by Peter Scherer

On paper it was a 3-0 defeat at South Shields, but the Mickleover FC team headed back south with the reward of  a good strong team performance and a flattering score line for the home side.

With a full squad to choose from, manager John McGrath opted for Burton Albion loanee Callum Hawkins in goal and Declan Bacon leading the attack, with Paddy Webb starting on the bench.

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

It couldn’t have got off to a worse start for Sports though, when South Shields Nathan Lowe curled the ball into the top corner of Hawkins’ net from outside the box.

Six minutes later Hawkins was at full stretch again with a close range header just over the bar.

But Mickleover began to fight back with Beavon going close from a long range shot, before South Shields responded 12 minutes in.

Warren was next to try his luck, again just wide, but after Milner took a knock to the head, Bacon put a low ball into the box, it was half cleared as far as Wright who put a powerful shot against the post as the half hour was completed.

Sports continued to push forward and after Wright was yellow carded for a foul, he put a dangerous ball across the face of the home sides goal, but no one was there to collect it.

Beavon then followed up with a good header from a Morris cross, just inside the box, but it remained 1-0 to South Shields on the half-time whistle.

Hawkins was called into action early in the second half again, with a diving save to his right.

Warren became the second Sports player in the refs book and over the next seven minutes both Beavon and Butler followed.

Goalscorer Lowe almost got a second goal though, with a long range free kick close to the top corner.

Just after Sports had exchanged Webb for Bacon, Jon Shaw made it 2-0 for the home side with a close range header from a Robert Briggs free-kick.

A second substitution Sports gave Walshaw his league debut in place of Milner.

In the 81^st minute Walshaw had his first real chance, with a powerful shot saved by South Shields keeper Myles Boney, from a telling through ball from Verma

Watt was the fifth Sports player yellow carded, but Sports kept on pressing the visitors defence. Sub Gowing had a header hit the post and Beavon had a shot spectacularly cleared off the line, before Boney blocked another shot from Webb.

But in add on time the action switched ends and Jason Gilchrist made it 3-0 for the home side with a close range toe poke, after Jordan Hunter had beaten Morris on the left.

by Peter Scherer

After a successful trial with the club, Mickleover FC have signed, subject to international clearance,  US College Soccer ace Jordan Walshaw.

Born in Sheffield, Jordan Walshaw started his football career as a Chesterfield youth player, before heading to US College soccer.

He was playing for Winthrop Eagles last season in the Big South Conference. A regular goal scorer from midfield and attack, he was previously playing with UNC Pembroke where he scored 17 goals in 31 games in 2015/16, but missed most of 2017 through injury.

I am delighted to be joining Mickleover FC. The staff and the players have been great since I’ve joined and the philosophy and team environment was what made the club somewhere I knew I would enjoy playing. I can’t wait to get started and help the team achieve success this season.

said Walshaw.

The fans first got a glimpse of Walshaw when he played the first half of the recent home friendly against Guiseley, the 6ft 1in burly striker, looking very much the old style centre forward.

I’m delighted to welcome Jordan to Mickleover FC. He’s someone who has really impressed us during our pre-season programme and we have fought off numerous clubs to get his signature. He’s a hard working centre forward with a good eye for goal and someone I’m looking forward to working with over the coming season.

added Gaffer, John McGrath.

by Peter Scherer

If the 2019/20 had run its course, South Shields would have been probably starting their National League campaign next month, but circumstances prevailed and they will be out to prove themselves this weekend.

So far they have won four of their seven friendly matches, but lost 1-0 to Gateshead last weekend.

They are jointly managed by Lee Picton and ex Leicester City, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers striker Graham Fenton.

It’s a choice between Myles Boney and Ross Coombe for goalkeeping duties.

Boney was on a season long loan deal from Blackpool last season, but has now made his move permanent. He had been at Bloomfield Road since 2015, made two first team appearances and also had loan spells at Nantwich and Solihull Moors.

Coombe started at Consett and also joined South Shields last season.

