Mickleover Sports 0-1 Stratford Town
Tuesday 13th November 2018
Written by Sam Goldsworthy

“We have seen better days” as Sports exited the FA Trophy for another season in this Shakespeare Tragedy against Stratford Town. Both sides had good spells in the game and it was looking like only goal for either team would be enough to set up a tie with South Shields. Evan Garnett had Sports best chance towards the end in Sports best spell as he sent a shot from a 1v1 over the bar. That would prove to be a crucial moment as in this tale of woe as a near replica of Stratford goal in the first game caught Sports out in the 87th minute. This time it was substitute Mike Taylor at the back post to stab home and send Sports crashing out of another of this seasons cup competitions.

Corey Addai remained in goal with a back four of Reece Ford, Tom Burgin, Pablo Mills and Ben Turner. A midfield four consisted of Ricky Ravenhill, Ted Cribley, Jack Walsh and Nathan Jarman in a central attacking role. Victor Sodeinde and Evan Garnett were the two strikers. On the bench for Sports were Jimmy Phillips, Harley Kozluk, Mason Warren, Will Norcross and Kyle Clamp.

Jack Walsh and Will Grocott had half chances in the opening few minutes but the first real chance came on 11 minutes as good play between Garnett and Jarman found Sodeinde but his strike was into the side netting on the near side. Next Jarman managed to use his strength to get past a couple of Stratford defenders and square the ball centrally inside the box to Ted Cribley but his first time effort was over the bar. Sports were then forced into an early change as Jack Walsh suffered an injury meaning he had to be taken off to be replaced by Jimmy Phillips.

Stratford were also looking a threat going forward and has a couple of chances from Isaac and Skendi however one was saved and one was cleared off the line by Turner. Jarman struck a powerful effort from a free kick wide of the left hand post before Westwood for the visitors broke down the left hand side and sent in a wicked cross which was well caught by Addai in the Sports net. The final chance of the half feel to the side from Warwickshire as a header into the box was not dealt with by Tom Burgin and Wilson managed to get in front of him, turn and strike an effort which went just wide of the right hand post.

It was Sports who had the first real chance of the second half. Phillips was fouled in the middle of the pitch but play continued and Ted Cribley managed to break forward strike an effort towards goal but the effort was too central and saved by Walton. Jarman managed to do the same thing a few minutes later but it was the same outcome as the strike was into the keeper’s hands. The Stratford right back Cox then sent an effort sailing over the bar as both sides kept searching for that elusive goal. Then shortly after came Sports moment to win the tie however it was not taken and came and went as Evan Garnett was played in 1v1 after an excellent first touch but the strike was sent miles over the bar. Ted Cribley would then made way for Mason Warren for Sports next substitution.

This seemed to give the visitors the warning they needed and spurred them on as Mike Taylor the substitute had three excellent efforts with two headers and one effort with his right foot but all three were saved well by Addai. In between those efforts Jarman had a chance to strike but his chance was saved by Walton. Just as Sports left it late in the previous round against Redditch United, they were this time on the other end of a late sucker punch as Stratford won the tie in the 87th minute. Sodeinde lost track of his man and allowed Cox to cross into the box which caught out Reece Ford at the back post and Mike Taylor nipped in behind to finish low past Addai and send Sports crashing out of the FA Trophy.

Mickleover Sports are delighted to announce the signing for experienced midfielder Ricky Ravenhill from Derbyshire rivals Buxton FC. The 37 year old boasts Football League experience with Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town, Darlington, Notts County, Bradford City, Northampton Town and Mansfield Town. He was part of the Doncaster Rovers side that won back to back promotions from the National League and League Two between 2002 and 2004. Ricky also won League Two with Notts County in 2009-10 and was part of the Bradford City side that lost 5-0 to Swansea City in the 2012-13 League Cup Final as well as gaining another promotion from League Two in the play-offs against Northampton Town in the same season. Ricky has most recently been at Sports Derbyshire Rivals Buxton FC, and was on the bench when the Bucks won 3-1 at The Don Amott Arena earlier this month.

