Category: Club News

Newark FC (H): FA Cup Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

Midland Football League Premier Division side Newark FC (formerly Newark Flowserve) are undefeated so far this season after six competitive matches.

They started with a 4-0 won over Deeping Rangers in the FA Cup Preliminary, before hammering ex League Club Rushden & Diamonds 5-0 in the first qualifying round.

They have had four straight wins in the league too and only conceded their first goal in last Saturdays 2-1 win over Walsall Wood.

Unfortunately we can’t go into the usual detail of their players career information, as they appear to be a bit of a mystery team, with little recent information about them.

Kick off as usual is 3pm, with everyone welcome.

Reserves In Cup Action At Melbourne

by Peter Scherer

It’s not only the Mickleover first team in Cup action this weekend as the Reserves take a break from league football this Saturday, when they face an away tie at Melbourne Dynamo on the Central Midlands League Cup.

So far unbeaten this year, Sports are currently fifth in the Premier League South, with a game in hand over the top four, having already netted 12 goals from their three consecutive victories.

Melbourne are currently top of the Division One South, also with three wins out of three.

They beat Clifton All Whites Development in their last match 5-0, with a hattrick for Jack Goodband and goals from James Smith and Macauley Jones.

They had previously beaten Selston Reserves 5-0 and Heanor Town Reserves 9-1!
Kick off at Melbourne is 2pm.

Sports Take All 3 Points at Home: Witton Albion (H)

by Peter Scherer

Following the disappointment of last Saturday’s home defeat at home to Morpeth, Mickleover opened their Northern Premier League points account with a 2-1 win over Witton Albion.

There were four changes in the Mickleover line-up, with Phil Watt back in the centre of the defence for Pablo Mils, Ben Gowing in for Aman Verma, still nursing a calf injury, a first start for Jordan Walshaw, in for Paddy Webb and George Milner for Declan Bacon.

The full line-up was 1-Callum Hawkins 2- Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Mason Warren 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Ben Gowing 8-Andrew Wright 9-Jordan Walshaw 10-Stuart Beavon 11- George Milner Subs: Paddy Webb, Ricky Ravenhill, Pablo Mills, Josh Satchwell, and Joe Slinn.

There was a chance for Sports within minutes of the kick off, when Milner broke through, but his effort was too close to keeper Chris Renshaw.

Throughout the night there seemed to be an excessive number of free kicks and after six minutes Witton’s first attempt prompted a goal area scramble with the resultant shot over the bar, with Hawkins untroubled.

But then it was Mickleover’s turn after Milner was pushed, before a succession of further kicks for Witton proved fruitless for the visitors, with Hawkins looking a safe pair of hands.

Wright was in the book after a challenge just inside the Witton half, before some nice interplay between Bennett and Walshaw ran out for a goal kick.

Witton’s first real attack from general play came after 14 minutes, when Isaac Baldwin had a good run down the left , but his cross was cut out by Hawkins.

A few minutes later Warren lobbed the ball into the area, leaving Renshaw at full stretch to collect, as Walshaw and Beavon closed in.

It was still a fairly scrappy game but Witton had another chance when Tom Owens shot just over from a well-timed cross after 20 minutes.

Warren put a free kick into the box eight minutes later for Mickleover, causing another goalmouth scramble before Witton cleared.

Two more free kicks for Witton failed to trouble the Sports defence, as Butler and Watt had control of the area, ably supported by keeper Hawkins.

On 36 minutes the deadlock was broken, after Witton’s midfield lost possession and Beavon intercepted. His initial shot was blocked but not cleared, leaving Milner to hammer home his first goal in Sports colours.

Only a minute later Witton were given yet another free kick after Watt had made a perfectly good tackle. Will Booth took the kick straight at Hawkins, who held onto it tightly.

Witton pushed hard to try and get the equaliser in the closing minutes of the first half. Baldwin again overlapped well and placed his shot high to Hawkins right, but it was comfortably saved.

There were no changes in the line-up for the second half and again Sports started with pace and determination. A free kick on the right was perfection placed by Wright, just inches short of a connection for Walshaw.

Bennett and Morris were both active on the overlaps for Sports and Bennett dove a low cross into the box, but it went uncollected.

