by Peter Scherer
It’s congratulations to two of Mickleover FC Academy players, after they have named in the ESPFA team of the week.
First year goalkeeper Fin Bowen is acknowledged after a sterling performance in the way defeat to Rushall Olympic, while Jacob Edge-Lucas is nominated after his two goal contribution for the Reds in the 6-0 home win against Carlton.
by Peter Scherer
It’s been a month since the last NPL match that took Mickleover to the top of the league, but on Tuesday the team are finally back in action with their away FA Trophy cup tie at Southern Premier Division Central Club Hitchin Town.
The Canaries are currently 10th in the league, with three wins from their seven games. They too have been recently out action, but played Colchester Under 23’s last Thursday, drawing 2-2 after leading 2-0.
With League games suspended again, they also played local neighbours Harefield on Saturday morning too, wining 5-1, with two goals from Callum Stead and one each for Steve Cawley, Luke Brown and Ptrtick Ziddane.
They have a fairly large squad, so we will take a brief look at what we are up against.
Goalkeeper Charlie Horlock started at Wycombe Wanderers before spells at Stevenage U18s, Harrow Borough and Hendon.
He was signed from Wycombe in November 2014, making 87 appearances in what was initially a loan deal. After two seasons he went to Eastbourne Borough, but after one year moved on to Hastings United in late 2017, returning to Hitchin for the 2019/20 season, and is Mark Burke’s first choice this season.
Second choice keeper is Josh Mollison, who had impressed in Hitchin’s FA Youth Cup campaign of 2017/18, before spending most of last season on loan at Biggleswade United and Barton Rovers.
Kyle Tearle is a versatile 17-year-old from the Club’s Academy, who initially broke into the first team towards the end of the 2019/20 season and could feature more regularly this campaign. Mainly played as a right back but can also play in central midfield.
An experienced left back or left sided centre back, Ben Walster initially joined the Canaries from MK Dons in 2014, making 35 appearances in his first season.
After three seasons he left for Chesham United and also had spells at Biggleswade United and Cambridge City before returning to Hitchin Town in the summer of 2019.
Central midfielder Josh Coldicott-Stevens began his career with Hertfordshire rivals Boreham Wood in 2016, before going on loan to St. Neots Town and Kings Langley in the 2016/17 season.
His stay at Kings Langley became permanent and he spent two seasons there before signing for the Canaries mid-way through the 2019/20 season.
Hitchin captain Dan Webb is an experienced centre back in his ninth season at Hitchin heading for his 400th appearance for the Club.
Fan favourite “Webby” joined Hitchin Town in 2012 after being spotted playing for Shefford and Campton FC and has gone on to score 31 goals from centre back.
Right back Sam Okoye-Ahaneku came from Wingate & Finchley in October. The former Arsenal schoolboy impressed straight away on his Hitchin debut against Leiston.
Alex Marsh is an attacking midfielder or right winger who spent four seasons playing for Biggleswade FC before signing for Hitchin Town at the start of the 2019/20 season. He scored 32 goals in the 2018/19 season for Biggleswade.
Laurie Marsh is Alex’s twin brother and is a right sided defensive midfielder or centre back. He arrived from Biggleswade too after four seasons there, making a total of 105 appearances across all competitions, scoring 17 goals.
Nikolay Rusev is a central midfielder who can also play as a right-back. He played for the Under 18’s in the FA Youth Cup before breaking into the first team in pre-season.
Jhai Dhillon progressed through Chelsea’s youth ranks as a left back, after his journey in football began winning Chelsea’s Asian Soccer Star competition back in 2009. He left the Blues at 16 before captaining Stevenage at both Under-16 and Under-18 level.
He had a couple of seasons at Hitchin but struggled to break into the first team, moving on to Royston Town, Barton Rovers, Slough Town, Redditch United and Chesham United. He came back at Top Field for a second spell last year, playing mostly as a left winger as well as filling in at left back.
Midfielder Max Ryan was a Watford Academy player until 2018. He moved onto to Kings Langley for a spell, before arriving at Hitchin in January last year.
