Sports head down to Church Gresley on Tuesday night to take on Gresley FC in the Derbyshire Senior Cup 2nd Round. The two sides have shared many entertaining matches in league, cup and friendly matches over the years and this is sure to be no different with both sides seeing this as a realistic competition to win. However with an FA Trophy tie at Stratford coming up on Saturday it will be interesting to see if McGrath rests any players ahead of the game in Warwickshire at the weekend.

LAST TIME OUT
The Moatmen were in action on Saturday as they lost 1-0 at home to Spalding United. Leon Mettam netted in the 80th minute to knock Gresley down to 9th in the East Division table. Sports however were on the end of a 1-0 victory at home to Workington AFC with Nathan Jarman netting inside the second half to move Sports up to 17th in the Premier Division table.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran remains out. Lewis King is still suspended. Tom Burgin is nearly 100% match fit. Everyone else should be avaliable should they be selected. McGrath may see this as a chance to rotate the squad with many of the young reserve and academy player chomping at the bit to impress.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place at Gresley’s Moat Ground, Moat Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9RE. Admission prices are set at £8 for Adults, £5 for Concessions and Under 16’s and £1 for Under 13’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. Parking is severely limited at The Moat Ground. The Moat Ground has a small car park adjacent to it but it does get filled up early on a match day but there is plenty of parking in the area. All of your pre-match information can be found on Gresley’s website on the link here http://www.gresleyfc.com/first-time-visit/

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 trialing 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 7:35pm 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 1-0 Workington AFC
Saturday 3rd November 2018
Written by Sam Goldsworthy

It was substitute Nathan Jarman who won this tight encounter between to sides struggling towards the bottom of the Premier Division table. The game was exactly a classic but when your down the bottom you’ll take any win and Sports boss John McGrath will be happy pulling further way from the drop zone. Jimmy Phillips and Daniel Wordsworth exchanged early blows for either side before both Jack Walsh and new loan signing Victor Sodeinde both had shots saved by close quarters for Sports by the Workington stopper. Into the second half and the side from Cumbria had a penalty given after Pablo Mills was adjudged to have fouled inside the box. Jason Walker steppes up put it wide of the right hand post. Moments later Sports scores the goal that would win the game as substitute Jarman struck a peach from outside the box off the post and into the top right corner. Sports managed to keep Workington quiet for most of the remaining minutes of the match. The closest the visitors cams was a free header from Kyle May before Coventry City loaner keeper Corey Addai made a terrific diving save from a long range effort to keep his second team sheet in his second start in goal. Sports now move up to 17th and move further from danger.

Mickleover Sports are back in Evo Stik League action on Saturday as they welcome Workington AFC from Cumbria to The Don Amott Arena. The Reds as they are known have been struggling this season as well with the side from Cumbria currently sitting 21st in the table, second bottom and inside the relegation zone. However they have two games in hand and only sit four points behind Sports in 18th so this game could be seen as an early relegation six pointer by some people. It is absolutely crucial now that Sports take their excellent cup record into the league now as those around them such as Matlock and Lancaster are starting to pick up their recent form. All of the sides below Sports have a number of games in hand so Saturdays game with Workington will be seen by the Sports players and staff to put some breathing space in between themselves and the chasing pack. With the likes to South Shields, Marine and Hednesford to come Sports need to start picking up the points required to stay clear of that dreaded drop zone.

LAST TIME OUT
Workington’s last game also came in the FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round as they beat Scarborough Athletic 1-0 at Borough Park last Saturday. Scott Allison it was who popped up in the 27th minute to set up a tie with Newcastle Town in the next round. Sports also won at home 1-0 in the same competition, however their goal came a lot later as Evan Garnett popped up in the 93rd minute to send Sports through to face Stratford Town away from home on Saturday 10th November.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Niall Dorran is still out injured and Lewis King is serving a three match ban meaning Corey Addai will remain in goal. Tom Burgin was an unused substitute last weekend as he works his way back to full fitness. No further injuries or new signings have been reported at the time of writing so everyone else remains available for selection.

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 £1 for Under 16’s. Derby County 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!

