling Lichfield side, Mickleover came away pointless after a goal in each half, gave our hosts their first points since mid-December.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Archie Hall 4-Ross Derham 5-George Wilkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Josiah Dyer 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Manni Norkett, Josh Ashman, Will Atkinson, Fraser Corden, Louis Bonser.

It was a delayed 8pm start after problems getting out of Derby,

As in our last away defeat, Mickleover had the first chance of the game, but Bunn in the Lichfield goal came out on top in a one on one with Dyer in the opening minutes, resulting in a corner.

A few minutes later our hosts earned a corner too, with centre back McMenemy just failing to connect with a header.

Both keepers were kept busy in the opening 15 minutes, with McDowell saving from Footes, just after McMenemy had volleyed over the bar and then Bunn had to make a save low down at his near post.

Mickleover had a free kick after 19 minutes, but Bunn was able to collect as it came off the wall. Although Sports dominated the possession, it continued to be fairly even on chances.

Bennett, Wilkinson, Benson and White had held firm at the back for Mickleover, but pressure began to mount, with Smith hitting the bar for our hosts after 22 minutes.

A succession of corners followed and 27 minutes in McMenemy’s head connected with as corner to open the scoring for Lichfield 0-1.

Mickleover tried to push forward for the equaliser and had a corner cleared on the half hour, but Edwards had two more attempts on the Mickleover goal before the half time whistle, one shot blocked from the edge of the box, followed by a lob over the bar.

Despite Mickleover’s push forward as the second half got underway, any chance of an equaliser continued to elude them.

Just before the hour mark a free kick just outside the box was cleared and succession of corners followed before the home defence finally cleared the danger.

Norkett had come on for Dyer and his low drive in the 74th minute tested keeper Bunn.

A triple substitution then followed with Corden, Atkinson and Bonser on for Derham, Dube and Wood.

Lichfield continued to have their chances too, with Edwards long shot going wide on the 80th minute mark.

But with two minutes of normal time left Footes made it 0-2 , while the game concluded with White trying his luck with a shot over the bar.

 

by Peter Scherer

We travel to Lichfield City on Wednesday night for the rearranged fixture, following it’s postponement on January 10th.

Since the original date, Mickleover have won one game, drawn one and lost one, leaving us eighth in the table and just one point outside the play-offs.

Our hosts are without a single point since their 1-0 home win over Corby Town a week before Christmas and have slipped to 15th place.

Following their dominant win over Corby Town last Saturday, Sports will be looking for another three points, before the tough trip to Anstey Nomads next Saturday.

Ivor Green has been in charge at Lichfield since March 2020, with his assistant Wayne Chapman there for the duration too. Last season they took the team to the Midland League Premiership title and have retained most of their title winning team. Our visit will be the pairs 250th game at the helm.

Goalkeeper Brendon Bunn came in at the end of last season from Studley. He has also played for Highgate Utd, Gresley Rovers, Coventry Utd, Halesowen and Worcester City. After a return trip to Studley, he joined Stratford on a dual registration with Darlaston last season too.

Jordan Clement is a central midfielder who came out of Wolves Academy. He joined Romulus on his release, before moving on to Coleshill. Tamworth was his next stop, but after a loan at Stratford he moved to Alvechurch, before spending the next three years alternating between Redditch and Tamworth. He came to Lichfield in August 2023 from Redditch.

Defender Josh Mansell returned to Lichfield for a second spell at the start of last season from Walsall Wood. He’s also played for Alvechurch and Chasetown and has been captain for much of this season.

Joe Haines is one of the longest serving members of the squad, having returned to the club in June 2021, making his 250th appearance last season. A left back, he’s had spells with Walsall Wood and Gresley Rovers.

Defender Tom Brown has also played over a 100 games for our hosts.

Harry Eden is a left back too signed early into the season from Redditch. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Solihull Utd, Studley, Sutton Coldfield and Rugby Town too.

Centre back Leighton McMeneny is another long server, having just started his fifth season with the club, after signing in June 2021.

Luke Childs, Dan Lomas and Jimmy Elkes are all long servers too. Childs made his 200th appearance last season and played in goal for 85 minutes earlier in the season, rather than his usual striker role. Lomas is club captain and a holding midfielder, he made his 150th start for the club last season, while centre back Elkes has been a mainstay of the defence for a number of years.

