The Derbyshire Senior Cup is now Sports only possibility of silverware this season after being knocked out of the League Cup last week. This time it’s the Derbyshire Senior Cup Quarter Final against Step 6 side Belper United from the East Midlands Counties League. Sports have faced two Step 6 sides in Haughmond and Anstey Nomads this season in the FA Cup, winning 6-0 and 7-1. However Belper United, who ground share with Belper Town, have been on a good run of form recently and will be a really tough test for Sports. It also offers a chance to gain some much needed confidence and to give those some game time who may not have had so much in recent games. But be in no doubt that Sports want to win every game and will line up with as strong a line up as possible for this game.

LAST TIME OUT
Belper United’s last game came back on Saturday 24th November with a 4-0 away victory at Mansfield based Clipstone in the East Midlands Counties League. Sports come into the match off the back of the 2-1 defeat at home to Farsley Celtic last Saturday.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran is the only one confirmed as ruled out. Evan Garnett is likely to be rested after a minor hamstring pull picked up on Saturday. Everyone else is presumed fit and available if selected.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is a 7:45pm 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. Derby County, Burton Albion, Nottingham Forest & Leicester City Season Ticket Holders 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!

Saturday 1st December 2018
Evo Stik Northern Premier Division
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

Mickleover came into this game with determination after last Saturday’s draw away at Hednesford Town. Sports manager John McGrath put out a strong 4-4-2 formation with Lewis King in goal. The back four consisted of Jake Scott, Ben Turner, Pablo Mills and Reece Ford. The midfield consisted of John McGrath, Ted Cribley, Ricky Ravenhill and Adam Prusa. The two strikers consisted of Evan Garnett and Nathan Jarman. The Sports bench consisted of Will Norcross, Jack Walsh, Jiri Boula, Karel Tvaroh and Mason Warren.

For the first 5 minutes of the game, each side had chances to score. A chance came for the Celtic from a corner but was saved by Lewis King. A chance came for Sports with Evan Garnett having a shot and saved by Celtics Keeper Kyle Trennery.

On the 13th minute, Farsley had another chance to score from James Spender but as it was curled in, Lewis saved the ball. A minute later, Sports had a corner after a shot was deflected. John McGrath took the corner and Pablo Mills headed the ball but went straight to the keeper. On the 16th minute, a Farsley kick is crossed in and headed by Ben Atkinson but goes wide of the left hand of the post.

On the 18th minute, Farsley had another chance to score with Nathan Cartman as he played through and ran towards the box, but his shot was dragged wide of the right-hand post. On the 23rd minute, Farsley was close to scoring but went out wide of the right hand of the post. On the 27th minute, Lewis King was the saviour as Farsley had another chance. Farsley left back William Hayhurst had a shot from outside the box and was saved by the Sports keeper. Farsley had another chance on the 35th minute by Nathan Cartman by went out wide of the right-hand post. On the 1st minute of added time, Adam Prusa scored his first goal for Sports with an excellent volley in to give Sports the lead.

Half Time: Mickleover Sports 1-0 Farsley Celtic.

On the 49th minute, Farsley had a chance to equalise from Nathan Cartman but was caught by Lewis King before Farsley had another shot and was tipped out for a corner. On the 54th minute, a corner was awarded to the Sports. The corner from John McGrath found the head of Pablo Mills but goes out wide of the left-hand post. Farsley got the equaliser on the 57th minute after a free kick was awarded to Farsley. Will Hayhurst took the free kick and went around the wall and into the left-hand corner. Sports made a substitution on the 60th minute after Evan Garnett goes down. Jack Walsh replaced Garnett. On the 61st minute, Farsley had a chance with Nathan Cartman’s shot curled in and went wide of the right-hand post.

On the 68th minute, a chance for Farsley by Paul Walker was blocked and out for a corner. Corner went and was kicked out. A substitution for sports came on the 69th minute with Karel Tvaroh replacing Jake Scott. A goal came on the 76th minute for Farsley after the Celtic was awarded a penalty. Ben Atkinson took the penalty kick and was smashed into the bottom left corner. Two minutes later, a chance came for sports to equalise. Nathan Jarman struck the ball but was saved by Kyle Trennery and out for a corner. Corner was taken but kicked out. Sports final substitution consisted of Will Norcross replacing Ted Cribley on the 84th minute.

