by Peter Scherer

It’s a trip up the A6 to Matlock Town on Saturday for Mickleover, as they try to get some points on the board following two successive defeats.

Our last visit to Causeway Lane was in the Derbyshire Senior Cup last season, losing 2-3 in January. Our hosts are 16th in the NPL table, one point and two places ahead of Mickleover with a game in hand, but back in September Sports were 2-0 winners.

It took the Gladiators nine game before taking a first win 2-1 at home to Workington and have since had two more home wins and two away.

Despite the improvement in form for Mickleover, with only the three points from the home win against Macclesfield in the last nine league games, the threat of relegation looms.

Former Mickleover player Ryan Cresswell took over from Nicky Law as manager at Matlock in mid-September and hauled them back from the bottom of the table, with Shaun Brisley his assistant, as well as remaining on the playing strength.

Matlock’s last game was a 1-2 home defeat to Ilkeston in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, having drawn 3-3 at Morpeth in their last league match. Their last home league game saw them beat bottom of the table Blyth Spartans 4-0.

Matlock have used a number of goalkeepers in this years campaign, with Barnsley loanee Rogan Ravenhill first choice, but currently suspended. He also had a spell on loan at Liversedge last season.

Myles Wright was a Chesterfield Junior, who was loaned to Bradford Park Avenue before a move to Buxton. Shaw Lane, Gainsborough, Staveley MW, Belper Town, Hallam and Handsworth followed before he first joined Matlock at the start of last season. He was loaned to AFC Mansfield and started this season at Sheffield FC and is now on a dual registration with both Matlock and Sheffield.

Fellow former Chesterfield Junior Cameron Mason has also kept goal during a loan spell from Chester, which ended just over a week again.

With Mason’s departure the Gladiators have brought in another loanee, Jake Oram from Doncaster. The teenager was loaned to Liversedge last season and has joined our hosts for a month.

Centre back and assistant manager Shaun Brisley has over 350 league appearances under his belt throughout the Championship, Leagues One and Two. Starting out at Macclesfield, he was loaned to Peterborough before the move became permanent. Loans at Scunthorpe, Northampton and Leyton Orient were next, before joining Carlisle Utd.

Notts County, Port Vale, Wrexham and Buxton were his next stops, before starting last season with Alfreton Town.  He came to Matlock initially as a player in pre-season.

Centre back Josh Granite came from Buxton in September, after four years with the Bucks. He started at Stockport, after some early football at Woodley Sports and Mellor FC. He moved onto Mossley, Trafford and Ashton Utd, before a two-year stay at Barrow preceded his Buxton move. He is club captain too.

Left back Jermie Milambo came from Liversedge last month. He was a junior at Wolves and Bradford City, before joining Farsley Celtic on his release. After a loan at Ossett Utd he joined Northern Counties League Club Albion Sports.

Whyteleafe was the next stop before returning to Farsley, and then played in the League of Ireland for two years with Waterford. He has also played for Bowers & Pitsea and Ossett Utd.

Left back Reece Kendall is also a fairly new arrival, coming from Guiseley in September. He made the same move back in 2021, but moved on to Spennymoor after 15 months at Causeway Lane. He was back at Guiseley for the whole of last season.

Right back Kwame Boateng is on loan from Chorley until the end of the month. A former Bradford City youngster, he moved to Guiseley before a year in the Welsh League with the New Saints. He then had a spell at Sheffield Wednesday before returning to Guiseley.

He started last season at Alfreton, but quickly moved on to Grantham and Liversedge, before starting this season with Chorley.

Right back Dermi Lusala is another loanee who arrived recently arrived from Buxton. He was a junior with Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City, before starting this season at Buxton following his release.

Defender Charlie Oglesby came from Stocksbridge during pre-season and was previously at Staveley MW.

Fouad Bachirou is a defensive midfielder and was another new arrival in October. A Comoros International he began his career with Paris St.Germain. He then came to Scotland with Morton and stayed four years before going to Ostersund and Malmo in Sweden.

Returning to the UK he spent a year with Nottingham Forest and prior to his current move he had been in Cyprus for three years with Omonia Nicosia. His experience has taken him through the Champions and Europa Leagues, as well as the UEFA Conference, Scottish, Swedish and Cypriot Leagues. He was a Cup winner too in both Sweden and Cyprus and league title winner in Sweden.

Former England Under 20 International Adam Clayton is another new signing. A midfielder, he started his career with Manchester City, who loaned him to Carlisle, before a permanent move to Leeds United.

Further loans at Peterborough and MK Dons, preceded a move to Huddersfield. Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City and Rochdale were next, before starting this season at Liversedge. He has played over 500 games over every division of the football league.

