by Peter Scherer
A first half penalty was the difference between Mickleover FC and Borrowash Victoria, after Sports came away as 1-0 victors in the first round of matches in the Don Amott Spring Cup.
Mickleover’s line-up was a combination of youth and experience, with Academy Keeper Fin Bowen starting, before handing over to Tom Smith.
In defence the experience of Phil Watt and Josh Satchwell, was combined with reserve player Larrell King and Academy wing back Will Robinson.
First teamers/Academy players Bobby Battisson and Louis Pennington were in midfield, with former Irish international and football pundit Clinton Morrison , while first team squad strikers Dec Bacon and Will Monteiro were up front.
After a fairly robust start from both teams, Mickleover’s pace started to cause problems, although no real early chances were created were created from either side.
After 23 minutes Mickleover went close , after a curling cross into the box was put out for a corner. But on the half hour the dominance increased, but Vics defence still held out.
After a Mickleover free kick was easily saved by the Vics keeper, Pennington was then brought down in the area and a penalty awarded after 38 minutes, making it 1-0 to Mickleover after Bacon sent the keeper the wrong way.
Vics had a chance to equalise right on half time, but the shot went wide.
Apart from taking a couple free kicks very easily, Smith had little to do in the second half in the Mickleover goal and with Academy strikers George Atwal and Emilio De Abreu both given a run out too. It remained at 1-0, with a penalty appeal from Vics turned down in the 90th minute which could easily have changed things.
Mickleover’s next game is as hosts at Borrowash, when they face FC Ingles.