by Peter Scherer

Mickleover will be looking for their fourth successive league win when they visit Derbyshire rivals Buxton on Tuesday evening.

Buxton have had a strong start to the season too and currently lie third in the table, one point ahead of Mickleover.

They have beaten Radcliffe and Scarborough at home so far and Stalybridge away, plus have drawn at home to Whitby and suffered one defeat so far, 2-1 away to Nantwich.

Strikers James Walshaw and Diego Di Girolamo have both been in prolific form, including FA Cup ties, Walshaw had six goals and De Girolamo seven.

Manager Gary Hayward and assistant Mark Ward have a fairly strong squad. Their goalkeepers are Mark Shenton and Tommy Taylor.

Shenton was signed last year from Chester FC. After a spell of reserves football at FC United of Manchester, he made his non-league name at Ramsbottom United, becoming the club’s leading appearance maker with 279 matches in a five-year stint from 2011. He’s also played for Ashton Utd in 2016, Stalybridge Celtic, and Trafford, moving to Chester in the summer of 2018, making 39 appearances in the truncated 2019/20 season and was voted ‘Players’ Player of the Season’.

Taylor was a junior at Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday before moving to Garforth Town in 2011. He had stints at AFC Halifax and Brighouse, winning the EvoStik Division One North Young Player of the Year 2014/2015, before signing for Scarborough in 2017. He earned himself a trial period at Rotherham in 2019 and came to Buxton this July.

Left-back Stephen Brogan was another summer signing from Spennymoor Town. He made over 60 first-team appearances for Rotherham Utd, being linked with Premier League sides, before a horrific injury put him on the side-lines for 14 months. After a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic he went to Alfreton Town in 2011 and earned a call up to the England ‘C’ squad in 2012. Since then he has played for Stalybridge (twice), Guiseley, Forest Green, Southport, Gainsborough Trinity and North Ferriby United, before Spennymoor Town in 2018 after a short period at Boston United.

Centre-back or right-back suits Connor O’Grady, he signed for Buxton in September last year. An ex Sheffield Wednesday youth player, he signed a pro extension in 2018, before joining Buxton. He was named captain for the first time against Witton Albion in late October 2019, where he turned in a man-of-the-match performance. 

Matt Curley singed in February in a ‘swap’ deal with Hednesford Town and made an immediate impact with a goal on debut against Gainsborough Trinity. Primarily as a right-back, he is a versatile player and has played in various positions for Romulus and Sutton Coldfield, before joining Tamworth in 2017 and then Hednesford Town.

Another summer signing Shane Killock was a Huddersfield Town youth player, but made his debut in non-league for Ossett Albion at a very young age before returning to Huddersfield. He made a couple of first team appearances for the Terriers, then went on loan to Hyde United, Harrogate Town and Oxford United before moving permanently to Oxford in 2009. Another loan at AFC Telford United, led to a move and three-year stint there becoming captain and seeing the club win promotion to the Conference National via the play-offs. He moved to Harrogate Town in 2012 for three seasons, then Hyde United, Guiseley, Bradford Park Avenue and Alfreton last year.

A powerful defender signed from Barrow this summer, Josh Granite started his career at Woodley Sports and played for Sheffield and Hallam Universities before signing for Mossley. He then joined Trafford, before moving on to Ashton United I and then Barrow, where he was made he was club captain as they regained their league status in 2020 as winners of the Conference National League.

Matthew Kilgallon is a vastly experienced centre-back with over 300 Premiership and Football League appearances. He was signed from Indian side Hyderabad in August, but played junior football at York City before signing for Leeds United aged 12, before making 80 first team league appearances at Elland Road A near 2-million-pound transfer took him to Sheffield United in 2007 then joined Sunderland in January 2010, where he was loaned to Middlesbrough and Doncaster Rovers before signing for Blackburn Rovers in 2013 and Bradford City in 2016. He moved to Hamilton Academicals in the summer of 2018 and Hyderabad in 2019. He also played for England from Under 18s to Under 21s.

James Hurst started at West Bromwich Albion, before moving to Portsmouth on a scholarship in 2008. After a loan in Iceland at iBV he went back to West Brom in 2010, making his first team debut in a League Cup quarter-final at Ipswich Town. He had loans at Blackpool, Shrewsbury (twice), Chesterfield and Birmingham City before returning to Valur in Iceland in May 2013. After a summer with Crawley Town he returned to Iceland again, followed by a loan at Northampton Town. The he played for Hednesford Town, Torquay United, AFC Telford, Guiseley, Dover, Wrexham, Nuneaton Borough, Relling United and, Sutton Coldfield Town with a return to Hednesford Town before signing for the Buxton this summer. He played for England at Under 16s, Under 17s and Under 18s.

Former Wales under 21 international Chris Dawson was Leeds United Academy product, making a number of First team appearances, before joining Rotherham United in 2016. He went on loan to Viking FK in Norway, but following serious injury he signed for Scarborough, helping them win promotion to the Northern Premier League before spending the 2018/19 season at Bradford Park Avenue. He was then loaned to Grantham Town, before returning to Scarborough and was one of three players to make the move from ‘Borough to Buxton in July 2020.

Reece King came from Hednesford Town at the start of the year. He started at Malvern, making over 100 appearances before moving to Gloucester City in 2017. After an initial loan he moved to permanently to Hednesford that same year, after an initial loan, and after a short-spell at Leamington FC returned to Hednesford in August 2019.

Young midfielder signed September last year, Warren Clarke was a Sheffield Wednesday youth product, signing pro with the Owls in 2017, where he stayed for 2 seasons. 

Tom Elliot is another midfielder singed from Hednesford Town in early December 2019. He started at Worksop Town before signing for Nuneaton Town in 2016, moving to Darlington where he made over 40 appearances for ‘The Quakers’ before signing for Hednesford in the summer of 2019. He was the first signing made by Gary Hayward when he joined the Bucks as manager.

