We can confirm that following a pitch inspection, todays home game against Stalybridge Celtic has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

A rescheduled date will be announced in due course.

#SportsRising

WARRINGTON TOWN 3 – 1 MICKLEOVER SPORTS

Sports: King, Grocott, Morris, Mcgrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott, Barnes-Homer, Garnett (Phillips 54- Mulders 78), Briscoe. Other subs Horne, Belgrave
Attendance 283

This was always going to be a tough game, away to 4th placed Warrington and Sports started slowly conceding a 3rd minute goal. Tom Burgin gave away a poor free kick and was punished as Sean Williams floated in the free kick and Liam Goulding was unchallenged to head in from 8 yards out. Sports were under constant pressure and were worried off the ball too often.

It was 2-0 after 24 minutes with another goal from a wide left free kick. Sean Williams this time played in a low cross which left everyone stranded and crept in at the far post.
This seemed to spark Sports into life and Andy Dales went close on 28 minutes, playing a 1-2 with Evan Garnett and forcing a good diving save from debutant on loan keeper, Luke Pilling. Sports were now on top and reduced the deficit on 35 minutes. Louis Briscoe’s shot was pushed out for a corner and when John Mcgrath’s corner came in Pablo Mills scored with a brilliant, powerful header from 8 yards.

Sports now went in search of an equaliser and they completely took over the game. On 38 minutes Loius Briscoe worked space for a shot from 15 yards which was held by Pilling. A minute later Andy Dales was chopped down on the edge of the area (no caution !!) and Louis Briscoe smashed in a low free kick that was again well held by Pilling. And Dales then went closer after cutting inside to fire in a shot that looked a goal all over but Pilling dived full length to pull off a fine save. Yet again Sports went close on 44 minutes as Briscoe found Garnett in space and his cross was half blocked but bounced up to Alex Morris but his 6 yard header cleared the bar. The half time whistle came at the wrong time for Sports as they had dominated since the second Town goal.

Sports were forced into an early substitution when Evan Garnett was replaced by Jimmy Phillps. Jake Scott received a silly caution which was to cost Sports dearly a few minutes later. On 57 minutes Scott challenged Sean Williams seeming to win the ball but the referee interpreted this as a foul and produced a second yellow, reducing Sports to 10 men. Still Sports took the game to the home side and went close with another free kick as Dales was denied a clear run on goal by a deliberate hand ball. Briscoe again fired in a strong free kick that Pilling again saved.
Sports were then hit by another moment of controversy. Jimmy Phillips was the victim of a foul in an aerial challenge ( not given)but after treatment he got up though obviously groggy. The ball was played up to Sports area and collected by Alex Morris who put in a short pass to the unmarked Phillips. Before the ball arrived he went down obviously in trouble from the earlier challenge and the ball broke to Devarn Green – at this point the referee should have whistled for the physio to attend Phillips who was suffering from a head injury, down and in distress – but he allowed play to continue. Green crossed but the ball evaded everyone going to the far wing where Shaun Beeley kept the ball in. He eventually put in a half blocked cross that somehow hit Jamie Mcdonald and evaded Lewis King for the 3rd goal. All this with Phillips still down and in obvious distress. After treatment Phillips was helped off and taken eventually to hospital. Despite all Sports protests the referee was adamant he had made the correct decision which frankly was ridiculous.
This goal took all the stuffing out of Sports and the Home side were content to play the game out.

MICKLEOVER SPORTS 2-2 FARSLEY CELTIC

BY PHIL MATTHEWS

Sports:- King, Grocott, Morris, Scott, Mills, Burgin (Horne 24), Dales, Briscoe, Barnes-Homer, Phillips, Mulders (Abalimba 74).
Subs:- Belgrave, Morrison.

Farsley:- McKibbin, Turner, Baldwin, Atkinson, Harris, Clayton (Atkinson 78), Watson (Murray 78), Turner (Parkin 78), Ellis, Cartman, Cockerline.
Subs:- Walker, Trenery.

Referee:- Steve Darnall
Attendance:- 232

This game only went ahead due to the efforts of a group of volunteers who came down in advance of the game to fork the pitch into a playable condition.

Sports have been without competitive football since January 13th due to a waterlogged pitch, but that has not denied player/manager John McGrath the opportunity to strengthen his squad who has brought in two experienced strikers in Luis Briscoe and Matthew Barnes-Homer along with re-signing midfielder Medi Abalimba.

Mickleover were clearly keen to be back in action after their enforced break The game was end to end in waves but the hosts normal slick game was not as good as it could be with a number of their passing not reaching the intended target, although it was hard to say if this was caused by ring rustiness or a playing surface looked increasingly like Derby County’s old home at the Baseball Ground.

After Lewis King in the home goal made a great interception to deny Nathan Cartman with the match only 4 minutes old McGrath’s men twice had the ball in the back of the net before the half hour mark only to have the goals ruled out for offside. First Barnes-Homer completed a great move on 20 minutes and Dales chipped the keeper with a delightful lob, but in both cases there was little argument that the officials were correct in their decision making.

Briscoe went close in the 31st minute but his shot was blocked. Given the amount of goal mouth action at both ends it was surprising that the half ended goal less.

It only took 6 minutes of the second period for the deadlock to be broken. Neat interplay from Farsley ended with a pass to Nathan Carter who fired home from close range.