Mickleover Sports 1-0 Redditch United
Saturday 27th October 2018
Written by Sam Goldsworthy

It was Evan Garnett at the death as Mickleover Sports progressed into the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy with a 1-0 win over Southern Premier League side Redditch United at the Don Amott Arena. After a pretty uneventful first half baring couple of early substitutions for Sports, Garnett and Jarman had chances in the second half to win the tie before they did. It looked as though the tie was heading to a replay as the game went into injury time but in the dying seconds of the game Jarman’s effort was stabbed in at close range by Garnett to spark wild celebrations and book Sports place in the next round.

There was a debut in the Sports goal for Corey Addai on a month’s loan from Coventry City. The back four was Kevin Grocott, Reece Ford, Pablo Mills and Ben Turner. John McGrath and Ricky Ravenhill started in midfield with Jimmy Phillips and young Jack Walsh on the wings. Mason Warren was played in an attacking midfield role with Evan Garnett the main striker. On the bench were Harley Kozluk, Jake Smith, Tom Burgin and Nathan Jarman.

Both sides traded early blows as Nelson and Warren had efforts to score go wide, before the first injury came round for Sports as Kevin Grocott had to make way for Harley Kozluk to step in at right back. Reynolds then had a shot for the visitors saved by Addai soon after but then Sports had to make their next substitution. Another Coventry City loan player Reece Ford had a slight niggle that couldn’t be risked so was taken off for striker Nathan Jarman. Mason Warren went into the left back position with Ben Turner slotting in at center back.

Garnett had his first chance of the game with a strike wide that Jarman couldn’t get a toe to. Ahmed for United then had a header cleared off the line by Mason Warren for a corner kick. Two penalty shouts then followed for the away side as a shirt pull from Ravenhill and an elbow from McGrath were unseen by the referee inside the box. It was Redditch who had the final two chances of the first half as Leachman guided an effort into the side netting before Nelson had a strike saved by Addai to keep his clean sheet intact.
The second half started with two early chances for the visitors both of which were saved and the other cleared off the line by the Sports defense. Sports then had a penalty shout as Ravenhill went down inside the six yard box but was again not given by the officials. Nathan Jarman then had two efforts one saved by Reece Francis the other was put wide of the left hand post. Nelson for Redditch was causing a real threat and his quick fire effort went just wide of the right hand post next.

Sports then should have been 1-0 up as Garnett missed a sitter from a yard out but it was scuffed and out for a goal kick. Sports were well on top and had many chances to score all the way through the final periods of the game. But Redditch still remained a threat and could have scored but Ali’s free header was wide from a corner kick. Sports made on final chance as Jimmy Phillips came off to be replaced by young academy player Jake Smith. It looked as though the tie was going to a replay but in the dying seconds Sports pressed and found the break though. Redditch failed to clear a ball into the box and it fell to Jarman who had the initial shot towards goal but Garnett was there to make sure as he stabbed the ball home from close range to spark relief around the ground for the home fans and despair for the away fans. That was nearly the last kick of the game as the referee blew for full time straight from the restart. A battling performance that came good in the end and one that Sports can take real confidence from and hopefully take it into the league. With Buxton drawing their game Sports now have another free week with Workington AFC up next in the league on Saturday 3rd November, 3pm Kick Off.

Mickleover Sports are delighted to announce the signing of Coventry City keeper Corey Addai. The 21 year old joins Sports on a one month loan deal and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow FA Trophy game with Redditch United. Welcome to Sports Corey!

After a weekend in Whitby to forget last time around Mickleover Sports now have a welcomed distraction from the Northern Premier League as they open up their FA Trophy campaign with a tough home tie with Southern Premier League side Redditch United. The side from North East Worcestershire have not had a brilliant start to their league season as well, sitting inside the relegation zone in the Southern League Premier Division table. However the Reds are on the up with two wins coming into this tie away at Tamworth and at home to Rushall Olympic so this is predicted to be a very cagey affair but one both sides will look to progress from due to the financial rewards the competition can bring. Sports will be looking to put on a much better performance then the 4-0 defeat at Whitby to get themselves back on track. Sports cup form this season has been good so another similar outcome to their FA Cup run or better would boost confidence on and off the field.