A vastly experienced midfielder, Sam Wedgbury was a youngster at Worcester City before a scout took him to Sheffield United in 2006. He had two loan spells, first at Mansfield Town and then in Hungary with Ferencvaros. From Budapest his next stop was Macclesfield Town and after 100 appearances, including earning an England ‘C’ cap, he moved to Stevenage in 2013 and then onto Forest Green Rovers making 76 league appearances and helping the club win promotion to the Football League. He had a season at Wrexham, before joining Chesterfield in 2018 from where the Bucks signed him this summer.

Reece Styche has had an impressive goalscoring record since he started his career at Hednesford in 2006. After a loan period at Bromsgrove he joined Grantham Town, Coalville Town and Shepshed Dynamo. Forest Green Rovers spotted his goal scoring prowess at Chasetown and signed him in 2010. Despite injury he netted 35 times in 107 games for Forest Green before a loan move into the Football League with Wycombe Wanderers. He joined Kidderminster Harrier, then Tamworth, Macclesfield Town, Gateshead, Nuneaton Town, rejoined Tamworth gain, Darlington, followed by Alfreton, Hereford and Bromsgrove before Buxton signed him this summer. He has one England ‘C’ cap but is now a full international with Gibraltar with 7 caps, scoring a goal against Switzerland in a Euro-qualifier in November 2019.

There’s more continental flavour with Diego Girolamo. A former Italian Under 18s, Under 19s and Under 20s international and Sheffield United junior, he came to Buxton in July 2018. After several first team matches for the Blades, his career at Bramall Lane was hindered by an injury picked up on Under 18 International, which ruled him out for nine months in 2013. He was loaned to York City before returning to Sheffield where he scored his first goal for the Blades in a FA Cup tie against Preston North End. Two further loan at York and Northampton Town preceded a move to Bristol City in 2016. He was loaned again to Cheltenham in January 2017, scoring a hat-trick in the EFL Trophy against Leicester City Under 23’s. Then loaned to Chesterfield and Macclesfield Town, where his prolific goal scoring became the highlight of his game.

Another reliable goalscorer, James Walshaw was signed from Scarborough in July. He’s played at Ossett Town, Leek Town, Farsley Celtic, FC Wakefield and Guiseley, gaining England ‘C’ recognition and then a transfer to Darlington. After a spell at Halifax he returned to Guiseley in 2012, moving on to Altrincham, and Harrogate Town before returning to Farsley Celtic and finally Scarborough in November 2017.

Nigerian born Godwin Abadaki was a Rochdale junior who made a few first team appearances, before being loaned to Hyde United, Southport, Stalybridge Celtic and Workington. He also had a youth loan at Huddersfield Town and has played for Northwich Victoria (twice), Ashton United, Nantwich Town, Shaw Lane, and Mossley twice, from where the Bucks signed him this summer.

by Peter Scherer
(Photo by John and Luke Porter taken from Ashton United’s Twitter)

Mickleover secured their first away win of the season in the Northern Premier League, with a comfortable 3-0 win over Ashton United.

Gaffer John McGrath had to make one change from the team that started at the St Albans Cup tie, due to Mason Warren’s suspension.

1-Joe Slinn, 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-George Milner 8-Andrew Wright 9-Paddy Webb 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Declan Bacon. Subs: Josh Satchwell, John McGrath, Pablo Mills, Jordan Walshaw, Joe Slinn.

Mickleover went into full attack mode from the kick off, with Webb’s left foot cross almost finding Beavon in the box in the first two minutes. Three minutes later the roles were reversed, as Beavon put Webb through, but his shot was easily taken by Ashton’s keeper Dan Eccles.

Six minutes in and Sports had a corner from which Butler rose above the home sides defence to head in for 1-0 to Mickleover.

Bennett was the next to go close, with another header from a testing cross after 11 minutes, before play suddenly changed ends and Ashton had a great chance to equalise, when centre back Joel Bembo Leta was alone on the far post and failed to make contact with the ball.

They soon rued their missed chance as after Bacon played Webb through and his shot was again saved by Eccles, Beavon made it 2-0 on 16 minutes, with a giant leap to send his header deep into the left hand corner of the Ashton net.

After further two minutes Milner almost got a third goal, when his attempt found its way through a host of legs to go just wide of the post.

Mickleover keeper Hawkins had a rare touch when he saved a tame free kick from Millenic Alli, before Sports were back on the attack. Milner and Beavon shared a one two, but on the return Milner was caught in possession.

Into the final third of the first half Ashton had managed a few breaks, but overall it was all Mickleover. Wright had his first crack at goal after 33 minutes, just wide of the top left hand corner, but then Ashton’s Chris Rowney sent a powerful shot just wide of Hawkins top left hand corner five minutes later.

Webb had another half chance before half time and Beavon tried another pass to Webb before the whistle, but that was cut out before it reached its destination, so it remained 2-0 to Mickleover.

Into the second half and it was more of the same, Bacon scuffed an early shot after a pass from Webb and Eccles found himself tested again after 48 minutes by another effort from Webb.

Just after Milner had been yellow carded for a push, Sports were actively seeking a third goal and Bennett provided it with a jinking run into to the heart of the Ashton defence, crashing the ball home from an ever tightening angle after 61 minutes for 3-0.

Three minutes later there was almost a fourth when a poor clearance from Eccles rebounded to Beavon, who then hit the post with his reflex shot.

After Sports keeper had to tip an Ashton shot over, Sports began substitutions, with Satchwell, and McGrath on for Wright and Milner for the last 23 minutes.

Walshaw then came on for Beavon and the final seven minutes and just missed out on a fourth goal for Mickleover when he failed to connect with a Webb cross with four minutes left.