Defender Jordan Hunter was also a loanee last season and as now signed permanently. A Liverpool junior he went to Sunderland in November 2018 and made his first team debut in the EFL Trophy the same year, before his move to South Shields last year.

Primarily a right back, Craig Baxter started his career at Newcastle Utd. Released by them in 2006 he joined Gateshead, before returning to them after a year at Bedlington Terriers, and is now in his fourth year at South Shields.

Centre back Dillon Morse started off as a Carlisle Utd junior. The young centre back left in 2014 to join Newcastle Benfield, before going on to Gateshead and Blyth Spartans. He is also in his fourth year at the club.

Matthew Wade is one of the teams younger defenders, have come through the teams own Academy. He also gained international recognition being selected for England Schoolboys.

Gary Brown is an ex Darlington player, he came to South Shields July last year. He spent six years with the Quakers until his departure in May 2018.

In midfield or defence Callum Ross spent time at Newcastle Utd and Sunderland during his time with Cramlington Juniors. He had three years on Sunderland’s books before returning to Cramlington and then went to the US and played three years at Wingate Bulldogs. 

Over the next three years he played Pro Soccer for Charlotte Independence and Oklahoma City Energy, before joining South Shields in January.

Another Academy product is Will Jenkins, the midfielder scored on his first team debut last December and has now signed pro.

Phil Turnbull is one of the clubs most experienced midfielders. A Hartlepool youth player, he was loaned to Gateshead and Blyth Spartans, before his two year stay ended with a move to York City.

He returned to Gateshead in 2008 for a seven year stay, notching up almost 300 appearances. Another two years at Darlington where he was also caretaker manager preceded his move to South Shields in May 2018.

Arron Thompson came to the first team via the Academy and has been a member of the squad for just over a year.

Robert Briggs is the club captain, the midfielder having spent his whole career in the North East. From starting out at Gateshead, he has played for Blyth Spartans, Sunderland RCA, West Aukland and Spennymoor, before coming to South Shields for the 2015/16 season, after briefly been the books too as a teenager.

Experienced winger Josh Gillies represented England C, but started out playing for Sunderland Nissan and Newcastle Blue, before Blyth Spartans snapped him up.

He played at Whitley Bay and Gateshead before going into the Football League with League One Carlisle Utd in 2013, where he made 18 starts scoring one goal, during a stay that included loans at Cambridge Utd and Halifax, before returning to Gateshead in 2015 and ultimately South Shields from 2018.

Nathan Lowe is another midfielder, coming from the Burnley junior scheme. After his release he had a year at FC United, before joining Southport in 2017. He is in his third season at South Shields.

Striker Jason Gilchrist started out at Burnley too and was another England C player. He was loaned to Droylsden, Accrington and Chester before leaving Burnley in 2016. He had a year at FC United, two years at Southport and a loan at Stockport County, before his present move in 2019.

Darius Osei had been with Stalybridge Celtic for two years when League One Oldham Athletic signed him. In an 18 month stay he scored three goals in 27 games, before being released, where he saw out the rest of the 2017/18 season at Maidstone.

He started last season at back at Stalybridge, before joining South Shields in February.

Regular goalscorer Lee Mason just crossed the Tyne when he signed in 2018, from neighbours North Shields. He has also played for Blyth Spartans, Whitley Bay and Whitby Town.

Sam Hodgson is another home grown talent, the young striker signed permanently just after his 18^th birthday after graduating through the clubs Academy,

Adding an international flavour is former PSV Eindhoven junior Wouter Verstraaten. He played for teams in the US and Netherlands, before joining Consett from VV Geldrop. The full back came to South Shields in January.

Striker Alex Kempster is a new signing. He started off in the North East with Whitley Bay, before joining York City in February 2018. He had a loan at Spennymoor too, before leaving York for South Shields last month.

In Jon Shaw they have another England C striker and long server. As a Sheffield Wednesday Junior, he played 24 first team games for the Owls before moving on via York City, Burton Albion, Halifax, Rochdale, Crawley, Barrow, Gateshead, Mansfield and Luton Town. 