Midfielder John Mills was signed in January last year, while striker Jack Edwards is another long server, having arrived in July 2021. He is he club top scorer too.

Attacking midfielder Jamie Spiers was signed from Atherstone at the beginning of last season. He started off at Shrewsbury, before joining Alvechurch on his release. He’s played for Racing Club Warwick, Boldmere, Bedworth and Hednesford too.

Lewi Burnside is another midfielder, who has recently returned to the club from Chasetown, after long term injury.

Hishan Chiha is another midfielder on loan from Leamington. He started at West Bromwich Albion’s Academy, before joining Peterborough Utd. He was loaned to Yaxley, before joining Boldmere on his release, where he spent most of last season.

Connor Okereke came through Burton Albion’s Community Trust. A midfielder he joined our hosts pre-season, after a spell in the US with Genessee CL.

Luca Taylor was signed three weeks ago after a stay in the US. A former Sutton Coldfield midfielder and England Schools Under 18 international.

Striker Keiran Francis is another long server, while Jude Taylor is one of the younger members of the squad, a talented striker who has come through the clubs own youth scheme.

Harvey Smith is a striker too, recently arrived from Coventry Sphinx, who he had joined from Studley back in November 2020.

Winger Elliott Hartley has just arrived on a dual registration with Worcester City, where he is the clubs longest serving player, while young striker Charlie Footes is currently on loan from Solihull Moors.

Kick off is 7.45pm and as always your support will be welcomed.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

After a disastrous own goal, Mickleover bounced back to dominate Corby Town, sealing victory with a Paddy Webb double and Manni Norkett’s third in four games for a 3-1 victory.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Louis Bonser 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-Danny Benson 7-Archie White 8-Ross Derham 9-Manni Norkett 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Harry Wood, Fraser Corden, Josiah Dyer, George Wilkinson, Thabang Dube.

It was strong start from Mickleover, straight into attack mode and putting the Corby defence under early pressure.
Sports were close to taking the lead after 10 minutes, when a Dales and Norkett one two, saw Norkett strike the post from close range.
Just a minute later there was a free kick to Sports too, which Dales sent curling towards the top corner, but it went out for a corner.
It had been all Mickleover until a bizarre misunderstanding gave Corby the lead. Benson made a back pass, but McDowell clearly wasn’t expecting it, and the ball rolled into an empty net, to give the visitors a 0-1 lead after 18 minutes.
Rather than dropping their heads, there was an immediate and positive fight back from Mickleover, with keeper Avery saving a Webb strike after 21 minutes.
It was all Sports again, with Atkinson, White and Derham dominating midfield to feed Dales, Norkett and Webb up front., while Bennett and Bonser were effective on the overlaps.
The equaliser came from an intercepted cross field ball from Jones. Webb got on the end of it and made it 1-1 25 minutes in.
Just three minutes later Webb sent another great cross over, but Norkett couldn’t quite connect, before the pace slowed for the remaining minutes of the first half, after a dominant Mickleover performance.
Norkett tested Avery again in the first minute of the restart, but Corby were trying to fight back too.
Mickleover made their first change when Dube replaced White after 54 minutes. Three minutes later it was 2-1 to Sports, when Webb brought the ball forward to find Dales, who put Norkett through to seal the chance.
Dyer and Wilkinson then came on for Norkett and Gascoigne, with Sports totally dominant again, which soon led to goal number three. It was Dales making the initial move, after picking up the ball following a Corby corner. The visitors defence was totally outpaced, allowing Webb to score his second of the game and make it 3-1 after 78 minutes.
Dube and Dyer both went close too in the final minutes, before Wood replaced Derham and Mickleover made it a winning double, having won at Corby back in October.

We had a few chances early doors, then conceded a haphazard goal. But the lads dug in and we got what we deserved. We played from the middle and controlled the game from early on and I was particularly pleased for Paddy getting the two goals he deserved.

said Sports manager Gareth Holmes.

 

by Peter Scherer

After ending their four-game unbeaten run at Sutton Coldfield last Saturday, Mickleover will hoping to return to winning ways, as Corby Town visit the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

Back in October we were 1-0 victor at Corby, with Josiah Dyer scoring the winner, his first goal for the club.