Despite a couple more free kicks, Witton didn’t seem to take any advantage from them, but just after the hour it could have been a second for Mickleover, after a well drilled move from the back linked by Wright and Beavon, saw Walshaw hit the post.

Walshaw was again in the thick of it, when a Milner cross was followed up with a weak shot into the keepers hands.

Witton made their first substation when Steve Tames came on for Will Jones, but it was still Mickleover looking the most threatening. Beavon shot just over from a Warren corner after 70 minutes, just before Witton replaced Booth with Josh Gregory.

Billy Smart tried a shot for Witton, but failed to trouble Hawkins, before Milner went close for Mickleover from a Morris cross.

Witton made their third substitution bringing on Leon Johnson, as they tried up their pace, still looking for the equaliser.

After a fairly quiet night Scott Bakkor had a shot wide on 80 minutes, before Mickleover replaced Milner with Satchwell and Walshaw with Webb.

With three minutes of normal time on the clock there was a loose ball just outside the box. Wright picked it up and smashed it into the Witton net for 2-0.

As Sports tried to play the possession game to soak up the final minutes, Witton managed to break clear and Smart hit a well-timed shot on the volley, looping it over Hawkins to make it 2-1 in the 89th minute, with the full-time whistle soon following.

Milner tenacity was probably the highlight of Mickleover’s performance, along with Hawkins rock steady performance in goal.

Walshaw looked dangerous on occasions, but just needed to sharpen up on his first touch, while the reliability of a more solid looking defence and the midfield drive from Warren, Gowing and Wright, kept Beavon well supplied, not forgetting the striker was playing with a broken wrist.

Witton Albion (H): Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

Tuesday night’s visitors to the Don Amott Arena are Witton Albion. Like Sports, they started their Northern Premier League campaign with a defeat 2-0 at home to Whitby Town.

There was further disappointment when they were knocked out of the FA Cup too, going down 3-2 to Whitey Bay.

But they more than made up for it last Saturday, winning 4-1 at Radcliffe, with Scott Bakkor scoring a hattrick.

Manager Carl Macauley is a former player and has been in charge since October 2015. He has also worked with Liverpool Academy amongst his other managerial jobs.

Assistant manager Gary Martindale is an ex Bolton Wanderers player, having also played at Peterborough, Notts County, Mansfield and Rotherham before going non-league and joining Macauley at Witton in 2015 too.

Goalkeeper Chris Renshaw was an Oldham Athletic Youth player from the age of 11, before being snapped up by Everton. He came to Witton in July last year, following his release by the Toffees.

Raj Gill also started his goalkeeping career with a league club. After learning his trade with Leicester City, he played for a number of Midlands clubs, including Tamworth, Bedworth, Rugby, Cirencester, Redditch, Kettering and Stourbridge.

Left back Isaac Baldwin came from Farsley Celtic in October last year, he played junior football at Blackburn, Leeds and Huddersfield, before moving on to Halifax, Ossett and Spennymoor. He also played for England Schools at under 16 and 18 levels.

Vastly experienced centre back Steve McNulty made his Witton debut in the defeat against Whitby. He was a Liverpool Youth player from the age of eight and played league football for Luton, Fleetwood and Tranmere. Last season he was at York City.

Josh Wardle is the captain, a centre back in his third season at the club after signing from Skelmersdale Utd. He also played for Lancaster City and Kendal Town and captained the John Moores Liverpool University side.

Right back Jack Byrne is in his second season with the club after coming in from AFC Fylde, while Nick Ryan is in his third year. The versatile defender was previously at Stalybridge, but came back from serious leg injuries last season, with a loan spell out at Runcorn.

Scott Bakkor wasn’t only a hattrick hero last weekend, he once hit a hattrick in nine minutes. He was at Witton 2013/14 and has been at Skelmersdale, Stalybridge and Clitheroe, before a spell at Colwyn Bay. More recently he has played for Warrington, Ashton and Marine.

Central midfielder Josh Gregory is another new signing. He’s an ex Wigan Junior, who’s been at Chorley, Clitheroe and Prescot Cables.

James Foley was brought in back in 2017 from Marine. Macclesfield had originally signed him from AFC Liverpool, but he has also had spells with Cammell Laird and Buckley Town.

One of Witton’s own Youth products is Will Booth, the attacking midfielder left for Kidsgrove Athletic and came back via Colwyn Bay. He is another player to miss most of last season through a leg injury, but went on loan to Congleton to regain his fitness.

