Category: First Team

Match Report: Warrington Town (Home)

By Christian Hile

Mickleover ran out deserved winners against a robust and direct Warrington Town side on a cold Tuesday night.

Mickleover dominated the first half from start to finish, but were unable to find that elusive goal.  Sports were quick out the traps as Baskerville’s drive fizzed wide.  Mickleover had their first shot on target on the 18th minute as a well worked free kick fell loose to Grocott, but Willis saved well down at his near post for the visitors.  Sports did have the ball in the net on 25 minutes, but it was flagged offside as Baskerville tapped in from an offside position after Morrison forced Willis into a save.  Mickleover again threatened the visitor’s goal as Willis tipped Dales’ close range free kick wide.  Mickleover went into the break disappointed not to be in front, due to their dominance.

Mickleover came out with the wind still in their sails as Grocott’s dipping effort went just over the crossbar. Sports finally found the back of the on 54 minutes thanks to Andy Dales as he coolly slotted past Willis in the Warrington goal after an eye of the needle ball by Morrison.  Warrington almost pegged Sports back just 2 minutes later as Broadhead was forced to head off the line from a Warrington corner. Warrington again came close to scoring from a corner when Kilheeney’s header forced a great reaction save by Tolley.  Mickleover were able to stand firm against late pressure from Warrington to run out 1-0 winners.

Mickleover will go into the eagerly anticipated game against Matlock Town on Saturday at the Don Amott Arena in good spirits, after an impressive victory.

 

Team

Tolley, Bennett, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Broadhead (c), Dales, Grocott, Morrison (Litchfield 75), Baskerville, Schofield

Unused Subs

Belgrave, Lansdowne, Burgin

Yellow Cards

Grocott ( 34 ), McGrath (60)

Shaping The Future Of Sports – John McGrath

By Cassandra Carruthers

New player manager, John McGrath left Limerick for Aston Villa when he was 18 years old. After playing for both English league clubs and for the Republic of Ireland U-21 squad, he joined Mickleover Sports in 2015 and became the manager during the 2015-16 season.

I caught up with John during training for the team’s game against Warrington Town and asked him about his aspirations for the team and the demands of playing and managing a team at the same time.

The nature of modern football with a large earning potential means that young players can face serious pressure to succeed and I asked John about the challenge of managing younger players. “When I was a kid and getting into football, I’d be out from morning to tea time kicking a ball around but the structure and formal nature of academies and junior teams is so different now. Young players really need to be educated as to what football is really about and not just blinkered to the celebrity status that can come from playing professional football. I believe that more experienced players have a responsibility to nurture and encourage the younger members of a squad. I’ve been fortunate to have had great support at the clubs I played for. I had good mentors at Burton who gave me that much needed guidance and I now have the same important relationships with the team around me at Sports with experienced people like Steve Taylor. It’s not support from the manager but all the other people at a club like the kit man and the other faces you see regularly. You can’t perform to your best ability without a strong support network and I am attempting to develop and strengthen that network here at Sports.”

“We are assembling an ideal mix of player skills and experience here. We have a number of experienced professionals, some players who have played for several clubs and then the newer ones to watch who are coming through from the academy as well as other channels. I feel this team can develop well with the style of football we want to play rather than adopting the attitude of a minority of non-league teams to kick opponents and boot the ball up in the air. That is never going to get you anywhere.”

For a player who left home at a young age himself, it is clear that John values his first role as manager and mentor and wants to succeed. Like many experienced players, not playing football seems an alien concept and managing and coaching is often the route taken. “As a new manager you should always be both developing existing qualities and looking to acquire new skills so that you grow as an individual and have a squad that can adapt well to the changing nature of football. I like to view this as a process and I work to a timeline so that younger players will have an opportunity to step up when more experienced players move onto other clubs. We don’t want a revolving door here; we need a strong team that is able to react well to a changing environment. Our club has great ambition and it’s not just the players that are trying to make sure Mickleover Sports succeed; we have a great management team and a good volunteer base and we have big plans so we are aiming high.”