Fellow midfielder Sam Essien came from Boston Utd pre-season. He started off at Halifax and was loaned to Golar Utd, before starting last season at Boston.

Left sided midfielder Sam Smart arrived in October from Farnborough Town. He started out at Basingstoke and after a loan at Havant & Waterlooville, made a permanent move to Halifax.

Further loans at Dagenham & Redbridge and Brackley preceded a move to Buxton at the start of last season, but after five months he moved on to Boston Utd, before starting this term at Farnborough.

Harry Wood is another midfielder that returned to Matlock for a second spell from Stamford during the summer. He has also played in Malta with Lija Athletic and Mgarr Utd and for Grantham Town.

Striker Montel Gibson has masses of experience, since starting out at Notts County. He had loans at Romulus, Barwell, Hednesford and Sutton Coldfield, before joining Ilkeston on his release.

Redditch, Bedworth and Halesowen followed, before joining Grimsby Town. He was then loaned to Altrincham before joining Stourbridge. Next stop was Ilkeston, before starting last season with Telford after an initial loan. He started this season at Hereford, but moved to Matlock in September.

Fellow striker Jake Thompson started out at Halifax. He has played for Liversedge, Ramsbottom, Bamber Bridge and Radcliffe too, before starting this season with Hyde Utd. He came to our hosts in October.

Remaye Campbell is another recent signing and another ex Notts County youngster. He joined Grantham after his release, following an initial loan. He moved on to Ilkeston a year later, followed by Basford after a further year. Now a regular strike partner with Gibson and Thompson, he started this season at Kettering, before joining Matlock in September.

Benni Mdlovu is another striker signed in pre-season from Sheffield FC.

Striker Manasse Mampala arrived on loan from Farsley Celtic last week. He started his career at Everton and QPR before moving to Carlisle. After a loan at Weymouth he moved to Hyde Utd and Marine, and then to Farsley at the start of this season.

Even more recent is the arrival of French striker Wahib Tara from Montrouge. He started his career n France with Red Star Under 19’s, before coming to the UK for a six month spell at Tamworth in 2022. His next move was to Colombia with America de Cali, before going to Tunisia with Sidi Bouzid and ASD Spoltore Calcio in Italy.

He returned to the UK to spend a month with Gloucester City at the end of last year, before returning  to France with Montrouge.

Kick off is 3pm and free tickets are available to download from the club social media.

by Peter Scherer

Hopes of a second consecutive home win were looking promising when Mickleover took the lead early into the second half. But a late equaliser and an injury time winner for Gainsborough Trinity left Sports without any points again.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Callum Moore 4-Curtis Weston 5-Dany Benson 6-Will Atkinson 7-Andy Dales 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Tyreace Palmer 11-Marcus Barnes. Subs: Josh Carter, Toby Smith, Dylan Edwards, Edimondo Oppong, Justin Iwobi.

Mickleover were straight into attack from the start, with Barnes putting his first attempt just wide of the left- hand post after five minutes, as the visitors defence hesitated.

Four minutes later Bennett found Beavon on the right and his cross was headed wide by Palmer. Dales then got a header in too, which was an easy catch for keeper Wharton.

Gainsborough had their first shot after 10 minutes too, but Stacey’s effort was straight into Mersin hands. Although the visitors had a free kick five minutes later, that came to nought, as the Mickleover defence kept it tight and gave Gainsborough little time on the ball.

Barnes put another header just wide after 15 minutes, after more hesitation in the Gainsborough defence, soon followed by a nice move between Bennett and Hickingbottom, but Palmer couldn’t quite connect enough to direct his shot, seeing his attempt blocked.

17 minutes in and Mersin had to race off his line to intercept a Gainsborough break, before Dales and Barnes combined to set up Beavon, but his shot was just over.

Beavon went down in the box after collecting an Atkinson cross in the 22^nd minute, but never really looked like a penalty. But Gainsborough had started to break more as the half hour mark approached. Conway’s distance shot was comfortably saved by Mersin after 26 minutes and a minute later Weston cut out a cross from Stacey.

It was becoming more end to end, but the home defence was keeping its shape and repelling the visitors attacks.

There was a 32^nd minute shot over the bar for Gainsborough following a corner and then Dales had a run down the left, but found his path blocked as he cut inside.

Barnes was then wrestled to the ground in his own half to win a free kick, before Dales went close in the 38^th minute. As he cut in from the left again, keeper Wharton was quickly down to his left to smother the shot.

With half time approaching Preston led a charge for Gainsborough, but his shot was deflected into the side netting for a corner.

Hickingbottom then went into the book for his first foul, rather harsh as a couple of Gainsborough defenders had committed two or more without a word and so it remained 0-0.

