WE’VE HAD THE TORNADO, WE’VE HAD THE FLOODS, WE’VE GOT THE VIRUS, JUST WAITING FOR THE PLAGUE OF RATS?

by Peter Scherer

So the Northern Premier league lasted one week more than the superstars in the Premiership, but once Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for the Coronavirus, the inevitable came to suspend all football until April 3^rd.

Sadly a waterlogged pitch last Saturday claimed yet another of Mickleover Sports home fixtures, when Hyde United were due to visit. But where does that leave things?

Originally Sports final game of the season was due on April 25^th away to Radcliffe, to allow time for the play-offs. But currently having played 29 games out of seasons 42, there remains eight home games and five away games still un-played

We are 15^th in the league with games in hand due to the torrential rain over the last couple of months though.

There are talks of the season being void and just starting again for 2020/21. Others have suggested just finishing off the remaining games when the all clear is given, but there is no definitive answer that would satisfy everyone.

Looking on the bright side and the future with a 3G pitch, which should end the waterlogged postponement that have plagued this season.

It’s been a tough year for Sports first team, but before the rain and storms intervened, they were on the edge of the play-offs.

The reserve side top the Central Midlands League Division One South, and are in the Divisional Cup Final and still in contention for the Presidents Cup.

Not forgetting the Academy, where Sports have two sides, one top of their league and one in second place, but both in the Cup Semi-finals, which could easily provide an all Sports final.

So April 3^rd is the next review date, so it’s no football until then, but any further news will be forwarded as soon as it is known.

_________

You can read the NPL’s official statement here

Unfortunately, today’s match against Hyde United has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Bring on our 3G pitch next year!

SPORTS SET TO SEEK OUT HYDE

by Peter Scherer

Following Tuesday nights farcical defeat at Ashton Utd, and the postponement of the home game against Basford On Thursday, Mickleover Sports will be hoping that the pitch is fit, no health warning limit’s are applied and they take away three points from the visiting Hyde Utd.

Hyde lost 2-1 at Morpeth on Tuesday, but took three points off Matlock Town last Saturday and currently lie 10^th in the Northern Premier League, five points ahead but having played four games more.

So let’s take a look at our visitors. Former leading goalscorer Tom Pratt captains the Hyde Team, which has a mixture of youth and experience.

Lloyd Allinson is currently their first choice keeper. The ex Huddersfield player has also had spells at Chesterfield, FC United and Nantwich, before being signed from Gainsborough Trinity.

He has competition from James Hodges though, back in his second spell at the club after resigning from Tadcaster.

Defender Bradley Roscoe started his career at Preston North End and also played for Fleetwood before Hyde picked him up from Buxton.

He is joined in the defence by the well-travelled Ashley Young. A signing late last year from FC United, Young is another returnee, but has had spells in the Welsh League with Bangor City, Rhyl and Aberystwyth.

Tom Dean is also a defender they signed from Clitheroe, but had previously seen action with FC United, Mossley and Buxton too.

Kyle Brownhill had been at Hyde a number of times, but the experienced defender starting off at Stockport County and Burnley, before a spell at Ramsbottom preceded his last move.

Jordan Fagbola is another defender that came from FC United about a year ago. He started at Rochdale but arrived via Stockport, Colwyn Bay and Solihull Moors.

With a number of injuries and suspension, Hyde have taken ex Fulham midfielder Will McCamley on loan from Huddersfield Town, as well as promoting juniors Sam Summerbee, Max Pritchard, Joshua Churchman and Hamid Addai to the first team squad.

Striker Paddy Lane is a product of Hyde’s own Academy, along with defender Jack McConville.

Sheffield United loanee Reece York is in line for a place in midfield, he started his career at Fulham, while the Blades have also loaned out Senegalese midfielder Iliman Ndiaye, who began his football at Boreham Wood.

Jack Dyche and Liam Tongue are also midfieders.  Dyche came from Leeds United Juniors and Scunthorpe, before his non league career started at Ashton. He came to Hyde from Guiseley. Tongue signed from Stalybridge Celtic after an apprenticeship at Stockport.

Star striker Chris Sharp has scored a Champions League goal against Anderlecht when he played for TNS in the Welsh League. He also represented England C and played for numerous North Western and Welsh clubs before joining Hyde from FC United.

Finally Kielen Adams is another loanee striker, but from Oldham, after they had signed him from Bradford City Academy.

Unfortunately, tonight’s match against Basford United has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitched.

by Peter Scherer

With Sports smarting from the defeats against United FC and Ashton Utd in the last week, they face a Basford Utd team tomorrow night that have also hit a rough patch.

