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.
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.
John McGrath has moved to bolster his managerial staff with the addition of Danny Davidson as Assistant Manager following the departure of Liam Walshe.
Davidson has been at the club for 5 years working with the Juniors and Reserve and is currently in the final stages of his UEFA B coaching qualification and has a wealth of experience at Conference and Conference North level with the likes of Burton Albion, Hereford, Stafford R, Crawley Town, Tamworth, Alfreton and Boston Utd.
McGrath has announced the appointment of Davidson to assist him to the end of the season.
#SportsRising
BY TONY SHAW
Stourbridge: Gould, Christophorou, Westlake, McCone, Pierpoint, Tonks. Dodd, Broadhurst, Benbow, Anderson (Shearer 72), Green (Gater 77). Other subsDuggan, Cooke, Hawk.
Sports: King, Horne, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Mulders, Morrison (Belgrave 80), Palmer (Garnett 60), Phillips. Other subs Williams, Morris.
Sports faced a tough task against Stourbridge who had won their last two games 5-0 and 4-0. They also had to patch up their forward line with Evan Garnett not fit to start and Brad Grayson transferred to Buxton on Friday. Jermaine Palmer came in to partner Clinton Morrison.
Sports started in a composed manner keeping possession well with neither side looking threatening. The first opportunity fell to Sports when Ben Turner did well on the left and his cross was met by Andy Dales but his header cleared the bar.
A poor clearance from Tom Burgin presented a chance to Luke Benbow but he screwed his shot wide. Benbow then went close from a cross by Matt Dodd but his volley was straight at Lewis King. Dales found space on the left and his cross was won by Jermaine Palmer but the ball went out for a goal kick.
In the 34th minute King saved well from a free kick by Tom Tonks but two minutes later was beaten by a cross-cum-shot by Tonks to open the scoring for the home side. Stourbridge went close to a second on 44 minutes but Matt Dodd’s came back off the bar.
Tom Tonks’ throw ins were causing problems for Sports and they came close in the 56th minute a back header from Paul McCone just over the bar. Sports were still in the game and after replacing Palmer, Evan Garnett went close on 65 minutes but his 20 yard shot was wide of the far post. Jimmy Phillips fired a 20 yard shot over. Stourbridge almost increased their lead when a free kick form Dodd was headed just wide by Leon Broadhurst.
Sports then got a last gasp equaliser their efforts deserved. John McGrath’s free kick was won by Pablo Mills and went the ball bounced loose in the area Andy Dales was on hand to fire in a close range shot
Next game – Tuesday 7.45 ko v Buxton – Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter final.
#SportsRising
Sports are set to extend the loan agreement with Birmingham City for talented midfielder Olly Mulders in an attempt to widen the midfield options available to first-team manager John McGrath for the rest of the season.
Mulders, 19, will be available to John McGrath ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stourbridge following a satisfactory Christmas period that has seen Sports unbeaten in the last 3 matches.
Image credit: bcfc.co.uk
Sports were out to avenge an earlier defeat at home to Nantwich to end the year on a winning note. Facing a strong wind in the first half Sports were back to their best short game as they controlled the game in the early stages. Evan Garnett fired a 15 yard shot over the bar and Andy Dales forced a good save from Fabian Spiess.
Mickleover Sports are sad to announce the departure of assistant manger Liam Walshe due to work commitments.
We thank him for all his hard work at the club, and wish him all the very best for the future.
That, of course, means there is now a vacancy for John McGrath’s assistant! Get in contact with the club or John directly to register your interest.
#SportsRising
By Phil Matthews
Sports:- King, Horne, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott (Hickman 68), Morris, Garnett, Phillips (Dickinson 90).
Subs:- Williams, Morrison, Tyrell.
Sutton Coldfield:- Draper, Beresford, Martin, Smith (Lovett 45), Kelly, (Probert 75), Haran, Little, Webb, Knight (Howell 63), O’Callaghan, Singh.
Subs:- Walters, Perry.
Referee Paul Tomes
Attn 230.
Mickleover Sports are on a great run of form at the moment, with impressive back to back league victories on the road – and it continued with a win against bottom of the table Sutton Coldfield Town at the Don Amott Arena.
In goal for the visitors was Nick Draper who had served the home club well last season before departing earlier this after hitting a bad patch of form. This was not a home coming that he will wish to remember for long having been beaten between the posts more times that he would wish.
Sports took the lead on the 13th minute as a superb through ball by Jimmy Phillips was collected by Andy Dales who took it round Draper before firing home.
So dominant were the hosts in the first half that it was 35 minutes into the contest before the visitors struck a shot worthy of note. Gurjit Singh struck it from the edge of the box after referee Paul Tomes awarded a free kick against Sports keeper Lewis King who was adjudged to have held onto the ball fractionally outside his area. The free kick flew over the bar.
By this stage Mickleover had already found the back of the net four times, only for the linesman to rule out three of them for various offences.
The first disallowed goal came in the 10th minute as Tom Burgin netted from close range only to have his effort ruled out for an infringement in the build up to the shot.
The other two to be annulled were by Evan Garnett, the first a shot after an Alex Morris strike had rebounded off the post, and the second a header. Both apparently ruled out for offside.
Pablo Mills completed the scoring on 54 minutes. Dales was fouled at the edge of the area and Mills took an immaculate free kick that Draper could only help into the net – although it was already over the line before he got a hand to it.
Garnett did well to forge a chance with a 58th minute cross that no one was able to get a final touch to, and Dales blazed over on 64.
Best chance to increase the score, though, fell to Ben Turner who failed to find the target from close range on 86 minutes when it looked impossible to miss.
Sports were good value for their win as their winning run continues.
#SportsRising
With this weekend being Remembrance Weekend, we thought we would honour the occasion with the offer of free entry to all ex and current service personnel who would like to attend Saturday’s home game at the Don Amott Arena (Sutton Coldfield Town, 3pm KO).
To request tickets on this basis, please email Dave Kelsey (davek@mickleoversportsfc.com) with details (before the end of Friday) and you will be added to our guest list for the day.
There will be collections on the day on behalf of the Royal British Legion.
By Tony Shaw