The second half couldn’t have started better for Mickleover, Dales had beaten the defence on the left in the first minute of the restart, Barnes just missed the cross but was then declared offside. But just a minute later Dales’ charge down the left again proved positive. As he cut inside Wharton stayed tight to his near post, allowing Dales to curl the ball into the far corner, 1-0.

Gainsborough were still relying on breaks and earned a corner after 52 minutes, which Bennett headed clear. Preston then followed up with a curling shot just over the bar.

Bennett was then harshly penalised when the ball hit his hand, but overall Benson and Atkinson had things covered in defence, allowing Bennett and Moore to push forward on the wings, while Atkinson and Weston interchanged at times

Mersin made another save after 56 minutes, but just before the hour mark Mickleover had to make their first change, with Benson down injured. 

Smith came on in midfield, with Hickingbottom going into the back four with Smith immediately involved in a nice move with Beavon and Barnes, before Palmer skied the final shot.

Bennett went on a long run after 66 minutes, although Beavon latched on his shot was easy for the keeper. Beavon then made way for Oppong, but Gainsborough were still looking threatening on the break.

After 70 minutes the visitors fired another chance over the bar, before Weston went in the book, after he tripped with a Gainsborough striker as they pursued each other. Not even a foul but some naïve refereeing left the visitors caution free still.

Although tight it was looking promising for three points for Mickleover until the 79^th minute. A possible hand ball by Gainsborough was ignored, the defence failed to clear and the ball fell to Lancaster on the edge of the box. He was almost unchallenged and smashed home the equaliser 1-1.

With the visitors scenting victory, Simpson tried a long shot after 81 minutes, straight into Mersin’s hands. Oppong then had a try for Mickleover and earned a corner, before Edwards came on for Barnes.

1-1 was looking like a fair score but with five minutes added on, a long throw was headed into the box, it fell to leading scorer Howe who had hardly been in the game, he poked it past Mersin just inside the left-hand post and it was 1-2.

Iwobi replaced Weston for the final minutes, but from likely winners to another defeat, Sports slip further into danger.

 

by Peter Scherer

On Tuesday evening we welcome Gainsborough Trinity to the Don Amott Arena, in a re-arranged match due to our visitors run of success in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

Currently down in 20^th place n the NPL, Gainsborough have seven games in hand over Mickleover and are three points behind, having played just two league games since the end of September, winning 3-0 at home to Workington and 2-0 at Whitby.

They hosted Rushall Olympic last Saturday in the FA Trophy, winning 2-1 and recently went out of the FA Cup to Harrogate in the third round proper.

Sports form has shown improvement over the recent weeks too, being unlucky to come away from FC United of Manchester pointless, before beating Stapenhill 4-0 in last Tuesdays Derbyshire Senior Cup game.

Jamie Soule and Andy Dales both took knocks at Manchester, but should hopefully be fit and both Cieron Keane and Gabby Adebambo are on the comeback trail too.

Russ Wilcox has been in charge at Gainsborough since September last year, having previously been at Farsley Celtic, Scunthorpe and York City.

As a player he made over 700 league appearances, with Doncaster, Northampton, Hull City, Preston North End and Scunthorpe.

Goalkeeper Dylan Wharton was a pre-season arrival, having come straight from Sheffield Utd, after being on loan for most of last season. He started out at Chesterfield and after a loan at Heanor Town, making the move to Sheffield Utd in September 2022. 

Kian Johnson and Ollie Sykes are Wharton’s understudies. Johnson spent 10 years with Doncaster Rovers, before moving on to Worksop and Rossington Main. After training with Derby and Notts County, he made the move to Dubai City in the UAE League, before joining our visitors on his UK return last month.

Sykes came into the first team squad last season having come through the clubs own youth scheme.

Right back Sisa Tuntulwana came Grantham Town’s youth scheme and joined our visitors in pre-season. Fellow right back Jacob McLoughlin came in pre-season too from Ossett, where he spent last season after being released by York City.

Aaron Simpson s another right back that arrived pre-season. He was at Whitstable Town and Maidstone Utd at the start of his career before joining Wolves. He had loans at Portsmouth, Telford, Kilmarnock and FC Jumilla in Spain, before going to the League of Ireland with Waterford on his release. He soon returned to England with Dover Athletic and also played for Sutton Utd, Hemel and Chippenham and spent last season at Salisbury.

George Hornshaw is a right back too and former Scunthorpe Junior. His first loan spell was at Farsley, before joining Gainsborough for a month in 2019. He came back again in July 2021 on a permanent basis, but after a year moved back to Farsley, only to return to our visitors again after just two months.

Left back Ashley Jackson started out at Ossett Town, before moving on to Boston Utd, where he spent two years before joining Scarborough. He came to our visitors on loan last September, before his move was made permanent two months later.

