by Peter Scherer

Looking to end a run of six straight league defeats, Mickleover have to face top of the table Macclesfield at the Don Amott Arena on Tuesday, rearranged after last weeks snowy postponement.

Apart from draws at home to Hyde Utd and away at Ilkeston, Macclesfield have won every other league game and come to us fresh from their FA Trophy penalty shootout a week last Saturday at Curzon Ashton, and last weekends 6-0 home win against bottom of the table Blyth Spartans.

Our visitors lost out to Marine in the play-offs last season after finishing as runners-up. Michael Clegg departed as manager in June after only four months, and since then Robbie Savage has been in charge.

It’s been a tough season so far for Mickleover and last weekends unlucky home defeat to Workington, after dominating the game, still leaves then in 19^th place and the threat of relegation, but hopefully the tide will turn as we have five games to play before Christmas.

One of the highlights of last Saturday’s defeat was the goal from debutant Tyreace Palmer, a second half sub who must now be in line for a start.

Goalkeeper Max Dearnley was a pre-season signing from Buxton. He started out at Penistone and after a season at Ossett Utd, moved on to Huddersfield Town. His next stop was Farsley Celtic, before joining Buxton at the start of last season, ending it on loan at Chorley.

Centre back Sam Heathcote is in his second season with our visitors, since arriving from Runcorn Linnets. He started out at Altrincham and then spent a year each at Ramsbottom and Hyde Utd, before making the return trip in July 2019. Before moving to Runcorn, he spent 2 ½ years with West Didsbury.

Right back Lewis Fensome is a former Preston North End Junior, who spent 3 ½ years at Lancaster City, before signing for Macclesfield in January 2022.

Dontai Gabidon is a midfielder that came from FC United n September. He started at Altrincham too and also had two years at West Didsbury.

Danny Whitehead plays in central midfield and is another pre-season signing from Fylde. He has league two experience and started his career with Stockport County, before a move to West Ham Utd. Following his release and a short stay at Accrington, he joined Macclesfield for the first time in July 2015, but moved to Wigan after six months.

He was loaned back to Macclesfield, along with Cheltenham, before a permanent return to our visitors. Next stop was Salford City, with another loan back at Macclesfield preceding a move to Port Vale. He was then loaned to Altrincham, before joining Fylde in January 2022.

Justin Johnson is a right sided midfielder. His career started at Sparta Rotterdam and Manchester Utd, before a spell at FC United. He then headed north to Dundee Utd, who loaned hm to York City. Cyprus was his next port of call, spending two years at Othellos Athienou, including a loan at Akritas Chlorakas, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He moved on again via Morton, Stalybridge Celtic and had two years at Fylde before joining our visitors pre-season.

Tre Pemberton favours the right side of midfield. A youngster with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, he joined FC United on his release. He was loaned to Longridge before a move to Stafford Rangers, where he spent nine months before arriving at Macclesfield in July 2022.

Luke Duffy is a right midfielder too. He came from Warrington at the beginning of last season after a three year spell and was previously at Lower Breck FC.

John Rooney is the brother of Wayne and is an attacking midfielder who started his career at Macclesfield back in 2008. He moved to the United States with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, before returning to the UK with Barnsley.

Next stop was Bury, who loaned him to Chester, before the move became permanent. Wrexham was next, followed by Guiseley, Barrow and Stockport County. He came back to Macclesfield in August 2023, after a year at Oldham.

Alex Curran is another midfielder and was the two goal hero in last Saturday’s FA Trophy win over his former club Curzon Ashton. A Former Blackburn Rovers junior, he joined Colne on his release, before moving to Stockport County. Loans at FC United and Curzon Ashton followed, before the latter became permanent, spending a year with them before joining our visitors.

Winger Sean Etaluku started out at Burnley, before joining Mossley on his release. He moved to Barrow in July last year, who loaned him to Buxton and Matlock, before coming to Macclesfield two weeks ago.

D’Mani Mellor is a former Manchester Utd junior striker, with experience in Leagues One, Two and the Europa League. He was loaned to Salford before making a permanent move to Wycombe Wanderers. Further loans at Rochdale and Sutton Utd followed, before joining Gateshead at the start of this season. After just two weeks in the North East he signed for Macclesfield, and scored a hattrick in last Saturday win over Blyth.

