After Tuesday’s test against a spirited and well drilled Notts County XI, Sports will know their next friendly will be a whole new level as they prepare to face Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion. As always we will be playing for the KC Trust Trophy of which the Brewers are current holders after their 4-0 win last pre season.

The Brewers, who now find themselves back in SkyBet League One after two seasons in the SkyBet Championship, were only just relegated on the final day of last season by a late Bolton Wanders comeback coupled with a late winner from their opponents on the day Preston North End. The main aim for Nigel Clough this season will be an attempt at an immediate return to the Championship and their quest starts on Friday night against former Brewer and Sports Boss John McGrath.

The Mickleover Boss was asked about this thoughts going into the game with the Brewers…

Our second pre season game in a week and what will no doubt be a really tough test. Nigel always brings his full first squad and I am looking forward to seeing our boys competing against a very good Burton Albion side.

I love this pre season fixture more than any other one that we’ll play. The six years I spent there as a player were the most enjoyable of my 19 year career and also I get the opportunity to pit my wits against a manager who is in my opinion the best I’ve ever played.

We are injury free which is something I hope lasts throughout the busy pre season schedule and great credit goes to Jake Shaw our physio for his approach to player rehab and recovery.

I was pleased with the performance vs Notts Co the other night with all players getting 45 mins but now is the time for us to start testing players and maybe pushing those minutes up and get more game time.

Kick Off is a slightly earlier 7pm for this one with admission prices set at £8 for Adults £5 Concession and Under 16’s FREE.

Come down to the Don Amott Arena on Friday and see Sports test themselves against Football League opposition.

Mickleover Sports 1 – 0 Notts County XI

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Mickleover Sports got their pre season off to a winning start as they took the victory in a game against a very young Notts County side. Tom Eccleshall, the 16 year old product of the Mickleover Juniors side scored the only goal in what was a typical first pre season game where the main focus for both sides was purely match fitness with John McGrath electing to field two different XI’s in each half. But a win is a win which will surely raise confidence ahead of the big test against Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion on Friday night.

The first half XI included new signings Nathan Jarman & Curtis Burrows and also consisted of returning players Lewis King, Harley Kozluk, Pablo Mills, Jack Walsh, John McGrath, Lewis Belgrave and Evan Garnett. Two Trialists’ were also included in the starting line up.

The first chance of the game went the way of Sports as Evan Garnett was played through but he snatched at his chance as his effort went wide of the mark. Only a few minutes later a mistake at the back from the visitors as the keeper played the ball straight back out to John McGrath but as McGraths effort was about to cross the line the keeper did well to make up for this error and got down well to push the ball away for a corner. The resulting corner was then floated in McGrath but Trialist smashed the ball well over the bar and out for a goal kick.

The next slice of action came half way through the first half as Lewis Belgrave tried a half volley from 25 yards out but could not get hold of it and sliced the shot wide. Then Garnett tired his luck again who caught the ball well but his strike went narrowly wide of the post. A couple of minutes later Harley Kozluk managed to drive well down the right hand side and made his way into the box. Kozluk managed to cut the ball back to Belgrave whose effort was straight into the arms of the County keeper.

The visitors then had their first real chance of the match just before the half hour mark as a golden chance from the visitors’ young striker went just wide of the mark. Sports then won a free kick on the edge of the Notts County penalty area. New signing Nathan Jarman stepped up and unleashed a ferocious effort past the wall which curved just wide of the right hand post for a goal kick. On the next Sports attack Kozluk played a very clever ball inside to Curtis Burrows whose shot went high over the bar. Sports would then have two final chances before the half time break, both coming from Evan Garnett. First Garnett received the ball on the edge of the box and worked himself a chance but the effort was dragged harmlessly into the keeper’s body and saved well. A similar scenario occurred a minute later when Garnett struck the ball from distance outside the area but same outcome the keeper managed to get down and save the shot.  The final chance of the half went the way of the visitors with a few minutes to go as a good ball into the Sports penalty area found the County striker free inside the box but thankfully from a Sports point of view it went well wide of the goal.

The second half consisted of a new XI for Sports as new signing Niall Doran got his first run out in a Sports shirt, now sporting the brand new light blue away strip. There was four Trialists’ in this half with a some academy players in there too but familiar names to Sports fans were the likes of Kevin Grocott, Tom Burgin, Jake Scott, Tom Eccleshall, Jimmy Phillips, Will Norcross and Clinton Morrison.

It certainly didn’t take the second half team long to make an impact on the game, all of six minutes into the half and Sports had their first goal of pre season. It was young Tom Eccleshall at left back as he delivered a cross on the left hand side. The Notts County keeper managed to spill the ball in to the net as his near post and over the line for a rather bizarre first goal. The visitors then could have equalised instantly from kick off as a good quality free kick went narrowly over the bar.

Next a fantastic diving challenge from Eccleshall set Trialist who as he drove down the wing procured a great effort from the edge of the box but the County keeper did extremely well to get down and save it. It could easily have been 1-1 just after the hour mark as the County striker got a very lucky break but he fortunately couldn’t take his opportunity and only managed to hit the side netting from what was pretty much an open goal. A big let off for Sports but still they remained ahead. Niall Doran then showed how good he can be at taking set plays as a corner was delivered in very well only for Trialist to head over. Sports were pressing really well and they were rewarded when they won the ball back just inside the Notts area. Doran then turned well and had a strike on goal but again his effort was over the bar.

Then a moment for manager John McGrath to be proud of as his son, Jay, came on for the final 15 minutes, having been given special permission from Burton Albion Academy to get a run out in the game. Jay, who is only 15 years old, slotted into the left hand side of defence in place of goal scorer Eccleshall.