Full Time: Mickleover Sports 1-2 Farsley Celtic.

Let’s all forget about the doom and gloom of Brexit for a bit and get back to the football! In what is a very special fixture for Sports, with the link with Derby University being shown with reduced admission, Sports will hope to put on a decent performance and begin December with three points. Derby University students and staff are being offered £2 admission to this Saturdays game with West Yorkshire side Farsley Celtic. With boss John McGrath managing the Derby Uni Men’s team and three players currently playing for Sports from that team, it shows what a fantastic partnership both parties have. However Farsley Celtic are currently 4th in the table and only lost three games all season so Sports are in for a tough game here.

LAST TIME OUT
Farsley Celtic caused a massive shock in The FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round last weekend, defeating Alfreton Town 2-0 away from home. Goals from Nathan Cartman and James Spencer in the first half saw Celtic progress to set up an away tie to National League North side AFC Telford United. After Sports wash out with Belper United, Sports last match was the 1-1 draw with Hednesford Town at Keys Park. Nathan Jarman with the injury time spot kick.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran is the only one confirmed as ruled out. Everyone else is presumed fit and available if selected.

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 Holders 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!

The Derbyshire Senior Cup is now Sports only possibility of silverware this season after being knocked out of the League Cup last week. This time it’s the Derbyshire Senior Cup Quarter Final against Step 6 side Belper United from the East Midlands Counties League. Sports have faced two Step 6 sides in Haughmond and Anstey Nomads this season in the FA Cup, winning 6-0 and 7-1. However Belper United, who ground share with Belper Town, have been on a good run of form recently and will be a really tough test for Sports. It also offers a chance to gain some much needed confidence and to give those some game time who may not have had so much in recent games. But be in no doubt that Sports want to win every game and will line up with as strong a line up as possible for this game.

LAST TIME OUT
Belper United come into the game off the back of a 4-0 win in the East Midlands Counties League away at Mansfield based side Clipstone. Goals from Adam Dring, Ben Gowling, Dean Oliver and an own goal insured the Greens would climb to 10th in the table. Sports of course grabbed a late minute draw with a Nathan Jarman penalty kick away at Hednesford Town on Saturday.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran is the only one confirmed as ruled out. Everyone else is presumed fit and available if selected.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is a 7:45pm 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. Derby County, Nottingham Forest & Leicester City Season Ticket Holders 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!

Mickleover Sports have an opportunity to record a league double at the first time of asking this weekend as they head to Keys Park to take on Staffordshire based Hednesford Town. After the extremely disappointing crash out of the League Cup at the hands of Buxton in the week Sports will be looking to bounce back with positively and really take the game to their hosts this weekend. With so many of the sides around them having made changes and now starting to pick up results Sports know that they need to start picking up themselves in order to avoid the dreaded bottom three. Hednesford Town go into the game in 11th position so will certainly be a another tough test but one in which Sports can absolutely get a result if they can perform the same way they did at South Shields.

LAST TIME OUT
The Pitmen were last in action last weekend as they went down 2-0 away at Manchester based side Hyde United. Connor Simpson and Chibuzor Chilaka in the final six minutes decided the game for The Tigers over the Pitmen. Sports of course were in action on Tuesday night as they went down 3-0 to local rivals Buxton in the Integro League Cup. So both sides will be looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran & Kevin Grocott remain out. John McGrath and Jake Scott are back in training so may have some involvement. Everyone else is presumed fit and available for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at Hednesford Town’s Keys Park, Keys Park Rd, Hednesford, Cannock WS12 2DZ. Admission prices are set at £11 Adults, £8 Concessions and plenty of Family Tickets are available on request. 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.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officer Sam 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 0-3 Buxton
Tuesday 20th November 2018
Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Mickleover Sports excited League Cup on Tuesday night on a cold and wet evening as they went down 3-0 to local rivals Buxton FC.