Massively experienced he won the Conference Premier with Luton and the FA Vase with South Shields in 2016/17 having joined the club in July 2016.

Will McCamley is a former South Shields youth product, returned on loan from Huddersfield Town, who was also loaned to Hyde Utd last season.

Dom Agnew is another home grown product on the edge of the first team.

Although Mickleover manager John McGrath has his full squad available to him, the South Shields squad with its strength in depth will be tough break down.

by Peter Scherer

The pre-season build-up is done and it’s the competitive start to the season now approaching, with Saturday’s away to trip to last years uncrowned Champions South Shields, before a visit to Leek Town for the first qualifying round FA Cup match.

So what does manager John McGrath feel about our season start?

I’m really excited to start our 2020/21 season. In a year where there is so many uncertainties amid a global pandemic it’s nice to focus our attention and get ourselves prepared for our new season.

There has been a lot of change within the football club and I’m delighted with my summer recruitment but also equally delighted to retain the services of players who made a big impact for us last season. And then of course there’s our young academy players who under the guidance of myself and my back room team will be nurtured to follow and find their full potential with the senior game.

As always we will strive to win every game we play in and, as a group, we have set ourselves a target for the season. That target will remain in-house with us but all I’ll say is that in a league that’s looking as competitive as ever it makes for some good footballing action.

 

So we have new faces and returning players, a real blend who have got to know each other and how they play during this pre-season campaign.

Like I said previously we have recruited really well this summer. New Players like Joe Slinn, Jake Bennett, Phil Watt, James Butler, Alex Morris, George Milner and Ben Gowing have all arrived and signed permanently and we’ve managed to negotiate a loan deal to bring Declan Bacon back to the football club which is a great addition to an already competitive squad that has Stuart Beavon, Paddy Webb, Andrew Wright, Mason Warren and Pablo Mills all raring and chomping at the bit you’re get going again after a 6 month football break.

 

Is there a player in particular to look out for?

I’m really looking forward to seeing Paddy Webb enjoy a full season and see where his talent may take him. He joined us in January 2020 and when the season was curtailed early in March he had already helped himself to 7 league goals. I’m hoping with a full season we can look forward to a 20+ goal haul from him.

From our academy young Josh Satchwell has had a great pre season and is someone who people should definitely look out for. He went on trial to Coventry City last season and I can see another good season ahead for Josh.

 

Is there a closing message for the Sports fans?

Enjoy the season and stay safe and healthy.
Gaffer

 

The Sports have been drawn away to Leek Town in the First Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup.

The fixture takes place Tuesday 22nd September KO1945.

Tickets for this game will be on a strict first come, first served basis – please contact Tony Shaw on 07966 197246

STALEMATE FOR MICKLEOVER IN LAST PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

by Peter Scherer

Peterborough Sports were the visitors at the Don Amott Arena, for the final pre-season friendly of the year.

There was a welcome back from injury for both Phil Watt and Paddy Webb, as manager John McGrath starts to show a hint of his line-up for the first Northern Premier league match at South Shields next week.

1-Joe Slinn 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Mason Warren 5- James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Ben Gowing 8-Andrew Wright 9- Declan Bacon 10-Stuart Bevan 11-George Milner.
Subs- Jacob Edge-Lucas, Paddy Webb, Pablo Mills, Darius Smith, Josh Satchwell, Ricky Ravenhill. Jackson Smith.

Goalkeeper Slinn was soon in action when he had to push out Peterborough’s first attempt for a corner only two minutes in, before the tables were turned and Beavon had a shot over the bar from Sports first corner five minutes later.

It was the home side having more of the attacking and after Gowing had a shot blocked, an attempt from Butler was punched over the bar after 15 minutes.

The interplay and short passing was again Sports strong point, but as in other games the final ball just failed to get through.

Mickleover skipper Warren was yellow carded and as they went in for half time it was still 0-0.

10 minutes into the second half Beavon tried a shot from just outside the area and went close, but as the hour approached there was a change around in the Mickleover line-up. Ravenhill was on for Warren, Webb for Milner and Jackson Smith for Slinn.