Lewis Butroid is another left back and another ex Scunthorpe Junior. He was loaned to Spennymoor and Hereford before coming to Gainsborough on his release in August 2021. Six months later he joined Farsley and made the return trip 17 months later.

Will Lancaster is a centre back signed from Bradford Park Avenue in pre-season. Having started out with Barnsley, he was loaned to Bradford initially, before making it permanent at the start of last season.

Captain Dylan Coghill is a centre back too. He was a junior at Huddersfield, after they picked him up from Gildersome Sports. He had a spell in Scotland with Clyde after an initial loan, before returning to England with Farsley Celtic. He came to Gainsborough in August 2022, after two seasons at Scarborough.

Jordan Helliwell was another pre-season signing. A central midfielder, he started out at Barnsley too, and was loaned to Stalybridge Celtic and Esbjerg in Denmark. He also played for AFC Totton and Brighouse, before ending last season with Wakefield AFC.

Striker Javelle Clarke is in his second season with the club, having arrived from Brighouse in July 2023. He started his career at Sheffield Utd’s Academy.

Fellow striker Dec Howe has become Gainsborough’s lead scorer since coming from Ilkeston in September last year. He started with Staveley MW before a move to Cleethorpes. After a loan at Darlington he joined Alfreton at the start of last season, but moved to Ilkeston after a couple of months. He scored both goals in last Saturday’s FA Trophy win.

Right sided midfielder Frazer Preston played his junior football at Sheffield Wednesday. He spent two years with Boston Utd after his release, followed by a short stay at Alfreton before coming to Gainsborough in November 2022.

Bobby Johnson plays in central midfield and came from Farsley Celtic at the start of last season. He started at Goole and then North Ferriby, before a four-year spell at Alfreton, which preceded his move to Farsley.

Left- sided midfielder Joe Stacey started with Belper Town, before moving on via Ossett Utd, Grantham and Guiseley. He then joined Alfreton November 2023, who loaned him to Gainsborough for three months at the end of last season, before the stay was made permanent.

Fellow midfielder Bailey Conway was a Sheffield Utd Junior, moving to Rossington Main and Alfreton before his first spell at Gainsborough in December 2022. After seven months he moved to Guiseley, only to return seven weeks later.

Danny Devine is a midfielder too, who began his career at Bradford City. After a loan at Harrogate he joined Carlisle Utd, moving on to Chester two years later. After a loan spell at Farsley, he left Chester and began last season at Guiseley, moving to our visitors after three months.

Young striker Kyle Simpson has come through our visitors own youth scheme 

Curtis Durose is the newest signing, a right-sided midfielder he came from Matlock just two weeks ago. A product of Rotherham Utd’s Academy, he spent most of the 22/23 season on loan at Gainsborough. He was then loaned to Scarborough and Matlock before the latter became permanent at the start of this season.

Striker Jack McMenemy is another new signing on a dual registration with Lincoln Utd. He has also played for Grantham and Cleethorpes.

Be there on Tuesday for the 7.45 kick off and help Mickleover take three points!!

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover travelled down the A38 to Stapenhill for last nights Derbyshire Senior Cup tie, returning home 4-0 winners.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Brandon Ferron 3-Toby Smith 4-Curtis Weston 5-Harry Atwal 6-Danny Benson 7-Dylan Edwards 8-Ryan Wilson 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Tyreace Palmer 11-Edimond Oppong. Subs: Justin Iwobi, Will Atkinson, Bernard Nsiah.

Mickleover were soon on the attack on a bitterly cold night, when Ferron went down the left to find Beavon, who set up Edwards for the first shot of the game after just two minutes. Keeper Cannon did well to block it with his feet.

After a random shot went high and wide from Stapenhill after eight minutes, Edwards outpaced the defence on the left again, finding Palmer in the middle, who was able to tap the ball in to make it 1-0.

Sports were well on top and 15 minutes in it was nearly a second goal, when Oppong sent in powerful strike, again well saved by the home keeper, before Edwards missed the rebound as he was flagged offside.

Oppong was thwarted in another run after 18 minutes when he was fouled, but Wilson’s free kick came to nought.

Wilson and Weston were stroking the ball about in midfield, with time to spare, but Edwards and Palmer then combined before a final header from a corner was taken by the keeper.

Oppong then skimmed the left hand post after 29 minutes, before Beavon’s rebound went just wide on the right.

Just a minute later Oppong’s cross from the right found Palmer and Edwards in the box, but Cannon made a double save before the danger was relieved.

Stapenhill had probably their only real chance of the game after 34 minutes, when they broke through the middle, forcing Mersin into a diving save as a distance shot came in.

Palmer then had a long shot saved, before Edwards cut in from the left, but Cannon was in fine form in the Stapenhill goal, and saved his attempt too.