Apart from Jake Bennett, everyone else came through last weekends game unscathed, so manager Gareth Holmes will hopefully have a full squad to chose from.

Currently ninth in the table, with Mickleover 11th, Corby have had four wins from their last 10 games, but all away from home, including a 2-1 win over Belper Town two weeks ago.

Leon Mettam took over as manager in December following Gary Setchell’s resignation. He was previously player manager at Wisbech Town a couple of years ago.

Northampton Town loanee Theo Avery has been in goal for the last two games. He was previously at Mansfield Town and Nottingham Forest.

Former Nottingham Forest youngster Nykah Liburd-Hines has also played in goal. After spells at Hereford, Chippenham, Lincoln Utd, Carlton, Rugby Town, Aylestone Park and Newark & Sherwood, he joined Stamford at the start of this season. He has also been loaned back to Carlton and Harrowby Utd’

Kalern Thomas is a right back and one of the longest serving players, signed from Ilkeston in July 2023, having previously been on loan. He started out at Quorn, and has played for Loughborough Dynamo, Boston Utd, Solihull Moors, Halesowen, Kettering, Kings Lynn and Coalville too.

Jack Keeble is a centre back who started out at Grimsby Town. He joined St.Neots following his release, before moving on to Stamford and Wisbech. He came to our visitors in July 2023 from Bedford.

Martin Tsvetkov is another right back or wide midfielder on loan from Harborough Town and defender Theo Braham has played for Wisbech and Histon too.

Full back Freddie Allen arrived from Stamford in November. He was loaned to Bourne to, having started his career at Doncaster Rovers.

On loan from Boston Utd, Sam Waburton made his debut on New Years Day. A former Northampton Town junior, he played for Rugby Town and Nuneaton before first joining Corby in 2017 from Kings Lynn. He’s also played for Wellingborough, Rushden & Diamond, Grantham, Spalding and Quorn too.

Alfie Wren left our visitors to join Wellingborough in the close season, but returned and debuted on New Years Day. Another midfielder, he’s played for Cambridge City, Biggleswade and Spalding too.

Former Peterborough Utd midfielder Ben Challinor joined Barwell on his release. He then spent six months at Peterborough Sports, before joining our visitors pre-season.

Jordan Crawford currently captains the side. A midfielder, signed from Harborough Town in October. He left Corby in 2021 to join Kettering and has since played for Boston Utd, Peterborough Sports and Brackley too.

Already known to Mickleover fans is midfielder James Matthews, as he started this season as a Sports player. A former Mansfield Town youngster, he’s also played for Carlton, Frickley, AFC Mansfield, Sherwood Colliery and Hallam too and joined our visitors three weeks ago. He is also a triathlete and International Ironman competitor.

Attacking midfielder Brad Gothard is a recent signing, having arrived from St.Neots a couple of weeks ago. He’s recently played for Bourne Town and Welwyn Garden City too.

Midfielder Abdul Koroma has recently returned to our visitors after a spell out of the game. He was previously at Shepshed, Spalding and Rushden & Diamonds.

Leon Johnson is a winger who started this season at Kettering Town and Desborough, before joining our visitors. Most of his career has been spent in the north west, with Altrincham, Chorley, Ashton Utd and Warrington.

Striker Connor Tomlinson was another pre-season signing. His career started with Luton Town and moved to Bedford after a loan spell with Hemel. His next stops were Bedford and Nuneaton, before a four- month loan at Corby in September 1993, which then became permanent. After a return trip to Bedford, he joined Spalding and latterly Berkhamsted.

Fran Obiagwu is a striker currently on loan from Northampton Town, where he has made two League One appearances.

Striker Matteo Perkins is another recent arrival. He was at Shepshed Dynamo last season and has also played for Eynesbury Rovers, St Neots Town, Wisbech Town, Yaxley, and Newark Town.

Dennis Halliday is another recent arrival from Welwyn. A striker, he was previously Wolverhampton Casuals, Market Drayton and Welsh League Newtown.

Defenders Jack Noble, Ben Smith, Ryan Martindalle and midfielder Harison Jones have also been in squad over the last 10 matches, which saw eight changes in the starting line-up for their visit to Rushden three weeks ago.

