Category: Club News

Buxton FC (A): Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover will be looking for their fourth successive league win when they visit Derbyshire rivals Buxton on Tuesday evening.

Buxton have had a strong start to the season too and currently lie third in the table, one point ahead of Mickleover.

They have beaten Radcliffe and Scarborough at home so far and Stalybridge away, plus have drawn at home to Whitby and suffered one defeat so far, 2-1 away to Nantwich.

Strikers James Walshaw and Diego Di Girolamo have both been in prolific form, including FA Cup ties, Walshaw had six goals and De Girolamo seven.

Manager Gary Hayward and assistant Mark Ward have a fairly strong squad. Their goalkeepers are Mark Shenton and Tommy Taylor.

Shenton was signed last year from Chester FC. After a spell of reserves football at FC United of Manchester, he made his non-league name at Ramsbottom United, becoming the club’s leading appearance maker with 279 matches in a five-year stint from 2011. He’s also played for Ashton Utd in 2016, Stalybridge Celtic, and Trafford, moving to Chester in the summer of 2018, making 39 appearances in the truncated 2019/20 season and was voted ‘Players’ Player of the Season’.

Taylor was a junior at Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday before moving to Garforth Town in 2011. He had stints at AFC Halifax and Brighouse, winning the EvoStik Division One North Young Player of the Year 2014/2015, before signing for Scarborough in 2017. He earned himself a trial period at Rotherham in 2019 and came to Buxton this July.

Left-back Stephen Brogan was another summer signing from Spennymoor Town. He made over 60 first-team appearances for Rotherham Utd, being linked with Premier League sides, before a horrific injury put him on the side-lines for 14 months. After a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic he went to Alfreton Town in 2011 and earned a call up to the England ‘C’ squad in 2012. Since then he has played for Stalybridge (twice), Guiseley, Forest Green, Southport, Gainsborough Trinity and North Ferriby United, before Spennymoor Town in 2018 after a short period at Boston United.

Centre-back or right-back suits Connor O’Grady, he signed for Buxton in September last year. An ex Sheffield Wednesday youth player, he signed a pro extension in 2018, before joining Buxton. He was named captain for the first time against Witton Albion in late October 2019, where he turned in a man-of-the-match performance. 

Matt Curley singed in February in a ‘swap’ deal with Hednesford Town and made an immediate impact with a goal on debut against Gainsborough Trinity. Primarily as a right-back, he is a versatile player and has played in various positions for Romulus and Sutton Coldfield, before joining Tamworth in 2017 and then Hednesford Town.

Another summer signing Shane Killock was a Huddersfield Town youth player, but made his debut in non-league for Ossett Albion at a very young age before returning to Huddersfield. He made a couple of first team appearances for the Terriers, then went on loan to Hyde United, Harrogate Town and Oxford United before moving permanently to Oxford in 2009. Another loan at AFC Telford United, led to a move and three-year stint there becoming captain and seeing the club win promotion to the Conference National via the play-offs. He moved to Harrogate Town in 2012 for three seasons, then Hyde United, Guiseley, Bradford Park Avenue and Alfreton last year.

A powerful defender signed from Barrow this summer, Josh Granite started his career at Woodley Sports and played for Sheffield and Hallam Universities before signing for Mossley. He then joined Trafford, before moving on to Ashton United I and then Barrow, where he was made he was club captain as they regained their league status in 2020 as winners of the Conference National League.

Matthew Kilgallon is a vastly experienced centre-back with over 300 Premiership and Football League appearances. He was signed from Indian side Hyderabad in August, but played junior football at York City before signing for Leeds United aged 12, before making 80 first team league appearances at Elland Road A near 2-million-pound transfer took him to Sheffield United in 2007 then joined Sunderland in January 2010, where he was loaned to Middlesbrough and Doncaster Rovers before signing for Blackburn Rovers in 2013 and Bradford City in 2016. He moved to Hamilton Academicals in the summer of 2018 and Hyderabad in 2019. He also played for England from Under 18s to Under 21s.

James Hurst started at West Bromwich Albion, before moving to Portsmouth on a scholarship in 2008. After a loan in Iceland at iBV he went back to West Brom in 2010, making his first team debut in a League Cup quarter-final at Ipswich Town. He had loans at Blackpool, Shrewsbury (twice), Chesterfield and Birmingham City before returning to Valur in Iceland in May 2013. After a summer with Crawley Town he returned to Iceland again, followed by a loan at Northampton Town. The he played for Hednesford Town, Torquay United, AFC Telford, Guiseley, Dover, Wrexham, Nuneaton Borough, Relling United and, Sutton Coldfield Town with a return to Hednesford Town before signing for the Buxton this summer. He played for England at Under 16s, Under 17s and Under 18s.

Former Wales under 21 international Chris Dawson was Leeds United Academy product, making a number of First team appearances, before joining Rotherham United in 2016. He went on loan to Viking FK in Norway, but following serious injury he signed for Scarborough, helping them win promotion to the Northern Premier League before spending the 2018/19 season at Bradford Park Avenue. He was then loaned to Grantham Town, before returning to Scarborough and was one of three players to make the move from ‘Borough to Buxton in July 2020.