Fellow striker Danny Elliott was a pre-season arrival too. A youth player at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, he moved to the US in 2014 with Hofstra Pride, a University side.

He was loaned to Carolina Dynamo and Long Island Rough Riders, before his four-year stay ended, with a move to Spain with San Cristobal. Three months later he was back in the UK with Port Vale, and has played for Chester, Alfreton, Hartlepool, Boston Utd, Boreham Wood and Gateshead, before joining Scunthorpe in February last year, spending five months with the Irons before becoming a Silkman. He scored two of the goals against Blyth last Saturday.

Neil Kengni is another striker signed from Marine in July 2022. He started off at Rochdale and has played for Stalybridge too.

French midfielder Laurent Mendy was signed in June 2021 from IFK Amal in Sweden and was the first player to make 100 appearances for the reformed Macclesfield FC.

Paul Dawson is a midfielder too. Signed from Bamber Bridge in May last year, he has also played for Lancaster City

Former England C International Elliott Whitehouse is a central midfielder, with League One and Two experience. As a Sheffield Utd youngster, he was loaned to York City, before moving to Notts County. He then went on loan to Nuneaton, before a permanent move to Halifax, preceded a return to Nuneaton.

Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Forest Green and Scunthorpe followed, with a loan at Spennymoor followed by Chester, from where he joined Macclesfield pre-season.

Winger Edy Maieco came from Bradford Park Avenue in September on a return trip. Having previously been at Macclesfield.

Midfielder Basit Yusuff has recently stepped up from the clubs Academy and also plays in the reserve side.

Left back Brandon Lee s one of the longer serving players, having come from Longridge in September 2021. He started at Bolton Wanderers and has also played for Chorley.

Tony Clare also arrived in 2021, a striker from Pontefract. He started off at Barnsley and Bradford City, before joining Boston Utd after an initial loan. He then had spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Buxton, before joining Pontefract in September 2020.

Central midfielder James Edmondson is currently on loan from Blackburn Rovers. 

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 7.45 and the forecast is dry and 4 degrees.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

It was touch and go that the match would even take place, but some sterling work behind the scenes had the snow cleared, as we welcomed Workington to the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1- Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Will Atkinson 5-Nathan James 6-Danny Benson 7-Tony Smith 8-Curtis Weston 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Jamie Soule. Subs: Fin Ryder, Tyreace Palmer, Justin Iwobi, Edimond Oppong, Dylan Edwards.

It was fairly even opening few minutes, with Workington testing Mersin with an easy save five minutes in. But two minutes later Smith picked his spot, with a great shot from outside the box, tipped over the bar by keeper Mitchell for the first corner of the game.

Dales then put the ball across the face of the goal, but there was no one there to connect. Workington then got a break and an amount of confusion in the home defence followed, as Mersin came out but didn’t claim the ball, before Atkinson cleared the initial danger.

But the ball was fired straight back in and Smith tapped a visiting strikers ankle, who went down heavily, with the referee pointing straight to the penalty spot.

Rigg duly dispatched the penalty to make it 0-1. Although Sports kept pushing forward, the goal had given our visitors extra confidence to push on too, making the home defence work harder.

Bennett and Ferron were working on the overlaps, with Atkinson, Benson and James in the middle. But Mickleover went close again 15 minutes in, when some good work from Weston on the left found Beavon. His shot was deflected just wide though.

Two minutes later James gave away a careless free kick just outside the box, but fortunately the free kick delivery was poor and the danger had gone.

Approaching the half hour mark Smith had made some space on the right, he managed to pick out Soule, but again his attempt was blocked.

But Mickleover were still pressing for the equaliser and after 34 minutes a Dales corner found Beavon again, but his header was just wide of the right-hand post.

Ferron then ran almost half of the pitch, before he managed to shoot from a tight angle on the left, and with the keeper making a fumbled save, it was another corner.

Workington’s defence were somehow surviving the battering, and after some nice interplay between Bennett, Soule and Smith, it ended with another Beavon shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Only a minute later Beavon was in there again with a header just over, after Soule and Ferron’s build-up, but desperately close.

It could easily have been a second for Workington though, when after 40 minutes the whole defence froze, giving Nugent a free shot, totally unchallenged, which fortunately hit the bar.