So the whistle went for a positive 3-0 win, which moves them into sixth place in the table, with Tuesday nights visit to Buxton to look forward too.

by Peter Scherer

Hopefully this Saturday’s match at Ashton won’t have the farcical refereeing that ruined the last visit in March, when a stand in referee filled his book with red and yellow cards and handed out one-sided penalty decisions.

The home team have had one win from their five matches, 1-0 at Stafford. They drew at home to South Shields in the League 0-0, before losing 4-0 in the FA Cup and also got a point with a 0-0 at home to Bamber Bridge.

So far they have had four goalkeepers in the squad, but first choice seems to be Greg Hartley. He previously played for Lindsey Wilson, Belhaven University, Chattanooga, Colne, Atherton Collieries, Tadcaster Albion AFC and Oldham Athletic (goalkeeping coach)

Born in Manchester, Hartley progressed through the Manchester City Academy, winning the FA Youth Cup playing alongside Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart during his time there. He spent ten years at City before moving to the US at Georgia Gwinnett and Chattanooga for a further seven. 

Then back to England, joining Oldham Athletic in 2017 where he worked with the Academy and as a goalkeeping coach. He played for Tadcaster Albion and Atherton where he worked under Ashton United manager, Michael Clegg.

Dan Eccles if a former Carlisle junior, who has been at Barrow, Bradford PA, Kendal, Congleton and Chorley, joining Ashton from Ramsbottom last month.

Josh Ollerenshaw started at Oldham, but has visited Mossley, Northwich, Colwyn Bay, Fleetwood, Hyde, Stalybridge, FC United and Altrincham. He’s been at Ashton for two years.

Finally Chris Cheetham, ex Skelmersdale, Burscough, Nantwich, Atherton and Radcliffe, as well as being a qualified coach.

John Lufudu is a versatile defender, previously with Tadcaster Albion, Sheffield FC, and Charlton Town.  He joined Ashton after impressing against the Robins in the FA Cup 1st qualifying round for Tadcaster. He can play on the wing or at the back.

Australian born defender midfielder Stavros Tserpes was at Clitheroe, Radcliffe FC and Newcastle Town, Altrincham, Droylsden, AFC Bournemouth, Accrington and Tranmere Rovers. He has joined the Robins to help increase the defensive numbers and to gain experience off Non-League veteran Michael Raynes.

Experienced defender and coach Michael Raynes was signed in July 2020 after a two-season spell with National League side Hartlepool United, as a 32-year-old journeyman of professional football he joins Ashton with a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as sensational talent. With 497 professional games under his belt including matches in the FA Cup and Championship, is a welcomed addition to both the first team and the coaching staff of Ashton United. He has also played for Stockport County, Scunthorpe United, Rotherham United, Oxford United, Mansfield Town, Carlisle United, Crewe Alexandra and Hartlepool United.

Sam Baird joined the Robins this summer after a successful trial at the club. Defender Sam who won player of the season at Trafford FC last season and has also played for FC United.

Centre back Joel Bembo Leta hails from Burundi, he joined Ashton from Cefn Druids in January, but after starting as an Oldham youth player, he has seen action at Stalybridge, FC United, Altrincham, Mossley, Colwyn Bay, Marine, Buxton, Droylsden, Bangor City and Glossop North End.

An energetic midfielder, Chris Rowney has been an instrumental part of successive promotions at local rivals, Curzon Ashton. He originally debuted for Oldham Athletic during the 2009/10 season, and after stints at Mossley and Woodley Sports, Rowney joined Curzon in the 2012/13 season, where he went on to reach the Final of the Doodson Sports Cup. During his time, the midfield man made 296 appearances at Curzon, scoring 13 goals during that period.

John Pritchard is another midfielder, he returned to Ashton United after his first stint during the 2017/18 season. In his first season with the Robins, he showed his talent from dead-ball situations, even winning the club’s Goal of the Season award following an audacious 30-yard strike against Warrington Town. He joined Ashton following his time at Chester, where he scored 2 goals in 13 appearances, having also played for Oldham Athletic, FC United, Trafford, New Mills and Ramsbottom.

Liam Tomsett began his career with Blackpool. The midfielder made his first-team debut in the third round of the 2010–11 FA Cup, against Southampton in 2011 and made an impression that season, winning the club’s Young Player of the Year. After multiple loan and permanent moves, he signed for Ashton United in 2017 after leaving local rivals Curzon Ashton. He scored 5 goals in 38 games during Ashton United’s 2018/19 Vanarama National League North campaign.

Former Burnley junior Harvey Macadam joined the Robins in February 2019 from Nelson FC. He began his career with Premier League side Burnley but left Clarets to join AFC Fylde’s under 18s moving again to Northwich Victoria. He then joined Nelson FC where the midfielder made a name for himself with his energy and goal scoring ability.

Jake Cottrell came from Chorley in June after six seasons with them.  His experience in midfield is a useful addition to Ashton wealth of midfield players.

Having made his way through Morecambe’s youth ranks Ben Hardcastle was signed by manager Michael Clegg at Pennington and after following him to Atherton LR, he signed for Atherton Collieries for playing over 250 games for and was an essential player for the Colliers, especially in there promotion winning season, being named Division One West Player of the year in his last term. He was Clegg’s first signing under his regime at Ashton.

Sam Sheridan, a veteran of non-league football, joined Ashton United in January 2018 and has been an integral part of the Robin’s midfielder ever since, providing energy and experience. Football is a major part of the Sheridan family, with his uncles being former footballer and current Chesterfield manager John Sheridan and former footballer Darren Sheridan, who played for teams such as Oldham and Wigan Athletic. Sam has also played at New Mills, Buxton, Ashton United, Hyde United, Altrincham, Stalybridge Celtic, Stockport County, AFC Telford United.