Reece King came from Hednesford Town at the start of the year. He started at Malvern, making over 100 appearances before moving to Gloucester City in 2017. After an initial loan he moved to permanently to Hednesford that same year, after an initial loan, and after a short-spell at Leamington FC returned to Hednesford in August 2019.

Young midfielder signed September last year, Warren Clarke was a Sheffield Wednesday youth product, signing pro with the Owls in 2017, where he stayed for 2 seasons. 

Tom Elliot is another midfielder singed from Hednesford Town in early December 2019. He started at Worksop Town before signing for Nuneaton Town in 2016, moving to Darlington where he made over 40 appearances for ‘The Quakers’ before signing for Hednesford in the summer of 2019. He was the first signing made by Gary Hayward when he joined the Bucks as manager.

A vastly experienced midfielder, Sam Wedgbury was a youngster at Worcester City before a scout took him to Sheffield United in 2006. He had two loan spells, first at Mansfield Town and then in Hungary with Ferencvaros. From Budapest his next stop was Macclesfield Town and after 100 appearances, including earning an England ‘C’ cap, he moved to Stevenage in 2013 and then onto Forest Green Rovers making 76 league appearances and helping the club win promotion to the Football League. He had a season at Wrexham, before joining Chesterfield in 2018 from where the Bucks signed him this summer.

Reece Styche has had an impressive goalscoring record since he started his career at Hednesford in 2006. After a loan period at Bromsgrove he joined Grantham Town, Coalville Town and Shepshed Dynamo. Forest Green Rovers spotted his goal scoring prowess at Chasetown and signed him in 2010. Despite injury he netted 35 times in 107 games for Forest Green before a loan move into the Football League with Wycombe Wanderers. He joined Kidderminster Harrier, then Tamworth, Macclesfield Town, Gateshead, Nuneaton Town, rejoined Tamworth gain, Darlington, followed by Alfreton, Hereford and Bromsgrove before Buxton signed him this summer. He has one England ‘C’ cap but is now a full international with Gibraltar with 7 caps, scoring a goal against Switzerland in a Euro-qualifier in November 2019.

There’s more continental flavour with Diego Girolamo. A former Italian Under 18s, Under 19s and Under 20s international and Sheffield United junior, he came to Buxton in July 2018. After several first team matches for the Blades, his career at Bramall Lane was hindered by an injury picked up on Under 18 International, which ruled him out for nine months in 2013. He was loaned to York City before returning to Sheffield where he scored his first goal for the Blades in a FA Cup tie against Preston North End. Two further loan at York and Northampton Town preceded a move to Bristol City in 2016. He was loaned again to Cheltenham in January 2017, scoring a hat-trick in the EFL Trophy against Leicester City Under 23’s. Then loaned to Chesterfield and Macclesfield Town, where his prolific goal scoring became the highlight of his game.

Another reliable goalscorer, James Walshaw was signed from Scarborough in July. He’s played at Ossett Town, Leek Town, Farsley Celtic, FC Wakefield and Guiseley, gaining England ‘C’ recognition and then a transfer to Darlington. After a spell at Halifax he returned to Guiseley in 2012, moving on to Altrincham, and Harrogate Town before returning to Farsley Celtic and finally Scarborough in November 2017.

Nigerian born Godwin Abadaki was a Rochdale junior who made a few first team appearances, before being loaned to Hyde United, Southport, Stalybridge Celtic and Workington. He also had a youth loan at Huddersfield Town and has played for Northwich Victoria (twice), Ashton United, Nantwich Town, Shaw Lane, and Mossley twice, from where the Bucks signed him this summer.

Reserves Get Back On Track

by David Mackenzie
Mickleover FC, Reserves Manager

Mickleover FC Reserves 3 Nottingham 1

The Reserves got back to winning ways on Saturday against a dogged Nottingham FC side who fought until the final whistle.

The hardest part though was getting people conform to the guidelines put in place to keep people safe and separated for as much as possible.

The team went out with instructions to start with a high tempo and in the first 10 minutes had four really good chances to take the lead. 

Will Monterio back in action after 6 months got into some excellent positions and was unlucky on a couple of occasions. 

With Clinton Morrison pulling the strings in midfield ably aided by wee Louis Pennington and the two full backs Lopes Massampo and Tom Etheridge raiding down the flanks, it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken. a good move was finished off with a crisp strike by Jude Ayetine. Unfortunately, the tempo dropped and some of the passing was not of the usual standard, and the half finished with no further damage to either teams defences.

The words at half time were that an improvement was needed as Nottingham had shown that they had some quality and could hurt us if we didn’t respond.

The play improved somewhat and from one of several corners we netted again.

The ball from the corner was low across the box, about 3 yards out and clever movement from Bobby Battison tricked their keeper, as he dummied the ball allowing it to reach Jude at the back post for a clinical finish.

It was good to have Bobby back from injury and his introduction brought a higher level of energy and intensity.

A third goal was on the cards and it duly arrived via the cultured left foot of Adam Prusa. He gathered the ball on our right about four yards outside the box and drove into the box sidestepping a challenge and the curving the ball delightfully around the next defender and into the far corner of the net.

