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!”

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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.

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

STOURBRIDGE 1-1 MICKLEOVER SPORTS

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