Having gone into last weekend’s game at home to Buxton, their 2-0 defeat dropped them to fourth, with only one win from the last five games for Steve Chettle’s men.

Former Derby County Junior Kane Richards has been scoring regularly for our Nottinghamshire visitors, while among the rest of the Basford line-up are Scottish goalkeeper Kieran Preston, an ex Bristol Rovers player, who was signed from Grantham.

Callum Chettle, son of manager and ex Nottingham Forest favourite Steve, began his career at Forest, but also numbers Peterborough Utd amongst his former clubs.

Midfielder James Reid also started at Forest and since played for NPL side Gainsborough Trinity, similarly Matt Thornhill, who after leaving Forest played for Hibernian, after loan spells at Brighton and Cheltenham.

Polish born Stefan Galinski came from Grantham, but started his playing career at Derby County and has played for Alfreton Town too.

Defender Brad Gascoigne came in from Barwell last season, but has been on the injured list recently, while Courey Grantham is a longer serving player in his fifth year at the club, having signed from Heanor Town.

Ex Derby County Academy player Zak Goodson has also returned to the club after a loan period at Newark to join their striking force, he should be joined by ex Coalville ace Nat Watson.

For Sports it should be a home debut for Jordan Young, the former Swindon Town midfielder is on loan from Coventry City.

Also Harrison Davison-Hale could be between the sticks, if Nathan Broome is unavailable. Davison-Hale debuted at Ashton and is a former Huddersfield Town Junior.

SPORTS FALL FOUL OF DUBIOUS REFEREEING

by Peter Scherer

It may be cliché but Mickleover Sports Northern Premier League visit to Ashton United was certainly a game of two halfs.

In the opening minute of the game Jordan Young, Sports Coventry City loanee shot just wide.

Ashton had their early chances too, with a free kick sent high over the bar after four minutes, followed by shot’s from Sheridan and Brewster both blocked by the Sports defence.

Stuart Beavon then made a break but lacked support, before Hardcastle came back for Ashton, sending his shot well wide.

The partnership between Beavon and Webb continued to cause problems for the Ashton defence, but a through ball although splitting the defence, was just out of Webb’s reach.

Ashton’s Ludofu was first in the book, but Hardcastle followed up with a couple of random shot off target.

But Sports began to take control of midfield, with Beavon going close after a corner. Karel Tvaroh was then sent on a telling run by Mason Warren, Webb collected the ball but a shout of handball as the defender challenge went unrewarded.

A minute later Kemy Agustien was brought down, before a Webb managed to chip Ashton’s keeper Hartley, only for Sass-Davies to clear his effort off the line.

But after 21 minutes Sports pressure finally paid off, as Beavon and Young moved the play forward, Webb chested it down, turned and volleyed into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Ashton almost equalised a minute later, when Durrell Berry cleared, before Wilson’s shot on the rebound went wide.

Webb was continuously causing problems for Ashton, with long balls providing excellent service. Scott was the first Sports player in the book, but on the half hour Ashton seemed to rediscover their attack.

Hardcastle, Wilson and Rowney all went close for the home side, before Webb went just wide from a Scott cross for Sports.

Turner and Freeman combined well to keep the Ashton strikers out, and after 36 minutes Webb was just short of collecting a rebound from a Beavon shot, beaten away by Hartley.

The momentum was back in Sports favour as the half time whistle approached, with Webb’s shot onto the roof of the net from another Beavon cross, but a couple of breaks saw Hardcastle hit the Sports post, before play was held up with the referee requiring treatment.

The referee was replaced by one of his assistants, while one of Ashton’s media men ran the line. But little would anyone have realised how the game was to take a sour turn.

Sports had a dangerous free kick in the early minutes of the second half after Webb was fouled. The kick was put out for a corner, which Scott took and put back into the box before his shot was saved by Hartley.

Freeman was the first booking for the stand in referee, but after Webb a shot straight at the Ashton keeper, Scott put the ball across the face of the goal and Thomsett then went close for Ashton.

But on 63 minutes a Rowney cross seemed to confuse the defence and found its way passed debutant keeper Harrison Davison-Hale into the back of the net.

Ashton’s McHale tried a spectacular bicycle kick which went just wide of the post and Freeman won the ball from a Warren corner, but his effort easily collected by Hartley.

Hardcastle was then on the attack again and had touch with Freeman, which the referee decided was a penalty. Agustien led the barrage of Sports players disputing the decision and received a double yellow card, before Wilson put the penalty away to give Ashton the lead.