Kick off is 3pm as usual.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Three second half goals in 10 minutes put pay to Mickleover’s hopes of a fightback, going down 0-4 at Sutton Coldfield Town, the first defeat in five games.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Louis Bonser 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-George Wilkinson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Manni Norkett 10-Andy Dales 11-Fraser Corden. Subs: Danny Benson, Archie White, Paddy Webb, Josiah Dyer, Ross Derham.

In the opening minute Norkett had a break and outran the home defence, before shooting over. But Sutton defender Jack Lynch’s effort to thwart the attack saw him injured after colliding with the fence and had to be substituted.

For the first six minutes Mickleover pounded the home defence, culminating in a break from Corden, before his shot was well saved by keeper Wren’s feet.

Wood went in the book after nine minutes, his second yellow card since returning from suspension, but Sports continued to dominate possession.

Dales almost broke through, but Wren was quick off his line to intercept and then after 12 minutes Dube broke on the right, but his cross was overhit.

Norkett then set up a ball just outside box for Bonser to run on to, but his fizzing shot was tipped over by the keeper for the first corner of the game.

It looked as if Mickleover were set to open the scoring in the 18th minute, when Dales hit the bar. Norkett got his head to the rebound but it was just over. “It was an awkward bounce and I was too far under the ball when I headed it,” Norkett admitted.

But Sutton had their first shot a minute later, just wide of McDowell’s left-hand post, before Sports retaliated with some good work between Norkett, Dales and Wood earned another corner.

22 minutes in and Mickleover were still doing everything but score, with Dales sending Norkett on another run from the left and another corner.

Norkett had another shot blocked in the box after a Dales cross and then Bennett went on the attack with Dube. They set-up Norkett, but the striker was unable to turn in the box with his path blocked.

But totally against the run of play and in only their second real attack of the game, Mickleover failed to clear the ball from their own box, McDowell managed to save the first shot, but couldn’t stop Burke’s reply to make it 0-1 to our hosts after 37 minutes.

With the half time whistle poised a Sutton corner caused a scramble in the Mickleover box, before Wood cleared the danger. So in a half where Mickleover could easily have been 2-0 up, they went into break 0-1 down.

Bennett had taken a knock in the first half and was replaced by Benson for the restart. It started much more even, with hosts confidence increased with their first half goal.

Four minutes into the second half Wren had to parry a shot from Corden and after 53 minutes Dube tried to put Norkett clear, but Wren was swiftly off his line to intercept.

Dales then had positive run in from the left, but went a yard too far and lost out.

Wilkinson was playing on the right of defence, alongside Gascoigne, Benson on Bonser, but in an unfamiliar role he was tending to drift over, leaving Lekuti in acres of space.

Sutton had a chance just after the hour mark but put it wide and Dube followed up with a good ball into the box from the right, with no one to collect.

The hosts continued to threaten on the breaks and after 64 minutes Sports made a double substitution, with Webb and White on for Corden and Dube.

Wood had a good strike from outside the box after a lengthy build-up and Atkinson had been doing his best to push us forward for an equaliser, finding Webb on the left, but Norkett was unable to connect with the final ball.

But the out of shape back line were forced to pay when Lekuti was left with time and space and only McDowell to beat, an easy goal for 0-2 after 70 minutes.

Dyer and Derham then came on for Atkinson and Dales, before Sports had a lucky escape when Lekuti was left unmarked again on the right. It happened again a couple of minutes, but McDowell managed to pull off a great save from Gibson.

Continuing to exploit the gap on the right, Wilkinson attempted a back pass, intercepted by Gibson who gave McDowell no chance, 0-3 after 77 minutes.

Three minutes and it was 0-4, when McGrady curved in a free kick to the far post.

Wren managed to snatch the ball after a goalmouth scramble followed an 80th minute corner and McDowell made another save six minutes later.

Almost on time Dyer shot just wide of the right-hand post and Webb had a close range shot well saved by the keeper.

The scoreline was maybe flattering to our hosts, but for Mickleover it was lesson on missed chances and the missing fluidity of the first half.

“We were just flat, yes we broke through a few times. But in the first half it looked almost inevitable we would win. But there has to be a ruthless edge to score and finish a game off and we didn’t have that today. Then mistakes cost us and they scored from nearly chance they had,” said Sports manager Gareth Holmes.

 

by Peter Scherer

CAN WE make it five games undefeated, when we visit Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday afternoon?