Sports then got a break and Smith crossed again from the right as he tried to seek out Dales, but the ball was intercepted, just before he was able to connect.

Into time added on Dales got a break, he beat the defence and faced the advancing Mitchell as he raced off his line. But the shot lacked direction and finished well wide of the target and so it remained 0-1 as the half time whistle blew.

Barely had the second half got underway and Soule was brought down in the box, but appeals were waved away, despite it looking a more legitimate claim than the one awarded to Workington, that split the sides.

Dales broke through the defence again after 52 minutes, but his close range shot was blocked by Mitchell, as the light rain became heavier as it drifted across the pitch.

It was close again for Mickleover again two minutes later, after another precise cross from Ferron on the left. Soule made a perfect turn but his effort struck the upright again, with the rebound blocked.

Ambrose was then booked for a solid challenge on Beavon, but Dales’ free kick failed to trouble the keeper.

Mickleover then made their first change after 63 minutes, with Palmer replacing Soule. The debutant Palmer quickly made an impact, when Dales sent a cross field ball from the left to find him with acres of space. With patience and accuracy he picked his spot, beating Mitchell on his far post to finally make it 1-1.

Two minutes later Dales found Palmer again, he was through on the right but his cross was cut out, as the visitors defence were pegged back in their own box.

There was another corner with a repeat after Beavon’s header was blocked, but Atkinson fired over the bar. It was all Mickleover as they were now chasing for a winning goal and made another change with Edwards on for Beavon.

Dales put a ball into the box but the defence managed to clear it, but then 77 minutes gone and it turned again. Workington hadn’t really tested the home defence in the second half, but they won a corner on the right after a break. Once again no one took charge and it fell to Jake Allan who gratefully accepted the chance and made it 1-2.  

From a possible win after a totally dominant second half, Mickleover were heading for another defeat. They swapped Oppong for Smith in the closing minutes and had one last chance when Dales was fouled on the edge of the box. His free kick came off the wall, before the corner came to nought.

But four minutes into time added on Workington were awarded another innocuous penalty, which Rigg scored to seal a flattering 1-3 win for Workington, leaving Mickleover with a six consecutive defeat. 

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday we welcome Workington to the Don Amott Arena, with Mickleover aiming for points get them out of the relegation zone, after last weekends defeat at Whitby.

Our visitors are currently 15th in the NPL table, four places and two points ahead of Mickleover, having played the same number of games.

There were some strong performances at Whitby, despite the somewhat flattering result, so manager Gareth Holmes will be looking for a continuing improvement in form, to see them climb the table.

Mark Fell has been in charge of our visitors since March, when he took over from Danny Grainger, having previously been at Lancaster City for five years.

They drew 2-2 at our fellow strugglers FGC United last Saturday, but have only had three wins in the last 10 games, at home to Worksop, Ilkeston and Whitby, having lost their last five games on the road.

Keeper Alex Mitchell started his career at Carlisle, before a move to Scotland with Gretna. He was loaned to Queen of the South, before joining Annan Athletic. He first came to Workington in July 2015 and alternated between our visitors and Annan for the next six years, before moving to Blyth Spartans in July 2021. He came to Workington pre-season and has made over 150 League Two appearances.

Mitchell’s deputy is Danny Eccles, another former Carlisle youngster. He joined Barrow following his release, moving on via Bradford Park Avenue, Kendal Town, Congleton Town, Chorley, Ramsbottom and Ashton Utd. He joinedour visitors in August 2021 from FC Squires Gate.

Aran Fitzpatrick is a young defender on his second loan spell at Workington. He arrived in September for a three month stay.

Centre back Efie Ambrose is vastly experienced, having played in the Scottish Premiership, Championship and League One, plus the Israeli Premiership and both the Champions and Europa Leagues.

His career started in his native Nigeria with Kaduna Utd and Bayelsa, before moving to Israel with FC Ashdod. He then came to the UK with Glasgow Celtic, who loaned him to Hibernian, before a permanent move preceded a move to Derby County in February 2019.

After a few months he returned to Scotland with Livingston, St.Johnstone, Dunfermline, Morton and a return to Queen of the South. He spent last season at Bury and was another pre-season signing for our visitors.