The visitors went ahead after only five minutes when a Corner came in and was not dealt with which meant the ball fell to Captain Liam Hardy to tap in under King and put the away side ahead. Soon after the Bucks went two goals to the good after only eleven minutes. Terrible defending on the wet surface allowed Jude Oyibo to dance through and after a couple of chances to get it clear the winger struck it under King for the Bucks second. A dreadful start for Sports. Will Norcross has a strike to try and give his side a goal back but it was into Roberts hands and soon after Buxton killed the game and went 3-0 up before half time. A corner into the box was not dealt with and it was a free header for Scott Sephton who looped it over King and into the net. The final chance of the first half fell to Victor Sodeinge but once again the effort was soft and saved easily by the keeper to bring an end of a horrible and poor Sports performance.

Nathan Jarman and Adam Prusa were thrown on for Kyle Clamp and Victor Sodeinde at half time and it was Jarman who almost had an immediate impact as he ran through 1v1 but the effort was saved. Jarman then had another excellent chance after Head had a long range effort from for Buxton which was palmed away by King. Jarman’s second effort was also saved after a defensive mix up by the Bucks back four. The only other two efforts of a dreadful game fell to the visitors as Brad Grayson dragged an effort wide before former Sports player Oli Roberts nearly came back to haunt his old side and put the icing on top of the cake with a powerful free kick. However it was well saved by King.

That was it for what will be a game to forget in every way. A cold, wet and horrible cold evening was followed by a tiny attendance of only 85 as it was a performance and a result to forget and move on from.

Another midweek fixture and another cup competition as Buxton return to the Don Amott Arena to face Sports for the second time in as many months. The Bucks won the league meeting here 3-1 back in September and Sports will be able to use this fixture as a chance to see how far they have come since that league defeat. Of course the winner of this tie will travel to Basford United with plenty of important league games coming up, Sports may see this as a chance to rotate the squad a little to give those who need minutes game time.

LAST TIME OUT
Buxton had a heavy defeat in Evo Stik League on Saturday as they went down 5-0 at home at Witton Albion. Williams Jones, James Foley (2), Daniel McKenna and Joshua Meade with the goals for the visitors in front of the 427 strong crowd. This of course means the Bucks will be wanting to set things right so Sports have to be very careful about the way Buxton will approach the game. Sports of course can take a lot of positives from the 3-2 to South Shields on Saturday, with John McGrath’s side receiving a lot of praise from South Shields staff and supporters for their brilliant performance and almost causing a shock against a very good Shields side. If Sports can play like they did in the first half of that game then they will have an excellent chance of setting up a Third Round Tie away at Basford United on Monday 3rd December.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran, Jake Scott and John McGrath remain injured. Ricky Ravenhill should return to the squad to face his former team after being suspended on Saturday. Everyone else is presumed fit and available if selected.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is a 7:45pm Kick Off at the Don Amott Arena on Station Road, Mickleover, DE3 9FB with Admission Prices set at £10 Adults, £7 Concessions and £1 for Under 16’s. Derby County & Burton Albion Season Ticket Holders 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!

MATCH REPORT COURTESY OF southshieldsfc.co.uk

South Shields were backed by their highest crowd of the season so far as they battled to a 3-2 win over Mickleover Sports on Saturday.

Mickleover produced a gutsy display which belied their league position and took an early lead when Evan Garnett picked out the top corner.

Shields found their stride before half-time and equalised thanks to a Dillon Morse header before goals from Robert Briggs and Josh Gillies sealed the three points in the second half.

A large amount of young supporters were in attendance after the club reached out to the community in the week leading up to the game, and they contributed to a superb attendance just short of 1,750.

The Mariners have now won their last six games in all competitions.

They got off to an inauspicious start against a Mickleover side which came into the match sitting 18th in the table.

Mickleover began the game well, with former Derby County and Crawley Town man Pablo Mills sending an effort over from distance.

They took the lead soon after when Evan Garnett fired a stunning shot into the top corner via the post to stun the hosts.