But assistant manager Ravenhill had only been on the pitch nine minutes when he followed Warren into the ref’s book with a yellow card too.

Edge-Lucas then came on for Gowing, before Webb got a break and put a ball into the visitors area, but there was no one on the receiving end,

Satchwell replaced Wright for the last 13 minutes, but with less chances developing, an 82^nd minute free kick was Sports last oportunity, but Beavon’s shot hit the wall and it ended 0-0.

Mickleover FC 0 – 0 Peterborough Sports

MATCH DAY SATURDAY… TAKE A LOOK AT OUR VISITORS

by Peter Scherer

Peterborough Sports are our final pre-season visitors this weekend and have hit the ground running following their promotion as Champions of the Southern League Division 1, which sees them now in the Premier Central Division.

Manager Jimmy Dean and his assistant Daniel Ruscillo have brought in a number of new signings to join their existing squad and have won five of their seven pre-season games, with defeats to neighbours Peterborough Utd and Stamford.

Regular goalkeeper Lewis Moat joined the club from Whittlesey Athletic in 2016, while Lewis Elson started as a Peterborough Utd apprentice and has also played for Arlesey Town and Kettering.

Defender Mitch Griffiths was signed from Holbeach Utd, but started at Lincoln City. He has also played for Spalding and Deeping Rangers.

Starting his fifth season with the club Dan Bucciero is an ex Northampton Town Junior, but seen action at Eye Utd too.

Paul Malone is an experienced centre back, starting at Corby Town in 2019. He has alternated between Corby, Kettering and Stamford until joining the club in July 2018.

Centre back Brad McGowan is a new signing, joining during the summer after spending last season at Boston Utd and Frickley. He has also had a couple of years at Alfreton, having started as a Notts County Junior in 2015.

Richard Jones is one of two brothers at the club. Another centre back, he’s ex Boston Utd, Blackstones and Stamford.

Ex Southend defender Johnny Herd made 42 first team appearances for the Essex club, before joining Ebbsfleet for the 2011/12 season. He then joined Bishop Stortford, making 148 appearances over five years, before a two year stay at St Neots Town preceded his signing for Peterborough Sports in February 2019.

Primarily a right back, but just as capable as a centre back of defensive midfielder, Matty Miles had two years as a Leicester City junior, before joining Eynesbury. He had another year at St Neots and Biggleswade joining the Turbines in November last year.

In midfield they have Jim Stevenson, whose career began as a Luton Town trainee in 2013. He played for the Hatters first team 18 times scoring one goal and had loan spells at Dartford and Aldershot, before the latter became permanent. He has played at Dover, Southport and Chelmsford too.

Dan Lawlor is another long server at the club, starting his fifth season. A former Peterborough Utd junior, he has also played at Banbury, Boston Utd, Spalding and St Ives and can play right back as well as midfield.

It was October 2017 that Lewis Hilliard joined the Turbines. His first club was Rushden & Diamonds, where he spent two years, but that included loans at Ware, Hemel and Banbury.

Then via St Neots, St Albans, Boston and St Ives, he arrived at Peterborough in October 2017.

Josh McCammon came from Northampton Town in 2017 and is a qualified coach and studying for a BSc (Hons) in Strength and Conditioning with Rehabilitation. 

Another new signing is Dan Jarvis, four years a Stoke City Junior before joining Wrexham in January this year, making six appearances and scoring one goal.

Mark Jones is the other half of the Jones brothers. He joined the club in 2017 after a goal a game average for Deeping Rangers was spotted by Boston Utd, He joined the Turbines from Gainsborough and in his first season with the club scored over 50 goals!

Fellow striker Maniche Sani was a Benfica under 19’s player before moving to the UK. He was spotted in a local five a side league by the Turbines management.

Cameron Johnson was signed from Deeping Rangers in July last year, but has experience at Tamworth, Boston Utd and Matlock, having started at Rossington Main.

