by Peter Scherer

After six league games without a win, Mickleover will be hoping to turn the tide as we welcome Boldmere St.Michael’s to the Don Amott Arena on Saturday.

Back in August our visit to Boldmere was our first win of the season, 2-1 with goals from Stuart Beavon and Danny Benson.

Last Saturday it was another late soft goal that lost us the home win over Racing Club Warwick, after a dominant second half. It was a surprise to see Jake Bennett back in action too, as he was expected to be out for the rest of the season. Danny Gordon remains out injured though, but both Jay Alexander and Luke McCormick both made good impressions on their debuts.

Our visitors are level on points with Sports, but behind on goal difference. Their current form is very good though, unbeaten in 2026 apart from visits to Basford and Carlton.

Ben Roberts has been in charge for just over a year, after starting his term as caretaker.

First choice goalkeeper is Jonathan Brown, a vastly experienced player who started his career at Boldmere back in 2014. He spent much of his career at Kidderminster, with various loan spells, before a permanent move to Sutton Coldfield in 2018. Stafford, Alvechurch, Bromsgrove and Hednesford followed, before rejoining Sutton Coldfield, from where he rejoined Boldmere for the start of last season.

Frankie Ealing is a right back who started out at Aston Villa, but following his release he spent last season in the Welsh League with Aberystwyth, until joining our visitors in February 2025.

Centre back Pedro Lima returned to the club in December, after starting the season at Rushall Olympic. He has also played for Sutton Coldfield.

Kye Bilton is another centre back and former Burton Albion Junior, who joined our visitors at the end of last season.

Aris Christophorou was originally signed from Sutton Coldfield in August 2022, but made the return trip 10 months later. An ex Walsall Junior and Cyprus Under 19 international, he’s also played for Nuneaton Borough, Stourbridge, Stafford Rangers and Rushall and rejoined our visitors during the festive period.

Daniel O’Callaghan is a midfielder and club captain, signed in pre-season from Chasetown. He has previously played for Rushall and Sutton Coldfield too.

Central midfielder Jack Burgess started this season at Rushall, before arriving at Boldmere in December. He’s also played for Sutton Coldfield, Stafford Rangers and Walsall Wood.

Kyle Byrne is a winger signed from Shifnal Town in December, while Lewi Burnside only arrived earlier this month. He was a junior at Aston Villa and also played for Lichfield City, before joining our visitors from Chasetown.

Striker Charlie Manners came from Walsall Wood in November 2024, having previously been at Coventry City.

Tolani Omotola is well travelled striker, who joined Boldmere from Bedworth last November. He started out at Tranmere Rovers and among his previous clubs are Coalville, Corby, Barwell, Hyde Utd, Carlton and Long Eaton. Boldmere are his third club this season, having starting it with Rushden & Diamonds.

Fellow striker James Tague joined our visitors in January. He started his junior career with Derby County and Mansfield, before joining Matlock following his release. He’s played for Gainsborough, Basford, Corby, Loughborough Dynamo, Sutton Coldfield and Anstey Nomads too and started this season at Belper Town.

Harry Crook is another returnee striker, and has also played for Chasetown, Dudley Town and Bromsgrove.

Former Walsall winger Jaiy Leydon joined our visitors last month from Coventry Sphinx. He’s also had a loan spell at Redditch.

Midfielders Ben Lund, Connor Armstrong and Fraser Doyle have also been starters in recent weeks and Ben Croot recently made his debut.

The usual bar and catering facilities will be available for our 3pm kick off, and as usual your support would be welcomed.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

After dominating most of the second half, Mickleover once again gave away a late sloppy goal to hand Racing Club Warwick a point on the road.

Starting line-up: 1-Jason Alexander 2-Danny Benson 3-Jake Bennett 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-Josh Ashman 7-Luke McCormick 8-Cieron Keane 9-Manni Norkett 10-Andy Dales 11-Will Smith. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Archie White, Paddy Webb, George Wilkinson, Josh Carter.

It was virtual stalemate for the whole of the first half with neither goalkeeper seriously threatened. Mickleover almost created a chance after 13 minutes, when Dales picked up a McCormick corner on the right. His chip into the box then only just missed Ashman’s head.