With Marcus Calderone on for Freeman and Andy Wright on for Scott, there was another penalty appeal from Ashton. Turner was then pushed in the Ashton penalty area and despite appeals they were turned away and Turner joined the yellow cards a few minutes later.

It wasn’t long before the referee did award another penalty, but for Ashton again, after McHale went down easily from a Calderone challenge. Wilson scored again and despite a desperate effort from the 10 men of Sports, it remained 1-3.

Just to add the card collection Mason Warren was straight red carded for an innocuous challenge

So three yellow cards two red cards, two penalties concluded a second half of less than memorable non-league football.

FOUR GAMES IN EIGHT DAYS FOR SPORTS!!

by Peter Scherer

The welcome dry spell has been most welcomed, but now it means Mickleover Sports have four games in eight days.

Following the disappointing defeat at home to FC United last Saturday, Sports travel to Ashton Utd on Tuesday evening.

Ashton are currently 18^th in the Northern Premier League, five points behind Sports, following their 2-0 home win last Saturday against Scarborough Athletic.

Ashton have a number of ex Oldham Athletic players and a great deal of experience in their squad.

Goalkeeper Greg Hartley is ex Manchester City and won the FA Youth Cup during his 10 years with them. He then played in the US including semi pro with Chattanooga, before returning to the UK as Oldham’s goalkeeping coach and joined Ashton from Atherton Collieries.

Defender Stavros Tserpes is Australian born and had trials with AFC Bournemouth. He has played most of his football in the North West, including Tranmere and Accrington.

John Pritchard is one of the ex Oldham players, but has rejoined Ashton for a second time from Chester. He is a midfield or defensive player.

Starting off at Stockport County Gianluca Havern was signed last year from Bradford Park Avenue. The defender played at Mansfield too plus a number of the North Western clubs.

Defender Jonathan Hunt was a long serving player at Curzon Ashton and rose to being the clubs captain, before signing for Ashton, while Billy Sass-Davies is one of the younger players, currently on loan from Crewe Alexandra. The defender has been out on several loan spells during his time at Gresty Road.

Michael Brewster is another ex Oldham midfielder. He came in from Atherton Collieries, but again spent most of his career with various North Western clubs, but did have a spell at St.Mirren!

Chris Rowney is ex Oldham midfielder too, he had six years at Curzon Ashton, before returning to Mossley, prior to his current move to Ashton.

Sam Sheridan is in his third year at Ashton, the midfielder came in from Altrincham, but has played at Stockport, Southport, Chorley and FC United too.

Blackburn Rovers Academy set Louis Almond on his way, before joining Blackpool from where he had a number of loan spells. The striker was signed from Chorley in 2018.

Steven Tames even tasted Europa League football during his time at Bala Town. The prolific goalscorer has also played for a number of the North Western clubs, before leaving Bala for Ashton.

In last Saturday’s win Josh Wilson scored both goals. He joined Ashton from Chorley in July last year, having started at Northwich.

Midfielder Liam Thomsett was signed from Curzon Ashton, but had a number of loans whilst on Blackpoll’s books.

Ben Hardcastle came through Morecambe’s youth team and was team manager Michael Clegg’s first signing’s when they both joined Ashton from Atherton Collieries.

Finally Rumanian Casian Anghel played his early football with FC Voluntari and Dinamo Bucharest, but has now settled in the North West.

Kick-off is 7.45, with Sports keen to come away unscathed, with home games against Basford Utd and Hyde Utd on Thursday and Saturday respectively.

SPORTS OUTCLASSED BY TITLE CONTENDERS

by Peter Scherer (Photo: Sarah Middleton)

It was just one of those days for Mickleover Sports and with United FC’s Nigerian born striker Tunde Owolabi in top form, they were never in with a shout.

There was only three minutes gone when Adam Dodd and Charlie Ennis combined down the left, before a telling cross allowed Owolabi to find the net from close range.

Four minutes later it was nearly a second, when Owolabi hit the bar from an Ennis free kick.

Sports defence continued to be on the retreat and it was almost 10 minutes before they made a break from their own area.

But with Owolabi easily outpacing Dean Freeman, he was heading goal wards again after 14 minutes, but this time his effort was wide of Nathan Broome’s right hand post.

A couple of minutes later Patrick Webb led Sports first real attack, but was foiled before he was able to shoot. But Sports had a penalty shout turned down from another Webb attack, when he was fouled chasing a through ball.

Webb had another attempt blocked before attention changed to the other end, where Broome and United’s Chris Doyle collided after a free kick. Fortunately Sports keeper was able to continue after treatment.