Yet another midfielder, Michael Brewster signed for Ashton after a short spell with Atherton Colliers making 12 appearances for Atherton.  He has extensive experiences in non-league football with Atherton Colliers, Droylsden FC, Marine, Southport, Northwich Victoria and Shaw Lane.is Almond

Forward

Tom Bentham

Forward

Brad Lynch, another midfielder, joined the Robins this summer after a successful trial. He impressed  at Colne FC where he scored 17 goals in 47 games, having played for Atherton Collieries and been a Blackburn Rovers youth player.

Midfield or striker suits Josh Wilson, he started his career with Northwich, but having played a key role in Chorley’s National League North play-off success, joined Ashton after scoring 14 goals in 33 games for the Magpies. He also played for Vauxhall Motors, Guiseley, Halifax, AFC Fylde and Telford.

Having signed this summer from fellow Northern Premier League Side South Shields striker Millenic Alli began his career at Bury FC and moved to South Shields last summer after impressing in a trial. He failed to break into the first team and spent the end of the season out on loan at Workington before moving to the Robins.

Striker Tom Bentham was the first of the summer signing joining Ashton United to re unite with Manager Michael Clegg, a partnership which brought great success to Atherton Collieries. He has joined the Robin’s in the prime of his career, as a strong centre forward with an eye for a finish he will aim to keep the nets of Hurst Cross bulging. He has plenty of experience in the Northern Premier League and can slot right into Ashton’s attack.

Louis Almond was part of a successful team that over the years represented Lancashire in the County Cup. He signed for Blackburn Rovers, joining their Youth system, before joining Blackpool. He made his first senior appearance for the Seasiders, before being loaned out to numerous club. He has played at Hyde, Cheltenham Town, Barrow, Lincoln City, Hyde, Southport, Tranmere Rovers, York and Chorley.

Finally Lewis Walters is another summer signing. The ex Leeds and Nottingham Forest junior striker, came in from Altrincham, after a loan spell last year. He also played at Barrow, Guiseley, Fylde, Buxton and Trafford.

Kick off as usual is 3pm. 

by Peter Scherer

Pride in defeat was definitely the summing up of Mickleover’s magnificent performance in the FA Cup 3^rd round qualifier at St Albans City.

The main change in John McGrath’s line-up was Curacao international midfielder Kemy Agustien starting in midfield.

The full starting team was 1-Joe Slinn 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Mason Warren 8-Andrew Wright 9-Declan Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-George Milner. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ricky Ravenhill, Jordan Walshaw, Pablo Mills, Paddy Webb, Will Monteiro.

Despite the dampness of the evening, Mickleover showed no fears of their National League South hosts, and were straight on the attack.

Wright’s through ball after two minutes was aiming for Beavon, but as it bogged down it failed to reach its destination.

Only a minute later Milner picked up on some casual defending and earned Sports first corner.

But St Albans showed how dangerous they could be on the break, when after five minutes Bennett was forced to race back to make a critical interception.

Milner was soon in the action again, he halted a Saints attack, only for Shaun Jeffers to fire the free kick well over the bar.

St Albans began to get more into the game and Slinn was called into action when Devante Stanley put a curling free kick in, tipped out for a corner by the Mickleover keeper.

It became end to end for a while, with Wright firing across the face of the goal with no one to receive, while good build from Saints left Josh Bennett’s attempt going out for a corner.

Mickleover were on the break 17 minutes in, but after Agustien’s accuracy had pinpointed Beavon, the strikers run was halted by the linesman’s flag.

The pressure began to build on the Sports defence and after Jeffers had a close range shot tipped over, he followed up with another blocked shot into the crowded box, from the resultant corner.

The deadlock was broken on 24 minutes though when after another corner from the right for St Albans met defender James Kaloczi’s head and it was 1-0 to the hosts.

After a magnificent charge from his own area, Wright put Milner through on goal, but his final touch was easily collected by Michael Johnson in the Saints goal. 

Mickleover’s best chance of an equaliser came after 34 minutes when Bacon was played through on goal, but his effort finished in the side netting.

St Albans were straight back into the attack and only a minute later Kyran Wiltshire put in a low shot, which was deflected out for another corner.

Stanley then had another positive run into the Sports box, but his shot was blocked by Butler, before Zane Banton put a cross inside and the follow up was fired high and wide.

Saints fire power kept the Sports defence under attack until the half time whistle, with another run from Banton being blocked, before Tom Bender shot well wide of the target. Slinn was having to pull out all the stops to keep it at 0-1.

It was another positive start to the second half for Mickleover too, after an early corner for Saints. Beavon had cut inside after collecting the ball to his left, but his cross bounced around on various heads before going wide.

After 51 minutes it finally came, another crowded box saw the ball bouncing around, before it just fell right for Bacon, who hit home at close range for 1-1.

Shortly after the equaliser Webb came on for Wright, but as the hour approached the speedy Banton led another break for the home side, but his shot was well held by Slinn low to his right.

Just after Bacon was booked for a late challenge, Beavon sent him on another run to the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected away by a St Albans defender.

The home side were obviously aware of the time running out and began to up their pace again. Munashe Sundrie’s shot was well held by Slinn, before the Mickleover keeper was in action again, palming away Stanley’s long range effort, before diving onto the loose ball.

St Albans sub Michael Weiss then started to cause trouble for the Sports defence, his 74^th minute cross from the left was cleared for a corner, before he went one on one with Slinn a couple of minutes later, firing over the bar.

Into the final 15 minutes Sports subbed Bacon for Walshaw and the striker was soon in the action, after Warren created space in the middle and sent him on a run, only to be flagged marginally offside.

Sports were still looking for the break that could be decisive, as Sports backline of Bennett, Morris, Butler and Watt, fended off the barrage.

