Marine 3-0 Mickleover Sports
Saturday 9th February 2019
Written by Sam Goldsworthy

After arriving only 45 minutes before kickoff, you could have excused Sports for making a sluggish start in his crucial relegation battle. However it turned out the complete opposite as a fantastic first half for the Sports had everything but a goal in as Tomas Junek, Jake Scott and Shaquille McDonald all had chances to put Sports ahead at half time. However a dismal second half showing with three unlucky goals from wide positions inflicted another defeat on lowly Sports who remain inside the relegation zone for another week.

Sports named a 4-4-2 formation consisting of Lewis King returning to the starting XI after the return of Callum Hawkins to Burton Albion. The consisted of Jiri Boula, Durrel Berry, Ben Turner and a new signing Joel Bonner made his debut at centre back after joining from Midland League side Loughborough University. The midfield four was made up of John McGrath, Jake Scott, Mason Warren and Jimmy Phillips with Tomas Junek and Shaquille McDonald making up the strike force up front. Sports bench consisted of Jack Walsh, Adam Prusa, Karel Tvorah, Evan Garnett and Kyle Carey.

Sports started off as the better side in the opening stages of the first half with the Marine back four and keeper looking shaky from set pieces that were thrown at them. You have to feel a side at the top of the table would have taken the half a dozen chances that came Sport way but when you’re at the bottom it seems that nothing goes your way. Tomas Junek, Shaquille McDonald and Jake Scott all had excellent opportunities in the first 28 minutes however all either went sailing over the bar or were held onto by the keeper. Marine’s first real chances of the game didn’t occur until the 30th minute of the game when striker Niall Cummins had time to spin on the spout outside the box and fire a low strike wide of King’s left hand post. Tomas Junek was still providing a threat for Sports and a good ball played over to Mason Warren nearly found the former Rotherham United man but the Marine stopper managed to get to the ball first. The Mariners then went straight up the other end and played a ball over into the box in a dangerous area which was well cleared from what was a good counter attack by the hosts. The final chance of any note was a dangerous Jake Scott cross into the box which again caused panic in the Marine ranks but the keeper managed to hold on before any trouble could unfold.

It seemed a completely different Sports team came out of the dressing room in the second half rather than just the one substitution of Evan Garnett for the injured Tomas Junek. Marine were in the ascendency and had an early chance through Steven Irwin but his effort was dragged wide of the right hand post. But it wasn’t long before the Mariners first goal of the afternoon came on the 55th minute. A cross into the box was allowed with no resistance and the ball was headed back across the goal for substitute Craig Carney to poke home on the line to break the deadlock. This was followed by another Sports sub due to injury as boss John McGrath made way for Karel Tvorah. The only real clear cut chance by Sports in the whole of the second period came on the 67th minute was sub Evan Garnett did really well to sprint down the left hand side and managed to cut inside into the box but his strike took a deflection off another Sports body inside the area and went for a goal kick.

That’s as close as Sports got as Marine heeded the warning and took advantage with a second goal on the 74th minute. A free kick from eventual man of the match Steven Irwin crashed off the Sports cross bar and was the Sports defence could only look on as Niall Cummins tapped in from 6 yards out to make it 2-0 to the hosts from Merseyside. Ten minutes later the game was wrapped up through a Ben Turner own goal to make it 3-0. Liam Hymes managed to dribble unopposed as far down the field as the by-line on the left flank and his fizzing cross was scuffed into the bottom corner on the far side by the Sports left back Turner to seal a miserable second half from Sports.

The final Sports change came on the 86th minute was Jimmy Phillips came off for forward Kyle Carey. But the former Coventry United man didn’t really have enough time to make a real impact as the final chance of the game falling to Steven Irwin who did everything in the game but score as his most recent effort smashed off King’s left hand post and away from danger. After an uneventful three minutes of added time the game came to an end to signal a very disappointing away day for Mickleover Sports. After a great start the moral of the story is take your chances when you’re on top in games or it will come back to bite you.

