Today’s game against Matlock Town has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

<em>By Brad Cox</em>

<strong>Mickleover’s FA Trophy campaign comes to an end after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Basford United. </strong>

Liam Hearn bagged himself a double as his side progresses into the second-round qualification stage of the FA Trophy.

The Sports’ started the match positively with high pressure but showed no end product. Basford got onto the scoresheet against the run of play in the 12th minute. Nathan Watson’s drilled cross fell beautifully for Hearn who calmly slotted home his first goal of the day past, Nathan Broome.

Despite being a goal down, The Sports’ continued to dominate in a match which they were expected to be great underdogs based on current form. The Sports’ looked the more likely to grab an equaliser after Stuart Beavon’s strike grazed the post, however, yet again Basford against the run of play doubled their lead. After some questionable defending, Basford’s left-back, Josh Law, built a mountain for The Sports’ to climb and hammered the ball past Broome from the back post. At half-time, The Sports’ will have felt unfortunate to go into the break two goals down.

Early into the second half, an injury to Ben Turner saw John McGrath (junior) join his dad (also John McGrath) on the pitch. Lee Hughes had the best opportunity of the second half to kickstart a comeback when his attempted chip shot kissed the top of the bar. A reoccurring issue presented itself in the second half when The Sports’ struggled to create anything in Basford’s half.

Basford put the game to bed in the 88^th minute when Hearn got his second goal. The Sports’ are now in the worst form of their season with their best result being a 1-1 draw with Morpeth Town in the five fixtures.

The Sports’ next fixture is Matlock Town at home, they will be looking for revenge as they were beaten 3-1 just three matches ago.

<em>Sports XI; Broome, Berry, Turner (John McGrath 48’), McGrath, Mills, Young, Warren, Scott ©(Max Watters 59’), Modest, Beavon, Boula (Lee Hughes 62’)</em>

<em>Basford XI; Preston, Law, Wilson, Thornhill (C), Gascoigne, Galinksi, Richards, Chettle, Hearn, Watson, Reid</em>

<strong>Basford United 3-0 Sports
</strong>Saturday 26th October 2019
Greenwich Avenue

Attendance: 352

Next fixture: Matlock Town (H) Saturday 2^nd November

FA Trophy action returns for Mickleover this Saturday afternoon as The Sports travel to Basford United for the first round qualifier.

Basford currently sit second in the Northern Premier Division having played one less game than The Sports. Basford come into this first round qualifier unbeaten in their last five fixtures, with wins against Gainsborough Trinity, FC United of Manchester and Stafford Rangers. Basford also did the double over Mickleover last year in the league with a 2-1 win on Boxing Day and a 0-1 win at the Don Amott toward the end of the 2018/2019 campaign.

The Sports will be looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s defeat to Lancaster City with a win and advance to the second round qualification stage.

Basford United vs Mickleover Sports FC
Saturday 26^th October 2019 – 3:00pm
Greenwich Avenue, Basford

By Girvane Bila

It was another week to forget for Mickleover Sports as Lancaster City beat them 3-1. This result sees them suffer successive defeats and slip down to 7th in the league. 

A consolation goal from Mickleover substitute Jiri Boula and goals from Lancaster’s Matthew Blinkhorn, David Norris and Charlie Bailey were enough to see off Sports in a deficient performance. 

In the first five minutes, Mickleover were on the front foot showing enthusiasm with the first chance coming when Samuel Ashton saved Lee Hughes’ shot from inside the area. 

Lancaster had a chance of their own when Jack Armer’s great cross was met by an even greater acrobatic strike from Charlie Bailey which Nathan Broome terrifically saved. 

The referee had a big decision to make in the 12th minute when Paul Dawson brought down Captain Jake Scott with a horrific tackle. However, referee R. Richards only gave the midfielder a yellow card. 

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Jack Armer’s free kick found their number nine Matthew Blinkhorn who guided it past Broome with his head giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. 

Lancaster could have doubled their lead ten minutes later when Bailey found space to unleash a shot from close range, which was metres away from goal.

The visitors eventually doubled the lead in the 37th minute when David Norris’ curling shot deflected in. 

The second half saw a red card early in the half when Richard Batchelor’s dangerous challenge sparked a mini brawl and resulted in his dismissal.

With Sports down to ten men, the visitors saw this as a chance to further punish them. And they did after Bailey found himself through on goal and sealed the win for the visitors. 

They could have furthered their lead to four when Robert Wilson’s ambitious long-range strike hit the crossbar and the fingertips of Broome saved Samuel Bailey’s fierce shot. 

Mickleover substitute Boula’s teasing cross found midfielder Stuart Beavon who could not firmly head it on goal in the 83rd minute before Lancaster’s Blinkhorn could have doubled his tally but fired over. 

Boula then had a chance to score when Beavon showed composure and found him but could only fire it over the bar. 

He made up for the miss in the 90th minute when Beavon found him with a cutback and slotted it past the keeper.

John McGrath’s men will want to rally after two dismal performances against Matlock last week and now Lancaster at home.