Despite the barrage, the home defence were just about holding on. Oppong set up Beavon again 38 minutes in, but his strike was over the bar.

The hosts had another shot from outside the box after 40 minutes, but well wide, before Oppong once again put Palmer through as half time approached. He had a clear target on goal, but the shot was over, much to his own disgust.

Palmer was almost through again with the whistle for half time poised, but his run was intercepted for a corner and it remained 1-0.

It looked like Sports had added a second a goal after 47 minutes, when Oppong’s charge down the left ended with a scorching shot, yet again well saved by Cannon. The net rippled as Edwards came in for the rebound, but it was the side netting.

There was another home attack 49 minutes in, but the final effort failed to trouble Mersin, who was able to play the ball back out through Benson and Atwal in the middle of the defence.

Both Smith and Ferron were attacking on the wings, but Edwards had another shot four minutes later, just wide of the mark, before Wilson tested the keeper again with a scorching drive from the edge of the box.

But Oppong picked up the rebound and this time made it count, his first goal for the club and Mickleover’s second, 2-0 after 57 minutes.

Play was briefly held up too when Cannon to had be released from his net, having caught his foot in his attempt to make another save.

Mickleover made their first change as the hour mark approached, with Atkinson and Nsiah on for Ferron and Edwards.

Stapenhill then had a header just wide, before Oppong made it 3-0, a rocket shot giving Cannon no chance as it almost burst the net.

Wilson then fired another shot just wide on the left, before a similar effort from Palmer.

Iwobi replaced Beavon after 67 minutes, followed by another Oppong run, which was just intercepted by the advancing home keeper.

70 minutes and it was 4-0 when Iwobi went clear on the left. Cannon did his best to block, but the young striker took his time and placed it nicely out of reach into the bottom right hand corner.

Nsiah then went close too after 77 minutes, as Cannon put it out for a corner. There was a penalty appeal too in the final minute, when Oppong was brought down, but 4-0 on the night and we now await the draw for the next round.

 

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover will be looking for some Cup glory as we travel to Midlands Football League Stapenhill for tomorrow nights tie in the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

I want to put out a strong side to be respectful to our opponents and to the competition, and want to advance to the next round too

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

Our hosts are currently 14^th in the league and lost 1-2 away to FC Ingles last Saturday. They have had two wins from their last six games, 3-1 at Birstall and 6-0 at home to Graham Street Prims in the previous round of the Cup, where Oliver Roome scored a hattrick.

Kick off at Maple Grove is 7.45pm.

by Peter Scherer 

A lapse in defence early in the second half cost Mickleover dearly, when despite being on top for much of the game, they came away pointless again.

Starting line-up: 1- Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Will Atkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Jamie Soule 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Tyreace Palmer 10- Toby Smith 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Curtis Weston, Marcus Barnes, Dylan Edwards, Edimond Oppong.

In the opening minutes Hickingbottom was on the end of a two-handed push over the touchline, but no free kick was given. But after three minutes FC United had their first shot when Le Fondre shot just wide of the left-hand post, before they earned a corner a minute later.

Six minutes in and Mickleover won a free kick, Soule then played Palmer through and his strike glanced off the left-hand post, before keeper O’Keefe dived on the ball.

It had been fairly even, but Benson had to head away a dangerous cross after eight minutes, before our hosts earned a sequence of corners. It was the second from Munro on the left that caused the damage, despite having nine players back, Paninkas rose above a flat-footed defence, before Halford connected to head passed Mersin, 0-1 after 11 minutes.

Hickingbottom had space so tried a distance shot just over the bar and the Fitzmartin led a break for FC United, but it ended with his tame shot straight at Mersin.

Hickingbottom had another shot blocked after 17 minutes from a Wilson cross and two minutes later Ferron found Soule in the box, he turned but his shot was deflected wide, before Smith got on the end of the following corner, but had his shot blocked too.

Sithole had shot wide for FC too after a long throw from Le Fondre, forced to shoot early as the pursuing defence closed in.

Soule played a telling ball through to Palmer after 21 minutes, but the two goal in two games striker mis-hit and it went agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.

Bennett then had a shot from outside the box, just over the bar, before FC got a break on the half-hour, one on one but Atkinson recovered to cut off his route.

Ferron then had a good run down the left, cutting inside as his route was blocked too, but finding Hickingbottom, whose shot was just wide of the left-hand post again.

Sports had to make an early change when Soule took a knock and was replaced by Barnes after 34 minutes. He was immediately in action and almost managed to put Palmer through on goal.

Mickleover earned a free kick two minutes later when Smith was fouled, but Wilson’s free kick was straight into the wall.

