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/ .

Mickleover Sports get a second chance on Tuesday night to set up a 3rd Qualifying Round FA Trophy Tie with South Shields after snatching a late equalizer at Stratford Town. Will Norcross’ late header means we bring Stratford Town back to The Don Amott Arena to see who will progress to the next round. A reminder should the score be level after 90 minutes then there will be 30 minutes of extra time and penalties if required.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Doran & Kevin Grocott remain on the sideline. Jake Scott looks set to miss out after rolling his ankle again in the game at Stratford on Saturday. Ted Cribley suffered minor foot injury in the same match and will be assessed ahead of Tuesdays Replay. Lewis King is back available for selection after serving his three game suspension however Corey Addai is set to be in goal again for the game. Everyone else should be available for selection.

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 and 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 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!

Stratford Town 1-1 Mickleover Sports
The FA Buildbase Trophy 2nd Round
Saturday 10th November 2018
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

Mickleover travelled to Warwickshire to face Stratford Town in the FA Buildbase Trophy second round. Sports manager John McGrath put out a strong 4-4-2 formation with Correy Addai in goal. The back four consisted of Ben Turner, Pablo Mills, Tom Burgin and Jake Scott. The midfield consisted of Mason Warren, Ricky Ravenhill, Jimmy Phillips and Ted Cribley. The two front strikers consisted of Kyle Clamp and Evan Garnett. Sports bench consisted of Will Norcross, Harley Kozluk, Nathan Jarman, Jack Walsh and Victor Sodeinge.

On the 3rd minute, Stratford was awarded a free kick. Will Grocott takes the free kick and struck the woodwork on the bar. On the 7th minute, Sports were awarded a free kick. Ted Cribley took the kick and fires to Ricky Ravenhill to shoot but goes over the bar from a reflection. A corner was awarded for sports and a scrap in the box sent the ball out wide of the goal and out for a goal kick. There was excellent play from both teams throughout the first half and excellent defending. On the 17th minute, Kynan Isaac has a shot but was blocked by Tom Burgin and Stratford had a corner. Will Grocott takes the corner and was deflected out for another corner. Corner was taken and saved by the head of Tom Burgin.

On the 23rd minute, Jake Scott was brought down and sports was awarded a free kick. Ted Cribley takes the free kick and Sports shout for a penalty but the ref gives a corner. Ted Cribley takes the corner and is cleared out by Jordan Williams. On the 26th minute Stratford got on the scoreboard with an excellent diving header from Jordan Williams. 1-0 Stratford. On the 34th minute, sports had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard but is blocked by Jamie McAteer and caught by Richard Walton. A chance for Stratford came in the 38th minute as Wilson Carvalho shoots from long range but was saved in the hands of Correy Addai. Half Time Stratford 1-0 Mickleover Sports.

Mickleover Sports made a substitution at half time with Nathan Jarman replacing Ted Cribley. On the 51st minute, Kynan Isaac had another chance of goal but was saved by Correy Addai. Another change was made for Sports on the 55th minute with Jack Walsh replacing Mason Warren. Multiple changes for sports came throughout the second half by Nathan Jarman, Jimmy Phillips and Evan Garnett but Stratford goalkeeper Richard Walton saved them. On the 74th minute, sports final change was made with Will Norcross replacing Jake Scott.

Mickleover get the important goal they need and the equaliser from a free kick awarded to sports and Will Norcross heads the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal. 1-1 was the score. During the crucial final minutes, a chance for Sports came and what could have been the winner. Evan Garnett ran with the ball and passed to Ben Turner but the ball went out wide of the left hand post. Full Time Stratford Town 1-1 Mickleover Sports.

To be or not to be, that is the question, as Sports know they are in for a tough test in Shakespeare country on Saturday as they make the trip down to face Stratford Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. The Town as they are known have not lost a competitive game since the 8th September and have won 8 of their last 11 matches in all competitions. They beat Alvechurch in the previous round drawing the first game 1-1 away before winning 3-0 at home in the replay. The Southern Premier League side sit 8th in the Premier Division table only two points off the play off positions. Sports will have to at the top of their game due get a result in this tie. However as we know form can go out of the window in the big cup competitions and with Sports cup form being excellent they can feel confident to test the hosts.

LAST TIME OUT
Stratford Town’s last fixture came on Tuesday 6th November as they beat our previous FA Trophy opponents Redditch United 2-1 at home in the Southern Premier League Cup. Mickleover Sports of course also won their last fixture 2-1 which was the victory away at Gresley FC in the 2nd Round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran and Kevin Grocott remain sidelined. Tom Burgin and Jake Scott are returning to full fitness after both have been included on the bench in the last couple of games. With both loan signings Kyle Clamp and Victor Sodeinge both impressing at Gresley and with Evan Garnett and Nathan Jarman still contesting starting places so there is plenty of competition at the top end of the field. Everyone else is avaliable for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at Knights Lane, Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7BZ. Admission prices are set at £10 for Adults, £6 for Concessions, £2 for Under 18’s and FREE for Under 12’s. 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. All of your pre-match information can be found on Stratford’s website on the link here… http://www.stratfordtownfc.co.uk/a/match-day-information-49983.html

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 Sam & Kerry 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/.

Gresley 1-2 Mickleover Sports
Derbyshire FA Senior Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 6th November 2018
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

Mickleover travelled to local club Gresley for the Derbyshire FA Senior Cup. After Mickleover’s amazing win against Workington on Saturday, Spots boss John McGrath put out a strong team in a 4-4-2 formation. The team consisted of Lewis King in goal. The back four consisted of Harley Kozluk, Tom Eccleshall, Pablo Mills and Ben Turner. The midfield consisted of Ricky Ravenhill, Mason Warren, Jimmy Phillips and Ted Cribley. The two front strikers consisted of Nathan Jarman and Kyle Clamp. The Sports bench consisted of Evan Garnett, Finn Parkin, Jake Scott and Victor Sodeinge.

First half consisted of both teams created excellent chances. Mickleover with the most chances especially a free kick that went wide of the left hand of the post. During the first half, Gresley had chances with Martyn Smyth and Kieran O’Connell which were saved by Sports goalkeeper Lewis King. Jarman and Phillips worked very well as a team during the first half but many chances were missed. Mickleover almost had a chance to get on the scoreboard with Sports awarded a corner but went over the bar of the goal. On the 28th minute a header from Sports defender Pablo Mills gave Mickleover the lead. Mickleover almost added another goal with a shot from Nathan Jarman and went wide of them right hand of the post. Half Time Gresley 0-1 Mickleover Sports

During the second half, there were no changes to each side. A chance came for Mickleover with a shot from Ricky Ravenhill and goes wide of the left hand of the post. A sub was made for Sports. Ted Cribley comes off and is replaced by Victor Sodeinge. Victor Sodeinge had some fantastic chances throughout the second half with a chance to score but was blocked by the Gresley defence. On the 70th minute Gresley earns an equaliser from Cameron Steele after the ball was struck past Lewis King. Gresley 1-1 Mickleover Sports Victor Sodeinge gets his first goal for Sports on the 82nd minute after going one on one with the keeper and shots over the keeper to strike on the top left corner. Another Sub for Sports as Mason Warren comes off and is replaced by Finn Parkin. Full Time Gresley 1-2 Mickleover Sports and Mickleover progress to the 3rd round of the Derbyshire FA Senior Cup.