Back in early November our hosts snatched a point when they visited the Don Amott Arena, after Josiah Dyer and Paddy Webb had given us the lead.

Since that date Sutton Coldfield have had just the two wins, including a 1-0 home victory over Lichfield on New Years Day. However they had been unbeaten over five games until going down 0-2 at Rushden & Diamonds last Saturday.

Our hosts are currently 15th in the table, nine points below Sports in eighth. But after the impressive Derbyshire Senior Cup performance, Sports manager Gareth manager is confident that the team can continue their aim of a play-off place.

“It’s good to have competition for places, we have George, Danny and Brad competing for centre back and up front there’s Josiah and Manni, both different sorts of players, but equally effective,” he said.

Sutton Coldfield manager Jemiah Richards took charge in late October, having previously managed Sporting Khalsa, Bromsgrove Sporting, Hednesford and Racing Club Warwick.

James Wren has been first choice goalkeeper of late, but it was Lewis Landers between the sticks for the their 0-2 at Rushden last Saturday, with Wren on the bench. Wren started out with Walsall, before joining Burton Albion following his release. He then moved on to Tamworth, who also loaned him to Redditch, before visiting Barwell, Nuneaton and Stafford Rangers.

He first joined our hosts in 2015, moving to Hednesford two years later. Stourbridge, Walsall Wood and Rushall followed, before return to Sutton at the beginning of last season, after a year at Chasetown.

Landers is a recent signing who started out at Birmingham City and joined Cambridge City on his release. He’s played for Nuneaton, Bugbrooke, Worcester Peterborough Sports, Cradley Heath and Coton Green, and returned to Coton at the start of this season after two years at Coleshill.

Right back Tom Hurley came through Sutton’s own youth scheme. He made his first team debut at 16 and also had a spell at Wolverhampton Casuals before rejoining our hosts and has recently made his 100th appearance.

Left back Jack Lynch was signed from Shepshed Dynamo at the start of last season. An ex Aston Villa youth player, he has played for Walsall, Coleshill and Spalding Utd too.

Ayo Lekuti also plays left back or midfield. He was a pre-season signing from Rugby Town after starting his career at Northampton Town. He’s also played for Bromsgrove Sporting and Lye Town.

Captain and centre back James Beresford is another home produced and long serving player. He has been with the club for 10 years.

Sam Smith is a centre back signed pre-season. He’s played for Solihull Juniors, Darlaston and Studley.

Signed in December from Stourbridge, centre back Joe Hull started out at Bromsgrove. He started this season at Rushall, but has played for Redditch and Stourbridge too.

Also on his cv are Hinckley Utd, Stourport, Halesowen, Alvechurch and Boldmere, plus return trips to many of his previous clubs.

Luke McGinnell is a defender who arrived in July 2024 from Chasetown. He has also played for Loughborough Dynamo.

Remie Birch is a midfielder signed initially in August 2023. He also had a spell at Romulus before returning to our hosts.

Isai Marselia is a midfielder who began his career in the Netherlands with NEC Nijmegen and Go Ahead Deventer, before coming to Mickleover in 2018.

A November arrival Romehl Critchlow is another midfielder. He’s played for Hednesford, Solihull Moors and Bromsgrove too.

He soon moved on to Stamford and Halesowen before joining our hosts in September 2019. After a year he moved to Alvechurch and Boldmere, before returning to Sutton in July 2021. He’s played for Coleshill. Wolverhampton Casuals and Romulus too, spending last season with Sporting Khalsa, before returning to our hosts in pre-season for a third spell.

Another pre-season signing Ryan Shaw is in his second spell at Sutton Coldfield. He started out at Bishops Cleve, before moving on to Boldmere and Chasetown and his first spell with our hosts. He made his return after spending last season at Bedworth.

Jayden Campbell is a right sided midfielder who started out at Walsall. He joined Rushall following his release, before spending two years at Chasetown. He joined our visitors in pre-season after spending last season with Sporting Khalsa.

Ryan Edmunds came from Bromsgrove in February 2023. Another midfielder, he started at Alvechurch and played for Rushall, Boldmere and Stafford before joining Sutton initially July 2015. After two seasons he moved to Coleshill, followed by Nuneaton, Redditch and Bromsgrove, preceded his return to Sutton.