Sports Boss John McGrath told Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy, “I am delighted to welcome Ricky to the club”. Ricky is a player I have admired and got on with for a while and I am thrilled to bring such an experienced midfielder to the club. He was had a lot of success over the years with clubs at Football League level and hopefully he can bring that extra bit of experience into the dressing room with what we already have. He’ll also be a good asset for our younger players who they can learn off. But besides all that Ricky is also a quality and highly skilled footballer who will only improve our current squad.

Ricky will go straight into the squad for the Scarborough Athletic game. Everyone at Mickleover Sports would like to welcome Ricky to The Don Amott Arena and wish him a happy and successful time at the club.

WELCOME RICKY!

After the Youth Team successfully progressed in the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 win away at Buxton on Wednesday night, the First Team will be looking to do the same in the senior competition as they look to avoid a potential cup upset at Step 6 side Anstey Nomads. The Nomads currently play in the United Counties League (UCL) Division One after moving sideways from the East Midlands Counties League last season and currently sit top of the league on 13pts with 4 wins and a draw, level with Melton Town. The side from Leicester have only lost one game all season that coming in the FA Vase at home to Eastwood Community. This will prove to be a extremely difficult test for John McGrath and his Sports side who will need to be at their very best against a side on fantastic form and a side who will be chomping at the bit to cause an upset against a team three leagues higher than they are.

LAST TIME OUT
The Nomads last game came last Saturday in the UCL Division One as they ran out 3-0 winners at home to Holwell Sports, another side who had moved over from the East Midlands Counties League due to the non league reshuffle. James Hicks with two and a single goal from Ashley Day saw Anstey go top of the league. Sports won by the same scoreline on Tuesday night as they defeated Stamford AFC at the Zeeco Stadium to progress into the 2nd Round of the Integro League Cup. Nathan Jarman and two from Isai Marselia with the goals for Sports on the night.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Sports are still without long term absentees Kevin Grocott, Pablo Mills and Niall Doran. Harley Kozluk impressed on his full first team debut for Sports at Stamford on Tuesday night at right back so may get another chance to impress in this game. Both Marselia and Garnett will be battling to be selected alongside Nathan Jarman but it all comes down to if John goes with a strong first team or feels a few fringe players could do with some more minutes.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is taking place on Saturday 22nd September, 3pm Kick Off, at Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicester, LE7 7BP. Admission is £5 for Adults and £3 for Concessions. A Match Day Programme will be available as well as hot and cold drinks served in the clubhouse as well as alcoholic beverages. Parking inside the club grounds is for Players and Officials only so parking is available on a small car park outside the ground, otherwise it’s street parking. We ask you respect local residents when parking on streets and look out for any restrictions they may be in place.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
There will not be the usual coverage as Sam & Kerry are at another wedding. There will be no interviews after the game or Match Report but Jake Garratt will provide team news and updates throughout the game on our Twitter page @MickleoverSFC.

Stamford AFC 0-3 Mickleover Sports

Tuesday 18th September 2018

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Sports progressed into the 2nd Round of this seasons Integro League Cup after a 3-0 win away at Division One East side Stamford AFC. In what was a very windy and blustery Tuesday night as Sports made the long trip down to South Lincolnshire but the small travelling continent from the away side were rewarded with goals from Nathan Jarman and Isai Marselia but were certainly made to work hard for their win as the home side certainly had chances to score but non the less it was Sports who progressed.

Sports made a few changes to the side that lost 1-0 away at Farsley Celtic the weekend before. Lewis King remained in goal but Academy and Reserve team player Harley Kozluk was given his full debut at right back. He was joined alongside Tyreece Robinson, Ben Turner and Mason Warren. In midfield were John McGrath and Jake Scott in the center with Curtis Burrows and Jimmy Phillips on the wings. Up front was the pair of Nathan Jarman and Isai Marselia.

Stamford had the first chance as a ball was fizzed across the face of goal where Sam Grouse was waiting but he could only find the side netting on the outside of the left hand post. Nathan Jarman who two efforts in two minutes next as he took the ball down well both times but one was over the bar and one was side of the left hand post with both being outside the area. After a lull ten minute period as both sides were gathering momentum Sports began to grow into the game as Marselia and Burrows has quick fire efforts before Jarman put Sports ahead with 24 minutes gone. Sports broke out from the back and after a good spell of play the ball was fed over the Nathan Jarman on the right hand side of the box. The former Gainsborough Trinity man drove into the box before striking a low and hard effort under the keeper and into the bottom left corner.