That should have been game, set and match however Nottingham’s left winger had other ideas, stepping past two players, he was central and about 20 yards out when he unleashed a screamer that left Tom Smith with no chance.

Overall a decent performance from the aforementioned players with the central defence of Clarence (baldy) Clark and Gus Williamson solid. 

MOTM came from the high energy and quality of Lopes Massampo playing at right back due to illness to Larrrel King.

They now move up to sixth in the Central Midlands League South Division and are next in action away to Arnold on Tuesday 27th.

 

3 Goal Strike In First Away Win Of The Season: Ashton United (A) Match Report

by Peter Scherer
(Photo by John and Luke Porter taken from Ashton United’s Twitter)

Mickleover secured their first away win of the season in the Northern Premier League, with a comfortable 3-0 win over Ashton United.

Gaffer John McGrath had to make one change from the team that started at the St Albans Cup tie, due to Mason Warren’s suspension.

1-Joe Slinn, 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-George Milner 8-Andrew Wright 9-Paddy Webb 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Declan Bacon. Subs: Josh Satchwell, John McGrath, Pablo Mills, Jordan Walshaw, Joe Slinn.

Mickleover went into full attack mode from the kick off, with Webb’s left foot cross almost finding Beavon in the box in the first two minutes. Three minutes later the roles were reversed, as Beavon put Webb through, but his shot was easily taken by Ashton’s keeper Dan Eccles.

Six minutes in and Sports had a corner from which Butler rose above the home sides defence to head in for 1-0 to Mickleover.

Bennett was the next to go close, with another header from a testing cross after 11 minutes, before play suddenly changed ends and Ashton had a great chance to equalise, when centre back Joel Bembo Leta was alone on the far post and failed to make contact with the ball.

They soon rued their missed chance as after Bacon played Webb through and his shot was again saved by Eccles, Beavon made it 2-0 on 16 minutes, with a giant leap to send his header deep into the left hand corner of the Ashton net.

After further two minutes Milner almost got a third goal, when his attempt found its way through a host of legs to go just wide of the post.

Mickleover keeper Hawkins had a rare touch when he saved a tame free kick from Millenic Alli, before Sports were back on the attack. Milner and Beavon shared a one two, but on the return Milner was caught in possession.

Into the final third of the first half Ashton had managed a few breaks, but overall it was all Mickleover. Wright had his first crack at goal after 33 minutes, just wide of the top left hand corner, but then Ashton’s Chris Rowney sent a powerful shot just wide of Hawkins top left hand corner five minutes later.

Webb had another half chance before half time and Beavon tried another pass to Webb before the whistle, but that was cut out before it reached its destination, so it remained 2-0 to Mickleover.

Into the second half and it was more of the same, Bacon scuffed an early shot after a pass from Webb and Eccles found himself tested again after 48 minutes by another effort from Webb.

Just after Milner had been yellow carded for a push, Sports were actively seeking a third goal and Bennett provided it with a jinking run into to the heart of the Ashton defence, crashing the ball home from an ever tightening angle after 61 minutes for 3-0.

Three minutes later there was almost a fourth when a poor clearance from Eccles rebounded to Beavon, who then hit the post with his reflex shot.

After Sports keeper had to tip an Ashton shot over, Sports began substitutions, with Satchwell, and McGrath on for Wright and Milner for the last 23 minutes.

Walshaw then came on for Beavon and the final seven minutes and just missed out on a fourth goal for Mickleover when he failed to connect with a Webb cross with four minutes left.

So the whistle went for a positive 3-0 win, which moves them into sixth place in the table, with Tuesday nights visit to Buxton to look forward too.

Ashton United (A): Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

Hopefully this Saturday’s match at Ashton won’t have the farcical refereeing that ruined the last visit in March, when a stand in referee filled his book with red and yellow cards and handed out one-sided penalty decisions.

The home team have had one win from their five matches, 1-0 at Stafford. They drew at home to South Shields in the League 0-0, before losing 4-0 in the FA Cup and also got a point with a 0-0 at home to Bamber Bridge.

So far they have had four goalkeepers in the squad, but first choice seems to be Greg Hartley. He previously played for Lindsey Wilson, Belhaven University, Chattanooga, Colne, Atherton Collieries, Tadcaster Albion AFC and Oldham Athletic (goalkeeping coach)

Born in Manchester, Hartley progressed through the Manchester City Academy, winning the FA Youth Cup playing alongside Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart during his time there. He spent ten years at City before moving to the US at Georgia Gwinnett and Chattanooga for a further seven. 

Then back to England, joining Oldham Athletic in 2017 where he worked with the Academy and as a goalkeeping coach. He played for Tadcaster Albion and Atherton where he worked under Ashton United manager, Michael Clegg.

Dan Eccles if a former Carlisle junior, who has been at Barrow, Bradford PA, Kendal, Congleton and Chorley, joining Ashton from Ramsbottom last month.