Striker Kory Burke played for our hosts last season, before leaving for Boldmere St.Michaels. He returned last month. He’s played for Bedworth too.

Reece Gibson is an experienced and long serving midfielder and often captains the side.

Zazi-Bope Zazi is a more recent signing. He’s played for Stourbridge, Rushall Olympic. Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Chasetown, OJM Black Country and Tividale.

James McGrady is another midfielder, previously at Sporting Khalsa as is Lewis Davis, a recent graduate from Sutton own youth scheme.

Kick off is 3pm as usual.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Despite conceding an early goal, Mickleover fought back to take a 2-1 victory over Derby County’s B Team in the Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter final, with goals from Josiah Dyer and Manni Norkett.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Archie White 3-Louis Bonser 4-Ross Derham 5-George Wilkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Thabang Dube 8-Harry Wood 9-Josiah Dyer 10-Andy Dales 11-Pady Webb. Subs: Will Atkinson, Fraser Corden, Brad Gascoigne, Manni Norkett, Stuart Beavon.

The Derby youngsters started with pace and determination and had their first shot after four minutes Cruz Allen’s effort was deflected for a corner, after a strong build up.

Just a minute later Wilkinson cleared off the line, but the opening goal soon followed with Luke Banks giving the Rams the lead, 0-1.

The goal had actually triggered Mickleover positively and after a good run down the left by Bonser after 10 minutes, Webb tried to collect the cross, but keeper Jack Thompson was quick to respond and gathered at the strikers feet.

Just a minute later an error in the Derby defence almost allowed Dales to sneak in, as Sports began to push for the equaliser.

But Derby were still quick on the break and McDowell had to parry a strong shot from Jayden Davidson over the bar.

Dyer almost connected with Webb’s powerful run down the left, but keeper Thompson’s reactions came out on top again.

But after 25 minutes Mickleover won a free kick on the right. Dales lofted the ball into the box and Dyer rose above the defence to head home and make it 1-1.

Dube then beat the defence on the right to send in another perfect cross, but Dyer just missed out on his second as his header went inches over the bar

White was fouled on the half hour, but Dales’ free kick went straight out on play on this occasions, before McDowell pulled off another save from a Cameron Wilson shot.

The pressure continued to be on the Rams defence for the remainder of the first half, Bonser almost connected for a 33rd minute chance, before Dales tried his luck but failed to test Thompson with an easy catch.

Thompson saved again from Dube after Derham had led the build-up, but with five minutes until half time, Derham again put Webb through. But the striker took too much time and lost possession.

Dales was relishing being able to run at a defence without being fouled and with the whistle poised he sliced through again, but Webb’s final shot was blocked.

As in the first half the Rams came out fighting again in the second half, but as the back four of White, Wilkinson, Benson and Bonser held their shape, the initial burst was soon over.

Wood had a couple of early shots blocked and after 52 minutes Webb had a shot saved, after another positive build up on the Mickleover right.

A minute later Dube went on a solo run down the right, but as he cut in his shot hit the side netting.

Skipper Dales was leading by example and repeatedly took on the defence. 58 minutes gone and he fed Webb on the left, with the following cross going across the goal face and out of danger.

Norkett replaced Dyer on the hour and Sports won a corner, there was then a toe poke through a crowded box and with Thompson unsighted the ball went just the wrong side of the post.

The pressure from Mickleover had continued to mount and a second change was made on the 70 minute mark, with Corden on for Dube.

Bonser then created space to feed Norkett, whose tremendous fight and effort saw him beat at least three defenders before slotting past Thompson to make it 2-1.

Sports made another break almost from the kick off, with Thompson again saving from Webb, before Atkinson joined the fray, replacing Wood.

Rather than sit back on their one goal lead, Mickleover continued to be both creative and threatening, and at times were giving the Derby youngsters the run around.

Corden nipped in to try his luck after 79 minutes, but Thompson responded positively. Dales then split the defence again, before Thompson came to the rescue.

Dales then put Webb clear on the left, but his shot was well off target, before both combined yet again to set up Norkett, whose shot was over the bar.

Thompson saved again from Dales again on the 90 minute mark, but the whistle finally went and sees Mickleover into the semi finals as 2-1 winners. They now face Belper Town, Ilkeston Town or Glossop North End, after a dominant second half performance that bodes well for our return to league action at Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.