Category: Club News

Reserves & Academy Take Massive Victories

by Peter Scherer

After the disappointment of last Thursday’s cup tie defeat to Pinxton, Mickleover Sports Reserves were back in league action yesterday, playing Ripley Town in the Central Midlands Division One (South) match.

With the first team at home, the reserves played on Derby University all weather pitch again.

It was dominant performance, with Tomas Junek, Fin Davies, Fin Barker, Surafel Tefera and Aaron Hayer and a double from Tom Eccleshall, giving sports a resounding 7-0 victory.

They now top the table by five points, with an unbelievable goal difference of +50!!

They are due to play Selston Reserves at home in the Presidents Cup on Thursday, before returning to league action a week later, with Heanor Town Reserves at home.

Not to be outdone, Sports Academy team both had massive wins too last week. 

The Red squad travelled to Belper Town last Wednesday and hit them 7-0. They are points clear at the top, with a +43 goal difference and play again this Wednesday at home to Leek Town.

Just to go one better the Black squad were at home to Ossett Utd and came out 11-0 victors. They are three points off Widnes at the top, but have four games in hand and a considerably better goal difference.

They are back in action too on Wednesday, with the return game at Ossett.

Sports 0-4 FC United of Manchester: Match Report

SPORTS OUTCLASSED BY TITLE CONTENDERS

by Peter Scherer (Photo: Sarah Middleton)

It was just one of those days for Mickleover Sports and with United FC’s Nigerian born striker Tunde Owolabi in top form, they were never in with a shout.

There was only three minutes gone when Adam Dodd and Charlie Ennis combined down the left, before a telling cross allowed Owolabi to find the net from close range.

Four minutes later it was nearly a second, when Owolabi hit the bar from an Ennis free kick.

Sports defence continued to be on the retreat and it was almost 10 minutes before they made a break from their own area.

But with Owolabi easily outpacing Dean Freeman, he was heading goal wards again after 14 minutes, but this time his effort was wide of Nathan Broome’s right hand post.

A couple of minutes later Patrick Webb led Sports first real attack, but was foiled before he was able to shoot. But Sports had a penalty shout turned down from another Webb attack, when he was fouled chasing a through ball.

Webb had another attempt blocked before attention changed to the other end, where Broome and United’s Chris Doyle collided after a free kick. Fortunately Sports keeper was able to continue after treatment.

It was still proving tough for Sports midfield to provide any service to the strikers, but after Stuart Beavon was fouled, Mason Warren put his free kick wide.

Aman Verma then latched onto a Beavon cross to put his header just over, but the action soon turned again in United’s favour.

Owolabi had hit the post before it was cleared off the line, but in injury time he blasted his second high into the top corner.

Initially it was a more even start to the second half, but United’s Aaron Morris had a shot over the bar and Ennis had a shot straight at Broome.

Karel Tvaroh came on for Andy Wright on the hour and almost immediately put a ball into the box to force United keeper Cameron Belford into action.

But Sports kept up their challenge with Beavon darting away, before his cross to Webb was cut out by Belford. Webb then put a Tvaroh cross over from close range.

It wasn’t long before Broome was busy again, he saved a shot Morgan Homson-Smith and then had an Owolabi rebound go close.

Sports made their second substitution on 66 minutes when Ricky Ravenhill replaced Verma, but United continued to control the game.

They went close when Broome was able to intercept after Owolabi charged through from his own half and a couple of minutes later he saved again from a Curtis Jones header.

With 10 minutes of normal time left, Owolabi completed what seemed to be an inevitable hattrick, with a rebound shot after his own first attempt was kept out by Broome.

Sports never gave up and made a further change when Durrell Berry was replaced by Josh Satchwell. But Adam Dodd smashed home United’s fourth after 88 minutes for a 4-0 win, which puts them in second place in the Northern Premier League table.

Cup Shoot Out Defeat For Sports Reserves

by Peter Scherer

It was Mickleover Sports Reserves home tie against Pinxton in the second round of the Abacus Floodlit Cup, but having been postponed on numerous occasions, it was switched to Shirebrook FC’s ground.

It was fairly even for the opening minutes, but there was already signs that Sports were in for a tough night, with some stern tackling from the Pinxton defenders.

After six minutes a good through ball gave Surafel Tefera a half chance, before Lewis Belgrave had a shot blocked a few minutes later.