Josh Ollerenshaw started at Oldham, but has visited Mossley, Northwich, Colwyn Bay, Fleetwood, Hyde, Stalybridge, FC United and Altrincham. He’s been at Ashton for two years.

Finally Chris Cheetham, ex Skelmersdale, Burscough, Nantwich, Atherton and Radcliffe, as well as being a qualified coach.

John Lufudu is a versatile defender, previously with Tadcaster Albion, Sheffield FC, and Charlton Town.  He joined Ashton after impressing against the Robins in the FA Cup 1st qualifying round for Tadcaster. He can play on the wing or at the back.

Australian born defender midfielder Stavros Tserpes was at Clitheroe, Radcliffe FC and Newcastle Town, Altrincham, Droylsden, AFC Bournemouth, Accrington and Tranmere Rovers. He has joined the Robins to help increase the defensive numbers and to gain experience off Non-League veteran Michael Raynes.

Experienced defender and coach Michael Raynes was signed in July 2020 after a two-season spell with National League side Hartlepool United, as a 32-year-old journeyman of professional football he joins Ashton with a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as sensational talent. With 497 professional games under his belt including matches in the FA Cup and Championship, is a welcomed addition to both the first team and the coaching staff of Ashton United. He has also played for Stockport County, Scunthorpe United, Rotherham United, Oxford United, Mansfield Town, Carlisle United, Crewe Alexandra and Hartlepool United.

Sam Baird joined the Robins this summer after a successful trial at the club. Defender Sam who won player of the season at Trafford FC last season and has also played for FC United.

Centre back Joel Bembo Leta hails from Burundi, he joined Ashton from Cefn Druids in January, but after starting as an Oldham youth player, he has seen action at Stalybridge, FC United, Altrincham, Mossley, Colwyn Bay, Marine, Buxton, Droylsden, Bangor City and Glossop North End.

An energetic midfielder, Chris Rowney has been an instrumental part of successive promotions at local rivals, Curzon Ashton. He originally debuted for Oldham Athletic during the 2009/10 season, and after stints at Mossley and Woodley Sports, Rowney joined Curzon in the 2012/13 season, where he went on to reach the Final of the Doodson Sports Cup. During his time, the midfield man made 296 appearances at Curzon, scoring 13 goals during that period.

John Pritchard is another midfielder, he returned to Ashton United after his first stint during the 2017/18 season. In his first season with the Robins, he showed his talent from dead-ball situations, even winning the club’s Goal of the Season award following an audacious 30-yard strike against Warrington Town. He joined Ashton following his time at Chester, where he scored 2 goals in 13 appearances, having also played for Oldham Athletic, FC United, Trafford, New Mills and Ramsbottom.

Liam Tomsett began his career with Blackpool. The midfielder made his first-team debut in the third round of the 2010–11 FA Cup, against Southampton in 2011 and made an impression that season, winning the club’s Young Player of the Year. After multiple loan and permanent moves, he signed for Ashton United in 2017 after leaving local rivals Curzon Ashton. He scored 5 goals in 38 games during Ashton United’s 2018/19 Vanarama National League North campaign.

Former Burnley junior Harvey Macadam joined the Robins in February 2019 from Nelson FC. He began his career with Premier League side Burnley but left Clarets to join AFC Fylde’s under 18s moving again to Northwich Victoria. He then joined Nelson FC where the midfielder made a name for himself with his energy and goal scoring ability.

Jake Cottrell came from Chorley in June after six seasons with them.  His experience in midfield is a useful addition to Ashton wealth of midfield players.

Having made his way through Morecambe’s youth ranks Ben Hardcastle was signed by manager Michael Clegg at Pennington and after following him to Atherton LR, he signed for Atherton Collieries for playing over 250 games for and was an essential player for the Colliers, especially in there promotion winning season, being named Division One West Player of the year in his last term. He was Clegg’s first signing under his regime at Ashton.

Sam Sheridan, a veteran of non-league football, joined Ashton United in January 2018 and has been an integral part of the Robin’s midfielder ever since, providing energy and experience. Football is a major part of the Sheridan family, with his uncles being former footballer and current Chesterfield manager John Sheridan and former footballer Darren Sheridan, who played for teams such as Oldham and Wigan Athletic. Sam has also played at New Mills, Buxton, Ashton United, Hyde United, Altrincham, Stalybridge Celtic, Stockport County, AFC Telford United.

Yet another midfielder, Michael Brewster signed for Ashton after a short spell with Atherton Colliers making 12 appearances for Atherton.  He has extensive experiences in non-league football with Atherton Colliers, Droylsden FC, Marine, Southport, Northwich Victoria and Shaw Lane.is Almond

Forward

Tom Bentham

Forward

Brad Lynch, another midfielder, joined the Robins this summer after a successful trial. He impressed  at Colne FC where he scored 17 goals in 47 games, having played for Atherton Collieries and been a Blackburn Rovers youth player.

Midfield or striker suits Josh Wilson, he started his career with Northwich, but having played a key role in Chorley’s National League North play-off success, joined Ashton after scoring 14 goals in 33 games for the Magpies. He also played for Vauxhall Motors, Guiseley, Halifax, AFC Fylde and Telford.