 

 

Match Report: Stourbridge FC (FA Cup)

(By Phil Mathews)

Sports: – Tolley, Bennett, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Burgin (Litchfield 66), Dales, Broadhead, Morrison (Baskerville 79), Grocott, Schofield.

Subs: – Lansdowne

Stourbridge: – Gould, Green, Smikle, Birch (Tonks 70), Westlake, Scarr, Dodd (Canavan 73), Broadhurst, Benbow (Hague 79), Lait, Brown.

Subs: – Pierrepoint, Probert, Heath, Hull.

Referee P Tomes

Attain: 256

As John McGrath’s new look team continued to take shape Sports gave a debut to Clinton Morrison, a forward who in his time had played international football for the Republic of Ireland, and been the subject of a £2 million transfer.

Of almost as much value to his new club as his goal scoring exploits and career record at the highest level was the fact that he gives the club different options up front  to those of the smaller nippy pairing s that have served them so far this season.

The match was a good advert for the game at this level, and Stourbridge were quick to take the fight to their opponents to the extent that Jake Bennett was forced to head the ball away from under his own crossbar in the 4th minute (a skill that he had demonstrated to great effect away to Whitby the previous week).

Daniel Scarr had the next best effort beating the home defence with a header that he could only watch hit the bar and bounce away.

Jack Tolley in the MIckleover goal showed what he was capable of as he tipped a goal bound strike from distance over the bar with one hand on 37 minutes.

Sports best effort of the half came three minutes later as a cross from Morrison was met by the head of Tom Burgin who could only steer the ball narrowly wide of the target.

The visitors struck on the verge of half time having spent much of the half knocking on the door. Dodd and Luke Benbow combined to provide a chance for Chris Lait whose curling shot from outside the box fizzed past Tolley who could do little about a shot of such quality.

McGrath had a shot at goal a couple of minutes after the restart but was unable to find the target, but Sports pulled level on 52 minutes.

Ben Turner, as he so often does provided a quality cross into the area from the left that provided Morrison with the best possible invitation to head it home. The debut boy  was not going to spurn it, and Mickleover Sports became the third team of his career to benefit from a goal on his first appearance, the previous two being Crystal Palace and the Republic of Ireland.

Andy Dales appeared to be impeded as he ran into the box in the 67th minute but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty, and Bennett set up Danny Schofield a minute later, but the ex Millwall man fired over the bar.

A free kick fired home by Drew Canavan in the 83rd minute put the visitors in front again. There was a certain amount of doubt over whether Jack Broadhead had indeed fouled Kayelden Brown just outside the area but that didn’t excuse the wall of defenders, who had been properly placed by Tolley, for failing to react. If they had jumped to block the kick things may have been different, but Tolley was unable to get across goal from the side he was covering, and the ball nestled in the far corner of the net from him.

Bennett yet again tried to make things happen with raids from his position on the right side of the defence but it was not to be.

Manager John McGrath described himself pleased with his team’s display in the main, but disappointed to not still be in a competition that he thought they deserved something out of.

He also admitted to being delighted with Clinton Morrison who he was convinced had a lot to bring to the team.

Match Report: Whitby Town (a)

(By Tony Shaw)

Whitby Town 1-1 Mickleover Sports

Whitby: Bland, Martin, McWilliams, Weledji, Bythway, May, Gell, Hopson, Roberts Mctiernan 77), Tymon, Snaith. Other Subs Round, Dawson, Robinson, Park

 

Sports: Tolley, Bennett, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Broadhead, Baskerville (Litchfield 67), Grocott, Schofield. Other Subs Lansdowne, Sims

 

 

Sports set off for Whitby with loanee Laurence Bilboe set to keep goal but a call From Rotherham United who needed him for the First Team meant Sports had to call up Jack Tolley from the Reserve team. Tilley arrived at the ground with half an hour to spare and made his mark with a string of fine saves as Sports brought back a point from unbeaten Whitby.