Sports will want to win against Basford United in a FA Trophy qualifying round encounter at Greenwich Avenue next Saturday on the 26th of October.

Mickleover Sports: 1. Nathan Broome 2. Durrell Berry 3. Ben Turner 4. Mason Warren (Boula 71’) 5. Pablo Mills 6. Greg Young (Watters 62’) 7. Stuart Beavon, 8. Jake Scott (C) 9. Lee Hughes (Tvaroh 62’) 10. Nathan Modest 11. Richard Batchelor (red card 51’)

Subs; 12. Karel Tvaroh 13. Louis Jones 14. Jiri Boula 15. Ricky Ravenhill 16. Max Watters

Lancaster City: 1. Samuel Ashton 2. Lewis Fensome 3. Matthew Williams 4. Niall Cowperthwaite 5. Green Steel 6. Simon Willis (Bailey 70’) 7. Charlie Bailey 8. Paul Dawson (Wilson 60’) 9. Matthew Blinkhorn 10. David Norris (Roache 68’) 11. Jack Armer 

Subs: 12. Samuel Bailey 13. Maxwell Povey 14. Rowan Roache 15. Bradley Carsley 16. Robert Wilson

by Andrew Maddox

It was a day to forget for Sports as they fell to a 3-1 defeat away to Matlock.

Sports got off to a nightmare start, with an unmarked Dan Bramall heading in after just four minutes. There was an early theme of poor decision making from the visitors, with wasteful long balls and headed passes when they should be controlling the ball marring Sports’ early performances. Chances would come for Hinsley and Marshall before Mickelover woke up in the 20th minute. Max Watters came close with a lobbed effort, which would have been disallowed for offside regardless.

The first big chance came on 25 minutes. Lee Hughes’ close range header forces a brilliant reaction save from Jon Stewart. This would set the tone going forward, with a trademark Pablo Mills free kick clattering the bar in the 28th minute. Six minutes later, Sports levelled, a Richard Bachelor cross being headed in by Hughes. You’d have thought that Mickelover would have pressed on from here, but instead they chose to sit back. Inevitably, Hinsley fired a low shot under Lewis Jones to put the hosts back ahead after just five minutes of Hughes’ goal. Liam Scott was also booked for a reckless challenge before half time.

Mickleover opened the second half well, with another Mills free kick forcing a good save from Stewart, but it wasn’t to be. Sam Scriverns made it 3-1 on 58 minutes, following some smart footwork. After Lee Hughes was brought off, Mickelover looked rather toothless going forward. However, it was the defence that had everyone worried. Greg Young received a booking for what appeared to be a stamp and Berry was also booked for a late challenge. In reality, both should have walked.

For the last half hour, there was a total lack of creativity from Sports, who could have no qualms over the result. All in all, it was a very frustrating day for all connected to Mickelover, and it’s back to the drawing board for the next game.

Matlock Town 3-1 Sports
Saturday 12th October 2019
Causeway Lane

by Brad Cox

Mason Warren and Mickleover Sports salvaged a point against ten-man, Morpeth Town. Quality came in small doses, but passion was portrayed throughout.

The first half lacked clear cut chances, but it was the visitors who took the lead. After 20’ minutes, against the run of play, Liam Henderson steered a header from the front post to the back after a clever cross from Joe Walton. Both sides exploited the wide areas as the primary principle of attack. Morpeth smelt blood and turned up the tempo before halftime but Mickleover’s defence stayed strong.

After the break, Mickleover regrouped and started to dominate, Mason Warren grew in confidence on the ball and started to orchestrate the attacks. Frustration crept into both sets of players as time progressed. Tensions and tempers were raised when a potential career ending tackle resulted in only a yellow card for Chris Reid. Manager, John McGrath, branded the challenge as an “old fashioned leg-breaker”.

It wasn’t until the 73’ minute that Mickleover got what they deserved for their efforts. A penalty was awarded when the captain, Jake Scott, was brought down in the box. Warren slotted away with confidence to equalize. Just nine minutes later,

Morpeth Town were reduced to 10 men, Shabz Mohammed received a straight red card after an unnecessary stamp on Richard Bachelor.

Despite the extra man and dominating possession, Mickleover were unable to find the winner they deserved. They will be disappointed with just the point at home, but they extend their unbeaten run to six matches and have taken 11 points from their last 15.

Sports 1-1 Morpeth Town
Tuesday 8th October 2019
The Don Amott Arena

by Girvane Bola

Lee Hughes’s delicate lob proved to be the highlight in a hard-fought game which saw Mickleover win 1-0 over Scarborough Athletic.

Hughes’ fourth goal of the season saw Mickleover continue their great form which has seen Sports now unbeaten in four games which leaves Scarborough are now winless in their last six.

The first half saw the game struggled to get going with both teams having possession but not being able to create chances. This included a Pablo Mills’ header cleared off the line from Mason Warren’s corner and Jake Scott heading over from close range.

The next minute saw Jiri Boula winning the header leading to a perfectly lofted ball by Warren which found Hughes who beautifully lobbed it over goalkeeper Thomas Taylor to give Sports the lead. 