Steve Swinglehurst is another experienced centre back, having made over 250 League Two appearances. He started at Carlisle too and joined Annan Athletic after an initial loan. After 12 years with the Scottish Club he came to Workington pre-season too.

Unlike Ambrose and Swinglehurst, Tom Wilkinson is at the opposite end of his career. A teenaged centre back, he arrived pre-season too after being released by Preston North End.

Theo Farquharson is another centre back and only arrived last two weeks ago, from Warrington. He was previously at SC Espinho in Portugal and FC United.

Right back David Symington has League One and Two experience. Another Carlisle youngster, he first came to our visitors in February 2015 on loan. After a permanent move to Barrow, he returned to Workington in July 2018, after a two–year break from football.

Kai Nugent is a midfielder and like so many of his team mates, an ex Carlisle Junior. He was loaned to Workington at the beginning of last year and was released after a further spell at Annan Athletic, joining our visitors permanently pre-season. He made 25 League One appearances and scored two goals.

Midfielder Matty Clarke came from Clitheroe earlier this month. He had started at Penrith and first came to Workington in 2019, after a short spell at Bradford Park Avenue. He played for Lancaster too before his nine month stay at Clitheroe.

Now in his forties, midfielder David Norris is vastly experienced, with almost 500 appearances throughout the Championship, Leagues One and Two under his belt, scoring 60 goals, after starting his career at Boston Utd.

He joined Bolton Wanderers in 2000 and was loaned back to Boston and after a further loan Hull City he moved onto Plymouth Argyle. Ipswich, Portsmouth and Leeds Utd were his next stops, before moving to Peterborough in 2015.

Blackpool, Leatherhead and Salford City followed, before returning to Boston from Shaw Lane in 2018. He then spent five years at Lancaster, before joining our visitors in September.

Jake Allan is a midfielder too, partly into a three-month loan period from Carlisle Utd. He is joined my team mate Sam Herrington, a striker currently on a two-month loan.

Kaedyn Kamara is another loanee from Preston, but he had started out with Burnley.

Right sided midfielder Jamie Allen arrived pre-season from Curzon Ashton, where he spent the whole of last season. A former Fleetwood Town youngster, he was loaned to Barrow, Fylde, Stalybridge and Southport, before joining Dover Athletic. He then had three years at Halifax, before a year at Telford preceded his move toCurzon Ashton.

Josh Galloway is a right winger with League One, Two and Scottish Premiership experience. He started out at Carlisle too, but then spent three years with Leeds Utd. He had a loan spell at FC United, but made a permanent move to Annan Athletic in July 2022, before joining Workington at the start of this season. If the name is familiar, it should be, as he is the son of our assistantmanager Mick.

Steven Rigg is another player with League Two and Scottish Championship experience. A striker, he played for Keswick and Penrith before joining Carlisle. He then spent two seasons at Queen of the South, before returning to Carlisle.

His next stop was Chorley, who loaned him to Workington in March 2018, before spells at Gateshead and Dover Athletic preceded his return to our visitors in July 2021.

Midfielder Ruben Grewal is a recent arrival after being released by Wigan Athletic, along with Lucas Wane, a former Burnley defensive midfielder, who has had a short spell at Longridge.

Amadou Doumbouya is a vert recent arrival on a dual registration with Chorley. A midfielder, he started out at Bury, before moving to Chorley. He also had a loan spell at Bamber Bridge last season.

Young striker Ben McCarron played for Cleator Moor Celtic and Parkside before joining our visitors pre-season.

Sam Christian is a midfielder who has graduated from their own youth scheme, along with striker Alfie McDonough and Owen Johnston.

Tyler Beck was previously at Macclesfield, a defender, he has also become part of the first team squad after a pre-season trial. He has played for Garstang and Padiham too.

Winger Tom Stephenson came through pre-season trials to earn a contract. He started in the Blackpool Academy and has also played for Holker Old Boys.

Striker Brad Hubbold has spent most of his career at Workington. He had a spell at Lancaster City in 22/23, but is now in his third season back with our visitors.

Defender Jordan Little came to Workington part way through last season. Initially he was moving to Carlisle City at the start of the season, but was persuaded to return. He is currently out injured.