Having signed this summer from fellow Northern Premier League Side South Shields striker Millenic Alli began his career at Bury FC and moved to South Shields last summer after impressing in a trial. He failed to break into the first team and spent the end of the season out on loan at Workington before moving to the Robins.

Striker Tom Bentham was the first of the summer signing joining Ashton United to re unite with Manager Michael Clegg, a partnership which brought great success to Atherton Collieries. He has joined the Robin’s in the prime of his career, as a strong centre forward with an eye for a finish he will aim to keep the nets of Hurst Cross bulging. He has plenty of experience in the Northern Premier League and can slot right into Ashton’s attack.

Louis Almond was part of a successful team that over the years represented Lancashire in the County Cup. He signed for Blackburn Rovers, joining their Youth system, before joining Blackpool. He made his first senior appearance for the Seasiders, before being loaned out to numerous club. He has played at Hyde, Cheltenham Town, Barrow, Lincoln City, Hyde, Southport, Tranmere Rovers, York and Chorley.

Finally Lewis Walters is another summer signing. The ex Leeds and Nottingham Forest junior striker, came in from Altrincham, after a loan spell last year. He also played at Barrow, Guiseley, Fylde, Buxton and Trafford.

Kick off as usual is 3pm. 

First Home Game For Reserves: Nottingham FC Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

If you are not travelling to Ashton to see Mickleover FC first team, why not visit the Don Amott Arena where the Reserve team are at home to Nottingham FC in the Central Midlands League.

After a disappointing game away to Blidworth last weekend, Sports went down 2-1 after leading for most of the second half.

Mickleover are currently seventh in the South Division, with Nottingham 14th, with only one point from five games. 

Nottingham started with three away games, losing 3-2 at Hilton and 4-3 at Blidworth, before earning their point at Holbrook St Michaels. They had led 3-0 when Blaize Hall scored twice and Kashe Hall made it 3-0. Holbrook pulled it back before to 3-3.

CJ Dunkley put Nottingham 4-3 up then Holbrook grabbed a late equaliser to make it 4-4.

Since then the Nottingham defence have been hit for five in both games, going down 5-1 to Underwood Villa and 5-2 to South Normanton.

With the firepower of Jude Ayetaine and Surafel Tefera, the Sports strikers will be hoping to follow the recent precedent. 

The Last Market of the Year!

This Sunday we will be hosting our last Mickleover Market & Car Boot Sale for this year.

£5 for early sellers at 8.30am and £1 for Buyers.

Tea, Coffee and Breakfast Rolls for sale too.

Pop down and grab a bargain… and a bacon sarnie!

Academy Kick Off With A Win

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover FC’s first year Academy squad opened their ESPFA Midlands Division season with a 2-1 win over Belper Town, thanks to two goals from Reece Perry.

Although Belper went straight into the attack from the kick off, the opening minutes were fairly even.

Lennon Higgins had a random shot which was well over the Belper bar, before the wing back sent a sixth minute through ball which Devon Smith just failed to connect with.

Belper kept coming back in surges and Berhard Koecher cleared the first real effort from the visitors, playing the ball nicely out of his own area.

Smith led another attack for Sports after 12 minutes, but weak ball into the area came to nothing. It was only two minutes later that Perry found the top right hand corner from outside the box, after a gradual multi-player build up to make it 1-0.

Belper had a fairly good chance to equalise four minutes later, with the Mickleover defence failing to intercept on a couple of occasions, but the Belper number eight’s shot was high and wide.

Mickleover keeper Fin Bowen had little of the ball as most of Belper’s attempts were very wide of the mark, whereas Mickleover went more for the gradual build up.

After 23 minutes Emilio De Abreu was in the clear, but the Belper keeper managed to block his shot and send it out for a corner.

On the half hour a Sports free kick was sent back into the box by Lennon, the ball bobbed around without either side collecting it, until Belper made another break which failed to reach its destination.

Smith though he had made it 2-0 after 32 minutes, but was flagged offside, but De Abreu the pout a good shot in from outside the area, just wide.

Perry and Smith the combined to put an effort just wide following a corner, before Belper’s number 11 managed to rebound his own first effort, only to shoot well wide again.

Smith was on the attack again with seven minutes left in the first half, his back header fell to Perry, who put in a weak shot which trickled to the Belper keeper.

There was one more slight chance for the visitors too, before half time, easily dealt with by Bowen.

There had been continuous substitutions from both sides, but it was Mickleover again, getting the first shot on goal in the second half, but Smith’s attempt was blocked.

But Belper’s number 11 was in space again, but failed to actually get a shot in, before Tom Griffiths put a god ball in the Belper box, just short of connecting with Lennon and Smith.

The visitors had a fierce shot blocked after 55 minutes, before Ethan Mann got clear, but his attempt was well wide of the target.

Smith broke through the Belper defence three minutes later, but fell at the final hurdle before getting his shot in and then Sam Allsopp had a shot saved.

But Perry made it 2-0 on the 20 minute mark, after Smith was chasing the ball and the Belper keeper went down injured.