Another vastly experienced player is midfield or striker Matt Sparrow. From a Scunthorpe Junior, he played at Brighton, Crawley, Cheltenham and Lincoln City, before spending three months with Sorrento FC in Australia.

After wintering with Gainsborough Trinity 2016/17 he went back to Australia with ECU Joondalup and Bayswater.

He played over 300 games for Scunthorpe scoring over 40 goals.

Jordan Macleod is an ex Peterborough Utd trainee and qualified coach.

Left wing or midfield is favoured by Josh Moreman, he started at Deeping Rangers and has seen action with Corby, Kettering, Stamford and Spalding before being signed in February 2016.

Finally Dion Semble-Ferris was a Peterborough Utd youth player, released in 2008.  After playing for a few local youth teams he joined Colchester Utd and spent four years with them, making 25 first team appearances, as well as loan spells at Margate and Concord Rangers. 

After two years at St Neots he joined Peterborough Sports in 2018 and has scored 39 goals in 56 games.

Kick off as usual is 3pm.

LAST MINUTE FREE-KICK ALMOST A WINNER!

by Peter Scherer

In the penultimate pre-season friendly, Mickleover FC put up another strong performance against National League North opponents Guiseley.

There were a few changes from last Saturday’s line-up at Frickley, with debuts for Jordan Walshaw and Declan Bacon.

1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Mason Warren 5 James Butler 6-Marcus Calderone 7-Ben Gowing 8-Andrew Wright 9-Jordan Walshaw 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Declan Bacon. Subs: Ricky Ravenhill, Josh Satchwell, Darius Smith, Will Monteiro, Louis Pennington.

Originally Aman Verma was due to start, but after failing a late fitness test, he was replaced by Mason Warren.

Sports were on the attack from the first whistle, with Gowing, putting a good ball through to Beavon, which sent Walshaw goalwards, forcing the keeper to dive at his feet.

Guiseley came back with an immediate response, which was easily foiled, before another Sports attack ended with Beavon being flagged offside.

But still in the opening minutes there was a long hold-up when Calderone was injured making a clearance. He was stretchered off and replaced by Satchwell, who went to left back, with Morris moving into the centre of the defence.

Satchwell was straight into the action from the restart, with a strong attack down the left earning a throw in.

A minute later Walshaw had a shot just wide, as Sports gained the upperhand.

Although Morris was caught in possession on the edge of the box after 16 minutes, the Guiseley attack failed to take any advantage.

Bacon was then fouled as he broke clear with Wright’s following free-kick put out for a corner. It was initially cleared, before Satchwell picked it up and went close with a powerful shot.

The attacks were coming thick and fast after some good play from Wright on the 20 minute mark, Bacon had a shot just over the bar.

Six minutes later Beavon’s shot was followed up by Walshaw, as it rebounded off the Guiseley keeper.

With Butler and Morris marshalling the centre of the defence, Hawkins in the Mickleover goal was having a quiet time, but had to punch clear for a corner after a retaliatory break.

Warren then split the defence with a good through ball, which proved just out of reach for Beavon’s run.

The tide suddenly changed in Guiseley’s favour however, when a strong five minute spell threatened Sports goal.

The visitors had a random shot bounce off the bar on 35 minutes, while two minutes later another shot was well saved by Hawkins and went for a corner.

Just before half time Butler’s clearance sent Wright on a run, with his final ball just failing to connect with the strikers. But Walshaw recovered the ball, only to shoot straight at the keeper.

There were no immediate changes for the second half, but Guiseley started much stronger than they had in the first half.

Hawkins had to stave off three shots in the first couple of minutes, but wasn’t really troubled by any.

The attacks continued to come from the visitors, before some good interplay between Bacon and Satchwell.

After 57 mins there was a scare for the visitors defence when a Wright corner was almost headed into their own goal, before Wright picked it up again with Walshaw just failing to connect to the through ball.

Guiseley’s shoot on sight policy wasn’t posing any real threat, whereas Mickleover were favouring the more controlled build up, highlighted by a long pass from Butler, sending Bennett on an overlap until he was tackled just outside the box.