Aidan Howarth and Cieran Casson are both community coaches and former Carlisle Academy players. Casson is a midfielder who has been at Workington since 2019, while 16 year old defender Howarth made his first team debutearlier this season.

It‘s forecast to be wet and windy for Saturday’s 3pm kick off, but come and bring your support and lets get THREE POINTS!!

by Peter Scherer

Looking to end a run of five straight league defeats, Mickleover have to face top of the table Macclesfield at the Don Amott Arena tomorrow night.

Apart from draws at home to Hyde Utd and away at Ilkeston, Macclesfield have won every other league game and come to us fresh from their FA Trophy win last Saturday at Curzon Ashton, following a penalty shootout.

Our visitors lost out to Marine in the play-offs last season after finishing as runners-up. Michael Clegg departed as manager in June after only four months, and since then Robbie Savage has been in charge.

It’s been a tough season so far for Mickleover and last weekends defeat at Whitby leaves then in 19^th place and the threat of relegation, but hopefully the tide will turn as we have six games to play before Christmas.

Goalkeeper Max Dearnley was a pre-season signing from Buxton. He started out at Penistone and after a season at Ossett Utd, moved on to Huddersfield Town. His next stop was Farsley Celtic, before joining Buxton at the start of last season, ending it on loan at Chorley.

Centre back Sam Heathcote is in his second season with our visitors, since arriving from Runcorn Linnets. He started out at Altrincham and then spent a year each at Ramsbottom and Hyde Utd, before making the return trip in July 2019. Before moving to Runcorn, he spent 2 ½ years with West Didsbury.

Right back Lewis Fensome is a former Preston North End Junior, who spent 3 ½ years at Lancaster City, before signing for Macclesfield in January 2022.

Dontai Gabidon is a midfielder that came from FC United n September. He started at Altrincham too and also had two years at West Didsbury.

Danny Whitehead plays in central midfield and is another pre-season signing from Fylde. He has league two experience and started his career with Stockport County, before a move to West Ham Utd. Following his release and a short stay at Accrington, he joined Macclesfield for the first time in July 2015, but moved to Wigan after six months.

He was loaned back to Macclesfield, along with Cheltenham, before a permanent return to our visitors. Next stop was Salford City, with another loan back at Macclesfield preceding a move to Port Vale. He was then loaned to Altrincham, before joining Fylde in January 2022.

Justin Johnson is a right sided midfielder. His career started at Sparta Rotterdam and Manchester Utd, before a spell at FC United. He then headed north to Dundee Utd, who loaned hm to York City. Cyprus was his next port of call, spending two years at Othellos Athienou, including a loan at Akritas Chlorakas, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He moved on again via Morton, Stalybridge Celtic and had two years at Fylde before joining our visitors pre-season.

Tre Pemberton favours the right side of midfield. A youngster with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, he joined FC United on his release. He was loaned to Longridge before a move to Stafford Rangers, where he spent nine months before arriving at Macclesfield in July 2022.

Luke Duffy is a right midfielder too. He came from Warrington at the beginning of last season after a three year spell and was previously at Lower Breck FC.

John Rooney is the brother of Wayne and is an attacking midfielder who started his career at Macclesfield back in 2008. He moved to the United States with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, before returning to the UK with Barnsley.

Next stop was Bury, who loaned him to Chester, before the move became permanent. Wrexham was next, followed by Guiseley, Barrow and Stockport County. He came back to Macclesfield in August 2023, after a year at Oldham.

Alex Curran is another midfielder and was the two goal hero in last Saturday’s FA Trophy win over his former club Curzon Ashton. A Former Blackburn Rovers junior, he joined Colne on his release, before moving to Stockport County. Loans at FC United and Curzon Ashton followed, before the latter became permanent, spending a year with them before joining our visitors.

Winger Sean Etaluku started out at Burnley, before joining Mossley on his release. He moved to Barrow in July last year, who loaned him to Buxton and Matlock, before coming to Macclesfield two weeks ago.

D’Mani Mellor is a former Manchester Utd junior striker, with experience in Leagues One, Two and the Europa League. He was loaned to Salford before making a permanent move to Wycombe Wanderers. Further loans at Rochdale and Sutton Utd followed, before joining Gateshead at the start of this season. After just two weeks in the North East he signed for Macclesfield.

