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

by Peter Scherer

Tomorrow afternoon Mickleover FC visit Frickley Athletic for the latest in line of pre-season friendly matches.

Previously known as Frickley Colliery, home is at Westfield Lane, South Elmsall and they currently play in the NPL South East Division.

This will be their sixth friendly, having started with a defeat away to Grimsby Borough.

They hammered Pontefract Collieries 4-0 before beating Barton Town 1-0 in their first home match.

After a 2-1 defeat at Shildon, they were last in action last Saturday with a resounding 5-0 win away to Bridlington Town.

There first competitive match is due on September 12^th when they are at home to Newcastle Benfield in an FA Cup qualifier.

They have two goalkeepers, Alfie Eccles-Smith a former Sheffield United and Wednesday trialist who has come from Selston and ex Hull City player Tom Nicholson, who has a number of non-league clubs under his belt.

In defence Chris Salt has come from Gainsborough Trinity and is an ex Sheffield United youth player and James Hugo has joined from Spalding and is an ex Lincoln City Academy player.

Kern Miller lists Lincoln City, Barnsley, Accrington Stanley and Herford United among his ex clubs, having come to Frickley from Stamford. 

Vice Captain for this season is Nathan Hotte, signed from Gainsborough and is an ex Alfreton player too. Tom Davie comes in from Gainsborough, but he was once with Hull City.

Among a couple of ex Sports players in the Frickley squad is Jack Smith, playing either defence of midfield.

Midfielder Kegan Everington comes in from Spalding and is another ex Alfreton player who started at Lincoln City, similarly Jack Wightwick, who has travelled Lincolnshire with Boston Utd, Grantham and Lincoln Utd before joining Spalding.

Mansfield Academy was the starting point for Conor Green, and has joined Frickley from Ilkeston, while Josh McLauchlan is a product of Frickley’s own under 21’s and made his first team debut at the end of last season.

Like Green Nyle Blake started at Mansfield Town but arrived at Frickley via Alfreton, while both Todd Jordan and Tyler Williams are midfield of defenders. Jordan was signed from Stocksbridge Park Steel, but came through Sheffield Wednesday Academy, Lincoln City, Alfreton and various other clubs, while winger Williams is another ex Alfreton player among various other clubs.

They seem somewhat short in the striking force with only three players in the current squad.  Nathan Jarman is another ex Sports player, but also had spells at Barnsley, Bury and Grimsby, before being signed from Lincoln Utd.

Brad Grayson has come from Stafford Rangers, he’s an ex Doncaster Rovers Junior and can play midfield too. He also has international experience having played in Sweden, Australia and the Philippines. 

Finally the experienced Jonathan Margetts, has seen plenty of Football League action, playing for Hull City, Cambridge Utd, Tranmere Rovers, Lincoln City and Scunthorpe.  

STRONG SHOWING ON FIRST HOME FRIENDLY

by Peter Scherer

For a change it was dry, sunny and a pleasant evening as Mickleover Sports welcomed Alfreton Town to the Don Amott Arena, for their first pre-season home match for 20/21.

Manager John McGrath went for a strong starting line-up

1 Joe Slinn 2- Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4- Mason Warren 5- James Butler 6 Phil Watt 7- Aman Verma 8- Ben Gowing 9 -Patrick Webb 10- Stuart Beavon 11- George Milner

Alfreton were straight on the attack and had a shot blocked within two minutes.

But Sports settled quite quickly and responded with a good build up with a shot from Milner just wide of the post.

When Webb found Bennett in space, a telling return pass allowed Webb to put Milner through, but his blocked attempt went out for a throw-in.

Webb had taken a knock and after about 15 minutes he went off and was replaced by Josh Satchwell.

Webb wasn’t the only one in the wars as Morris had to leave the field to have his head bandaged and on his return, seemed to be on the receiving end of some hard challenges.

It had been fairly even, but most of the play was just into the Mickleover half. But after 34 minutes Bennett had a shot from the right, which bounced off the Alfreton bar.

Only a minute later it was Alfreton’s turn to go close, when space to the left provided an opening for a shot just wide of the post.

There were probably more chances for Alfreton during the first half, but with the final ball letting them down, they went in 0-0 for half time.

Manager McGrath made one change for the second half initially with Elliot Murray on for Watt, whereas Alfreton manager Billy Heath opted for a whole side change, as he had done last weekend at Basford.

Sports started the second half strongly, with Milner shooting high over the bar, before his pass to Gowing, allowed Warren to shoot just wide.

The attacks continued when Verma put a good ball through to Milner, but he couldn’t find enough space to get a shot in.

Satchwell was the next to try his luck but after 51 mins Alfreton broke down the left after Verma lost possession, and the ball was into the area met with a powerful header from an Alfreton striker to give them a 1-0 lead.

Only a minute later Stuart Beavon was left in the clear and his shot was initially saved but the Alfreton keeper couldn’t hold it and it was 1-1.

Alfreton began to settle down again after Sports had dominated the first 10 minutes, but just after they had a shot straight at Slinn, Beavon almost found his way around the back of the defence.

Morris eventually came off just before the hour, with Beavon soon following, just after he had latched on to a cross from the right.

But Alfreton then went 2-1 up after a defensive mix up, where Slinn was unable to get to the ball in a crowded area.

It could have been another goal for Alfreton after they had outpaced the Sports defence, only to put the ball across the face of the goal.

But Mickleover still kept pressing forward, with a good build up just failing to connect with Milner, before Alfreton made another break with a shot straight at Slinn.