In his fourth season at the club Jack Green is a full back or wide midfielder, who started out at St. Albans City in 2014, making 38 appearances for the National League side. He came to Hitchin after a year at Dunstable Town.
Striker Callum Stead was signed from Welwyn Garden City after scoring 11 goals last season, including a goal and four assist in Welwyn’s 5-0 win against the Canaries in the Southern League Cup. He has already made an impressive start to life at Top Field, regularly finding the back of the net.
Luke Brown is the son of former Canary Stuart Brown, who played at Top Field in the Early 1990’s. Starting as a Cambridge City junior, he went to play University football in the USA where he represented the University of Maryland.
The attacking midfielder or striker returned to England in late 2019, playing for Soham Town Rangers and Ely City. He top-scored in pre-season and will take on a shot from anywhere.
Striker, midfield or winger, Marcus Goldbourne was a junior at Stevenage, but was released in 2019 after a loan at Dunstable.
He tried his look in Sweden with Ytterhogdal, before returning to the UK to sign for Hitchin in July.
Patrick Ziddane Gourgel Sequeira started out in the Sporting Lisbon Academy. He is a striker with an excellent technique and not afraid to take a pot on goal, having scored on his debut in a friendly against Harpenden.
Full back Daniel Akubuine is an experienced right back, and after starting off at Kettering, he had spells at Nuneaton, Oxford City and Hayes & Yeading, before spending over two years with Skelleftea in Sweden. He returned to the UK in 2018, spending a year each at Kempston Rovers and Berkhamsted. He signed for Hemel in July came to Hitchin on a dual registration in October.
An out-and-out left-back Layne Eadie began at Biggleswade United, and had spells with Barton Rovers, Leighton Town and St. Neots Town. He was signed from St Albans last season and also had four years at Harlow and a spell at Wingate & Finchley.
Lewis Barker started out with Baldock Town, making over 200 appearances in his six seasons there. A strong, no-nonsense defensive midfielder who rarely loses an aerial battle. He was signed at the start of the 2019/20 season and is a regular in the centre of midfield.
Rio Da Silva is a right back, winger or attacking midfielder who started out at the Luton Town Academy before spending four years at Chelsea. Following his release he spent a year at Dunstable Town before joining Hitchin in July last year.
A young central midfielder, Ryan Smith started off at Northampton Town as an 18-year-old first year scholar in July 2018. He came to Hitchin on a work experience loan deal in February 2020 and has rejoined following his release from the Cobblers.
Steve Cawley joined the Canaries on loan from Hemel Hempstead Town last season after spells playing for Bishop’s Stortford and Concord Rangers, where he spent five years, before making his stay permanent for this season. He has made over 250 career appearances scoring over 100 goals.
Our hosts have also recently signed defender Harley Sule after a recent trial. He is better known as part of the Rizzle Kicks, who had chart topping success back in 2011.
Other players who have appeared for the Hitchin first team this season include, Gambian born ex West Brom and Stevenage Junior striker Bunja Conteh, striker Timmy Samuel Alase, Jonas Kalenda, Adeboyin Sanni and Dan Sears
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover first year Academy suffered a 2-0 defeat on their visit to Rushall Olympic.
The Black group had won their opening game at home over Belper Town, before losing to Stafford Rangers at home before the Lockdown.
Rushall had also had one win against Carlton, having succumbed to Stafford too in their first game.
But Mickleover failed to penetrate the home defence on this occasion and will be hoping for better fortunes when they are way again next Thursday at Carlton Town.
by Peter Scherer
It’s been a few weeks since the Mickleover FC Academy Reds had their one and only match this season, a 9-0 win at Belper Town.
But with the home pitch unavailable, they were forced to switch this weeks game against Carlton Town to the Derby racecourse.
Carlton had suffered defeat against Rushall Olympic in their only game so far, and were soon on the receiving end of the Mickleover fire power.
Josh Satchwell opened the scoring from a set piece,” that was particularly pleasing as we had worked on it in training,” said coach Pablo Mills.