A Kaloczi header was cleared off the line with four minutes on the clock, before three minutes of stoppage time was announced.

Sports held on for magnificent 1-1 draw, which in normal circumstances would have meant a replay back at the Don Amott Arena.

But it was down to a penalty shootout with the home side going first. St Albans scored their first four, before Slinn saved Wiltshire’s effort. Agustien had put Mickleover’s first effort over the bar, before Warren, Milner and Webb all found the back of the net. 

Beavon needed to score to take it into sudden death, but unfortunately Johnson guessed right and the shot was saved, with St Albans taking the win 4-3.

The Sports team did Mickleover proud in a well drilled and positive performance that bodes well for the rest of the Northern Premier League season.

by Peter Scherer

On Tuesday evening John McGrath and his team will be hoping to make history, after they take on National League South team St Albans City in the Third Qualifying round of the FA Cup.

If Sports are successful in their visit to Clarence Park, it will put them into the hat for the Fourth Qualifying round, for the first time in the clubs history.

St Albans have only had three competitive this season, after a string of friendlies. They beat Hampton & Richmond Borough in the League 1-0 and knocked out Hitchin Town in the previous FA Cup round 5-0 at home, before a 1-1 draw with Concord Rangers in the League last Saturday.

In charge since February 2016 manager Ian Allinson played over 300 league games as a player for Colchester United in two spells, and played over 100 games in all competitions for Arsenal. He was also at Stoke City and Luton Town.

During his managerial career, he has managed a number of non-league teams, including Baldock Town, Barton Rovers twice, Harlow Town, Stotfold twice and Boreham Wood twice too, including promotion to the National League in 2014/2015.

Goalkeeper Michael Johnson made 184 appearances for Hitchin Town before signing for Braintree Town at the start of the 2019/2020 campaign. He joined the Canaries from Stotfold in 2014 and signed for the Saints in July 2020.

Defender Devante Stanley previously played for the club during the 2019/2020 pre-season but was unfortunately injured in a friendly at Biggleswade Town.

He came through the Luton Town youth system before becoming a key player at Bedford Town, St Neots Town and Royston prior to joining Biggleswade.

James Kaloczi made his first-team debut in December 2012 during a county cup win over Watford and settled as a midfield player.

Has played for the City Youth and Reserve teams last season and was previously with Harvesters (St Albans) and Boreham Wood Youth.

Having left the Saints in the summer of 2015 to join Dunstable Town as a centre-back, he quickly settled and soon became captain. In March 2016, he re-joined the Saints on dual-registration, and has been back at the Saints since March 2019.

Joy Mukena started his career with Tottenham Hotspur, before moving to Watford in 2017, where he turned professional. The young defender was named on the bench for the senior team’s 4–1 win over Chelsea on 5 February 2018, but was ultimately an unused sub. After his release from Watford in 2019 and signed for Bracknell Town and became a Saints player in August 2020.

Primarily a left back Luke Warner Eley has played at  Dartford, Harrow Borough, Chesham United, St Ives Town, Uxbridge, Royston Town and Leverstock Green before joining St Albans.

In his second spell at the club defender Michael Clark originally joined the Saints from Concord Rangers in December of 2018, making 22 appearances throughout the rest of the season. He left the Saints to re-join Braintree Town for a second spell in August of this year before coming back to the Saints fold in December 2019.

Thomas Joseph “Tom” Bender graduated from Colchester United’s Academy and spent 4 years there before moving to Millwall. He then moved on to Dartford FC for the 2014/2015 season (following a loan spell at Welling United) and Forest Green Rovers, making 10 appearances, before joining the Saints on loan in November 2015.  He came back to the Saints during the 2017/2018 season.

The defender has also represented Wales at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels.

Michael Oluwadara Dada (“Dara Dada”) is a central midfielder who joined Staines Town in June 2019, having previously played for Chalfont St Peter, Hertford Town and Berkhamsted. He signed for the Saints in August 2020 following a spell at Isthmian League South Central side Barking FC.

Originated from French-speaking Senegal in West Africa.  Dave Diedhiou ( pronounced “Deejoo”) joined Hendon in 2008, developing into an integral piece of the side that suffered play-off final heartbreak against Dulwich Hamlet at the end of the 2017/2018 season.

The midfielder made almost four hundred appearances during his time with the North London club, scoring 43 goals in the process, before singing for Saints in June 2018.

Creative midfielder David Noble and club captain joined the club in August 2016 as a free agent having been released by Exeter City that summer, with over 300 football league appearances to his name, bringing an abundance of experience and quality to the side.

He began his career began as a trainee at Arsenal winning the FA Youth Cup in 2000 in a man of the match performance. A brief spell at West Ham United and Boston United followed before he moved to Bristol City for £80,000 in January 2006 after enjoying a successful loan spell there. 

On 13 February 2007, he scored against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay. But his most important strikes were the two goals he scored against Rotherham on 5 May 2007 which took Bristol City back into the Championship. Noble also scored in the Championship play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace, when his stoppage-time strike from 30 yards gave Bristol City the advantage going into the second leg.

Following his exploits at Ashton Gate he continued his journey west, joining Yeovil Town on loan in March 2009 before he signed for League One side Exeter City in the following January but was released after the Grecians were relegated in 2012.

He spent two years at Rotherham United before returning to his former club Exeter City in January 2015, having previously made 12 appearances for the Grecians  on-loan with the club for the first half of the 2014-15 season. His contract at St James Park expired in the summer of 2016 making him a free agent.

Kyran Wiltshire joined the Saints in June 2020. The former MK Dons midfielder was ever-present in the Oxford City side in the previous season, with 34 appearances for the Hoops.

He previously experienced success at this level as part of the title-winning Maidenhead United side in 2017.