The visitors put a header wide just after 65 minutes, but manager McGrath decided to make some changes. Smith came on for Bennett and Monteiro from Walshaw.

A mistake in the Guiseley defence fell to Beavon, his pass found Bacon who then shot over, before on 71minutes the deadlock was finally broken.

Warren had held off a strong tackle to put Wright through, who put a powerful right foot shot to the keepers left, 1-0.

It was barely a couple of minutes later though that a cross from the right left the defence flat footed, and a Guiseley striker finished with a clear header into the left hand corner of Hawkins net 1-1.

There was another change when Pennington came on for Warren, but Sports should have had a free kick after 79 mins, when Monteiro was held back by a Guiseley defender, with a clear run on goal beckoning.

In the closing minutes Sports came out stronger in attack again, there were a couple of wasted shooting, before Beavon had the ball, but couldn’t find space to get his shot it.

But it was so nearly a Mickleover victory, after Monteiro was tripped with minutes left. Beavon’s free-kick smashed against the Guiseley post and was pushed out for a corner, but it was game over with a well-deserved 1-1.

Next match is at home on Saturday against Peterborough Sports, before the NPL League matches start the following week. 

TUESDAY NIGHTS VISITORS ARE… AFC GUISELEY
by Peter Scherer

National League North side Guiseley are based near Leeds and have played three friendly matches so far, all away from home.

They started with a 1-0 win at Thackley, before a 0-0 draw at Worksop Town. Last Saturday they visited Nuneaton Borough, going down 2-0.

Joint manager’s Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill are both vastly experienced. Bignot played for QPR and Crewe Alexandra and O’Neill was well known locally for his part in Alfreton Town’s success a few years ago.

Like last week’s visit from Alfreton, Guiseley have mixed their permanent players with a number of trialists.

Both goalkeeper’s Hagie Danba and Declan Lambton have been through the Bradford City Youth scheme.

There is plenty of experience from centre back and club captain Hamza Bencherif. Paris born, he started his football career with Guingamp in France, before joining Nottingham Forest’s Academy.

He later moved on to Halifax Town and Wrexham, before winning the FA Trophy with York City. He’s an Algerian under 20 International too.

Fellow defender Dan Cowan came to the club in July from Stockport County, but has played for Buxton, New Mills and Macclesfield, as well as loan spells at Ashton and Chorley.

Will Thornton made his first team in 2017 and is a product of Guiseley’s own junior programme, he also had a loan spell at Gainsborough last year.

2017 was the year Nathan Newell was signed too and last year he had a dual registration with Frickley Athletic. He also went on loan to Ossett Albion.

Prince Ekpolo came to the club in January from Glossop North End, he is also an ex Burscough player.

Winger Kaine Felix has spent two years at Guiseley and scored 10 goals last season. His career path came from Peterborough Utd Academy, via St Neots, Boston Utd, York City, Stockport County, Deeping Rangers, Leamington and Brackley.

Mark Howarth is a new signing, only arriving last month. The midfielder spent 10 years in the Burnley Academy, before going to Salford City and loans at Marine, Buxton and Droylsden.

It was an initial loan that became permanent for George Cantrill, another midfielder who came through Sheffield Utd’s academy.

Gabriel Johnson is yet another Sheffield Utd product. The 6ft striker was signed in June last year, having spent time with Manchester Utd Under 14’s, Leeds Utd’s Under 17’s and more recently Doncaster Rovers and Hallam.

Another new addition is Matty Gillam, coming in from Rochdale last month. He came through Port Vale’s Academy and had a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic.

Adam Haw is another homemade product from the Guiseley Academy. He has also been out on loan at Emley.

One of the more senior members of the team is Paul Clayton who originally came as assistant manager in 2018. He still plays and his striking prowess has previously graced Atherton and Harrogate Town.

10 MEN SPORTS BATTLE TO HARD FOUGHT FRIENDLY DRAW

by Peter Scherer

It was already a weakened side as Mickleover FC visited Frickley Athletic, with Stuart Beavon and Paddy Webb both out action and Phil Watt joining them pre-match too.