Sam & Kerry’s Sports Man of the Match: Jake Scott

With a bit of luck and Mother Nature being kind Sports may actually have a game this weekend as they travel up to Liverpool to take on fellow relegation rivals Marine. Sports sit inside the relegation zone in 20th, five places blow the Mariners however are only three points behind them. So a second away win of the season would be more than welcome to try and lift Sports out of the dreaded bottom three as quickly as possible. Sports relegation rivals have been picking up good results while they have not been playing to it is crucial that Sports pick up where they left off at the start of the year and try and get a positive result with some huge matches against title contenders to come in the next few games. It will be interesting to see if Sports will have an advantage of being fresher than their opponents or being a bit rusty as a disadvantage.

LAST TIME OUT
Marine’s last game was two weeks ago on Saturday 26th January with a 2-1 win over Hyde United away from home. Daniel Mitchley and Samuel Barnes netted either side of Chibuzor Chilaka to secure a vital three points for the side from Liverpool. Sports have been without a game for three weeks now with their last match being the 1-0 loss to Gainsborough Trinity all the way back on the 19th January.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Nathan Jarman is still serving his suspension picked up at Lancaster City. Everyone else is presumed fit and available for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at The Marine Travel Arena, College Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 3AS. Admission prices are set at £10 Adults, £5 Concessions/OAP’s/Students and Under 11’s are FREE with a full paying Adult . Match day programmes are available as well as hot and cold food and drink will as always be available inside the ground with alcoholic beverages available inside the clubhouse. If you would prefer not to drive we do have spaces on the team coach leaving the Don Amott Arena at 11am costing £10 a seat. Ring Tony Shaw on 07966 197 246 to book.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy will be at the game keeping you up to date via the usual platforms of Twitter & Facebook, with match reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (Youtube) after the game!

Don’t forget that we will also be doing live match commentary on Mixlr during the game. Either download the app or go onto the website and search for Mickleover Sports. Once the broadcast has gone live at around 2:50pm click listen and you should be able to enjoy full match commentary. You can access our page by clicking on this link… http://mixlr.com/mickleover-sports/

If there was ever a relegation six pointer then this is it! Workington sit 9 points behind Sports sitting 2nd bottom. However with four games in hand on Sports, a victory for either side could go a long way to deciding who stays up and who goes down. It’s a 416 mile round trip for Sports up to the West Cumbrian coast so John McGrath, his staff and the players will be determined to make sure the journey back is a happy one for Sports. They will be looking to add to their only single away win of the season at Witton Albion way back in October. Workington however after going through a few managers this season will hope to get some stability and put a run of form together to see if they can make the great escape.

LAST TIME OUT
Workington recorded a victory in their last game defeating Bamber Bridge 2-1 at home last Saturday. Samuel Joel and Sam Smith (no not that Sam Smith!) scored either side of Bridges’ Scott Harries to win the game for the Reds. Sports last game was also last weekend narrowly losing 1-0 to Gainsborough Trinity at The Don Amott Arena.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Nathan Jarman should be available for Sports now after his suspension he picked up in the last away game at Lancaster City. Everybody else is presumed fit and available for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at Borough Park, Black Path, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2DT. Admission prices are set at £11 Adults, £7 Concessions/OAP’s/Students, £3 for 12-17 year olds and Under 12’s are £1 with a full paying Adult . Match day programmes as well as hot and cold food and drink will as always be available inside the ground with alcoholic beverages available inside the clubhouse. If you would prefer not to drive we do have spaces on the team coach leaving the Don Amott Arena at 9am costing £10 a seat. Ring Tony Shaw on 07966 197 246 to book.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy will be at the game keeping you up to date via the usual platforms of Twitter & Facebook, with match reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (Youtube) after the game!