Munashe Sundire is a versatile and energetic player who can play either full-back or midfield. He has played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Kempston Rovers, Kettering Town and St Ives Town.

Romeo Akinola is an attacking midfielder and was previously part of the Haringey Borough team that made a blistering start to life in the Isthmian Premier 2019/2020 campaign.

He started with five years in the QPR youth teams, thriving under the watchful eye of former City striker Paul Furlong, before going abroad with IFK Ostersund in the Swedish fourth division as part of the highly-regarded ‘League Football Education programme’.

Solomon Nwabuokei is a utility player who signed for the Saints after an impressive season at Biggleswade, which won him the young player of the year award.

Striker Chid Onokwai signed for the Saints from Haringey Borough, having previously played for FC Romania, Kempston Rovers, Aylesbury FC, Aylesbury United, Bowers & Pitsea, and Eton Manor.

Fellow striker Joseph Chidyausiku is an attacking player who has previously played for Chelmsford City, Bradford Park Avenue and Havant & Waterlooville.

Mitchell Weiss played at Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead Town before joining Saints in August 2020. The forward was an integral part of the King’s Langley squad, scoring 41 goals in all competitions.

Having signed for Saints during the summer Shaun Jeffers had come through the youth ranks of Coventry City, before lining-up for a number of Football League sides including Peterborough United, Newport County and Yeovil Town prior to joining Chelmsford City in the summer of 2016. He helped fire the Clarets to the play-offs with 21 goals in 39 games.

His goal scoring exploits helped earn him a transfer to Hertfordshire neighbours Boreham Wood where he made over twenty-appearances in the National League during the 2017-18 campaign. He went on to play forHampton & Richmond Borough on loan, where he notched 6 in 13, and Brackley Town.

He made his mark again after rejoining Chelmsford, with fourteen goals in thirty-two games, including an effort against the St Albans at Clarence Park in November 2019.

Zane Banton completes their line-up, an exciting winger who made four first-team appearances for Luton Town during the 2016/2017 season.

He moved to Clarence Park in March 2017, his third loan in non-league football, having spent time at Evo-Stik League Southern Premier side Biggleswade Town and Hemel Hempstead Town.

He was recalled by Luton prior to the Saints final game of the 2016/2017 season, then released by Luton at the end of their season, before signing a permanent deal for the Saints in June 2017.

Unfortunately the game is behind closed doors, but is due to feature on livestream.

by Peter Scherer
(Photos by Sarah Middleton)

Before arriving at the Don Amott Arena, Warrington had not only won every game, but hadn’t conceded a goal in their Northern Premier League campaign.

The Mickleover line-up was 1-Joe Slinn 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Mason Warren 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-George Milner 8-Andrew Wright 9-Paddy Webb 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Declan Bacon. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ricky Ravenhill. Pablo Mills, Jordan Walshaw, Callum Hawkins.

Warrington started the stronger and went close in the seventh minute when a Josh Amis header from a Michael Rose cross bounced off Slinn before Morris cleared the danger.

Three minutes later Amis had another shot blocked following a Warrington corner, before it was third time lucky for the striker making it 1-0 to the visitors from a Charlie Munro corner, headed down across the goal for Amis to finish, 12 minutes in.

A 15^th minute free kick was from skipper Mark Roberts tried to catch Slinn off his line, but he dealt with it comfortably, before a following shot outside the box from Jack Mackreth was well over.

As Sports were still struggling to get into the game, Slinn was busy again when Warrington’s second corner came in tight from Rose.

The domination continued and Bohan Dixon was next to try his luck, his shot was close to the right hand corner from way out.

With 10 minutes left in the first half, Warrington’s keeper Charlie Albinson had to make his first real save. Bennett and Milner interpassed and it was Bennett’s final header that had the keeper diving at full stretch.

A minute later Mickleover were back on equal terms when Watt connected with a corner, placing his header wide of the keeper 1-1.

But further drama followed when both Warren and Warrington’s Scott Brown were shown red cards after 38 minutes, following a mass brawl.

Both sides had another chance before the half time whistle though, Rose put Jack Dunn through for Warrington who shot just over and Webb had almost broken through for Sports, before Roberts stopped him with a last ditch tackle.

Initially the second half started off in a similar vain to the first, with a Mackreth cross providing attempts for Warrington from both Dunn and Dixon, before Watt was forced to make a goal line clearance after 50 minutes, deflecting a Rose cross away from Amis.

But Mickleover started to come into the game more and after creating his own space, Beavon had a good attempt saved by Albinson.

Four minutes later Webb had a shot deflected away for a corner by Matt Regan.

The attacks continued to flow and after a piercing ball through the middle split the Warrington defence, a series of headers weren’t dealt with and the ball fell to Bacon with just the keeper to beat, which he did admirably with a shot into the left hand corner for 2-1 on the hour.

Ravenhill came on for Webb and Beavon set Bacon up for another chance, saved this time by Albinson.

Amis tried a chip with Slinn out of his goal but failed to challenge the Mickleover keeper, but with 10 minutes on the clock it became 3-1 to Sports when Beavon caught out the Warrington keeper with a classy chip.

It could easily have been 4-1 when Bacon was next to try and chip Albinson, after a Regan mistake left the keeper vulnerable. The chip succeeded but the ball hit the post.

Walshaw came on for Beavon for the last 10 minutes but in injury time Jordan Buckley managed to pull one back for Warrington.

An outstanding result for Sports and sends them into tomorrow nights FA Cup tie at St Albans on a high.

The Sports Report is ready to view for today’s game. Click here

SPORTS FACE LEAGUE LEADERS

by Peter Scherer

Paul Carden’s team have got off to the best possible start in this year’s Northern Premier League campaign, with four straight wins and not a goal conceded.