Buckley put another shot wide for FC United after 41 minutes and then Dales had a try, but his effort landed straight into O’Keefe’s waiting hands.

FC had another corner blocked with one minute on the clock, but Dales then fed Bennett from the left as he fired over from just outside the box.

But in time added on Mickleover were so unlucky not to grab the equaliser when Wilson’s corner came to Benson, whose shot struck the underneath of the bar with the keeper well beaten. In the scramble that followed shots reigned in on the FC United goal, but somehow they managed to hold on, with the half time whistle soon following as it remained 0-1.

Having taken a knock in the first half Dales was replaced by Edwards as the second kicked off.

FC United started very strongly and earned a corner just a minute into the half, after Ennis’s cross found Buckley, whose header hit the bar.

The pressure continued as the Sports defence was pegged back and looked extremely vulnerable and in disarray. 50 minutes gone and the defence was split wide open leaving Ennis with a clear run through the middle to make it 0-2.

Ferron then had wild shot over the bar from the restart and two minutes later his positive run from the left saw a cross into the box, missing the chasing Palmer by just inches.

The hosts were still looking dangerous on the breaks, but after Beavon had replaced Smith, FC had another shot just before the hour mark, which managed to clear the stand.

But into the last 30 minutes, Mickleover had regrouped and started the fightback, and it was the home defence now looking vulnerable.

66 Minutes and Atkinson put a cross in from the left, but it was too near the right-hand post and O’Keefe comfortably gathered it.

The pressure was continuous as Mickleover pushed everything forward, gaining reward in the 70^th minute when Wilson pulled one back in a crowded box, following a free kick and a throw, 1-2.

Both Hickingbottom and Bennett had been felled in challenges, but as they lay prone, the ref waved play on, until Atkinson put the ball out.

Edwards got his head to a cross in the 77^th minute but his effort ended in the side netting. But United then got a break, but Atkinson again came to the rescue.

Oppong and Weston had come on too and a precise cross field ball from Oppong found Edwards. His shot was blocked, as was Weston’s rebound attempt.

Mickleover were hitting everything bar the back of the net and Wilson went close again after 85 minutes, when his shot was tipped over by keeper O’Keefe.

Edwards then got on the end of another Ferron cross, but his shot was straight at the keeper. But Mersin had to come to the rescue for Sports, after Atkinson lost the ball, racing off his line to intercept.

Mickleover continued to pound the home defence in a positive final half hour, but the rhythm was broken when O’Keefe went down with alleged cramp, a familiar old pro tactic to break up the play.

In the six minutes added on, Beavon played the ball out to Ferron on the left, but his cross was too close to the keeper and time had all but run out.

Ennis had a final shot for our hosts high and wide, but despite the strong finish, it was not to be, and Mickleover hopes of a second consecutive win were over.

 

   

by Peter Scherer

After last Tuesday’s massive win over league leaders Macclesfield, it’s back on the road this Saturday as we visit FC United of Manchester.

Hopefully everyone came through unscathed from Tuesday’s game, plus Cieron Keane should be fit again too.

From promotion hopefuls of a few years ago to league strugglers, like Mickleover it’s been a difficult start for our hosts FC United of Manchester.

Currently 21st in the table, after finishing 14^th last season, they changed manager too at the end of September. Ex Warrington boss Mark Beesley is now in charge, but with just three wins so far and all away from home, they are still seeking their first three pointer at Broadhurst Park this season.

They drew 2-2 with Workington in their last home game, when their visitors equalised with a late penalty, sound familiar?

After last Saturday’s 0-1 defeat at Stockton, their first team squad played a Fenix Trophy match in Prague on Monday evening, beating Raptors 3-0.

The Fenix Trophy is an International tournament with 16 clubs from 14 countries and FC United now face either Brera Calcio in Italy or Fans United from Montenegro in the next round.

Like a number of clubs this season, including ourselves, FC United have had a large turnover of players. 

Ollie Byrne started the season as first choice keeper. An ex Manchester Utd youngster, he also played junior football at Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers, with a loan spell at Chorley in between.

After another loan at Bamber Bridge he moved to Stevenage and Atherton Collieries, before moving to the Welsh League, firstly with Connah’s Quay, who loaned him to Airbus UK.

The next stop was Altrincham, who loaned him to Cork City and he finished last season at Macclesfield, before joining our hosts pre-season, but is currently out injured. He has also played in the Europa League.

Holding the first-choice spot is newcomer Conor O’Keefe, signed from Ashton Utd last month. He started out at Macclesfield, and after a spell at Barwell went to Spain with Fuenlabrada, returning one year later to Loughborough University.

He then spent a year in Gibraltar with Europa Point and Bruno’s Magpies, before moving to Sweden with Pitea IF and Vasalunds IF. He was at Macclesfield too last season, before starting this season at Ashton.