Jacob Edge-Lucas and Brodie Carter added to the tally, to make it 3-0 at half-time, but there was soon more of the same in the second half.
Carter and Edge-Lucas each netted for a second time before Fin Barker concluded the 6-0 victory.
“All the goals were good team goals, we played some good football particularly with Bobby Battisson, Louis Pennington and Jacob Edge-Lucas,” Mills added.
It was a fairly lonely game for keeper Tom Smith, “I think he had two saves, but was the vocal point for many of our attacks, as they originated from him,”said Mills.
So the record now reads played two, won two, goals for 15 and against NIL. “They must have a good coach,” Mills concluded.
Their next game is due to be at home next Thursday with a return game against Belper Town, before they face Carlton away on December 17th.
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover FC are proud to announce a new partnership with local Bakery company Birds.
Formed in 1919 by three brothers Frank, Thomas and Reginald Bird, the company has been well established on the Derbyshire High Streets over the last 100 years for their Bread, cakes and savouries.
Birds and Mickleover will be working in partnership to help the local community, in a deal agreed after an initial approach from the football club.
It was Birds that came up with idea of Belgian chocolate lollies in a Mickleover FC presentation box that will be on sale from this Saturday at Birds in Mickleover Village. The price will be £1 per lolly with 15p plus any single use plastic levy going to club funds. In addition to this Birds will be providing raffle prizes for our Supporter’s Lottery.
I am thrilled and like to thank everyone at Birds for their help and support, I think we are all trying to bring Mickleover together at these difficult times
said Mickleover chairman Don Amott.
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover FC Reserves resume their Central Midlands League South Division campaign on Thursday evening with a home game against Holbrook Sports.
Mickleover’s last match was on October 17th when they beat Nottingham 3-1 at home.
Thursday’s visitors have played under their current name since 2010, having been formerly Holbrook Miners Welfare.
Holbrook have only played three league game so far this season and currently lie 10th in the table. Their one win came at Teversal 2-1, having suffered home defeats to both Rowsley 86 and Mansfield Hosiery.
Mickleover are currently sixth in the table with three wins and a draw, plus the away defeat at Blidworth. But they have been prolific scorers with both Jude Ayetaine and Surf Tefera netting hattricks.
The game kicks off at 7.45, but unfortunately no spectators are allowed. We will endeavour to bring a half time and full time summary on the Mickleover FC Facebook page, plus a full report with pictures on Friday.
by Peter Scherer
With the Lockdown suspension of Northern Premier League fixtures coming to an end, it’s time to take a look at how Mickleover manager John McGrath and Captain Mason Warren see their current situation.
Everyone else seemed to be surprised by our success so far this season, but we knew we would do well, but maybe not as well as we have though
said Warren.
I always go into early games wanting to win of course, same now as a manager as it was as a player. That’s continuous, but 20 odd other teams want to win too
McGrath added.
“We believed in ourselves from pre-season and have already beaten some of the best team in the league, so now we have to prove it.”
“The games against Alfreton and Guiseley from a higher league in pre-season gave us confidence and in the FA Cup against St Albans we should have won that really,” said Warren.
McGrath tends to echo his skippers thoughts, “I knew we had potential and a good start, but yes maybe what we have done is a bit ahead of expected. But I am delighted with the team and every single player.”
“We had the momentum going into Lockdown, but some teams needed a break as they were down a bit or others, like us, can’t wait to get back up and running.”
So what did going top of the league mean to the players? “We knew were going into Lockdown and that if we won our last match at Nantwich we could go top. We won 4-0 we are top and we gave it absolutely everything and it was such a positive team performance,” Warren.
“The pressure is now on us to win at home, but we treat all our games the same. To stay where we are we need to be winning anyway.”
“There are chances that in the winter some of the games will be called off, but the league and clubs are working together to try and make it all work,” McGrath added.
So with a month out of action how do they stay fit as a team? Warren explains, “Jake Shaw our physio has given us our individual training plans, day by day, week by week to keep fit, but we have sessions on zoom as a team and they really help.”