They beat Whitby 1-0 at home, before Atherton Collieries went down 2-0 at home too.  It was 3-0 against Gainsborough and 2-0 in last Saturday’s game at Basford. Josh Amis and Bohan Dixon have each scored twice, and both Matt Regan and Jack Dunn have been on the score sheet too, and not surprisingly they are currently top of the league.

They did have one competitive defeat, but only on penalties. Going out of the FA Cup against South Shields after 0-0 draw, they lost 6-5 on penalties.

Goalkeeper Charlie Albinson only joined the club last month. The ex Manchester City and Blackburn Junior had been loaned to Warrington previously. But after his release from Blackburn he spent last season at Southport.

Centre back Matt Regan played his academy football at Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, He then moved on to Tamworth, Hednesford, Worcester, Stalybridge, Northwich and Colwyn Bay.

Not only did James Baillie come through Crewe Alexandra’s youth scheme, he played 18 games for them in league one. The defender has also been at Nantwich and Curzon Ashton following his release.

In Michael Rose they have a very experienced midfielder, with over 680 League appearances and 53 goals under his belt. He’s an England C International and started out at Manchester Utd.

After spells at Chester and Hereford, he was picked up by Yeovil and played in league’s one and two, gaining a league championship medal with the Somerset side. He also played league football for Cheltenham, Southport, Stockport, Norwich, Swindon, Colchester, Rochdale, Morecambe and Macclesfield, winning another league two title at Rochdale.

Centre back Callum Grogan is a recent signing, from Radcliffe. He started out at Shrewsbury Town and played for Skelmersdale before joining Radcliffe.

Captain Mark Roberts is another experienced defender with league two experience. After graduating at Crewe, he made seven first team appearances, plus various loan spells before joining Northwich.

He returned to league two with Accrington and sampled both leagues one and two with Stevenage, Fleetwood and Cambridge Utd, before joining Warrington from Forest Green in August 2018. He reached the league two play offs with Stevenage and Fleetwood and was an FA Trophy runner-up with Stevenage, as well as acting as caretaker manager for a while.

Jack Mackreth came to Warrington in 2018 too. The midfielder or winger started as a Tranmere Junior, but had spells at Hyde, Barrow, Macclesfield, Grimsby, Bury and Wrexham.

Defender Mitch Duggan was at Tranmere too, but unlike Mackreth he made 16 starts in the league before his release in 2018 brought him to Warrington, after a loan at Marine.

Preston North End was the start for striker Josh Amis, he was loaned out to Stockport, before Northwich signed him after an initial loan. He had another spell at Stockport and came to Warrington via Altrincham and Marine. 

Winger Jack Dunn came out of the Liverpool Academy. He made his league two debut on loan to Cheltenham and added more experience to his cv at Burton, Morecambe and Tranmere, before joining Warrington in 2018. He was also an England player at under 17, 18 and 19 levels.

Bohan Dixon has had a varied career since starting out at Kingsley Utd. Spells with Welsh Clubs Connah’s Quay and Buckley Town. The midfielder then moved on to Hednesford, Burscough and Accrington, before joining Lincoln City. Further travels have taken him to Northwich, Stockport, Salford City, Stalybridge, Halifax and Ashton, before arriving at Warrington in September 2018.

Midfielder Charlie Munro is a more recent acquisition from Ashton, while youngster Luke Duffy has been brought in from North West Counties side Lower Breck.

Defender’s Joel Amado and Matthew Taylor are also newcomers. Amado was signed from Trafford, having previously played at Irlam and Curzon Ashton, while Taylor was a Wigan and Derby youth player, who has arrived from Harrogate.

Midfielders Craig Carney and Irwyah Gooden are new too. Carney is ex FC Utd, Lancaster, Stockport and Marine, while Gooden has come from Ramsbottom Utd.

Currently on loan from Harrogate is experienced defender Scott Brown. The former Everton youth played for England at under 15, 17, 18 and 19’s and made 63 league appearances for Bristol City.

He joined Harrogate in 2o19, having been at Cheltenham, Port Vale, Morecambe, Fleetwood, York, Macclesfield, Chester, Southport, Grimsby and Accrington.

Among his honours are Youth Cup runner up with Everton, League one runner-up with Bristol City, Conference North Champion with Chester and League two winner with Accrington.

They have six other squad members yet to make the first team this season. Striker Jawad Jebrin is a youth player from their own scheme, experienced striker Jordan Buckley was signed from FC Utd in January, Evan Gumbs came straight from his release as a Tranmere junior this summer, defender Tom Warren is an ex Everton junior who joined from Witton last season, defender Adam Carden came in 2016 and midfielder Lewis Sharp completes the squad.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC will looking for their second Northern Premier League win of the season when they visit Stalybridge tomorrow evening (Tuesday).

Celtic have never beaten Mickleover in six previous meetings, with Sports winning five and drawing one, including last December’s 3-1 victory.

So far this season Stalybridge have taken one point in a 1-1 draw with Lancaster, having lost 3-0 to both Nantwich and Scarborough.

They went out of the FA Cup last Saturday losing 3-2 against Longridge, having previously knocked out Bishop Auckland 3-1 and Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-1.

They are currently 21^st in the League and have been managed by former Welsh International striker Simon Haworth, since May 2018.

Tom Stewart is their first choice goalkeeper, a youth player at Halifax, Bradford Park Avenue and City and Brighouse, before joining Blackburn Rovers from Guiseley. He has had spells at Morecambe, AFC Liverpool, Harrogate, Buxton, Whyteleafe and Whitehawk, before joining Stalybridge from Ramsbottom in June.

Like most of the team defender Omar Sinclair is another new signing, but although Manchester born he has come in from Michigan Stars. He has also played for SVSU Cardinals and Detroit City.

