by Peter Scherer

Mickleover first team squad continued their unbeaten pre-season build up with a 4-0 win at local neighbours Borrowash Victoria.

Sports kicked off with the same line-up as in last Tuesday’s home win against Derby County Under 21’s.

1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliot Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Ethan Mann 7-Joe Bateman 8-Mason Warren 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Fin Bowen, Ben Horleston, Marcus Marshall, Kai Moore, Brandon Ferron.

It was a strong performance from Sports throughout the game despite some determined opposition from the hosts. Once again Elliott Reeves was on the score sheet, having scored in every pre-season game he has played.

Stuart Beavon, Joe Bateman and recent signing  Marcus Marshall also found the net, with Marshall scoring two in two sub appearances after recovering from back injury.

Tuesday evening it’s Mickleover’s penultimate pre-season match, when they visit Midland League Premier Division side Uttoxeter Town, with a 7.30 kick off at the Oldfields Sports ground.

by Archie Brown

Coming off the back of a sweltering couple of days in England, Mickleover hoped their football would match the fabulous weather conditions at the Don Amott Arena in their Pre-Season encounter with Derby County U21s in front of 407 fans.

Before the 90 minutes of footballing action went ahead  ,a minutes applause was spared for former Derby County Player Jack Parry who’d sadly passed away recently.It was Derby who kicked off the game but Sports who presented the first real opportunity when a cross by Stuart Beavon was cleared away for a throw-in. The opening five minutes showcased a great display of pressure from the home side, forcing mistakes from the youthful Rams.

Possession then became equal for a good 10 minutes with neither side able to create any solid chances. Sports then saw their moment to attack but a good cross by Mason Warren ended up being caught by the Rams keeper. The opening third of the first half was more memorable for its scrappy football with both sides frustrating each other and their fans with poor displays of passing and lack of attacking movement.

It was in the 20^th minute where Sports opened the scoring. After a beautiful long ball over the top and a header back across goal, Elliott Reeves slotted the ball home for 1-0! Mickleover were then awarded a free kick on the right side of the 18-yard box two minutes later and after a low driven cross, what looked to be a simple catch for the Derby keeper was subsequently spilt into the path of  Reeves to grab his second goal in as many minutes!

Other than the two moments of magic from youthful Sports striker Reeves , it was a pretty flat 10 or so minutes following the goals ,with Mickleover dominating possession but failing to do anything with it. Soon after this poor spell from both ,a much needed drinks break for the players was signalled by the referee.

Two separate incidents a minute apart and five before Half Time had car owners around the Don Amott Arena nervously sweating as two of the match balls were recklessly hoofed over the main stand roof and towards the direction of the car park ,let’s hope none of the cars surrounding the stadium suffered any dents on them!

A third for Mickleover just before Half Time! A hat-trick that is now for  Reeves, he’s made a stellar impact on the first team. In the aftermath of the goal, tempers flared between Sports Captain Phil Watt and The Rams Number 9 who both received yellow cards after an altercation. In the dying minutes of the first half,Sports nearly produced another moment of brilliance with a great run and pass by Mickleover midfielder Ryan Wilson finding Hat-Trick hero Reeves however, despite a promising run to the by-line, the strikers’ cross couldn’t find a team mate in the middle.

HT: Sports 3-0 Derby U21s

The second half pretty much started with an instant free kick for the home side as Wilson’s cross was comfortably caught by the Rams goalkeeper. Reeves was then put through on goal with time very much on his side but his dink was poorly executed and rolled behind for a goal kick.

Soon after, an impressive shot by Beavon was parried by the goalkeeper but the follow-up was cleared.You may be wandering why their isn’t much coverage on the Rams in this game but quite honestly, they struggled to get into the game with Mickleover controlling possession for most of it.

The visitors finally attempted to recover their composure as the opening third to the second half displayed equal amounts of possession from both.Mickleover then attempted to make it four as a great ball freed sports Full-Back Rhys Dolan but once again the final product wasn’t there and the cross was poor.

