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.

by Peter Scherer

Tomorrow night we host Derby County B Team in the Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter final.

Currently lying fourth in the Central League, mainly a mixture of Rams Under 18 and 21’s, they were 4-0 winners at Buxton, with Cruz Allen scoring twice. Mickleover progressed after a 7-0 win over Chesterfield Reserves, Thabang Dube scoring twice too.

Jack Thompson, Cristiano Dzialuk and Harvey Rees are the three goal keepers that could make the line-up. Thompson has played for England at Under 15,16,17 18 and 20 and has recently returned from a loan at Braintree. He’s also had spells on loan at Kettering, Alfreton and Worcester. Dzialuk came Birmingham side CS Colts, while Rees was previously at Swansea City.

Centre back Rio Canoville previously had experience at both Nottingham Forest and Notts County, while fellow centre back Adisa Osayande captained the side in the win at Buxton and Luke Banks plays centre back too.

Billy Gough is a left back, who spent time with Notts County before moving to Derby. AJ Doyle is another defender, who came from Glasgow Celtic in July 2024 and played for the Republic of Ireland Under 15’s.

George Stokes is a left back or midfielder and Darnelle Thomas is a defender.

Defensive midfielder Harry Hawkins has had spells on loan at Telford and Bedford and returned to the Rams recently after another loan at Alfreton.

Charlie Smith is another midfielder and one of the youngest players, he was 17 in November and has recently signed his first professional contract.

Freddie Turley favours defensive midfield. He came from Shamrock Rovers in July 2024 and had a loan at Bray Wanderers, as well as being capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under 16,17,18,19 and 21 levels.

Niall McAndrew is another Republic of Ireland international. A midfielder, he’s been capped at 16,17 and 19 levels.

Kacey Gill, Marsel Tola, Dantel Hodges, Remi Harvey and Kieran Clarke are all midfielders. Tola was previously at Dartford, Cray Wanderers and Kent Utd.

Cruz Allen is an attacking midfielder and scored two of the goals in their win at Buxton. He’s also a Welsh International at Under 16,17,18 and 19.

Jayden Davidson is a pacey left winger. Jerome Richards is Davidson’s his equivalent on the right, but he started out at Enfield.

Midfielder Jamie Wahling played his early football in his native German, with Karlsruhe, and Hoffenheim, before moving to Derby last August.

Former Tottenham Hotspur junior Justin Oguntola became a Ram in January 2023 and is one of the target men, while fellow striker Lennie Wheeldon has just returned from a loan spell at South Shields. Wheeldon started out at Notts County and also went out on loan to Boston Utd.

Cameron Wilson is a right winger too, signed from Aberdeen in pre-season. he also had a spell on loan at Keith FC.

Israel Green and Zayne Blake are both talented strikers, Blake was signed from Gedling Southbank.

Kick off is 7.45 and remember it’s only £6 on the gate and free parking.

by Peter Scherer (Image: Steve Ingers)

Two weeks since our last game, Mickleover hit the ground running at the Don Amott Arena with an early goal against Coleshill Town. But unable to consolidate the advantage, Sports had to settle for a point after a second half equaliser.

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

It was fairly lively start, with Sports outpacing their visitors from the off. Bonser’s overlap on the left provided the first chance after seven minutes, with Norkett sending in a powerful header from the cross. But Coleshill keeper Cameron Belford pulled off a brilliant save to tip it over the bar.

Coleshill then made their first break, comfortably dealt with by the home defence, before Wilkinson lobbed the ball forward. Initially Norkett checked he was onside, but he was in the clear and came out on top of a one on one with Belford, for a wonderful debut goal, 1-1.

It could have been a second just three minutes later when the ball fell to Bonser, after a scramble in the box. But the less than kindly bounce affected his shot and it was over the bar.

Coleshill skipper Carter-Byrne then gave the ball away in midfield, White picked it up crossed and Corden had his shot blocked to earn a corner.