It was still proving tough for Sports midfield to provide any service to the strikers, but after Stuart Beavon was fouled, Mason Warren put his free kick wide.

Aman Verma then latched onto a Beavon cross to put his header just over, but the action soon turned again in United’s favour.

Owolabi had hit the post before it was cleared off the line, but in injury time he blasted his second high into the top corner.

Initially it was a more even start to the second half, but United’s Aaron Morris had a shot over the bar and Ennis had a shot straight at Broome.

Karel Tvaroh came on for Andy Wright on the hour and almost immediately put a ball into the box to force United keeper Cameron Belford into action.

But Sports kept up their challenge with Beavon darting away, before his cross to Webb was cut out by Belford. Webb then put a Tvaroh cross over from close range.

It wasn’t long before Broome was busy again, he saved a shot Morgan Homson-Smith and then had an Owolabi rebound go close.

Sports made their second substitution on 66 minutes when Ricky Ravenhill replaced Verma, but United continued to control the game.

They went close when Broome was able to intercept after Owolabi charged through from his own half and a couple of minutes later he saved again from a Curtis Jones header.

With 10 minutes of normal time left, Owolabi completed what seemed to be an inevitable hattrick, with a rebound shot after his own first attempt was kept out by Broome.

Sports never gave up and made a further change when Durrell Berry was replaced by Josh Satchwell. But Adam Dodd smashed home United’s fourth after 88 minutes for a 4-0 win, which puts them in second place in the Northern Premier League table.

SPORTS LOOK TO DIVIDE UNITED!

by Peter Scherer

Thanks to a few dry spells over the last few days, Mickleover Sports will hopefully have the rare opportunity of hosting a home Northern Premier League game at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday, when they welcome title challengers United FC of Manchester.

Fresh from their tough 1-1 draw at Whitby last Tuesday, Sports still have a number of games in hand, whereas FC United currently lie third, after a 4-4 draw with Warrington last weekend.

Mike Potts captains FC United, the midfielder having started out a Blackburn Rovers youth team player, but joined United from Bamber Bridge in October 2018, having also numbered York City, AFC Fylde, Guiseley, Stalybridge Celtic, Bradford Park Avenue and Curzon Ashton among his former clubs.

The experienced Cameron Belford should be in goal, currently on loan from Nuneaton. He started out at Coventry City and played form a number of league clubs, including Bury, Southend Utd, Mansfield, Accrington, Wrexham and Forest Green and had a spell in Scotland too at Stranraer.

Aaron Morris is a central defender that Utd signed from Runcorn Linnets, while former Blackpool Junior Adam Dodd, and went out on loan to Altrincham, Ayr Utd and Chorley, before being released. His highlight was playing for Ayr at Hampden Park in a Scottish Cup semi-final.

Centre back Matthew Elsdon is another loanee, from Barrow. He played junior football with both Sunderland and Middlesbrough and also had a spell with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Fellow central defender Chris Doyle has spent most of his career in the North West. He came out of Everton’s Academy, to play at Morecambe, Chorley and Southport, before joining United from Marine.

Curtis Jones is another defender, who has travelled the UK football world. He played for Celtic under 21’s and Livingstone in Scotland, TNS in Wales, plus Stockport County and Bristol City among his English teams. He also scored the 90^th minute equaliser in last week’s Warrington match.

Right winger Morgan Homson-Smith has had spells at Harrogate, Prescot Cables and Southport before joining FC United and was another scorer last week, while prolific goal scorer Tunde Owolabi is always a danger in sight of goal.

The Nigerian born player was at Radcliffe before moving to play in Malta, he had also played for Hyde and scored last week and on his Utd FC debut.

Midfielder Paul “Charlie Ennis” came to Utd from Ashton Utd. He started out at Stockport, but has travelled via Buxton, Bala Town and Matlock amongst others.

Bolton Wanderers was the starting point for Striker Luke Griffiths, but he arrived at Utd from Prescot.

Dan Trickett-Smith once cost £300,000 when Liverpool bought him from Crewe Alexandra. The midfielder made one start in the Premiership but went across the Atlantic to play for Sacramento, before returning to the UK with Port Vale, from where Utd have him on loan.

Other members of their squad include Jack Lenehan, a former Rochdale Junior midfielder, who came in from Prescot and Finlay Sinclair-Smith. He played for Blackpool in League One, then loaned out to Widnes and Marine before finding a home with Utd.

Regan Linney came in from Bamber Bridge and Ben Kerr is a locally produced young defender.

United have the strongest core of traveling fans too, so this should be Sports biggest gate of the season!