Another fractional offside robbed Smith of another goal, but into the last 10 minutes Belper began to show more urgency and put the Mickleover defence under pressure.

Bowen had to palm away a close range shot, before Dylan Sanghera found Smith in the box for Sports, but his shot was saved. But Belper pulled one back when their number five beat Bowen on his near post with a header.

There were few more threats to the Sports defence before the final whistle went, but overall a good solid performance and a well earned three points.

The first years Black team play the return game at Belper next Thursday, and at the Don Amott Arena it’s the second years Reds v Stafford Rangers.

Mickleover Push Saints To Absolute Limit: St. Albans City (A)

by Peter Scherer

Pride in defeat was definitely the summing up of Mickleover’s magnificent performance in the FA Cup 3rd round qualifier at St Albans City.

The main change in John McGrath’s line-up was Curacao international midfielder Kemy Agustien starting in midfield.

The full starting team was 1-Joe Slinn 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Kemy Agustien 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Mason Warren 8-Andrew Wright 9-Declan Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-George Milner. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ricky Ravenhill, Jordan Walshaw, Pablo Mills, Paddy Webb, Will Monteiro.

Despite the dampness of the evening, Mickleover showed no fears of their National League South hosts, and were straight on the attack.

Wright’s through ball after two minutes was aiming for Beavon, but as it bogged down it failed to reach its destination.

Only a minute later Milner picked up on some casual defending and earned Sports first corner.

But St Albans showed how dangerous they could be on the break, when after five minutes Bennett was forced to race back to make a critical interception.

Milner was soon in the action again, he halted a Saints attack, only for Shaun Jeffers to fire the free kick well over the bar.

St Albans began to get more into the game and Slinn was called into action when Devante Stanley put a curling free kick in, tipped out for a corner by the Mickleover keeper.

It became end to end for a while, with Wright firing across the face of the goal with no one to receive, while good build from Saints left Josh Bennett’s attempt going out for a corner.

Mickleover were on the break 17 minutes in, but after Agustien’s accuracy had pinpointed Beavon, the strikers run was halted by the linesman’s flag.

The pressure began to build on the Sports defence and after Jeffers had a close range shot tipped over, he followed up with another blocked shot into the crowded box, from the resultant corner.

The deadlock was broken on 24 minutes though when after another corner from the right for St Albans met defender James Kaloczi’s head and it was 1-0 to the hosts.

After a magnificent charge from his own area, Wright put Milner through on goal, but his final touch was easily collected by Michael Johnson in the Saints goal. 

Mickleover’s best chance of an equaliser came after 34 minutes when Bacon was played through on goal, but his effort finished in the side netting.

St Albans were straight back into the attack and only a minute later Kyran Wiltshire put in a low shot, which was deflected out for another corner.

Stanley then had another positive run into the Sports box, but his shot was blocked by Butler, before Zane Banton put a cross inside and the follow up was fired high and wide.

Saints fire power kept the Sports defence under attack until the half time whistle, with another run from Banton being blocked, before Tom Bender shot well wide of the target. Slinn was having to pull out all the stops to keep it at 0-1.

It was another positive start to the second half for Mickleover too, after an early corner for Saints. Beavon had cut inside after collecting the ball to his left, but his cross bounced around on various heads before going wide.

After 51 minutes it finally came, another crowded box saw the ball bouncing around, before it just fell right for Bacon, who hit home at close range for 1-1.

Shortly after the equaliser Webb came on for Wright, but as the hour approached the speedy Banton led another break for the home side, but his shot was well held by Slinn low to his right.

Just after Bacon was booked for a late challenge, Beavon sent him on another run to the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected away by a St Albans defender.

The home side were obviously aware of the time running out and began to up their pace again. Munashe Sundrie’s shot was well held by Slinn, before the Mickleover keeper was in action again, palming away Stanley’s long range effort, before diving onto the loose ball.

St Albans sub Michael Weiss then started to cause trouble for the Sports defence, his 74th minute cross from the left was cleared for a corner, before he went one on one with Slinn a couple of minutes later, firing over the bar.

Into the final 15 minutes Sports subbed Bacon for Walshaw and the striker was soon in the action, after Warren created space in the middle and sent him on a run, only to be flagged marginally offside.

Sports were still looking for the break that could be decisive, as Sports backline of Bennett, Morris, Butler and Watt, fended off the barrage.

A Kaloczi header was cleared off the line with four minutes on the clock, before three minutes of stoppage time was announced.

Sports held on for magnificent 1-1 draw, which in normal circumstances would have meant a replay back at the Don Amott Arena.

But it was down to a penalty shootout with the home side going first. St Albans scored their first four, before Slinn saved Wiltshire’s effort. Agustien had put Mickleover’s first effort over the bar, before Warren, Milner and Webb all found the back of the net. 

Beavon needed to score to take it into sudden death, but unfortunately Johnson guessed right and the shot was saved, with St Albans taking the win 4-3.

The Sports team did Mickleover proud in a well drilled and positive performance that bodes well for the rest of the Northern Premier League season.

Late Set Back Costs Reserves Three Points

by Dave Mackenzie
Mickleover FC
Reserves Manager

The reserves made the shortish trip across to Robin Hood country on Saturday and took part in an exciting and enthralling game against Blidworth Welfare. 