It was 20 minutes in before our visitors got another break, but their cross from the right found no one to receive.

Bonser then got another break down the left and cut inside to shoot, that was saved too for another corner, before a Dales and Corden interplay ended with a fairly tame shot.

Usher-Shipway failed to trouble home keeper McDowell with a weak shot after 25 minutes, but Coleshill had gradually started to push forward more.

Just after the half hour mark some good work between Dales and Derham, saw Dales shot blocked, with another shot from Norkett was blocked too.

Atkinson continued to try and push Sports forward as Coleshill began to pose more of a threat. They hit the post after 37 minutes, but Corden finished the half with a shot just over as Mickleover managed to retain their advantage at the break.

As the second half got underway Coleshill showed new purpose and it was Sports on the back foot, ruing the fact they hadn’t managed a second goal before the break.

Just one minute into the second half and Theo Rowe had a good chance for the equaliser, but he fired over the bar.

Both Gascoigne and Wilkinson at the back were having to show their mettle, as the creativity had waned and Coleshiil were pressing.

Dales had a run down the right after 51 minutes, but there was no one to meet his cross, but then White and Sweeney were yellow carded, after the Mickleover player responded to the initial foul.

On the hour Sweeney and Rowe then combined to cross from the left, but Usher-Shipway’s shot was saved by McDowell’s feet, as the threat of the equaliser seemed to be getting closer.

Sports then made three changes, with Dube, Dyer and Webb on for White, Norkett and Corden.

But the pressure on the home defence continued, with Rowe putting an effort across the face of the goal, with fortunately no one on hand to receive. Sweeney then put a cross in which Wilkinson headed away, before Jack Hallahan’s shot hit the post again.

Dales made a solo break again after 70 minutes, but was fouled. The free kick came to nought, but Coleshill came straight back with McDowell making a good save from Usher-Shipway, before Rowe followed up to make it 1-1.

For a while it could have gone either way, with Sports failing to maximise a corner after 75 minutes, before Rowe followed up with another shot straight at McDowell.

Webb almost broke through too on the left, his shot was blocked and it was another corner, but Wilkinson’s header was an easy catch for Belford.

Benson then came on for Derham for the final nine minutes and with eight minutes added on, Sports suddenly came to life and again.

Dyer put a cross in that just missed out and then Belford’s feet thwarted Dube, before Dales, Dube and Dyer combined again, only for Belford to block with his feet yet again.

Bonser was fouled as he tried to make the final break, but that winning strike continued to elude at the death, just as it had in the first half, thanks mainly to a heroic performance from Belford in the Coleshill goal.

by Peter Scherer

With last Saturday’s game at Lichfield postponed, it will be over two weeks since Mickleover were in action, in their 3-2 win over Loughborough Students.

Sports are sixth in the table, with our visitors seventh, equal on both points and goal difference, but they have a game in hand.

We should see new signing Manni Norkett making his Mickleover debut, while Harry Wood will be available too after serving a two- match suspension.

Our visitors were briefly in action last Saturday. Having deemed the pitch at Loughborough playable, the referee then changed his mind at half time and abandoned it at 1-=1.

When we visited Coleshill in October it proved to one of our worst performances of the season, going down 1-3, before going unbeaten in the next seven.

On recent form our visitors had three successive wins until New Years Day, when they lost 0-1 at home to Boldmere St.Michaels.

Manager Harry Harris took over as manager at the start of this season, having previously been in charge at Walsall Wood and briefly at Hednesford. Sam Heath has recently been announced as his assistant too, having previously been in charge at Smethwick Rangers.

Goalkeeper Cameron Belford is vastly experienced, having played over 200 Leagues One and Two in England and Scotland. He started at Coventry City and was loaned to Tamworth before moving to Bury. He was then loaned to Worcester City, Southend Utd and Accrington, before returning to Tamworth in July 2013.