Fellow striker Danny Elliott was a pre-season arrival too. A youth player at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, he moved to the US in 2014 with Hofstra Pride, a University side.

He was loaned to Carolina Dynamo and Long Island Rough Riders, before his four-year stay ended, with a move to Spain with San Cristobal. Three months later he was back in the UK with Port Vale, and has played for Chester, Alfreton, Hartlepool, Boston Utd, Boreham Wood and Gateshead, before joining Scunthorpe in February last year, spending five months with the Irons before becoming a Silkman.

Neil Kengni is another striker signed from Marine in July 2022. He started off at Rochdale and has played for Stalybridge too.

French midfielder Laurent Mendy was signed in June 2021 from IFK Amal in Sweden and was the first player to make 100 appearances for the reformed Macclesfield FC.

Paul Dawson is a midfielder too. Signed from Bamber Bridge in May last year, he has also played for Lancaster City

Former England C International Elliott Whitehouse is a central midfielder, with League One and Two experience. As a Sheffield Utd youngster, he was loaned to York City, before moving to Notts County. He then went on loan to Nuneaton, before a permanent move to Halifax, preceded a return to Nuneaton.

Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Forest Green and Scunthorpe followed, with a loan at Spennymoor followed by Chester, from where he joined Macclesfield pre-season.

Winger Edy Maieco came from Bradford Park Avenue in September on a return trip. Having previously been at Macclesfield.

Midfielder Basit Yusuff has recently stepped up from the clubs Academy and also plays in the reserve side.

Left back Brandon Lee s one of the longer serving players, having come from Longridge in September 2021. He started at Bolton Wanderers and has also played for Chorley.

Tony Clare also arrived in 2021, a striker from Pontefract. He started off at Barnsley and Bradford City, before joining Boston Utd after an initial loan. He then had spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Buxton, before joining Pontefract in September 2020.

Central midfielder James Edmondson is currently on loan from Blackburn Rovers. 

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 7.45 and t’s forecast to be a cold night.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover travelled to Whitby Town last Saturday looking for a first win in eight league games. It started so well, but three goals in 14 minutes ended hopes of any reward.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Ceiron Keane 5-Nathan James 6-Danny Benson 7- Will Atkinson 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Dylan Edwards 10-Andy Dales 11-Jamie Soule. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Brandon Ferron, Dan Bradley, Toby Smith, Edimond Oppong.

It was positive start for Mickleover on a bright but breezy East coast day, with Edwards going close after three minutes, following a strong attack from Dales. 

But the momentum continued with Soule working his way through on the right wing, to find the overlapping Bennett. A beautifully placed shot had keeper Bland beaten on his far post and it was a well-deserved lead for Sports after just four minutes, 1-0.

It could easily have been a second for Mickleover two minutes later, when Keane crossed from the left. Edwards managed to connect, but didn’t quite get enough direction to challenge the keeper again, as his effort went just wide.

It was 14  minutes in before the hosts made a telling break. Nathan Thomas charged down the left but as he cut inside his cross or shot was blazed well over the bar.

It had been a great start for Mickleover, precise passing moving forward and a relative confidence that seemed to have spread throughout the team, as they dominated the first 15 minutes.

Just after Sports had another corner, with Keane’s final lob straight into Bland’s hands, Sam Collins got clear on the right and almost had Mersin beaten, as it whistled just wide.

Keane then tried his luck from long range after 20 minutes, but it was wide of the right -hand post. But Mickleover still had the upperhand, with some good work from Dales on the right. He found Soule but he couldn’t quite get space to get his shot in.

A few minutes later Edwards held the ball in the middle before laying off to Dales, but his shot was saved. Keane was down injured though after taking a knock and had to be replaced by Bradley.

As the half hour mark approached Dales and Edwards worked hard again to set up a Hickingbottom strike. His shot had the power, but unfortunately it was blocked by a defender.

But suddenly the tide turned and in the 31^st minute Stephen Walker’s shot was initially saved by the Mickleover keeper, but the defence were beaten to the rebound and Aaron Haswell scored the equaliser, 1-1.

The pressure began to build as the early confidence had waned and Whitby were on the ascendance. Another ball through the middle wasn’t picked up and Connor Simpson got on the end of it. Mersin made a great save again, but Walker’s follow up made it 1-2 in the hosts favour.