Mickleover were able to sustain their lead for a good period of 15 or so minutes with neither side able to control the game or create any goalscoring chances. In fact the second half was quite a scrappy affair as Derby began to get frustrated with themselves for not creating chances and Sports getting frustrated for not putting their chances away.

Although Mickleover didn’t have the attacking spark in the second half, James Butler was particularly impressive in defence with good blocks, tackles, clearances and forward runs. Sports midfielder Wilson also deserves a mention for creating multiple attacking chances and displaying great work-rate in the centre of the park.

Then in the 90^th minute a great run from Jahvan Davidson-Miller found fellow substitute Marcus Marshall at the back post who tapped the ball into an empty net for 4-0! 

FT: Sports 4-0 Derby U21s

A great win for sports then in their third win in their last four pre-season games as preparation for the start of the season in the Southern League Premier Central continues and nobody can argue that the confidence of Mickleover is sky high going into it!

by Peter Scherer

Full back Ryan Wilson is the latest addition to the Mickleover FC squad for the forthcoming season, the full back having spent the past few seasons with Sports rivals in the NPL Basford Utd, who are also making the move to the Southern Premier League Central this term.

He has played for a number of Midlands based clubs in his career, so what attracted him to Mickleover?

“It was the gaffer John McGrath that persuaded me to come, because they play football here the way I like to play, so I knew I would fit in OK,” he explained.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s pre-season run of success continued with a dominant 4-0 victory over Derby County’s Under 21 side.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Elliott Walker 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Joe Bateman 8-Mason Warren 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Fin Bowen, Ethan Mann, George Atwal, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Ben Horleston, Louis Pennington, Kai Moore, Marcus Marshall.

Mickleover’s midfield took control of the game in the opening minutes, with Dales mounting the first attack after two minutes to earn a throw. Six minutes later Beavon and Dales combined again to put a dangerous ball into the Derby box, but on this occasion the danger was cleared.

Both Walker and Dolan began to push forward, with Butler and Watt at the back under little pressure from the young Rams attack.

Wilson, Bateman and Warren looked strong and had the control of midfield, leaving Dales with his familiar roaming role to feed Beavon and Reeves.

Some good build up’s were just failing to pierce the Derby defence, with the final ball just failing to hit the spot.

After 18 minutes a Beavon cross found Reeves in the middle, he chested the ball but couldn’t quite get his shot in. Only one minute later the young striker made amends and fired the ball home 1-0.

Barely had the game kicked off again when Wilson was fouled on the right. With the Rams keeper failing to hold the ball, Reeves pounced on the rebound to fire home 2-0.

It was all Mickleover at this stage, with Derby struggling to get out of their own half.

25 minutes in and another good move from Dales was followed by an attempted one-two with Reeves, but just failed, before a Walker cross found Beavon, whose shot was blocked.

The one-way traffic continued as Dales tried his luck after 35 minutes, with a long run down the middle, before his shot was saved.

Four minutes left in the first half and Reeves collected the ball on the right, before cutting in. At first his shot looked to be heading wide of the far post, but it was timed to perfection for 3-0 and the striker’s hattrick.

There were no immediate changes for the second half, but Reeves went close again after Derby lost possession in the middle.

Beavon had a 52^nd minute shot saved and two minutes later Bateman had a blast over the bar, following a Mickleover corner.

Reeves had his final attempt intercepted after being forced wide, before a mass substitution took place on the hour. On came Davidson-Miller, Atwal, Moore, Horleston and Mann and off came Beavon, Warren, Bateman, Watt and Reeves.

Davidson-Miller had the ball in the net again after 69 minutes, but was deemed offside and with Derby deciding to make changes too, Mickleover replaced Dales and Dolan with Marshall and Pennington.

Butler decided to join in with a couple of attacks and found Wilson in the box after 84 minutes, but the midfielder just failed to gain control and the chance was lost.

But goal number four finally arrived with a minute left, when the battling Moore kept the defence busy and Davidson-Miller found Marshall on the far post, who made no mistake from close range 4-0.

Another impressive performance from the Mickleover squad, but more was expected from a lack lustre Rams side, who failed to have one single shot on goal.