Notts County then had a chance just after the substitution as Trialist, the goalkeeper for Sports this half, makes a save with his face as the ball rebounded back to the striker he managed to somehow hit the bar from only a few yards out. Thankfully the effort was cleared away from danger and no harm was done but it was a real chance from County to grab a late equaliser.

The final chance of the game came four minutes before the end as Trialist playing up front for Sports got onto the end of a Kevin Grocott cross but the County keeper, who apart from his one mistake was having a great game, got down and saved superbly. That was the final effort of the game as a valuable 90 minutes for the whole side came to a conclusion. John McGrath would have been very happy with the first run out of pre season as all focus can now go onto the Burton Albion game on this coming Friday 13^th July with a 7pm Kick Off.

Come down and cheer on our boys as they take on the huge task of Croatia, this Wednesday, in our first World Cup Semi Final since 1990!

• Real Ales
• BBQ
• Bar opens from 6PM.

Are all welcome!

COME ON ENGLAND!

It’s time to dust the cob webs off and get back to action as Sports return to action after nearly 10 and a half weeks since their last game at home to Barwell all the way back in April. Pre season kicks off with a home friendly against what is expected to be a very youthful Notts County side, but this does not mean it will be any less of a test.

Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry spoke to Sports boss John McGrath to get his thoughts on tonight’s game.

How much are you looking forward to the first pre-season friendly?

It’s always great, as a footballer, to pull your boots back on again after the summer break and get a game of football. Match fitness is vital in the lead up to our opening fixture so playing pre season games is definitely a vital part of that.

What in your eyes will count as a successful first friendly? Result? Performance? No injuries, etc.?

I’m not really bothered about the result. I am more interested in players fitness at this early stage. And also can we get through the 90 minutes without anyone picking up any niggles or injuries. With us having a small squad it’s key that we try and keep everyone as fully fit as possible.

What sort of test/side can we expect to see from Notts County?

I’m sure whatever side Notts Co bring it will be a test for us. Even if they bring the young 18’s and 23’s they should still pose a threat to us both technically and physically but the simple measure that they are in full time training.

Whats the plan of action in terms of how many minutes your players will be looking to play? Will you be looking to rotate your squad throughout the game?

Tonight we will play two separate teams in each half. It’s about easing the players into games and not pushing them too hard too soon.

What are you looking to see from your players during the game and do you have a full squad available for selection?

We have the majority of the squad available with some academy kids and also some Trialist’s I want to have a look at suiting the game also playing. We play a specific brand of football and that’s what I will be looking at most during the game. Can we stick to our philosophy and play the game our way.

Kick off tonight is 7:30pm and admission prices are £5 for full paying adults with Children U16 and Ladies are also being offered FREE ADMISSION for this pre season friendly so come down and get your first viewing of your Sports side in action ahead of the 2018/2019 Northern Premier League campaign.

Mickleover Sports Chairman Don Amott speaks with Press & Media Officer Sam Goldsworthy about everything happening on and off the field at Mickleover Sports.

This interview is now available to watch on Mickleover Sports TV. Click on the link below to watch and subscribe to the channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx1TsD7mrXY

Secretary:
To carry out the vital part of keeping a team running and up to date with league instructions. Basic computer skills and access to e-mail a necessity. The role includes informing opposition of forthcoming games, the management of away games, attending 2/3 League meetings a year, completion of relevant paperwork on a Sat, informing the league of scores and completing and sending team sheets from games played.

 

Kit Man:
To ensure that complete kits are available.
To take used to to launderette for washing.
Collect kit.
To put out kit pre – match
To ensure that all warm up equipment including balls are ready.
To provide referee with match balls.

 

Both roles are vital in assisting the current development of the Reserve team allowing the coaching staff the time to concentrate on the development of the players.

You will be part of an exciting time in the progress of Mickleover Sports and be part of a team that is really going places.

Anybody Interested should email Dave Bird on info@mickleoversportsfc.com

EVERY SUNDAY from 8th July – 30th September.
Sellers from 7.30am £10 Car, £15 Van
Buyers from 8.30am £1 Adult, Children Free
Refreshments available
FREE Parking

No need to pre book- arrive on the day, 1st come 1st served.

Mickleover Sports boss John McGrath speaks with Press & Media Officer Sam Goldsworthy following our first pre season training session.

This interview is now available to watch on Mickleover Sports TV. Click on the link below to watch and subscribe to the channel:

https://youtu.be/jXFAGwHKgEs

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Don Amott Parks (Mickleover Chairman Don Amott) have kindly agreed to sponsor the new Youtube Channel for Mickleover Sports called, “Mickleover Sports TV”. This agreement also includes Sponsorship of the new monthly online show called “Sports Report” which will be uploaded on the 1st of every month. More information about Sports Report will be announced soon. Don Amott Parks logo will be displayed on all future content going forward.

The Sponsorship agreement includes the funds to purchase a new camera which will provide new Press & Media Officers, Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy, with better equipment to create, edit and produce better and more professionally looking content for Mickleover Sports TV as well as the Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Sam Goldsworthy, Press & Media Officer for Mickleover Sports said,

Myself and Kerry want to thank Don and Don Amott Parks for agreeing to sponsor the new Youtube Channel we have set up with the help of current Video Analyst Jake Garratt and giving us the funds to buy a new camera which will help us out massively with being able to record the most professional and effective content going forward. I am looking forward to recording our new monthly show, “Sports Report” which will provide something a little bit different and I can’t wait to show everyone my ideas for this project.

Supporters can Subscribe to Mickleover Sports TV on the following link, which will provide match highlights, pre match & post match interviews as well as Sports Report, down below…

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRPMLOBwM6cJ631Anvw-pdQ