Joe Slinn 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-John McGrath 5-Pablo Mills 6 James Butler 7-Mason Warren 8-Andrew Wright 9-Tyrell Shannon-Lewis 10 Ben Gowing 11-George Milner Subs: Callum Hawkins, Will Monteiro, Ricky Ravenhill, Joss Satchwell, Marcus Calderone, Darius Smith.

There was an almost instant shock for Mickleover as the game kicked off, when after only two minutes Frickley picked up the ball just over the halfway line and split a napping Sports defence, before burying the ball into the left hand corner for a 1-0 lead.

The shell shocked defence then faced an early corner, with a shot well wide.

Although the Sports midfield started to make progress, there were no clear breaks and each attack was thwarted, before Frickley came back to earn another corner which went straight out of play.

The first real break for Sports came after about 12 minutes, when Wright put a good ball through, only for Shannon-Lewis to be flagged offside.

A few minutes later McGrath sent a long pass in Bennett’s direction, but his attempt to cross was blocked and earned Sports first corner.

Shannon-Lewis pressed hard at the front but became somewhat isolated, as a succession of good build-ups failed to provide a positive final ball.

With Warren starting to take control in midfield, he sent Shannon-Lewis on a run after 20 minutes, but the strikers shot was blocked.

The attacks started to gain intensity as Sports sought an equaliser and Butler headed just over from a Wright cross.

On 25 minutes Wright tried his luck and shot just wide of the post, before Milner found Morris in space and the defender put his attempt just wide too.

But after a counter attack by Frickley was foiled, Shannon-Lewis broke away again and yet another shot was just wide. But as he started to cause more grief to the home sides defence, he was held by one of the defenders, but the following free kick came to nought.

Sports looked to be getting closer and closer to an equaliser, but Frickley were quick on the beak. 

Gowing got a shot in from a Warren pass, and McGrath’s corner was blocked before he was fouled and another free-kick went to waste.

But after 36 minutes Bennett went on a run and was tripped in the area, so it was 1-1 as Warren made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Frickley reacted positively to the equaliser, but a couple of random shots were well wide.

After 40 minutes though Butler made a hard tackle which was adjudged too hard by the referee and he was on the receiving end of a rather harsh red card.

A quick reshuffle pushed Gowing back into the defence alongside Mills, but Mickleover continued to press forward with Warren just wide from a good pass from Bennett.

So 1-1 at half-time but manager McGrath made, three substitutions, taking himself off along with Slinn and Gowing and bringing on Ravenhill. Hawkins and Calderone.

There were further problems in the Sports defence when Mills was hurt after pulling off an overhead clearance. He continued after treatment, but was later substituted.

Despite being down to 10 men, Mills, Morris and Calderone combined at the back to repel the Frickley attacks. But the home side still managed a couple of shots from outside the area, both well wide.

Milner was penalised for challenge on the Frickley keeper, just before he went off to be replaced by Bobby Pattison.

Pattison’s pace soon got him clear for a shot in the 18^th minute, but his attempt was well wide. Three minutes later Frickley made a quick break with Calderone the last man back, saving the day.

Frickley had started to come back into the game and after Warren and Ravenhill both lost possession in the middle, the following shots were straight at sub goalkeeper Hawkins though.

Once Mills had been replaced by Smith, plus the absence of Butler, the Mickleover defence began to look fragile, but Frickley’s following goal attempts were equally weak.

Monteiro came on for Shannon-Lewis and Satchwell for Wright for the last 20 minutes, but it was Frickley who went close with an overhead kick just wide of Hawkins post after 34 minutes.

Strength of character came through for the Mickleover squad, but Frickley had a few more near misses before the final whistle. Morris headed clear on 38 minutes and in the final seconds the home side put an attempt just around the post.

In the light of the knocks and the red card, it was a strong and positive performance, looking forward to the next friendly match at home to Guiseley on Tuesday evening.

Final score: Frickley Athletic 1 – 1 Sports