Six minutes later Norkett and Smith combined well and managed to force mistakes in the Warwick defence, before they regained their composure and cleared the danger.

It was end to end though, but both McCormick and Smith were looking threatening on the wings.

33 minutes and the ball broke kindly for Atkinson, who sent McCormick on another run. As he cut in he tried to find Smith, but that path was cut-off before McCormick’s rebound shot was blocked to earn a corner.

Warwick then made a break a minute later, which was blocked, before they earned a couple of free kicks, Keane headed away Ebbutt first effort, before Ashman did similarly with Hancocks kick.

But with one minute of normal time left, the ball was played straight down the middle, finding Dales, whose strike was just over the bar, but the closest yet from either side. Despite two minutes of added time it remained 0-0 as the half-time whistle went.

In the opening five minutes of the second half Opoku was lucky to stay on the pitch, after an aggressive elbow challenge. But after escaping with just a yellow card, he earned his second a couple of minutes later and the visitors were down to 10 men.

But Ebbutt managed to break through the defence after 52 minutes, Alexander saved his shot, with Benson then clearing the lines.

McCormick was then fouled on the edge of the box, but Keane’s free kick earned a corner, which was easily cleared. Dales then almost broke through in the 58th minute, but the ball didn’t fall nicely for the Mickleover skipper.

Norkett then had a shot blocked after McCormick put him through, before the debutant winger became the first change, being replaced by Carter after an impressive debut.

Carter was soon in action with his pace on the left, he crossed to find Smith, but keeper Allsopp pulled off a good save, before the play swapped ends again with Hamp heading wide from a corner on the left.

Carter, Bennett and Dales then combined to pile the pressure on the visitors defence, but the ball was hooked away before a final shot was made.

Wilkinson replaced Benson, but Sports were looking both stronger and more creative than they had in the first 45.

Carter was about a yard short of going one on one with keeper Allsopp after 67 minutes and then Atkinson was next to be subbed, with Beavon coming on.

Dales was starting to out pace the defence on the left, but as Mickleover took charge, the visitors defence became more aggressive with Dales the target of a bone crunching foul by Moore, going unpunished apart from a free kick.

The dominance finally paid off after 74 minutes, when Beavon took control to nicely drop the ball in Norkett’s path, who bravely sent in a low header passed the keeper to make it 1-0.

Just two minutes later there was scramble in the Mickleover box which could easily have fallen to a Warwick striker, but we survived and went back on the attack again.

Carter shot wide after 79 minutes, following a positive build up by Dales and Bennett and then two minutes later Beavon almost found Norkett’s head again.

But the best chance for a Mickleover second fell to Carter, who had almost an open goal, but put it wide of the right-hand post.

Norkett’s hard work was being blocked and Carter took the ball a bit too far on the right, as his cross was into the side netting. 85 minutes and Smith intercepted, sending Norkett through on goal. It was a good strike but the keeper saved one handed as it went out for a corner.

It had all been going Mickleover’s way, but the chances hadn’t gone in, and once again it proved costly. Poor defending on the left allowed Coyle to break through, but Alexander saved the initial shot, only for Hamp to be first to react to hit home the equaliser, 1-1.

With time running out to try and restore a lead, Keane found space and sent Norkett on a run, his cross was met by Beavon’s head but it was just over the bar.

But virtually on full time Warwick earned a free kick on the edge of the box, which fortunately saw Harding hit the final shot of the game over the bar.

It’s now seven games without a win for Mickleover and four without a point, as we prepare to face Boldmere St.Michaels at the Don Amott Arena next Saturday.

 

by Peter Scherer

After three successive defeats on the road, Mickleover’s hopes of a play-off place are all but over, as we now hope to regain a place in the top half of the table.

This weekend we welcome Racing Club Warwick to the Don Amott Arena. Our visitors are currently eighth in the table, four points ahead of Sports, after a 1-0 win at Coventry Sphinx on Tuesday night, with a game in hand. Mickleover have slipped to 12th after the 1-3 defeat at Carlton.