The current second choice keeper is Charlie Casper, a Burnley Academy player on a 28 day loan, while their own Academy graduate Josh Brookes has also been in the squad.

Right Back Joe Ferguson started out at Blackburn Rovers. After a loan at Witton Albion he joined Matlock Town on his release, but a month later he moved to Marine, from where our hosts signed him last February.

Central midfielder Charlie Munro came from Southport in July last year. He started out at Ashton Athletic and has also played for Warrington.

Sometimes captain, centre back Dec Evans came from Southport too at the start of this season. A former Rochdale Junior he was at Chorley, before a four year stay at Mossley. He then joined Southport in 2022 but was loaned back to Mossley for a brief spell, before his move to our hosts.

Charlie Oliver is another centre back who has captained the side too and he also came from Southport in July last year. He started at Manchester City and was loaned to Fleetwood and Brentford, before joining Southport following his release in 2019.

Jan Palinkas is also a centre back. He started at Wythenshawe and came to our hosts in July 2022.

Defensive midfielder Hayden Lindley was another former Manchester City youngster, before moving onto Aston Villa. He was loaned to Newport County before his release, moving on to Golcar Utd. He soon moved on again to Darlington, where he completed last season, before moving to FC United pre-season.

Callum Gribbin was tipped as a future star in his Manchester Utd Academy days. He had a spell at Sheffield Utd too, before joining Barrow on his release. But injury has plagued the attacking midfielder, and after at spell at Radcliffe he joined FC United in August 2022, but is out long term with a knee injury.

Striker Adam La Fondre was another pre-season season, bringing in vast experience with over 500 appearances in the Championship, Leagues One and Two, scoring over 160 goals, plus a varied international career.

He started at Stockport County, before moving to Rochdale. Rotherham, Reading and Cardiff City were his next stops, before loans at Bolton, Wolves and Wigan, followed by a permanent move to Bolton in 2017.

Venturing overseas he spent 2 1/2 years in Australia with Sydney FC, including a loan to Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. After joining Hibernian on his UK return, he spent last season in Scotland.

Winger Jay Fitzmartin scored two of the goals in their win in Prague on Monday night. A former Bolton youngster, he was loaned to Stalybridge, before moving to Atherton Collieries following his release. He came to our hosts at the beginning of last season, but spent much of the year out injured.

Striker Jordan Buckley came from Warrington last November. He started off at FC United, before his first spell at Warrington.  After a year he moved for a short spell at Flint Town in the Welsh League, before returning to Warrington in July 2021.

Charlie Ennis is club captain and began his career with Stockport County. A striker, he was loaned to Salford City before a permanent move to Stalybridge. He spent time in the Welsh League too with Bala Town, before onto Droylsden, Witton Albion and Northwich Victoria.

After a spell back in Wales with Colwyn Bay, he was at Guiseley before returning to Stalybridge. Hednesford, and Curzon Ashton followed before returning to Stalybridge again. He then joined Southport after a second spell at Curzon Ashton and then spent just under a year with Ashton Utd, before joining our hosts in July 2019.

Matt Grivosti is another striker, but only arrived a month ago from Warrington. He had started his career at Warrington, before moving to Bolton Wanderers. Loans at Yeovil and Radcliffe followed, before he rejoined Warrington again at the start of last season.

Another striker, another recent signing and another former Warrington player, Gez Sithole began his career at Gillingham. He then moved to Bolton too, who loaned him to Altrincham and Chorley, before his started this season at Warrington following his release.

Fellow striker Jordan Preston has played in League One and Scotland and was another pre-season arrival. He started out with Blackburn Rovers and had loan spells at Ayr Utd before a permanent move to Guiseley. Gateshead, Halifax, Boston Utd and Spennymoor followed, before moving to Bradford Park Avenue at the start of last season. 

Right back or central midfielder Dec McLoughlin arrived from Skelmersdale at the beginning of last season. He has also played for Bootle and Ashton Utd.

Luca Navarro came from Radcliffe in October on loan. He is a free scoring midfielder, who started out at Hull City. After joining Bolton he was loaned to Bamber Bridge, before moving on to Buxton and Stafford Rangers. He joined Radcliffe in November 2021.

Left back Guy Hall was last years players player of the year and is now in his third season with the club.

Strikers Sam Dunstan and Dallas Omoruyi, midfielders Alfie Henstock and Charlie Cowin, defender Dominic Doyle and another keeper Flynn Proctor have also been in the squad.

Kick off at Broadhurst Park is 3pm and let’s see if we can continue where we left off on Tuesday night?

by Peter Scherer

Top of the table, unbeaten all season, the task ahead last night at the Don Amott Arena couldn’t be under estimated as Macclesfield came to visit.