Elijah Fatubarin then got away and was almost on for a one on one with Pinxton’s keeper Liam Power, but Pinxton kept fighting back.

But as the end of the first 15 minutes approached, there was a scramble in the Sports goalmouth and at the second attempt Blount found the back of Kiran Sanghera’s net to give Pinxton the lead.

Pinxton managed to cut off some of sports midfield supply, but in his attempt to break through Tefera was hacked down with a late tackle, but the resultant free kick went straight into Power’s hands.

Finley Davies had a shot from outside the box that was tipped over and a couple of successive corners from Josh Satchwell caused chaos in the Pinxton defence, but they still held out.

Approaching the half hour Lamin Sanyang had a shot just beyond the right hand post, as Sports began to press, which left them vulnerable to a Pinxton break.

As the referee failed to react to some crude tackling, there was a confrontation between the teams and what seemed like an endless discussion.

Tefera almost connected with a through ball after Satchwell had created some space, but there was more chaos when both Tefera and Fatubarin were hacked down as they headed for goal.

It was a free-kick on the edge of the box, which was followed by a good attempt from Belgrave.

Satchwell just lost out chasing the ball on a one on one with Power, before Belgrave had a shot straight at the keeper as the half time whistle beckoned.

Into the second half and Sports began to take charge. Satchwell had an early shot deflected for a corner, but Pinxton came close too when Sanghera was forced to punch clear.

The constant “hand ball” shouts from Pinxton had become rather tiresome, but it only seemed to make Sports even more determined.

The goal scoring chances became more frequent, with Satchwell going close after bursting through the defence and with about 20 minutes on the clock it was Satchwell that grabbed a well-deserved equaliser.

Belgrave had a couple of shots and Fatubarin had some threatening runs. After another late tackle Belgrave rattled the bar from the free kick, but time ran out and it was down to penalties.

Carl Clark put his shot straight at the Pinxton keeper, but Sanghera managed to save their second attempt too. 

After the compulsory five attempts it was 3-3 with Davies, Sanyang and Fatubarin all finding the net, after Ben Lewin’s attempt was saved.

Pinxton’s sixth attempt hit the bar, so Sports just needed to score. Jack Smith’s shot was saved, before both teams scored their next two. 

After Pinxton scored their ninth attempt, Satchwell’s shot was saved and it was game over with Pinxton the victors.

FC United of Manchester (H): Match Preview

SPORTS LOOK TO DIVIDE UNITED!

by Peter Scherer

Thanks to a few dry spells over the last few days, Mickleover Sports will hopefully have the rare opportunity of hosting a home Northern Premier League game at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday, when they welcome title challengers United FC of Manchester.

Fresh from their tough 1-1 draw at Whitby last Tuesday, Sports still have a number of games in hand, whereas FC United currently lie third, after a 4-4 draw with Warrington last weekend.

Mike Potts captains FC United, the midfielder having started out a Blackburn Rovers youth team player, but joined United from Bamber Bridge in October 2018, having also numbered York City, AFC Fylde, Guiseley, Stalybridge Celtic, Bradford Park Avenue and Curzon Ashton among his former clubs.

The experienced Cameron Belford should be in goal, currently on loan from Nuneaton. He started out at Coventry City and played form a number of league clubs, including Bury, Southend Utd, Mansfield, Accrington, Wrexham and Forest Green and had a spell in Scotland too at Stranraer.

Aaron Morris is a central defender that Utd signed from Runcorn Linnets, while former Blackpool Junior Adam Dodd, and went out on loan to Altrincham, Ayr Utd and Chorley, before being released. His highlight was playing for Ayr at Hampden Park in a Scottish Cup semi-final.

Centre back Matthew Elsdon is another loanee, from Barrow. He played junior football with both Sunderland and Middlesbrough and also had a spell with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Fellow central defender Chris Doyle has spent most of his career in the North West. He came out of Everton’s Academy, to play at Morecambe, Chorley and Southport, before joining United from Marine.

Curtis Jones is another defender, who has travelled the UK football world. He played for Celtic under 21’s and Livingstone in Scotland, TNS in Wales, plus Stockport County and Bristol City among his English teams. He also scored the 90th minute equaliser in last week’s Warrington match.

Right winger Morgan Homson-Smith has had spells at Harrogate, Prescot Cables and Southport before joining FC United and was another scorer last week, while prolific goal scorer Tunde Owolabi is always a danger in sight of goal.

