by Girvane Bola

Lee Hughes’s delicate lob proved to be the highlight in a hard-fought game which saw Mickleover win 1-0 over Scarborough Athletic.

Hughes’ fourth goal of the season saw Mickleover continue their great form which has seen Sports now unbeaten in four games which leaves Scarborough are now winless in their last six.

The first half saw the game struggled to get going with both teams having possession but not being able to create chances. This included a Pablo Mills’ header cleared off the line from Mason Warren’s corner and Jake Scott heading over from close range.

The next minute saw Jiri Boula winning the header leading to a perfectly lofted ball by Warren which found Hughes who beautifully lobbed it over goalkeeper Thomas Taylor to give Sports the lead. 

Hughes could have gotten his and the team’s second when he found himself on goal, but Taylor saved his shot from a tight angle. This was the start of a Mickleover onslaught, which saw Max Watters beat multiple defenders and had his effort saved and an effort saved brilliantly by Taylor once again.

The second half saw the visitors have a host of chances. James Walshaw had his shot saved by keeper Nathan Broome and Paul Walker’s volley just metres away. As we approached the hour mark, Mickleover needed a second goal to calm nerves down. 

That could have happened in the 69th minute when Max Watters found himself through, but, fired it wide off the far post. Hughes again could have gotten his second goal of the game, dribbling past one defender saw his shot again saved by Taylor. 

Nathan Modest played a one-two with Stuart Beavon which saw Modest’s effort saved before Scarborough Athletic had a late chance to rescue a point for the visitors, but Broome made a superb save from Paul Walker’s free kick.

Mickleover will believe that they deserved the win in a very physical game where they could have scored two or three.

Mickleover Sports will want to stretch their unbeaten run to five games when they face Morpeth Town at the Dan Amott Arena on October 8th.

 

Line-ups: 

Mickleover Sports: 1. Nathan Broome 2. Durrell Berry 3. Ben Turner 4. Mason Warren 5. Pablo Mills 6. Greg Young 7. Max Watters (Nathan Modest 73) 8. Jake Scott (C) 9. Lee Hughes 10. Stuart Beavon 11. Jiri Boula 45 (John McGrath 62’) 

Subs: 12. Karel Tvaroh 13. Louis Jones 14. Ricky Ravenhill 15. John McGrath 16. Nathan Modest 

Yellow Cards: Jiri Boula & Greg Young 

Scarborough Athletic: 1. Thomas Taylor 2. Kian Spence. 3. Dom Roma 4. Peter Davidson 5. Josh Barrett (Wayne Brooksby 45’) 6. Issac Assenso 7. Ryan Watson (George Walsmley) 8. Chris Dawson 64 9. James Walshaw 10. Michael Coulson (C) 11. Paul Walker

Subs: 12. T’Nique Fishley 13. Tom Morgan 14. Wayne Brooksby 15. George Walsmley 16. David Merris 

Yellow Cards: Thomas Taylor, Chris Dawson and Wayne Brooksby

Referee: A. Nelson Assistant referees: W Booth & W Gray

by Laurie Newman

Mickleover Sports move up to 6^th place after defeating Hyde United thanks to a late winner from Stuart Beavon.

Lee Hughes also scored his third goal for Sports in as many games in addition to Nathan Modest scoring his first for the club since he was signed in the summer.

Sports had an early scare when Harry Bennis crossed the ball into the box at a ferocious pace. Fortunately for the away team though it was too high for anyone to latch onto and it went out for a throw.

Lee Hughes scored just after the five minute mark when Stuart Beavon crossed the ball from the far side. Hughes managed to find himself unmarked which allowed him to head the ball into the top right hand corner.

Sports seemed to be on a mission and were desperate to add another. Ben Turner nearly scored after he blasted the ball towards the goal. Unfortunately the ball flew across the face and away from the back of the net.

Around fifteen minutes in Lee Hughes landed badly on his shoulder after trying to win a header and was forced off through injury. It was a big loss at the time but ultimately his successor Nathan Modest would come up with the goods later on in the game.

The substitution would prove to be a turning point as Sports found it hard to penetrate Hyde who seized control of the game.

Tom Pratt came close after his shot with the outside of his foot curled towards the bottom right hand corner only for it to steer away from the post at the last minute.

Martyn Woolford’s acrobatic attempt also came close but in the end it flew over the bar.

Against the run of play, Mickleover nearly doubled their lead after Stuart Beavon’s shot from just inside the box fizzed across the six yard box but it agonisingly went just wide of the corner.

Sports managed to get themselves back into the game but before they could gain any more momentum the half time whistle blew.

The second half kicked off and within a minute Nathan Modest scored for the visitors. Modest scored after he poked the ball past Luke Mewitt from a few yards out following a lofted ball over Hyde’s back four.