Next stop for Mickleover first team is a trip down the road to Borrowash Victoria on Saturday with a 3pm kick off.

by Peter Scherer

Tomorrow evening Mickleover FC host a Derby County XI in the latest pre-season friendly, kick off 7.45pm.

With the Rams first team playing away at Stevenage, it is expected that our visitors will be a combination of the Under 18 and Under 23’s under Pat Lyons leadership.

After the Derby game Sports have three more friendlies against Borrowash Victoria, Uttoxeter Town and Gresley Rovers, before they start their Southern Premier League Central campaign away to Kings Langley on August 6^th.

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s experience and guile proved too much for a very young Burton Albion XI, taking a comfortable 3-0 win to retain the KC Trust Trophy.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Ethan Mann 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Callum Chettle 8-Mason Warren 9-Jahvan Davidson-Miller 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Ben Horleston, Louis Pennington, Kai Moore, Dean Ironmonger, Fin Bowen.

After a few minutes of settling down Mickleover were straight on the attack, with Davidson-Miller having a fourth minute shot saved by keeper Dan Moore, after a Dales break.

There were penalty appeals waved away three minutes later when Chettle went down in the box, but although Mickleover were full on attack, Hedge was forced into action with a comfortable save after nine minutes.

As the Burton youngsters started to try and play out of their own half, there was a dangerous ball played into the box, but Butler headed away and Hedge safely took the catch.

But Burton were on a run and after a further plan broke down on the edge of the box, Hedge collided with a Burton striker, who continued after treatment.

18 minutes in and Dolan charged down the left to cross into a busy goal mouth, but Beavon’s attempt to connect was thwarted when he was held back.

Dolan was close himself only seconds later,when he almost connected with Davidson-Miller in the box.

But Burton keeper Moore almost handed a gift to Warren, when his poor clearance was intercepted but the followingshot was just wide.

The Burton defence were starting to face a continuous barrage, and when Dales outstripped his challenger, his cross was followed a Warren shot just wide of the post again.

The opening goal finally came after 28 minutes, following a corner, Dales played the ball in to Davidson-Miller who made no mistake for 1-0.

The remainder of the first half was almost sustained pressure, with Dales, Chettle, Bateman and Warren in total control of midfield, giving Beavon and Davidson–Miller the freedom up front.

Burton managed a slight break after 34 minutes, but Hedge was never seriously challenged, but the Burton keeper again put his own defence under more pressure with a poor clearance.

It was any one from five Mickleover players to takepossession, before Dales created his space for a 34th minute shot that Moore saved comfortably.

Davidson-Miller then had a shot blocked four minutes later, before Bateman’s rebound attempt went just beyond the top right corner.

With two minutes left on the clock Warren smashed in Mickleover’s second after another Dales build up, before Beavon went close on the right and Watt almost connected for a header with the half time whistle poised.

With no immediate changes for the second half, it wasn’t longbefore the attacks were underway again, with Dales hitting the far post after cutting in from the left after 47 minutes.

Over the next 10 minutes Mickleover were playing a keep possession passing game, which involved virtually the whole team until Chettle took a knock and was replaced by Horleston.

Both Mann and Dolan were regularly joining the attack with Butler and Watt covering at the back. It was a Dolan run after 58 minutes then sent Davidson-Miller close, before the wing back earned himself a free kick, from which Moore had to tip Dales’ shot over the bar.

With Pennington on for Watt, Mann moved into the middle of the defence, but it was a rare Burton attack that led to Mickleover’s third goal.

Nothing had materialised for Burton, but Dales picked up the ball on the edge of the Mickleover box and sprinted the lengthof the pitch, before cutting inside to chip the keeper for 3-0 after 70 minutes.

Moore and Ironmonger then came on for Beavon and Davidson-Miller and after 75 minutes it was Moore’s chance to shoot just wide after a good turn inside the box.

Hedge had to make a couple of fairly easy saves before the full time whistle and Davidson-Miller came back on for the last couple of minutes after Ironmonger took a knock.

A fairly easy win for Mickleover, but nevertheless a good pre-season challenge as we now look to Tuesday’s game against a derby County XI

by Peter Scherer

Friday evening Mickleover host a Burton Albion XI in the first home game of the current pre-season.