Hughes could have gotten his and the team’s second when he found himself on goal, but Taylor saved his shot from a tight angle. This was the start of a Mickleover onslaught, which saw Max Watters beat multiple defenders and had his effort saved and an effort saved brilliantly by Taylor once again.

The second half saw the visitors have a host of chances. James Walshaw had his shot saved by keeper Nathan Broome and Paul Walker’s volley just metres away. As we approached the hour mark, Mickleover needed a second goal to calm nerves down. 

That could have happened in the 69th minute when Max Watters found himself through, but, fired it wide off the far post. Hughes again could have gotten his second goal of the game, dribbling past one defender saw his shot again saved by Taylor. 

Nathan Modest played a one-two with Stuart Beavon which saw Modest’s effort saved before Scarborough Athletic had a late chance to rescue a point for the visitors, but Broome made a superb save from Paul Walker’s free kick.

Mickleover will believe that they deserved the win in a very physical game where they could have scored two or three.

Mickleover Sports will want to stretch their unbeaten run to five games when they face Morpeth Town at the Dan Amott Arena on October 8th.

 

Line-ups: 

Mickleover Sports: 1. Nathan Broome 2. Durrell Berry 3. Ben Turner 4. Mason Warren 5. Pablo Mills 6. Greg Young 7. Max Watters (Nathan Modest 73) 8. Jake Scott (C) 9. Lee Hughes 10. Stuart Beavon 11. Jiri Boula 45 (John McGrath 62’) 

Subs: 12. Karel Tvaroh 13. Louis Jones 14. Ricky Ravenhill 15. John McGrath 16. Nathan Modest 

Yellow Cards: Jiri Boula & Greg Young 

Scarborough Athletic: 1. Thomas Taylor 2. Kian Spence. 3. Dom Roma 4. Peter Davidson 5. Josh Barrett (Wayne Brooksby 45’) 6. Issac Assenso 7. Ryan Watson (George Walsmley) 8. Chris Dawson 64 9. James Walshaw 10. Michael Coulson (C) 11. Paul Walker

Subs: 12. T’Nique Fishley 13. Tom Morgan 14. Wayne Brooksby 15. George Walsmley 16. David Merris 

Yellow Cards: Thomas Taylor, Chris Dawson and Wayne Brooksby

Referee: A. Nelson Assistant referees: W Booth & W Gray

by Laurie Newman

Mickleover Sports move up to 6^th place after defeating Hyde United thanks to a late winner from Stuart Beavon.

Lee Hughes also scored his third goal for Sports in as many games in addition to Nathan Modest scoring his first for the club since he was signed in the summer.

Sports had an early scare when Harry Bennis crossed the ball into the box at a ferocious pace. Fortunately for the away team though it was too high for anyone to latch onto and it went out for a throw.

Lee Hughes scored just after the five minute mark when Stuart Beavon crossed the ball from the far side. Hughes managed to find himself unmarked which allowed him to head the ball into the top right hand corner.

Sports seemed to be on a mission and were desperate to add another. Ben Turner nearly scored after he blasted the ball towards the goal. Unfortunately the ball flew across the face and away from the back of the net.

Around fifteen minutes in Lee Hughes landed badly on his shoulder after trying to win a header and was forced off through injury. It was a big loss at the time but ultimately his successor Nathan Modest would come up with the goods later on in the game.

The substitution would prove to be a turning point as Sports found it hard to penetrate Hyde who seized control of the game.

Tom Pratt came close after his shot with the outside of his foot curled towards the bottom right hand corner only for it to steer away from the post at the last minute.

Martyn Woolford’s acrobatic attempt also came close but in the end it flew over the bar.

Against the run of play, Mickleover nearly doubled their lead after Stuart Beavon’s shot from just inside the box fizzed across the six yard box but it agonisingly went just wide of the corner.

Sports managed to get themselves back into the game but before they could gain any more momentum the half time whistle blew.

The second half kicked off and within a minute Nathan Modest scored for the visitors. Modest scored after he poked the ball past Luke Mewitt from a few yards out following a lofted ball over Hyde’s back four.

Around ten minutes later Dan Turner managed to grab a goal back for the hosts after he blasted the ball into the roof of the net and past Nathan Broome from just inside the box.

Both teams continued to threaten the other but it would take until the 74^th minute for a goal to be scored. 

Hyde’s captain Tom Pratt would equalise for his side after firing the ball just past the inside of the post meaning that at that point Sports would be going home with just a point.

Sports however, wouldn’t give up without a fight but neither would Hyde. Nathan Broome kept Sports in the game after his miraculous save to the top left hand corner denied Hyde a winner. 

Stuart Beavon would be the real hero though. With just a few minutes to go Max Watters crossed the ball in towards the box where Beavon was waiting. Somehow he chested the ball down and as if in slow motion the ball dropped down perfectly for him to shoot. The ball then curled away from the keeper and went in off the post which sent the Mickleover players, staff and fans wild.

The final whistle blew shortly after and everyone associated with Mickleover could let a sigh of relief go after a tense last few minutes.