Edwards had the ball in the net in time added on but was ruled offside, and then in the fifth minute of injury time, Whitby were awarded a penalty after a handball and Thomas stepped forward to make it 1-3 as the half time whistle followed.

Ferron had replaced Wilson as the second half kicked off, with an early corner for Whitby, which failed to trouble the defence.

Mickleover had tightened up at the back with James, Benson and Atkinson, which was allowing Bennett and Ferron to use their wings more.

Ferron had a useful cross cut out after a 52mnd minute run and on the hour mark Bennett was Sports most dangerous attacker. In the 62^nd minute a cross from the left found Bennett, whose header was just over the bar. Ferron then had another run, he got his cross in but it was out of play.

Debutant Oppong came on for Edwards a couple of minutes later and soon started to show his pace, with a strong run on the right, finishing with a tame effort straight at keeper Bland.

Ferron tried his luck after a strong run down the left after 70 minutes, but his effort was well over the bar and then Hickingbottom got the ball into the Whitby box, there was a scramble and Benson was so close to pulling a goal back, as the ball bounced on the line before being cleared.

Atkinson managed to stop Whitby sub Steel in a one on one break and then Hickingbottom was hacked down, with the ref waving playing on as Whitby took possession. A hard defensive tackle followed and a slight scuffle broke out, with Dales joining the already yellow carded Atkinson in the book.

Haswell hit the post for Whitby in the 77^th minute, after a half save from Mersin gave them a corner, but luck was with the hosts again when Frankie Whelan got his head to the ball and made it a flattering 1-4  to the hosts.

Smith came on for Hickingbottom for the final six minutes and Dales had another run down the right before his path was blocked. Benson got his head to the following corner, it was on target but Bland saved low to his right to bring to end a disappointing game, that started with such promise and ended pointless again for the fifth successive game.

We were on top after a great start and all we would have wanted. Some excellent performances and we had a deserved lead.

But after the equaliser for about 20 minutes we were all over the shop and have got to be better. We went from being in the ascendancy to under the cosh. We just weren’t tight enough in the middle and the gaps got too big. Players need to step up and take that responsibility.

We did better in the second half, but I felt frustrated. It was good for 65 minutes of the game, and we had seven or eight strong performances, but a couple of weak ones and it’s my job to change it.

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed Italian striker Edimond Oppong and he goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s visit to Whitby.

Having played for Union EuroCalcio in Italy, Oppong has recently had trials with Brentford and Middlesborough too

by Peter Scherer

Unlucky not to hold onto a point last weekend last Saturday, Mickleover head to North Yorkshire this weekend to face Whitby Town.

Sports have used a number of players in varying positions over recent weeks, some caused by injury and some by choice.  But with four successive league defeats they are now 18^th in the NPL table, just outside the relegation zone and still seeking the winning blend.

Our hosts have had five wins so far, and are currently 13^th, but having played two games more they are only two points ahead too.

They have only won three of their last 12 league games and lost 0-3 at Worksop on Tuesday night. They also lost their last home game, 0-2 to Gainsborough on November 5^th.

Manager Gary Liddle and his assistant Jason Kennedy are both still registered players and are often on the subs bench. Liddle was signed as a player from Spennymoor pre-season, but took over the managership too when Nathan Haslam left last month.

A centre back he started his career at Middlesbrough, before joining Hartlepool on his release. After six years he moved to Notts County, followed by spells at Bradford City, Chesterfield and Carlisle, before joining Walsall in 2006. He then returned to Hartlepool and was at South Shields before his Spennymoor move at the end of last season. He has made 572 league appearances in Leagues One and Two and scored 28 goals.

Kennedy came from Marske Utd last month to join Liddle. A midfielder, he started out at Middlesbrough too and was loaned out to Boston Utd, Bury and Livingston, before joining Darlington on his release. 

A year later he joined Rochdale and then moved to Bradford City, who loaned him back to Rochdale, before another permanent move to Carlisle in 2015. His next stops were Hartlepool and Spennymoor, before a two years spell at Marske and has 390 League One and Two appearances under his belt with 38 goals.