Back in November Warwick were 1-0 winners when we visited them, and Tuesday’s success was their second successive victory after going seven matches without, having recently changing management.

Jack Edwards and Chris Knott are now jointly in charge. Knott was previously in charge, before becoming interim manager at Leamington, while Edwards is still part of the first choice playing line-up after spending 11 years at Leamington.

Tom Allsopp is the current first choice goalkeeper, signed from Quorn last November. He started out at Solihull Moors and has also played for Darlaston.

Ryan Moore is a right back and ex Birmingham City youngster. He joined Redditch after his release, before spending two years at Sutton Coldfield. He joined our visitors in pre-season after four years at Bedworth.

Archie Hamp is in his fourth season with our hosts. A right back he previously played for Easington.

Jasper Tetlow was signed from Quorn in January. A tall centre back, he started his career at Lincoln City and has played for Loughborough Students and East Grinstead too.

Centre back and captain Kyle Barnett was signed from Bedworth in June 2023. He was previously with Daventry Town.

Kieron Dawes is another defender who came from Rushden & Diamonds in January. A Birmingham City youngster, he was loaned to Sutton Coldfield and Hednesford, before going to Coleshill following his release. He’s played for Stafford Rangers, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Stratford, Kettering, Spalding and Bedford Town too, before starting this season with City.

Dylan Barkers a central midfielder, who started his career with Solihull Moors. His next stops were Guiseley, Alvechurch and Cheltenham, where he stayed for two years and was loaned to Alvechurch, Leamington, Gloucester and Maidstone. He then moved to Hereford and Stratford, before starting last season at Stafford. He joined our visitors pre-season after brief stops at Rushall and another return to Alvechurch.

Joint manager Jack Edwards is a central midfielder too who came from Leamington in pre-season. He started out at Studley and played for Coventry Sphinx and Barwell before a three-year spell at Leamington. He had a brief stay at Solihull, but had spent the last eight years back at Leamington.

Callum Coyle is right sided midfielder too and has spent most of his career at Solihull Moors. He had loan spells at Sutton Coldfield, Romulus, Nuneaton, Halesowen and Grantham, before joining Stafford Rangers in a permanent move. He’s played for Rushall, Stratford and Stourbridge, before returning to Stafford in November 2024, moving to Warwick a month later.

Left sided midfielder James Hancocks came from Rugby Town in July 2022. He started out at Walsall, before moving onto Daventry Town, Cheltenham, Halesowen, Kidderminster and Stratford. He initially went to Rugby on loan before making his move permanent in July 2020.

Reece Blackmore is a midfielder, signed in October, but spent his first month at Atherstone Town to gain match fitness after an ACL injury. He previously spent seven seasons with Bedworth Utd.

Having arrived from Hednesford in September 2023, Ryan Andrews is midfielder too.

Striker Connor Taylor started out at Walsall too. He joined Nuneaton on his release and played for Tamworth, Leamington and Bromsgrove, before joining our visitors at the start of last season.

James Harding is another striker, signed in pre-season from Swindon Supermarine. He started at Hungerford and has played for Yate Town, and Bishops Cleeve too.

Aaron Opoku is a pre-season signing too, a striker from Eastwood. He’s also played for Stafford Rangers and Leek Town.

Fellow striker Cameron Ebbutt started at Birmingham City before moving to Bristol Rovers. He was loaned to Dorchester, Evesham and Yate Town before joining Hereford following his release. He then moved to Gloucester, Bromsgrove and Hednesford, before joining Warwick in October 2022 from Worcester.

Jordan Hayward is another striker who came from Coventry Sphinx in January. He had previously been at Malvern Town, Rugby Town, Pershore and Long Buckby.

Youngsters Ben Nash and Ben and Josh Flynn have also been in the squad this season, all graduates of our visitors own youth scheme.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm, BE THERE!!

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

TWO first half goals in a four-minute period ended Mickleover’s hopes of a result against top of the table Carlton Town.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Josh Ashman 3-Danny Benson 4-Will Atkinson 5-George Wilkinson 6-Brad Gascoigne 7-Josh Carter 8-Cieron Keane 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Will Smith 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Louis Bonser, Andy Dales, Liam Carter, Manni Norkett, Archie White.