The Nigerian born player was at Radcliffe before moving to play in Malta, he had also played for Hyde and scored last week and on his Utd FC debut.

Midfielder Paul “Charlie Ennis” came to Utd from Ashton Utd. He started out at Stockport, but has travelled via Buxton, Bala Town and Matlock amongst others.

Bolton Wanderers was the starting point for Striker Luke Griffiths, but he arrived at Utd from Prescot.

Dan Trickett-Smith once cost £300,000 when Liverpool bought him from Crewe Alexandra. The midfielder made one start in the Premiership but went across the Atlantic to play for Sacramento, before returning to the UK with Port Vale, from where Utd have him on loan.

Other members of their squad include Jack Lenehan, a former Rochdale Junior midfielder, who came in from Prescot and Finlay Sinclair-Smith. He played for Blackpool in League One, then loaned out to Widnes and Marine before finding a home with Utd.

Regan Linney came in from Bamber Bridge and Ben Kerr is a locally produced young defender.

United have the strongest core of traveling fans too, so this should be Sports biggest gate of the season!

Whitby 1-1 Sports: Match Report

SPORTS SETTLE ON 1-1 AFTER EARLY LEAD AT WHITBY

by Peter Scherer

A partly fiery and sometimes ill-tempered game saw Mickleover Sports back in Northern Premier League action, with a visit to Whitby Town.

Whitby had a chance within the opening minutes, but fired a free-kick straight into the Sports wall.

It had become fairly even for a while before Jordan Hickey put the across face of the Sports goal, with Kieran Weledji just failing to connect for Whitby.

But two minutes later and the tide was turned in Sports favour. Stuart Beavon was given space and played the ball to the edge of the box, where Aman Verma sent the ball firmly into the bottom left hand corner of Shane Bland’s net, for a 12th minute lead.

Soon afterwards Sports were forced to swap Karel Tvaroh for Pablo Mills, causing a reshuffle at the back.

Andy Wright then went close with a free header at close range, as it whistled inches wide of the left hand top corner.

Patrick Webb then had a chance as Sports began to dominate. But a short scuff gave Bland a relatively easy save.

Whitby found their feet again for the last 15 minutes of the first half, with Sunderland loanee Jake Hackett going close, before Weledji forced Nathan Broome into a save.

Sports still had the lead as they went in for the half time break, but both Kemy Agustien and Whitby’s Alex White were yellow carded before the whistle went.

It was a strong start to the second half again for Sports, with Webb firing just over the bar from a Beavon pass, and a corner five minutes later cleared.

But on 59 minutes Whitby were level. Hackett managedto place a corner perfectly for Daniel Rowe to meet, putting his header wide of Broome into the right hand corner.

The equaliser triggered more pressure from Whitby, as Luke Bythway went just wide from a Matty Dixon free kick, before Dixon put his own left foot shot just wide.

With Ryan Nesbitt on for Wright, Sports were holding on, but shortly after Dixon was booked, Whitby brought Brad Mills on for Andre Bennett.

Barely a minute later Mills was heading back for the dressing room after a wild tackle was followed by a scuffle, which saw him straight red carded, along with Sports skipper Greg Young.

Although Rowe went close to snatching a late winner when Broome tipped his effort over the bar, Sports returned south with a secure point, ready to fight again on Saturday, when they face United FC at the Don Amott Arena.

Whitby Town (a): Match Preview

Is The Weather Going To Be Kind?

by Peter Scherer

Following five postponements in the last six matches, Mickleover Sports will be hoping to kick start their Northern Premier League campaign on Tuesday with an away match at Whitby Town.

Ironically Whitby at home was one of only two Sports games to survive during February, when they were defeated 2-1.

Whitby are currently seventh in the table and unbeaten in their last six games, after drawing at home with Ashton Utd last Saturday.

A number of Whitby’s players are in their second or even third spell with the club, including goalkeeper Shane Bland. The former Middlesbrough and Spennymoor player rejoined from West Auckland.

Defender Jassem Sukar has been at the club for about 2 ½ years after starting out at Sunderland, while Alex White is another returnee. He came back two ago, but has also seen action as a Hartlepool Junior, before moving on via Gretna, Stranraer and Blyth Spartans.