Don’t forget that we will also be doing live match commentary on Mixlr during the game. Either download the app or go onto the website and search for Mickleover Sports. Once the broadcast has gone live at around 2:50pm click listen and you should be able to enjoy full match commentary. You can access our page by clicking on this link… http://mixlr.com/mickleover-sports/

Mickleover Sports 0-1 Gainsborough Trinity
Saturday 19th January 2019
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

After last week’s heartbreaking goal for Lancaster to share the points, Mickleover come into this game continuing their unbeaten run. Sports manager John McGrath put out a strong 4-4-2 formation with Callum Hawkins in goal. The back four consisted of Jake Scott, Durrell Berry, Pablo Mills and Ben Turner. The midfield consisted of John McGrath, Mason Warren, Jimmy Phillips, Adam Prusa. The two front strikers consisted of Evan Garnett and Shaquille McDonald. The bench consisted of Kyle Carey, Jack Walsh, Jiri Boula, Will Norcross and Sports new signing Tomas Junek.

First half commenced and on the 4th minute, chance came for Gainsborough as Damion Reeves had a shot but was saved into the hands of Sports goalkeeper Callum Hawkins. On the 8th minute, chance came for Sports. A great attack for Sports as Evan Garnett fed to Shaquille McDonald who then dinked it to Jimmy Phillips who took the shot but was a bit off balance and went over the bar. On the 17th minute, chance came for Sports. Mason Warren delivered a great free kick onto the head of Pablo Mills but was saved by Gainsborough keeper John Stewart then fell out of his hands and deflected for a corner. On the 18th minute, corner was taken and was hit in by Jake Scott like a rocket towards the goal but was saved by Gainsborough keeper John Stewart. On the 22nd minute, chance came for Sports. Good play by Sports resulted in Mason Warren who cut inside on his right and struck the ball, but his shot was saved by John Stewart.

A minute later and a chance came for Gainsborough with Ashley Forsfold’s shot over the bar and out for a Sports goal kick. On the 33rd minute, chance came for Gainsborough and it was close for Shane Clarke who flicked it towards goal and went out wide of the right side of the post. On the 36th minute, chance came for Sports with Jimmy Phillips taking a shot, but his effort was dragged out wide of the left-hand post. On the 40th minute and a huge chance came for Sports as Shaquille McDonald broke down the left and squared it to Evan Garnett, but his shot goes under him and out for a goal kick.

Half Time: Mickleover Sports 0-0 Gainsborough Trinity

Second half commenced and Gainsborough got back into the game with the most chances in the first ten minutes. On the 52nd minute, Sports made their first substitution with Sports new signing Tomas Junek replacing Evan Garnett. On the 55th minute, chance came for Gainsborough. Gainsborough go close but the shot went into the hands of Callum Hawkins. On the 57th minute, goal for Gainsborough Trinity. The ball was not cleared inside the Sports box and Max Watters struck the ball into the bottom left corner. On the 63rd minute, chance came for Sports after new Sports signing Tomas Junek forwarded the ball to Shaquille McDonald but is deflected for a corner. Mason Warren took the corner but saved into the hands of John Stewart. On the 69th minute, Sports made their second substitution with Will Norcross replacing Adam Prusa.

On the 72nd minute, chance came for Sports as a free kick from Mason Warren was delivered and met the head of Durrell Berry who sent it to Shaquille McDonald, but his shot was saved in the hands of John Stewart. On the 77th minute, chance came for Sports. Will Norcross found Shaquille McDonald and had a shot but fell into the hands of Gainsborough keeper John Stewart. On the 78th minute, Sports made their final substitution with Jake Scott replaced by Jiri Boula. On the 82nd minute, chance came for Gainsborough with Nathan Stanfield who put a header out wide of the left-hand post from a corner.

Full Time: Mickleover Sports 0-1 Gainsborough Trinity

After taking 10 points in their last four league matches, Sports can be pretty happy with their recent form. Despite the disappointment of the last minute goal at Lancaster City last weekend, Sports are still unbeaten in 2019. However that record will be put to the test at The Don Amott Arena this Saturday as high flying Gainsborough Trinity visit. When Sports made the trip to Lincolnshire all the way back in August, they were totally outclassed the the home side who of course were relegated from the National League North last season. This was the first time Trinity have ever been relegated in their history. Trinity could have scored 5 or 6 that night so it will be a good marker to see how far Sports have improved as a side since then.