Moments after the restart Stamford hit the bar as they looked to draw level straight away. Then a Burrows cross was nearly stabbed in by the Stamford defense for an own goal but was caught by the keeper just in time. Harley Kozluk received a yellow card for a late tackle before a foul on Phillips went unnoticed by the referee which allowed Stamford to break with King having to pull off a fine save to his right hand side to keep the score at 1-0. McGrath hit the bar with a free kick and Stan Mughisa fired a rocket of a shot just past King’s left hand post.

In what was a frantic end to the first half where Stamford bombarded the Sports goal with efforts, they were made to pay for not taking them. First Marselia could have scored a few minutes before we did. His first effort went tricking over towards the line but the purposely longer grass in the 6 yard boxes made a difference as the ball lost pace and allowed Stamford to just clear away before Jarman could get there. However with the last kick of the half Marselia got his goal and Sports second of the night. A cross over from the left took a massive deflection as the ball fell into the path of the Dutchman who showed great composure to slide the ball into the bottom left corner.

The second half started with Phillips striking an effort over the bar after good play between Jarman and Marselia. Eliot Putman smashed a shot over the bar before King had to be on full alert to save a 1v1 effort with striker Liam Adams with the rebound from Sam Grouse being put wide. Sports made their first change as Jarman was replaced by Evan Garnett. Mason Warren was booked for halting a Stamford counter attack just before Garnett had his first chance forcing the defenders to block his effort for a corner. A 50/50 challenge between Kozluk and Stamford’s Armstrong left both on the floor requiring treatment but thankfully both were ok to carry on moments later.

Sports final change saw Jimmy Phillips come off for young Will Norcross. Jake Scott sent an effort over the bar but only a few minutes later Sports killed a hard game with the third of the night. A succession of corners ended with McGrath finding Marselia inside the box who took the ball down and smashed the ball into the right hand side of the net to score his second and Sports third.

That goal killed the rest of the game and the referee below straight on the 90th minute to end a very tough test for Sports who may not have played as well as the score line suggests but the target of progression into the next round was achieved and that’s all that matters in these competitions. Next its back to the FA Cup as Sports travel to Leicestershire to try and avoid a cup upset against United Counties League and Step 6 side Anstey Nomads on Saturday 22nd September, 3pm Kick Off.

The Integro League Cup is back and Sports will be looking to go further in the competition this season after reaching the quarter final stage last season. However this first round tie with a side in the division below in the form of Stamford will be far from straight forward. The Daniels made a flying start to the season and were top of the Division One East for an early part of the season. They have since dropped down to 8th but they will also be looking to progress in the competition and cause an upset against higher opponents at the same time. For Sports its a week of avoiding banana skins as they face two lower league teams in two separate competitions. Top the the United Counties League Division One Anstey Nomads await on Saturday but for now its all focus on progression in the Integro League Cup after another narrow defeat without scoring away at Farsley Celtic last weekend.

LAST TIME OUT
Stamford were at home on Saturday losing out 2-1 to the team the furthest north in the Northern Premier League, Morpeth Town. Joseph Walton and Jeffrey Henderson put Morpeth 2-0 up either side of half time with Sam Grouse netting a consolation for the Daniels but it wasn’t enough to claim a point. Sports however went down 1-0 to a Ben Turner strike for the hosts.

SPORTS TEAM NEWS
Kevin Grocott made a welcomed return to action on Saturday but was sadly substituted with another injury in the first half. So the former Burton Albion defender looks set to be out again alongside long term absentees Pablo Mills and Niall Doran. Everybody else at the time of writing was available for selection.