Keeping in contact is so important, but we have a good feeling within the team this year and we are feeling strong. We haven’t got the biggest of squads and I hope injuries don’t hinder us.
“Our centre back Phil Watt is a fitness trainer and as well as the programme’s from Jake and the zoom sessions, they have been allowed to go out training one on one with a coach,” McGrath added.
So it’s Whitby Town at home for the first match on December 5th, quickly followed by Hitchin Town away in the FA Trophy only three days later.
Whitby always give us a good game, but we have to win and get those three points
Warren concluded.
Mickleover FC reserves team manager Dave Mackenzie has obviously passed on his skills and enthusiasm to his son Scott, now making a name for himself in the US…
Courtesy of Park City Red Wolves
___________
THE SCOTTISH-BORN COACH HOLDS A USSF A LICENSE AND A UEFA B LICENSE
New Park City Red Wolves SC Head Coach Scott Mackenzie will look to lead the team to the League Two playoffs for the first time in 2021 / Photo courtesy Park City Red Wolves SC
The Park City Red Wolves SC are proud to announce Scott Mackenzie as the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2021 USL League Two season.
Mackenzie will take the reins of the Park City Red Wolves U23 team in just their second season of existence. Playing in the USL League Two, the top professional league in the US, the Park City Red Wolves had a strong 2019 season, producing players who signed professionally with their parent USL League One Team in Chattanooga.
Mackenzie will not only look to elevate players from Park City to the higher professional level but also dominate the mountain division of the USL League 2 and receive a place in the US Open Cup.
Born in Dunfermline, Scotland and raised in Derby, England, Mackenzie brings a wealth of coaching experience from multiple countries to Park City. He worked with Chesterfield FC Academy and also possesses specific knowledge of the youth soccer landscape in Utah, from his current role as the Boys Director of Coaching at Utah Avalanche, a trailblazing club in both boys and girls football and only one of two clubs in Utah to gain admission to the Boys ECNL, one of the top national league in the US.
He also has USSF A license and UEFA B qualifications, bringing him into an elite group of coaches.
The Red Wolves organization includes a professional first team (Chattanooga Red Wolves SC of USL League One) and another League Two side (Dalton Red Wolves SC, based in Georgia). Mackenzie’s hiring completes the club’s technical committee, which consists of First Team Head Coach Jimmy Obleda, General Manager and President Sean McDaniel, First Team Assistant Coach Kevin Sawchak and Dalton Red Wolves Head Coach Saif Alsafeer.
“This has been the vision for our organisation since day one. Having a coalition of talented soccer minds helping build and grow our player pool is going to pay dividends. It’s always been important to us to have a true path to pro for young soccer players.
Now that we have our technical committee complete and all searching for the same style of player and same quality of person, the process will be be streamlined even further,” said McDaniel.
Courtesy of ESPFA
Congratulations to Emilio De Abreu of Mickleover who was named as their student of the half-term. His tutor, Ben Cocker said:
Emilio has made an excellent transition into further education. Since the start of this academic year, he has shown excellent understanding of the key topics we have studied. He is a very intuitive individual and has shown excellent capabilities within his written work and assignment submissions so far in Units C1, B and 5. Emilio is a very polite student and has been a role model to others in his approach to both his education and physical development within training sessions. Keep it up Emilio!
Not keen on going to the pub? Need quality beers for a home gathering? Need a Covid safe solution to drinking?
MickAleOver 2U is Mickleover’s collection and home delivery service of fantastic quality real ales and ciders based from Mickleover Sports Club.
We provide your favourite ales and ciders with an ever changing range together with regular favourites, collected or delivered to you in multiples of 4 pints.
We provide the containers at 50p each which can be reused and recycled. The containers are tightly sealed for freshness.
Place your order by 3pm for same day delivery at https://mickaleover2u.co.uk.
You can also call / text your order to 07872 538 603 or email preorder@mickleoversportsfc.com
You can also collect from Mickleover Sports Club:
Mon – Closed
Tues – Fri – 3-7
Sat 12-7
Sun 12-4
The delicious Karma Eats will also be at the club on Fridays and Saturdays. See menu below…