 

Both teams took time to settle and it was the home side who threatened first with Adam Gell forcing a good save from Tolley in the 6th minute. A deep free kick forced Tolley to push away from under the bar. Sports were playing some neat football and a good run from Andy Dales saw him brought down 20 yards out. John McGrath took the free kick but Shane Bland moved across to save comfortably. Adam Baskerville was also brought down on the edge of the penalty area but Mcgrath fired over the bar.

 

After reaching half time safely, Sports came out slowly and conceded a goal on 49 minutes. A good run and cross from Danny McWilliams was met by Matthew Tymon whose low volley flew past Tolley from 15 yards. Sports were now under pressure but hit back in the 56th minute when Adam Baskerville was denied a run by the hand of Luke Bythway and he put away the penalty into the bottom corner, sending Bland the wrong way.

 

Whitby went close on 60 minutes when Callum Martin laid the ball off for StevenSnaith but his firmly-hit shot was tipped away by the diving Tolley. The ball bounced out to Tymon and his powerful shot was headed off the line by Jake Bennett. From the corner a chip from Dale Hopson just cleared the bar.

 

Sports had the chance to take the lead on 71 minutes when substitute Brodie Litchfield was put through by Dales but his finish was too close to Bland. Tolley than saved well from Roberts as he dived at the forward’s feet.

 

Sports became the first team to take a point at Whitby this season as they held on well.

 

Attendance 219

 

Clinton Morrison Signs For Mickleover Sports

We are delighted to announce the signing of experienced forward Clinton Morrison.

Clinton started his career at his local team Crystal Palace for whom he scored 112 goals in 316 appearances. He has also had spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham City, MK Dons, Coventry City, Colchester United, Brentford and last season Exeter City. He has played in every one of the top four leagues playing 714 matches including 88 Premier League games, and has scored 9 goals in his 36 international caps for the Republic of Ireland.

He is also a successful contributor and pundit with Sky Sports.

Manager John McGrath had the following to say:

 “We are very excited to welcome Clinton into the squad as he brings a wealth of experience at the highest level with him, which he will hopefully pass on to the younger members of the team. Under our new ownership, we are making good progress on and off the field and we hope to continue this throughout the season ahead.”
 

Sports Draw Stourbridge At Home In FA Cup

Mickleover to face Stourbridge FC Official in the Second Qualifying Round of the The Emirates FA Cup.

The draw for the Second Qualifying Round of The Emirates FA Cup took place this lunchtime, and Mickleover Sports will host Stourbridge on Saturday 17 September.

Mickleover got their name in the hat for the draw thanks to an entertaining 3-2 victory over Spalding United F.C. last Saturday.

Find out more about how we did it at https://mickleoverfc.com/mickleover-progress-after-to…/

Coach To Whitby – Book Now For A Seat On The MickleRover!

The club are offering coach spaces for supporters wanting to support us at Whitby this Saturday (September 10th).

The coach (known from this point as the MickleRover!) will depart from the Don Amott Arena on Saturday at 9.15am (£15.00 return).

Please book by calling Tony Shaw on 07966 197246.

Also, we will be making coaches available for a number of other games this season so please enquire with Tony or send us an email to tonys@mickleoversportsfc.com for more information.

 

 

 

 

Sports Progress After Tough FA Cup Tie

Mickleover SPORTS 3-2 Spalding United

(by Phil Matthews)

Sports: – Bilboe, Bennett, Turner, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Broadhead (Lansdowne 65), Baskerville Litchfield 80), Norcross, Schofield.

Subs: – Grocott, Tolley.

Spalding: – Duggan, Lemon (Cullingworth 76), Field, Varley, Stansfield, Spafford, Walker, Whitehead, Wells, Downey (Costa 76), Lockie (Acar 50)

No other subs.