LAST TIME OUT
Redditch were not in action last weekend. Their last game came on Tuesday 16th October in the Southern Premier League as they defeated former Northern Premier League side Rushall Olympic 2-1 at The Trico Stadium. Ahmed Ali gave The Reds an early lead before Pics player Joseph Hull equalised shortly after. However Redditch won the game thanks to a Michael Nelson goal on the 83rd minute to win it in front of a crowd of 215 spectators. Sports however lost their last game 4-0 away at Whitby Town last weekend.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
It was confirmed this week that players Isai Marselia and Oliver Roberts have departed the club. At the time of writing it was also not know if Lewis King’s suspension has been appealed and accepted. Niall Dorran, Kevin Grocott and Tom Burgin are all believed to still be out with their various injury problems. Everyone else is believed to be fit and available for selection.

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 £1 for Under 16’s. Derby County 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!

Whitby Town 4-0 Mickleover Sports
Saturday 20th October 2018
Written by Kerry Goldsworthy

Mickleover travelled to The Turnbull Ground after a successful point at home against Matlock. John McGrath put out a 3-5-2 formation with Lewis King in goal, the back three consisted of Ben Turner, Pablo Mills and Reece Ford, the wing backs consisted of Mason Warren and Curtis Burrows with John McGrath, Oliver Roberts and Jimmy Phillips in the centre and the front two strikers consisted of Evan Garnett and Isa Marselia. On the bench were striker Nathan Jarman alongside the young trio of Harley Kozluk, Fin Larkin and Jack Walsh.

On the 6th minute, Whitby had a chance to get on the scoreboard but Monkhouse struck the ball over the bar. A minute later, Whitby were awarded a penalty after Ford brought down Mondal and Hopson scored in the bottom right corner of the goal to give the seasiders the lead. It took Whitby 21 minutes to score but once again struck the ball over the bar. It took Sports 29 minutes to get their chance of a goal from a corner that was awarded to Mickleover. A header from Garnett finds Isa Marselia but his effort was off target from a couple of yards off the goal line. Another corner was awarded for Sports and another miss as Pablo Mills headed the ball and was out wide of the right hand post. On the 37th minute, Whitby’s Mondal tried an overhead kick inside the box but was out wide of the left hand post. A ball from Sports Mason Warren inside the box caused danger for the Whitby defence and John McGrath headed the ball but went behind goal for a corner. During five minutes of added time due to lengthy injury stoppages, a big chance for Marselia as he won the ball but struck wide and Garnett missed a chance too. Half time, Whitby Town 1-0 Mickleover Sports.

The home side started off the brightest in the second half with Mondal looking dangerous and struck the ball. His low effort from the left hand side was saved by the gloves of Sports keeper Lewis King. On the 52nd minute, Whitby’s Maloney has a chance but is struck over the bar and Sports make a sub. Nathan Jarman came on for Isa Marselia. On the 56th minute, Hopson had struck the ball from a long distance and went wide of the right hand post. Good build up play from Sports came on the 65th minute and resulted in Jarman firing wide of the left hand post. A good ball came across for the hosts on the 67th minute which found Mondal but he could not get a touch on it. Another goal came for Whitby on the 68th minute with Hopson scoring in the bottom right corner and giving the hosts a comfortable lead. On the 70th minute, Burrows cross was met by a volley from Jarman which was deflected and out for a corner. It could have been three for the blues but Mondal struck the ball out wide of the left hand post. On the 76th minute, Jarman missed a strike from a few yards out and Garnett was flagged offside. It was a second yellow and a red card for blues Mondal on the 78th minute for descent. It took five minutes for the hosts to get back on the scoreboard as Daniel McWilliams was fed through by Hopson and struck the ball into the bottom right corner. Another change for Sports on the 84th minute as Jack Walsh came on for Jimmy Phillips. Another goal came for Whitby on the 88th minute from their substitute Sukar from a mix up with the Sports backline and tapped in on the line. Full time, Whitby Town 4-0 Mickleover Sports.

The supporters coach to Whitby leaves from Mickleover Sports Club at 930am this morning.

Fare is only £10.

Come and support your local club!