Alfreton did put the ball in the net after 79 mins, but it was ruled offside, before Gowing put Satchwell through only to have his shot blocked.

There had been a number of further substitutions for Mickleover, but they kept pressing forward, Gowing had wild shot over the bar, but Alfreton were almost through again before a saving tackle from Murray in the 86^th minute.

But with a minute left on the clock Murray was dispossessed and the Alfreton striker piled in a powerful shot, tipped over the bar by Slinn.

So it finished 1-2 but there were some promising performances, returnee Bennett looked strong throughout especially on the overlap and the tenacity of Milner was a continuous threat for the Alfreton defence.

Next game is away at Frickley Athletic on Saturday, before returning to the Don Amott Arena next Tuesday when Guiseley are the visitors.

by Peter Scherer

Tonight we welcome Alfreton Town to the Don Amott Arena, for the National League North teams second match of this pre-season.

Alfreton hadn’t played a match since March before visiting Basford United last Saturday.

They used the match to field almost two completely different teams for each half and came away as 1-0 winners thanks to a Jake Day penalty in the first half.

The weather is forecast to be dry and about 15C at kick off time 7.45 and limited spectators are welcome, 300 maximum.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC travelled to Coalville Town last Friday for another pre-season friendly, their third in a week.

Unfortunately the weather was akin to Tuesday’s defeat at Dunkirk FC and made any hope of good football particularly difficult in the continuous rain.

Sports went behind after 17 minutes when Coalville’s Luke Shaw was on hand when keeper Joe Slinn had difficulty holding on to the slippery ball.

It was 1-0 at half-time before Coalville had a goal disallowed for offside.

Both sides had chances and there were some near misses at both ends, before Coalville got a second goal in the 89^th minute to seal their home win, with a rebound after Slinn had foiled the initial attempt.

by Peter Scherer

Gale force winds and driving rain just didn’t invite good football and Sports suffered as a consequence, losing 5-1 to Dunkirk FC last night.

There were a few changes from last weekends 1-0 win against Tamworth, but it was still fairly strong line-up.

Joe Slinn 2- Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4- John McGrath 5- Pablo Mills 6- James Butler 7- Elliot Murray 8- Andrew Wright 9 – George Milner 10- Stuart Beavon 11- Aman Verma

It was Mickleover that mounted the early attacks, with George Milner looking particularly sharp. But it was Dunkirk that had the first real shot, over the bar after four minutes.

Dunkirk started to come forward more and had the first corner a couple of minutes later, which went straight out of play.

Bennett responded with a positive run into the Dunkirk area, one of many he had during the first half.

Dunkirk had another chance when they put a free kick over the bar, before Milner put Bennett through for Mickleover on the 10 minute mark , but after a promising the pass to Beavon, the striker was tripped in the area.

There was no penalty and Beavon needed treatment before continuing.

McGrath was leading the way in midfield and followed up with a shot over the bar, while a good turn from Verma five minutes later was given as offside as he put a piercing ball through the Dunkirk defence.

As the Mickleover interpassing started to pay dividends, Milner had another good run, before Bennett had a good shot blocked. The ball then bounced around the Dunkirk area, before being cleared.

The attacks started to increase and 24 minutes in Bennett was fouled three times in one run, before Milner went close, but no free kick in the offing.

Wright then went close too after a short free kick, he fired just over the bar.

Dunkirk started to come back into the game more in the last 15 minutes of the first half and put one shot across the face of the Mickleover goal.

Verma had a crack from just outside the area for Sports and was just wide, before Butler put Beavon through, passing to Milner who shot just wide.

Mickleover had their chances and for most of the game Butler, Mills and Murray had held tight to repel Dunkirk’s attacks.

But on 35 minutes a defensive mix up left a Dunkirk striker in space and he took the chance to make it 1-0.

Five minutes later Dunkirk went close again, before a penalty was awarded with about two minutes left on the clock.

Slinn almost got a hand to the slippery ball, but it was 2-0 to Dunkirk and a disappointing end to the first half.

There was no sign of either the wind or rain relenting in the second half, but in the opening minutes there were two more goals. Dunkirk had gone 3-0 up before Bennett had a shot which went under the keeper to pull one back.

But the previously strong looking defensive were caught flat footed again only minutes later and it 4-1 to Dunkirk.

A number of the substitutes came in to play, but it was Beavon posing the main threat to the Dunkirk defence. He had a couple of shots saved, before dispossessing a defender and putting his shot straight at the keeper after 17 minutes.

Verma had another positive run before he was fouled on the edge of the box, but the free kick went straight into the wall, before Mills rebound shot was blocked.

Butler then went just wide with a header from a corner kick, before Dunkirk made it 5-1 with a powerful shot that gave Slinn no chance.

The tenacity of the Dunkirk seemed to upset the Mickleover rhythm, often catching them out on breaks. Dunkirk’s random shooting also caused a few problems, compared with the more gradual build up that Sports favoured.

There were chances but on this occasion it just wasn’t Sports night and they he will be hoping for better luck and weather at Coalville Town on Friday evening.

by Peter Scherer

It’s starting to get serious as the Northern Premier League season rapidly approaches.

Fixture announcements are imminent and the Mickleover FC pre-season build-up reaches it’s peak with three games in a week, starting with Tamworth on Saturday, followed by Dunkirk on Tuesday and Coalville on Friday 28^th.

The new signings are starting to familiarise themselves with the rest of the squad and training is intensifying. 

Here are a few images and from last nights training session on a damp but thankfully rain free evening.

Over the coming weeks we will be building up the profiles of each squad player on the website, so BRING ON 20/21!