Their advantage lasted less than a minute as Pablo Mills restored parity with a powerful header from a Jimmy Phillips corner.

The home side took the lead for the first time on 65 minutes. Briscoe was fouled in the box and referee Steve Darnall had no doubt that it was a penalty.

Barnes Homer took the responsibility of taking the spot kick which though struck with a reasonable amount of power was close enough to McKibbin to parry away from goal. It fell to the inrushing Dales who hit the ball into the empty net from some distance.

Farsley were determined to take something from the game, and after a period of dominance which saw the hosts pushed back into the defensive third of the field for a prolonged spell got their reward with a strike from substitute Luke Parkin in the 87th minute.
The result was a fair reflection on the game which neither side deserved to lose.

#SportRising

Unfortunately, home game against Buxton in the DCFA Senior Challenge Cup has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The game will now be played away at Buxton on Tuesday 30th January, 7:45pm.

We can confirm that following a pitch inspection, todays home game against Marine has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

A rescheduled date will be announced in due course.

#SportsRising

Mickleover Sports are delighted to announce the signing of Louis Briscoe.

Briscoe’s most notable spell of his career came at Mansfield Town where he featured in 175 games scoring 34 goals and was apart of the Stags side that were promoted back to the football league.

Sports are also delighted to announce the signing of 29 year old striker Matthew Barnes-Homer.

Barnes-Homer has played for a number of clubs including Wycombe, Luton and Macclesfield among others, he has also represented the England C team on 5 occasions scoring 2 goals.

“I’m delighted and excited to be joining Mickleover Sport it’s a great challenge for me to be a part of what they trying to do season on season and trying to get promoted and I’m happy to be a part that and can’t wait to get started and to score some goals for the team to help achieve that. They play fantastic football that will suit me and it wasn’t a very hard decision to make when they come in for me after speaking to the manager and knowing what he’s about and having played against him a few times and the style in how he’s got the team playing is exciting”
Matthew Barnes Homer

“Excited for the challenge ahead and pushing on towards the playoffs. Looking forward to working with John McGrath, I enjoy how Mickleover Sports try and play the right way. Also from talking to the manager, the club is heading in the right direction, sounds a very ambitious club, a club I want to be at”
Louis Briscoe

“I am delighted with the double signing of Matthew and Louis. Both players will add excellent quality to a squad already filled with great talent. We as a club have worked hard to get both lads to Mickleover Sports and I believe they will fulfill the footballing ethos that we adhere to here at the Don Amott arena”
John McGrath, Manager

Mickleover SPORTS 2-0 Matlock Town

By Phil Matthews

Sports:- King, Grocott, Mulders, Scott, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Morrison (Belgrave 82), Morris, Garnett (Palmer 60), Phillips.

Subs:- Horne, Williams, Turner.

Matlock:- Barnes, Green, Yeomans, Wallace, Yates, Wiley, Jackson, Vince, Harrod, Limb, Cribley.

Subs:- Doyle-Charles, Hunt, Sharpe, Brunt, Smith-Eccles.

Referee R Hathaway.

Attn:- 410

All games between Mickleover Sports and Matlock are guaranteed to be feisty, and this was no different. With the Gladiators managed by former Mickleover bosses Glen Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins and three ex Sports players in their match day 16 it was never going to be anything else.

Matlock have never won a game at the Don Amott Arena and they must have feared the worst from the moment that Evan Garnett gave the home team a 14^th minute lead as he latched onto a loose ball and fired home after an Andy Dales shot was only half cleared.

Dales and Garnett provided a dangerous partnership in the first half, often combining to good effect though never making the most of opportunities that each provided for the other.

The nearest that Sports came to doubling their lead in the first period fell to loan signing Ollie Mulders whose free kick from outside the box beat everyone, but hit the foot of the post and bounced away to safety.

Mickleover did double their lead on 65 minutes with a Mulders corner that was headed home by Pablo Mills.

Matlock had opportunities of their own but most of their efforts were well caught by home keeper Lewis King, who could be pleased with his day’s work.

The hosts worked hard all over the pitch to maintain their lead and deny the visitors opportunities wherever possible and fully deserved their victory.

#SportsRising

Mickleover Sports have re-signed 24-year-old midfielder Medi Abalimba.

Abalimba, who was previously with Southend United, Derby County and Perpignon, returns to the club where he played last season before health issues curtailed his season.

He has also played for Liverpool on trial, and trialled with both Manchester United and Manchester City. He’s keen to kick start what was seen as a very promising career.

“I’m finally over a major knee issue I picked up in training, and I’m keen and ready to go. I can’t think of a better place to be at this stage than Mickleover. Chairman Don Amott and his committee have been wonderful to me, and as for manager John McGrath, he’s just a superb man to be around. A wonderful coach and a real professional, I’ve already learned a lot from him.”

Chairman Don Amott added; “We’re really chuffed to have Medi back. He fits into our midfield nicely, and is so enthusiastic it’s infectious!”

_________________________
Photo caption – Medi Abalimba signs for Mickleover Sports watched by club secretary Tony Shaw.

2018/19 Kit Reveal

Unfortunately, tonights home game against Buxton in the DCFA Senior Challenge Cup has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

It has been re-scheduled for the same time next Tuesday, 16th January.