With both gaffer John McGrath and Stuart Beavon ex Burton players, and having had Callum Hawkins, Ben Radcliffe and Callum Niven loan from the Pirelli Stadium last year, there has always been a close and positive working relationship between the two clubs.

It was just under a year ago too that the Brewers management team of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, assistant Dino Maamria and club Chairman Ben Robinson performed the opening ceremony of the new 3G pitch and refurb at the Don Amott Arena, before Ben Gowing and Bobby Battisson scored in Mickleover’s 2-0 victory.

It is expected the Sports will be facing Burton’s Under 23/youth team, with the first team hosting Birmingham City on Saturday.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena on Friday is 7.30pm.

by Peter Scherer

Following their 1-1 at Hanley last Saturday, Mickleover FC made their annual pre-season trip to United Counties League Division One side Clipstone.

It proved to be a dominant performance for the Sports squad, with four goals in each half to return home as 8-0 victors.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Ethan Mann 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Callum Chettle 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Mason Warren, Subs: George Milner, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Louis Pennington, Fin Bowen, Ben Horleston.

Mickleover earned their first corner in the second minute and four minutes later Dolan charged through on the overlap, found Beavon whose shot was blocked, before firing his own shot over the bar from the rebound.

With both Mann and Dolan attacking on the wings, and the push from midfield by Warren, Chettle and Bateman, it was only a matter of time before the first goal arrived.

11 minutes in and following a sustained attack, Reeves had reeked havoc in the box and Dolan followed up 1-0.

But Clipstone had a rare chance three minutes later after possession was lost on Mickleover’s right, Hedge had to make a diving save at full stretch to his left.

Beavon and Chettle fought hard to combine on the edge of the box after 18 minutes, with Reeves on the receiving end to make it 2-0.

There was no respite for the Clipstone defence with Dales and Beavon roaming the pitch at will. 23 minutes and a Mann cross found Beavon’s head, with Warren following through to make in 3-0.

There could easily have been a fourth only two minutes later when another cross from Mann found Reeves again, but his shot was blocked.

Dales fired another shot over after 30 minutes, before Beavon found Reeves again, who then created the space for Beavon to shoot against the post.

The fourth goal arrived only a minute later with Chettle hitting a debut goal, 4-0.

Clipstone managed to make a rare break but found the side netting, before Butler came charging through from defence to earn another corner.

With half time approaching Mann was almost through on goal too after a long run, and Bateman found Beavon again with the half time whistle poised, his final shot was just wide.

Gaffer John McGrath made one change for the second half with Pennington on for Butler, which meant Mann moved to the centre of defence to join skipper Watt.

The opening minutes of the second half didn’t quite flow although Reeves did fire another attempt over the bar after 47 minutes.

Clipstone had a shot only just wide two minutes later, as the hosts began into break in the Mickleover half more often.

Davidson-Miller came on for Beavon after 53 minutes, but Dales finally got his reward for an outstanding performance, with goal number five after the hosts keeper almost saved with his legs, 5-0.

More subsitutions followed with Horleston on for Chettle, Milner for Warren and Bowen for Hedge.

Reeves’ aerial supremacy saw another attempt off the post, before Davidson-Miller’s 74^th minute header made it 6-0.

Having been subbed earlier, Warren came back on for Dales and was instrumental in goal number seven. Warren combined with Bateman on the left and found Horleston in acres of space on the right. The youngster made no mistake and smashed it into the roof of the net 7-0.

Dolan had opened the scoring back in the 11^th minute and capped an excellent performance with goal number eighth a minute from time, 8-0.

A good all-round performance from the Mickleover squad which bodes well for the season, showing the determination, drive and eagerness that no ball was ever truly lost.

by Peter Scherer

Hitchin Town are one of the few teams we have played competitively, sadly going down to them a couple of seasons back in the FA Trophy.

They were formed back in 1865 and their Top Field Stadium has a 4,554 capacity with a grass pitch. It wasn’t the best of 21/22 seasons for them however, finishing down in 17^th place.