Kallum Mantack is one of the few players in his second year. A former Oldham Athletic youth player, he played three times in their first team, before a loan at Alfreton, FC United and Stockport, saw him move onto Altrincham and Ashton before arriving at Stalybridge.

Midfieldfer Scott Sephton has recently moved from Matlock Town, where had had a short spell after leaving Warrington. He has also played for Buxton and Porthmadog among others.

Although Luke Barlow started as a Crewe Alexandra junior, he has spent his recent career with Kilmarnock, before heading back to England in August. 

Matty Makinson is their other centre back, he started with Everton and Blackburn, before moving to Cardiff. He returned to the North West with Warrington and Atherton, before becoming a Celtic player in August.

Although Krisel Prifti is another new signing, he may not be available due to injury. The Albanian midfielder has played for a number of teams in his home country over the last seven years and was signed from KF Apolonia Fier in June.

Damani Holness is a vastly experienced midfielder, and was signed in July. He has come back from US football where he played for Memphis 901, having previously been at New Mills, Morecambe, Stockport, Northwich and Macclesfield.

Callum Harris is well travelled too, having been a junior at Manchester City, Blackburn and Wolves, before moving to Germany with Patro Elsden. His next stop was Spain with Real Burgos and Burgos CF, before coming back to England last month.

Striker Jonathan (Berat) Ustabasi has international experience too. The Macedonian born striker has played mainly in the Turkish League, including Europa League appearances. He spent last season with FC Shkupi in Macedonia.

For Mike Burke it was a return home when he was signed in June. The striker was a Junior at Stalybridge, but has rejoined from Staveley MW, where he scored 21 goals in 21 games.

Also on the injured list are midfielder Charley Doyle, 13 years a Blackburn Youth player, defender Freddie Sass, ex Macclesfield and Egerton and striker Nic Evangelines, recently signed from Ramsbottom.

Their own youth product Reece Nuttall is the reserve goalkeeper and they also have ex Wigan and Fleetwood winger Keano Deacon.

Midfielder Harry Freedman started out at Nottingham Forest and Wolves before joining from Halifax and Stephen O’Halloran is a former Irish under 21 international defender, who has served Nuneaton, Stockport, Salford and FC United too.

Kyle Hawley is an ex Morecambe striker, while fellow striker Lewis Salmon is currently on loan from Altrincham.

Their squad is completed by former Sheffield Utd Academy defender Tom Wilson, ex Fleetwood midfielder Anthony Williams and former Northwich, Ramsbotton and Hyde defender Ben Woods.

Kick off is 7.45 and can be followed on Mickleover’s own twitter feed.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover marched into the third qualifying round of the FA Cup with a resounding 4-1 home win over Newark FC.

There were three changes from the team that beat Witton Albion in midweek, with Joe Slinn back in goal for loanee Callum Hawkins and Kemy Agustien was back in midfield for Ben Gowing, having re-signed this week.

Paddy Webb was back to lead the attack to in place of Jordan Walshaw, having come off the bench in the Witton victory.

1-Joe Slinn 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Mason Warren 8-Andrew Wright 9-Paddy Webb 10-Stuart Beavon 11-George Milner. Subs: Declan Bacon, Louis Pennington, Ricky Ravenhill. Pablo Mills, Jordan Walshaw, Josh Satchwell.

Mickleover were straight into attack from the kick-off, with Webb having two chances in the first five minutes. The first didn’t trouble Newark keeper Jason White, with a weakfish header, before following up with a shot into the side netting.

But Butler found himself in the referee’s book after a late tackle, before Warren led the next Sports attack with a shot just wide after eight minutes.

Agustien was next to try his luck, but his long speculative attempt was both high and wide.

Newark nearly caught out the Mickleover defence 13 minutes in when Craig Westcarr got around the defence and had Slinn beaten, only to put his shot wide.

But Mickleover responded quickly with a telling ball from Beavon across the face of the Newark goal, but no one was on hand to put it home.

Newark had another chance of opening the scoring when Watt gave away a penalty in the 17^th minute. But just to show that Hawkins isn’t the only Mickleover to save penalties, Slinn kept Ben Hutchinson’s kick out and it remained 0-0.

It was back into attack mode again for Sports when Wright fired a powerful shot straight at keeper White, but four minutes later Newark got another break when Kevin Baspos outpaced the Mickleover defence, before cutting inside and firing into the side netting again.

Just after the half hour the promise that Mickleover’s attacks had been showing finally came to fruition, with Beavon leading by example to make it 1-0.

There were few more free kicks for Newark before the half time whistle, but Slinn handled them with relative ease, so it remained 1-0.

The second half sparked into life almost on the hour, after Slinn made a spectacular diving save to his left as Newark pursued the equaliser.

Beavon and Webb then broke clear and after connecting with Beavon’s cross, Webb’s shot was just wide.

Bacon came on for Webb after 63 minutes, but the attacks became more intense, with Milner putting the ball in the area to keep the pressure on the Newark defence.

The reward came after 69 minutes when Wright hit the first time ball and sent it curling into the bottom right hand corner for 2-0.

There was a short delay when Slinn was treated after a knock to the head, then the  rainfall got heavier and Beavon had a header cleared off the line, before Warren sent a powerful shot goalwards, initially saved by White before a succession of corners.

79 minutes and Wright was on target again, 3-0 with a fizzing shot deep into the left hand corner, followed by Walshaw and Pennington coming on for Beavon and Warren.

But with three minutes of normal time left, Watt was penalised again, only for Newark to find their second effort saved once again by Slinn from the spot.

Newark were still looking for that elusive goal and on 90 minutes Slinn had to pull off a point blank save following a corner.

Mickleover were quick on the break again though, which gave Bacon the chance to make it 4-0, which he duly accepted.

Newark finally got their goal in injury time, to make it 4-1 to Mickleover and the thoughts of who next in the third qualifying round for Sports.