Sports were forced to make one change following Danny Gordon’s injury at Shepshed last Saturday, restoring George Wilkinson to the starting line-up.

It was a fairly promising and even start to the game, with the Mickleover back four of Ashman, Wilkinson, Gascoigne and Benson taking any home attacks in their stride.

But 23 minutes in and Carlton’s Clark found Watson, who layed it off for Manneh to strike it passed Keeper McDowell and it was 0-1. Just four minutes later their advantage was doubled, when a Manneh corner was headed home by Hylton.

Sports once again were failing to create any real chances, limiting themselves to just a few shots and none on target, so it remained 0-2 at half time.

There were two changes up front for the restart with Beavon and Webb making way for Norkett and Dales. The changes gave Mickleover more impetus and they began to push forward with greater confidence.

Sports made their third change when White replaced Atkinson after 55 minutes. 69 minutes gone and White pulled one back. Norkett had muscled his way through the defence and shot with venom, and as the ball rebounded off keeper Annan, White was on the spot to make it 1-2.

Hopes of an equaliser were soon dashed when Freeman made it 3-1 for Carlton, after a rare mistake from McDowel.

There were no more goals, but more drama when White received a straight red card, with four minutes left on the clock. Unfortunately the referee didn’t adopt the same criteria earlier in the game, when Dales was on a break only to be hacked down by Freeman in a horrendous challenge, which only earned a yellow car.

The Carter twins made a swap for the closing minutes, with Liam on for Josh, so a 3-1 defeat to the aspiring champions, but a game when some grit and determination were shown, which will hopefully continue into Saturday’s game, when we return to face Racing Club Warwick at the Don Amott Arena, following three defeats on the road.

 

by Peter Scherer

It’s our re-arranged visit to Carlton Town on Tuesday night, following last months postponement. Back in November the equivalent match at the Don Amott Arena ended in a 2-3 defeat for Sports, but our table topping hosts have only lost five games all season, the last at home to lowly Bedworth last month.

While Sports were going down to another away defeat at Shepshed, Carlton were 6-1 winners at home to Corby Town.

Mark Harvey and Andy Clerke have been joint managers for our hosts since the start of this season, having finished seventh in the NPL East last term.

Goalkeeper Felix Annan joined our hosts in August 2023, after a season in the US with Maryland Bobcats. Ghanaian born, he started his career in his homeland, with Asanate Kotoko SC and spent time at the West African Football Academy.

Dean Freeman is a central defender, who joined Carlton at the start of the 22/23 season after a spell at Newark. He also made over 100 appearances for Coalville and has played for Sherwood Colliery, Belper Town, Loughborough Dynamo and Rainworth MW after starting his youth career at Barnsley.

Left back Lewis Durow is in his fourth season at Carlton. He’s played for Ilkeston Town, Holbrook Sports and Mickleover RBL too. he will probably be absent this weekend, following a red card last Saturday.

Right back Liam Bateman is another defender who started his career at Aston Villa, before three years at Kettering following his release. He’s also played for Basford, St. Ives, Tamworth and Worksop and joined Carlton in 2023.

Defender Shea Thompson-Harris joined our hosts following his release from Notts County in 2023.

Alex Howes is a central midfielder and another former Notts County junior. After a loan spell at Coalville and Tamworth, he joined Basford on his release. He initially came to Carlton on loan, before his move became permanent in February 2022.

Centre back Dan Brown is one of the longest serving players, having made his 20th appearance last season.

Attacking midfielder Jason Law arrived last October from Stamford. A graduate of Carlton’s own Academy after spells with Derby and Burton, Law went to Mansfield Town as a 16 year old. After loans at Sutton Coldfield, Gresley Rovers, Hednesford, Leek Town and Kettering, he moved to Scunthorpe last March after 10 years with the Stags. He was also loaned to Spalding Utd, before starting this season at Stamford.

Niall Davie can play midfield or striker. A home-grown player who came through the clubs own academy.