Around ten minutes later Dan Turner managed to grab a goal back for the hosts after he blasted the ball into the roof of the net and past Nathan Broome from just inside the box.

Both teams continued to threaten the other but it would take until the 74^th minute for a goal to be scored. 

Hyde’s captain Tom Pratt would equalise for his side after firing the ball just past the inside of the post meaning that at that point Sports would be going home with just a point.

Sports however, wouldn’t give up without a fight but neither would Hyde. Nathan Broome kept Sports in the game after his miraculous save to the top left hand corner denied Hyde a winner. 

Stuart Beavon would be the real hero though. With just a few minutes to go Max Watters crossed the ball in towards the box where Beavon was waiting. Somehow he chested the ball down and as if in slow motion the ball dropped down perfectly for him to shoot. The ball then curled away from the keeper and went in off the post which sent the Mickleover players, staff and fans wild.

The final whistle blew shortly after and everyone associated with Mickleover could let a sigh of relief go after a tense last few minutes.

by Laurie Newman        (Photo: gainsboroughtrinity.com)

Mickleover Sports shared the points with Gainsborough Trinity at The Northolme on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw.

Lee Hughes scored his second goal in as many games for Sports, in addition to Max Watters scoring on his debut against his former club. 

Mickleover will be ruing their missed opportunities in front of goal that could have seen them win two away games on the spin. In addition to the missed opportunities the game was full of controversy as Ross Hannah was not sent off for his obvious elbow on Ben Turner.

Gainsborough started the livelier team due to the home fans roaring them on. They controlled the ball for the majority of the opening ten minutes and were the first of the two teams to create a chance.

A free kick on the far side was asking for a touch towards goal, but the pace of the ball ensured that it fizzed past everyone.

Sports retaliated quickly though when Lee Hughes hit the side netting from a very tight angle after he sprung on to a loose ball.

Mickleover would soon take the lead as they started to gain a bit of momentum. It all came after Stuart Beavon’s low cross from the right hand side was flicked on towards the far corner by Max Watters. The ball was tipped away but it landed at the feet of Lee Hughes who then smashed the ball into the roof of the net from only a few yards out.

Sports nearly latched on to another loose ball which could have seen the away side through on goal with only the keeper to beat but luckily for Gainsborough they managed to recover and dust off any chance of going two goals behind.

There were no real chances for the next fifteen minutes but the host managed to equalise on the 36^th minute after Ashley Worsfold’s header from a few yards out finds the back of the net.

The remainder of the half was relatively quiet with neither team threatening the other.

The hosts nearly took the lead after just one minute of the half time whistle when Ross Hannah’s shot from outside the box went just wide of the bottom left hand corner.

Despite nearly going behind Sports retook the lead a few minutes later when Max Watters thumped the ball into the bottom right hand corner from outside the box. Watters, who had been vital in the build up to Sports’ first goal found himself scoring on his debut against his former club.

Just like the first half there were large spells where both teams couldn’t create any chances and it took until around the 60^th minute for either team to threaten the other.

Nathan Broome saved Ashley Worsfold’s shot from outside the box to keep Mickleover’s lead still intact and then Stuart Beavon nearly scored from a few yards out but George Willis managed to make himself big and keep his side in the game.

Sports and Gainsborough were both leaving it late and the hosts nearly found themselves dead and buried with five minutes to go when Nathan Modest found himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat.

Modest who had lots of time to think about which corner to choose, fired the ball towards the bottom right hand corner but George Willis firmly palmed the ball away for a corner.

The dying few minutes were tense for both teams and Gainsborough should have finished the game with ten men after Ross Hannah who had been a threat all game elbowed Ben Turner in the face.

Sports just couldn’t hold onto their lead as the pressure from Gainsborough appeared to be too much for them to handle. Simon Russell scored for the hosts after he fired the ball into the bottom left hand corner from just inside the box.

Mickleover had little to no time to create a chance to win the game and would have left feeling that they deserved more.

Mickleover Sports are delighted to announce the loan signing of Max Watters who joins us from League One outfit Doncaster Rovers.

Max is an exciting player who has been tracked by manager John McGrath for a while now and we’re confident he will be a great addition to the team.

Max will be available for tomorrow’s game at Gainsbrough should the manager call upon his services.

Finally we would like to thank Doncaster Rovers and Darren Moore for their assistance in making this move happen.

Tonight’s game against Nantwich has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Mickleover Sports have signed Stuart Beavon, ex Coventry City and Burton Albion Striker, on a season long loan from Nuneaton Borough. Manager John McGrath will be hoping Beavon’s talent and experience will help bolster the Sports attack.

by Laurie Newman

Mickleover Sports were defeated one-nil by Ashton United at home despite having a one man advantage for the majority of the game.

Mickleover Sports will be kicking themselves after today’s match as they had countless opportunities to draw level with the visitors who picked up their first league win of the season at the Don Amott Arena.