But what followed was a night to remember and a reward for Gareth Holmes, Mick Galloway and the whole team.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Danny Benson 6-Will Atkinson 7-Jamie Soule 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Tyreace Palmer 10-Toby Smith 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Curtis Weston, Stuart Beavon, Marcus Barnes, Callum Moore, Dylan Edwards.

Macclesfield started with pace, determination and remarkable accuracy, forcing Mersin into a save with his feet after just two minutes. 

Two minutes later it was another shot and another save, before the rebound went over the bar, as the home defence continued to come under pressure.

Rooney had another wild strike well off target after seven minutes, and Macclesfield then won a corner, but that came to nought.

Mickleover had their first break 11 minutes in, but Palmer’s chase was deemed just offside. It was a turning point though, when having sustained the early barrage, Sports began to believe in themselves and started to break out to put pressure on our visitors.

Bennett sent in a cross from the right, which went just beyond the left hand post, but after 13 minutes Ferron and Dales combined on the left, Dales first shot was saved by Dearnley, but his parry fell to Palmer who neatly slotted it home, 1-0.

Palmer was almost through again two minutes later, but Dearnley just managed to intercept. Macclesfield then got a break and a cross from the right found Mellor, whose header was tipped over by Mersin.

It was real end to end stuff as Bennett triggered another move down the right, from which Dales shot was just wide of the left hand post.

But 21 minutes gone and it was almost number two, after Dales layed it off to Smith in front of goal. But the teenager’s shot was pulled slightly left  and it almost skimmed the post.

But Macclesfield were keen for an equaliser to and when Mersin slid out and missed the ball, Bennett came to the rescue and cleared it after a deflection.

24 minutes and the visitors hit the post with an Edmondson free kick, but Sports were not just holding on, they continued to push forward.

Dales was almost clear after 27 minutes, until Pemberton was yellow carded for hacking him down. Then Bennett and Dales combined again, before Dales sent a fizzing shot forcing Dearnley into a low save to his left.

Five more minutes and Dales had another shot blocked, with Smith’s rebound just wide. The Macclesfield defence were looking the more vulnerable and after Soule was fouled, Mickleover went close again after Wilson’s free kick bounced around, before Soule’s effort was cleared off the line, following Ferron’s initial shot.

Bennett was almost through again too as half time approached, but Dearnley just got their first after another positive build up down the left. 

Macclesfield finished the first half with a wasted free kick, but against al the odds the half time whistle blew with Mickleover still a goal ahead.

The second half got off to a pacey start again from the visitors, when after 50 minutes they earned a corner, from which Mersin pulled off a magnificent save onto the bar, from what looked a certain equaliser.

But it was Mickleover in the ascendance again, as Ferron charged through the middle. He was looking to pass when Dales shouted encouragement for the teenager to continue. He then found Soule on the edge of the box, who celebrated his 24^th birthday with a fine shot to make it 2-0.

Only three minutes later there was confusion in the home defence, when a possible back pass wasn’t cleared. Macclesfield intercepted and it wasn’t clear who got the last touch, but the goal was credited to sub Sean Etaluku and the pressure was now back on Mickleover with 30 minutes still to go. 2-1.

Macclesfield put a free kick wide and then Benson headed away another effort, but the pressure was on as the composure seemed to have returned to their play.

Wilson drove in a free kick after Smith was fouled and Soule found the side netting after 63 minutes, from a Palmer cross, before shooting straight at the keeper two minutes later.

Dales and Ferron made progress again on the left before an interception and then Mersin saved another Macclesfield effort with his feet.

Mickleover’s second change came on 68 minutes with Barnes on for Soule and he had a shot blocked by the keeper as he cut in from the right after 75 minutes.

Edwards then came on for Palmer, but Macclesfield went close again. Their 82^nd minute strike hit the bar, but Benson had any chance of a rebound blocked, as he cleared off the line.

As Macclesfield pushed all 11 players forward, Mickleover got another break after 84 minutes, with Barnes going clear on the left. His cross was perfect, but as Edwards slid in, he just failed to connect and the chance was gone.

But Macclesfield hit the post again a minute later, before Sport made their final change with Weston replacing Smith.

Hickingbottom hit a speculative shot over the bar as the clock ran down, while Dales and Barnes combined in another nice move, but adjudged offside.

For probably the fist time this season, Spors looked like a full team, from the heroics of Mersin in goal, through the solid defence of Atkinson and Benson and the positive drive from midfield and attack.

At the end of normal time Dales and Ferron set up Barnes again, but the keeper saved. With six minutes added on the pressure continued and even as the final whistle went, Dales was about to break again, but a fine 2-1 win on an amazing night of football.