Niall Hylton is another midfielder, who joined our hosts from local club Gedling MW. He has played for Basford too.

Khyle Sargent is a midfielder who returned to the club in 21/22.

Ewan Robson is another midfielder signed in pre-season from Sherwood Colliery.

Midfielder or striker Lamin Manneh came from Dunkirk in 2022.,

Ollie Clark left Carlton in January 2021 to join Basford, but came back in October 2024 initially on loan from Stamford. He is also a midfielder.

Striker Ash Chambers was a pre-season signing from Barwell. He played over 140 games in League Two, scoring 17 goals, having started out at Leicester City. After loans at Wycombe and Grimsby Town, he joined York City, moving on to Cambridge Utd three years later. He’s also played for Dagenham & Redbridge, Nuneaton, Kidderminster, Brackley, Buxton, Coalville and Basford.

Striker Nat Watson is a long serving player. He returned to the club in 21/22 from Basford and has also played for Coalville,

Midfielder Huw Dawson arrived from Rushden & Diamonds last November. He started out at St.Albans City, before joining Kettering. He’s also played for Shepshed Dynamo and Bedford Town.

Logan Dimmock-Fox is the most recent signing, a young striker from Eastwood, who has also played for Alfreton Town and Radford.

Kick off at the is 7.45pm and your support would be more than welcome.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Mickleover suffered their second away defeat of the week, falling to 0-1 defeat at Shepshed Dynamo after a set piece goal.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Josh Ashman 3-Danny Gordon 4-Will Atkinson 5-Danny Benson 6-Brad Gascoigne 7-Will Smith 8-Cieron Keane 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Paddy Webb. Subs: Josiah Dyer, Manni Norkett, George Wilkinson, Archie White, Louis Bonser.

It was a fairly even start on a bumpy pitch, with Collins sending in the first dangerous cross from the right after eight minutes, safely headed away by Gascoigne.

Five minutes later Shepshed had two consecutive corners, Collins again the provider, with centre back Peart putting a header off the bar.

Sports had their first real attack when Webb almost got on the end of a chip from Dales, before it was intercepted for a corner. Keane then put in curling cross after Dales had intercepted, but keeper Wallis was out to collect.

The home defence were almost caught out after 22 minutes though, when a long throw from Gordon saw Webb head fractionally wide of the right-hand post.

It had continued end to end, with high balls being chased, but no clearcut chances being created by either side. But 31 minutes in and Ashman slipped allowing Korpal to get away on the left wing, his cross found Collins but his effort was blocked.

Once again the Mickleover defence had been resolute, but were caught out following a Collins corner from the left. Friend put the ball back in and Korpal headed in at close range to open the scoring for Shepshed, 0-1 after 34 minutes.

Friend headed wide from another Collins cross a few minutes later, before Keane was given a yellow card for pointing out to the referee that Collins was less than 10 yards away.

So Mickleover went in at half time 0-1 down, in game totally absent of any shots on target, along with some poor refereeing highlighted by both sides.

Sports were forced to make an early change after Gordon had sustained ligament damage and was replaced by Wilkinson. As the second half got underway it was more of the same, but ex Sports striker Ryder tried a low drive easily held by McDowell. Shepshed were then handed a free shot after 52 minutes, but Friend’s effort was well wide of the left-hand post.

Four minutes later there was a chance of an equaliser, when Dales chased a long ball, with keeper Wallis racing off his line. Dales attempt came off the keeper falling to Webb, whose strike sailed over the bar.

As the hour mark approached Atkinson made good progress to break forward, sending a Crossfield ball for Dales to cut in from the left. But his shot was just wide of the right-hand post again.

Two substitutions followed with Norkett on for Keane and Bonser for Benson.

There was a free kick for Mickleover after 68 minutes when Beavon was brought down on the edge of the box, but Smith’s kick went straight out of play.

White replaced Webb for the final 20 minutes, but pressure had built again from Shepshed, with another series of corners. Although Mickleover were trying to throw everything forward, progress was slight. They earned an 84th minute corner, which bounced around in the area before being cleared, and then Dyer came on for Beavon.

