by Peter Scherer (Photo: Sarah Middleton)

With Academy Graduates Ben Lewin and George Atwal making their first team debuts in the home game against Ashton Utd, team mates Jake Edge-Lucas followed suit at Buxton, as a stand in for right back Jake Bennett.

Following his injury in the opening game of the season at South Shields, skipper Mason Warren is likely to be out of action for another four weeks. “I broke my collarbone and injured my shoulder at South Shields. They said four to six weeks, but I hope it’s not that long,” said the midfielder.

New signing Dempsey Arlott-John made his first start in the away defeat at Buxton. The pacey ex Leicester City striker came on as a second half sub at home to Ashton in the previous game.

Vice captain Andrew Wright  is still on target for his return to football  later next month, as he continues to regain his fitness, following a close season knee operation.

On 11/8/2021 the new 3G pitch at Mickleover Sports has passed it’s inspection. Tony Shaw, club Secretary, reported that the Labosport inspection was a complete success with the inspector describing the pitch as

one of the best 3G pitches he has reported on – up to Champions League standard.

This is the latest stage in the installation of the pitch. Emily Brett the Pitch Operations Manager has something that she can be very proud of under her control for hire. We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Don Amott Arena this season and have great plans for the future.

Collaborations are already in place with Derby County Women staging their games at the ground on Sundays as well as a regular training evening booked in. Mickleover reserves staged their first home game on the pitch on Tuesday 10^th and are booked in for matches on Saturdays when the first team are away. Mickleover Juniors will start taking advantage of the facility for training in the week and for matches on Saturday mornings. Newly formed Mickleover Athletic will be playing fixtures on Saturdays with 12.30 kick offs arranged. There are three six-a-side leagues who will be playing games on Monday and Sunday Evenings.

Club Treasurer Neil Hadfield said

It’s fantastic to see all of the hard work that has gone into the project come to fruition and special thanks must go to our Chairman Mr Amott, Keith Loring, and all of the back- room volunteers who have all been involved in the process.

He is also very pleased with the support and backing that has been received from local companies who have taken Ground boards.

The support means a lot and enables us to remain a local community club.

The first teams first home league fixture will be on Tuesday 17^th August against Gainsborough Trinity. Entertainment will be on site from 6.15pm. Admission £12.00 Adults £8.00 Concessions. Car parking £2.00. Why not come along and watch football as it should be played on our Champions League standard pitch?

 

by Peter Scherer

With the new 3G pitch in place and the official ceremonials conducted by Derby City Mayor Robin Wood, with Burton Albion’s Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dino Maamria and Mickleover’s Don Amott and John McGrath, it was time for football.

Mickleover’s traditional charity match against neighbours Burton Albion was mainly an Academy line-up from Mickleover, with Burton fielding their under 23 side.

Mickleover team

1-Fin Bowen 2-Jake Edge-Lucas 3-Ben Lewin 4-George Atwal 5-Ethan Mann 6-Will Robinson 7-Sam Tingle 8- Ben Gowing 9-Will Monteiro 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson. Subs: Larrel King, Roger Lee, James Snedden, Josh Satchwell, Fin Barker, Freddie Murphy, Devon Smith.

It was a fairly even first five minutes before Beavon picked up on a loose ball and fired over from well outside the box.

Burton responded with their first attack after a good clearance by the Burton keeper, but it was still end to end.

After 10 minutes Monteiro put a good ball in the Burton box, Battisson was poised to receive but it bounced unkindly for the midfielder, who was unable to connect.

It was only three minutes later when Lewin started an attack down the left, which developed into a bit of a goal mouth scramble. Gowing’s first attempt was blocked, but his second was in the back of Burton net 1-0.

Mickleover seemed to gain in confidence and the attacks became more positive, as Burton seemed to sit back. Monteiro put a cross in after 17 minutes, with Beavon’s header just wide.

But Burton were quick to break given the chance, and after a 20^th minute corner from Atwal was intercepted, they went on a charge, forcing Bowen to sprint off his line and end the danger.

Wing backs Edge-Lucas and Lewin started to move forward and were linking well with Sam Tingle, Atwal and Battisson, while Monteiro and Beavon continued to cause trouble for the Burton defence.

Atwal put a nice ball through to Monteiro after  21 minutes and a few minutes later a more gradual build-up controlled by Gowing, left Atwal free but his shot was saved.

As the half hour approached a Lewin cross was dropped by the Burton keeper, but no one was there to collect. Beavon then had a shot saved, before his rebound attempt was blocked.

Burton continued to be forced so far back into their own half, that centre backs Mann and Robinson began to push forward too.

Mann missed an interception but Robinson had it covered, and it was Robinson again that saw off a brief Burton threat after 35 minutes.

For the final 10 minutes of the first half Burton started to push forward again, but wasted a chance when they fouled Bowen.

Just before the whistle Atwal had a  random shot well over for Mickleover, but it was comfortable at 1-0.

Beavon was on the attack as soon as the second half kicked off. His first shot was saved, before he had a header just over from the following corner,

Burton had a shot after 48 minutes but didn’t trouble Bowen and it was then time for Mickleover’s first sub, with King on for Edge-Lucas.

The attacks continued to be mainly one-way, with a Lewin, Gowing, Beavon move sending Monteiro through with a shot just wide again.

54 minutes and there were more subs, as Lee and Snedden were on for Gowing and Atwal.

The possession continued in Mickleover’s favour and on the hour Battisson found himself in space, and let rip with a cracking shot into the top right corner, with the Burton keeper well beaten, 2-0.

Satchwell then came on for Robinson and shortly afterwards it was Barker for Monteiro, but it was still Mickleover pushing forward.

Battisson and Tingle then came off for Smith and Murphy, but the pattern of the game looked well set in Mickleover’s favour.

Burton had one of the best chances after 76 minutes, the shot on goal was bent well wide of the target, and finally Smith was through from a Beavon pass, but his attempt went wide.

A successful night on all counts and there was a crowd of 425 to witness it.

Our new 3G Pitch is nearly ready to host Burton Albion on the 29th July! More details on that coming imminently, in the meantime here are some photos of the new pitch…

On the 22^nd June at 11.00pm thieves have taken 11 rolls of pitch carpet from the ground at Station Road. We are working alongside our wonderful contractor Tim Pugh Lewis to get replacement carpet. This will delay the opening of the new pitch.

Don Amott the chairman of the football club issued the following statement:-

The news overnight of this theft is a devastating blow to the football club. All of the people who work around the club are volunteers who give up their personal time to help a local community club. We will come back from this stronger and look forward to celebrating with the local community once the project is completed.

If anyone has any information about the theft please contact Derbyshire Constabulary.