Another new signing is Leon Johnson, he has come North from his origins at Croydon FC Kinetic.

Right side midfielder Danny McKenna came out of Bolton Wanderers Academy, joining Runcorn following his release. He’s been at Witton for three years.

Cesaire Lingouba is also in his third year at the club, joining from Stalybridge, he has been at Droylsden, Morecambe and Northwich too.

Another returnee is Tom Owens, having originally signed from Marine in 2016. The ex Wigan, Rochdale, Tranmere and York midfielder then tried his luck with Australian side Brunswick City, but returned to Witton in September 2017.

After a number of spells at Marine, Billy Smart came to Witton in 2018, he has also been at Warrington, Burscough and Bootle.

New signing Steve Tames leads the strike force. He was at Ashton last season and has been at Prescot Cables, Southport, Hyde and Warrington among others, but played in the Europa League during his time at Bala Town.

Will Jones has scored 37 goals in his 144 games since coming to Witton in February 2017. He’s had three spells at Burscough, as well as playing for Marine, Warrington, Nantwich and AFC Liverpool. He also played for Colwyn Bay.

Former Rochdale Junior James Hooper is a more recent signing. He played in the league for Rochdale and Carlisle and had spells at FC United, Salford City, Radcliffe and Altrincham.

Rob Hopley is another long serving striker on his way back from injury. The former Macclesfield Youth player had eight years at Colwyn Bay, as well as playing at Winsford, Leek and Chester, before joining Witton in November 2015. He has scored 84 goals in his 175 games.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm as usual and so Sports need all the support they can muster as they strive to earn their first points of the Northern Premier League season.

Hawkins The Hero Saves Blushes In Home Defeat: Morpeth Town (H)

by Peter Scherer

Although it was a home defeat for Mickleover FC in their first home Northern Premier League game of the season, Callum Hawkins heroic double penalty saves, kept the score to respectable 1-2.

There were two changes to the starting line-up from Tuesday’s FA Cup win at Leek Town, with Callum Hawkins in goal and Pablo Mills in for Phil Watt in the centre of the defence.

1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Mason Warren 5-Pablo Mills 6- James Butler 7-Aman Verma 8-Andrew Wright 9-Paddy Webb 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Declan Bacon Subs: George Milner, Josh Satchwell, Ben Gowing, Jordan Walshaw, Joe Slinn.

Mickleover had an early chance to gain the advantage over the visitors, when Beavon almost connected with a Butler header just inside the box.

But the attacks soon seemed to turn in Morpeth’s favour, with Hawkins forced into a spectacular save from Liam Noble’s close range effort after six minutes.

It was only four minutes later that Morpeth had a penalty appeal turned down, after Hawkins clashed with Morpeth striker Jack Foalle.

The attacks from the visitors continued to threaten the Mickleover defence and they went close again after Liam Henderson volleyed a 13th minute free-kick just inches over the bar.

Although the defence held out, it finally succumbed in the 17th minute when Noble’s shot was deflected, sending Hawkins the wrong way 0-1.

Callum Williams had another long range shot just over the bar for the visitors, as Mickleover were struggling to retain possession to move forward.

Wright had a blast from outside the box after 33 minutes, before Hawkins had to make a double save as Andrew Jonson and Henderson tried their luck.

Just before half time the defence was split again, but Morris was on the line to clear the danger.

There were two changes for the second half with Milner and Gowing on for Webb and Bacon.

The game had only be back under way two minutes when Sports were able to strike back. Beavon’s first attempt was saved, but he buried the rebound in the roof of the Morpeth net, 1-1.

The momentum quickly went back in the visitors favour, with Hawkins having to save again from a quickly taken 51st minute free-kick.

Two minutes later Foalle was brought down in the area and this time a penalty was awarded, only for Hawkins to magnificently save Henderson’s effort.

The save seemed to spur on some positive attacks from the Sports players, but after 58 minutes another penalty was awarded, with a handball in the area.

Noble took the kick and unbelievably Hawkins saved it again to keep the scores level.

With Walshaw on for Verma there was another spell of positive Sports attacks, with Gowing heading just over from inside the box and Milner making Morpeth keeper Dan Lowson earn his keep with two saves in close succession.