LAST TIME OUT
Gainsborough Trinity made light work of Workington AFC last weekend, winning by four goals to one at The Northolme as the side from Lincolnshire are now 6th in the league table. Goals from Ashley Worsfold (2) , Benjamin Gordan and Simon Russell saw off the Cumbrians in front of the crowd of 572. Sports were of course denied only their second away win of the season at Lancaster City in the 96th minute through a late Brad Carsley equaliser.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
John McGrath has a full squad to pick from with no new injury worries from last weeks game, with the exception of Nathan Jarman who was sent off at Lancaster City last Saturday.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is a 3pm Kick Off at the Don Amott Arena on Station Road, Mickleover, DE3 9FB with Admission Prices set at £10 Adults, £7 Concessions and £2 for Under 16’s. Burton Albion Season Ticket Holders not going to Doncaster are being encouraged to come along to support their local non league side with reduced admission of £7 on production of their club’s season ticket at the turnstile. The bar and snack van will be open as usual serving hot and cold drinks and food before during and after the match. Your new look Sports Report Match day Programme will also be on sale at the turnstile for only £2! This features the thoughts of Chairman Don Amott and Manager John McGrath plus all your usual content.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy will be at the game keeping you up to date via the usual platforms of Twitter & Facebook, with match reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (Youtube) after the game!

After successfully negotiating their way into the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final on Tuesday night, John McGrath’s in form Sports side now turn their full concentration back to league matters as they face a trip up the M6 for a very important Evo Stik League match. Like Sports Lancaster City have been struggling down in the lower reaches of the division for most of the season. This saw the Lancashire outfit in the relegation places for most of the early part of the season. After the club lost five of its first six games, Phil Brown resigned as first team manager after three years at the helm and former Nelson and Ramsbottom United manager Mark Fell was appointed as his replacement in October 2018. After a mini resurgence the club have since fallen back into the relegation picture and now sit 18th, one place and two points below Sports, so this is certainly a crucial game as we move into the final four months of the league season. But with Sports recent form they will have plenty of confidence they can pick up a positive result if they keep their recent high standards up to where they have been to in recent games.

LAST TIME OUT
A Robert Wilson penalty after five minutes was all that Lancaster City needed last Saturday to beat fellow Derbyshire side Matlock Town 1-0 in the Dolly Blues last match. Sports last match was of course the 4-1 win over Clay Cross Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Semi Final, with a Nathan Jarman penalty and another goal from Shaquille McDonald sending Sports through to face Matlock Town or Alfreton Town in the final.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
For probably the first time since the start of the season John McGrath has a full squad to choose from. Lewis King, Ricky Ravenhill, Shaquille McDonald and Evan Garnett has recovered from their recent knocks and all should be available, however it is expected that Callum Hawkins will remain in goal. It is unknown if any more of the Czech Derby Uni Students have returned to join Adam Prusa in the squad.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at The Giant Axe Field, West Rd, Lancaster, LA1 5PE. Admission prices are set at £10 Adults, £7 Concessions/OAP’s/Students, £5 for 14-17 year olds and Under 14’s are FREE with a full paying Adult . Match day programmes as well as hot and cold food and drink will as always be available inside the ground with alcoholic beverages available inside the clubhouse. Match day parking is available in the ground and, in dry conditions, on the playing field adjacent to the ground free of charge to all supporters. If the car park is full, exit the ground to the right to search for a spot in the near-by housing areas and roads. These areas and roads do not require a permit to park. If you would prefer not to drive we do have spaces on the team coach leaving the Don Amott Arena at 10:15am costing £10 a seat. Ring Tony Shaw on 07966 197 246 to book.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy will be at the game keeping you up to date via the usual platforms of Twitter & Facebook, with match reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (Youtube) after the game!

Don’t forget that we will also be doing live match commentary on Mixlr during the game. Either download the app or go onto the website and search for Mickleover Sports. Once the broadcast has gone live at around 2:50pm click listen and you should be able to enjoy full match commentary. You can access our page by clicking on this link… http://mixlr.com/mickleover-sports/