Nathan Jarman went close to putting the visitors two ahead when he turned on the edge of the box before unleashing a shot which went just over.

Shields improved as the first half went on and were unfortunate not to draw level as a Blair Adams cross was met by a superb Gavin Cogdon header which goalkeeper Lewis King brilliantly tipped wide.

The Mariners got back on level terms just after the half-hour mark when Nathan Lowe dinked in a dangerous corner from the right which Morse directed into the top corner with a pinpoint header.

Lee Picton and Graham Fenton’s side kept up the pressure, with Carl Finnigan, Lee Mason and Cogdon all going close when they were denied by King.

Shields came out for the second half with renewed vigour and almost took the lead when Cogdon nicked the ball in the penalty area and laid it off to Finnigan, whose shot was blocked.

At the other end, Shields goalkeeper Liam Connell did brilliantly to tip an effort from Adam Prusa over the bar as Mickleover fired another warning as to how dangerous they were.

The Mariners heeded the warning as they began a spell of pressure which eventually paid off with the second goal.

Cogdon was denied by a last-ditch tackle, Finnigan blazed a big chance over and then was kept off the scoresheet by a fine block as the hosts were frustrated in front of goal.

The Mariners were then denied by the woodwork as Cogdon latched onto a ball over the top, held it up well and struck a low shot which agonisingly came back off the post before seeing a strong penalty appeal waved away.

Shields were given a golden opportunity to take the lead for the first time when referee Helen Conley awarded a penalty for a foul on Finnigan, and Briggs made no mistake from the spot as he sent King the wrong way.

Lowe struck a sweet free-kick not far wide, a fine effort from Briggs just cleared the crossbar and Gillies also hit a shot wide as the Mariners looked to put the game to bed.

They eventually appeared to have done so when a poor clearance fell to substitute Ben Harmison and he squared the ball to Gillies, who hammered it into the bottom of the net.

Mickleover did not give up, though, and immediately reduced the deficit back to one when Garnett raced onto a ball through the middle and beat Connell to score his second of the afternoon.

It was too late to launch a dramatic late comeback, though, and the Mariners saw the game out to register a vital three points.

Attendance: 1,749.

WORDS: Daniel Prince.

Sports embark on their second longest away trip of the season on Saturday as they travel the 326 mile round trip up to Newcastle to face newly promoted side South Shields. The Mariners have had a very successful couple of seasons gaining back to back promotions from the Northern League and Evo Stik Div One North and now sit just outside the play off places in this seasons Premier Division as they look for a third consecutive promotion. South Shields have recently launched a plan to reach the Football League and you have to say that attracting between 1,500 and 2000 fans for home games at this level you can see how this can be achieved. This will be an incredibly difficult game for Sports playing in front of a large crowd and probably without possession for most of the game so they will have to make sure that any opportunity they get they make the most of, unlike Tuesday nights defeat. However Sports can go into the game with no pressure and enjoy it as South Shields will be the overwhelming favorites so anything can happen.

LAST TIME OUT
The Mariners last fixture was a home FA Trophy Tie with fellow Evo Stik Premier side Hyde United. Carl Finnigan and Dillon Morse netted for Shields either side of a Jordan Fagbola goal to set up an away tie with Stratford Town in the next round. Sports last fixture was of course the heart breaking 1-0 defeat at home to Stratford Town with Mike Taylor getting the winner in the 87th minute, so Sports will be looking to bounce back from this recent disappointment.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran still out. Jake Scott is unlikely to be fit as well. Lewis King is also available after his three match ban. Apart from that everybody else is presumed fit and available if selected.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at South Shields Mariners Park, Shaftesbury Avenue, South Shields, NE34 9PH. Admission prices are set at £10 Adults, £8 Concessions and £3 for Under 16’s with Under 12’s FREE with a full paying Adult. Tickets can be bought online to print off via this link https://tickets.southshieldsfc.co.uk/shop/cart.pl but admission on the turn-style is of course still available. 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.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officer Sam 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. For this match Sam will be joined by close friend and Belper Town fan Tom Whewell who will offering his opinion on the game during the commentary. 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/ .