But after 68 minutes Morpeth grabbed the winner when Johnson connected with a header from Noble’s corner.

Warren had a free kick tipped over for Sports and Gowing had another good effort from outside the box saved, while Joe Walton went close again for Morpeth in the last few minutes, before the whistle went to secure all three points for the visitors.

COVID-19: MFC Spectators’ Code of Conduct

In order to assist our staff and stewards and to help protect you and your fellow spectators, you are kindly requested to follow these guidelines when attending all fixtures at the Don Amott Arena.

  • If you are showing any symptoms of COVID 19 – High temperature, Loss of sense of taste or smell, a new continuous cough. Please do not attend the game. Stay at home get a test booked.
  • At all times and in all parts of the ground, please observe social distancing and avoid close contact with those not in your bubble.
  • Arrive in good time to go through all of the necessary entry procedures. QR scanning or track and trace details are compulsory. Failure to leave details for track and trace will lead to entry being refused.
  • We advise you to wear a mask or face covering within the ground when you are able to, for example when not consuming food or beverages.
  • Be aware that all payments inside the ground should be contactless where possible.
  • If you need to access any of the ground’s amenities such as toilets and food and drink outlets, check to see if any of them are not in use and plan accordingly.
  • Remain in your seat or viewing position at all times where it is possible.
  • If you need to leave your viewing position, wait for a time when the gangway is clear and always follow any signage indicating which way to go.
  • If you are seated, when moving past spectators to and from your seat, please avoid face to face contact with other spectators. Wearing a mask or face covering is compulsory in the seated areas.
  • If you are standing please stay within your social bubble and remain aware of the movements of others at all times.
  • Maintain good hygiene: use the sanitiser dispensers provided and avoid touching your face or other commonly-touched surfaces such as handles and railings whenever possible.
  • Please observe respiratory etiquette: always cover your mouth if needing to cough or sneeze.
  • Avoid hugs, high-fives and any close contact with people who are not in your social bubble.
  • Minimise shouting, singing or celebrating where possible, and if you do sing or shout please wear a mask or face covering.
  • If you are attending with other members of your social bubble, please make sure they have read and understand these guidelines too.

Thank you for your co-operation: STAY SAFE!

Mickleover Star In Youth Cup 4-0 Victory

by David Mackenzie

Mickleover’s The FA Youth Cup team put in another sterling performance on Wednesday night against a spirited Eastwood Town team in the first qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup. This is on the back of the previous round’s win over Borrowash Vics two weeks ago in the Preliminaries.

Pablo Mills has put together an excellent squad. The even surface of the 4G suited the teams passing game, however that is only part of the story as the hard work added to some gems of quality meant that from early on there was only going to be one victor. 

The defence who were well marshalled by keeper Tom Smith were dealing with the attacking options from Eastwood and the back 4 looked solid with Cameron, Patrick, Robbo and wee Ben Lewin all playing well and starting the moves from our half. 

The midfield were tenacious in the tackle winning the ball high up the pitch with Lewis and Bobby Battison outstanding and Jacob Edge-Lucas and Louis Pennington providing the platform. 

The opening goal came for about the fourth corner of the night and was of the highest quality. If the delivery was good, the strike with his trusted left foot by Josh Satchwell was phenomenal. To make such good contact showed great skill and composure, as from the right-hand side of their box he rifled home a shot that flew into the net like an Exocet missile. 

The second goal came after some more sustained pressure with Jacob being tripped in the box and Josh dispatching the ball low and to the right of their goalkeeper. H.T. 2-0.

Eastwood started the second half well and put the defence under some pressure but Smith’s handling in the Mickleover goal was superb and the defence kept them to some speculative shots from outside the box. 

The game was over as a contest when a terrific long pass from Patrick Pugh left Josh bearing down on goal. He could have taken the ball early and ‘dinked’ the keeper, but he allowed the ball to drop and took the ball to the side of the keeper before striking the ball into the net to get his hat trick, 3-0.

The fourth was another great piece of play which started with Ben Lewin finding Robbo on the run, marauding down the left and an exquisite cross was met by the leaping Brodie Carter about eight yards out, towards the back of the goal and his header evaded the grasping clutches of the Eastwood net minder.

A very very good performance which bodes well for the future, especially as there is still room for improvement with several are getting first team experience and playing men’s football in the reserves.