Ashton United took an early lead thanks to Aaron Smith after he dribbled the ball from inside his own half until he was just inside Mickleover’s box. He then stroked the ball past Nathan Broome and into the bottom right hand corner.

Sports nearly went two goals behind within a few minutes of the opener after Callum Dolan’s shot from inside the box nearly found the bottom left hand corner.

Ashton United were on the front foot as they had a number of opportunities to double their lead but the game was flipped on its head when Joshua Wilson brought down Nathan Modest after he was played in on goal with just the keeper to beat. 

The extra man advantage allowed Mickleover to dominate the ball for the remainder of the half but they failed to create any real chances for the remainder of the half apart from a header by Richard Batchelor at the back post which was saved by David Carnell.

Sports came out all guns blazing in the second half. They could have equalised within a minute of the referee’s whistle when Declan Bacon found himself inside the box with the ball at his feet, but he failed to get his shot away quickly and was subsequently tackled.

Mickleover were on the front foot and they continued to press Ashton and put them under pressure. Richard Batchelor nearly scored for Sports as he found himself at eh far post again but this time he couldn’t direct the ball towards the goal.

Sports had a few chances in quick succession. The first came from Lee Hughes when he nearly guided the ball into the top left corner from a tight angle after a quick throw in. The second came from Jack Storer whose shot was headed away after making his way past three players inside the box.

Declan Bacon who wasted a great chance in the first half would go on to squander two more chances before the end of the match.

Bacon’s first opportunity came when he shot straight at the keeper after being played in behind the back four by Batchelor and his second came when his volley from inside the box was easily saved in the centre of the goal.

Sports didn’t conjure up any more clear cut chances for the remainder of the match which left them kicking themselves after wasting numerous opportunities to equalise. If Sports did equalise they would have most likely went on to win the game.

Sports missed a great opportunity to move up the table as well as losing their 100% win ratio at home. There is now a long break before the next game which will be a great time to regroup and prepare for the next game.

by Laurie Newman   (photo: granthamtownfc.com)

Mickleover Sports were held to a draw at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium as Grantham Town’s early goal was enough to earn a point for the home side.

The goal scorer for Grantham was none other than former Sports striker Chib Chilaka who takes his goal tally to two goals in as many games for the Gingerbreads.

Sports started off the better team as just two minutes into the game Lee Hughes thought he scored his first goal for Sports. Hughes beat his man to direct the ball into the top corner after a corner from Mason Warren, but unfortunately for him the linesman ruled it out for offside.  

Sports continued to dominate possession and it wasn’t long until they produced another fine chance. Lee Hughes again headed the ball towards the top corner but it was dramatically cleared away for a corner. 

Grantham Town started to get themselves into the game a little bit more. Chib Chilaka was one player who definitely stood out for the home side and it clearly looked like he was out to prove a point.  He first tested Mickleover with a shot from distance that caught everyone by surprise as it nearly found the top corner.

It was only a few minutes later though, when Chilaka would break the deadlock. He curled the ball into the top corner from a tight angle after forcing his way past Durrell Berry. 

Mickleover didn’t sit back despite going a goal behind. Lee Hughes was again at the forefront of Mickleover’s attacks when his powerful shot from inside the box was parried away for a corner.

Grantham were very clearly trying to hold onto their lead by any means necessary which made it increasingly hard for Mickleover to penetrate into their final third.

It wasn’t until the end of the half until Mickleover started to worry Grantham Town. Lee Hughes was clearly brought down in the box as he turned the defender marking him meaning that Sports would have a chance to level the score before the break.

The referee blew his whistle, but somehow not in favour of Mickleover who were shocked along with everyone else in the stadium about the decision that was made.

The first half ended in controversy and Sports were undeservedly trailing, but thankfully they had the second half to try and level things up.

Just like the first half, Mickleover hit the ground running. Even though the chance amounted to nothing Lee Hughes’ back heel from a cross nearly crept into the far corner of Grantham’s goal.

Although Grantham didn’t have many chances during the game they did force a fantastic save out of Louis Jones who was forced to save a header that was flicked right into the top corner.

Declan Bacon who had a quiet first half came close on a couple of occasions with one shot going just a few yards wide of the post and another going just a few yards over the bar.

Sports would eventually get their goal. Top goal scorer Mason Warren who had dictated the play like he does every game for Mickleover scored in the 81^st minute to level things up.

His powerful shot from outside the box caught everyone off guard including Grantham’s keeper as it flew like a rocket into the back of the net.

Sports pushed for a winner and they nearly got one when Captain Jake Scott had a header tipped over the bar with only a few minutes of normal time left.

Although they deserved more from the game, a point keeps Mickleover close to the playoffs in 8^th place. They will entertain Ashton United in their next game at the Don Amott Arena where they will hope to keep their 100% win ratio going.