Fellow defender Daniel Rowe came in from Frickley Athletic and is an ex Rotherham, Wycombe Wanders and York City player.

Last weekend Matthew Dixon and Evan Horwood played wing back. Dixon started with Hull City, but came to Whitby from Scarborough in July last year.

Horwood is vastly experienced, having started out at Sheffield Utd in 2004, he made over 315 league starts, as far afield as Gretna and Bala Town. He came to Whitby in January this year.

In midfield they played Jordan Hickey, Adam Gell and Callum Patton against Ashton. 

Hickey is a loanee and ex Sunderland and Hull City junior, while Gell returned for his second spell at the club from Shildon in August 2018.

Patton is an attacking midfielder, in his second spell too. The ex English Colleges player came in from Bishop Auckland in November 2018, but has played for numerous North Eastern clubs too.

Bradley Fewster scored Whitby’s goal last weekend and along with Nathan Tymon are a strong force. Tymon came back to Whitby just over three years ago for the third time and is ex Hartlepool, Workington and West Auckland, whereas Fewster came in from Blyth Spartans just over a year ago and is an ex England Under 19 international, having started at Middlesbrough, before moving to listing Preston North End, York, Hartlepool and Spennymoor among his ex clubs.

With 16 games left to play, Sports will not only be hoping to reverse their recent defeat against Whitby, but get in some much needed match practice before the home game against United FC on March 7th.

Sports Reserves Take Revenge On Bakewell

by Peter Scherer

Having lost 2-1 away at Bakewell Town a few weeks ago, Mickleover Sports Reserves took revenge in their Central Midlands Division One South match, with a 4-2 win on Derby University’s 3G pitch.

After the initial skirmish, Bakewell had one shot just wide of the right hand post, before Lewis Belgrave opened the scoring for Sports, with a well taken chance.

It was Belgrave that seemed to be causing most trouble to the Bakewell defence, with some good through balls from Clinton Morrison.

Some scrappy defending gave Sports more chances, one straight at the keeper and one just over the bar, both from Belgrave.

But Bakewell began to fight back and Sports keeper Kiran Sanghera had to tip one shot over the bar after about 25 minutes, before a second wild shot cleared the perimeter fence a few minutes later.

With Lamin Sanyang on for Tomas Junek, Sports were on the on the attack again as half time approached. Belgrave put another chance just wide, before Josh Sacchwell had his shot well saved by the Bakewell keeper, as it stayed to 1-0 after the first 45 minutes.

It was full on from the start of the second half though, with the Bakewell defence in chaos. Satchwell was able to pick his spot for Sports second goal, after a good team build up and a few minutes later Surf Tefera made it 3-0, drilling the ball into the right corner.

For a while it looked as if more goals would follow, as Belgrave went close to making it 4-0.  But Bakewell suddenly sprung back into action with two quick goals, which prompted another Sports substitution, as Tom Mason came on.

Bakewell were still fighting hard though and kept Sanghera under pressure, but Sports finally sealed it when Belgrave crossed from the right and Mason made it a secure 4-2 victory.

 

Nantwich Town (A): Preview

This Weekend at High Flying Nantwich
by Peter Scherer

Since Sports took a 2-1 win over Nantwich Town in early January, the Cheshire side have had a six week unbeaten run, which included a 4-1 over table toppers South Shields.

But on Tuesday night their run came to an end at the hands of FC United, losing 1-0 at home. They are still fifth in the Northern Premier League, with Sports down in 14th with two games in hand.

Most of the Nantwich line-up is expected to be the same at we saw at the Don Amott Arena in January, with a few notable changes.

Having graduated from Youth Team, Troy Bourne has come back into the defence, having been on the bench in January. Similarly David Webb has come into midfield, having joined the club this season, after playing for Marine and the RAF.

They have also taken on two more strikers, Ethon Varian on loan from Stoke and Prince Haywood signed from Radcliffe.

With Sports having only played four league games since the win in January to Nantwich’s eight, it’s going to take a big effort to secure the double. But weather permitting the game will go ahead we eagerly await the outcome.

If you are not travelling to Nantwich, the reserves are at home to Bakewell Town in the Central Midlands League Division South.

Sports reserves are currently lying second, with Bakewell sixth, but when they met a few weeks ago it was Bakewell that came out 2-1 winners.

The game is due to kick off at 2pm at Derby University’s Kedleston Road pitch.