Mansfield, Swindon, Stranraer and Forest Green are among his later stays and three years at Stafford Rangers before joining our visitors in pre-season.

Bermudan International Dale Eve has also deputised for Belford, having signed in November of a dual registration with Stratford Town. He first came to the UK with Derby County, before moving to Stoke City. He was loaned to Fleetwood, Newcastle Town and Congleton, before joining Forest Green following his release.

After a spell back in Bermuda with Dandy Town Hornets, he has played for Ilkeston, Rushall, Kidderminster, Robin Hood in Bermuda, Spennymoor, Hereford, Alvechurch and Walsall Wood too,.

Right back Ben Usher-Shipway arrived from Boldmere St.Michael’s at the start of last season. He started at Boldmere before a spell at Solihull Moors, who then loaned him to Alvechurch, Sutton Coldfield and Stourbridge. He then returned to Boldmere September 2023 after a year at Leamington.

Defender Taylor Carter-Byrne is the club captain in his second spell with the club. He left to join Hednesford in June 2022, but returned after a few months.

Defender Dan Brookes arrived at the beginning of last season from Lye Town and took the Players Player of the Year, supporters and managers player of the season awards last season.

Pre-season signing Tyreace Brown started as defender in the Northampton Academy. He moved on to play for Rushden & Diamonds, Alvechurch, Barwell, Highgate Utd, Lye Town, Romulus, Atherstone, Walsall Wood and Worcester City.

Harry Sweeney is a defender that became part of our visitors squad last season.

Experienced centre back George Cleet was initially a West Bromwich Albion junior. After loans at Worcester and Hednesford, he went to Halesowen on his release. Sutton Coldfield was his next stop, followed by Highgate Utd and he started this season at Boldmere, until joining our visitors in November.

Jack Hallahan is a central midfielder, signed from Walsall Wood last October. He’s previously played for Alvechurch and Evesham.

Theo Rowe is a right sided midfielder and former Stoke City junior, who arrived pre-season. After his Potters release he joined Banbury and first arrived at Coleshill in July 2023 from Redditch. After three months he moved to Alvechurch, followed by Boldmere and Anstey Nomads.

Midfielder Gio Dainty is a Coleshill stalwart. He started at Coventry Sphinx and played for Alvis, Atherstone and Bedworth before joining our visitors. He made his debut for the club back in August 2015.

Joe Fitzpatrick is a midfielder, pre-season arrival and ex Wolves youngster. He joined Mansfield Town on his release, where he made three first team appearances and was loaned to Sutton Coldfield. He then moved on to Worcester City, Telford, Boston Utd, Hednesford, Halesowen and Walsall Wood and spent last season at Cradley Town.

Midfielder Louie Webb is currently on loan from Walsall.

Lewis Allison is a midfielder too, signed in October from Boldemere St.Michaels, while fellow midfielder Bassit Mandey joined the club in November 2024.

Alex McSkeane is a striker signed from Sutton Coldfield in September 2024. He started out at Walsall and has also played for Boldmere.

Joe Morley is a pre-season signing from Stafford Rangers and another striker or midfielder. He’s played for Hednesford and Chasetown too.

Daniel Gyasi is a former Stourbridge and Redditch striker in his second season at Coleshill. He has also played for Boldmere and Sutton Coldfield.

Striker Tristan Dunkley was signed from Shepshed Dynamo in October. A junior at Birmingham City, he moved onto Loughborough Dynamo, Hednesford and Halesowen, before arriving at Solihull Moors. He soon moved on again to Rushall, Tamworth, Alvechurch, Barwell, Corby and Bedworth, before joining Shepshed at the start of last season.

Fellow striker Marvelous Onabirekhanlen came from Quron in November. He has spent most of his career at Walsall, who loaned him to Worcester, Stourbridge and Chasetown, before singing for Sporting Khalsa on his release. He’s played for Redditch and Alvechurch too.

Kick off is 3pm at Don Amott Arena, as we try to make it three successive wins.