Blidworth’s pitch looked a picture from the high vantage point of the changing rooms (there are 43 steps down to the pitch). It is a good sized pitch with a lovely lush surface albeit the grass could be doing with a trim.

There was an enforced change before kick off when Bobby Battison pulled up with a groin strain during the warm up. This allowed us to start Mat Fuetardo an ex Chesterfield Academy player as a direct replacement.

The first half was fairly even although we suffered another blow when Elliot Murray landed badly and ‘popped’ his knee. Luckily the team Captain, Gus Williamson was on the bench having himself come back from an ankle injury.

We had the ball in the net twice in the first half but the linesmen deemed players to be offside although the ball had come off the defender in one instance and it would be churlish to claim that it was definitely deliberate.

Towards the end of the half things got a bit tousy and we were on the receiving end of three bookings. The first Surafel Tefera was impeded going passed a player, which meant that the ball ran away and he overstretched, fouling a player. 

The second booking was for stupidly running across the ball as a free-kick was being taken, and the third could have been a straight red!!! 

Having said that we were on the receiving end of two rash tackles early on that went unbooked!

Tom Smith had to look lively on an occasion to save a header, but apart from that was untroubled. 

There wasn’t much goalmouth action at the other end as we were too short with balls over their high backline, or when we did get it right we found their goalkeeper in good form with a couple of really good anticipated clearances.

We were much improved in the second half and had most of the play resulting only in a series of corners and a number of shots that were high or wide and not handsome.

The breakthrough came when a Blidworth defender tried to stop a mazy run by Jude Ayetine, only for the attempted tackle to place the ball neatly to the right of the keeper and just inside the post. 

With maybe 12 minutes remaining this should have been the motivation to shut up shop, but unfortunately we lost some of the composure that enabled us to take the lead. 

After several attempts to clear failed, Blidworth’s Paul Revuelta took his chance well with a low shot. Worse was to follow as after we failed to clear our lines from a corner and Scott Taylor made a good connection firing the ball low into the right-hand side of our goal. 

Blidworth should be congratulated for turning around a game that looked to be out of their grasp after the first goal. 

However they may have been helped when the referee stopped a very promising attack to bring back the play to book a player who committed a foul after the pass was made. 

Mat received the pass and was unmarked at the left edge of their penalty box).

After the game, the referee said he had to stop the game or he couldn’t book the player – not true. He could have let the move continue and booked the player when the ball next went out of play. We may or may not have scored if advantage had been played but it certainly disadvantaged us!

Next up, we welcome what we hope are a healthy Nottingham side to the Don Amott next Saturday with a 3pm kick off.

St Albans City (A): FA Cup Match Preview

by Peter Scherer

On Tuesday evening John McGrath and his team will be hoping to make history, after they take on National League South team St Albans City in the Third Qualifying round of the FA Cup.

If Sports are successful in their visit to Clarence Park, it will put them into the hat for the Fourth Qualifying round, for the first time in the clubs history.

St Albans have only had three competitive this season, after a string of friendlies. They beat Hampton & Richmond Borough in the League 1-0 and knocked out Hitchin Town in the previous FA Cup round 5-0 at home, before a 1-1 draw with Concord Rangers in the League last Saturday.

In charge since February 2016 manager Ian Allinson played over 300 league games as a player for Colchester United in two spells, and played over 100 games in all competitions for Arsenal. He was also at Stoke City and Luton Town.

During his managerial career, he has managed a number of non-league teams, including Baldock Town, Barton Rovers twice, Harlow Town, Stotfold twice and Boreham Wood twice too, including promotion to the National League in 2014/2015.

Goalkeeper Michael Johnson made 184 appearances for Hitchin Town before signing for Braintree Town at the start of the 2019/2020 campaign. He joined the Canaries from Stotfold in 2014 and signed for the Saints in July 2020.

Defender Devante Stanley previously played for the club during the 2019/2020 pre-season but was unfortunately injured in a friendly at Biggleswade Town.

He came through the Luton Town youth system before becoming a key player at Bedford Town, St Neots Town and Royston prior to joining Biggleswade.

James Kaloczi made his first-team debut in December 2012 during a county cup win over Watford and settled as a midfield player.

Has played for the City Youth and Reserve teams last season and was previously with Harvesters (St Albans) and Boreham Wood Youth.

Having left the Saints in the summer of 2015 to join Dunstable Town as a centre-back, he quickly settled and soon became captain. In March 2016, he re-joined the Saints on dual-registration, and has been back at the Saints since March 2019.

Joy Mukena started his career with Tottenham Hotspur, before moving to Watford in 2017, where he turned professional. The young defender was named on the bench for the senior team’s 4–1 win over Chelsea on 5 February 2018, but was ultimately an unused sub. After his release from Watford in 2019 and signed for Bracknell Town and became a Saints player in August 2020.

Primarily a left back Luke Warner Eley has played at  Dartford, Harrow Borough, Chesham United, St Ives Town, Uxbridge, Royston Town and Leverstock Green before joining St Albans.