Referee Peter Buck

Attn 172

On a windy afternoon with a pitch that was decidedly slick after a heavy downpour pregame, Mickleover Sports progressed to the next round of the FA Cup at the expense of visitors Spalding.

The first half was a scrappy affair brought on partly by the conditions but also by the knowledge that there are no second chances in the Cup.

Sports took the lead after 42 minutes as an Andy Dales cross into the box caused too many problems for the Spalding defence to deal with. As the ball fell to Adam Baskerville he had a simple opportunity to put his side ahead from close range.

Spalding had only one real weapon in their armoury with the long throws of Matthew Varley  which they used to great effect to bring the sides back level. Varley hoisted a long throw into the area and debutant goalkeeper on loan from Rotherham was beaten to it by the leap of Bradley Wells who headed home on 48 minutes.

Sports weren’t to be denied and powered back retaking the lead on 61 minutes as Jake Bennett who had made himself an attacking option from his right wingback position. Latching onto a forward ball he beat Spalding keeper Michael Duggan from an area where he fired wide only minutes earlier.

The hosts extended their lead 9 minutes later as a lethal cross into the box from Ben Turner was poked past his own keeper by Spalding’s Nathan Stansfield.

Stansfield rectified some of the damage scoring at the right end on 90 minutes after another prodigious throw from Varley, but it was too late.

 

After the game manager John McGrath admitted to being especially pleased in the performance of young William Norcross who made his full debut after coming off the bench in the last couple of games.

Sports Struggle Against League Leaders Buxton

(Written by Phil Matthews)

Mickleover Sports 0 – 3 Buxton F C
Sports: – Tolley, Bennett, Turner, McGrath (Lansdowne 75), Mills, Burgin, Dales, Broadhead, Minnott (Baskerville 58), Litchfield, Schofield (Norcross 70).

Sub: – Sims.

Buxton: – Budtz, J Bembo-Lita, Green, Ravenhill, Burns, Young, Taylor (Walker 53), Abbott, Grayson (Jackson 78), Evrington (F Bembo-Lita 85), Doran.

Subs: – Lucas, Milner.

Referee Matthew Smith

Attn 361
Top of the table Buxton FC gave Sports their hardest test of the season so far. Although the score line was a fair reflection of the balance of play it is fair to say that Mickleover will not be the last team to fail to nullify the threat of the visitors this term.

With Lewis King out following an injury at the weekend away to Frickley youngster Jack Tolley was brought in for his first start of the campaign, and Isaac Minnott was preferred to Adam Baskerville in the starting line-up with the intention of setting different problems for the Buxton defence than those they would have been aware of from previous performances this season.

The tactic did not prove as successful as was hoped and Baskerville regained his place in the heart of the attack early in the second half.

Mickleover took the game to the table toppers in the early stages of the game without troubling visiting keeper Jan Budtz.

Buxton took the lead on 29 minutes when an attack by the hosts broke down leaving central defenders Pablo Mills and Tom Burgin exposed to the direct running of Bradley Grayson. Tolley was off his line quickly when the defence was breached and managed to force Grayson out wide, but the forward somehow managed to find the back of the net even from the angle.

Danny Schofield was not too far off target with a shot from all of 35 yards that went just over the bar with 31 minutes gone and Minnott was tried denied in the final minute of the half, but despite getting the ball back to him from his initial strike was unable to convert at the second time of asking.

Andy Dales provided a cross which Mills headed over on 65 minutes, and three minutes later it was Dales again with an inviting low cross into the box that no one was able to get a connection on.

The visitors went 2 – 0 up on 79 minutes with Brad Abbott firing home after Sports were unable to clear.

It was Abbott who closed the scoring 2 minutes later, and although there was an argument for offside. The 3 goal margin between the sides was an accurate reflection.

It wasn’t all misery for the home side as William Norcross on as a substitute for the final 20 minutes of the game gave a display of energy and enthusiasm that will have given player manager John McGrath some food for thought ahead of the home cup tie against Spalding at the weekend.