GOING TO THE GAME?
The game is on Tuesday 18th September with a 7:45pm Kick Off. Stamford AFC play their home games at their relatively new ground, The Borderville Stadium, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1US. Admission Prices are set at £10 for Adults, £7 for Concessions (Over 60’s HM Forces and Students), £3 for 12-16 year olds and Under 12’s FREE. Match Day Programmes as well as hot and cold drinks will be available and alcoholic beverages will be sold in the club house. Parking at the ground is free but is on a first come first served basis as it is limited to 110 cars and two coaches.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?
Then no need to worry, Press & Media Officer Sam Goldsworthy will be at the game keeping you up to date via the usual platforms of Twitter & Facebook, with match reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (Youtube) after the game!

Grantham Town 2-1 Mickleover Sports

Tuesday 4th September 2018

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Sports fell to another defeat on Tuesday night as they went down 2-1 to Grantham Town. Two goals either side of half time from Michael Hollingsworth, the first one being a spot kick, saw the Gingerbread men into a two goal lead. However Sports dominated large parts of possession during the game, had a missed penalty by Nathan Jarman and had several chances to score before and after Evan Garnett pulled a goal back in the last minute of normal time. Sports will have gone back into the dressing room at full time wondering how on earth they had lost the game. But it was down to Grantham capitalising on their mistakes and not the same way vice versa.

The Sports team consisted of Lewis King in goal as normal. Jake Scott slotted in at right back alongside Tom Burgin, Tyreece Robinson and Ben Turner. In midfield were John McGrath and Mason Warren with Jimmy Phillips and former Grantham player Curtis Burrows. Up front were the two strikers Evan Garnett and Nathan Jarman. On the bench were Oli Roberts, Will Norcross, Lewis Belgrave, Isai Marselia and Clinton Morrison.

Early on a Grantham corner headed on towards goal was cleared off the line before the rebound was saved by King. Two efforts from Nathan Jarman and Jimmy Phillips then proceeded as Sports got a foot. Garnett and Burrows then had further chances to grab a Sports goal before Grantham Town took the lead from the spot after a Sports defender pulled back a Grantham attacker who went down and the referee awarded the spot kick. Hollingsworth stepped up and drilled it into the bottom left corner leaving King rooted to the spot. However not too long after Sports were awarded a penalty for a similar incident in the opposite box as Garnett was pulled back. Nathan Jarman stepped up and had his spot kick saved in the bottom left corner and tipped round the post for a corner by the Grantham keeper. Jarman would have two further efforts before half time with a header in from a Turner cross before a long range strike went over the bar to signal an end to the first half.

Into the second half and Sports had two further chances either side of a Robinson error which gave Grantham a chance at goal. Phillips smashed an effort onto the bar and Jarman put a half volley attempt over the bar. Curtis Burrows then had two chances to grab one against his former side. First a Phillips crossed was just out his reach then a another cross from the other side was met with Burrows head but was put straight into the keepers hands. Sports were then made to pay for these missed opportunities as Grantham took advantage for a mistake to extend their lead. The ball was crossed low into the box, Robinson tried to clear it but it got caught under his foot and fell out to Hollingsworth who smacked one under King into the net to make the score 2-0 to the Gingerbeads.

Sports reacted by making two substitutions within a five minute period. McGrath was replaced by Roberts and Burrows was replaced by Norcross. Tom Burgin was given a yellow card for a challenge near the centre circle late on. The changes seem to work well as Sports grabbed a goal back just as the game was about to tick into added time. Evan Garnett was played through and managed to slot one past the keeper to get Sports back into the game as five minutes were added. However for all the pressure that Sports put on Grantham they only created one concrete effort to equalise in the 9rd minute of the game. Garnett again was played in 1v1 and just had the keeper to beat. But under pressure from the Grantham defender he strike was at the keeper and palmed away from danger.

That’s as close as they came as the game came to an end which signalled a second loss in a row for Sports however they still sit outside the relegation zone as none of the four teams below them (Lancaster, Marine, Matlock and North Ferriby all failed to register wins. Sports will need to get their league campaign back on track pretty quick but for now their attentions turn to the start of their FA Cup journey as they face a home tie with Step 6 West Midlands Regional League side Haughmond. The side from Shrewsbury caused an upset as they defeated Step 4 side Market Drayton Town 1-0 away from home to set up the tie at the Don Amott Area on Saturday 8th September with a 3pm kick off.

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