In his second spell at the club defender Michael Clark originally joined the Saints from Concord Rangers in December of 2018, making 22 appearances throughout the rest of the season. He left the Saints to re-join Braintree Town for a second spell in August of this year before coming back to the Saints fold in December 2019.

Thomas Joseph “Tom” Bender graduated from Colchester United’s Academy and spent 4 years there before moving to Millwall. He then moved on to Dartford FC for the 2014/2015 season (following a loan spell at Welling United) and Forest Green Rovers, making 10 appearances, before joining the Saints on loan in November 2015.  He came back to the Saints during the 2017/2018 season.

The defender has also represented Wales at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels.

Michael Oluwadara Dada (“Dara Dada”) is a central midfielder who joined Staines Town in June 2019, having previously played for Chalfont St Peter, Hertford Town and Berkhamsted. He signed for the Saints in August 2020 following a spell at Isthmian League South Central side Barking FC.

Originated from French-speaking Senegal in West Africa.  Dave Diedhiou ( pronounced “Deejoo”) joined Hendon in 2008, developing into an integral piece of the side that suffered play-off final heartbreak against Dulwich Hamlet at the end of the 2017/2018 season.

The midfielder made almost four hundred appearances during his time with the North London club, scoring 43 goals in the process, before singing for Saints in June 2018.

Creative midfielder David Noble and club captain joined the club in August 2016 as a free agent having been released by Exeter City that summer, with over 300 football league appearances to his name, bringing an abundance of experience and quality to the side.

He began his career began as a trainee at Arsenal winning the FA Youth Cup in 2000 in a man of the match performance. A brief spell at West Ham United and Boston United followed before he moved to Bristol City for £80,000 in January 2006 after enjoying a successful loan spell there. 

On 13 February 2007, he scored against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay. But his most important strikes were the two goals he scored against Rotherham on 5 May 2007 which took Bristol City back into the Championship. Noble also scored in the Championship play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace, when his stoppage-time strike from 30 yards gave Bristol City the advantage going into the second leg.

Following his exploits at Ashton Gate he continued his journey west, joining Yeovil Town on loan in March 2009 before he signed for League One side Exeter City in the following January but was released after the Grecians were relegated in 2012.

He spent two years at Rotherham United before returning to his former club Exeter City in January 2015, having previously made 12 appearances for the Grecians  on-loan with the club for the first half of the 2014-15 season. His contract at St James Park expired in the summer of 2016 making him a free agent.

Kyran Wiltshire joined the Saints in June 2020. The former MK Dons midfielder was ever-present in the Oxford City side in the previous season, with 34 appearances for the Hoops.

He previously experienced success at this level as part of the title-winning Maidenhead United side in 2017.

Munashe Sundire is a versatile and energetic player who can play either full-back or midfield. He has played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Kempston Rovers, Kettering Town and St Ives Town.

Romeo Akinola is an attacking midfielder and was previously part of the Haringey Borough team that made a blistering start to life in the Isthmian Premier 2019/2020 campaign.

He started with five years in the QPR youth teams, thriving under the watchful eye of former City striker Paul Furlong, before going abroad with IFK Ostersund in the Swedish fourth division as part of the highly-regarded ‘League Football Education programme’.

Solomon Nwabuokei is a utility player who signed for the Saints after an impressive season at Biggleswade, which won him the young player of the year award.

Striker Chid Onokwai signed for the Saints from Haringey Borough, having previously played for FC Romania, Kempston Rovers, Aylesbury FC, Aylesbury United, Bowers & Pitsea, and Eton Manor.

Fellow striker Joseph Chidyausiku is an attacking player who has previously played for Chelmsford City, Bradford Park Avenue and Havant & Waterlooville.

Mitchell Weiss played at Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead Town before joining Saints in August 2020. The forward was an integral part of the King’s Langley squad, scoring 41 goals in all competitions.

Having signed for Saints during the summer Shaun Jeffers had come through the youth ranks of Coventry City, before lining-up for a number of Football League sides including Peterborough United, Newport County and Yeovil Town prior to joining Chelmsford City in the summer of 2016. He helped fire the Clarets to the play-offs with 21 goals in 39 games.

His goal scoring exploits helped earn him a transfer to Hertfordshire neighbours Boreham Wood where he made over twenty-appearances in the National League during the 2017-18 campaign. He went on to play forHampton & Richmond Borough on loan, where he notched 6 in 13, and Brackley Town.

He made his mark again after rejoining Chelmsford, with fourteen goals in thirty-two games, including an effort against the St Albans at Clarence Park in November 2019.

Zane Banton completes their line-up, an exciting winger who made four first-team appearances for Luton Town during the 2016/2017 season.

He moved to Clarence Park in March 2017, his third loan in non-league football, having spent time at Evo-Stik League Southern Premier side Biggleswade Town and Hemel Hempstead Town.

He was recalled by Luton prior to the Saints final game of the 2016/2017 season, then released by Luton at the end of their season, before signing a permanent deal for the Saints in June 2017.

Unfortunately the game is behind closed doors, but is due to feature on livestream.