Dales tried one last shot in time added on, but it was well off target and it remained 0-1, with both keepers virtually redundant throughout.

 

by Peter Scherer

Without a win in their last four games, Mickleover will be looking to get some points on the board as they visit Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday.

Sports have Andy Dales on the injured list at the moment with Jake Bennett, but otherwise should have a full squad to choose from.

Back in October we were 1-0 winners over our hosts, after an Archie White winner, but having lost three out of their last four games, Shepshed will be keen to turn the tide too.

Gary Drake has been in charge at Shepshed since October 2024, having previously been assistant and managed Rugby Town at the end of last season. He has also coached in the US, Canada and in the UK with Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Doncaster Rovers.

Keeper Dan Wallis came from Stamford at the beginning of last season. He’s a former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest junior and has played for Matlock Town, Gainsborough, Macclesfield and Corby Town too.

Right back Ben Bayliss arrived pre-season from Anstey Nomads, where he had spent the last five years. He previously played in the Leicester City and Mansfield Town Academies.

Dec Peart is a centre back who started his career with Oxford City. He played for Kidlington and North Leigh before starting last season at Racing Club Warwick. He joined our hosts in November 2024.

Jowan Partridge is a centre back too, signed in pre-season from Royal Wootton Bassett Town. He has played for Nottingham Trent University too, where he currently studies.

Chad Timson came from Loughborough Dynamo. A defender, he has also played for Leicester Nirvana, Hinckley AFC, Kettering Town and Corby Town.

Signed last month from Redditch Utd, Ben Richards is another defender. He started the season at Bedworth and has also playing for Spalding and Kidlington.

Left back Jack Samples was signed in September on a dual registration with Quorn. He started out at Oadby Town, but has played for Coalville Town, Ashby Ivanhoe and Anstey Nomads too.

Central midfielder Kyle Dixon is in his third season at Shepshed, since arriving from Carlton Town. He started at Notts County and was loaned to Boston Utd, and Telford before going back to Boston following his release. He’s played for Basford, North Ferriby, Coalville, Newark Flowserve, Gainsborough and Belper Town too.

Jude Collins is a midfielder who started out Shrewsbury Town. He joined Barwell following his releasee in August last year and came to Shepshed, firstly on a dual registration a month later.

Also in midfield Jesse Friend came from FC Romania in October last year, having started out at Cheshunt

Callum Burkey is another midfielder and started his career at Southend Utd. He joined AFC Sudbury following his release and had a spell at Basildon before joining Coalville Town and came to Shepshed in March 2024 dual registered.

Central midfielder Niall Prendeville is the clubs longest servant, as he is in his 10th season at the club. He was previously with Holwell Sports, Barrow Town and Quorn.

Rajdeep Palit is a central midfielder too. After starting out at Huddersfield and Bradford City he joined Hull, after a loan spell at Tadcaster. He then joined Barwell in October 2024, before coming to our hosts in pre-season.

Winger or attacking midfielder Jack Rogers is a former Derby County youngster. He went to Ilkeston Town after his release, before moving to Long Eaton and Barwell. He spent time at Shepshed on loan from Ilkeston, and made his return last January dual registered with Barwell.

Striker Tristan Dunkley is one of numerous players signed from Barwell. He arrived at the end of August 2024, having started his youth career at Birmingham City. Loughborough Dynamo and Worcester City were his next stops, soon followed by Hednesford, Halesowen, Solihull Moors, Rushall, Tamworth, Alvechurch and a first spell at Barwell. After going to Corby, Bedworth and Bromsgrove, he rejoined Barwell briefly, before coming to Shepshed.

Aaron Korpal is another striker and ex Nottingham Forest junior. He joined Sherwood following his release and has played for Anstey Nomads too, before joining our hosts in September 2024.

Finally striker Fin Ryder needs no introduction, having graduated via the Mickleover Academy and Reserve team to the first team squad. He joined our hosts in January, after loans at Basford and Kimberley MW.

Kick off at 3.00 and as always your support would be welcomed at the Dvecote Stadium.