Manager Mark Burke has been with the club since signing from QPR in 1985. After over 700 appearances he retired from playing and his been in charge since 2014.

First choice keeper Charlie Horlock has been with the club for three years, since arriving from Hastings Utd. It’s his third spell at the club having started out at Stevenage.

Josh Mollison is Academy coach as well as reserve keeper, he is dual registered with Eynesbury Rovers.

Former Luton Town junior keeper Tiernan Parker has also played in recent friendlies, having a loan at the club a couple of years ago. He is a Northern Ireland Under 15 & 17 International.

Midfielder Jack Green has re-signed after arriving from Colney Heath last November, similarly former MK Dons defender Malaki Black who is starting his second season.

Central midfielder Josh Coldicott-Stevens started out at Boreham Wood, but came to Hitchin from Kings Langley in December 2019.

Stan Georgiou is a young defender just breaking into the squad from their own Academy, whereas centre back Ciaren Jones is a former Luton and Norwich junior, who’s returned for a second time from Gloucester City.

Midfielder Josh Popoola continues the list of returnees, along with defensive midfielder Lewis Barker who came from Baldock Town in 2019/20.

Rio Da Silva is another midfielder. A former Luton and Chelsea youth player, he arrived from Dunstable three years ago.

Midfielder Kye Tearle made his first team debut last year and can also play right back, while Jake Bunyan is another right back who has come through the junior ranks at Watford and Stevenage.

Experienced midfielder Steve Gleason was signed from Hemel last November, but from Wolves Academy he has numbered MK Dons, Birmingham City and Aberdeen among his former clubs.

Winger Max Hercules was at Banbury last season, while young striker Ben Stevens was a Luton junior.

 In pre-season they have also used striker Ezra Forde, Callun Kane, Josh Setchell, Joe Babbage, Alex Anderson, Jack Morrell, Reece Kelly, Toby Byrne and John Allotey.

Midfielder Finley Wilkinson is one of two new signings. He has come from Histon, while striker George Devine has arrived from Biggleswade.

One of our nearer neighbours is Tamworth have retained  11 of last years squad, including former Mickleover loan striker Dexter Walters.

Goalkeepers Keelan Fallows  and Jas Singh stay on, along with defenders Ben Bailey, Orrin Pendley, Ben Hart, Jordan Clement, Callun Cockerill-Mollet and Cameron Howkins, plus midfielders Charlie Shaw, Tom Parker and Callum Griffin, along with strikers Wahib Tahara, Eoin McKeown, Dan Creaney and Alex Jones.

Manager Andy Peaks has been busy wheeling and dealing too with new signings.

Former Rams junior defender Lucas Yeomans has stepped up from the youth team and experienced defender James Hurst has re-signed after coming from Buxton in January

Centre backs Liam Dolman and Alex Collard, plus Antigua & Babuda International AJ George have signed from Rushden & Diamonds, striker George Cater from Hednesford and midfielder Gift Mussa is staying after coming from Nuneaton in February.

Right back Matt Curley and midfielder Ben Milnes have both arrived from Buxton, midfielder Kyle Finn from Halesowen, striker Ty Deacon from Kettering and finally midfielder Alex Bradley. He is an ex West Bromwich Albion midfielder, capped by Finland at Under 16, 17 and 19 levels.

They were formed in 1933 and their Kettlebrook Stadium can hold 4,565 and has a 3G pitch.

Finally Royston Town play at Garden Walk with a grass pitch and can accommodate 1,980.

Manager Steve Castle took them to eighth in the table last season and one of his first re-signings was 21-22 player of the year right back Ronnie Henry. The Spurs junior is an England C International.

Centre backs Dan Newton and Carl Mensah have also re-signed, along with right back Ed Asafu-Adijaye and midfielder Isa Rotimi and striker Matt Bateman

There are new signings confirmed too, with Jay Rolfe and midfielder George Ironton from Welwyn Garden City and former Cambridge City midfielder Jarid Robson.

It’s not long now before we will know our first opponents, as the seasons league fixtures are due to published on the website at midday.