First choice goalkeeper Shane Bland was another Middlesbrough youngster. He first came to Whitby in 2013 following his release, but after just over four years moved onto Spennymoor. His next move was West Auckland after an initial loan and is now in his sixth season at Whitby.

His deputy is Nick Cranston, was signed from Billingham in October 2021. He has also played for Wolviston, after starting his career at Darlington.

Jassem Sukar is a centre back and currently captains the side. He started out at Sunderland before heading further north with Dundee Utd. He was loaned to Peterhead, Brechin City and Arbroath, playing in Scottish League’s One and Two, before signing for York City on his release.

He came to Whitby in April 2018, but moved to Darlington four years later. After a loan at Scarborough he came to our hosts pre-season.

Fellow centre back Frankie Whelan and left back Sam Collins are pre-season signings too, following their release from Middlesbrough.

Right back Soni Fergus is his fourth season at the club, after arriving from Pickering in July 2021.

Priestley Griffiths is a former England Under 17 International and another ex Middlesbrough junior. A defensive midfielder, he joined Bishop Auckland on his release, before moving to IBV Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland.

After a two year spell he returned to the UK with Marske Utd, before a move to Blyth Spartans, where he played until joining our hosts in August 2021.

Yet another ex Middlesbrough is central midfielder Joe Wheately. A former England C International. He joined Darlington following his release. He then moved on to Spennymoor, who loaned him to Whitby in February 2023, before making it permanent five months later.

Central midfielder Alfie Doherty another ex Middlesbrough junior too, who came straight to Whitby when he was released in August last year.

Connor Smith is a right sided midfielder, who began his career at Hartlepool. He was loaned to York and to Whitby in 2017, before a move to Frickley Athletic. He then moved onto Marske Utd and was loaned to our hosts again in September last year, but the move became permanent in November.

Midfielder Adam Gell has recently made his 300^th appearance. Having arrived at Whitby from Guisborough in 2015, he spent nine years with the club before starting this season at Bishop Auckland. But he made the return trip after just two months.

Joe Gibson is another right sided midfielder and another former Middlesbrough junior. He was loaned to Darlington, before starting this season at Blyth Spartans following his release. After just one month at Blyth he moved to our hosts.

Nathan Thomas is a traditional left winger with masses of experience, with over 200 appearances in leagues, one, two and the Scottish Leagues, scoring 34 goals.

He started out as youngster with Newcastle Utd and Sunderland, before joining Plymouth Argyle. He then moved to Scotland with Motherwell, before returning to England with Mansfield Town.

After a spell at Hartlepool he moved to Sheffield Utd, who loaned him to Shrewsbury Town, Notts County and Carlisle Utd, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. York City was his next stop, before a five month stay at Marske Utd, which preceded his move to Whitby last December.

Left winger Jake Charles was picked up by Huddersfield Town during his early career at Garforth Villa. After a loan at Guiseley he moved to Barnsley, who loaned him to York City before a permanent moved to Stalybridge. Stafford Rangers, Farsley Celtic and Scarborough followed, with further loans at FC United and Ashton, before joining our hosts pre-season. He has represented Wales at Under 15, 16,17,19 and 21 levels.

Aaron Haswell is a midfielder and former York City and Harrogate youngster. He was signed from Ossett Utd in May 2022.

Striker Stephen Walker has League one and two experience. He was a Middlesbrough junior too and had loans at MK Dons, Crewe Alexandra and Tranmere, before joining West Auckland on his release. He came  to Whitby last December and has played for England at Under 17, 18 and 19 level. 

Connor Simpson is a well travelled striker who started his career at Hartlepool. He moved on to Preston North End, who loaned him to Carlisle and Accrington, before he made a permanent moved to Cork City.

He returned to England with Scarborough, before a move to Iceland with Kordrengir. Connahs Quay in Wales was his next stop, before a short spell with Marske Utd preceded his arrival at Whitby in November 2022.

He then joined Sorrento in Australia in January this year, before returning to Whitby last month.

Defender Alfie Jackson is a recent signing, having played in pre-season trials. 

Campbell Darcy and Alfie Steel are both loanees from Hartlepool. Defender Darcy came at the start of the season, while striker Steel is a new arrival on a short term loan.

Kick off at the Towbar Express Stadium is 3pm